Morning arrived on time. Compared to yesterday, Keare was much better rested, as his goal today was to explore the Dungeon.
After becoming an Adventurer, the most direct feeling he had was the boundless energy in his body.
Even if combat training pushed his physical limits, as long as he woke up the next day, he would feel as if nothing had happened.
"It's good to be young."
"Today's goal is to explore the first five floors of the Dungeon."
Keare got up from the old sofa and scanned the basement, but he did not find Hestia.
A piece of kraft paper on the table was weighted down by valis, and it had the girl's delicate handwriting on it.
"Be extra careful when you go to the Dungeon. The money for your lunch is on the table, remember to eat well."
"I'll wait for you to come back tonight to celebrate!"
He accepted all of Hestia's tenderness.
He had come to a strange world, successfully become an Adventurer, and most importantly, he had such a caring beautiful Goddess.
Keare's heart was filled with motivation for today's plans.
"Starting tomorrow."
"I can say goodbye to living off others."
Completely relying on Hestia's work to support himself, while this life was comfortable, Keare still felt a bit uneasy.
He flipped to the other side of the kraft paper, where last night's updated ability values were clearly inscribed.
— —
Keare
Lv1
Strength: G259 | Durability: G223 | Dexterity: G267 | Agility: G215 | Magic: G238
Development Abilities: None
Magic: Recovery
Skill: Imitation
— —
Through yesterday's high-intensity combat training, the overall improvement in his ability values was entirely within Keare's expectations.
There was no qualitative leap, but this level of strength should make dealing with shallow-level monsters easy.
After a simple wash, Keare put on the cowhide armor Hestia had prepared for him, and his weapon was a steel short sword.
All preparations for going to the Dungeon were complete.
Leaving the abandoned church, the morning sun had already dispelled all the cold and fog, warming his body.
Walking along the desolate South Street towards the Babel Tower in the city center, knowing he was about to head to the Dungeon, Keare's mood was inevitably complex.
After two days of hard preparation, he was about to explore the unfamiliar Dungeon, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous.
Coming into contact with monsters that only existed in fantasy worlds in his previous life...
But he was more excited. Sparring was just sparring; how effective would a real fight with Dungeon monsters be?
"Let's be steady."
He arrived at the central plaza in front of the Babel Tower.
Keare looked around; even in the early morning, the number of Adventurers gathered there was quite large.
They walked together, chatting and whispering to each other.
Joining a mature and stably developing Familia had this effect; new Adventurers didn't need to fight alone in the Dungeon.
Following a Familia's Adventurer team could lead to more stable development.
The Hestia Familia couldn't provide such conditions, as he was the sole sprout carrying the Goddess's hopes.
There wasn't much Keare could do right now.
Familiarizing himself with the Dungeon, increasing his ability values, and earning money to improve his life were already his limits. As for developing the Familia...
"..."
"I'll consider that later."
Since he was only exploring the shallow levels, there was no need for a Supporter. Keare walked resolutely towards the Babel Tower.
But things are often not as smooth as expected; exploring the Dungeon required registering with the Ganesha Guard members.
It was rush hour, without the high efficiency of subway turnstiles.
Keare naturally joined the line.
Further ahead, a petite Supporter, carrying a large bundle that clearly didn't fit her figure and wearing a beige hooded cloak, fixed her gaze on the lone new Adventurer, Keare.
The "Hephaestus" Familia emblem on the sword sheath at Keare's waist, without a doubt, indicated it was very expensive.
Even though she had disguised herself and her original appearance was unrecognizable, the girl still tugged at the brim of her hood.
After approaching Keare, she looked up with a timid smile:
"Um..."
"Adventurer-sir, do you need a Supporter? The price is very cheap, I can help you collect magic stones and materials."
Hearing the timid inquiry from the girl beside him, Keare looked down.
He saw her delicate, slightly childish face, brown, slightly disheveled hair draped over her shoulders, and a physique slightly smaller than a human's. She was likely a female Pallum Supporter.
There was a strange sense of familiarity?
But for himself, a new Adventurer, a Supporter seemed somewhat superfluous. He shook his head and said, "Not for now."
"Are you really sure?!"
"Lili's price is very cheap, only 500 valis!"
The girl's light brown eyes were full of vulnerability. She hesitated, as if she had something difficult to say, stammering.
If it were any other time, encountering such a loli beauty, Keare would at least try to gauge her intentions, but upon hearing her last words, his pupils slightly constricted, though he didn't show his emotions.
He carefully scrutinized the girl's light brown eyes with a feigned probing gaze and discovered the deeply hidden disgust within them.
"Liliruca Erde."
How could Keare not have a deep impression of Lili, who had a significant role in the original work and was considered a member of the protagonist's group?
The plotline hadn't developed yet; she was still deeply entangled in the Soma Familia's mire.
But there was no doubt that before she met the white-haired rabbit, her various actions were already quite notorious.
Self-degradation, hostility towards Adventurers, using magic to steal Adventurers' equipment to sell, as revenge against the so-called Adventurers.
Although her original intention was to save money to leave the Soma Familia, this wasn't a reason for Lili to harm other innocent Adventurers.
Getting involved with such a plague?
Keare would have to constantly worry about being backstabbed by Lili. Saving a beautiful girl? He really wasn't interested.
It would require constant interaction, slowly influencing her...
As for redeeming Lili, only someone with Bell's personality could do that. He chose to understand and respect.
And then run away!
After all, with that time, spending it alone with Hestia, in his opinion, the latter was clearly more cost-effective.
Keare shrugged, casually saying, "I'm just a new Adventurer, there's no need to hire a Supporter."
"Alright."
"If you need one in the future, you can find Lili in the central plaza." The girl looked up with a bright smile.
She had finally found a fat sheep and didn't want to give up so quickly.
Even an ordinary weapon from Hephaestus's weapon shop could be sold for at least 200,000 valis outside!
"Maybe another time."
Keare didn't continue chatting with her and followed the shrinking line, heading through the spiral staircase to the starting floor.
He could guess Lili's thoughts even with his eyes closed.
Warning her in front of so many people seemed somewhat inexplicable, but even after a clear refusal, he was still her target.
"Forgiving her is God's job; my job is to send her to God?"
Keare's personality wasn't that extreme, but if someone with malicious intent really came looking for trouble, he wouldn't mind letting them experience the Legendary Hero's procedural justice!