19 Fenris

English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.

This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result, so you may find some simple or normal wordings.

Enjoy the chapter.

*****

Something is about to happen between those two.

That was the only thought going through Finn's head and the other people who were watching the confrontation between the wolf and the girl.

Loki had asked Finn to go look for a specific girl who was in the Hostess of Fertility.

She told the blonde-haired Pallum to visit and speak with the girl to discuss the day of the meeting between the Goddess and the girl so she could join the Loki Familia.

After Loki's words Finn remembered the white-haired girl he had once seen in the pub. Occasionally he thought about the girl and how to invite her to the Familia, it's good to have talented people like her.

Finn was thinking about her because Loki always mentioned her. She was excited and kept saying aloud her thoughts about how she was going to show her off the same way she does with Ais.

Finn had gotten used to that sort of thing by now.

When Finn visited the Hostess of Fertility he had done so at a very early hour so as not to disturb the working hours of the pub staff.

He had been greeted by a cat girl. They argued a bit and Finn ended up ordering a drink to lighten up the walk he had taken. It's not like he got tired, but it's good to have a drink once in a while.

When the girl arrived Finn could see that her face was full of satisfaction, apparently she had solved a problem she had.

Finn pretended not to see her and when she spoke to him they began to discuss the important issue.

That was what Finn had in mind until Riku told him that there was no problem and they could start from today with her joining to the Loki Familia.

Finn agreed and waited for Riku to change and pick up what she needed. She was dressed in a waitress outfit so Finn waited with his drink.

It would have been a quiet wait until Finn remembered the food Riku told him about.

Pizza.

Apparently Finn's thoughts were heard because Anya gave him a slice of leftover pizza.

The waitresses made too much pizza so Anya was annoyed that there was leftover food, but still saw the bright side and gave Finn a slice.

Finn enjoyed the meal and it remains to say that he was left wanting to eat more but first it was work and then rest.

When Riku arrived Finn saw that she had put on a rather simple outfit, although it also showed that Riku wanted to be agile in combat by the freedom of movement in her outfit.

The women of the Loki Familia had learned that beauty is useless when they go into the unknown and it is better to prepare what is sufficient and necessary to survive in the dungeon.

The journey to the Loki Familia headquarters was uneventful.

Riku didn't talk much but if she got some questions she answered them without problems and even added a few extra things.

There was still a bit of tension in Riku about getting to know the others, but Finn still saw that she intends to meet new people.

She wasn't looking for a conversation. Apparently it was necessary for someone to start talking to her to create a conversation, for now since Riku wants to change and will do so slowly as she grows up in the Familia.

Likes, hobbies, the usual. Like anyone else Riku was... normal, or so it seemed at first.

Finn could see that behind it all she was excited and at the same time curious about anything that was unknown to her.

She had a natural attraction to the unknown and that was good in several ways.

When they arrived at Twilight Manor Riku was excited by the infrastructure of the place and kept looking at every single thing that crossed her field of vision.

Finn thanked the heavens that Riku was kind to the people she came across. She would always give them a smile or nod to greet them, you don't always find someone kind in Orario.

After almost reaching their destination Finn's thumb began to tingle slightly.

This would be problematic if he were in the dungeon but the sensation Finn sensed in his thumb was not of danger.

Finn talked to Riku and then decided to ask her if she would agree to have a fight with him after Loki placed the falna on her.

The result was that Riku hesitated to speak because of Finn's question and was petrified with surprise.

Luckily for Riku at the right time Riveria and Gareth arrived to help her, apparently Riku already knew Riveria and Gareth introduced himself in the process.

When they were about to go on to reach their destination Bete arrived at the right moment and started to insult Riku.

Finn already knew what Bete had been through but he still wanted the werewolf to talk differently to people weaker than him.

Riveria and Gareth tried to lighten the mood trying to calm it down, if Bete dared to do anything to Riku they would act but Bete was just insulting as he always did.

Finn wanted to avoid the situation because the possibility of Riku becoming depressed was high. Bete respected strength and since Riku was still weak, Bete only considered her a hindrance.

He watched as Riku was surprised and trembled a little at Bete's actions and at that moment Finn wanted to act as his thumb tingled again with increased intensity.

But nothing of what he thought happened at that moment.

"Shut up dogface!"

Riku yelled at Bete causing the werewolf's face to exhibit great surprise at being insulted by someone weaker than him.

Something Bete never thought would happen in his life, and certainly not in the place he considered home.

Finn also heard several gasps around him and when he looked around he found some members of the Familia.

Among them were the Amazoness twins who recently joined, Raul, Anakitty and Alicia.

Finn just motioned for them to be quiet to which they blinked before nodding and watching the show that was about to happen.

"Are you sure about this Finn?" Riveria asked Finn with concern.

"Yes" the Pallum just moved his thumb to her face "Let's see what makes her so special"

Riveria shared a glance with Gareth but he just shrugged and continued to see what was going on.

"Ahh! You've got nerve brat!"

"You're an idiot!"

Both began to show anger and moved from their positions.

Bete started walking arrogantly towards the girl while Riku only took a few steps, after all Riku wanted Bete to walk towards her to prove that it is not necessary to move to put him in his place.

The height difference between the two of them was very great.

As Riku was still a girl of 9 years old, her height was about 120-140 cm, she was still short compared to other people. Riku could only be compared to the Pallum in height.

On the other side Bete was very tall. He was 183 cm tall, he was slightly hunched over to look down at Riku seeing her as if she was just another extra in the world.

The atmosphere was very tense.

The executives were ready in case Bete wanted to hurt Riku. They were worried about Riku because she didn't have a falna yet and Bete did.

Even if it is barely placed the falna increases a person's statistics by a much higher rate than usual making people who receive it able to do things they considered impossible in the past.

If a level 1 adventurer receives a hit from a higher level, he/she may be defeated because of the difference in power between them.

In the case of people who do not have a falna, if they receive a blow from a high-level adventurer, they could die from a blow or be seriously injured.

That is why they were ready to intervene.

Finn was watching Riku's behavior.

Riku was as Loki had described her, someone with a normal attitude, white hair, slightly pale skin, red eyes and above all her appearance of a rabbit.

In between all that Finn saw something else in the girl.

Courage.

It may sound like a simple thing but there is something that people who are experts in some areas can bring out in certain people.

In this case Bete can use something called killing intent. This allows him to expel a feeling in order to affect his opponents and all the people around him.

Riku is afraid.

But in that fear she did not cower and faced him directly. That courage, even if it was foolish, helped her to transform her fear into the strength to insult Bete.

What Finn didn't know is that Riku only dared to rebel in a childish way because she knows she is surrounded by powerful people who will protect her... or probably not.

"Tch" Bete gritted his teeth and pulled his arms out of his pockets "What the hell are you doing here?"

"What else would an unknown person be doing in this place?" Riku puffed out her chest in pride as she pointed her finger at him "Loki invited me into her Familia. Feel proud mongrel, I'm here to protect you now so don't be afraid"

"What the fuck?"

Bete was dumbfounded by Riku's brazen words. Anger was growing inside him for being insulted. He didn't need protection, the only ones who needed that were the weaklings who were always on the ground.

It was possible to see contractions in Bete's lip and eyebrows from anger, there were even some veins throbbing showing the effort he was making not to hit Riku.

Likewise with the others it was a different situation.

The Amazoness were excited about the show of strength that was about to happen.

Tione was watching her Finn with hearts but after seeing him concentrating on the battle she did the same as the Pallum.

Tiona was trembling with excitement. She remembered the girl who pointed out the place where they could find a suitable match and she was grateful to her. She remembered how the girl was afraid for a few words on that day but now seeing her Tiona thinks that Riku is a different person.

Raul and Anakitty were pale from the situation. They had witnessed Bete's strength since he joined the Familia so over time they learned to keep their thoughts to themselves and not insult him.

They could only watch as a girl fearlessly insulted an unknown force.

Alicia only accompanied her companions because she needed to ask Riveria about something. She never expected to see such an encounter at this time.

"Just go away girl, you will die in vain" Bete walked past Riku pushing her slightly causing her to stagger a little. He had mitigated his anger by thinking that she was just a brat who didn't know anything about the world.

How wrong he was.

The others saw that the problem had simply been solved without a problem except for Finn, his thumb still tingling slightly.

Riku turned with narrowed eyes to Bete and let out a sigh somewhere between relief, annoyance, and fear.

She had not felt that feeling since the attack of the remnant of Evilus and was feeling many things again, but now she would face that feeling and destroy it.

Until she thought of a plan.

"I see" Riku said loudly to no one in particular causing Bete's ear to twitch a little as a sign that he was still listening "I guess you're not strong enough to stand up to me. Forgive my rudeness"

Bete stopped dead in his tracks and turned around with his face hardened making Riku flinch in place but still maintaining that fake arrogance to annoy Bete.

"What are you talking about? All you can do is babble nonsense words"

"So, if my words are meaningless you wouldn't mind listening to a weakling's request, would you?"

Bete's eyes narrowed, he saw through the girl's words seeing that she was up to something. He was thinking that Riku would use Finn and the others to protect herself but Bete watched as Finn saw his thumb occasionally.

Bete interpreted it differently and just smiled arrogantly and disdainfully at Riku. It's not like the stupid rabbit could do anything against him.

"Spit it out wimp" Bete said as he moved a little closer to Riku "If it's useless what you told me you'll have to owe me something"

"Owe you?" Riku cocked her head in confusion "Why would I owe you anything?"

"You guys are just stones in the road without any value. I'm giving you some of my valuable time so show me what you have to say"

"Hm" Riku placed her hand on her chin and began to think about what she should say to impress the beloved audience she had.

Bete was already prepared to destroy the girl's will with a few words and let her know that she should stay hidden and let the strong take care of the important things.

Riku raised her hand slowly showing the index finger that was raised and the others were clenched in a fist "An attack".

The people around tensed up and showed their emotions about the situation. Bete just raised his eyebrow trying to figure out the girl's plan.

"One attack is all I need to make you scream in pain" Riku declared with an amused smile causing the place to go silent.

Riveria and Gareth were left with a blank face by such a statement, on the other side Tiona and Tione smiled from the excitement to see what Riku would do and finally Raul, Alicia and Anakitty were shocked by the girl's words.

Finn smiled at the outcome of the fight.

Silence was shown in the hallway making the situation uncomfortable for Riku but she was still saved by the only person who could break the silence.

"Haaaaaa?!" Bete growled angrily.

He had gone through multiple situations where his life was in danger, shed blood in combat, protected the weak and led them by proving that he was the leader of the pack.

And now comes a brat to say such a thing.

If she didn't show something important he would definitely hit her even if he received consequences for his actions.

"An attack?" muttered Raul.

"Yes" Alicia nodded.

"Isn't she crazy right?" asked Anakitty.

"What a thrill, what a thrill, what a thrill" Tiona repeated silently to herself as she shook Tione.

"Stop and let me see" Tione said with irritation.

"One attack is all I need" Riku said again making Bete look at her with annoyance.

"You don't even have a falna and you want to hit me" Bete said coldly "Do you know what place you are living in?"

"Yes, we're both here, what do you think of an agreement?"

Bete paused momentarily and just gave Riku a look to keep talking.

"If you win I will not join the Loki Familia and leave Orario forever. I will hide and cry all the time for how weak I am and will be in the future" Riku said firmly making the other people show surprise with her words.

Even Finn's eyes widened from the shock of the moment.

Riku was not afraid of loss, she would face it head on even in fear. The statement she made was too big for someone in a situation like her.

In case Riku lost she would definitely be ruining her life and everything she tried to do would be in vain.

Bete just blinked in confusion seeing as how he didn't need anything else to prove and smiled arrogantly "And in case you win rabbit?"

"Did you really ask that?" Bete growled in response "I mean, with everything you've said I thought you'd agree and quickly tear me apart with something simple"

"Will you or won't you talk to end this?"

"S-Sorry *cough*" Riku cleared her throat to speak "Fenris, second class adventurer level 3"

"What are you up to now?" Bete growled.

"I've heard about Fenris ever since I learned to listen to others" Riku said making her have Bete's full attention.

It is assumed that Bete's alias was given to him a few years ago, it is impossible that she knew more than Bete himself.

"Fenris used to be a puppy which no one took any notice of until he grew stronger and caught the attention of the Gods. Twice he was chained in an attempt to restrain him but the Gods could not stop him"

Bete was stunned by the story. Did anyone know about him? Was Fenris known? Were the Gods his enemies?

Those and more questions were growing in Bete's mind and a smile tightened on her face.

Not of arrogance or offense but rather a smile of amusement causing him to let out a small laugh which was only heard by Finn, Riveria and Gareth thanks to their heightened senses.

"Then as a last resort the gods asked the dwarves to make a chain to keep watch over him. It was forged from six magical ingredients: a cat's footprint, a woman's beard, the breath of a fish, the roots of a mountain, the sinews of a bear and the saliva of a bird"

"They promised Fenris that if he failed to break the chain they would release him as he would not be a threat to them. Fenris refused out of suspicion but agreed to put it on if any of the Gods would agree to place a hand on his snout as a test of good faith"

"A brave man volunteered to put his hand in the jaws of the wolf. Then, Fenris allowed himself to be tied but when he saw that he could not free himself, he closed his muzzle and kept the hand of the god"

Riku looked at Bete's face to witness his eyes sparkle with interest in the story. After a few seconds Bete blinked several times seeing the others who had the same impression as Bete.

*Coughing*

Riku coughed for attention again causing Bete to remove his face of interest and again show an angry face. Riku is starting to think he is a tsundere.

"What do you say Fenris?" she raised her hand for a handshake "A deal?"

Bete grunted with a smile and gave her hand a firm squeeze to show her what she had gotten herself into.

"Then if I win you will leave Orario" Riku nodded towards Bete "What would happen to you? I still doubt very much that you could do anything to me"

Now instead of a single finger she held up 3 of them "If I can make you scream in pain you will owe me 3 favors, one for each level you possess"

"What courage you have brat!"

"I'm going to be part of one of the most powerful Familias in Orario, why would I be afraid of you Fenris" Riku said doing her best to keep her fear hidden for quite some time now "Favors will be of limited value so as not to overwhelm you in any request I have"

"Heh, then come"

Bete stood in the middle of the aisle with his hands in his pockets and a lazy stance demonstrating that he was full of self-confidence to put up with this deal.

For her part Riku stood still thinking of what to say to prove that she was worth more than she showed.

And at that she smiled.

"The weak fight their own way" she walks towards Bete slowly "You are strong, if I engage in direct combat with you I will lose without knowing how I was defeated. All my points are weak if it is you who touches them"

Riku stopped in front of Bete as she carefully reached into her fanny pack.

"Weak people show their strength when they need it, when they long to protect something, when they want to fix their mistakes, when they want to recover what they have lost. Weak people cannot be sincere"

Bete's eyes widened in disbelief at the girl's words.

It is impossible for her to know what happened with Bete in his past, no, she shouldn't know anything... but still every word Bete understood because he lived it.

He got his strength because he needed it, he wanted to protect his family and his companions, he wanted to fix his mistake of loss, he wanted to get back what he could not take and finally he was not honest with his words.

For the first time Bete encountered someone who could rival his strength.

And it was not that force as he knew it.

It was willpower.

Even if Riku was crying in fear she would go ahead because she wanted to and finish what she started.

Even if people insult her and tell her that she is useless, Riku will keep her situation to herself and follow her own path and not what other people tell her.

Bete did not know it at the time, but he would lose to a weak person because he accepted the game on an unknown board.

There he would learn that a weak man can be strong.

"Bete... you are weak"

Snapping out of her thoughts Bete looked at Riku to hear those words causing anger to momentarily overcome him falling for her plan.

"You!" Bete growled with restrained anger.

"Don't blink honey, you'll miss the show" Riku said as she held up a spray can with a red liquid in it.

"What the hell are you gon-?" *Split* "AHHHHHHH! My eyes! What the hell did you do?!"

Bete's scream was heard by all present and they witnessed how the werewolf let out a howl of pain for having received a red liquid in his eyes.

Raul, Anakitty and Alicia were left with a look of disbelief as they watched their partner scream in pain on the ground as he rolled from side to side.

The Amazoness twins were shocked by the outcome. They both thought that Riku would simply be beaten but they watched as Bete was beaten without taking a hit. They were elated and needed to know Riku's secret.

Finn smiled mischievously showing that all the time he was waiting for the outcome of the encounter.

Gareth was laughing at the werewolf situation. He found the story Riku told and the words she said about weakness interesting and in the end Gareth enjoyed the outcome.

He also remembered the dwarves from the story and was quite pleased with that.

Riveria was skeptical about the result. She didn't know what Riku had used to hurt Bete but she understood that it was dangerous because of the irritation on Bete's face.

She even saw some tears slide down Bete's face.

Riku had planned to use the spray at some point in her life but she did not plan to use it on the first day of her visit to Twilight Manor.

She kept the lid on the jar and then capped it to keep the odor from being smelled by anyone with a heightened sense of smell.

It was pure luck that Riku had a half-beast as an enemy.

"Yes!" Riku jumped up and down with excitement "I got three favors from a level 3 adventurer! I'm awesome!"

Those who were still in the same place learned a lesson.

Even the strongest can be defeated.

"Finn-san, we'd better hurry. Loki-sama is probably annoyed by our tardiness"

Finn looked at Riku and then at Bete. He looked at Riveria to see her shrug and looked at his partner "Gareth, could you take Bete to the infirmary?"

"No problem" the dwarf took Bete on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes "Come on kid. You've got a lot to learn"

"M-My eyes" Bete kept rubbing his eyes in pain as his voice grew quieter and quieter from the distance.

"Come on Riku" the girl nodded, standing next to Finn "Riveria, would you be kind enough to attend to the others?"

Riveria looked at the 5 intruding adventurers and nodded in Finn's direction.

Riku and Finn moved to Loki's office leaving Riku's second fight in Orario behind.

A wonderful encounter.

*****

Tremendous bullshit I just said a while ago.

Honestly, thanks to the fact that this is a fantasy world, inspirational phrases are very useful and I know how to take advantage of them on many occasions.

I took advantage of every lesson I had read and tried to use them.

Bete's arrogance was a good reason to keep bothering him. In my former life I saw several colleagues who thought they were the best of the best but when they fell they didn't know what to do now that they had been defeated.

I took a big risk recently.

Taking several breaths I try to walk keeping up with Finn's pace but I started to stagger from the aftermath.

By the time I realized it I had already stepped wrong and was falling until an arm under my chest held me up preventing me from hitting the ground.

"You lasted long enough against Bete" Finn said as he helped me sit on the floor with my back against the wall.

Sweat was pouring down my face and I was trying to stay sane "I was scared"

"I know. From the beginning you were scared, the whole time you were trying to act like you were powerful or trying to copy someone else's style. You did great"

I already knew that.

All the while with Bete's killing intent I remembered the encounter that night.

I simply stayed in the conversation because I knew I was surrounded by people who would help me and I achieved my goal.

"I'll be fine"

"If you say so, do you need anything?"

"No, I have this" I reached into my fanny pack and pulled out a chocolate cube that was wrapped "This will do".

With the fear my mind suffered from some ugly memories and also the feeling of danger and death haunted every part of my body. I find myself in a bad way to put it nicely.

I will just have a little bit of chocolate. It is not a serious situation since the reason for this problem was the fight with Bete and now that it is over the relief will solve the problem in my body.

"Let's go Finn-san" I stood up careful not to fall again while holding Finn's arm for support.

"Are you sure you can walk?"

"Yes... I think" I said a little unsure "How long until Loki-sama's office?"

"Not much, one lap of the hallway and all the way straight ahead will lead us to her" Finn answered me quickly.

"I see"

"Do you want a ride?"

"What?"

I blinked owlishly at Finn's question and confusion dominated my mind, what does he mean?

"Define 'ride' for me please"

"Since Loki's office is nearby I could just carry you in my arms and when we get there I would leave you with her" Finn answered me truthfully.

I thought about the situation.

My feet were still wobbling with every step I took.

The office was close by but I was still too lazy to walk naturally and did not want to move from my place.

They would carry me in their arms like a princess making me forget my teachings that I should do such a thing... but I am no longer a man.... Damn it!

I looked up at Finn and he was just smiling warmly making my face warm.

Shit! Why are you blushing, Riku?! You like women, not men! Think Riku, think!

"Okay" I stated bluntly putting aside my pride and letting him lead me.

"If you allow me" Finn walked over to me and before I knew it he had me in his arms.

I was taller than Finn so it would look comical if someone saw us this way.

"Let's go"

"Y-Yes"

Finn started walking again but now he had me in his arms.

For my part I could say that my face was red, not because a man was carrying me in his arms but because of the embarrassment of someone carrying me in this way.

I'd better think of other things.

What will I do with Loki?

Will we play?

Shall we talk about our lives?

Will you ask me for information?

Will she massage my breasts to give me that weird feeling?

One moment eliminates that.

*Sigh*

Damn my wonderful life.

"We arrived"

"Already?" I asked as I saw that we were out of a room.

"Yes" Finn said as he slowly lowered me down "It wasn't far so it wasn't a problem to take you"

"I understand"

"Get ready" Finn opened the door letting me see Loki's office as she sat with her elbows leaning on the desk and her hands on her chin.

She had her characteristic mocking smile worthy of a Trickster Goddess.

"Yoo Finn!" Loki exclaimed with joy welcoming her Captain "I appreciate your help"

"No problem. New members deserve to be welcomed properly" Finn said as he denied his Goddess' compliments "If I may I have something else to take care of. See you later, enjoy your time together"

"See you later Finn!"

"Thank you for guiding me"

Finn smiled as he waved goodbye leaving me alone in the office with Loki.

When I turned around I watched as Loki's eyes opened slightly, I swore I saw a gleam in them when he did.

"Welcome Riku, how about we start the process?"

Loki smiled mischievously as she watched me from head to toe while I shivered in fear for some reason.

I think I made my decision too soon.