Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
June 12, 2008 - Serena Pov.
"All right! Let's get this family reunion started once again!" I said happily, clapping lightly. "Before we get to the most obvious point, besides Bella, is there any world you'd like to go to?" I asked the others.
"Not really, we were talking about it with Lucius, and there's no specific world we want to go to," Narcissa said with a smile.
"What Cissy said," Lucius added with a shrug.
"Sure? I'm sure there are some worlds Lucius would enjoy," I said simply. "We can take two quests at the same time, so we can go to two different worlds without any problem. Even then, we can choose quests easy enough to open the path to that world and gain permanent entry." I added.
"I mean, you're right," Lucius said simply. "There are worlds I would enjoy, let's say, any world with political intrigue interests me. Game of Thrones, or its novel version, A Song of Ice and Fire, would be quite interesting places to play," Lucius said with a slight smile.
I rolled my eyes in amusement. Lucius was one of the few people I knew who would actually enjoy all the intrigue, all the hidden machinations, the betrayals, the alliances, the fighting for the throne, all of it. It seemed ridiculous to me simply because I didn't have the patience for it.
It wasn't even because I was bad at it. I mean, over the past few months, I've discovered that I'm really good at overseeing and managing a city, even if I did leave most of it to Lucius and Ravel. After all, I have the memories and skills of Rashek, The Lord Ruler, and he ruled an empire with over 100 million people, over three hundred times larger than my city, for over a millennium.
So yes, I knew how to play the game, I just didn't have the patience for it. Lucius enjoyed it, so it was best to leave it to him.
"So? If you want to go, we can take missions to go," I said simply. Lucius shook his head.
"As I was saying, yes, they would be interesting places to go. But it's not necessary. I'm more than satisfied to clean up your political messes and practically rule in your name for now. Even when we go to another world with you, I'll be able to continue doing that."
"That, along with my video games, I'm fine," Lucius said with a shrug.
"Sure?" I asked, confused. Lucius nodded.
"Sure, don't worry. I'd rather keep playing than waste my time. I'll put it better, going to GoT would be fun, yes, it would be a good way to pass the time, for sure. But only up to there. My powers with the Shard Negotiator and my magic make it really hard to have any competition, especially in such a… low-level world."
"And most of the worlds that have that kind of political atmosphere are always low-level worlds. The higher-level worlds are just ruled by who can hit the hardest, which isn't fun."
"I prefer to continue playing online with the other contractors who have similar powers. The difficulty is much higher, and it's more fun that way. I lose most of the time, but it's awesome," Lucius said with a small smile.
I grimaced before sighing. Lucius was mostly right. Most of the shows I could name with that same kind of vibe were, in fact, on the same level as GoT. Or else, at the other extreme, they were space adventures. Star Wars and Dune immediately come to mind. I mean, can we buy a spaceship? I'm sure there was an option to purchase a spaceship. They started at 100 credits per ship.
There were only a few of us, so we wouldn't need anything too large to be an extreme expense. I woke up slightly hearing Lucius's laughter.
"Really, my dear, there's no need for you to plan anything. I'm really fine. That doesn't mean I won't wait until we get to that point when you really want us to. At that point, I'll have some fun," Lucius said with an amused smile. I looked at him conflictedly for a few seconds before nodding with a sigh.
"Fine. And you, Cissy?" I asked Narcissa. She shrugged.
"Not really. I'm not really into adventures. I would go with you if you were going to another world, but that's all. I don't have any preference. Would I like to visit other worlds? Sure, the trips can be fun, and the sights will surely be beautiful to explore with Lucius. Plus, seeing the fashions of different worlds would be interesting."
"But I don't have anyplace specific where I want to go," Narcissa said simply. Instead of fighting, I sighed and nodded.
"Enid?" I asked, and she bit her lip slightly.
"No?" Enid said uncertainly. "I mean, I could choose some world from my dramas or movies, like, maybe Twilight! I really want to meet the Cullen family or the Quileute tribe pack," Enid said excitedly before pouting. "But then I thought about it carefully, and it's too much work."
I blinked a couple of times as I opened and closed my mouth.
"I mean... sure? There must be easy missions to go to those worlds, like, a quick mission to kill some vampire or something." I said simply. Enid, instead of getting excited, sighed.
"I know, I was looking at the missions! And I thought about it! But... It's not like I can just show up, meet them, and say hi, hang out with them all of a sudden, and then disappear! And I don't want to spend too much time on those worlds to gain their trust or anything and then leave!"
"As nice as they are, it sounds like a lot of work, maybe in the future, when I'm bored with dangerous worlds," Enid said, pouting.
"If you're absolutely sure." I sighed tiredly, not really wanting to delve further into Enid's thoughts.
"Yes! I'm sure! Although! Since I'm not going to meet them! I'm working on recreating them in this world and the others! It's my job to spread those stories! So you better help me!" Enid said without hesitation, with a huge smile. I sighed and smiled back.
"Well, I would do it anyway," I said simply. Enid nodded happily. "Very well, Ravel?" I asked her.
"None," Ravel said easily. "I was the last to join, and even though we've watched several different series and movies, I still haven't seen enough for any of them to particularly catch my eye," Ravel said easily. I hummed lightly.
"Okay, if you find one that interests you, just let me know," I said simply. Ravel nodded.
"Okay, so finally. Bella, have you decided which world you want to go to?" I asked. Bella finally moaned.
" Yes!" Bella said with a wild smile. "I want to go to the dungeon world," Bella said, my eyes widening slightly.
"Sure? I was honestly hoping you'd pick Toriko's world or something similar. The HunterxHunter world has its good sides too, in fact, I even thought you'd pick something like Doom." I said honestly. Bella snorted and rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say they're out of the question," Bella replied with a shrug. "Danmachi is one of the few worlds where I don't have to worry about politics or other unnecessary things. I can just go, enter the dungeon, and leave whenever I want."
"There are others, like Toriko, I could stay in the unknown continents without any problem. Doom is also interesting, but it starts to escalate quite quickly in the sense that I wouldn't be able to leave that world until I finished the chosen mission or the main story.
"Danmachi is a smaller scale and much quieter, but it's generally much weaker. I can come and go as I please. So I decided to try my hand there as my first world."
"If the dungeon disappoints me enough, I just have to finish the possible quest, and grab the quest in another world." Bella said easily, and I thought about it lightly before nodding.
"Sounds like a good plan," I said simply. Bella nodded.
"I am. I also have a pretty easy mission in mind in case I want to leave the world if it gets boring." Bella said as she handed me the tablet with the mission. I took it and blinked.
----------------------------
Ultimate Dungeon Diving by Anon
Location: Danmachi
Scope: Grand
Many contractors are drawn to the Dungeon city, but lately, few have ventured to the deepest floors. A few Higher Ups have come together and proposed a challenge to all those willing to face danger. So come, Adventurers! Traverse the dungeon and embark on your own adventure, earning wonderful prizes along the way.
Join a Familia and conquer the dungeon yourself.
Conditions:
Join any familia and reach the 5th floor of the dungeon.
Reward [ Credits ] :20 credits
Additional objectives:
Objective 1: Reach Level 1
Reward [ Credits ] : 10
Objective 2: Reach Level 2
Reward [ Credits ] : 20
Objective 3: Reach Level 3
Reward [ Credits ] : 30
Objective 4: Reach Level 4
Reward [ Credits ] : 40
Objective 5: Reach Level 5
Reward [ Credits ] : 50
Objective 6: Reach Level 6
Reward [ Credits ] : 75
Objective 7: Reach Level 7
Reward [ Credits ] : 100
Objective 8: Reach Level 8
Reward [ Credits ] : 200
Objective 9: Reach Level 9
Reward [ Credits ] : 400
Objective 10: Reach Level 10
Reward [ Credits ] : 500
Objective 11: Reach floor 12
Reward [ Credits ] : 10
Objective 12: Reach floor 18
Reward [ Credits ] : 20
Objective 13: Reach floor 24
Reward [ Credits ] : 30
Objective 14: Reach floor 30
Reward [ Credits ] : 40
Objective 15: Reach floor 36
Reward [ Credits ] : 50
Objective 16: Reach floor 49
Reward [ Credits ] : 75
Objective 17: Reach floor 58
Reward [ Credits ] : 100
Objective 18: Reach floor 65
Reward [ Credits ] : 200
Objective 19: Reach floor 80
Reward [ Credits ] : 400
Objective 20: Reach floor 100
Reward [ Credits ] : 500
Objective 21: Kill a Goliath
Reward [ Other ] : Free T5 Companion or 30 credits
Objective 22: Kill an Amphisbaena
Reward [ Other ] : Free T6 Companion or 50 credits
Objective 23: Kill a Udaeus
Reward [ Other ] : Free T6 Companion, plus 20 credits, or 75 credits
Objective 24: Kill a Balor
Reward [ Other ] : Two free T6 Companions or 100 credits
Objective 25: Kill Antares
Reward [ Other ] : Instant capture of Artemis and company clones of Rethusa and Lante(tier 4). or 250 credits.
Objective 26: Kill Behemoth
Reward [Other]: Instant capture of Hera and clones of Alfia and Meteria, or 250 credits.
Objective 27: Kill Leviathan
Reward [Other]: Instant capture of Zeuz and a clone of Maxim, or 250 credits.
Objective 28: Kill a Juggernaut
Reward [ Other ] : Instant capture of Ryuu Lion. or 70 credits.
Objective 29: Kill the One-Eyed Black Dragon
Reward [ Other ] : Instant capture of Ais and company clone of Aria, plus a free T8 Companion. or 400 credits.
-----------------------------
Okay, that condition was ridiculous; it could be completed the same day you arrived in Orario. Plus, having so many side quests was nice; you'll be able to progress at your own pace, though Bella could clear half of them quickly.
It wasn't even a very personal quest; she didn't have to get involved with anything canon at all if she didn't want to. In fact, it was perfect for Bella, just kill monsters and dive into the dungeon.
There was no reason to refuse. In fact, even if I had chosen another one, I wouldn't have refused either, unless the mission had been impossible to complete for some reason. But as it was, it was easy, and plenty of extra credits were pretty easy.
Yes, an adventurer with a level 5-7 falna would be equal to a tier 6-ranked waifu in the Waifu Catalog, or similar. Bella had passed that level a while ago. Alucard and Blackbeard's rosters were really unfair.
So you are unlikely to encounter any severe problems.
"Okay, I guess everything's okay," I said simply. Bella nodded. "Have you decided which family you're going to join?" I asked curiously.
"I was hoping you'd give me an idea," Bella said with a shrug.
"Hestia?" I simply asked the first thing that came to mind.
"Rejected," Bella said immediately.
"What? Why not?" I asked, surprised. Bella snorted and crossed her arms while making a face.
"I can't stand her attitude; it's irritating. She acts jealous of Bell to the point where it becomes irritating, and the more it's repeated, the more it's irritating. It's literally the only role she seems to have in the story."
"Actively pushes away other members of her family out of jealousy of Bell, to the point where she has little interaction or care for other members outside of Bell because she is his sole focus."
"And not even in a positive way, most of the gods develop their families or help them, Hestia, on the other hand, has actively rejected some adventurers who wanted to join because she didn't want them to 'steal' Bell from her, or even hiding her main enhancement skill, Liaris Freese."
"So no, Hestia doesn't work for me," Bella grimaced. I opened my mouth slightly to argue before closing it. I... I really couldn't deny any of it. I pouted slightly.
"And if you become her firstborn? It's possible that all that attention will be focused on you." I tried again, because she's still Hestia! Bella just snorted.
"All that attention? No, thank you." Bella said dryly, I sighed and gave up.
"Okay, so, do you have any in mind? I mean, you could join the Loki family or something. It also depends on the time period you're interested in. From what I see, there's no specific date when you appear, so you can choose. You'd just miss out on two side quests."
"I mean, the one about Behemoth and Leviathan, they can only be fulfilled if you choose the era where Zeus and Hera's family are, and there, then you have more options." I began to say. Bella hummed.
"Any small family will do," Bella finally said. I hummed lightly.
"I mean, there's the Astrea family. You'd have to save them from the Juggernaut and all, but it's a good family, and that goddess genuinely cares for her members. But… mmmm, there's also Miach, he has much fewer members, only one at the beginning of canon, and despite being a bit absent-minded, he's also kind." I pointed out.
" Miach? You just want me to take away his potion recipes." Bella said mockingly. I looked away.
"Two things can be true at the same time," I said simply. "But Miach really is a good option. You could keep your Falna constantly updated since there aren't many members, and you'll also be able to work better alone since Naaza doesn't dive into the dungeon." I said simply.
"Mmm, that sounds good. I could move at my own pace," Bella said, considering it before agreeing. "I guess it's a good option," she finally said.
"Okay, okay. Are you going to Orario completely alone, or do you want company?" I asked simply.
"I'm fine with that, I know you have nothing in the world that interests you." Bella said plainly, I shrugged.
"Beyond ingredients and potions, not really. Well, Falnas are really interesting and a good way to power up easily, but it's not like it's necessary for us; we can keep growing almost infinitely with the right templates."
"So, leaving that aside, the world has nothing good. Magic weapons are scarce, and only hold elemental attacks; there is almost nothing worth mentioning. Like magic, they are long and tedious. I can replicate anything they do with a snap of my fingers."
"The only interesting thing is the unique abilities or unique magic. But my only curiosity about them is if I can replicate them with my Reality Marble, but I can do that through your memories." I said honestly. Bella nodded.
"Then fine, just pick from the beginning of the series, I don't feel like worrying about the rest, it's not like I could fight Zeus's family or Hera's directly or anything to make it worth entering that era," Bella said simply.
"Very well, then it's settled!" I said happily.
"And you? You won't go to any world in the end?" Ravel asked. I hummed lightly.
"No, really. Or at least I haven't thought of any who would want to go right now," I said honestly. "I wanted to select a research partner and then spend time getting her up to speed, so I don't have time to go to another world right now," I said simply.
"Or maybe I do, depending on how well they fit and all that," I added afterward. Everyone nodded.
"I guess that's it for now?" Lucius asked with a smile. I nodded.
" Yes, that would be all." I smiled slightly. Now, I just had to think about who I wanted to buy, I had several ideas!
Author's Notes: Well, Bella will be going to the Danmachi world first! We'll see how that turns out... Danmachi is hard to write, not because it's complicated, but because people keep deleting the Danmachi wiki, leaving it empty of story and unusable as a resource.
People there constantly complain about character spoilers and lore information about Danmachi that is not translated or up to date (why people obviously go to the wiki to stay uninformed), so it is no longer updated, or they do not accept certain information, so the most important thing is not on the Wiki.
So I apologize in advance because there are probably mistakes in the plot!
A/N: If you liked the story, join my patreon, patreon.com/Camellya_Addams, there are up to 10 chapters in advance, thank you. Or you can also visit my Ko-Fi, ko-fi.com/camellya_addams.