Don't own even a sliver of Danmachi

Sounds of War filled the air. The clash of weapons echoed alongside the shouts of soldiers. The stampede of thousands of pairs of feet smashed into the ground, all charging towards the massive stone walls that encased the city of Orario. A battalion had spotted their target. A wide dwarf holding a battle axe. There were 75 of them ready to attack him, they would take him down and then be the first ones to storm the city known as the centre of the world. They also spotted a bland looking guy standing a bit behind the dwarf but one extra person won't matter.

"Captain said that we must try our best not to kill them, Mr Gareth."

"I know Raul lad; I'll just blow them away."

True to his word, the dwarf, now revealed as Gareth Landrock, took one step forward and swung his massive Axe in the direction of the oncoming soldiers. The soldiers saw this, a puzzled look was shared across their faces. They were still over 100 metres away from being within striking distance. Then for some reason, they were now flying back through the air. Only a few realised that they had been thrown back by the shockwave from that one swing.

Raul watched the Rakian soldiers get thrown back, slightly awed by his higher up. Even after knowing him for over 8 years, there were still things that amazed him.

"Lad, don' worry 'bout me. I can 'old myself 'ere. Go back to Finn and see if he needs anything from ya'."

"R-Rodger."

Raul started to make his way back to his captain's tent on top of a hill. While climbing the hillside, he got a good look at the very one-sided battle that was currently taking place.

For some reason that he couldn't understand, Rakia had decided to try and invade Orario. According to Loki, this was the 6th time the God Ares had attempted this in the past 800 years.

'That idiot will never learn his lesson, I swear. Muscle brain, he is.'

As Raul thought back on his Goddesses comment, he viewed the battlefield. He saw Gareth dealing with another stupid rush. He looked further to the left and saw Riveria coaching Lefiya on how to control her simply ridiculous magic. The black-haired man followed one of the elf's Arc Ray's as it sent about 100 people flying, then the shock of the explosion made another 50 fall down. He turned to face straight forward. He did his best to ignore the screams coming from behind the camp. Raul knew that the Freya Familia was dealing with the South gate while the Loki Familia defended the West gate. Captain Finn had ordered the Familia to deal as little of casualties as possible. However, he doesn't control the Freya Familia and they simply put their ruthless training into practice.

Raul shuddered at thought of imagining facing against the Freya Familia, especially the executives. He physically recoiled at the memory of when the Goddess Freya went missing and the Loki Familia thought their search across the city was a declaration of seizing power.

As he was busy thinking, Raul hadn't realised he had made it to the main base of operations. He preceded to walk in and start discussing what the next course of action would be.

As this conversation went ahead and the War raged on, unbeknownst to the Orario alliance, a group of men were walking into the city. They all had cloaks on and hoods up. If you were to remove those items of clothing a revealing set of Red hair could be seen on top of the two people leading the formation. Even more eye-catching than an appealing set of red hair were the swords each one of the men had strapped to their backs. Most would just see them as normal weapons, nothing out of the ordinary in the city of adventurers. But to a keen eye, they were something else, something a lot more powerful.

The combined group of the Hestia and the Takemikazuchi Familia's were about 2 hours into their dungeon dive when all of a sudden two shrieks were heard.

"OUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"GEYYYAAAAHHHHHH!"

All the people recognised both screams. The first one was the floor boss, Goliath, that spawns a floor below them. The second was a scream from an adventurer that was fighting and seemingly losing to said floor Boss.

Before any discussion was made, Bell Cranel immediately set off in the direction of the scream. Everyone else followed after the white-haired boy and they soon found themselves entering the room that housed the Wall of Sorrows. Unsurprisingly, the massive white, glistening wall was shattered into pieces as the Goliath had obliterated it when it decided to spawn. With the Goliath, there was also the population of the Dungeon town Rivira. The massive party was made up of a few level 3s but mainly level 2s. They also had a shockingly low ability to be able to work together.

"So, do we help them?"

Bell didn't even register Nathan's question as he dashed off to help deal with the other monsters harassing the smaller parties of adventurers.

"Does that answer your question, Nath?" Welf said, coming up to stand next to the half-elf.

"For the love of the Gods. Lili, should I fight the monsters or Goliath."

"You are still known as a level 3 but if you hold back a bit, Lili believes you should be fine fighting the Floor Boss."

"Understood."

With that, Nathan dashed off to help out the main party with dealing with the Goliath and the rest of the Hestia and Takemikazuchi Familia's went and helped deal with the other monsters. Nathan arrived next to Bors, the leader of the town and supposedly of the main group as well.

"Who 're you? Wait, ain't you the Hestia half-elf from the War Game. I 'ssume you're 'ere to help out then. Just do what you can an' do as much damage as possible."

With his piece said, Bors yelled a war cry and continued his assault on the Floor Boss. Though Nathan could tell they were not winning. This Floor Boss was a bit stronger than the usual Goliath so he'd give them that. Nathan rolled his mask covered eyes and got into a battle stance.

'Time for a proper warm-up, then I'll deal with it. I've done nothing today so this better be something.'

Nathan had as usual been at the rear-guard, though he was going on his solo dive tomorrow so he couldn't moan that much. However, since this had been his main job for a month now, he had been getting slightly bored. He hadn't minded at the start as he prioritised the safety of everyone before any form of entertainment but as he soon came to realise, his Familia could easily handle themselves. So now that he was faced with an actual challenge, he decided to make the most of it and try and have some fun.

'It's not like the Goliath is good enough for a level up. My fight with Tammuz wasn't enough so why should this be.'

This was his last thought before he danced around a giant brown fist smashing into the place he stood half a second ago.

Nathan tested out the durability of the Goliath first and went for its Achilles. Nathan made the monster go for a kick and after he dodged it, he dashed for the remaining standing one and sliced its ankle. The half-elf immediately jumped away behind the monster and watched it as it brought back its other leg so it could remain balanced.

"CHAAAARRGGE!"

Bors and the other saw this as their opportunity and charged the monster, though Nathan didn't join them as he was currently watching the gash he made into the monster's ankle quickly stitch itself back together. With the foot now healed, the Goliath used its newly healed limb to smash into the ground, knocking everyone off of the feet. Before it could smash its other foot onto the floored adventurers, Nathan jumped up and kicked it in the back of the head with a roundhouse. This stopped the attack and drew the Goliaths attention and it narrowed its eyes. It had realised him as the attacker that had got its heel and roared.

"OOOOOOOOOUUUUOOOOOO!"

It turned all of its attacks to the half-elf and started smashing its fist in the direction. Nathan restarted his dance routine and began to duck and weave under all of the attacks. Every time the Goliath threw a punch that was exceedingly easy to read, Nathan went below it and sliced its wrist, he also made sure to dodge the blood that spurted each time. However, as he did this, the other fist came back and by the time he had successfully manoeuvred his way around those attacks, the other now healed fist returned to the fray. The Goliath never tried a kick as it didn't want to make the same mistake as last time, earning a quick smile from its opponent. Though it did attempt to stamp its feet a few times, hoping for the same outcome that had occurred with the others. This still proved ineffective as Nathan simply jumped up each time it happened.

This skirmish had not only given time for the main party to get back up and recuperate but it also had allowed Haruhime to use her magic. Nathan's ears had picked up on the chant, thankfully it being quiet enough so no one else heard it. He watched closely when the fox girl finished her magic and saw Mikoto get covered in twinkling lights. He watched as Lili quickly threw her goliath robe over the now pseudo level 3, keeping her identity under wraps.

Mikoto got a lot faster with the level up. She was like a black arrow that zipped across the battlefield, taking care of any monster that got in front of her. Though when she turned to face the main foe, Nathan ran up to her.

"Do you mind distracting this thing for about 10 seconds? Don't do any damage that may cause it to thrash around violently as well."

"Very Well."

Mikoto watched as the half-elf turned and ran to the edge of the room. She had to quickly turn her focus on the Goliath though as it was angered that its opponent had fled and had now set its eyes on her. She readied her two blades: Chazan, the one gifted to her by Takemikazuchi, and Kotetsu, the one Welf had just made and was currently doing an excellent job at keeping up with the Goibniu Familia crafted blade.

Too most, Mikoto turned into afterimages. They simply couldn't keep up with her moves for the next 10 seconds, which seemed to last almost a minute. The Far eastern ninja didn't give the Floor Boss a second to breathe. The people that had seen her carve through the monsters were now spectating an even more gracious fight. Though not everyone had joined them and watched the Black arrow weave around the Goliath.

"Sir Nathan, what are you doing?"

A few people had followed the half-elf with their eyes after he left the fight for seemingly no reason. These people were Welf, Lili and Haruhime, who had been the ones to call out to the half-elf. The reason she did it though was not because of his retreat but because she had just watched him jump up onto the dungeon wall next to her. She watched as he dug his blades into the wall, allowing him to stay stationary about 8ft up.

'This would be a lot easier with my magic but I don't any of these idiots to see it in use.'

Truth be told, Nathan could have ended the fight with the Goliath fairly quickly. All he needed to do was summon his magic and then barrage the Goliath with a hurricane of wind. After a few seconds of this, his aim being that he had slashed out the monsters' eyes, he would jump up and slice the Monsters throat. Then he would land, turn and throw one of his wind-powered swords straight into the Goliaths back, piercing its magic stone. He knew this would work as he had already done it two times. However, as he didn't want the adventurers present to see his magic and figure out that he wasn't a level 3, he had to play this smarter. The half-elf had watched Mikoto's carnage out of the corner of his eyes and presumed she would be able to stall while he prepared for a fatal attack. His plan was simple, jump up onto a wall, about the same height as the Floor Boss' throat, and then push off with enough force that will allow him to not only reach the monster but also allow him to deliver a cut across the throat. And he did just that.

No one really knew what happened the next second. One moment, the person covered in black was taking on the Goliath, the next, blood suddenly spurted out from its throat. At first, the people assumed it had been the black robed attacker but they quickly realised she hadn't left the floor during the fight and they had yet to see her or any after images jump up towards neck cutting height. Mikoto was the only one who understood what had happened. After she had counted 10 seconds, she chanced a brief glance over to where Nathan went too. She was confused as she didn't see him on the floor but then she looked up at the exact time Nathan pushed off from the wall. She didn't have time to question how he got up there but the next thing she knew was that a load of blood had come out of the monster's neck, quite a bit getting on her, and that Nathan was now at the other end of the room. Though she now knew what her companion's plan was and when she saw the Goliath reach one of its hands up to cover its blood spewing throat, Mikoto launched Kotetsu straight into the monster's chest, destroying its stone and turning the Floor Boss to ash.

On the 18th floor, the Hestia and Take Familia had congregated together, plus one extra.

"Sorry about getting blood on your robe Lady Lili and sorry for getting your work messy Sir Welf."

Mikoto had reverted to her old way of addressing people. This did tend to happen whenever she was apologising, like right now as she bowed to both of her friends.

"Don't worry about it Mikoto, my stuff is meant to get dirty so you don't."

"Yeah and technically it was Nathan who got blood on it."

"Don't blame me for essentially dealing with the problem. Mikoto should have seen what I was doing on moved out of the way."

"How was she and anyone else meant to guess you would jump up onto a wall and then launch yourself like an arrow at a Floor Boss and then slice its neck open."

Lili and Nathan's back and forth was appreciated, as everyone got a nice laugh out of it. Mikoto turned back to Welf to continue what she wanted to say.

"Sir Welf, this Katana you made is well crafted. Thank you very much for it."

"Don't mention it, I was just what I should be able to do," Welf said, though he wouldn't admit that a bit of pride swelled up inside of him.

"Oh Welfy, it was you who made this Weapon. That is a lot better than what you used to make."

Welf turned at the extra person who had joined them after the fight with the Goliath, giving her a very irritated look that said leave me alone.

"Tsubaki, what the hell are you doing here."

"No reason just thought I'd pop into the dungeon today and I so happened to bump into you. Anyway, Eternal shadow, can I look at that for a few seconds?"

"O-of course, Lady Cyclops." Mikoto was a bit stunned to hear a first-class adventurer call her by her Alias.

"Drop the Lady schtick. Don't like it."

"Oh yeah, that reminds me." Nathan suddenly spoke up. He walked over to Haruhime and flicked her in the forehead.

"Ow, w-what was that for?" Haruhime whimpered, rubbing her head. A slight flick from a level 4 still hurt.

"Drop the Sir business as well. I've told you this before and I don't like it."

"I'm very sorry Sir." *Glare* "Sorry N-Nathan but it's just what I'm used to."

Nathan, seeing that Haruhime might be taking this too seriously decided to lighten his stare.

"That's ok, don't worry too much about it. I'm sure you will get used to it."

"Ok Nathan, I will try."

"Cheers, it's all I ask."

An arm swung over the boy's shoulder, pulling him out of the conversation.

"Yes?" Nathan gave a very unimpressed raised eyebrow at the master smith that had swung her arm over the half-elf's shoulder, a grin on her face.

"I came just in time to see you finish off the Floor Boss."

"I'm very happy that you came at the same time I finished but what's that got to do with anything?"

The dirty undertone of Nathan's comment did little but widen the grin on Tsubaki's face, though the same couldn't be said for the heavily blushing girls… and Bell.

"I wanna know who you are?"

"That's nice. You can always go to the guild."

"I've already been. Needed to see who my Welfy was going to be living and fighting with."

"I'm not your Welfy, stop with that stupid nickname already."

The pair completely ignored the even more irritated smith's comment, another tick appearing on his red head of hair.

"So if you have already been, then you know who I am."

"I know your name is Nathan. But that is the only thing I trust in that document. The way you dealt with the Goliath was proof enough you didn't come from outside Orario as you have experience only dungeon dwellers can have. Plus, you ain't a level 3, are ya?"

"Who knows, now would you mind stop touching me as my entire willpower is doing its best to stop my elven blood from throwing you into the crystals above us."

Tsubaki glared at Nathan with her one good eye for another second. Everyone around now felt the presence of a first-tier adventurer. Though, much to her amusement and disappointment, Nathan didn't even blink, or so his unraised eyebrow led her to believe as she couldn't see beyond the mask.

"Fine." Tsubaki then turned to face the slightly unnerved group. She walked off in a random direction.

"Let's head over to Rivira for now and see where we are at." Lili suggested

"I've never been to Rivira, I'd love to go, " Haruhime smiled.

This would turn out to be a mistake."

"Bastards!"

Welf shouted across the sea of adventurers that had practically come begging for him to make a magic sword. Nathan saw the disgust and repulsiveness in the smith's eyes, and that didn't pair well with the greedy and lustful looks that were shared with all the wannabe buyers.

Nathan was completely on his friend's side but he didn't interfere. He now believed it was time for everyone to calm down as he looked over at the girls who were getting scared by Welf, especially Haruhime and Chigusa. Eventually, the crowd dispersed, realising they weren't going to crack the smith's will of iron. He watched as Welf whispered "bastards" again and turn back around. He then watched as Ouka tried and calm him down by offering some of that honey cloud which did nothing to help. As Welf had another outburst, he turned to look at the now cowering girls and the half-elf standing next to them.

Nathan watched Welf grimace slightly and then march off, out of the town. After calming down the girls, Ouka and Nathan turned to see Bell had arrived back.

"Where's Welf?"

"A load of adventurers came after him, practically begging him to make them magic swords."

Ouka's explanation was all Bell needed to understand what had happened.

"Which way did he go?"

"That way. Sorry, I didn't help but I'm not designed for that kind of… talking."

"Don't worry about it Nathan, I'll be back shortly."

Nathan watched as his captain went off in the same direction that Welf went. He turned back to look at the now calm girls and realised he hadn't done anything to help, it was mainly Ouka and Mikoto who had calmed Chigusa and Haruhime down, with Lili being able to control herself.

"Even after this month, I still only can solve things with violence. I still haven't changed."

Nathan cursed under his breath, waiting for whatever happened next.

Nathan remembered this as he was now standing behind Welf and next to Bell in an abandoned warehouse. Welf was currently facing off against his Father, who was almost ordering him return with him to Rakia. Thankfully for the two boys, Welf kept refusing them. However, this had only started to escalate things more. Bell seemed worried about what could happen as the Rakians that had somehow managed to sneak into Orario were all wielding Crozzo swords. Nathan however, had already found out that they had been followed and the presence of the strongest one, someone who had helped bring up that memory, allowed him to realise who had surrounded them.

Nathan and Bell both realised something was up with Welf and when they saw him leave his workshop and leave the gates, they decided to follow him. After revealing themselves a few minutes later, Welf filled them in on the situation. How his Father had snuck into the city with a few other people. How the war was started so they could try and get Welf back so he could forge them magic swords and how the invaders had brought other Crozzo magic swords with them. At first, Nathan and Bell were both worried that Welf would leave them to try and stop the war but then he ruffled Bell's hair and said that he wouldn't leave them or the Hestia Familia, which calmed both of the young boy's beating hearts. All 3 them walked to the warehouse where the meeting was taking place.

This is how they found themselves in this scenario, surrounded by fifty people all wielding magic swords. Though, when Wil Crozzo, Welf's father, started to make his move the people who had surrounded them revealed themselves. Nathan already knew Tsubaki Collbrande and the Hephaistos Familia had followed them but it came as a shock and an annoyance to both Nathan and Welf to learn that Finn Deimne had used them as bait.

Nathan continued to watch the scene play out. Hephaistos came and revealed herself. He watched as Wil Crozzo threatened to use his magic sword. He joyfully watched Welf reveal that his father was the only one who was actually wielding a magic sword.

Nathan thought about attacking once or twice but decided that it was no bother as the Hephaistos Familia were now enough to deal with it, only caring if Welf were to be attacked. But when Welf overpowered his father's magic sword with his own, he knew that he didn't need to step in. Though, he narrowed his eyes as the father in question started to insult his son. He did enjoy the beatdown though. Nathan didn't really understand the shit both were spouting about forging or smithing but he could feel the will and desire in Welf's voice. The rest played out in an interesting fashion which resulted in a twist and the surrender of the Rakian soldiers

(Go read the book, I ain't copying this scene. You get the gist that Nathan just watches on as Bell does. It is my second favourite scene in the entire book so read it if you can't remember what happened. Danmachi isn't my work to copy)

Welf, Bell and Nathan found themselves on top of a building. Bell and Nathan stood behind the smith, leaving him to stand ahead of them but making sure he wasn't alone. Neither could find the right words, Nathan once again cursing his inability to help people he cared about. Though a few seconds later, the Goddess Hephaistos revealed herself and asked the two for some time alone.

Bell and Nathan left but stayed in earshot and when the confession came both broke out into massive grins.

When Welf eventually joined back with them, his face a lot redder than before, he talked to them.

"Thank you guys, for being there for me. It was appreciated. You helped a lot."

"No problem Welf, of course, I'd be there. I know you would do the same."

"Of course and for Nathan as well."

The boy in question, however, said nothing. The other looked over at the half-elf to see he had put up his neck muzzle and thrown his hood up. However, there was still a small hint of a blush on his barely visible cheeks.

'I've never helped anyone; I didn't even do anything and he says something like that.'

As much as Nathan tried to hide the blush, there was no hiding the smile.

Before Welf and Bell could comment on this, Nathan spoke first.

"So, lover boy. When are you gonna make that weapon?"

The tease made Welf standstill. He looked between his two friends and came to realise they had heard everything. Even Bell was struggling to maintain a straight face.

"Oh no!"

Welf was tormented with teasing for at least another week.

The second chapter in this mini series is out. I love this story as its my second favourtie in vol 8 but i couldnt do much with the Syr one (She has the best story, not even close)

I like it but as i said, I don't like copying sentence to sentence from the volumes, it just doesn't feel right. The next and final one will be Nathan's solo dungeon dive.

The reviews:

SoarenStrafer: I was writing this as you made your review and you guys really gotta stop guessing my work. Making me feel sad but hey, I hope you liked the chapter.

That's for this chapter. See ya next time and peace