(Hiatus) Danmachi Crimson Wine

Chapter 2

Taking in my surroundings, I saw countless tombstones, maybe hundreds if not thousands, placed about the lush grass fields of Orario.

This place was also known as the adventurer's graveyard, where adventurers who met their ends in the dungeon were laid to rest...

"I wonder if it also includes the heroes I have read about?" The words lingered from my mouth, but there was no one to answer my question.

I may not be cut out to be some legendary hero, but I want to get a taste of the lives they experienced.

I'd better get to work then; first up, finding a familia!

▪︎

"We're not accepting new members, try somewhere else."

Before I can muster up the courage to say anything, the adventurer I had asked to let me join his familia slammed the door shut in front of me.

Turned down again... By this point, I had already lost track of the several attempts I made prior to this one.

Joining a familia unexpectedly was not as easy as Gramps declared, 'Joining a familia?' 'Well, little Bell, all you ought to do is show your manly side!' The words he said a long time ago resurface once again in my mind.

Is it because I'm just an average human? Maybe if I could use magic like elves or was as tough as a dwarf...

No! I can't think like that. I'll just have to keep trying and trying until I find a god who'll take me in.

Meanwhile, somewhere else, a female chienthrope was walking around the streets of Daedalus.

Her hair was onyx black, her eyes were hazel-colored, and she stood at about 160cm. This person was none other than Lulune Louie, a level 3 and a core member of the Hermes familia.

She was seemingly tired of a certain god's shenanigans, evident by her exhausted face.

Sigh "Lord Hermes does really ask too much sometimes."

A few days ago, her eccentric god had tasked her to bring over new members, and for some reason, he had chosen Lulune to carry out the task, which she tried to refuse but was eventually forced onto her by her god.

"Find some newbies with potential, he says. We'd be better converting adventurers who have already established themselves..."

While the chienthrope was alone, she nevertheless continued to grumble out loud, which, in return, earned her some weird looks from passersby.

Unexpectedly, one of the passersby turned out to be a certain white-haired Bell who was still trying to join a familia.

"Uh, excuse me! Is your familia accepting new applications?"

Having overheard her, he decided to try his luck once more.

"Huh? You want to join us?"

The chienthrope was surprised and had not expected someone to straight up ask HER to join her familia. The boy must have been desperate.

"Yes, absolutely. I really want to be an adventurer."

'I see zero potential in this guy by our standards at least' The black-haired girl thought as she considered his request.

Thinking for a bit, she put her hand on her chin reminiscent to a thinking position and decided to give him a chance.

"Okay, but you gotta pass a test first." Pausing briefly while looking at him, she continued, "You up for it?"

"Yes, that's fine. I'll take any test!"
Taking no second to spare, the boy proclaimed ready.

Reaching into her pockets, the chienthrope pulled out a simple coin before showing it to Bell clearly.

"Take a good look at this coin. One, two, and..."

Throwing the coin in the air and slowly reaching for it with her left hand at a speed Bell could see, she grabbed it and closed her fist.

"Ta-da, where's the coin now?"

Bell, looking back and forth between the chienthrope's eyes and her hands, thought to himself.

'This is a test? It's so obvious...' It looked too easy; no doubt, by now, Bell was already day-dreaming of the future things he would do with his newfound familia.

"I pick your left hand."

Sparing no seconds, the black-haired girl crushed his hopes in an instant.

"Too bad, it's in the right."

"Huh, how did you!?"

"There's also one behind my ears, in my tail, and..." Pausing briefly, she pointed her finger to his pocket.

"Look, even one in your pocket," the girl poised.

Checking his pockets, it was indeed true; he felt the round circle metal in his pocket.

Taking it out to confirm he wasn't hallucinating, he only wondered how, his amazement sparing no second, he questioned again.

"What the- When? How?"

"Hey, there was never a right answer. It was a test of your reaction. You're too honest and straightforward for our familia."

Upon the realization, he only murmured "oh..." with a frown.

He looked at her with puppy eyes. Perhaps trying to make him feel better, she voiced, "Not every familia is the same, you know. Our god is kinda... eccentric. You'd have a hard time with him."

"A nice fella like you, I'm sure you'd be better in a more respectable familia." Taking a look around, she continued, "Well, see ya around."

Before he could say bye, she quickly mingled into the crowds of people, leaving him alone.

▪︎

Having walked for miles, Bell now found himself before a building bigger than any of those around it for miles.

'This must be the home of a pretty major familia' is what Bell could deduce and think about.

Glancing away from the building, he looked around the place for an entrance, and there he was, a muscular Boaz with rust-colored hair and eyes.

At the bare minimum, he was no shorter than 220cm, a massive giant that gave off a deadly aura.

Upon the Boaz warrior sensing the rabbit's gaze, he glanced at him with a stoic expression, which earned a high-pitched "Eep!" from the already pale boy.

Not more than a second later, the boy took off running, earning some looks from people he abruptly rushed past.

even though he blindly made it to the plaza, what was that feeling? Was it the realization that the man who paid no heed to Bell could end him in but an instant? No, for Bell, all he could think was 'Fear.'

Edit: Minor changes