Multiverse: In DanMachi, I'm the Strongest Summoner

"All right."

"It's getting late. Let's wrap it up here for today."

"Everyone, head back for now."

After Mikoto and Daphne teamed up to slay an Armed Dragon, Raven glanced at the time—it was nearly 5 p.m.

Following several intense battles...

They had only managed to gain a bit of experience—not any noteworthy achievements.

Well...

Mikoto, Daphne, and Cassandra weren't like Raven, who had cheat-tier rare skills that allowed her to grow at a monstrous rate.

Leveling up in a single day? Clearly impossible for them.

Dungeon, Floor 1.

In an empty cavern chamber, a white magic circle suddenly appeared in mid-air.

Raven pulled out all the spoils from her storage space.

"These magic stones, drop items, and the rare young dragon fangs…"

"Take them to Babel's exchange counter and convert them into valis."

"C-Captain… Aren't you coming back with us?"

Cassandra looked puzzled.

Raven paused, then gave a light smile as she explained:

"Uh… I've got something else to take care of."

"I probably won't be back for dinner tonight."

The spare key to their business shop at Babel 500 was with Mikoto.

"…Fine then."

Daphne sighed softly.

She already knew their Captain was likely off to mess around somewhere again tonight.

What she was going to do exactly…

Daphne couldn't guess, nor did she have the energy to care.

Same with Mikoto.

After a whole day of fighting in the dungeon, all she wanted was to collapse into bed.

"Well then… see you."

Raven waved her hand and said goodbye to the three of them.

As she stepped out of the cavern—

She smashed an oncoming goblin away with a single punch.

This was the effect of her skill Demonic Lord's Pressure, which triggered its third and fourth passive effects.

In other words—

Just landing a hit would trigger a critical effect.

BOOM!

The goblin was knocked unconscious instantly, slammed against the rock wall, and hung there for a moment—

Then disintegrated into black ash, disappearing completely.

Raven didn't spare the fingernail-sized magic stone a single glance.

"Hm…"

"I'll head to the Guild HQ first and report the floor progression to Eina."

With that thought in mind, she began walking toward the exit.

At that moment—

A male beginner adventurer came running toward her in a panic.

"...You're the Heavenfeather Demon Lord, right!?"

"Th-Thank goodness… I finally ran into a high-level adventurer!"

The man panted heavily, stopping in front of her.

"What's wrong?"

Raven also came to a halt, her gaze falling curiously on the beastman before her.

"L-Lady Heavenfeather Demon Lord…"

"P-Please! Please help the adventurers on the 7th floor!"

Breathless, the beastman pleaded with desperation in his eyes.

"What happened?"

Raven's brow twitched slightly.

"T-The 7th floor… It's been overrun by killer ants feeding on adventurers!"

"I see."

"Then stay here and rest up."

Without a second thought, Raven sprinted off toward the tunnel entrance.

Dungeon, Floor 7.

Cavern G—8.

A location off the main route.

At that moment—

A small pallum girl lay on the ground, her body covered in wounds and blood flowing freely.

Her blank eyes stared up at the dungeon ceiling as she lay on her back.

"…Hah… hahaha…"

Her cracked lips curled upward into a crazed, broken smile.

Chitter…

A swarm of killer ants writhed around her like a wave, closing in.

"…So frustrating."

She muttered softly to herself, completely indifferent to the looming despair.

As a professional supporter, she was treated as disposable.

No one truly cared if she was lost.

Because—

Supporters were just glorified porters.

"God… why…"

She longed so much to hear someone call her name. To be relied on by someone.

Not used, but needed.

She hated how weak she was. Hated how her life was always in someone else's hands.

"Why… did you make me… like this…?"

All this time—

She'd lost count of how many times she'd considered ending her life.

Chitter…

The circle of killer ants tightened, drawing ever closer.

"…Whatever. None of it matters anymore."

She turned her face to the side, cheek resting on the cold ground, wearing a resigned smile.

"I… I'm so lonely."

It was a pure, heartfelt whisper.

So lonely…

With no one to rely on. And no one relying on her.

She felt unbearably lonely. Utterly alone.

Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii—

The killer ants raised their claws above her.

Under the faint phosphorescent light from the dungeon ceiling, the claws gleamed coldly.

"…Goodbye. I can finally die."

She showed a mixed expression of sorrow and relief. Tears welled up in her tightly shut eyes.

In the nick of time—

A clear, youthful voice rang out.

"—Gospel."

A sonic boom blasted forth, reducing all the killer ants around her into piles of black ash.

Raven widened her eyes slightly as she scanned the girl.

Wait—

Wasn't that... Liliruca Arde?

They had briefly crossed paths once in the central square.

She never imagined...

That the next time they'd meet, the girl would be in such a pitiful state.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"You're badly hurt…"

Raven approached and knelt beside her.

"—Feathers of Reverie."

Countless golden feathers bathed her body, healing light soaking into her wounds.

Her injuries began to recover at a rate visible to the naked eye.

"Why… did you save me?"

Lili opened her eyes and looked up at the fairytale-like hero before her.

"I don't know what you've been through. But what I can say is…"

"From now on, would you like to become my exclusive supporter?"

"Lili."

Lili's brown eyes widened in shock.

"H-How do you know my name?"

"You're Liliruca Arde, bottom-tier member of the Soma Familia, right?"

Raven looked into her hopeless eyes—then held out her hand.

At this moment, she wasn't using her magic Ashen Hearth Girl.

As many knew—

That rare transformation spell let her become a pitiful little elven loli.

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