Danmachi Heart of Alfhiem
Chapter 6 Supporter(edited)
(Day 9)
"Don't y-you ever get t-tired!?" Eina yells heavily breathing behind Bell, running as fast as she could maintain. Bell looked like he was casually jogging in front of her.
I slowed downed to match her stride. "I guess we can take a break." Both of us came to a halt at the north side. Eina was wheezing over the battlements. "Eina keep your head above your heart so you don't get dizzy."
Eina raised her head and focused on her breathing. She raises her head up a little taking heed of my warning. "S-sorry for slowing you down."
"It's fine." I was only feeling slightly winded. "The run is a lot more entertaining with you here Eina. I can always focus this energy into the dungeon."
"I feel scared for the monsters." Eina said sarcastically. "I swear you must have a skill that gives you that much energy."
"I wish I had a skill. Keep seeing a blank slot in both skills and magic. It's a little disheartening." I towards the mountains as Eina just stares at me bewildered. "Do you have any skills Eina?" I stare back into her beautiful emerald eyes.
Eina smiled. "I just got my first one the other day. It helps increase the power of my magic."
"Skills and magic." I smiled in awe. "Wow, you are amazing Eina."
"No, I am not. It's wasted on me."
"Why would you say that, Eina?"
"I have been too scared to go into the dungeon and I have done something horrible to you."
"I don't believe you could ever -."
Eina started to tear up. "No, I have. The girls at the guild started betting on how long you would survive."
"What?!"
Eina hung her head. "Me too. I chose to continue being your advisor, because I don't want you to die. I will understand if you hate me."
"Eina." I could see she was cringing and trying to avoid looking into my eyes. "I don't hate you, Eina. I am glad you're my advisor. Everything you have done has been helping to keep me alive."
"I feel dirty about doing that to you, Bell."
"What did you bet?"
"M-mine was the longest at six months. Your progress has been amazing and you seem so innocent to be running around the dungeon, especially alone. It's been terrifying me."
"R-really."
"Yes, most people that become adventurers have combat experience or are motivated by greed. None that I can't think has been progressing as fast as you. I have already lost four close friends Maris, Erik, Claire and Anju. I don't want to lose you either." Eina pleaded.
I tried to reassure her. "You won't lose me. I don't plan on dying anytime soon."
"The dungeon is unpredictable and unforgiving Bell."
"Well, I guess I will have to add some valis to the betting pool, so I can buy some stronger gear."
"Bell it's not a joke. People die in the dungeon every day."
"I-I would be too scared to die. I can't upset my amazing advisor."
Eina covered palmed her forehead. "Now you're teasing me."
"Eina I am not. You're kind and caring. You have both skills and magic, but you choose to use your experience and intelligence to help others survive the dungeon. You can level up anytime you want but are choosing to work on improving. N-not to mention you are very beautiful."
Eina's hand fell from her face to reveal a red face an embarrassed smile. She stuttered. "T-t-thankyou."
"Just being honest."
"Maybe your goddess is right." Eina stared off at the wall. "Maybe you are trying to seduce every woman you see."
Frantically I tried waving my hands back and forth. "No. No. I swear I am not."
"You still love her don't you Bell?"
Now my face went a deep crimson. "I don't know what I am doing. It's probably impossible but I want to get stronger to try. It would not be fair to pursue anything else while my thoughts linger on her."
"I might get jealous of Riveria at this rate. You did say you loved me after all." She says seductively.
"P-please stop teasing me. I don't think my heart can take it." My hand rested over my chest.
"Ha-ha-ha." Eina chuckled.
We left the wall and I walked her back home again. "I got to get ready for work. Please stop by the guild after lunch Bell."
"I will Eina."
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A few hours later I walked into the near-empty guild hall to find Eina half-asleep at her desk. "Eina. Eina."
"huh. Huh!" Eina woke up suddenly in shock. "Bell."
"Are you okay to train with me today, Eina?"
Eina shook herself awake. "Sorry. Just exhausted."
"Are you sure you can keep running in the morning? I don't want you getting into trouble."
Eina jumped to her feet. "Yes, I will be fine. I am not gonna fail. Follow me to the back." I followed her to the training room sitting next to each other on a comfy couch. She started prepping floor 7 materials, maps and monster information.
"I wonder if I should prepare for floor eight too."
*Thud!*
Eina dropped the materials in front of me. "I swear do you not listen to me!"
"I haven't gone to floor seven yet. I have been waiting for you."
"Not letting you go to floor eight yet without mastering floor seven. Those killer ants are known as rookie killers. Let alone the poisonous purple moths and the needle rabbits that will find a weakness to exploit. Besides didn't you have trouble on floor six not to long ago."
"Actually, been finding it kind of boring now. Especially with my new equipment and stats."
Eina sat next to Bell with her hands clasped over her waist. "Bell, I told you earlier that your progress is scaring me. Most people would be on floor three right now."
"I thought I was going slow."
Eina shook her head. "No Bell! You have been growing at a crazy pace. Silverbacks are from floor twelve. Infant dragons are rare monsters that spawn from floor ten to twelve and they are considered upper-level floor bosses."
"Floor boss?"
"Monsters that usually take whole battle parties to take down. That is far above normal. I was an adventurer for two years with my friends and in two minutes we were destroyed by one. I got lucky because Riveria saved me."
"Sorry, Eina. I won't rush. I will follow your orders." I was contemplating all this weird information about my growth. "E-e-eina, can you read Hieroglyphs?"
"A little. Why?"
"Do you want to look at my back?"
"Eh" Eina was taken aback. "I have been tempted to ask you. It wouldn't be proper to look at somebody's skills."
"I don't have any skills or magic in the first place." My face started to blush red and I stuttered in a low voice. "I c-can take off my s-shirt."
"Please don't make that face. You're gonna make me uncomfortable like I am forcing you to strip."
I slowly undid my jacket and shirt and pulled them off and turned my back to her. Eina's face went red. 'Wow he's really starting to develop muscles.'
I peered over my shoulder with puffy cheeks and squinty eyes. "I thought you were looking at my back Eina."
"Sorry just surprised you were a lot skinnier three weeks ago." Eina tried to hide her embarrassment. She started scanning his back. When she noticed, her eyes opened wide in shock and she covered her mouth with her hand as she continued to scan his back.
Bell Cranel
Level One Age: 15 Race: Human
Strength: C650 Defense: C644
Dexterity: C672 Agility: B740
Magic: I0 ****: I
Magic ()
Skills () *************************
Eina's mind was spinning. 'He could go to floor 10 with these ability scores. Why does he say that his skill slot is empty? Is his goddess hiding the skill from him? What is this developmental ability at level one?'
A few minutes passed and I was starting to get nervous. "Everything okay?" I stared back into Eina's wide eyes.
Her mind was going dizzy with worry and shock and she fell forward onto against back. "How?"
"Eh" Shocked by the warm touch on my skin and feeling her heavenly chest rest on my back. The floral perfume scent was intoxicating.
"How? How Bell?" Eina cried out.
"I-I-I don't know. Goddess keeps telling me it's a growth spurt." Still red in the face the door opened up. A plain-looking silver-haired elf peeked her head into the room.
"Eina, how long are you taking up the room to-?" Sophia's eyes widened in shock, seeing Eina hugging his shirtless body.
"Ahhh."
Eina realized what she was doing and sat up straight immediately. "I can explain!" Before she could, the elf bolted out of the room and shut the door with a smug grin on her face.
"Oh no." Eina hid her horrified expression behind her hand. "I am gonna get in trouble for that."
Immediately I through on my shirt. "I can explain?"
"No that won't faze Sophie. She doesn't like me much. Don't worry about it." She rubbed her head and shifted back to his status. "Bell how do you have a developmental ability at level one?"
"I don't know. I thought it was normal. Something about Luck." My shoulders shrugged.
"Luck?" Eina's hand trailed down to expose her eyes.
"Is that weird?"
"A little." Eina's brow was creased from stress, holding a pained smile on her face.
"Huh! Are my ability scores high enough for floor seven?"
'I will not say anything about the skill. I have no right to ask.' Eina thought. "Bell your ability stats would clear you for floor ten."
"Really."
The silly ecstatic smile on Bell's face stressed Eina even more. "Stop!" She held out her hands. "I refuse to let you go down without mastering the other floors first. I will go down there myself to pull you out."
"O-o-okay."
"If you want to progress further, you have to show me you can master each floor."
"How do I do that without you going in with me?"
"When you get out of the dungeon every day, come directly to me. I want to see your drop items. Give me a minimum of one hundred killer ant stones on floor seven, one hundred goblin elites on floor 8, and fifty iron tusk boars from floor nine."
"Sounds reasonable. I will do it!"
Eina pinched her temple. "Why do I feel like you're gonna accomplish that in a day?"
"I don't think I can carry that much and fight at the same time. Finn said something about finding a supporter to help me."
"Yes, find somebody to help you." Eina was excited for a second. Her ears fell after realizing Bell's situation. "But your all alone in your familia."
*SLAM!*
The red-haired werewolf Rose threw open the door. Her amber eyes scanned the room, assessing the situation. Rose glared at Eina and spoke in a deep suspicious tone. "Care to explain what's going on in here Eina?"
I got up and bowed to the werewolf woman. "S-sorry for the misunderstanding, Miss Rose. I voluntarily showed Eina my basic ability scores on my back. Before we start training for floor seven."
Rose squinted her eyes at Bell. "Make sure training is all you're doing in here."
"Sorry. It won't happen again."
"Uh-huh." Rose rolled her eyes and left the room.
"Thank you, Bell."
"No problem, Eina. I don't want you to get in trouble for that." I sat back down on the couch. "Y-y-you do smell nice though."
"He-he-he." Eina hid her blushing face by leaning over to grab the dungeon maps for floors seven thru nine. For many hours we went over how each monster fights. The killer ants have hard exoskeleton-like armor, except for their spinal columns. They can climb walls and will call out for friends with their antennas if they're not killed fast. The poisonous purple moths will unleash their spores and needle rabbits impale their victim if they find a blind spot.
The goblin elites are slightly bigger than their weaker cousins. They will pull small landform knives out of the walls and are known to coordinate in packs. The iron tusk boars were one-meter-tall wrecking balls with sharp iron-like tusks.
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Eina switched out with the night shift as the sun lowered to the horizon. We walked toward the north to her home. We were joking about recent events. After another twenty minutes, we found her street. "Bell since you didn't buy armor or weapons with that fifty thousand valis. What are you spending it on?"
"Yesterday I filled up on potions from Lord Miach. That was the earnings from floor six. I actually bought a couch with the dragon stone."
"Huh, a couch."
"Sorry, I should have given you half."
"No. No." Eina held out her hands. "I would have been dead to the dragon if not for you. The only reason I leveled up is that I think I did more damage with my magic and I would have never landed it into its stomach without you."
"Wait is that how you level? You beat a strong monster."
"Sort of you need one D stat at a minimum. You need to perform a feat that the gods will recognize. I would rather you not go do something crazy."
"I won't. I still want to get magic first."
"It's not fair. Elves tend to be gifted with magic."
I subconsciously touch my ears which she noticed. "Would be amazing to get one spell at least. Seeing those empty slots is depressing."
Eina smirked seeing his disappointment. "One day you will. I am sure of it. Why a couch?"
"My back was hurting. A couple of waitresses at the Hostess helped me go shopping for a new couch."
"More women. He-he. That was nice of them." Eina giggled
"They're just friends. They just helped me replace the old one in the basement."
"Suurrreeee." Eina shook her head seeing his shocked face. "Why in the basement?"
"I kind of... live in a basement of an abandoned church. I was a little hesitant to show your goddess the other day. It's better than the street at least." A nervous chuckle escaped my lips.
Eina's smile instantly vanished into a worried look. "I-I have an e-extra room."
My chest started burning. "I-I d-don't think I can. Sorry."
"You sure. It wouldn't be that much of a problem." Eina blushed.
It pained me to refuse her. "Thank you, I don't want my goddess scaring you away. She was kind of stalking us yesterday and she flipped out on Syr and Ryu for helping me."
Eina shrank backward with an annoyed look. "Goddess Hestia sounds a bit possessive. That can't be healthy."
"It can... be a little much." My head hung low. "Trying to work through it. I respect goddess, but I want to be able to make friends at least."
"Gonna be hard with different familias. I will always be here to help you." Eina fumbled for her keys.
"E-eina, I do appreciate your offer. I don't want goddess to treat you harshly and you would probably get in trouble with the guild."
"I suppose your right." Eina smiled. "Hope your back gets better."
"It should. Not as comfy as the twilight manor couch, but it's definitely an improvement. With any luck, I will be able to afford a bigger place in a few months. Maybe goddess will have the confidence to recruit more people then."
"I hope so Bell. Hopefully, that luck ability works."
"Already has." I smiled back at her.
Eina points her finger into Bell's chest. "Please go at a reasonable pace and be safe for me. I don't want grey hair before I am twenty.
"I will. I prefer brown. Good night, Eina." I turned around and waved goodbye.
"Night... Bell." Eina's cheeks hurt from an embarrassed smile as she watched him run off to the west.
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I started walking south toward the church as the sun was setting. "Guess it would be too late for a run. Better not miss dinner." I turned up a back alley a block away from the church. As I descended the stairs a small girl runs into my side and falls to the ground.
*Thud!*
"Ow." She cried out in pain.
Still holding my side from the unexpecting collision. I leaned over to examine the brown-haired prum or child in torn red and white clothes. "Are you okay Miss?"
"Just where do you think you're going? You stupid pathetic prum." A man in his twenty's wearing a red trench coat came racing down the alleyway with his sword in his hand. "Get out of my way!"
The man got really angry, seeing the boy step in front of her. "Move or I will slit your throat." Still no movement. "Ahhhhhh!" He raised his sword and brought it down in the direction of the prum girl.
*Clang!*
Instinctively I brought one of my knives up to catch the blade. For a few seconds our blades were locked together, and he pressed down with all his might. I was barely putting up a resistance and got mad at the attack and responded by pushing my knife up to break the guard.
My strength applied to the minotaur knife cut threw his sword, splitting it into two pieces. In fright, he jumped backward. "My sword." He cried out in shock. "What is your problem? Is this mongrel a friend of yours?"
"No, I never met her before."
"Why are you trying to help her?"
"Because she's a girl." I tilted my head confused.
"That's a ridiculous reason to die."
"That's enough!" A third deep feminine voice rang out from above the stairs. Standing there was the beautiful elfess Ryu in her waitress uniform. "Crossing blades in city limits you ought to be ashamed."
"You ought to keep your fat mouth shut!" The man shouted blindly.
"Be Quiet!" Ryu ordered. "You should avoid resorting to violence. I tend to get carried away." Her tone lowered into a scary tone of an experienced adventurer. In a blink of a second, she whipped out a knife. I couldn't even see her get it out.
"Skank!" The man trembled in anger and fright.
"If I could break your sword so easily. What do you think she could do? Apologize to her."
"Enough." Ryu ordered. The man rushed off back down the alley a little blue in the face.
"Sorry, Ryu. Thank you for the help." I bowed to apologize.
"It's fine. Looks like you had it handled anyways Mr. Cranel."
"What are you doing here Ryu?"
"I was getting a few supplies." She motioned to the paper bag in her hands. "What about you Mr. Cranel?"
"Well, you see this girl here... Huh. Where did she go?" I looked around for the prum girl.
"I don't see anyone. Must have run off. Are you always getting into trouble Mr. Cranel?" Ryu's brow raised.
I nervously scratch my head embarrassed. "Feels like it always finds me. Good thing I have a beautiful forest fairy looking out for me."
"Eh!" Her face lights up in surprise. She was feeling nervous and stuttered in her speech. "P-p-please excuse m-me. I need to get b-back to the bar."
"All right." Ryu started walking towards the main road. "Oh, Ryu." She turned her head towards me. "Hope someday you can call me Bell."
"Ahh, g-good night, B-B-Bell." She quickly turned around and walked toward the main road.
I turn around and continue walking towards the church. Not realizing the pair of eyes scoping me out as a target. The prum girl around the corner had a devious look on her face.
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"Evening Goddess." I enter to find her sitting on the new sofa.
"Bell you're late." She came up to hug me. Then pulled away fast. "Why do you smell like perfume?"
"I was with Eina all day in the training room."
A blood vessel looked like it was gonna burst in her forehead. "What were you doing with her?"
"Training?"
"That's not the whole truth Bell."
"Most of the day was training. We ran the walls in the morning and spent the evening at the guild hall training for the dungeon. She cleared me to go to floor ten but wants me to fulfill a magic stone quota before progressing past seven. Then I walked her back home."
"Floor ten!" Hestia's eyes flared wide in shock.
"Eina said my stats were high enough-." I said with a blank expression before being cut off.
"YOU WHAT!" Hestia screamed.
"She was worried about my growth. So, I showed her my stats."
"BELL THAT IS PERSONAL!"
"Eina only understood the numbers." My shoulder raised not thinking it was a big deal. "It's not like I have magic or skills worth hiding."
"NEVER AGAIN!" Hestia cleared her throat and controlled her breathing. "Never show your status to another again."
"I am sorry, goddess." A bead of sweat rolled down my back. "Goddess, how am I growing so fast?"
Hestia hesitated. "You're special, Bell. You have been working harder than other people have been."
"That can't be. Many people work hard to survive the dungeon." My brow furrowed not understanding her logic.
"Most people have large familias. You have been soloing each floor like a crazy man. You're hoarding all the excelia for yourself." Hestia lied through her teeth, afraid to reveal the skill. "Bell, you need to avoid that girl, Einasomething! She is a bad influence."
"I don't want to. Eina is my advisor, my friend and I care for her."
"She's Loki familia. They just want to use you or steal you away."
"Goddess, I don't see any problems with them. They have helped get me geared up and have healed me after monsterphilia. As for Eina, her lessons and magic have been incredibly important to keep me alive."
"You only need me." Hestia pouted folding her arms.
"Goddess, I want a family someday with a wife and kids. I don't see any issues with making friends and talking with women. Especially people that are worried about my safety."
"I am your family."
"You are my goddess. I have already been offered by four different people to stay at their place." I could see the horror fill her face. "I chose to stay here because I respect you and didn't want to cause any problems. I don't want to leave you alone but if you keep doing this, you're gonna scare me away."
"F-f-fine." Hestia's eyes teared up. She walked off toward her bedroom.
'I don't think this is the end of it.' I thought before going to make something to eat and get ready for bed.
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(Day 10)
Having finished my run early with Eina. I stepped out of the church around 9 am in full armor with my knives and backpack. My first stop was at the hostess to pick up my lunch from Ryu.
Syr was standing out front sweeping the entrance. "Good morning, Syr."
"Bell." She dropped her broom and walked over to me to give me a hug. "I was getting worried."
"S-Syr, it's only been a day." Confused at her actions.
"Ryu said you got attacked in a back alley yesterday." She pulled away, a little. "You sure living back there is safe." Her eyes teared up.
"I am f-f-fine."
"Syr let go of him." Ryu came out of the hostess holding a little basket looking slightly annoyed. "He handled himself well. Plus, as you already noticed his goddess would not approve."
"Like I care." Syr winked. She chuckled seeing the stunned look on his face.
"I... w-will be more careful. I promise."
"Please do." Syr released me from her grasp.
"Here is your lunch." Ryu held out the small basket.
"Really appreciate it, Ryu. Your food is amazing." I dropped a few valis in her hand.
"Thank you." Ryu nodded.
"No fair." Syr pouts. "Why can't I make him a lovey-dovey lunch?"
"Syr!" Ryu shouted closing her eyes. "Syr you're wonderful but you lack culinary skills. You would never get to see him if you kill him. He is just too nice to tell you."
"I am sorry Syr." I bowed. "Please forgive me
"I can't train you or cook for you." Syr's voice lowered in defeat. "I want to help you."
"Both of your friendships are more than enough for me? I will try to stop by more when I get more valis. I am starting floor seven today."
"Floor seven already." Ryu's brow raised.
"Yep."
"Is that good Ryu?" Syr tilted her head towards her friend.
"Extremely. How are you progressing so fast?" Ryu stared confused.
"I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. "Wish I could learn magic though. Yours is very beautiful."
"Aaaaahhhh." Ryu stared forward unable to respond.
"I got to go. Thank you for the lunch, Ryu."
"Be safe Bell." Syr shouted.
Ryu and Syr were watching him run away towards Babel. "Falling for him are you, Ryu." Syr teased.
"N-n-no."
"Calling him by his first name already and you're trying to steal him away from me." *Jiiiiiiiiiiiii* Syr gazed at Ryu menacingly.
"I am just worried about his health and I would never want to force my horrible past on him. Plus, I don't want to hurt you Syr." Ryu steeled her nerves.
"Uh-huh."
"Syr."
Syr rocked her shoulder into Ryu's. "Could share."
Ryu's eyes expanded to their limits. "S-stop it, Syr."
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Babel was very busy today. Many groups of adventurers were heading to the dungeon. The extravagance of their weapons and armor was intimidating. I noticed from their gear that each person seemed to fill a role. Warriors had two-handed weapons, tanks with shields, mages with staffs, archers, and people carrying huge bags.
"Here I am trying to do it all. Guess those are supporters Finn and Eina were telling me to find. How would I go about hiring one if I am the only one in my familia?"
"Mister, mister with the white hair." I turned my head to see nobody but a giant bag until I stared down to find a small girl.
"Nice to meet you, Mister!" She said with a smile.
"Umm, hi." I turned my head confused. "Aren't you the prum, I ran into you yesterday in a back alley." Her clothes were very similar except for the brown overcoat
"Are you confusing Lily with somebody else? I may be short but I am far from a prum." She pulled back her hood to reveal blond hair and two pointy elf ears.
"An elf!?"
"What do you not like Elves?" She said sarcastically.
"No, not at all. Just surprised me because of your size. S-sorry?" I bowed my head. "Aren't you a little young to be going into the dungeon?"
"Lily has been going into the dungeon for a few years for Lord Soma. Lily has been down to floor eleven."
"Wow floor elven."
"Only as a supporter. Lily isn't good at fighting. Would you want to hire Lily?"
"Why not join a party with other members of your familia? Elven magic is usually highly desirable."
Lily chuckled half-heartedly. "Lily does not have useful magic like other elves. Nobody wants small feeble Lily." Her confession about being left out of her familia was stabbed at my heart.
"Lily has no choice. I am almost out of money and can't take much more." Her eyes filled with tears. She leaned in to grab Bell's hands and shook them. "Please, Please, take Lily into the dungeon."
My mind was racing. 'An elf is willingly touching me. I thought they were prideful.'
"Will you hire Lily, please?" She pouted innocently.
"I do need a supporter. Please Help me in the dungeon Lily. My name is Bell Cranel."
"Thank you so much. Maybe Lily can eat tonight. Thirty percent would make Lily jump for joy! Any more will make Lily's ear go red in appreciation." Lily smiled wide. "How deep are you going, Master Bell?"
"My advisor wants me to get a magic stone quota on floor seven before moving further down."
"Alright let's go to the dungeon Master Bell." Lily smiled following after him. 'Sucker.'
"Just call me Bell." I gazed back at her.
"Lily can't do that."
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Within two hours I and Lily made it down to blue-colored tunnels of floor seven. My body was remarkably calm coming down to a new floor. I was excited after so much waiting and studying. New weapons and armor gave me confidence and I didn't have to worry about picking up drops now.
"How many stones does your advisor want you to get?"
"Eina told me to get a hundred killer ant stones before going to floor eight."
"How long have you been on this floor?" Lily asked curiously
"First day."
Usually, it takes a party of adventurers to farm these floors and skipping floors took months not to fill a silly quota. Before Lily could protest, four killer ants skittered into the room. They were one and a half foot tall and four feet long. They were able to prop their bodies off the ground by bracing the bottom half on the ground. Eyeing us up, they began mashing their mandibles together in hunger.
"Master Bell, we can't let them call for help."
"I don't plan on it, Lily."
*Woosh!*
I was able to close the gap toward the killer ants within a few seconds. I brought my right knife into the thorax of the closest ant. The one to its right lashed out at me. I swung my body around escaping his sharp mandibles and used my left knife to sever its head. The two remaining ants were shaken by the numbers cut in half and were about to signal to others.
I kicked off the body of the headless ant and landed a vertical slash down on the right ant splitting its head down the middle between the eyes. Turned back to the far left one and threw one of the knives into its head. I noticed a fifth smaller monster out of the corner of my eye. I brought my remaining knife backward and impaled the needle rabbit. Quickly pulled it out to deal with the other two rabbits racing behind it. In less than a minute, Lily watched him slay four killer ants and three-needle rabbits.
"Woah." Lily was stunned as she watched him retrieve his knives. "That was amazing Master Bell. Are you really a new adventurer?"
"Sort of."
"Weird!" Lily was taken aback. "Guessing those powerful knives are helping out a lot. Most adventurers travel in groups." Lily trailed off while cutting open the chest of a killer ant to get the stone. Ash trailed in the air when the stone was taken out of each body. She noticed a few more ants enter the room. She looked over to see the severed head still alive. Lily brought up her bow gun and shot it between the eyes.
"Master Bell that one signaled its friends. They can stay alive for a few minutes if you sever the head." Lily yelled.
"Good to know." A horrified smirk curled up on my face seeing six more killer ants pile into the room. I lowered myself into a fighting stance to see if they would move first.
Four of them charge on the floor while two others started climbing the walls. I rushed out to meet ones on the ground, directly aiming for the middle. Their bodies slammed into each other trying to tear me apart.
*Woosh! Crunch!*
I did a somersault over the group. I heard a crunching noise as their bodies slammed into each other. As soon as I landed, I jumped back into the middle and landed my knives down into the skulls of the back two. I pulled out my knives and jumped backward to avoid their mashing mandibles.
*Clang!*
"Master Bell watch out!" *Swish!* Lily shot a purple moth out of the sky and another needle rabbit.
One of the ants dropped from the ceiling in front of me and a purple moth was swopping in to help them. The moth was about to spread its spores while I was cornered by the three ants.
*Wooosh! Thud!*
One of the knives obliterated the purple moth as I threw it. "Ahhhhh." I charged forward and split the head of the middle ant and jumped over its body to grab the other knife. Without thinking I jumped back into a roll and pushed off the ground. My momentum was slowed as I impaled the two other ants into their thorax, spilling their guts. Quickly I noticed the one ant was about to drop on Lily.
I jumped off the skulls of the dying ants and kicked off towards the ceiling impaling both knives into its thorax. The ant's claws release their grip from the ceiling and both our bodies fell to the ground. To avoid being crushed by its body weight I pulled my knives apart severing its body in two. Each half landing on either side of us.
"I will start collecting the stones." Lily's eyes were wide in shock.
We spent the next five hours killing more killer ants, needle rabbits, and purple moths. I was starting to get tired as I pulled my blade out of the moth body that I landed on.
I noticed lily pulling all the bodies together in a pile. I wiped the sweat from my brow. "You are definitely helping Lily."
"No. No. All lily does is cut the stones out and carry the bags. Master Bell is the one that kills all those monsters and you barely got a scratch."
"Please stop calling me M-master. It's just Bell. Your help is much appreciated, Lily. I am able to focus on fighting more with you having my back."
"No, it would be too arrogant for any supporter to think we're equal to an adventurer. If I got full of myself. Then nobody would hire Lily. You might be nice but the real world is not." She said with a fake if not forced smile.
'That face, why does it remind me of myself.' The thought crossed my mind as I stared back into her nervous eyes. "I think we should go up top and call it a night."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep. I don't want to worry Eina."
"I guess it is a trial run." Lily pondered her next move. 'I can't make my move on this floor.'
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Two hours later we exchanged our stones and drop items at the guild hall. Rose counted out the stones. "Wow, sixty-two killer ants, twenty-three needle rabbits, and twelve purple moth stones with their wing drop items. Your total comes to sixty-four thousand valis."
"Wow thank you, Miss Rose."
"Guess you were actually training with Eina." Rose teases. "Don't spend it all in one place."
"I don't know, maybe you should add me to the betting pool." I winked toward Rose. She stared at me in shock, utterly speechless. "See you around Miss Rose."
Lily was eagerly waiting for her share at a nearby standing table. "How much did you make Master Bell?"
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Eina was finishing up with one of her charges. A level three dwarf who would constantly flirt with her and show up in random places outside of the guild. She ignored Dormul when she saw Bell leaving Rose in a speechless state. Her head started to hurt. 'What did he do now!?'
"Eina, want to get a drink." Dormul offered.
"No thanks, Dormul."
"Come on Lass. You need to stop being so uptight. See what that a half-elf's body can handle."
"I am not interested Dormul. I am your advisor. Also, I-I have... a b-boyfriend." She lied staring off in Bell's direction.
"SIXTY-FOUR THOUSAND VALIS! Master Bell is amazing." Lily's screams alarmed many adventurers and guild staff. Including Eina who wanted to avoid talking to the burly dwarf. Eina used the distraction to get away from Dormul and walk over to the table to see me splitting the pile of valis.
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"Here you go, Lily." I offered her an equal-sized bag of valis.
"Master B-Bell this is half."
"Is it not enough?"
"Why are you giving me half?" Lily shouted utterly baffled.
"I wouldn't have been able to collect all those stones without you and I might not have realized the severed ant head was communicating to its friends."
"Uhhhh." Lily didn't know how to respond. Luckily, she didn't have to.
"Bell, why are you and your friend here making so much noise?" Eina came over to investigate.
"H-hi Eina. We just got back from the floor seven."
"Please tell me you didn't already get a hundred killer ant stones." Eina pleaded.
"Not quite yet. Maybe tomorrow."
"Huh." Eina's mouth was agape.
"We only got sixty-two killer ant stones, also a few dozen needle rabbits and purple moths. We made 64 thousand valis." I was unaware of how shocking of an achievement that was for two level ones. Eina looked like she was dizzy and about to faint. I was about to catch her when she ushered me over to a small sofa.
"Master Bell, Lily has to go."
"Okay, Lily. See you tomorrow if you want to continue around the same time." Lily left the guild hall. "Eina are you okay?"
"You killed more monsters than a party of five seasoned level one adventurers and that was after running a marathon in the morning. What am I gonna do with you Bell?" Eina said in distress.
"What do you want me to do Eina? I want to get stronger. It was a lot easier to fight and collect all those stones with Lily as my supporter."
"Where did you meet her?"
"Outside of Babel. She seems to have a weird relationship with her familia. So, I hired her."
"What familia?"
"I think she said, Soma. Do you know anything about them?"
"They sell very popular wine and have a lot of members. I can't strongly support or oppose your decision."
"Is there something wrong with Soma Familia?"
"They seemed to fight amongst each other a lot and come off as desperate. You should be okay. Just keep an eye on her for me Bell."
"I will Eina."
"I will support your choice to hire her."
I remembered how dismissive Lily was about her contribution. "Um Eina, do people look down on supporters?"
"Not everybody can become strong Bell. Most weaker adventurers or people that have peaked are made into supporters. They can become easy targets for discrimination."
"That's horrible."
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(Day 11)
"He's really gonna kill me." Eina's complained out loud. Her body felt exhausted from head to toe after her morning run with Bell. Even showering was painful as she struggled to clean herself.
Eina trudged along slowly at the gates of the twilight manor courtyard. She was thankful Bell told her they needed a day of rest from running.
She decided to visit Loki before going to work at ten. Luckily different guards were manning the gate. She asked the red-haired female to escort her inside to Loki.
Inside Finn's office, Loki and Gareth were day drinking on Finn's desk. Gareth's short massive dwarf body was sitting in Finn's chair with his feet on the desk. "Hey Loki, how long are they staying down there in the dungeon?"
"Finn said at least a week. It's only been four days. Surely managing the familia for that long isn't too much for my second son."
"Ai it's a bit annoying managing all these requests and keeping the rest busy." He stroked his long red beard. "Though it was fun smacking Hod around."
"He-he. Hopefully, he learns better manners. Can't have people randomly trying to kill visitors. Definitely keep him clear of Eina. I don't like what I am hearing."
"I will keep an eye on him. I won't tolerate his shit, that's why I put him on latrine duty for a while." Gareth took a swig of his ale.
"Ha-ha-ha." Loki laughed out loud. "You're the best papa I could ask for."
"Like hell, I'm gonna marry that annoying elf!" Gareth muttered from overtop his mug.
"Hah! That would create an uproar. Better watch it Riveria might get level seven before you."
"They're only raising valis for Tiona and Ais weapons. Not like I am gonna level. The last expedition got me a whopping ten points. Whoop de do." Gareth shook his hands in the hair mockingly.
"Don't give up. You will be level seven soon." Loki chugged half her bottle of wine before wiping her lips. "I think you just wanted to be around me. You're such a good boy."
"Oi! Keep that pet name for the mutt. Don't plan on allowing any more of our lot to embarrass us, again." Gareth's brow creased in annoyance. "By the way, why did both of you smell like the sewer last night?"
"I forced Bete to take me down in the sewers in the east district. I wanted to investigate those plant monsters that showed up out of the ground during monsterphilia." Loki smirked.
"Did you find any more?"
"Yeah, we found a half dozen. Bete had to use a fire magic knife on his Frostvirt boots to kill them."
*Cough! Cough!*
Gareth choked on his drink and pounded his chest. "Seriously!"
"Yeah, their skin is tough. Bete estimates them to be around level four. Still have no idea where they come from and how they got into the city."
"What did Ouranos say when you stormed the guild?"
"The old man is cryptic as always. He didn't seem to know anything." Loki recalled her annoying talk with the elder god Ouranos.
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.
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*Knock! Knock!*
"Come in." Gareth called out.
A short red hair human girl peeked her head in towards the room. She spoke in a gentle voice. "Mr. Gareth. Lady Loki. Eina is here to see you."
"Let her in Narvi." Loki sat up all smiles.
Narvi opened the door the rest of the way to let a nervous and exhausted Eina enter the room. "I will take my leave." Narvi bowed and exited the room.
"Good morning, Lass. Been a while since I have talked to you." Gareth smiled wide.
"Morning Sir G-."
"No need just Gareth. Sit your butt down." Gareth ordered. He rested his drink on the desk and sat back folding his hands together. "What can we help you with today, Eina?"
Eina across from them. "I was wondering if you had any details on Soma familia."
"Not planning on leaving me, are you?" Loki pouted her lips in a frown.
"No never Loki. Bell has helped me realize my family is here." Eina assured Loki.
"Then why do you want to know about Soma familia?" Gareth's eyebrow raised.
"Bell has recently taken a Soma girl as his supporter. I was relieved at first that he was not going to floor seven solo, so I agreed. I have not heard any good things coming from Soma familia." Eina shifted in her seat nervously.
Gareth shrugged. "They make moderately good wine."
Loki warned. "You might want to separate them immediately."
"Why?" Eina tensed up
"They don't worship that stupid god Soma. They worship the wine he makes. They will fight each other, steal, and in some rare occasions kill to get valis to drink that stuff." Eina's face went pale at Loki's warning.
"That doesn't make sense Loki." The Gareth glanced sideways confused. "That wine isn't worth killing over it. Think those fumes are making you dizzy."
"I am not talking about that reject batches they sell to the public." Loki shook her head. Gareth and Eina's eyes bulged in shock. "That idiot makes a wine that can get a mortal drunk to the bottom of their soul. From what I heard he offers it to new members to make them addicts. Though that might be his kids doing that. Soma is an introverted blockhead who doesn't even want to lead a familia. Glad I stopped myself from wanting to marry him over it."
"Here I thought I was a drunkard." Gareth chuckles. "Might have been plastered the other day. Are you talking about that white-haired boy who was injured on the lounge sofa? I remember the hag taking care of him."
"His name is Bell Cranel, he also brought me in the other day when I was running the wall with him and passed out."
"Sorry about treating him so harshly. I got a bit defensive when he brought you in after escaping Hod." Loki motioned her sideways towards Gareth. "Don't worry Hod's been dealt with."
Gareth cracked his knuckles. "I will fix that pretty mug of his if he tries something again."
"Thank you." Eina smiled.
"So how did this Bell get injured the other day?" Gareth asked.
"He killed an infant dragon and a silverback during monsterphilia." Eina informed.
"Serious. He seemed like new blood."
"He's only been at it a month."
"Now you're just pulling my leg Lass."
"No, she's telling the truth." Loki crossed her leg. "Bete scared him away before the expedition. Riveria gave me his application. He's also the one that escaped the minotaur on floor five."
"How is all this possible for a rookie?"
"Hoping Eina will tell me. Did you accomplish what I asked?" Loki asked Eina. Loki saw that she was shaking and hesitated to respond.
*Woosh!*
Loki jumped up and leaned over Eina's chair. "Oh, Eina. What have you seen? You can't lie to me."
"He showed me his back." Eina closed her eyes out of reflex.
"I knew Itty-Bitty was too dumb to lock his status. Surprised he showed you. Did he whip it out at your place?" Loki teased.
"Phrasing!" Gareth chugged the rest of his ale.
"Cheeky dwarf." Loki smirked.
"Bell stats were high enough to get him to floor ten. I gave him a quota to prove he can master each floor first." Both Gareth and Loki's eyes flared wide in shock.
"What else?" Loki asked eagerly ignoring Gareth's stare.
"He has a developmental ability that he said was Luck."
"At level ONE!" Gareth shouted.
Loki's head was spinning. "What about skills?"
"I couldn't read it, but there is something there."
"Did he say anything about it?" Loki's eyes slanted with a mischievous smile on her face.
"No, he... Was completely oblivious that he had a skill on his back."
"Huh." Loki's eyes relaxed.
"That's not right!" Gareth muttered. "Deserves to know what's on his dam back. You sure he wasn't pulling the wool over your eyes."
"I trust him Gareth." Eina rested her arm across her chest. "I never expected him to show me his back. I even jokingly ask him and he said no. Bell knows I worry about him and he didn't hesitate to take off his shirt in the training room."
Gareth muttered incoherently to himself. A huge grin curled up on Loki's face. "Seems like my theory is right. Itty-Bitty gonna regret hiding it from him. How about a status update Eina?"
"Eh!"
"See if that skill is continuing to affect my beautiful elves. Would you mind stepping out Gareth?" Loki nodded towards the door.
"Alright but I am gonna be right outside the door. Don't give me a reason to toss you out to the courtyard. Not having the hag blast me with fire because you touched Eina." Gareth held his thumb up to snickering Eina while ignoring the angry pout on Loki's lips.
"Mhmm. Thank you."
Gareth left the office and Eina undid her guild uniform top and exposed only her back to the Loki. She promptly cut her finger. A droplet of divine blood activated Loki's falna on Eina's back.
Eina Tulle
Level One Race: Half-Elf Age: 19
Strength: F302...F362 Defense: F316...F320
Dexterity: D597...C601 Agility: G243...F325
Magic: B745
Eina quickly got dressed. "You can enter Gareth."
Gareth came back in a pulled up a chair and the three of them stared at the paper on the table. All three stared dumbfounded at what was on the paper.
"One hundred and fifty points! How the hell!? Didn't you just up her status the other night, Loki?" Gareth's growled, unleashing spittle onto his beard unable to contain his frustration.
"Yep, that was only five days ago. Riveria and Alicia will confirm how potent this skill is when they return from the expedition."
"Why is it only affecting Knife Ears?" Gareth rubbed his temple until saw Eina's face. "Sorry."
Loki shrugged. "Not sure but now we know he has a super rare skill. It seems to be affecting only elven women around him."
"Not letting that hag beat me to level seven." Gareth jumped to his feet.
"Please don't call Lady Riveria that name." Eina pleaded.
Gareth rolled his eyes. "I am not an elf. I don't care."
"You're not gonna do anything to Bell are you Gareth."
"Have a little trust in me Lass." Gareth's angered stare scared Eina. "When I get my equipment back from Cyclops. I will pay Uduaes a visit to try and force a level up."
*SLAM!*
Gareth stormed out of the room. Eina cringed in fear. "Did I cause a problem?"
"Nah, Gareth needed a kick in the pants to get him motivated. He used to be even rowdier than Tiona if you can believe it. Seven years has taken a toll on him."
"Oh."
Loki stared up at the clock. "Aren't you gonna be late for work Eina?"
"Eh ... EEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHH!" Eina screamed seeing the time was almost ten o'clock. She raced out of the manor at full speed ignoring all in her path.
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(Many hours later)
The day was very long and slow for Eina. She was suppressing her headache all day. She was worried sick over the information Loki gave her earlier. 'I need to talk with him about that Soma girl being his supporter. Why did I have to agree with his suggestion to cancel tomorrow's run? He could see me struggling and basically mercied me.'
She was thankful for the break from the morning routine but now was scared that she would miss telling him about the Soma supporter. Some of her adventurers were even getting angry with how distant she had been all day.
Her nerves were on a razor's edge as the evening sun lowered to the horizon. A loud banging noise and shouting came from the exchange window. A six-foot-tall human man was banging on the counter and yelling at Rose.
"Only twelve thousand valis!? Are you freaking blind?" The desperate man was scaring Rose.
Misha came up behind the shocked Eina. "Another Soma adventurer. Why are they always so obsessed with money? Glad I don't manage that familia."
"Did you count every single drop item? Check them again!" The man yells and bangs the cage louder.
"Sir, my eyes are just fine. I counted every stone and drop item." Rose replied with a distressed look on her face.
"Dam that's all it's worth. I refuse. I think you're cheating me." The man reached into the dispenser and pulled out the steel drawer trying to break into the exchange.
Eina had enough and raced up behind him. Grabbing him by the collar before he could reach the register and threw him back towards the ground.
Enraged the man pulled a knife. "You will not cheat me!"
Eina froze in fear seeing the knife. The man was stopped instantly. He cried out in pain as a war shadow finger blade impaled into his hand. The knife fell to the floor as the man held his bleeding hand.
"New it was a good idea to pick that up." I said scratching my head. "Are you okay Eina?"
"Y-yes." Eina stuttered in relief seeing his smile. "Thank you, Bell." Before she could pull him aside. A short fat elf tailed by two guards came running into the reception area.
"Take him away!" The fat elf motioned for the guards to detain the Soma man. "Eina, I want to see you in my office. NOW!"
"Can I help?"
"No, go home human or I will charge you for spilling blood in the guildhall." Royman ordered.
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Ten minutes later, Eina was nervously sitting in Royman's office. The guild pig as he was often called was sitting across from her skimming her work file.
"Eina, do you want to continue working for the guild or are you trying to be an adventurer again?" Royman questioned with a scowl on his face.
"I work for the guild sir."
"Then why did you not press the button underneath and choose to start a fight."
"I didn't thin-"
"Think." Royman cut her off. "Is it your human side that interferes with your ability to use reason?"
"N-n-no Sir."
"Then explain monsterphilia. Why were you fighting in the arena? Why did you not leave it to adventurers and help people get away Eina?"
"I was helping Bell. He is a new adventurer." Eina calmed herself and spoke clearly. "I didn't want him to get hurt and I was on my lunch break when it happened."
"Advisors only provide information to help adventurers. Those adventurers choose to go into the depths of the dungeon to face monsters. We do not! We help the gods achieve their goals by providing information and support." Royman stared at her with disdain.
Royman held his finger up to stop her from intervening. "You left your post and missed work because of injury. You're showing up late and exhausted. You're falling asleep at work and getting complaints from adventurers under your charge. You continue to prioritize this human Bell and now I got a report that you were doing inappropriate activity in the training room."
"We were just training. That is all. He chose to show me his ability stats." Eina replied adamantly.
Royman rolled his eyes. "Not even gonna touch that potential powder keg. Stop showing favoritism towards your boyfriend. Start doing your or you will be unemployed. Understand Eina!"
"Y-yes, sir."
Rose saw Eina lifelessly walk down the stairs from the office. "I am sorry Eina."
"It's my fault. I have not been focusing." Eina said looking down.
"Because of Bell." Rose grinned.
A light blush rose on Eina's face. "I am worried by how hard he is pushing himself."
"He is rather determined to get himself killed. Maybe you can use this to help slow him down." She handed Eina a month's worth of pay.
"Huh." Eina stared at the coin purse confused.
"Guess it was kind of heartless of us to bet on his survival. Plus, we will all go broke if he bets the over out of spite." Rose chuckled. "Don't suspect Sophie will be happy since her bet is coming up soon. I am putting an end to this pool."
"Thank you, Rose."
"No problem, Eina. Oh, by the way, Bell told me he's going to floor eight tomorrow. He handed me quite a lot of ant stones again. Are you okay with that?" Rose's eyebrow raised out of curiosity.
"He is capable of going further, but I don't trust that Soma supporter of his."
"I can see why."
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(Day 12)
Almost noon the next day. I and Lily made it to the end of floor seven. "Ready to go down Master Bell."
"Still can't get you to stop calling me that. Okay, let's go, Lily."
We descended the stairs to floor eight. Unlike the other days, I felt a sense of uneasiness with Lily at my back. 'Those eyes again. Am I imagining things or should I pull her aside to talk?'
As we entered the first main room. I was starting to develop a sense of déjà vu. A green mass of a monster shifted slowly across the room. "You ready master Bell." Lily asked.
"Sorry just reminds me of floor 1."
"They won't act like those little ones up there." Lily warned
Of course, Lily was right. The goblin elite was a foot taller than its cousin. It had a much more athletic build with longer limbs. The goblin elite heard us enter the room. It mashed its fangs and squinted its yellow eyes.
*Slam!*
The goblin punched the wall and ripped out a 20cm stone knife. It bellowed a war cry and the walls exploded to answer the scout. To more goblins were birthed, each pulling out a blade.
I started moving to the center of the room to take out the first one. Then stopped to see how they would react. Instead of charging, the middle one backed off a few steps and the other two encircled around to the flanks. These monsters were smarter. Everything in Eina's lessons was accurate. If I attack one, the others will attack my exposed backside. Lily hid in the shadows.
After a minute standoff, the one on my left flank got impatient and charged forward. I caught its vertical slash with my left blade without much difficulty. Instead of using my left knife to kill it, I parried the weak landform knife upwards and prepared for the other two. My knife however cut right through its weapon and cut into its hand. The goblin shrieked in pain and backed away. I was able to lean back on my left leg and kick the next one in the stomach, sending it flying into the wall.
Quickly I dodge underneath the third goblin's blade and jammed my left knife into its ear, killing it. The goblin with the injured hand was still shrieking in pain, so I charged after the one that landed on the wall and slit its throat. I didn't sense any other threats, so I walked slowly toward the injured goblin, not expecting it to be much of a threat now that it was disarmed, alone, and in pain.
*Clang! Boom!*
Two smoke bombs ignited at my feet. My vision was obscured by noxious gas. I and the goblin were coughing hard as the smoke choked my airway. My knives fell to the ground as I clutched my throat trying to catch my breath. My eyes were watering, still, I reached out for a knife to prepare to fight.
*Squelch!*
"Lily. Lily, what was that?" *Cough! Cough!* The smoke cleared, and my hands found two spongy meat orbs where my knives were supposed to be. "A monster lure. What is this doing here?"
"Lily! Li-ly!" I saw the knives in her hands. A mask over Lily's face.
"Master Bell try to find an opening and make your escape." Lily's tone completely changed. Her small body faded through another smoke bomb as she ran away. The walls started to crack open around me.
*BOOM!*
Four more goblin elites popped out to support their injured brother and one curious killer ant came down to investigate.
"LILY!"
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.
Lily was racing away to distance herself from Bell's screams. She knew every shortcut to get out of the dungeon quickly. Her race had keen eyesight that helped her evade level one monsters. She could even pick up on killer ants and war shadows on the ceiling.
"Lily hates adventurers. They made Lily's life a living hell. So jealous that master Bell can do everything himself. What's wrong with betraying somebody before you get betrayed?"
An hour later, she managed to get to floor three. Two kobolds and a goblin were blocking the stares. Lily sniped the goblin and one of the kobolds between the eyes. The other kobold responded to quickly bounced off the wall around her third bolt. The kobold landed a slash down the front of her overcoat, exposing her raggy red and white clothes underneath. She narrowly dodged its claws and landed both knives into its stomach to disembowel it.
"Lily is not met for this kind of rough housing." She cleaned herself up and raised her hands to her head. "Stroke of the Midnight's Bell, Cinderella." Her elven ears glowed like a white-hot fire and burned away. Her straight blond hair puffed up into a shaggy chestnut brown. Her size did not change. She was after all a pallum which are known for being the weakest race.
A while later she exited babel without a care in the world. 'Surely that cheap gnome will give me a good price for these knives.'
Lily was unaware that she was being pursued as a pair of blue eyes focused on the two knives in her hands. She started walking up a side alley in the northwest district when she noticed that she was being followed.
"Oi runt stop right there." A 6-foot-tall man with fire-red hair and blue eyes shouted for her to stop. He was wearing a worn-out black kimono with a brown belt holding it together.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Lily raised her bow gun to defend herself with both knives in her left hand.
"I want those knives back now!"
"They're not yours. Their mine." Lily's eyes filled with tears as she pretended to cry.
"Don't play the pity part with me. I made those dam knives. And they weren't given to a sticky-fingered prum like you. Now hand them over." Welf ordered.
Lily released an arrow at the man's face but the redhead was too fast and deflected it. Lily couldn't reload the bow with the daggers in her hand. She had to run, but before she could the daggers were jettisoned from her hand. A single valis coin impacted her hand with such force that she released her grip on the blades.
An elf waitress appeared down the alley. The elf looked very angry. Welf froze in fear. Lily found an opening and ran away chanting her magic.
Ryu raced past the man and grabbed the knives off the ground, completely ignoring welf.
Lily thought she might get away when she was tripped by another waitress with silver hair. Lily fell flat on her face. Slowly she raised her body up from the ground but it was too late. She was surrounded by both waitresses with the human man walking behind. Lily's hood flew off exposing her fluffy brown dog ears.
"Want to explain how you got my friend's knives, clienthrope!?" Ryu demanded answers.
Lily was quiet knowing she was cornered. Welf finally spoke behind Ryu. "That prum stole those knives. I know. I made them Miss Elf." Even Welf's mind was spinning seeing the clienthrope's ears.
Syr lowered herself to Lily. "Oh, you have been a bad little girl haven't you." For some reason, the girl's voice scared Lily the most. She saw right through her. "Ryu, I think it's transformation magic."
"Makes sense Syr." Ryu stared down at the frightened Lily with angry eyes. "Where did you leave Bell Cranel?"
"H-h-he's on floor eight. He should be fine." Lily responded meagerly.
"If my friend dies, there will be nowhere in Orario for you to escape my wrath.
"Miss elf, let me take her and the knives to the guild." Welf offered.
"Why should I?" Ryu glared over her shoulder.
"For one I made those blades and two I would like to avoid bloodshed. I can turn her into the authorities."
Ryu studied the scared look on his face. "You're...?"
"I know." Welf cut off the elf. "Cyclops made me make them for him. I have no intention of embracing my ancestry. Plus, I would like to thank my first real customer."
"Fine. Go then." Ryu handed over the knives.
Surprised the red head man accepted the blades hesitantly by gripping the pommel. He bent down to pick up Lily. He grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto his shoulder. She was punching and kicking to get out of his grip.
"Do you ladies want to come along to the guild hall? It's just a block or two up the street."
"No. I am gonna look for him. Syr tell Mamma Mia."
"I will. Please rescue him." Syr pleaded
"I think he's too stubborn to die. I will find him." Ryu raced down back streets towards babel to avoid too much notice.
"Let me go." Lily pounded on the man's back.
"Nah I am taking you to the guild you little brat."
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(1 hour earlier)
I was surrounded and unarmed on floor 8, by five goblin elites armed with knives and killer ant that blocked off my escape. The killer ant started climbing the wall as the goblin elites started encircling me. They were cheerful expecting an easy kill.
'I need to kill that killer ant first or this will be impossible.' I kept my eye on the ceiling to watch where it moved.
The goblins started making their move charging with reckless confidence. The first one jumped at me with an overhead strike. I grabbed its hand to stop its attack. Before I could do anything another blade gashed a cut on my chin.
*Thud!*
I fell backward landing on my hands doing a cartwheel to kick the second goblin in the face. It fell back with its injured friend with a dislocated jaw.
Each goblin charged at my sides desiring to disembowel me with their knives. I jumped off my left foot spinning in midair to avoid their strikes. My right foot knocks the knife out of its right hand. I caught the blade and threw it into his skull. My armor dented as the other goblin stabbed me. I grabbed its head and slammed it onto the ground, snapping its neck.
Barely anytime to breathe the killer ant made its move and dropped from the ceiling, crushing me with its body weight and trying to skewer me with its mandibles and legs. I couldn't roll away because of the two dead bodies of the goblins. I rolled my hips up to catch the weight of the killer ant with my feet. Its mandibles snapped above trying to decapitate me. Its sharp claws were pelting the armor from all sides trying to find a gap.
"Ahhhh." A deep gash opened up on my right side. In angry desperation, I grabbed its skull and pushed it off with my legs with all my might. Its spinal column was separated from its thorax. The ant was crying out in pain. My face, clothes, and armor were covered in green blood from the ant. I made my way out from underneath the ant to see the three remaining goblins begin their attack.
I couldn't see the landform knives amidst the bodies and blood. So, I went over to the lifeless body of the ant and pulled off two of its sharp legs. The goblins hesitated when they saw the improvised weapons pulled out of their comrade's body. Seeing the opening I pressed my advantage and charged.
I used the long sharp leg to disarm the remaining goblin with a knife and swung the other one-handed at another goblin's throat. Only two goblins remained, but my confidence was instantly crushed hearing the severed ant's head cry out for its friends. Four more killer ants skittered down from floor seven.
"Dammit, I keep forgetting about the heads."
Bolstered by their new comrades the two remaining goblins became excited at the change of events. The new army was about to charge.
*BOOOM!*
A brilliant yellow flash of light exploded at the feet of the ants. The four ants were vaporized in a second.
"Woah." I didn't waste a second and charged the shaken goblins. Instantly plunging the ant legs through their stones. I found a landform knife on the ground and through it at the severed ant head, killing it instantly.
"Whew."
I tried to calm myself and regain control of my breathing. When I started hearing footsteps approach me. I look up to see a blond elven woman I didn't recognize. She had two braided strands over her shoulders with the rest wrapped in a ponytail. She was as tall as Ryu but seemed older. She wore a multi-colored tunic of cyan, blue, gold, and white and wrapped in a dark blue cloak. With a golden pommel saber in her hand.
I bowed low. "Thank you for the assistance, Miss Elf."
"Look like you almost had it." She smiled and tilted her head.
"Not sure about that."
"Sorry I should have intervened earlier. I actually saw everything. I was hiding on this floor to find a rare blue Papillio butterfly. My captain needs a few of their wings. What is your name?"
"It's not a problem. Thank you very much. My name is Bell Cranel of Hestia familia."
"Glad I could help. My name is Laurier of Hermes familia."
"Sorry, but I really need to track her down to get my weapons back. Thank you for everything." I bowed again and raced up the floor seven stairway.
Laurier chuckled to herself. "Guess it was a good idea that Lord Hermes ordered me to keep tabs on him." She remembered during the monsterphilia event of Bell slaying the dragon. It was an incredible fight that she was not confident she could pull off even as a level 2. Lord Hermes was with her that day and ordered her to tail him in the dungeon.
.
.
.
An hour later I rushed out of the dungeon entrance under Babel. Ignoring the surprised eyes of passing adventurers seeing me covered in ant blood and carrying two bloody ant legs. I didn't even notice Ryu on the other side of the dungeon entrance.
Ryu held her chest and sighed in relief. "So glad he's safe."
A few minutes later I ran into the guildhall and found my way to Eina. She threw papers she was holding into the air out of fright. "B-bell what happened?"
"My supporter kind of ambushed me and left me for dead on floor eight. Have you seen her at all? She stole my knives."
"Oh, my goddess, that's horrible. No, I haven't seen her at all. I am glad you're alive."
Eina's worried tear-filled eyes hurt more than any ants or goblins could make me feel. "Sorry for worrying you Eina." The door was kicked open by a redhead man holding a little girl over his shoulder. She was pounding kicking his chest and back.
Rose approached the man. "Why are you barging in here manhandling a little girl?"
"Sorry Rose. That kid over there covered in ant blood might recognize her. As well as these." He holds up two reddish minotaur knives in his offhand.
"My knives." I ran up to him. "Thank you very much, Sir."
"No problem. I found this little bit walking out with them." He dropped Lily in the middle of us.
"How did you know they're mine?" I looked up at the man confused.
"Well because I made them." He brought out his hand to shake mine. "Nice to meet you, my name is Welf Crozzo."