In a section of the Babel tower, Muramasa and Bell Cranel sat together in an open area that provided a sweeping view of the city of Orario below. It was a picturesque scene, although the presence of some other merchants and smiths was fleeting, as they quickly departed upon catching sight of Muramasa. This departure was a commonplace occurrence among competitive blacksmiths, driven by rivalry and possibly envy.
"So, what motivated you to purchase more armor bearing my name? It doesn't sell for much Valis, and there's always a chance that another blacksmith might have tampered with it to cause trouble" Muramasa inquired, his tone contemplative. Bell, still a bundle of nerves, hesitated briefly before speaking. "I sincerely apologize for my actions. I... I was just seeking some affordable armor that appeared sturdy enough..."
Bell's voice trembled with regret as he apologized, and Muramasa, observing the young man's nervous state, simply placed a comforting hand on his head. This gesture startled Bell, his nerves mingling with curiosity as he regarded Muramasa.
"Don't worry, my boy. The armor you purchased was crafted using leftover materials I had lying around in my workshop. It was never designed to be particularly robust or durable" Muramasa explained, revealing the true nature of the armor to Bell. This revelation seemed to catch Bell off guard, prompting him to shake his head and adopt a more composed expression, no longer plagued by nerves.
"It wasn't weak, Sir Muramasa! That armor of yours has protected me countless times. It's actually perfect for someone like me who needs agility and maneuverability" Bell declared with newfound determination. However, his resolve faltered as he suddenly blushed in embarrassment. In his moment of unguarded sincerity, he'd momentarily forgotten Muramasa's status and spoke his true thoughts about the armor, causing Muramasa to burst into hearty laughter.
"Heh heh, who would've thought you'd be so passionate about my seemingly delicate armor, Bell, right? By the way, how's Hestia doing?" Muramasa inquired, amused by Bell's unexpected outburst.
Muramasa's hand briefly ruffled Bell's hair before returning to rest on his knee. Bell's surprise at Muramasa's familiarity with Hestia was evident as he questioned, "You know my goddess?" Muramasa nodded in response, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yes, I used to frequent her small establishment and enjoy her Potato Croquettes before she became involved with Hephaestus and the stores."
Bell's eyes widened in realization. It dawned on him that the additional food he and Hestia had received could very well have been thanks to Muramasa's generosity. Bell's expression shifted from astonishment to gratitude as he spoke, his words practically tumbling over each other, "Hestia mentioned a kind man who bought a lot and even left extra money. We had an incredible dinner that night because of it!" He reached out and gripped Muramasa's hand, shaking it enthusiastically.
"Thank you so much, Sir Muramasa! Your help meant a great deal to us, and the goddess is doing quite well" Bell continued expressing his gratitude, his words pouring out with sincerity. Muramasa began to feel a bit overwhelmed by the constant stream of thanks, as he didn't perceive his actions as particularly significant. "It's really no trouble, my boy" he attempted to dismiss the gratitude, eager to steer the conversation in another direction.
"Let me ask you a question, Little Rookie" Muramasa spoke, changing the subject. Bell's demeanor shifted as he seemed to ease into the conversation, leaving behind his nervousness. Being around Muramasa had an almost calming effect that made stress and apprehension seem to melt away. Bell nodded, curious about the question Muramasa was about to pose.
"What drives you to venture into the dungeon? What's your motivation for being an adventurer?" Muramasa's inquiry took Bell by surprise, causing him to pause momentarily before carefully considering his response. "To be entirely honest, Sir Muramasa, my goal is to become strong. Strong enough to protect those who are important to me. I yearn to delve into the dungeon's depths, to challenge my limits, to evolve. Yet, at the core of it all, my dream is to become a hero... someone who can genuinely make a difference in this world. I understand it won't be straightforward, and I know the hard path ahead of me. But I'm resolute in giving my best" Bell articulated, his thoughts pouring forth.
As he spoke, Bell's mind was consumed by his ambitions. The task he had set for himself was immense, demanding countless trials, near-death experiences, and potentially grave sacrifices to truly achieve his dream of becoming a hero capable of changing the course of the world.
"Be a hero, huh..." Muramasa's lips curled into a faint smirk, his heart echoing with a more rapid rhythm. "It's been quite some time since I've heard that phrase, Bell Cranel. You truly do resemble that man" he muttered under his breath, the sentiment lost on Bell as he was consumed by his own thoughts and emotions.
As Bell contemplated his grand aspiration, Muramasa stood up, his hand extending toward the young adventurer. "Bell Cranel, would you be willing to allow me to accompany you on this journey of yours? While I may not be a swordsman and merely an ordinary swordsmith, I can defend myself... how about it? Will you accept me as your contracted blacksmith?" A smirk played on Muramasa's lips as he posed this question, and Bell's expression became a complex amalgamation of various emotions... nervousness, excitement, trepidation, happiness, and a touch of bewilderment.
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Senji Muramasa, accompanied by Bell Cranel and his supporter, found themselves on the 11th floor of the dungeon, where a thick fog obscured much of their surroundings. As of yet, they hadn't encountered any monsters.
"Hey, Bell, who's the little one?" Muramasa inquired, his attention focused away from the others as he surveyed the area for potential threats. "I'm Liliruca Arde. It's a pleasure to have you join us, Sir" Lili, Bell's supporter, replied.
Upon hearing her name, Muramasa's interest was piqued. He turned his attention to the small Pallum. "Lili... I've heard that name before" he mused aloud, prompting Lili to flinch and avert her gaze. Surprisingly, Muramasa knelt down in front of the young supporter, placing his hand gently on top of her hood and patting her head. Lili hesitantly looked up at the man, only to find a kind and gentle expression on his face. "The children from the orphanage spoke fondly of you" he added.
The mention of the orphanage struck a chord with Lili. Before she could fully respond, however, Muramasa stood up abruptly, turning his attention to a small imp-like creature emerging from the ground alongside a group of orcs. The encounter with potential foes had begun.
"Given that I'm new here and all, I'll handle these low-level mobs" Muramasa spoke as Bell looked at him and then exchanged a glance with Lili. "Sure" Bell agreed, trusting Muramasa capabilities.
As the situation unfolded, Muramasa raised his hands, causing them to emit a blue glow. Bell couldn't help but muse, "Considering Sir Muramasa is at Level 4, these floors would be quite easy for him." His curiosity intensified when he and Lili observed something astonishin, around 20 katana-shaped constructs materializing out of thin air. Muramasa's voice resounded with a command... "Trace-On." With a downward motion of his hands, the blades swiftly descended upon the monsters attempting to encircle them. The speed was almost blinding, and the blades impaled the creatures with deadly accuracy. In an instant, the monsters disintegrated into dust, leaving behind their cores.
The display of skill and power was nothing short of remarkable, leaving Bell and Lili awestruck by the effortless efficiency with which Muramasa dispatched the threat.
"Whoa!" Both Lili and Bell exclaimed in response to Muramasa's impressive display. The magical feat they had just witnessed was undoubtedly surprising, given their unfamiliarity with such abilities. Bell couldn't help but ask, "What kind of magic was that?"
Muramasa acknowledged the question but redirected their focus. "I'll explain later" he trailed off, his attention shifting as more monsters emerged from the ground. He made his intentions clear... dealing with the immediate threat took precedence.
As Muramasa moved to engage the monsters, summoning a distinct black and yellow katana, Bell and Lili also prepared for battle. Lili announced her intent to support them, her wrist crossbow at the ready, while Bell brandished his knife. Bell soon found himself engaged with the imps, noticing that they seemed to be moving at a slower pace, giving him an advantage.
Throughout the battle, Muramasa demonstrated his prowess by swiftly dispatching many of the creatures. Bell focused on protecting Lili while she supported from a distance. As the fight unfolded, Bell aimed to unleash a *Firebolt* spell at a heavily armored creature. However, much to his surprise, the attack that struck the monster wasn't a firebolt but something entirely different, throwing him off balance.
As Lili diligently collected the cores from the defeated monsters, Bell and Muramasa found a moment to converse amidst the aftermath of the battle. "Why did you decide to join us, Sir Muramasa?" Bell inquired, his curiosity apparent. Lili, although preoccupied with her task, couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation. The decision for a highly skilled individual like Muramasa to align with a relatively new and low-level party like theirs seemed puzzling.
Muramasa's response carried an air of intrigue. "I have my own reasons, but it's safe to say that your aspiration to become a hero and grow stronger has captivated my interest" Bell tilted his head in confusion at the cryptic response, his brows furrowing. As the conversation unfolded, they both noticed the arrival of another party to the scene.
"We're not the only ones here" Bell remarked before his sentence was abruptly cut short by the terrified screams of the arriving adventurers. An infant dragon, its predatory instincts triggered, chased the adventurers past Bell, Muramasa, and Lili. The dragon, sensing an easier target, shifted its attention to Lili and began charging at her.
The urgency in Bell's voice was palpable as he shouted Lili's name, ready to unleash a fire bolt at the dragon. However, before he could act, a dramatic intervention occurred. Out of nowhere, a blade cleaved through the infant dragon, instantly obliterating half of its body up to the tip of its tail.
Both Bell and Lili's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as they turned their gaze toward the source of the swift and devastating strike. There stood Muramasa, a drawn blade in his hand, his actions having single-handedly ended the dragon's threat in an instant... *Sword Trial*.
The sheer power of Muramasa's single swing left both Bell and Lili utterly stunned. Their astonishment was palpable as they exclaimed in unison, "A single swing?!" The display of strength was beyond anything they had expected, leaving them gaping in disbelief.
However, their awe was short-lived as the sword in Muramasa's hand suddenly shattered, eliciting a look of disappointment from him. He dropped the now-broken blade, allowing it to vanish into thin air. The immediate aftermath of his feat seemed to have taken a toll on his weapon.
To their surprise, the monster core that should have remained after the creature's defeat was nowhere to be found. The sheer force of Muramasa's strike had seemingly obliterated both the dragon and its core, leaving no trace of the enemy they had just faced.