Tione and Tiona had come to Orario for several reasons: to see the "Center of the World," join a Familia, and explore the Dungeon. But they had another motive. After seeing the newspaper reports about Roy's record-breaking level-up, Tione didn't believe a word of it. Pushed by Tiona, she had come to unmask what she thought was a fraud.
However, before she could even start, she hit a major wall.
What is with this elf? Tione felt a terrifying strength radiating from Ryu. Her wrist throbbed with pain, and she felt a surge of shock. This elf girl looked roughly her age and had delicate hands, but her actual power was extraordinary—not on the same level as those adventurers from before.
After the shock, a battle-hungry grin appeared on Tione's face. This was the Amazon way: never fear a strong foe; fight to the death.
Seeing Ryu protecting Roy like a fierce guardian, Tione didn't hold back her tongue. "What? Do you have a thing for this male too? Sorry, but wait until I've ripped his balls off first!"
"Filthy!"
At the crude language, the pure-hearted elf girl's face turned ice-cold. The air chilled as if frost were forming. The provocation worked perfectly! Tione saw a flash of triumph in her eyes, though when she looked at Roy, she found the boy was much calmer than the elf. Roy had a faint smile on his lips, and his meaningful gaze made Tione feel uncomfortable, as if he were seeing right through her.
Despite her crude talk and threats of ball-crushing, the sisters were actually complete "fledglings" in matters of the heart. The vulgar language was just something she picked up from her seniors in the fighting nation; she had never actually touched anything, but shouting it gave her a sense of intimidation and momentum.
Roy smiled and asked, "So, you want to challenge me? Or Miss Ryu?"
At Roy's gesture, Ryu released Tione's wrist. Tione rubbed the aching spot. "Both! You can both come at me at once!" Her voice was full of confidence.
To the crowd, however, she sounded like a "newborn calf unafraid of a tiger." Setting aside Roy, Ryu Lion was a Level 5 First-Class adventurer. Dealing with two Level 3s would be effortless. Her words exposed her biggest weakness: she didn't understand Orario. Defeating those low-level adventurers had made her far too arrogant. As they say, "A proud army is bound to lose."
The gods and adventurers nearby wore mocking smiles. Country bumpkins. They finally felt a sense of superiority. Sensing the change in atmosphere, Tione frowned, not understanding why the crowd had suddenly turned on them. It felt like a lump in her throat. She stomped her foot in frustration, the force cracking the ground.
Roy laughed. "If you lose, you join the Astraea Familia!"
"Fine!" Tione agreed. If they could prove they were stronger, she had no complaints.
Ryu, however, shot Roy a surprised look. Roy looked up at her with calm, clear eyes, offering an inquiring glance. There were only four members in their Familia; reaching the 36th floor was their limit. Unless everyone reached Level 5, entering the deep floors was suicide. Their numbers were holding them back. He knew they eventually had to recruit, so why not pick familiar, high-potential characters?
"Fine." Seeing Roy's intent, Ryu gave a small nod.
Roy breathed a sigh of relief. If Ryu had been firmly against it, he would have dropped it. But the potential was too good to pass up—the original timeline proved these two had the potential for Level 6 or even 7. The gods were only chasing them because they saw that "Hero" potential.
"Wait! I object to this duel!"
Just as the fight was about to begin, a frantic, tearful voice rang out. Amid a cloud of dust, a red-haired, flat-chested goddess sprinted onto the scene.
It was Loki.
Loki panted, raising her hand. "We want in on this too!" Behind her was the elite of the Loki Familia—the "Big Three" Finn, Riveria, and Gareth, along with executives like Bete and Ais. The appearance of the "Strongest Familia" caused a massive stir.
"This is trouble," Roy frowned. He had hoped to wrap this up before the Loki Familia arrived.
"Loki, stop it. They already promised the Astraea Familia," Finn said, feeling a headache coming on. They had rushed over as soon as they heard the news, but they were a step too late.
"But they haven't fought yet!" Loki whispered.
Everyone else knew the outcome: Ryu could crush them alone. Tione and Tiona joining Astraea was almost a done deal. But the formalities weren't finished. "Snatching" someone midway wasn't against the rules in Orario—being too ethical was just being naive. The only problem was that they still owed Astraea an immense favor for the recent bodyguard incident.
The Loki members didn't dare look up. If they met Roy or Ryu's eyes, they offered awkward smiles and looked away. While the members tried to talk her out of it, Loki threw herself on the ground, kicking and screaming. "No! No! No! I want the twin Amazon flowers!" Like a spoiled child demanding a toy.
Loki's hobby was collecting beautiful girls, and Level 3 Amazon twins were a rare find. Faced with his patron's tantrum, Finn could only apologize. "Sorry, Sprout of Justice, Gale."
Loki's whims were legendary. When she first founded the Familia, she took a Level 1 Finn and barged into the Elven Royal Forest, telling the Elven King, "Give me your daughter!" The king was furious. It was only after Riveria semi-voluntarily joined and used her magic to deter the king that they could leave safely.
────────────────────────────────────────
Support me here: https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (404 Chapter – Ongoing)
Join the journey and become part of the story!
────────────────────────────────────────