Ais Wallenstien, more commonly known as the Sword Princess entered the shabby hole in the wall bar. Her golden eyes scanned the crowd and was surprised to see the person who broke her record so easily.
Despite reaching level six not too long ago he was all anyone could talk about. Such a thought peeved her but not in the way people would think.
Why was he able to get strong so quickly when she worked harder and harder each time she came to the dungeon? Why did he grow so fast?
He had barely fought in Rivera while she had fought hard and well. Yet he leveled up before she did, and she had to fight an entire floor boss on her own just to do so.
It made no logical sense.
"Woah Ais, you're here as well?" The Chienthrope asked.
Ais nodded before making her way to the bar and taking a seat on the first stool.
"Wait-
"What are you having?" The bartender asked.
"Green tea cream, jyagamaru kun."
Bell's head slammed into the counter as the chienthrope once more jumped out of her seat. Whoever came up with these code phrases needed to be smacked upside the head.
"Y-you're our reinforcements!" The Chienthrope asked. Her head then shot to Bell. "And you as well! What is it with-
She was quickly smacked upside the head by the blue-haired woman. "Calm down Lulune!"
"Ah, Asfi!" Lulune cried out.
The woman was quick to fix her glasses and noticed Bell's head had still not come up from the counter. She pushed him out of her mind as she introduced herself to Ais.
"You probably know who I am. Captain of the Hermes familia Asfi Al Andromeda otherwise known as Perseus. This right is Lulune but you already know her from Rivera."
"So you were given this quest as well?" Ais asked. Her cold golden eyes scanning over the party once more.
"Yeah, that black-robed fella showed up a couple of days ago wanting to give us another job. But I said no way, I nearly got my head chopped off last time!" Lulune began, though Asfi noticed a slight flinch from Bell at the words chopped off. "He still asked for our cooperation anyway-
"And from what I've been told the black robe threatened her in a manner we couldn't refuse." Asfi cut off before sighing. "So we're roped into this, like I don't have enough dealing with Lord Hermes."
Bell bit back a laugh knowing the whims Hermes could get up to. He had gotten caught up in a few of them himself back in his village. Rose was none too pleased to find that out if the extra training was anything to go by.
But Bell did find something out. He was terrible when it came to Spycraft. Had no talent for it whatsoever much to Hermes' chagrin.
Asfi let out a sigh and shook her head. "Lulune's failure as a thief isn't a priority right now. So if all of you are listening I would like to go over our mission one last time."
Bell decided now would good time to raise his head. With a sigh he spun himself around and faced the gathered group he would be traveling with.
"As you all have probably been briefed on we are heading to a pantry on the 24th floor. Our goal is to identify what has caused the monster outbreak and to put a stop to it. Does everyone understand?"
Bell nodded and confirmed along with Ais.
"Good, now with that out of the way let's get introductions over with so we can proceed."
Asfi gestured over to her familia and the frontline stepped up. They consisted of the tiger man named Falgar. He was the front-line leader and most probable one to be the vice-captain.
He was a tall and sturdily built man with a handsome yet scarred face. With two jagged scars on his chin that went up his cheeks. He had light brown hair and eyes and wielded a greatsword. As Bell looked at him he couldn't help but feel the man had a kind face.
Next to him was a dwarven woman named Elilly. She was tall like Falgar and stoutly built. With bulging muscles all over her body. Her hair was a jet black along with her eyes. Yet her face looked like it was carved with a broken chisel. She wasn't ugly by any means. But very akin to dwarven standards. The thing that puzzled Bell the most was the very feminine clothing she was wearing. It was unlike a dwarf to be wearing that.
Next to her was a human named Golmes who looked like he was dressed inside an iron barrel. Armor covered his entire body from head to toe. So much so that Bell couldn't see the man's hair color. Only his eyes which were blue.
In front of the three were two prums. Siblings by the look of it who were dressed in robes and plate armor. The man's name was Pock while the girl's name was Pott. Both had blonde hair and blue eyes.
Next was the rear composed of only three members. The first was the man named Dodon dressed in a full suit of armor and wearing a helmet that completely covered his face. It was the one with horns who Bell could tell was the resident pack mule.
Not that he would ever call him that.
The second was a pink-haired prum with blue eyes named Meryl. To Bell's surprise, the prum was a mage. Dressed in a purple witch outfit with a wand and everything.
Lastly was a human girl named Nelly. She had short brown hair cut into a bob cut along with brown eyes. She wore a simple shirt and skirt along with a metal headband atop her head.
After all of them was the middle guard. Composed of six members, these were the ones who had the most on their plate when it came to dungeon diving.
The first one Bell noticed was a cat-girl named Tabitha who wore what he was assuming to be half a crop top. Which meant that it just barely covered her breasts leaving lots of underboob to be seen. She had long wavy black hair and black eyes. With a face as beautiful as a seductress eyeing her prey.
The next was the chienthrope Bell had met when he first sat down. She had short shaggy black hair with brown eyes. Dressed in a black shirt and brown jacket with a red scarf. Her outfit seemed to be the reverse of Bell's clothes. Not bright but darker.
After her was a rat-faced human named Keaks. He had spiky black hair with a receding hairline and a long nose along with rat-like ears. He had an arm wrapped around Lulune, teasing her and partaking in banter with the girl.
After Keaks was a blonde elf named Thane who was dressed like Hermes. In his hands was a lute that acted as a short bow. A really interesting weapon Bell thought.
After him was another blonde elf named Silla. She wore a white bodysuit with a scarf covering her nose and mouth. With two twin longswords as her weapons. She was quiet, not uttering a word but regarding Bell was a slight nod.
Finally, there was another cat person named. This one a man with short brown hair and ears named Jose. His left eye was missing. Replaced by a scar that went from above his eyebrow to his jaw. It was jagged yet straight. His clothes were covered by a cloak and furry gauntlets.
Bell let out a breath he didn't know he was holding once everyone had been introduced. It was a lot of people and he was in charge of healing them and making sure they didn't die.
'Don't complain, this is what you signed up for.'
The members of the Hermes familia all fawned over Ais. Causing Bell to roll his eyes as some complimented her beauty or her skills as an adventurer.
He spun back around and faced the bartender. Noticing all the half-empty bottles that seemed to have been there for years judging by the dust on them. Bell looked to the bartender and the single look the man gave him told Bell all he needed to know.
But as his eyes examined more of the bottles he noticed a relatively new one. Perhaps the one the Hermes familia had shared before his arrival.
Would they be able to finish it once this mission was over? Bell hoped that the answer was a yes. But the dungeon was cruel and uncaring. All he could do was hope that he was enough.
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The area of the 19th-24th floors was known as the Great Tree Labyrinth. Hallways like passing through a giant hollowed-out tree. Ceiling over 32 feet high. Many off-shooting paths that one could easily get lost in. Plethora of Indigenous plant life filled with poisons and deadly toxins. Alight by a bioluminescent moss which has led many an adventurer to their death.
Such was a floor Bell was on right now. His eyes wandering freely around the 19th floor as it was his first time down so far. It was exactly as his master described it.
It reminded him of the woods back home and Bell felt a sense of peace was over him. But that was quickly washed away as Keaks spoke up.
"Hey Lulune, how much you wanna bet that mushroom is a Dark Fungus."
Lulune looked over at the mushroom while Keaks tossed a stone up into the air before catching it. "1,000 Valis."
Keaks then turned his attention to Asfi with a flirty toothy grin. "Say, Asif, care to wager in? If I'm right you'll owe me a date."
"Thane, fire arrow," Asfi said.
Thane pulled back his bow and fired a fire arrow at the mushroom. It caught alight soon after and burned causing black spores to shoot and fizzle out.
"Ooh, rejected once more." Tabitha teased as Keaks fell to his knees. Lulune laughed in his face and poked him.
"Ha, she turned you down cold!"
Asfi was quick to smack Lulune upside the head. "Don't dawdle, we can't afford to waste any time."
"Sorry."
Bell hung back with the rear. Remaining silent as he watched the rowdy familia. Asfi was conversing with Ais, most likely discussing possible battle strategies now that a level six was among them.
Up ahead in the frontline, Falgar led the group and quickly dealt with any monsters that got in their way within a matter of seconds with no injuries among them.
It was honestly quite impressive with how scattered they were it was still a perfect formation. Loose and agile if he could think of a way to describe it.
"Are you holding up ok? You're not scared are you?" Nelly asked. Bell spared her a glance noting how the girl was looking at him kindly. Not mocking or demeaning, just concerned about him.
"I'm fine. I just don't have much to say." Bell replied.
He felt an arm wrap around his neck as Keaks started chuckling. "Ah, an introvert are ya? Here tell ya what, tell me about that fancy armor of yours. I ain't ever seen a piece like it."
Bell was slightly surprised that a man as small as Keaks was able to make Bell lean down. Meaning he had to have jumped up to do so.
"Oh, it's made from Infant Dragons scales," Bell replied not moving Keak's arm. It didn't really bother him that it was there.
"Infant dragon scales!" Meryl nearly yelled, before blushing and pulling her hat over her face.
"My, I wasn't aware Infant Dragons had a drop item," Nelly said.
Dodon nodded his armored head in agreement as Meryl rode atop his shoulders.
"Oh, they don't. I just grabbed a Minotaur horn and chiseled them off. Then it was a real pain to smelt them down because they have a melting point of 4,000 degrees." Bell explained.
"4-4,000 degrees." Lulune sputtered. "Does that mean you can withstand a 4,000-degree blast?"
Bell placed his hand on his chin as he contemplated the thought. "Huh, I'm not exactly sure. Not that I'm in any hurry to test that theory out though."
Keaks and Lulune laughed at what they what was a simple jape. While Nelly merely smiled, Meryl and Dodon remained silent but watched with interest.
"I don't get what's so funny. I don't exactly feel like tanking a magic blast or blowing myself up to see if my armor could withstand the heat." Bell deadpanned.
Before any of them could respond Falgar shouted. "Monster horde, and a big one."
"Three flyers coming from about. Twenty seconds til contact!" Jose added.
"Frontline take positions, Nelly get the pots ready!" Asfi ordered.
"We have Gun Libellula's. Three o'clock high!" Jose added.
"Meryl start chanting! Lulune distract the high flyers. Keaks and Tabitha go with her!" Asfi ordered.
Like a well-oiled machine, the familia all fell into ranks. Elilly, Falgar, and Golmeth took their positions with their shields as Pock and Pot got ready with their hammer and mace. Dodon threw his bad down while Nelly started rummaging around for pots. Meryl started chanting like Lulune and the others distracted the Gun Libellula's.
"Bug Bears and Battle Boars. Oh, they're sending out the big ones!" Falgar cheered.
The monster horde slammed into the shields but the frontline held firm as Lulune stuck her tongue out and waved at the monsters.
"Nana nana boo boo you can't catch me." She mocked.
The Gun Lubellula's went to shoot but were grabbed by Tabitha's whip and pelted with rocks from Keaks.
Once they were brought down to a low enough height Asfi jumped up and impaled on with her dagger. The monster sputtered and died as she brought it to the ground.
"You three grab the pots and start throwing! I'll deal with the rest of these."
"Got it, Captain."
"Kick their ass!"
"Whatever you say, dearest Asfi."
The three ran back as Thane shot down another Gun Lubellula that had appeared. Once the three arrived at Nelly she handed them the pots which they gladly took and ran to the frontline.
Climbing up to their shoulders before jumping off them and into the air. They threw six pots filled with highly flammable liquid and watched as it bathed the monster's horde.
"Alright push 'em back!" Falgar yelled.
The frontline gave a mighty heave and pushed the horde back. But one Bug Bear didn't move back all the way. However, with a simple raising of their shields Pock and Pot ran under them and batted the creature away.
"Now Meryl!" Asfi yelled.
Meryl had finished her chant and unleashed a mighty ball of fire which caught on the flammable liquid and set the monster horde alight.
The gurgled cries and melting fur filled the and the party did nothing but watch as the fight ended with a whimper.
"Alright, once they're done burning we'll take a break in that cave over there. Nelly get the hammers ready so we can break the walls." Asfi said.
She then leaned closer to Ais and lowered her voice to a whisper. "As you can see we fight well. But I do ask that you stop trying to figure out our levels."
"Oh no, I-
"It's fine, you're obviously curious. But not trusting us to take care of ourselves can really throw a hamper into things."
Ais said nothing and nodded as the group made their way to the cave. Once inside they began to break the walls and Lulune and Keaks looked for any drop items that may have been left after the battle.
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Bell sat alone near the entrance of the cave. Sitting on a rock looking out over a part of the 19th floor. Behind him, he could hear the chatter on the Hermes familia.
Joking and seeming to make more bets as they bonded. Bell wanted to join and be a part of them. But part of him didn't know how. This was his first time ever meeting the Hermes familia.
While they were all good and nice people his mood was being brought down by Ais. As bad at spy craft as he was even he was able to tell she was trying to gauge their true levels.
Because he knew and she knew that they were lying to the guild in order to not have to pay a higher tax. If such a thing was found out massive fines would be placed on Hermes and his familia. And if Bell knew one thing about the god he knew he wanted to avoid that as much as possible.
A tap on his shoulder drew Bell's attention behind him and he saw Keaks with his hands closed. "Make a bet with me. Guess which hand the stone is in."
Bell raised a brow. "You want me to make a bet on that?"
"Yeah, come on it'll be a cheap one. Only one valis, now come on. Which hand is the stone in?"
Bell sighed as he turned and looked at the man's closed fist. It was 50/50 on whether he was right or wrong. He either chose right or he didn't.
So after a quick moment of thought he tapped his left hand.
"Damn, lucky you. Is what I would say if you got it right."
Keaks opened his hand and revealed an empty palm and a teasing grin. "Oh my, looks like you owe me one Valis Bell."
Bell laughed as Keaks closed his hands again and put them behind his back. "Care to try again? Could either win your money back or owe me two Valis."
"I guess we can keep playing."
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Further inside the gaze the rest of the familia plus Ais sat in a circle. The walls behind them were broken. Preventing monsters from spawning and leaving the party with a small respite.
It was a little trick discovered by the Hera familia 780 years ago. That if one were to break the walls around them monsters would cease to spawn until the hole was patched up. Which the dungeon did through an unknown means of regeneration.
"We're making good time. Should we continue this pace we should arrive at the pantry within a few hours." Asfi said.
A pantry, room sectioned off from the rest of the dungeon where monsters went to eat. No one knows where they came from. Or even how or why the dungeon created them.
Discovered 995 years ago by the Zeus familia on floor seven. These strange rooms have been hard to study on account of attracting monsters and leaving little places to hide to study its ecosystem.
As such even nearly a thousand years later the pantry still remains one of the dungeon's biggest mysteries.
"What do you think is causing the monsters to act up down there?" Lulune asked.
"No idea, that's why we're being sent to find out," Asfi replied.
The conversation then turned its attention to an elephant in the room. Nestled at the entrance of the cave still playing his game with Keaks.
"So that's the guy who broke the level-up record huh?" Pott asked.
"Eh, isn't he supposed to be a healer? How'd he do that?" Pock added as he rested on a rock.
"Oooh I heard he has a super rare healing magic. Even rarer than the Dea Saints." Tabitha said.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. The people in Rivera seemed to adore him from what I heard." Nelly added.
"Lulune you were there during that battle. What exactly happened?" Falgar asked.
The girl took a nervous look at Bell who seemed all too entrenched with Keaks to notice what was going on.
"It was...well I'd have to say amazing. I mean this mutated monster we had never seen before is causing havoc, and he's just calm. From what I heard before the battle had fully started he had an aid station set up and was already treating those wounded even as debris ran down on him and monsters were quite literally pounding at his back. Honestly, if he wasn't there so many more people would have died."
With the story finished many in that cave grew a greater respect for Bell. They were all older than him, the only one close in age being Lulune. With many experiences and dangers, they had overcome. Losing friends along the way as they did so.
But to hear that a single person was able to save hundreds. Well, it just gave these veteran adventurers a nice little warm feeling in their chest.
"And he did this for the entire night?" Elilly asked.
Lulune put her finger on her chin. "Well, if I'm remembering correctly yes and no. Apparently, there was a time right before the battle ended where he seemingly disappeared. Though no one knows what happened and the Ankusha seemed to stick to him like glue afterward."
Ais silently watched the boy. She had been this entire time. So many questions ran through her mind but she didn't know how to ask them. Not when he seemed so detached from everyone else.
No not detached from everyone else. Detached from her, he was willingly isolating himself because she was around. She didn't know why, all she knows is that Riveria said not to interact with him as he'd be rude to anyone part of the Loki familia.
But why? They didn't do anything to him. He'd only been in the city for a little more than a month, and she hadn't met him beforehand. No one in the Loki familia had.
So why was he so hostile to all of them?
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"Damn, you're 33 for 50 right about now. Meaning you owe me 17 Valis young man."
Bell rolled his eyes. "Who are you calling young man? You don't look that much older than me."
"Oh, but I am older. Therefore you are a young man to me."
Bell rolled his eyes again. "I'll pay you when we get back to the surface."
"You better, else I'll hunt you down." Keaks teased.
Keaks patted his shoulder and noticed Falgar making his way toward the group. Keaks gave him a nod as he walked past him. Allowing the weretiger to take a seat next to Bell.
"You holding up ok?" The man asked.
Bell nodded. "I'm fine, you guys have pretty good teamwork."
"Heh, well we've been with each other for years now. But it's all thanks in part to Asfi, without her leadership, we'd be in shambles."
Bell glanced back at the woman but immediately looked away and scowled noticing Ais staring at him. Falgar noticed this and raised a brow.
"Something going on with you and the Sword Princess?"
"Not particularly, no."
"Quite a nasty scowl for a not particularly." Falgar pointed out.
"I have my reasons," Bell growled out.
"Right then, I won't ask. Just don't let it interfere with the mission."
"I won't, now what is it you wanted to talk about?"
Falgar snapped his fingers and handed Bell a canteen. "Right, wanted to see if you wanted any water. We were walking for two hours and was wondering if you worked up a thirst."
Bell wasn't necessarily thirsty. But he took a sip from the canteen anyway. Not knowing when he'd next be able to have a drink of water.
Rose always said dehydration would be his worst enemy.
"Thanks," Bell said handing the canteen back.
"No problem, but be ready to move in the next few minutes. We've rested long enough."
Bell gave the man a thumbs up and did a check of his equipment. Throwing knives, smoke bombs, stink bombs and a few mind potions were with him. Along with the knife Shakti had given him attached to his belt.
Once making sure everything was where it was supposed to be Bell pushed himself off the rock and dusted his pants off. Ready to go even deeper into the dungeon and face the horrors that awaited him.
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It took another four hours before they reached the 24th floor. And already the air felt different, like something was wrong with the dungeon itself.
It didn't help that there was a massive horde of monsters hundreds strong in the valley below them.
"Ominous." Keaks quipped.
"Very," Thane added.
"Quiet down," Asfi ordered. "We need to get ready and come up with a plan. This battle will be tough and-
"I'll go ahead," Ais said before jumping off the cliff and activating her wind magic.
Asfi went to protest but it was already too late. Bell slowly turned his gaze to Falgar who was pinching the bridge of his nose.
"And you were worried about me interfering with the mission." Bell deadpanned.
Falgar let out a large breath of air while he and the rest of the Hermes familia watched as Ais landed and began killing monsters with her sword.
She was fast, Bell had to give her props for that. But she seemed to be testing out her level up more than anything else.
'Leave it to someone from the Loki familia to break ranks and steal the show. Typical show boasters, why am I not surprised.'
"Well, it's obvious she can handle this. No point in going down to he-
The dirt from under Bell's feet broke out from under him due to Ais's wind magic. He lost his balance and fell backward into the valley.
"Shit!" Bell yelled.
Falgar was too slow to grab him. So Bell tumbled down the valley and landed back first in the middle of the horde. His armor took most of the blow and Bell felt no pain.
But he was still stuck in the middle of a monster horde. Alone, his only ally farther inside the horde and with no idea that he had fallen.
"Just my luck!" Bell shouted withdrawing his knife.
He drove it into a Bug Bear's head before pushing off the corpse and back up to the slope. It was too steep for him to climb, at least in a situation like this. But it did allow him to have his back to a wall so nothing could come up behind him.
He grabbed one of his throwing knives and tossed it at a group of Bug Bears. The knife broke into many pieces and the shards killed about six.
A Mad Beetle punched Bell in the face causing him to stumble and slide down the slope. He kept his grip on his knife and swung. Slicing the Mad Beetle's neck open. Purple blood splashing on his face as a result.
Behind him, a Vouivre slashed down his back with its sharp claws. But Bell's armor protected him leaving him unharmed.
Getting surrounded Bell reached for a smoke bomb. Only for Elilly to jump down in front of him with her two massive shields and push him to the slope.
"Climb up!" She yelled. "I'll push them back!"
She slammed her shields together and formed a makeshift wall. Protecting Bell as the boy sheathed his knife and began to climb up.
"Grab this!" Tabitha yelled throwing her whip down.
Bell crawled up the slope, his fingers digging into the dirt before pushing himself up and jumping. He grabbed the tail end of the whip before remembering he had one of his own.
"Arther's Whip!" Bell chanted.
A golden beam of light encompassed his hand and Bell wasted no time throwing it at Elilly. She was struggling to hold the horde back. Arms straining against the immense weight of all the monsters clawing at her shields.
But felt something wrap around her waist. Looking down she saw a string of light, wrapped snuggly around her.
"Pull us up!" Bell yelled.
Tabitha began to strain and pull as more dirt seemed to break at her feet. She slipped and stumbled forward. Only to be caught by Falgar and Dodon.
"Come on, pull!" The weretiger yelled.
More and more of the Hermes familia ran to Tabitha and formed a line to start pulling. Ais's wind seemed to grow in intensity as she killed more and more monsters.
Her magic was strong. That much was obvious as Bell felt his hair being harshly blown by her wind. And she seemed to be bouncing back and forth between the horde. Killing swaths of monsters in her wake.
But Bell pushed that thought to the back of his mind as he and Elilly were slowly pulled to safety by the Hermes familia.
It took them an entire long agonizing minute before Bell felt his back touch the solid. A second later he sprung to his feet and pulled Elilly the rest of the way up. Once he was sure she was on solid ground he dispelled Arther's whip and laid down.
Laughing and catching his breath from his near-death experience. He knew that despite his healing magic he would not have survived that encounter.
"Hell are you two alright?!" Falgar yelled.
"Quick, get potions for Elilly's arms," Tabitha yelled.
Bell looked over and noticed her arms were bruised and beaten. Yet she still held onto her shields, even as she caught her breath.
"Save them," Bell said sitting up. "Just some minor bruising. I can heal it within a few seconds."
He made his way over to her and activated his magic. The Hermes familia was slightly taken aback by the iridescent green glow that coated his body.
But like he had said a few seconds later Elilly's arms were healed and good as new. Even her stamina which she had expended in the midst of rescuing him had been regained as well.
"You've been able to do that the whole time?!" Keaks yelled.
Bell turned and nodded at the man. "Yes, it's my magic."
"Well, why didn't use it when you were down there?!" Lulune added.
"I wasn't injured."
Both Keaks and Lulune shut up upon realizing Bell was right. Despite the few hits he had taken down there nothing really left a mark. Not even the Vouivre's claws left a mark on his armor.
"Here, use this to clean your face," Asfi said handing him a wet rag.
Bell graciously took the rag and began wiping his face down. While Asfi looked over the cliff once more with a glare.
Ais would have a few stern words after she was done with her little killing spree.
So I've been rereading this part of SO to you know write this arc. And one thing that always bothered me was how Asfi straight up admitted to Ais that her entire familia was doing fraud hours after meeting her.
Which for a character like Asfi who is the equivalent to a female James Bond in this series was just kind of dumb. Another thing was how Ais straight up broke away from the party to go and fight those monsters on her own to test her level-up.
Like fully leaving her party behind to go and do that. Which sure she just reached level six and would be fine. But either way, it was stupid of her to leave her allies behind. If something had gone wrong no one would've been watching her back.
Anyway, small rant over the mission has gone off rather smoothly except for that last part. Wonder what'll happen and if Bell will be able to control his anger?
Also, you should've seen my face when I had to describe each and every character in this party. I think I went back to the manga and wiki like fifty times to get their appearance down.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you later.