(Blue Pharmacy)
Kunihito entered the Blue Pharmacy, curious to see what the famous pharmacy had to offer. Bell had recommended this place to him, stating that the Miach Family was known for their excellent relationship with the Hestia Family and that he could find high-quality potions there.
Upon entering the store, his eyes wandered among the various bottles and potions displayed on the shelves. It was a true variety of colors and aromas, and Kunihito could hardly contain his interest.
While he attentively observed the potions, a sleepy voice interrupted his thoughts. "Can I help you with something?" said the attendant, Naaza, with a perpetual expression of boredom and fatigue.
Kunihito turned to face her and, even though he felt curious and slightly annoyed by her apathy, he maintained a polite smile. "Yes, I'm looking for healing and strengthening potions. I heard that the Miach Family produces some of the best potions in Orario."
Naaza discreetly yawned before responding "Yes, we have a variety of potions to meet the adventurers' needs. Please be more specific about what you're looking for."
Kunihito listed his requirements, and Naaza proved to be skilled in presenting the appropriate potions for each situation. The half-elf couldn't deny that she was an intelligent person, capable of identifying the weaknesses and needs of customers to offer the perfect product.
While Kunihito made his choices, Naaza began asking seemingly casual questions that had an underlying intention. She wanted to know more about his family, his goals, and even his relationships in Orario. Kunihito realized that she was trying to extract valuable information for business purposes and mentally commended her for not being naive.
However, he decided to play along and responded vaguely and diplomatically, avoiding revealing too many details about his family or plans. He had learned to be cautious in his interactions with strangers.
After making his choices and paying for the potions, Kunihito decided to address the issue of the different shades he had noticed in the bottles. Before he could say anything, Naaza seemed slightly surprised by the observation but quickly came up with a plausible excuse.
"Oh, these slight variations in shades are just the result of different manufacturing processes. Each batch of potions can have slight differences, but I assure you they are all of high quality and effectiveness." she explained, with a drowsy smile, trying to sound convincing.
Kunihito didn't want to press her further on the matter; after all, he still needed to maintain a friendly relationship with the Miach Family. However, doubts persisted in his mind. Were those variations truly normal, or was there something more behind them?
Before he could explore his thoughts further, the God Miach himself appeared in the store. He had a welcoming and friendly presence that put Kunihito more at ease. The half-elf decided not to mention his doubts about the potions, as he didn't want to offend the God or jeopardize his relationship with the Hestia Family.
"Hello, young adventurer! I see you're interested in our potions. I hope you find what you're looking for here at the Blue Pharmacy." greeted God Miach warmly.
Kunihito respectfully returned the greeting "Yes, I'm sure I'll find great products here. Bell spoke highly of the Miach Family."
The God smiled "I'm glad to hear that Bell recommends our products. He's a good friend and ally. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to seek us out."
Kunihito thanked and bid farewell to Naaza and God Miach. As he left the store, he was filled with a mix of emotions. The experience with Naaza intrigued him, but he chose to keep his suspicions to himself. After all, he had his own objectives in Orario and needed to be cautious with his actions.
Now he only needed to hand this over to Bell and let him wander through the dungeon on his own. He probably wouldn't die due to a foolish decision after all, and Kunihito would have time to track down this Alexander… But, why was this guy so hard to find?
As he walked, Kunihito spotted a figure in the distance, a beautiful figure he knew, and her presence was already making him nauseous.
It was the green-haired elf, Ryuu. When was their last encounter? Ah, yes! Kunihito had snapped and landed a blow on her, and he even felt a bit guilty about it, but he would never apologize.
The elf seemed to be accosted by another person he didn't know, an experienced-looking adventurer. He was barefoot and shirtless, wearing pants. He had purple hair and three scars on his chest, carrying a giant spiral sword resting on his shoulder.
"Come on, baby, you're definitely going to have a happy ending with me!" The man was clearly not sober.
As he approached the scene, Kunihito watched Ryuu trying to distance herself from the man who was approaching her. The elf maintained a serious expression, but he could sense the discomfort in her eyes.
"Well, well! What do we have here? A beautiful elf in distress?" the man said with a malicious smile. "Do you think you can avoid me? I saw you from afar, and I can't resist someone as beautiful as you!"
Ryuu clenched her fist, visibly irritated by the man's words. "Step away from me, now. I have no interest in your disrespectful advances." she replied firmly.
The drunken adventurer laughed loudly and took a step toward Ryuu "Oh, look! She's trying to act tough! Do you think you can reject me like that? I'm a hero, you know? Women usually beg for my attention!"
Kunihito observed the scene with growing amusement. He found the man's disrespect and frivolous nature amusing. This wasn't going to end well.
As the adventurer made a gesture to touch Ryuu, something inside Kunihito triggered. The situation was about to escalate even further when Ryuu took action. With surprising speed, she drew her dagger and advanced toward the man.
In a quick and precise attack, she aimed for the adventurer's neck, displaying impressive skill. The man widened his eyes, unable to react in time.
Before the blow could land, Kunihito leaped onto the adventurer, pushing him away from Ryuu and diverting the dagger at the last moment.
"And I thought I was easily irritated." Kunihito commented casually.
Ryuu looked at Kunihito, her green eyes flashing with anger. "What are you doing? I could have handled him myself!" she said with a voice filled with frustration.
Kunihito shrugged, staying calm. "Maybe, but it's not worth stooping to the point of killing a fool for nothing more than an unpleasant touch." he replied, his serious eyes meeting hers.
The elf hesitated for a moment, then sighed in resignation. "You're right…"
Kunihito simply nodded. "Leave this idiot behind and go on your way. It's not worth getting into fights over people like him."
Ryuu cast a disdainful glance at the fallen adventurer before walking away, following alongside Kunihito. He felt a twinge of antipathy walking beside an elf, but he decided to ignore the feeling. After all, he didn't like elves, but that didn't mean he wished harm upon Ryuu.
Meanwhile, the fallen adventurer was recovering from Kunihito's push. He smiled at the prospect of a fight and stood up, heading towards the half-elf.
"You've got guts, kid! Not many dare to face me like that." said the adventurer, admiring Kunihito's courage.
Kunihito looked at him with disdain. "I'm not looking for a fight, just can't stand seeing people die due to their own stupidity." he replied, remembering the incident with Ryuu.
The adventurer extended his hand in greeting. "I'm Fergus. Thanks for helping me back there, buddy. You were like an older brother."
Kunihito shook Fergus's hand, surprised by the rapid development of friendship with the peculiar man "My name is Kunihito. I'm glad I could help."
"Kunihito-san…" Fergus smiled and draped an arm over Kunihito's shoulder. "Let's drink together later, big brother! I'm sure we have plenty of stories to share."
"No, thanks. I have better things to do than get involved with people like you." Kunihito was curt and direct.
"Hahahahaha! You're funny, half-elf. Don't worry, one day I'll buy you a drink as thanks." Fergus affirmed as he walked in the opposite direction.
As Fergus walked away, Kunihito shook his head at the adventurer's flamboyant personality. He couldn't deny that the man was entertaining and, in some way, pleasant to be around, even if they didn't share the same opinions.
Ryuu observed the interaction between Kunihito and Fergus, intrigued. She was still irritated by the earlier situation, but she couldn't help but acknowledge that Kunihito had been right in his intervention.
"Your face seems better." Ryuu thought casually, Kunihito appeared happier than when he was in the pub, perhaps?
"You seem to be improving, Kunihito-san." she commented, trying to break the silence between them.
He looked at her with an air of superiority, as if he didn't need to bother responding to such a trivial statement. "Sorry, I'm selective about the words I spend on people who don't deserve my attention." he replied coldly.
Ryuu furrowed her brows, a bit annoyed by his attitude, but she decided to ignore the disdain in his voice. That was Kunihito's usual nature, after all.
"Anyway, thank you for helping me back there. I didn't think you'd do that." she said, somewhat reluctant to show gratitude.
Kunihito looked at her for a moment, as if considering her words. However, he didn't give a direct answer, just turned his back and began walking away.
Ryuu frowned, irritated by the lack of response. "Kunihito, did you hear me? Go back to Syr at the tavern! She's worried about you and wants to make sure you're okay." she insisted, raising her voice.
Nevertheless, he continued walking, not looking back.
Ryuu felt a pang of frustration but decided not to press the matter. If he didn't want to listen, there was nothing she could do to change his mind.
"Elf! I attacked you that time, I wasn't in my best state of mind, I'm sorry about what happened." He said loudly enough for Ryuu to hear, surprising her.
(Dungeon: Floor 05)
As I walked towards the hideout of the gang led by Alexander, I carried the stolen items from the adventurers on my back, following the order I was given. I knew I had no choice but to obey, even if it meant handing over valuable belongings to criminals.
Upon arriving at the location, I was greeted by Alexander and his henchmen, including the man responsible for collecting the items. He was tall and muscular, with an air of superiority and disdain on his face as he saw me, a small Pallum support.
I made sure not to show fear or weakness in front of him, as I knew that would only encourage him to be even more cruel. Instead, I gave him a look of contempt, showing that I wasn't afraid.
"Ah, the little rat has arrived." he said with an ironic smile "I thought ants only worked behind the scenes, but it seems you can also be useful carrying the trash of adventurers."
I maintained my posture and didn't say a word, ignoring his provocations. Alexander, who was watching the scene, didn't seem pleased with his henchman's behavior.
"Respect Lili-san." Alexander said firmly. "She is one of the most effective sponsors of the Soma Family and deserves our respect." The henchman rolled his eyes, clearly dissatisfied with Alexander's reprimand. However, he still didn't seem willing to hold back.
"Sponsor or not, she's still just an insignificant little rat. Why do you care so much about her?" the henchman taunted.
Alexander took a deep breath, visibly annoyed with his subordinate's attitude. "Lili-san is important to us, and you have no right to treat her disrespectfully."
The henchman seemed to become even more irritated by Alexander's defense. Without hesitation, he advanced towards me and slapped me hard across the face.
I was incredulous at the aggression, feeling the throbbing pain on my cheek. Alexander didn't wait a second longer and swiftly struck the henchman, knocking him to the ground.
"You've crossed all the limits." Alexander said, with a cold and authoritative voice. "I won't tolerate mistreatment of those who work for us, especially someone as valuable as Lili-san."
The henchman got up, massaging his face and anger in his eyes. He seemed ready to retaliate, but Alexander didn't give him the chance. In a fit of rage, he delivered powerful blows to the henchman, who fell to the ground again, this time without the strength to get up.
"This is a lesson for you and all the others." Alexander said, looking around to ensure his henchmen were listening. "I won't tolerate disrespect and cruelty towards members of the Soma Family. Lili-san is a valuable ally, and you all must treat her with due respect."
I watched the scene, still surprised by what had just happened. Alexander had always been a firm and authoritarian leader, but I had never seen him act so cruelly. However, I knew he was doing this to ensure my safety and to show his subordinates how important people like me were to his business… I couldn't help but smile a little.
As the henchman struggled to get up, Alexander approached me with a gentler expression. "I'm sorry you were treated this way, Lili-san." he said "It won't happen again." I nodded, still processing everything that had happened.
He then ran his fingers over the bruise and took out a healing potion that seemed expensive and applied it to the spot.
While Alexander applied the healing potion to my face, I felt a wave of gratitude towards him. Even though I didn't agree with his criminal practices, I couldn't deny that he was acting protectively towards me.
"There, someone with such a beautiful face should keep it that way." Alexander said with a smile.
"Thank you! Lili appreciates it, Alexander-sama!" I thanked, blushing slightly, feeling warmth rise in my cheeks.
Despite his criminal nature, I had to admit that Alexander also had a kind side. He treated me with respect and protected me when needed. This was something I hadn't expected to find in a gang leader.
"I have high expectations for you, Lili." he said, looking into my eyes. "If you can find something unique and rare for me, I will personally free you from the debt you owe to the Soma Family." My eyes widened with surprise. This was a unique opportunity. If I could find something valuable for Alexander, I could finally break free from the debt that tied me to them.
"I will do my best, Alexander-sama!" I replied, determined to fulfill his request.
He nodded, satisfied with my response. "Great. Now go about your tasks and bring me something impressive soon." I stepped back, still processing what had just happened. I had an important mission now, and I would do my best to find something that pleased Alexander.
Alexander climbed onto a wooden crate, capturing everyone's attention. His gaze was serious and determined.
"Last night, two of our members were attacked by a mysterious half-elf." he began, his voice echoing through the area. "One of them was brutally killed, and the other is so terrified it makes me sick. No one can mess with me and my crew with impunity." There were murmurs among the gang members. It was unusual for someone to have the courage to attack his gang members like this.
"This half-elf has crossed the line, and we won't tolerate it." Alexander continued, fists clenched "I want everyone to know that no matter who it is, if they dare challenge us, they will face the consequences." The gang leader looked around, meeting the gaze of each present, showing his authority and control over the situation.
"This half-elf will pay dearly for what he's done," he declared vehemently. "I want him alive, brought to me, so I can deal with him personally."
The members nodded in agreement, understanding the seriousness of the situation.
Alexander was known for his coldness and cruelty when someone challenged him, and the mysterious half-elf now had the weight of the gang leader on him.
I listened to Alexander's speech cautiously, knowing that it could mean trouble for me as well. While I was a valuable sponsor, I was still tied to the through a debt that needed to be repaid.
Despite that, I was determined to find something unique and rare for Alexander and secure my freedom. His speech gave me an idea to meet his expectations.
"Yes, I will go after this half-elf and bring him here." Lilie thought.
(With Bell Cranel)
Bell found himself on the seventh floor of the dungeon, eager to test his new equipment. The dual blades he had acquired were lighter and sharper than any other weapon he had ever wielded. His eyes gleamed with excitement and determination as he walked through the dark shadows of the floor.
Suddenly, a group of War Shadows emerged from the shadows, ready to attack. These creatures were agile and dangerous, with sharp claws and an insatiable thirst for blood. But Bell didn't hesitate. He gripped his dual blades firmly and assumed a combat stance, ready to face his enemies.
The War Shadows advanced with speed, their dark forms moving swiftly through the air. Bell leaped to the side, dodging a precise attack from one of the creatures. In a quick motion, he spun his dual blades and sliced through the air, cutting the enemy in two.
Other War Shadows closed in, but Bell was agile and precise in his movements. He moved like a shadow, sliding between the enemy attacks and counterattacking with surprising speed. His strikes were so fast that they left luminous trails in the air, almost as if he were dancing on the battlefield.
The War Shadows tried to surround him, but Bell didn't give them a moment to breathe. He attacked relentlessly, his strikes cutting through the air with impressive speed. With each movement, he found an opening in the enemy attacks and brought them down.
The fight continued with intensity, Bell facing the War Shadows one after another. His new equipment proved to be a wise choice, allowing him to maneuver easily and use his strikes with deadly accuracy.
The War Shadows tried to react, but they were overcome by Bell's skill and agility. His movements were almost hypnotic, and soon the enemies began to retreat, unable to match the young adventurer's fury and mastery.
As the last shadow disappeared to the ground, Bell stood in the center of the battlefield, breathing heavily but with a victorious smile on his face. His new weapon had proven to be effective beyond his expectations, and he was eager to face new challenges.
As he looked at his dual blades, one white and the other black, symbolizing Yin and Yang, their names were Kanshou and Bakuya, twin swords.
Bell was truly enamored with the blades. "Thank you, Kunihito-san!" the boy thought.
Bell then looked around. It was strange to be here without the half-elf assisting him. He hadn't stopped to think about how lonely the dungeon could be.
"I wonder what Kunihito-san will be up to these days." the rabbit thought to himself.
But snapped out of his thoughts, he saw something peculiar. Was it a child? No, it was a Pallum with a giant backpack, observing him with an odd gleam in her eyes.
After the intense battle against the War Shadows, Bell was catching his breath when a sweet voice caught his attention. It was Lili, the small support who was watching him with admiration.
"Wow, you're amazing!" Lili said, her eyes shining with admiration. "I've never seen someone fight with such skill and speed!"
Bell smiled humbly, thanking her for the compliment. "Thank you. I've been training hard to improve my skills."
Lili's eyes wandered to Bell's dual blades, noticing the gleam and quality of the equipment. A dangerous idea crossed her mind, considering the value of those items.
"You must be really strong and come from a wealthy family to have such expensive equipment." Lili commented, trying to sound casual.
Bell chuckled softly. "Well, I'm not that strong, but the Hestia Familia also helps me out when they can." He said with pride.
Lili masked her interest and tried to appear nonchalant. "I see. It's good to have someone to help in tough times."
She then went on to explain more about the role of supports. Lili shared how they were essential for adventurers' survival, providing potions, healing, and battle assistance. She talked about the importance of the bonds between adventurers and supports, emphasizing how a united team was stronger and more efficient.
As they talked, Bell began to appreciate the significance of supports and realized how valuable Lili was to the adventurer community. He admired her dedication and skills, and their friendship began to blossom.
With the dungeon still ahead of them, Bell and Lili decided to explore the rest of the day together. They became a formidable team, complementing each other's abilities and protecting each other. Lili proved to be a capable support, and Bell showed her the courage and strength of a true adventurer.
By the end of the day, both knew they had made a new and important friend. As they walked back to the surface, Bell thanked Lili for everything she had done for him.
"Thank you for being by my side today. I couldn't have done all of this without you." Lili smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting gratitude "And I couldn't have asked for a better adventurer to protect. I'm looking forward to continuing our journey together."
Later they went to the Guild where they split the profits, Lili was particularly shocked by the equal distribution... But it was always like this, many adventurers the first time always tried to appear good, but that didn't last long.
"Ah, you were here as I imagined, mini-me." The easily recognizable voice of Kunihito reached the duo's ears.
Bell and Lili turned to see Kunihito approaching with a serious expression. He seemed to be in a bad mood, as always, and Bell felt relieved to see him again. Kunihito's presence always brought a sense of security and camaraderie.
"Kunihito-san, what a surprise to find you here!" Bell said, greeting him enthusiastically.
Lili also gave a half-smile and waved to Kunihito.
"And who might you be?" Kunihito asked, addressing Lili with a slight pressure.
"I'm Lili, adventurer sir. I acted as Bell-sama's support today." Lili said submissively.
Bell nodded, excited to share his experiences. "Yes, we faced several War Shadows on the seventh floor. These dual blades I got are really incredible!" Taken from his attention from the Pallum and focused on Bell.
Kunihito examined Bell's blades with interest, recognizing the young adventurer's skill. "It seems you're doing quite well with them. I'm sure they'll help you in many future battles."
As they conversed, Lili noticed that Kunihito seemed to have something in mind. His eyes gleamed with a strange intensity, and she wondered what he was planning. She couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his mind, but decided not to mention anything at that moment.
Meanwhile, Kunihito was thinking about his own mission. He didn't know that Lili had recognized the half-elf with Alexander's description and saw this as an opportunity to solve the problem he had at hand.
She was aware of Alexander's criminal activities and the promise he had made to Lili. Now, with the possibility of capturing the half-elf, Pallum saw a chance to close this dark and dangerous chapter of her life.
"Bell, to tell you the truth, I need something from you now. We must go to the dungeon right away." Kunihito stated. "Thank you for the work done with my companion Lili, I hope to count on you from now on." The tone seemed a
bit intimidating, but the Pallum was used to dealing with it.
"Of course, Kunihito-sama!" She replied with false cheerfulness.
"Then we'll see you tomorrow, Lili." Bell said goodbye, followed by Kunihito.
"How peculiar," the half-elf murmured softly.
(Dungeon: 2nd Floor)
"This is for you, a Grimoire, thank one of our allies later." Kunihito spoke, giving a basic explanation of how a Grimoire worked.
I looked at the Grimoire in my hands with admiration and a slight nervousness. Those ancient and mysterious pages held incredible power: magic. It was something special in this world, and only a few adventurers had access to this arcane knowledge. And now, Kunihito was about to teach me how to use that magic.
The place we were in the dungeon was peaceful and illuminated by magical lights. The shadows seemed to dance on the walls as the flickering light created a magical atmosphere. It felt like we were in our own world, separate from the rest of the dungeon, and I was captivated by the environment.
Kunihito smiled at me, noticing the mix of emotions on my face. "Bell, this is a unique opportunity. Learning magic can open many doors for you in your future adventures." I nodded, feeling the excitement grow.
I had always been an adventurer thirsty for knowledge and challenges, and learning magic was something I could only dream of. But now I was there, about to make it happen.
"Before we begin, remember that magic is a manifestation of your own being," Kunihito explained. "You need to feel the connection to what you want to manipulate and focus on your intention."
I focused on Kunihito's words and closed my eyes for a moment. I took a deep breath, trying to find that connection. I remembered all the battles I had faced, the inner strength that drove my strikes and movements. I wanted to channel that energy now, to unleash something truly magical.
When I opened my eyes again, I felt something different. It was as if the air around me was electrified, charged with energy. I held the Grimoire firmly, feeling a warm sensation in my hands.
Kunihito smiled, realizing the magical moment that was about to happen. "Now, Bell, open the Grimoire and choose a spell. Remember, magic will shape itself to your will."
I took a deep breath and carefully opened the Grimoire. The pages were filled with ancient symbols and letters, but something told me I could understand it. My gaze stopped at a particular spell, written in golden letters.
"It seems you've already found your spell," Kunihito said, noticing my interest.
It was a fire magic spell, something I had always valued in my adventures. I wanted power to protect my friends from any harm. This magic seemed perfect for me.
"Focus on your intention," Kunihito reminded me. "Feel the fire energy flowing through you." I closed my eyes again and focused on the image of my friends, smiling and safe around a campfire.
I wanted to protect them, take care of them. The magical energy formed within me, and I felt like I was about to burst.When I opened my eyes, I pointed the Grimoire at a small scratch on my hand. "FIREBOLT!" I whispered.
A bright flame emerged from the pages of the Grimoire, enveloping my hand. In the blink of an eye, a fireball had formed in my hand and was launched forward, destroying one of the walls. I was astonished. The magic worked!
Kunihito smiled proudly. "You did it, Bell! Your first magic!"
I felt radiant with joy and satisfaction. The feeling of power and accomplishment that magic brought me was indescribable. It was as if I had unlocked a hidden part of myself.
"This is amazing!" I exclaimed, unable to contain the smile on my face.
"Magic is pretty cool, isn't it? But remember, it consumes a lot of energy; however, it's a great asset, so don't waste it." Kunihito instructed.
Bell, still in ecstasy, said, "Kunihito-san, do you have another Grimoire? Or do you have magic too? Hey, show me." My euphoric state didn't last long, as Kunihito got irritated and gave me a clout on the head, which calmed me down a bit... but it hurt too much.
"Don't be stupid, Grimoires are very expensive. I only got this one because of my connections. Obviously, I have magic, you idiot." Kunihito spoke exasperatedly.
"You spoke so well about magic; you must have extensive knowledge about it." Bell commented, scratching his head.
"Tch, I still have my elven nature; obviously, I have an aptitude for magic." Kunihito muttered with distaste.
I had already noticed that he didn't like his elven nature, and he didn't seem to want to share it with me, so I preferred not to bring up the subject. But Kunihito was really someone strange, and yet he was like an unwavering bright light.
Bell smiled, thinking that acquiring magic was one step closer to the half-elf he admired.
(To be continued...)
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