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There was only one name illuminated on the pitch-black gate:
DanMachi World.
It seemed he still hadn't rolled a new world yet, so Ryoji could only return to an old one and keep farming his growth a bit more.
Of course, being able to return to the DanMachi world was excellent in itself. After more than two months of battle and training, with the power of a Blessing/Falna, his strength was bound to improve dramatically.
And besides, every time he thought of Freya, Freya, and Freya, his heart got unbearably itchy.
Coming back was absolutely necessary.
"This is the environment of the 10th floor. Looks like I returned exactly to where I left last time."
The moment Ryoji stepped out of the pitch-black gate, before him was the misty grassland of the Dungeon's 10th Floor.
A few Orcs were wandering nearby, making it clear this was precisely where he had departed last time.
He pulled a black robe from his backpack and put it on, then instantly killed the Orcs blocking his way and charged straight toward the Dungeon exit, reaching the surface again in less than ten minutes.
Walking out of the Tower of Babel, Ryoji raised his head to look at the fifty-story white giant tower behind him, then lowered his head in thought.
"I'm sure Freya must've been lonely while I was gone. So I should comfort her emptiness first before heading back. Ah, I really am such a considerate and caring person."
Thinking this righteously to himself, Ryoji walked right back into the Tower of Babel.
By late morning, only then did a black-robed figure emerge from the Tower of Babel under the murderous glare of a certain Catman youth.
After eavesdropping outside for half the day, the Catman was filled with resentment toward this man who had Freya-sama obediently following every command, posing however he told her to pose.
What are you looking at?!
Just wait until I level up too, if you keep glaring at me like that, I'll slap you!
Ryoji grumbled internally as he headed toward North Main Street.
As for now, having just eaten and drunk his fill, he was in a rather zen state of mind and too lazy to start trouble.
…
"Is Loki around?"
After showing his face at the entrance, Ryoji entered Twilight Manor, the headquarters of his Familia, and loudly called out.
"That voice is…!"
"Prince-sama is back!"
Like a pot of boiling water finally bubbling over, Ryoji's return instantly threw the entire Loki Familia into commotion.
The moment he entered the main hall, a swarm of beautiful girls rushed toward him, showering him with concern, pouring tea, offering water, and of course, sneaking in a little massage and groping while they were at it.
"Where's Loki?"
Surrounded by beautiful girls on all sides, soft limbs pressing in from everywhere, Ryoji asked calmly.
'Sorry.'
'I'm currently in sage mode after the fact, so I don't have any extra thoughts right now.'
'If anyone wants to make a move on me, please wait until tonight.'
"Loki's in her room. She got drunk again last night."
The blonde elf girl Alicia pulled him into her embrace, wearing the proud smile of a victor.
"That's so unfair! She actually used her Lv.4 arm strength to shove us aside!"
"Wasn't the whole point that elves are supposed to be aloof and elegant?!"
Waves of resentful complaints came from all around.
"Anyway, I'm going to update my ability values first."
With considerable difficulty, Ryoji struggled free from the pile of warm, soft beauties.
Then he climbed the spiral staircase winding along the tower wall to the very top floor and knocked on the door of the only room there.
"Mmm... what's all that noise? I'm still sleeping..."
Loki's dissatisfied muttering came from inside.
"Come in!"
Ryoji pushed open the door.
"Whoa, what a strong smell of alcohol!"
A sharp scent of liquor immediately assaulted his nose.
The curtains were drawn shut, leaving the room dim and gloomy with barely any light.
Empty liquor bottles were scattered all over the floor.
Loki, wearing pajamas, sat up from the bed. The crimson-haired chief god possessed beauty worthy of the title of goddess, but despite her disheveled appearance, Ryoji felt absolutely no desire whatsoever.
"It's you? You're back?"
She pressed a hand to her forehead, looking like she was suffering from a splitting headache.
The moment she saw that it was Ryoji entering the room, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Good grief, I thought you'd already died in the Dungeon! I couldn't even sense your Blessing/Falna anymore!"
Gods were able to vaguely sense the state of a Blessing/Falna.
More specifically, while they couldn't perceive many details, they could at least vaguely tell whether their children were alive or dead. It was a unique response gods had toward Blessings.
When Ryoji left this world, his Blessing/Falna naturally disappeared from it as well, which had greatly shocked Loki.
But she also hadn't sensed his death, leaving her thoroughly confused and unable to understand what exactly had happened.
Only now, seeing that Ryoji had truly returned, did she secretly relax.
"I've got my own complications too."
Ryoji casually brushed the matter aside with a vague explanation, then walked to Loki's bedside and started taking off his clothes.
"W-Wait, why are you stripping?!"
Loki was instantly startled and began fidgeting awkwardly.
"I'm not feeling very well right now... how about waiting until tonight?"
"Why wait until tonight? It'll only take a few minutes anyway."
"???"
Loki stared at him in complete astonishment.
"You're that fast?"
"???"
Ryoji mentally fired back a whole string of question marks.
"I mean updating my ability values. Stop coveting my body."
"Ah? O-Oh, right, sorry, sorry..."
Loki's old face flushed red.
Only then did she realize she had completely misunderstood.
Maybe because she hadn't encountered any men she liked in quite a while, she'd been feeling a little restless lately.
Ryoji pulled over a stool, sat down in front of the bed, and turned his back toward Loki.
"Let's begin."
"Alright, alright!"
Loki straightened up, took the needle from beside the bed, pricked her fingertip, and let a drop of Divine Blood fall onto Ryoji's back.
After unlocking the ability seal, a ripple-like glow spread across his back.
Sacred text surfaced along with the clown emblem.
Loki first erased his old ability values, then used Divine Blood as a medium to draw forth his new status.
Then her gaze casually landed on the updated values.
She had originally assumed that in only about ten days, his ability values couldn't possibly have risen by much.
But the instant she saw the new numbers, her eyes widened dramatically.
Ryoji Lv.4
Strength: H (178) → SS (1198)
Endurance: H (134) → SS (1107)
Dexterity: G (211) → SSS (1499)
Agility: G (257) → SSS (1999)
Magic Power: I (79) → B (712)
Development Abilities:
Hunter: H
Spirit Healing: H
Swordsman: A
Magic: —
Skills:
Ten Years of Sharpening a Sword
Brave Sword Heart
Charm
...
"What kind of monster are you?! How are you already Level 5?!"
Loki stood there dumbfounded for quite a while before throwing her head back and shouting in disbelief.
Her voice echoed throughout the entire Loki Familia, instantly throwing the whole Familia into uproar.
"I can level up already? Then go ahead and do it."
"...Okay."
Still deeply shaken, Loki first copied down his old ability values onto parchment before finally completing the level-up ritual for him.
Ryoji Lv. 5
Strength: I (0)
Endurance: I (0)
Dexterity: I (0)
Agility: I (0)
Magic Power: I (0)
Development Abilities:
Hunter: H
Spirit Healing: H
Swordsman: A
Escape: I
Magic: —
Skills:
Ten Years of Sharpening a Sword
Brave Sword Heart
Charm
(End of Chapter)