[100] Tragic Life

"If you don't want to be alone, you can find a supporter to accompany you."

Aiden's words from yesterday echoed in Bell's mind. He looked at Liliruca, her innocent smile and the story she casually shared tugging at his heartstrings.

No, it should be said that anyone who is honest and kind would find it hard not to feel pity.

"Lili is so small and weak. She can't do anything. Everyone in her familia is tired of her, finding her a nuisance. Even if Lili begs, they won't let her join in."

"Lili is useless and can't show her face at the familia's headquarters. It's too embarrassing there, so she's been staying at cheap inns around town."

"Lili's money is running out for staying at her current inn. So, please, I'm begging you, don't make me. Lili really wants to go to the dungeon with Onii-san!"

That's what the girl named Liliruca said.

Bell was shocked by her words. To think she had nowhere to sleep even at the familia headquarters, no place to call home. Her words were too shocking. Treating their own like strangers within the familia.

Although his time with the Hestia Familia had been short, to Bell, they were like family.

Even though the Hestia Familia currently only had three members, there was a real bond between them. It wasn't just seeking comfort for the moment; it was being tightly connected to a warm place that could be called family. Even if more people joined in the future, that wouldn't change. Bell was convinced of this.

For Bell, both Aiden and Hestia were not just strangers but also family.

In good times and bad, that's how a familia should be. But this girl's familia didn't seem to treat their own like family?

"But right now, I can only work on the first and second floors, earning very little valis." Bell felt a slight dizziness. Although Aiden's teachings from yesterday were fresh in his mind and he knew not to trust strangers easily, this feeling was like his own beliefs were being shattered, shaking him for a moment.

However, in reality, Liliruca had slightly modified her own story and not everything was true.

The truth was, the girl named Liliruca had lived a tragic life up to now.

Liliruca's parents belonged to the Soma Familia, so she was a member from birth. Her parents, desperate for money, went to the dungeon but perished in battle. Liliruca, mistreated within the familia, was also exploited by adventurers outside, then briefly fled the familia. When familia members discovered that a florist couple had taken Liliruca in, they destroyed the flower shop, indirectly causing Liliruca to be despised and making her hate adventurers.

Currently, Liliruca is still suffering from the oppression of the familia's adventurers. In the original, if Bell hadn't put aside his grudges and arrived in time, she would surely have perished in the dungeon.

However, ultimately due to Bell's redemption, Liliruca turned over a new leaf and joined the Hestia Familia, leaving the Soma Familia behind.

"Lili's valis is running out for staying at her current inn. So, please, please, please! Just a little valis would be enough to stay at the inn! Lili really wants to go to the dungeon with Onii-san!" Seeing Bell's hesitation, tears welled up in Liliruca's big eyes. She clasped her hands together and bowed earnestly.

"I..." Aiden's teachings and his own rationality told Bell not to trust strangers' words easily, but Bell's heart had already been moved, and he was on the verge of agreeing.

"Oh, Onii-san, if you're worried about the familia, there won't be any problems. Soma-sama doesn't care about the other gods' affairs, let alone any hostilities. As long as your Hestia-sama doesn't antagonize Soma-sama, Lili believes there won't be any conflict between our familias." Liliruca, adept at reading people, naturally saw that Bell was about to agree. She blinked her big eyes and spoke.

"Alright, I understand. Please support me for today." In the end, Bell's emotions overcame his rationality, and he agreed. However, he remembered Aiden's words and kept a cautious mind, not signing a contract, just agreeing for today.

"Really? That's great! Thank you so much, Onii-san!" Liliruca, carrying a large bundle, happily jumped up and down.

"Do you need an advance deposit?" Bell asked hesitantly.

"Sometimes yes, but today let's consider it a trial. Just give Lili a share of the dungeon exploration income. Lili will be happy as long as she gets twenty percent and can continue to stay at the inn." Liliruca's face, pitiable yet with hidden motives, lit up with a cute smile. She didn't want this employment to end so soon.

"Huh? That little? It's okay to give a bit more..." Bell's focus was on the profit-sharing.

And so, the two who had just met embarked together on their journey into the dungeon.

"It's just for one day, nothing should go wrong, and with a supporter, I can focus on battling. I'll ask Aiden-senpai about it when he returns tonight." Bell thought to himself as he looked at the small supporter girl walking beside him.

Of course, at this moment, Aiden had no idea about Bell's experiences and thoughts.

Surrounded by Almirajs, Aiden was currently unleashing his unparalleled skills in the white ocean.

"Tempest."

Aiden softly called forth the wind, a transparent breeze enveloping his entire body and extending to the swords Durandal in his right hand and Dragon Slayer in his left.

Under the swift protection and blessing of the wind spirit, Aiden dashed forward with his dual-wielded weapons, Durandal and Dragon Slayer, crossing them left and right like a humanoid meat grinder.

Bathed in the flickering blue phosphorescence akin to torches, warm rabbit blood sprayed around, staining the walls and floors an ominous shade of crimson.

Amidst the sharp howls of the Almirajs, the swooshing of weapons, and the squelching of flesh, echoing in the chamber, these three sounds composed a bizarre symphony.

"Enough already with your incessant screeching! Even though I'm not using my fists, I still have to say..."

"Ora ora ora ora ora!"

Aiden unleashed his unmatched skills amidst the sea of Almirajs, each swing of his dual swords causing a cascade of blood and severed limbs. Yet, his Tempest prevented any of it from sticking to him.

But even if it did, Aiden wouldn't have cared at this moment.

Squeak!

With piercing shrieks, the Almirajs in the distance ceased their suicidal charge towards Aiden. Ignoring the lives of their kin, they uniformly changed tactics and began hurling their stone axes in unison.

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