Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter four: The Rabbit In My Path
Kaze
"Kaze, I'm worried about you. Almost every second of your waking moments involves you going into the dungeon. Why are you trying so hard to level up? What are you fighting for?" Hestia asked as I was getting ready to head back into the dungeons.
I didn't answer right away as I made sure the armbands that I had purchased after a few visits to the dungeon were securely fastened. As well as the chainmail under the mysterious cloak that was given to me from the guild. I had a well-maintained Iron sword fastened in its sheathed on my belt only to give off the appearance that I had a weapon.
The dungeon hasn't given me a lot of money, just enough to get the necessities. I have around twenty thousand valis saved up from my trips in the dungeon though. Even with the cloak attracting monsters the dungeon's upper levels have started getting… simple. As the enemies are for low-level adventurers, I'm not all that surprised. Not saying I'm ready to descend though as my magic stats are the only high ones. As my Wind Mage class doesn't level my health.
The Game told me that I had to choose a physically orientated class or find status crystals which are nearly impossible to find outside of IDs unless it is a quest reward. I haven't been too concerned because as my magic has increased, I've been able to learn spells.
[Wind Barrier]
Cost 500 MP
Protect yourself in the wind, blocking damage to health as long as the barrier surrounds your body.
Adds a shield that blocks 500 damage before breaking use more magic for the shield to be stronger.
[Wind Acceleration]
Cost 500 MP
Increases agility by using the wind to accelerate your movements.
The neat thing about these spells is they are invisible to the naked eye. So, I have these spells cast almost all the time. Even if after thirty minutes the spell deactivates. However, by that time my magic regenerates enough to cast again.
These spells have been a great help for the fighting style I'm slowly developing. A spell sword, which is a person that blends martial arts and magic. I prefer light armor, so I don't call myself a battlemage.
An interesting thing about my summoned swords is they are stronger than most high-end weapons. Starting as a base when I summon my weapon it does around the same damage as some level two adventurer weapons however when I start stacking spells upon the blade things change. As I've discovered from some level four adventurers, I've been able to see. My weapon that's been enhanced by the wind is better than theirs.
I haven't had the luck to see anybody at a higher level though as I've heard there is an expedition going on in which most of the higher-level adventures are participating. As the Loki Familia is attempting to descend to the fifty-ninth floor. Other Familias have started to contribute to this by helping clear some floor bosses.
This has told me that I'm not far from the canon timeline so Bell should be showing up sooner than later. He may already be in the city but I'm not going to go out of my way to find him. As I have more important things to take care of like growing stronger.
Sighing because I knew I had waited long enough to hold back my answer.
Turning to look Hestia in her eyes, I had to swallow as it felt like a lump was in my throat. I wasn't nervous about telling her, it was more the fact that over the last two weeks of being in this world, she had been super clingy. As she forced me to share a bed with her and used my body as a pillow even without my consent.
In which currently right now she was in a position that wouldn't take much effort to force her onto the bed. As she sat on the edge of our bed with her arms resting at her side as she grasped the covers. Her face was completely serious though, so my brain was able to stay rational.
"I've told you before that I've experienced what it was like to have people use me. I know you experienced the same. So, I wish to grow strong enough that others can't control me. In turn, this allows me to protect those I consider family. So, I'll work myself until I become strong enough that even a God couldn't stop me." Smiling at her as I closed my eyes to think of my words. "Even if it is a crime, I'd even kill a God if that meant protecting you, Hestia. Does that make you think of me differently?"
I heard crying as footsteps started running at me and Hestia jumped to wrap her arms around me. As I was taller than her, she only reached my stomach. I was easily able to wrap my arm around her and put a hand on her head as I returned the hug.
"You dummy, I could never hate you. Even if you would kill a God I'll stay by your side. Just promise that you will remember to take care of yourself. There would be no point in you growing stronger if you were too tired and got yourself killed in the dungeon. While you grow stronger, I'll do whatever I need to support you."
Affection increased with Hestia +50 [85/100]
"Okay, Goddess. I'll take care of myself."
As I stepped away from her and saw her tear-stricken face. I absent-mindedly wiped away a tear that was going down her cheek as she leaned into my touch and smiled up at me with her closed eyes smile.
I felt something about to snap in me, so I quickly stepped away and made my way up the stairs. Stopping at the steps.
"Hestia don't be afraid of recruiting more people to the Familia. I'm aware I can only do so much alone. Also, I'm going to be gone for a few nights. Don't worry I'll make sure to stay safe."
Later
Slicing a Kobold in half as its crystal fell on the ground, I sighed at the small pile of crystals slowly stacking up. I've probably killed around fifty of these beasts and my level is starting to stagnate. I'm sitting at level twenty and even the fourth-floor monsters are giving about .5 percent experience per kill. I'm not surprised it takes so long for the adventures to rank up. Without my system, I would feel that I was making no progress.
I've at least sated some of my nerves from my conversation with Hestia. My lust has decreased too since it's been sated by the bloodshed a bit. This tells me that I'm not only sated by sexual lust but also battle lust. I'm sure sexual lust would release more tension though.
The sad thing is I've noticed how desperate Hestia is on keeping me happy. I'm sure she would have no qualms about helping my needs it just doesn't feel right. I don't know how long I'll be able to hold myself back though.
At least staying in the dungeon keeps me from harming her.
Hearing a growl behind me I barely even register my movement as I slice a wind sword behind me. Causing the goblin who had thought he had surprised me to try and block with the pitiful knife that was sliced through like butter. I wasn't able to do that the first day in this world since my magic was weak, but it seems the more I level up as a mage the stronger my spells become.
It's quite a cheat-level skill. I'm not going to complain though.
All around me, red eyes from monsters started surrounding me and a grin appeared on my face. Weak monsters like these are just going to become fodder to make me strong. This cloak is a blessing at times.
Hestia
Kaze is going to get himself killed by going into the dungeon the way he has been. Not taking a day of rest in the last two weeks. I know some adventurers go on a long expeditions at times and are expected to work non-stop, but it isn't normal for a new one to do those same things. Especially, with no one to watch his back.
It's as if Kaze has a great burden, he feels he can't share with others. This makes me think back on his words that he was used before by others and doesn't wish to be controlled again. This doesn't deter me from watching over him though. He is my first child and will remain important to me forever to the end of my days. I'll just have to work extra hard to support him.
What should I do to support him though? The first thing that most adventures need to rely on is their weapons, but Kaze is a mage that can summon his own. So, I feel it will be better to help him in another way. He mentioned that he can't do everything alone so maybe I should try and find someone to join us.
It will have to be someone that has strong morals though. Not all adventurers are good enough for my Kaze. He said it will be back in a few days, so in that time I'm going to do my best to find someone that can support him in his time of need.
Bell
Why is no one recruiting right now? I heard from Grandpa that all Gods normally jump at the chance to have recruits join them. It doesn't make any sense that no one is recruiting. Do I look too weak that no one wants to give me a chance?
All I want to do is go into the dungeon, but Miss Eina refuses to give me permission if I'm not part of a Familia. I heard a few adventurers talk about how she was getting protective again. So, I know it isn't as if she was singling me out.
"Hey, are you looking for recruits-" There goes another door slammed in my face.
Why is this happening? I just want to have a chance to be a hero. Like the Argonaut that Grandpa kept telling me about. Is my dream too childish? It made sense as I was laughed at by a few adventurers that refused to let me see their God. Is there even a point in continuing?
Should I just go back home to that empty cottage? Living my life alone away from civilization. Grandpa would be disappointed in me. He always said it was everyone's dream to save another person in the dungeon. Especially, women as they would instantly fall for any heroes.
I think some part of me wanted to have that chance too. Falling on my knees in an alley, I couldn't stop the tears flowing from my face as I slammed my fist into the ground in anger. This journey was all for nothing.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I failed before I could even begin."
I heard footsteps approaching me, but at this moment I didn't care about anything else or what people would think of me and kept crying. Before I felt a hand being placed on my head as if a mother was trying to soothe their child.
"Hush now, save your tears. It is never good to give up because as long as you can stay fighting you always have a chance." A loving voice spoke.
As I raised my head slowly, I blinked away the tears in my eyes as I locked eyes with a small woman with blue eyes and black hair tied into pigtails. She wore a white dress that clung to her body.
"…Goddess?"
Smiling sweetly at me she nodded her head and spoke the words that I'd been wanting to hear over this last week.
"Do you wish to join my Familia, I'm Hestia?"
I couldn't help myself as more tears gushed out. As happiness overwhelmed me. The Goddess Hestia, my savior, my goddess.
Later
"I know it isn't much, but it is cozy enough for three people."
Three? Who else is a part of her Familia?
"Before you ask, yes, I do have someone else a part of the Familia. He is currently in the dungeon and plans to be for at least a few days… knowing him though it may be longer."
A multiple-day dungeon dive he must be pretty strong. I guess I'll need to catch up to him.
"Is he strong and how long has he been an adventurer?"
"Not long around two weeks, but he is quite a special case when it comes to being an adventurer. He is strong, but only in magic." Hestia said, leading me into her bedroom as she started having a giant smile on his face. At least I know she cares about her Familia.
I couldn't help a blush forming on my face as I was in the room of a Goddess. Which felt wrong as a mortal somehow.
"So… you can back out if you want. I know most adventurers would turn away from a poor Goddess."
As Hestia started looking down, I frantically tried cheering her up.
"No, no, no! I'm not thinking anything like that. This is perfect, it reminds me of the cottage my grandpa and I stayed in before he passed. So, I would be honored to join your Familia. I'm the one that is worried that I'm not good enough."
Hestia started laughing at my actions causing me to blush again.
"Okay, instead of us getting into who is worthy or not let's get the blessing over with. I need you to remove your shirt and lay down on your belly."
"Huhhh!"
Six Days Later
Kaze
This has been a great way to relieve some stress even if it has not been that fruitful. As the monsters in the dungeon grow weaker as I get stronger. Which means the returns diminish over time.
I've amassed quite a fortune down here though. As I've been able to nearly fight non-stop as my body doesn't seem to need much rest. I did have to shut my eyes a couple of times after fights since I spent my energy trying to dodge the enemy's attacks. My stamina was slowly draining. However, within thirty minutes I was already awake and could continue.
My body could sleep longer if I tried, however, as I never took this cloak off monsters were giving me no break. So, I woke up quite a lot to find a kobold or goblin trying to stab me through my wind barrier.
I woke up at one point to find a rooster sleeping on my lap. It was just looking at me as I slept. Oddly moving its head from side to side. It didn't even move as I woke up, it just kept staring at me. Made for an easy kill though. Just summoned my sword and it essentially formed itself in the rooster's chest. Causing it to cluck loudly before bursting into a Golden Egg.
When I observed the egg, I learned the monster was called a Jack Bird and was a rare monster. I doubt anyone would believe that I woke up and one was using my lap as a seat.
I wanted to leave the dungeon right when I found the egg, but it had only been two days since my dungeon crawl, and I felt I needed to go longer. As if I would miss something if I left the dungeon.
The feeling wouldn't go away the longer I stayed down here. So, I stayed and kept killing monsters.
Eventually, the monsters were only good enough to provide crystals to sell. As they were only providing .1 percent of a level. Meaning I had to kill a thousand monsters to level up. Which would then increase again. Seems that I have reached my limit in the upper floors of the dungeon as this was no longer worthwhile for me. I was sitting at level thirty-five though from nearly a week of grinding.
Seeing as I started at level twenty. It was underwhelming that my level didn't at least double.
As I sat against the wall of the dungeon no enemies were around at the moment. A sigh escaped my lips.
"What am I doing? I should just return to the surface. Hestia is probably worried sick for me right now."
Shaking my head, I picked up a crystal that sat near me as I started making my way to the exit. I'll use some of the valis this trip has made me get better equipment.
A few enemies did attempt to stop me, but they did little to slow me down. It just was a hindrance.
"Did that guy make a mistake or something? He is covered in blood." A group of adventures said as they stepped onto level four.
"Who knows but steer clear of him? Don't want to get blood on ourselves."
I stepped to the side as my eyes followed them from under the hood of my cloak. These adventures are kind of pathetic to fear a little blood. As mostly all monsters bleed unless you execute them perfectly to cause them to burst before that can happen.
Starting to walk up the stairs I shook my head as it was pointless to even think of them. It was at this moment that something faint came from the wind. I could instantly tell that my wind mage had carried a sound to me. The sound of someone screaming and trying to run away from loud crashing.
My interest peaked as I quickly turned back to the fourth floor, the wind surrounding my movements. The adventures that walked past me heard my approach since I cared little to conceal it. So, believing I was trying to attack they jumped to the side and drew their weapons.
Not bothering to slow down, I just kept running past them, a grin forming on my face.
This entire time in the dungeon, I didn't run across something that made those types of noises. Something inside of me was calling out for me to fight this new creature. All thoughts of rationality were forgotten.
Trait Acquired
[Battle Junkie]
The thought of battle with stronger opponents makes your blood boil(figuratively). You will find yourself drawn to battles that others would consider ludicrous to even try to fight.
During these battles, your stats are double, during the duration of combat.
If you do not have a proper fight within a certain time period, your movements will grow dull, and your physical stats will decrease by half.
As much as I find myself in the dungeon this trait feels more like a blessing. Right now, I could care less about this though.
I'm coming up to the beast quickly.
Turning the corner where the fighting was taking place. I managed to see someone roll out of the way of a minotaur's attack. However, quickly stopped by backing themselves into a corner. The Minotaur loomed over them and raised its fist to attack and as if it was going off of instinct punched the wall missing the target that was at their feet.
It felt like Déjà vu seeing this scene, but my body didn't care. It wanted action. Summoning a sword that I quickly threw at the minotaur but knowing that the hide of the beast may be too thick another spell was prepared in my second hand. A wind blast came out of my hand knocking the hilt of the sword. Causing it to gain speed and was sent like an arrow into the neck of the Mino.
The beast hollered in pain as my blade lodged itself into its neck. Causing blood to spew from its wound soaking the adventure who was crying on the ground. Huddling in a ball as if trying to protect themselves.
Using the beast's pain to my advantage, I prepared another spell as I put my hand in a flicking motion. By trial and error, it seemed to be the quickest way to launch a spell.
"Zap!"
A small dot of wind shot into the gust of the beast as it pulled the sword from its neck and started charging toward me. I noticed a thin layer of wind over the beast's hide as if it was pushing down and as if my eyes could see the effect of my magic, the area on its gut was glowing.
Even with the debuffs to itself, it didn't stop. Getting an idea in my mind, I summoned the wind beneath my feet and propelled myself over the minotaur at the same time it was about to hit me. The wind followed my command and caused a solid pillar to appear where I once was.
The beast's horns got stuck in the pillar as if it was a stone wall, trying to force itself out. Still, in the air above the Mino, a blast of air was used to force myself to the ground raising my hands as a longsword started forming.
Right before this could happen though the sound of metal reached my ears. As my kill was stolen from me!
My feet landed above the shadowy substance that once was the Mino looking down at the shard of the monster. The blood in my body was in a rage as it felt as if something was stolen from it. Looking toward the culprit who walked out from behind my pillar of wind.
A woman with long blond hair and golden eyes stared at me, as she sheathed her rapier-like sword.
"Are you alright?"
My hand twitched as my magic started forming in my hand to form a sword. Before I could do this though, another scream caught my attention as the adventurer I had saved, started running away. As I quickly turned toward them, I saw long flowing white hair going down the back of this adventure. As tearful red eyes of clearly a woman was visible before they vanished around a corner.
…Wait, minotaur attacking… upper floors, blond hair adventure saving white hair boy, covered in blood as the adventure runs away. However, the adventure that was saved was a woman and I was the one who saved them.
Oh, no. What is going on?
Welcome to the Multiverse
Where things don't always go exactly how they should.
In this world, Bell Cranel is female.
Have fun~
Title Earned.
[The One That Disturbs Fate]
For disturbing the normal flow of the plot, you gain this title. The ones that bear this title are not looked fondly upon by those that govern these events.
Can find yourself a target for these beings rather easily.
I hate you, Game. I hate you so much.
Looking at the crystal of the minotaur, I thought about grabbing it since the kill should have been mine but thought better. The spoils go to the one who dealt the final blow. Which I hadn't done. Probably better this way, for if I had killed it news would have spread of an adventurer who barely a month into the dungeon was able to kill a Minotaur.
Being slightly petty because I couldn't have the crystal, I ran away from the area using my wind to increase my speed. I didn't wish to talk to Aiz Wallenstein. I had more important things to worry about, like what to do about Bell Cranel.
Author Note:
Hello everyone,
So, I'm going to say first my apologies. This chapter is so short after the long wait for it. I could have written more but it just didn't feel right to force the plot to go on in this one chapter.
Anyways, if those who follow this book, or my profile didn't notice before this chapter was posted the first three chapters of this book were updated. Now overall those chapters are the same. I have just rewritten some parts to make them… flow better.
Some author notes did change slightly as I have changed my mind on a few things like Status sheets.
I'm just going to rewrite that part of the old note. I'm not going to attempt to use Observe to show the stats of others. As it would require me to think of numbers to convert Danmachi's system. Honestly, it seems like a waste of time to do this. So, if observe is used it will be for names, affiliations, titles, race, and level only. Stats won't be shown.
I'm going to be trying to use this as little as possible for it artificially inflates the word count.
One thing about levels, in Danmachi the levels will be based on 1-10 as that's how this world works. In any other world, this won't be the case as I'll be able to make my own without causing confusion.
Now people are probably wondering about updates. Well, to cut to the chase I've been trying to make a few other stories. As the ideas for them were in my head and couldn't get them out. Probably around 12 chapters were made that will never see the light of day because they were all done horribly.
So, I've decided to come back and focus on this story and Sealed Memories as they were the ones I originally started. Plus, Sealed Memories should have been done ages ago…
Now let us do some reviews to end us off.
Necrorifter: So, the MC was replaced by my OC. Generally, stories like this have the MC being replaced. However, the original MC still exists just now female, Hehe. Also, you mentioned that it seemed my perks/traits for my character implied that he may be interested in males. I read them over and I don't understand how this meeting came off. Other than when the Game teased Kaze about possibly watching as he had sex. However, I did change the trait to state this in the revised chapters.
SvenTheDecoy: Yeah, I shouldn't have added 'Screaming in rage.' It is cringy after reading it a second time. So, I've removed this part.
Leviameth: So, funny thing about the look of my character this was entirely a coincidence. I had no idea who you were talking about, so I looked up Hades and ended up playing the game. Quite an interesting story.
grimmouse197: In the conversation with the concepts, you mentioned them sounding too modern, so taking this into account I'll try making them sound more… intelligent. Not using words like broken in conversation. That scene was redone slightly in my previous chapter.