[Quinn POV]
I slowly walked toward the group of three who were ganging up on Lili and caught bits of their words.
"Pay up now."
"Donation fees."
"Hand over the 20,000 Valis."
They had her cornered in the plaza, blocking her from three sides with a wall right behind her.
My eyes went from curious to cold. It felt like they were trying to force her to give them the money I had just paid her.
But how did they know? Were they watching us from the moment we left the dungeon?
"Hm." I took a deep breath, looked up, and replaced the cold look on my face with a warm smile as I walked toward them.
"Lili-san, I think I forgot to give you a 1,000 Valis coin from the amount earlier."
"Hmm? And who are these people? Someone you know?"
Lili turned to me at once, her eyes wide in shock. "Q-Quinn-sama, w-why are you, "
"Who the hell are you? You know her?" she was cut off by the harsh voice of the young man standing in front of her. He had black hair tied behind his head and sharp black eyes.
Ignoring the three men, I stepped between them and Lili, "Mhm. Yes, I know her. She's my supporter for the day."
I glanced at Lili behind my back and smiled lightly, "And Lili-san, didn't I tell you to call me Quinn or Quinn-san?"
"Qui, " Lili tried to speak again, but another man interrupted her.
This time it was the short, middle-aged raccoon bastard. "Boy, stay out of this. This is a Soma Familia matter. It doesn't concern you."
"Bastard, be careful, or you won't know which ditch you'll be found in tomorrow." The last man, a middle-aged human, spoke as he slightly pulled his sword from its sheath.
"Lili, stay behind me." Seeing all three start to draw their weapons, I spoke slowly, each word heavy.
"So three grown ass bastards gang up on a powerless little girl and try to extort money from her. Why don't you pick on someone your own age, you dumb f***ers."
"You bastard!" The black-haired man enraged, glared at me, immediately drawing the sword from behind his back and swung at me in a vertical chop.
But to me his swing felt painfully slow. I drew my dagger in a reverse grip with my left hand and slashed twice across his torso. Two bloody gashes opened up.
The man collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from the wounds.
"Ahhh!" The raccoon beast-man screamed when he saw his friend go down in one move. His hand shook as he raised his blade and stumbled back.
BAM!
I struck his neck hard with a chopping blow, and he dropped instantly.
"Waahhh! P-please spare me! I don't know anything!" The third man losing his arrogance from earlier, had fallen to his knees, crying and shaking.
I had been thinking of making him drag the other two away. With him bawling like this, it became easier. "Pick up these two bastards and scram. And remember this, if you're ever seen anywhere near my supporter-san again, you won't be so lucky."
He nodded frantically, wiped his face, then struggled to lift the two unconscious men and hurried away.
"Supporter-san, are you okay?" I turned toward Lili.
"Hm? What happened? Why do you look so pale? Didn't I drive those three away?"
Instead of looking relieved, Lili stood behind me with a completely pale face. Her body was trembling nonstop.
"Supporter-san! Lili-san! Lili!!!"
Finally snapping out of her daze, she looked up at me.
...
[Liliruca Arde – POV]
My entire body felt cold.
Seeing Quinn defeat those three and send them away did not make me feel relieved at all.
Those three were only acting on behalf of the captain of the Soma Familia, Zanis Lustra, also a Level 2 adventurer. Someone countless times stronger than those three bastards.
Quinn-san was just a new rookie, a Level 1. There was no way he could handle a Level 2.
Just imagining him facing Zanis made my chest tighten in fear.
And thinking about what would happen to me once Canoe Belway, that raccoon bastard, informed Zanis made my body start to shudder.
"Quinn-san, thank you for your help. But please leave immediately and hide yourself for a few days." My voice came out shaky.
"There's a Level 2 adventurer in my Familia. The three who left just now will definitely inform him. You're no match for him as a Level 1. Please leave. I'll try to persuade him not to harm you."
Looking at the adventurer who had stood up for me and protected me.
I felt no malice towards the adventurer named Quinn.
All my mind could think about was helping him escape before he got hurt because of me.
"Please… leave immediately." I tried to grab his arm and pull him away, but he didn't move even a step.
"You silly little girl, what are you worrying so much for?" he sighed lightly, speaking "And when did I ever say I'm a Level 1? Don't worry about me."
"And also, children shouldn't worry so much. Let me take care of everything."
His words barely registered as I suddenly felt a warm hand on my head. It was gentle, cozy and for the first time in my life, I felt safe, like nothing bad could reach me.
…
[Quinn – POV]
I looked at Lili in front of me. Her body wouldn't stop shaking, yet she still forced herself to tell me to run.
I told her to leave everything to me and gently patted her head. But it seemed I messed up somewhere.
Lili suddenly started crying, making me feel confused.
"Lili, what's wrong? What happened? Why are you crying?" No matter how I asked, she didn't answer, only crying harder.
…
"Lili-san, are you alright now? How are you feeling?"
After a while, she finally calmed down.
We were sitting on a nearby bench. She stared at the ground and nodded weakly.
"Quinn onii-san… can I call you onii-san?" she suddenly asked me something odd.
I tilted my head.
Did I just get a little sister after going into the dungeon once?
A random thought crossed my mind, 'Is it okay to pick up girls in a dungeon?'
I shook my head to clear the nonsense.
"Ah… you don't want me to call you onii-san?" Lili had been staring at me nervously. Seeing me shake my head, her shoulders drooped, "H-hahaha… sorry. That was something strange wasn't it. Please forget it."
"You can call me that if you want to." Seeing her suddenly look so dejected, I gave in without thinking.
"Quinn-san…" Hopping down from the bench, the little prum stood in front of me and bowed slightly. "Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Liliruca Arde, a member of the Soma Familia."
"The captain of my Familia is a Level 2, Zanis Lustra. He's much stronger than the three people from earlier. As I said before, please hide yourself for a few days."
"Once they tell him about you, he'll definitely come looking for you to settle scores-"
I leaned forward and flicked her forehead lightly.
"Oww!" She held her forehead and glared at me, "What was that for?!"
"My dear supporter-san, did you not hear what I said earlier? When did I ever tell you I was a Level 1?"
"And what are you planning to do when he comes after you?"
"W-what do you mean 'my dear supporter-san?!' " Her cheeks turned bright red from embarrassment.
'Is that what you're supposed to be focused on?' I felt like Lili's brain was a little slow.
"A-and! You said earlier that today was your first trip to the dungeon, and you only went to the fourth floor!" She spoke her thoughts.
"You think I'd show my full power in front of a little scammer?" I raised one eyebrow at her.
"How did you know that I'm a scammer?!" Her eyes went wide, her hands waving about everywhere, "Huh, no, I'm not a scammer, why did you even think I was a scammer."
"I am just a supporter who wants to help you and not a scammer!" Lili rambled on frantically.
"I knew from the beginning that you were a scammer." I spread my hands and answered bluntly, all the while looking in her eyes.
"Ah, t-that's, I didn't scam you! I mean, I did but, t-that, " She started stuttering, completely flustered, her eyes almost tearing up again.
Seeing her about to cry again, I sighed and softened my voice, "It's okay. I didn't mind that you were a scammer. Even though I knew from the start, I still went to the dungeon with you, didn't I?"
She froze and stared at me dumbfounded, opening and closing her mouth.
"Enough about that. Next," I continued, patting my chest, "how about we solve the problem of your Familia captain?"
"Can you show me the way to your Familia base? You just need to guide me and later go hide somewhere. I'll take care of everything."
"Why do want me to take you there?" Lili stared at me, her eyes scanning my expression.
"Obviously to pick a fight and bash the bastard who ordered them to treat you like this." I spoke without skipping a single beat.
"No! How can I do that?!" Lili protested strongly. "Never, I won't show you the way!"
It seemed Lili still didn't believe that I was strong enough to defeat the so-called Zanis.
I ignored her protest completely, pulled her along and asked her to take me where her Familia captain was.
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A/N:
Fun Fact: Quinn's Falna status may show he's a Level 1, but his ability The Ring of Life makes his power almost equal to a peak Level 3.