"One hundred million Valis, huh..."
Chloe's ears twitched instinctively at the number. As a former bounty hunter, even after all the missions she'd completed, she had barely saved up that much. And now, just catching a single Level 5 could earn her that kind of reward from the Guild?
She couldn't help but feel tempted.
"Don't even think about it, Chloe."
Mia Grand noticed the gleam of greed in the girl's eyes and snorted.
"That's a Level 5. And not just any Level 5—one from Evilus. You think they're that easy to catch?"
...Yeah, true. If it were that easy, the Guild wouldn't offer such a ridiculous bounty. Chloe's ears drooped instantly, her impulse deflated.
That hundred million Valis might look like it's just sitting there, waiting for someone to claim it, but it was no different from those notorious black market commissions—like a request to "Destroy Freya Familia." Sure, someone posted the job, but no one had the guts to actually take it.
Well, duh.
A Level 7 and a group of Level 6s—how could that be something adventurers below Level 6 could handle?
In Orario, Level 6 adventurers were practically national treasures. But even then, Freya Familia had three of them. And let's not forget the "Bringar"—a team of four Level 5s so strong they were basically treated as Freya Familia's fourth Level 6.
Put that band of monsters together with a Level 7 who stood at the peak of Orario, and no one below Level 6 would ever take such a commission seriously.
That wasn't a request—it was suicide.
And suicidal missions like that weren't rare on the black market. "Destroy Loki Familia" had been listed ages ago.
But since Loki Familia revealed three Level 7s last month, that request had become even more absurd than "Destroy Freya Familia."
One Level 7 was already overkill. Facing three? Might as well go throw yourself off the Tower.
"Customer just walked in. Quit slacking and go handle it."
Mia Grand's gaze shifted toward the counter where someone had quietly taken a seat.
"Huh?"
Chloe turned and saw a boy in a white coat already sitting there.
'When did he sit down?'
Her mind lagged a beat, but her body reacted fast.
"First time at the Hostess of Fertility? Want me to recommend a few of our specials?"
"No, this is my second time here."
Second time? How come I don't remember him at all?
Chloe frowned. She had zero memory of this hooded boy.
"Also, I'm only here because I received an invitation from a goddess."
So it's him. Mia Grand immediately realized who the hooded boy in white was.
"An invitation from a goddess? What kind of goddess invites people to a place like this? Don't tell me Loki-sama invited you?"
Chloe couldn't help but ask, curious.
"Loki-sama is currently dealing with internal Familia issues. Finn, Riveria, and Gareth's promotions are unstable. The three of them recently annihilated two Evilus Familias and banished two gods. Right now, Loki Familia is in a state of heightened excitement, and Loki-sama needs to maintain stability. She's not going to be stepping out casually."
Chloe began to grasp the situation within Loki Familia, but her expression quickly tensed. That kind of intel wasn't something an outsider should know.
Instability within Loki Familia was a huge secret. If anyone found a crack, it could immediately be exploited. So how did this guy know about it? And why was he saying it so openly?
"Actually, it's simple. Right now, Loki Familia is the last group anyone wants to mess with."
"Huh?"
"A Loki Familia with a Level 7 and one with only Level 6 are two completely different entities. Even an idiot would understand that. So Evilus won't act rashly anytime soon. And even if Loki Familia shows a weakness, they'll have to consider whether it's a deliberate trap."
So that's how it is. Chloe now understood why things had been so quiet in Orario since Loki Familia took out those two other Familias—even Evilus had gone into hiding.
"But guest, how would you know something like this?"
"Didn't I already say? I was invited by a goddess. Naturally, I have access to some insider information."
"But still, this kind of information—"
"That's enough, silly girl."
Mia Grand cut in, startling Chloe.
She didn't scold her, though. Instead, she pointed toward the back kitchen with a finger no thicker than a child's wrist.
"Go bring Syr out."
"Oh, okay."
Chloe, still confused, headed into the back.
Mia Grand kept her eyes fixed on the boy.
But the young man didn't say anything else—he simply waited quietly for the goddess to arrive.
Before long, a silver-haired girl wearing a green maid outfit and a white apron stepped out of the kitchen.
"Mama Mia, you called me?"
"Not me—someone else is looking for you."
Mia Grand pointed toward the boy seated at the bar.
The moment she saw him, the color in the silver-haired girl's eyes subtly shifted.
At the same time, the boy stood up.
"Good evening, Freya-sama."
That direct? Mia Grand glanced around, but the other customers remained completely unphased, as if they hadn't heard anything.
The innocent and cheerful aura around the silver-haired maid instantly faded, replaced by calm maturity and suppressed excitement.
"So you knew I was here from the start."
The boy gave a slight bow.
"I only sensed someone whose soul carried a frequency similar to yours. That's how I confirmed this place was connected to Freya-sama. But I never expected someone so devoid of self to be blessed by you."
Freya smiled faintly and rested her hands on her chest.
"This child simply earned my affection. Losing herself, running from her own identity, choosing to become me—that was her decision."
But her attention soon shifted back to the boy.
"So, have you come to fulfill our agreement?"
"No, I came to ask Freya-sama for another half month. One month was only enough to finish adjusting my body. I need a bit more time to get into optimal condition."
"Another half month?"
Freya had thought he might come to cancel the arrangement. She hadn't expected him to set a new time instead.
Half a month wasn't long. Freya smiled softly.
"Then half a month it is. After that, you must fulfill our agreement."
"Rest assured. Half a month is enough."