Outside Babel Tower, in Central Park.
"Looking for party members? What's your Level? What position?"
"Vanguard! Level 1, endurance at F rank, don't worry, I'm very professional."
Kael crouched in a corner of the park, holding a recruitment sign. Two cursed weapons — one long and one short — were strapped to his waist.
{T/N: Just to remember, one sword was given to him by Rudra and the other, a knife, he stole from that high Level guy that he killed, forgot his name now.}
The beast-person in front of him asked suspiciously, "F? What about strength?"
"H."
"Tch, you must be a newbie who just switched from being a supporter. Look, our party needs a porter, want to join? V$500 per day." The beast-person said disdainfully.
"Thanks. No need." Kael didn't even look at him anymore.
Around them, numerous groups were recruiting temporary Adventurers — most either seeking supporters or were supporter parties looking for work.
Posting a recruitment notice through the guild would be more effective than this inefficient free recruitment that offered no guarantee of quality candidates.
Unfortunately, since leaving the Soma Familia, Kael had exchanged his last Valis with Zanis for a small cup of Soma. He'd taken just a sip to ease his craving, forcing himself to save half a test tube's worth.
However... resisting was becoming increasingly difficult.
"Sigh." Kael touched the cold test tube containing the Soma, his lips trembling and his whole body shaking.
He forcefully resisted the urge to drink the Soma. The craving gnawed at him, growing more intense with each passing moment. His resistance was weakening, like a dam about to break.
"Damn..."
Time passed minute by minute, and most of the morning Dungeon-diving parties had already entered the labyrinth. His chances were running out.
Just as Kael was about to surrender and drink all the Soma...
"Little brother, what's wrong? Are you hungry? Here, try big sister's cooking."
"Uh..." His attention shifted to the golden-brown object emanating an enticing aroma.
Kael looked up to see a pair of kind eyes.
"Eat up, it's Jagamarukun, big sister's treat."
Kael swallowed and grabbed the oiled paper, taking a big bite.
Come to think of it, he hadn't eaten a proper meal since yesterday, surviving only on drinks in the Dungeon. For breakfast, Gannu and the others hadn't spared him anything.
What he had dismissed as mere potato and oil wrapped in paper now miraculously quieted his cravings, filling him with unexpected warmth.
Seeing Kael eating so eagerly, the shop owner sister made two more and handed them to him, "Ah, in these times, even children have to work hard in the Dungeon to earn money..."
Kael smiled, "How many Valis? I'll pay you."
However, when he reached for his pocket, he realized he was completely broke.
He awkwardly looked up, meeting the shop owner sister's crescent-moon smile as she cheerfully pointed to her street stall. The sign read in common language:
{ Share delicious food, share happy smiles! The city's new source of vitality, Jagamarukun! }
"Here you go, sharing delicious food! Little brother, your smile is the best payment!" The shop owner sister was plump, but her smile was radiant.
No wonder Jagamarukun would later become such a hit in Orario, even attracting a Goddess—though a poor one — to serve customers!
Perhaps people yearned for that small bit of happiness it brought them during the city's darkest times.
Kael stood by the stall, savoring the potato balls, each bite filling his body with precious warmth in this cold era.
As he ate and pondered how to get through these hard times, he heard identical munching sounds beside him.
When Kael turned his head, his vision seemed to enter a dream — before him stood a fairy who looked as if she had stepped out of a painting.
She was a young girl of about nine, with long hair that scattered golden light in the sun. Her crescent-moon eyelashes blinked as her small mouth puffed out, chewing the potato ball like a hamster.
She wore a slightly loose blue battle suit with armor protecting her chest and waist. The design exposed her shoulders, revealing porcelain-like delicate skin. Under the light blue battle skirt was a bodysuit mini-skirt, paired with black full-length stockings tucked into pure white combat boots.
The leather leg straps connecting to her battle pack disrupted that touch of youth, lending an incongruous hint of maturity.
The battle outfit's design showed remarkable aesthetics — it tastefully balanced modesty with style in a way that would have been considered fashionable even by modern standards.
The girl noticed Kael's stare. Her golden eyes flicked to the potato ball in his hand before returning to her snack. In her mind, anyone who enjoyed potato balls couldn't be a bad person.
The girl's name was Ais Wallenstein.
She was the "Sword Princess", holder of the record for fastest Level 2 advancement. Despite her youth, her doll-like beauty stood out even in Orario, a city filled with elves and deities.
But Kael had other things on his mind...
If he were to level up in the Dungeon's 7th floor, he could improve steadily. However, with a powerful companion who could take him to the middle or lower levels, combined with his [Working Like a Dog]'s locked HP ability, they could hunt monsters with Level 2 or even Level 3 potential abilities. Wouldn't that be more efficient?
His only concern was that if he were severely wounded, no one would help him return to the surface. If he exceeded his skill range, he might die.
But here was a naive doll, walking right into his path.
"Hey..." Kael called out to get Ais's attention.
She blinked curiously at her fellow 'potato friend'.
"Nice to meet you, little miss. Pardon my boldness, but do you need a supporter?"
Ais tilted her head, potato ball still in her mouth.
Kael flashed a sunny smile, gesturing to his sign, "Confused? It's simple, really. Just a poor supporter hoping to work with a talented adventurer like yourself."
"Little miss?" Ais paused her chewing and spoke softly.
Is that what she's confused about?
"Uh... you look impressive, but calling you 'big sister' doesn't quite fit." Kael explained.
Ais was nine years old, though Kael appeared about the same age due to chronic malnutrition making him thin.
"A supporter? Usually it's Riveria..." Ais muttered.
Kael counted off on his fingers as he pitched, "Supporters have many benefits. I can carry extra backup weapons, so you won't need to stop adventuring because of weapon wear."
"Oh..." Ais's eyelashes fluttered.
"And we can bring lots of potato balls, solving the food supply problem."
"Ooh..." Ais's eyes widened.
"Plus I can process monsters and loot — you'll increase your combat efficiency by at least 50%, killing more monsters."
"Oooh!" Ais opened her mouth.
"And here's a secret, little miss — our Familia has developed a potion that makes you instantly stronger! If we encounter danger we can't handle, we can use it to safely return to the surface!"
As he spoke, Kael showed a corner of the "Soma" from his backpack. In the sunlight, the clear liquid emitted a mysterious glow.
It was a divine creation that had reached the peak of craftsmanship, transcending human wisdom!
"Ooooh!" Ais's small hand grabbed his black robe and wouldn't let go.
If she teamed up with him, she wouldn't need to interrupt adventures due to damaged weapons. Though Riveria had promised to forge her an "unbreakable" weapon soon, it hadn't arrived yet.
With potato balls as supplies, she could stay in the Dungeon for days! Riveria would never agree to such a journey, but this little brother seemed willing.
Plus the time saved processing magic stones, and... a strengthening potion! Deeper Dungeon levels... Most importantly, people who liked potato balls couldn't be bad people!
The determined girl made a declaration in her heart: I want to become stronger! It's still too slow now! I need more time, more monsters to kill — I must defeat them all!
Ais's eyes blazed with rebellious fighting spirit as she yearned for an impromptu expedition!
"Let's go!"
Her small yet powerful hand gripped Kael's wrist, dragging him toward the nearby Dungeon entrance.
"Eh, wait, wait, wait — did you bring your weapons and supplies?"
"Huh!" Ais froze, her eyes widening as if to say: Isn't that your job as a supporter?
Kael scratched his head, "Ah, well... did you bring money at least?"
Ais obediently took out a cloth bag from her battle pack.
Kael counted the contents, "Hmm, this is only V$50,000 — enough for just two weapons."
"Riveria confiscated all my Valis." Ais admitted frankly, like a child whose birthday money had been taken away.
"Wait..." Kael interrupted again, "Are you planning to stay overnight in the Dungeon? We'll need enough dried food and recovery potions."
"Mm." Ais simply stuffed the Valis into his arms, "You handle it."
"Alright." Kael turned and bought two bags — about thirty pieces — from the Jagamarukun stall, "Let's go to the weapon shop in Babel Tower first to choose backup weapons, then stock up on potions before we head out."
"Mm." Ais nodded, following behind him as they left.
Little did he know, a Pallum girl wearing a hood and carrying a huge package had been watching his actions.
"Oh, so it can be done this way?"