Danmachi with Haki skill - Chapter 5
Chapter 5: The Solo Raid & The White-Haired Rookie
The next morning, Kaito stretched his sore muscles, his body still humming from yesterday’s dive. The rest of the Familia had decided to take the day off—Chigusa needed to resupply, Ouka was repairing his shield, and Mikoto…
Mikoto was watching him.
Her dark eyes tracked him as he sharpened his cheap iron sword, her arms crossed.
“You’re going back in.”
It wasn’t a question.
Kaito smirked. “What gave it away?”
Mikoto’s frown deepened. “You didn’t turn in all the magic stones yesterday.”
Kaito’s fingers tightened around the whetstone. ‘Damn. She noticed.’
He forced a shrug. “I kept a few as souvenirs. First kill and all.”
Mikoto didn’t look convinced. But before she could press further, Takemikazuchi stepped in.
“If you’re diving alone, stay above the fourth floor.”
Kaito nodded. “Got it.”
Mikoto exhaled sharply but said nothing else.
As Kaito left, he could feel her gaze burning into his back.
“I need to be more careful.”
—
The Takemikazuchi Familia wasn’t rich.
Kaito had learned that quickly. Their weapons were third-rate, their armor patched together, and their home was a modest dojo on the city’s edge.
They were orphans—taken in by Takemikazuchi at a Far Eastern shrine. The Familia had come to Orario to earn money for that shrine.
“Which means every magic stone counts.”
Guilt twisted in his gut. He had skimmed stones yesterday—absorbing them for his own growth.
“Half,” he muttered. “I’ll only take half from now on.”
The rest would go to the Familia.
—
Kaito was halfway to the Dungeon when a high-pitched voice called out.
“Hey! You! Adventurer!”
He turned—and nearly tripped over his own feet.
A petite girl with twin-tails and a white ribbon stood there, hands on her hips. Beside her, a wide-eyed, white-haired boy clutched a dagger like it might bite him.
“No way.”
Hestia.
Bell Cranel.
Kaito’s lips twitched. ‘Talk about timing.’
Hestia marched up to him, her blue eyes sparkling. “You’re from Takemikazuchi’s Familia, right? That’s his crest on your shirt!”
Kaito glanced down at the red headband tied around his arm—the Familia’s symbol. “Yeah. Why?”
Hestia grinned. “Perfect! I need a favor!”
—
The “favor” turned out to be babysitting duty.
“Bell’s diving for the first time today,” Hestia said, shoving the flustered boy forward. “But gods can’t enter the Dungeon, and I don’t want him going alone! You know its dangerous.”
Bell stammered. “L-Lady Hestia, I’m sure I’ll be fine—”
“No, you won’t!” Hestia huffed, then turned pleading eyes to Kaito. “Please? Just stick together for today! Takemikazuchi and I are old friends!”
Kaito raised an eyebrow. “Are they really?”
But the desperation in Hestia’s gaze was genuine. And Bell…
Bell looked like a lost puppy.
Kaito sighed. “Fine. But he follows my lead. No heroics.”
Hestia beamed. “Deal!”
Bell bowed deeply. “Thank you! I won’t be a burden!”
Kaito snorted. “We’ll see.”
—
Bell was… worse than Kaito expected.
The boy tripped over his own feet at the entrance. He held his dagger like it was a fragile relic. And when the first Kobold appeared, Bell froze.
Kaito’s Haki flared—
He yanked Bell back just as claws swiped where his head had been.
“Pay attention!” Kaito snapped, shoving the boy behind him.
The Kobold lunged again—
Kaito sidestepped, his sword flashing.
The monster collapsed.
Bell stared, awed. “That was amazing!”
Kaito rolled his eyes. “That was basic. Now, stay close.”
—
As they progressed, Kaito noticed two things:
1. Bell was a fast learner.
– After three near-death encounters, he stopped freezing.
– His movements became sharper, more deliberate.
2. Bell was ridiculously agile.
– He dodged attacks Kaito barely predicted.
– His reflexes were… unnatural.
“Is this his ‘Liaris Freese’ kicking in already? But that skill he will get when he met with the Aiz Wellentine.”
Kaito wasn’t sure. But he was sure of one thing—
This kid was going to be a monster someday.
—
By sunset, their bags were heavy with magic stones.
Kaito split the haul in two—one pile for Hestia, one for Takemikazuchi.
Bell blinked. “Wait, that’s too much for me! You did most of the work!”
Kaito shrugged. “Consider it an investment.”
“In what?”
“In you.” Kaito smirked. “Takemikazuchi and Hestia are friends. And you? You’re gonna be strong someday. Might as well get on your good side now.”
Bell’s eyes shone. “I—I won’t let you down!”
Kaito laughed. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t die.”
—
Back in his room, Kaito tallied his real spoils:
– 77 stat points (distributed between STR, AGI, DEX, END from combat).
– 12 MAG points (from absorbed magic stones).
– Half the stones converted to money—his contribution to the Familia.
He exhaled. “Better.”
No more suspicion. No more guilt.
Just steady growth.