Store in Danmachi- Side Story: 8

Title: Yamato Mikoto’s Personal Coyote Experience

A/N: I haven’t been able to give proper screentime to Take’s Familia (especially Mikoto,) the pets, Asfi, Shakti, and The Hostess of Fertility. A part of me also fears that I’m chewing a lot more than I can swallow with the number of harem members this fiction might have. So, I have long decided against adding AU unnecessarily if I can, which means over-the-top crossovers with Kuroinu, Taimanin, and Queen’s Blade, but that doesn’t mean some ‘elements’ won’t be present. I always say that I won’t write a big harem, and that’s what I do every time. So, I think I have to make better pacing in the fiction which gives enough time for dungeon prowling, girls, and world/lore exploration since the last bit is my favorite part about writing fan-fictions. I might read Ein’s work again after finishing LNs since his danmachi fic should have the largest harem (I only read it till 300-400 before.)

I will also have a poll soon to see if you would enjoy a slightly slow pace that gives chapters of screen time to the girls or if you would like me to skip them and dive into the Dungeon. There should be 3-4 side chapters remaining.

***

“Me? You’re asking me?” Jackal repeats his question as he wipes the sweat on his face with a towel. Training to keep his senses in check is going well. It’s hard to describe the process, but Takemikazuchi relates it to the movement of muscles—saying—“A mortal unable to isolate the movement of a single brow is eventually capable of doing so without realizing the actual process due to the time spent on the practice. Training to control your senses is similar. You won’t even realize when you will start controlling the range of your hearing and other senses, but focusing on the task is the way to achieve it.”

“Yes, Jackal-Dono,” Mikoto nods and explains, “I have trained with everyone, including Maria-Dono and Lili-Dono. Asuka is teaching Maria-Dono well, and Lili-Dono’s spearsmanship is outstanding! I would like to train with you and see where I stand in terms of skills.”

Jackal blinks again. “Skills? I don’t have any particular technique. Take just beats me in a various manner, and I try defending or countering them with axes or without any weapons.”

He walks back and places the towel near the spot Maria is training with Asuka. Lili is minding the shop with the rest of his employees since Jackal cannot let them loiter in the Orphanage! What the hell is he paying them for?

“I understand.” Mikoto nods but doesn’t move.

“You still want to spar?” He questions oddly. “My schedule is a bit of a mess ever since Olal fucked his way into Orario, to be honest. It’s the weekend, and I should be Dungeon Prowling, but all I can do right now is train.”

Mikoto nods but doesn’t understand the point Jackal is getting at.

“I certainly wished I had something better to do!” He rants as he retrieves a fraction of Infant Dragon’s Hide purchased from his Humble Store. Nobody ever said Jackal couldn’t use his ‘local’ trait to buy the Hide for the greatest Discount ever noted in recent history and use it to study for his Spirit of Armament! Jackal plans to move on and study the likes of Crystal Mantis’ Crystals once he can manage a coat of protective energy as hard as an Infant Dragon’s Hide. But here’s the thing—Jackal lucked out with the Spirit of Conquering from the flashbacks of ‘Death’s’ memories. He cannot expect the same luck in effortlessly recreating the Spirit of Armament.

Mikoto stares at Jackal, who rubs the dark-brown strip of scales on his cheeks.

“Is sparring not something better?” She questions.

Jackal thins his lips before settling on the ground cross-legged. “What I want after a beating session with Takemikazuchi isn’t another round of spar.”

Take laughs from the sidelines as he focuses on earning his keep from Jackal by training other children.

“I see.” Mikoto crosses her arms, contemplating momentarily before questioning, “A hot spring bath?”

“In this time of the day?” Jackal scoffs. “Hard pass.”

Mikoto sits beside Jackal, questioning with child-like curiosity, “Are you going to spend your afternoon here on the ground or return to your store?”

“Misha will hound me about shopping with her,” Jackal grunts. “She’s a good girl, but I would rather shop with Rose or Eina.”

“Why?”

“You should go shopping with Misha once, and it will answer your question,” Jackal chuckles before perking up, “Hey, I got it! Something fun! Let’s find the Familia who tried hurting you guys in the Dungeon for Olal.”

Mikoto perks up before deflating, “But we don’t know who they are.”

“But we know someone who might,” Jackal grins. “It honestly left my mind since you guys returned safely, but I can’t have an unhinged Familia like that running on my turf! Besides! I’m trying to do things Olal cannot predict, and wrecking another small Familia should raise my stocks, which will either turn the middling stream of customers to their former glory or outright cut them off till I get the situation sorted—three birds with one stone!”

“Your Turf?” Asfi questions as she walks over to the duo.

“Yeah?” Jackal grins. “I already have Loki hooked around my fingers, right? She’s one of the two strongest Familia!” He claims shamelessly. “So, it makes Orario as mine as it hers~!” He knows Loki would do the same if he were a God with the strongest Familia, and she was a lucky hoe who got into his room.

‘Wait… am I the hoe in our situation?’ Jackal frowns before shaking his head. ‘Nah. Loki will always take that role!’

“Loki doesn’t rule Orario,” Asfi points out.

“She would in a heartbeat if she could monopolize the source of Magic Stones,” Jackal counters with a smirk that borders pride. But pride in whom?

“You must have overheard about us wanting to find Hermes for something, right?” Jackal continues. “Do you know where he is at this hour?”

“I don’t.” Asfi shakes her head. “But I can tell you what you want to know.”

“Really?” Mikoto and Jackal straighten their backs as Asfi nods, waiting for him to say something while the duo continues to look at her expectantly until she coughs, “For a price.”

“Come on, really?” Jackal blinks. “That’s so cheap of you, Perseus!”

Asfi rolls her eyes before adjusting her glasses. “I need some Frollets for private research.”

“Sure, I’ll give you five,” Jackal shrugs. Frollets are easy to procure as the production line threatens Frog Shooters!

“Who is acting cheap now?” Asfi frowns.

“They are worth 100,000 valis!”

“They started from 25,000 valis, no?” She raises an eyebrow.

“Were you born yesterday?” Jackal sneers. “You can buy them elsewhere, but do you think other sellers will sell them lower than 115,000 valis? Five and no more. Besides, I can wait for Hermes and ask him. I’m sure he won’t even demand anything from me.”

“That’s an issue, too,” Asfi narrows her eyes. “What are you up to with Hermes and other male Deities? It would not be suspicious if the likes of Loki were privy to your acts.”

Mikoto suspiciously glances at Takemikazuchi, who pretends he cannot hear a thing, before glancing at Jackal, who shrugs. “It’s a man’s secret. Now are you going to tell us or not?”

Asfi frowns before sighing. “I need seven Frollets for something.”

“For the creation of a new item?” Jackal questions since that’s what Asfi is best known for, and her glasses—amongst the glasses enthusiasts.

“Yes.”

“What item?” Jackal questions with interest.

“I will tell you once I create it.”

“Right,” Jackal nods. “Fine. I will give you 14 frollets instead! But you will sell one of the finished products to me for 1 Valis, and the other seven are the price of the information.”

Asfi doesn’t think too much about it. Almost everyone in Jackal’s social group knows he sells the last of each product for 1 Valis to his partners for some weird tradition. The new condition might be similar, so Asfi accepts the deal before inquiring, “Do you want me to reveal the information here or to the two of you alone?”

Jackal thinks before looking at Takemikazuchi, “Hey, Take! Can I bring Mikoto for some training? I promise nothing will happen—”

“Wait!” Mikoto interjects sharply. “I want to face and overcome dangers, Jackal-Dono! I cannot ask you to babysit after me!”

Takemikazuchi looks back before glancing at Ouka. “Ouka, you are the captain. You should decide.”

Caught off-guard as he dumps the bag of ‘fresh’ diapers, Ouka exhales loudly, “I didn’t think much about the enemy since they would use their best to ambush but still failed. They are likely to be a weak familia—weaker after our successful counterattack.”

He crosses his arms, deep in thought.

“I don’t see Jackal-san failing, but we should still go as a team,” he glances at Mikoto with slight worry. “You know you aren’t good with criminals.”

Mikoto clenches her fists and doesn’t say anything until Jackal points out, “So isn’t it better to face your issues early on than sparring with everyone else?”

“It is,” Mikoto lowers her head. “But—”

“She can take them all alone!” Asuka huffs. “She was the quickest to react during the ambush and was second to Ouka in the number of adventurers she disarmed!”

“Hmm,” Chigusa nods, and the other two pile on with praises.

Mikoto lowers her head, embarrassed and flushed with all the praises, as she mutters, “I didn’t do anything too great.” Deep red layers her fair cheeks as she dodges everyone’s gazes, including the awe-struck children inspired by her deeds.

Ouka looks around before shrugging, “I believe you can take them head-on, and Jackal should cover your other weaknesses for the duration, so why not? Be careful.”

Ouka would send others if they weren’t busy, but their Familia doesn’t do everything as a team. He would persuade Mikoto to think otherwise in the first place if not for Jackal. Not to mention, it’s Jackal’s idea!

Asfi nods and speaks, “Very well. Follow me.”

“B-Be Careful!” Maria states before blushing as she didn’t expect the crowd to simmer at that very moment, causing her to stand out.

“Yeah!” Jackal grins.

---

Daedalus houses many adventurers of the criminal sort due to its complicated structure. While many familia own a good chunk of the outer layer of the labyrinth street, like Loki Familia owning a block of the area where Jackal set his shop, the inner depths allow many underground forces to fester.

Point in case—the recently established ‘Gentleman Society’ making waves in Orario exists within Daedalus. The store where Jackal used to sell his magic stones also exists in the inner depths of Daedalus Street! So, it doesn’t surprise Jackal and Mikoto that the underground Familia in question isn’t far from the Orphanage.

The duo walks along the damp street under the gazes of a few men and women loitering nearby. The tall buildings reveal a few more idle, middle-aged women smoking their pipes and leaning against their metal grills. Some hang their wet clothes to dry them, and the other few chat with each other from their balconies.

“Jackal-Dono,” Mikoto walks closely, whispering, “Are you sure about this? You must have understood I have never killed a human being before. What if I can’t do it?”

Jackal frowns, grunting, “Who’s Jackal?!”

“Ah. Yes, I apologize, Coyote-Dono.”

Jackal nods before smiling under his hood. “Who cares if you cannot kill someone? We’re here to root out the Familia. All we have to do is throw out the Goddess, and we’re good to go.”

“But,” Mikoto musters, “You spoke of facing against one’s fears.”

“Would a man who fears height jump down a cliff?” Jackal snickers. “It’s about understanding your fears—and whether you WANT to surpass said limits. Even I have some limits I would rather never cross.”

“You do?” Mikoto gasps.

“Everyone does,” Jackal shrugs. “I hope.”

“What is it?” Mikoto questions.

“I ain’t telling you. Do you see me asking if you’re at that time of the month?”

Mikoto blanks out before replying, “Yes, you often do. So does Loki-Dono.”

Jackal works his jaw, “And that’s an irritating question, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s the same thing,” Jackal smiles.

“Similar to talking about heroes around you?” Mikoto continues.

“Yes.”

The duo falls silent until Mikoto speaks, “Coyote-Dono, why don’t you like heroes?”

“Now you’re just messing with me.”

“I am,” Mikoto smiles under the hood before exhaling a soft sigh. “On a different matter. Doesn’t it bother you? You said you have fears and limits you would rather not surpass. It should feel like an unscratchable itch to someone as powerful as you, right?”

“Is that how you feel?” Jackal questions, and Mikoto nods.

“It’s not always about wanting more,” he hums before stopping. “Shh, look. We’re there.”

Mikoto follows his gaze before seeing a familiar young woman giggling to herself as she walks the lonely streets of Daedalus with everpresent unique Divine Charm possessed by the Divinity alone!

Calypso.

---

*Clang*

“I have cornered them! Attack!” An Amazoness yells, her mouth bleeding due to broken teeth as she waves her giant war ax against the two cloaked figures cornered against the narrow hall. One of the opponents wields a ‘noob’ ax sold by the Guild, while the other lithe figure wields a katana. Seven more adventurers enter the narrow hall. The scent of salt on their bodies saturates the room as the taller of the two opponents scoffs.

“You didn’t corner us, smartass! We are at the entrance!” A wave of unyielding force erupts from the tall man, knocking everyone out but one figure jogging away into another hall. Mikoto’s body shudders for a second, and while she fails to see anything, she feels the wind rushing— creating a gust as if pushed by a massive force. And she hears the slight crackle of electricity emerging from Jackal’s being.

“Let’s go,” Jackal mutters, kicking away the unconscious bodies in his path. On the other hand, Mikoto chooses to walk or skip around the bodies in her way.

“Coyote-Dono, what about these members? Should we not deal with them?” Mikoto questions. “What if they want revenge in the future?”

“While there aren’t rules in the underworld, these men know better than to charge to their deaths unless REALLY motivated,” Jackal mutters, “But you can take an arm or two from them.”

“Me?” Mikoto gasps as Jackal turns to look at her, “Who else? You didn’t think I go around cutting other’s arms and legs for shits and giggles, did you?”

Mikoto stills as she clenches her fists, wanting to say something before she shakes her head and lowers her head, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have expected you to solve all our problems.”

“They aren’t your problems. It started because of Olal, so he’s to blame,” Jackal reminds her calmly. And even if it wasn’t Olal’s fault, Jackal would blame someone else. You don’t become a casually toxic gamer and NOT learn how to pin the blame on others when the team fails, right?!

“But I expected you to cover for the acts I should be doing!” Mikoto doesn’t falter, lowering her head. “And I even demanded to face my problems.”

“Come here,” Jackal beckons the woman as he pulls his hood back, eyeing the girl with his gold-red pupils as he pushes back her hood, revealing her face. Mikoto’s short brows sink slightly, and her violet orbs dodge his gaze.

“You’re selling yourself too short,” Jackal’s hand reaches for her sword hand as he holds her wrists and brings her katana to his neck. “Not killing someone when you are strong is neither a virtue nor a sin—it’s a decision. Hurting someone when you are strong and capable is a decision, too—So is protecting the weak and beloved alike.”

Mikoto looks at him, finally meeting his gaze as he continues with a soft smile while he explains his views on the issues she is facing, “As I was saying before, we should not surpass some limits. Fear is a livening emotion, too. Don’t you get it, Mikoto?”

He leans forward until her body seizes the second her blade touches his neck.

“Others say the Deities descended because they envy us. I’m not the kind to easily believe a thing Loki says. Why would Deities bless you with Falna? If all they want is entertainment, then plain mortals should suffice. But I’m starting to believe their envy is real.”

Blood slides down Mikoto’s blade as Jackal’s smirk widens.

“What do the Deities have that we don’t? What do the limitless Divines not possess?”

“We envy you because of those limits,” a third voice replies, surprising Mikoto, but she doesn’t dare make sudden movements. Jackal raises a brow, adding, “And they might envy your enthusiasm for hot springs, humble nature, and kindness. Not killing or crippling others isn’t a weakness. It’s just an action. As Takemikazuchi says, your weaknesses are here.”

He extends his hand and taps Mikoto’s head.

“And here,” he brings his hand down, shamelessly poking Mikoto’s left breast with a grin as a dusting of red covers her face, and she snaps out of her daze.

Jackal quickly steps back, self-aware enough to realize Mikoto might slash her blade if it’s that time of the month, not that he would ask her—for now.

He turns around to look at the beautiful blonde woman wearing nothing but a long white dress accentuating her voluptuous curves, cascading down her body like an enchanting white waterfall, revealing a swathe of creamy bosom that rivals the like of Hephaestus, and enchanting sea-green eyes that stare at the couple with envy and joy. She wears her wavy blonde hair into a loose braid, letting thick locks frame her luscious features and a golden band around her head.

“Calypso!” Mikoto instantly brandishes her sword when the woman giggles, waving her hand as she looks at the long wooden hall.

“Please, dear. Let’s be civilized after I heard the Great Butcher of all speak with such rousing sentiments,” she casts a sensual look in Jackal’s direction before questioning, “I thought you guys were thieves. That’s why I alerted my Familia members—all eight of them! But why would the Butcher seek me out?”

“You don’t know?” Jackal blinks, “You sent your men after Takemikazuchi’s Familia after Olal set his sight on me.”

Calypso frowns, “I did nothing of the sort.”

She looks past them, pointing at the first Amazoness. “The one you should look for is the Orario branch’s Captain, Kirsta. Olal merely helped me arrange to find her, nothing more and nothing else.”

Mikoto frowns, “How can we trust you?”

“I haven’t updated their Falna ever since they joined my Familia,” Calypso shrugs, “That’s why this branch is so weak. Other branches are the same, and I’m bored of my main ship led by Captain Jones. I think I haven’t met him in ten years,” she starts walking toward Jackal, gliding her index finger across his shoulder as she circles him, making Mikoto feel weird.

“But I’m sure you are one of the most intriguing men in the realm, Svadilfari.”

“Oh, thanks!”

Much to Mikoto’s and Calypso’s surprise, Jackal lowers his head and grins while rubbing the back of his head and slightly darker cheeks.

Calypso blinks as her smile widens, “So, Butcher. How would you like to play this?” She questions. “Should I beg you not to kill my Familia members? Or do you want to exact your price one way or the other?” She leans into him, standing on her toes with her hands behind her back, leaving her cleavage for his sight alone.

“Just toss anyone related to Olal out of your blessing after questioning them,” Jackal replies despite admiring her assets. “We’ll be even.”

“Of course,” Calypso breathes on his lips, “Anything more?”

‘Jackal-Dono.’ Mikoto frowns. Something about a charismatic Jackal—leading her the right way about not wanting to hurt others instead of condemning her actions as emotional weakness—falling to such blatant seduction makes her chest tighten. ‘I should have learned more about Kunoichi’s temptation to tempt Jackal-Dono to the right path. This Goddess is anything but good news.’

“Nah, I’m good.” Jackal smiles, grasping Calypso’s naked shoulders and gently pushing her back.

“What?” Calypso gasps.

“I said—Nah, I’m good. I don’t know you well enough to fuck you.”

The hall falls into a strange silence until Calypso’s eyes flash with sudden fury.

“H-how dare you?!”

Jackal shrugs and turns around, laughing, “Let’s go back, Mikoto. We should take that woman to the Guild and get her imprisoned. Just say she tried sexually assaulting you. One look at you, and they will believe the false charges instantly!”

“What do you mean?!” Mikoto clenches her fists and experiences an angry outburst while Calypso continues shouting, “How dare you reject me, Butcher?! It’s your loss! I’m the ruin of men! You will never get another chance like this!”

Jackal turns to the two women, wondering if the price of seven Frollets was worth this.

‘Asfi must have known the truth, huh? She got me,’ He frowns and notes, “Loki said Goddesses don’t bleed. So, what’s gotten into you?”

Calypso’s jaw hangs open while Mikoto feels even more annoyed the second she sees Jackal picking the busty Amazoness on his shoulder, her left ass cheek rubbing against his neck.

‘Now that I think about it,’ Jackal ignores the self-acclaimed Goddess of a Fleet and the angry Kunoichi, who vows internally to find ways to bring Jackal to the ‘light.’

‘Why did we even think of fake names for the mission?’

***

A/N: I don’t have a Calypso pic, so send me a good one. Maybe we can have more lore with the character in the Melen arc.

***

Alternate Title: Mikoto Sealed Her Fate The Second She Sought Jackal; The Terrible Shopper: Misha; Jackal: Why Do I Pay You Guys? *Eina, Rose, and Misha: To Be Cute*; The Mikoto Side Event; Asfi Needs Dem Magical Purses; A Weakness?; The Deep Daedalus; The Labyrinth City’s Inner Working; Calypso Familia; Actions Maketh Men; Young Master Jackal: You Have Disrespected Me! Leave an Arm And a Leg!; It Was No Fight; Jackal’s Cousin Coyote Appears Again; The Value of Life And Actions; Not a Sin nor Virtue—Decision; The Power of Mind and Its Weakness; The Deities’ Envy; A Sea Rejected; Calypso: I’m Harsh, and Untamable as the— *Jackal: Don’t Care*; The Buther’s New Fancy?; Mikoto Must Up Her Kunoichi Seduction Game!; The Humble Mikoto and The Beast; Do Gods Bleed or Shed Ichor—Jackal, Probably; Jackal: I Have No Need For One Night Stands!; Calypso?; Loki: See? Jackal’s Got Me Alone *Jackal: Shut!*; Jackal and Loki are More Alike; Who Says Opposites Attract And Similar Repel? Jackal Pulling Divine Unlimited Hoes Like an Oblivious Blackhole; Jackal’s The New Therapy Daddy With Blood; When A Victim’s Common Sense Proves More Good In a God’s Godless World