What exactly was the background of this new god?
To think that the patron god of the Ganesha Familia would personally propose such an astronomical compensation plan.
And to start with such a grand gesture?
One must realize that the total annual income of many small Familias might not even reach a fraction of that amount!
Before Chloe and Lunoire could recover,
Ganesha's voice continued.
"Not only that."
"Secondly, the private vault of the Ganesha Familia is open to you."
"Choose any ten items."
"Whether it's the cores of monsters from the Deep Floors, rare ores that are priceless on the market, or even unique artifacts excavated from ancient ruins—as long as you speak of it, I shall not be stingy. Take them as you please."
Every time Ganesha spoke, it was like adding another heavy weight to the scales.
This was truly a massive investment.
After all, for a startup Familia, Valis could always be earned, but such rare materials were strategic resources that were hard to come by.
They meant powerful equipment, life-saving trump cards, and opportunities to overtake others on the curves.
However.
Ganesha observed Heimdall's reaction again.
Seeing that Heimdall still appeared unmoved,
Ganesha's tone became somewhat meaningful as he threw out what he considered to be his final bargaining chip.
"Furthermore..."
"Considering that the Haimo Familia was only recently established."
"Though you have potential, the Dungeon is no joke. The dangers of the middle floors are far beyond what the Upper Floors can compare to."
"The Ganesha Familia is willing to transfer a veteran Lv. 4 Adventurer to undergo Conversion to your name!"
"While they might not be the top-tier genius type or possess startling special skills,"
"they are a seasoned Adventurer with rich experience and a steady personality!"
"They can help the Haimo Familia cross the growth gap and serve as a team leader to ensure the safety of those children!"
A Lv. 4 Adventurer?
This time, even Ryu stopped what she was doing and looked over in disbelief.
After all,
in Orario, a Lv. 4 Adventurer was already considered a pillar of strength.
In many small and medium-sized Familias, even the captain might not be Lv. 4.
To directly give away a Lv. 4.
This was essentially handing over a ready-made core combatant!
And now.
Whether it was the three hundred million Valis in startup funds,
the ten treasures from the private vault,
or the direct gift of a veteran Lv. 4 Adventurer.
Any one of these three conditions would be enough to drive countless gods mad.
They were all so heavy that they should have been impossible to refuse.
...
But.
The money and materials, Heimdall could accept; no one complains about having too much money.
But as for stuffing people into his ranks, he'd pass.
"I can accept the first two items."
"But as for the last one—even if my children look green and in need of tempering right now,"
"in my eyes, they have always possessed the ability to grow vigorously without needing to rely on others."
"They are simply unpolished jade."
"Therefore, I don't need your old subordinates, nor do I need outsiders."
Heimdall set down his cup with a light clink, making his stance clear.
"And to be honest."
"Gods all have their own fastidious streaks."
Heimdall looked toward the little heads peeking out from the second floor.
"My obsession is being keen on watching the children I've chosen and loved grow bit by bit, climbing all the way from Lv. 1 to the summit."
"As for comfort, that is a fast lane to death."
"Only the wild grass that can take root on its own in a storm, and the eagle that can learn to fly on its own at the edge of a cliff, truly survive."
...
Protection often comes at the cost of stifling possibility.
If one were to lengthen their perspective and project it onto the history of human civilization's evolution, they would discover a pattern that is terrifying upon closer reflection.
No matter which brilliant civilization it was,
its most glorious and explosive period
was often the stage where its living environment was harshest and its crises deepest.
Humanity back then walked on thin ice.
Every decision concerned the survival of the species.
It was precisely this Sword of Damocles hanging overhead at all times
that forced humanity to constantly break through limits, ignite the first fires, polish stone tools, and establish city-states.
—Life is bred in sorrow and adversity, while death comes from ease and pleasure.
The principle remains universal.
In this world, it is even more realistic.
An Adventurer's level must be achieved through great feats that even the gods would praise.
—This is the only channel to the next stage.
But what is a great feat?
A miracle of the weak defeating the strong, the resolve to find life in a death trap, the feat of carving a bloody path alone through the abyss of despair.
In other words.
An increase in level is not just an increase in physical strength, but the growth of one's body, mind, and capacity.
It is a process of repeated forging on the anvil of life and death until one can contain a higher level of divine power.
Once there is reliance, once there is a way out.
For the sake of survival, one learns to seek advantages and avoid harm, learns to circle within the safe zone, and is firmly locked in a comfort zone like a frog being boiled in lukewarm water.
The spark struck on the edge of life and death will then be extinguished.
The vessel of the soul changes accordingly.
This leads many Adventurers to be completely fixed in the rank of lower-class Adventurers over the long years.
Precisely because of this.
If the Falna is the spark.
Then the Adventurer's own will is the firewood.
Only those who dare to place themselves above the furnace of life and death, scorched by intense fire, can possibly burn through that barrier and see the scenery of the next level.
Therefore, before he brought Rin, Kikakujuo Mary, and the others to this world, he asked that question—the resolve to completely cut off the past and stake one's entire life on the gambling table.
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