Danmachi: silver lining

(Author note)

Naaza still has her and does not have drama in this story, for now, or maybe it stays that way, idk.

Sorry if the characters are off, not really good at that

Sorry for the delay

(End of notes)

It had been two and a half weeks since Rose last saw the silver kitten. Their first meeting had also been their only one. She had expected him to return within two days, now under his new Familia, ready to tackle the challenges of the dungeon. Yet, as the days slipped by, there was still no sign of him anywhere.

Her concern grew, leading her to ask some of her coworkers if they had seen or attended to the silver kitten. However, none of them had any information; it was as if he had vanished entirely.

Worrying about an Adventurer was highly unusual for Rose, a sentiment that made her uneasy. This anxiety was the primary reason she had never returned to the role of an Advisor, unlike her diligent half-elf colleague. The uncertainty of an Adventurer's fate, the constant wondering if they had returned safely, retired, or left the city altogether, was too much to bear. The relentless unknowns haunted her thoughts: never knowing if he…

In her fourteen years of service at the Guild, Rose had witnessed countless individuals come and go. Just as many, however, had not returned at all. Each loss was a bitter pill to swallow, a harsh reminder of the dangers Adventurers faced. But this time, it felt different. This time, the worry gnawed at her more deeply.

The silver kitten had experience, a quality that many of those who never returned had lacked. His absence was perplexing and troubling, stirring a deep, unfamiliar concern within her. Rose's mind churned with thoughts of what might have happened to him, each scenario more disheartening than the last. The weight of this unknown pressed heavily on her, an unwelcome burden she had never anticipated carrying.

He is a seasoned guard and has over sixty monster kills — these achievements were much higher than what most starting level 1 adventurers with zero experience would face. Despite these odds, the fierce determination the silver kitten had shown when speaking of his dreams stood out in her memory. His commitment to accomplishing his dreams had been palpable, and she knew that someone with that much resolve could never fail in the upper floors. Unless…

Unless someone had done something to him, taken advantage of him.

Rose bit her thumb in frustration at the thought. Asriel was an innocent-looking kid, but she didn't think he was naïve enough to let himself be taken advantage of… But she could be wrong. And she, for the first time in many years, prayed to the Gods that she was not wrong.

"Rose, are you okay?" The concerned voice of her co-worker snapped Rose out of her reverie.

It was Eina Tulle, an eighteen-year-old half-elf and her booth partner for the past five years. Eina had short bob-cut brown hair with bangs framing her soft face, emerald-green eyes hidden behind round glasses, and somewhat longer, pointy ears that denoted her half-elf parentage.

"Yes, I'm just thinking…" Rose replied, her voice trailing off.

"About the kid?"

"Am I that obvious?" Rose sighed in frustration.

Eina giggled. "You have been asking everyone about him every day for the past 2 weeks."

Rose frowned and wrung her hands together. "Maybe he found a Familia and has been too busy to come back?"

(Inspired again by asbbah fanfic, short for "and so bell became a hero" fanfic)

Eina also worried about Asriel. He reminded her so much of one of the adventurers she used to advise. Whenever she had a chance, she looked around for him, but luck hadn't been on her side either. Despite her diligent searching, she hadn't found any trace of him.

Rose tilted her head, considering Eina's words. It was possible, but a nagging feeling in the back of her mind told her that wasn't the case.

"I hope that's the case, Eina," she murmured, though doubt still lingered in her heart.

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"Two on the right and one on the left," Asriel muttered to himself. His eyes were locked on his prey, a cold determination flickering within them. As he moved towards the monsters ahead, his steps were deliberate and menacing, each one echoing ominously in the dim light. The monsters, engrossed in their meal, suddenly froze. They sensed his approach and looked up, their eyes meeting a pair of unsettling, contrasting gazes—one eye glowing brightly, the other simmering with a subdued, dangerous light.

Asriel's silhouette cut a formidable figure against the dungeon's dim, shadowy backdrop. His movements were precise and fluid, each step calculated to instill a sense of impending doom in his targets. The dim light caught the edges of his form, casting long, eerie shadows that danced on the dungeon walls. He exuded a palpable aura of threat, his presence a dark promise of the violence to come.

The monsters, now fully aware of his presence, recoiled slightly. They instinctively knew that they were in the presence of a predator. Asriel's lips curled into a grim smile as he closed the distance between them, his heart pounding with adrenaline. The creatures' eyes widened in fear, their earlier confidence rapidly dissolving into panic.

The dog monsters reacted first, shooting streams of fire toward him. Asriel dodged swiftly, leaping to the wall and using it to propel himself towards one of the beasts. His blade flashed in the dim light as he sliced through the first dog monster with lethal precision. Without pausing, he dashed towards the other two, his movements a blur of speed and agility.

The remaining monsters fired again, flames licking at his form. Asriel twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the brunt of the attack, though a searing pain marked where the fire had singed his skin. Undeterred, he lunged forward, grabbing one of the dog monsters by its neck and slamming it into the other with a bone-crunching force. The impact sent the second monster crashing into the wall, dazed and vulnerable.

Asriel struck swiftly, his blade piercing through the creature's form, reducing it to dust. Without hesitation, he turned his attention to the last remaining foe. He dashed forward, his movements a seamless blend of power and grace, and drove his weapon through the monster's head, turning it into dust and leaving behind only its magic stone and fang.

Breathing heavily, Asriel took a moment to steady himself, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He bent down to collect the drops, his eyes scanning the dim surroundings for any further threats.

"I should probably leave," Asriel muttered to himself, his fingers brushing against the slight burn on his cheek. He found himself near the entrance to floor 15, a place Asriel had no desire to venture into just yet. The higher levels of the dungeon were teeming with far more dangerous monsters, creatures that required more strength and experience in the dungeon than he currently possessed.

He approached the remains of what the dogs had been feasting on and saw the half-eaten corpse of an adventurer. The sight was gruesome, a stark reminder of the dungeon's unforgiving nature. With a heavy heart, Asriel began scavenging through the adventurer's belongings. It was not an act he took any pride in, nor would he ever. Yet, in the harsh reality of dungeon crawling, survival demanded such grim pragmatism.

This was not the first time Asriel had scavenged from the dead. Whether in the chaos of war or the treacherous depths of the dungeon, he had learned to use whatever he could find to ensure his survival. The adventurer's gear, though now in the possession of a fallen comrade, could still serve a purpose. He methodically searched the body, his hands steady despite the grim task.

The adventurer's equipment, bloodied and damaged, "too damaged to use" Asriel muttered. A nearly intact potion, and a dagger slightly better than his own were among the items he collected."one of my daggers broke, this one is good for now" Asriel said. With a final glance around the dungeon, he pocketed the items and moved on, his steps once again echoing ominously in the shadowy depths.

Asriel had lost track of time. He didn't know how long he had been in the dungeon, the days blending into a continuous cycle of battling monsters and catching brief moments of rest. His fierce determination drove him ever forward, compelling him to push deeper into the dungeon's depths. This relentless drive had made him blind to the passage of time, consumed by the singular goal of proving his worth.

Asriel walked through the dimly lit dungeon until a faint sound reached his ears—a scream, echoing through the labyrinthine halls. Though distant, the cry for help was unmistakable and seemed to emanate from the depths of the 15th floor. Without a second thought, Asriel dashed toward the source, his determination overriding any hesitation.

Three hours earlier.

"I'm heading to the dungeon, Lord Miach," a young chienthrope girl announced as she made her way to the exit of their small pharmacy.

"Be careful, Naaza, and don't push yourself too hard," Lord Miach responded with a gentle yet concerned tone. He knew her well enough to understand her tendency to overexert herself.

"Okay," Naaza replied with a determined nod.

Naaza had been venturing into the dungeon regularly to gather herbs and other medicinal ingredients crucial for their pharmacy, as well as to collect magic stones to sell for money. The Miach Familia had been burdened with a significant debt for a long time, and despite their efforts, the debt had stubbornly refused to diminish.

"I need to go deeper into the dungeon to gather enough to pay off our debts," Naaza thought to herself as she descended into the treacherous depths.

As she entered the dungeon, she efficiently collected herbs and other valuable ingredients, dispatching any monsters with ease. A level 2 adventurer and a skilled archer, Naaza moved with confidence and precision. The upper floors offered little in the way of rare herbs, so she ventured further down, trusting in her abilities to handle whatever challenges lay ahead.

The dungeon's atmosphere grew more oppressive as she descended, the air thick with the sense of lurking danger. Undeterred, Naaza pressed on, her keen eyes scanning for the plants and materials that would aid their pharmacy. Each step she took was measured, her bow ready to strike at any threat that emerged.

Farther and farther down she went, Naaza defeated every monster she encountered with practiced precision. Her confidence grew with each victory, compelling her to venture down to the 15th floor. "There are more herbs and materials here," she thought, her eyes scanning the rich flora around her as she diligently gathered the precious plants.

Immersed in her task, Naaza became so focused on collecting herbs that she failed to notice the danger approaching. A group of Almiraj, notorious rabbit-like monsters, had wandered from the 14th floor down to the 15th, drawn by some unknown force. They moved silently, their red eyes glinting with malevolent intent as they closed in on the unsuspecting adventurer.

Naaza, engrossed in her work, remained oblivious to the threat. She meticulously picked the herbs, her mind solely on her mission to gather enough resources to alleviate her Familia's debt. The dungeon, however, had other plans. The Almiraj were relentless fighters, and their presence signaled an imminent attack that Naaza, for the moment, was completely unaware of.

As Naaza turned around, the Almiraj lunged at her with alarming speed. She barely managed to dodge their initial assault, trying desperately to create some distance. However, the rabbits were relentless, charging at her with ferocious determination. "They're too fast," Naaza thought, gritting her teeth as she blocked an attack with her bow.

Surrounded on all sides, Naaza had nowhere to hide. The Almiraj attacked in a frenzy, their sharp claws and weapons striking from every direction. She could not fend off all their attacks, and soon found herself overwhelmed. Her heart pounded in her chest as she screamed for help, hoping someone would hear her cries.

One of the Almiraj managed to grab her, pinning her down and extending her arm. Another raised its axe, preparing to sever her limb. Naaza trembled in fear, her eyes wide with terror. "N-no! Someone help!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the dungeon.

Just as the axe was about to fall, a bolt of lightning struck the rabbit, sending it flying across the room. In an instant, Naaza felt herself being swept off the ground and whisked to the other side of the chamber. Dazed and stunned, she looked up to see a pair of mismatched blue eyes gazing down at her. "Are you okay?" Asriel asked, gently lowering her to her feet.

"Y-yes," Naaza stammered, her voice trembling with residual fear and relief.

"Good, wait here," Asriel instructed, his voice calm but resolute. Naaza nodded as she saw him unsheathed two of his daggers, and turned to face the group of Almiraj. Naaza saw the air around him crackled with energy as he advanced toward the enemy, his eyes locked onto his targets.

The Almiraj, undeterred by the fate of their comrade, dashed forward with renewed aggression. Asriel met their charge head-on, his movements a blur of speed and precision. "There much stronger together," Asriel said as he quickly realized that the rabbits were stronger together, their coordinated attacks presenting a formidable challenge.

He quickly scanned the room and spotted a cluster of stalagmites and boulders that could serve as obstacles. With a swift, calculated movement, he summoned a bolt of lightning toward the center of the Almiraj group. The explosion was not meant to harm them significantly but to create chaos and disorient the rabbits.

The blast sent the Almiraj scattering, their formation breaking apart. Seizing the opportunity, Asriel darted between the stalagmites, using the natural formations to isolate individual rabbits. He moved with lethal grace, his daggers flashing in the dim light as he picked off the separated Almiraj one by one.

The rabbits, now divided and unable to coordinate effectively, fell quickly to Asriel's precise strikes. He maneuvered through the labyrinth of rocks, each step calculated to draw the Almiraj further apart. One by one, the rabbits met their end, their bodies dissipating into dust as Asriel's blades found their marks.

With the last rabbit dispatched, Asriel turned back to Naaza, his expression softening. "It's safe now," he said, extending a hand to help her up. Naaza, her eyes wide with fear and glistening with unshed tears, accepted his hand. Her heart still raced, but it was now filled with a deep sense of safety with the hand of her hero. As Asriel lifted her to her feet, she suddenly embraced him tightly, unable to hold back the flood of emotions.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling as tears began to fall. She had genuinely believed she was going to die.

"You're welcome," Asriel replied softly, offering her a reassuring smile as he gently hugged her back. His embrace was warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.

They stood there for a few minutes, Naaza clutching Asriel tightly, unwilling to let go. The warmth of his presence slowly calmed her racing heart. "What's your name?" Naaza asked gently, still holding him close, her breathing steadying under Asriel neck.

"Asriel Silver. And yours?" he responded, his voice soothing.

"Naaza Erisuis," she whispered, her grip gradually loosening.

Asriel noticed the scratches and torn clothing covering Naaza and spoke with concern. "We should get going. You're a bit beat up," he said, his eyes scanning her injuries and tattered clothes.

"Yes," Naaza replied softly, slowly beginning to untighten her hold around him. She took a step back, and Asriel, noticing her disheveled state, looked away with a slight blush. He quickly took off his coat from his hips and handed it to her.

"Uh, here. I think you should cover up," Asriel suggested, his voice slightly awkward but filled with genuine concern.

Naaza glanced down at herself, realizing how exposed her torn clothes had left her. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickly took the coat, wrapping it around herself. "Thank you," she said quietly with embarrassment.

"Let's go," Asriel said, his voice steady but urgent.

"Okay," Naaza replied, unconsciously grabbing Asriel's hand. He was a bit surprised by her action but let her, feeling the warmth of her hand.

Just as they were about to take a step, deep, ominous breaths echoed from behind them, accompanied by heavy, thunderous footsteps. Asriel and Naaza turned around, their eyes widening in terror. A massive creature emerged from the shadows.

"A Minotaur," Naaza whispered, her voice trembling with fear. The monstrous, cow-headed humanoid advanced slowly, each step shaking the ground beneath their feet. Its eyes glowed with a predatory light, and its muscles rippled with raw power.

"Naaza, run!" Asriel commanded, stepping in front of her and unsheathing his daggers once more. His posture was tense, ready for battle.

Naaza stood frozen, paralyzed by fear. "Naaza, run!" Asriel shouted, his voice breaking through her trance. She snapped out of her fear-induced stupor, her eyes wide with realization.

"But—" she began, her voice shaking.

"Just run and try to get help! I'll hold him off as long as possible," Asriel insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Naaza nodded reluctantly and began to run, her heart pounding in her chest.

The Minotaur roared, the sound reverberating through the cavernous dungeon, shaking loose dust and pebbles from the ceiling. It lowered its head, the sharp horns pointing menacingly toward Asriel, and charged.

Asriel stood his ground and readied himself and leaving his bag on the ground, "Body enhancement" Asriel said as his body began to electrify with energy.

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Naaza ran and ran from the scene, guilt gnawing at her for leaving Asriel alone with that monstrous Minotaur. Her legs began to tremble and were about to give out when she heard a group of people ahead.

"Can't believe I need to babysit this weakling," Bete murmured irritably.

"Haha, it's your fault for being so mean to that guy who saved Alicia," Tiona said, mocking him with a grin.

"Shut up!" Bete sneered, while Tiona just laughed.

The group was composed of Bete, Tiona, Tione, Riveria, Anakitty, Ais, and Lefiya, followed by Elfy, Line, Raul, and four other newer members there for training.

"Can't wait to test out my new weapon," Tiona said joyfully as she admired her new double bladed weapon.

"I want jagamarukun," Ais said, her voice dreamy with longing.

"You always want that, but now's not the time. We're on a mission to train the weaker familia members and make the captain proud," Tione said with determination, wanting the captain to love her, but the words he said that night still lingered in her heart.

"The Loki Familia," Naaza said with relief as she saw them. She ran towards them, her voice breaking as she called out, "Please help!"

"Are you okay?" Riveria asked, her expression serious as she looked at Naaza.

"No, please help. A Minotaur showed up and started to attack me and Asriel, the person who saved me," Naaza explained desperately.

"I see. Ais, Bete, go and help him," Riveria ordered, sending the fastest members to the rescue.

"Okay," Ais said without hesitation.

"Why should we help a weakling?" Bete shouted, clearly irritated.

"That's an order, now!" Riveria snapped back.

Bete sneered but ran off after Ais to help.

"Wait isn't he the guy that helped Alicia and tried to join are familia, wouldn't he be new? fresh Level One if he just joined a Familia? Why is he way down here?" Tiona asked, amused.

"He must be dumb or something," Anakitty said with a shrug.

"Let's just go. Keep up with us," Riveria commanded, sprinting in the direction Naaza had indicated.

"I'll heal you," Line said to Naaza, her voice gentle.

"Thank you," Naaza replied, allowing Line to work.

After a few moments, Line said, "I've healed all of your wounds. Let's head in the direction of the others." She helped Naaza to her feet, and they moved quickly to join the rest of the Loki Familia.

As they made their way, Naaza couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. With the powerful Loki Familia members coming to his aid, maybe, just maybe, Asriel would be okay.

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The ground trembled with the Minotaur's approach, each of its steps a booming echo in the confined space. Asriel had faced many threats in the dungeon, but this one was different—bigger, stronger, and far more dangerous.

As the Minotaur closed the distance, Asriel leapt upwards, narrowly avoiding the deadly horns. He grabbed the creature's horns, using his momentum to redirect the beast's charge into the wall, sending a shower of rubble and dust into the air. Seizing the momentary distraction, Asriel sprang forward, slashing his daggers at the Minotaur's flank. "The skin is too thick for my daggers to cut deep," Asriel thought as he jumped back to a safe distance. The beast roared in pain and fury, its red eyes blazing with renewed rage.

The Minotaur grabbed a dungeon-generated weapon—a massive stone axe. With a deafening roar, it lunged at Asriel, swinging the axe in wide, powerful arcs. Asriel ducked and weaved, his movements fluid and precise. He struck at the Minotaur's legs with more force, hoping to pierce the tough hide, but his efforts barely made a mark.

The Minotaur roared, and they exchanged blows, Asriel barely dodging each attack while his own strikes seemed ineffective. The creature's power was overwhelming. With a swift kick, the Minotaur sent Asriel flying into the wall. Asriel gasped for air as he hit the stone surface and fell to the ground. He struggled to his feet, one knee down, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, his hand on his side where the Minotaur hit. "I have to go all out," he thought, determination hardening his resolve.

He took out another dagger and placed it in his mouth.

"Electric Field."

The ground around him sparked with crackling electricity, the air buzzing with energy. The Minotaur's movements slightly slowed, while Asriel felt a surge of speed.

"Electric Creation."

Asriel's arms glowed brightly, and a set of arm protectors materialized, surging with electricity.

"Electric Enchantment."

His daggers crackled with blue electricity, arcs of energy dancing along the blades. His daggers turned pitch black as he forced immense amounts of ki to it, blue lightning surging through them, more intense than his usual electricity.

"Magna Grip."

A magnetic force amplified his grip.

"Body Enhancement."

His body surged with renewed strength and vitality.

The Minotaur roared and charged forward, slightly slower than before. Asriel mirrored its movements, his eyes sharp and focused. As the creature brought its massive axe down, Asriel dodged to the side, his mouth dagger slicing into the Minotaur's arm with brutal force. He ran, the ground beneath him glowing with electric energy, and sliced the Minotaur's arm open. The beast bellowed in agony but didn't back down. In an awkward maneuver, it swung its other arm, catching Asriel off guard and sending him sprawling, his mouth grip loosed on his dagger and magna grip couldn't hold, the muscles of the Minotaur gripped it hard.

Ais and Bete arrived just in time to witness the scene. They saw Asriel crash into the wall but, using the impact to his advantage, he propelled himself back towards the Minotaur. His dagger plunged into the creature's eye, eliciting a deafening roar of pain. The Minotaur flailed, trying to grab Asriel, but he moved swiftly, leaping out of its grasp. Unfortunately, his dagger remained lodged in the Minotaur's eye socket, the muscles once again gripping it hard. Ais and Bete were both stunned by the young adventurer's skill.

"Who the hell is this kid?" Bete muttered, watching Asriel weave and parry the Minotaur's attacks with its axe. Ais stood silently, her eyes fixed on the battle.

"Volt!" Asriel shouted, dodging the Minotaur's relentless assaults. His eyes glowed slightly as he invoked his spell, determination sparking within him. Each spark intensified the glow in his eyes, allowing him to perceive images that seemed to predict his opponent's next move.

The Minotaur was a bloodied mess, covered in cuts and burns. It had enough and let out a loud howl. Asriel instantly froze, realizing the Minotaur had used a paralyzing magic. With immense effort, he forced his arm to move, pointing his arms at him, "volt", shocking him out of the paralyzed spell and barely blocking the Minotaur's attack in time.

Asriel was nearing his limit. He focused all his energy on one move, a technique he had yet to master. "From the heavens above," he began, stretching his right arm out, channeling all his Ki into a tiny blue sphere that appeared in his palm, his arm glowed like the pattern of his scar. "Manifest the power, in a swirl of blue, consume all before you." The sphere glowed, beginning to swirl and exert a strong pull.

The Minotaur, sensing the impending danger, roared and charged at Asriel with a sudden burst of speed. "From the realms beyond, to the mortal plane, I call upon you, come forth blue!" Asriel finished the incantation. The blue sphere glowed brighter, the air around it swirling violently. The sphere, now as large as Asriel's hand, radiated fierce energy with two shades of blue—a dark core and a lighter outer layer.

The Minotaur's roar grew desperate as it felt the overwhelming force emanating from the sphere. Asriel's eyes blazed with determination, every muscle in his body straining to maintain control. The electric energy crackled around him, the ground beneath his feet vibrating with power. He took a deep breath, steadying himself for the final strike.

The Minotaur lunged, its horn aimed directly at Asriel. With a surge of adrenaline, Asriel dashed forward, his right eye glowing brightly and leaving a luminous trail behind him. At the last moment, he sidestepped and smashed the blue sphere into the Minotaur's face. The sphere began to swirl violently, consuming the Minotaur's face. The creature screamed in agony, thrashing wildly in an attempt to escape the sphere's grasp, but it was futile.

The air around them became a vortex of energy, swirling with intensity. Asriel, mustering every ounce of his strength, gave a final push. The sphere pulsed, then contracted, consuming the Minotaur's entire head. The monster's body and horns remained momentarily before collapsing to the ground. The sphere shrank into nothingness, leaving Asriel standing amidst the aftermath. His body trembled with exhaustion, and darkness encroached upon his vision until he finally lost consciousness, standing upwards.

Ais and Bete watched in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of amazement and disbelief at what they had just witnessed. As the rest of the group arrived, they took in the scene of devastation.

"What happened here?" Tiona asked, her eyes wide with shock as she took in the sight of Asriel amidst the wreckage, the ground still cracking with arcs of electricity.

"He took the Minotaur head-on and won," Ais said, her gaze fixed on Asriel. "Damn kid… he's tougher than he looks." Bete said.

"Is he really the same boy who tried to join our familia?" Tiona asked, incredulous.

"Yeah, it was just a week ago that he tried to join us and was scared off by Bete. He couldn't have leveled up that fast and be here on the 15th floor. That's nuts," Tione added, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Questions can wait. Can you please help him?" Naaza interjected, her concern for Asriel evident.

"Yes, we're going to help him," Riveria responded, turning to Line. "Hey, Line, can you help me heal him?"

Reviria walked to the ground of electricity, "what kind of magic is this" she said as she felt slower.

"Yes," Line said as she approached the unconscious Asriel. "Silver kitten," she whispered, a glimpse of something was seen in her eyes as she examined him.

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Asriel and Naaza were escorted by the second strongest familia in Orario, with Asriel being carried by Bete.

"So the boy—"

"Asriel," Naaza corrected, walking alongside Bete and keeping a close eye on Asriel. The urge to hug him for comfort was strong, but she remained composed.

"Yes, Asriel saved you from a group of Almiraj," Riveria continued. "He took them out by splitting them apart."

"Yes," Naaza confirmed.

"After that, you both tried to leave, and that's when the Minotaur attacked," Riveria summarized.

"Yes, that sums it up," Naaza said.

Riveria then turned to Ais and Bete. "After you both showed up, you saw him fight the Minotaur, and you didn't help him?"

"He was winning," Ais said, continuing to walk, avoiding Riveria's angry glare.

"That kid was winning and had no trouble fighting that Minotaur," Bete snorted, marching ahead.

"Seems like someone is admiring him," Tiona teased with a smirk.

"Shut up, you Amazon. Anyone who goes toe-to-toe with a Minotaur at a disadvantage and as a level one deserves respect," Bete growled.

"It was pure luck and insanity that he faced that Minotaur," Anakitty said as she walked, shaking her head in disbelief. "I had trouble with Minotaurs even when I was level 2."

Bete scoffed, "Unlikely. That was too perfectly timed to be called luck. The guy must've been killing in the dungeon when the Chienthrope chick screamed for help."

Riveria nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Regardless, we need to make sure he gets proper treatment. Let's move quickly."

"What familia is he from?" Tiona asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yeah, check his back and tell us his status," Bete added.

"That is not our place to look," Riveria replied, frowning at the suggestion.

Bete just scoffed, "We need to know which familia he belongs to so we can inform them of his location and his actions."

Riveria couldn't lie; that was a fair point.

"Fine," she conceded reluctantly.

"I wanna see what familia he's from too," Tiona said eagerly.

Half of the group gathered around Bete as Riveria prepared to reveal the back of Asriel. She gently lifted his shirt…

Silence fell over the group, followed by gasps and voices of disbelief.

"What? Why are all of you gasping and bubbling about!? What Familia does he belong to? Hurry up!" Bete demanded impatiently.

Riveria trembled as her fingers glided over the unconscious teen's unblemished back, her voice barely a whisper, "He… He… Doesn't…"

"Haaa!? What are you spouting?" Bete, in anger at being kept in suspense, dropped the teen off his back and looked for himself, only to stumble in disbelief.

The commotion made Ais and the other group that didn't bother to stop for a look pause, and they returned to the group just as Bete had dropped Asriel. They looked at the scene with wide eyes.

"That can't be" anakitty said as she saw his back and took a step back.

"Are you shitting me!? Riveria, there's no way this brat doesn't have a Falna, right!?" Bete's voice was a mix of anger and confusion.

"Bete, you're seeing it for yourself," Riveria replied, her voice steady but filled with astonishment.

"This kid has no Falna… How is that even possible?" Tione whispered, her eyes wide with shock.

"He's been surviving down here without any divine blessing," Tiona said, her voice filled with awe as she looked at Asriel. "He must have seen war down there to be so determined, like Argonaut." Her eyes filled with astonishment.

Riveria took a deep breath, trying to process what she was seeing. "We need to get him to safety. He's a remarkable fighter, but without a Falna, he's even more vulnerable."

Ais, who had witnessed Asriel fight the Minotaur, felt a deep sense of wonder. She had seen firsthand how strong he was. A boy with no Falna, killing a Minotaur that even level 2 adventurers struggled with… Where did his strength come from? She had to know!

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They finally stepped out of the dungeon, the sunlight hitting them like a wave of relief. The group headed towards the Dian Cecht Familia's pharmacy, determined to ensure Asriel received the care he needed. Naaza, despite her personal pride, followed them to the pharmacy she despised.

Inside, the sterile environment contrasted sharply with the brutal, chaotic world of the dungeon. Naaza stayed close to the still-unconscious Asriel, her heart heavy. She knelt by his bedside, her eyes welling up with tears as she whispered her goodbyes. Hugging him gently, she felt a deep sense of safety and sadness.

"Thank you," she whispered softly, her voice choked with emotion. "For saving me."

With a final look, she sprinted out of the hospital, unable to bear staying any longer. The image of Asriel, a boy who had risked everything to save her, remained etched in her mind as she left.

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Asriel groaned, wincing as pain radiated through his bandaged body. He slowly rose from his sleeping position, his muscles protesting every movement. He sat up, his mind a blur of recent events.

A soft knock on the door drew his attention, and the door creaked open. In walked a stunning woman with silver hair that shimmered like moonlight, cascading down to the small of her back. Her porcelain skin gave her an almost ethereal appearance, accentuating her delicate, doll-like features. Despite her short stature, her figure was strikingly proportionate, and the tight clothing she wore did nothing to hide her ample curves. She moved with a grace that seemed otherworldly, her expression blank yet somehow kind.

She wore white sleeves and tights lined with golden designs, and brown boots on her feet. A gap of creamy skin showed before her tight, blue, short dress covered everything else. A little red tie around her neck and what seemed like an apron, just as tight as the rest of her clothes, adorned her decently sized breasts in the colors of light blue and white. To complete the look, there was a nurse-like cap perched on her head.

"You're awake," she said, her voice calm and soothing.

Asriel blinked, trying to gather his thoughts. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"You're in the Dian Cecht Familia pharmacy," she replied, her tone gentle but firm. "My name is Airmid. You were brought here unconscious and heavily injured."

Asriel nodded slowly, memories of the battle with the Minotaur flooding back. "I remember… the Minotaur," he murmured. "How long have I been out?"

"Just over a day," Airmid said, stepping closer to check his bandages. "You were lucky. Those injuries could have been much worse."

Asriel winced as she adjusted a particularly tight bandage. "I don't feel very lucky," he muttered.

Airmid's expression softened slightly but quickly turned into a glare. "You should be more careful. It's a miracle you survived without a Falna. No adventurer without a blessing would stand a chance."

Asriel looked up at her, feeling crushed by her intense gaze. He managed a faint smile, tugging at his lips, memories of his time being a knight were brought back, the feeling when you protect someone was a great feeling. "I had to protect someone."

Airmid's eyes narrowed further, a hint of annoyance creeping into her otherwise calm demeanor. "You need to take better care of yourself," she said firmly. "Pushing yourself like this is reckless and dangerous."

Asriel nodded softly, "Understood."

Airmid sighed, her stern facade giving way to a gentler look. "Rest now. You need to recover fully before you even think about going back into the dungeon, and this time with a familia, I hope."

Asriel shook his head, looking troubled. "Uh, sorry but no. I can't rest in the hospital. I don't think I can even afford the treatment I received here."

Airmid's glare intensified as Asriel attempted to get up. She quickly moved to his side and placed her tiny hands firmly on his shoulders, pushing him back onto the bed. "You need rest," she insisted.

"I can't afford it—" Asriel started to protest, but a sharp jolt of pain made him falter and collapse back onto the bed. Airmid lost her balance and ended up falling on top of him. Her small frame pressed against his, and Asriel couldn't help but notice the softness and tenderness of her surprisingly large breast against him. The sensation, although not enough to dull the pain, caused a deep blush to spread across his cheeks.

Airmid, still glaring, stared directly into Asriel's eyes as he quickly looked away, embarrassed. "You stubborn fool," she muttered. "We'll discuss the payment later. Right now, your health is more important, please understand."

Asriel sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll rest," he conceded, looking up at Airmid and meeting her intense purple gaze. Airmid's eyes narrowed with suspicion, clearly not convinced. She leaned in closer, her ample breasts pressing firmly against his chest. The sensation made Asriel wince from the pain but also blush deeply from the unexpected intimacy.

"Promise me," Airmid demanded, her voice firm and unyielding.

Asriel swallowed hard, the proximity of her and the pressure on his chest making it difficult to think straight. The soft yet firm sensation of her breasts against him was both comforting and overwhelming. He felt a coldness through his thin hospital shirt, the gentle rise and fall with her breathing almost mesmerizing. "I promise," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Airmid's eyes softened at his words. Slowly, she lifted herself off him, allowing Asriel to breathe a bit easier. As she moved back, the pressure eased, but the memory of the intimate contact lingered, leaving him both flustered and strangely comforted. "Good," she replied, her tone less severe but still carrying a hint of authority. She gently helped him lie back down properly, ensuring he was comfortable. "I'll be back to check on you later. Please, don't try anything foolish while I'm gone."

Asriel nodded, his blush still lingering as he watched her leave the room. Her stern yet caring demeanor left a lasting impression on him, and he couldn't help but feel a strange mix of gratitude and embarrassment. He settled back into the bed, knowing he had no choice but to follow her orders and rest. Asriel drifted off to sleep once again.

(Author note.)

I didn't know what to write:(

Next week might be a omake

Title: "teasing Ryuu"

Change warmth to coldness "He felt a coldness through his thin hospital shirt, the gentle rise and fall with her breathing almost mesmerizing."

(Ending of notes)