The moon was high over Orario.
Inside the chapel, lit by candlelight, Hestia leaned over Noah's back, eyes wide and fingers trembling.
She didn't speak right away.
Noah turned his head slightly. "Well?"
Silence.
Then—she dropped the paper.
"Noah," she whispered. "You leveled up."
He blinked. "Already?"
She nodded slowly, staring at the status board as if it might explode.
> [Noah – Level 2]
Strength: C → B
Agility: C → B
Endurance: C → B
Dexterity: D → C
Magic: H → F
Development Ability Unlocked: Hunter
Title Earned: Flameborn
Skills: Fusion Warrior, Human Chimera, Flame Core Resonance (Lv5), Flame Step (Lv1), Blazing Finale (Lv1), Crushing Force, Rapid Step, Serpent Reflex, Predatory Aura
Magic: Locked
Equipment: Heaven's Judgement – 52% Synced
He stood slowly, stretching his arms, feeling the difference instantly. His strength flowed cleaner. His muscles responded faster. Even the air felt lighter around him.
"I didn't even feel the change," he muttered.
"That's because it's not just a change," Hestia whispered. "It's an awakening."
She looked up at him, eyes shining.
"Do you know what your title means?"
"Nope. Sounds cool, though."
"It's granted by the gods. Flameborn… it means your power is recognized as elemental. Living fire. You're not just an adventurer anymore. You're a symbol."
He raised an eyebrow. "A symbol of what?"
She smiled.
"Something the world hasn't seen in a long, long time."
---
The next day, the Guild posted it officially:
> [NOTICE]
Noah of Hestia Familia has reached Level 2.
Awarded Title: FLAMEBORN
Feats Achieved:
– Solo defeat of B-rank Dungeon Boss
– Completion of Special-Class Quests
– Combat innovation with unregistered weapon types
Designated "Independent High Threat (IHT)" by Orario Council.
The city buzzed.
Noah's name spread not just as a rumor, but as a presence.
Children repeated his name in the streets.
Blacksmiths whispered about him in workshops.
Guild staff updated records with wary glances.
And the gods?
They started to divide.
Some saw potential.
Others saw a threat.
---
Inside Freya's tower, she smiled quietly as she read the official notice.
"Noah… Flameborn," she whispered, fingers tracing the paper.
Beside her, Ottarl stood still.
"You intend to act?" he asked.
"No. Not yet. Let the others move first."
She placed the parchment on her desk.
"Let them burn themselves trying to touch him."
---
Inside Loki Familia's estate, chaos reigned.
Tiona and Tione were arguing. Bete was cursing. Finn was reading the notice with narrowed eyes.
And Ais?
Ais was silent.
"Are you seriously just gonna let him go wild?" Bete growled.
"He's not doing anything wrong," Finn replied. "But… he is drawing attention. The wrong kind."
Tiona leaned on the table. "What if we invite him to train with us?"
Tione snorted. "He'd laugh in your face."
"I don't think so," Ais said quietly.
They turned to her.
She looked out the window, eyes distant.
"I think he's looking for something."
---
Back at the church, Hestia tossed a scroll onto the table.
"A request came in. From the Guild. They want you to lead an expedition."
Noah looked up. "Lead?"
"They're forming a small-party sweep team. Not a full raid—just scouting and material collection. But they want you as the lead."
He narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"They want to see if you're a real leader. Not just a one-man army."
He leaned back. "So this is another test."
She nodded. "And the team? It's all unaffiliated freelancers. Nobodies. Misfits."
He raised an eyebrow. "Me leading a team of nobodies? Sounds familiar."
She smiled. "You were a nobody once too."
"…Still am," he muttered.
But he took the scroll anyway.
"I'll do it."
She blinked. "That easy?"
He stood and holstered his pistols.
"If they want to see what I can do with a team, then I'll show them."
Then he glanced over his shoulder.
"But when I come back—level me up again. I'm not stopping here."
Hestia grinned, placing a hand over her chest.
"I'll be waiting."
---
And elsewhere, hidden in the maze of alleys behind the city's merchant district, a figure sat sharpening a dagger.
"Flameborn, huh…" the man murmured.
He flipped a black coin with a skull crest.
"I wonder how bright that fire'll burn when we bury it under ten floors of stone."
A second voice laughed in the shadows.
"We're going to kill a legend before he gets too big."
And in the Dungeon below…
A door opened.
A roar echoed.
And something massive began to stir.