"Defeating opponents stronger than oneself..."
Ais stared at Eiji, her eyes flickering.
So, this was how he had always done it?
Because he endured hardships beyond what ordinary people could bear, he could defeat opponents far stronger than himself?
But she was Level 5, and at the limit of Level 5 at that. Finding an opponent far stronger than herself, let alone defeating them, was almost as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
"I understand."
Even so, Ais engraved these words in her heart.
"..."
Eiji looked at Ais like this and couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart.
Ais, like him, was pursuing strength.
However, there was a fatal difference between the two.
Eiji simply enjoyed the feeling of growing stronger. Every bit of progress was sweet to him. But Ais was different—her state was more like being chased by a whip.
She had to grow stronger.
That was probably Ais's true mindset.
It wasn't so much admiration as it was obsession. There was a driving force in her heart pushing her to become stronger.
This in itself wasn't a bad thing, but if the motivation was too strong, it could sometimes become a burden.
If Ais went too long without making progress, her heart could easily breed all kinds of negative emotions, leading to major problems.
A heart too rigid could easily break itself.
For a warrior, if the heart faltered, it could lead to a lifetime of stagnation.
"I'll have to keep an eye on her."
This thought surfaced in Eiji's mind.
But.
What did it have to do with him, a mere passerby?
At least until he confirmed he could freely travel to and from this world, there was an insurmountable barrier between Eiji and the people of this world.
***
"Everyone, listen up!"
In the morning, Loki clanged a bowl to get everyone's attention.
"Eiji leveled up to Level 3 last night! Congratulations!"
Loki hadn't become obedient to Eiji after being charmed once or twice. After all, she was still a trickster god, familiar with Freya's methods and somewhat resistant to such things. Moreover, Eiji hadn't used his full charm on her.
But today, she didn't dare look at him even once.
Even if their eyes accidentally met, she hurriedly looked away.
"Level 3?!"
"Seriously?"
"That's amazing!"
"Less than forty days, right?"
The entire dining hall erupted, waves of astonishment crashing against Eiji's eardrums.
To be precise, it was 39 days.
"You're incredible, Eiji! At this rate, it won't take long for you to reach Level 5!"
Tiona shook Eiji's arm excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
Riveria and the others also cast looks of surprise and admiration his way.
After a brief silence, Ais quietly offered her congratulations, but she couldn't help feeling an increasing sense of urgency.
"He's already Level 3?"
Lefiya froze for a moment, then lowered her head, lost in thought.
For a while, laughter and chatter filled the air.
Many were also spurred by his rapid leveling, silently resolving to train harder.
***
After breakfast, Finn began assigning tasks.
The massive haul from the expedition—magic stones, drop items, and the like—needed to be exchanged for valis. There was also the Cadmus Springwater commissioned by the Dian Cecht Familia, which had to be delivered while negotiating the highest possible prices for all the loot.
More importantly, due to the weapon-destroying caterpillar monsters encountered during the expedition, nearly all of the Loki Familia's first-class equipment had been annihilated, save for Ais's indestructible sword and Riveria's staff.
They needed to forge new gear, which would cost a staggering amount—at least several billion Valis.
Fortunately, the windfall from the Ishtar Familia a while back would cover the immediate expenses.
The first day back from the expedition kept everyone busy.
"Where's that bastard?!"
Right after breakfast, Bete roared through the stronghold, radiating murderous intent.
The expedition was over, and he was ready to settle the score with Eiji over that "impotence" slander!
But after searching the entire Familia, he couldn't find Eiji. Everyone he asked claimed not to know his whereabouts.
Of course, Bete couldn't find him.
Right after breakfast, Eiji had left the Familia without waiting for Finn to assign him a task.
Where did he go?
Tower of Babel.
They'd all survived the expedition—wasn't it time to treat himself?
"Heh."
At the very top of the Tower of Babel.
The goddess, who had been eagerly awaiting the Loki Familia's return, let out a delighted laugh as she sensed the familiar glow of a soul approaching.
She descended to the first-floor lobby, where she met Eiji face-to-face.
"It seems you've made up your mind?"
Freya, cloaked and faceless, still drew countless gazes with the glimpse of her flawless skin beneath the hood, leaving the lobby in stunned silence.
Her voice carried the smug satisfaction of impending victory.
In her mind, Eiji's visit meant he was ready to accept her terms—cross-dressing and working at the Hostess of Fertility.
"Hmph."
But all she got from beneath Eiji's hood was a soft snort.
Freya's heart twitched with irritation.
"Freya, the reason you want me to work there is to temper my personality—or rather, my demeanor, right?"
Eiji, also cloaked, remained just as enigmatic.
Yet, like Freya, even the slightest glimpse of his true appearance was enough to halt passersby in their tracks, entranced regardless of gender.
The two were like black holes, swallowing all light and attention around them without resistance.
"What's going on?"
Freya was shocked.
As Eiji had guessed, the "job" was merely training—to refine his service attitude and align his behavior with his overwhelming charm, unlocking its full potential.
Thanks to her ability to see souls, Freya had long since discerned Eiji's flaws.
"Freya..."
Eiji leisurely stepped closer, then wrapped an arm around the goddess's slender, supple waist.
Such a perfect fit!
"How about we spar again?"
His tone was tantalizing.
"I..."
Freya instinctively wanted to refuse.
What nonsense.
You've already rejected joining my Familia, yet you still want to touch me?
What kind of goddess do you take me for?
A prostitute?
Or worse—a prostitute who gives it away for free?
Do I look like I have no dignity?
She had resolved not to let him lay a finger on her until he agreed to join her Familia.
That was what Freya had intended to say.
But gazing into the starry depths of the beautiful boy's eyes, she found herself unable to voice her refusal.
"Fine."
After a brief hesitation, Freya tossed her principles aside.
Principles?
Next time.
Eiji smirked.
Charm was truly overpowered.
Someone like Freya, a master of charm herself, should have some resistance to it. Otherwise, she'd be as helpless as Loki by now.
Yet even so, under its influence, she chose to discard reason and indulge in the moment.
It was like an addict—swearing to quit, yet unable to resist the craving.
Arm in arm, the two left the Tower of Babel and slipped into a nearby inn.
***
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