In Danmachi with My System

When I turned around, I was confronted by a figure that from a distance looked like an exhausted girl carrying a bag twice her size. She looked at me, and as our eyes locked, her expression brightened.

"Are you looking for me?"

The girl nodded, her face flushed with exhaustion, and accepted my invitation to sit on a nearby bench. She plopped down with a sigh, put down her bag and looked up at me, a little nervous.

When she noticed me staring at her, she stiffened, pulled the hem of her robe tighter, and finally spoke.

"This... You may not know Lili. Lili's name is Liliruca Arde, but you can call her Lili. Onii-san, what's your name?"

"I am Eithan."

Well, I already knew her. The anime had made it clear to me that this girl wasn't exactly a saint. To be honest, I didn't like her very much at first, but... as I saw more of her story, it had made me empathize with her. So I listened to her.

"Eithan-sama..." She mumbled my name as if trying to remember it, and then we talked for a long while.

Jokes and useless things aside, I will tell you the reason why she approached me, or at least the reason she gave me.

Apparently, Lili's contract with other adventurers had been canceled, and she was looking for a new partner to renew the contract. It was the job of a support to support an adventurer, and without one, the support would have no income. She was worried about this and desperately searched for a suitable partner.

And that's where I came in. She saw me walking among the adventurers and approached me. To be honest, I still didn't understand her real motives, and she hasn't told me yet.

"At first, Lili wasn't sure, but after watching Eithan-sama for a while, Lili realized that she was right. Lili wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? And why is that?"

"That day in the dungeon... It was Eithan-sama who saved Lili. For that, thank you. And also, Lili regrets that she ran away without even staying to thank you. Lili was really afraid of that monster. Lili thought that even Eithan-sama would die... but Lili didn't imagine that Eithan-sama could also escape from that terrible monster."

Her words were shocking. I didn't expect it. I thought she would approach me without mentioning what had happened, maybe even trying to hide her identity. Instead, I found her bowing to me and apologizing. It was an unusual scene.

So... she hadn't seen me kill Lethal Ant.

"Oh... So that girl was you, huh? I see." I had no choice but to feign confusion. "It was nothing, it just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

Lili lifted her head slightly, revealing her large eyes from under the hood. Still leaning forward, she almost looked like she was waiting for some other reaction, maybe a scolding or a sarcastic comment. But when she saw that I had nothing more to say, she relaxed a little and let herself fall back onto the bench with a sigh.

"Lili regrets not having done more. If she'd had more strength, she wouldn't have had to depend on others to survive."

"Relax, okay? You're a support, right? Your place is in the back. When the going gets tough, the adventurers will take care of you. At least, that's the way it's supposed to be. I know how adventurers really treat supports."

There was a moment of silence. And then she lifted her chin.

"Is Eithan-sama looking for support?"

The question came quickly. I looked at her, and the expression on her face was one of expectation. I took a second before answering. As far as I was concerned, I didn't need any support. But I wanted to see her face when she heard my answer.

"No, I'm not looking for one."

Her expression sank and I could almost feel her disappointment in the air. Her ears seemed to droop a little, like a puppy that's just been ignored.

"Lili understands... But it is very useful to have support. Lili can help in the dungeon, collect magic stones and make sure that Eithan-sama's belongings are safe. Eithan-sama doesn't have to do it all by himself."

Supporters were the backbone of any quest party. Their contribution was vital, even if the adventurers were often reluctant to admit it. It was a truth as simple as the fact that the sun rises in the east, but as bitter to accept as defeat in battle.

But it wasn't like I really needed any help from either of them. I was doing just fine on my own and didn't need to share my earnings with anyone, and with this girl... I had no idea what her true intentions were.

However, I wanted to see how far she would go. If she was lying or up to something, this was a good time to find out.

"I am poor. I have no way to repay you."

Her eyes instantly came alive and her lips formed a sweet, enthusiastic smile.

"The first week Lili will not charge you anything. Lili just wants to show you what Lili can do. After that, if Eithan-sama thinks Lili is useful, then we could make a deal... say, twenty percent of the profits from the magic stones."

A deal without conditions, at least at first. I stood and watched her for a long time until she squirmed uncomfortably. I could do most things on my own, so I didn't have too much to gain by taking her up on it.

But I also felt a little bad about leaving her the last time. I could make all that speech, but it was just me trying to cowardly run away. If Isis and my sister saw me like this, they would surely scold me. Even Hestia―would such a kind goddess want to love a coward who wasn't sure of himself, nor that he could protect her?

"Okay, Lili, how about we have a nice breakfast first and then get down to business? It actually puts me in a good mood to have someone for support."

Partly out of curiosity and partly out of guilt, I took her up on it.

She smiled, and I could see a gleam of triumph in her eyes.

So, let's correct this brat.

×××

Join my Pa treon if you want to support me and read up to 20 advanced chapters.

pa treon.com/OlwinMoriarty