Chapter 22 – Hephaestus's Worry!
At last, they returned to the surface of Orario. The sky had already sunk into complete darkness, night blanketing the city.
But instead of growing quiet, the streets of Orario only grew brighter and livelier. Lanterns and magical lights poured out from taverns and bars, filling the avenues with color. People crowded the streets, voices rising in laughter and conversation.
For adventurers who had spent the day battling in the Dungeon, night was their time to relax and recover.
They devoured plates stacked with meat, downed mugs of ale that sloshed like waves, or sought out other amusements in the red-light district.
Compared to the daytime, Orario at night almost seemed more alive.
"Ahhh! Finally, we're back! I want to eat until I burst!"
The moment they stepped out of the Tower of Babel, Tiona shouted, her voice booming with relief. These past few days had been nothing but cramped and restrictive.
On expeditions, everything was stripped down to efficiency—food included. Supplies were rationed: dry bread, preserved meat, things that filled the stomach but never the heart. It was hardly satisfying.
"Captain Finn, I'm heading to the Guild to exchange magic stones. I'll take my leave here."
"Then until next time, Shin."
"See you again, Captain Finn."
After bidding Finn farewell, Akira gave a polite nod to the rest of the Loki Familia members. This was, after all, their first meeting—just the beginning of a shallow acquaintance.
Finn watched Shin Akira walk away, letting out a quiet sigh.
"Finn, you seem awfully interested in that boy," Gareth muttered, narrowing his eyes at his captain.
It was true. On this journey, Finn's attitude toward Akira had felt… unusually warm. Akira had potential, yes, but potential meant nothing until it was proven. As captain of one of the largest Familias in Orario, Finn shouldn't have been treating a rookie with such weight. It was strange—almost out of place.
"Gareth, my intuition tells me… that boy will shake Orario to its very core one day," Finn said calmly.
"Hmm? Just because of a hunch?"
Gareth's skepticism wasn't unfounded. Orario had never lacked for young geniuses. Many burned brightly—only to vanish before their flames could spread. Potential alone wasn't enough. If it failed to grow, it withered into nothing.
"I know it sounds unreasonable. But my instincts won't stop telling me so."
"So it's a gut feeling, huh?"
Gareth stared hard at Finn but chose not to press further. Even Riveria, who had been silently listening, felt her impression of Akira shift ever so slightly.
Long ago, before the Loki Familia grew into its current size, it had been just three pillars that upheld it—Finn, Gareth, and Riveria.
Every triumph, every victory the Familia claimed was forged through their decades of struggle.
And time and time again, Finn's instincts had saved their lives. Call it a sixth sense, call it divine guidance—whatever it was, his intuition had never failed them. Both Gareth and Riveria knew that well.
Meanwhile, Ais, Tiona, Tione, Bete, and the other younger members remained oblivious to the subtle weight in their seniors' words.
— — —
After parting ways with the Loki Familia, Akira walked alone toward the Guild.
Though night had fallen, the Guild was still open. Staff rotated through shifts to keep things running; after all, the Dungeon had no concept of time. Adventurers went in and out at all hours.
On the upper floors, one could still vaguely sense time's flow. But deeper—into the middle and lower levels—it was impossible. In that endless labyrinth, time simply vanished.
Even now, just past dusk, the Guild remained bustling.
Akira chose a counter and handed over his spoils for the day.
After the tally, the results came out to 130,000 valis—about 50,000 more than his last haul. Proof of the difference that came with daring to venture deeper.
He glanced around but didn't spot Eina anywhere. Either she was busy elsewhere, or her shift had already ended. Not that it mattered much. After pocketing the earnings, Akira stepped back into the night.
With over 100,000 valis in hand, he decided it was time to finally try one of Orario's most famous establishments—The Hostess of Fertility.
He still remembered passing by with Tsubaki on the way to the forge. That lively tavern had burned itself into his memory.
Under the starless sky, Akira arrived at the legendary restaurant of Orario.
The moment he stepped inside, only one word came to mind: chaos.
The place was packed wall-to-wall with adventurers. Nearly every seat was taken. The air buzzed with laughter, conversation, and the clinking of plates. Warmth and energy filled the room.
Waitresses in green uniforms dashed from table to table, balancing trays of food and pitchers of ale. The lively atmosphere was unmistakable—this was the heart of Orario's adventurer community.
And in the corner, by the entrance, Akira immediately recognized two figures.
A woman with crimson hair and an eyepatch over her right eye, dressed in a white blouse, black trousers, and tall black boots—the goddess Hephaestus.
Beside her sat none other than Hestia, who had been staying at Hephaestus's home for the time being.
"Hephaestus, don't you think something's happened to your kid? It's already this late, and he's still not back," Hestia said, munching on a piece of roasted meat.
"Relax, Hestia. He'll be fine."
Though she said so, the faint crease on Hephaestus's brow betrayed her unease.
Hestia, of course, understood. Her friend was worried about her Familia's child. But really, what more could she say? Her impression of Akira was decent enough. Sure, there'd been a small incident before, but that had been her fault more than his. And she hadn't forgotten how he had bought her breakfast and lunch.
"Well then, why don't we send your Familia to fetch him from the Dungeon?"
"There's no need. I trust he'll return soon."
Though she worried, Hephaestus also knew the boy's capabilities. As long as he stayed within the upper floors and avoided recklessness, true danger was unlikely. Akira wasn't the type to act carelessly. She chose to believe in him.
Even so, no matter how much she trusted him, the anxiety in her chest refused to fade.
This feeling was… different. She always cared for her Familia. But tonight, as the darkness deepened and he still hadn't returned, she felt more restless than ever before.
…Strange. Why does it feel like this?
And just then—
"You wound me, Goddess. Feasting out here without me?"
A familiar voice rang from behind Hephaestus.
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