2/5
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"Seriously?" Syr narrowed her crescent eyes, lips curling into a teasing smile.
Raven scratched his head, gaze drifting. "I honestly don't even know who they were."
"They attacked me first, but I countered and wiped them out easily."
"There were maybe twenty or thirty of them."
"Raven-san, you really like to joke," Ryuu said with a straight face.
Syr tilted her head curiously. "Did you run into bad people during your Dungeon exploration?"
Raven took a bite of his fried egg pouch, swallowed, and answered casually, "Yeah."
In Orario, attacking others unprovoked was a serious offense.
Those who caused incidents like that would likely be placed on the Guild's danger list.
Once you were blacklisted, living in the city became incredibly difficult.
If you lost your adventurer status—
The Guild would no longer buy magic stones or drop items from you.
In more severe cases, your god might even disown you — exile from the Familia.
And if the crime was serious enough, you'd face prison time or corporal punishment.
That said, most adventurers ignored the law.
For the strong, such rules were little more than suggestions.
Just like—
The woman sitting across from Raven: the Gale Wind, Ryuu Lion.
Before she committed her acts of vengeance, she had Astraea leave Orario to avoid dragging the justice goddess into it.
Only after that did she begin assassinating those responsible for her Familia's destruction — avenging Alise and the others.
But in the Dungeon, it was different.
If there were no witnesses, you could always claim self-defense… or say monsters did it.
…
"I ran into them on the 18th floor."
"Lucky I'm strong enough. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here tonight."
He said it so lightly.
Raven raised his glass and downed a big gulp of fruit wine.
Syr, sitting beside him, refilled his glass with cheerful attentiveness.
Ryuu's expression gradually grew strange.
His story was becoming more and more ridiculous.
"Raven-san, did you say you reached the 18th floor alone?" Ryuu asked suspiciously.
"Yep." Raven nodded with a calm smile. "If I wanted to, I could go even deeper."
Ryuu said nothing, her eyes still filled with doubt as she silently observed him.
Meanwhile, Syr's eyes sparkled with admiration, practically glowing like a little fangirl.
"Alright, cheers!" Raven called, lifting his glass. "Syr, let's finish this one in a single go!"
"Sure thing!" Syr responded with a smile, raising her glass.
Clink~
Their mugs clashed, and the two of them chugged the drink in one breath.
Ryuu, however, only took a small sip before setting her glass back down.
Her piercing eyes remained focused on Raven.
"Raven-san, don't you have any companions or friends?"
Companions?
If he was being honest, not really.
Raven shook his head. "Nope. Syr's my friend, though."
"Is your Familia not on good terms with you?" Ryuu probed further.
Raven shrugged and sighed. "There's no one else in my Familia — it's just me."
Both Ryuu and Syr looked visibly surprised.
Could it be… a newly formed Familia?
Familias in Orario were ranked just like adventurers' stats — from S to I.
The Guild evaluated each Familia based on size, activity, and accomplishments — a kind of overall power metric.
The higher the rank, the more recognized and trusted they were.
That included respect… and fear.
Even commercial Familias could gain recognition if they produced results.
The higher the rank, the more trust from citizens and customers.
Orario's strongest, like the Freya Familia and Loki Familia, were both ranked S.
Of course, every Familia was subject to taxation by the Guild.
The higher the rank—
The heavier the taxes.
New and underfunded Familias, like the Hestia Familia…
Naturally started at the lowest rank: I.
Even Miach Familia and Takemikazuchi Familia were only at rank H.
But…
Raven wasn't like Bell from the original story.
Once he developed enough, he planned to grow his Familia into something grand.
His goal wasn't too ambitious—
Just to become the strongest Familia in history.
Their rank? Triple S.
SSS.
…
"Raven-san, do you have any future plans?" Ryuu asked, switching topics.
"I'm curious about what you're aiming for."
"Hmm…" Raven thought aloud. "I'm planning to buy some combat gear tomorrow."
"Are you going shopping alone?" Syr's eyes lit up.
That hopeful gaze clearly said, Take me with you~
"Yeah," Raven nodded.
"Then… can I come with you?" Syr leaned in close and asked sweetly.
However—
Before Raven could answer—
Bonk!
A tray smacked the back of Syr's head with a sharp clang.
A tall shadow had appeared behind her without anyone noticing.
It was Mama Mia.
Raven winced as he saw Syr rubbing the spot she got hit.
What… just happened?
"You cheeky girl! Don't push your luck!"
"Do you think I can keep the bar running if I let you take random days off?"
Syr looked up pitifully, eyes full of complaint.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Ryuu, make sure to keep an eye on her tomorrow."
With a huff, Mama Mia returned to the counter.
"Uuugh…"
"Raven-san, will you pat my head to comfort me…?"
Syr turned around with tearful puppy eyes.
"There, there. Come here," Raven said, reaching out and gently patting her head.
Syr smiled playfully, clearly enjoying the affection.
After a while, Raven noticed it was getting late.
"Alright, I should get going."
"I'll come hang out again sometime."
He paid the bill — 20,000 valis.
Pricey, sure.
But he drank well and had a good time.
…
Hestia Familia, Underground Church.
By the time Raven returned home, it was exactly 10 p.m.
As he opened the door, Hestia greeted him with a joyful leap.
Raven caught her in both arms.
"Raven-kun, welcome home~!"
"You're back late— Wait, what's that smell? Is that alcohol?!"
"You've been drinking?!"
Raven smiled wryly. "Just a little. Don't worry, I don't get drunk."
"Goddess-sama, help me update my status, will you?"
Raven Eltharion
Level: 2
Strength: I40 → D589
Endurance: I33 → D527
Dexterity: I29 → D500
Agility: I38 → D526
Magic: H198 → B752
Development Ability
Magic Drain: I
Magic
Divine Feather Annihilation
Reincarnation Summon
Illusory Feather
Skills
Demonic Tempest
Tyrant's Pressure
Holy Demon Sanctuary
Outer Path Golem
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