Danmachi The hero Begins

Bell and Lili cautiously descended into the depths of the dungeon. The tension was palpable; the monsters were becoming more and more formidable, and Bell remained on alert, his Hestia dagger at the ready.

— Lili, stay close to me, he said, scanning the moving shadows of the caverns.

—Always, Lili replied with a small smile, although her gaze betrayed a growing nervousness.

They moved forward, footsteps echoing on the rough ground. But suddenly, a dull vibration made the ground shake. A colossal roar tore through the air. Bell froze, his heart racing instantly.

The Minotaur

There he stood, gigantic, his massive axe in his hand, his bestial gaze fixed on them. His raspy breathing filled the space, and the ground shook under his weight. Bell felt an icy shiver run down his spine.

Memories of his first fight against a minotaur came flooding back. The humiliation. The fear. The helplessness.

— T-That's impossible… he muttered, taking a step back.

But before he could react, the Minotaur charged at them with disconcerting speed. Bell let out a cry of warning:

— Lili, back up!

Too late. The axe slashed through the air, hitting Lili and sending her flying against a wall. She crashed to the ground, her support bag bursting and scattering gems and items everywhere.

— Lili! Bell shouted, running towards her.

She opened her eyes with difficulty, blood trickling from her forehead.

— R-Run, Bell-sama… she whispered, out of breath.

But Bell straightened up, a determined glint in his eyes.

— No. I won't run away. Not this time.

He stood in front of her, Hestia's dagger firmly in hand, and turned to her with a reassuring smile.

— Lili, run. Find someone to help you.

- But…

— Run! I'll hold him back!

Hesitantly, Lili obeyed, limping away, her heart clenching.

Lili, exhausted, almost collapsed into the arms of Tiona, who arrived with Aiz and the other members of the Loki family.

— Hey, is that a plum? Aiz asked as he caught up with her.

— Bell-sama… he… he's facing a Minotaur alone! she moaned.

The faces of the Loki family members froze.

—A Minotaur? repeated Bete, incredulous.

Aiz felt her heart tighten.

"Where?" she asked urgently.

—Over there, Lili said, pointing in the direction.

The Loki family set off, following the trail of roars and sounds of battle that echoed through the caverns.

Bell dodged the Minotaur's furious attacks, but every axe swing that missed its target shook the surroundings.

— Thunderbolt!

A bolt of lightning shot out of Bell's hand, striking the monster square in the chest. The Minotaur groaned in pain but remained standing, more furious than ever.

— Firebolt!

A flame shot out, striking the monster's leg. The magic caused the creature to stumble back slightly, but its stamina was terrifying. Bell panted, feeling his energy rapidly diminishing.

The Minotaur charged again, slashing the air with his axe. Bell partially blocked the attack with his Hestia dagger, which glowed with a blue light. The weapon's enchantment absorbed some of the impact, but Bell was still thrown back, hitting the ground hard.

— Argh…

He stood up with difficulty, wiping the blood that flowed from his lip.

— I'm not going to give up…

The Minotaur roared and raised his axe to strike him down once more.

— Firebolt!

Bell aimed directly at the creature's eyes. The explosion of flames made the monster scream, which backed away, blinded. Bell took advantage of this to get up and rush forward, his dagger ready to strike.

He leapt, aiming for the Minotaur's torso, but the Minotaur quickly recovered and swiped the air with his free hand, catching Bell in mid-air.

— Gah!

The Minotaur smashed Bell into the ground, but before he could land a killing blow, a voice rang out.

— Stop!

Bell opened his eyes to see Aiz and the other members of the Loki family arriving.

—Aiz-san… he murmured.

Aiz drew her sword, but Bell raised a hand to stop them.

— No… it's my fight.

— Bell, you can't! Aiz protested.

— I have to do it. If I don't, I'll never become strong!

The determination in his eyes made Aiz hesitate. Riveria placed a hand on his shoulder.

— Leave him.

- But…

—Trust him, Riveria said calmly.

Aiz reluctantly put her sword away.

— Very well… but don't die.

Bell nodded and turned back to the Minotaur.

— We're starting again…

---

The decisive moment

The fight resumed, more intense than ever. Bell used every technique he had learned, combining his speed with his magic spells.

— Thunderbolt!

The lightning struck the Minotaur, creating an opening.

— Firebolt!

The flames followed, striking the same weakened area. Hestia's dagger glowed brightly, amplifying every blow Bell landed.

The Minotaur, furious, swung his axe with devastating force. Bell narrowly dodged, but the blade grazed his arm, leaving a deep gash.

Bell stepped back, panting, his legs shaking. But a voice echoed in his mind:

"Don't run away. Keep moving forward."

With a cry of defiance, Bell focused everything he had left.

— FIREBOLT!

A torrent of flames shot out, striking the Minotaur square in the chest. The creature staggered, falling to its knees. Bell, exhausted, gathered his last strength and leapt, driving the Hestia dagger straight into the monster's heart.

A silence fell over the cavern.

The Minotaur collapsed, his body disappearing into particles of light.

Bell stood, exhausted but victorious. Aiz approached, a slight smile on her face.

— Well done.

Lili, who had watched the end of the fight from afar, ran towards him crying.

Bell-sama!