After a few more talks with Shadow, Lioro managed to learn some more crucial things from him.
These included knowledge of the slime suit, some spells, and—
----
Martial Arts: Shadow Style – Hand-to-Hand Combat
Cost: Concentration.
Description: An unarmed combat art perfected by one who dreamed of the impossible. Forged through bone-breaking repetition, self-inflicted injuries, and battles fought bare-handed against death itself. This style abandons elegance and form, focusing solely on absolute efficiency, using everything available to achieve victory.
----
Only true fans of the story know that Shadow's hand-to-hand combat is better than his swordsmanship.
Lioro narrowed his eyes, wondering what his chances were of beating God Takemikazuchi with it.
He had never forgotten about his combat-based Epic class.
As Lioro was thinking, Alpha approached him.
"You want to exchange this for a resurrection scroll?" Lioro asked with interest, holding a vial containing a thick black substance.
----
Item: Diablos's Demonic Blood
Grade: Medium
Type: Racial Job Change Item
Usage Limit: One-time use
Description: Changes one's racial class to Inferior Demon, granting access to dark-attribute mana and demonic racial passives.
Note: Changing races will affect one's inborn talent and faction value. Advised to be used with caution.
----
An interesting item.
It could be used to change someone's race into a demonic being.
Hmm…
It could allow a human whose body couldn't conduct mana to change his fate.
But it was a little too low-level.
At the very least, it should be of High rarity. Otherwise, there wasn't much point in becoming a weak demon with limited growth potential.
Though a weak demon was still stronger than a human—especially one who couldn't use mana.
Since it was made using Diabolos's blood…
Lioro's eyes unknowingly shifted to the smiling Aurora.
Wasn't there a fresh blood source right beside him? Plus, this one was definitely superior in all aspects.
Lioro turned back to Alpha and said,
"It's pretty good. Give me the manufacturing process, and I'll give you the resurrection scroll."
Alpha called Eta, who explained the process to Lioro and handed him a book containing her notes.
Lioro handed over the resurrection scroll and took the book. Given his academic level, it wasn't hard for him to grasp the entire process.
And since he was already at it, he decided to borrow their lab—and Eta's assistance.
"H-hey! Y-young man, why are you holding that n-needle?" Aurora asked vigilantly.
"It's alright, I'll be gentle," Lioro reassured her as he tightly grabbed her arm, preventing her escape.
"W-wait! I do not consent to this!"
"Stop acting like a little girl. You're a level 90 Demonic Spirit—and you're afraid of needles? Have some backbone."
Lioro rolled his eyes and easily extracted her blood.
Since normal needles couldn't even pierce her skin, he had to make the syringe himself and bless it to complete the job.
After comforting the complaining Aurora, Lioro started the process with Eta.
It didn't take long—especially since the blood was taken from a fresh source, and Eta, who had done this thousands of times before, was already an expert.
A vial of reddish-black blood stood on the table, demonic mana condensing around it.
----
Item: Aurora's Demonic Blood
Grade: Special
Type: Racial Job Change Item
Usage Limit: One-time use
Description: Changes one's racial class to Demonic Spirit, granting access to dark-attribute mana and demonic spirit racial passives.
Note: Changing races will affect one's inborn talent and faction value. Advised to be used with caution.
----
The description didn't change much, but the grade jumped directly from Medium to Special.
Even Lioro was a little tempted by it.
But the potential loss of his inborn talent made him abandon the thought.
His Six Eyes was a broken ability, granting him near-limitless mana. Unless it was an Epic-grade class, it didn't seem worth the risk.
Or maybe he could transplant the Six Eyes… like in Naruto?
Hmm. He would look into the feasibility later.
Just then, one of Lioro's rings glowed, and a message arrived in his mind.
After sending a reply, Lioro turned to Shadow—who was intently staring at several magic scrolls—and asked,
"Hey, wanna come to Disney?"
Shadow instantly vanished and reappeared beside Lioro, wearing his full suit.
"Let's go."
He waved his hand dramatically, making his coat flutter.
Lioro gave him a blank look.
"We're attending a wedding, not going to war."
"….."
----
Overlord World
Space flickered as Lioro, Cid, and Aurora appeared.
Ignoring the confused maid's gaze, Lioro quickly contacted Ayanokoji and summoned him back.
Cid and Aurora looked curiously at the wooden house.
It seemed… normal.
They had expected something more extraordinary.
As they were lost in thought, a magic circle appeared to their right, followed by two figures materializing.
Night Lich and Ayanokoji.
Lioro glanced at Night Lich and pulled out the vial of reddish-black blood.
As he explained its function, a sharp light passed through Ayanokoji's eyes.
----
DanMachi World
Space flickered again as Lioro and Cid appeared.
Aurora was left behind in the Overlord world to handle emergencies.
She totally agreed to it.
As soon as they arrived, one of them was instantly surrounded by members of the Hestia Familia.
And it wasn't Lioro.
"New member? Hello, I'm Bell!"
"Hi! My name is Isobel!"
Faced with the sudden enthusiasm, Cid quickly switched to his mob role.
"H-H-H-Hello! I-I-I'm C-Cid…"
Everyone froze.
Wasn't he… a bit too weak?
Even Bell was stunned.
All were shocked, except two.
Yoriichi and Levi.
Levi stared at Cid in confusion. He seemed weak, yet his instincts screamed otherwise.
Yoriichi, however, remained calm.
His gaze rested lightly on Cid.
As if sensing it, Cid stopped trembling and stared back.
The moment their eyes met, a wide smile appeared on Cid's face.
So it's you.
That swordsmanship Lioro used—
He had found its creator.
Meanwhile, Lioro was not amused.
Everyone had ignored him.
Damn it. He was the captain.
Just then, Elsa arrived.
She wore a deep sapphire-blue gown flowing down to her ankles, hugging her waist before falling into soft layers.
Her silver hair was half tied back with a silver hairpin, the rest cascading freely. Simple jewelry adorned her.
Refined. Composed. Quietly radiant.
"You're back."
Lioro nodded.
"Nice clothes. You look good."
Elsa smiled—then looked at his outfit.
Her smile vanished.
"You. Come with me."
She grabbed his hand and dragged him upstairs.
----
Inside Elsa's Room
"Do I have to change?" Lioro asked.
Elsa crossed her arms and stared.
"…Okay."
Lioro removed his coat and shirt, revealing his bare upper body.
Elsa blinked, then quickly handed him prepared clothes.
Moments later, he looked like a completely different person.
He wore a fitted black long coat with subtle silver trim, paired with a high-collared white shirt and polished boots. His white hair fell naturally, giving him a calm, noble presence.
"I knew it would look good!" Elsa said, clenching her fist in victory.
"Alright, let's go! We can't be late!"
Downstairs, the entire familia was already dressed formally.
Even Cid had changed into a suit out of nowhere.
Lioro's mouth twitched.
…Is everyone going?
Then who's guarding the house?
Ah—Daphne and Cassandra weren't here.
Still…
I can't stop them now.
Lioro sighed and pointed at Hestia.
"Goddess, you can't go."
"WHY ONLY ME?!"
Lioro explained calmly.
"The world we're going to might have gods."
Hestia grew serious.
"If something happens, they may try to fight you—or worse."
Silence followed.
Except—
'Gods? Are we fighting gods?!' Cid's excitement exploded.
He stared at Hestia's back.
Is this midget a god too?
He checked for her aura.
…Nothing.
Hiding? Like Lioro?
He made a mental note to ask Lioro about her.
Hestia smiled brightly.
"I understand. Go and have fun."
Reluctantly, everyone agreed.
It was too risky to take a goddess to a wedding.