Dungeon exploration—the most dangerous part isn't the surrounding monsters, but the adventurers without rules or restraint, those who may turn hostile at any moment.
As usual, Liang Yue didn't pay much attention to that. If someone harbored ill intent, who ended up as the true prey would be hard to say. But at this critical juncture, he knew he had to avoid direct contact with Apollo Familia's adventurers.
If days of continuous pursuit failed to yield results, Apollo would have no other choice but to initiate a War Game.
"Let's go."
"Let's train somewhere else."
The mist mechanism enveloping the floor provided them with an easy retreat. If they actually ran into Apollo Familia's pursuers, Liang Yue was worried he wouldn't be able to hold back.
The prerequisite for a War Game was that the opposing god had to accept. If Hestia Familia proactively challenged Apollo Familia with such a huge disparity in strength, suspicion could easily arise, and Apollo might simply refuse.
That would leave only one option.
When all pursuits in the dungeon failed, the War Game would be Apollo's final resort!
"Alright."
She didn't possess overwhelming perception, but she understood clearly—obeying the Familia captain's orders was her duty. She helped the supporter, Liliruca, gather the dropped magic stones. Soon, they pressed forward through the mist, hunting the dungeon's monsters.
As the mist dispersed, they quickly found the staircase leading deeper. With no true encounter, there was no friction. Liang Yue didn't find it troublesome. At most, it was just a game of chase.
Using Mikoto's Futsu no Mitama magic, they trained intensively against monsters. The gains in experience were modest.
The Sword Soul template's level was important, but aiming to push it to Lv.50 before the War Game—reaching its first qualitative transformation—was no easy task. With level increases, the required experience multiplied. Up to Lv.35, as long as there were enough monsters, one level per day was possible.
Now, with exploration restricted, the efficiency of gaining experience dropped. The last fifteen levels would likely take about a month.
Aside from that, he also needed to max out all his basic stats as a Lv.2 adventurer.
Their exploration went smoothly. Using the dungeon's complex layout, Liang Yue easily spotted the adventurers tailing them—Apollo Familia members, their armbands clearly visible.
They weren't there to explore, only to hunt.
Just as expected.
The next step was to leave safely and provoke Apollo Familia's surveillance team in Orario.
Their supplies were nearly spent. While Liang Yue was still in good condition, Mikoto had exhausted herself with magic. No point dragging things out.
He glanced at Mikoto and the ever-alert Liliruca. With a relaxed tone, he said, "That's enough for today. Let's head back."
"Alright."
"And tomorrow, you don't need to join the dungeon run."
Mikoto froze at the sudden news. She thought she was dragging the team down. Liliruca frowned but stayed silent, quickly realizing what he was planning.
Killing adventurers in the dungeon, as long as it was clean, wouldn't draw the Guild's ire. But it would earn Apollo Familia's vengeance.
Still, after rejecting Apollo's invitation, these troubles were unavoidable.
"Will that really solve the problem?" Liliruca asked, meaning—would killing Apollo Familia members truly deter them?
Apollo Familia would surely find out. Which could lead to facing Jacintos, a full Lv.3 adventurer, head-on.
"Of course."
By dusk, they returned to Orario. The sunset pierced the clouds, painting the bustling streets in golden light. Liang Yue quickly spotted Apollo Familia's watchers. In front of the Ganesha Familia guards, they did nothing but observe from a distance.
"This will all end soon."
"As long as things go smoothly, the result will be the best possible."
He didn't tell Mikoto his plan. Revealing he intended to provoke a War Game would only burden her with unnecessary pressure.
"Alright."
She realized the severity of the situation. But since he hadn't explained, it meant he already had a plan. After a pause, she averted her gaze from his eyes and spoke firmly:
"Even though I just joined, we're already comrades. No matter what happens, I want to help."
"Those words alone are enough."
Leaving the plaza, even with Apollo Familia still tailing from afar, Liang Yue stayed calm.
Without a Falna upgrade or high Sword Soul level, he had still resolved the Soma Familia crisis. Typical Lv.2 adventurers weren't worth fretting over. With the Sword Soul's stat boosts and his "Selfless Sword Qi," he believed he could even deal with a Lv.4 unexpectedly.
After finishing today's exploration, his next goal was clear—dinner with Hestia.
Passing a familiar flower shop, he spotted Anna, the blonde clerk he had met before. She turned, smiling warmly.
"Would you like to buy flowers, adventurer-san?"
He smiled lightly. "Yes, the same bouquet as last time. Do you have any in stock?"
"Of course."
She handed him a vibrant bouquet, offering a blessing: "I wish you good luck!"
"Thank you."
With flowers in hand, he headed to The Hostess of Fertility to buy dinner, then returned home.
Descending into the basement, he found Hestia tidying up. She had drunk late into the night with Hephaestus and only returned today. Hearing his footsteps, she relaxed—until she saw the bouquet.
Her smile faltered. "So… another admirer gave you flowers?" she asked lightly, though her tone betrayed emotion.
Liang Yue chuckled, waving it off. "Of course not. These are for you, Lady Hestia."
——
Meanwhile, Apollo Familia's pursuit team had wasted the whole day wandering the upper and middle floors. The mist had slowed them, and they dared not provoke monster feasts.
From their perspective, Liang Yue would never venture into the mist. But he had. Thus, Day 1 ended in failure.
When they returned, Jacintos did not punish them. Instead, he immediately ordered a new plan.
"Recall the members. Expand the pursuit team."
"How many squads?" Daphne asked cautiously.
"Three."
Even during containment operations, they had never gone this far. But Jacintos was determined.
Over the next two days, they pressed harder. But Liang Yue's solo tactics, darting deeper into the dungeon, kept eluding them. It became a cat-and-mouse chase. Each return to Orario wore away at Apollo's patience.
By the third day, Apollo Familia had to admit—pursuit was futile.
That evening, as Liang Yue returned home with Hestia, footsteps echoed behind them.
Appearing before them was Jacintos, forcing himself to remain graceful, suppressing his rage. He set a finely crafted envelope on the table.
"This invitation," he said through clenched teeth, "is from Lord Apollo himself. To celebrate the birth of Orario's newest miracle—the fastest adventurer to ever reach Lv.2, the Sword Soul, Liang Yue."
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