Danmachi: Scavenger

'If my butterfly effect hasn't derailed canon, then Bell should go down to the middle floor in... how many days was it?' He didn't remember the exact time, but he knew it was the first time Bell entered the middle floor that the Takemikazuchi Familia members also entered. 

Due to their stupidity, they triggered a monster party and ended up leading a pass parade straight to Bell and his party. This then led to them going down to the middle floor, followed by Hestia and members of the Takemikazuchi Familia.

'I think Hermes and his captain also went down?' He wasn't sure, but that wasn't important. All he needed was to make sure Bell got himself into that pass parade and made his way down to the 18th floor.

He was sure Bell would still make his way to the 13th floor on the same day as he did in canon, since he hadn't done much to derail that track. However, the dungeon was unpredictable. Maybe him killing multiple monsters or taking out a rabbit three days ago had caused fewer monsters to spawn around the Takemikazuchi Familia, preventing the monster party. Who the fuck knows.

Whatever it was, he didn't care. He would make sure that limited-time event happened. As a Level 5 monster, the Black Goliath would give him a massive amount of excelia, enough to max out his stats and even start him off at Level 3 with maybe 200 points or so.

He needed to get it. If he didn't, he'd have to find another way to max his stats. Maybe hiring a Level 4 or 5 adventurer to help him, if that was even possible. But right now, his next goal was the Black Goliath.

Of course, there were a lot of problems with the Black Goliath plan, but he'd flesh it out in due time. For now, he just needed to get information on Bell's progress and maybe keep an eye on him to see when he entered the middle floor. That way, Rex could follow him and ensure the event stayed on track.

'Zanis should be able to help with—'

"Your items have been appraised," Rose's voice cut through his thoughts, calm and monotone. "The total came out to 37,268 valis."

Rex looked up to see Rose standing in front of him, holding two pouches of money. She had noticed way he'd been sitting hunched over, his hands clenched and his brow furrowed. But she said nothing. It wasn't her job to pry into an adventurer's personal struggles.

"Right," Rex said, standing up, taking the pouches, and began transferring the valis into his own pouch.

As he worked, he glanced toward the adventurer board, where a small crowd was still gathered. "What's the commotion about?" he asked, gesturing toward the board. "I keep hearing something about healing potions." 

"The Panacea Familia made a breakthrough," she explained. "They've created a healing potion that, when drunk, not only heals you as effectively as an Elixir but also grants the Development Ability 'Healing Power' at Rank I for seventy minutes. If you already have Healing Power, it raises the rank by one temporarily."

"Healing Power grants regenerative abilities and increases the effectiveness of all healing effects used on you," Rose explained.

"Oh, really?" Rex nodded, mumbling under his breath. 'I guess I'll need that Development Ability in the future. It would work well with my healing magic,' he thought. "But is that even possible? To artificially grant a Development Ability? That doesn't seem achievable."

Rose shook her head slightly. "No one believes it," she said. "But rumors are spreading that they made three bottles and sold two to the Loki Familia and one to Freya. Each bottle supposedly sold for twenty million valis." her tone carried a hint of skepticism. "However, since the rumors haven't been proven true, most refuse to believe it. It isn't possible."

Rex nodded as he finished transferring the valis and handed the empty Guild pouches back to Rose. "Have a good day," she said. "Be cautious if you decide to venture into the Large Tree Labyrinth."

"Yeah," Rex replied as he picked up his bag. "You have a good day too."

Rose nodded slightly, her expression unchanging, and turned to return to her booth. But as he turned to leave, he noticed something—or rather, someone—emerging from the back of the Guild, where the private rooms were with Eina.

Rex raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. 'Zanis?' He was genuinely confused. 'What is he doing here?'

Eina was trailing behind Zanis, her gaze downcast, while Zanis walked ahead with a calm, composed look on his face. He noticed Rex but said nothing, simply parting ways with Eina as they left the Guild together, walking out into the bustling streets of Orario.

"So, what are you doing here?" Rex asked, his tone casual but probing.

Zanis adjusted his glasses, the sunlight glinting off the lenses. "I came to confirm the one-month ban lift on Soma's wine production." he replied. "While also submitting my side of the contract with the Ishtar Familia to the Guild."

"Took you long enough," Rex said, glancing at the man. "What was that? One week? Was the Ishtar Familia hard to work with?"

"Surprisingly, no," Zanis shook his head. "They were quick to accept the deal. It was convincing Soma to let me sell his drinks outside the Familia that was the problem." He muttered under his breath, "Who knew a god could be so adamant about something."

Rex nodded. "And now?"

"Now everything is in order," Zanis said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "The first batch of wine will be sold tonight at the Belit Babili. Sixty thousand valis per shot, or one million eight hundred thousand per bottle."

"A shot is as expensive as a 'Failed Soma,'" he mumbled. "Isn't that too pricey? You sure it'll sell?" For reference, one bottle is about 12 thousand USD.

"Don't worry about that," Zanis said, pushing his glasses up with a confident smile. "Soma's wine is well-known, and the Berbera will be the ones serving it while entertaining their customers. I'm sure the six bottles I sent to the Ishtar Familia will be sold out tonight."

Rex did the math quickly in his head. 'That's around... eleven million.' His eyes narrowed slightly. "And how much of the margin will we collect?"

"Fifty, forty, ten." Zanis sighed. "Ishtar Familia take fifty percent for distribution, security, and hosting at Belit Babili. We take forty, and the guild take ten percent for licensing and oversight."

"Damn." Rex mumbled, he expected more of a sixty forty split with Soma taking sixty. He didn't even think of tax. "I am sure the value of the wine will increase, so the price will increase too."

"Tonight will decide the future," Zanis said, glancing in the direction of the Pleasure Quarter. "We shall see how things go."

"And what were you doing with that elf?" Rex continued, his tone casual but curious. "I believe her name was Eina."

"It turns out she was the one who investigated and reported the Familia," Zanis replied with a chuckle. "I just told her to stick with her desk job and stop meddling in business that isn't in her job description. That there are people in the Guild who handle that, and she isn't one of them." He shrugged. "Of course, I didn't threaten her. I'm not stupid enough to threaten a Guild employee. Just a light talking-to."

"Ah," Rex nodded, somewhat agreeing with Zanis's approach. "What about the Blue Papilio dust I gave you? Have you managed to sell it?" After Naaza had told him it could fetch a higher price than the wings, he'd handed over eighteen bottles to Zanis to see if he could sell them for extra cash.

"Right, that," Zanis mumbled. "The Panacea Familia quickly bought all of them for nine hundred thousand valis." He glanced at Rex. "Then, a few days later, they announced a new kind of potion."

"You think the dust helped in the creation of that new rumored potion?" Rex asked, sidestepping a little cat girl who was trying to pickpocket him. The girl stumbled and ran off, empty-handed. "I doubt that dust can be used to create a potion that grants a Development Ability. It's probably just a coincidence."

"Coincidence?" Zanis kicked another pickpocket in the chest—a little girl—not hard enough to kill her, but enough to send her sprawling to the ground. He kept walking as if nothing had happened. "I think not."

Rex tossed a 500-valis coin to the girl before continuing on. "If you're right, then we were robbed."

"Right," Zanis mumbled. "If they really sold three those potions for sixty million and our powder was used to make them…" His face twisted into something ugly, but he quickly composed himself. "But let's wait and see."

They kept talking as they made their way back to the Familia home, mainly about Rex's progress, as they hadn't spoken much since the last time he'd burst into the office and taken the position as leader. When they reached the Familia home, Rex stepped back to walk a few steps behind Zanis and to his right, ensuring they didn't appear as equals as they entered the main building.

Chandra immediately trudged toward them, his heavy boots thudding against the stone floor. His short, unkempt beard framed a face that looked perpetually annoyed, and his large calabash gourd swayed slightly with each step. He stopped a few feet from Zanis, his expression as gruff as his voice.

"Someone's waitin' for ya in the guest room," Chandra said, his tone low and gravelly. He didn't bother with pleasantries or explanations, as if the mere act of speaking was an inconvenience.

"Who?" Zanis asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I wasn't expecting anyone."

Chandra shrugged, his expression unchanging. "Dunno. Go see fer yerself," he said, already turning away as if the conversation was over.

Zanis's eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Chandra," he called out, his voice carrying a hint of irritation. "Who is it? At least give me a clue."

The dwarf paused at the doorway, glancing over his shoulder with a look that could only be described as exasperated. "Feet ain't just fer decoration, Zanis," he said dryly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Use 'em."

With that, Chandra disappeared down the hall, his footsteps echoing faintly as he walked away. Zanis stared after him in annoyance for a moment before sighing and running a hand through his hair.

"Who do you think it is?" Rex asked, glancing at Zanis.

"I really don't know," Zanis mumbled, pushing up his glasses as he tried to think of who it might be. "Might be someone from Ishtar or maybe another business…" He trailed off, then started walking. "Come with me."

"Alright," Rex replied, noticing the curious glances from the people around them.

Zanis began walking, and Rex followed. When they entered an empty hall, Rex grabbed his shoulder. "I'm not coming with you."

"What?" Zanis looked back, confused. "Why?"

"It might be someone from your black market dealings," Rex explained. "I'm not getting involved."

Zanis looked at him like he was stupid. "You think they'd come to me publicly like this? It's nothing like that." He removed Rex's hand from his shoulder.

"Then why do you want me to come with you?" Rex asked, raising one brow.

Zanis stared at him for a few seconds, then added, "Please?"

"I knew it!" Rex almost shouted, pointing at the man's face. 

"I don't know who came to visit me, so I need insurance," Zanis whispered, moving Rex's finger from his face. "If it's anything bad, you can stop them with that Predator Development Ability of yours. I'm certain no one visiting us will be higher than a Level 2, so the fear factor should work, right?"

"Nah, fuck that," Rex turned away. "That's on you, lil bro."

It was Zanis's turn to grab his shoulder. "I threw away my pride and begged. The least you can do is help."

"Not my fault you begged," Rex removed his hand. "But..." He turned around with an ugly grin. "I'll help you if you call me daddy~." 

"You're mad," Zanis flinched. "No, you can go. I'll do it myself." He turned to leave, but after walking a few meters, he glanced back and deadpanned:

"Daddy." 

Rex busted out laughing, pointing at the man like he was a fool. "You really said it!" He laughed, doubling over as Zanis pushed up his glasses with his middle finger. "Fuck, you're a good boy~"

"That's taking it too far," Zanis turned, his jaw clenched. "Now follow me."

"Alright," Rex laughed as he caught up to Zanis. "Big daddy will protect little son."

"..." Zanis said nothing, but Rex noticed his clenched jaw.

They walked in silence with and soon reached the meeting room. Rex, playing the role of the bodyguard, pushed open one of the doors and allowed Zanis to enter. But the man froze mid-step at the door as he noticed something.

Rex immediately turned to run.

"FU-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!" A man's laughter echoed like thunder, shaking the room as if the walls themselves were cowering. "You must be Zanis, Captain of the Soma Familia!" His voice was deep, carrying a mocking lilt that made even the simplest words sound like an insult. 

Rex stopped, curious, and peeked over Zani's shoulder at the guest. The man standing there was a six-feet tall, with graying hair and a beard that framed a face that, while undeniably handsome, was twisted into a grin so smug it bordered on grotesque. 

'Who?' Rex thought, staring at the man, though it wasn't hard for him to notice his godly 'aura.'

The god didn't wait for Zanis to respond, instead stepping forward with a swagger that suggested he owned the place. "I've heard quite a bit about you, boy. Running a failing Familia into the ground, are we? No matter, no matter! I don't mean to judge—though, FU-HA-HA-HA, it's hard not to!"

Rex's eyes narrowed as he took in the god's appearance. His robe was so gaudy it almost hurt to look at, the gold thread catching the light with every movement. Behind him stood a small girl, almost doll-like in her stillness. She was dressed simply, her expression blank as she followed her god with quiet obedience.

The god spread his arms wide, his laughter subsiding into a low, rumbling chuckle. "Now, now, don't look so shocked, boy! I've come to bargain, not to bite—though, FU-HA-HA, I might if you waste my time!" He took another step forward, his grin widening. "I hear you sold specially purified Blue Papilio Powder to the Panacea Familia that helped them with their new venture. Isn't that right."

'Oh...' Rex frowned. 'Did my magic really help in creating that thirty million valis potion?' He frowned. 'No fucking way... He must be tripping.'

"So," The god continued, his tone shifting to something almost conversational, though the mocking edge never left. "Here's the deal. I've got a proposition for you, Zanis. A little… partnership, if you will. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. FU-HA-HA-HA! What do you say, boy? Ready to make a deal with a god?"

Zanis finally found his voice, though it was tighter than usual, his words measured. "Lord Dian Cecht," he began, his tone polite as he smiled. "I wasn't expecting your visit. What exactly are you proposing?"

Dian Cecht's grin widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, straight to business! I like that. No nonsense, no fluff. Very well, let's talk." He gestured grandly to the room, as if he were the one inviting them to sit. "Shall we?"

[Author's Note: Dian Cecht and Airmid Teasanare enters the scene. 

Hope I did Dian Cecht's personality right. The anime and manga gave me nothing to work with so I had to read the novel. Slowly, our MC is getting in touch with important characters all without going to Hostess of Fertility, lol.

Either way, if you have any ideas, I am all ears.

Thanks for reading and stay safe~ Going to sleep.(￣o￣) . z Z]