"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Hestia shouted at Darkness and me, coming home to see Darkness in the Duchess Armor, Bell and Pebble looking confused walking in.
"Now Hestia I know" I tried to explain but Hestia glares at me.
"YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER MAGNUS! CURSE ARMOR! YOU WANT DARKNESS TO BE KILLED!" Hestia yells at me, Darkness stands her ground.
"This armor will not take another victim" Darkness swore, not helping her case as I shook my head.
"What's going on?" Bell comes in, confused with all the yelling. I signed for him.
"Hey Bell, we got new armor for Darkness" I point at Darkness new armor Bell and Pebble look at it.
"Wow! The armor looks so cool! And strong! That armor fits you Darknes" Bell points and look over the armor as Darkness blush with embarrassment.
"Thank you Bell, while I love my old armor, his one fill more….fitting" Darkness states with a blush with Hestia grits her teeth.
"Fitting?! That armor is cursed! Everyone who was attacked by monsters! it's a monster magnet!" Hestia points at the armor to Bell's shock.
"WHAT?! MONSTER MAGNET" Bell shouts in shock, I cover my ears at all the yelling.
"Enough with the yelling already, we got it for a steal and it works for us" I said while holding my ears. Looking at Bell and Hestia, Pebble sat in my arms resting.
"Darkness has the highest defence, that will only grow stronger. We just need to kill any monster before they get to Darkness" I explain to them, seeing how exilia works by getting more experience with different monsters before it gets boring.
"We want to be the best right, Bell has weird growth and my magic can level up fast but Darkness needs an edge" I point out, Hestia looks nervous for a second and Bell nods.
"Darkness will be the shield between us , you kill the monster quick while I heal her in case" I state knowing we can make it work, Bell looks in for it but Hestia is not convinced.
"Many die before in that armor Magnus, I don't want to lose anyone" Hestia admits to us, not wanting to lose anyone of her familia. Darkness steps forward.
"Goddess Hestia, I understand the grief of others losing their adventurers, but I swear to you, I will return to you, not just for you but for many others that have fallen to this armor" Darkness got on her knees holding Hestia's hand.
"I will not only return to you alive and well, but no more would adventurers fall to this armor curse for only I will take the pain and beyond, The Duchess has found her woman" Darkness points her hand on her armor, Hestia looking wide eye for a second as I notice Darkness nodding a little with Hestia eyes narrowing before nodding.
What is this about? I thought with Hestia signing, looking at the three of us.
"You three better keep Darkness alive for me, or you be very sorry" Hestia points the finger at all of us. Bell and I nod.
"Darkness will come back with us Goddess" Bell swore to her.
"Don't worry she never goes along with that armor" I state, if a monster really attacks her then we need to keep an eye on her the whole time, Darkness blushed.
"So possessive" Darkness mutters, I look over the armor.
"I'll add a few runes to help out" I said, seeing if I can give her some shield magic or something. I turn to Bell.
"So how was your dungeon dive Bell?" I asked him, seeing him going back to the dungeon by himself. Bell pulls out a Darkness necklace.
"It was weird at first, I felt alone for a while but then got Pebble and Darkness's necklace, here you go" Bell handed it back to Darkness but Darkness shook her head.
"Keep it Bell, looks better on you than me" Darkness said with a smile. Bell looked unsure but I nodded.
"Thank Darkness, I won't let you down" Bell spoke as Hestia claps her hands, getting our attention.
"Alright everyone, time to eat" Hestia calls out, Pebble jumps from my hands as he jumps towards Hestia.
Grabbing the golem, we all follow the goddess to another familia dinner.
LINE
The next morning we all get ready for another day in the dungeon, Darkness got her armor and sword ready, I tune up my gauntlets and runes with Bell getting his out of place green armor on.
Even Pebble's stretching his little rock body for today.
"Were heading off Goddess" Bell calls out, Hestia waves from her bed while going back to sleep.
"Food on the table if you get hungry" I spoke to her, Pebble jumped on my shoulder as we all headed out to the dungeon in the city. Walking down the street following the crowd of Adventures into the dungeon floors.
I notice a few look for Darkness in her Duchess armor. Some look at her with pity while others are exchanging money to her, a bet how long she lasts downstairs.
But those aren't the ones I worried about, looking to see a few more desperate adventurers. Those looking worse for wear with down-graded weapons and poor armor quality. Seeing them eyeing Darkness's armor with greed and desperations.
Knowing the value of Darkness's armor and the infamous reputation it's not just the monster we need to keep an eye for. I stand glaring at those few looking at her with greed, some look away but I can tell others are still detriment or desperate enough to try something.
I look at Darkness not noticing or not caring the looks she was getting however Bell looking around as well, I see him noticing most of the Support around us.
"Should we get a supporter?" Bell asked us, I raised an eyebrow on him.
"Supporter? Why do we need support?" Darkness asked him. I notice the large backpacks on the Supporters and few wearing a few supporting shoulder guards, holding a few items.
"Supporters are low level adventurers; they carry large backpacks filled with items and other stuff. They help Adventurers by carry the monster stones, spare weapons and items, they very important in logistics of any party" I explains to her, Darkness nodding.
"Useful" Darkness seeing the benefits of the Supporters.
"Sadly few people see the benefits of it and look down on it, treat them like dirt" I shake my head at the stupidity of people, not understanding how screwed they would be if the entire Supporters stopped helping.
"Really?" Darkness spoke in surprise, why is she looking egger.
"Yeah some Support are from lower familiars with the more experienced Adventurers" I explained to her, making her think for a second, oh no.
"Mister! Mister! The white hair!"
A young, feminine voice called out to us as we turned around, coming face to face with...a backpack? Huh?
"Ahem! Down here." I looked down, face to face with the same Pallum girl from yesterday, garbed in a slightly torn red and white hooded top, a red skirt, black tights and light brown boots. Of course, said clothes were hidden by the coat she wore. With the Supporter Backpack on her back, they are always amazed with the amount of weight they can carry despite their size.
"Hello Adventurers, This may be sudden, but would you be in need of a Supporter?"
"A Supporter?" Bell tilted his head looking at the girl.
"Does this sudden offer confuse you, sir? But it's actually quite simple." The Pallum girl said before explaining.
"A poor Supporter who wants to pick through the leftovers of an Adventurer is advertising herself." Pallum explains to us.
"Are you not that Pallum girl from yesterday?" Bell said.
"Yesterday? Have you seen Lili before? Lili doesn't remember it." The small girl said, apparently named Lili. Pebble looks at her for a second.
'Why is she speaking in the third person?' I thought, out of all things to point out.
"Are you not the same Pallum from before?" Darkness asked, remembering the girl that bumped into us the other day.
"Lili doesn't recall, although Lili does recall that armor" Lili points at Darkness armor.
"You party with people in this armor" Darkness asked, Lili nods.
"Correct, Lili should warn you of the danger of that armor" Lili warns her but Darkness only nods.
"I understand the risk and will not back down" Darkness states with conviction, did that girl just smirk.
"Aren't you the pallum?" I asked her, but Lili lowered her hood revealing cat ears.
"I'm an animal person" Lili states with Bell petting her.
"Really" Bell wondered but Lili spoke out.
"That's inappropriate" Lili calls out Bell apologising, the small cat girl smirk turning to us.
"What do you think of having a Supporter?" The girl asks us, bringing back the question she had previously asked.
"Oh that's okay, we don't need one." Darkness said to our looks.
"Eh!?" The girl exclaimed in surprise at Darkness's instant response. Bell, Pebble and I look at her.
"Why?" I asked her, What about her not needing support?"
"I can be our supporter, letting me carry everything, treating me less than yourself…..I'd be happy to support," Darkness smiles at the aspects of being a Supporter.
"That's not happening" I told her, she is too tough to be a supporter and might get the wrong item when we need it.
"Normally Support stays in their own familias, why did they come to us?" I asked her, seeing Lili looking away.
"Uh, but...Lili can't." Suddenly, Lili hangs her head down a little, her expression turning gloomy.
"You can't teammate up with your fellow Familia members?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. The girl simply nods her head. "Why?"
"Um, Lili prefers if we talked somewhere else," Lili said as they were blocking the road with them just standing there.
And so, the five of them walked over to a nearby fountain and sat down at a bench.
"Allow me to introduce myself. Lili's name is Liliruca Arde, from the Soma Familia. It's a very famous Familia." Lili introduces herself.
"Soma?" I try to recall the god's name.
"I'm Bell Cranel," Bell introduced himself to me, Pebble on his shoulder and Darkness.
"And this here is Magnus, Pebble, and Darkness" Bell introduces, Pebble wave at Lili as Darkness bows her head.
"Lovely to meet you" Darkness greets, Lili looks in awe at the golem
"Lili has never seen someone like Pebble before," Lili said, looking at the little golem
"Where did Mister Bell find him?"
"Magnus made him," Bell pointed at me, I nodded to her. Soma is a Hindu god of the moon and nights, also plants and vegetation. If I recall, Soma here is really into wine, making it the most expensive wine in the world.
I wouldn't know I don't like wine.
"...really?" Lili looked back at Magnus in wonder
"Anyway, back to our topic, why is it that you can't party with your own Familia?" I asked her, somewhat aware of the Soma familia, there always either drinking or getting money for more drinking.
A bunch of alcoholics in my opinion.
"Well, Lili is small and weak, as you can see," She gestures to her tiny body for emphasis. "So they don't let a klutz like her in."
'She's shunned within her Familia?' I thought, shaking my head against them.
"Lili feels uneasy at home, so she moves from one inn to another," Lili explained. "But she's run low on money...so, please!" Suddenly, she latches on to Bell and shakes him a little as she speaks with teary eyes.
"Please, please! Lili wants to go to the Dungeon with you, sir! Lili doesn't want to sleep on the streets tonight!" Lili begs as Bell looks down.
"Okay, okay, calm down," Bell said, pushing the girl off of him.
"Anyway, what do you say, sir? Do you want to hire Lili? It would please me greatly if you did." Lili asked us.
"Of course we let you support us, Crusade would never let this injustice settle" Darkness spoke with Bell nod.
"Just as I was thinking, welcome to the team Lili" Bell spoke, Pebble clapping his hand in agreement.
"Hmm..." Crossing his arms, I hummed to myself. Honestly we really need a Supporter right now, focusing on Darkness is enough but it can't hurt to have it.
Seeing the looks from everyone as I sign, I might regret this but I'll keep my wits.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to have one." I finally said, turning to the support.
"Well, okay then," Bell said, turning back to the girl. "But do I need to pay you some sort of compensation?"
"We're having a trial run today, so we can just share the profits from the Dungeon. Lili will be very happy if she gets just thirty percent!"
"Thirty percent, huh..." I said, thinking about it more before finally coming to a decision.
"Okay then. You can be our Supporter for today." I spoke to her.
"Thank you, sir!" Lili said, leaping up in joy as she grabbed her oversized backpack and slung it on quite easily.
"Then let us go, Master Magnus, Master Bell, Mistress Darkness!" Lili calls out. Pebble waves his hands, Lili smiled.
"And you too master Pebble" Lili told the little golem.
'Master?' Bell asks me I shrug, not caring that the girl is switching from 'Mister' to 'Master.' He decided to ignore it for now and got up.
"Off to the dungeon then" I follow behind with Darkness next to as a Pebble climbs my shoulder.
LINE
Liliruca Arde or Lilli has managed to join in on the party of not just the boy from before but also the female adventurer wearing the Duchess, she was overjoyed that her begging worked.
The only downside is Magnus the insane mage, Lili has to be careful around him as she knows he keeps one eye on her.
But Lili also knows Magnus will focus most of his attention on Darkness, a weird Adventurer in her opinion.
Seeing Darkness walking around despite the warnings from her or anyone else still goes down, like she is waiting for it. Magnus looks around with Bell beside him and that little golem on his shoulder.
Which she won't admit to them she finds cute. They enter the dungeon on floor one with Magnus looking around.
"Ok we're in the dungeon, Darkness I want you to walk forward" Magnus orders her, which she follows.
"Why?" Bell asked him, probably to see her get attacked, using her as bait, Lili wouldn't put it past Adventures to turn on their own.
"I need to see if this armor of hers is 'cursed'" Magnus states with a frown, he doesn't believe in it, well she can't wait to see his face.
"Shouldn't I protect her?" Bell asked, Pebble looks at Darkness in concern, oh an pervert too, save the damsel.
"Not to worry Bell, no matter what challenges lie ahead, I will stand tall against any ... .snarling, ravenous monster…in my way" Darkness moaning a little, Lili looks at her weirdly now. Was she moaning? Magnus signs watch her walk forward while Bell and Pebble look awe at her walking forward with no doubt in mind.
Lili somewhat envies Darkness' confidences.
Darkness walks forward, eyes watching around her, holding her claymore ready.
ROAOORRR
Turning to block a snarling kobold biting down on her armored arm. Darkness swings the kobold into another one then blocks another with her sword pushing forward beside her to move the kobold into the others.
The three kobolds all snarl at each other but turn to glare at Darkness, who stands into a stance ready to swing. All three Kobolds jumped her all at once but Darkness slashed forward, cutting all three at once with one swing.
Darkness smiled as she turned to the others. Bell runs up to her to see if she is ok.
"You alright Darkness?" Bell asked but Darkness smiled, showing her armor will do little damage.
"Never better Captain Bell, this armor holds" Darkness states as Magnus walks and grabs the magic stones.
"It still didn't prove that armor curse, anyone gets attacked by monsters" Magnus thought out loud, Lili walks forward to him.
"Monsters will attack Mistress Darkness first, Master Magnus. fight with her and notice the monster always will target her first" Lili explains to him, knowing from experiences with that armor, the party leaving behind members wearing that armor to save themselves while all monsters run to tear the person in armor apart.
"Then we will fight together moving forward see it for real" Magnus states walking forward with the others following, standing close to Darkness.
Magnus turns to see a group of four goblins running towards them, drawing a white dagger Magnus stands forward with a blue gauntlet in one hand. His magic wand?
Magnus stabs one in the head, turning to dust straight away as does Bell, slick on in the neck but the two other goblins run past them, running straight to Darkness.
The two goblins all jump to claw and scratch at Darkness, who blocks it with her arms like it is nothing. Standing her ground the two goblins jump on her, Lili watches as Darkness doesn't move as the goblins scratch and claw her in the armor but Darkness isn't reacting.
Standing up Darkness grabs one goblin's head and smashes it on her blade, grabbing the other on her head Darkness slams the goblin on the ground, the goblin tries to scratch Darkness' armor legs but it is covered by her metal skirt.
Stabbing her blade down on the goblin head, both explode in dust with Magnus and Bell turning to her.
"Those goblins ignored us" Bell stopped in slight shock, never seeing a monster move past him to attack another.
"Ok now I'm somewhat convinced" Magnus spoke out, now seeing that the armor curse is real, Lili will see how it will affect his judgement, will he sell back the armor or keep it despite the safety of his familiar.
"Will we keep going?" Lili asked, seeing Magnus thinking about the armor now.
"I don't know, monsters all attacking Darkness at once will be dangerous" Magnus spoke looking at Darkness, his golem Pebble copying his thinking look.
"I say we keep going…this armor will not hold me back and neither should this party ... .if I must take a horde of monsters along…then so be it" Darkness spoke, Lili noticing a blush on Darkness checks, oh great now Lili realise it.
Darkness is a pervert too.
"If Darkness won't stop then I say we keep going" Bell spoke in support of Darkness, despite not knowing the danger of the armor yet, Lili knows Magnus is smarter then these to newbies.
"Oh right but it's going to be hard, especially if monsters keep attacking us with that armor" Magnus spoke with Lili frowning at him. The golem claps his little hand in support as well.
"How hard can it be?" Bell asked, having such confidence in the first floor, Lili only worries for herself.
LINE
Fireball
Magnus shoots a fireball at a group of ant monsters surrounding the party, Lili spends back as she hides beyond a stone edge watching the ants all attack the party.
After going a few floors down more and more monsters start attacking Darkness, each time both Bell and Magnus kill as many as they can while few attack Darkness, who is still standing despite the damage the armor is getting.
Magnus magic is taking out most of the monsters with Bell sharp blades cutting them down like it's nothing. And Darkness is taking all the punishment from the monsters without complaint, only moaning for more.
Now Darkness is in the middle of a swarm of ants, all trying to bite down and tear her apart, but both Magnus and Bell are keeping most of the ants away from her. With Darkness herself slashing as many in her way.
Lili can see Darkness never goes for the attack in her fight with monsters, waiting for them to attack her first but here Darkness is getting attacked by all sides and is showing her swordsmanship.
Hydro Bomb
"Were surrounded" Magnus calls out, sending hydro bombs around them, his golem holding his shirt, Bell running around to kill the ants on the ground trying to get up. Looking back to see Darkness about to be attacked from behind.
"DARKNESS!" Bell shouted, seeing the ants jump Darkness from behind. Darkness struggles to get up as the ants bite her arms and legs.
But Darkness laughs against the ants.
"YES! Keep it up! I'm starting to feel it" Darkness screams in joy, grabbing her claymore to slice the ants around her in half. Destroying all the ants behind her.
"That riposte working now" Magnus stayed while stabbing another ants in front of him, Lili never heard of riposte before, but seeing Darkness seem to only attack after she takes damage.
Magnus pats his side, appearing in front of Darkness.
FLAMEWALL
A huge wall of fire appears behind Lili, focusing her back as she runs in front of them. The ants get destroyed in the flames, Bell dash forward in surprising speed, killing the remaining ant in front of the flames.
The last of the ants is destroyed as the room is littered with magic stones around them.
Lili looks around in awe, never seeing so much magic stone in one area. Or even anyone surviving the Duchess' armor.
"Amazing! Lili is amazed by the party! You might have broken the curse" Lili praised the party, which she really means, " Darkness lasts longer than anyone else who wore the armor.
"I doubt that" Magnus mentioned looking at the armor, covered in dents and scratches, the little Golem ran up to Darkness with a concerned look.
"You alright Darkness? Not too hurt are you?" Bell follows Pebble's actions but Darkness lifts her helmet up with a great big smile.
"Never better Captain Bell! After a long time…I truly feel like an Adventurer!" Darkness cheered, her face all red and sweaty after a long time of battle, Magnus grabbed his water bottle for her.
Maybe Lili should do the same, feeling thirsty herself.
"Heal yourself and rest up" Magnus order her,
"Oh but Magnus" Darkness tried to stop him but Magnus held his finger.
"No, you drink, heal and rest, we will pick up the stones" Magnus reinforced with a finger making Darkness' shoulder shake a little.
"So forcefully" Darkness said, taking the water bottle to drink and pouring it over her head to wash the sweat.
"Come on guys, pick up all the stones, Lili you too" Magnus calls out, everyone else starts picking up all the stones. Lili is more than eager to carry so many magic stones at once, everyone carrying as many stones as they can and giving it to her.
Lili smiled, filling the weight in the bags, but Magnus shook his head looking at Darkness armor.
"We can't use that armor" Magnus states, getting everyone's attention.
"But why Magnus, this armor is perfect for me" Darkness states with convictions.
"Yeah Magnus, Darkness seems to like it and it works for her" Bell points out with Pebble nodding in agreement.
"All the monster stones you can kill with that armor, Lili believes if anyone can break the curse it's Mistress Darkness" Lili praised them, knowing Adventurers love praise as they would more likely hire her again and if they wear the armor again.
More monsters means more stones mean more valis, and if Darkness dies then she might get a piece of that expensive armor.
"I'm aware of the armor but that monster attracting thing is annoying, we can't take any rest with the monsters always coming at us" Magnus points out, looking around the dungeon, knowing more monsters will come for them.
"Then will face them all" Darkness stands tall holding her claymore, ready for anything.
"Without rest, no we need to do something about that living monster bait" Magnus states thinking about that armor of hers, Lili shakes her head.
"Whatever idea you have Master Magnus, keep it up as it works" Lili states, looking down at the little golem holding another stone for her, offering to her, Lili smiled picking it up from him.
Lili looks at Bell picking the stones.
"It's good to have you here Lili, makes us focus on monster killing" Bell mentions with Lili nodding too.
"Oh no your taking out those monsters is better than anything I saw" Lili praised Bell who waves his head.
"Oh it's nothing, Magnus has magic and Darkness as her armor" Bell being humble which Lili smiled.
"Come on Bell, your speed is insane" Magnus states, picking up another stone on the ground.
"I notice your improvement in your dagger" Darkness points at him, Magnus looks up for a second.
"You also have that sharp knife of yours" Lili notices how sharp and strong that knife is, Bell looks at it.
"Yeah, although I'm starting to think I'm relying on it too much," Bell wonders out loud, Pebble goes to Bell, as Bell smiles while picking him up.
Lili looks on at the dagger, while she can't take that armor from Darkness and she can't take those gauntlets from Magnus but Bell's sharp dagger on the other hand.
"SHHh" Magnus quiets everyone, everyone looks confused at him.
"Listen" Magnus whispers, Pebble holds an ear out as does the others.
Ttt TTttt, TTTTT
Sounds like digging and scratching Magnus eyes widened.
"AMBUSH!" Magnus shouted, from the ceiling bust open as another swarm of ants surrounded them.
"AHHHH" Lili ran back, avoiding the ant monsters with Pebble following her. Bell slash at them as Magnus aims his fire gauntlet at the swarm
Fireball Fireball
Sending two fireballs at the swarm to burn a whole bunch of them , about to start swinging his dagger but one ant bites his arm.
"Oww motherfucker" Magnus growls at the ant monster biting him as he drops his dagger, grabbing the body Magnus throws it towards the others of Bell side, giving him some room to move.
"You ok" Magnus asked, Bell nods but looks at Darkness covering in ants.
"DARKNESS!" Bell shouted, running forward with Magnus following, trying to get Darkness out of the swarm.
Lili steps back as a few ants glare at her, she aims her cross bolt at them. trying to kill them but their exoskeleton is too tough.
Stepping back in fear until Pebble jumps in front of her, roaring at the ants.
"Pebble?" Lili asked, scared why the little golem is helping her, he is the size of a toy. What's he gonna do? The ants look ready to crush the little golem but Pebble isn't scared.
Pebble roars, throwing his little hand on the ground, as earth spikes stab into the ants.
All of them exploding in duct to Lili shocked.
"What the? how did you do?!" Lili, amazed at what she saw, sees Pebble smile at her which she returns.
Hydro bomb Hydro bomb
Magnus splashes water on the swarm, washing them away and healing Darkness while Bell slashes and kills as many ants as he can.
"We need to do something, Magnus!? Darkness could be killed in there" Bell shouted in horror at losing a member of the famaila as was Magnus who frowns looking at Darkness still covered in ants.
"I have a plan…but you won't like it" Magnus states holding his gauntlet out as lighting gather
LIGHTING STRIKE
A lightning bolt shot down from the ceiling, right into the centre of the swarm, every ant was shocked and stunned as they all exploded into dust leaving Darkness who is twitching with lightning shocking her.
"DARKNESS!" Bell shouted, running towards her with Magnus behind, Lili walked forward with Pebble in her hands.
"Why did you shoot her Magnus!?" Bell spoke out in outrage at Magnus who held his hand out with his water magic.
"I told you, you wouldn't like it but it saves Darkness alright" Magnus spoke out, turning to Darkness, her armor is covered in scratches and dents as Magnus starts to pour water on her.
"Darkness! Are you ok?!" Magnus asked, Darkness looked up at him with a huge blush.
"Shock me again" Darkness mutters out loud, Magnus frowns as does Lili, she takes pleasure from getting shocked.
"Oh you ok, thank goodness Darkness" Bell relieved as they helped her up, Magnus checking her over.
"No pain? Any dizziness?" Magnus asked, checking her over but Darkness stopped him.
"Only a little numb, but I must do a good job on that magic, killing all those monsters at once" Darkness mentioned with a blush, seeing all the monster gems around. Lili's eyes widened in the amount of monster stones around them.
"I think that's enough for today, right everyone?" Magnus asked, everyone nodded as Lili smiled at the party.
"Lili is amazed at what she saw and is looking forward to any future employment" Lili spoke out, smiling at the potential gold mine she has discovered.
LINE
I sign as we head of the guild, what a day dungeon diving with the Duchess armor. I know it affects my skills but didn't think it worked that well.
I lean on the wall at the guild as Bell and Darkness reception with Eina, Pebble is seated on Darkness's shoulder. Eina frowns looking at Darkness's armor before signing.
"At this point I don't know why I bother" Eina signs looking at me, I waved her off.
"Don't blame me, she wanted that armor" I stated, letting her know it Darkness chose.
"And I would choose it again, only a crusader with the will could..handle the armor" Darkness blushed a little to Bell smiled and Eina frowns, now she notices it too.
"And you have support too?" Eina asked Bell, nodding.
"Yeah from the Soma familia," Bell explains to Eina thinking, getting looks from them.
"Why what's wrong with them?" Darkness asked.
"The Soma Familia is registered as an exploration type familia but they also have a side business that specialises in selling alcoholic drinks" Eina explains to them, I somewhat recall that.
"However they also seem to be in a rush for something…never mind how was this Lili?" Eina asked them, Bell nods holding a large bag of valis with Darkness smiling, Pebble claps.
"She was nice and we made good money" Bell had a sane smile, remembering how they nearly got Darkness killed.
"I can see why" Eina notices the damage on Darkness's armor.
"This means nothing Eina, I will fall to any man or beast" Darkness exalted, getting a sign from me and Eina.
"Lili is very good as a support, knows what to give and what to expect" I give her an answer but frown a bit.
"However I think there's more to her than meets the eye" I spoke, I know she is not stupid and is quite cunning from what I saw, I can't seem to recall her.
I feel like I'm missing something.
"You know best Magnus, watch yourself" Eina warns me, I nod to her as we head out.
"Bell" Eina calls out, we turn to her.
"Your knife? it's gone!" Eina calls out, we turn to notice Bell missing the Hestia knife. I look at Bell in shock as Bell starts to freak out.
"I drop my knife" Bell freaks out, Darkness holds her hand up.
"It's alright Captain, losing a knife will not" "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUUUU?!" I shouted at him, grabbing Bell but his armor shaking him.
"HOW CAN YOU LOSE ITTTTTTT!?" I freak out at him. That knife is worth 200,000,000 valis! We can't lose it.
"Why are you freaking out?" Darkness asked, Pebble looks scared but turns to me. I turn to Darkness.
"That knife was a gift from our goddess, we can't lose it" I state, not letting her or anyone know how much debt we are in for that knife. Darkness eyes widen in shock.
"Oh my goodness, we will look for it this instant" Darkness states, Pebble claps his hands getting our attention.
"What pebble? We got an issue right now" I am getting annoyed out, Pebble points at my belt. I felt around my belt and froze in horror.
I check it again, water bottle, check, runes, check, medicine, check
But where the Typhon Dagger
"FUCKKKKKKKKKK" I screamed in horror.
LINE
Liliruca Arde stands in the store as she offers Bell's knife to Bom Cornwall of Grome's General store. Bom expects the knife but shakes his head.
"I can give you 30 valis for it" Bom offers, to Lili's shock, seeing the knife cut for monsters like it was nothing.
"But why?" Lili asked, Bom showed her the knife, pulling an apple and trying to cut it.
"Despite the markings on it, the knife isn't sharp, goon dull" Bom shows how the knife isn't cutting the apple, Lili frowns as she pulls out the bone dagger.
"What about this one?" Lili asked, Bom looked interested, touching the dagger as he checked and weighed it, looking at the apple Bom sliced it in half like it was nothing.
Lili smiled, at least someone was honest, how lucky she was when Magnus dropped his dagger when the monster nearly tore his arm off. Bom notices the juice of the apple being absorbed into the blade.
"Where did you get this?" Bom whispers, looking at the dagger in awe and some fear, making Lili grin.
"Does it matter, it could be yours now" Lili offers but Bom isn't sure.
"This weapon is dangerous, too dangerous" Bom states looking unsure, Lili frowns as she waits for his offer.
RING RING
"Well look who we found here" A voice states, making her stand in shock, turning to three members of the Soma familia, she doesn't know their names but she knows they see her more than often enough. A Large Bull person with horns with a Dark elf man and a female werewolf, all grinning at her.
"If it isn't the little support pallum" the dark elf grins leaning forward, with the female werewolf lean forward growling at Bom.
"I don't want any of this in my store" Bom threats them with the bone knife, but the Bull man grabs it.
"What's this? Used it pallum? It light got grip, Owww" the Bullman holds his hand to the blade, cutting himself.
"Sharp too, very sharp" Bull man rubbing his fingers, not seeing the bone grow, as the Dark elf and werewolf harass Lili.
"Leave me alone" Lili tries to get out, but the werewolf girl grabs her, the dark elf finds another knife.
"This knife sucks, why do you get this?" The dark elf complains, playing with the other knife, pressing it to Lili, it scares her but it doesn't cut her.
"Couldn't sharpen it?" The Werewolf lady asked, looking at the knife but the Bullman grins at them.
"This knife is worth a lot, we could buy 3 bottles with this" The bullman states, getting wide-eyed looks from the two.
"Really?" "You sure, it better not be like last time" both have a crazy look in their eyes, even Lili felt her breath hitch remembering the bottle they were talking about.
"Yeah but just to be sure it can cut" The Bullman grins pointing the dangerous blade at Lili, her eyes widened as she tries to escape but both the Dark elf and werewolf woman hold her up.
"Let's see how good the knife is" The bullman states, Lili tries to scream but a hand on her mouth covers her, she struggles with all her might as she watches him swing that knife.
Lili closed her eyes, not wanting to see the look of glee in the bull bastard eyes.
SLICEEEEE
"AHHHHHHHHHH" Lili opens her eyes to see the dark elf holding his throat, Lili look in shock at the bullman kill the dark elf, the werewolf girl keep holding her.
"What the HELL!" The Wolfgirl calls out in horror, the bullman looks at the dagger.
"No I didn't…..WHAt THE FUCK!" The Bullman hand moves around like crazy holding the dagger, Bom hides under the desk.
"Stop swinging it you manic!" The wolfgirl calls out,
"I can't!" THE bullman swing his other arm trying to hold his arm, the bone dagger swing to the side stabbing the neck on the wolfgirl.
"ASHLEYYY" The Bullman calls out, the wolfgirl chokes in blood as he catches her. The bullman tries to save her but she losing too much blood.
Lili slowly moves away to the door, but the bullman glares at her.
"YOU! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" the bullman charge at her, ready to stab her with the knife.
Only for his arm to stab himself under his head, stabbing through the head as he falls forward.
Lili watched all this in shock, never seeing such blood and violence in her life. Bom stood up, looking at the store in fear.
"What…what happened?!" Bom asked, unsure what to do, before Lili could say anything another shadow appear grabbing Bom
"AHHHHH" Bom screams at the back of the store, Lili stands back in fear, unsure what to do as she slowly makes her way out, but she grab's Bell's knife before leaving.
As she reached the door,
THUD
The bloody bone dagger is on the handle, stopping her from leaving.
"Poor little godling, stealing something that doesn't belong to you" A smooth voice is heard in the dark, a beautiful woman with metal gauntlets and boots, covered in blood from her metal claws and mouth. Lili is frozen in fear as the woman pulls out the dagger from the handle and a little bag in the other hand.
"Take this to the owner, he needs it, and the other one too" The woman gives the bone dagger to her hands, Lilli sees all the blood absorbed into it. Another bag in her hand, revealing it full of valis.
"And if you don't…well" The woman turns to the dead bodies, giving her a wink.
"Run along now" Lili ran out of the store, scared out of her mind as she held the bags and the two weapons on her person.
Walking though in the back of the streets as she quickly runs to find Magnus and Bell, hope that woman doesn't get her too. She can't go to anyone without getting into trouble.
Lili passes by two women dressed in green maid outfits, quickly walking by.
"Wait a second, little pallum, let me see those knives you're hiding" The elf maid spoke out, stopping Lili.
"Ryu?" "I wonder if it belongs to someone I know, and they never would lose it" The Elf states making Lili grip the weapons.
"Yourrrr…mistakeeennn" Lili tries to say, the elf narrows her eyes.
"One knife made of bone and another with markings, those aren't yours' ' The Elf threw a coin at her, making her drop the knives as she quickly ran away, hoping to get away Lili made it to the streets.
Running into Bell of all adventures, as they both hit the ground.
"Bell" Magnus calls out, both Darkness and Magnus help the two up.
"Lili? You ok?" Darkness asked, Lili looks to see the group.
"Master Bell, Master Magnus, Mistress Darkness, Pebble" Lili asked, seeing everyone, even Pebble waving at her. The elf lady runs behind noticing her cat ears.
"Ryu? What are you doing here?" Magnus asked her, Magnus knows them.
"Miss Syr, wait have any of you found my knife, it black with marking all over it" Bell describes the knife as the elf holds it up.
"This it" Ryu holding the knife, Bell gasps as holding Ryu.
"Thank you! Thank you! So much" Bell grateful for the knife while holding her hand, making the elf blush.
"I understand your gratitude Mr Cranel but if you want to hold a hand hold Syr" Ryu states to Syr embarrassment, Magnus sees her holding the bone knife as well.
"You found my knife too? How?" Magnus seeing the bone dagger, Ryu hands the both dagger to Magnus and Bell.
"I found it from the Pallum, she said she found it" Ryu looked at Lili cat ears, Magnus narrowed her eyes at Lili but Darkness smiled.
"It seems we must thank you for your help, I'm Darkness" Darkness introduces herself, Ryu and Syl look at her in slight shock.
"Hello Darkness, I'm Syl and this is Ryu, you're at Bell and Magnus's Party?" Syl asked Darkness nods.
"Correct, I've joined their familia" Darkness proclaimed.
"Well then congratulations, Mr Cranel, we should be going" Rye bows before leaving as Lili lets out a breath, but feels the other girl whisper in her ear.
"Naughty girl" Syl whispers, shocking her scared seeing the woman smile, Lili steps back as she watches them leave.
"Lucky day, right guys" Bell said to them, Darkness nodded but Magnus turned to her, while holding his bone dagger as Pebble looked at him.
"Yeah…lucky" Magnus said, looking at the dagger differently than to Lili.