Chapter 40: Taking You Home
The interlude with Eina greatly relaxed Liam's mood. No one could refuse the occasionally playful half-elf young lady.
After finishing the Dungeon-related consultation, accompanied by Eina, he exchanged all of today's Dungeon adventure earnings for Valis.
It was just that when leaving the Guild hall, Liam looked at the money pouch in his hand, bulging with Valis, and his mind went blank for a short moment.
He hadn't expected these dropped items and magic stones to exchange for a total of 170,000 Valis!
"Rare species are actually worth this much?"
Magic stones and ordinary dropped items were worth 40,000 Valis; the rest was all assets obtained from selling 13 pairs of rare Blue Butterfly wings.
This was almost catching up to his total income from the past few days of exploration!
The financial deficit, namely the debt owed for that short sword, could be repaid with today's earnings.
The current short-term goal was smoothly achieved.
It was this strong sense of monetary gain that finally made Liam understand why so many adventurers flocked to it.
"Of course."
Escorting him to the entrance of the Adventurer's Guild, Eina reverted to her usual mature demeanor and explained with a smile, "After all, they are rare species monsters."
"If adventurers could encounter them so easily, what would be the difference between them and ordinary monsters?"
He couldn't find any point to refute.
And Eina's words also brought Liam back to reality. His mood gradually calmed. It was precisely because of their elusive nature.
That the value of their drops was inflated.
He turned his head and looked at the half-elf young lady who had been patient and enthusiastic towards him from beginning to end. He inexplicably remembered their last meal together.
In the end, it was Eina who paid the bill.
With his financial situation now permitting, Liam smiled and extended an invitation, "Miss Eina, I plan to take a day off the day after tomorrow."
"I'd like to treat you to a meal. Could you give me a chance to pay the bill?"
"The day after tomorrow..."
Eina thought carefully. Guild employees' holidays were arranged on a fixed schedule. To be precise, she didn't have time.
It was just that when she saw Liam's earnest expression.
Not wanting to disappoint his expectations, she tilted her head slightly, her smile bright, "Since it's Liam-kun's invitation, if I refuse..."
"It seems a bit inappropriate?"
"Then see you the day after tomorrow!" Liam replied decisively.
"Looking forward to it."
Watching Liam's departing figure, Eina's smile gradually faded. The reason, of course, wasn't because of the young man who had invited her.
She was considering how to adjust her vacation to the day after tomorrow!
Misha, who had been eavesdropping from not far behind, timely walked towards her friend, especially after knowing they were planning a date.
Even her smile was full of gossip.
"Eina."
"Misha." Turning around and seeing her friend walking towards her, Eina's expression clearly froze.
"Are you planning to start dating?"
Misha couldn't help but tease. She mainly couldn't understand what merits "Liam Moon," this new adventurer, possessed.
To actually make Eina rarely agree to a date request.
"I remember your vacation should be a few days later, right? For a first date, you should definitely find a time when both of you are free!"
"It's not what you think..."
Eina wanted to explain, but seeing Misha's teasing smile, she suddenly realized all explanations would be pale.
Instead, seeing her friend's familiar face, she recalled the vacation schedule registration list.
She didn't deny it, continuing along the same line of thought, "Since Misha, you really think I'm dating Liam-kun."
"Your vacation is the day after tomorrow. Swapping shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"Eina, you really only think about yourself, huh? To ensure your own date goes smoothly, you even want to occupy my vacation!"
Misha's expression froze completely. She had never thought she would be an indispensable part of Liam and Eina's date.
But since Eina had requested to exchange vacation days.
She naturally wouldn't refuse. It was just that her tone was full of resentment when she replied, "Swap!!"
Leaving the Adventurer's Guild, it was only approaching dusk. Placing the money pouch full of Valis inside his grayish-brown cloak, Liam's next goal was very clear.
Head to the "Hephaestus Weapon Shop Branch," repay the final debt Hestia owed, and end her part-time work life.
As for the remaining 100,000 Valis.
Factoring in tomorrow's Dungeon exploration earnings in advance, he would buy another broadsword to use with "Secret Sword Art."
At the very least, his progression efficiency wouldn't decrease.
Along Northwest Main Street, Hephaestus's weapon shop branch appeared ahead. It was still early at this time; there were only a few scattered adventurers on the street.
After pushing open the glass door of the weapon shop, what entered Liam's eyes was a figure wearing a shop assistant's uniform, her hair tied into twin tails.
Without her "holy relic" blue chest-lifting ribbon, the form-fitting uniform still perfectly outlined her figure.
"Hestia."
The shop was currently very quiet. Sitting on a chair beside the counter, Hestia seemed somewhat dazed when she noticed Liam's arrival.
Every day at work, besides working hard to repay the debt.
Most of her thoughts were on Liam. Was his Dungeon exploration going smoothly? When would he come back tonight?
"Is it my imagination?"
Hestia rubbed her eyes in disbelief. After confirming it wasn't a hallucination caused by excessive longing, she didn't even bother to put on her slippers.
She jumped directly from the chair.
"Liam-kun!"
Her fair, bare feet padded across the porcelain floor of the weapon shop branch. After a short run-up, she leaped and tightly hugged Liam's neck with both arms.
Feeling the increasingly defined muscle lines, and that unique scent belonging to him.
This unrealistic feeling gradually disappeared. Completely unaware that her current posture resembled a sloth, Hestia lifted her eyes.
She carefully sized up Liam's face.
Yet, there was no surprise of meeting him; instead, her expression was grave, "Was your Dungeon exploration smooth? Why are you back so early today?"
"Just finished exploring early."
The words came out a bit awkwardly, but he could feel Hestia's concern for him. Liam didn't explain the reason for coming here.
His gaze briefly swept around.
Finally looking at the goddess hugging his neck, he said in a cheerful tone, "Lady Hestia, I came to ask you something."
"Where is Lady Hephaestus?"
"Her?"
Realizing their intimate posture, Hestia released her arms from around Liam's neck, but her arms, now crossed over her chest, showed a rare hint of emotion.
After meeting her own goddess, his first thought was of another woman?
Even so, she still patiently explained, "She should be at the main shop. Liam-kun, do you have business with her?"
"Mm."
Liam nodded lightly.
But Hestia's furrowed brow showed no sign of relaxing. She was also analyzing Liam's earlier words, knowing his personality well.
Finishing his Dungeon exploration so quickly today – could it be a problem with his weapon?
Even Hephaestus herself had said it.
"If the weapon is damaged, you can find her Familia members for repairs."
But buying it on credit, she already didn't know how to thank her, let alone the fact that the weapon wasn't particularly valuable; damage was perfectly reasonable.
Hestia's gaze once again fell on Liam.
A faint blush appeared on the young woman's fair, delicate skin, as smooth as a baby's. As she considered how to explain it to him.
"It's nothing else, just looking for Lady Hephaestus."
Not giving her a chance to explain, Liam placed the money pouch on the table, his smile earnest, "To repay the debt in advance, and then..."
"Take Lady Hestia home."
"!!!"
(End of this chapter)