"We're back!"
In the northern district of Orario, a towering structure composed of eight spires stood like a forest of lances. A group of around thirty people, carrying or pushing various supplies, arrived at the main entrance.
"Open the gate!"
"Welcome back!"
The guards at the entrance bowed respectfully to Finn and his group before opening the gate.
"I'm exhausted!"
"I want to eat meat! Lots of meat!"
"I just want to get a good night's sleep..."
The expedition team members, though weary, engaged in lively chatter. Their energetic voices carried into the base, drawing the attention of those on guard duty, who hurried to the windows to look outside.
In no time, the entire Twilight Manor came to life.
"Uwooooh! Everyone, welcome back!"
A crimson-haired deity sprinted out from the central tower, enthusiastically launching herself at the returning expedition team.
"I was so lonely—waaahhh!"
"Huh?!"
As if they had rehearsed it a thousand times, Riveria, Ais, Tiona, and the others effortlessly sidestepped, leaving Lefiya frozen in place, frantically looking around before letting out a startled cry as Loki tackled her.
"Loki, there were no casualties in this expedition, but we also didn't reach a new floor. I'll give you a detailed report later."
"Got it~"
Loki scanned the group, her face lighting up with relief at the safe return of her children.
However, her expression darkened when she noticed several female members surrounding Eiji, bombarding him with questions and attention.
"What are you all talking about? Let me join in too!"
"No."
"It won't be fun if Loki joins."
"Eh..."
The way the members treated Loki so bluntly made it clear that, within the Familia, she wasn't regarded as a deity at all.
The glow of lanterns illuminated the Twilight Manor.
Inside the grand dining hall, Familia members clinked glasses and exchanged stories. The expedition members laughed as they recounted their adventures, while the ones who stayed behind listened enviously.
Eiji's exploits spread once again, prompting countless people to offer him drinks. He responded with a respectful toast, using tea instead of alcohol.
"Anyone who wants to update their status tonight, come to my room. But too many at once is overwhelming, so I'll limit it to ten people tonight!"
"What do we do? Should we go?"
"I'm too tired. I'll wait until tomorrow."
"Yeah, that sounds better~"
After dinner, most of the exhausted team members chose to rest in their rooms.
Eiji took a bath, washing away the dust from his journey, then headed to Loki's room on the top floor of the central tower.
As he arrived, Ais had just stepped out of the room.
She was holding a parchment, likely her updated status sheet, but she didn't seem pleased.
"What's wrong?"
"...My status barely improved."
Ais lowered her head and handed over the parchment.
Eiji took a quick look.
==========
[Ais Wallenstein]
[LV·5]
[Strength: D·549 → D·555]
[Endurance: D·540 → D·547]
[Dexterity: A·823 → A·825]
[Agility: A·821 → A·822]
[Magic: A·899]
[Development Abilities: Hunter (G), Abnormal Resistance (G), Swordsman (I)]
==========
The improvement was, to say the least, pitiful.
All of her stats had only increased by single digits, with the total gain not even reaching 20 points. Her magic stat hadn't moved at all.
This was despite having just completed an expedition, where she had slain countless monsters.
It was likely due to the limits of her current vessel.
Furthermore, at Level 5, hunting weaker monsters yielded almost no experience, and enemies of the same level were rare. As a result, levelling up became increasingly difficult.
Although Eiji seemed to be improving rapidly now, once he reached Ais' level, he would face the same struggle. To reach the next level, he would need an immense amount of time.
"Are you here for an update too?"
"Yeah."
"...Can I see it?"
"Of course."
Eiji stepped into Loki's room.
Ais followed him back inside.
"Oh, I knew you'd come on the first day."
Loki sat on her bed, sucking on her fingers. Seeing Eiji, she smirked knowingly.
"Alright, take off your shirt and let me see how much you improved… uh, Ais-tan, step outside for a moment."
"?"
"Come back in a bit."
"Alright."
Ais tilted her head in confusion but obediently left the room.
Loki sighed in relief.
'Ais-tan, Ais-tan… I was worried you wouldn't be able to handle seeing his naked body!'
Two minutes later.
"…It's done."
Loki's voice came from the room.
Ais immediately re-entered, her anticipation barely contained.
Inside, Eiji was just finishing putting his clothes back on.
"Here."
He handed her a parchment.
Ais took it with slightly trembling hands and looked at the contents.
Her expression froze.
Normally unreadable, her face was now filled with sheer disbelief.
==========
[Eiji Nangou]
[LV·2]
[Strength: I·0 → S·999]
[Endurance: I·0 → S·999]
[Dexterity: I·0 → SSS·1371]
[Agility: I·0 → SSS·1783]
[Magic: I·0 → C·634]
[Skills: Ten Years of Sharpening a Sword, Sword Heart's Valor]
[Magic: None]
[Development Abilities: Hunter (I)]
==========
A total increase of over 5000 points!
Was she seeing things?
Was this world playing a joke on her?
No, of course not.
It was real.
Even Loki looked dazed, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth, completely oblivious to it. She was just as dumbfounded as Ais.
"Amazing," Ais murmured.
Truly amazing.
She had never seen anyone this powerful before.
He had casually mentioned in the afternoon that he would improve by four or five thousand points, and now he actually had.
Especially his dexterity and agility, which had surpassed SSS rank—a level completely unheard of, far beyond Ais' comprehension.
Could ability values exceed 999?
She felt utterly lost, as if the world itself had changed before her eyes.
She even began to doubt herself—was she truly such a failure that she hadn't reached even a single S rank?
"...I'm leaving."
Ais clenched her fists, nearly crumpling the parchment.
Her voice trembled as she bid the two farewell and left the room alone.
Slurp!
The sound of the door shutting snapped Loki back to her senses. She hastily sucked back the drool at her lips.
"Ais-tan's okay, right? I'm so worried!"
Though she had been momentarily overwhelmed, she had still noticed Ais' reaction. It made her deeply concerned.
"Alright, Loki, let's talk about the new discovery from earlier."
Eiji sat down in front of Loki again, this time facing her directly.
A gentle smile appeared on his face, completely different from his usual mischievous grin. It was as if a soft pink glow surrounded him, accompanied by the sparkle effects of a shoujo manga protagonist.
For a moment, Loki felt her rationality evaporate.
Hit by the sheer beauty before her, she briefly lost her sense of reality. Her mind went blank, her body weakened, and an overwhelming desire surged within her—to claim this boy for herself.
"S-Stop it… D-Don't use your charm ability on me…"
Loki's resistance was feeble, her voice soft and powerless.
She looked like she was moments away from losing her self-control.
***
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