Danmachi – Infinite Mana System

[Chapter Size: 1932 Words.]
Lucius POV
Orario.

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Dungeon, Eighth Floor.

I put Bell on my back and let Riekling assist Lili as we began to make our way back to the surface not long after the Loki family left. However, as we returned, I couldn't help but regret speaking so arrogantly to the members of the Loki family, not for the people in front of me, but for the sudden presence of the sinister gaze I received after uttering those words. Purple eyes that pierced my soul in milliseconds, a feeling of helplessness made me doubt if I could face that woman head-on. Freya, I noticed Freya looking at me for the first time, there was no doubt it was her. Fortunately, it was a brief moment; I hope her focus is only on Bell, as he has been eye-catching like in the anime, and the waitress Syr had no interest in me other than being a new member of the Hestia family.

An hour and a half later, we were in the dungeon hall. I had to take Bell and Lili straight to the guild infirmary and ask someone to inform Hestia. It didn't take long for her to arrive, a very worried loli. I explained the situation to her to calm down a bit. When Bell woke up, she was relieved, and I left them in peace as I returned to spend some more time in the dungeon that day. I will spend the next few days earning points to buy the healing spell and prepare to face Goliath on the intermediate floors. I haven't gone beyond the thirteenth floor, but if I have magic that heals me, I can take down Goliath in a more hand-to-hand fight. I was confident in that...

After spending hours in the dungeon for the rest of the day, when I returned to the church at night, it was already dark, and Bell was already here. Not surprisingly, the place was lively, it seemed like there was a party as I found Bell and Hestia dancing and Lili singing, while there was a lot of food and drink. Bell upgraded his status and reached level 02, so the celebration was understandable. After they gave me the news, I congratulated them. I am sincerely happy for Bell. I am the type of person who may be arrogant but wants to live life intensely with honest arrogance. I am not the type who wants to dominate the world and control everything and everyone. I just want to live my life without interfering and bothering anyone unnecessarily, let alone gain from people! I am happy for Bell and want him to achieve his dreams, whether it's getting stronger or winning his blond-haired girl. I will never stand in the way of his goals.

I don't deny that I wanted a development skill like his, but I don't really feel jealous of his abilities. I think he deserves it for his achievements. The next day, Hestia and Bell went to the guild to update the new level 02 adventurer, and I went to train with Mikoto again and soon after, went to the dungeon. I only left during the late afternoon. I don't need to see how Orario was in chaos because of Bell, as the boy's record was posted on the guild bulletin board.

"A month! He did it in 1 month. I've been at level one for 3 years without reaching Rank B!! How is this possible!!" exclaimed a furious and envious adventurer.

"Obviously, they're deceiving us. The boy was an adventurer before joining the family, and they started counting his time after the new falna!" shouted another indignant one.

'Poor jealous souls...' I said mentally as I walked through the crowd of people coming out of the dungeon and discussing the news. Riekling was by my side, quiet, as we walked through the streets. Now everyone knew about a goblin tamed by an adventurer, and some even greeted me and my partner. Even if it's just someone carrying a backpack as support, the news about Riekling spread throughout the city, and rumors that he was actually a unique summon, as many saw at the guild entrance with my confrontation with Aiz.

Funny thing is, that didn't stop many from trying to tame some goblins in the dungeon, as the idea of using them as support was genuinely appealing. However, no one succeeded; even the Ganesha family tried, but without results to use them like I use Riekling. The Pallums wanted to kill Riekling after that, but they never did anything in my presence or spoke that in front of me, but I knew there was a hate fan club against me. How do I know? Because new nicknames emerged, something like "Enemy of the Entire Pallum Race," "Arch-enemy of Fionna," "Cursed Job Stealer."

'These little ones have creativity, I can't deny that.' I thought ironically. A god even approached me these days, wanting to know if I wanted to sell my "pet monster." Like many adventurers, I had to turn them all down. Riekling is special to me and the only one I've accepted as a partner so far. I wouldn't let him, even if it were possible to sell him, as he is a summon. I just had to be careful with the monster dealers hidden in the city, but they will be disappointed when they discover the truth about my goblin.

When I arrived at the church, I noticed a red-haired man talking to Bell. It was the famous Welf Crozzo. They probably met today, and Bell is asking for a new armor and weapon, if I'm not mistaken, as they discuss. They are also organizing a small expedition/raid on the intermediate floors in the next few days, if I am correct...

"Lucius-San!" said Bell when he noticed me approaching in the church.

"Hello, Bell, and you, must be Mr. Crozzo, right?" I asked, turning to the redhead, who was a bit stunned.

"That's right, do you know me?" He asked surprised.

"Yes, my name is Lucius Drakenar. I was your customer for a while, even got into a fight with a dwarf in a Hephaestus store because of your name, believe it?" I said laughing.

"Ah, it was you!! I couldn't believe it when I heard about the fight. Everyone in my family hates you now! I'd avoid crossing paths with them on the higher floors of the tower or in the dungeon if possible." He said awkwardly at the end, realizing what kind of trouble I got into. I started to laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHA. I have to admit your family is quite resentful, but I'm not too concerned about their hatred." I was having fun with this situation.

"Is that true, Mr. Lucius!?" Bell was surprised by this.

"You know me, Bell. I pick fights everywhere I go, hahahahahaha!" I continued to laugh at my adventures in Orario so far. After I gained awareness of the land, I can't believe I hadn't stirred up like a madman in this city in 2 years here. In a month, I became known as an enemy of the hephaetus family, an enemy of the Loki family, an enemy of the Pallums, and known as the only monster tamer who can roam freely through the city, something not even Ganesha's adventurers can do. So, I'm quite famous now, maybe not as much as a record holder like Bell, but I prefer to be known as a troublemaker than a rising super prodigy, for now.

"Wait! Is that a goblin with a backpack?!" Crozzo, noticing Riekling for the first time, exclaimed in shock.

"I heard of this absurdity too, although I had no idea it came from the Hestia family, you're quite noisy indeed!" Crozzo said, laughing while scratching his head. Now seeing that I'm a bit famous and popular, even without many people knowing my name.

"But answer me, you were a customer, not anymore, right?" He spoke again with curiosity, changing the subject and absorbing the whole goblin business. He's more interested in his craft.

"Not because I dislike your quality, but I changed my sword style. Instead of using the classic shape, I'm now using a curved katana, but that can change if you make one for me... One with lightning resistance, preferably..." I said with a smile. I still want your swords, one with resistance to withstand the charges of my lightning spells.

"We can do this! What kind of katana do you want, any preferences?" He asked me excitedly, and I stated my conditions and fighting style. He thought for a moment and spoke.

"I need materials for this. If you can get them, I'll produce it and only charge for the labor." He concluded, and I agreed. He took out a sheet from his pocket and wrote down. I got a list of materials and their respective floors, thinking about when I can collect them, as there are some materials I can only obtain on a level higher than my current one.

In the end, they invited me to a small raid on the intermediate floors as well, but I declined, saying that I need to train. And now that Bell has reached level 02, I can't fall behind him, so I have to strive to get stronger.

After saying goodbye to them, I entered through the broken door of the church.

"Hello, Hestia." I greeted Hestia as soon as I entered.

"Lucius-kun! Have you heard about Bell?" She asked a bit worried.

"When I left the dungeon, everyone was talking about him. The next Denatus will happen in a few days, right?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm a bit scared. I didn't know his level-up would be so astounding. Now there are many gods with their eyes on Bell..." She said disheartened, knowing the future. She's not wrong.

"I won't say it'll be easy from here on, but we must overcome all challenges together. Don't worry." I said with a smile.

She looked at me for a moment and gave a big smile.
"You're right, Lucius-Kun! Let's fight anyone who harms our family!" She raised her fist and put another hand on her hip, striking a pose.

"We're here!" Bell announced, entering with a Lili full of shopping bags.

"BELL-KUN!!!" Hestia wasted no time and ran to greet her first child.

"HEE" I heard my goblin beside me.

"Yes, we were ignored in the middle of a conversation. But that's how it goes, haha." I said with a smile, knowing this family quite well. I'm used to the antics of the little loli goddess.

"Anyway, I'll lie down for a bit." I said, heading towards the bed after taking a shower.

I paused to think about my plans with the list Crozzo made. I knew I would have to enter the fifteenth floor for the more expensive materials, but I won't have any problem with that if I get stronger.

Mikoto informed me today that she will be going to the dungeon starting tomorrow, so I'll have plenty of time to grow in stats. My swordsmanship skills need to be polished significantly, as I'm still a beginner fighting against my undisciplined muscle memory, but I've improved a lot in the last two weeks, no doubt. I've learned a lot from Mikoto and ended up becoming a low-level swordsman in her eyes; now I just need to practice and improve.

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