[Quinn Pov]
Near a two-story stone building along the canal in southern Orario, I stood quietly in the shadows with Lili. The faint smell of damp stone and wine drifted through the air as we stared at the brewery across the narrow street. A few adventurers lounged near the entrance, pretending to be relaxed, but I could tell from the way their hands hovered near their weapons that they weren't letting their guard down.
"So this is one of Soma familia's breweries… and where the Soma Familia captain and God Soma usually stay, huh?" I muttered under my breath. My eyes traced the structure from bottom to top, memorizing the thick stone walls, the door positions, the windows, and the blind spots. Yeah… this place is sturdier than it looks.
I turned to the pallum beside me. "Lili, tell me everything you know about this place. The layout, how many adventurers are usually inside, where Zanis Lustra's room is, where your god stays."
Her shoulders stiffened instantly. She clenched her tiny fists and shook her head hard. "No. I won't tell you anything." Her voice trembled despite her stubborn tone. "I still don't think you're strong enough. I don't want anything bad to happen to you!"
I let out a slow breath and glanced back at the brewery.
'I can't just show her my status sheet… that has my skills and level. It'll only make things more complicated.'
'Yup. The only way left is to prove it the hard way.'
"Lili," I said gently, crouching so we were closer to eye level, "if you still don't believe me, how about we go deeper into the dungeon tomorrow? I'll take on some stronger monsters. Would that be enough?"
I gave her a faint grin. "We'll go deeper than today this time. What do you think, supporter-who-doesn't-believe-me-san?"
She puffed her cheeks and looked away, clearly annoyed. After a few seconds, she sighed as if she had given up and nodded. "…Let's do that."
"Great. Then it's decided." My eyes sharpened again. "So now, can you tell me the layout and details of the brewery? And who's usually stationed here?"
She hesitated, then sighed in defeat. "Fine. Our Soma Familia is a business-type Familia. We're famous for our wine. It's sold all over the world, and the profits are… enormous, even astronomical"
Her tone grew heavier. "There are three Level 2s. One is the captain, Zanis Lustra. Another is a dwarf named Chandra Ihit. The last one is stationed outside Orario to help sell the wine. I don't know his name."
"There are three breweries in Orario. This one is the main one. This is where the 'real' Soma wine is brewed… by the god himself."
"Real Soma wine?" I frowned. "Then the one sold outside… is it diluted? Or fake?"
"No. It's the failed product," she said with a small grimace. "But people still buy it. The real Soma wine is only for Familia members. Even then, they have to pay to drink it. And once they do, they can't stop craving it. They'll do anything to get another sip."
She pointed subtly at the building. "Since the real Soma wine is made here, the captain and God Soma spend most of their time in this brewery."
"As for the layout… there are three floors. The ground floor has a big reception hall and grand stairs leading up. The captain's room is on the first floor. There, those windows."
I followed her finger to a pair of large, tightly shut windows on the upper level. No light leaked out.
We went over a few more details, the number of adventurers inside the building, and the general routines of the Familia.
"Thank you, Lili." I straightened. "Let's go into the dungeon early morning. Is that okay?"
"Sure, Quinn-san. Your supporter will be ready tomorrow."
"Then lets meet at the same bench as we met today. See you." I waved goodbye to her.
"See you tomorrow." She gave me one last look, then slipped into a nearby alley and vanished between the buildings.
Not knowing the way back to my inn, I headed toward the Tower of Babel as a landmark and wandered through the shops until I found my route. By the time I reached the inn, it was already evening. Karen-san stood behind the counter, wiping a mug.
I ate dinner quietly, then went up to my room.
Sitting on the chair, I replayed the day's events in my head.
'I hired Lili and went into the dungeon. The monsters on the first floors were weak enough that my spirit gun alone could handle several at once.'
'Then, by pure luck, I managed to make help her from that situation which made her open up to me.'
'And finally… my decision to go against the Soma Familia.'
Lili's situation is a part of it, sure. But the real reason is simpler.
'I've already acted against three of their members to rescue Lili. From what the prum said, if the captain of their familia is indeed as she described, he might come after me anytime. Instead of waiting and tensing my nerves, I'd rather strike first.'
'And Soma Familia only has two Level 2s currently and a bunch of Level 1 adventurers. That's something I can handle.'
'And the prum also confirmed that gods here don't have powers. They live as mortals. That completely swept away my last worries.'
'If gods still had their powers, wouldn't that be like fighting a final boss with rookie gear? No thanks.'
"This would be a good chance to test myself against adventurers here," I muttered. "And maybe gain some fame in the right places if I play it right."
Next, I took out the magic stones I'd kept separate from the dungeon's trip and spread them on the bed. One by one, I absorbed the mana inside them while practicing my magic art.
After about thirty magic stones, a heavy, full sensation flooded my body.
"…So this is my limit for today." I exhaled slowly. "It really is a miracle. I only need mana from magic stones to grow."
I stretched, then took out a plain black mask with no holes and a set of black clothes that hid my shape completely.
Opening the window, I climbed up to the roof.
"Sorry Lili, I know I said that I'll let you know, but time never waits for anyone." I muttered, but soon my thoughts drifted.
My first assassination in this world, huh…
"May the legend of the Nightshade prosper forever."
["Darkness: Advanced – Silent Veil."]
I placed the mask over my head and activated my magic. My body melted into the darkness of the night.
------------------------------
Darkness: Advanced - Silent Veil – An advanced magic which spreads a viscous layer of mana over the user's body, making them invisible to living beings during the night and reducing all sound produced by the user while under the magic.
-------------------------------
Hi Everyone! LordIsland here!
10 chaps in, how are you feeling about this story? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or the reviews.
Also let me know what do you guys feel about the pacing of the story.