Chapter 211: Supporter-kun
Swosh... splash...
Accompanied by the splash of blood, Yuuki decapitated the Minotaur with remarkable precision. Fresh red blood splattered all around, creating a terrifying yet satisfying atmosphere.
"Yuuki-neesan, water," said Yui, handing a water bottle to Yuuki. Yui's cheerful voice slightly eased the tense situation around them.
"Thank you, Yui. This is really helpful," Yuuki replied as she took the water offered by Yui. She gulped it down greedily, feeling relief after the exhausting battle.
"That's enough for today. Let's head back," said Asuna, who had carefully sheathed her rapier. As the oldest and most mature among them, Asuna naturally led their party, ensuring that their decisions were sound and that they did not take unnecessary risks.
"Yes, Mama!" Yui replied cheerfully, following Yuuki and Asuna's lead.
However, as they were about to leave, they accidentally stumbled upon a sight that made them stop. In a corner of the street, a Palum girl struggled to gather the magic stones scattered on the ground. She looked tired and stressed, her face reflecting helplessness.
"You worthless trash! Hurry up and collect those magic stones if you want to get paid!" shouted a rough-looking adventurer, his voice echoing throughout the area. His anger made the atmosphere even more uncomfortable.
The Palum girl, Liliruca Arde, merely lowered her head, hiding her resentment towards the adventurers. With her small hands, she picked up every magic stone lying on the ground. She knew that if she was slow, she might not get paid well—or perhaps not at all.
Asuna furrowed her brows, sensing the clear injustice before her.
"We can't let this happen," she said firmly, stepping forward without hesitation. Yuuki and Yui followed, supporting Asuna's decision.
"Look, you shouldn't treat people like that," Asuna said to the rude adventurer. "She's just doing her job."
The adventurer turned around, diverting his attention from Liliruca. He looked at Asuna with a condescending glare. "What's it to you? She's just a supporter. They're worthless," he said, laughing mockingly.
Asuna felt her blood boil. "Everyone has the right to be treated with respect, regardless of their job. Without supporters, adventurers like you would struggle to carry items while fighting."
Yuuki stepped forward, ready to assist Asuna should the situation escalate. "She doesn't deserve to be treated like that. We won't let you bully anyone."
Liliruca, who heard their conversation, paused for a moment before continuing to gather the magic stones. To her, all adventurers were the same.
The adventurer only grew angrier. "You think you can protect her? You're just a girl! Just go away before I beat you up!"
Asuna did not back down. "Try it, and you'll regret it."
A fight was inevitable. The adventurer swung his fist at Asuna, but quickly Yuuki jumped in to block him. "Let's settle this!"
With coordinated attacks, Yuuki and Asuna managed to defeat the rough adventurer. He fell to the ground, gasping for breath, feeling the humiliation of defeat. Yui stood beside them, occasionally threatening to hit the adventurer with her stick.
"Yui, stop fooling around," Asuna said helplessly, observing her daughter's mischievous behavior.
"Thank you," Liliruca said softly, her voice almost inaudible. Although she harbored hatred towards adventurers, somehow Asuna's smile made her feel warmth she had never experienced before.
Lili was born to parents who were part of the Soma Familia, which made her a family member from birth. However, her parents neglected her and forced her to earn money for them. Some time later, her parents were killed in the dungeon, leaving her to fend for herself. The Soma Familia did not care for her and oppressed her, making her feel lonely and isolated.
To earn money, she tried to become an adventurer but lacked talent, ultimately switching to being a supporter. As a supporter, she was always looked down upon by the adventurers she teamed up with, which fueled her hatred towards them. After some time, Lili decided to escape from the Soma Familia and become an ordinary citizen.
However, the Soma Familia found her and brought misery to the old couple who took care of her, destroying their shop and stealing their money. She began to hate Soma itself, wondering why he created a Familia if he wouldn't take care of them. Since then, Lili started using her hatred towards adventurers as a reason to deceive and steal from them.
Asuna patted Liliruca on the shoulder. "You don't have to feel scared anymore. We will help you."
Liliruca lifted her face, her eyes shining with hope. "Really? But... I'm just a supporter. No one wants to help me."
Not knowing whether the expression Liliruca wore was genuine or just her usual facade.
"Everyone deserves to be respected, no matter what their job is. Let's prove that," Yuuki said enthusiastically. "We can work together. We need a good supporter."
Liliruca paused for a moment, contemplating their words. "If that's the case, I will do my best!" she replied.
Asuna smiled. "Good! Let's head back to the guild, and you can join us."
...
The days that followed passed quickly. Liliruca, now part of Asuna, Yuuki, and Yui's team, found the happiness she had long lost. Every day, they explored dungeons and took on new challenges. Liliruca felt happy to be able to help them, and as time went on, her feelings towards Asuna and the others became sincere.
"How about we try exploring a new floor today?" Yuuki suggested, excitement glowing on her face.
"Great! We can get a lot of drop items!" Yui said, enthusiastic.
Asuna looked at Liliruca. "Are you ready? This will be a bigger challenge."
Liliruca nodded, feeling newfound strength within her. "I'm ready! Let's do this!"
As they descended the stairs to floor 17, the atmosphere grew tense. This dungeon was darker than the ones they had encountered before.
When they entered a large room, they were greeted by an attack from two Minotaurs. "Get ready!" Asuna shouted, drawing her rapier with precision.
With incredible speed, Yuuki leaped forward, swinging her sword with deadly accuracy. Asuna followed closely behind, battling one of the Minotaurs.
Liliruca watched from the side, knowing she had no combat power, so all she could do was stay away from the battlefield and not become a burden. While Yuuki and Asuna fought the Minotaurs, Yui used Healing Touch to heal them.
"Rise," murmured Asuna, chanting a short spell to activate the skill she had recently acquired. Instantly, a fierce wind began to swirl around her, providing both defense and increased attack speed.
Asuna pulled her right leg back and held her rapier horizontally in one hand, the tip of her rapier surrounded by a swirling storm of wind. Suddenly, the rapier transformed into a giant wind spear.
With lightning-like steps, Asuna darted forward, the wind spear shattering everything in its path and piercing the Minotaur's body. The remaining force of the attack slammed into the dungeon wall, causing debris to fall.
On the other side, Yuuki saw that Asuna had finished her battle and, without hesitation, activated her buff skill. Yuuki's speed doubled, and she launched several slashes in an instant, killing the Minotaur.
"Incredible!!!" Liliruca exclaimed, still unable to believe that they were level 1 adventurers.
After gathering drop items and magic stones for a while, they finally returned to the guild. They exchanged the drop items and magic stones they had obtained for Valis. Liliruca felt happy seeing the amount of money now in her hands.
As she walked home alone to Soma Familia, that feeling of happiness began to fade. Liliruca knew she had to hide the money she earned so it wouldn't be taken by Zanis and other members of Soma Familia. She didn't want to lose the fruits of her labor.
When Liliruca arrived at her residence, she carefully walked to her room and hid the money in a secret place under the floor.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind her. Liliruca turned around and was startled to see Zanis standing there, a sinister smile on his face.
"Hey, Arde," Zanis said, his voice dripping with mockery. Zanis was a level 2 adventurer and the captain of Soma Familia. "Did you just come back from the dungeon? I heard you got quite a bit of Valis."
Liliruca's heart raced. "Yes, but… it's mine," she replied, trying to hold back her fear.
Without hesitation, Zanis stepped forward, extending his hand. "Don't be stupid. You know who runs this place, right? Hand over that money to me."
Liliruca could only stare at Zanis with hatred. "No! I worked hard for this! I won't give it to you!" Her voice trembled, a mix of fear and anger swelling within her.
Zanis laughed mockingly. "You think this is yours? Everything here belongs to me. And that money will be mine." With a swift motion, he snatched the money from its hiding place.
Liliruca felt her heart shatter.
"No! That's all my hard work!" she shouted, but Zanis just smiled wider, indifferent to her feelings.
"Don't worry, Arde. We'll always need someone like you to work hard. Without you, we wouldn't get anything. Now, take a rest. You still have a lot to do," Zanis said as he walked away, leaving Liliruca alone in her sadness and helplessness.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. Despair and hatred swirled within her.
"Lili! Are you okay?" Asuna's worried voice came from outside before she entered Liliruca's open room.
Seeing Liliruca in tears, Asuna immediately hugged her. "It's okay, we're here. If you need help, just say so. We'll help you," Asuna said softly.
"Really? I… I want to leave Soma Familia," Liliruca said hesitantly.
"It's not a problem. I'll help you," Asuna replied, reassuring Liliruca.
After that, Asuna took Liliruca back to their home and found Noah, asking him to help get Liliruca out of Soma Familia.
Without hesitation, Noah came to Soma Familia with Asuna and the others. After defeating all the members of Soma Familia, they finally met the god Soma, who was diligently crafting wine without being disturbed by the outside world.
Soma was obsessed with his passion for making wine and rarely interacted with anyone. Loki mentioned that he was annoying and not an easy person to talk to. Initially, he showed concern for his Familia members, even taking care of Lili when she was still a child. He eventually lost interest after Zanis took over, seeing them as children who easily succumbed to Soma's wine.
After some physical and mental discussions, they finally managed to get Liliruca out of Soma Familia.
As they left, Soma, who had been awakened by them, gathered all the members of his Familia and began to restructure it. He dismissed Zanis as captain and chose Chandra, who was also a level 2 adventurer. Chandra was the only person in Soma Familia who paid a little attention to Liliruca.
Unaware of what happened after they left, Noah and the others arrived back at their home and began the ceremony to transfer Liliruca's Familia. From that moment on, Liliruca officially became a member of Vermilion Familia.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone