Sorry! Holidays, interviews, got a job offer (along with a good friend)... It's been eventful.
A shorter chapter. Been thinking of doing webnovels lately alongside Dahmiel. Writing a captivating original story is much, much harder especially when you need to consider the audience for the particular platform.
Anyway, here we go again!
Chapter 12:
"Never to catch the lightning!" Bell proclaimed theatrically, his body becoming like a streak of lightning as he darted ahead of Ais and Bete. "A wolf with the ambition to surpass the thunderbolt," he declared, pausing momentarily before reappearing ahead of them, perpetually close but always just beyond their grasp despite their remarkable speed. "And the wind that flows but never embraces the lightning."
"Raaaaaah!" Bete howled as he strained his body to catch up to the white-haired human boy.
The werewolf felt beyond irritated, forced to endure Bell's constant and casual chattering while he, one of the fastest adventurers to exist, struggled to maintain his maximum speed just to keep pace with the boy. Bell engaged in a one-sided conversation with occasional taunts that only fueled Bete's determination to win the race he had proposed, despite knowing that it was a lost cause, for now. Ais, similarly, began to lag behind as her wind enchantment magic started to lose its power in her effort to keep up. Though fast, she couldn't match the speed of Bete or Allen without her wind aiding her.
The race comprised Ais, Bell, and Bete, with the 'race course' involving three laps around the entire 24th floor, sticking close to the Dungeon walls at floor level. The 24th floor, estimated to be a few sections smaller in size to the entirety of Orario, was filled with dangerous, poisonous monsters. Despite this, the trio blitzed through the floors, dispatching a handful of monsters along the way before they could even react.
As they entered the final lap, the victor was already apparent, with Bell consistently leading the race, appearing energetic compared to the other two adventurers.
"Shall we call it quits?" Bell quipped mischievously, effortlessly darting ahead and striking a pose as though he were not part of the race.
"As if!" Bete retorted, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "Don't… look down… on us!"
"... Tired..." Ais confessed, breathing heavily.
"Your determination is truly admirable, both of you," Bell praised, briefly slowing his pace to offer words of encouragement. Then, with a grin, he surged ahead once more, swiftly dispatching any monsters in their path with a flick of his knife. "Consider me your trusty companion on this heroic journey!" he declared, pausing only briefly before darting forward again, arms outstretched. "I'll pave the way to victory! Follow me! The path to heroism awaits!"
Bete mentally scoffed at the mention of heroism, yet found himself unexpectedly stirred by the boy's words. It sparked a sense of nostalgia within him, a sentiment echoed by Ais.
A hero... something I'll never be. Ais reflected silently. But maybe... just maybe... in the depths of her heart, mind, and soul, the boy she pursued was the hero she had been yearning for all along.
/-/
"Who is Finn?" Lancer's voice echoed in Finn's mind.
Finn Deimne harbored a deep-seated disdain for the despair that plagued his kind. Among all the races, Pallums were deemed the weakest and smallest, often subjected to contempt and ridicule. His own parents embodied this acceptance, resigned to being figuratively and literally looked down upon, as if content with being treated as mere doormats. It always gnawed at Finn how Pallums failed to capitalize on their inherent resources. While they might lack the brute strength and finesse of other races, they possessed intellect in abundance.
From a young age, he immersed himself in books, earning him the moniker of "sage" from the village chief. Yet, for all his knowledge, he lacked the power to enact meaningful change. When tragedy struck and monsters laid waste to his home, claiming the lives of his parents, Finn was consumed by grief and helplessness. He wept as he fled the devastation, returning only the next day to lay his parents to rest with his own hands.
It was then that he vowed to become the beacon of hope his people desperately needed, casting aside his former name and adopting the mantle of Finn.
He endured grueling training, set ambitious goals, and cultivated a heroic image and reputation. Yet, deep down, Finn knew the truth: he was merely a facade, an artificial hero—a charade that he himself conjured.
Finn was no stranger to harsh realities, scoffing silently at the idealized heroes depicted in fairy tales. Behind his cool and playful facade lurked a calculating and self-serving nature. While he projected an image of kindness, beneath it lay a deep-seated greed and an insatiable desire for renown—a grand ambition to be the beacon of light and hope for the Pallums, to become the next Fianna.
However, in their duel, the enigmatic Pallum known as Lancer saw through his carefully constructed facade. With each clash of their blades, she exposed the falsehoods and insecurities that lay beneath his heroic veneer, exposing his true self and ambitions with an unreadable masked gaze and a disapproving tone. Her own ambition, noble and resolute, stood in stark contrast to Finn's self-serving motives, leaving him questioning his identity and purpose.
Who was Lancer? Who was Finn?
Who was he truly meant to be?
"First time seein' Finn like this... instead of knockin' some sense into him, ya knocked every sense out of 'im," Gareth commented on Finn's dazed expression.
Finn sat unresponsive on Tione's lap while the young lady enveloped him in a comforting hug, treating him like a plush doll while the Pallum stared out at nothing, eyes bright and alive, but somewhat distant.
"Don't be disheartened, captain! My opinion of you remains unchanged! You're the one and only for me!" Tione shot a scorching glare at Lancer. "Unlike this brash and arrogant woman who fancies herself a noble knight but behaves nothing like a brawling brute."
"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for your own reflection off my armor," Lancer retorted dryly, standing tall and awaiting her partner's completion of the race.
"Pffft!" Tiona stifled a snicker at her sister's expense.
"What was that, shortie?!"
"T-T-Tione!" Lefiya squeaked, unwilling to get caught in a confrontation between a Level 5 adventurer and the enigmatic Lancer, who effortlessly dispatched their captain.
"Oi, Tione! Enough of that!"
Lancer ignored Tione's growling while her younger twin sister awkwardly shuffled near the Pallum knight with her hands behind her back.
"So... What level are you?" Tiona asked bluntly. "Someone as strong as you don't just appear out of thin air. Especially not a Pallum."
It's rare to find any Pallum at Level 2 or above. Those are very few compared to any other races in the entire world. For someone like Lancer, she was like a bolt from the blue that just destroyed the entire upper tower of Babel. The fact that she was able to seemingly defeat Finn at his full might so effortlessly means that she was likely Level 7, bolstered by a skill, or her level was even higher than Level 7. Such a person, a Pallum much less, would have been the talk of the city, much less the world.
"That's kinda rude, Tiona..." Lefiya couldn't help but begin to fret for their well-being at this rate with the Amazon twins.
"Falna is but a boon tacked onto what is already gained," Lancer answered cryptically. She was a Level 1 and could have chosen to level up if she wished, but her might is well beyond what a Level 1 to Level 8 could wield despite that. She is a Divine Spirit, after all. "My level is irrelevant."
"Then... is your name really Lancer?"
"It is a title of sorts," Lancer replied, repressing her irritation, somewhat wishing Argonaut would hurry up and finish their stupid little race.
She loathed the company of adventurers—glory and wealth-seeking, dishonest cutthroats—still resenting them from experience. She could place herself in a similar category as these adventurers, only she was never a cutthroat but a thief and conwoman.
"Let's leave it at that, lass," Gareth intervened, sensing Lancer's growing irritation.
There was an awkward silence, save for the distant and distinct crackling noise of powerful rapid footsteps, no doubt from the two adventurers and Argonaut tearing through the last lap. Lancer narrowed her eyes behind her visor and sighed. The Fool could have long finished and been done with it, but nothing is straightforward and simple for Saver. She would have to reconsider a harsher training regimen to instill better discipline in him, although it was likely a foolhardy task.
"About time you finished," Lancer said flatly as the white-haired, red-eyed boy appeared before them like lightning. "Did you really need to keep pace, much less baby them? They are very much capable on their own."
"It would be rude to leave such famous adventurers behind, dear Lancer," Bell, known as Argonaut in public, replied, putting a hand on his hips and grinning. "A good companion such as myself wouldn't dare to leave them in the dust! Strangers we might be." He tilted his head and turned to see Ais and Bete quickly trailing behind, sweating and breathing hard. "Besides, such determination is admirable and heroic. Why should I part ways so soon when presented with such great traits?"
"Keep your eyes off Ais," Lefiya muttered quietly to herself while staring at Bell with suspicion and hostility. She really hated how the strange boy was getting chummy with Ais and possibly even Bete.
"Sure been a while since I seen ya runnin' around like that."
"Shut up, old man," Bete growled, shooting Gareth a glare before putting his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
"You alright, Ais?" Tiona asked the blonde woman.
"Yes... I couldn't keep up without my magic," Ais replied, glancing at Finn, who was oddly still dazed while being hugged by Tione. She had never seen him like this before, and to think it was caused by...
"We're done here. Let's go," Lancer, the one responsible for Finn's current state and Bell's partner, immediately turned and began to depart.
"Ehhhh? Do we have to?" Bell complained with a pout.
"Ehhhh? Really?" Tiona echoed simultaneously with Bell, wearing a matching expression of disappointment.
"Yes. There is no longer any reason for us to remain. The Loki Familia have their own affairs to handle, and we will only hinder them," Lancer stated, motioning for Bell to follow her. She disliked interacting with adventurers and more importantly, wanted to prevent any divulging of intel between their familia. "Let's go."
"Ah..." Ais took a tentative step forward, a question lingering on her tongue, but she refrained from voicing it. Not in front of everyone.
Lancer turned to Ais, and the blonde girl froze, feeling the hidden judgmental gaze behind her visor. However, Bell stepped between them with a teasing smile, inserting himself into the center of attention.
"The moment of parting draws nigh! But fret not, my esteemed companions of adventure, for destiny shall weave our paths together once more! Should you wish to convey a message unto me, seek out the fair Syr at the Hostess of Fertility, whose grace rivals that of the most splendid blooms in spring." He winked at Ais, causing her cheeks to bloom with a delicate blush, while Lefiya seethed behind her, afraid to act under the watchful gaze of Lancer.
Daaamn yoooooou! You stupid, perverted rabbit playboooooooy! Lefiya internally howled.
Twirling toward Tiona, he clasped her hand with a gallant gesture. "Should our paths diverge ere your grand odyssey commences, I bestow upon you the fairest wishes of fortune! Return unto me, fair maiden, safely and triumphant!"
"T-thanks!" Tiona found herself flustered, while Tione gave Bell a warning glare in the background, still holding Finn in her grasp.
Bounding over to Bete and Gareth, he offered hearty pats upon their shoulders. "Forge ahead, my comrades in arms! May your strength grow as mighty as the ancient heroes, and may we one day stand united on the battlefield of destiny! Until that fateful hour arrives!"
Then, in a flash of light, Bell and Lancer vanished without a trace, leaving behind a dumbfounded Loki Familia, trying to process everything that occurred in that very brief moment. Another silence descended until Bete broke the quietness.
"Oi... don't tell me you've fallen for that goofy showoff," he asked Tiona.
"She's too stupid for something like that," Tione spoke up. "Tiona's like this since she's never been complimented in that kind of manner."
"Haaaah?! Are you looking for a fight?!" Tiona snapped back at them.
"Wait! Calm down, everyone!" Lefiya meekly intervened, while blaming the white-haired boy for causing another bout of chaos in her familia.
"What's happening?" Ais asked in genuine confusion, looking completely lost.
"That's enough out of all of ya!" Gareth barged in, looming over Finn, who was still in Tione's grip. "'Ey, Finn! Ya puny, feeble Pallum!" He snapped his fingers right in front of the man. "Don't tell me the Braver himself is just as feeble-minded as his body! Did that knight lass knock every ounce of bravery outta ya?!"
"Gareth!" Tione protested the dwarf's harsh words.
"I know Finn far longer than any of ya, let me handle this." Gareth huffed and lifted a finger to flick at the Pallum's head. "If words ain't reachin' 'im, then it's really time to knock some sense into his skull."
"Sorry, captain..." Tione reluctantly loosened her hold on Finn, treating this as if Gareth were putting down her beloved.
Gareth rolled his eyes and flicked his finger hard onto Finn's forehead, sending the Pallum reeling backward and creating a small shockwave around them. The strength of a Level 6 dwarf was nothing to scoff at, and the impact left a red print with a wisp of smoke on Finn's forehead. Finn's expression was hidden as his head reclined back from Gareth's flick, before he slumped his head forward, his chin touching his neck. Then the Pallum lifted his head, his expression angry as he glared at the dwarf, a look Gareth hadn't seen for a very long time.
"... What the hell was that for, you dumb oaf?!" Finn yelled at Gareth before catching himself, looking embarrassed as he composed himself while everyone else, barring Gareth, stared in shock at the sudden and uncharacteristic outburst. "Ah... Hahah... Ahem. Sorry you had to see that." Finn brushed off Tione's grip and stood up straight. "I seem to have lost myself there, and what occurred within these past few minutes."
"Did ya regress a few weeks back to the day we met?" Gareth asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nonsense. It was your single-minded sheer strength that rattled my memories."
"Hoh? Seems like yer almost back to normal, and up for another round of walloping."
While the two executives exchanged passive-aggressive insults, Ais walked over to Lefiya and tapped the girl on the shoulder. "I feel like I missed something. Why is everyone angry with each other?"
"It's all because of that stupid rabbit's fault..."
/-/
Deep in the unknown depths of the Dungeon, an enhanced minotaur was munching on a sizable magic stone from a monster it had killed. This minotaur was larger than the average minotaurs found on the upper levels and possessed a deep crimson horn that matched its blazing red eyes. But what was most striking was that this minotaur had Viola vines growing out from it, wrapped around its entire body like chains. The Viola itself hovered around the minotaur's shoulder, its sharp teeth clicking every now and then.
"It's not enough. How many more do we need?"
The minotaur turned its head and growled at the red-haired Creature named Revis, but one glare from her green eyes made it shiver, while the Viola snapped its jaw in the air like a whip cracking, forcing the minotaur into compliance.
"Grrooo..."
"We cannot divert more magic stones to this one." Revis resumed her conversation with her unseen master. "Monster Rexes? We do not know when they will emerge... soon? Very well." She turned her attention back to the minotaur. "Follow," she commanded it, and the monster obeyed. "And the axe for it? Understood... A sword? What's so special about it? Anti-divine? Interesting..."
In all honesty, Revis found her master's games and constant whining tiresome. But this time, her efforts should be worth it if it meant she would be getting new tools to make her task easier.
In due time, it was time to set the stage for the Fool and the 'Goddess'.
/-/
"Was that really okay?"
"You will need to elaborate."
"Leaving the Braver like that."
"He has and will make his own choices. Whether he does so via external influences is ultimately his choice alone."
"Still..."
Fianna paused and turned to Argonaut. "Do not be fooled by his charisma and kind facade. In the end, he is an adventurer with lofty ambitions that hide his deep-seated wounds. A living legend he may be, but in the end, he is only mortal and an adventurer. Adventurers are not to be trusted."
"But technically, we're also adventurers," Argonaut pointed out.
"I was always a supporter."
"But I'm an adventurer."
"You're a true hero, and I consider you as one. Do not downgrade yourself," she shot back earnestly, making the boy flustered and happy. "Foolish you may be, but at least your ambitions are somewhat true and pure to an idiotic degree."
"Heheheh... Thanks," he rubbed the back of his head. "But, you're also a hero too. Despite the hardships you've faced, you never descended into true villainy. Such-"
"No. Do not praise me," Fianna stopped him, scowling with a faint blush that was well hidden behind her visor. "You know not of my tale."
"On the contrary, I do. You see, my grandfather told me surprisingly accurate stories of countless heroes! One of many is yours, which I've placed among my top five heroic tales worthy of endless praises."
"I do not want to hear it."
"Witness my ultimate technique! Storm of Praise!"
"Do you wish to ascend to the heavens?"
"That I'll save that for another day!" Argonaut amended his approach, releasing a sigh and placing both hands behind his back as he gazed up at the blue skies. "I truly desire to get to know them better." His friends, most if not all, had reincarnated and conveniently become part of the Loki Familia. In such a scenario, how could he resist the urge to learn more about their current incarnations, let alone tease them? "Although, you make a fair point. A large familia requires dedication, and they will soon be on an expedition. Until then, my friends..."
Fianna scoffed, "They are not your friends, nor should you become too close to them. In case you've forgotten, our Goddess is not on good terms with theirs."
As they turned a corner onto a narrower street, they encountered an elf and a human girl wearing green waitress uniforms. By chance, Ryuu and Syr were also taking this route, carrying groceries for their workplace.
"Ah! Bell!" Syr's face lit up as she handed Ryuu her bags and rushed towards him.
"Oh? Syr, how are you this... Dwaaaah?!" Argonaut caught Syr as she hugged him, almost knocking him over and breaking his demeanor. "W-whoa! Y-you seem very happy t-today!"
"Syr! You shouldn't act like this in public!" Ryuu admonished her colleague while balancing the extra bags from Syr. Especially not to a guy with a playboy attitude!
"There's nothing wrong with showing affection, Ryuu," Syr answered nonchalantly, resting her head on his shoulder and tightening her hug around his neck. A few people passing by gave them approving or jealous looks.
"And here I thought you enjoyed being the center of attention and affectionate displays," Fianna remarked to Argonaut, who looked lost with a slightly flushed face. It seems Bell's aspect in Saver had won out from this encounter.
"I, w-well..."
"It merely means he's enraptured by my display of love for him," Syr cheerfully replied, turning to look him in the eyes, their foreheads touching. "By the way, darling, Mama Mia gave her approval for our plans."
"Eh? Plans? Ah! You mean..."
"Yes, our planned wedding," Syr playfully lied, a delightful expression on her face, causing Ryuu to freeze and do a double-take, while Fianna glared at the girl behind her visor.
"That's great news!" He grinned, then his face fell, instantly turning red from embarrassment and shock upon replaying her answer. "Wedding?! W-wh-wha-?!"
"Do not toy with him," Fianna intervened, managing to push them apart. "He's not wise enough to play along with your shenanigans." She sharply turned to Argonaut and pointed an accusing finger at him. "And you! What did you agree to? Did you sign anything without thinking, much less read the fine print?"
He raised both of his hands. "I didn't! Honest!"
Syr giggled and slipped by his side. "Silly me. I meant Mama Mia agreed to our theater plans."
"Theater plans..." Ryuu groaned and slumped, nearly dropping their groceries upon remembering what those two had in store for her and the entirety of her peers.
"As I thought," Argonaut recomposed himself with a nod. "That's certainly lovely news."
"No... No, it's not," Ryuu said dejectedly.
"With Mama Mia's approval, let's make our schedule tonight over dinner," Syr suggested, eyeing Ryuu with a smile. "Our main star of the show should join us too." Then to Fianna. "And I certainly won't mind if you join us too."
Fianna felt a slight chill run down her spine. Before she could move or speak, Argonaut was already behind her, planting both hands on her shoulders and pushing her forward.
"We accept! Lili here should also make her debut! In fact, I just came up with a lovely secondary protagonist whose character aligns splendidly with my partner's goals! The Lancer of our group of heroines!"
"Wonderful! I look forward to hearing it all in full details tonight."
"I refuse!" Fianna yelped. "Leave me out of this!"
"But Lancer, um, I mean Lili! This is an excellent opportunity to inspire others like you! To become the light and hope, one that rivals even the Braver himself!"
"Don't sprout such nonsense!" Fianna flailed in an attempt to silence him, but unfortunately, the power of a Saver was too much for her to resist.
"It's no use..." A defeated-looking Ryuu mumbled to her soon-to-be colleague in misery. "There's no escaping their grasp..."
"Where did all your elven pride go?! Bell! Release me! Don't drag me into your mess! BEEEEEELLLL!"
And thus, another reluctant heroine joined the ranks of a budding group of heroines, in a fictional world crafted by the Clown and the Witch.