Upon learning of the upcoming War Game between the Apollo Familia and the Hestia Familia, the one with the most complicated feelings was without doubt—Kashima.
The price of a War Game was simple: the victor would take everything from the loser.
Including their children.
Though he wasn't clear on the details, Kashima knew one thing—Liang Yue was a comrade who had explored the Dungeon alongside him.
Not to mention, this also involved Mikoto.
After all, the short-lived adventure in the Dungeon had already given Kashima more than enough reason to participate. And then, glancing at Liang Yue, who carried a relaxed air…
He didn't know why, but deep down he felt a strange sense of reassurance. After all, during the forced expedition back to Orario, when they faced the Goliath…
Kashima had already realized—this guy's strength couldn't be measured by something as simple as Level 2!
"Liang Yue, next…" Kashima began as they made their way to the Dungeon, "…are we just going to proceed with normal exploration? Or…" He hesitated before asking, "Do you plan to use these two days to raise your stats, relying on Great Feats to push for a level-up?"
"For now, that's not on the table."
"But this exploration… will mainly serve as training for the upcoming War Game." Liang Yue shook his head slightly at Kashima's worried gaze.
With the Sword Soul template in hand, if he couldn't achieve the effect of fighting above his level, then there was something wrong with him.
"…"
If he wasn't aiming for a level-up, then there was only one explanation.
He wanted to push his current stats to the absolute limit.
Kashima's heart grew heavier. Could it be that the Apollo Familia wasn't even enough of a threat to justify Liang Yue seeking advancement?
He didn't dare ask such a thing directly, but recalling how Liang Yue had soloed the Goliath on their way back… perhaps winning wasn't impossible?
"Let's move out."
They pressed on. With each clean swing of Liang Yue's sword, the monsters barring their path were torn apart by the sharp arcs of selfless sword aura.
"Exp +89."
The experience gained from upper-floor monsters was negligible.
This exploration had a clear purpose: using Mikoto's Futsunomitama skill to conduct high-intensity training.
With Killing Intent Perception and his keen awareness of his surroundings, Liang Yue could tell—the Apollo Familia really was arrogant.
They hadn't resumed tailing him. They hadn't even bothered with surveillance.
That, to him, was good news. It meant he could go all out in his training without any concern.
Their supplies were light.
Choosing the 10th floor as their training site was deliberate—the chance of triggering a Monster Feast in the mist labyrinth was much higher here.
For most adventurers, this wouldn't provide much growth. But with Mikoto's Futsunomitama, the gravity field she created turned every fight into a high-consumption, high-pressure ordeal. Monsters would continuously spawn, providing relentless training opportunities.
Liang Yue smiled at the mist-shrouded zone ahead, then looked back at the conflicted girl. "We'll start here."
"Alright."
Mikoto's face was equally conflicted. She knew exactly what he meant.
Training by creating a gravity field with her magic—if she told others, they'd think she was insane.
Meanwhile, Kashima and Chigusa, who were acting as supporters, exchanged blank stares. They couldn't make sense of the cryptic words being tossed around.
Mikoto had completed the conversion ceremony and joined the Hestia Familia, though she still lived in the same apartment district.
Aside from that first day's exploration, the rest had been "rest days."
Kashima had thought this perfectly reasonable. After a forced expedition, rest was needed. The first trip back into the Dungeon was probably just for assigning roles, testing teamwork, and adjusting tactics.
But what unfolded before his eyes next… stretched even his imagination.
In the fog-shrouded zone ahead, monsters poured forth. Mikoto chanted and cast her spell, unleashing Futsunomitama.
"Using magic to buy time makes sense," Kashima thought at first. But then his gaze fell back on Liang Yue, and doubt crept in.
"Is that… really necessary?"
Liang Yue could wipe out a Monster Feast singlehandedly. Restricting the monsters' movements wasn't needed.
Yet there he was, striding into the gravity field without hesitation.
And Mikoto… didn't even turn her head. She simply said, with calm certainty:
"It's exactly what you think… We're using my gravity field for high-intensity training."
"???"
"In other words… normal training might be too light for him." She added casually.
Kashima's mind shook. Using a Monster Feast for training was already insane enough. But now? They were saying it wasn't intense enough, so they had to add crushing gravity on top?!
He knew the feel of Mikoto's magic. It was fine in short bursts. But prolonged battle under that strain? Every swing of the sword was physical torture.
Yet when he looked at Liang Yue's distant figure—swift, unbothered, every slash cutting down beasts as though gravity had no hold on him—Kashima could only feel awe.
"Not even the Freya Familia trains like this…" he thought, shuddering.
No wonder this man had already shaken Orario with so many feats in so short a time.
"This guy is…"
"…too outrageous! Could it be, in the coming War Game—he might really win?"
An Lv.2, defeating the entire Apollo Familia. Creating a miracle.
The idea chilled Kashima, even as he couldn't look away from that figure.
———
The results spoke for themselves.
Every step Liang Yue took under the artificial weight shattered the ground beneath him. His movements, every strike, pushed his body to its limits.
Yet instead of pain, he felt exhilaration. The gravity only sharpened him further.
When the Monster Feast was finally cleared, he turned back to the others.
"If there's nothing else, let's keep going."
"Understood."
Mikoto ended her magic, having conserved her strength as best she could. Liliruca immediately moved to gather the loot.
The training continued.
"Two days," Liang Yue thought. "At this pace, I should be able to push all my stats to S-rank."
———
The days blurred together in ceaseless battle.
When Liang Yue was too drained to continue, Kashima and Chigusa took the lead, driving deeper to lure stronger foes into his path. Even they began fighting differently, desperate to provide him with fiercer challenges.
By the time they reached the Middle Floors, their teamwork was seamless. Kashima baited monsters like a fisherman, leading waves of them straight into Liang Yue's blades.
The constant combat raised his level to 37.
Fight. Rest briefly. Eat the bentos Liliruca rationed with precise timing, guided by a sandglass to ensure they didn't lose track of time.
When midday arrived on the eve of the War Game, after another meal, Liliruca spoke firmly:
"That's enough exploration. It's time to head back and rest for tonight's arrangements."
"No problem."
The War Game would begin tomorrow. The battle format would be decided by drawing lots at the gods' assembly that very night.
All Liang Yue could do was sharpen himself to the peak—and face whatever came.
Spotting a horde of Minotaurs drawn in by Kashima's baiting, he drew his short sword.
Noticing Mikoto straining, trying to force out another spell despite exhaustion, he shook his head softly.
"The training's over. It's time to return to Orario."
As the gravity field dissipated, his movements surged back with explosive speed and force, far sharper than before.
Without even using Selfless Sword Aura, his blade tore through the Minotaur horde like paper.
———
Meanwhile, in Orario, Hestia was far from idle. She scoured what little intelligence her few friends could provide… and awaited the gathering of gods.
High in Babel Tower, clad in a white dress, she sat in the seat granted to her.
Her feelings were complicated.
She knew full well that her newfound prestige, this seat of honor, was owed entirely to Liang Yue's feats. A once-ignored goddess, lifted up by a miracle child.
And yet… she hadn't even managed to gather much information.
"Please, let luck be on our side," she whispered, clutching her nerves as she sat down, immediately feeling the stares of countless curious gods around her.
The chamber was packed—nearly as many as when Liang Yue's title had been decided. Most were there just for the spectacle.
The Strongest Rookie vs the Apollo Familia.
The prize: Liang Yue's very future.
Would he create yet another miracle, defying impossible odds? Or be crushed without suspense?
Either way, the gods would be entertained.
And then Apollo himself arrived.
He cast his gaze down at Hestia from on high, saying nothing—but that alone ignited the hall.
"Since both gods have arrived…"
"…let us begin!"
The one hosting was none other than Ganesha—the infamous social terror, now brimming with energy atop the podium, half his face hidden behind a mask.
"This War Game has been declared by the Apollo Familia!" he boomed. "The victor shall claim all of the loser's possessions—including their children!"
"No divine interference shall be permitted! The game continues until a clear outcome is reached!"
After announcing the rules, Ganesha looked to Hestia. Her face tense, she still managed a small nod.
"Neither side objects. Then—"
"Let us draw lots to decide the battle format!"
The drawing itself was nothing special. What everyone awaited was tomorrow's battle.
Ganesha reached into the pile of slips, pulling one at random.
He unfolded it, read the words, and then looked at Hestia with faint pity—before roaring with excitement:
"This War Game will be…"
"An Arena Battle!"