The rest of the exploration went without incident. But since he was exploring alone, by the time Liang Yue finally found the path to the 11th floor—after becoming familiar with the area—his exploration supplies had been completely used up.
After such high-intensity training, he decided not to take any further risks. Instead, he followed the markers he had left earlier and managed to retrace his steps without getting lost.
The earlier Monster Feast had already guaranteed today's minimum gains.
His Sword Soul template's job level had smoothly risen to level 24, though he was still a ways from learning new techniques.
The magic stones from slain monsters were nearly filling his pack to the brim.
Leaving the mist-shrouded 10th floor, the world ahead gradually cleared, and his mood grew lighter.
Scanning the familiar bluish cavern passage, he carefully gauged the limits of his stamina while making his way back. Along the way to Orario, he took the opportunity to clear any monsters blocking the path.
It seemed he had enough energy to last.
Since only a god could update his status, he could only use his stats from two days ago as a reference point. Yesterday's rare Blue Papilio and today's Monster Feast would serve as prime boosts to his stats.
Even weaker monsters on the way back could contribute points, so he wanted to push himself to the limit before the next update.
"Except for Magic Power… getting everything else to S-rank shouldn't be a problem."
Compared to heading deeper in, the trip back to the surface—being familiar with the layout—went more smoothly than he'd expected.
Encountering horned rabbits, poison kelp, and the like posed no challenge. It was much like the advice against stopping abruptly after intense exercise: he kept up low-intensity combat on the return trip.
Though in his case, it wasn't about heart health—he just felt like killing a few more monsters to unwind.
Reaching the upper floors, he took the spiral staircase back to the surface.
By then, night had fallen over Orario. Clouds veiled the sky, leaving only a sliver of moon to scatter faint silver light.
"…Did that much time really pass?"
The central plaza before Babel Tower had only a few adventurers left. Even the night breeze carried a slight chill as it passed by.
It wasn't exactly disorienting, but it did throw off his plans. By now, the Guild was already closed, so today's haul would have to be exchanged another time.
Before heading into the Dungeon, he had left plenty of faris for Hestia, so she'd have no trouble getting dinner tonight.
That meant he could focus on his own dinner first.
Then, update his stats, ascend in rank, return the weapon borrowed from Tsubaki, and treat the half-elf Guild receptionist to a meal.
Tomorrow's dinner would be with Hestia to celebrate his rank-up.
"…Why does it feel like my rare day off is going to be busier than a day in the Dungeon?"
Thinking about tomorrow's fully booked schedule, Liang Yue felt a little tense—but also somewhat satisfied at the thought of being so productive.
Orario's nights were generally safe, with the Ganesha Familia maintaining order. Still, when he entered a darker stretch of street, a strong sense of being followed came over him.
…
This wasn't his nerves—rather, the stalker's concealment was just that bad. When he sped up, he could hear their hurried, almost running footsteps behind him.
He hadn't made any enemies among adventurers since arriving in Orario, so he was genuinely curious about who would be tailing him.
Passing through a dim strip between closed shops, he stopped abruptly and turned around.
A small figure in a brown-gray cloak came into view.
Head lowered out of habit, brown hair falling to her cheeks—he didn't even need to ask. He already knew who it was.
Liliruca.
A supporter from the Soma Familia. The last time they'd met was two days ago, during the rare Blue Papilio incident.
That meeting had been by chance, though it had unintentionally prompted her—long oppressed by her Familia—to consider changing her fate.
And because he had seen through her "Cinder Ella" magic at a glance, the intimidation it caused was absolute.
Given how clumsy her tailing was tonight, she likely wasn't here with ill intent—probably because she felt he was the only one who could help her escape her situation.
"Talk."
His tone was as usual—calm and straightforward—as he looked at the girl standing a short distance away. "What do you want with me?"
——
With enough Blue Papilio powder collected, tomorrow night would be the Soma Familia's gathering, with many members present—including their captain, Zanis Lustra.
The plan was already in motion: find the restaurant they often ordered from, use Cinder Ella to disguise herself, and work as a delivery girl.
The god's wine was under Zanis' control, making direct access nearly impossible. But by tampering with the food delivery, her chances would rise.
From her tests, just a small amount of Blue Papilio powder could cause unconsciousness.
Combined with Soma wine, it would put someone out until morning.
The real problem was Zanis himself—an adventurer at level 2—who wouldn't touch the tainted wine or food at all.
The gap in strength between an adventurer and a supporter was so great that she could do nothing against him alone. She needed a partner.
And for Liliruca, her view of adventurers was mostly negative.
The only one she felt neutral toward was the man she'd met in the Dungeon—the one who'd seen through her magic and recognized her true face.
Since that encounter, she had been on edge, worried he might tell others, bringing trouble from adventurers she'd tricked before.
But he hadn't.
That fact made her realize Liang Yue might be someone she could work with. Since he hadn't rejected her outright before, maybe there was a chance.
So, driven by the dream of escaping her Familia, she had spent the day waiting outside Babel Tower.
But he hadn't shown up until tonight, just as she was about to give up.
All the mental plans she'd made fell apart when she actually faced this powerful adventurer who inspired instinctive fear in her.
She kept trying to work up the nerve to speak—until he caught her following him.
"Um…"
"I mean no harm—it's just, there's something I want to discuss with you." Her voice trembled slightly under his calm gaze.
Finally, she gathered her courage and said, "It's about what happened two days ago. But… please don't reject me right away. I can pay you."
It was one of the few things she could offer—though most of her money had already been taken by her Familia members.
If he refused again, she had no idea how she'd carry out her plan.
Seeing the expectation in her eyes, Liang Yue thought—if she had mentioned payment earlier, he wouldn't have hesitated.
Refusing would almost be disrespectful to valis.
He didn't reject her this time. Instead, he pointed casually at the Hostess of Fertility.
"Let's eat first. Then we'll talk."
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