AN: Hello once again!
So, if you read my previous chapter then you know that I was going to give Bell another lightning power. I still am, however I removed the ideas for it. I might try to do it in a sort of logical order, if you get what I mean? Kind of like Pokemon, as you level up, you gain more moves. That sort of thing, although he won't get a new move every level up, I am not taking it that literally (I probably did not explain this very well, but whatever).
Another thing. You know that guy who was extorting Lili? I do not think the series ever gave his name... If he does have one, can someone please tell me? For now, I will just use a temporary (fake?) name. I have also made him slightly more bold than what he was in the light novel, manga, and anime. I did the same with his goons, you know that guy, Canoe. Yeah, him.
Back to the leader guy. He is, in fact, weaker then Bell, however he has more experience, so I made it look like a somewhat (not really) of a fair fight (Bell has only just recently begun training with Ryuu if you remember). His temporary/fake name will be Zashima.
Anyways, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy! :D
-Zashima's Pov, Before Appearing-
I was just going around the dungeon, like usual. Extorting money off 'a these goons is the easiest thing in the entire world. It's the same with Lili, though she still has a brain in comparison to these mindless goons (I say goons, but there's only three of us right now).
I guess that's why she's able to make money?
Anyways, I was going around like usual, using my boys as meat shields, and noticed that a few adventurers had come through the area earlier. I decided to send one of the goons to go and check, ya know, to see if there's anyone worth extorting down here. He came back ten minutes later, saying how he saw Lili with an adventurer, which caused me to smirk evilly.
"So she's found another one, huh? Alright guys, let's go greet 'em, yeah?" I questioned to the other two who were with me. They both smiled evilly after realizing what we're doing.
We're getting our payment a little early.
Maybe even getting someone new to extort.
-Ryuu's Pov-
"...!" A sudden chill ran down my spine, leaving me with an odd sense of foreboding. I looked over my shoulder, looking for what could have been the cause for such a thing, though I doubted that I would find anything considering my senses did not pick up anything. Suddenly, a large palm was placed on my shoulder.
"Ryuu? Somethin' wrong? You suddenly stopped what you were doing." Mia asked, concerned. I shrugged it off and gave a curt shake of my head. I turned back to my sweeping and just tried to ignore the feeling, doubting that anything bad was actually happening.
Though as I thought this, another surge of chills crawled up my back. I instantly snapped the broom, also instantly regretting my sudden action, as when I turned around, I may or may not have whimpered. What I saw is most likely the only real danger that I could currently face.
"Ryuu..."
Why me...!
-Bell's Pov, Present Time-
"Shut up!" I let out a low growl, the irritation and anger rising to the surface of my generally happy face. I was so caught up in my anger that I didn't realize that there was someone hiding to the right pathway. I was currently in an intersection-like area, as there's four different paths to take, so I failed to notice him. Though I guess it's fair, since I had other problems to attend to.
"You don't have any right to say that!" I shouted, my eyes sending a piercing glare in their direction, hoping for them to get the message. The one in the front with the raven hair began to laugh, and hunched over while clutching his stomach.
"Bahaha! Oh my god! This is too funny. A rookie, you, talking back to a superior, me. As if you can command me, weakling!" The man shouted, a new, maniacal grin plastered on his face, giving him a distorted appearance, he honestly sounded more stupid then he appeared. I understand the seriousness of the situation, but... how does he make an evil smile look like some perverted grandpa!
"Pfff!" I couldn't keep the laughter rising to my mouth, so I leaned over and put a hand on my mouth to hide it. Lili, in the background, looked at me slightly incredulously, though I failed to notice because of my hunched down figure. "T-That was too funny!" I didn't mean to sound conceited or cocky, but... it really was cracking me up.
"Rrr! What are you laughing at, fool!? Don't you understand how dangerous of a situation you're in!?" The man screamed incredulously, looking at me with face that screamed bloody murder, though the effect was dimmed through my ignorance of his anger. "Boys, teach him a lesson!" He shouted, pointing a finger in my direction.
I instantly stopped my laughter and put on my serious face. I don't know what level's these guys are, so I'm at a major disadvantage due to a lack of information. Though I quickly assumed that they were only level 1, judging by the fact that I was able to block this guys' sword once just a few days ago (at least I think it was a few days ago, he wasn't a very memorable person).
One of the goons to the right of the man charge at me, so I instantly pull out my knife with my right hand and chant lightning mould, forming a rod of lightning that's around 25cm long. I would've made a knife, but when I tried I learnt that I need to consciously keep the form stable and solid, so it puts me at a temporary disadvantage until I get used to it.
It takes a conscious effort, constantly draining my mind power, though with simpler things (things that are more linear shaped), like a rod of lightning, it's extremely easy in comparison.
As the slim man swings down with his sword, I push to the left with my feet, and swing around with my left arm extended. As I come around I twist my body even further, increasing my speed, which further increases the impact of my weapon. My lightning rod slams right into the guys' back, as a result he began to shake as if there were miniature killer ants in his pants.
In retaliation to my strike, the man turns around and swings his sword in a wild, horizontal strike. I bent my body backwards and avoided the strike, using this as an opportunity to judge the mans' form. You couldn't even call it playing with if you compared it to how Ryuu wielded a sword, so it wasn't as hard as it could've been to dodge, though I did leave it a bit close; if the lone strand of hair floating down in the corner of my eye is anything to go by.
While still bent backwards I lift up my leg and *Crack* kicked the man in a very... precious spot. All of the men present visibly wince, as my opponent falls to the ground, clutching the family jewels. I nearly lost my balance from the uneven kick, as I had to reach out with both of my hands to keep myself from falling, dispelling my magic in the process.
"Hah... Hah..." I took this opportunity to catch my breath, seeing as everyone present are pretending to have a fish's mouth. After making sure that no one was going to sneak attack me, I looked down at my opponent, noticing him clutching his jewels. His eyes are white, rolled into the back of his head.
'Thank you, Ryuu. Though I think that was too brutal...'
-Flashback-
I was training with Ryuu, like we do most mornings (or afternoons for when I miss the morning sessions). I was getting lectured on the weak points of stances and of people in general.
"Generally, most will have a solid stance, so you will be incapable of exploiting subtle mistakes and openings. However, when fighting an inexperienced or untrained individual, you will more likely than not be able to find openings easily. When facing a man, you must aim for the most important part of their body. Keep in mind that you will most likely be unable to do this for more experienced, stronger, or trained individuals. For women, there is no obvious weak point such as this, so go for their eyes." She explained in her usual stoic expression, although I could see the slight twitch of a smile when she saw my reaction.
'I like this training.' Ryuu thought in her mind.
At the time, I felt a chill go down my spine, but decided to ignore it since Ryuu was here.
That was a mistake.
-Present-
By the end of that training session I was laying on the ground, groaning, and wanting to puke my guts out.
Ryuu's brutal.
Back to the topic at hand, everyone had just regained composure from their shocked expressions. Well, I wouldn't say they regained composure, more so that they changed from shocked, to completely terrified.
"T-That... Was just cruel..." I heard the other goon on the left mutter, though I paid it no mind as I stared right at the middle man, the leader. His entire body was shivering, although I couldn't tell if it was from rage, fear, or another emotion. Though that thought was answered in the next few seconds.
"Pffff! That was hilarious! Oh my god... That guy was way too weak, good riddance I'd say." He stated seriously, still using the evil smirk that makes him look like an old man. I couldn't help but gawk at him for that. 'His friend just got kicked in the jewels... And he laughs?' I questioned his sanity in my head, but pushed those thoughts aside for later.
"If it was so funny to you, then why don't you experience it first hand?" I questioned, staring him straight in the eye. Gaining a new sense of determination and anger after seeing him ridicule his own friend (maybe ally?). I just wanted to walk up to him and kick him harder then I kicked the other guy.
"No... Thanks." He muttered as he signaled for his other goon (friend, ally?) to attack me. The other guy was much fatter (dare I say obese) in comparison to the slim, lanky physique the other goon sported. He charged at me with an axe, held to the side, ready for a horizontal strike, and I had to say, I was unimpressed. His speed was much slower in comparison to the other guy.
I used lightning mould and created another rod, the exact same size, and charged at the guy. He yelled as he was charging me, while I kept quiet, and ducked downwards with a push from my right leg as he swung. I poked my rod straight in the mans' jewels.
At the very least, I don't feel bad for these guys after what happens next.
As the man falls, I hear a yelp that comes from behind me.
"Ah!" I turn around to see a big man with a brown coat and small furry ears atop of his head running with a familiar short person. "Lili!" I shouted, instantly beginning to move. Lili's in a choke hold and is being dragged off by the large man, so I spring myself into action by preparing a mock lightning bolt. The lightning already gathered in my hand morphed into the same lightning shape that burns down homes.
"Hah!" I reared my arm back and let out a loud shout as I extend it with all of my might. The bolt goes flying, zooming past the room to where the man is running. I was prepared to hear a scream, or a shout, however when I looked, I realized.
I missed.
"Damn it!" I cursed instantly, attention still focused on the man that's holding Lili captive. I prepare to continue my pursuit, but a sudden sound of wind splitting urges me to roll to the right.
*Whoosh* A sword flies right where I was previously, hitting the ground with a loud clang. I look up to see the man who was mocking his friends previously, who's grinning like a madman and retracting his sword in a slow, almost drunk-like way.
He turned to me and screeched one word that made me question his sanity once again.
"DIE!"
-Lili's Pov-
"B..e..ll." I croaked, gasping for air as the man threw me onto the ground in another large room, similar to the previous one.
"Heh, finally a good distance. Time to kill ye nice and slow." He said ominously as he began to pull a sack out from his cloak. Once I saw what was in the cloak, my eyes widened in shock, then fear.
"K-Killer ant..." I mutter, trying to think of any possible escape, though every plan I think up is drowned out by the fact that I'm helpless without my tools. Inwardly I cursed the man as he took my magic weapon, leaving me completely defenseless.
"Good luck, little Missy. I guess I shouldn't say that though... Because your death's guaranteed!" He laughed maniacally as he threw the tied up killer ant onto the ground and ran off, letting the monster screech. The screech is actually, in fact, a call for help, which attracts any number of killer ants. The highest (and most unlikely) number to appear is around 27.
It'd be easy for high level adventurers to beat them, but a low level like myself? Not a chance.
'Bell... Help...!'
-Bell's Pov-
"Ah!" I shout as I lunge to the left, easily, though clumsily avoiding the strike from the enemy. I slow my breathing, allowing myself to calm down. 'He's got me cornered.' As much as I'd like to say I'm stronger than him, I'm not, at least experience-wise I'm not. I can judge that much based off of the speed from his attacks and the impact on the ground that he has less speed then me, but I'm unused to my speed.
I stand up from my position and look up to see the man getting ready to charge me again. I quickly use lightning mould once more and create a mock lightning bolt, reeling my arm back ready to throw it. The man roars as he charges me, however I wait for him to come closer.
'A little closer...' I think, mentally measuring the distance between us.
As soon as he's around 2 meters away from me I throw my bolt. His eyes widened in shock, most likely at the speed that the bolt is traveling, and he gets struck right in the right shoulder, his sword arm. "Argh...!" He cries out in pain and looks up, only to see my foot in his face. He flies away ungraciously and rolls along the ground for a few meters before stopping.
I wait a few seconds for him to get up, but he doesn't. "Phew... First real fight I guess..." I turned around to the direction where Lili was taken and run. 'What's that?' There's an odd noise that's irritating my ears, so I decide to push myself to move faster and get to Lili quicker. That's when I hear another noise besides the odd screeching.
"Ahhh!"
'Lili!' I shout in my head as I pick up the pace once again, drawing on the power of my stats to carry me forward. After another minute I arrive at another large room, though it's filled with tons of killer ants. My eyes' widen in shock, but quickly become focused after spotting the brown cloak poking out from underneath a group of them.
I knew that I wouldn't make it with my current speed, so I instantly went to using magic. I quickly made the decision to try something that I've yet to attempt. I sheath my Hestia knife and reel both of my arms back.
"Lightning mould." And two 50cm mock lightning bolts appear hovering over the palms of my hands. I take one heavy step forward, the dust on the ground spreading as a result, and spring my two arms into action.
"Hahhhhh!" I launched them with all of my might.
A gust of wind appears as the bolts fly, instantly impaling multiple ants in the process. I failed to get them all, however I got the ones on Lili, leaving her free and in the open. I quickly launch myself forward again, this time unsheathing my Hestia knife, holding it in front of me and charging for the remaining group of ants.
-One Ant Slaughtering Session Later-
"Hah... Hah... There were so manyyyy!" I whine childishly as I plonk onto the ground, placing both arms extended behind me, keeping me in a sitting position. I catch my breath for while before hearing someone sit down next to me. I look over to my right and see Lili there. Her breathing is ragged, most likely from all of the action we faced today.
"... Why?" She questioned, causing me to tilt my head.
"Why what?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"Why did you save me...?"
"Oh... Hm." Honestly, I hadn't expected this question. I can see why she would ask it, considering that she actually stole some of the money that we gathered at some point. I decided to answer what I honestly think.
"Because you're my friend!" I answer with a cheery smile, attempting to lighten up the mood. Lili's face twitches into a wobbly glare, though that and the tears made the glare lose its affect.
"But why!? I was going to betray you! And don't even say that you didn't notice, because I know you did! I'm the whole reason we got into this mess... So why? Why would you still accept me?" She went on and on with the 'why's, the tears streaming down her face as she bashed her small, frail arms onto my own, causing one of my arm to feel the slight push of hers'.
"Because. You. Are. My. Friend. It's as simple as that, no lies, no betrayals, no backstabbing. You're my friend, and even if you don't think so, then at the very least I'm your friend." I stated finally, leaving no room to argument. Her eyes widened for a brief time, before slipping down into a half-lidded smile.
Her tears were still streaming down her face as she said one last thing before fainting.
"Thank you..."
AN: Okay, so I probably screwed up a LOT with this chapter. I sincerely apologize for any mistakes you find (or plot holes). I just finished this after doing humanities and science exams (UGH!). No offense to any people who like those subjects.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!