General consensus says keep it to just Ryuu so it shall be so. Side note, I know that I'm not following monster spawns to the letter but that's an intentional choice.
The sixth floor of horrors. That's what I heard this place is called.
From this point on, monsters become truly vicious and dangerous. Up until the sixth floor the monsters spawned from the Dungeon have been limited in their arsenals, mostly just sharp claws and wicked fangs when you really look at it. Sure the war shadows have the ability to meld with shadows and are somewhat intangible, but they still need their claws to hurt you.
Now though? There are creatures like Purple Moths that spread a toxic powder and the notorious Killer Ants that have a pheromone that calls even more of it's comrades if their magic stones aren't destroyed.
Between the two monsters, and the monster parties that can start spawning now, the death count for this floor surpasses some of the middle floors because adventurers are just not prepared to deal with them.
That's what I was told about this floor and yet…
"I just can't see it…" I mutter, Lily raising an eyebrow out of what I assume is interest "For a floor with such a grim reputation, I just can't believe that this is what it looks like."
Lily nods "Mhm, it's is mind boggling to Lily too and she's been here before."
Dark, silvery blue walls lit with azure glowrock give the sixth floor an almost ethereal beauty as whatever mineral this floor is made of glimmers before us. If it weren't for the recounts about this floor being confirmed multiple times by the survivors of various incidents, I really wouldn't believe such a beautiful and almost peaceful place has such a terrible history.
"Maybe its because of it's reputation that it's so gorgeous?" I wonder aloud, once more catching Lily's attention "Think about it, maybe the reason the surroundings are so stunning is to lay fallen adventurers to rest in a final moment of peace?"
Lily stared at me for a moment "Hahaha! Lily's never heard something so funny! Mr. Bell should take up a job as a comedian!"
Well that was rude "I'm being serious Lily." She keeps laughing, "Lily, can you tell me about a single floor of the Dungeon that, after stripping away the monsters and traps, isn't in some way peaceful or beautiful in its own right?"
She stopped. Finally! "The first floor is dark but the emerald lighting makes it kind of pretty in its own way, the second through fourth are more dull sure, but there's always the faint echoing of water anytime the fighting stops, the fifth floor may seem unpleasant but the pantry is almost like an oasis in the desert, and why would it be there to begin with when the only monsters on the floor are war shadows, a monster that doesn't need to eat anyways?"
Lily looks pensive, cupping her chin with her hand. I gesture to the ethereal floor in front of us "Then you have the sixth floor, beautiful beyond belief and ethereal. As though it could disappear any moment. I mean, obviously I don't want to die down here, but don't you think that as far as places go, it wouldn't be so bad?"
I finish my little rant panting a little bit. I'm not used to talking so much and I kinda got a little heated towards the end. None of that was me grasping at straws though. I fully meant everything I said. "I'm really quite fond of the Dungeon's aesthetics. Even the ambience of ghastly breathing on the fifth, or the constant echoes of combat on the fourth have felt pleasant to me."
"All I heard before exploring the Dungeon was that it's a horrid, oppressive place filled with atrocities, monsters and death. But I just can't see it. Sure it's unforgiving and a moment's lapse of concentration could easily spell your demise, but its beautiful too because in spite of that there's wondrous sights like this and at least for me, I'm only alive because of the Dungeon. I would have starved to death without it!"
"M-mr. Bell?" Lily hesitantly spoke from beside me, she looks concerned. It took me a moment to realize I had said all of that out loud. "Is Mr. Bell okay?"
"I-I, yeah. I'm fine. Sorry about that Lily." She shakes her head.
"Don't be sorry, Lily is just happy to learn more about Mr. Bell!" she said with a smile.
Ack, My heart! She'll give me a heart attack if she keeps doing that! But I guess I haven't really been too forthcoming about myself… "Oh, sorry about that. How about later you can ask me whatever you want to know?" She nods enthusiastically "Alright, for now though…"
I trail off and draw both blades of Ira Diabolus. It seems like my outburst earlier attracted the attention of some small horned rabbit monsters.
Their dirty gray fur blending in surprisingly well with the shimmering walls and I probably wouldn't have noticed them if not for their bright red eyes. Actually…
"These are kind of cute though right?" I ask Lily.
"Mhm, very cute." Her eyes never left them, a strange light in her eyes.
I lower my center of gravity "Time to kill them though."
It seems they finally decided that observing was no longer required because the five rabbits kicked of in different directions, a lot faster than I expected as well.
The speed is nothing compared to Jack bird earlier, but with five monsters to keep track of, it's much harder to be ready for them. My eyes and head keep fliting about, trying to keep them all in sight at once. A task that quickly proves to be impossible because one of the rabbits managed to get behind me and jab me in the back with its horn before hopping off again.
Shit. Hit and run tactics?
Another of the rabbits hopped around behind me but at least I noticed it this time so I swung at it to ward it off, which worked, but it left me open to another rabbit to jab me in the chest this time.
"Gah" A gasp unintentionally left my lungs, making me very glad that the armor Pandora made me covers my entire torso or that would have likely pierced my lung instead of just knocking the air out of me.
This song and dance continued for a few moments more, me swinging at the horned rabbits to ward them off and the fifth rabbit taking advantage of that to take a pot shot at me.
I can only realistically follow four of them at once… I need to take one out, but…
Another swing. And miss.
I can't hit the ones that are coming in close and if I tried to focus on one the others would have easy pickings. I just can't handle all five on my own.
A war of attrition it is then.
*Squee*
Or it would have been if I was alone. A glance to the sound is all I need to confirm the crossbow bolt sticking out of the rabbits head. It's a little embarrassing but I completely forgot Lily had a crossbow. But that gives me an option.
"I'll hold them, pick them off when you can get a shot!" I yell.
Lily didn't say anything so as to not give away her position… I think… but I hope she'll listen. Now though, "Let's dance!" I taunted, and the rabbits happily did so.
With the fifth rabbit out of the way, I can finally keep track of all of them, making it much easier to ward them off and guide them to where the first rabbit lays dead. I can keep up with their speed, but the agility is a different story.
They just keep making sharp turns as they bounce around!
*Squee*
Ah, the three remaining horned rabbits seem to have noticed I'm not what killed their fellow monsters and are trying to find Lily now.
"Like I'll let you!" I shout, launching myself forward and scoring some kills of my own, my blades slicing through the small creatures with ease.
*SqueEEE*
Huh… They really do sound disturbing when they die. I almost feel bad…
Almost.
The final rabbit turned it's head and started to run away only to meet with a crossbow bolt to the head, killing it instantly.
As I put my kodachi away, Lily jogged towards me "Is Mr. Bell okay?" she asked, walking behind me and feeling the area the rabbit was jabbed with its horn.
"Yeah, I'm fine. The blacksmith who made my armor is the best of the best after all!" I laughed out. It's true, Pandora's armor didn't even dent. The only reason it affected me at all is because I was surprised by the sudden impact "Thank you for the help Lily, I would have been in trouble without you! You're the best!"
Lily blushed and turned away, is she weak to praise maybe? "Nonono, Mr. Bell did most of the work, Lily just offered support!"
Hehe, she's cute when she's flustered "No need to be so modest Lily, I was really pinned down there. You didn't miss a single shot!"
"Lily isn't anything special but Lily will proudly accept Mr. Bell's praise…" her voice shaking with hesitancy.
I nod "Alright then! Let's head deeper! There's a whole floor to discover!"
Rabbits, goblins, kobolds, more goblins. That's all we've seen since we got here. No purple moths or even killer ants…
"Hey Lily…" I start "Is this normal? We've barely seen any monsters that start spawning on this floor… I would have thought we'd run into a killer ant at least by now."
Lily rests her hand on her chin "Hmm, it is odd… Last time Lily was here Lily's party was accosted by them constantly… something might be wrong… should we take a break just in case?" she asks.
"Yeah, that makes sense. Better to be rested and prepared for anything."
With a decision made, we set about making a small snack up and settling down for a bit. And since I've got the time for it… I quickly took off my vambraces and my carving knife. I had this idea last night but didn't have the time to actually execute it before we left for the sixth floor.
Now though, I have a chance and I feel like I'm going to need this to work.
Working slowly, and wincing slightly at the grating sound of steel against steel, I start carving the Thurisaz rune into my vambraces. I figure I might be able to turn them into a makeshift shield using my magic if what happened to the stick earlier is anything to go by.
I've drawn this rune so many times that I could probably do it faster, but considering I'm basically scratching it into my armor, I want to make sure I don't go too far otherwise I would have used Ira Diabolus to carve it.
Hearing some noise behind me, I look back to see Lily shuffling closer to me " Mr. Bell? What are you doing?"
"I guess what I'm doing would look pretty weird haha" I laugh, my half truth from earlier still fresh in my mind, "I'm just carving a good luck charm into my armor. I feel like I'm going to need it with how weird everything feels down here today." Yeah, that should do.
"Lily thinks so too…" A bit of fear leaked into her voice. I guess even an experienced supporter like Lily gets scared in the Dungeon sometimes eh?
"It'll be alright Lily. Between you and me, there's nothing we can't handle!" sure it was a bit of an exaggeration but, based on the smile blooming on Lily's cute face, it was enough to ease her worries a little.
My piece said I got back to work with my carving, Lily watching over me in fascination and something else I can't figure out.
I fully believe the strange way the dungeon is behaving is because of Bell.
Nothing else makes sense. The drop items, spawn rates, the fact we just took a two hour break without interruption. None of it is normal.
Clearly Bell isn't normal either mind you, not only does he treat me with respect, even if it's for a weird reason, but he's growing too fast for a new adventurer.
It would be one thing if they happened in isolation, if they had I would happily continue working with Bell, or to write it off as the dungeon being weird for a day. But both at once? Especially with the reports of more irregulars spawning since the time Bell claimed he made his first dungeon dive, they have to be connected.
Everything is just too weird right now! I need to get out of here. I already stayed with Bell longer than I planned to. It's getting close to two days we've been down here now, we made good progress the first few floors but after the fifth, the dungeon starts getting larger with every new floor so while it seems odd, it isn't actually all that surprising we've spent almost a day on the sixth floor already.
Maybe I can stay with him a little longer? Get a bit more extra money? It really couldn't hurt right?
I shake my head as I watch Bell effortlessly deal with his first purple moth, something I've come to expect at this point honestly. No, I can't stay. A storm is coming and the best way to weather a storm is to not be in it to begin with.
As I carve out the magic stones, for once not having to deal with drop items, I slip the monster bait I brought with me out of my pack and into the inside pocket of my cloak. It'll distract him long enough for me to get away, now its just a matter of getting far enough away to use it.
"Great work Mr. Bell!" I cheer when we start moving again, myself walking slower than usual. As loathe as I am to admit it, I really do mean it. He's done a great job so far as a paycheck.
He rubs the back of his neck "Hehe, thanks Lily. I'm getting pretty excited to find out how many Valis we've raked in!"
I nod enthusiastically "Lily is excited for that too!" Hmm… that should be far enough. "Lily is just sorry it will only be her finding out."
Bell immediately stopped walking, his ruby red eyes going wide "wh-what do you mean Lily?"
Withdrawing the bait from my cloak has never been more a more dreadful experience for me. The sheer level of hurt in them stirring the humanity inside of me. If I stop now I can play it off as a joke. But no. I need to make my getaway.
"I can't get caught up in whatever mess is coming…" I mutter "Goodbye Bell. I'm sorry."
The capsule in my hand sailed through the air impacting Bell's chest to make sure the bait would be as effective as possible.
The way he shouted my name as I ran back the way we came hurt me more than I care to admit.
"Lily? LILY!" Why? Why did she do it?
My thoughts are spiraling as I run my throat hoarse. What did I do that I deserve this? To be used as bait for monsters?
I don't even need to think about what it could possibly be that Lily threw at me.
Monster bait has a particular scent that my teacher made sure I knew the smell of and now I'm covered in the stuff. No matter where I go I won't be safe. But… If I can just reach the fourth floor maybe the adventurers there can help me?
CrAcKKKKKKKKK
That… doesn't sound good. A quick glance behind me confirmed the monsters now pouring out of the Dungeon's surface.
I knew that was coming but well, I was really hoping they wouldn't be between me and the stairs.
Help isn't coming. I can't get to help and even if I could…
"There is nothing less manly than a pass parade!" my grandfather boasted as usual earning a smack upside the head from my teacher.
She released a sigh "As loathe as I am to agree with the oaf, to lead a horde of monsters to an unsuspecting party would be an action that would run contrary to your dream."
"Hah! Even the witch agrees with me!" another smack.
"However, it should always be kept as a last resort. You MUST survive Bell. Promise me."
I promised my teacher, but I can't bear the thought of others getting killed because of me.
Which leaves me only a single choice. The soft hiss of my Ira Diabolus leaving their sheathes turned all the monsters' focus to me if the bait hadn't already.
I need to kill every last one of them.
I can figure out my thoughts about Lily later…
Floor 17
The sounds of battle echo across the entire floor, blood being shed, spells causing explosions and bones shattering as the Loki familia butchered the floor's most aggressive species, the minotaur. Or at least they were.
It was as though a switch had flipped in the beasts' limited cognizance. As one the herd of the 17th floor turned to the floor's exit.
A whispered promise of food had caused a shift in the monsters' behaviour. Typically when the promise comes from a higher floor, the herd would simply ignore it. With the current massacre however… their numbers were thinned and hungry.
A promise of food, meager as it may be, is suddenly a promise of survival as well.
And so the herd ran. Charging through the paltry excuse of a wall the humans had erected with their own number, occasionally crushing one as they trampled the defensive measure yet never once stopping to confirm a kill.
It took less than a moment for the Loki family to fly into action despite their shock at the minotaurs' behavior.
Finn Deimne was the first to react. "Executives, chase them down! They're heading to the upper floors!" he shouted "Lefiya, Ais, twins, you're with me. Riveria, Gareth, Bete, go ahead if we get caught up! We cannot let them wreak havoc on the upper floors!"
A chorus of "YES CAPTAIN!" rang out.
"Raul! Take charge!"
Even as everyone began their assigned roles, Finn had to bite his thumb "I really hope we make it in time…" he thought as he rushed out to join the rest of the executives.
Had there been more than a single person on the sixth floor right now, they all would have described the previously beautiful floor the same way.
A bloodbath.
Rivers of blood, both monster and human alike, covered the ground and drained out towards the various holes opening in the dungeon to drain the surface. Dozens of bodies covered the floor, all killed the same way, a single strike through the magic stone, meaning dozens more must have already disintegrated from the same method of execution.
Purple Moths, Needle Rabbits, Killer Ants, if it can spawn on the sixth, they are in the piles of bodies and yet the monster keep coming. All attacking a single person, a person just barely surviving.
Blood poured from all over as his eyes tracked their next prey. Focused and yet vacant, just barely holding out from passing out.
The previously pristine armor garbing him had been torn to shreds and his coat just barely surviving as it regenerated even as it takes damage, slowing attacks just enough for Bell to react in his exhausted state.
His pure white hair stained black with the monsters' ichor and his body a flurry of motion narrowly dodging attacks as best as possible and slaying another monster in the same breath.
Slowly however, the monsters were closing in. Tightening the circle further and further, limiting his movements more with each passing minute.
I can feel it… I'm almost at my limit.
My wounds are building up and I'm tired. I don't know how long I've been fighting for. I don't know how many monsters I killed.
I just know I have to keep going, the monsters aren't stopping so I can't either.
Is this how monster bait usually works? I heard that it is used to distract monsters from the main party of an investigation or as a way to escape combat. But the walls still haven't closed up and I can't see an end to the wave.
This is horrific. How could anyone even THINK about using this on another person?
I feel another cut open up as a Killer Ant's bite gets passed me.
The injuries aren't even the worst part though, it's that every time I get one my headache gets worse.
"i-you-ne-si"
And the whispering. The whispering is very distracting.
Another wound, the whispers clear this time,
"If you ever" a jab to my back "are in danger" cut, left leg "you need only" right shoulder "use my final gift to you and"
A jab to my left hand caused me to drop one of my swords so I use my hand to grab my head. I'm going to die anyways, might as well be a little comfortable. It's throbbing under my hand, and while it isn't much it provides a bit of comfort.
ScreEE
SquEaK
BuZZ
I'm going to die, so why is everything so gods damned loud?
I kill another group of monsters, the throbbing in my head getting worse as the noise just keeps getting louder and my hearts beat more and more in sync.
Gods if I'm going to die I wish I could just "command" the "world" to
"BE SILENNNNNNNTTTTTTT!" Bell wailed
And then the world burned silver, a magic circle the size of the corridor manifesting below his feet and erupted into an oppressive silence that achieved exactly what the creator of the spell had intended.
The Maiden of Silence's final spell, and the one which she was most proud of, a spell to purge all the noise that seeks to harm her precious nephew.
As the silver light faded it left behind only Bell, unconscious in its wake. The dungeon had fallen silent, it's monsters crushed into paste against the walls.
"Alfia? Why do you need to leave?" a younger me asked, watching the aunt I'd come to love in the past three months pack her bags.
She simply sighed and turned her grey and green eyes to me "Do you remember what I taught you about duty Bell?" she asked in turn.
I nodded "Of course, you told me that sometimes duty interferes with desire and in those times you need to choose what's most important right?"
She ruffled my hair, "Exactly, I wish nothing more than to stay with you here, but if I stayed here, I wouldn't be fulfilling my duty to make the world a safer place for you." She said "and so I must go."
I felt tears well in my eyes. So this is actually goodbye then…
"I won't be here to protect you anymore, so I will have you forget me. If you remember me and join a familia that would be dangerous for you both." Wh-What?!
My aunt placed her hand on my back, pulling me into the first, and seemingly last, hug she'd ever given me.
It felt really warm, like everything was safe and okay.
Even as my head started to hurt and vision became hazy
"I'm very proud of this spell Bell. Your memories will be sealed unless you do something so irredeemably stupid you will not survive without them." Her tone was condescending but somehow it was affectionate at the same time "If you ever are in danger you need only to use my first, and final gift to you, this spell's second function."
She held me further, I couldn't see, but I could feel her warmth move further away "It will destroy all that wishes you harm, just once. All you need do is channel your magic and command the world to be silent."
She let go of my shoulders, the pounding in my head worsening with every breath as I blindly reach forward to grasp her once more "Alfia? Will I ever see you again?" I asked aimlessly. I already knew the answer after all.
She was harsh in her teaching, and kind towards me in private, but always distant. She didn't want me to get attached. Or maybe it was that she didn't want to get attached to me?
"Goodbye Bell. If you ever see me again this world will be a dangerous place indeed." The hurried footsteps and the door closing were all the proof I needed as my tears ran down my cheeks and I succumbed to the pounding in my head.
My head hurts, but in a good way. Like everything is finally back where it belongs.
So that's what was missing from my memories. My aunt taught me what little I know. Alfia… I wonder if I actually will see her again after all? The world certainly seems dangerous enough to me…
The walls around me are stained black with ichor and the remains of the countless monsters that had been assailing me. Normally I'd collect materials but… Alfia's spell was probably meant to work on monsters a lot more powerful than these small fry, there's nothing left to collect.
The corpses are completely destroyed and I think the walls have actually been carved back a foot or so from my earlier assessment. Just how powerful was Alfia..?
"Oh right… I should do a check on my gear..." I mutter, there's nobody around to hear it anymore but I forced myself into the habit for Lily…
Lily is… no. Not the time. I'm still in the dungeon. Danger could be anywhere…
Okay, first priority, Ira Diabolus. I can manage without armor, but I'm dead meat if I don't have a weapon.
Even just the slight shifting to move forces me to wince in pain, my injuries reminding me that they exist. Still, with a grunt of effort I pushed myself to my feet seeing my dropped weapons pushed into the wall together, likely dragged by a body before it was turned into a stain.
Slowly I make my way to them and check over my armor on the way.
Trashed. Every part of it is trashed except the gauntlets. Probably because of the runes I carved into them. Come to think of it, I was using magic a lot back there. Maybe that's why the seal on my memories broke…
Bending down slowly to avoid aggravating my wounds, which did exactly nothing because of the armor that dug into my stomach, I collected my weapons.
Hmm… One is perfectly fine, but the other… It's got some chips taken out of it. It must have been the sword I was using to guard with. Guess I need to make a trip to visit Pandora after this, not that it could have been avoided with the state of my armor anyways…
Actually, how the hell did my sheaths survive? They're beaten up sure but they aren't broken at all.
Well whatever. I need to get out of here. I have no supplies and barely any armor. I'm hurt and exhausted.
Stomp
Stomp
Stomp
Or not.
That sounded loud, close and definitely not like any monster I've ever heard.
Reluctantly I turn away from the ever so tempting stairs and face down the corridor, as prepared as I can be in my current state. At least my coat has regenerated enough to cover parts of me. I'll have to thank Mama again…
Stomp
I can hear it clearly, it's almost here.
Stomp
I don't smell blood, that's good. Actually it smells familiar. Almost like that meat I ate earlier.
STOMP
Just around the corner now. Alright. Lets do this!
Oh.
Oh Gods I'm dead.
Standing in front of me, its massive nostrils sniffing at the air is an honest to Gods minotaur.
Two meters of pure muscle and violence, and it's blood red eyes are now staring straight at me.
It's red skin rippling over it's muscles at their every movement. The pitch black horns atop its head perfectly positioned to gore should it so choose.
But no. Instead the bovine creature is walking slowly towards me, a "smirk" or something akin to that on it's face. It intends to play with me.
And of course I'm sure its me that it wants, I can still smell a lingering scent from the monster bait on my clothes.
Which means running is absolutely not an option here. A minotaur on the early floors? It would be a slaughter!
I swallow my saliva. Time to stall and hope to the Gods someone saves me.
Time to probe, see if I can even hurt it. I dash in with an overhand swing, the minotaur standing there, completely uncaring even as my sword arc into it.
Snap
Oh… that, that's not good. My sword just snapped. The missing half of the blade lying pitifully on the ground.
I wasn't expecting it to gush blood and collapse or anything but snapping immediately? I never would have considered it a possibility.
I received no time to think further on it though because a fist impacted the remains of my armor before I could even blink and sent me flying into the wall.
Cough Blegh, I can taste the blood I just coughed up.
I have no chance against this thing but I can't just let it kill the adventurers higher up.
And that means…
Bell forced himself from the floor, a grunt of effort echoing through the halls as he pushed against the floor, Ira Diabolus, rather, the one that remained, being used as a crutch until he was up
"Alright you big stupid cow, I'm not letting you go any further!" He shouted before running once more into the fray.
The minotaur snorted and swung its fist at its prey once again, the hammer of flesh and bone sailing harmlessly over Bell's form, having slid instead of continue his attack full force, making a small slice at the beast's ankle using his broken sword, drawing a thin line of blood along it.
"Oh you have to be kidding me! I just hit a hard part?!" he shouted having felt his attack make its mark.
The minotaur stared, confused. It shouldn't be bleeding. That was the fact that was bouncing in it's feeble mind as it processed the words of its meal.
"MOOROOOROOOOO!"
The sheer volume of the roar caused Bell to freeze up, his body and mind trying to force him to run even as his soul screamed out to do anything but.
The minotaur lowered its horns…
Shit! Instinctively I crossed my arms as it charged me "Thurisaz!" I shout feeling the warmth of the magic spread to my gauntlets.
And suddenly I'm flying through the air again, my arms sore, but still attached. Alright. Good to know. I can block if I use my magic.
Thank you wall for breaking my fall once again. Truly you are my favorite wall.
I force myself to my feet again. Gods I wish I still had Alfia's spell. No time to think about that though. It's coming again, this time fist raised high.
Okay, it wants to crush me. I step to the side a moment earlier than I would against other monsters, to account for the difference in speed and pester the minotaur's thigh with my knife as I dodge the attack that shattered the ground underneath it.
Yep, very glad I didn't get hit by that, sorry Dungeon, I'll make up for the damage this is doing to you sometime. Oh, I'm getting a bit delusional. Must be the blood loss.
Instinctively I duck under the fist that came swinging wildly at where my head just was. May as well be a nuisance again, another cut at its ankle.
"This way! We've almost got it!" Is- Is that a voice? Is someone going to save me?!
Shit, I got distracted! "Thurisaz" I shout and guard against the incoming fist, which sort of worked, I went flying again and I can't feel my right arm but its still attached and I'm alive.
That's good right?
So, help is on the way, all I have to do now is not die. Simple right?
I roll out of the way of another incoming fist. Does this thing ever take a break?! My injuries still screaming as I put them through even more abuse.
The shattering wall behind me makes it pretty damn clear that I made the right choice except for one tiiiiny problem…
I'm in a corner, and it's coming.
Shit. I lost track of my surroundings… I hyper focused on not getting hit and now I'm trapped because of it. I should have payed more attention. I know better than this! And now, such a simple, dumb oversight is going to be the end of me.
I can hear the footsteps coming, I was so close…
At least I stopped it from going any higher. Even if I blocked this, it would just crush me into the wall.
"Bell, mages like us don't have as much defense as a warrior." Alfia said once while I was studying "Mages don't take hits head on, instead, we move attacks out of the way and use the opening to cast our spells"
Thank you Alfia, saving me again and again.
Instead of blocking the attack head on like I have been until now, I clench my fist and throw a hook at the minotaur's forearm. If I fail, I die.
So that just means I need to succeed right?
Seems simple enough.
So with everything I have left in me I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"THURISAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZ!" A familiar voice reached my ears from just around the bend.
"Bete!" Gareth shouted.
"Yeah, I get it, I'll run ahead!" And so I did, leaving him and the old elf behind.
I know that voice, and sure enough, there he is. Pinned in the corner by a minotaur, its fist inches from his head, is Bell Cranel, the kid I basically threw out of our home just a few weeks back.
It took less than a moment for me to close the distance, and put my claws through its magic stone, killing it on the spot. A pathetic fight for me, but the kid must have been fighting for his life.
I take a look around. The kid's completely unconscious, understandably considering whatever spell he cast at the end was able to help him move a minotaur and still have power left over to make his arm glow. It's also no surprise he looks inches away from dying.
A sword snapped in two, another one lying on the ground not far from Bell. They must be his. The crushed and shredded remains of armor strewn about must belong to him as well.
The walls are stained black, on irregularity for the floor. A quick sniff confirms that its monster blood. And lots of it. He must have been fighting a while even before the minotaur found him.
"ugh…" Wait what? Is he already awake? Kid's impressive if nothing else.
I turn my gaze to the bloodied form of Bell.
"Oi kid, you up?" I ask, trying my best to sound dismissive. I don't want him getting a big head after all.
He nods and tries to push himself up, failing miserably.
"Hey, cool your jets kid, you're hurt." I say while helping him lean back against the wall.
He nods, almost reluctantly "Did the minotaur get away?" he asks.
I snort. "Nah I cleaned up the mess for you."
He exhales in relief "That's good. I'm glad I huff stopped it from getting any higher." He muttered before letting his eyes fall shut once more.
He did this alone?
I look around, no other bodies. What the hell?
What is this kid?
"Oi Bete! Is that the brat from the Hostess?" Gareth shouted.
Took him long enough. "Yeah!" I reply "He's alive. Just unconscious."
I see Gareth and Riveria, who arrived just a few steps behind him both exhale a sigh of relief. I get it honestly, we all took a shine to the kid and well… nobody wants to get on Mama Mia's bad side.
I look back at Bell, his sleeping form looks almost peaceful.
"Heh…" I whisper "You did good kid."
I am so sorry this took so long. A lot happened but I got the chapter out! This one is 6200 words! I don't really know much what to say about this chapter aside from it being the end of canon playing out normally. Oh, and TsunBro Bete. From this point on, the story really begins! As always, any questions and I will answer them in a PM or in the next chapter. Take care all, and see you next time!