The echoing growls of approaching monsters reverberated through the dark corridors of the Dungeon, signaling the imminent threat of an incoming horde. Bell and Leo exchange a glance and nods to one another, and gripped their weapons tightly as they prepared for the incoming battle. Lili stands behind them and has a look of worry from the multiple growls she hears.

Without warning, the horde burst into view, a chaotic mass of snarling beasts eager to feast on human flesh. Goblins, kobolds, and other monstrous creatures filled the narrow passageways, their numbers overwhelming and their intent clear.

Leo stepped forward, brandishing his colossal sword with ease. "Watch my back, Bell. Stick close!" He called out, his voice steady despite the looming threat. Bell nodded, his eyes focused and his grip tight around his knife.

"Got it, Leo. Let's take them out!"

With a shared nod, the duo charged into the heart of the horde, Their weapons swinging in a deadly dance of steel and fury. Leo's collosal sword cleaved through a group of goblins with ease, each strike sending body parts flying through the air or multiple foes tumbling to the ground, while Bell, moved with speed and percision, his blade finding the small weak points with leathal accuracy.

Despite the overwhelming numbers, the duo fought with unparalleled coordination and skill, each covering the other's back and anticipating their movements with uncanny precision. Leo's powerful strikes created openings for Bell to exploit, while Bell's agile maneuvers allowed him to evade incoming attacks and strike back with devastating force.

A group of goblins leap at Bell, but are met with a large sword as it cuts through them seperating the lower half from the top. Blood covers the blade as it slices through with ease. A small group of needle rabbits try and attack Leo, but Bell quickly rushes forwards.

He kicks one sending it crashing into a nearby wall, before twisting his body and stabbing another through the head, the last one leaps and tries to kick him but he rolls away before throwing a nearby rock. The stone slams into it's head sending it flying through the air before it falls dead on the ground.

"There's no end to them! Screw this!" Leo shouts.

In a daring display, Leo unleashed a devastating area-of-effect attack. He had spun his boyd quickly before letting his colassal sword free, it spins in the air and cuts anything in its path. Severed bodies, heads, and limbs fly through the air. The stoney level of the dungeon is colored with red, green and black blood as monsters start dropping rapidly.

The large sword slams into a wall embedding its self stopping its display of carnage. Breathing heavily, the two brothers look around and see an asortment of monster drops and magic stones. Their weapons stained with monster blood, Bell and Leo stood victorious amdist the carnage, their hearts pounding with adrenaline.

"Great job, Leo. That was a cool plan," Bell panted, wiping sweat from his brow as he sheaethed his blade. "Look at all the drops!"

His face lights up at seeing the glimmer of diffrent drops that litter the floor, Leo snorts in ammusement and walks over to his sword.

"We kicked ass, Bell. Like allways." He states before ripping his sword free, chunks of stone break apart as the massive steel blade cuts through the wall.

Lili stares wide eyed at the brothers display of strength, she locks eyes on Bell's sheathed knife and without him knowing quickly swipped it off his person and hide it in her backpack.

The trio took a moment to catch their breath and decided to eat lunch, taking a seat with a wall at their backs. Both brothers pull out their lunchboxes, Leo has his from Ryuu while Bell has one from Syr.

Opening the small lunchbox, his face is hit with a delicious aroma. Inside, he discovered a delightful assortment of dishes, each lovingly prepared and arranged with care. Grilled meat skewers, steamed vegetables, rice balls, and a selection of fresh fruit filled the compartments, creating a colorful and appetizing spread.

With a large smile, Leo picked up a pair of chopsticks and begun to savor the flavors of Ryuu's culinary creations. The meat was tender and flavorful, the vegtables perfectly cooked, and the rice balls a delightful blend of texture and taste.

Lost in thought, Leo found himself savoring the food with each bite, the smile never leaving his face. It filled his body with warmth and comfort, a tangible reminder of the friendship he had formed with her.

Finishing the last bite of his meal, Leo leaned back against the stoney wall with a content smile on his face, his stomach full and his spirit rejuvenated. Closing the bento box with a satisfied sigh, he glances over to see his brother still eating the same with Lili.

Timeskip

They had returned to the church to see their goddess still sprawled in bed; she had returned extremely late the night prior. Bell sighs and walks over to gently shake her awake, and as he does so, her eyes slowly open until she grabs her head in pain.

"Ah!" She cries out as she holds her head in pain. Bell walks over to a nearby water barrel and fills a cup.

"Are you okay, Goddess?" He asks. Leo snorts, amused, and leans against the wall. "I think she might have a hangover, Bell. Goddess, make sure you drink lots of water." He advises, and Hestia quickly stands on the bed and glares slightly at the young man.

"I know! I know! AH!" She cries out again and falls to her knees. She quickly grabs the cup from Bell's hands and downs the contents before turning away from him with a pout.

"G-Goddess? Is something wrong?" He asks, confused; she doesn't turn to him and keeps her back facing the confused white-haired teen.

"Nothing's wrong." Hestia states. Bell sighs, sets the cup on a nearby dresser, and grabs a folded-up cloth; he gently places it on her head.

"Um, Goddess... this may not be the time, but when's your next day off work?" He asks with a small smile, and she turns to finally face him, curious.

"Day off? Why?"

Bell sheepishly starts to rub the back of his neck as a small blush makes its way onto his face.

"Me and Leo have started to make a lot of money in the dungeon lately, and I wanted to repay you for everything you've done for me. So, um... would you like to go get a nice dinner or something?" He asks as he sheepishly rubs the side of his face. Hestia's face lights up as a blush slowly grows on her cheeks.

"A date?!" She asks excitedly, and Leo snorts in amusement and makes his way towards the door while waving a hand.

"You two have fun; I'll go find something to do." He says this before leaving the warm confines of the basment.

10 minutes later...

With Bell taking Hestia out to dinner, Leo found himself with some rare free time in the bustling city of Orario. With no destination on his mind, he mindlessly wandered around and peered into the windows of vendors he was curious about. magical items, potions, grimores, and such.

A sudden feeling was drawing him towards a particular corner of the city; it was like the feeling he had when getting his armor. Intrigued by the sense of curiosity that tugged at his mind and heart, he followed his instincts, weaving through bustling crowds and narrow alleyways until he reached a secluded corner that seemed to beckon him with whispered promises of mystery and adventure.

There, nestled between two nondescript buildings, stood a small shop that seemed to materialize out of thin air, its sign bearing the cryptic inscription "Arcane Emporium" in faded gold letters. Leo frowned, puzzled by the fact that he had never noticed the shop before, despite his frequent explorations of Orario's streets.

Peeking his head out of the alleyway, he notices a few shops he's been to. The gruff dwarf he bought his colossal sword from stands by an anvil, hammering away at another blade, the Hostess of Fertility, a few stores down. Peering back at the old, fading golden letters, he has a confused look.

"When did this get here?" He questions quietly. Intrigued by the mysterious aura that surrounded the place, Leo pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside, the scent of ancient parchment and arcane energy filling his senses. The interior of the shop was dimly lit, its shelves lined with dusty tomes and curious artifacts that seemed to pulsate with unseen power.

As Leo browsed through the eclectic collection of items, his eyes fell upon a weathered grimoire nestled among a stack of old scrolls. As he reached a hand to grab the old tome, the feeling of being watched sent a chill up his back. He quickly turns his head and sees an older man watching him with keen interest and a curious twinkle in his eyes.

The older man is a figure of both mystique and reverence, a wizard whose very presence seems to command attention. His tall frame is draped in robes of deep indigo, trimmed with intricate patterns that shimmer with faint traces of arcane energy. The fabric flows around him like a river caught in a gentle breeze, hinting at movements both fluid and deliberate.

In one hand, he holds a staff of polished oak, carved with intricate runes that pulse with a faint, ethereal light. It serves not only as a tool of his craft but also as a symbol of his connection to the forces of magic that flow through the world. With each step he takes, the staff taps against the ground, echoing the rhythmic cadence of his movements.

His eyes are what keep Leo staring at him curiously—pools of warmth and kindness that seem to radiate a gentle glow. Behind their depths lies a wellspring of wisdom, ancient and boundless, as if they hold the secrets of the cosmos themselves. They regard you with a mixture of curiosity and compassion, as if seeing not just the person standing before him but the soul that resides within.

"Ah, do not mind me, young man. I was simply curious about who wandered into my little world of wisdom. You are free to look through anything until you are satisfied, but do be careful. Some knowledge can be dangerous to the untrained mind." His deep but wise voice speaks up, snapping Leo out of his curious trance. The young man nods his head and turns his attention back to the old grimoire before him.

Intrigued by the crackling energy that seemed to emanate from its pages, he reached out and carefully lifted the book. A sudden jolt of sky blue mixed with purple electricity lightly zaps him, causing him to jump in surprise.

Opening the grimoire, Leo was greeted by blank pages. Confused, he quickly flipped through the whole book to find it completely blank. He stared briefly at the last blank page. A few seconds pass, and his head is filled with a dizzy feeling. He grabs his head, confused, before he begins to sway before falling to the ground.

He landed on his back and stared up at the oak celling above him. His vision began to blur, but the final thing he saw was the old man looking down at him curiously before it all went black.

Leo's eyes quickly opened, and he was in a white void. He looked around, confused, when the scenery changed back to the village where he and Bell had grown up. An older man can be seen tilling some land in front of a cabin with a hoe. He turns and waves at Leo, causing him to smile.

"There are two types of magic. The first is what certain races are born with; the second, called Farna, is granted by a deity's blessing." A deep voice speaks out and echoes around the area; the scenery shifts to another deep-rooted memory of Leo's childhood. It was of him and Bell helping their grandfather farm some crops; both brothers happily smiled up at the older man as he led them while gently holding their hands.

"The latter is, in a sense, a form of self-expression. What are you interested in? What do you accept? What do you hate? Desire? Sorrow over? Worship? Or vow? What do you truly long for? The trigger is always within you." The voice continues, and the scenery shifts again, but instead of a memory, he's greeted with a colorless version of himself as it sits at a large table. He has a big smile on his face as he looks down at Leo.

"Okay, let's start. What is magic to me?" He asks, and Leo closes his eyes and thinks.

"A gift from the gods. A weapon to defend those close to me and to defeat my inner weakness." Leo responds as he opens his eyes; the scenary changes to the time when he was a little kid crying because of an accident that hurt Bell.

"What sort of thing is magic to me?" He asks, still smiling at Leo. The young man looks down at his past self as those feelings come back, hitting him with a wave of emotion.

"A bolt of lightning, one that is unpredictable like the storm of emotions I feel. A purple bolt that doesn't suit a weak person like me." Leo says, as his voice slightly chokes up. He takes a shaky breath as the scenery changes to that of a large thunder storm.

The rumbles of the clouds echo, making the space around him shake. Purple and blue lightning bolts strike the nearby area and light up the dark gray sky.

"What do I seek from magic?" He asks Leo. The young man stares up and sees the electricity arching over the sky. A brief image of the people he cares about being hurt fills him with anger, and his eyes crackle with the same electricity.

"To protect those close to me and destroy anything that dares to stand in my way." A light chuckle escapes the colorless Leo as he looks at him with crackling purple eyes.

"Is that all?" The young man stares back as he thinks back to feeling helpless when the minotaur almost killed him and Bell. all the times he almost got Bell killed, the day they lost their grandfather, all of it.

"If it were possible, I'd like to stand by my brother and protect him. I want to be his hero, like the fairy tales we read as kids. A person they'd be satisfied with." A somber smile graces Leo's face. The colorless version of Leo splits into different colors: red, yellow, blue, purple, and lastly, colorless. They all smile wide at him as different colors of lightning crackle behind their eyes.

"You're such a child." They all say it in unison. Leo nods his head and looks at each of them with a wide grin.

"I'm sorry, but that's just who I am!"

Each of the versions of Leo nods their heads as they sport their own wide grins, and each of them begins to disappear into their respective beams of color and speed towards him.

"That's who I am!" They all repeat before merging with Leo's soul; a warm sensation fills his chest as the world around him fades.

Loe slowly opend his eyes and stared up at the celling before him, his eyes glance to the side to see the old wizard staring down at him with a small smile. A quiet chuckle escapes the older man as he helps Leo to his feet.

"It seems you have found what you seek, young adventurer." He says this with a curious twinkle in his eyes. Leo tilts his head to the side, confused.

"What do you mean?" Leo asks. The older man once again chuckles and points his staff towards the grimoire that lies on the ground.

"It was calling to you. Did you not feel like something was guiding you here?" He asks with a knowing look. Leo nods his head and kneels down to pick up the discarded book.

"Your right, sorry for passing out." The older man waves his hand dismissively and gently takes the tome from Leo's hand.

"A grimoire gives whoever reads it the magic he or she wants. Once someone reads it, the magic properties inside dry up and dissipate, leaving a blank canvas behind. I'm glad it called out to you; it has been ages since I was given this tome. May it help you on your journey until we meet again, Leo Cranel."

The young man tries to speak, but as he blinks at everything around him, even the old wizard disappears, and he finds himself standing alone in the shop. The old wizard was nowhere to be seen, as if he had vanished into thin air.

Perplexed by the sudden disappearance, Leo glanced around the shop, only to find that everything related to the wizard and the arcane emporium had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a husk of a building.

As he stepped back out of the building into the alleyway, he glanced up to see the faded golden letters were also gone—not even an outline of what the shop was there. Confused by the encounter, he silently stepped out into the bustling streets of Orario. He couldn't help but wonder about the strange encounter he had just experienced.

Leo's head lightly throbbed with a dull ache causing him to grimace. He slowly made his way towards the Hostess of Fertility as the mout-watering smell hit his nose. His stomach responded and hungrily rumbled. He chuckles slightly and setps up the small stairs and into the building to see it lightly packed with people.

Anya can be seen quickly running to her table when she stops and notices Leo standing near the entrace. A mischevous smile crept onto her face as she grabbed her cat partner in crime. She whispers something in Chloe's ear before she mimics her and gains her own mischevous smirk.

Both quickly approach the young man and appear on both of his sides. Chloe reaches her hand out and grabs Leo's left butt cheek, while Anya grabs the right one. He stiffens up at the sudden appearance and touch of someone groping his ass.

They smirk and wag their tails excidedly before nodding in approval to one another.

"Such a great ass." Chloe said, Anya nods and squeezes with more pressure.

"Still firm but plump. That's so hot." She whispers as a small blush graces her face. Leo takes a deep breath and gives both cat girls strained smiles.

"I- It's good to see you both, Anya and Chloe. May I sit in Ryuu's area?" They nod and step forward. Chloe turns and smirks at him.

"Maybe sometime you can sit in my area; how about it, handsome?" She asks, batting her eyes at him. He resigns himself to her fate and nods with a small smile of his own.

"Of course, I look forward to it." Chloe nods her head excitedly before running and disappearing into the kitchen. Anya waves him over and points to a seat at the bar. He slowly makes his way over and takes a seat as she places a small menu on the wooden bar top. She smiles, places her hand on his, and gives him a light squeeze.

"Ryuu will be with you soon, Nya! See you around, cute ass Nya!" She says this before walking into the kitchen with a sway in her hips.

The dull throbbing in his head has gotten worse; he groans slightly as a heavy hand pats him on the shoulder. Looking up, he's greeted by Mia Grand in front of him with her toothy grin.

"White hair! Good to see ya, Where's your scrawny brother? He needs to eat more." She says cheerfully, and Leo chuckles and leans forward on the bar.

"He went out with our goddess today, so it's just me, unfortunately. I'll pass your message along to him." Leo says. Mia nods her head and starts cleaning a glass before setting a tankard down in front of him.

"So, what do you want to drink? Ale? Juice? Water? Pick your poison." He thinks it over briefly before deciding.

"What type of ale do you have?" He asks. Mia chuckles and points to a few large barrels behind her.

"We have Spiced Pumpkin, Vanhilla Bourbon, Honey Lavender, and my special blend. But that's more for heavy drinkers; drunks like Loki and Gareth love it. So, what would you like?" She asks with a toothy grin. Leo smirks and decides to go with the first option.

"Spiced pumpkin, please. Also, I'll take the house special for lunch."

Mia's grin widens upon hearing that. She grabs his tankard and fills it to the brim with the ale. She slides it towards him before walking into the kitchen to cook his meal. Leo inspected the liquid inside his tankard curiously; it was a dark orange color but had a strong, sweet aroma wafting from within.

He takes a sip; a small burn enters his mouth, but the drink is really sweet. A hint of cinnamon touches his tastebuds as he swallows it. A satisfied smile graces his face as he sets the tankard back onto the countertop. A familiar elven beauty steps out of the kitchen and walks over to him with her stoic face.

"How are you doing today, Ryuu?" He calls out to her.

"I'm doing fine, Mr. Cranel. What would you like to order?" She asks, bringing out a small notepad. Leo chuckles and points to a few different items.

"Mamma Mia is getting me the special. So, the roasted chicken, steak, and mashed potatoes. For a side, a nice salad with a side of mixed veggies would also be nice." He watches as she nods her head at each item he lists.

"I'll be back in a few minutes with your food; excuse me." She says this before bowing slightly and disappearing back into the kitchen. Mia comes out of the same door with a large plate in her hand. She lets it drop onto the bar with a loud noise.

The special today is a large rooster stuffed into a turkey stuffed into a duck. The three different types of meat hang off the platter with seasoning all over it. The scent reaches his nose and causes his mouth to water. Mia grins, seeing his reaction.

"Enjoy and go wild! You need to keep that muscle you've got going!" She says cheerfully, Leo tears one of the legs of a bird off and begins to eat it at a quick pace. He quickly scarfs down the meat like he was starving. He lets out a quiet yet satisfied burp before looking up at Mia, who was slightly impressed.

"Sorry, you said go wild. I tend to eat messy but hold back." He says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. Mia chuckles and shakes her head, amused.

"Don't worry about it, kid. Enjoy till your hearts content; now, how'd you like the ale?" She asks curiously. Leo nods his head and quickly takes a swig of his drink.

"It's delicious! It's sweet and tastes like juice; I can see why people get hooked on this stuff."

"I make only the best ale in all of Orario, so, thanks, kid." She says before turning to help another customer, Leo begins to quickly eat the large meal before him.

The throbbing pain has gotten graduely worse, it's now a crackiling pain that pounds inside with each breath. He tires to push it to the back of his mind but he girmaces slightly, he shakes it off and goes back to enjoying the drink before him. He had quickly downed the ale and nodded satisfied with his appatizer. Mia appears before him again with her toothy grin and grabs his tankard.

"So, would you like more ale or cool off with water?" She asks curiously, and Leo nods and points to the ale barrel.

"I'll take another, ale. Say, Can I eat with Ryuu when she comes out with the food? I kind of ordered the salad for her; I wanted to repay her for making me lunch every day." He says, feeling his face slightly warm; he doesn't know if it's from the alcohol or being embarrassed. Mia laughs heartily and nods her head before setting down his ale.

"Sure, that useless elf can eat with ya. It'd do her good anyway; all she does is work when the tavern is open and sleep when it's closed."

As fate had answered Leo's request, Ryuu walked out with a tray of all his food. Mia gives him a knowing smirk before facing the elf.

"Oi, take a break and eat with your boyfriend."

Ryuu's ears heat up at the insinuation. She opens her mouth a few times, trying to find the words, but only ends up stuttering. Leo lets out a quiet chuckle and motions to the stool to his right.

"I bought that salad for you, a way to show my gratitude for what you do." Leo says. Ryuu's ears heat up even more as she quietly sits down next to him and stares at the counter. Mia chuckles before disappearing into the back.

"I-I do not require compensation for anything, Mr. Cranel. Seeing you and your brother come back alive is all that matters. If me making you lunch every day increases your chance, then I'll do it." She says, slowly calming down from Mia's teasing. Leo chuckles and takes a sip of ale.

"That reminds me: have you ever heard of a store called Arcane Emporium?" He asks, and the elven beauty closes her eyes and begins to think. A few minutes go by before she looks back at him and shakes her head.

"Forgive me, but I have not. I know almost all the stores and stalls in Orario, but that one I don't." She says Leo nods his head and grabs a spoonful of mashed potatoes before shoving them into his mouth. Ryuu diligently eats her salad and enjoys his presence.

"Mr. Cranel, why did you want to become a adventurer?" She asks breaking the comfortable silence, Leo paused, his fork halfway to his mouth as he considered her question. It was a simple enough inquiry, but one that carried with it a weight of memories and emotions that he had long kept buried deep within his heart.

"To be like my grandfather." He said, his voice steady despite the memories that stirred within him. Ryuu looks at him with surprise, her curiosity piqued by the mention of his grandfather.

"Your grandfather?" She echoed, leaning forwards slightly as she waited for him to continue. Leo nodded, a faint smile touching his lips as he spoke.

"Me and Bell were raised by him; our parents died just after we were born. He would tell us stories each night after we had gotten done tilling the fields; some were about monsters he had faced. Others were about people he helped. Some nights he'd read us fairy tale stories about legendary heroes that have long since passed, like the argonaut." He stops briefly and takes a sip of his ale as a nostalgic glaze graces his eyes. His smile widens slightly as distant memories play out before his eyes. Ryuu listened attentively.

"He was a good man, the kind of person who always put others before himself, who'd go out of his way to help those in need, no matter the cost." As he spoke, memories of his grandfather flooded his mind—images of a wise and gentle soul, whose strength of character and unwavering compassion had left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

"I did something foolish one day; there was this goblin hideout near our village. I planned on taking it out by myself, but I rushed in without a plan and was outnumbered ten to one. Bell had followed me, thinking I was going to find a new spot for us to play, when he came out of the bushes," Leo continued, his voice growing hoarse with emotion. "An arrow hit him in the chest. I thought he was dead instantly, but out came our grandfather. He quickly killed all the goblins and carried us back to the cabin."

Ryuu watched as a tear glistened in the corner of Leo's eye, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him. But even as he choked back a sob, a look of regret and sadness graced his face, a testament to the guilt he feels to this day.

"I almost got Bell killed, but my grandfather never yelled at me or was angry. He just hugged me and told me that my brother would be okay. That's the day I vowed to get stronger. To never let that happen again, to become an adventurer like my grandfather. Someone who can put a smile on people's faces even in the darkest times." Leo finishes with a large smile.

Ryuu stared at him, her eyes warm with empathy and sadness. She could sense the depth of Leo's feelings—the revearence and admiration he held for his grandfather and the guilt and anger he held for himself from the tragic accident that his brother had.

Subconsciously, she reached out and gently squeezed Leo's hand, her touch a silent gesture of comfort and understanding. In that moment, as they sat together in the quiet warmth of the tavern, she felt a profound sense of connection with Leo, a shared bond forged by the memories of lost loved ones. She felt a warm sensation in her chest. Looking up at the white-haired adventurer, she glances down and notices she's holding his hand. A confused expression graces her face as she wonders why she doesn't care if Leo touches her, but the warm feeling grows inside her chest.

Before either of them could speak, a pair of footsteps quickly ran towards them. She quickly lets go of his hand and stands behind him. She flips the on-coming person onto his back with a loud thud. Leo quickly turns around to see his brother on the ground, groaning slightly while breathing heavily.

"Oh, forgive me, Mr. Cranel. I thought you were an attacker and were about to stab Leo in the back." She says slightly embarrassed by her current actions. Bell groans out one more time before he quickly stands up, looking around in panic.

"Leo! Ms. Ryuu! Have either of you seen my knife?! It's all black from top to bottom?!" He screams out, sweating, and Leo quickly stands up and grabs his shoulders.

"Bell, calm down. What are you talking about?" He asks, concerned. Bell takes a deep breath, but the scared look is still on his face.

"T-The knife goddess got me; I lost it! Please, Leo, help me find it." He says that as tears threaten to leak out of his eyes, Leo nods his head and pulls out a small pouch of valis. He gently hands it to Ryuu with a small smile.

"That's for our food and a tip for you; please take it. I'll see you later, Ryuu." He says this before jogging out of the Hostess with Bell.

The elven beauty looks down at the pouch before peering inside; a sum of 2,500 valis sit in the pouch. That then covers the meal since it was 900, so that leaves Ryuu with 1,600 valis for herself.

"Nya! Cute ass left you a big tip! I'm jealous, Nya!" Anya declares, peering at her. Ryuu turns to her with a stoic expression, but her ears are slightly red.

"I-I wonder why Mr. Cranel left me such a large tip?" She asks, and Mia comes out of the kitchen and laughs.

"Careful, clumsy elf, if you don't claim him as yours. Someone else will; hell, I might take him for myself if he leaves tips like that." She says with a cheeky grin, and Ryuu glances up at Mia with a serious look, but her face betrays her since it's slightly red.

"D-Don't joke about things like that, Mamma Mia. Mr. Cranel and I are good friends; I'm not worthy of a man like him." She says as her memories of her past come back, making her feel awful, Mia sighs and shakes her head as she fills up a nearby goblet.

"You're being dumb again; now get back to work. Your boyfriend will be back later." She says, giving her a knowing look, that Ryuu quickly disappears back into the kitchen, completely forgetting the depressing thoughts from before.

The sun was beginning to set over the city of Orario as Bell and Leo scoured the crowded streets, their eyes scanning the throngs of people in search of any sign of Bell's lost dagger. They had searched for hours at this point, and sweat dripped down their chins as they slowly caught their breath.

"Are you sure you dropped it around here?" Leo asked, his brow furrowed with concern as they re-searched an area they had earlier.

"We've already looked through this area earlier." Bell nodded, his expression grim.

"I'm positive," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "I remember having it in the dungeon; it must've slipped out of my belt somewhere along the way back."

As they rounded a corner, a small blur slammed into Bell's side, sending him to the ground. Looking down, it was none other than their supporter, Lili. She had a scared look on her face but was also disheveled.

A pair of faint footsteps approached them from the dark alleyway she had come from. Leo looks up to see Ryuu slide to a stop and slightly glare at the small girl, with Syr a little ways behind.

"Lili?" Bell says, confused. The small girl looks up with wide eyes and notices the two brothers.

"B-Bell? Leo?" Lili stutters out. Leo smiles, seeing Ryuu and Syr, along with Lili. He walks and stands by Bell.

"Good to see you again, Ryuu. Syr. What are you doing around here?" Leo asks. The waitress glances at the small supporter, causing her to sweat slightly. Syr smiles and holds up one of the bags of groceries she holds.

"We just got done shopping for supplies! We had to grab some for your lunches tomorrow." Syr said cheerfully, Leo nodded, and he gave the two a thankful smile.

"We appreciate it, you two. Come on, Bell. Let's search the dungeon again." He suggests, and his brother nods and gently sets Lili on the ground.

"We'll be going now; see you around, you two." Leo says cheerfully before jogging with Bell. Ryuu steps forward and calls out loudly.

"Wait! Mr. Cranel, is this the knife you have been looking for?" She asks, holding up a dark knife. Bell's eyes widen with disbelief as he looks at the blade. Tears threaten to leak from his eyes as he stares at her, and he nods rapidly. Leo chuckles and pats him on the back before walking over to Ryuu. He gently takes the blade from her outstretched hand.

"Thank you, Ryuu. Look at that baby brother; luck is on our side again." He states as he handed it to Bell, his fingers trembled with emotion as he held it close to his heart. A wide smile graces his face as he engulfs his brother in a big hug.

"It's really the knife! Thank you so much, Ms. Ryuu! Leo!" He exclaimed while tightly holding his brother. Leo chuckles and pats him on the back before freeing himself.

"So, where'd you find it? Me and Leo searched all over!" He asks excidedly, and Ryuu looks at the two slightly confused.

"Found it?" She asks, and Leo nods and ruffles Bell's hair.

"Yeah. We went into the dungeon and searched each level we were on earlier and the path that leads to it." Leo explains, and Ryuu nods her head and glances at the small supporter.

"I didn't so much find it. A prum had it." She says, the two brothers share a confused look.

"A prum?" Bell asks. Ryuu turns and slightly glares at Lili, but doesn't elaborate further. Syr giggles to herself and walks to the small supporter.

"Still, thank the gods; Ryuu found it." Leo says, smiling at the elven beauty. She looks away with a bashful expression as her ears heat up.

"I-I didn't do much. Y-Your praise is unexpected." She stutters out, and Leo chuckles and wraps his arm around Bell's shoulder.

"So, are we going into the dungeon tomorrow, little brother?" He asks, hoping to get a reaction, but Bell just nods and smiles as he looks at his blade.

"Yeah! I'm sorry, goddess! I won't lose it again!" He declares that as he sheathes the blade, he removes the sheathe from his waist and wraps it around his arm.

"We'll be going now; see you two for dinner tomorrow!" Syr said cheerfully, Ryuu bows slightly to the two before they begin walking away from the brothers.

"Um, Lili? Would you go into the dungeon with us tomorrow?" Bell asks, the small girl turns around with a wide eyes and looks between the two. Bell gives her a genuine smile, Leo smirks and nods his head.

Timeskip - The next day.

As the first rays of dawn cast a golden hue over the city of Orario, Leo, Bell, and Lili gathered at the entrance to the dungeon, they ventured down into the dark depths of the dungeon. Lili keeps glancing between the brothers and finally speaks up with a smile.

"Bell, Leo. Thanks for hiring me! By the way, Bell, I don't see that knife of yours." She says glancing at his hip where it once was. The white haired adventurer turned and smiled down at her and gently ran a hand over his arm.

"I put it here, so I woun't drop it again." Lili looks at it as her eyes slightly squint, she will remember that.

"Did you?" she questions curiously, he nods as they stop in the middle of the dungeon hall.

"Anyway, are you sure you don't want any money for the contract?" He asks, Lili shakes her head and looks up with smile.

"Yes. Since it's the two of you, distributing the loot isn't that complicated." She says cheerfully, Leo turns and looks deeper down the hallway a smirk graces his face.

"Come on, let's go! I wanna fight something!" He says excided, Bell shakes his head ammused at his brothers antics.

"Do you love fighting, Leo?" Lili asks, Leo nods his head as he lets a chuckle escape him.

"Yeah. It's fun!" He exclaims, the trio began their walk again. Their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls as they ventured deeper into the darkness. The air grew colder with each step, and the faint sounds of distant monsters reverberated through the darkness.

"How deep should we go today?" Lili asks, Bell glances at his brother who shrugs.

"Let's see.. how about floor eight?" Leo nods satisfied with that.

"I'm fine with that, what about you Lili?" He asks glancing over his shoulder, the small girl nods her head cheerfully.

"Lili is fine with anything! Leo and Bell are amazing!" She compliments the two brothers.

As they navigated the labyrinthine corridors and treacherous passageways, a sudden group of kobolds appeared through the darkness.

Their sharp claws and jagged teeth glinting in the faint torchlight. The air was thick with tension as the three of them squared off against their adversaries, weapons drawn.

"I'll follow your lead, Leo." Bell called out, his voice steady and full of trust. Leo smirks and nods his head as he tightens his grip on his sword as he prepared to face the oncoming onslaught of kobolds. With a battle cry, the creature lunged forward, their movemetns swift and agile as they closed the distance between themselves and their prey.

The first kobold lunged at Leo with a snarl, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. With a swift parry, Leo deflected the blow, his sword singing as it clashed against the creature's dagger-like claws. With a grunt of effort, he pushed back against the kobold's onslaught. He crouched down lower and spun his body around kicking the legs out from under the small creature, it fell onto it's back growling before a giant blade slammed into its face cutting into two halves.

Meanwhile, Bell danced gracefully through the chaos, his dagger flashing in the darkness as he deftly dodged and countered the attacks of his foes. With each strike, he aimed for the creatures' weak spots, aiming to incapacitate rather than kill, his movements precise and calculated as he sought to end the conflict with as little bloodshed as possible.

A fourth and fifth lunged together at Leo, Bell quickly stepped in and stabbed them in some non-vital areas. The two monsters stumbled feeling the blade pierce the skin, Leo quickly steps up and kicks one in the head sending it cannoning into the wall. He quickly turns his body and slams his fist into the top of the other's head squishing it against the floor splattering brain matter over the stone floor.

A growl escapes the embeded kobold as it watched his friend get massacred, he tried to freehimself but he was stuck. Bell quickly ran over and stabbed it through the neck severing it's brainstem thus killing it.

Despite their best efforts, the kobolds fought with a ferocity and tenacity that belied their small stature, their numbers proving to be a formidable challenge for the two adventurers. With each passing moment, the battle grew more intense, the sounds of clashing steel and snarling beasts filling the air with a cacophony of noise.

As the last of the kobolds fell to the ground, defeated but not forgotten, Leo and Bell stood victorious amidst the wreckage of battle, their chests heaving with exertion but their spirits unbroken. With a shared smile of triumph, they high-five eachother before collecting some of the magic stones. Lili watched in awe of the display once again, she quickly snapped out of her stupor and helped the two brothers grab the stones.

"Once again we make a good team." Said Bell with a smile, he carves out a stone and glances at his brother. Leo nodded in agreement.

"The best."

2 hours later...

Three large pouches sit before Lili, Bell, and Leo. Vali's almost overflowing from the leather and spilling onto the table. The three stare wide-eyed at the ammount before them.

"36,000 valis?!" They all exclaimed, This has been the most the brothers have made in a single trip.

"It's not a dream, right?!" Bell asks, not sure if it's real. Leo chuckles and pats him on the back.

"All this money is ours! We kicked ass today!" Leo exclaims, pumping his fist. Lili looks up, shocked.

"Wow, Bell, Leo! You made more than a five-man party of level 1 adventurers as a duo!" She compliments the two again.

"Well, they say if you praise a rabbit, it'll climb a tree! That must be it!" Said Bell. Leo gives him a confused glance.

"I have no idea what that means, but I'll join in!" Lili said it cheerfully. Leo chuckles at their antics and slides one of the pouches towards the small supporter.

"Time to split the loot; that's your half, that's Bell's, and this is mine!" He says happily, and Lili looks at the large pouch with wide eyes before glancing back at the two brothers.

"Maybe I can get goddess something good to eat with this!" Said Bell, Leo snickers and pats him on the shoulder.

"Spend some of that on yourself; we could eat at the hostess tonight." Leo suggests, and Bell nods with a happy smile on his face. Lili didn't utter a word as she stared at the two, confused.

"Leo? Why are you splitting it evenly with me?" She questions, finally breaking out of her stupor. The two brothers share a look before glancing down at their supporter.

"We always split the loot evenly between us, right, Leo?" Bell asks, confused, and he nods his head.

"That's right; it's how we've always done things. Why, did you want some more?" He asks as he pulls out some from his pouch, and she quickly shakes her head.

"No! That's not what Lili meant! Aren't you going to take it all for yourself?" She was confused even more when the brothers shared another look.

"Why'd we do that?" Leo asked as he tilted his head to the side, and Bell gave the small supporter a wide smile.

"Me and Leo earned enough when it was just us two. We only got this much because you were with us! It's all thanks to you!" He says cheerfully. Lili looks between the two, surprised and confused; she has never met adventurers such as the white-haired brothers. Her gaze looks down as a sad, faraway look glazes over her eyes.

"You're weird," she whispers quietly. Leo looks at her with a concerned look but decides to stay quiet. They watch as she grabs the large pouch and silently leaves without saying anything else to them.

"I wonder what that was about?" Bell asks as he watches Lili disappear among the crowd. Leo heaves a sigh and slides his pouch into his satchel.

"I don't know, but I hope she's okay."

Leo glances at Bell and nods his head to the right, and the two begin their trek back home for the night.

Timeskip - ?

As the moon hung low in the night sky, casting its silvery light over the sleeping city of Orario, Leo lay in his bed, lost in the depths of a restless slumber. His dreams were filled with nightmares, and voices whispered and blamed him for the death of his brother. His grandfather disowning him, nightmare after nightmare. Soft groans escape him as he tosses and turns in his bedroll, and sweat slowly drips down his body from the constant movement.

But as the night wore on, something stirred within Leo—a primal instinct that called out to him from the depths of his subconscious. With a groan, he rose from his bed, his movements slow and unsteady as he stumbled towards the door, his eyes still glazed with sleep.

Outside, the city lay shrouded in darkness, the streets silent and empty, save for the occasional flicker of torchlight in the distance. But Leo paid no heed to the stillness of the night; he sluggishly made his way up the stairs and out of the decaying church.

With each step he took, Leo stumbled to the side before correcting his balance. Something called out to him from the depths of unconsciousness. His head dropped to the side before slugishly raising slightly. He faces the direction of the dungeon before stumbling down the street.

Leo felt the pull of destiny guiding him towards the dungeon, its looming silhouette a beacon of light amidst the shadows that surrounded him. And as he reached the entrance, a surge of energy crackled from his hands as small arcs of purple electricity danced around his fingers, the crackling power of lightning magic awakening within him like a slumbering giant.

Soft footsteps reverberate around the stoney walls as Leo makes his way deeper into the lower levels. The air grew thicker, but the young man slugishly walked forward. A small group of killer ants crawled towards the lone adventurer; their eyes glowed bright red as they speeded towards their next meal.

The large pincers of a killer ant open wide as it gets ready to split Leo in half. Time seemed to slow down, and with a voice that was not his own, Leo spoke the words that echoed through the darkness.

"Lightning bolt..." he whispered, his voice a mere whisper in the dungeon.

In an instant, a brilliant purple bolt of lightning shot forth from his outstretched hand, illuminating the chamber with its dazzling light. With a deafening crack, it struck the closest ant, sending it flying back. It screetches as it's body slowly cooks alive, it rolls around on the stoney floor trying to get the electricity to stop but it arcs around it's body killing it.

As a few others walk near their down comrade, large arcs of purple travel to them and also begin to slowly cook them. One by one, more ants begin to get zapped before the whole group is nothing but a sizzling pile.

Leo paid no heed to the chaos that surrounded him, his mind still in the land of dreams. He slugishly walked on, stumbling from time to time but a faint purple glow courses through his vents as small bolts of lightning zap the ground under his feet.

4 Hours later...

A groan escapes Leo's mouth as his eyes slowly open, his vision blurry as he slowly blinks it away. A large chill blows over his whole body, and he looks around, confused to see his stoney surroundings.

"What the hell? Am I in the dungeon?" He questions. Looking down, he sees his body without a shirt and his sleepwear in tatters. Small cuts line his torso, legs, and arms. A large pain begins to fill his head.

Bringing one of his hands up to it, something catches his eye; the veins in his hand pulse with a purple glow, and small lightning bolts arc around his fingers. The pain in his head begins to get worse, causing his vision to blur.

"Wh-what is happening to me?!" He says this through gritted teeth, and the throbbing pain gets unbearable as a loud scream escapes him. His body begins to twitch uncontrollably as small bolts of lightning shoot out of him.

Leo falls to his knees, then onto his stomach, face first on the dungeon floor. His body cunvulses every so often before an explosion of lightning erupts from him. Bolts of electricity fly out in every direction and slam into the stoney surroundings.

The last thing he saw before darkness took over was a person with jade green hair rushing towards him.