The first Familia meeting concluded with their immediate goal:
"Use the remaining time to maximize ability values."
Liang Yue had no intention of rushing to level up. His plan was simple—since he was already training, he would push his ability values to their theoretical limits. That was the only way to compensate for the weakness in his Magic attribute.
"A bit more stat growth…"
"With my system's mechanics, it shouldn't be too difficult to end the War Game quickly."
Joining him in deep dungeon exploration were his supporter Liliruca and Mikoto, who could provide high-pressure training environments. As long as they maintained the same rate of growth from the past few days, victory was within reach.
Against overwhelming stats, the difference in levels could be completely ignored.
With the plan set, Liang Yue wasted no time. His next destination was Hephaestus' weapon shop to retrieve the weapon he had commissioned for repairs.
For the upcoming dungeon training, he needed to be at full strength. To bring the effect of "Selfless Sword Qi" to its fullest—so that when facing Apollo Familia, he could cut them down like grass.
Walking once again through Orario's streets, the events of last night had spread. Without bothering to conceal his face, he was recognized immediately by passing adventurers.
And in their gazes—
—sympathy, awe, curiosity, and the delight of watching a spectacle.
The reason was obvious.
Even if he was a record-breaking genius, before fully maturing and with such a weak Familia…
Defeating Apollo Familia was considered impossible.
But Liang Yue ignored these looks. After all, last night at Apollo's banquet, he had truly stepped onto Orario's stage.
"Hopefully the weapon's repairs went smoothly. A blade that's 'almost good enough' just won't do."
"…"
Ordinary Lv.1 adventurers made up the majority of Orario. For them to openly discuss the rising star "Sword Soul" Liang Yue without restraint showed little respect for someone stronger.
Yet once that slender figure left their sight, the group of adventurers stayed behind, whispering amongst themselves.
"That was… if I'm not mistaken, Hestia Familia's super rookie—'Sword Soul' Liang Yue?"
A female adventurer hugged her massive sword, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. Seeing Liang Yue's delicate, youthful face, she suddenly understood why Apollo Familia would go so far as to launch a War Game just to recruit him.
"Breaking through in ten days, even if only one stat reached D rank—that kind of talent is amazing."
"His stats rise by over 100 points daily. If he focuses less on speed, his strength would grow even more."
"Still, it's just a show."
The man beside her crossed his arms, scoffing.
"How many Lv.2s does Apollo Familia have?"
"They even have a Lv.3 captain. Even if it's a one-on-one arena fight, their numbers alone can wear down a rookie like him."
"…."
He didn't notice his female teammate's expression darkening. A regular at the casinos and the pleasure district, the man continued laughing as he shared gossip.
"Funny thing—last night at the biggest casino, I saw a little Pallum adventurer bet on Liang Yue to win the War Game."
"Chased after them to ask, but they disappeared. Seriously, if you want to throw money away, you might as well give it to me!"
—
Following the road, Liang Yue arrived at the Hephaestus weapon shop on the upper levels of Babel Tower. It was morning, peak time for dungeon exploration.
The store bustled with adventurers. Many wanted custom-forged weapons, but few could afford them—most of their assets were already sunk into ventures.
After scanning the crowd, Liang Yue fixed his gaze on a free clerk.
Thanks to the War Game, his own goddess Hestia had been granted leave by Hephaestus to focus entirely on the matter.
Just as he was about to ask if Tsubaki was available, the office door opened.
Out stepped a familiar figure.
Dressed in a black women's suit that highlighted her figure, with long red hair slightly curled and a black eyepatch that only added to her allure—
Hephaestus.
She hadn't attended Apollo's banquet. She had only heard of the War Game late at night.
And upon learning the details—
As a goddess, Hestia could have refused the challenge by citing the vast gap in Familia strength.
Instead…
Her own captain, Liang Yue, had accepted the fight himself.
At first, Hephaestus thought it absurd. "If left unchecked, this will only end in disaster."
Even knowing Liang Yue's high stats after leveling, even after his forced expedition had surely strengthened him, she still considered it impossible.
Could it be that he wanted to use the War Game as a legitimate excuse to transfer to another Familia?
But—
Seeing his face again, she found those thoughts vanish.
Looking at the delicate young man before her, remembering all he had already done, she felt only helplessness.
"Destroyed Soma Familia."
"Accepted a War Game against Apollo Familia."
Even her dear friend Hestia, once lazy and carefree, had been transformed by him. She now thought like a true goddess, no longer reckless.
Ironically, while Liang Yue didn't act out wildly, his way of doing things was anything but "quiet."
Suppressing her sigh, Hephaestus beckoned him.
"Come into my office."
"Yes."
Liang Yue followed without hesitation. He really did have business here—foremost was Hephaestus' shop.
Forging a weapon with the Indestructible attribute.
Before he could sit down, Hephaestus leaned against her desk, palms pressed against it, and asked directly:
"How much of a chance do you really have against Apollo Familia?"
She wasn't only curious herself—she was also asking on behalf of Hestia.
After spending much time together, she knew her friend, who had never loved in Tenkai and had only just descended, held special feelings for this boy.
"I'll win."
Even if his opponent was a Lv.4 adventurer—stats alone weren't everything. With the "Sword Soul" system, he could crush them outright.
Meeting her gaze, Liang Yue smiled lightly but spoke from the depths of his conviction:
"Looking at both Familias as a whole… Apollo Familia has no chance in this War Game."
"…Seems you're pretty confident."
His words were matter-of-fact, paired with a calm smile that left Hephaestus at a loss for what to say.
Though their divine friendship was strong, even she couldn't directly pry into his stats. She only shook her head with a faint smile.
She wanted to stop playing caretaker, but with Hestia involved, she couldn't help it. Besides, she was curious—how exactly would he overturn such odds?
No god disliked children who created miracles. She was no exception.
"Enough chatter. What kind of help do you need?"
"…I might need to borrow two sharp weapons."
Having used Second-Class Arms before, Liang Yue knew the value of sharpness. Borrowing weapons for free from Hephaestus' shop was too good to pass up.
The sharper the weapon, the better his "Selfless Sword Qi" would perform.
"You already own two Second-Class weapons… and now you want sharper ones?" she asked, staring at him intently.
But quickly, Hephaestus relented.
For her shop, weapons were the least precious commodity.
"I won't refuse. Just remember—when you return them, pay the repair fees. Go choose what suits you."
"There's another matter… about weapons with the Indestructible attribute. I'd like to learn more, Lady Hephaestus."
With the timing right, and the casino payout not yet received, he thought it time to plan for such a weapon.
"Indestructible?"
Hephaestus frowned slightly. In her memory, only Goibniu excelled at this craft—greatly enhancing durability at the cost of sharpness.
She raised her gaze again, curiosity flickering.
"Why do you want such a weapon?"
"I can't trouble Tsubaki-senpai with repairs every few days. Doesn't seem right. So I'd like to know more."
At the heart of his Sword Soul template lay the "Limit-Breaking Weapon" skill. It consumed durability for power.
In deep dungeon exploration, he couldn't bring a smith along just to fix weapons mid-battle. The solution was obvious—obtain an Indestructible weapon for long-term use.
"My combat style is… special. Let's just say it burns through durability in exchange for greater strength."
His explanation was vague, but truthful.
Hephaestus was intrigued, but she didn't pry.
"For Indestructible weapons, you'll want to see Goibniu Familia. They specialize in that craft. But the price…"
She studied him carefully.
Surely he wasn't planning to copy Hestia's infamous "interest-free loan" trick?
"Even if you win the War Game and seize Apollo Familia's assets, creating two Indestructible weapons will still be very difficult."
She stressed the point firmly.
But before she could elaborate, Liang Yue cut her off.
"Funds aren't a problem. After the War Game, the biggest casino will deliver the money for my weapon."
"…?!"
The implications were staggering. Hephaestus understood at once. He had bet everything on himself at the casino?
Watching him leave, she shook her head, her gaze soft with resignation.
"This boy… if he weren't already claimed by Hestia, I'd be sorely tempted to recruit him myself."
Given what she had seen, she even suspected—
—that this War Game itself might have been engineered by Liang Yue, to seize Apollo Familia's wealth!
If so, then Hestia truly had struck gold.
—
Borrowing two mid-to-high grade First-Class weapons went smoothly. Though their sharpness was uncertain, their weight was solid and well-balanced. They would do fine for short, decisive battles.
After retrieving his repaired short sword as well, Liang Yue wasted no time. He moved quickly to the rendezvous point.
For dungeon training, he wouldn't need the borrowed blades yet. Against monsters, his "Selfless Sword Qi" rendered their differences irrelevant.
It wasn't long before Liliruca arrived, cloaked and carrying her oversized pack. Meeting his eyes, her voice was calm.
"Everything's ready. We can start the two days of dungeon training."
"Thanks."
"…."
Ahead, new member Mikoto stood fully armed, alongside Kashima and Chigusa, who would accompany the expedition.
In Orario, a solo adventurer could never expect such treatment. Liang Yue's eyes swept across them, then he laughed brightly.
"Since everyone's here, let's head out."
"Liang Yue…"
"Just a few days without seeing you, and you've already shocked me again."
Kashima, now fully aware of the gulf between genius and the ordinary, no longer sought to compete blindly. His main purpose today was to support Mikoto's training.
And to pass along his god's message.
"There's something else."
"After these two days of dungeon exploration, if you have time, come to our Familia's home. Lord Takemikazuchi said he's willing to help polish your swordsmanship."
"To see if any flaws can be corrected."
Though stern as always, Kashima restrained himself, careful not to add pressure.
"…I'd be honored."
Training with Takemikazuchi—a god known as the War God, capable of rivaling Lv.5 adventurers without divine power—was an opportunity Liang Yue couldn't refuse.
Looking around at everyone, his grin widened.
"Since we're all ready, let's begin our two days of training!"
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