The crystal light from the ceiling barely touched my face, filtered through the leaves of the trees. It wasn't warm like the sun, but the gentle glow alone was enough to soothe my mind. Somewhere nearby, I could hear the sound of flowing water passing softly through my ears.
Peaceful...
After the forced march from the 13th floor to this 18th floor, and defeating the floor master, Goliath, my body was completely worn out. Honestly, I still don't know how I survived.
Thanks to Riveria, Lefiya, and the others from the Loki Familia, my fractures and bruises finally healed. But my body still felt heavy from mental fatigue and mind-down effects, and my stamina hadn't fully recovered yet.
Because of that, even though Hermes-sama and Asfi-san went to the city of Riveria, I stayed behind at the Loki Familia's campsite to keep watch.
But just lying in a tent bored me, so I invited Lefiya to relax with me in a nearby forest.
Despite being inside a dungeon, this 18th floor was rich with vast natural beauty, meadows, forests, and more. Except for the occasional monster visits, it felt like a paradise.
No wonder this floor is nicknamed the"Labyrinth Paradise Under-Resort." Last time I came here, everything was so hectic I couldn't appreciate it, but now I understood, it really was a wonderful place.
And right now, I'm resting my head on Lefiya's lap in the middle of this nature. Let me say it again: Lefiya is giving me a lap pillow!
An elf maiden, known as a fairy, is letting me rest my head on her knees... I could die happy now.
Plus, when Lefiya gently strokes my hair, it feels indescribably soothing. It's like a dream.
Bell looked sorry for leaving me behind to watch the camp... but yeah, I'm glad I stayed.
"Hey, Toki?"
Feeling so relaxed I was almost dozing off, Lefiya's voice woke me.
"What is it?"
"You defeated Goliath, right?"
"Yeah."
Though honestly, without my skills I wouldn't have been able to move, and without memorizing Lefiya's magic, I wouldn't have had the time to create that giant harpy. And without Kerykeion manifesting, I definitely wouldn't have won.
It was all luck. It's no exaggeration to say I was saved by fortune, the kind that surpasses all experience. People who can turn luck to their side in battle are strong. In that sense, Bell's luck is definitely favored by the heavens.
"So, what level are you now?"
Her question made me pause. If I reported my level to the guild, many would know, but most of Hermes Familia hides their true levels. Hermes-sama's stance is 'avoid rising too quickly and keep a neutral stance,' and that's basically the Familia's policy.
Honestly, I don't quite fit that policy now. Thanks to Lefiya, my lover, I have a strong connection to the powerful Loki Familia faction. If the rival Freya Familia took notice, Hermes Familia would definitely be crushed.
When I told Hermes-sama that,
"It's fine. I'll keep Freya-sama happy, and if it comes down to it, I'll just run crying to Loki!"
He winked at me. …I feel kind of sorry for him.
So we lie about our levels in Hermes Familia, but Lefiya keeps secrets well, and she already knows Lulune-san's true level, so it should be safe.
"I just ranked up this morning. Now I'm level 3."
It's been exactly two months since I became an adventurer. An unprecedented speed. No matter how much experience you have, this is not normal.
Thinking back on my time as an adventurer… yeah, I've barely escaped death more than ten times, mostly thanks to Bete-san.
Thinking about it, I'm truly blessed. Picked up by Hermes-sama when I was close to dying, given countless experiences, meeting Lefiya in Orario, and then Bell after becoming an adventurer.
If any one of those things hadn't happened, I'd be dead already. That's the one thing I'm truly grateful for.
"I see."
Lefiya didn't seem surprised by my words, just smiled softly.
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
"I'm Toki. Nothing about me is surprising."
"Is that a compliment?"
"It is."
By the way, I chose the advanced ability 'Healing.' When I asked Lefiya about it, she said the condition to manifest is years of continuous magic use. That made sense, I've been using magic nonstop my whole short life.
She told me not to talk about my stats, but I told her I only did because it's you. As my lover, and because I trust her personality so much.
The embarrassed look on her face was really cute.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––
After some peaceful time, I heard several voices. They were all female.
"Huh? Lefiya?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, Tiona-san, Tione-san."
Tiona-san and Tione-san appeared from beyond the trees, followed by Hestia-sama, Lili, Mikoto-san, Chigusa-san, Asfi-san, and several other female members of the Loki Familia.
"Oh, Toki. I didn't see you at the camp. So you were here."
Asfi-san greeted me, and I stood up.
"Hello, Asfi-san. Everyone's here, what's the occasion?"
"We're going bathing in the nearby river."
"If you want, Lefiya, you can come too."
So there really was a river or lake nearby.
"I… I think I'll pass."
I glanced at Lefiya, who looked at me, and I nodded.
"Go on. I feel bad making you stay with me all the time."
"Alright, if you say so…"
"You should bring your boyfriend too!"
"Please stop. He'll kill me."
Asfi-san and Lefiya said this.
To avoid any further pressure, I quickly headed back toward the camp.
When I got back, Hermes-sama and Bell were together.
"Hey, Toki. Where've you been?"
"Just doing some forest bathing."
"I see. We've got some business later. Want to come with us?"
Looking at his face, I knew what it was, a peeping mission.
I learned from Hermes-sama long ago: peeping is a man's romance. It's only natural for men to want to see beautiful women in relaxed states.
That's true. (Brainwashed by the author.)
I want to peek too. Not peeking is actually disrespectful to the women, I told Hermes-sama when I was little.
But now, I have a lover. Peeking would be a betrayal. An act of cheating, really. So I won't go.
Still, stopping Hermes-sama is wrong as a man and a son. So...
"No, I'm not feeling well today, so I'll rest in the tent."
He let it go. Hermes-sama seemed to understand and left with Bell for the forest, patting Bell's shoulder as they passed. Bell looked confused.
Back at camp, I headed for the tent, and then that person came running.
With a sigh, I manipulated shadows. Thanks to 'Healing,' my mind was recovered enough to fight. Before the person could hit my shadow, they split into multiple clones.
Twisting my body, I dodged the attack.
"I knew something smelled fishy. Why the hell are you here, snake bastard?"
"Lots happened, Bete-san."
The clones disappeared, leaving just one: the werewolf Bete-san, grinning fiercely.
My expression stayed grim. Facing Bete-san now was impossible. I could make up for ability skillwise, but my stamina wasn't fully recovered, and if we fought seriously, I'd probably get killed.
Bete-san could see that too, and wouldn't miss this chance.
My only way to survive? Cry to Finn-san before I get killed!
"Let's go, ora!"
"No thanks!"
After that, we both got scolded by Finn-san and Gareth-san. I still don't get it.
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