Achieving the feat required to ascend as an adventurer is a complex process. Defeating opponents of a higher level certainly qualifies as such a feat.
Hestia, of course, understood these basics.
Seeing the awkward expression on Liang Yue's face, she could more or less guess what the so-called "surprise" was—it had to be the incident that threw Orario into chaos: the destruction of the Soma Familia.
Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, now fully sank.
Defeating multiple Level 2 adventurers while being only Level 1, leaving not even a single survivor... How difficult must that have been?
Hestia couldn't even imagine it.
The problem was, she didn't understand how someone who spent his days exploring the dungeon and working hard for the familia ended up involved with the Soma Familia!
"Is this... really true?"
Massacring another familia meant Liang Yue would be hunted by the Guild!
Hestia's expression went blank, her heart dropping to rock bottom. Knowing Uranos's personality, there was no doubt they'd investigate the identity of the one responsible.
Since it already happened, there was no point asking why.
The priority now was how to properly resolve this—at the very least, Hestia currently had no idea how to ensure their familia could continue to survive in Orario.
Report Liang Yue to the Guild?
No matter what, her feelings wouldn't allow her to go that far. Lifting her head in silence, she said:
"Liang Yue-kun, I'll help you get in touch—
With a merchant caravan leaving Orario. Leave tonight, okay?
The time we've spent together has made me really happy. And knowing you, you must have had your reasons for doing this."
At the end of her words…
Realizing this would be their last meeting, it felt like something blocked her throat. Standing for the last time as a goddess...
Her expression gradually turned solemn as she gave him guidance forward:
"Please never return to Orario again!"
Her voice was firm, but Liang Yue could feel the deep emotion behind her words. He was just about to explain how the Soma Familia's fall had actually been handled—
But she didn't give him a chance to speak.
"I'll help you ascend in level—as a parting gift."
Helping Liang Yue ascend in rank would put a lot of pressure on her.
But this would be the last time she updated his status.
Hestia didn't think about the consequences. She just wanted to do this one last thing. The longer she waited, the more dangerous things would become.
Once again, divine blood dripped onto Liang Yue's back, and she carefully refined the monstrous status values. As the ascension process completed—
The Development Abilities appeared.
[Hunter], [Executioner], [Sword Soul]...
These appeared in Hestia's vision. The first two were relatively normal—well, discounting the rather disturbing Executioner.
Hunter: Improves combat ability and resistance against specific monster types after defeating them.
Executioner: …can be ignored.
But the one that truly caught her attention—unprecedented and beyond mysterious—was:
Sword Soul
As Hestia explained the effects of each, Liang Yue had already made up his mind.
"Lady Hestia, I choose Sword Soul."
"Alright..."
Hestia helped him make the selection, then softly murmured:
"Unyielding to the interference of gods and demons,
Devoted to the path of the sword,
Walking it to the very end—
This truly is the path that suits you best."
She printed his ascended status, slipped on her slippers, and said solemnly:
"As for leaving Orario—
Let me make the arrangements. Don't act recklessly."
Liang Yue
Lv2
Strength: SSS1297 → i0
Endurance: SSS1293 → i0
Dexterity: SSS1289 → i0
Agility: SSS1299 → i0
Magic: i0
Development Ability: Sword Soul
Magic: None
Skill: Power of the Sword Soul
Upon level ascension, all stats reset to the initial stage. But this didn't mean all past efforts were wasted—
They simply transformed into latent potential within the adventurer's body.
Liang Yue glanced at Hestia, who was hurrying to leave, and put away his post-level-up smile. He suggested:
"Lady Hestia,
I can't explain everything about the Soma Familia right now—"
Hearing this, Hestia, who was already halfway out the door, paused. She turned back, eyes filled with reluctant emotion.
No intention of keeping secrets.
Looking straight at the goddess who always felt so reliable, Liang Yue made his request:
"Could I trouble you to report my new level and stats to the Guild?
I believe the Soma Familia incident will be resolved soon."
Reporting his level at this point would obviously expose him as the likely killer. But seeing how serious Liang Yue was...
Hestia fell silent, unable to grasp the full picture.
Maybe... just maybe, the record-breaking speed of his ascension, along with his maxed-out stats, might really influence the Guild's decision?
Taking a deep breath, the girl calmed her heart and asked:
"Liang Yue, can I trust you?"
"Of course.
I worked hard to ascend levels so I could go on a proper date with you during our downtime.
Oh—and there's the matter of my title."
The date was important—but the post-ascension title was even more critical.
Liang Yue shrugged, his voice firm:
"There's still so much to talk about with you.
If I leave Orario now—
I may never get another chance."
That earnest smile of his finally erased the last doubt in Hestia's heart. If it really came down to it, she could always send Liang Yue to another familia for protection.
After all, someone who just broke the world record for fastest Lv2 ascension, and had achieved theoretical max stats...
Once the Guild found out, Loki and Freyja would absolutely come knocking!
"Alright."
Ganesha Familia HQ
During the interrogation, Shakti didn't participate.
She wasn't mentally ready to face Lili. If the Soma Familia really had fallen this way...
Then a familia meant to maintain order had failed to protect the rights of low-level adventurers.
Leading to the destruction of the Soma Familia.
As captain, she bore an undeniable responsibility—and now she was being asked to pass judgment on a victim?
"Sigh...
If this had all taken place inside the dungeon,
maybe we wouldn't be dealing with so much mess."
Gazing at Orario under the dusky sunset, Shakti's heart felt especially heavy.
Just then, a member of the familia came to report.
Clearing the tangled thoughts from her mind, she asked:
"Lili... did that child reveal the truth?"
"No."
"Captain Shakti, should we... use other methods?"
They'd already locked onto a suspect, but the interrogation had gone nowhere.
The masked female officer offered a suggestion.
But continuing to hurt someone who'd already been victimized by adventurers—how would that make her any different from those same abusers?
Shakti had always been a bit difficult emotionally.
She gently shook her head and rejected the idea. As she turned to leave, she added:
"If she doesn't want to speak—
Then let's trouble Lord Ganesha instead."
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