With their meeting finished, Bokhoir & Nernatti had realized something more than they'd expected.
"He regularly breaks all of the limits on his status." Bokhoir sighed.
"I know, isn't it amazing, my little brother's so strong!" Nernatti squirmed.
"Are you… Developing a brother complex?"
"Huh? No…" She looked away.
"Right…"
"Anyways, now that we've seen what he's really at, let's continue getting stronger with that in mind."
"Indeed, we've got a long way to go to be of any help to him. It sure would be nice to level up, and soon. We can't leave the defense of this city solely up to those incompetent familias."
"They really think they're at the top of Orario. I'd bet that Ganesha familia has the ability to deal with either of them… Well, maybe the fight could go either way."
"They do have a few level 5s now themselves. Makes me feel a bit anxious now that my main basic abilities have reached S rank."
"Same here. But without another level 5 there'll be a gap in the familia."
"So what you're saying is, one of us has to stay at level 5 then?"
"Potentially, It depends on what happens during our next expedition. Remember, we've managed to secure Ganesha's assistance to help in keeping Lady Hathor safe while we're gone."
"Shurry can also leave a small group of his wolves behind to protect her. He might even have a level 6 or 2 by now."
Hathor smirked, coming up behind her children, wrapping an arm around each of them. "That sounds like fun. Go with the intent of leveling up. The place he's taking you to, it'll have more than enough opportunities for you to level up. In fact, I expect everyone to have at least earned the right to level up by the time you come back."
"What exactly is this place that could do so much?"
Shurry arrived with Ardee on his back. "Oh, you mean the target floor for our expedition? Uhm… It's not a very friendly place… Lots and lots of very big monsters down there." He said with a smile, one so strong it pierced any doubts.
"Woo hoo! This expedition is going to be fun!" Ardee cheered.
"Don't get into too much trouble down there."
"Oh, mother, I know Lord Ganesha said he was willing to lend some aid to help guard you, but… Anything less than a few level 4s wouldn't put me at too much ease. So I'll leave a small part of my pack with you. There's a level 6, three level 5s, and nine level 4s. And they all love head pats, belly rubs, naps, walks, and they can sense evil, almost as good as I can."
"Look at you still doing your best to keep me safe even while you're gone. You're a good boy!"
Hathor started smothering Shurry, Ardee ended up being a victim of this smothering too. Both laughing, and giggling as they hugged each other and smiled.
…
Baldr and company had finished their meeting with the guild, and decided not to talk about it for the moment but, for lack of any good things to say about it… It was not nearly what they'd expected to have happen.
"Leon, you go ahead and escort Idunn over to the Hathor familia. I'm sure that they've already started preparing for her to show up."
"And what will you be doing? Shurry's going to ask where you went…"
"I'll be going around in the hopes of drumming up some of the resources we're missing. Malik is strong enough to handle most things that come our way."
"Sorry I'm not level 7 yet. I still lack the qualifications."
"It's fine, level 7 is no easy task. Fact is, after what I've seen, only feats deemed impossible can actually give you level 7. Don't rush it. Hell, if there's time, you might get a chance while we're here." Leon chuckled.
They split their party, and went separate ways. Idunn, and Leon went to Hathor familia. Baldr and Malik, well, they went to see someone's whole face for the first time…
…
In Hephaestus' office, a child of hers came knocking on the door. The seemingly tired, yet beautiful goddess sighed. "Yes, what is it?"
The child of her familia opened the door, and peaked inside. "Lady Hephaestus, you have a visitor, His name, uhm, Baldr?"
"Ah, the patron god of the School District… Wait, why's he here?"
"Oh, so it's Lord Baldr! Whoopsies! Uh, he said he had some business to discuss."
"Alright, I'll see him."
A little bit later Baldr, followed closely behind by Malik, entered the room.
"Wow, so it's true, he really did it. That could give more than a level up." Baldr smiled. "It's wonderful to see you again. Though I'd like to have some to catch up with you… I'm afraid I must get down to business…"
"Let me guess, the guild wasn't remotely up to providing what you needed."
"Yes, if things keep going this way, our 3 year tours around the world will become extensively more arduous. I'll have to change the route and come back every 2 years instead."
"Damn, they can't even supply you with 3 years worth of fuel for the ship?"
"Precisely. It's a source of great stress for me, as you can imagine… If I really can't get it from the guild like this, I'll have to inform Zeus of this matter."
"That would solve everyone's problems, bringing them back to the city." She sighed. "I trust they at least informed you of what's been going on these last few years?" Baldr nodded. "Then you know they really can't afford to just give it away."
"We purchase it though."
"Not at the new market price, you don't. It's a bit more expensive now that we can't get access to the floors that Zeus & Hera's children were able to manage. Origin Wolf…" She cringed. "Moon Pup is capable of getting down there, I think. But he's just one child, even if he could kill his way through the monsters fast enough, the materials gained would likely be of lower quality due to his brutal fighting style, or he'd eat them all up. And then the ones he doesn't are in such good condition I can't even think about affording them without taking out a loan first. I just finished paying him for this treatment too, we don't really have enough money to go around."
"They were a truly powerful group of adventurers. I think Shurry realizes that." Baldr smiled. "Anyway, I just wanted to come by and see my son's handiwork. I'll see what I can do for you on the account of those resources you need. I will expect a discount of course."
"If you can guarantee me some materials I'm in desperate need of, then I'd give 40% off."
"Deal. See you later, I'm off to see my son, and his little girlfriend."
…