The Red-eye Rabbit: Danmachi AU

Chapter 10: Little Thief

Bell arrived back at his house from the dungeon and was far more exhausted this time. Bell couldn't believe how things had gone earlier, he couldn't believe how severely he had been outmatched by silver hair. It didn't make him angry, it just made him feel a way he hand;t felt for years, powerless. Like anyone could walk on him. It didn't help his pride much that he had needed the help of one of his newly discovered coworkers to getaway. The situation was only worsened by the fact that he had made an enemy of the Loki Familia! The Loki Familia! Hough, he couldn't really blame his own blunders here because, one, he hadn't even been given a job by the guild yet and, two, they were going after his two co-workers, so clearly they had somehow figured out that they were assassins but not quite who they were working for.

Bell got even more tired thinking about how to sort this out. The worst part was that he was in this situation as Bell Cranel, not as the Red Rabbit. Being known as an assassin adventurer would inhibit his activities when being the Red Rabbit. The problem would have to be sorted out at a later date because, for now, Bell wanted to sleep. After changing his clothes, Bell got under his sheets and drifted to sleep. 

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Bell woke up the next morning very early. Despite how tired he had been yesterday, he had still gone to sleep relatively early, only 10 o'clock! He moved around the house and checking the windows and doors for any tampering or forced entry, an old habit he just couldn't work out of his system. After doing his check, Bell ordered the same breakfast he usually ordered, bacon and eggs, before writing a note for Hestia that was left beside her breakfast. Afterward, Bell got his equipment and prepared for his dungeon dive. Before leaving Bell decided to go check up on that supporter girl he had helped. Bell reached the door and noticed it was just slightly ajar, as if it had been opened but not fully closed so as to limit the noise made. 

Bell grabbed the edge of the door and slowly opened it to find the room completely empty and lean, as if no one had even been in there. Bell moved through the room he had lent to the supporter girl, looking for any sign of anything. He was actually impressed at how thoroughly she covered her tracks, though it spoke of years of experience. Bell left the room and softly closing the door gently and silently, he knew from the moment he helped her she was probably trouble but he didn't notice anything missing and she probably had cause to be suspicious of him given how kind he was to her. Bell left from his house and made his way towards Babel tower, he would probably try and go back down to the misty levels of floor 10 and 11. 

Moving through the crowd at Babel tower base, Bell bumped into a familiar figure. At gut height, wearing the same cream-colored coat, was the little supporter Lily. She looked up from under her hood and stared at Bell, who stared back at her before he said, "Hello again, little supporter." Bell took note of a small flash of something in her eyes before they went to curious and she said, "Do I know you?" Bell cocked his head at the question. This was obviously the little supporter girl he helped, but if she didn't want to be recognized nor affiliate with him, then that was her choice. But, Bell still wanted some answers on her, so he spoke out and said, "Sorry my little friend, I thought you were someone else. Though, I hope you don't mind me asking but are you a supporter?"

The supposed Lily Look-alike looked up at Bell and after a moment of consideration said, "Yes! Li- I am a supporter!" Bell smiled and closed his eyes, she had almost called herself Lily, so it was the girl he helped. Bell didn't mind her sneaking off, but she could've at least left a note or something explaining some cryptic message or the like. Having her just vanish and run into him coincidentally was just boring. Bell maintained his smile and asked, "Well, would you like to be my supporter? I am having a bit of trouble recently with collecting and fighting at the same time." The later of that statement was an outright lie, Bell had no trouble killing everything and then gathering their magic stones, but he needed some kind of excuse. 

The little supporter looked at him for a few moments before replying, "Sure, mister." Bell smiled to her, at least this way he would be able to try and find something out, though if she tried to keep it hidden he would try to not pry. The two set off into the dungeon, Bell smiling happily as they set off into the dark space. 

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The two of them had just arrived at floor 8, which was actually pretty disappointing for Bell. He had wanted to try and go for floor 14 today, but he never thought having a supporter would slow him down. Sure, having some extra money for commodities would be nice as she was collecting the stones but he wanted to get deeper into the dungeon more than he wanted to look nice, it wasn't like he was going to be invited to any balls anytime soon. They made their way through the dungeon, though as they moved Bell would often catch Lily sneaking glances towards him, more specifically, his backpack. She probably wanted to know what was in it and Bell definitely didn't want that. After all, if he was going to let her look in his backpack he may as well advert to the entire world 'HEY! LOOK HERE! I'M THE RED RABBIT!' yeah, no thanks.

Bell and Lily finally managed to make it to the 11th floor and Bell was glad to be back here, he hadn't had too much of a chance to personally map out the area so far, guild maps were good for progressing early levels but they didn't have the detail on lower floors he was after due to mass production costs. Bell made sure to check if it was ok with lily if they could spend more time on this floor. They spent another few hours on that floor, Bell drawing a map sketch on a piece of paper that he could refine later. Bell easily removed any obstacles before mapping out an area, staying in each place for just a little longer to let Lily collect all the magic stones.

After an extra few hours, Bell decided it was time to leave the dungeon for the day. As they walked, Bell tried to figure out the time, it should be about 4 in the afternoon. They left the dungeon and headed for the guild to exchange their magic stones. Bell whistled appreciatively at the pouch of money he was handed, it was a fair bit more than he had expected. In all honesty, even though he didn't need the money for essentials it would be nice to have this is storage. Just in case. Though before he pocketed the money, he pulled Lily over to a table and ordered two simple waters. "That was a great run for my pockets, thankyou friend," Bell smiled and held out his hand before placing a little satchel of money before the supporter. Lily eyes the little satchel before picking it up due to Bell motioning for her too. She picked it up and stared at its contents. Inside of the satchel was a large pile of Vlais, she couldn't believe it. Lily looked to Bell and hesitantly asked, "W-what is this?" Bell looked at her with his head cocked and said, "Your payment."

The little supporter looked at Bell with wide-eyes and asked, "W-why is there so much?" Bell said, with a completely blank face, "It's only 40%, it isn't really that much." Lily cracked an awkward smile while looking at Bell, 40% was massive for a supporter! It was 4x what she usually got as her cut, this was the most she had earnt from just being a supporter. Lily gratefully accepted the money with both hands and placed it in her rather comical backpack. After that, she bowed slightly to Bell and sat awkwardly across from him as he finished his water. After a little, Bell spoke up and said, "Would you like to come to the dungeon with me again?" She looked up at Bell with large eyes. Lily smiled and said, "Yes! I would!" Bell nodded and stood before starting for the exit. He gave a small wave as he walked and said, "See ya tomorrow, little supporter." 

Lily gave a small wave as he walked from the store. She was happy she met someone so nice, but it saddened her that she knew what she was going to end up doing. Even though she didn't want to, she was going to have to help those other bastards in tricking Bell, most likely resulting in his death. Lily left the Guild with a somber mood, she would need to make some preparations, she knew those people would use her to target him and she also knew she wouldn't be an easy mark from what she saw. She arrived at her little run-down apartment and opened the little box to the side, pulling out some wrist crossbow bolts and some little vials, as well as a single tiny sack of monster attractant. She was sad it would go this way, but for her goal, she needed to do this.