I'm no Hero
I do not own Danmachi
Chapter 9 Dining with the Loki Familia
"I…sure' I said looking away as Lefiya and Hestia looked at me for suddenly tending up.
"Is there something wrong Bell I did ask Loki if I could and yeah she did complain a bit but eventually said yes and you don't have to worry I informed everyone of your presence there so please you won't feel please you won't feel unwelcome or uncomfortable," Lefiya said her voice somewhat frantic which made me question why she wanted me there so badly.
"No it's just there expensive and I've also got bad blood with an employee there." I continued to look away from Lefiya and Hestia as they both combined to say "Huh"
"Really Bell I know you anger people and are good at getting on people's nerves-" Hestia kept noting my flaws as I turned and gave her a dead look.
"No it's just that blonde-haired Elf that we met like yesterday yeah well I had a rather lethal meeting with her after I got attacked and let's just say things didn't end peacefully but she did say if I didn't go then I would be regretting it later." That made both Lefiya and Hestia open their mouths like gaping fish.
"What so that's why you didn't show up last night I was so worried and that girl hurt you." Hestia patted my face and I just looked at her before Lefiya's voice was more quiet than before.
"Oh, so you don't have to go then if that's it." Lefiya's ears dropped her eyes looked sad and she looked away.
"No it's fine I'll go…we'll go." I restated as Hestia smiled at that.
"Wait for Bell you know you don't have to even if a girl threatens you then-" I cut her off from her ramblings with a "shh~" that stole all the noise in the air to increase its volume.
"Just lead the way Lefiya or tell us the time rather," I said awkwardly and I scratched the back of my head sheepishly as Lefiya looked at me unbelievably before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"You're hahahahaha, so unbelievable." She raised her finger to her eyes before wiping a tear off both of them.
"It's at 8:20 when we should arrive so I'll see you there." Lefiya waved before jogging up the stairs jumping playfully on all the steps. I heard the increasing creaks in steps when Lefiya stepped on them I looked over to see the wood and stone staircase start to freak some more.
'I need to replace those too ugh…anyways I should get ready." I look towards the clock to see the time. 7:13 pm.
.
.
.
I arrived now at the Hostess of Fertility outside we walked in first I looked around the establishment for an empty table and I found one near the back.
"Ah, you came." I heard a voice and I turned to see the silver-haired girl Syr from before walking up to us.
"Do you know this girl Bell?" Hestia asked me her gaze turning to me.
"No, no not really," I say looking at Hestia quickly to gaze at her before looking back to the Silver-haired trickster.
"Wow really even after all we did last night you taking my bed and me not wanting to sleep on the floor," Syr said with a pout that somehow got me more annoyed at the girl.
"R-really." Hestia statutes and said in a squeaky voice.
"Ah no I was completely unconscious plus I don't think there's anything you can offer me that I couldn't get at the red light district, women," I replied coldly making the girl flinch slightly at the cold response before someone cleared their throat.
"Come with me I'll guide you towards your table for tonight." The blonde elf said as she started walking in the direction of the empty table Hestia gave me a look and I nodded following her and finding an empty seat.
She handed us two menus and started to leave before turning back for a second.
"What would you like to drink." She said in a rather unattractive voice that I returned with a dead gaze as I saw the prices.
"The fuck…I'll get the…." I had trouble deciding what to get but Hestia immediately said something and I just pointed at her.
"I'll have whatever she's drinking." I figured that Hestia wouldn't pick anything strange, would she?
Ryuu nodded before walking away and I sighed.
"Is that the girl?" Hestia made a motion to block her pointing with her hand and I just nodded.
"She's strong probably level 4 range," I whisper to her as I feel a glare directed at me from behind the counter it being of the Owner spotting me.
I grimaced and looked away as I heard a crowd of people start to enter the building.
"It's the Loki Familia," I said the obvious and Hestia looked at the people coming inside and when Lefiya was visible she looked our way and smiled heading in our direction.
"You did come after all." She gave me a playful smirk and I sighed.
"Yeah well I had a feeling you'd start annoying me even more if I didn't go so~" I slurred my last word earning me a playful punch in the arm as Lefiya sat down on the chair to my right Hestia being on my left.
"Aren't you going to sit with your Familia?" I ask feeling the stares of every one of them.
"Well today I wanted to sit next to you plus the tables next to us are getting empty too!" Lefiya said cheerfully as I saw multiple customers adventurers or not leave in the presence of the giant Familia.
"I guess that works?" I tilt my head questioning it in my head as I heard Lefiya giggle.
"You know Bell I've never met someone like you before." I turn to her at the sudden wording of her sentence.
"You don't care about other people yet you fight so hard for people you care about I find it admirable." She said with a smile that made my eyebrow raise at her as the next empty seat of our table was filled by a golden-haired girl sitting next to Lefiya.
"Sword Princess." I exchanged greetings with the girl and she nodded towards me and Hestia acknowledging our existence.
"Oou who's this Lefiya your so quick to sit next to him oh and this was the guy that was missing earlier too and you were so urgent in wanting to help find him is he your boyfriend." Tione the ample-breasted Amazon cooed as my eyes widened slightly and looked at Lefiya who was turning red with embarrassment the Sword Princes was pouting and giving me a very slightly annoyed look like she wasn't doing it on purpose.
'Is she?' I shake my head as I hear Lefiya's voice quack out.
"N-n-no B-Bell isn't m-my b-b-boyf-friend" Lefiya clenched her eyes shut hoping to escape the embarrassment brought upon by both Amazons as they sat down Tiona took the seat next to Ais and Tione next to her sister.
"Yeah, we just met like two days ago," I say trying to help Lefiya in her moment which I've fallen into many times you know older sisters.
"Wow, Lefiya in two days girl you go fast." Tiona smiled across the table as Lefiya squeaked in surprise and looked at me for assistance. I look away from her to not get involved anymore and avoid the embarrassment starting to form.
'Sorry, but you're on your own sorry not sorry.' I thought before I looked away to see my and Hestia's drinks get sat in front of us.
"This is the fruity wine you both ordered and what would you like to order." Syr approached and asked with a good girl smile that she didn't even realize the people sitting next to us.
"I'd like the umm." I stopped when the people at the table looked at Syr and Lefiya started asking for a drink.
"May I get what Lefiya's having?" Ais prompted and Tione and Tiona agreed.
"Bell are you doing better." I had a question asked of me as I turned to see Riveria having taken a seat next to Hestia.
"Yeah, I still feel a little dizzy but other than that I should be fine thanks for healing me by the way," I say to her as she gains a pondering look.
She muttered under her breath making my eyebrow rise. She saw my reaction and decided to answer my curiosity. "I wasn't the one to heal you it was Lefiya." My eyes widened before looking promptly at the girl before Riveria, only to see her focus shifted elsewhere.
I looked around my environment and I started to feel uncomfortable with the situation. I felt strange here and it reminded me of how I used to be back in my world. I was not a person who went to very populated areas but not out of shyness.
I was uncomfortable with this I simply stared at the ceiling wanting all my attention to be stuck on the wall until I was called by a voice I recognized but didn't hold very highly.
"Here are your foods I'll be returning with your orders shortly." Ryuu placed two plates down.
'But I didn't order anything.' I looked at the identical picture of the menu to the food to see if it was the most expensive item on the menu.
My gaze narrowed at her as her eyes showed slight amusement which made mine glare harder at her.
'This bitch we need money…since I'm technically under house arrest or my Goddess will kick my ass.' I shut my eyes before hearing Hestia clap her hands.
"Thanks for the food!" She cheered before taking her fork and stabbing into the random assortment of food that filled her plate.
"Ooh, can I have what Bell's having, please?" Lefiya looked over at me as I grabbed my fork and scoffed.
"Why are you looking at me prefer your own first and then try," I Grumpily told Lefiya who pouted her cheeks pushing out with air contained in them.
I sigh at her before stabbing my fork into the assorted amount of food that I noticed to be filled with less food than Hestia's plate. I wonder.
I held the fork to Lefiya to take the food in her mouth and she obliged moaning with delight before holding her cheek to cover up the red starting to develop on her cheek.
I passed her my drink for her to swallow the food fully and took a swig of the wine in my barrel-looking mug.
"Aah," she let out a small and cute voice smiling before returning my wine to me.
"Ah look at them they are so cute," Tione said gaining both of our attention before our eyes widened.
"Yeah, it seemed like they were in their little world." Tiona giggled into her hand and tried to cover her giggles as both of our cheeks started to go slightly red.
"Oi Hestia tell your brat to stop flirting with Lefiya." The voice of the trickster goddess came from a table next to ours as she raised a mug at me.
"I'm not flirting cutting board!" I retorted causing the goddess to flinch at the comment.
"Ah ha, Bell didn't mean that didn't you Bell." Hestia looked at me frantically before I shook my head declining the inclination to make peace with the other goddess.
"Right I didn't mean cutting board I mean you are so busty and curvy," I said sarcastically with a hint of slyness which made the goddess growl.
"Lefiya what do you see in this guy is that good enough to be your boyfriend hell he's in Short Stack's familia for our sake." Loki ranted before Lefiya raised her voice.
"He's not my Boyfriend!" She clenched her eyes shut and only opened them up to gauge the reaction.
"Please no yelling you're disturbing the other customers." The woman with almost perfect timing strikes again laying all the food with Syr accompanying her with more plates.
"S-sorry," Lefiya looked down abashed at her actions.
"Am I that undesirable for a partner," I ask mostly joking at Lefiya as her face shot straight up to me.
"Of course, you're not an amazing and dependable person Bell." Her face was closer than I had thought which made my sweat drop a little more prominent as she continued to hold her gaze right at my eyes.
"I was joking…" I sheepishly said as her face realized and shot back and started to redden once more.
"But thanks," I whispered to her reaching her ears as her ears twitched and her arms which were used to cover herself from further embarrassment were left at her sides she smiled at me and I smiled back at her.
"Ah, Bell your food's getting cold." Hestia alerted me while looking at my food before I started to eat while it was still warm. What I didn't realize while I was eating was someone's gaze lingering on me with a smile before flickering to the golden-haired girl next to her.
.
.
.
I ate my food in silence as I had effectively kept myself out of attention as everyone started talking while the food was dished out leaving me with my thoughts and that of the people all over the pub.
"So did you hear there's been a murder of 4 of Freya Sama's children?" I sink into my seat more as I keep my ears on the many people at the table that was talking about it being all that seemed like veteran adventurers.
"Hmm heard it was a guy with white hair and there was his accomplice a guy with black hair and cat ears a cat man." One of the adventurers must have concluded as I felt the stares of one in particular blonde elf with short hair and a maid outfit.
"Hmm wonder why you'd want to get the attention of someone like Freya-Sama like that." I closed my eyes trying to close them out and focus on myself.
I opened my eyes to see a skeptical pair of eyes staring at me. The green hair of the high elf stared at me as she overheard the commotion of the other customers.
I gulped and she turned her head away from me returning to her food and I returned to mine.
"Is there something wrong Bell?" Hestia asked me as she looked at me and I nodded.
"Just…I'll tell you later it's not the right time," I shake my head trying to clear my head from the growing migraine.
Hestia I noticed looked worriedly at me but I just looked down at my food more than half-finished. 'Maybe I am getting a bit tipsy.'
.
.
.
Taking a breath of the cold fresh air of the nighttime in Orario was a definite relief and a change of pace from the pub that so felt like I was in a stranglehold with any of my movements. I was currently walking home with my goddess after having filled our empty stomachs with refreshments and food of all sorts.
"You know Bell you're weird hehe." Hestia giggled having drunk more than her fair share after being challenged by Loki who drinks more and more frequently, and won that exchange leaving me with a very drunk goddess.
'Hopefully, she won't be too gone tomorrow because of the hangover, do gods have hangovers?' I had the question in mind for the walk home.
I lent Hestia my shoulder to lean on as we moved the streets of Orario in the silence and darkness that the world provided us.
It reminded me of when I got attacked…that wasn't something I would like to remember. I killed people actively going for kill shots and yet I feel only a little bad about it but it is overridden by my worry for myself and the people I care for and I go from thinking about killing them and feeling bad about it to doing all I need to keep people I care about alive.
'Why does it always go through this cycle of thoughts is that everything I live for…can I not live for myself by myself? Am I useless? No people here are at the very least at most times honest so they would tell me if I was.
Then what am I then…gah, I hate this why do I hate myself!? Why do I feel like such shit when I go through that fucking cycle and why am I so angry now!?' I used my empty hand to grasp at my head to steady myself from the massive headache I was having.
Then I felt myself move subconsciously pushing my drunk goddess away from a sword slash.
I took the impact of the stone on the floor as I quickly stood up seeing a total of 4 people standing there.
"Tch if isn't the hero brat oh and his slut goddess hahaha." The Weretiger was the most talkative of the party I was facing. The leader of the group was the Boaz with the Werewolf, Weretiger, and Raccoon.
'What the hell is my headache receding now?' I shake my head as I look up and stand straight.
"Don't call my goddess like that bastard," I growled out trying to reach for my blade handle that wasn't there anymore.
"Oh, are you missing your little sword kekeke," The raccoon cackled behind all the stronger people in his party.
'This is bullshit why the fuck am I getting attacked again what the FUCK!!! This shit is unreasonable,' I seethed behind my normal facade.
"Ah, what's going on Bell~" I heard Hestia slurring alluring them to her state.
"Ah, so we did strike a gold mine we were just going out to eat and we found you two could you believe our luck." The Werewolf slyly noted.
"Enough talking end him quickly for getting in our way." The quiet, serious, and determined Boaz stated making the other three nod obediently.
"You heard the boss." The raccoon said smirking as he looked me over. The Werewolf and Weretiger both showed sly grins as I got myself into a pose to fight against the three.
"Come and get some." I with all my strength that I have recovered ran at the three while the three ran at me. The raccoon came at me first and I defied myself to dodge the punch he threw at me I sidestepped him and managed to dodge the kick from the Werewolf to only get hit by the Weretiger's clenched fist making sure his claw-like hands didn't cut me.
"Aah," I coughed out saliva spilling out of my mouth as I was sent away rolling on the pavement.
'Those two are level 2's and from what I can tell the Weretiger is more experienced than the Werewolf and the Raccoon was of Level 1…but due to me still recovering I'm just a beginner level 2 level. And that Boaz…what level is he? Is he still 2 like the other 2 or is he level 3?' I looked concerned before standing up coughing a bit of blood. I wipe it on the sleeve of my jacket and crack my knuckles.
"Rah" I cried out running at them once more.
"Wait I saw his movements are equal to that of a level 2…be careful." The Boaz stopped his companions his eyes gaining ire as he looked at me his face never changing from his blank look that complemented his physique and ears.
"He's mine." One of them cried before the Werewolf ran first the others seemingly miffed at the direct defiance of orders.
I threw the first punch of our tiny battle as it was caught by the Werewolf's hand and I was pulled in by his grip as he reared his hand back to crash it into my abdomen. I allowed myself to be pulled but I used my other hand to offset my trajectory to crash my knee into his chest letting my hand go before using him as a springboard jumping fully over him and flipping to stare at the Werewolf's back.
I suddenly felt a spike of something in my mind that told me to duck and I obediently followed ducking a bat being swiped to use my head as a ball as I kicked the Raccoon holding it away before using my forearms to block a kick from the Weretiger sending me rolling with the impact.
'Dammit, when I do something to one of them then another takes their place.' I scrunched my teeth together in frustration as they approached me once more.
"Hey don't hurt Bell!~" I heard a drunken scream coming from my Goddess who was hoisted up by the Boaz.
"Let her Go!" I growled out running at full speed toward him.
"Ahh," I was kicked in the stomach sending me away once more as the Boaz bitch-slapped Hestia unconscious.
CRACK!!
Hestia fell on the floor with a thud her eyes leaking water out of them in a stream.
I sat up from the heap I lay in looking at the slap that sounded out and the unconscious and crying Hestia.
"Goddess." I moaned hopelessly as my eyes widened before I felt myself losing my common sense and using my magic.
I crackled the lightning in my hands before I filled my body with sparks that increased my stats beyond what I was able to accomplish before.
I didn't use my venom in either of my fights when I was ganged up on because of the Ganesha Familia Being the police force and something as loud as a lightning bolt being shot out however low my level is it's going to be loud and I didn't want them to get involved especially since they almost caught me yesterday night but all that was thrown away.
I ran with the newfound speed that now equaled the Werewolf who had continued his charge as our fists clashed together.
I shocked the Werewolf sending my electricity through my fist into his shocking him back before aiming for a quick follow-up that was dodged before I felt the urge to turn to my right.
I turned to my right to see a leg from the Weretiger aiming his leg to directly sink it into my stomach. I reacted by using my forearms to block the blow making me slide on the stone.
I regained my bearings and broke the little lock of strength by shoving his foot off my bow soar arms as I shook them to feel anything and again I did feel something.
The urge to jump was strong and I followed it once more jumping over a bat swing coming from behind me.
I took a good look at the Raccoon swinging the bay him being brown-haired and a gruff-looking guy.
"Tch" I slam both my feet into the man's face sending him away bleeding from his nose.
The Boaz caught him in his arms as he took a look at the now-unconscious man as he took a look at me before I looked at him.
His expressionless look turned more menacing.
The two others looked at their leader once before backing away. He pulled out a claymore from his back intent on slicing my head off my shoulders.
Then a loud whistle was heard then a shout "There people battling on the street again!" The yell was loud as everyone's eyes widened and my common sense was thrust back into me to deactivate my electricity the group of adventures quickly left at the Boaz's order to grab the Raccoon I quickly ran and grabbed Hestia in a Princess carry running into an alley to mask myself better.
"White Hair Stop!" Someone had spotted me.
'Fuck fuck fuck' I continued running from them getting slightly weighed down from Hestia in my arms as I moved through a certain alleyway and heard someone call my name.
"Bell, come here." I heard the voice belonging to someone I knew and I ran towards the voice dodging a knife that was thrown at me when I crossed the corner.
I entered the small shop tumbling down while the man who called out to me shut and locked the door before slipping the blinds off the front window.
"Miach-Sama" I cried out in relief before letting Hestia lay on the floor her cries stopping.
"Hestia" Miach cried out to his friend as I coughed more blood from my injuries all of them being of blunt force.
"Here Bell." Miach had given me a potion and I chugged the vial fast feeling myself get better I gave the empty vial to Miach who had grabbed it.
"What happened?" Miach asked as I heard a couple of sounds from the back of the shop.
"Miach-Sama what's going on-" I saw the captain and only member of Miach Familia, Naaza walk into the storefront.
"Huh, good night?" I tilt my head as Naaza huffs and looks at Miach who gives his best smile at her and she goes to pick Hestia off the floor.
"Now could you tell me what happened Bell and why we're you getting chased by…the Ganesha Familia it was." Miach hadn't gotten a good peek at my pursuers as it was night time but he had managed to see me having passed by a street light.
"Ran into some more bad trouble and they weren't just after me but Goddess as well it was 2 level 2's a Level 1 and some other guy I don't know who." My eyes flicker wanting rest after the scuffle and the amount I exerted I shouldn't have since I'm still recovering.
"Damn, why can't Healing potions not give me more blood," I complained to no one as I stood up with all my strength. I teeter over with Miach's help towards a couch that he had as I lay.
"Hey…sorry about causing a disturbance here," I muttered to Miach who just waved it off.
"There's no worries Bell just keep being a good customer and protect Hestia because she's a really good friend of mine," Miach said making my eyebrow raise at that which made me want to question him but in the end, I felt sleepy start to take me into its dark clutches.
.
.
.
I woke up on the couch of the Miach Familia home where I was covered in a blanket as the sunshine hit me square in the face.
I growl at the light my eyes failing to adjust which makes them hurt at the start to try and adjust to it. I swipe the blanket off of me just to remember everything that had happened. My head had finally cleared from the pain and suffering that the concussion I suffered had inflicted on me but then I started to feel more pain at certain points and there was this constant one and it didn't exactly hurt but huh.
Naaza had walked into the room and she had looked quite angry which gave me pause on talking to the girl until her gaze turned to me.
She sighed and punched the bridge of her nose "Breakfast is ready." My gaze lifted to meet hers as she walked out of the room.
"Hey is there something wrong you kinda looked upset." I speed-walked towards Naaza's side as she looked at me irritably.
"I-I don't want to talk about it." She finally said looking forward before entering the kitchen where two plates of eggs lay.
'Wonder what's got her so upset,' I question in my head before picking up a plate and a fork to follow Naaza into the small dining room.
I couldn't help the feeling that I was being watched during that entire scuffle and honestly, that scared me I wonder why I was feeling like that. Why world why am I so unlucky?!
.
.
.
"That wasn't what I was expecting to happen, happen. " A blonde-haired god wearing a Western-style hat said to his companion a blue-haired woman.
"In my research of Bell Cranel, I've never heard of him being able to do anything on this level." The blue-haired woman said.
"Well, they do say expect the unexpected Asfi." The blonde took off his hat to scratch the back of his head.
The now-identified woman Asfi Al Andromeda thought that the information she had gotten may have been on the late side.
"Well they said they started to see Cranel about 2 weeks ago enter the dungeon but they did say instead of a smile that he wore plastered on his face suddenly disappeared to that of someone utterly emotionless Hermes-Sama." Asfi looked towards her God who in his thinking pose thought over his information.
"Right we should get going then Asfi it's getting late," Hermes said to his child who nodded and started to lead the way home. Hermes stayed leaning against the wall for only just a mere momennt thinking to himself before saying in a whisper what he was thinking.
"A week ago huh…that was the time you felt that strange energy isn't it Zues…"
.
.
.
End Chapter