The setting sun bathed the cemetery in a sorrowful shade of gold.
Faen stood beside Luke, gazing at the newly erected gravestone, his emotions tangled.
They had only been casual acquaintances, nothing more—but she had been a living, breathing person. Someone he had known.
He patted Luke's shoulder. A thousand words lingered at the tip of his tongue, but in the end, only a dry, simple phrase emerged.
"…My condolences."
Luke didn't turn around. He stared blankly at the gravestone and suddenly said, "Faen… I'm quitting being an adventurer."
Faen blinked in surprise.
Luke continued as if speaking to himself. "Her name was Lina… We were lovers. And members of the same Familia. Now everyone in our Familia is dead. I'm the only one left… I'll take our god and leave Orario. We'll go somewhere outside the city and live quietly. The Dungeon… isn't a place for someone weak like me."
At last, he turned to face Faen. His bloodshot eyes held a faint light for the first time—a mixture of gratitude and something entrusted.
"Faen… thank you for avenging her. I have nothing to repay you with. You're strong, I can see it. Your talent far surpasses those of us struggling at the bottom. One day, you'll become someone who shakes the world. We haven't known each other long, but I believe that."
He drew in a deep breath, as if using the last of his strength.
"Carry my share of hope… and move forward. Become a hero."
With that, Luke turned away and walked unsteadily toward the cemetery's exit.
In the distance, a small god stood waiting for him, the last of his family.
Faen watched until Luke's figure disappeared completely from sight.
Then he turned back to the cemetery.
Thousands upon thousands of gravestones stood in silent rows.
Beneath every cold slab of stone lay a once-vivid life—a dreamer who had stepped into the Dungeon.
This was the only proof they had ever existed.
For the first time, Faen truly understood the weight of the word "adventurer."
For years after arriving in this world, aside from Alfia, he had never truly felt connected to it. Everything seemed separated by an invisible film, as though he were merely an observer—a lonely traveler passing through.
That was why his obsession with Alfia had bordered on madness. She had been the only tangible anchor he could grasp in this unreal world.
With Furina, Robin, and Tifa now by his side, he was no longer alone.
Yet the obsession etched into his soul had only deepened.
And now, witnessing the tragedy of an ordinary adventurer with his own eyes—hearing Luke's final entrustment—that invisible film shattered quietly.
A burning sensation flared across his back.
Furina's divine blood resonated within him.
Faen knew it was time to update his status.
...
When he returned home, the warm aroma of food swept away the chill of evening—and the lingering gloom in his heart.
Robin and Tifa had already prepared a lavish dinner.
Tender stewed meat, roasted vegetables dusted with fragrant spices, and a steaming pot of rich soup.
"You're back, Faen."
Tifa untied her apron and smiled. "Come try it."
"Just the smell alone is divine! Tifa, you're incredible!"
Furina had already claimed her seat at the table, eyes sparkling.
She took a bite of stew and exclaimed dramatically:
"What transcendent culinary artistry! Each dish is like a carefully composed symphony, playing in perfect harmony upon the tongue!"
She leapt to her feet, one hand on her hip and the other pointing solemnly at Tifa.
"I hereby declare: from this day forward, Tifa Lockhart shall be the esteemed Head Chef of the Focalors Familia!"
"Eh?"
Tifa flushed slightly at the sudden appointment.
"If everyone likes it, I'd be happy to cook."
"Likes it? I adore it."
Furina beamed in satisfaction.
Robin smiled gently from the side. "It truly is delicious. Thank you, Tifa."
Faen sat down and took a bite. The warm, hearty flavor instantly melted away the fatigue of the day.
Watching this cozy scene, and seeing Tifa smile sincerely because her cooking was appreciated—the last trace of gloom in his heart faded.
If Furina's justice was "continuance," and Faen's justice was "self," and Robin's justice was "the strong aiding the weak," then Tifa's justice must be "family."
She longed for a home, a place where she could express both her strength and her gentleness without reservation.
And Focalors Familia had given her exactly that.
---
After dinner came the long-awaited status updates.
As the newest member, Tifa went first.
Moments later, she emerged holding the parchment that recorded her updated status.
[Name: Tifa Lockhart]
[Level: Lv.1]
Basic Abilities:
[Strength: I0 –> I50 (+50)]
[Endurance: I0 –> I10 (+10)]
[Dexterity: I0 –> I32 (+32)]
[Agility: I0 –> I30 (+30)]
[Magic: I0 –> I28 (+28)]
Next, Furina called Robin inside.
Robin hadn't updated her status in several days, and her growth was equally impressive.
[Name: Robin]
[Level: Lv.1]
Basic Abilities:
[Strength: I11 –> I21 (+10)]
[Endurance: I13 –> I28 (+15)]
[Dexterity: I25 –> H105 (+80)]
[Agility: I39 –> H160 (+121)]
[Magic: H168 –> E480 (+312)]
Finally, it was Faen's turn.
He entered the room, removed his shirt with practiced ease, and lay face-down on the bed.
Furina was already accustomed to the procedure and no longer blushed as she had at first.
She hopped lightly onto the bed, straddled his lower back, and let a drop of divine blood fall as she began updating his status.
"Ah!"
A short gasp escaped her lips the moment the update began.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing her cry, Robin and Tifa immediately pushed open the door and rushed in.
At the sight of Faen's bare upper body, both women flushed instinctively and averted their gazes—yet the defined musculature of his back, etched with strength, made it difficult to truly look away.
"It's magic," Furina said, her voice trembling with astonishment. "Faen, you've awakened a second magic. How is that possible so quickly?"
During her time at home, Furina hadn't been idle. She had studied numerous books about adventurers.
She knew that aside from using extraordinarily rare and expensive grimoires, magic could only be awakened through personal experience and potential—usually upon leveling up.
And yet—
Faen had just awakened his second magic.
=====================
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