"To prevent any more accident, they will be moving deep into the mountains in the south, so there'll be no further mining for a while"
_damn it!_ Bell slammed his fist. "Where can I get another job?"
"I don't think you can find anything else to do, unless you're really good at forging" Daria exhaled as she dropped the mug on the table, it was completely empty. She proceeded to Bell's mug and drank it. "If you're going to let a lady pay for your drinks, the list you could do is to drink it" She muttered as she empty the mug in her mouth.
"I don't drink beer"
"So, why are you so eager?" Daria asked as she finally dropped the mug. "Do you really need money that much?"
Bell sighed as he rested his back on the chair, he felt defeated.
"My grandfather is bedridden and my sister is blind, my mother overworks herself to provide for us and I can't just watch her when I can do something to help"
"Oh, I see" Daria responded, feeling a little bit guilty for asking. "Well, it won't be much but I want you to take the monster cores" she added, pushing the glowing stones to Bell.
"Wh...what?, You...you really don't have to" Bell stuttered as he collected it.
"You say that, yet you still collected it" Daria teased.
"I need everything I can get" Bell replied. He added the monster cores to the pouch and tied the knot. "Where can I find the closest guild?"
"There is one in the capital, since I'm going there in a few days, I could order a few knights to take you with us. That way you won't have to spend till you get to the capital"
Bell thought for a while, it wasn't a bad idea but how long was a few days?. He didn't want to seem to eager but he just had to ask.
"Since the mine will be closed for a while, I don't see any need of staying her. So, we'll be leaving sooner than expected, my guess is either tomorrow or the day after"
"Then I'll meet you then" Bell informed as he stood up and left. _i hope Ryu is okay_
.
.
.
"Ryu, I'm back!" Bell announced as he opened the door to their small room.
Ryu was sitting on the chair and facing the window, the view wasn't good but the cool wind passing by made it worth it.
"Big brother!" Ryu quickly stood up from the chair and almost fell down. "Ouch!"
Bell hurriedly caught her before she fell down.
"Please, be careful"
Ryu ignore his warning and started using her hands to feel his body.
"Big brother, I was worried" Her tune was sadden. "Please don't leave me"
"I didn't leave, I just went to the mine"
"Then next time, take me with you"
"Sure"
Bell nodded and lay Ryu down on the bed.
"But I didn't think you'll be able to raise a pickaxe in those tiny hands of yours" Bell chuckled as he teased her.
"But I can help" Ryu pouted.
"Sure you can" Bell remarked and opened his status.
[Name: Bell Ragna] [Level: 5]
[MP: 50/50] [SP: 4]
[Class: None] [Job: None]
[Exp: 40/100]
[AP: 9]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 6]
[Intelligence: 2]
[Agility: 7]
[Dexterity: 5]
[Perception: 1]
[Luck: 1]
[Title: None]
[Skills]
[Dash(active): level 1]
[Rage(active): level 1]
"Ryu, I want to ask you something?"
"Huh?" Ryu asked, she still had that expressionless look on her face. "What is it, big brother?"
Bell wanted to ask her if she could see a floating screen or something like that but he decided against it, asking her something fully knowing she's blind might be offensive.
"Big brother~?" Ryu called out to him.
"Oh, right" Bell wiped the sweat of his face. Even though the wind was cool at the window, the room was uncomfortably hot unlike the previous day. Since there was a blacksmith close to their building and after what happened at the mine, it wasn't really a surprise, he had to work with the little iron they were able to mine before the deadline - which was in three days. "How did you know we were being followed at the forest?"
Ryu paused for a while, like she was thinking of what to say.
"I don't really know. I guess... I just felt it" She answered.
"You know, I also have a skill but it's not like yours"
"A skill!?" There was a hint of excitement in Ryu voice, but it wasn't noticable.
"We need to go to the guild at the capital to be sure" Bell answered. "So far we've spent one hundred and seventy Hils out of two thousand. We'll be leaving in a few days, till then, two hundred Hils will be enough for meals while three hundred for the room"
"That mean, we'll have a thousand and three hundred and thirty Hils left" Ryu added.
"Hmm, my little sister is pretty smart" Ryu smiled at his comment. "We'll still need to buy some equipment and weapon. Thankfully, I was able to get a leather tunic and I made three thousand in town"
"How did you make that much in one day, big brother?" Ryu seemed a little surprised
"Well, I was paid after working at the local mine and I was able to get extra because of the accident but I wasn't hurt" Bell replied, he thought it would be best if he stayed honest with her. Ryu didn't look much bother to ask about the accident, she just held her brother's arm and said.
"Big brother, please don't leave without me again"
"Don't worry, I won't leave your side again" Bell smiled and gently patted Ryu on her head. "Why don't you wait here while I get something for us to eat?"
Ryu nodded slowly.
.
.
.
{FEW DAYS LATER}
"Big brother, how are we going to get to the capital?" Ryu asked as Bell held and her hand and led her outside.
"We'll be following a friend" Bell replied as he saw Daria approaching them.
"Good morning, Hero!" Daria yelled and hugged Bell.
"Please, don't call me hero"
"Big brother, who is this woman?" Ryu asked and held Bell's shirt.
"Who is this little sunshine?" Daria asked as she lean towards Ryu and gently stroke her hand on Ryu's hair. "Her hair is so long and it also smells good"
"Hmm!" Ryu quickly pulled her hair from Daria.
"Ryu, this is Daria, she the nice knight lady who gave me a job" Bell introduced. "And Daria, this is my little sister, Ryu"
"No wonder she's so cute, just like her big brother" Daria commented.
Ryu didn't reply, she just held Bell shirt tighter.
"She's a little bit insecure around people" Bell added.
"Don't worry, I won't steal your big brother from you" Daria laughed but Ryu didn't find it funny.
Bell lean closer to Daria and whispered into her ear, Daria expression suddenly changed and she held Ryu's hand.
"I'm so sorry, why don't you come with me?. We'll soon be leaving for the capital"
Daria gently led Ryu to the carriage while Bell was told to stay in the wagon.
The knights were transporting weapons back to the capital and Bell and his sister were allowed to tag along with the excuse of Bell being a hero, even though he tried to deny it.
"We're leaving!" A knight yelled and the carriages and wagons started to move, and before Bell could realise it, they were already out of Drakenforge.