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Considering this, the squinting goddess still felt she was overthinking it. How could someone with the power to slay gods appear in Orario? "Hmm, I must have drunk too much," she thought.
"Excuse me, friend..." At that moment, a small, golden-haired boy emerged from the Loki Familia crowd, followed by a dwarf in heavy armor.
"What, you want to continue?" Yuto turned leisurely, narrowing his eyes. He didn't care about the Loki Familia; if they insisted on avenging their comrade, he wouldn't mind turning this place into a graveyard.
"No," the golden-haired boy, Finn Deimne, shook his head. "This was Bete's fault; he deserved the lesson. Since he's paid the price, let's end it here." Though he looked like a young boy, Finn was actually the leader of the Loki Familia, trusted by all members. He was not only brilliant in tactics and command but also one of the strongest in the group, wielding five skills and three magic spells, having reached Level 6. He was also one of the three suspected by Ottar in the original Danmachi story to have touched Level 7.
Behind him stood the dwarf Gareth Landrock. Less flashy than Ais or Finn, Gareth was still a formidable Level 6 warrior. Known as the "Heavy Guard," he excelled in axe mastery, with unmatched strength and endurance even among Level 6 adventurers. Like Finn, he was part of the Familia's leadership, a gentle soul who cared for the younger members.
As Yuto sized them up, Finn and Gareth were also observing this mysterious boy. Truth be told, his unusual attire and striking looks didn't fit the image of a typical adventurer who lived on the edge. Yet, this seemingly refined boy had effortlessly crushed Bete, a Level 5, with a single blow. The palpable killing intent he exuded made even them feel a terrifying pressure. What puzzled them most was that, despite his appearance and strength, Yuto was completely unknown in Orario.
"Are you from outside Orario?" Finn asked.
"You could say that. I just arrived today and already experienced your city's 'warm hospitality,'" Yuto replied sarcastically. Finn smiled wryly, unsure how to respond, while the Amazoness sisters, Tiona and Tione, who never liked Bete, giggled at his expense. Seeing Bete, the foul-mouthed werewolf, get beaten was quite satisfying for them.
"In that case, we'll take our leave," Finn said, deciding to end the encounter. He made a mental note of Yuto's appearance, planning to investigate his identity later. If possible, he wouldn't mind recruiting such a powerful individual into the Familia.
Finn, known for his discernment, didn't want to miss out on this potential gem. As the group departed, Tiona and Tione flashed Yuto quick smiles before darting off. Behind them, the stoic golden-haired girl, Ais Wallenstein, remained silent, her clear eyes flickering with a hint of battle lust as she glanced at Yuto before following her companions. Riveria Ljos Alf, the elven mage, also stole a few glances at him, exchanging a look with the staff-wielding elf girl before leaving.
"Sigh," Gareth, the kind-hearted dwarf, scratched his head, hoisted the unconscious Bete onto his shoulder, and lumbered out last. With the Loki Familia gone, the tavern suddenly felt empty. The interruption had killed Yuto's appetite. As he stood to leave, a large figure blocked his path.
"Hey, kid, you haven't paid for the meal... or the damages. Don't pretend you didn't see," Mia Grand said, her expression stern. Yuto frowned slightly and snapped his fingers. Golden ripples appeared in the air behind him, and with a clattering sound, the floor was suddenly covered in gleaming gold bricks.
"Is this enough? If not, I have more. Gold is something I have plenty of," he said casually. As the inheritor of the King's Treasury, extravagance was second nature to him, whether he liked it or not.
"Um..." Syr Flova, a kind-hearted waitress, whispered, "Sir, Orario only accepts Valis and magic stones."
"Oh?" Yuto hadn't considered that. Thanks to Syr's reminder, he recalled that in the Danmachi world, Valis and magic stones were the currency. "Why don't you borrow from your Familia first? With your strength, you can repay it quickly," Syr suggested helpfully, noticing he carried neither.
"Thank you, miss, but I haven't joined a Familia yet," Yuto replied. His words plunged the already quiet tavern into dead silence. Syr, Anya, Lunoire, and Chloe, the waitresses, all stared at him in disbelief.
"No way, nya?!" Anya Fromel, the brown-haired catgirl, widened her vertical pupils, clutching her broom tightly. She couldn't believe that someone without a Familia could slap a Level 5 adventurer unconscious.
"So, you don't have a god's blessing?" Chloe Rollo, who had been eyeing Yuto's backside, gasped in surprise. Amid the chatter, Syr turned to the most experienced among them, the elf Ryuu Lion, and asked, "Ryuu, do you think he's telling the truth?"
Ryuu's emerald eyes fixed on Yuto as she calmly replied, "Before the gods walked among us, there were humans who could rival monsters. They had no divine blessings yet possessed immense power. Such individuals often had great potential and became legendary heroes."
"So, this young man could become a famous hero one day?" The pretty waitresses exchanged glances, eyeing Yuto like a rare treasure. An unclaimed hero-to-be? He was bound to be popular, so it was best to make a move early and capture his heart.
"Sir, do you have a girlfriend?"
"If not, you do now, hehe."
"My name is... um, tail? You can touch it~~"
"Hey, you're all moving too fast," Syr chuckled helplessly as the girls eagerly approached him. "Don't forget, he still hasn't paid."
…
Eventually, thanks to his Golden Rule ability, ensuring wealth found him, Yuto "found" enough Valis to cover the tavern's costs and still had plenty left for his stay in this world. After paying Mia, he followed Ryuu to his room. The room was small, furnished modestly with an antique feel. Under the warm yellow light, it exuded a cozy atmosphere that instantly relaxed him.
"Miss Ryuu, wait a moment," Yuto called as she turned to leave.
"Is there something else, Mr. Yuto?"
"It's still early. Care to chat?" He sat on a wooden chair, smiling at her. For some reason, his gentle smile made Ryuu's heart skip a beat. Blushing slightly, she blinked her green eyes and sat across from him, her long legs clad in black stockings.
"Could you tell me about Orario and how to become an adventurer?" Yuto asked.
"Sure, I'll explain," Ryuu agreed. Though she appeared cold, she was kind-hearted. She had once been a seasoned adventurer in the Astrea Familia, but after being framed, all her comrades perished except her. To avenge them, she became a wanted criminal by the Guild, forcing her to live incognito. She only trusted Mia and the tavern staff. Recalling her past, Ryuu's mood darkened. For some reason, seeing this young man with the potential of an ancient hero reminded her of her younger self.
'What was he here for? What did he seek?'
"Miss Ryuu... Miss Ryuu?!" A warm breath tickled her ear, and a hand lightly tapped her back. Instinctively, Ryuu drew a small knife from her waist and thrust it behind her.
Slap!
A strong hand caught her arm, holding it firm like stone. The force made her yelp, dropping the knife.
"Just asking a question, no need to stab me," Yuto said.
"S-sorry!" Ryuu snapped back to reality, her face flushing as she apologized profusely.
"It's fine," Yuto said, handing back the knife without prying. His mature composure impressed Ryuu, her eyes gleaming with admiration. Then, she suddenly realized something, staring at his hand.
This boy she just met had touched her, yet she didn't feel repulsed.
"Um... Mr. Yuto, can we shake hands?" she asked hesitantly. Though puzzled, he agreed, taking her warm, slender hand. This time, Ryuu focused intently on their clasped hands
"Indeed, I wasn't mistaken..." she murmured, her gaze toward him growing complex.
Yuto suddenly recalled that in Danmachi, Ryuu had an elven cleanliness obsession and was quite innocent. Elves only allowed trusted individuals to touch their skin, and Ryuu would reflexively shake off first-time handshakes. So far, only two people had managed to hold her hand without being rejected: Alise Lovell, who invited her to the Familia, and Syr, who saved her. Now, Yuto had become the third person in her life to hold her hand without her pulling away.
"I-I should go... T-tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the Adventurer's Guild!" She withdrew her hand like a startled rabbit, nearly bumping into the door as she hurried out.
"..."
Yuto lay on the bed, a faint smile playing on his lips as he felt the lingering warmth of her hand. "A pure-hearted elf girl, huh?"
…..
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Ryuu, who had taken the day off, blushed under the teasing glances of her colleagues as she left with Yuto. Even in the daytime, Orario's streets were bustling with adventurers. Weapon and armor shops had long lines, and potion stores were in high demand. Adventuring was perilous; many met their end in the dungeon. Each evening, Orario witnessed both joy and sorrow: some returned triumphant, others limped back in despair. Yet, the profession never lacked brave newcomers.
Passing through the crowded central square and the Pantheon with its statues of gods and heroes, they arrived at their destination; the Adventurer's Guild.
"I won't go in. I'll wait for you outside, and we'll head back together," Ryuu said, her expression complicated as she pulled her hood tighter and slipped into a corner. Yuto nodded and entered the guild hall alone. The place was packed with adventurers, some cheerful, others grim. It was a microcosm of life.
…..
"Excuse me, is this where I can inquire about joining a Familia? I'd like to find one to join." Hearing his question, Eina Tulle, busy at the service window, looked up. A half-elf with striking pointed ears and emerald eyes, she had a dignified, gentle face. Her slim figure was accentuated by the guild's black uniform, her ample chest straining against the white collar, making one wonder if it could hold.
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