Danmachi Emerald Version
Chapter 3
Argonaut
A/N:
Narration
"Talk"
Monologue
*sfx*
*jii*
The next day, near the dungeon entrance, I pants as I hold on my knees for support. In front of me is the smith Welf who calmly greeted me with a 'yo' while Lily kept her mouth shut as she continues to look at me sternly.
I don't think I'm this late...
"Sorry, I am late," I apologize to the two of them who waited for me for more than ten minutes. "Got sidetrack there..."
Didn't think Ms. Karen would be stubborn as well...
"Heh, no worries, Bell," Welf answered casually with a wave of his right hand. "So let's get going."
*jii*
As Welf walks towards the dungeon entrance, I followed suit while Lily continues to stare at my back as we made our descent.
Babel top floor
Outside of a luxurious room, Karen stands nervously as she continuously writes (人) on her palm before putting it to her mouth as swallowing the character.
This is a rare chance, I better not blew it.
*knock knock*
"Lady Freya, Lord Ottar, this is Karen,"
*creak*
The door opens wide and Karen sees the domineering presence of their captain.
"Come in," Ottar said.
"Master Bell, Lily wants an explanation!"
After they arrive at the eleventh floor, Lily who was silent all the way finally exploded.
"Oi! midget-" Welf calls out.
"Midget? My name is Lily, Liliruca Arde. so don't call me a midget!" Lily spat at the newcomer.
"Okay Lil'Lily," Welf replied casually which just add fuel on the fire.
"Uhm Lily about this..." Bell said as he scratches the back of his head figuring out where to start.
"Well..."
Babel lower floor lobby, yesterday.
After taking Bell out of the shop, Welf proceeds to lead the little rabbit to the floor's lobby. They then sat at the bench near the window.
"Say, Little rookie," Welf began.
That alone garnered all the attention of the smith in that floor. Not minding Bell trying to silence him, he continues with a huge grin. "This is the second time you buy my armor right?"
"Y-yes!" Bell replied nervously. The stares he garners remind him of his earlier plight.
"That means you're already a patron of mine, do you agree?"
"I guess so."
"So how about this?" Welf put his arm around Bell's shoulder as he looks and smirks at all the smiths out there who is also gunning for the record holder. "So how about forming a formal contract with me?"
"Contract?" Bell asked innocently. This is the first time he heard of an adventurer and a smith forming a contract after all.
"Yup! It means the weapons and armor you'll be using is either maintained by and or made by me." Welf explains. "A sort of partnership so to speak."
"I see, "
"So how about it?" Welf ask. A question that other smiths are itching to hear. "Will you form a contract with me?"
"Sure! No problem, " Bell replied with a smile that made the smiths go damn it and Welf to look at them victoriously.
"Oh and if you don't mind, " Welf whispers. "I hope you can allow me to join your party."
"Eh?"
"I really need it right now." Welf pleaded. " It will benefit you as well as my contractor.
"Okay!"
"Great! You're the best!" Welf exclaims. "As a bonus, that armor is free of charge."
"Eh? You sure?"
"So he bribes you?" Lily asked. Her twitching eyebrow clearly shows her irritation. "You let him join our party in exchange for that armor you are wearing." She then points at my newly acquired armor.
"Ahahahaha..." Under Lily's scrutinizing gaze, Bell can only laugh dryly.
*sigh*
"So who is this blacksmith anyway, Master Bell?"
"Ah! Sorry, I forgot." Bell stand straight. "Welf, this is Lily. She already mentions her full name so there's no point in repeating it." He then looks from Welf to Lily. " Lily, this is Welf. Welf Crozzo of the Hephaestus Familia."
"Crozzo?" with Lily's shock expression made Wellf scratch his head. "You mean the very Crozzo itself?"
"Something wrong Lily?" Bell asked as he noticed the troubled look of Welf.
Here we go again...
Welf though as he looks at Bell with a troubled expression.
"Master Bell are you sure you haven't heard of the Crozzo bloodline?"
"Hmmm..." Bell put his right index bent to a hook to his chin and uses his right thumb as support. Ah!"
This is it... In no time he will also ask for that...
"You mean the very same Crozzo that assist Argonaut?"
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
Both Lily and Welf blurted out in surprise.
Rather than focusing on the Crozzo's infamy brought by the kingdom of Rakia, Bell goes far beyond that.
*sigh*
"Very well," Lily sigh as she takes a side glance at the tallest member of our group before fixating her gaze back at me. "Master Bell, it's better to ask Lady Hestia or Ms. Ryuu on this one." She then looks at Welf who is still surprised for some reason. "Master Bell already accepted you so you better not slow us down."
"Heh! You can count on me," Welf replied, relieved as he rubs the bottom of his nose with his right index finger.
Although Welf already knows of Bell before the formal announcement of his level up when his adviser unexpected blurt it out, HE never expects this.
As they progress further within the foggy 11th floor, monsters start to appear. Orcs, imps, Ha6d Armored and Bad Bats.
Fast!
Before Welf could even react or even draw his sword, Bell already decimates a group of Imps in one fell swoop.
"Master Welf," Lily called as she took three bows and load one to her crossbow. "Orcs at nine o'clock.
"On it," Welf immediately run towards three orcs with both hands holding his broadsword.
"Hyah!"
Welf jumped as he delivers a powerful vertical blow to the orc. Killing it in an instant.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
*swosh*
*tip tap*
*thud*
The orc on his left strike his current position. Lucky for him, Lily distracts it with her bow so that he managed to back to step in time.
"Thank Lil'Lily!" Welf said as he delivers a counter to the Orc he evades by stepping on its club before slicing its head.
"That's two. Welf said with a smile as he proceeds to charge at the orc wincing in pain after receiving an arrow to the knee. " Three."
"So who's next?" Welf said as he lumps the sword onto his shoulder.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
"Crap!" As if to answer Welf's bravado, a pair of silverback appeared.
*dash*
"Lily!" Bell called. "Bow and arrow."
"Here," Lily answered as she took out a crossbow and quiver full of arrows from her huge bag.
*dash*
In split second, Bell dashes towards the enemies' trajectory of Lily's throw to catch the crossbow and arrows before dashing towards the silverbacks.
"Welf, switch place, " Bell command.
"Got it!"Leaving the bats and imps chasing him as he dashes towards the monsters while making sure the silverback's attention is focused on him by firing one arrow after the other.
"Hah!" Bell yelled as he dashes towards the monster. Setting the bow to his waist, he then withdraws his black knife.
"Firebolt!" He cast his magic to his dagger and swings it to the pair in a whip-like fashion. The attack did little damage to the beast but it helps to keep them at bay and at the same time defeating bats and imps near the silverback. He then proceeds to jump toward the monster that was hit by his arrows earlier. He then followed by quickly stabbing the other pair and decapitating them with his baselard.
"Whoa!" Welf exclaims in surprise to Bell's chant less magic.
I know he is the record holder but his movements isn't that of an adventurer with a month and a half of experience.
"So this is the Little Rookie!"
As Welf is in a daze with Bell's performance, Lily continuously pick the loot from their fight to make sure the other adventurers don't steal them. Adventurers who are also there as watching their fight.
Hm?
After placing my knife back to its cover, I noticed that my right hand is shimmering.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄""
But before I can fully contemplate what is happening, A familiar roar got all of our attention. An Infant dragon and it is walking fast towards Lily!
*stomp stomp stomp*
Making its presence known, The infant dragon cause panic to the nearby adventurers as Lily tried to run away from it.
I won't make it in time!
Fear starts to spout in me if not for the remainder of Ms. Riveria.
Keep a calm mind, analyze the situation and execute.
"Infant dragon!" one adventurer yell.
"Every one form a group," another adventurer command.
"Lily duck!" Bell ordered.
Aiming my palm at the monster. I shout.
"Firebolt!"
*boom*
In one hit, the monster got torched before exploding.
"That's crazy!" a female adventurer exclaim.
"He defeated an infant dragon with FIRE!" Another adventurer added.
To the level one and two parties that have the experience to the middle floor. The infant dragon is a very rare monster and classified as a level two in strength. For it to be defeated by a fire attack that it is resistant to speaks volume of the power the magic the record holder unleash.
"Bell, what was that?!"
"Master Bell! What was that?!"
Welf and Lily asked as they ran towards me.
Looking at them then to my right hand, I answer
"I honestly don't know."
Babel, top floor.
As the Goddess of Beauty stood at the edge of the room. He noticed the familiar light coming out of the tower and heading towards the rabbit's burrow. Following him are murky green ones that are watching him. A few more minutes and Freya finally saw her, Karen with her purple-red soul blocking the rabbit's path.
"Ottar, how many would it take to crush Apollo's familia?" Freya asked, now taking note the insects hiding in the shadows.
Base from Karen's findings, members of the Apollo familia are always surveilling the Little Rookie. Following the rabbit and spreading a specific rumor.
"One should be enough," Ottar replied. " Just say the word."
"Fufufu... Their actions are still tolerable but we do need to do something about that pesky rumor." Freya said, amuse after Bell quickly defeat one of her children and made a quick run from it.
"So that's what happened," Hestia said. Listening to her child's story of their morning exploit where they encountered an infant dragon that was quickly defeated by Bell's magic as she pours her child a tea she got for free from Demeter. "It's got to be that."
Looking at his right hand, Bell recalls the time he got his first skill.
Returning from the guild, Bell quickly went to his Goddess to discuss what developmental abilities he should consider for his Level up.
Developmental abilities are abilities adventurers gain and act similar to basic skills that grows after each level up. They pretty much tell the career path of an adventurer. For Bell, he has three developmental abilities he can choose from. Abnormal Resistance defends against poison, Hunter increase the experience points he gets from monsters he once fought and luck is... luck.
"So what will it be?" Hestia asked as she looks down at her only child lying on his chest with his top off.
"Ms. Eina also suggest for luck."
Bell Cranel
LV 2
Strength: I 0
Endurance: I 0
Dexterity: I 0
Agility: H 0
Magic: I 0
Luck: I
Magic
[Firebolt]
Quick Trigger Magic.
Skill
"A...aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
I yelled as I see the skill section.
The skill section has been filled!
Seeing my reaction, Goddess' smile became wider.
"Congratulations Bell, " Hestia said as she turns her back on him. "Your sec- I mean your very first skill!.
Eh?
Seeing Goddess' smile, I look again at my status sheet. Specifically the very name and description.
Skill
[Heroic Desire, Argonaut]
Charge an Active action.
H-heroic Desire... My hidden aspiration... Aaaaaaaaaaah! Goddess you idiot!
As all of my earlier joy got flushed right down the drain. looking back at Goddess once more. Her smile is more apparent.
"As I said, congratulations, Bell~" Hestia repeats with a teasing tone
"You know, your reaction is quite cute back then," Hestia said with a grin.
"Please don't remind me..." Bell replied as he slumps his face to the table to hide his embarrassment.
"Now then, " Hestia continues as she takes a sit before pouring a tea for herself. "You have questions about you smith right?"
*nod*
"After hearing from you yesterday that you made a contract with one of Hephaestus children, I inquire about his background earlier in my shift."
"And?"
"She said he is a gifted child in making a magic sword but has no desire to make one due to their nature of breaking down and how they were used by Rakia.
" I see."
"If you want to know more, better ask him and the elf waitress or your adviser about it."
"I understand."
After finishing his tea, Bell once again dons his armor, knife and a bow and quiver.
"Going back in there without your supporter?" Hestia asked as Bell wears his cloak on.
"I'm going to hunt outside."
"Try bringing a chicken okay?"
"I'll try!"
Ten minutes after leaving the church. Just as the southern gate is visible, she once again came.
"Hold it!"
I stop from my tracks, turn around and see Ms. Karen with her usual garments and weapon.
"Do you need something from me, Ms. Karen?"
Though I already know what she wants, I still ask anyway.
"I request for a duel,"
I knew it.
It all began yesterday. Because she is not like the other adventurer that haunts me, I approve opf her request for a duel. A duel that ended quickly after I parried her rapier and tap her stomach with my fist. As per our agreement, IT is my win but she challenges me, again and again, starting from when I am heading to the dungeon to when I am returning from the dungeon. Right now, this is the third time she challenges me to a duel.
"I am going to hunt actually.
"In that case, the dungeon is that way," using her thumb, Karen points at babel behind her.
"I'm planning to hunt outside."
"Okay'" Releasing her hold on her scabbard' Bell sigh in relief. Maybe this tine she will leave him alonr. "Let's get going then?"
"Eh?"
"I said let's go. I'll be joining you."
The next day, near the Dungeon entrance.
*jii*
Once again, after meeting with Welf and Lily, Lily began to look at me sternly. Unlike yesterday however where I arrive late, this time around, we arrive before they two. We as in me and... Her.
"My name is Karen Moris, " Karen quickly introduce her self to both Lily and Welf with a mild bow after seeing me looking at her. "It's a pleasure joining you.
"Sup!" Welf greeted nonchalantly.
"Lily's name is Lily, " Lily followed suit but quickly turn her attention back at me."So? Master Bell, What is the meaning of this?"
"Ahahahaha..." Once again, I can't help but laugh out dryly as this is more difficult to explain as he also doesnt know where to begin.
Heart Mansion, inside Hyakinthos room.
"You find anything?" Hyakinthos asked.
"The supporter's name is Liliruca Arde, " the familia member with short brown hair and light orange eyes said. "We check other familia but her name and appearance don't match to the one we found."
"Daphne, elaborate,"
"The Liliruca Arde of the Soma Familia died sometime ago," Daphne continues.
"Oh?
"And they say she is a pallum and not a chienthrope."
*knock knock"
"Come in, Hyakinthos replied. His irritation is visible for all to see.
"M-master Hyakinthos," the pallum said in a terrified and panic tone.
"What? we are busy here."
"M-master Hyakintos, Lord Appollo summoned you." The pallum said after taking a breath. "L-Lady Freya and the King are here!"
Dungeon 59th floor. Day 5 of their expedition.
"Get behind me, now!" Riveria commanded as she quickly chants her spell.
Of all the insanity she witnesses, the High Elf Riveria can easily put their current expedition to the top. Higher than a level one adventurer defeating a level two class monster.
According to the records left by the Zeus familiar, the 59th floor is supposed to be a freezing tundra. What they saw, on the other hand, is a humid and tropic dungeon floor. In that floor covered with luscious greenery, we encountered a demi spirit. A demi spirit that can speak, recognize Ais as 'Aria' and comparable to a level 7 monster. A monster that could attack, defend and chant all at the same time.
I better hurry!
As the demi-spirit continues it's chant, I also prepared my strongest defensive spell.
"Dance around spirit of the atmosphere, lord of light.
Contract with the guardian of the forest, and envelop us with the song of the land.
Surround us become a great barrier of forest light and protect us -
my name is Alf"
Pouring a considerable amount of mana, I cast my strongest defensive spell.
"Everyone, get behind Riveria!" Finn orders as he parried the attacks of the monster and protect his retreating allies.
"Via Shilheim!"
"Firestorm."
Luckily I finished my spell a few seconds in advance of the monster.
In that instant, the world, the humid tropic floor of the dungeon turned red as all are set ablaze.
T-this pressure!
I hold my staff with both of my hands firmly as I pour more mana into my spell.
*crack*
This is not good!
"Gareth, protect them," I yelled as I prepare for the worst.
"On it!"
Gareth quickly leaps behind the High Elf while planting his big shield.
"I... I won't give up!"
I adjusted my body as I knelt with one knee, stab my staff to the ground for added support so that I can reach to the potion I kept safe in my pocket.
"I... I. Want you to have this. To h-help you in your expedition, "
In that crucial moment, his voice reverberates to my being.
Without care on class, I flick the cork of the flask as I chug the potion in one swoop like when Gareth chugs his alcohol.
"Just a little more..."
*crack*
*crack*
Little by little, the small cracks became larger.
They say your life flashes to you in your hour of death. With the last image, you see is the one you hold dear the most.
"Ms. Riveria!" Bell said joyfully.
"Riveria..." Ais said in sorrow.
I'm sorry...
*shatter*
"Riveria!"
"Lady Riveria!"
They all yelled as they saw the barrier shatters and the mother of their familia gets engulf with flames.
Aaaaaaaannnnd cut!
Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. v1
