Kuro Shinri was a coward.

That was just his nature, in any situation that warranted it, he would flee. Whether that was in the depths of the dungeon or the few instances that he'd managed to party up with a few adventures he would escape at the first sign of trouble leaving them to deal with it.

He loathed all adventures. They'd treated him no better than the filth they slayed in the dungeon so why shouldn't they suffer the same fate? He had no friends, no family, and especially no Familia. That was an idea Kuro had abandoned long ago, rejection after rejection had made him bitter.

Perhaps it was due to how weak he was; he was hardly even a level-one adventurer. No matter how hard he pushed himself, Kuro had hit a wall before he had even begun running.

Not that it mattered to him; all he was focused on was surviving. That was all he could do now.

Once more, he found himself in the dungeon's depths, somewhere between the starting floors. It wasn't Kuro's first choice to earn money, but unfortunately, if he was going to afford anything it was the best place to start.

Scathing under a roaring ant, Kuro jabbed the rusted broadsword he'd looted off another adventurer into its underbelly, watching it explode in a cloud of smoke, dropping a small gem to the ground.

It was tiny, nothing compared to the sizes professional adventures would collect after slaying great beasts. He couldn't be envious though, this was the best he could do, and that had already been expected.

Monsters just kept coming, flooding the room left and right. It wasn't as if they were particularly strong, but with the weak level Kuro was it still managed to overwhelm him, slowly but surely breaking his already feeble defense.

Kuro grunted weakly as a sharp cut slit along his arm, forcing him to drop the blade to cover the wound, 'I've gotta get out of here, this is enough for the day I just need to-'

Another cut found its way along his back; this time however it was a weapon, digging deep into his skin. Kuro felt his bleeding corpse hit the ground, looking through his hazy vision he could make out a flock of adventures grinning as they circled him.

It didn't take long for him to notice them. Spitting some blood, as he mustered a chuckle, looking up at them, "How heroic. I've got a bunch of adventures here to gang up on me..."

That earned him a harsh kick to his jaw, throwing his head back and whipping against the floor, "Don't act innocent. You the little shit, you screwed us over in the dungeon the last time we were here. We left you with our magic sword and the second we got into some trouble you up and left! We could've died!"

"Not my fault your all so damn gullible!" He spewed out.

Stifling a grunt, Kuro held in his anguish as more punches and kicks were sent his way, digging into his already open wounds.

Another adventurer yelled out at him, watching as Kuro threw up a small pile of blood, "You're scum you know that!? Acting as if you are better than all of us? With no Familia, no party, you don't even have any abilities!"

The force of each blow left him battered, hanging onto the edge of consciousness. Lures dropping to the floor around him elicited an actual reaction from Kuro, one bred entirely from fear.

"That sure wiped that smug look on your face," One adventure spat out, nothing but hatred filling his gaze, "If we kill you that could come back and bite us in the ass, but leaving you to the monsters-now that's just an accident and nothing more.."

Kuro's body was too weak to protest. Terror filled his every nerve as he watched the walls begin to crumble open, revealing large swarms of ants all congregating together scuttling towards the lures and him in the process.

"You...fucks," was all Kuro could say, his body spiking in pain as he attempted to move.

'I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die...even if some adventurers find me. They'll probably recognize me as well, they'll leave me for dead!'

Hearing them exiting the floor, Kuro could only let out prolonged cries of pain, feeling every one of the ants biting into his skin and tearing away at it. No one was coming, and he could do nothing but lay there, accepting his fate.

'I'm seriously going to die...I couldn't do a thing. I was at the bottom and I was stuck there. I wanted to Become an adventurer, join any Familia.'

Once the monsters were finished they left Kuro to succumb to his wounds. His consciousness was quickly fading, his whole being felt cold and open, '...I couldn't save anyone like a hero would.'

Opening his eyes for what felt like the final time, Kuro watched as a screen popped up before him, 'What...is this?'

[Access has been granted for the use of an otherworldly power]

At any other time, Kuro would've laughed at the situation, but now he could only glance, utterly puzzled, still wincing as he continued to bleed out.

It had to be a hallucination; what else would explain this?

[Does the user accept these terms?]

'Why does it matter...I'm still going to die. I don't...even know what this is.'

Then again, Kuro had nothing else to lose in a situation like this. He'd die all the same, so why not accept? For all, he knew it could save his life but he'd never been one to think that positively. For anything like this to happen in the first place was surprising enough.

[User has accepted the terms and shall now be granted otherworldly power]

Kuro sighed, his gaze veering to the empty ceiling of the dungeon, this was all his life had come to. Perhaps it was his mind's last-ditch effort to bring him peace.

'Ah...fuck'

Ais Wallenstein sped through the narrow tunnels of the fifth floor, worry warping her typical blank expression, amidst everything she'd been sloppy, and that fact alone was irritating her.

Her Familia had come across a particularly large pack of minotaurs on the lower floors, they had been returning to the surface after a successful expedition so they hadn't treated it with the seriousness of a typical fight. Noticing just how outclassed they were in strength, the minotaurs opted to flee instead of reaching the upper floors of the dungeon.

Now they'd missed one, as easily as they could handle one she didn't doubt that a level one adventurer would stand a chance.

Her flowing blond hair whistled behind her as she searched every nook and cranny of the fifth floor. Her party had split to clear more ground, which is why it was frustrating her to no end that they had failed to find it.

She continued dipping in and out of the floor, checking each and every dead end for the monster, before finally, a bloodcurdling screech dragged away at her attention.

Heading towards the a scream that was echoing across the walls, Ais rushed after it quickly facing the back of the remaining Minotaur - it hadn't yet noticed her presence more focused on the screaming boy cowering before it.

Acting swiftly, she swung her blade much like the wind carving deep into the beast, executing it quicker than she'd arrived splattering blood all over the white-haired boy before it.

"Are you alright?" She questioned, ignoring the blood soaking his body and clothes.

No answer came, the boy shakily picked himself up before fleeing the scene unable to face her. Ais watched him do so, sheathing her blade and letting out a mental sigh of relief now that the situation had been handled, it was the Loki Familia's responsibility to do so.

Just as she was making her way back to her party, she noticed the scuttling of ants hiding themselves back within the walls. As mindless as they were, even they had the basic survival instinct to flee from a high-level adventurer.

And then, she came across someone. Battered and lying in a pile of dried blood was what she had to presume was an adventurer, but no one from any Familia she noticed.

Their hair was a faded shade of red, cut at a short length. His eyes were shut tight, his face rigid and harboring much older and deeper scars - Ais continued to glance over his injuries, seeing no sign of life.

"Is he dead?" Ais spoke aloud, the body was cold but even she could tell there was some life left within him.

Right on cue, a large sum of the Loki Familia piled into the room noticing Ais, "What the hell are you doing running off Ais? Did you find that minotaur at least?" Bete growled, not paying the body any mind as he stomped into the small chamber.

"Yes, that's been dealt with. But, now I've found this boy, I believe he might be dead but I'm not certain," Ais continued to notice deeper wounds covering him.

Riveria entered the room after him, her face turning a little grim at the sight of the presumed corpse, "Let me have a look. However, I can't help but worry that this might be due to us letting that minotaur slip by, although his injuries don't seem to be caused by any blunt force that a minotaur would cause much rather than the ants that infest these lower floors..." Riveria commented as she continued to inspect his body further, mentally chanting a healing spell.

"I did notice some of them fleeing this room," Ais spoke blandly.

Bete snarled, completely uninterested, "So what? It's this little shit's own fault for going into the dungeon despite being so weak! Why's it our job to save him?"

"Bete!" Riveria yelled, scolding him as she raised her staff above the boy, casting the healing spell quickly admonishing any of his wounds, "Luna Aldis," She repeated, watching as the boy before they began to breathe if only a little.

"Good...now the brat's healed and alive. So, let's get going before we waste any more time!" Bete clicked his tongue, already turning away.

For once though, Ais Wallenstein lingered her attention over him, watching his face crease in pain, his breathing becoming rapid and sporadic, "We should take him back," Her words surprised the other members of her Familia, it was rare for the sword princess to show any interest in anyone, especially a stranger.

Bete was the most aggravated by the question, his eyes practically bulging from their sockets, "Are you crazy Ais!? We can't just go and pick up some random adventurer! He'll live okay! We don't need to coddle some weakling!"

"I hate to agree with Bete but he's right here Ais. We can't go taking in some stray adventurer from another Familia," Not hesitating, Ais nonchalantly lifted the boy's shirt, revealing the blank space left on his back.

Even Bete was perplexed by the fact, "What the shit? What kind of adventurer goes lurking about the dungeon without any Familia!?" The wolf-man exclaimed.

He wasn't exactly pleased to bring some absolute stranger back to their Familia, it was arrogant if anything. If some weak adventurer had gotten himself in a situation that almost killed him, it was an utter waste of time.

"So, we're taking him back I presume? Honestly, I don't see how well Loki or Finn will take this, but I'm in no room to argue so let's get going," Riveria finished, watching as Ais easily hoisted the boy's small frame onto her back.

Kuro stirred, beginning to wake.

Blinding light hit Kuro like a truck as he awoke, it was a stark contrast to the dungeon he accepted his fate within, 'Wait...where am I? I was sure it was over...in the dungeon.'

Eventually, his vision cleared revealing the bright aesthetics of the room surrounding him. Then his eyes finally rolled to the face of Ais Wallenstein looking down at him, not demonstrating even a flicker of emotion as she once more looked over every aspect of his face.

Whipping his body up, Kuro felt his back snap in response forcing him back into the adventurer's lap, "You shouldn't try to move so much, your body still hasn't recovered yet," Ais commented, nonchalantly brushing his crimson hair aside.

Kuro cursed himself for feeling embarrassed, this was the Sword Princess after all. For whatever reason, he had found himself in her lap if he were anyone else he would probably feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

Now, he just felt confused desperately trying to solve the current situation, "W-Where am I? I was in the dungeon.." He repeated out loud now, angry at himself for the blush he could feel burning into his face, 'Dammit, I can't move right now my whole body hurts. I guess what happened in the dungeon wasn't a dream, but does that mean..'

Sure enough, before Ais answered he watched the same screen appear on his chest and it was clear it was visible to only him.

[User has successfully been granted the otherworldly power. Full Counter]

Kuro struggled to not react, he looked strange enough staring so sternly at essentially nothing, 'Counter? What the fuck is that? I swear you can only gain abilities if you're part of a Familia or if you level up. There's no way I did either one of those getting chewed out by ants!'

The screen continued to explain, only confusing him even more.

[Full Counter: As the name states, it can counter any form of magic and direct it back toward the caster]

[To match with the ability, you will also be granted a Sacred Treasure: Lostvayne to better allow the user to use his ability]

'No way. I seriously have an ability like that, but what am I supposed to do with an ability like that it's not exactly like I want to become an adventurer..'

In reality, only a few seconds had passed bringing his attention back to Ais as she answered his previous question, "You're at the home of the Loki Familia, we found you unconscious on the upper floor of the dungeon."

The image of the three adventurers who had planned his demise flashed through his mind, he couldn't even harbor any hatred toward them it was what he deserved after all, all of the lying and stealing was bound to catch up to him at some point.

Now that it had, it almost seemed too good to be true, had he really been gifted an ability so out of the blue, he'd never heard of any adventurer having an ability like this.

'Wait...I didn't mishear her, right? Did she say I was in the home of the Loki Familia!? As in one of the strongest Familia's in Orario!?'

Kuro's body pulled up, only this time he managed to keep himself upright, "W-Well...I really appreciate you guys taking me in and healing me, but I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome."

He was sure that none of them would have any clue who he was, despite all the trouble he had caused it wasn't nearly enough to earn him any bounty.

"Oh, trust me! You've more than overstayed your welcome!" A high-pitched almost winy voice entered the room, the Goddess Loki shifting a displeased look Kuro's way, letting him know she wasn't happy with his presence.

It was a little underwhelming to see her in person, they were gods after all. Although, ever since they had descended to the living world the influence they'd had over heaven was shifted to Familia's.

But any divine power they'd had was forbidden to be used.

"Y-Yeah your right. Thank you for saving me, but I don't want to get in the way," Kuro stammered, an uneasiness creeping up his spine, moving to shuffle out of the room before the door opened ahead of him, revealing the rest of the Familia.

'Shit...'

"Look at that. The little weakling woke up," Kuro shivered as a werewolf towered over him, this wasn't just somewhere he could flee from. He was in a room surrounded by level six adventures, if they sensed even the slightest that he was a threat then there was no doubt he'd be taken down before he could even think to run.

Walking in beside him was a green-haired elf, "You seemed to have recovered nicely at least, the wounds I treated were quite deep. If any other mage had come across you I doubt they could've healed them," Riveria explained, as bitter as he was Kuro could at least admit he really had been saved from death by them.

"Thanks, you really saved me. I guess I shouldn't have put myself in such a dangerous situation," Kuro scratched his cheek, a nervous chuckle escaping him as he spoke.

Bete wasn't buying it, eyeing Kuro down further, "Yeah, especially considering you're some weak-ass adventurer who doesn't even belong to a Familia."

'Shittttt...'

Before he could work out an effective lie, Ais surprisingly came to his aid, "Just because he isn't part of a Familia doesn't mean he can't go through the dungeon, and get stronger."

'Did she just...defend me?'

"Even if almost getting killed on the fifth floor is a pathetic display for an adventurer, especially if they aren't ready for certain floors," Her words lacked any emotion, digging into him like a knife.

All Bete could do was scoff, not wanting to argue with her stomping out of the room in a huff, "Ah whatever! I don't care about some pathetic weakling!"

Suddenly, as Kuro was going to leave again even more members intercepted him. These two forced and even larger blush as they grabbed onto his arms clinging to him, "Ohhhhh! Who's this cutey Ais~? Is this the little adventurer you saved in the dungeon, so adorable!" Tiona grinned hugging his arm.

"Don't be so clingy Tione! Besides you gotta leave some for the rest of us!" What seemed to be her sister Tione pulled his other arm, this time pulling them into her much bustier chest.

Kuro was already bad enough when it came to women, he couldn't explain why but he would always become flustered far too easily, and having his body held by two Amazoness wasn't doing anything to help that.

"P-Please let m-me go!" He weakly cried out.

Kuro let out a heavy sigh of relief as he stepped away from the towering home of the Loki Familia. Unable to tear his eyes away from all the information pooling out of the screen ahead of him.

Ais had walked him out and waved him off, from all that he'd heard about her it really was a surprising shock to reality that she seemed so socially awkward.

[Full Counter has the innate ability to counter magic but not any kind of physical attacks, this can be upgraded much like skills and unlocks other abilities in tow]

[The user has yet to unlock any of the other abilities that they can be granted in tandem with Full Counter. Simply known as Demon]

'..Demon!? What the hell does that mean!? I thought I only had this Full Counter ability. I really feel like this should've been mentioned before I accepted all this..'

[As per the terms as well, a dormant floor of the dungeon has been activated revealing the demons of this world]

'WHAT!?' Kuro once more stopped in his tracks, making sure he'd read that correctly. If it was true, then a pit of guilt opened within him - uncertainty came with that, surely it would just mean a new floor opened? Nothing would reach the surface, right?

Shaking his head off any worry, Kuro continued to walk. He wasn't exactly sure where, he had no real home after all most nights it was spent either at whatever inn was cheap enough to afford or whatever alley looked comfiest.

For some reason though, that didn't seem good enough. Something that Kuro was sure had died out years ago seemed to be burning within him once more, maybe it was just him getting caught up in everything, or the thought of testing out his supposed new abilities.

Those fleeting thoughts he'd had just before he was thought to be dead, Kuro had figured those dreams would never come to pass, and that was something he was fine with.

But now, that was something he could admit frustrated him to no end, the feeling of being so weak and being able to do nothing about it no matter how hard he tried.

'Can I do it? Go back into the dungeon? Every time I haven't been able to go any further than the first few floors, but can I do that now? Become an adventurer?'

He turned away from the usual inn he would sneak his way into, it was late and his whole body was still aching but even still, Kuro headed back there to the dungeon.

...

So yeah, I've been wanting to write a Danmachi story with an original character for a while now. It's a very good anime and one I've been keeping up for years now.

There's a little from Seven Deadly Sins in there, but it's mainly just borrowing elements from the power system and the demons from the show.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and let me know what you think.