DanMachi Emerald Version

Chapter 2

High Elf's Reverie

A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅": Monster noise

*sfx*

Dungeon, 4th floor, Hallway

"Okay! Let's do this!" I said enthusiastically.

Taking Ms. Eina's advice to heart, I entered the dungeon once more.

"Bell you can do this!" upon meeting the first monster in the dungeon, a goblin. An image of Ms. Riveria appeared in my mind as if to cheer me.

"Ha!"

I charged at the goblin, cutting its head at full speed so that it has no time to react.

*poof*

In that instant, the monster is defeated without any effort.

"Yes! I can do this!" I joyfully declared.

Or so I thought...

"Huaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" I scream at the top of my lungs. "Suuuuuuuuch misfortuuuuuneeeee!"

I ran as fast as I could as I look behind to see the pack of kobolds still following me. With such persistence at that.

"Damn it! THIS IS SO NOT FAAAIR!"

After defeating monsters effortlessly at the first and second levels of the dungeon, the foolish and cocky me decent further to the recommended floor of my adviser to fight stronger monsters. The dungeon probably senses my attitude and decides to reward my cockiness with this, a pack of kobolds. If it's a single opponent, I can beat them no question asked. If two appear I am confident that I can still win even barely. Three makes my chance of winning slim but thirteen? That's impossible for a single player like me. So I took the sanest option I know of and began running for my life.

"Don't run. You can do it," Ms. Riveria (Imaginary) assures me.

Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!

"You mean you can't?" Ms. Riveria (Imaginary) pouts, tears filling her beautiful eyes.

Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, one of my grandfather's iron-clad rules resurface in my mind.

Bell, as a man, you must not and I mean not make a girl cry.

"Damn IT!"

Tightening the grip on my knife, I used my dominant leg as a pivot to quickly turned around and dash toward my impending doom.

"Good luck! Win!" The imaginary figure of Ms. Riveria cheered me on.

"Hiyaaaah!"

Using my momentum I struck at the nearest monsters with my fist.

*pow*

*thud*

The monster falls back and hit some of its pack members causing them to fall out of balance.

"Good work!" Ms. Riveria (Imaginary) cheered. She then curled her hand into a fist. "Go get them!" followed by a one-two punch action.

"Ha!"

Using the monster's state of confusion, I eliminate one more monster before running once more.

So these kinds of strategies can be useful.

I made a mental note. I noticed while I am being chased, the fastest one tends to be in front leading the chase. Using that information, I slowly turned my disadvantage to my advantage as I can eliminate them one at a time until I trim their numbers.

"SYAAAAAH!"

I yelled as I hack the head of the kobold before fleeing once more.

Abandoned Church

Oi! Oi! Oi! Just what the heck is this?

Bell Cranel

LV 1

Strength: I 82 ► H 120

Endurance: I 13►I 42

Dexterity: I 96 ► H 139

Agility: H172 ► G 225

Magic: I 0

Magic

[ ]

Skill

Liaris Freeze

[Single-Minded Pursuit]

Rapid Growth.

Continued desire results in continued growth.

Stronger desire results in stronger growth.

Just how fast do you wish to grow just for her?

"Eh?! Goddess are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

Bell gave me a questioning look similar to how I was when I am updating his status.

"Are you implying something, BELL?"

I asked my cute child in a not pissed... correction not that pisses tone. Am I really that unreliable?

"It's not like that at all Goddess."

Then again, I would also doubt something like this if I were put in his position.

"Congratulations Bell. Your hard work had paid off."

"Really?"

"Really really"

In front of my naive child, I can't help but sigh. I'm happy he's getting strong but am extremely sad about the reason.

Why can't it be me, Bell?

"Is something wrong, Goddess?"

"NOTHING! Bell,"

"Yes!"

"I'll be going to a whatnot party in my workplace so enjoy relaxing by YOURSELF and eating a luxurious meal in a LONELY way."

I stomped out of the room and prepare for that party that I initially have no intention on going. Seriously Bell, read the mood sometime!

Dungeon Entrance

This is really a disaster…

While carrying a beaten-to-a-pulp boy with white hair and ruby-red eyes like a rabbit from the 7th floor up to the dungeon entrance, the high elf recalled the events that had transpired since their expedition and her encounter with the boy and the Minotaur at the 5th floor.

Dungeon, 17th Floor, hallway

On our way back from an expedition, we encountered a horde of Minotaur in the hallway past the room where the monster rex appears. Due to the carnage of the amazon sisters, the horde of Minotaurs fleed in fear and headed straight to the upper floors.

Dungeon, 10th floor

Upon reaching the tenth floor, almost half of the monsters were defeated already.

From there, the minotaur split into smaller groups and scattered all over the place. Some still proceed to the floors above and to make things worst, this also causes a disturbance to the other monsters on the floor, making things difficult for us.

"Riveria, Level 1 adventurers might get a run-in with the Minotaur." Finn Deimne, the pallum leader of our familia with short blond hair, blue eye, and an appearance that betrays his actual age called. "Gareth, Tiona, Tione, get two members and chase those that spread out. The rest will deal with the monsters here with me."

"Wahahahaha!" Gareth guffaws as he points to two members of our familia. The elf Alicia and the human Narvi. "Follow me."

"Yes, Captain!" the amazon sibling replied as they quickly dash off. Tione, the eldest with long hair took the human Raul and the elf Lefiya while Tiona, took the Cat People Anakitty and the Chienthrope Cruz.

"On it," I reply and look at the two closest adventurers to me. "Aiz, Bete, we're going. Follow me."

"Yes,"

"Tsk, on it!"

Ais Wallenstein, Loki familia's famed Sword Princess. With her long golden hair and eyes that can easily attract attention, replied with a nod as she continue to slash her way to the monsters near us. Bete Loga, a werewolf with gray hair, and a tall build click his tongue in irritation before answering my call.

5th floor

By the time we reach the fifth floor, three Minotaurs remain and run in different directions.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Our worst fear came true. The monster encounters a low-level adventurer. Following the direction of the scream, I saw a level 1 adventurer wearing the guild's provisionary equipment making him a rookie adventurer. The rookie adventurer with white hair and ruby-red eyes ran for his life.

"Harbinger of the end..."

I began chanting while increasing my speed, hoping that I will make it in time before the minotaur reached the young lad.

"Wynn Fimbulvetr!"

I jumped and aimed my spell at the minotaur's lower half, freezing its movement to stop him from reaching the cornered adventurer before impaling the monster's back with my staff multiple times.

*puff*

The monster burst, scattering its blood toward the rookie adventurer before his remains vanish in a puff of smoke.

"Are you alright?" I ask as I approach the young adventurer. While he continue to breathe hard, his ruby-fed eyes reflected my image with still signs of fear followed by relief and what looks like... no what is certain to be eyes of admiration.

"You're safe now,"

with a gentle smile to ease his mind, I offered my hand to the young adventurer who is still stiff as a rock, probably due to fear he experience earlier.

"Riveria,"

Ais called up to me from the corner of the dungeon.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaah!"

It was when the young adventurer gave a loud yell. Now that he came back to his sense, he run once more, and bumped into Ais before heading to the hallway going to the upper floor of the dungeon.

"Ahahahaha!" Bete who just arrived at the scene roared. "Honestly, I wonder what scared him more? That bull or the hag's face. Ahahahaha."

I gave him a sharp glare before I ignored the insolent pup's comment.

With my eyes focus on the hallway he just ran into, a certain thought entered my mind. Am I really that scary?

Hostess of Fertility

The following day, we all gathered to mama Mia's pub, the Hostess of Fertility to celebrate our successful expedition and safe return.

The atmosphere is jovial until a drunken Bete recalled yesterday's event and once again makes fun of the tomato boy adventurer. The adventurer that unluckily encountered one of the Minotaur.

Whether it's fate's cruel joke, the said adventurer was also eating there. I noticed him staring at us as we entered the pub.

"Mr. Bell!"

The waitress known as Syr called the white-haired adventurer runs out of the pub. Ais who also recognize him run out as well.

Dungeon entrance

As I carry the wounded adventurer on my back to the nearest bench

But for me to see him in the dungeon hours after we left.

I turned my head to look at his sleeping face full of agony.

I guess this is also his way to vent his frustration. My train of thought continues as I remembered just how badly injured he is. Not just his body but his weapon as well which is on the brink of destruction. To train in the dungeon to get strong quickly in a reckless manner. The same reckless behavior Aiz has.

"Seriously, this is a disaster..."

Babel, midnight

Urgh... my head hurts.

As I regain my consciousness with the feeling of something soft yet firm at the back of my head and my hair being caressed. I slowly opened my eyes to see the object of my affection staring at me.

"Ms. Riveria?"

Is this a dream? My right hand subconsciously move against my will and tried to cup her cheek only to be catch by Ms. Riveria's unoccupied hand.

This feeling... Don't tell me...

"Mi-miss Riveria?!" I asked. Making sure this Ms. Riveria is not a figment of my imagination.

"Yes?"

!

T-th-this is no dream!

Upon realization, I tried with all my might to rise only for it to be prevented by the gentle palm laid onto my forehead with sheer force.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She ask in a stern and a bit irritated manner.

"A-a-I" I panic and was not able to formulate a proper response.

"Am I really that scary?"

Eh? Scary?

"Of course not! In fact, you're very beautiful! Eh?"

I quickly cover my mouth with my free hand.

D-did I just blurted that out?

"Fufufuf..."

Eh? Ms. Riveria suddenly let out a gentle no malice laugh of amusement. Even her image of laughing is indeed beautiful.

"Where's your familia located?"

Eh?

I was taken aback by what she asked but she stops laughing and put on a no-nonsense and up-to-business tone. Meaning what she asks is not a joke.

"Uhm.. Ms. Riveria?"

"With your injuries, I doubt you'd be able to go back in one piece. Let me escort you."

"Hueeeeeeeeh?!"

Twilight Manor, midnight

After escorting the rabbit-like adventurer Bell Cranel to his familia's base, an abandoned church west of Babel, I quickly head back to our own base located in the northern district.

"Oi!, Riveria, you're back already."

Upon entering the hallway of our base, I was greeted by my Goddess who seem to stay up late that early morning. It seems like he is the only member of his familia under the Goddess Hestia. He is also a new adventurer that started almost weeks ago.

"Good morning, Loki," I greeted her with a light bow.

"You okay already?"

"Yes, sorry for worrying you,"

"If you're really that sorry."

My goddess stood from the sofa with a mischievous grin as her finger moved in an erratic manner filled with lust.

"Why don't you let me-"

*bam*

Before she could finish, I decided to stop this facade by hitting her with the tip of my staff.

"No. I will be going to bed now."

Bell Cranel... what an interesting adventurer. I came to the dungeon to vent my frustration of being called and laugh at as an old hag only to meet him on my way back. It's a shame his pureness and naivety don't suit well with being adventurers in the dungeon... including myself all who venture the dungeon... zzzzzzzz...

Abandoned Church

"Goddess, I want to be stronger. For myself, you and... zzzzzz"

Bell...

The Goddess Hestia sigh as she look at the back of her child who is now snoozing comfortably in bed. Judging from the High Elf River-something, she found Bell collapsed on the 7th floor of the dungeon wounded, exhausted, and unconscious. And after sending Bell to bed, she confronts River-something outside to continue their discussion.

"I ask your forgiveness on behalf of my familia," the High Elf began. Hearing her say this, the goddess shivers in fear as to what might come next until she told him what happened in the pub Bell went to.

From what the High Elf told her, the apology was not just from the insult one of their members made to her child. The incident with the minotaur that Bete made fun of him for was also their fault.

The goddess knotted her eyebrow as she look at the High Elf that has yet to raise her head. "What's done is done," Hestia sigh as she massage her temple. "I sense your sincerity so I fully accept your apology." while she did forgive her/them, the forced smile she carries says that she is not happy to what they did to her child but she is trying her best not to hold a grudge. "But if something did happen to Bell, Loki wouldn't hear the end of it."

"Thank you for your kindness!"

The next day, after waking up from bed, Bell has his status updated.

"Bell, can I verbally pass your status update today?"

As Bell put on his shirt, the Goddess Hestia took a few steps away from the bed and look at the sheet of paper with a troubled expression.

"Hm?" Upon fully putting on his shirt, he looked at the back his goddess. "Sure."

Aaaaaaah you're soo cute that I can't help but wish that I can pounce at him.

The Goddess thought upon seeing the confused look of her child. "Ahem," she fake a cough as she folds his status sheet. "Rejoice! All your stats increase by one stage."

"I see... Eeeeeeeeh? Y-you mean..."

"Yup!" Hestia nods and stretches her right arm forward followed by a thumbs up.

"But for it to increase that much... don't tell me..." Bell continues in disbelief.

"Bell, leaving aside your rapid growth period, " as the young adventurer continue to mumble in disbelief while sitting on the bed, the Goddess slowly approach him with a forced smile. "After all you did reach the seventh floor." and quickly pinch his ear.

"Ack! It hurts Goddess!"

Disobedient children must be punished. Hestia thought while slowly raising the hand that hold his ear. I am not doing this just because that River-something advised me to do so. Not one bit!

"BELL~ you entered the dungeon without your protective equipment." Hestia continued. Dropping her forced smile and showing a very angry expression.

"Ow ow ow! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"You even go as far as the seventh floor by yourself." Once more she raises her hand a few centimeters higher

"Ow ow ow! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm reeeeaaaaaly sorry!"

Seeing his teary eyes, the Goddess relent and let go of his ear. Kneeled infront of him and hold his two hands. "I'll support you in any way I can for you wish to become stronger but please be careful and don't leave me all alone."

Bell looked at her teary eyes as he hung his head down in shame. "... Yes Goddess, I promise."

"Good!" Hestia wipes her tears before tapping his shoulder. "Then off you go!"

"Yes!" Now that the sermon is over, Bell gathered his monster drop. "I'll be right back!"

"Take care!"

"I will!"

After Bell left, Hestia once again look at the piece of paper in her hand.

Bell Cranel

LV 1

Strength: H 120 ► G 227

Endurance: I 42►H 181

Dexterity: H139 ► G 232

Agility: G 225 ► F 313

Magic: I 0

Magic

[ ]

Skill

Liaris Freeze

[Single-Minded Pursuit]

Rapid Growth.

Continued desire results in continued growth.

Stronger desire results in stronger growth.

Seriously, this can no longer be called growth... this is more like jumping.

After fighting all night in the dungeon, Bell's status skyrocketed at an unbelievable rate.

Recalling her ragged child, Hestia resolved to aid him to the best of her ability.

I must do this! As Bell's goddess I must support him to the best of my ability... as long as it's not related to that River-something that is.

Bell Cranel's current status:

LV 1

Strength: G 227

Endurance: H 181

Dexterity: G 232

Agility: F 313

Magic: I 0

Magic

[ ]

Skill

Liaris Freeze

[Single-Minded Pursuit]

Rapid Growth.

Continued desire results in continued growth.

Stronger desire results in stronger growth.

Aaaaaaaaaannnnd cut!

A/N:

This will be the first and last scene of Riveria(imaginary) due to his realization of his foolishness when Bete was making fun of him (off-screen). She was inspired by the imaginary Ais of Bell in the Danmachi anime and game.

Also, Riveria IS aware of Bell's affection for her compared to Ais in the original story and it will have a significant impact on the flow of the story.

Made some major changes. Added some lines to add context, Corrected some grammar and spelling err V2 02062023

For the reviews, likes, and follows, thanks.