DanMachi Emerald Version Arc 1
Chapter 1
The Rabbit's Reality & Aspirations
A/N:
Narration
"Talk"
Monologue
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅": Monster noise
*sfx*
Guild, morning
"Miiiiiiiiissss Einaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Eh?"
It was supposed to be a regular day for the Guild Assistant Eina Tulle, a half-elf with a slender pointed pair of ears, clear emerald-colored eyes, brown shoulder-length hair, and a beautiful appearance not similar to elves. Doing paper works for the guild, receiving magic stones, drops loots, and adventurer-created maps in exchange for money, and guiding adventurers; never in her wildest imagination that she would also have to do love consultation from one of the adventurers under her care.
It all began with Bell entering the Guild still drenched in blood. Amazingly, he got here from the dungeon to the guild looking like that and as well as having that horrible smell with him.
Sometimes I wonder what is going on with this child's brain.
"Ms. Eina, please tell me Ms. Riveria Ljos Alf's information."
Eh? Lady Riveria?
"Bell, you said that you wanted information about Lady Riveria right? Why?"
Eina can't believe her eyes as the newly washed Bell's face flushed red.
"You see…"
And thus Bell recalled his previous experience to her adviser. Starting from his exploration to the second floor and going to the fifth floor where he encountered a Minotaur and was subsequently rescued by the High Elf herself, Riveria.
"Bell, didn't I tell you before that taking risks is absolutely, ABSOLUTELY, not allowed?!" Eina's voice raised from her usual one after hearing that this adventurer disregard her warning.
Seriously!
"Just what kind of fantasy do you have about exploring the dungeon anyway?" Eina asked only to see Bell goes ehehe with a shy face as he scratches his right cheek with his index finger.
"As a member of the guild, I cannot leak any adventurer's information but I can tell you what Lady Riveria is like." Eina began as she gave off what she knew to an extent that she is allowed about the person-er elf in question in a caring and borderline intimate manner.
"How about her hobbies or the food she likes?"
EH? Eh? Eh?!
"Bell… don't tell me you've fallen in love with Lady Riveria?"
"Well…"
I knew it. I don't know which is redder, his face with the Minotaur's blood or him now thinking about the person he likes.
"I know something to an extent but… this is unrelated to my service!"
"Ms. Eina is really mean today,"
"Bell, you are currently an adventurer. There are still many things for you to pay attention to okay?"
"…yes…"
Seeing the seriousness on Eina's face, Bell decided to give up on pestering her more.
"Bell," Eina said, albeit hesitant.
"Yes?"
"Women like a strong and reliable male. So as long as you work hard enough then Lady Riveria might also see you in a different light if you become stronger."
Is this enough to motivate him?
"Yes! Ms. Eina, I love you!"
"…Eh?"
"Thank you!"
The once again motivated Bell said his farewell before leaving the guild in full spirits.
Abandoned Church
"If you are a man, you cannot NOT hope for a harem!"
While running back to my familia's base, I remember what my grandfather frequently says.
As I grow older, I always like the hero stories that my grandfather told me about; defeating monsters, saving others, and rescuing trapped princesses.
That became my pillar as I hope to become an adventurer, no, a cool hero.
But aside from the adventures, grandfather focused mainly on the encounter with girls as it is a 'Man's Romance'.
But my goal is different now. It now includes things about Riveria Ljos Alf. My dreams and aspiration now have her as their center. Fighting side by side, saving lives and defeating monsters and… and…
"Goddess! I'm back!"
Arriving at my destination, I shouted as I entered my Familia's base, an abandoned church, just to distract my mind from thinking lewd stuff (kissing).
"Ahah? You're earlier than usual."
My goddess, Hestia, who looks like a little girl in her teens with black hair tied into a twin tail greeted me once I entered the church's basement. Her blue eyes followed me from the entrance and into the sofa.
"I nearly died in the dungeon today,"
"Hey hey, are you alright? If you die I will be quite sad and troubled."
Retelling my encounter with the Minotaur to Goddess gave me an earful of sermons as she check my physical condition. Then we had our meal before updating my status.
"As usual, take off your clothes and lie down."
"Understood."
I remove my top followed by me lying on my belly on the only bed we had in our home.
"Seriously Bell,"
Goddess stood beside the bed as she pierce her fingertip with a pin, she then let the blood flow down onto my back.
"Is there even an innocent girl in the dungeon?"
Goddess asked one by one of my former and improper hopes while venturing the dungeon as I buried my head in the pillow out of embarrassment
"Also that High Elf Riveria Ljos Alf? High Elves are known to be nit-picky you know and she is beautiful. If I were her, I would have multiple men lining up and waiting for my beck and call.
"T-that's…"
"Why not pay more attention to someone near you and forget that momentary infatuation."
Near me? I thought as I began to recall all of the females I'd known since coming to Orario. The only female that I knew of is Ms. Eina and Goddess. I doubt Ms. Eina sees me as a member of the opposite sex and Goddess is an eternal existence.
"As the two of you belong to different guilds, marriage is impossible and we're not yet counting her being a High Elf."
"..."
"Bell, it's better to give up on River-something."
"..."
While I receive some harsh and serious advice from my goddess. I cannot come to hate her as Goddess is only concerned with my well-being. But still...
I can't give up. I won't give up. My relationship with her has yet to begin.
"Eh?"
Goddess welp as she continues to update my status.
"Is everything okay, Goddess?"
"N-nothing Bell,"
Goddess assured me as she unmounted from my back and hand me over my updated status written on my back.
Bell Cranel
LV 1
Strength: I 77 ► I 82
Endurance: I 13
Dexterity: I 93 ► I 96
Agility: H148 ► H 172
Magic: I 0
Magic
[ ]
Skill
[ ]
"Goddess, When do you think I use magic like Ms. Riveria?"
"Bell, magic is related to Experience Points related to cognition. As you don't read books or practice your mind much, I say it's a long shot before you can even start using magic."
"I see…"
So I need to read? But that seems to be a hassle. No no no, IF I am to stand side by side with her I must do something.
"Then what about skill? There seems to be a smudge on the paper that you've given me."
"That? Sorry Bell, my hands slipped. It's blank as usual."
As Bell washes the dishes, Hestia locks her sight on Bell's back
Children really do change fast… compared to us deities. No! I won't accept this! To think Bell would change drastically because of that. Because of her. I won't ABSOLUTELY admit that his change was triggered by her!
Bell Cranel
LV 1
Strength: I 77 ► I 82
Endurance: I 13
Dexterity: I 93 ► I 96
Agility: H148 ► H 172
Magic: I 0
Magic
[ ]
Skill
Liaris Freese
[Single-Minded Pursuit]
Rapid Growth.
Continued desire results in continued growth.
Stronger desire results in stronger growth.
It's better to keep this as a secret for the time being… if the gods knew such skill exist, Bell's life would be ruined…
The next day, I woke up early and proceed to go into the dungeon once more.
!
I stop my movement and vigilantly look at my surroundings.
This unpleasant feeling is more intense than when Goddess is looking at my back… Am I being observed? By who?
*guruguruguru*
My attention quickly diverts from the odd sensation to the new sensation coming from my body. I was so excited to go back to the dungeon that I forgot to eat breakfast.
?!
There it is again, someone is looking at my back
"kyaaaa!"
Reacting to the new sensation, I quickly turn around to see who is behind me only to startle a girl with bluish-gray hair tied to a ponytail, and eyes the same color as her hair. She seems to be a waitress base on her outfit and has a seemingly innocent and cute face.
"S-sorry! I was just a bit surprised" I quickly blurted out and offer her a hand.
What have I done?
If grandfather saw this, he would surely make fun of me. Harming civilians is a definite no-no.
"It's okay, I'm sorry I scared you."
"I really did not mean to scare you,"
We both apologize to one another.
It took a while but the first to break the awkward silence between us is me.
"Do you need something from me?"
"Y-yes. Actually, I saw you drop this."
From her hand, I saw a purplish-blue crystal.
"Magic Stone? A…aaaaahhh?!"
I quickly look at my waist bag to see it is slightly loose but I remember that I gave all of my magic stones to the guild yesterday.
But it's odd.
Did I remember wrong or did I miss one?
"T-thanks," once more I bowed to her and receive the monster drop.
"No problem." the maid said. she fidgets for a while as she tries to form what to say next. "Are you by chance going to the dungeon early?
"Yes, I am going to,"
This girl who dressed like a waitress smiled back at me. It's good she lead the conversation as I am still not used to talking to cute girls.
*guruguruguru*
"Could it be that you have yet to eat your breakfast?"
*nod*
It's a bit embarrassing but it's too late to deny it.
"In that case, please eat this."
From her back, she took a carefully packed bento.
"Ehhh?! B-but-"
"If I ignore that grumbling stomach, I would feel guilty if something happened," the waitress begged. "So please Mr. Adventurer, would you accept it?"
T… too cute – err... I mean too cunning…
With that puppy dog eyes, how can I possibly refuse?
"T-thanks…"
"If you like our food, why don't you consider stopping by tonight?" she added.
"Tonight?"
Ahhh… so in a way, this lunch box is like a free sample…
Facing her hopeful stare and beautiful smile, I broke into a smile and once again nodded in agreement.
Too cunning…
"I'll try..." she already gave me free food. It would be bad to refuse such an offer.
"Oh ho, today my salary will increase. Thanks for quickly agreeing!"
This person is very calculative beneath that smile of hers.
"I'll wait for you then,"
I was about to leave when I forgot something important.
Grandfather used to tell me to always introduce myself and try getting the name of a beautiful girl that I met. While I already dedicate myself to Ms. RIiveria, it is rude to not introduce myself after all that had happened.
"I… I'm Bell, Bell Cranel. May I ask for your name?"
"Syr Flova, Mr. Bell."
After introducing ourselves, we said our farewell and I headed to the dungeon and Ms. Syr headed back to her workplace.
Bell Cranel
LV 1
Strength: I 77 ► I 82
Endurance: I 13
Dexterity: I 93 ► I 96
Agility: H148 ► H 172
Magic: I 0
Magic
[ ]
Skill
Liaris Freese
[Single-Minded Pursuit]
Rapid Growth.
Continued desire results in continued growth.
Stronger desire results in stronger growth.
Aaaaaaaaaannnnd cut!
A/N:
Made some changes. Added lines, Corrected some grammar and spelling err. V3 02062023