Danmachi Emerald Version

Chapter 13

Divine Essence

A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

*sfx*

"Beeeeeell I'm about to become monster food! Come and save me already!" Hestia yelled at the top of her lungs

"Seriously Lady Hestia," A feminine voice escapes from the mouth of the rabbit monster known as Almiraj. "I'll get food poisoned if I try eating you."

"Eh?" for a brief moment, the goddess looks blankly at the monster. While there are many mysteries in the dungeon waiting to be discovered, she never expects talking monsters as a part of it. "Eeeeeeeeeeehhhhh?"

"If you keep screaming like that, you will certainly become monster food in no time." the monster continued as it walks towards her. "Echoing sounds of midnight" with a chant, the monster changes in front of her to reveal that she none other than Lily.

"Ms. Supporter? What are you doing here?" Hestia asked. "How did you find me?"

"My magic allowed me to copy the physical ability of the one I transformed into to a certain degree," Lily explains. She uses her right index finger and tips her nose as if to say when transformed as the rabbit monster, her sense of smell also increases as she walks behind the tree the goddess is bound to with dagger on hand. "So I just follow the cheap scent of the perfume you bought in Rivira in secret."

"Hahaha, I don't know what you're talking about Ms. Supporter," Hestia replied nervously while trying to whistle and avoiding the supporters eyes by turning her head to the left.

"But Lady Hestia," Lily scoff at the blatant lie of the goddess. "Do you seriously think such cheap perfume can charm Master Bell if put side by side to Lady Riveria's?"

"Y-you know?"

"After seeing Master Bell gave him an expensive potion, I had my hunch," Lily scowls. "His actions towards her and Mster Bell getting back the bow that we lost affirm my suspicion."

"And it didn't bother you?"

"I'd be lying if I say no but Lady Riveria doesn't seem to be interested in Master Bell in a romantic sense." cuts the rope with her knife. "Though I think Ms. Ais sees Master Bell as a special individual. If it is fully romantic or not is hard to say considering we're talking about the sword princess here.

"Mumumu," Hestia grumbles as the image of that scene floated at the back of her mind.

Not interested, my ass! Hestia thought as she remember witnessing the shameful act of the high elf. "And Wallenwasit is after My Bell as well?"

"Not her but Lady Riveria seems to be actively pushing her to Master Bell." Lily sigh considering how high specs of a woman the likes of Ais Wallenstein is. "It makes sense if you consider that Lady Riveria raised Ms. Ais like a parent.

"Seriously that Riversomething!" Hestia fumes. "Not only she have Bell's infatuation but she is also using that affecton to actively ship hi to someone else that is not me!"

"From where I stand, an additional rival doesn't change my situation in the slightest."

"Ms. Supporter," she looks down as the rope binding her finally lets loose. "While I appreciate the help," followed by looking at the direction where her child is fighting. "I hope you're not the only one who came to my rescue."

"Master Welf and the Takemikazuchi familia are headed to Master Bell's location as we speak," Lily explains. "We'll join with them first."

At the same time,

Just as Lily said, the Takemikazuchi Familia and Welf are on their way to the pillar but they were cut short when a group of level two adventurers blocks their path.

"Out of our way!" Ouka roared.

"Sorry but we can't let you lot pass," a scrawny adventurer said with a smug. "So why not accompany us here and have fun ourselves?" he scanned the group consisting of Ouka, Welf, Chigusa and stop at and leer at Mikoto or to be exact, at Mikoto's assets.

"Sorry but you're not my type," Mikoto held her bow and glares at the adventurer.

"Mikoto, we'll just have to plow our way in," Ouka added. He drew his axe and firmly holds it in battle possition."

"Getting cocky just because you allied with that phony rookie," an adventurer with black messy hair, an eye patch, and a plump body said. "Let's go get 'em!"

"Yeaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" the adventurers yelled.

And so the fight between the kidnappers and the Takemikazuchi familia plus one began.

While they are outnumbered by one is to three, the coordinated attack of Ouka that serves as the main attacker, Mikoto that fires arrows at the opponents that caught Ouka off-guard, Chigusa who serves as the support for both by handing them different weapons to suit their type of combat. Handing Ouka a spear and throwing Mikoto her katana while Welf interrupt the spellcasters of their enemy balances out their disadvantages.

"That redhead has some weird magic," one adventurer said as he looks at his companion that just underwent ignis fatum. "Go get him first!"

"Leave it to me,"

"Not if I get him first,"

Two adventurers wielding a scimitar and a baselard ran past Ouka and his family members as they attacked welf with full strength.

"I'm just a level one blacksmith," Welf yelled, he stares t his two attackers, took one step back before drawing his sword. "Go focus your attack on them."

"Haaaah!"

*clang*

Using both hands, Welf blocks the scimitar of the adventurer using his own broad sword.

"Gotcha!" the baselard user exclaims with a victorious smile. He uses the back of the scimitar-wielding adventurer to leap high in the sky and deliver a powerful vertical slash. "Haaaah!"

*rip*

a slash that Welf barely avoided in exchange for the white strap of the sword his goddess gave him ripping and falling off to the foot of the forest.

"You're wide open!"

*thud*

"Gah!"

the scimitar user uses the period of Welf looking back to the sword that fell and delivers a powerful kick to his side, cracking two of his right rib cage and sending him rolling on the ground.

"I got you!" the baselard user yelled with a victorious smirk seeing the defenseless Welf on the ground before swing his sword using both hands.

*swoosh*

*thud*

A swing that didn't come to pass after receiving a kick to the face coming from his right.

"Figure a sneak attack like that won't work as much,"

Karen sigh as she looks at the adventurer she kicks slowly getting back to his feet before turning to look at the scimitar user getting taken out by a long blonde-haired elf.

"T-thanks," Welf mumbles, looking up to see the rear left of his savior.

"Hmmm?" Karen took a side glance at him, raise an eyebrow, and sigh. "What? Don't tell me you suddenly fell in love with me just because I rescued you?"

"Of course not!" Welf protests, slamming his right palm to the ground.

"Guess only a pure child would fell for the suspension bridge effect," Seeing how the tides turn furthermore to their advantage with the appearance of Ryuu, Karen briefly looks at the pillar where Bell is currently fighting before turning her attention to the baselard user adventurer.

"What are the Loki Familia and Freya familia doing here?" the man asked, looking around, he sees that most of their companions were already taken out. "This doesn't concern you."

"Bell once saves my life so I'm returning the favor," Karen replied as she took a side glance and points at her elf bodyguard. "And she was ordered to protect me."

"Damn it, we aren't told about this," the adventurer grumbled, dropping his weapon and slumping onto the ground. "I give up. My animosity for that fake rookie isn't strong enough to challenge both the Loki and Freya Familia."

"Very well," Karen replied. While she did lower her sword, she did not drop her guard in case the enemy adventurer decides to play dirty. "You can go now," she looks to Welf followed by pointing at the edge of the cliff where his sword covered in white cloth fell."

"... thank you,"

Dungeon, 18th floor, eastern pillar

I've been an adventurer for almost half a decade now. I shed a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to gain experience and level up. I did what I need to survive and to get strong and yet this brat who is still wet beyond the ears did it in less than a month?

He reached the 18th floor in days that took us years to accomplish and even have the gall to bring his deity in the dungeon.

Just what kind of cruel joke is this?

He's mocking all of my efforts!

That is why we hatched a plan to go teach him a lesson and pound into him what a real adventurer is like.

But something is wrong here.

It hasn't been that long since we began our fight. And while I still have the upper hand thanks to Hades helmet, he still kept fighting back despite the number of hits I gave him.

"Not bad Little Rookie," I whisper. I give him props for his durability and persistence.

And yet, little by little, the solid hits I delivered lessen and his counters are getting sharper by the minute to the point that he manages to block my fist with his right arm.

Impossible!

I yelled internally as I quickly leap a few feet back to evade a counter. When he didn't give chase, I look at my right hand and clench it to a fist as confirmation that my invincibility still works.

"That's just a fluke." I whisper. "Just like his win with the Minotur, it's all fluke."

He may have a keen hearing. That must be it. He heard my footsteps and voice and adjust his body to block my attack.

And yet...

"Haaah!"

"Waaah"

"Ieyaaaah!"

I suddenly felt chills run down my spine. All of my hits are blocked.

This brat... Can he really not see me?

I took one step back and look at my surroundings. Even they are starting to quiet down and some are beginning to even mock me for playing too much. While it is true that they cant see me as well, but looking at Little Rookie's action tells them something is up.

No... nononono! this is just a fluke! A fluke!

No way in hell am I losing to a prick like him.

With that in mind, I made my move. I run around him to mess with his sense before delivering the strongest kick I could muster. A kick that was evaded when he ducked. it didn't end there. He pivoted his body and picks something up before steping aside.

"Gah!"

Just how is this possible?

not only does it feels like he can see me but his reaction time is not like your typical level one or new level two adventurers.

"no! this is all a fluke!" I grumble as I stood right back up. "Don't get cocky you damn faker!" and charge at him once more. "No way I would lose to a phony adventurer that wins by luck!"

I charge and charge and charge. I kept on hitting him with fast and strong blows and yet none of them made solid contact. It was either evaded or block. Yet I relentlessly attack him until I almost ran out of breath.

"Hmph-haaaaah-gack!"

And as I catch my breath after he evade my attack, Little Rookie sprayed the dirt he pick earlier to my direction

"aaaaaaah!" I yelled as I scrub my eyes. "Damn-gah!"

It was then when I felt something hit my stomach and fell on my knees. The sequence of event happened so fast that my train of though freezes. I can only recall it after the whole thing happened and I fell on the ground. The dust that he sprayed showed my silhouette and he uses that small oportunity to strike as he quickly kneed me to the stomach followed by a punch to my temple.

*crack*

*shatter*

The follow up attack not only knock me off the ground but also broke the helmet I am wearing.

"Impossible,"

I hear one of the goons I brought with me utter in disbelief. Right now, the entire place is dead silent. the cheering and jeering from before are nowhere to be heard.

"Damn it!" I curse in a low voice

I hate to admit it but I can't deal with him by my self.

"Damn! What are you lot standing there?" I already started this, there's no way out for me in this stage. "Go get him!" I roared at the top of my lungs yet none of them move a muscle. I can see the uncertainty in their eyes as they look at one another. Waiting for anyone, someone to make a move first.

"Stop!"

It was then when a familiar voice boomed.

Looking at the source, I saw the Goddess Hestia walking towards us and trailing behind is a hooded adventurer. The same ones hanging around him back in the pub.

"Goddess! Lily!" Little Rookie shouted. The tense aura he had before quickly disappeared.

"I'm fine now Bell," Goddess Hestia replied with a reassuring smile as she continue to come closer. "So both of you can sheathe your blade now."

"You're not my god so I have no reason to listen to you!" I spat back as I stood. My knees are still weak from the earlier blow and continues to shake. "So get out of my waaaaaay!" But I muster all my strength and charge at him while his focus is directed to his deity.

"Just stop," Goddess Hestia replied with a heavier tone while looking in our direction with pity.

I, who felt the divine aura leaking out from her quickly stop. I am certain I am not the only one tha felt it.

"Let's get out of here!" I hear several of the men I brought exclaim. Looking back, I saw them all retreated as fast as they can.

"Damn..." I look at Little Rookie before turning again to the Goddess Hestia. It was at that point that I saw the Takemikazuchi familia, someone with green hood and... and... a representative from both the LOKI AND FREYA familia! a few feet behind.

That damn Hermes! He said she wouldn't interfere if we leave her alone.

"Tsk! Oi wait for me!" I look back at my group and yelled. I may have a beef with him but I am no foolish enough to bark at the two strongest familia right now. "We're not yet finished!" I declare before retreating as well.

I swear, I'm going to get even on him one of these days.

Dungeon, 12th floor hallway, at the same time

On their way back to the surface, the expedition team have a stand off with two individual they met on their way. One of them is the King and the strongest adventurer of Orario and the other is another known level six executive of the Freya familia, Hedin.

The atmosphere is tense especially for the second class adventurer who knew nothing of their vanguards' earlier encounter with the king. The fact that the likes of Bete, Ais and the Amazon siblings are on high alert and seems eager to pounce at them made them worry that a clash between two familia is inevitable.

"Oh crap!"

Only for their attention to be taken by a third party that came out from the same corner as the Loki familia.

The group consist of two female, a male elf and a male pallum. All bearing the insignia of the Apollo familia. While the three maintain their composure, the pallum has his legs shakes like no tomorrow after seeing the king.

"Hmmmmm..." Ottar returned the sword back to his back and look at the party of four before looking at his male elf companion. "Let's go," he said. He look at the top executive of the Loki familia, knotted his eyebrow when he look at the high elf before walking past them while ignoring the presence of the Apollo familia altogether..

"If you'll excuse us," the elf Hedin, bowed with great respect to the high elf, ignoring the rest as if their existence isn't worth a dime before following Ottar.

"Tsk!" Bete clicked his tongue, not hiding his dissatisfaction.

"I guess we better get going," Finn sigh. While he is grateful that the tension didn't escalate to a full fight, he noticed how the two executive members pays special noticed of their High Elf Vice captain. While Hedin being courteous to Riveria is normal due to her status, Ottar taking extra notice of her is odd. Add on the fact that the rescue party even include someone from the Freya familia makes Finn want to to curse himself for losing the bet.

Something is going on and he fears that a certain shapeshifter will be caught on the middle if this continue. But for now, he decided to let it slide. What is more important to him right now as the leader of his familia is for them to return safely back to the surface. The rest will come after it.

Dungeon, 18th floor, eastern pillar

"Beeeeeeeeelllllll!"

After all the goons are nowhere in sight, The Goddess Hestia cried as she quickly lunge to her body to her child as fast as she could. "Are you alright? Do you need potions?" the goddes asked in a panic as she look at the injuries of her child.

"Goddess!" Bell replied with a wry smile. He hugged Hestia and patted the back of the head of his goddess. "I'm sorry for all of this. It is my fault that they targeted you to get to me."

"Uwaaaaaaahhhh!" Hestia cried further, rubbing her face to her child's chest while tightening her hug on him. "Dont blame yourself, Bell."

"Seriously Master Bell," While Lilly let Hestia do as she please, she approach the two and gave the white haired adventurer a disapproving stare. "What would you do without us?"

"Ahahahaha...

Bell gave a dry laughter as he look at the party that came to aid him. "I'm sorry Lily and thanks every...one? eh? where's Welf?" it was then that he noticed that the group consisting of Ouka, Chigusa and Mikoto of the Takemikazuchi Familia, Ryuu, Karen and even Ms. Alicia, Welf is missing.

"He drop the sword his goddess gave him when we fought some adventurers that block our way," Ouka explain."He left to retrieve it."

"I see..." Bell breath a sigh of relief. "But why did no one came with him?"

"He insisted that we came to your aid first," Ryuu answered, removing her hood and gave him a reassuing smile to ease his doubts.

"Besides, we already reduced the numbers of monster in this area," Ouka added. "Unless a floor boss appeared, I doubt he'll encounter any difficulties going up here."

"Ouka..."Chiguza tugs Ouka's haori. Turning his head, he noticed her concern look and frowning lips.

"Hm?" Ouka tilts his head and look at the rest who looks at him with disbelief. "Something wrong?"

"Ouka, you just jinx it?" Mikoto replied, planting her right palm to her face.

"Come now," Ouka guffaw. "We're in the 18th floor. No monster spawn here no less a floor boss."

*shake*

"Eh?" Hestia blurted out in confusion. It was sudden but it felt like the whole floor shakes ever so weakly. She look at her surroundings to see the same puzzled look of Bell and the rest of the rescue party plus 1 before shivering to the conclusion she had in mind. "Don't tell me it reacted over that teesny amount?"

*crack*

"Oi..." Ouka trails off. He and the rest of the group look above to the ceiling where the source of the cracking sound is and fixated their eyes on the crystals that gives light to the dungeon as multiple cracks appear on its surface. "Don't tell me..."

*crack*

*crack*

*shatter*

*woosh*

*BAM*

The crystal cracks open and a black curled thing fell to the ground with a loud crash. It was so loud that it got the attention of all the resident in Rivira.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Ouka exclaim, his mouth left hanging open while looking at the giant figure that raise from the ground.

As the dust settles, the black giant stood and gave a menacing roar

"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅"

"Ouka, If we die here, it's your fault," Mikoto sigh as she look at the black giant that turned out to be a special variation of the Goliath they encountered in the 17th floor. "Seriously, why do you have to open your mouth?"

"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅"

The Goliath roared once more as it began attacking the group of adventurer near its foot.

Aaaaaaaaannnd cut!

With this the chapter came to a close.

Short chapter once more, too busy with RL stuff yadayadayada. Next chapter will be the conclusion for the arc. As to when, hopefully by end of the year... hopefully.

For the review, likes and follow, thanks.