Danmachi The hero Begins

Bell sat in the living room of Hestia's house, his goddess listening to him attentively.

— …And that's what happened, Hestia. Ryuu and Syr helped me find my dagger, but I don't think Lili really meant any harm.

Hestia crossed her arms, a sarcastic smile on her face.

— This little Prum, Liliruca… Can't you see that she's not honest, Bell?

"She probably has her reasons," Bell said gently. "I don't want to abandon her."

Hestia burst out laughing, but her gaze showed a hint of sadness.

—You're really too kind for your own good, Bell Cranel.

"That's what everyone says," he muttered with an embarrassed smile.

Meanwhile, in a dark alley, Lili was pinned to the ground by the same man who had threatened her before.

—So, Prum, you're still hanging out with that adventurer, huh? he sneered. You know what you have to do. Steal his stuff, all his money… otherwise, things will go badly for you.

Lili, on her knees, clenched her fists. She knew she had no choice.

— I… I understand.

As the man disappeared into the shadows, Lili sat against a wall, tears in her eyes.

"Why is my life always like this?" she whispered to herself. "No one has ever treated me like anything other than a thief or a slave… except him."

She closed her eyes and saw Bell's genuine smile again.

— But I have no choice…

The next day, Bell and Lili went down into the dungeon. Bell fought monsters with his new magics, Thunderbolt and Firebolt, while keeping an eye on Lili.

— Are you okay, Lili? he asked, turning around briefly after finishing off a group of monsters.

— Yes, Bell… she answered with a forced smile.

As he continued to fight, Lili discreetly took an object out of her pocket: a bottle that emitted a strong odor, attracting a horde of monsters.

Bell quickly noticed the commotion and turned to Lili, but she had already disappeared.

— Lili? Where are you?!

From afar, hidden behind a rock, Lili used the crossbow hidden on her wrist to grab Bell's Hestia dagger.

—Sorry, Bell… she whispered before running away, tears in her eyes.

Bell, seeing that she was gone, sighed deeply.

— I can't leave her like this...

He brandished his emergency dagger and faced the monsters that continued to pour in. However, despite his magic, a larger monster began to grow, becoming more and more difficult to defeat. As it staggered under the onslaught, the shield Eina had given him fell to the ground.

Suddenly, a lightning-fast female swordsman appeared, slicing through the monster in one blow.

— Aiz Wallenstein… Bell murmured, out of breath.

Aiz gave him a brief glance, intrigued.

— You are evolving quickly thought Aiz

But before he could thank her, Bell took off after Lili. Aiz, watching his departure, discreetly picked up the fallen shield.

— I'll give it back to you.

Lili, for her part, was caught by the men who were harassing her.

—So, Prum, where is our share? their leader asked with a sinister smile.

They snatched her bag and gems from her, ignoring her protests.

— You have everything! Leave me alone!

But she kept Bell's dagger hidden against her.

—Not so fast, one of them said, noticing his tight grip on something.

Before they could search her further, a monster appeared, attracted by the scent left by her bottle. The men fled, leaving her injured and alone to face danger.

"It's… it's karma," Lili whispered, crying.

She expected to die there, blaming herself for betraying Bell, when a flash of lightning illuminated the cavern.

— Thunderbolt!

A bestial howl rang out, and the monster collapsed. Lili opened her eyes to see Bell standing before her, his gaze determined.

— Bell… Why are you here? I betrayed you…

Bell turned to her, holding out his hand.

— Lili, no matter what you did. I'm not going to let you down.

She shook her head, stepping back.

— No! I stole your dagger! I don't deserve your help!

She threw the dagger at him, which landed at his feet.

— Go away, Bell! I'm worthless…

Bell picked up the dagger, but instead of putting it away, he locked eyes with Lili, his voice soft but firm.

— Lili, you're wrong. It's not what you're worth that matters, but what you choose to become.

Lili looked up at him in disbelief.

— Why are you always like this? Why don't you hate me?

Bell knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

—Because everyone deserves a second chance and I'm only here for you.

His words, simple yet powerful, broke the barriers around Lili's heart. She burst into tears, throwing herself into his arms.

"Thank you…" she whispered, her voice choked with tears.

Bell stood there, hugging her gently, before helping her up.

— Now let's get out of here.