Danmachi: Strongest Familia

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The clinking of countless valis coins in the heavy sack captured the attention of all around. Many adventurers had gathered to witness the Sol family's expedition rewards—a rare sight.

But the massive sum of 550 million valis sent a shock through the crowd, and a few adventurers couldn't hide the greed gleaming in their eyes. Some seemed ready to make a move, eyeing the hefty bag of valis with thinly veiled intent.

However, cooler heads prevailed as they were quickly held back by their companions. This was guild territory, and with two high-ranking adventurers from the Sol family present, it was clear that taking on Yone and Tiona was beyond their reach. These would-be thieves were nothing more than small-fry adventurers, only Levels 1 and 2.

"All right, Saria-chan, we're off. Stop by and visit us if you get the chance!" Tiona called out as she watched Yone lift the heavy bag of valis with one hand. She waved goodbye to Bell with a grin and jogged to catch up with Yone.

"Wait for me, Master! So, where to next?"

"Materials shopping. Poppy gave me a list of what we needed for your new double-bladed sword before we left."

"Master, you're the best! New double blades—here I come!"

As the crowd made way for Yone and Tiona, Bell's eyes shone with admiration. "Miss Saria, are those two really from the Sol family? The family on par with the Loki Familia?"

Saria nodded enthusiastically, observing Bell's star-struck gaze. This kind of reverence was reserved only for members of top-tier families. For Bell, it was the kind of family status he could only dream of. If he had been part of a familia like that, the Minotaur encounter might have played out differently. He wouldn't have suffered the scorn of the Loki Familia adventurers.

As this longing for strength stirred within him, Bell clenched his fists tightly. He vowed to build the Hestia Familia into a familia of similar renown someday.

"Mr. Bell, this must be your first time meeting members of the Sol family. The two you saw are the famed Demon-Sealed Swordmaster, Mr. Yone, and the legendary 'Great Cut,' Tiona," Saria explained warmly. "They recently returned from their expedition with the rest of their familia."

"Wow, they're incredible!" Bell's admiration was palpable. Saria, who managed the Sol family's guild affairs, couldn't help but let her excitement spill over when talking about them.

"Of course, they're all incredibly powerful adventurers!" 

"And Mr. Yone is rumored to have successfully advanced to Level 5 after this expedition, and that feat alone sets him apart. This time, the Sol Familia added new Level 5 adventurers to their ranks! But if we're talking about the most powerful among them, it has to be the pride of us elves—the Nine Magic Princess herself, Riveria-sama!" 

After all, Saria is responsible for managing the Sol Familia's affairs within the guild. Once she starts talking about the Sol Familia, she just can't stop. 

What's more, she's an avid fan of Riveria, and her admiration has extended to becoming a diehard supporter of the Sol Familia as well, creating a sense of shared camaraderie. 

Her sudden burst of enthusiasm left Bell feeling a bit overwhelmed. He could only retreat step by step, his smile gradually becoming more awkward and stiff.

"I'm sorry, I got a bit carried away," she said with an apologetic smile, dialing back her enthusiasm.

"By the way, Miss Saria, I'm here to exchange for valis as well," Bell finally remembered the main purpose of his trip and handed over the cloth bag he had been carrying. 

The guild staff member in charge of processing magic stones happened to be present, and they quickly tallied Bell's magic stones. 

"This is your valis, Mr. Bell, a total of 41,900 valis in total. You've worked hard in the dungeon, but please make sure to take care of yourself," Saria said softly, handing him the bag filled with valis, her tone carrying a note of genuine concern. 

Although it was nowhere near the amount someone like Yone and Tiona would earn, for Bell, a rookie adventurer, it was already a significant sum. 

Hearing the amount, Bell couldn't help but feel grateful to the kind person who had helped him get back safely—without their help, he wouldn't have earned this money at all. 

Just as Bell was about to leave, Aria gently tugged on the corner of his clothing, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a quiet reminder.

"Remember to go back to your family resident to hide the money first, and be careful not to be targeted by others."

Although the two members of the Sol family had already left, and many adventurers who had come to watch the commotion had also departed, the number of people in the guild was still far above normal.

Here's a refined version with improved grammar and flow:

"Among them was a chaotic mix of individuals—some honorable, others far less so—resembling rat droppings mingled with fish and dragons. While none dared to act against the Sol family members, Bell, a pink and adorable newcomer, was a different story.

When handing Bell the money, Aria deliberately avoided announcing the amount aloud, because she was afraid that the adventurer she was in charge of would be targeted by bad guys.

In such a case, the Hestia family's only hope would be completely lost.

"Thank you for your concern—"

Although Bell was simple, he was far from stupid and knew how to heed the advice of others. 

Since Saria had warned him, he understood the need to be cautious. 

After her reminder, Bell became increasingly aware of the many eyes fixed on him. 

Even though Saria had refrained her voice, the weight and fullness of the cloth bag he carried spoke volumes. 

The greed in those gazes was so blatant that it sent a chill down Bell's spine. 

As he left the public account hall, several adventurers immediately began to follow him. 

A few people kept a steady distance behind Bell. Despite his efforts to shake off his pursuers by darting through the alleys, Bell's unfamiliarity with the layout worked against him. Unfortunately, the people tailing him knew the area far better. 

Escaping them seemed like an impossible dream. 

At one point, Bell nearly cornered himself in a dead end before realizing his mistake. Adjusting his plan, he quickly decided to dive into a crowded area instead. 

Clutching the cloth bag of money tightly to his chest, Bell moved with the flow of people, weaving through the bustling crowd. 

The pursuers were soon frustrated as the dense throng of people blocked their view and movement. Though Bell's striking white hair might have stood out in other situations, his small stature worked to his advantage, allowing him to disappear amidst the crowd. 

"Damn it, we lost him," one of the men cursed. 

"Played by a kid? How embarrassing," another muttered. "Forget it. Let's find someone else to target." 

"I just need a sip of Soma's divine wine today—I'm starving!" 

With a brief exchange of grumbles, the group of burly men abandoned their pursuit of Bell. Some decided to head toward the dungeon while some went back to the guild to find a new target.