By the time we returned to the guild from the dungeon, the sun was already beginning to set. After receiving treatment there, the three of us gathered in the lobby.
"Lili, thanks for today."
"Yes, thank you as well."
"So, about the contract, what do you want to do?"
Honestly, I wasn't fully trusting her. Judging by her skills in thievery, she probably only started about half a year ago. If it was just that, I could keep an eye on her and it wouldn't be a problem. But having a thief in the party just didn't feel right.
"Well, it's hard to judge based on just today, so let's make it a one-week contract."
"I see. That helps."
We shook hands. But Lili, if you keep giving me that look, you're basically telling me you're up to something. If you want to mark your target, you have to learn to smile while doing it, that's what being a professional is all about.
"Well then, for now, here."
From her blind spot, she pulled out a pouch filled with coins. The jingle of a large number of coins echoed.
"Huh?"
"What's with the surprised look?"
"Uh... well... isn't this a bit much?"
"Is it?"
Still a little confused, Lili accepted the pouch. Then, seeing inside, she was visibly shocked.
"Um, I'm pretty sure there's more than 10,000 Varis in here!"
"Was it not enough? I calculated 14,000 Varis, assuming 2,000 Varis per day."
That was the amount we discussed earlier, but I ultimately decided it based on my own judgment and how well she performed today.
"This is way too much! It's arrogant for supporters like us to try to be on the same level as adventurers like you and Bell! If you do something like this..."
"I don't care."
I cut off her protests with a low, threatening voice.
"Listen, I don't know what you've been through, Lili. But putting that aside, I'm evaluating you based on what I've seen today, and that's the amount I'm offering. I might raise it in the future, but I won't lower it."
"T-That's a problem!"
"You mean you can't handle going into the dungeon with other adventurers? Of course not. I have no intention of letting you slip away."
"Huh?"
"Supporters willing to stick with two rookies like us are rare, and even more so for someone as skilled as you. Honestly, I don't want to hand you over to other adventurers. So I'm not letting you go."
Whether as a skilled supporter or a thief.
Bam!
"Ow!"
Suddenly, I was hit on the back of the head. I looked back and saw Bell's fist had connected.
"That's enough. You sound like you're threatening her."
"I'm not like I'm threatening her. I am threatening her."
"That makes it even worse! Lili's a girl, so you should be nicer!"
"No, this is business..."
"Ugh, just shut up, Toki!"
Bell's fierce spirit overwhelmed me. She gets strangely stubborn at times like this.
"Um, well..."
"Sorry, Lili."
"No, it's fine. So, about this money..."
"Yeah, I agree with the amount. I'm supposed to pay for it too, but I don't have that kind of money. Instead, I'll earn enough for both of us starting tomorrow. So, will you keep going into the dungeon with us?"
"...Alright, I understand. I'll take the money. See you tomorrow, then."
Lili adjusted her backpack and left.
…..
"Bell, got a minute?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
As Bell was about to leave after Lili, I told her about the attempted theft in the dungeon.
"That happened...?"
"What should we do? I signed the contract based on the benefits, but if you're uncomfortable, I'll limit it to just a week."
"...What do you think, Toki?"
Bell asked me, and I thought back to how Lili reacted to Bell's words in the dungeon.
"I think there's some room for sympathy. Maybe she needs money for some reason."
"In that case, it's fine."
"You're crazy, you almost had your weapon stolen!"
"But it didn't actually happen. And if you say that, I think we can trust her."
"No, I never said I trusted her... Ah, whatever. Fine, I'll pay Lili's contract myself, but you're in charge of her personal issues."
"Huh?"
"I'm sure the problems Lili's facing aren't as simple as just money. I can't get involved with a thief's personal matters, so you take care of it."
"...If it's like that, leave it to me."
Ah, Bell's such a hopelessly kind-hearted person. Well, that's one of her good points.
"Alright, I'm counting on you."
"Yeah."
Bell nodded firmly.
….
After parting with Bell, I headed to the home of the Hermes Familia. Since the current leader, Asfi, was away, I was helping out with the Familia's administrative tasks, or rather, I was in charge of them. They said I was the fastest and most accurate, but honestly, it's a burden.
------
Toki Ortyx
Office Work Lv. 3
Can handle most administrative tasks. Anything the leader or main god needs to review is off-limits.
------
When I got home:
"Oh, Asfi and Hermes-sama are back."
A member told me this, and I hurried toward the leader's office.
Knock, Knock, Knock
I knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Excuse me."
When I entered, Asfi was looking over some documents.
"Oh, Toki. Welcome back."
"Just returned. And welcome back, Asfi. You're back earlier than I expected."
"...Yes."
Ah, this is going to be one of those really tedious conversations.
"Well, if you don't mind, I can listen to your complaints."
"Thank you. Then…"
Asfi's complaints went on and on. Apparently, she had some mission this time, but Hermes-sama's intuition made her come back suddenly.
While helping with the paperwork, I listened and occasionally nodded along.
"Phew. I guess that's enough for today. Thanks as always."
"No, this is about all I can do as a low-ranking member of the Familia."
"I wish the other members would learn from you. Well, that's all for now. Good work."
"Alright, I'll deliver these documents to Hermes-sama."
"I'll take a short break then."
With the documents in hand, I left the room.
Hermes-sama loves to travel, and I've been taken to many places by her. The one who has to deal with Hermes-sama's whims is the leader, Asfi. I keep handling these chores to help give her some rest from being tossed around by a god's capriciousness.
Lost in thought, I soon arrived at Hermes-sama's room and knocked.
"Come in!"
"Excuse me."
Inside, Hermes-sama was writing some kind of notes.
"Hermes-sama, I've brought the documents."
"Got it. I wish Asfi would handle all this herself."
"Don't push her too hard. Even Asfi can't manage everything."
"Yeah, yeah. She's a lot like Asfi in that way."
"I'll take that as a compliment. While you're at it, please update my status."
"All right, here we go!"
"You actually like that, huh…"
Somewhat exasperated, I took off my jacket. As usual, Hermes-sama's fingertips danced over the screen, updating my status, then suddenly stopped.
"Hmm? Is something wrong?"
"Toki, what happened?"
Apparently, my stats had skyrocketed.
Here's the updated status:
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Toki Ortyx
Lv.1
Strength: H105 → F341
Endurance: I16 → F327
Dexterity: H130 → E439
Agility: H154 → E461
Magic Power: G225 → D523
Magic
[Infinite Abyss]
Skill Magic.
Nullifies 'Divine Power.'
Skill
[Endless Abyss]
Skill Magic.
Nullifies 'Divine Power.'
---------
Wait, what is this? A total proficiency increase of over 1100 points?
"Hermes-sama, are you sure you didn't copy it wrong?"
"I understand how you feel. But you have to accept reality!"
Hermes-sama looked genuinely delighted.
"So? Tell me what happened."
There was only one thing I could think of that would cause stats to jump this much. I told Hermes-sama about the monster festival with the Monster Familia. As expected, Hermes-sama's smile grew even wider.
"But now you owe Loki a favor."
"I apologize."
"It's fine, really. I'm just glad you're safe."
That carnivorous flower was tough, but thanks to that battle, I grew this much. It seems its potential was at least Lv.2... Actually, my magic power has already surpassed D.
Well, with stats like these, I won't be able to use them as bargaining chips for a while. No way I'm showing this off.
"Well then, Hermes-sama, I'll take my leave."
"Wait a minute. You still have paperwork to finish…"
"I'm not helping."
Ignoring the voice of the deity behind me, I returned to my room in the home.
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