The rate at which his stats had risen was far beyond anything Hestia had expected — it was nothing short of a leap in growth.
She honestly couldn't imagine how Liang Yue had managed it.
Yet when she saw that conspicuous heroic deed written clearly at the bottom, she suddenly felt that… maybe all of this did make sense.
"Defeated the floor boss Goliath alone with the strength of a Lv.2 adventurer."
If Hestia remembered correctly, the mid-floor boss had stats that could even rival a Lv.4 adventurer — at the very least its combat ability was on par with a Lv.3.
She moved from straddling Liang Yue's back to sit on the edge of the bed, handing him the newly printed parchment with his updated stats.
There were so many things she wanted to ask… so many complicated emotions swirling inside…
In the end, they were condensed into a single, heartfelt sentence spoken softly:
"Liang Yue-kun… you really worked hard during this expedition."
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he looked over his updated status. And of course — it wasn't anywhere near its limit yet. In fact, it still had plenty of room to grow.
All in all, the effort had been worth it.
He smiled casually — but his tone was extremely earnest:
"As long as my effort brings results, it's not hard work at all."
"It's just… before breaking through to Lv.3, I'll need to settle down and polish myself for a while."
The deed needed for level up was already achieved. What came next was simple: keep training in the Dungeon.
Fill every single stat all the way up to SSS.
That was the difference in potential — it came from steady accumulation. He wasn't at the point where he could leap entire levels to defeat higher-ranked enemies yet…
…but at the very least, he needed enough strength to crush anyone of the same level.
For now, with the status update done and Lili at the Guild reporting the expedition (and exchanging the loot for valis), the next step—
—was to repair his heavily battered weapons.
Liang Yue glanced at Hestia, who was bending down to put on her shoes with a gentle, content expression.
Smiling, he suggested:
"It's about time."
"I'll escort you to work — and get my weapons repaired while we're there."
She had planned to make him stay home and rest until noon and then bring back a bento… so his suggestion caught her by surprise.
But if it meant spending more time together, Hestia certainly wouldn't object.
After putting on her round-toed leather shoes, she lightly rose on her tiptoes. Without her usual blue relic, her fitted white blouse accentuated the beautiful lines of her body.
With that playful spin of her heel—
—gravity itself seemed to concentrate on Hestia alone, though she herself was completely unaware of how lethal it looked.
Putting on her jacket again, she tilted her head and smiled mischievously.
"So, Liang Yue-kun is ready to set out too, right?"
"Of course," he replied, taking her extended hand.
It was soft… much more pleasant to hold than any sword hilt.
(Not counting combat situations, of course.)
—
Seven days had already passed since the explosive news of the "fastest Lv.2 adventurer" had broken the record.
Most adventurers had already stopped talking about it.
Curiosity about the identity of the "Sword Soul" had gradually been washed away by everyday life and Dungeon matters.
In a sense, the forced expedition ordered by the Guild had actually given Liang Yue a quiet little window — especially since the Hestia Familia still didn't even have a proper base.
They didn't even have a familia crest yet.
No one would connect the title Sword Soul to a young man quietly passing by with a cloak — Orario had plenty of those.
…That is, unless he was walking alongside Hestia.
The latter's reputation — especially around North Street and among fellow gods/adventurers — wasn't exactly good. Just when things had finally calmed down, this brand-new familia went and caused another uproar.
Even with mental preparation, being recognized and discussed openly by passing adventurers still made Liang Yue feel… strange.
It was almost midday, so the number of people outside wasn't large — but every adventurer who passed by would stop and quietly talk after the two of them walked past.
"That one beside Hestia… is that Sword Soul, Liang Yue?"
"Might be."
"Well they hardly have any members. Even the ones who wanted to join earlier got 'rejected by divine wrath', remember?"
"He looks younger than I expected… and he didn't do anything flashy in the Dungeon, right?"
A young, tall beastman adventurer with a big scar on his face mentally took note of Liang Yue's appearance:
Black hair.
Red eyes.
Always wearing a cloak.
After turning back around, this normally fierce-faced guy suddenly grinned and walked up to the gossip crowd.
"You all… seem to know that 'Sword Soul' pretty well?"
"Know him? Please! At this point even kingdoms and other cities couldn't dig up his info if they tried!"
"Oh? Mind sharing the details?"
—
If Liang Yue merely felt odd, Hestia was simply nervous.
She tried to maintain her usual posture, but the slight sweat on her palm gave her away.
Deep down, Liang Yue didn't think the "fastest Lv2" title was something to boast or show off about.
But for Hestia — who had a follower for the first time —
It was a deeply special and irreplaceable feeling.
He didn't say anything. He merely tightened his grip on her hand just a little.
"…"
Feeling that subconscious encouragement, Hestia's nervousness eased.
Yes — she hadn't been able to help him much at all.
But the good news was —
Liang Yue was still walking by her side.
They crossed South Street and headed into the Central Plaza.
There were only a few supporters without any parties around — even when they glanced at the two, Hestia could calmly meet their eyes.
The only thing bothering her now was—
When will our relationship… move forward from here…?
Arriving at the Hephaestus Forge, the girl went on tiptoe and helped Liang Yue straighten his cloak before stepping back with a satisfied nod.
"Alright! Want me to find someone to fix your weapons?"
"I already have someone in mind. Tsubaki-senpai helped me before — she said I could go to her again anytime."
Thinking about it… it had only been seven days since that last repair.
And the weapon had even been upgraded then — mixed with mithril and other rare materials too…
Liang Yue couldn't help slowing down in hesitation.
He was even thinking of asking Hestia to hand the weapon over for him.
But at that very moment — having just arrived at the store herself — Tsubaki, who heard him talking, didn't feel that he was imposing on her at all.
In fact, by repairing his weapon, she could gradually understand how he managed to keep the blade so sharp and durable.
She waved her hand casually.
"Let me see the weapon."
"…."
Liang Yue hesitated for a moment, but under her intense 'if you're a man then stop dithering' stare… he finally handed over the short blade.
Feeling a bit anxious inside.
Tsubaki took the weapon and instantly drew it from its scabbard.
The sword aura that rushed out made her eyes widen slightly.
But then her gaze fell on the numerous cracks along the blade.
…and black lines slowly appeared on her beautiful, mature face.
"…?"
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