I narrowly dodge the giant fist that slams into the ground, a small crater forming where I stood barely a second before.

'Quick, before it regains balance.'

My thought pushes me as I spring forward, clenching my hand into a fist. I make a clean connection to the sickly green skin of the Orc as it tries to recover from its attack. The straight connection ripples throughout its torso.

I timed my punch to coincide with when the large monster began to stand back up straight. Using its own momentum against it, I use the power in my punch to make the Orc fall backwards.

While it flailed its flabby arms around, trying to regain its balance, I jump into its blind spot as I ready my final attack.

'Remember, just above the neck.'

My eyes narrow at my target on the monster's body as I watch it lose its fight against gravity. The Orc was now completely at my mercy and unfortunately, I needed as much money as possible.

I sweep my left leg back as the monster lets out a roar as it begins to fall to the mist that layered the 11th floor of the dungeon. Before it completes its trip, I plant my right leg firmly on the ground as I swing my left leg back around.

I had been fighting on the 10th and 11th floors for almost a month. I quickly learned that my memory was a real gift for fighting in the dungeon. All monsters seemed to follow a certain pattern when fighting, allowing me to memorise their fighting tactic.

Whenever I went down onto a new floor, I always observed another adventurer or a party fight whatever monsters spawn there. After watching the fight, I tried to rehearse the fight in my mind but instead, I'm the one fighting the monster. Afterwards, I'm always prepared to take on the monster, the exception being the Killer ants that one time but that was something else entirely.

As soon as I'm able to understand how the monsters fight, I can read their movements and by then I know I can beat them. The orcs were one of the easiest to learn. They were just like oversized goblins. Just taller and stronger but no less stupid.

My left leg connects with the area just above the monster's neck, a specific weakness I had learnt when I was forced to fight 3 at once alongside a pack of 5 imps. Since I don't use a weapon, I have to find places on the monster's body that I can exploit.

For example, the War Shadows on floor 6. As long as I can dodge their sharp talons, the thin skin is a very easy weakness to abuse. As soon as I get in close, I just shove my hand into their core and rip out their crystal and then poof, their ash.

I begin to dig out the monster's crystal. I'm not paying much attention to my surroundings in terms of looking but my ears are like a sonar, waiting for even the smallest snap or the thinnest crack in a wall or floor.

I've been at this for over half a year now and my stats are getting quite high but now I've hit a stunt in growth. I had heard about it when I came across what I think is a teenager, I'm not really sure what one is, complaining about how these monsters weren't enough. But then a grown-up came along and mentioned the lack of growth due to his status getting harder to increase.

But I had never imagined it to almost stop completely. When I came back from one week, where I was expecting about 50 on each status, it barely scraped 10. So that's why I am making my body get used to pulling all-nighters, or all-days since I'm normally awake at night.

I can't afford to slow down, I have to keep getting stronger and if my falna wants to make me work harder, then I'll accept its challenge.

*Crccckkkkkk…..pssssss*

'…Oh crap.'

I had heard Brant use the word crap several times but wasn't sure what it meant. I knew it had to do with something that he didn't like. But now, now I get it. As I watch the many shards of my pocket knife break and fall to the ground after a large crack formed straight down the middle of the blade.

I look at where I was stabbing it into the dead Orc and realise that the end of my now deceased pocket knife is jammed into its large purple core. Apart from the handle still in my hand, that's the only piece of the knife that can be considered intact.

I numbly look at the knife handle in my hand, then at the shards on the floor, back to my hand, the floor, the Orc's crystal. I can only sigh as I pocket the handle and hesitantly reach my hand into the Orc's corpse, preparing to yank out its purple stone. I wasn't going to leave it, there worth almost 500 Valis, according to Brant.

'Augh, I thought I was taking care of it. I was wiping the blood off it like Brant told me to.' I internally groan as I decide to cut my dungeon dive for tonight short.

"Ya think just givin' it a small wipe will be 'nough? Ya dumb brat, use some common sense would ya!"

I just look down at my boots as Brant berates me for not looking after my knife properly. When he wondered why I hadn't made as much, I told him about my pocket knife breaking and how he told me to clean it.

"Tch!" Brant clicks his tongue as he looks to his side, annoyance spread across his face. I don't look up at him, too embarrassed to look the half-drunken man in the eye, nervousness stopping me from trying to defend myself.

I hear the brown-haired man sigh above me. "…Fine, guess I ain't got a choice. Come on squirt." Brant quickly states before beginning to walk off.

"H-huh?" The statement makes me look up at the man as his back faces towards me. My confusion makes his head turn as he gives me a stink eye before motioning his head to follow.

" 'urry up. Don't 'ave all day!"

Before my mind questions it, my feet are already scrambling on the cobblestone to catch up to Brant as he shoves his hands into his pockets with a quiet but gruff "Hmmph!"

I follow Brant back through the alleyway near the Guild building, quickly reaching the exit onto the main street. While Brant casually walks out of the shadow and into the midday sun, I halt at the line where the sun and the shadow form a border.

After our quick meetings, Brant normally comes this way but I prefer to run through the back alleys back to Daedalus, not wanting to be noticed. I also really dislike the loud noises made on the busy streets with all those people. I dislike large crowds as well.

Seeming to realise my hesitance and cautiousness, Brant turns around and looks at me. Even with the large crowd, I somehow make out his words.

"Oi! What did I just say? Hurry up or else I won't waste my time on ya again."

Brant's words of comfort do little to quieten my nerves and turn down the volume of the street but the risk of losing the deal is something I can't afford to make. I give a quick look to my left, then to my right, then left, right, left, right, left…

"Fine, suit ya self brat!"

Before Brant walks off, I clench my hands together and dive out of the alleyway and into the sun. I aimed straight towards the man who was about to leave me. I ignore the few gasps of people who jumped back at the sight of me emerging from the back street as I quickly grasp onto Brant.

Brant felt the boy grab his trouser leg. The fact he's been taking this long just to walk out of a damn alleyway was starting to piss him off. The boy looks barely 5 and he's already fighting Orcs in the dungeon but he's too afraid to deal with the city. But when he looked down at the young boy that he was about to berate for being a wimp, he quickly held his tongue.

Percy was currently clinging to his trousers for his life, burying his face into his leg. Brant's heart may have gone cold over the past few years but he wasn't heartless. He could clearly tell the boy was in discomfort as he tried to plug his ears with one hand and his trousers, with seemingly little avail.

Brant started to unconsciously reach down, ready to pat the boy on the head, about to tell him it was alright. That was until he saw a few people staring at him, hearing things like 'aww' and 'poor lad.'

'Tch, don't have time for any of this soppy crap.'

Brant grabbed the collar of Percy's hoodie and peeled him off his leg, dropping him onto the floor.

"Just follow me and you'll be fine, 'kay."

Percy looked up at the man as he rubbed his sore bum, the stone street not providing a comfortable landing. He quickly scrambled onto his feet and ran to deplete the few metres Brant had already stretched on him. Percy kept his head low, only focusing on Brant's worn-out black boots, doing his best to block out everything else, especially the noise.

After what seemed like forever, Brant finally stopped.

"Oof."

I walk straight into his legs. While I had begun to space out, Brant had stopped abruptly so I can't be entirely to blame for running into the back of his legs, earning me a quick scowl from the raggedy-clothed man.

"Watch where ya going brat!"

I let out a squeak of an apology as Brant glares at me. I try to ignore him by looking past him. Thankfully, the noise of the crowd had thinned out. I didn't recognise where we were going but I was just grateful is away from the Tower of Babel. The walk only felt like about half an hour until Brant stopped. He never looked behind him once to check if I was still following him nor did he stop at any point to question which direction to go, seemingly knowing the route he wanted to take. And that was to what could only be described as a shack.

Having stared at Brant's ragged brown boots for so long that I could draw them with every little scratch and rip, I had not noticed the change of scenery. The greenery had changed from well-trimmed bushes and nice, multi-coloured leaved trees to overgrown creating an almost abandoned atmosphere. As I look around, I notice other wooden houses similar to the one Brant stopped at, all in a perpendicular line. Patches of grass spurted out of the cracked cobble I could mistake the road for being in Daedalus Street. Larger buildings cast a shadow over the smaller buildings, adding an eerie feeling on top of the already moody atmosphere, even though the sun was just past midday.

"Wh-where are…?"

Before I had time to finish my question, Brant took a large breath and walked up to the door. Almost slamming it open, I hear a faint sound of a bell amidst the smashing of wood against wood as the door slammed into a wooden beam.

"Oi, the 'ell is slamming ma' door!"

I flinch at the gruff voice. His accent is even thicker than Brant's as I barely make out the complaint. Brant, seemingly unfazed, strides into the shed. I don't have nearly enough confidence to follow but the sound of metal clanging and a crash of wood and steel disperses any thought of waiting outside.

As I dash inside, I immediately take notice of an overwhelming smell. A mixture of booze similar to the one that follows Penia around and the smell of ash, fire and steel. The scent of the metal is so pungent I can practically taste it.

I don't need to step far into the wooden structure to spot the culprit for the drawn blade. A well-rounded Dwarf is standing in the room holding a sword, a very big sword. It is not only taller than me and the fat dwarf holding it but almost even bigger than Brant, whose neck was inches away from the tip.

"Ya got some nerve comin' back 'ere ya bastard!"

The straggly ginger beard that hung off the dwarf's double chin jiggled as the deep voice bellowed out. While clearly needing to cut back on the drink and food, the dwarf was clearly not weak. His large muscles were tensed as they held the massive hunk of metal but judging from his arms being as firm as iron, he did not struggle to wield such a weapon. Wearing a black hair cover over the top of his head, the wrinkles on his face were clear to the naked eye as a few beads of sweat poured past his pissed-off expression.

"Hey, watch where ya point that thing, would ya!"

"We both know I 'ave enough right to be poin'in this blade at ye neck, Brant!" The dwarf basically spat Brant's name out. I can do nothing but watch, as the beefy figure of the man intimidates me. Even though he follows most dwarfs I've seen in terms of stature, that only tells me those muscles and fists are not to be messed with. I've seen what they can do to overgrown Orcs.

The combination of the humidity in the shed and the tense stare-off between Brant and the Dwarf is making me sweat. I have to wipe away a few beads before they reach my eyes.

"J-just wait a minute Reg, lemme splain myself before ya take me head off." Brant sputtered out, trying to slowly push the blade away from his neck with his finger, only for the Dwarf to point straight back, now grazing the man's skin.

I see the dwarf's eyes narrow to slits as Brant gulps. I look at Brant, waiting for him to do something.

'What can I do? If Brant can't deal with it, what chance do I have?'

But as I question any help I could give; I remember my book. The one Maria gave me. The one I left behind to pursue my dream.

"E-E-Exc… Excuse m-me…"

My voice is so quiet I can barely hear it myself. I have to be louder, stronger. Brant has helped me so much and now I need to pay some of that back. That's one of the reasons why I started all this, to pay back the people who helped me. I clench my fists as I take a large gulp, steeling my nerves for as many seconds as I can.

"L-leave him alone!"

I strain my voice to make sure they hear me. It's the loudest I've talked since my fight with Maria.

"Huh, you say someth, wait a minute, the 'ell you come from?"

'He didn't hear me, how? And why does he have to speak so loud?' I think as I cover my ears from the booming voice.

"Oi brat, stay outta this, you 'ear me," Brant says as he moves his eyes away from the dwarf to look at me, his brown eyes giving me the look to shut up.

"B-but…"

"I don't need ya help, I can deal with it."

"Ho, comin' from the man 'ho's got a blade at his neck. Now, 'ho's the little one o'er there?"

"Him? He's my..." Brant tried to come up with a reasonable answer that didn't paint him in a bad light. He couldn't think of one.

Seeing Brant having a hard time trying to decide on our relationship but not wanting to uncover our deal, I give the only answer I can think of at that moment.

"I'm his student." I manage to blurt out. I had somehow managed to say it without my usual stutter but my eyes were scrunched shut with my fists balled by my side. I don't want to open my eyes, scared of what Brant's reaction would be. I knew he wouldn't like me being seen as someone close to him, let alone be his student but it was all I could think of at the time.

"Oh? Ya student aye?"

"Th-that's *ahem* that's right, he's the new student I recently took on."

I open my eyes wide at Brant going along with my plan, not like I gave him much of a choice but I thought he would sound more annoyed by it than he was.

'What does he mean new?'

"I thought you'd stopped doin' that kinda thing," Reg said, his blade slightly lowering, seemingly taken in by our lie.

'Huh...'

That was all I thought about the comment made by the dwarf. Had Brant had previous students? People he taught and helped. I couldn't imagine that no matter how hard I tried. His only lesson with me was when he kicked me around for almost an hour, I wouldn't call that training. All it did was raise my defence stat slightly.

I notice Brant break eye contact with the dwarf, turning away from both of us.

"Yeah well, it's not exactly the same as before."

Both I and the dwarf pick up on the sad undertone in the man's voice. I look at the dwarf and give a confused look as I tilt my head but my only response is a slow shake of the head as Reg lowers the large block of iron.

"Sorry for bringin' up any memories lad, didn' mean it like that..."

"Nah you're good, don't sweat it." Brant gives out a sigh as he turns back to look at the dwarf. His arms kept by his side as it seems the situation defused itself. Seemingly wanting to move on from the awkward atmosphere, the dwarf spoke up again.

"So, what are ya 'ere for anyway and why'd ya bring the lil one along?"

"I thought that would be obvious, I'm in need of someone with a special skill set."

And just like nothing had happened, a rough frown emerged on the dwarf's face.

"There're plenty of others, why'd ya come crawling back to me?"

Brant gave the dwarf a hesitant look and weak smile while lightly scratching the fragments of a beard. "...discount?"

"Not on ya life!"

"Hey, don't be so harsh. Don't our past mean anything to ya?"

"Ya wanna bring up our past! How about we start from the last time we met, ya piece of shit!"

All I can do is stand back and just watch as the two men go at it. It's obvious now that they know it each other and had some kind of past relationship. Then Brant obviously wronged the dwarf in some way. If I had to guess I'd assume it would be related to money.

"Ya scammed me so hard; I almost lost my 'ouse!"

'Knew it.'

"Look look look, how 'bout we calm down, aye? Besides, we ain't 'ere for me anyway."

"-huh?"

We ain't here for Brant? Then why are we even here? There's no way Brant came all this way for me. Then again...

"Ya a good investment!"

That's probably it. He's helping me now so I can earn him more money in the future. Probably just here to get me a new knife to dig out the monster stones. I suppose that's something at least, I should show my gratitude by killing even more monsters next time I go back into the dungeon.

Seemingly noticing my existence once again, the dwarf turns his head towards me. For the first time, I see the left side of his face. It isn't pretty, to say the least. While his eye is still open, it's clear it doesn't work very well, probably due to the scar that resides over it, masking his amber coloured eye. Apparently, I didn't hide my reaction too well as the dwarf gave a slight chuckle.

"Don' mind the face, I'm still prettier than any elf even with this. Anyway, ignoring this prat 'ere..."

"Hey!"

"It's nice to meet ya. The name's Dyregn Sturgart, son of Dyrmon Sturgart from the mountains of Grimm, but as ya 'eard from that one o'er there, just call me Reg."

I numbly nod as my mind tries to process the new information thrown at me. I glue my eyes at the large hand pushed out towards me, taking a step back at the sudden jolt of movement from the dwarf.

"Don' worry, I don' bi'e," Reg said with a toothy grin. I glance slightly over at Brant who gives me a slight nod. Nervously, I return the gesture and proceed to get my arm almost ripped out of its socket as it takes all my strength just to try and remain grounded at the power Reg uses in the shake.

"Ha-Ha! Good lad, now ya gonna stand there stayin' silent or ya gonna tell me ya name. aye?" The dwarf said with a chuckle. I couldn't help but relax around him. Even though he is quite loud, I don't seem to mind being around him. Maybe it's the warm smile that replaced the menacing frown from before or it's just his jovial personality I'm getting to see.

"P-Percy..."

"Welp, nice to meet ya Percy! So, what can I do for ya?"

"W-well, my Kn-Kn-Knife br-broke."

"Hmm, ya a quiet one, ain't ya. That's fine, we'll fix that o'er time, don' ya worry 'bout that." The dwarf let out another bellow of laughter, though I wasn't sure what was so funny, slightly nervous at the implications of changing me.

'He does make stuff; wonder how he will try to change me? Wait, will he use his hammer and will I have to sit on that metal thing (anvil)? Won't that hurt?'

I gulp as my mind starts racing at what might happen to me, thinking if I might need to escape. Seemingly seeing my inner turmoil, Brant speaks for me.

"Give him the basic set."

"Basic set?"

"Don't tell me ya don' remember what that was, ya mind gone with ya age, ya old man," Brant said with a grin.

"Course I remember and don' go spouting age when ya look like that. Ya ain' no spring chicken anymore."

"I am compared to you, ya scraggly geezer."

I almost feel alone watching the two men banter back and forth. I'd never seen Brant in this mood before. The smile on his face wasn't forced as he was clearly enjoying the interaction with the dwarf. I gain a slight smile myself as I watch the interaction, though I would be lying if I wasn't a bit sad, wishing I had something like that.

Before I'm reminded more of loneliness, Reg walks over to me and slaps his rough hand on my back, almost sending me to the floor.

"Come on then lad, let's get ya measurements."

I tilt my head in confusion.

'What's a measurement?' I think as I follow the dwarf in the back. I nervously look back at Brant, who once again gives me a nod, confirming that it's ok.

I don't really question the dwarf as he tells me to stand on a wooden box and gets a long piece of paper and starts putting it near my body. I simply put it down to blacksmith stuff, still not really sure what a blacksmith is. If this gets me a new knife then I don't mind, I trust Brant.

'Do I trust Brant?'

I start thinking about my feelings towards my... partner? Has our relationship grown from a mutually beneficial deal for making money? I mean, he has allowed me to sleep and eat at his place more than a few times now and he did train me that one time. And I can't deny I'm completely independent on him when it comes to stuff outside the dungeon, and even then his advice has proven invaluable on more than a few monsters.

'I guess I am sort of his student then.'

I can't help but smile at that thought. Maybe I am not totally alone. But then the image of Maria holding Carla's hand and Jacob in her other arm comes into my mind.

"So lad, tell us a bit 'bout yourself," Reg says as he begins pressing the piece of paper near my right leg.

"L-Like what?"

"Like where ya from? How ya met that deadbeat? Why ya in the dungeon?"

I immediately regret carrying on this conversation.

'Why those questions! I can't answer those!'

Seemingly noticing my hesitancy, mainly my eyes staring at the floor being a dead giveaway, the dwarf let out a chuckle.

"Thought it was a tad unusual. So I guess you're somewhat of a peculiar case then. Alright then, I'll respect ya privacy for the time bein'. How 'bout... what kind of knife do ya like to use?"

That is an easier question to answer, thankful that the dwarf is so understanding. I wonder how Brant annoyed him so much that he wanted to shove a giant sword at his throat.

"I don't mind, anything that can get the stones out is fine," I answer, happy I can talk about something normal... is monster killing normal?

"Surely ya can expand on that for me. I mean like do you prefer a double-edged blade or a single one? Do ya want it razored or something more like a sword?"

"Oh, I don't use my knife like that."

Reg gives me a puzzled look.

"Hmm? But ya said ya broke a knife?" Reg said as he stopped doing what he was doing, as he looks up at me, staying kneeling. I simply give him a perplexed look until I realise neither me nor Brant said why the knife broke.

"Well, the Knife that broke was the one I use to recover magic stones. I typically just use my hands to fight."

"Oh, ain't that interestin'. I ain' ever met a Prum brawler. Bet that'd be a sight to see." Reg said as he let out a quick laugh. He then began stroking his scraggly ginger beard as he uses his other hand to look at my hands, nodding now and then as he notices the small calluses that had formed from my constant fights in the dungeon. I'm grateful that the dwarf was focused on my hands and my measurement things as he doesn't realise the look of shock and worry on my face.

'Prum...? He thinks I'm a Prum! He doesn't know I'm so young! Is it because of the Prum clothes Brant brought me? Oh no, how do I deal with this? Do I tell him? Do I go along with it? What does Brant want to do about it?'

I start sweating as Reg gets the piece of paper and wraps it around my wrist and palm of my hands and starts writing in the book he had been using throughout the measurement taking.

"Welp, that's everything. Maybe at one point, ya can come practice with me, I'd like to see ya fight, Ha!" The dwarf bellowed out. I nervously laugh along as I step off the box and quickly walk back over to Brant.

Before Reg finishes whatever he was doing behind me, I dash over to Brant.

"Ya finally back? What took so long, ya make some chitchat or what?"

Then he noticed my nervous look and his eyes widened in a small bit of fright.

"Wait, ya didn' tell him 'bout us."

I shake my head.

"Then why'd ya look so nervous?" Brant says as he crouches down next to me. I smell the alcohol on his breath and it reminds me of Penia. What would she do at this time?

"Ya on ya own this time brat, don' expect any help from me!"

'Goddess please!'

I want to curse her but I'm too scared of what she'd do if she somehow heard it as I internally scream for her help.

"He...he...he..." I just keep stuttering, struggling to get even a single word out.

"What 'bout him, what ya tell him?" Brant asks frantically, grabbing me by the shoulders.

"I didn't..." I quietly say.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I... he thinks I'm a Prum and I didn't tell him."

"..oh...oh fuck."

"What ya talkin' 'bout?"

We both freeze at the gruff voice. I can't say anything, too nervous to speak. I know I'm a terrible liar, only ever getting away with one successfully so far.

"Percy was just tellin' me something, don' worry 'bout it," Brant says as he quickly scratches the side of his brown hair. I just continue to stare at Brant's trousers, still rooted to the spot.

I hear a deep, quick hum behind me as the sound of heavy footsteps make their way over.

"Fine then, now... 'bout the payments."

The mention of money is what brings me out of my frozen state. My pocket knife was given to me by a friendly stall owner in Daedalus Street after Maria helped him out with that morning's delivery of goods. This would be the first time I was going to actually spend money on something related to the dungeon. I was mainly anxious at the exorbitant price after listening to a few adventurers' conversations regarding the weapon shops that reside in the Tower of Babel. However, there was a part of me sort of excited to be buying my first piece of equipment.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Half now, half later," Brant says in a huff as he starts digging into his pockets. I quickly look up at him, confused.

"Wait... what are you doing?" I quietly ask.

"What does it look like, ya brat? I'm payin'."

"...huh?"

"-Tch, don' look at me like that. Don' expect this to become common, ya hear me," Brant says with a click of his tongue, the small bit of aggression in his voice being enough to subdue me as I numbly nod my head.

"Even after these years, still holdin' on to some form of tradition, aye Brant?" Reg asks as Brant walks past me as I'm unable to control my smile.

"Something like that..." Brant mumble as I hear the jingle of Valis and for once, not coming out of my pockets.

I think again about what my relationship with Brant has become. Does he really see me more as an investment? He must do if he is willing to pay for a new knife.

"Ah, before I take ya money, even though I really wanna, I gotta ask one more question, ok?" Reg says calmly.

"Huh, sure... I guess," Brant replies.

"Lil Percy..."

I get confused as I turn around. The question Reg wants to ask is for me. Why?

"Y-Yeah...?" I respond a bit apprehensively.

"Ya excited for ya new set of armour?" Reg asks.

Now I'm really confused.

'Armour? Why am I getting armour? I thought I was just getting a new knife to help me get monster stones.'

"Why do ya look so confused?" Reg asks but still with a smile on his face. Brant is also looking at me but then he turns to look at Reg and his eyes widen at the dwarf's facial expression. Before Brant can answer for me, I talk.

"I didn't...Didn't think I was getting... any... armour..." My voice slowly gets quieter as I realise I've made a mistake from Brant's facial expressions.

'What did I do?' I try to ask him telepathically. Penia and Maria have been able to read my mind many times before, hopefully, Brant can as well. Maybe it's a power all adults have.

It seems that Brant was not gifted with being able to read my mind as he almost freezes in place, his head comically turning back towards the dwarf whose eyes have reduced to slits.

"Why would ya think that lad, I took ya measurements and all."

"Oh, haha. Yeah, I suppose you did hahaha."

I try to laugh it off but even I can hear how nervous it sounded.

"Lad... do you even know what a measurement is?" Reg asks, his voice sounding too calm. The gruffness was replaced by a low, monotone voice.

'How... how does he know?' I think as I take a massive gulp. I know I'm a horrible liar and I can't think of an answer to his question so all I do is break eye contact and replace his stern, narrow gaze with the wooden floorboards.

"Thought so. I could tell ya had no idea what I was doin'."

Reg then slowly turned his head to face Brant who immediately began struggling to hold the dwarf's gaze.

"Percy... how old are ya?"

I visibly twitch that I wasn't surprised that my bones didn't make any noise with how quickly my body jumped in place. For his part, Brant just sighed.

"Haaahhh, what gave us away old man?"

"I KNEW IT! SO HE AIN'T A PRUM. LOOK AT 'IM BRANT! HE CAN'T BE ANY OLDER THAN 7!"

"5... actually," I mumble out the correction, getting a harsh look from Brant as if to say shut up, I'm not helping.

"5! YA ARE SENDING A FUCKIN' FIVE-YEAR-OLD INTO THA' DUNGEON! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YA!" Reg's shout makes the hanging tools and weapons in the shack begin to vibrate and swing on the hooks. The floorboards creak under the added pressure of the dwarf tensing up. Brant flinches at the harsh tone of voice and the words used. However, he notices something as he begins to cover his ears.

"Oi, Reg. Keep ya voice down!"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TA DO, YA BASTARD!"

"I said shut it! The lad don' like loud noise!"

"-HUH, WHAT DO YA... mean?"

Reg's voice immediately subsided as he looks on at the same image as Brant. Both men see the young boy quivering on the ground, his hands firmly pressed against his ears. Rolled up in an almost fetal position on the wooden floor, the boy staying almost motionless, the exception being the tensing in his arms.

Reg just watches in abject silence.

"Was I that loud...?" He asked, almost as if he forget about everything up to that point, his concern for the boy prioritising over everything else at that moment.

"Yeah ya were, but he just really don' like loud noises. He can barely walk through a crowded street without feeling some level of discomfort," Brant says as he walks over to Percy.

Reg watches on as Brant kneels down next to the 5-year-old and lightly taps him on the shoulder. Percy responds slowly as he carefully raises his head. Brant gestures for him to uncover his ears and showing that Dyregn and himself were now silent.

As Percy drops his hands away from his face and begins to stand back up, both the boy and Brant turn to look back at the dwarf.

Reg, for his part, only sighs as he watches his old friend fall back into his old habits once more.

'Ya still the same caring bastard as before, ain' ya.'

"Lad, sorry for bein' so loud. I didn' mean to hurt ya," Reg says, making sure to not raise his voice any higher than it needed to be.

"It's... ok."

Percy's response was quiet and apprehensive. Reg understood that Percy was now uncomfortable around him again. As Reg looked back at the two misfits standing in his shop he could only sigh.

"Grab a stool, I wanna hear 'bout this."

"So ya training under the guise that he pays ya, that sound 'bout right?" Reg asks as he puts down his pipe he had gone to collect halfway through the story, about at the time of the mention of a horde of killer ants.

"Pretty much..." Brant responds as he takes a sip of ale Reg brought out. Percy, almost as if he was copying the man, took a sip from his own cup after a small nod of confirmation, though his was filled with water.

Reg slouched in his stool even more, a bit further and he would fall off. He wasn't sure what to make of the situation. He gave a look mixed with puzzlement and confusion at Brant.

'Are you really going to go through it again, especially after what happened last time?' The dwarf thought before his attention returned to the young boy.

Brant had decided to not hide much from the dwarf as the dwarf had some magic way of telling when he was lying, almost like he was a deity. Little did the man know that he had a dead giveaway. It was how Reg got suspicious in the first place as he watched Brant scratch the side of his head once again when mentioning their deal.

'He ain' telling me everything but that's fine for now.' The dwarf thought as he let out a puff of smoke. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Percy was only five but he had already accumulated over half a years' worth of dungeon experience.

"Right! I've made my decision!" The dwarf boldly stated, making the other two jump.

"Now I can't say I agree with what's goin' on..." The dwarf began, earning a down trodden look from Percy as the young boy slouched in his own chair, his black hair covering his green eyes.

"But, and this is a massive but ya 'ear me, I ain' the one who has the right to stop ya."

Percy perked up at that, now looking directly in the dwarf's amber eyes.

"As much as I'd like to persuade ya otherwise, it's up to you. Only the Gods know why ya wanna do this, 'specially one so young but I can' be one to judge," Reg says as he gives a small glance over to Brant who gives a mix of a grunt and a laugh in return.

"So I've decided that I'll 'elp ya. If I can't stop ya from goin' in, I'll do my upmost to make sure ya come back out," Reg finished with a toothy grin.

"Really!" Percy excitedly asks, earning a nod from the dwarf, who only expanding his grin. Percy looked over at Brant with a smile to match the dwarfs.

"Why ya lookin at me, he said he'll help us, so he'' help us."

Percy struggled to contain his excitement, almost bursting with energy. Brant and Reg said a look and small smile of satisfaction at the bubbly ball of energy in front of them. Brant hadn't really seen Percy like this, happy that he got to see the young boy with a smile on his face for once.

"I've already got ya measurements, so don' ya worry. Now Brant, back to the payment," Reg says as he stands up from his chair and puts his pipe down on his counter.

"W-wait..." Percy nervously speaks up, grabbing the older men's attention.

"Why am I not paying?" He asks, still confused at why Brant would be willing to pay for a whole set of armour for him.

"Brant, ya ain' told the lad yet?" Reg asks.

"Course I ain', never really thought 'bout it till now," Brant responds with a quick retort, not bothering to elaborate further. With a roll of his eyes, Reg decided to explain for him.

"Ya see, back in the older days, when me and Brant were part of the same Familia, it was seen as a tradition that the newest member would always get their first set of armour bought for 'em by another member in the Familia, either bein' the member who joined before them or the person trainin' 'em."

"Wait! You and Brant were part of the same Familia?" Percy asks, still curious about Brant's past.

"Sure were! Me and 'im used to go dungeon divin' a lot."

"What happened?" Percy asked. However, he realised he had asked one question to much as the mood quickly turned, Brant staring straight forward as Reg loses his gaze with Percy.

"Stuff happened, 'nough said."

Brant's quick answer was enough to tell Percy that it was a touchy subject. Just like Brant and Reg didn't pry into his situation, he would respect their pasts as well. Both the men were grateful for the maturity that was beyond the 5-year-olds years as Percy quickly changed the subject.

"So, how long until I get my armour? Should I come around tomorrow?" Percy re-ignited his excitement, pushing past the awkward atmosphere.

"Hold ya horses lad, I might be good but I don' work miracles 'ere," Reg says as Brant continues his search for his Valis bag.

"-oh," Percy says a big dejected.

"Don't worry youngin'. I'll have it done by week's end, so it won' be that long. How bout ya take a well earned break for a few days while ya wait for me to finish ya armour and knife."

Percy just nods, a bit upset he won't get his shiny new armour set immediately and that he will probably have to wait until the next time he goes into the dungeon.

'Both him and Brant have now mentioned a rest day, maybe I should take one." Percy thought as he tried to lift his mood a bit.

"Right, you two bugger off now. I've got work to do!" Reg said, back to usual chipper self, the relaxing gruff voice returning as he shooed Brant and Percy out of his blacksmith shack.

"I'll see ya in a few day's lad."

"O-ok," Percy replied, still annoyed he wouldn't be getting his armour quickly. Seeing his abject look, Reg mentioned spoke up.

"Oi Percy, come 'ere for a sec, I'll let ya on a lil blacksmith secret."

Percy quickly scurried over to the kneeling dwarf as he bent down to the young boy's ear.

"If a blacksmith completes a piece of equipment too quick, it is rushed and not good. However, if he takes too long then he has made too many mistakes and the equipment won't have been taken care of. If it's only a few days, then that means it's just right. So don' ya worry ya little head, I promise what you will be gettin' will be top notch stuff for a level one adventurer."

Percy quickly nodded his head, digesting every word. He had no way of knowing whether Reg had completely made that fact up or he was telling the truth, but any form of comfort for what was going to be a long wait was happily accepted by the young boy.

"Promise ya won' tell the other adventurers."

"I promise!" Percy said.

'It's not like I talk to any of them anyway so that will be an easy promise to keep.'

"Come on squirt before I leave ya behind." Brant said as he began walking off, not needing to turn around to know Percy was scrambling quickly to catch up.

As Reg watched the two walk around the corner he walked back into his own store. He put away the set of chairs and his pipe went back into his drawer by the counter.

Grabbing his black durag, he covered his large bald spot on his head and wrapped it tight. Snatching a pencil and ruler from one of the many untidy shelves he began work on the design for Percy's armour and knife, glancing at the measurements he took beforehand.

Though it was only a few minutes in before he had to stop and put his pencil down. He brought his thumb and forefinger up to his forehead and sighed.

"I hope that boy does what he needs to do, for his sake and Brant's."

The dwarf's mind was swirling with thoughts of the past. Images of his former Familia members merged with the sound of roaring monsters, laughter and arguments throughout so many years. The incident where it all fell apart.

But the old dwarf would not be distracted for long. He was no longer an active adventurer and he never had wanted to get back into that kind of business but now he felt it was his duty to help this young boy.

"One last time," Dyregn mumbled to himself as he got back to work, more concentrated than ever to help out the unlikely duo the scruffy pair had formed.

Brant didn't know when he started to actually split the money 50/50, was after a month, the trial period for a rookie to see if they are capable to continue.

Yay, back again. I said this in my other story, go check it out, I broke my wrist again. It's not a fun experience, especially when you need to type. While the healing has gone very well, I didn't want to put in a chapter saying how I won't post for a while because that would a waste of time that could be spent actualy making the chapter. Now, this chapter is late because I wanted to post both my stories at the same time so I did this one on the side, just this time dw it aint being sidelined, while I wrote for The Cursed Prince.

Not sure when next chapter will be but I will continue this, I will say that but as i was reprimanded on my other story, I can't promise anything I am uncertain of. But I want to continue writing this story and as long that's there, this story won't die. I won't jsut leave it unknown, if this story is finished or no longer alive, I will inform you.

Reviews:

Runelt99: See, I think the same. Bell can't be the same as Percy at the start of canon story. Not even close so percy will be getting strong and going through some tough stuff to get there. And I have a lot planned with Freya, don't you worry she will be part of the story, alongside the hostess.

Roland Tepes (Sick name btw): The dark day is during close and Alfia will be making a definite appearance. Speaking of the Silence, Her and her nephew have a similarity and that will involve Perseus' weapon choices and no, it isn't magic though Perseus won't stay magicless. If you know what that is, then well done but I won't say until it's out right said in the story.

That's done with so all I'll say is, see ya next time. Peace!