"What an utterly inscrutable male god!"
Loki grumbled discontentedly as she walked through the crowded streets.
"Are you saying Dionysus is lying?"
Eiji responded to her complaints with this question.
"Don't know."
Loki shook her head bluntly, then sighed in frustration.
"Precisely because I don't know that he's so hard to read!"
Loki was also a god skilled in deception.
Her favorites were, of course, those who wore their hearts on their sleeves—simple-minded folks who were easier to manipulate. Gods like Dionysus, who hid behind smiling masks, were the type she detested the most. There was no telling what was truly going on in his mind.
"Can we trust him?"
Eiji asked. Regardless of whether he was transparent or not, this was the most crucial question.
"Well, he's not an evil god, so... barely, I guess."
But they had to stay vigilant—no getting swindled while counting his money for him.
That was Loki's stance.
Judging by her expression, she really meant "barely."
"In that case, our Familia will head to Lake Lolog next to investigate that second entrance?"
"Exactly."
Shoving her worries aside, Loki nodded decisively.
"Fifteen years ago, the Poseidon Familia used the remains of the sea monster Leviathan—defeated by the Ouranos Familia—to set up a seal at the bottom of Lake Lolog. Ordinary monsters wouldn't dare challenge the lingering might of the Sea Tyrant Leviathan..."
"But who cares about that?!"
Mid-explanation, Loki's expression suddenly turned lecherous.
"When you talk about Lake Lolog, you're talking about beaches! Swimsuits! Bikinis! And it's summer right now! Woo-hoo! I'm taking my harem on a beach vacation!"
Oh?
This sounded like a fantastic opportunity.
Eiji's interest was instantly piqued!
The Loki Familia was mostly made up of beauties and lovely girls. Sure, it was unfortunate that someone as manly as Tiona had slipped in, but there were still plenty of well-endowed ladies among them!
All those girls in swimsuits? That was practically heaven!
And then there was the thought of the usually tightly wrapped elf girls—like Riveria—in swimwear. Such a thrilling sight—was there anyone in Orario who wouldn't want to see that?!
"You're banned from coming!"
Loki grinned at him.
"???"
Eiji slowly typed out a string of question marks in his mind.
"If you tag along, won't my harem vacation just end up benefiting you?"
Not to mention it might devolve into an orgy!
Just imagining Eiji in swimwear made Loki nearly lose control of her own desires. She had zero faith that the smitten girls in her Familia could resist him. They'd probably turn into shameless predators on the spot!
"That's discrimination! This isn't fair!"
"I'm leaving all the male members behind—doesn't that make it fair?"
Loki wore a smug look, as if to say, "Aren't I clever?"
Damn it.
That actually was fair.
Eiji had no retort.
The next morning.
Loki gathered all thirty female members of the Familia and marched out of Orario in a grand procession. She even carried an enormous bag herself, stuffed to the brim with swimsuits she had personally handpicked.
Eiji watched the departing army of women with a look of utter despair.
Then he turned to glance at the assortment of orcs and dwarves left behind in the familia.
"Fine, I'll just head to the Dungeon then!"
...
Under a moonlit, star-sparse night.
Eiji emerged from the Dungeon and entered the brightly lit South Main Street.
This place will do.
Unable to ignore his growling stomach, Eiji stepped into a tavern adorned with a flaming bee emblem.
This was the time when many adventurers returned from the Dungeon. In this world with little entertainment, most adventurers chose to eat, drink, gamble, or indulge in other pleasures to wash away their fatigue and celebrate their survival.
The Blazing Bee Tavern, located on the busiest stretch of South Main Street, was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with adventurers. Eiji barely managed to find an empty seat.
"Not even taking off your hood to eat?"
"Another one who can't show his face, huh."
Two murmurs came from nearby.
Eiji turned his head and saw four people feasting heartily at the adjacent table. Dressed in familia uniforms, the group consisted of humans, an orc, and a prum.
The prum who'd been whispering didn't seem bothered by Eiji's glance, continuing to chat and laugh with his companions.
When his food arrived, Eiji lowered his head and began eating.
He was used to being talked about every day.
"Congratulations, Lord Bell! Reaching Level 2 so quickly—Lily never dared dream of such a thing!"
"That's right, Bell! Though it's a shame you missed the God's Banquet and didn't get a title, we must celebrate properly today!"
"Eh? There's no need to make such a fuss... I'm still far from strong enough..."
Another table seemed to be hosting a victory celebration, the atmosphere lively and boisterous.
"Hahaha, you're too modest, Bell!"
A man with sharp red hair laughed heartily as he clapped the white-haired boy on the shoulder.
"You reached Level 2 in just over a month—you've surpassed countless people! Second only to that monster who hit Level 5 in three months! You should hold your head high and be more confident!"
"I really think it's nothing special... I'm still nowhere near that Handsome Aurora gentleman..."
"No, Lily thinks Lord Bell shouldn't compare himself to such monsters! Even the gods gave him unprecedented praise—he's simply not human!"
Eiji's heart twinged with pain.
Over time, the title "Handsome Aurora" had gained widespread recognition throughout Orario.
Just like the "Fallen Angel" title before it, this one struck right at Eiji's sore spot!
How could the god who bestowed this title have pinpointed his weakness so accurately?
"No, I haven't worked hard enough yet."
The white-haired boy, who looked about fourteen or fifteen, had eyes burning with determination.
"That person is around my age but has already reached such heights. At the very least, I need to catch up to his shadow!"
The boy named Bell harbored a small competitive spirit.
Not for fame or profit—but because of a girl.
Though embarrassed to admit it, he'd fallen in love at first sight with the Sword Princess of Loki Familia.
But the Sword Princess and Aurora shared a deep connection. Standing together, they were not only perfectly matched in status, but also equally outstanding in appearance and formidable in strength. Even his own patron deity had declared them a match made in heaven, urging him to abandon his unrealistic fantasies.
Yet stubbornly, he refused to give up. He continued to train relentlessly, envisioning that youth—the one even the gods had praised to the highest degree—as his rival.
"Pfft—HAHAHA! What did I just hear? This brat actually said he wants to catch up to Aurora's heels?"
Suddenly, raucous laughter erupted from a nearby table.