Danmachi Emerald Version
Chapter 12
Shadow of an Adventurer
A/N:
Narration
"Talk"
Monologue
*sfx*
Dungeon 18th floor, Loki Familia camp, Riveria's temporary tent.
After having a panic attack, I was brought to Lady Riveria's tent where she lit her incense burner and offered me a tea to calm me down.
"Are you alright now?"
"Y-yes," I replied weakly. Technically that is a lie. Even now, if I tried recalling 'that', my stomach starts to churn and my knees feel like it will give in any minute.
"Very well then," Riveria replied before turning her back on me. "Take some rest and leave the packing up to the rest."
"L-Lady Riveria, A-aren't you going to ask me what happened?" I asked with a bit of hesitation. I find it odd that Lady Riveria didn't ask anything after I saw her talking to Ms. Ais and Ms. Tiona.
"I have an idea base on what Ais and Tiona told me," Riveria replied with a sigh. "But right now, what is important is for you to get some rest."
"I understand..."
Orario, Guild
Inside the guild's pantry, a group of receptionists led by Rose gathered with Misha acting as the lookout. A few days had passed since that incident. While rescue missions are not rare, the success rate of said missions aren't stellar as well. Raging from permanent MIA, corpse found, alive but missing some limbs, traumatized to the rarest of rescued alive with minor injuries. For the receptionist that gathered, they know too well what Eina's been going through and because of that this kind of meeting should not be discovered by Eina.
"So who bet for two months?" a male receptionist with brown short hair asked.
"Not right now," another receptionist replied as Rose nods in agreement and cross her arms and leans back against the wall.
"Sophi is right, we have to wait for the rescue-," Rose added before looking at the door that suddenly opened
"Yo!"
Their discussion was cut short when Misha jumps in the room using their coded message for specific personnel of the guild.
Yo= Eina
Da= Rehmer
Zo= Royman
Prompting them to act independently. Some chatted, some pour coffee while Rose walks toward the exit.
"Ah Rose, there you are," Eina said. While she greeted Rose gracefully, the bags in her eyes and her thinner than normal physique tells them that she is not fine at all. There's also the instances that Eina seems to zone off more often during her free time.
"You need something from me?"
"Section chief is looking for you."
"I'll be on my way," Rose replied with a smile, patting Eina's shoulder before waving the receptionist in the pantry good bye.
"And Ms. Yo, we need to return to our station,"
"Ms. Yo?" Misha asked, looking around. She is certain there's no one there named Yo in the pantry nor that they got a new recruit. The other receptionist in the room also shakes their head to affirm her that no one named Yo is in there.
"Let's go now," Eina quickly grab Misha's right arm as she drag her out of the pantry.
For Misha on the other hand, she could only look at Eina in confusion while continuously muttering Eh until she reached her counter.
Dungeon, 18th floor, Loki Familia camp.
After finishing the tea Lady Riveria gave me, I stood up and left the tent. It was then when I saw him talking to Ms. Ais and Lady Riveria.
"Ah! there you-" someone called.
Turning my head to the source, I saw Bete a few feet away from them, as he tried to approach them. Tried.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tione asked irritably. Dragging him by the ear. "Captain is looking for you so stop wasting time."
"Owowowowow! But I need to-"
"I had it with you!"
*thud*
Out of irritation, Tione stuck the back of Bete's neck before carrying him like a piece of unwanted luggage.
"I pretend I didn't see that," I whisper as I started to run towards Ms. Ais.
I better hasten my pace. Ms. Ais might be safe from him but Lady Riveria is a diff- hmph!
It was sudden but I instantly stop from my tracks and covered my mouth to prevent myself from screaming and making furhter more scene.
Lady Riveria who was standing beside Ms. Ais walks towards him, adjusted her hair before leaning in.
Wawawawawa-
I panicked internally. As much as I want to yell and charge that rabbit, memories of my treatment of him stop me to even chant a spell that will fry him to a crisp.
D-did Lady Riveria just ki-ki-kikikikiki- no!
I shook my head multiple times to rid the notion of that possibility. There's no way a noble like Lady Riveria would do that. From my location, it might look to be the case but it is possible that she just leans in to whisper something.
Yes, that must be it...
And as I continue walking towards them
Oh no! Ms. Ais!
I remembered what happened earlier with Mr. Bete. How Ais deliberately lied to him and her unpleasant feelings.
How would Ms. Ais react to this? Lady Riveria and her have the closest bond among any of us.
"Damn you! You elf fetishist rabbit!" I muttered weakly. It didn't take long until Lady Riveria stood upright and turned around to face us with a deadpan expression.
"Lefiya, we'll be leaving in a few minutes," Riveria announced. "Get ready." She turned to Ais and after seeing her expression, her lips curve to a smile.
"Umh... Lady Riveria?" Standing one step behind Ms. Ais, I look at Lady Riveria first then to the almost red as a tomato face of that rabbit. That rabbit must be internally leaping in joy being near to beautiful elf like Lady Riveria. But his mental state aside, I took a side glance at Miss Ais and saw her eyebrows furrow and her lips curled to a frown. While I am afraid to know what Lady Riveria did, for Ms. Ais' sake, I must know.
"Yes?"
"Did you -"
Hueeeeeeeeeeeee?!
and before I can even finish, Lady Riveria who seems to saw right through my question put her right index finger to her lips with one eye close, and a teasing smile aimed at Ms. Ais. She's pretty much telling us that what she did will remain a secret for the two of them. This is evident when that rabbit quickly evade my questioning stare.
While that is happening, a few meters away from Bell and the High Elf Riveria, the Goddess Hestia stood frozen beside a tree as she witnesses everything unfold before her eyes. Originally, her child was supposed to just bid them goodbye yet she did not expect what the high elf did.
She walks to him and leans forward. From the Loli Goddess' view which is diagonally from them, it seems, no, not seem but she is certain that she actually did something. This means that the High elf finally made her move to steal HER Bell. Hestia could charge in like she usually does but since they owed their familia that much, she opted to return to their tent before venting all of her frustration.
"Muuukiiiiiiiii! Just what is that Riversomething thinks she's doing?" Hestia screech, stomping the ground multiple times. "Don't tell me she was captivated by Bell's new look?" Hestia put her right thumb to her mout and began nibling on her nail. "If I knew it that I should have not let them-"
*rustle*
"Eh? Bell is that- eh?" hearing a rustling sound, Hestia turned her head only to see noone entered their tent "It can't be the wind right-hmph!" she tilts her head to the right until someone grabbed her waist and covered her mouth from behind.
Eh?There's no one in here?
Hestia thought. She tried to resist as normal as possible but the one restraining her is strong. Using her normal strength is unless she uses her divine powers. They already sneak in the dungeon which is a big No for the guild and for them but if she leak out her divinity and uses her divine strength then that would put her in a double whammy. With little to no option left, panic and fear begin to enter her mind as her body was slowly raised from the ground.
Eh? Eh?
and mounted on what feels like a shoulder before fleeing the place.
Bell! Save me!
"The potion that you gave helped me a lot,"
After bidding Ms. Riveria and the others goodbye and hoping for them to have a safe return, I walked back to our tent as the memories of our secret conversation keep flooding my mind. Right now I am on cloud nine. Ms. Riveria's soft voice, her face so close and the scent she has. Whether it's her perfume or even her shampoo, it doesn't matter as I am very fortunate to be that close to her.
Waaaaaaaah! I can't wait to tell this to goddess!
"Goddess, I'm back... eh?"
While I joyfully entered the tent to announced my arrival with the intent of sharing this wonderful experience as I seems to got some progress. While it is not big but the fact that my action help her means a lot to me but Goddess was nowhere in sight.
Did she go outside- wait what is that?
I scan around the tent just to be sure she is not trying to play hide and seek until I saw a piece of brown, rolled-up paper on the ground. Thinking it's a memo from Goddess telling me where she went, I casually opened it only for the pleasant feeling that I had to be completely replaced by dread as my body trembles in fear. "This can't be..."
I reread the text, hoping I made a mistake but the content is still the same.
Little Rookie,
We have your goddess,
If you want to guarantee her safety,
come alone to the single crystal due east of central.
That's all.
"Damn it!" I exclaim as I crush the letter with my right hand and without wasting time, I ran as fast as I could leaving the crumpled paper on the ground.
Wait for me Goddess!
*zazazazaza*
"Kyaa!" Chigusa yelp as she fall to her butt.
Bell left in a hurry that he didn't notice that he almost crashed into Chigusa.
"Chigusa, Are you alright?" Mikoto asked. Hearing Chigusa's yell, she turned around to see her falling while Bell ran past her. This prompts her to quickly go to her support.
"N-no worries," Chigusa took Mikoto's hand and dust her butt as the two looked at the location Bell ran off to.
"So what exactly happened?" Mikoto asked.
"I honestly do not know," Chigusa mumbles.
"Chigusa, Mikoto, there you are," while in deep thought for quite some time, Oka's voice boomed into their ears. Looking to the left, they saw their esteemed leader. "We need to finalize our... Is something wrong?"
With how troubled the looks of the two, he quickly asked for the details and arrive at the same conclusion as them. That the Bell Cranel who easily forgave them is acting oddly in a bad way. It hasn't been that long since he got acquainted with Little Rookie but that short time was enough for him to say that his erratic behavior, his 180 degree phase shift is not natural when he all smiles a while ago. Bell from his view is a reserve type. The fact that he manages to hold himself after seeing the familia that almost led to their demise and he even hold back their blacksmith who is gun-ho in venting his frustration over them proves it.
"Hmmm..." Ouka in deep thought look at the tent provided to Bell and his party. "Mikoto, go look for Bell's companion and call them here," tightening his Kamishimo, he looked straight towards Chigusa. "Chigusa, help me look for clues in their tent."
"On it,"
"Y-yes!"
Mikoto and Chigusa replied in unison.
Dungeon 17th floor, Monster Rex Hall.
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅"
at the same time, right after Ouka and Chigusa entered Bell's tent,
While the first class adventurer fends off the attack of the Goliath, the second class adventurers of the Loki Familia led by Raul continuously attacked the monsters in a coordinated front.
"Let's finish this!" Seeing the monsters started to stagger, Raul roared with his right fist pump up high.
"Ooooooohhhhh!"
Which in turn resonated with the adventurers, readying their weapons for one final attack.
but all of a sudden,
*swoosh*
*swoosh*
*swoosh*
several arrows flew just right after Ais parried the monster's attack leaving the monster's head wide open.
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅"
the arrows hit the monster square in the face and with one last roar, Goliath fell on his knees before fading to dust.
"Eeeeeeeeehhhhh?!" While Ais, Bete, and the amazons were all stunned in silence knowing by instinct who fired the arrows, the second class members let out a surprised yell before turning their head around to see where the arrows came from.
At the back, they saw Gareth whose arm is wrapped around his stomach, laughing out loud gleefully while their captain Finn has a palm on his face, shaking his head in irritation. As for the High elf, she stood further back from the two with bow on hand.
"Hmmm?" Riveria tilts her head to the right in confusion over their surprise. "What?" she asked as if she did nothing wrong. This further bewildered all of their familia members and Gareth's laughter grew louder. "Our bet is to defeat each floor bosses up to Balor, remember?"
"Gahahahahahahahaha! She got you good," Gareth roared.
It happened so fast when the two are busily assessing their members' performance. But after seeing three arrows were fired from their back, Gareth realizes that their bet is still on.
While the bet stated that whoever defeated the most bosses up to Balor wins, the order of the monsters wasn't specified. Technically, Goliath was already defeated when the bet was made and they already defeated Balor so it should be over. But if you fully look at the context of the bet and when and where the bet was made, the only Monster Rex left is Balor since Udaeus has yet to respawn after being beaten by Ais. This makes the each in each floor boss up to Balor meaningless unless you counted Goliath. After all, Balor might be the last known floor boss of the dungeon but Goliath, the first monster rex of the dungeon is the last floor boss they will fight in their expedition.
Finn who also realizes this can only mutter under his breath.
"Damn you, old hag!"
"It's no my fault the both of you didn't think it thoroughly."
"One of these days, I'll get even on you for this,"
"Sure as long as it's all related to the bet, I won't mind," Riveria replied with the calmest smile she could muster while withholding her self from grinning. A smile that freak Finn for some reason. When she followed it by a teasing wink, he instantly feels a shiver ran down his spine for some reason. His thumb throbs like no tomorrow and cold sweat starts to drop from his back.
"Say Gareth,"
"What?"
"Would you mind if I sleep in your room tonight?"
"Gahahahahaha!"
Dungeon, 18th floor, forest
Goddess! Wait for me!
I don't know how long it has been since I read the letter but I ran as fast as I could, hacking my way and defeating monsters that block my path to the location indicated in the letter. With cold sweat dropping on my back, goddess various facial reactions resurface in my mind.
Wait for me!
"Out of my way!" I yelled as I look at the monsters before me. "Firebolt!"
I tried charging my magic but only a normal firebolt came out.
Damn it! This is just like during the pass-parade.
Even if I know the trigger to activate the skill, my mind is too rattled to focus.
Keep a calm mind, analyze the situation and execute.
Seriously! This is why you're such a rookie!
*ksssssssss*
I skid my foot on the ground to gradually slow me down before stopping as the advice of Ms. Riveria came back to me and what seems a comment that Ms. Lefiya would likely say after seeing my sorry self.
"Hmmmmmmp... haaaaah," taking a deep breath, I shake off the hesitation and fear in my mind as I firmly grasp the handle of my knife before putting them both back on the holder on my thigh and back. "Okay, let's do this," slapping my cheeks multiple times, I looked up to the crystal where Goddess is located. "I'm on my way, Goddess!"
Dungeon, 18th Floor, Loki Familia camp.
Sitting near the extinguished campfire, Karen polishes her sword while in deep thought.
"Your companions left in a hurry," a feminine voice from her rear side said. "Aren't you going?"
"If you know what is happening, will you help?" Karen asked with a sigh. Returning the sword to its sheath, she stood up and look at the location the Takemikazuchi Familia went of to in a hurry.
"Lady Riveria ordered me to act as your guard. Even if I want to, I cant." the voice replied.
"Good to know," with a wry smile, Karen looks to her side to see the blonde long wavy hair of an elf with a troubled expression. "I'll be needing that protection quite a lot."
Dungeon, 18th floor, east pillar
"Return goddess back!"
Arriving at the crystal, Bell saw a group of adventurers near the pillar with his Goddess nowhere in sight.
"Guess yer as fast as they say," standing at the center of the group is a man with short hair, rough face with two visible scars. A familiar man he encountered twice. Once when they were celebrating his level up in Mama Mia's pub and the second time was when they go to Rivira yesterday.
"Where's goddess?" Bell asked.
"Now, now, hold yer horses," Mord replied with a mocking tone. Looking at his companions around him, he smirks and picks up the broadsword planted near his foot. "It's not like she's going anywhere, right?"
"Ahahahahahahahaha!"
As if cracking a joke, the adventurers laugh out loud and the whole area is filled with deafening laughter filled with malice.
"For a coward like you, a bait is needed," Mord points his sword at Bell while his other hand points his thumb to his face. "Beat me and you'll have yer goddess back."
"Very well," Bell replied in a low voice as he resigns to his fate and change to a defensive stance. An action that seems to further infuriates Mord.
"Why you...!" Mord grinds his teeth in frustration. His veins start to pop from his forehead as he scornfully looks at the focused gaze of little rookie. "That arrogance of yours. I'm gonna pound it to the ground!"
*smash*
Mord swings his sword using his right hand to the ground causing the dust and debris to scatter.
*smash*
It was quick but when he swing his sword to the ground with such force, I use my right arm to cover my eyes for a brief moment.
"Eh Where did he-!" I said to myself while I scan my surroundings filled with floating dust but I suddenly felt danger on my left side. I move my eyes quickly and took a step back. While I saw no one, I felt the wind pressure of a punch that I manage to avoide. This was followed by a powerful kick to my defenseless gut that sends me flying a few meters back.
"What?" In a confuse state, I rolled a few times before I manage to my body and land to the ground, with my back hunch a little and and my arms raised, I look at my surroundings as I try to listen in to the footstep of my opponent. A futile act as the whole place is drowned by the laughter and jeer of the adventurer that watch us fight
He's that fast?
*pow,*
*bam*
*thud*
I thought while I guard my self from a frontal barrage. The problem here is that I am not seeing anyone making the attack.
invincible?
I look at the sword planted on the ground and recall that he is holding something on his other hand when he swing his sword.
Here goes nothing,
Remaining in the defensive is not an option but attacking blindly is foolish. Which is why I purposely open my guard, steel myself for the upcoming attach so tht I can counter base on the position of the attack that lands.
*swoosh*
But I hit noting but air and receive a counter myself.
I need to examine his movement and base my next action from it. His footsteps are being drown by their noise so I need to figure out a way to defend my self.
!
It was sudden but I felt this small chill and I instinctively raised my right arm. The feeling was not as intense as the one I constantly felt on the surface but it is a lot stronger than the stares I am getting from the watchers.
At top of a tree overseeing the entire event, the god Hermes watches while sitting on its branches while her child Asfi who is standing beside him had a rather perplexed expression.
"Exactly how is this entertaining?" fixing her glasses, Asfi focused on the white-haired adventurer being beaten senselessly by the opposing adventurer using the lucky charm they lent him.
"Are you worried about your little admirer?" Hermes replied.
"Lord Hermes! This is no joking matter!"
"I know, which is why I am addressing it now." with a serious face, he turned his sight to her before looking back at the fight. "We can't antagonize Freya in that department. For more than one reason, I can only allow you to be friends him at best and acquaintance at worst."
"Wait what?"
"While it is true that his ideal adviser form that you got from the guild checks out his liking to elves, he personally called you beautiful." tilt his hat upward Hermes gave out a cunning smile while watching Bell struggle from an invisible opponent. "That is dangerous especially if a certain someone connected to their familia hears it."
"Don't tell me you're doing this because you are jealous?"
"Of course not, my dear Asfi," Hermes sway both hands outward. "I did give him permission to peep on-" not letting him the chance to finish what he is saying, Asfi slammed her fist to his head. "Anyway, this is my way of showing my love if him."
"That's some twisted love you have if you are that willing to give his opponent an unfair advantage."
"Asfi, do you honestly believe that?"
...
Asfi did not reply but her act of looking away from him gives Hermes the answer he needs.
While he is not aware of his battle record like Asfi, Hermes knew how difficult it should have been to traverse the forest, especially for a day-old level 2 adventurer like Bell. The fact that he arrives there all be himself before nightfall with little to no damage from the monsters that lurk on the floor means his skill is above than your average level two adventurer that needed years of experience to do the same thing he did.
"Without that lucky charm, the fight will be over before we know it," Hermes smiles widen as slowly but surely Bell is getting a hang of his situation. "Besides, he needs to learn the dark side of being an adventurer from small fires like them before he faces a far greater threat soon."
"You sound like you are certain he will overcome this."
"Well of course!"
"And what if you're wrong?" Asfi tilts her eyeglass after seeing Little Rookie flying for the second time after getting kicked. "What if his will broke here or he kicks the bucket?"
"First, we're dead. Not sure if the other's will be spared but the two of us are sure goners," crossing his legs, Hermes uses it as support for his elbows as he crouches down a little and places his chin to his right fist. "And second, it just means that Freya and myself are wrong about him."
"I can't believe you're so casual about it."
"Dying with you isn't that bad and If it is to witness the potential birth of a hero similar to what they wished for a few years ago, I don't mind dirtying my hands and risking my life on the line." Hermes sway his free hand to the side. "And it's not like he's truly alone in all of this."
"Is this part of your plan?"
"No, but it is entertaining nonetheless."
Dungeon 18th floor, forest near the pillar.
At the same time
"Kyaaaaaaaa! Hey don't leave me here!"
Hestia yell as her two captors flee the scene while being chase by a bear like monster.
"Hiiiii! P-please don't eat me," the goddess stutters. She struggle to move at the tree she is tied onto while looking at the rabbit like monsters with ruby red eyes like her beloved child.
Please Bell! Anyone, someone!
The loli goddess pleads internally as she hold her urge from leaking. "My chest might be big but I'm not delicious at all." she continues as the rabbit monster continued to stare at her. "Beeeeeell I'm about to become monster food! Come and save me already!"
Aaaaaaaand Cut!
With this the chapter came to a close.
Whether or not Riveria did it, I'll leave it up in the air but Finn's chastity is in danger. That is certain.
Regarding Mord's letter, I put some minor quirk into it since I am not familiar on the format on how it was written in either in the anime, manga nor game so I decided to base the body of the mail from the email template we used to a former JP client (one sentence per line) minus the formal greeting and sender of the mail お世話になっております。(Thank you very much for your help.) XXXXのXXXXです(I'm xxxx from xxxx) at the beginning and the どうぞよろしくお願い致します。(Thank you for your cooperation.) before the 以上です。 (that's all) at the end.
Also some minor change that I will be doing moving forward
Normal line break denotes change in POV using the same the same location and will follow a linear time unless specified while line break followed by location/setting will be used when the location changes. For most of the time the progress of each part followed a linear time progression unless specified
For the review, likes and follow, thanks.