Orario was still buzzing from the recent incident, and the aftermath did not end quietly.
Despite the fact that the city had faced much greater disasters in its long history, never in a thousand years since Orario's founding had the Dungeon done something like this before.
A full-scale retaliation.
Irregular monsters spawned from the first to the ninth floor.
Although the city's top-class adventurers were unaffected, every single familia had at least a few low-class members in their ranks.
Coupled with the fact that the incident struck in the middle of the city's busiest hours, more than half the familias in Orario were caught up in it.
After Judas slew the Juggernaut and was rescued, the guild and the Ganesha Familia worked tirelessly to calm the restless masses.
For an entire day, entry to the dungeon was forbidden, and a large-scale investigation was conducted.
Yet, even with the entire Ganesha Familia mobilized, no results could be found.
"Move it."
Shakti commanded, arms folded as she oversaw the city's security.
Her gaze shifted north, toward the Twilight Manor.
"Excuse me, Miss Shakti, would you mind telling me the details of what occurred on the ninth floor?"
A reporter stepped in front of her.
'They just keep on coming.'
They had been hounding her for a while now.
Her glare alone was enough to make the reporter sweat.
"If Miss Shakti is not in a great mood, then can you at least tell me your opinion on the Loki Familia's new recruit, the Great Savior?"
The high-profile actions of Judas hadn't gone unnoticed.
If the Dungeon incident was the city's hottest topic, then Judas' heroic deeds of saving so many lives was the second.
In the world of Danmachi, people loved to romanticize the ideology of heroes.
"No comment."
That was all Shakti said before walking away, leaving the reporter sighing in defeat.
Quite a few people had begun digging into Judas after the news spread.
What they uncovered shocked them.
"A level 1? Who the hell would believe that?"
"Is the guild trying to hide his information or something?"
"It says here he only arrived in the city not that long ago."
"Looks like Loki got to him first. That conniving bitch got lucky."
"This is really all the guild has? Seriously?"
The protagonist of the incident was a complete beginner.
A rookie who had only just received his falna.
A level one with zero stats across the board.
Not a single soul believed it.
"Those vibrations that shook the entire city—there's no way a level one did all of that. What is Loki hiding from us?"
Hermes, the messenger god, frowned beneath the brim of his feathered hat.
At his side stood Asfi, captain of the Hermes Familia, a bespectacled woman with short blue hair.
"It could be the result of a powerful skill or magic."
She speculated, pushing her glasses up.
"Probably. Or maybe he's hiding his true level—just like we did with you."
Hermes replied casually. He was no stranger to withholding information.
In the guild's records, Asfi was listed as a level 2 adventurer.
Those in the know, however, understood she was actually level 4.
"Others will probably come to the same conclusion. Judas Spade... looks like an irregular has arrived."
Hermes adjusted his hat and walked forward with a smile.
Meanwhile, on the highest floor of the Tower of Babel, the Goddess of Beauty Freya held a glass of wine in one hand and a piece of paper in the other.
An amused smile curved her lips.
Her eyes shone with obsession.
"Judas Spade... I want you."
She could never forget the first time she laid eyes on him.
'The color and brightness of his soul... it's overwhelming.'
Her mind had nearly fried just from seeing it.
If she hadn't turned off her ability to see through someone's soul just in time, she was sure her eyes and brain would have melted from overstimulation.
'Even the most brilliant soul I've ever witnessed looks dull in comparison. Like the vast ocean against a lake—it's too unfair to compare them.'
Since that moment, she could look at nothing else.
Her mind was filled with Judas to the point she could hardly sleep.
'But Loki... of all people... why must you be in the way?'
Her gaze shifted to the side as she tapped her glass.
"Ottar."
A giant boaz stepped forward and bowed.
"Yes, Lady Freya."
His towering frame radiated intimidation.
Just a glance was enough to know this man was not to be trifled with.
The strongest adventurer in Orario—level 7, Ottar.
"If I said I wanted to wage war against the Loki Familia, would you draw your sword for me?"
Freya's purple eyes reflected his massive figure.
"Lady Freya, there is nothing in this world I would not do in your name. I would not hesitate to lead the charge myself."
Ottar replied without hesitation.
Freya smiled at the devotion of her most loyal follower.
Her eyes drifted toward the window, where the distant Twilight Manor stood.
'Loki... even if it's you, I will take Judas away. Even if I must turn this city upside down.'
A glint flashed through her eyes.
Elsewhere, in a quiet inn room, Alfia sat with her gaze fixed on a sheet of paper containing Judas' information.
"I see."
The door suddenly burst open, her frown deepening at the noise.
"Mother! I did it! I finally joined a familia!"
Bell Cranel jumped with joy, her smile radiating innocence.
"Goddess Hestia, this is my mother."
From behind, a petite, twin-tailed goddess with bright blue eyes popped her head in with a smile.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you."
Though her eyes remained closed, Alfia saw through Hestia's nature with a single glance.
'Hmph... at least she found a decent goddess.'
If it had been one of those creepy, manipulative gods, Alfia wouldn't have hesitated to send them flying across the continent.
The world's fate may have been altered, but some events were inevitable.
On this day, the Hestia Familia was formed.
....
Later, as the sun set, Judas sat relaxed on the living room couch.
His gaze drifted to the presents the Astraea Familia had brought for him.
'Such high-class equipment. As expected of a high-ranking familia.'
Lightweight armor that fit his body perfectly, and a black Orichalcum gauntlet named Járnglófar.
His mind replayed the earlier conversation with the Astraea Familia.
"Please accept our gift. I'm sure these armored gloves will be helpful."
Alise had handed him the present, though Judas didn't accept immediately.
"I appreciate the gift, but you should give such valuable equipment to a member of your familia. They need it more than I do. Besides, I doubt it will fit me."
He tried to push it back.
Alise only smiled and pressed forward.
"Just trust me and put them on. Besides, my familia is well-equipped. If you don't take it, this weapon will just sit in our armory collecting dust."
The two went back and forth, neither side willing to yield.
Finally, Kaguya stepped in, cutting the standoff short.
"This is irritating. Just take it already. Even if you refuse now, our captain will hound you every single day until you accept it."
Judas glanced at Alise and realized Kaguya wasn't bluffing.
There was determination in her eyes that wouldn't bend.
"Alright, I'll take it."
The moment he accepted, Alise and the others smiled.
"By the way, that thing cost about 150 million. I really didn't want to give it away, but since you brought back my eye, I didn't have much say in the matter."
Lyra said casually, grinning.
"Excuse me?"
His eyes widened at the absurd number.
"Too late. You already accepted it... you can't give it back now."
Lyra teased while wagging her finger.
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