The floor boss Goliath was unilaterally slaughtered at a speed even faster than what Wiene had expected, to the point where she never even got a chance to step in and assist.
Unfathomable swordsmanship. A ferocious fighting style.
To be honest, the fact Liang Yue was able to reach this level made her feel unexpectedly calm inside. In fact, she even felt—
"Isn't this...actually quite reasonable?"
Looking at Liang Yue walking ahead, Wiene silently sheathed her tachi without another word.
But deep in her heart, the seed planted there had already begun to sprout.
Holding that same thought was someone who had spent even longer by Liang Yue's side — Lili. Upon noticing how smoothly the floor boss Goliath had been cleared, she lifted her head and signaled to the support party.
"Looks like it's time to head back."
"..."
When she accepted this expedition request, Kashima had done plenty of mental preparation, including how to react in the face of unexpected danger.
She had simply never imagined that a Lv.2 adventurer — and one who had never even set foot in this area before — would enter "speedrun mode" inside the Dungeon!
Kashima glanced at the already used-to-it Wiene with mixed feelings before looking back at the now-empty, massive chamber.
At this moment, only one thought occupied her mind — once they got out of the Dungeon, she had to ask around and figure out whether this "Liang Yue from the Hestia Familia" was actually a rookie adventurer…or a seasoned veteran who'd broken through Lv.2 long ago!
This expedition in the Dungeon would be unforgettable — Kashima truly wouldn't forget it anytime soon.
"Let's go."
"We shouldn't let our gods worry."
—
Even though the middle floors' safe zones had an almost nature-park-like atmosphere, it wasn't until they actually left the Dungeon and the sunlight poured over them that one truly felt grounded.
That's how Liang Yue felt as well. With the familia expedition finished, all that was left was to report the results to the Guild.
As for the "Soma Familia Extermination Incident", that was already concluded.
"Lots of things to handle..."
"But I can take them one at a time." His gaze swept toward the central plaza, where a large number of adventurers were gathered.
It was still only morning — peak time for adventurers.
First things first, naturally, was returning to the familia home to report his safety so that Hestia could feel relieved.
After that would come the Guild report, and then selling the loot.
And since this expedition had been done jointly with the Takemikazuchi Familia, it wouldn't make sense if they didn't at least hold a celebratory banquet after spending so much time together.
As they were about to part, the one handling the social side in place of Liang Yue was the supporter Lili, carrying her large backpack as she stood beside him.
She began arranging things calmly and reasonably:
"We'll hold the celebration tonight, at The Benevolent Mistress."
"No problem. I'll inform our god to attend." Kashima Sakura became much more serious when it came to familia diplomacy.
Besides, from a rational standpoint, building good relations with someone with Liang Yue's level of strength was naturally beneficial for the familia.
Quietly following behind, the soft-spoken short-haired Chigusa said nothing.
However, just as Liang Yue and Lili were preparing to leave, Wiene — still wearing her Far Eastern armor — didn't follow the group.
The girl nervously twisted her fingers, recalling the events of this expedition.
Speaking as someone who had come later to swordsmanship, she felt truly grateful to Liang Yue for his patience and the way he pointed out her weaknesses.
And...
With the budding feelings in her heart, Wiene — for once — hesitated.
Guided by Takemikazuchi's teachings, her actions were particularly polite as she stepped in front of Liang Yue and bowed deeply.
"Thank you… Liang Yue."
After sincerely expressing her gratitude, she became slightly flustered once she was about to state her request. The warm sunlight shone on her pale, delicate face, making a faint red color show through as she lowered her head and stammered:
"I… I hope that one day… I could spar with you… in swordsmanship…"
"No problem."
In fact, the effect of the "Futsuno Mitama" magic was truly overpowered. After spending this time together, an audacious idea had surfaced deep inside Liang Yue's heart:
Could he perhaps mimic "Koby the Endurance King" and train in a high-gravity environment that restricted his movement?
Would that improve his stat gain efficiency?
"I might end up troubling you again sometime in the future."
"..."
Standing quietly by his side, Lili — though the same age — due to her life experience, was much more mature at heart.
And for some reason, the sight of Wiene seriously thanking Liang Yue and making such a request gave her a strange sense of crisis…?
Unlike her slightly diplomatic attitude around Kashima and the others, when facing Liang Yue, Lili lifted her head — her bright smile full of girlish charm.
"Liang Yue, we made so much money on this expedition!"
"And we came back alive from the Dungeon!" Only when the two were alone did the girl let her excitement show.
Thanks to Liang Yue's monster-clearing efficiency, this expedition's harvest had been far beyond Lili's expectations. Not only could it solve the Hestia Familia's current funding crisis—
If they sold everything, they might even be able to rent a slightly larger residence and move the familia base out of that abandoned church.
She herself might even get to move in!
"Those who've never suffered shouldn't preach kindness to others."
The old Lili wasn't someone who deserved pity. But after everything they had gone through together… could things possibly change?
It wasn't what Liang Yue cared most about. Seeing the girl's bright and gentle smile, he felt it necessary to throw some cold water:
"You're right… but all of that money is mine. Someone said she'd work for free."
"…Wait, seriously?!"
"..."
Realizing that her real intention had slipped out, Lili blinked her cunning eyes and said seriously:
"I made some calculations. With that income, we could rent a slightly better familia home… for at least a whole year."
"Then, Lady Hestia and you, Liang Yue, could both move in. And as you said before — food and housing are included."
"...If I move in… you won't mind, right?"
Seeing her hopeful gaze, the corner of Liang Yue's mouth twitched slightly. He had a bad feeling that things might take a weird turn.
But since the words were already spoken, there was no taking them back.
Without answering, he simply placed his hand on top of Lili's hooded head and gently rubbed it. If only she had a pair of beast ears, it would be even better, he thought.
"Let's go home first."
"...Mm."
Besides reporting his safety and handling the after-effects of the expedition, Liang Yue was also curious about one more thing — his adventurer title.
By all accounts, after breaking world records, the consideration for a title should be extremely rigorous. The quickest way to find out, of course, would be to ask some random passerby.
But he felt that it would be more interesting to leave that "surprise" for Hestia herself to tell him.
—
Meanwhile, in the underground room of the abandoned church, Hestia hadn't been lazing around during the time Liang Yue was away on the expedition.
She had been going to work at Hephaestus's forge every day to pay off her debt.
The constant anxiety was unavoidable — especially after she broke several of her best friend's glass cups while cleaning the office.
"Today I'll start paying off my debt with honest work!"
"..."
After changing into the gray-black store uniform — perfectly tailored to suit her figure — she slipped her bare feet into round-toed women's shoes.
As she hooked her finger behind the heel, her beautiful lines were accentuated by the tight-fitting design.
Having finished all her preparations and about to head toward the main Hephaestus Forge Shop, she suddenly heard several footsteps coming from the staircase corner.
But they didn't make her feel excited.
Instead, some indescribable irritation surfaced.
After Liang Yue became known throughout Orario as the "fastest to reach Lv.2", it had become her biggest source of frustration.
She could no longer count how many gods had come offering favors, hoping to convince Liang Yue to transfer to their familia — every one of which she had firmly rejected.
Continuing with her preparations for work, she didn't even bother looking back as she spoke, not exactly politely:
"If you're here to discuss letting Liang Yue-kun transfer familias, the exit's on the left. Don't see yourself out too slowly."
"And… if it's for anything else, also see yourself out — because if you keep blocking the way, I'll be late for my job."
"..."
No response came back. Instead, the footsteps suddenly stopped. Curious, Hestia turned around—
And when she saw that face—
For a moment—
No words in this world could describe the smile that bloomed on her face.
---
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