Chapter 19
She ran even if her feet hurt. She ran even if she was already tired. She just needed to get out of here. Her situation just couldn't get any better. She could hear the angered adventurer ragged breath and rapid footsteps right behind her. She was getting chased down for stealing him. She needed to, does she regret stealing from this adventurer, no, she does not.
The prum he's chasing down, she stole a good amount of valis he earned from the dungeon. She grabbed hold of his money when she thought he wasn't looking. If she wore her backpack, then he would've already caught up to her.
"Damn prum! Stop running!"
He was throwing insults and death threats if she were to keep running or stop. All she knows if he catches her, then she'll get hurt. She doesn't want that, not anymore. Reason why she steals from adventurers. It's all in order to leave her familia so she can live properly again.
She tried running away but it failed the next day she did, they found her that quickly.
As she kept running, she thought she was hallucinating because of how tired she was but the closer she got she realized this wasn't her consciousness tricking her. There was dim light up head, her escape. Her eyes gleamed in hope, her escape was right there. She can finally head to her safe and get ready for tomorrow's steal.
The closer she got the more relief she was feeling. When she steeled her body to the right, ready to run straight to the light in front of her. A person accidentally bumped into her making her tumble herself.
She landed on her back and hit her head hard. Nothing serious but she did groan in pain. When she looked up she saw a white haired boy looking down at her with an expressionless face. He titled his head at her and opened his mouth to say something but, the man that was chasing her down finally caught up to her.
Her eyes widen in fright and body stiffen in fear. She was going to get hurt again. Nobody was going to stop him. She saw him pull his weapon out, raising it up high then drag it back down to her direction. She closed her eyes tightly with a small tear escaping her eye. She was ready for the sword to stab her in the face, stomach, leg, arm, wherever the man was going to hit.
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However nothing came...
"Why the hell are you protecting her?!"
She opened her eyes and first looked down on herself. No stab, blood, or a weapon in her body. Nothing. She then looked up and widen her eyes again, seeing the boy's back in front of her. He had his weapon on hand, in a defense stance.
"She's a girl. A defenseless one." He simply stated before the man ran at the boy again.
With her eyes still widened, she mentally questions the boy in front of him. 'Why? Why me? I'm nothing but a useless stealing backstabber of a prum. Why?'
When he entered the pup to complete his 'promise' for Syr. She jumped on him and was going to give him a comforting hug... what she didn't expect to happen was him moving to the side and let her hit the floor face flat in front of everyone in the tavern. Bell was still not used to physical contact especially with people he doesn't know on that level.
He talked with Syr for a day at least before he left to go live at 'Twilight Manor.' Two weeks has passed since then.
Everyone who witnessed her fall snickered, even Mia chuckled. When Syr picked herself up she pouted at him and lightly punches him on the arm. She let her embarrassment and impatience on those weak punches.
Since he didn't exactly do his promise of coming here the day he said he would, he would do her bidding for today since he was taking a break from the dungeon. The waitresses who heard him got a little worried for him. With that little power he's given her, she could literally abuse it in many ways. However surprisingly to them, she just told him to work here for the day.
To their surprise Bell did well working for the first time in a busy tavern and pub like theirs. He was able to take orders a, little weirdly but it was workable, clean dishes quickly, and he even cooked a few things.
Mia could see him be a farmers boy.
His last task before leaving the tavern was to pick up a few crates outside at the back and get them inside the kitchen. He's surprised at how fast the day went. In the dungeon he feels like hours have pass by but it was only minutes.
There were six crates so he did two trips carrying two crates each trip. On his last and third walk to get the last two crates outside the back. A person bumped into him, he stopped and looked at them fall on their back. He looked to his right of the alleyway and wondered why she was in such a rush. He looked back at the girl and saw her staring at him with a confused look. He was going to offer a hand but he heard hurrying footsteps coming from behind him. He turned to the same direction the prum came from and saw a silhouette of person running up to them.
For a second, he thought that this person might be associated with the girl behind him. When he opened his mouth to ask, momentarily Bell stopped when he heard a weapon being unsheathed. When the weapon came in view, the man raised it high and dragged it down to the person behind him. Instantly Bell reached for his weapon and forced the man to be in a stalemate with him. Bell was too confused on what was happening right now and why the man was trying to hurt her.
When he pushed him off with a kick the man asked him, "Why the hell are you protecting her!?"
Bell doesn't know the girl, nor does he know why this is happening. But all he does know is that the girl can't defend for herself if the reason she's running was because of him. "She's a girl. A defenseless one."
Before the man could say his response to Bell's blunt answer. He was knocked out from behind when Bell appeared behind him with his speed of a high level 5. He hit him on the back temple with the handle of his dagger. He kicked the man's weapon to the side. To make sure he won't do anything rash he tied his hands and feet with a rope that was fortunately on the side where the two crates were.
"Well done Mr. Cranel." He turned his head to the voice and see's a short green haired waitress standing in the door way. Ryu.
"It's nothing special. Just helped the girl–"
Remembering how the situation started he immediately turned back where she was. He scanned the alleyway in front of him and saw her nowhere in sight.
His body slumped down on him. A clear frown on his face, disappointed he wasn't able to ask if she was ok. "She must've ran away while it all happened..."
Ryu could only nod while standing right beside him. She looked at the whole alleyway where Bell was looking at. Both stood there for a few minutes before Ryu went to the doorway.
"Syr would be sadden if you get hurt. You did good to protect yourself and the girl, keep it like that." She was going to enter back inside but stopped when she saw the man tied up next to the doorway. "Don't forget to turn him in. The guild or Ganesha should deal with him."
Bell stood there for a few more minutes before he started to move again. He sighed tiredly as he picked up the last two crates. He walked back in, failed to notice the girl's presence at a far distance in the alleyway. She had a faint little smile, silently thanking to the adventurer. She started running again this time not having to worry for the man to come after her, not him at least...
"Hey Eina. Do I have to–"
"Ask me a dumb question like that again and I'll give you a punishment, this is mandatory."
Bell could only nod and look away from his angry advisor. She obviously wasn't in the mood and he feels guilty about it.
Yesterday he came back with an injured arm. His armor and black coat weren't protecting him as much anymore. There were holes and burnt marks on the coat, there were many crack spots on his armor. It truly broke into bad shape when he faced the Goliath with it. What made her angry wasn't him getting injured, no. She was well aware that this will keep happening due to him not having falna. What made her angry was him not taking care of himself.
'How did he not notice the bad condition his dungeon equipment was in? Was he doing this on purpose?' So many questions she wants to ask the boy she's teaching lessons to about the dungeon and bits of Orario, but in the end she can't entirely blame him. But she can't stop feeling angry and worried for him.
She promised herself that he is not going to be the next one to die. Him not taking care of himself and just rushes himself to the dungeon for his promise he told her, just keeps making her worried and anxious that he eventually is going to...
Die.
"Eina?"
She showed a shocked expression when Bell called her name. Snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked at him with a small smile. "I'm ok... Just disappointed in you Bell." She said in a bitter tone.
Bell feels guilty of his actions yesterday. The lecture she gave him yesterday, she looked like she was on the verge of crying. 'Did she lose adventurers before me?' That thought never occurred to him until now. If it was the case then, he doesn't blame her to be angry at him.
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Upon arriving at Babel tower Bell was given a little tour in the upper floors of Babel where Hephaestus familia sell their most expensive stuff. Eina's mood cheered up after seeing Bell's funny and small reactions to everything on that floor. He would carefully touch one thing and shakily put it back. The prices on these, some of them are half of his whole bank account. He didn't even have enough money to buy one thing here with the amount he has on him.
After being toured they both went to the lower floors of Babel on another part where Hephaestus familia sell their stuff. In this floor, many things were present like the previous but what caught Bell's attention was the prices. All of these, they were nowhere near as high like the previous floor he went.
"New blacksmiths start here to practice their trading. Some are here to hopefully make a contract with some adventurers. You can probably make a contract with one Bell." Eina informed him.
Both walked around looking at displays before going into shops and look for the right set for Bell.
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She was certainly surprised that they're taking this long to find armor. The sun is almost about to set down in an hour or two.
Eina was looking at the items in front of her, she sighed in misery. None of these looked like the right one for Bell. She could also tell it won't fit on him. A few hours before, Bell had trouble getting out of some armor's he tried on. The ones they encountered were either tight, too light, too loose, or not even movable when trying to put it on. She finds it funny at first but now it's bothersome. So many armor and none were fitting him. How could that even be possible.
She walked out of the aisle she was in and went to the last one. If she can't find anything here, then she might give one more shop a try.
She scanned everything that was in display and was surprised to see the lack of light armor here. Bell's favorite type of armor and only type he'll use. She asked him to protect himself by adding more armor on him but he told her that the more armor he has on him, not only would he get tired from moving a lot but he would be slower. At that moment she took pride of herself as his guild advisor and teacher, she told him that the first week he was entering the dungeon.
She came to a stop when she saw an item that interested her. The color has, it reminded her of her mother's eyes. Or own's as well. She picked it up and felt the feel of it, texture and weight. She felt like this could fit Bell. Although it wasn't a full set of armor, a protector for the forearm is fine with her. This all did started with an injury on his forearm so she finds this pretty convenient.
When leaving the shop after purchasing the protector she finally realized who wasn't with her.
"Bell?"
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He was searching armor by himself at a shop nearby where Eina was. He decided to when Eina's face showed frustration the 10th time. It was best since maybe they could do better process splitting ways. Although this is just as hard by himself. The armor he just took off, it didn't fit him like the other sets he's worn and tried on.
Sighing in frustration, 'This was taking to long.' He looked at the clock, they were here for hours.
Checking the back of the store if maybe he could find something, his eyes started to focus on one particular box to the side of him. He blinked at it before checking it out. The color scheme looked similar to his old one, although this one is a tad whiter with a red streak on all of the pieces. Picking the chest plate up he already knew this was light armor, not only did it say it on the box but it felt heavy while being light on his hands. He put the chest plate on and surprisingly it fit him. Seeing the other pieces of this set he tried it all on. A sigh of accomplishment left his lips. He found the perfect set. This armor fitted him well and it wasn't to light nor to heavy. It didn't made him feel uncomfortable and he's able to move freely like his previous dungeon equipment he had.
He checked the box's price tag and saw he's indeed able to buy it. Turning it around he saw a name on it. It read, "Welf Crozzo."
He made sure to remember the name. Eina told him remembering blacksmiths names could help him in the future.
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The armor he had wasn't much protection but it was way better than his previous equipment. Now he had more armor shown than just a simple cloak doing most of the protecting.
She did find him wearing the black cloak with armor, not fitting for him. He looked more of a night hunter than an adventurer. However she can't really say that since there's amazons who are adventurers and they wear very revealing clothes even when entering the dungeon.
Both walked down a path which led them to the same spot they both agreed to meet up today. There was a bench nearby so they went to sit down. They were mentally tired. Finding armor wasn't easy. The two of them sat there quietly listening to bystanders walk by but then Eina started to speak.
"Bell."
"Yes?"
She didn't know how to give this 'gift' to him. She was contemplated on doing it, he now has armor so what's the reason of her giving this to him now. Although if she doesn't, this would technically be a waste of money. Beating herself to it she sighed before talking again.
"Would you... close your eyes for me, please." She saw him raise a brow but didn't question it. He closed his eyes wondering why she asked him of it.
He couldn't hear what she was doing due to people walking by. She was oddly quiet. When he opened his mouth to ask if she's alright he felt his hands being pulled from his side to the front of him. She flattened his hands for him. He then felt an odd object on his palms.
"You can open them."
When he did there was cloth covering the object he was holding. He moved the cloth to the side. He widen his eye seeing what was revealed.
An armor piece for the forearm. He grabbed the feel of it like his advisor did when she first found it. After a feeling it he tries it on and was shocked that it fit him.
"It's a protector. If possible you could put it over your armor for better protection. (smiles softly) Consider it as a gift."
If this were a different gift then he would accept it, maybe, but he frowned. He felt disheartened with himself that Eina bought something for him. He told her in beginning that he was going to buy his armor with his money so she doesn't waste her money. He turned to her to protest for her to keep it but he stopped himself when he saw her have a sadden look.
"Eina...?"
"Many people die in the dungeon Bell. It's no surprise since monsters live there... it worries me that you come back from the dungeon like you did yesterday Bell." She looked up at him in the eye. Her eyes didn't held any angry look, it was mostly of sadness and... guilt? "I... I lost a few friends who were adventurers... I felt very sad that they died. I try my best to not let my personal feelings get in the way of my job but... it's hard when you get to know them closely Bell. Like us." She smiled softly at him.
Bell was starting understanding her. It was like with Aria. She's worried for him and doesn't want him to go hurt himself.
"So please Bell. Watch yourself when you go to the dungeon. I... I don't want to lose another adventurer again..." She said somberly. She remembers clearly the past adventurers she's worked with, they all died due to ignorance and being unprepared of the dungeons fangs. She feels guilty of their deaths, she feels like she didn't make them study hard enough.
She feels a soft feeling on her hands. She was snapped out of her thoughts when Bell crouched down in front of her holding her hands. She blushed lightly. He's never shown actions like this before, and as a half elf, she didn't really know what to do. If it weren't for his small innocent smile, the rare one she rarely gets to see. Then she might have reacted a different way.
"Ok Eina. I promise you I'll come back from the dungeon alive. So you, Finn, Riveria, Loki, and her won't have to worry again." He said in a tone of confidence and resolve.
Eina smiled and couldn't stop the single tear that rolled down her face. Maybe... Bell won't die. Maybe he'll be the one to come back alive and reassure her that everything will be fine going on with the dungeon.
"Thank you, Bell."
He was sitting on the fountain's edge near the dungeon entrance with his new armor equipped. Staring at the blue sky above, admiring the view each day. He one time, before he reached Orario, spent a whole day laying down outside watching the sky change color as the day went by.
This sky, it's nothing like back there.
It never changed color
Only one weather
One color
No change of shape of clouds
It was the same view everyday
Here, away from that place. He's able to truly see the sky's beauty. He's never forgotten the first time he saw snow as well.
'Snow...' a small smile surfaced on his face.
The short time they spent together were already memorable to him. He wondered why.
Was it because she's his first friend? The first person he actually managed to talk to besides Aria in his whole life? Who knows. All he knows is that she is a special friend to him.
Thinking about the things the two did back there, he didn't notice the look he got from her.
She was looking down at him with a confused expression. He's was in deep thought and the way that small smile radiated lightly, it brings her joy but,
'What are you thinking of?' She's a little envious of it but it can't be helped.
Her one hand was swirling her wine glass slowly. She was watching him with cheek resting on her hand. That smile makes her feel joy, but this isn't her doing. He's obviously thinking of something. Her gaze looked to a district off a distance where she stood. She narrows her eyes at the direction.
"Ishtar's been oddly quiet." She said to herself. She wondered if she was planning something, whatever it may be. She knows it won't be a problem for them.
To get out of her boredom other than pay attention to her white rabbit. She stood up from her royal looking chair and walked over to her bookshelf. She ran a single finger down on each bookend's covers till she stopped at a particular book.
She pulled it out of it's place and opens it to make sure it hasn't been used. Mischievously smiling to herself she wonders what he could obtain after reading this.
He got startled when the small girl tugged on his shirt to get his attention. Two things happened at the same time when he was brought back to reality. One, that gaze was on him the entire time but left last second. He failed to notice it. Two, the small girl in front of him.
She looked... familiar. But what stood out the most about her was the ridiculous big backpack she was carrying. How is she not showing any signs of being tired or being pulled down to the ground?
"Um... can I help you?"
She nodded her vertically. "Is adventurer looking for a supporter?"
Bell titled his head in confusion. "A... supporter?"
"Yes." She points at his backpack and compares it to hers on how much space it has and the more things she can carry. The more things she can carry the more they can explore in the dungeon.
She went on to explain to him what she can be useful for if they both worked together. Bell contemplated whether he should accept the offer. It's very helpful and kind of her to give him this but... that means he's going to be limited on the floors he's able to go in, right?
A level 1 is nowhere near capable of exploring the lower floors of the dungeon. However, with Bell at her side... it might work.
Not wanting to, but forcing himself because of her kindness and not wanting to hurt the girl by saying no. He accepted. "Yeah. I'll like to have a supporter by my side."
He told himself he imagined it but, he felt like he saw a strange glint tin her eyes.
She happily smiled. She was already heading to the dungeon as soon as he said yes. "Great! Let's go."
Bell followed behind. He closes his eyes and mentally sighs. He wondered if he made the right choice of accepting her offer.
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She didn't expect them to reach floor 10 this quick. Right after this floor will be the floor 11, the deepest floor she's ever explored and been in.
His speed in killing monsters. She's not able to see his movements. The monsters that spawn as well... they go directly to him. A monster spawned near her so when she was readying herself to use her arm crossbow, it surprisingly... slightly ignored her. She saw the killer ant glance her way before it tried to attack Bell from behind.
As she was removing a magic stone from a needle rabbits body. She glanced at him, seeing him kill weak monsters in a fast motion that her eyes can't keep up.
'What... level are you?'
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He made up his mind that floor 16 will be the best floor to end this dungeon dive. Or maybe all dungeon dives he's going to have with her until she gets stronger or he sees that she is capable enough to go further.
From the looks of it, she was handling herself fine.
'Good.' That's good for him.
If he can focus on the front while she's focusing on the back watching out for him even though he really doesn't need it, then this might work out. They can slowly go deeper in the dungeon though it will take time.
"Do I really want to do this..." He muttered quietly to himself.
When they reached floor 11, he quickly looked back to see if she would show any sign of retreat or uneasiness. She had a neutral expression and both kept looking around their area to see if monsters would come there way. They got their obvious answer when three orcs started to show more clearly in the gray mists.
Bell pulls his daggers out and calmly walks to the orcs in front of him. With his expressionless face and supporter in the back watching for magic stones to drop or other incoming attacks, he leaps forward and and starts killing.
"35,000 valis!"
"Mr. Bell, we almost made it to– Mr. Bell?" She tilted her head seeing the boy look at Babel tower with a weird look.
He focuses back to his supporter knowing what he's doing. "Yes. Oh right, yeah we did good today." He didn't care for the money, a little yes but not really.
"... Um... how are we going to–" She quickly caught the sack he threw at her with widen eyes.
"We can do half. (points to his sack) If you want this I can actually–" He was interrupted by her with a frantic tone and expression.
"W-Why a-aren't you taking this all for yourself! This is a lot of money! You sure you don't want to take this away from me and shove it in my face on how you did so good in the dungeon?!" She never received half of what a party makes. She's never received any money from an adventurer when working with one, she always steals from them but this was a first.
Him being confused asked her, "Why would I do that? We worked together." Feeling a little hopeful with his situation he gave her his hand. "Let's keep working together ok."
She blinks at the white haired boy and looks at the sack on her palms. This... This could work but... this doesn't feel right. Not meeting his eye she shakes his hand. Muttering quietly to herself she says, "Your weird..."
She didn't know what to think of her.
His supporter, she seen her a couple of time before. She's been with numerous parties. The problem with that was the familia all those parties are associated in.
Soma familia.
A wine making familia made by their god himself. Soma. The Soma familia isn't a normal familia. All members who have taken a sip from the wine made by Soma, quickly turn into addicts less than a minute. She's heard from Riveria that anyone from that familia would do anything to get another drink of that wine. It didn't make sense to both elf's on how the Soma wine made from a god, is entirely different than the one's being sold on the streets of Orario. Although they aren't cheap. Since they would do anything for that wine, the familia would get press charges when a few of their members get caught stealing, threatening, and vandalize others in order to get the Soma wine.
So when she heard from Bell that his supporter is from that addict familia, she immediately pleaded to him to not get in touch with her again. That supporter could be tricking him and he may never know it. However Bell reassured her that it's fine and that she isn't like them. It still didn't stop her from pleading.
She wants the best for Bell. Him being limited on the floors he's able to go at for his supporter's safety, makes her wonder if Bell does truly understand what his situation is.
Even now, seeing the two leave the guild recently exchanging their magic stones to valis. She looks at the prum with a skeptical look. She changed her expression quickly when Bell turned back to her to wave goodbye for the day. She smiles softly and waves back.
'Please. Please supporter, don't be like those people from your familia...'
She laid over all the money she collected over the past few months. All of this combined is almost enough for her to leave her familia. She stares at her hands feeling a little guilty.
She feels guilty of stealing from someone she doesn't want to anymore.
Bell
The first ever person in her life to not ever treat her like utter trash. His kind actions of giving her half of what they make in every dungeon dive they went together and him constantly asking if she was alright in the dungeon, made her question herself.
None have treated her like Bell did. None have checked on her nor given her the right amount of money. They always push her to the ground constantly telling her how useless of a supporter she is, how weak she is, how unlucky she is, and then after that they beat or rob her. Reason why she hates adventurers.
Now though, interacting with Bell. It question her if... if she's any different from them.
Turning around to rest on her side she plays with the money under her with the hand in front of her. She kept playing and toying with the valis while she was thinking to herself.
'Tomorrow is it... one more steal and we won't see each other again... I'm... sorry Bell...'
She silently yawns and made sure she was comfortable in her position. She closes her eyes mentally preparing herself for tomorrow's plans. Tomorrow she'll show Bell how big of a backstabber she is, how untrustworthy she is, how desperately she is to leave her familia... and how bad of a friend she is...
Something was odd. Her being very quiet almost the entire time they entered the dungeon didn't help either.
His daggers were on hand. His palms were flexing in and out on the handle of the weapon. He was focusing on the path ahead to floor 16. They're only half way on floor 15 till they get there. They keep on walking until Bell holds his arm out in a halt, making her stop behind him.
He uses his ear intently and didn't hear a single noise. It was quiet. Too quiet. That was until a deep howl echoed father in the path they were taking. Sighing in relief, still having time before confronting the minotaurs up head. He looks back at her with a relaxed expression.
"You ok?"
He didn't get a respond from her. Instead she slightly jolted but still had her gaze covered by her hood. He showed a concerned expression.
'Did I do something wrong again?'
While he was walking in front of her. One of her hands is holding tightly on one of the straps of her backpack as the other was in her pocket of her Goliath robe. She bought three of these items to buy enough time to escape. She's has more than enough magic stones on her. All she needs to do now was to wait for monsters to come at Bell, when that happens she'll secretly throw the items she has in her pockets and hopes that'll help her buy enough time to escape to the surface. Within the week for her first time coming to the middle floors, she found out that monsters here spawn faster than in the upper floors.
A couple minutes later of both of them walking further down she found the perfect opportunity to throw them around Bell.
A group of eight minotaurs were running at Bell with their own dungeon made weapons on hand. Already knowing what to do since his early age of living. He takes them head on.
The one in the lead was the first to attack. He saw it swing it's sharp stone weapon down to the ground creating a huge crater with debris going everywhere. Jumping up he moves his body down towards the first monster that attacked with his daggers pointing at each eye. Successfully hitting its target he lets go of the handle and grabbed on it's two horns and adds a little more strength to his arms to forcibly break the minotaur's neck.
He grabs the handle of his daggers and leaps back before the body of the minotaur he just killed turns into ashes. The other minotaurs feeling angry that one of their fellow companion died so easily howled before running at the white haired boy with rage. Bell was speared by one but he forces the end of his feet and boot to stop them both from moving. He knee kicks the minotaur in the face then dodges two attacks from his sides.
When he backflipped, he heard a knowing sound to his right. Glancing there he sees the wall start to crack, monsters were starting to spawn where he was it.
"Just had to spawn while I'm dealing with these monsters huh."
The moment his foot touched the ground, he quickly ran up to all of the minotaurs and in a blur, he gets into a low stance and cuts each of the minotaurs heels and ankles. All of them yelled in pain and fell to their knees. None were prepared of the quick kill Bell did to them. He cleanly cut all of their heads off leaving them to ashes with their magic stones dropping. Two minotaur horns dropped as well.
Turning his way to the new monsters that spawned in he let them come at him so he could do this safely as possible. In the middle floors he finds lygerfangs and hellhounds the most annoying ones. They work together in pairs of two and jump around like the wolf and tiger monsters they are.
Seeing a hellhound charge it's magic flames from its mouth. He decides to give the wolf a treat. Opening the palm of one hand he quickly draws his black flames on his palms and throws it in the hellhound's open mouth. The monster whimpered to its death when it exploded in black and red flames. Since it exploded near the other hellhounds that were also charging, he was able to distribute their charge. He kills them off a little brutally by dragging his daggers to their neck base till the end of their spines. They all twitched to their deaths feeling extreme pain to their end.
Now with the wolfs gone he focuses on the tigers that looked a little uneasy. He can tell from the look of their eyes. He knows well enough due to early age of experiences.
However their demeanor changed when more cracks was heard. More monsters were spawning. Sighing with peeve he wondered when these monster waves were going to end.
His nose then picked up a weird smell that made his instincts and mind to tell him to go to that direction. But with monsters in his way he ignores it and focuses back on them.
Being unbeknownst to his surroundings the reason why more monsters were starting to spawn rapidly was of the items his supporter dropped.
This item draws a weird smell that attracts monsters to go to that area. It lasts for a while. This smell also makes monsters get a little more aggressive than normal...
He fixated himself by stretching his body. Since this was going to take more time than he thought to just travel to floor 16, his last objective of today. He decided to why not let loose some of his... past anger on these monsters. Since he can't do it on the lower floors. He'll have to suffice with these weaker monsters.
Taking a deep breath. When he exhaled, instantly the black flames appeared on his body. His hair spiked but it didn't went black, not it's true strength. His pupils turned to slits.
To this day. He's surprised that he's managed to control his raged state to this extent. Although he can't stop it when he actually triggers it, he can at least force it to happen. The only method he found was to calm himself down which has worked miraculously in the past with Aria.
He grips the handle of his daggers one more time before slaughtering all monsters in his path...
Momentary not noticing someone is missing...
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She breathed raggedly. She ran the moment she threw it and didn't look back but she did quietly say sorry even though she's sure he wasn't able to hear her due to the minotaurs howling over her when she said it.
She looks at her surroundings and notices she's only half a quarter away till she reaches floor 10. She bought three stamina potions from Miach familia and used it each time her stamina was completely drained. When she feet felt a cramp coming up she stood still for a few seconds so it can go away.
She takes a quick glance at her broken watch. She spent 40 minutes running her way here. That's... a record. She's sure if she were to get a status update, she probably gained 6 if not 7 points on her agility, maybe.
'No. This is luck. It takes longer than this to travel by running.'
She looks back behind her and feels a little worried for someone. She was sure that he should've catch her by now if he noticed her. A thought occurred, what if he was like the others. It could explain why he isn't here now. She knows he's a level 2. They're able to reach floor 16 with no problem. So... why isn't he here?
'No. He's probably still fighting,' she thought. The more she thinks about it the more anxious she was getting. Did she... get him killed? She shook her head, reminding herself why she did it.
'This is for me. I'm sorry Bell but... you had it coming by trusting me.'
She turned around ready to keep on running with no more stamina potions, only relying on her own stamina to hopefully reach the surface in time before he does catch up to her.
However, when she turned around, someone kicked her in the stomach making her kneel down on the ground.
She spitted some blood from the kick. She yelped when someone forcibly grabbed her hair to see each other eye to eye. When she saw who it was, she froze.
These people are from her familia. One of the few first ever parties she's been with when she started being a supporter. Like all parties she's worked with besides Bell, they treat her like trash and take everything from her.
She was ripped off from her backpack and thrown into someone else's arms. That person ripped her Goliath robe off of her and thrown her to ground to be stomped on the stomach again, spitting a little more blood out. The person who has her Goliath robe checked what she had in it, he grinned. She had some much hidden drop items and a few extra valis sacks.
"Woo! This sure is jackpot boy's!"
He then turns around to join the others and tries to get all of the things he can get. Like she did with Bell, they were stealing everything. Valis, magic stones, drop items, potions, and her one magic sword, or dagger due to size.
All of them grabbed it first but the strongest of the group was able to claim it to himself. The other two groaned and glared at their party leader but went back to the backpack.
The prum on the ground watching this happen, felt useless. She was silently tearing while clutching her stomach in pain.
She really is like them... she stole and backstabbed Bell... and now she's getting the same treatment.
"D-Dammit." She muttered.
She flipped herself the other way and checked back to see if they noticed her moving, the didn't. While still looking at them with hate in her eyes. She slowly and quietly reached down to her foot and grabbed a hidden knife that she only uses in serious emergencies besides her magic sword.
She asked herself, 'Why? Why am I doing this? I'm only going to get hurt even more.'
True. There's no question about it. If she does this, she's going to get beat to a bloody pulp or even maybe get herself killed.
But... those valuables they're stealing. There not her's. No. Never has been, along with all other things she's sold this week working with him. None of this is her's. It all belongs to him.
The boy who's protected her and treated her like a friend ever since they started working with each other, even before that. He stopped someone from capturing her and turned them in.
He's... her friend.
Lifting herself up though still feeling weak by the two kicks from earlier, she quietly went behind them while they were interacting with each other on who gets what.
When she was right there ready to stab one of the man's legs, she was grabbed from behind caught on the act. The others turned around and were surprised but only for a moment. They grinned and narrow their eyes at the prum.
"Oh? So someone tried to fight back aye?"
"LET ME GO! THOSE AREN'T YOURS! THEIR HIS!" She tried to stab the man's hand to free herself but they stopped her without trouble.
The person who was going to get stabbed from behind, punches her on the stomach making her drop her dagger and clutch her stomach. Small amounts of blood, . She then was thrown to the ground, again, and received a beating from all of them.
She was kicked around like a ball.…
Being kicked around by them while crying, yelling, and screaming in pain that she knew she was going to get, she mentally regrets everything she has done to Bell.
Robbing from him
Backstabbing him
Leaving him on that death trap
Treating him similar the way she gets treated
Not giving him any kindness the way she gets from him
"I-I'm... s-sorry... B-Bell..." One more kick to the head and she was completely knocked out.
"Heh! That's a one way to release off stress. Now, back to where we left off!"
All of them left the girl near a wall, leaving her laying there like she's dead. Not bothered if they killed her or if she's even still alive. She is useful to them but if she won't cooperate with them, then what's the point of even having her alive. Either way, they were going to kill her anyways, sooner than later...
The three of them walk back to the ripped open backpack and start to do trades with one another to see who wants what.
"I'll give you this for that, (magic sword) and you give me that." He points to what he had on his hand and it was a sack full of valis'.
The man gave a confused expression. Nevertheless he gave the sack to him and received the magic sword. He looked at it with noticeable glint's in his eye. He was imagining the amount of money he would have on his palms if he were to sell this. Maybe he could finally have more than a drink from Soma's handmade wine. The reason why they stole from the prum.
He was going to swing it to test it but the person he traded it with immediately stopped him from doing so.
"Idiot! You can waste it in one go. We don't know how much turns it has, it's a magic sword dammit."
The man put it safely where it belonged. He returned his attention back to the backpack and did a few other trades that'll give him more than enough money.
They stayed there for a good 10 minutes. Not paying attention to their surroundings at all. Their only focus and attention was the ripped backpack. So much stuff they could sell, so much money they can gain. The amount of Soma wine they can drink. It made them feel so giddy like the addicts they are.
.
.
.
However this is where their little run go finally ends
Being unaware of there surrounding, a boy with a tad darker hair than his original color, quietly sneaked upon one of the men and then,
"What the—"
Both men who stood beside him fell on their butts and scurried away from him. One of them, got their head lit on fire, the man's body stayed still but it fell flat on it's back with the fire slowly going down to burn the rest of the adventurer's body.
They look at the black haired boy who had no emotion on his face except for his eyes. When he looked at the next target, he froze. His eyes, there not human. Those eyes...
He walked over to the person to his left looking at him dead in his soul. The person couldn't move, he was too frightened by his eyes that it made him want to bulge his own eyes out. They look to dreaded and hateful to be looked at normally. In this case, it's only filled with hatred.
The boy looks back at he person behind him and he froze as well. The boy's lips twitched upwards. His sadistic side kicked in, and he was not going to regret making these men pay for hurting his friend.
His smile slowly grew bigger. Both of them knew that smile, they use it every day when robbing adventurers.
"You two are going to regret hurting her."
He ignored their pleas. He ignored it all completely. He didn't care if their deaths were going to haunt him, he didn't care if his action will have consequences, he didn't care if he would have been caught killing them. They hurt her..
Though, he does have question in mind.
'Why did you do it?'
He finally figured it out. He insults himself for not only letting her get hurt but, not understanding her truly. Because of that, she backstabbed him.
He figured it out when he saw all the missing drop items he was asking her throughout the whole week. Not only that, one of the men he killed had one of his personal valis sacks. They could never have gotten a hand on this easily so either he dropped it on his way not noticing it or, someone secretly took it.
The more he thinks about it, the more it makes sense. She... backstabbed him. It explains why she acts so secretive about herself and why she doesn't talk to him personally. He doesn't even know her name whilst she knows his. Her distinct demeanor, the secrets she has, the glints he caught glimpses of, she... she really did all that without him noticing.
However he deserves it. He does. He just killed people for her. He failed to notice her disappearance when he was dealing with the monsters at floor 15 which led him not being able to reach to her in time. He failed to watch over her. He constantly told her would, but here she is, hurt.
Besides other than that... he's a monster... so he cannot blame her or treat her harshly for her actions. At least, he wants to hear what she has to say, why she did it, her reason. Though, he does have a good guess on what it could be.
Landing on the ground quietly with a small thud from his boots hitting the ground. He looked at the very old chapel in front of him with a sad expression. The person that lives here does not deserve to live at a broken building like this. She is too kind of a goddess. He wants to help, he pleaded to her before but she declined saying she wants to work her way up, even if she'll have to go through harsh conditions and challenges.
Sighing through his nose his eyes drifted to the girl on his arms. Her body had purple and black spots all over. His eyes shook in angry but relaxed when he remembered himself that he has already dealt with them, she can no longer be hurt anymore.
He walked inside the building seeing many missing pew chairs where they should be at. Only two pews were there and they were at the front. He walked past it all and went to a door that was to his right. The door lead downstairs where she could be at.
When he knocked the door once he heard a groan from the other side. 'She must be tired.' He was second questioning himself if his decision was the right one.
The door opened after a few seconds of unlocking it. The small big chested goddess rubbed her eye feeling tired because of much she worked whole day. When she looked up to see who it is, she yawned in surprise.
"Bell... what are... you doing here?" She sounded very tired. He might have made a bad decision to come here, he disturbed her rest.
"If your tired I can come back tomorrow Hestia. Sorry to wake you up." He said in an apologetic manner. He was going to bow as he said his sorry but couldn't since he was carrying someone.
The raven haired goddess quizzically looked at him. "Eh? Now that your saying it like that, I'm going to think it's important. What is it?" In a few seconds her drowsiness of sleep faded away.
She saw him hesitate to answer but he respond back. "May I come in? I'll tell you everything, I promise."
She didn't hesitate to, she closed the door behind him as he walked in. When she turned around that's when she finally saw someone was in his arms. A small chestnut prum, sleeping from her view. He gently laid her down on the red couch she had in her little open room. What confused her was him pulling out bandages and healing potions instead of a blanket, but then a thought occurred. She walked to his side to get a more clearer view of the girl and gasped.
She had purple and black spots on her body. Bruises. Mostly on her stomach. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were tattered.
"Bell... what happened?" She looked at his face and saw an angered look.
"I... I failed to protect her while I was in the dungeon."
"You don't mean–"
"No. I made sure with myself to not let her get anywhere near those floors. Something else happened when... we got separated."
She helped him treat the prum. She went to another small room where many of her things were at. She came out with a small towel and went to the bathroom to gently damp it. She made sure it wasn't to wet, just the right feel of it.
While she was doing that. Bell lifted one of the prum's arms and used his other hand to feel anything strange that is not normal. Feeling nothing, and hoping he does this right. He lightly gulps and pulled the small lid off of a healing potion. He slowly and carefully apply's some of it on the bruised part of her arm and sees it glow for a few seconds. In those seconds, the purple mark was starting to fade away.
"Wow."
Both Hestia and Bell muttered. Bell has used healing potions before but he gives it no attention. This is his first time seeing it do it's job first hand besides seeing healing magic.
Hestia was told by her good friend Miach, a god who runs a shops of magic potions, that healing potions are one of the most important parts when dungeon diving. Having one on hand in a dire situation helps a lot. She can now see why there so valued.
'I'm definitely going to store a few before I finally have a member.' Hestia told herself.
Seeing that nothing bad happened. Like a bone healing the wrong way. He resumed healing her other bruised areas while Hestia cleaned dust and dirt off the girl as well a few dried up blood spots.
.
.
.
After bandaging the supporter, Hestia brought a spare blanket and pillow for the prum. She tucked her in nice and neat so she can rest well.
Bell thanked her and that's when he started to explain everything. She listened silently not saying a word, not interrupting him. Showing a few expressions when she hears something interesting or concerning. Like Bell finding his supporter laying on the ground, looking dead.
When he finished explaining. He began to tell her what he also found out about the prum. This confused Hestia a lot. 'Why would she steal from Bell? Who in the right mind would even try to steal a level 6? Was she that desperate in stealing... why? What for?' She asked questions this time hoping for an answer but sadly Bell couldn't think of one.
"... But I think it has to do with her familia..." He said with a grimaced tone. Remembering those men just brings a bad taste in his mouth.
It makes him remember that incident months ago...
"What familia is she in?" When he told her the familia she was, she began to imagine the type of person the prum might be.
"That... That explains..." She said quietly but Bell was able to hear it with his 'natural' level 5 strengths.
He showed a confused expression. "Are people really that much of an addict to that wine?"
She sighs, thinking the same as Bell. "Yes, sadly. Soma wine is the most popular and tasteful wine mortals and gods can ever drink. I'm guessing she was robbing off of you for that or..." she paused for a moment. Thinking of a thought that might be, hopes to be, the reason why his supporter steals from him, "...she wanted to leave that familia."
'Leave that familia...' He repeated Hestia's words once. Leaving a familia is a hard task, unless your not much of an important asset to the familia. If so then it'll be quite difficult to leave one. Money could make the god or goddess satisfy enough for you to leave... so maybe she did rob him for that... right?
A groan captured their attention. Both turned their heads to the small prum that was finally waking up. Hestia glanced at Bell before she stood up to and walked over to the door.
"Where are you going?" He asked curiously as he saw her walk away.
She turned around and gave him a smile and a thumbs up. "Good luck." She closed the door behind her. Leaving the two adventurers alone to talk.
Bell blinked at the door where she left before he drifted his attention back to his supporter. She was slowly getting up, using her elbows first before laying up properly. She winced when she felt her stomach start to sting. She looked down and saw it was bandaged, her arm is too, and her forehead as well. She looked at herself at a nearby mirror and saw she was bandaged almost all over her body. Her gaze stayed on the mirror until,
"Are you... alright?"
The second he said it, her eyes looked at the person who was sitting on a chair at the mirror. Her eyes widen, thinking of the worst is about to happen. She immediately turned to run away, she looked at the door and was about to sprint but a hand on the shoulder held her in place. She turned around and saw Bell crouched to her height. Her worst fear of getting hurt vanished when she saw the look on his face.
Guilt
"Can we talk. Please."
He let go of her shoulder and sat down on the floor crisscrossed. She was shocked that he didn't beat her up like other people would. She got off the couch and crisscrossed on the floor like he did. She looked at her palms first, feeling her regret she felt hours ago.
She's knows one thing... he knows...
"I... want to say I'm sorry."
She blinked a few times not expecting him to say sorry, she lifted her head up and saw him looking down. She can faintly see his pained look. 'Why? What is he sorry for?'
"I... I-I couldn't watch over you..." he clenched his fist tightly. Feeling guilty of her getting hurt. "I said I would watch over you but, we got separated so then... you got hurt because of it..."
How can he protect his supporter if he isn't there with her? How can watch over her if he isn't there with her? How? A party sticks together, not go separate ways.
"I'm sorry... I don't accept forgiveness but—"
"Why...?"
She cut him off. He lifted his head up see's her tearing up in front of him, she was looking at him in mix of confusion, regret, and slight anger...
"Why...?"
"What do you mean–" She cut him off again.
"Why... why... Why!" She stood up gritting her teeth at him. Her crying glare surprised Bell. "If anything I should be the one to apologize Mr. Bell! No! NO! I SHOULD BE DEAD!"
"Don't say th–"
"NO! You listen! Do you not know what I've been doing to you?! Do you not know that I've been robbing you, backstabbing you, lying to you, and secretly leaving you behind!!"
Her whole figure was shaking. The pain of regret of stealing him, hurts her so much. "I stole money from you! I secretly hid drop items from you! I LEFT YOU BEHIND AT FLOOR 15 FOR MY ESCAPE MR. BELL!! THAT WAS ALL ME! SO WHY ARE YOU APOLOGIZING!"
"Because I–"
"NO! NO BECAUSE'S, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY! I DON'T DESERVE YOUR FORGIVENESS!" She looked down at her shaking hands. Imaging the money she would have if she made it out of the dungeon. "I-I'm nothing like them... I-I'm a thief, a stupid useless prum of a thief..." She fell to her knees ignoring her surrounding only listening her head, the bullying from her familia.
Everything she has done was exactly like them. She's no different from them, she's exactly like them, a thief who only cares for themselves.
"Then... I'm sorry for not listening to you then." Bell said in a different tone but she didn't notice it.
'SORRY?!' She just told him to not apologize. She immediately stood up and without looking at him first, she raised her arm and swings her hand straight horizontally. A loud smack was heard in the room. A level 1 slapped a level 6 adventurer.
When Bell showed his face back at her, the anger turned to confusion. Bell... was smiling at her.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you... I'm sorry I wasn't there to take care of you as a friend... I'm sorry."
She doesn't get it, nothing of this is making sense to her. Bell wasn't making any sense to her. "Why... I just told you don't apologize!" She paused for a moment, then she spoke out her quick thought. "If I were to yell for help, beg, scream, even if I were to try to kill you, would you still save me?" Without hesitation he nodded. "WHY!"
He didn't respond immediately. His gaze drifted off of her, then he answered. "Because your a defenseless girl."
"... A defenseless girl..." That was the same answer he given to the man who tried to chased her down almost a week ago. "NOT AGAIN!" She was getting irritated, frustrated, not knowing what to feel anymore.
"Will you save any woman just because their a woman?! I can't believe you! Pervert, womanizer, philander, enemy of woman! YOUR HORRIBLE!" Her head casted down, seeing her small tears of unknown emotions fall to the ground. All she could hear was her ragged breaths and tears falling to the ground. Hiding under her hair her eyes looked at the wooden door. She was about to leave but,
"I'll save you because your you. Someone in pain."
Immediately she froze. She stopped her body from heading to the door. Bell's change of answer made her look up at him again, his small smile was still there, plastered on the emotionless face.
"I... I don't know if we're friends or not or even close to comrades but, please, if there's a time where you need help, desperately, don't hesitate to call me... I'm a dumb person, really I am. I hardly even know what my own emotions are at times, so don't hesitate to tell me something, ok."
Her body began to shake again. Her tears started to fall down even more. The one emotion she can now feel, was sadness and relief. Before she finally broke down,
"We are... still friends right?" He asked in an almost scared tone, but he had nothing to be afraid of.
She didn't hesitate to nod. "Y-Yes! W-We, w-we are still friends!" She cried her pain out on Bell's chest.
'He still... wants to be friends.' That... that makes her feel so much relief. For her it means... he forgives her...
Bell hugged her, letting her cry out loudly on his chest. He could hear her muffled sorry's. He did the best he could to calm her down. He wasn't going to let her go until she stopped crying.
.
.
.
He knew she was going to fall asleep. When he cried like that, he would always fall right to sleep in Aria's arms. Waking up the next day feeling better after some comfort.
He put her back on the couch. Gently tucking her in. He wrote a note downstairs for her. Hopefully she would answer back in time and when she does, depending on the answer she gives him, he would go back to to dungeon and resume his training.
When he closed the door behind him, Hestia immediately jumped right in front of him with a big smile on her face.
"Soooo. Did everything went well?" She knew the answer. She heard almost everything from upstairs.
Bell chuckled. "Yeah... I think everything went well. Thank you Hestia."
She swayed her arms in front of him. "I didn't do anything Bell. That was all you, you helped her Bell." She gave him a thumbs up. "You did well."
Bell's small smile returned once more. Forgetting the guilt he felt earlier ago. Feeling content and happy with himself that his new friend is now better. "Yeah... thanks."
He walked his way to the doors where he entered. He saw the faint light up ahead, it was about to be morning. He must have been here for a long time and didn't notice. Before he stepped a foot outside he heard footsteps walk around then in front of him. Hestia stopped herself to turn around and ask him an important question.
"What are we going to do with her? Her familia must have listed her dead by now if the Ganesha workers did their job... so what now?"
He thought for a moment. Thinking what to do with his supporter. He can't bring her in the Loki familia, she needs to leave her original familia first. Even if that can happen, though it can't since Hestia could be right, he doubts that she can join. High rank familia's are almost impossible to join.
However, seeing the lonely hard working goddess in front of him. He found his answer instantly. He smiled again as he pointed a finger at her. She blinked, she looked behind her and saw nothing. She then looked down on herself if there was something on her.
After trying to figure out at what he was pointing at, she asked him dumbfounded, "What is it Bell?"
"You Hestia. Your the answer."
At first she was confused but she widen her eyes finally understanding what Bell was saying. "B-But I can't! She's already in one and–"
"And like you said, they might have already listed her dead. Besides I'm not letting her go back there, this whole thing started because of them."
"... I guess that's true." She was hesitant. Not expecting her to have the chance of 'starting' a familia right here and now. "But what if she doesn't want to be here..." she looked at her feet, feeling doubtful at herself that she could take of her.
'Why would she even want to be here... there's others that can do better.'
Bell walked up to her and patted her raven hair. "I doubt that'll happen. Your a kind goddess Hestia. Please be her goddess Hestia, please."
He thought she wasn't going to go through with it. She was silent but he heard her sighed after a few moments of recollecting herself. She raised her head to look at him. Seeing the seriousness on her face and eyes, he knew what her answer was going to be.
"I'll do my best to be her goddess!"
A few days has passed since he's seen her. Today is the day whether he gets and answer from her not. If she shows up, then he'll be happy. If she doesn't, he'll understand but it'll feel a little weird to him. He already has gotten used to exploring the upper and middle floors with her, he'll have to get used to exploring the lower floors for a little bit.
He turned around seeing a nearby clock almost about to hit 11 a'clock. 'At least she would be safe.' He was going to visit over there after today's dive. See if she left or she stayed there with Hestia.
As he walked closer to the entrance of the dungeon, he heard someone shout to him. A voice he knows of now.
"Hey wait!"
He turned around and saw her catching up to him. Wearing the same set of equipment she wore a few days ago, her backpack looked a little smaller but it could just be him seeing it like that. She took a moment to collect her breath when she was right up to him.
Bell waited. He stood still and was going to wait for her answer for the question he left from the note.
She took a deep breath in, then out. When she smiled, he noticed it wasn't a fake one, her eyes didn't show a glint like before. She opened her mouth to answer Bell Cranel's question, in a way of a new start.
Adventurer and supporter.
"I'm Lili. Liliruca Arde, ready to be Mr. Bell's supporter!"
AN:
Bro... after rewriting this for the 100th time... staying up late for many NIGHT'S... key hint night's... finally wrote chapter 19 in the way I'm satisfied with. This took A LOT out of me. Many things has happened (personally and non-personally) while I was working on this difficult chapter. The reason why it was so difficult was because of Lili, I don't know why but it just was.
Chapter 20, wondering when that's coming out huh. If I'm lucky enough, MAYBE, not guaranteed, it could come out by the end of November. Hopefully, don't want to keep you readers waiting for this.
If there are ANY grammar errors, please let me know
As for the people who are wanting any updates on 'White Death'... it's coming... not sure when but yes, I'm out writing it so don't worry.
Well, don't know what else to say. Guess finally writing chapter 19 to my satisfaction took a lot out of me, heh.
What's your opinion on this chapter. Was it good? Bad? Horrible? Great? Nobody knows except for you, leave your thoughts and what your expecting is going to happen next in chapter 20, at the review section.
Alright, see you guys next time! Peace! :-)