After Hestia gave their new members their blessings, Koukin took it upon herself to take their new members to the guild to get registered as adventurers. She suggested that the others go to the dungeon today, mentioning their coffers are going to need to be bigger now with new members.
Everyone else agreed and soon enough, they all headed out.
When arriving at the entrance to the dungeon, Takeru reminded everyone to check their gear and equipment before going in. This precaution was more emphasized now because of what they were going to do today.
They were going to reach the tenth floor today.
Bell was anxious and excited for today. He gave another look over himself to see he had everything ready.
Knife? Check. Potions? Check. Armor? Check.
He glanced at the others to see how they were doing.
Arue hardly needed to look over herself too long, she stood comfortably and confidently in her robes with her arms crossed under her chest.
Chitoge gave herself one last check up before smacking her knuckles together with an audible bang. She no longer had her gauntlets anymore, opting to go with a newly purchased set of knuckle based weapons this time. Not as armored as the gauntlets were, but much more capable at delivering damage than the gauntlets ever could.
Hana was ready as well. Standing firm and facing the dungeon with her fists tucked at her waist. Her gaze held focus and excitement for their new journey ahead.
She was trying to look fierce but Bell thought her expression just looked adorable.
Takeru fiddled with her golden arm guards, making sure they were firmly in place. Before taking a hand and placing it on her sword's scabbard. She gave a deep breath and sighed before nodding to Bell, letting him know she was ready.
This was it. Today they explore new sights, face new monsters, and gain more experience to go further.
Bell was ready for whatever surprises the dungeon had in store for hi-
"Hi mister adventurer!"
"Gyaaa!!!"
Bell nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice that came from behind him. He found himself floundering about before finally getting his bearings and turning around.
He also tried his best to ignore the barely suppressed laughter of Chitoge, Arue, and Hana.
He also tried to ignore the glare Takeru was sending his way. Her disappointment at his reaction to a surprise, obvious.
Bell saw at first a giant bag greeting his vision. It looked thoroughly stuffed with all manner of supplies and gear.
"Excuse me Mister adventurer! Down here!"
Bell turned his head down to see a short girl looking up at him, very short, even more so than Hestia. She had chestnut brown hair and similar colored eyes, though it was difficult to make out her hair given the long hooded cloak she wore.
She stared up at him with a smile, glad she caught his attention.
"Greetings mister adventurer," she said, "I've seen you go in and out of the dungeon lately and wondered if you're in the market for a supporter?"
Bell blinked at this sudden development. A supporter? Bell had heard of them before, thanks to Eina, people who went with adventurers and held onto supplies and equipment that the adventurer would otherwise need on their journey.
He didn't think he would ever need one, given how he generally took what he felt he needed with him on his ventures.
Still the offer was a tempting one.
"You say you've seen Bell go in and out of the dungeon and choose now to ask?" the question came from Takeru, "What made you decide to bring the offer forward now?"
"Lili had to work up the courage herself," she looked up a Takeru for a moment before looking down at the ground and continued, "she wasn't familiar with mister adventurer yet and couldn't find a good time to ask," she looked back up, a small smile on her face now, "but now she knows he is a good person at least, if he has a party this big with him."
Takeru stared at the girl. Her instincts were telling her something was off. This girl, Lili, if her manner of speaking was anything to go by, wasn't telling them everything.
She had dealt with deception and deceivers before. Having had a hand in cutting down more than a few of them and being controlled by one of them at one point. Lili's story seemed too purposeful, too rehearsed.
Too obvious.
Yet there was something about her that itched the back of Takeru's mind. Like there was something missing to all of this.
She looked closer at the girl, noticing her eyes. She had seen those eyes before, eyes that held an uncomfortable truth.
She had them herself, once in another life.
Bell chose that moment to act on a hunch and looked closely at Lili. A dawn of recognition passing over his face.
"Hey, weren't you the girl me and Chitoge met in the alleyway yesterday?" he asked, "You weren't hurt too bad, were you?"
Chitoge came to his side and scrutinized Lili as well, "Hey yeah," she said, "you look just like the girl in the alley. You okay? You looked like you took a good few hits."
Lili shook her head, "Sorry sir and miss, but I think you must be mistaken me for someone else."
Chitoge gave a deep hum before replying, "No, I'm sure it was you. The girl we helped out was a-", she trailed off, looking for the word, " pellim? A prumum? A…"
"A pallum," Bell helpfully chimed in.
"Yeah that!" exclaimed Chitoge, "the one we helped was a pallum and you match the height and hair color so far."
Lili gave Chitoge a smile before correcting her, "I'm sorry miss adventurer, but this is our first time meeting and besides," she reaches up to remove her hood, revealing a pair of animal ears on top of her head, "Lili is a chienthrope. Not a pallum," she gave her ears a twist to emphasize the point.
Bell found himself reaching out a rubbing lightly at one of the ears, having never been so close to a chienthrope before. His curiosity getting the better of him.
"Ahhh…mister adventurer please stop that," moaned Lili, who squirmed under his touch, "They are very sensitive and this is incredibly inappropriate."
Bell drew his hand back with a yelp, realizing what he was doing.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to," Bell began, but it was too late.
"Wow. Here I thought you were the shy type," Chitoge said, giving him a blank stare, her judgment plane.
"I'm truly envious. You acted before I could," said Hana, unashamed.
"My my. Perhaps you're not as pure as snow after all," added Arue with a chuckle.
Bell frantically tried to come up with something, anything, to say to get him out of this mess, but besides apologies, he couldn't think of anything else.
"Alright enough," Takeru interrupted firmly, "Miss. before we decide, I do not believe we caught your name in full. Please introduce yourself properly."
Lili did so, finding the stern voice of Takeru a good insensitive, "Right," she gave a small bow, "My name is Liliruca Arde, it's nice to meet you all."
Takeru nodded, glad for the introduction, "Now miss Arde. I feel compelled to tell you that you chose to render your services at a strange time. Our goal today is to reach the tenth floor."
She saw Lili tense up in surprise, clearly she thought they were more novice than experienced.
Though, in her defense, Bell still could act like a rookie at times. Which did nothing to alleviate the appearance of a green as grass adventure he sometimes was.
"Floor ten," Lili said in awe, "That's impressive. Lili has only seen mister adventurer go into the dungeon a few times and he can already go to the tenth floor?" She looked up at Bell, her ears twitching and eyes full of amazement, "You must really be strong mist-no…master adventurer."
The praise she gave Bell caused him to blush at the sudden attention. He tried to make light of it but was struggling to find the right words, flattered as he was.
The rest of the party looked on with amusement. Give their captain a compliment and he becomes meek and modest all over.
Lili brought her attention to Takeru, "It's no problem for Lili if we go down that far. I've traveled down further with other adventurers before."
'Other adventurers?' Takeru thought. If she had gone with similar people and even further down. Why would she bother with them?
Something wasn't adding up and Takeru was all the more cautious for it, but for now they could use a supporter.
"Very well," she said, "we could first hand experience on what to face anyway," she looked to others, "everyone ready?"
They all nodded and Takeru looked to Bell.
"Then captain, by your orders."
"Right," said Bell, "let's go!"
They set off, Bell leading at the front with Hana and Chitoge by his side. Arue coming up behind them along with Lili. Takeru opted to cover the rear as they advanced.
Her gaze did not leave the form of Lili the entire time.
Hestia was sitting in the lower lounge of her home. She had brought a book down with her and was enjoying a good read.
After status updates, summonings, falna granting, and intense talk about the shared skill. Hestia felt she needed a break and she could think of anything better than a good read.
Though she would have enjoyed it all the longer had someone not knock on her door just then.
Hestia got up from the couch and made her way to the door.
'Koukin and the others must be back from registering. That didn't take long. Did they get their shopping done too?' she thought.
It had been a common practice at this point when it came to their new members. Get them registered and get them clothes and equipment. She had even made sure Koukin had enough spending money to do so.
They were in a good place to do so. Given their current average of earnings after going into the dungeon, it was only going to go up with their new members contributing.
Hestia made it to the door, opened it, and was surprised to find who was there.
He was a man dressed as if he was about to go exploring. The orange scarf around his neck and feathered hat on his head, accompanied with a dashing smile he wore solidified this image.
Though Hestia knew this wasn't a formal man, given the aura she could feel from him. Similar to hers in fact, and a great many in this city.
This was Hermes, messenger God and leader of his namesake familia.
"Hestia," he began, "Good to see you! It's been so long, old friend. I hear you've been doing well and I can see it's true. This old place was practically a ruin. Now here you are!" he gave her a wide smile, "My, how far you have come. Good for you Hestia! Good for you!"
"…What do you want, Hermes? It's my day off," Hestia deadpanned, not swayed at all by his honeyed words.
She reluctantly tolerated his antics back in heaven but here in the mortal world, she did not want to be bothered with whatever schemes or shenanigans he found himself a part of.
She didn't hate him but neither did she trust him.
Hermes waved her words away, unconcerned about her tone but polite enough to cut to the chase. "Sorry Hestia. Didn't mean to sound too condescending there," he gave her a genuine smile, "still though. I'm honestly happy you're doing much better now than a while ago. It couldn't be easy for you, I know that much."
Hestia begrudgingly gave him a nod in thanks, appreciating the compliment, "Thank you Hermes but you didn't answer my question. What do you want?" She wanted to cut to the chase already, it's been a tiring day so far.
"Sorry, sorry," said Hermes, reaching into a pack of his and pulling out two envelopes, "I do have a legitimate reason to be here. Two of your familia members got mail."
Hestia took the mail from Hermes' hands, looking at them. One was addressed to Koukin and the other to Arue.
'Hmmm? Wander what these could be," Hestia thought.
"Well thanks Hermes, I appreciate it," Hestia thanked the messenger God, before suddenly pausing in realization, "Wait a minute. You're delivering mail."
Hermes blinked at the odd comment, before giving Hestia a smile, "Well obviously. I am a messenger God after all."
Hestia shook her head, something was off, "Yeah but you're delivering it yourself. Not your children. You usually have your children deliver the mail instead. While you're off doing whatever," she looked at him more closely, her curiosity and suspicion ignited once more, "What's going on?"
Hermes tried to wave Hestia's question aside, not wanting to answer at first, but a steady glare from the short Goddess and a wise second thought made him change his mind rather quickly.
He gave a deep sigh before saying, "Oh, what's the harm? It's not really much of a secret at this point anyway."
Hestia cocked her head. Secret? What secret?
Hermes continued, "Yes I am personally delivering the mail instead of my children simply because," he gave her a helpless shrug, "We've been very busy running an investigation as of late."
Hestia perked up at that. An investigation involving practically all of Hermes familia? It had to be a big one if that was the case.
Then Hestia recalled something, something she remembered Loki and Freya discussing at Ganesha's party.
"Wait," said Hestia, "Is this something about your kids stalking about the other familias?"
Hermes twitched at the word 'stalking'. He wouldn't lie, that word kinda hurt to describe his familia's actions as of late.
Regardless of how accurate it actually was.
"Investigating," Hermes emphasized, "and yes. We're leaving no stone unturned in our work," he gave a deep sigh in apparent exhaustion, "though if I'm honest, the investigation is pretty much wrapped up by now. Ouranos is just gonna have to accept the fact. No God or Goddess, in the city at least, was responsible for what he sensed."
Hestia was very curious now, "What did he sense?"
If it was enough to scare a God like him, she wanted to know too. She had a familia to look after now after all. An unconventional one, but still hers.
"He sensed a burst of divine energy inside a dungeon. Enough of it to make the old man jump in his seat," Hermes said.
Hestia jumped at that herself. One of the rules that all Gods and Goddesses in Orario are supposed to follow is never use their divine power, their Arcanum. If any deity were to do so and be caught, they would get an express trip back to Heaven.
Leaving their familia children without a falna and to be dismantled piecemeal by any rivals they may have.
A scenario that Hestia shudders to imagine.
"A terrifying thought I know," Hermes turned around and seemed to be ready to leave, "but fret not Hestia. Our investigation so far has determined it wasn't anyone in the city and given there haven't been any visiting Gods in the last few weeks, it rules out any deity outside the city as well."
Hestia gave a sigh at that, though she needn't have a reason to worry herself. She had no wish to ever go into the dungeon. Her children may be happy to venture down themselves, but she was comfortable right here where she was.
Keeping the home warm for when they came back.
"Then where could the power come from?" Hestia asked Hermes, "If no God did it here or outside, where does that leave?"
Hermes glanced behind himself at Hestia. He gave her a smile that spoke of an exciting truth he had confidence in.
"Why there is only one place it could have come from, dear Hestia," he turned and made his leave, "Someone in heaven decided to forgo ever coming to the mortal world and bless some lucky soul a gift from on high!"
Hestia's stomach dropped.
A god who decided to never descend to the mortal world. Who used their power to bless a child of the world with a divine gift.
Whose name was on the back of her first child.
That she had to keep secret at all costs.
'Eros,' Hestia thought , 'they're on to you.'
'They could be on Bell next.'
Hestia didn't say anything as she watched Hermes leave. Her fear and nervousness were plain on her features and she found herself glad the messenger God's back was turned to her.
She couldn't lie if she were a rug, not to someone like Hermes. He could spot a lie from her as if she panted it on her face.
Thankfully, he took her silence as the shock he no doubt expected from someone out of the loop, "I know it's shocking," he began, "Something like this is unheard of and I don't think there is a God or Goddess up above that wouldn't want to come down here and play amongst the mortals. Which makes the thought of one giving up the chance absolutely insane," he turned his gaze up into the blue sky, a thoughtful look in his eye, "I wonder who it was and what gift they gave to some lucky soul."
He gave a sigh and looked back down, continuing, "Ouranos is already looking into that, by himself. He is the only one in the world who can talk to those up above," he walked on, "not that it's likely anyone up there would give him an honest answer anyway."
He gave another wave behind him, "Sorry for rambling on Hestia," he said, "I hope you enjoy the rest of your day."
Hestia finally schooled her features and replied, "Thank you Hermes," that was all she could really say, after receiving such an info dump like that.
Hermes left the area and was out of Hestia's sight, she went back inside and closed the door, before leaning back against it and sliding to the ground.
There was so much to process. So much to think about.
"I have to tell Koukin," she decided. Her unofficial vice-captain had to know. She could plan for this in a way Hestia couldn't.
At least, she hoped so.
Bell swiped hard to the side with his knife, severing the tongue of a frog shooter that was ahead of him. He closed the distance and slammed his knife into the creature's skull. It burst to ash a second later, dropping a good sized magic stone in the process.
They had made it to floor six with minimal issues so far and were on their way steadily to floor seven.
He vaguely remembered the last time he was here, when his emotions were high and he felt like he had something to prove. He still did, to himself and someone else he admired. Though now he had a good deal of backup with him.
He was at first worried that Chitoge and Hana wouldn't handle the monsters so well down here, but he was swiftly proven wrong by how well the two worked in conjunction with each other and himself. The trio made an effective vanguard force, Bell would use his speed to draw the monsters' attention, meanwhile Hana and Chitoge would move in on any blind spots and dispatch the monsters. It was a simple strategy but effective for what they were facing now.
He felt a flash of heat go over his head and he didn't have to look to know Arue succeeded in torching an incoming group of monsters.
Arue was satisfied that her magic was no longer reducing the monsters completely to ash, magic stone and all. Since they passed the fifth floor, the monsters were far more hardy in being destroyed by her spells. She was still holding back a good deal of power but it was nice to be able to defeat monsters without reducing them to ash inside and out.
Lili watched as their party continued on, slaying monsters and picking up stones and occasionally drop-items. She had expected them to be capable given how they seemed to be still fresh adventurers, but this was way beyond her expectations.
Though definitely still kinda green, Lili could tell that Bell was a confident combatant with speed most level ones had to work months at achieving. Chitoge and Hana were a bit behind but made up for their lack of speed with strength and technique.
Chitoge could strike swiftly and sharply enough that Lili couldn't keep track of all the hits at times. Hana was a surprise to be sure, given she used less gear then the others and tossed the other monsters up and down, left to right, with seemingly little effort but with graceful technique.
"Eyes up Arde!"
She shot her head up to see a wall shadow leaping down to her. She nearly ducked in terror before a flash of silver flashed through the monster and it disintegrated to ash, leaving a magic stone to fall neatly at her feet.
She looked behind her to see Takeru looking ahead at the others, hand on her sword, just sheathing it.
She knew what had happened and it made her both grateful for the save but nervous from the savior.
Takeru stood apart at being way stronger than anyone in the party, though she claimed to be a level one, Lili didn't doubt that she could go toe to toe with a level two or three with her abilities.
Arue was little better, casting magic so quickly about and having no signs of Mind Down of any kind.
She may have bitten off more than she could chew with this party.
She picked up the stone that fell to her feet from the wall shadow, it was a good size and would definitely fetch a decent price.
At the very least it will be profitable.
They continued on, reaching the seventh floor and coming into contact with more wall shadows than ever before.
Hana found it difficult to fight them herself, given their amorphous nature made it difficult to lock them into a grab, but she was still able to kill a few with some lucky grabs.
The party adjusted quickly and Arue eventually stepped up and decided to take to the front lines.
By thoroughly setting the front lines ablaze. One moment there were no less than ten wall shadows before them, now there was a wall of flames from casting her 'fireball' spell again and again.
They had to wait a bit for the flames to calm down before they continued on, picking the magic stones up as they went.
Bell was unlucky enough to grab one that was still hot from the fire, poor fellow.
They made it to floor eight with little issue after that. Many in the party believing Arue may have scared off most of the monsters that would have otherwise been in their way.
Something that Arue thought as well and she puffed her chest out in pride. Making Bell blush at the bounciness he witnessed.
Eighth floor was when things picked up for the party. They faced more variety of monsters now than they did on the previous floors. Needle rabbits, purple moths, kobolds, goblins, and killer ants.
The party were far more on their toes now than before. But ultimately they handled themselves well.
And then Lili saw something that would completely terrify her.
As the party were making their way to the entrance to the ninth floor, they saw something unexpected.
Near the entrance was the hunched over form of a monster, a kobold in fact, only it was much bigger than any Lili or the party had seen and possessing a coat of fur that was a silver steel color then the usual gray.
Most Kobolds stood at the height of an average man, barely reaching six feet if they were lucky. This one though, even hunched over, could easily be over seven feet tall.
What it was hunched over finally was revealed. It was a pair of needle rabbits, their bloody and shredded bodies bare to them for a moment before they dissolved into ash and dust, though the gore remained.
The kobold rose up on its rear paws and Lili could see something gleam in its teeth. They were magic stones. Magic stones that were visible for a second before being crunched inside the canid jaws of the monster.
'A monster that eats magic stones?' thought a horrified Lili, 'A monster that eats other monsters?!'
She knew what this was and damn their luck for running into something like this.
"Everyone!" Lili suddenly shouted behind the group, "We have to leave! Now!"
The party were puzzled by the sudden shout from Lili, completely caught wrong footed by the exclamation.
"That's an abnormal monster! A monster that eats other monsters and grows stronger with each magic stone it eats! We have to go! Now!"
As competent this party was, they were still new, and they hadn't been in the dungeon long enough to face such a threat.
"We can fight it!"
The voice came from Bell, who hadn't taken his eyes from the monster ahead of them.
"I know it sounds crazy but if we're careful and pick our shots well, we can definitely win," he spoke with conviction and confidence, believing in their chance of victory.
Bell had good reason to be confident. After felling a silverback that came from a few floors below them, what was one abnormal Kobold compared to that.
"Well spoken captain, but please allow me to handle this threat."
Takeru, to everyone's surprise, was walking forward to the monster, hand on her sword.
"I'm interested in facing this creature," she said, "I haven't run into an interesting beast down here yet and I find myself wanting in testing my skills down here."
She stopped a distance away from the large Kobold, fully unsheathing her blade.
"Please captain," Takeru continued, "allow me the chance to sharpen my skills on this beast's claws."
Bell was surprised by Takeru's wish. He didn't think her one with a desire to grow stronger herself. She never expressed as such during their training.
But then again, she never expressed herself often as it was. Seeming content to react to whatever comes forward.
Bell supposes he really wasn't the best at reading people as he was, despite Koukin's lessons in doing so.
But that's beside the point. Bell had no reason to refuse her request and he could tell by the look in her eyes as she passed him that she wasn't one to be defeated by this monster.
He had faith in her.
"Alright," began Bell, "I have faith in you. Good luck," he stood back, along with the others following his lead.
Takeru smiled and got into a stance, ready to face the monster before her.
The abnormal kobold gave no warning as it lunged forward, claws raised.
Takeru deftly dodged the first swipe and stepped to the side to dodge the next, keeping her sword raised in guard but not attacking.
'It acts like an animal, sure,' she thought, 'but there's something else.'
Again it swiped at her, going at her head next and then lunging at her torso with a gnashing of teeth and fangs.
'Ah,' Takeru realized, 'so that's how.'
Takeru finally replied to the attacks, blocking its claws in a flash of sparks with her katana, drawing a snarl from the beast. It attempted to grab her when she blocked another swipe, attempting to crush her skull.
Takeru lept back and swung her sword horizontally. The monster roared as its extended hand was split down the middle in a gout of blood.
'It attacks from two directions at once,' Takeru thought with a smile, 'a simple strategy to be sure. Nothing special for any average warrior.'
'For a monster however.'
She swung her sword upwards, cutting it at its shoulder, close to its neck. It snarled and backpedaled away, looking at her with a cautious glare.
'It made all the difference in hunting other beasts for strength, didn't it?'
Her curiosity settled, Takeru decided now was the time to end things. She had gotten a better fight but it wasn't enough to tire her. She feels, once again, the only proper challenges to await her were further down in the dungeon.
But she was patient, she could rush down further if she wanted but the tactical part of her knew that opened her up to future risks she had no knowledge of and wasn't prepared for.
For now though, it was time to end this.
She held her sword to the side, one handed, and stared at the abnormal kobold, taking in its snarling visage.
"I had fun in this fight," she said, knowing the creature couldn't understand her, "you were a breath of fresh air compared to those we faced down here."
Gradually,heat crawled down her arm and across her sword, creating waves in the air.
Her sword was gradually being surrounded by light, before that light turned into wisps of flames and those wisps became torrent of flames surrounding her sword. Orange and red fire lighting up the area with their intensity.
Bell and the others took a step back, feeling the waves of heat crashing on their skin. Never before had they seen Takeru call upon such power.
"Imperial Blade," Takeru intoned, she seemed unbothered by the power and heat she was calling forth. She raised the blade to the Kobold, who was staring at the burning sword with wide eyes, its snarling going silent.
"Come," Takeru said to the beast, pointing the edge of her sword at it.
The monster stared past the sword and into the eyes of the purple haired woman. He gazed into those intense and focused eyes and felt something stirring inside it, a primordial instinct realized something about that stare
It was being challenged.
Any nervousness it would have possessed then, evaporated. Its eyes glowed with a new intensity and it crouched down low, its claws digging into the ground beneath it.
For a while they just stared at each other and they both knew how this would end.
Even still, the attack commenced.
With a howl, the kobold launched itself high into the air and straight at Takeru with a powerful leap. It moved with a speed that Bell and the others couldn't track and for a brief moment, there was a flash of light as Takeru swung her sword at a speed none of them could see and suddenly it was over.
Takeru stared ahead at the vacant space the monster once stood, the flames around her sword dying out and the heat disappearing. Her expression was stern as she held her sword downward from the swing.
The Kobold was a good distance behind her, it stood on its feet, claws outstretched, unmoving, though its eyes no longer glowed, they were dark pits now.
"You fought well," Takeru said, "well done."
At those words, a line of flames arched across the monster's body, a moment later, its whole body was consumed in them and it finally collapsed forward. As quickly as the flames appeared, they soon vanished leaving behind nary any ash and a large sole magic stone.
A moment of amazed silence passed, before it was overtaken by a loud cry of joy and amazement from the party members.
"That was amazing Takeru!," exclaimed Bell, "You took that abnormal monster down so easily!"
"I'm speechless," added Chitoge, who had a nervous sweat drop running down her head. If any were to ask she would claim it was from the heat of the spell she witnessed , "I knew you were strong just from our sparring but this," she gestured to where the beast once stood, "this makes me see just how strong you are."
Hana wasn't bothering to hold her excitement, she had her hands clenched underneath her chin, while her eyes shone with admiration, "An amazing spectacle! I have to illustrate this moment on canvas when we get back."
Takeru smiled at their words of praise, feeling gratitude at their congratulations. Though she supposes now is a good time to address something that was important in regards to her last attack.
"Thank you everyone," she began, "I'm happy the results were to all our liking but I would appreciate something else right now."
She then held the hand up, that clenched her sword and everyone gasped at what they saw.
Her hand had severe burns all over it, some even reaching to her wrist. Her arm guard that covered her hand was no more, seemingly bursting out from her by the intense heat, her clothing around that hand was incinerated as well, leaving only the terrible contrast between her red near-blackened hand and the unmarked fair flesh of her arm.
How she was able to hold onto her sword with that hand, when it looked like it could crack apart and fall off, was a mystery.
They acted quickly though, after getting over their shock. Bell went to Lilli, more accurately her backpack, to pull some healing potions they elected to put in there. After obtaining what he wanted, he rushed back to Takeru, who still gave no indication of being in pain despite the horrific injury. The others soon joined Bell in tending to the purple haired warrior.
All except two.
Lili stood at where she was when they first encountered the abnormal monster, her jaw and eyes wide.
She had been a supporter for as long as she could remember.
She had seen all manner of crazy things in the dungeon.
She had never seen a supposedly new adventure with not even a month of experience, take down an abnormal monster that would have otherwise killed any foolish level one to cross its path.
Yet it was now dead and that level one was still standing. Albeit with a terribly burned hand and fretting party members surrounding her.
"Amazing wasn't it?"
The voice took Lili from her thoughts and she turned her head up to look at Arue right next to her.
"I confess," she continued, "even I was surprised by that display of power and skill," she looked down at Lilli, her sole visible eye gleaming with excitement and her smile wide, "What about you? What do you think?"
"Miss Takeru was absolutely amazing," Lili said with obvious awe, "If she really is a level one? I can't imagine how strong she'll be when she reaches a higher level."
"An overestimation perhaps," mussed Arue, "But not an inaccurate one. Needless to say, any fear of us failing to reach the tenth floor has evaporated, correct?"
"Yes. Any doubts Lili would have had just went up in smoke…like a lot of things in the area."
"And you feel a great sense of security with us now, right?"
"Yeah. Lili feels much…much safer with you all."
"And you should know that we trust you a good deal after today. You've been an invaluable help to us. Your experience in the dungeon has been a bright light to push back the unknown we face here. Nevermind the boon of you holding onto our magic stones in that big bag of yours."
Lili smiled at that, she was happy to be complimented on her experience in the dungeon. Something few, if any ever did.
"Which is why I hope you don't break our trust," finished Arue.
Lili was about to say something, but was cut off by the intensity of the red eye that stared down at her and the neutral expression from its possessor.
"We have great trust and faith with each other in this familia. We will always have each other's backs when pitted against the great dangers this place can offer," she smiled gently at her, the intensity gone and continued, "and after today, I feel we can extend that trust to you. Of a sort at least. Provided you can trust us as well, I mean."
Lili was speechless, caught completely off guard by the sudden words thrown at her. They trusted her? They trusted her?! This was their first journey down together and already they were throwing words like 'trust' and 'faith'. Lili thought it was a good working relationship, but nothing further than that.
How could they trust her? How could she trust her?
Why did she feel she could trust them?
Lili's emotions were in a flux at what she was experiencing. She had to use all her willpower and experience to not let it show on her face. She had to give Arue an answer, or a reply, or anything really. She had to give her something that didn't reveal herself for who she was and why she went with them.
Eventually, Lili responded.
"Yes! Lili trusts you all," she said with a smile, "she has had plenty of other adventurers use her services as a supporter but you all have been the most kind," her smile seemed to grow brighter, "Lili is glad to be a part of this."
Arue nodded and smiled at the tiny chienthrope, glad for the answer.
"Hey you two! Come on!"
The voice came from Chitoge, who was jumping up and down near the entrance to the ninth floor. They saw Takeru nearby, examining her now bandaged-wrapped hand with a look of great scrutiny. Her fingers were free to move but tightness of the wraps limited her grip somewhat. She would adapt quickly, but it would still be annoying if Arue was to judge the look on her face.
The two also saw Bell and Hana a bit behind Chitoge, their expressions were ones of excitement as well, though better contained than Chitoge.
"Well we best be off," said Arue, "wouldn't want them to be too impatient, would we?"
"No," replied Lili, "Best keep things moving forward," she walked to them with Arue trailing behind.
The short chienthrope never saw the deep frown on Arue's face, nor the sad look in her eye as the continued on.
Arue came from a village of some of the most over dramatic people in her world. Growing up in that environment, she was used to seeing and hearing about the outlandish, the stupefying, the subtle, and the bravest stories that came from such people. She herself had exaggerated plenty a tale before, often at another's expense. Telling people about 'why' she wore her eyepatch was amongst her favorites.
Growing up in such a place, she was used to such tales being passed about here and there, and it gave her a good insight into which were truths and which were lies, and who was telling a truth and who was telling a lie.
And Liliruca Arde was lying.
She was lying to the whole party and what made it more painful…
She was lying to herself.