Again, dear readers, you return.

Timeline wise, we are roughly around the end of book 3, where Bell levels up. The next little while, I will go over that story arc, and eventually, get to book 5 and 6, which are after the anime itself.

Dawn breaks. Now roll craft: Day to fix.

Chapter 14

"I think she's in shock." I mumbled to Bell.

"I think so too." He mumbled back.

"Is reaching level two such a big deal?" I asked.

"Some don't reach level two for years... I think the last record was held by Miss Wallenstein, at one year." He replied.

I blinked at that, both Bell and I looking at our Goddess who was gently swaying back and forth as she sat on the bed. "So... You managed in... A month you said?"

"And you did it in three weeks." He replied.

Unable to really say anything about that, I simply held out my fist, prompting Bell to tap my knuckles with his own. "So... Now what?"

"I'm not sure." He said honestly, "Miss Eina will want to know. The guild requires all information like that."

I gently picked up our Goddess, who was still looking off into the distance at some invisible thing, and lay her down on the bed properly. "Well, on the way we can tell the nice lady at the potato snack store Lady Hestia will be late, at best." Bell nodded, and we both looked at the sheets of paper Hestia had given us before zoning out.

Kodori Level: 2

Power: B 701 - S 943 - I 0

Endurance: S 956 - S 997 - I 0

Dexterity: D513 - B 763 - I 0

Agility: C 634 - A 825 - I 0

Magic: S 943 - S 999 - I 0

Congenital Magic: Self Re-enforcement

Through will alone, boost basic stats and magic resistance.

-Home of the Goddess: Uses Congenital magic to grant natural armour.

-Judgement of the Goddess: Uses Congenital magic to grant increased strength.

Boost is greater in the defence of others.

Curse: Weapon's Bane

Weapons used to attack will break upon impact.

Titan's grip

Grants an unbreakable grip.

Titan's stance

Becomes immovable when Titan's grip is active.

Kitsune's Rage

Grants a boost in strength.

May lose control.

Developmental ability choices.

Mage

Magic resistance

Spirit Healing

Fist Fighter

"What's this at the end here?" I asked Bell, "I have to choose?"

"I'm... not sure. We should go see Miss Eina." He scratched his head, then folded his paper neatly.

"Good idea. But first..."

Nothing really felt different between Bell and I when we sparred that morning. He was his usual speedy self, and I was hard pressed to keep up with him, relying on my internal magic to keep up. I saw that Bell's magic stat, when I peeked at his page, was rather low compared to mine. This was probably why. I refused to fall behind, and used every tool I could to keep up.

"Bell?" I called out to him as we ended a 'round' of sparring. "I'm going to try something."

He looked surprised for a moment. We usually said nothing to each other until we finished, the usual exception being 'I give' 'ouch' and 'are you okay'. To his credit, he didn't relax, break stance or complain. "Yes Miss Kodori."

I had already been gathering my magic. I had to, just to keep up with his insane speed. I took a deep breath, focused, and imagined myself as a grounding rod. My new status had added something to my Congenital Magic, and before I used it under potentially lethal conditions, I had to have a clear idea on how to make it work. I took another breath, held out my bare hand, supported it with my other, and said to Bell. "Use your magic." I could feel my hair trying to stand on end, and saw that my arms were glowing. "Don't miss."

Again to his credit, he understood what I was trying to do. We had sparred long enough, and he knew my mentality about finding the limits of what we could do, before finding out we couldn't do them at the worst time. So, with his free hand, he faced his palm towards me and said, "Firebolt!"

"What..." Eina was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.

"You'll see." I said with a sigh, "It would be easier if you saw first, before the story."

Bell nodded nervously next to me.

My hair, not very long, was standing on end. All of it. I was happy to note that it was perfectly groomed, but otherwise I looked rather silly. My tail was similarly frazzled, making it hurt in spots where it wasn't properly brushed. Even my newly grown eyebrows wanted to stand on end. I also had a scorch mark that travelled from the palm of my hand to my elbow. I was also bare foot.

"So..." Eina began after I told her what had happened, "You asked Bell to use his magic on you." Nod. "And you let him." Another nod. "And when it did, you hair did that, your hand did that, and your boots disintegrated."

Silence descended inside the little consultation room as both Bell and I nodded.

"His magic is like... Light...ning? Yes, lightning and fire." I replied, also learning my new word for the day.

"What does that had to do with anything?" Eina asked, both her and Bell looking confused.

I was about to explain, but realized neither of them had a high school education. I simplified it by saying, "Lightning is like water. It goes through the easiest path to get to where it wants to be. Almost all the time, that place is the ground." Both of them seemed to work that around in their heads for a moment, before nodding. "Bell's magic, and yesterday's fire, were a little to much for my poor boots."

Our adviser sighed the sigh of the truly put upon. "So, what was it you wanted me to see?"

"Bell, move forward a little?" I turned around in my chair and reached behind myself to grab the bottom of my kimono top. Bell scooted his chair forward, and turned around as well.

After we had both exposed our backs, Eina yelled out, "LEVEL TWO?!"

"Both of us." Bell replied.

I put my shirt down and turned around. Eina was even more pale than Bell was usually. "We had a very busy day yesterday." And I started on that story, having Bell fill in for the spots I wasn't awake, or coherent, for. Thankfully, she was in too much shock to yell at us for how incredibly stupid we were. I could have sworn I could see steam coming off her head though.

"Well." she 'ahem'ed. "Just so you know, you aren't actually level two yet." At our surprised looks the continued, "What you saw on the bottom of your stats, were a list of developmental skills. You have to choose one before you officially level up."

"Welf mentioned that." I commented, "He said he needed to become level two before he could take the 'blacksmith' skill, and be truly good at his craft."

"Indeed." Eina nodded, "A good alchemist for example, will always be better than an equally skilled alchemist if they have the 'mixing' skill.

"So how do we choose? We ask Lady Hestia?" Bell asked.

"Yes. When you go home, tell her, and she will make your choice permanent." She then went on to explain some of what these skills meant, just to be clear. With my over-reliance on magic, to be blunt, to not die, my developmental skill choice was focused on that. I wondered if I should double up on resisting magic, or make my magic more potent. I could also choose to just punch things harder, but that would be too simple. I didn't want to be 'Kodori who hit things until they stopped'.

Bell had a few more choices, almost all different than mine. Abnormal resistance for one, sounded really useful, and a popular choice for level two.

"So, now that that is over." Eina said, the room seeming much much colder all of a sudden. "Let's talk about yesterday."

"At least your hair is back to normal." Bell consoled me. Eina had been quite thorough about her 'after lecture'.

"I think my tail is dead." I replied, trying to move my tail, and failing. It seemed to want to hide against my leg. "Let's go see Welf. Lilly might be there too."

We gradually walked off our 'lecture shock' as we travelled towards the artisan's district. Even my tail recovered. Bell had never actually been here, so I took the time to point a few things out, most of it being 'why is it built like that'?

As expected, Welf was busy at work. The hammering from his anvil distinct amongst the other noises of the nearby shops. When we entered, we found Lilly's pack sitting with all the other loot we had gathered wedged into a corner where Welf's tiny living room and kitchen were. "I honestly don't remember there being this much stuff..." I said, seeing that it was almost to the ceiling.

"Well, you were pretty out of it... heh..." Bell laughed nervously, "I'm surprised Miss Eina didn't say anything about that."

"You should give her a hug too." I teased back, "She's very soft." My tail, now back from hiding, swished over Bell's arm. This had the desired effect of making him become a stammering idiot, so I called out to the house, "Welf!"

The hammering didn't stop, but Lilly came to greet us at the door. Bell took off his shoes and we all entered. "Lilly is happy to see you two." She smiled, moving back into the workshop and sitting on a thin cushion. Watching Mr. Welf work is boring."

The next time Welf brought his hammer down it was a little louder, but he made no comment.

"That's because you don't appreciate the craft." I replied. "Maybe we can get him to make new bolts for your little bow. You're good with it, you should have something special to shoot."

Bell and I sat down and bantered quietly with Lilly for a little while, until Welf put his work aside. It looked like the beginnings of a replacement for his great sword that the minotaur had ruined. "Hey tiny." He said to Lilly, "Where's that horn?"

"Over there." She make a vague gesture with her hand at the titanic loot pile.

"Could you get it then?" He shot back, "I have no idea how you organized that mess."

"Good friends already, I see." I commented.

"We are not!" They said together.

"Sure sure. I'll help you look Lilly."

The rest of the daylight hours were burned away by watching and helping Welf work. I was fascinated by the use of various monster bits in the craft. They all seemed to have metallic properties, melting almost like real metal, and bonded with actual metal readily. Some of the dragon's teeth had gone into Welf's new sword, and a few more had gone towards making Lilly some special ammunition. I used my limited skill with metal to sharpen a few things to save Welf some time, and he was actually impressed with my work. It was just getting dark, and all our stomachs were grumbling, when he finally banked his fire and put his hammer down.

"So." He started, "Aside from being really hungry, what's the plan?"

"Well." I said, checking the edge of Bell's new knife, and being sure to not test it on anything myself, "Bell and I have an announcement." I promptly poked Lilly's nose, and held up a shushing finger to Welf before they could say anything. "No, not that." They both settled back down, while Bell did one of his amusing blushes, "Bell and I are both level two now."

"My ears hurt." I complained, "I'm sure the whole district heard that."

The four of us were walking towards main street, my suggestion of going to the Hostess was met with a unanimous thumbs up.

"It's incredible." Welf replied giving both Bell and I a light punch in the shoulder, "You've only been at this what? A month? And you've hit level two."

"We couldn't have done it without Mr Welf and Miss Lilly." Bell replied, "Even though Mr. Welf just joined, without you we might not have lived yesterday."

I nodded in agreement. That minotaur ambushed us. And if I had been where Welf was when it struck... "Lilly too." I said, "You helped Bell an I with advice, and being a good supporter. And killing bats." I shuddered, my ears flattening to my head.

"Let's just have a good time tonight. To a successful party!"

So we partied it up. The girls at the Hostess were all happy to see repeat customers. It meant, in Mia's words, that we won, and came back alive. Arnya did notice that we weren't being shy about our bill, and asked about the occasion. So, we told the story of how Lilly, Welf, Bell and I went to the dungeon, slayed a bunch of monsters, and came out of the dungeon with all kinds of interesting stuff. Luniore was especially proud of me for being able to punch so hard, and Syr congratulated Bell on his first minotaur kill. This she did with a hug that got everyone cheering, except Mia, who waved her ladle to get them back to work. Mia did however, bring out a massive plate of pasta just for Bell, ruffling his hair with her usual motherly look, reserved for those who have been under her care at one point or another. Even I got one, just for coming back.

She did make a disappointed noise at me losing my boots, making me feel like a kid telling mom I'd lost the house key or something.

I think the problems might have started around the time I started drinking. Chloe had put a fresh tray of drinks in front of us, and either forgotten I didn't really drink, or some one else ended up drinking my juice. It tasted good, sweet, fruity and with only a hint of alcoholic burn. When the second and then third mug came around, I realized what I was doing, but it was too late. I dimly remembered getting rowdier, feeling better about the world than I should have any right to feel, then chatting far too openly. Bell was also on his way to being drunk too. Welf, I remember, looked amused at our antics, and Lilly was being quiet, eyes dancing in amusement as her new Familia got sloshed.

Then, it was probably me, mentioned level two.

I couldn't for the life of me think of why everything went quiet, or why Welf and Lilly were clamping hands over our mouths. I do remember paying the bill. And sort of remember being escorted home by Welf and Lilly.

Sobering up was an interesting experience in my new body. Even before, I never really drank. It just didn't seem productive. It was hard to play video games and remember what you were doing while drunk, and working like a slave in a factory meant my game time was limited. Since I'd only ever had a few sips of anything alcoholic in this body, my tolerance was even lower.

I did remember to drink lots of water, and helped Bell do the same. All while getting disappointed looks from Hestia.

"You just left me here this morning!" She started actually complaining when Bell and I became more aware of things.

"We did tell your boss you would be off today. Even said we were sorry, and bought something from her for breakfast." I replied.

That actually stopped her for a moment, but she was determined to be angry with us. "Lilly remembered to bring you food too?" Bell said hopefully, pointing to a bag on the counter we had both forgotten about until now.

"We also need to finalize our leveling up." I said, "Eina from the guild told us about developmental skills and Bell and I need to choose one.

That broke her bad mood. The food and how well her little Familia was doing. "And Mr. Welf made me a new dagger!" Bell said proudly, starting us off into a recount of how our day went.

In the end, I chose Mage. Eina had said it would make my magic more effective, and efficient. Hitting mind down every time I let loose was dangerous. So was overdosing on potions. It didn't matter than I couldn't throw magic around like Bell. Bell, following the trend, and honestly making a choice I would have made as well, was Abnormal Resistance. One less way for a monster to get you. Or the air. Or the walls. Or, while I was having a hard time believing it, the trees. I'd have to ask Nazza about some potions for that kind of thing until I myself got the skill. If ever.

"So what are you doing tomorrow?" Hestia asked, "Back to the dungeon?"

"No. Not for at least another day, maybe two. Welf is still making things for us. Bell needs armour, I'd like mine replaced, and not to brag, I think we came home with more valis in a single day, than we have made to date. And that isn't including the items we are letting Welf make into equipment." I perked up, remembering something, "Oh, speaking of. Bell? Where did you put that bag? The blue one?"

"Oh, let me dry my hands." He put the dish he was washing down and went over to our equipment pile by the door. After a little rummaging, he returned and handed Hestia a blue parcel, wrapped in string. "Miss Kodori said we should bring you something, to celebrate.

Surprised, she accepted the parcel and unwrapped it. The ribbon holding it together was the same as the one she always wore around her back and under her impressive bust. Inside, put together by Bell and I, and our observations of out Goddess, was a little bundle of gifts. A spare outfit, exactly like the one she usually wore, only less worn, and a little thicker for warmth. Some fancy soap Nazza made in her spare time. A fancy dress, more like a ball gown really, in case she had something formal to do. A small bag of valis, to replace the money Hestia had to pay for the fine of two Familia fighting, and the blue ribbon, which Bell thought of as a nice touch, since Hestia herself was always wrapped in one. He and I had actually been putting this together over the last few days, hiding it amongst our things so Hestia wouldn't notice. The valis was the last thing we added, being basically dirt poor until we made it home yesterday.

Bell and I gave each other our customary fist bump, as Hestia teared up and gave us both a hug.

This also had the effect of not being told to sleep on the floor because we came home drunk.

"How many times was that?" I asked Bell, as we ran away, once again, from a group of random Gods and Goddesses suddenly ambushing us trying to recruit us into their Familia.

"Four." He replied, easily keeping pace with me. "Rumour travels fast."

I swore quietly, then said, "Well, we were both drunk, and I blabbed about getting to level two. Now that my head is clear, I see why Lilly and Welf shut us up so fast."

Bell just laughed awkwardly, then, "I wonder what Welf is making today."

"Me too. Keep running."

"You guys are here early." Welf said, yawning loudly, "Just woke up, wow what a party."

"Yes... About that. Me and my drunken mouth..." I said, kicking off my sandals and following Welf to the workshop. I told him about the run over to his place, and he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Sure sure. Next time, don't let me drink."

"Why? You're hilarious when you're drunk!" He teased, "I thought all you foxes from out east were all about the booze."

"Never had the taste for it." I replied, not bothering to correct him about my origins. "So what are you putting together today?"

With mine, and later, Bell's help on some simple finishing touches, Welf put together a new chest plate for him, as well as shin guards and arm guards. Welf also worked in space for Bell to put his daggers in the arm guards, a clever idea. While Welf did some measuring and such for my arms and legs, I asked him a few questions.

"So, since I leveled up, I asked Bell to hit me with his firebolt. It made me think about something. Do you think we could line the inside of my arm guards with something like salamander wool?" I asked, "It might help, in case I needed to catch a firebolt again."

"We can work on some designs." Welf said, "But, I'd honestly want to wait until I reach level two, so all these fancy materials don't get second rate treatment."

I sighed, but understood. It was one of those weird laws of the world here, where having a skill in writing, on your back, was simply better. Recognized but the gods, literally. "Nothing for it then. We still need some other materials though."

We drew straws, and I was chosen to do some fetch and carry. Most of what we needed was mundane stuff. Leather, thread, basic cloth, oil, that sort of thing. We also needed some more salamander wool, though those could be scraps, and not full sheets. Or even a single cloak that we could cut up. I was also in charge of getting snacks, as per the universal rule of 'friends gather = snacks'.

I made sure to take the side streets, my drunken blunder, and the power of rumour had already made Bell and I some what of a commodity among the various divinities, and I didn't want any more attention than I already had. After I left the first shop, delivery receipt in hand, I could have sworn I felt a pair of eyes on me. Eina did mention that level two would boost my senses past what they were normally.

Remembering what happened a few days ago, I tried to preempt who ever it was I felt watching. With a quick turn, I darted down the nearest alleyway. Using my lessons with Lunoire as an example, I jumped upwards, aiming for the lip of a rooftop. With ease, I caught the side and pulled myself sideways, bleeding off my excess momentum and settling my feet on the rooftop with near perfect balance. I felt a little rush of excitement at how easy it was, despite that I might be in danger.

"Wow." I heard a voice say the instant I touched down. "I didn't expect to be caught that fast."

I turned quickly, back foot sliding into a position that could easily be used as either attack or evade, and brought my arms defensibly as well. In front of me, standing at the corner of the flat rooftop, was an Amazon. Leaning casually against the hip high wall on the rooftop, she was what one would expect from her race. Tall, amazingly athletic, and very feminine. I also knew her.

"You... Gave me directions that night." I said, relaxing very slightly.

"Oh! That was you? Silly question, what other Renard would it be?" She shrugged and smiled, "Sorry about the hiding in the shadows thing. I was curious."

When she said curious, her eyes got... Well, hungry. Widening slightly, focusing more, roaming over my body. It was disturbing, and a little arousing, I had to admit. "What would a lovely courtesan like yourself want from me?" My voice hitched slightly, but her gaze was seriously unnerving.

"Oh I wish I could just take you home. You even used the proper word and everything." She clapped her hands in front of her. It would have been down right adorable if she weren't taller than me. "But, I have a message, two actually. And relax, please!"

I realized I was still in a 'fight or flight' pose, and shook myself out, standing properly as she held out two small wrapped rolls of paper. I accepted the first, noting that it was sealed in the traditional red wax with a stamp of a nude lady behind a veil. My nose caught the scent of exotic spices too. "This, is from my Lady, Ishtar." She said as I accepted it.

The second one was sealed with a thin red ribbon, and carried the scent of a certain tea. "And that, is from your Lady, Haruhime."

I put both inside my shirt, tucked away safe, "Thank you. Twice. Three times actually. Your directions were perfect, and..." I stopped as I felt my ears being pet ever so gently.

"She also said 'pet her ears for me.'" She replied, laughing, "I would have done it anyway. You're ears are so fun."

My tail was starting to wag in that happy lazy way, before I caught it and shook my head back and forth to chase the warm fuzzy feelings away. I hadn't even seen her hand move to pet my head. I simply accepted the letters, heard her voice and that was it.

No wonder I felt like prey in her presence.

"Anyhow. Job's done." She smiled and let my ears go, putting her hands on her hips. "Unless you wanted something... After hours?"

I shook my head, unable to keep the blush from my face. She was very good looking after all. "No. I have shopping to do for my smith, as well as snacks to buy for the rest of my party."

"Fine fine." She smiled and hopped backwards, landing like a feather on the top of the wall. With a similar little hop, she jumped off and down to street level.

I couldn't help but sit down against that little wall, trying not to hyperventilate suddenly. Having sparred with two people who were so far ahead of me, I knew the signs of being outclassed. If this were a hostile encounter, the only hope I'd have had, was if I could run to a place with lots of witnesses. It didn't help that she knew exactly what to do with my ears. The fear and excitement were making my heart do weird things in my chest. Hands shaking, I pulled out the two letters. The official looking one came first, my fingernails making short work of the wax.

"Dearest Kodori." It started. Ishtar was a Goddess of love, I supposed. "We have heard rumour of you in this city, as well as your exploits. We would like it very much, if you would meet with me, at some time of your choosing, in the near future." The signature was neat, but used much different lettering than what was common in Orario.

I hm'ed at the letter, folding it neatly and putting it away. I could guess what she wanted, but couldn't think of a nice way of saying I wasn't interested. I unwrapped the next letter and read the nice neat writing as I toyed with the ribbon with my free hand.

"Lady Kodori." Very formal, as expected, "I received your message, and would like us to meet some time soon. I do not usually ask for time to myself, so I may ask for a day off at any time. Please send word of when, and where, and I will do my best to meet with you." The signature was done with a Japanese kanji, and though I couldn't read it, it also had a tiny little drawing of the fox girl's head next to it.

"Well..." I mumbled to myself, "Now I just have to find Hermes again. Or something... And make sure Hestia doesn't find out. Maybe tell her to not wear lipstick?"

I returned to Welf's workshop, bags of snacks in hand, as well as some other easily portable crafting supplies. Welf was still hammering away, Lilly was sharpening her little hand crossbow bolts, and Bell trying to draw something.

As we took a break and nibbled on various junk foods, we all decided it was time to try the dungeon again. Welf presented me with a new right gauntlet and arm guard, Bell had a newer, tougher and better version of his old chest plate, and Lilly was sounding eager to use her new bolts.

"Hey Welf?" I asked, as we were about to leave. "Why don't you make magic swords?"

His usually easy going expression darkened like some one had just burned all his hammer handles. "You really want to know?"

"Wouldn't have asked otherwise. Not like I could ever use one myself." I shrugged, making him smile slightly.

"True." He took a deep breath, "My family, long ago, was blessed by the fairies. From then on, we could make weapons of incredible power. But greed from the nobles brought war, and after nearly wiping out the elves and their forests, our blood was cursed, sealing away the ability to make magic sword." I nodded, and he continued, "I am the first one of the Crozzo line to be able to make them again."

"Hm. Maybe the curse ran out?" Bell offered.

"I don't care." Welf said, surprising the three of us. "Look... When I make something, I make it so that who ever owns it, can feel like they can depend on it. I don't want to make something that is destined to break, no matter how well the owner looks after it. I don't care if I could become rich, and famous, and have the world knocking at my shop door. I don't want to make something... Disposable."

I nodded, understanding the mentality behind his thinking. I told Nazza something similar. We go into the dungeon, relying on the tools we bring to get us home. I gave Welf a friendly punch to the shoulder, "Good. I feel even better about signing a contract with you."

"Thanks. See you guys at the fountain. Tomorrow. I have a couple more things to make, so look forward to it."

'A couple more things' seemed to be a hat for me, complete with ear covers that actually buttoned down in case of bats. It was even made of salamander wool. Again, I wished I'd know what this stuff was a few days ago. He had actually made one for everyone, except Lilly. For our tiny supporter, he had added little weights to her cloak so she could cover herself much better in case of fire. We planned to make another try to go to the fifteenth floor today, and both Welf and Lilly, as well as Eina, said there would be hell hounds. Fire breathing dogs.

"I wonder if you can tame them. Or breed them with something from the surface." I commented as we descended, "I haven't seen many dogs around the city, but could you imagine? That brute of a dog we met near the tailor?"

Bell wasn't much of a dog person, but we had met a huge dog while looking for gifts for Hestia. It looked like a bulldog, but it was almost a meter tall at the shoulder. And liked to give kisses. Both Lilly and Welf shivered. "Let's not try. They like to hunt in packs, call others from around the area to them, and breath fire. Lots of fire."

"And unless Miss Kodori has the taming skill, it would probably be impossible." Lilly added.

"It was just a thought. Oh, Welf, you know what a loadstone is?" I used the old term for a magnet, hoping my putting together 'load' and 'stone' meant the same thing.

"Sure. You make compass needles from them." He replied. "Why?"

"Idea for later. After you reach level two." I started thinking of ways to make use of them, and dusting off some old science stuff I'd learned to make weak magnets stronger.

With a shrug, Welf adjusted his new sword on his shoulder and we continued on.

We fought our way down from the ninth floor, to the tenth, without much trouble. The orcs were just as big and slow as before, though now at level two, I almost felt like a bully. I gave Welf a hug after an encounter with a group of bats, letting him know they new hood not only worked, but worked exceptionally well. Bell and Lilly laughed at the poor smith, as it was his turn to be all shy and embarrassed.

Past the tenth, to the eleventh, the scenery changed again. From the misty petrified forest back to random seeming dungeon walls, though now, the stone was light grey instead of rusty red.

"Bell? Notice anything odd?" I asked him a little away from the other two, "I'm not sure if its our new status, but everything seems..."

"A little slower." He said, "I hear better too. And can almost feel you using magic. Like a humming noise." He knew exactly what I was feeling.

"Just making sure I wasn't going even more crazy than I already am." We shared a fist bump, then slowed down slightly to let the other two catch up. "Hey Welf? You should bring a pick. Hephaestus mentioned you could mine stuff around this depth."

He blinked at me, probably for mentioning his Goddess so casually, "Um, yes, but it's not common, and only in certain spots. Noisy too. Not something you want to do unless you are with a strong party, and know where to dig."

I scratched an ear, thinking. "Makes sense then. A shame. But if it were easy, the city would be plated in the stuff."

"How did you meet with Lady Hephaestus?" He asked, giving me a look.

"I had an idea and sold it to her." I replied with a shrug. "Gave her a method, diagram and everything, on how to make metal scales. Mass production of them."

I gave him a run down on the method, making him look thoughtful, "All that would be left is hardening the scales. In an oven or something, and wiring them together."

He shook his head in amazement, "Why aren't you a smith? That idea is incredible!"

Lilly wasn't so impressed, but the smith trade in general didn't seem to do it for her. "Well Lilly, not everyone can kill a drake. Sure, we managed, but I'd rather not have to do that again any time soon. Making scales like that out of metal, is a cheap go between of chain and plate. Flexible, turns sharp things away fairly well, and takes less time to put together than chain." I explained, giving our supporter a grin. "Back it with salamander wool, and you'd be mostly fireproof too, while protecting the fabric itself."

"Seriously, pick up a hammer." Welf said.

We got into a few minor fights on the eleventh, before making it down to the twelfth. We were getting used to working with each other, and moving like a well oiled machine in combat. We were about half way to the thirteenth, by Lilly's memory of the floor, when we first heard the howling.

"That's not good." Welf said.

"Sounds like they are hunting." I replied, "Lets back up to the last room, we do not want to fight these things in a narrow hall." The other three nodded, and we started to quick step back to the last room we had passed.

Not a moment too soon. We got to the room just in time to see that they weren't after us, but another group. A group of five, no, six. One, a man not quite my height had some one's arms over his back. They were fleeing what sounded like a half dozen hounds, maybe more. One of them, running to the side of the leader, started yelling at us. "Run! Too many!"

Not quite as short as Hestia and wearing a sort of samurai outfit, minus the armour, but including the sword, her light purple robe like outfit was smeared in blood and ash. I could feel the heat coming down the hallway behind them as the group ran into the room and past us. All of them were wearing, and using, Japanese styled equipment. And all of them were wounded in some way. They had gotten mauled by something.

"Fighting retreat." I called to my party as they entered the room, and made for the other end of it.

"Sorry!" The girl said, her long black hair matted with blood from a wound on her forehead.

Then I saw them. About two meters long, and nearly a meter at the shoulder, the were just how I'd imagined them. Big mean red and huffing fire from their mouths as they ran down the hall, barking and howling for the group that had just run past.

I stepped aside, and Bell yelled out his spell, sending bolts down the hallway. We had been fighting fairly often already, so he only shot four of them before stepping aside. Each bolt, even though they were mostly fire, dropped a hound, turning it into black vapor.

But there were more. So many more. A half dozen, a dozen, twenty, thirty... We were about half way to the other side of the room when they started to fill it, and it became a melee.

Welf surprised all of us by yelling out, "Illegal move, I reject!" and hurling a little ball of black light at a hound, just as it was about to spit fire. The ball entered its mouth, it seemed to stop in mid breath, then explode. Like the minotaur had.

"Welf, guard Lilly, do that more if you can. Bell, with me." I called out, not asking what it was our smith just did. But since he could do it at range, he got middle guard.

It was all for nothing however, as we heard the walls start to crack, more monsters spawning into the room. These ones were sort of rabbits, with actual hands, and short unicorn horns. I also caught sight of something coming from down our escape tunnel.

To our credit, no one panicked. But we were giving each other sideways looks, hoping they would have an idea. Lilly yelled something, but I couldn't hear her over the sound of the howling and clashing metal. Bell hopped next to me, and repeated what ever it was. "Run to the tunnel! We have to fight in the narrow space!"

I nodded once, and started back faster. We had made a good showing, but the press of bodies was going to win out if we didn't move. I saw Welf looking pale, his magic apparently running dry, and I hadn't heard Bell's spell in a few moments. I myself had been boosting my abilities from the moment the other party ran by, but wasn't feeling the effect of mental drain yet. At all really.

Bell had jumped clear over Lilly, and was doing his best to cut through our escape route. Welf was keeping the hounds from Lilly, and I was in front, not too far behind.

"I'm going to collapse the tunnel once we are in it. Go Go GO!" I yelled, turning and starting to flee in earnest once I saw Welf get to the tunnel. I think I heard someone say that I was crazy, but I was already bringing my fist back.

As I entered the tunnel myself, the rest only half way through, I slammed my fist into the side of the hall.

It worked. A little too well. My strike shattered the mouth of the tunnel, a bit of the ceiling falling down behind me. But then a long crack split the wall. Sounding like ice on a lake giving way, it raced down the path, spider webbing along the wall, floor, ceiling, then the other wall.

I remembered something Eina had said. "The dungeon hates us."

We fell, the four of us. Screaming into the blackness below.

Notes!

Oh look! A cliffhanger! Seriously though, I was having a hard time thinking of how to do this particular scene. I'm also wondering if I am becoming too bare boned with the monster encounters? Should I stick with only writing the noteworthy things out? Do we need to read about every goblin slain? At this point, our party can deal with low level monsters like some one would do dishes, so I figure 'we fought our way to' is good enough.

Until next time.