Chapter 338 - War Game
"What did you say?!"
A piercing scream echoed through the Guild's reception room, spilling into the main hall.
Passersby paused, casting curious glances toward the source, wondering what sparked such an outburst.
"You're starting a War Game?!" Eina shot up, slamming the table, her eyes wide as she stared at Mahiro, her voice nearly cracking.
"Just planning to challenge the Apollo Familia," Mahiro said, shrugging at the half-elf's stunned reaction.
Her leaning forward, eyes bulging, was exactly what he'd expected.
The Hestia Familia was a fledgling group with only Mahiro as its member.
The Apollo Familia, a second-rate but established force in Orario, boasted hundreds of adventurers, including several high-class ones.
"It's just…" Eina sputtered, exasperated by his nonchalance. "Do you understand what a War Game means?
It's not a game—it's a conflict staking everything on your Familia's existence.
Unless the feud is irreconcilable, no one resorts to this!"
"I know," Mahiro nodded. "I've studied the rules of War Games."
"Then why are you so calm about it?!" Eina said, clutching her head.
She'd been thrilled when Mahiro visited her today, but his bombshell announcement left her reeling.
"Because the conflict's irreconcilable," Mahiro replied coolly.
Eina stared, speechless. Don't throw my words back at me!
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself. "Mahiro, what happened with the Apollo Familia?"
"Heard about yesterday?" Mahiro asked.
"The gods' chase, or you carrying Hestia while being hounded by goddesses across Orario?" Eina said.
"Both," Mahiro confirmed.
"I didn't expect you'd reveal your status," Eina said, sighing. "It caught the Guild off guard. We worked until midnight handling the fallout."
"Thanks for the effort," Mahiro said, smiling. "But the gods at the Denatus pressed too hard. I had to show my status."
"Your status shocked me too," Eina admitted, her smile wry. His exceptional base status and two terrifyingly rare skills nearly made her eyes pop.
"We've warned the gods not to spread it," Eina added kindly.
Mahiro's hand twitched as he sipped water. So you backstabbed me by keeping it quiet? My reputation points!
He'd counted on the Denatus reveal to boost his fame, not the war itself.
"It's already out among the gods, so no need to hide it, right?" Mahiro asked.
"Well…" Eina hesitated. "Your status would crush ordinary adventurers' morale. We had to suppress it."
The Guild often posted adventurers' feats to inspire dungeon exploration, but Mahiro's deeds risked disheartening others.
Reckless imitators chasing his record could die, so the Guild opted for minimal disclosure.
Mahiro nodded, dropping the topic.
"You're in a mess now," Eina said, chuckling. "Those unprecedented status values and skills are catnip for novelty-hungry gods."
She paused, then asked abruptly, "You didn't catch Apollo's eye, did you?"
"Spot on," Mahiro said, shrugging.
"That's bad," Eina said, anxious.
"Apollo's obsessive and vile. Once he fixates on someone, he'll use any means to claim them—man or woman, doesn't matter."
"Exactly," Mahiro said, casting a helpless look. "I only like beauties like you, Eina. No interest in guys like Apollo. Yesterday, I thrashed their captain and some high-class adventurers over it."
Eina's mouth fell open, torn between flattery at his compliment and shock at his actions.
"You know the Apollo Familia's reputation, right?" Mahiro asked.
"Yeah," Eina nodded, her smile strained.
"They'll stop at nothing to snatch someone they want."
"The Guild's had complaints, but they're slick at dodging consequences, so warnings are all we can do."
"So it'll come to a War Game eventually," Mahiro said.
"Might as well start it now and end the trouble."
"Any chance of winning?" Eina asked, her eyes flickering with excitement and nerves.
Mahiro grinned. "I'll win."
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