It was sunset.
At this time of day, most adventurer parties left the Dungeon to cash in their drop items for valis.
This routine was no different for a certain white-haired girl who resembled a rabbit.
'I'm so tired.'
With bags under her eyes, Belle dragged her weary body toward the Guild.
"Huh? Belle? What happened to you? Why didn't you come see me this morning?"
The familiar voice made her look up. Eina stood there, worry etched on her face.
"I apologize, Miss Eina. I was occupied at that time."
Belle replied with a tired smile.
'That old hag... I can't believe she made me train the entire morning.'
Her body ached everywhere.
The bruises under her armor weren't from monsters in the Dungeon, but from a far more terrifying monster... Alfia.
Back in the Abandoned Church, Alfia sat with her eyes closed.
Suddenly, her brow furrowed.
"I've got the feeling that brat is bad-mouthing me."
She muttered under her breath.
"I'll smack her when she comes back."
Belle shivered as a chill ran down her spine.
'What was that?'
She glanced around in confusion.
'I don't sense anything... but this unease won't go away.'
"Belle? Are you alright?"
Eina asked with a frown.
"It's nothing, Miss Eina. I'm fine."
Belle answered before handing over her loot.
"Hm... this time, it's much less than previous days."
Eina observed while sorting the drop items and magic stones.
"I entered the Dungeon much later than usual... it couldn't be helped."
Belle scratched her head and sighed.
Her gaze shifted toward the crowd gathered at the Guild's announcement board.
"What's going on? Was there a good quest?"
She asked with a raised brow.
"You didn't hear? That's surprising. I thought you'd know, since you told me you admired him so much."
Eina said with a smirk.
"Ah... right, speaking of which..."
Eina bent down and pulled something from under the counter.
Belle blinked in confusion until Eina set a familiar pouch on the counter.
"This thing's pretty heavy. It's amazing how you adventurers carry it around like it's nothing."
Eina said with a grin, watching Belle's stunned reaction.
"Here you go. And this time, don't drop it, you clumsy oaf."
"T-thank you very much, Miss Eina."
Belle stammered as she accepted the pouch of coins with trembling hands.
"Hehe, don't thank me—thank Judas Spade. He went through the trouble of bringing it to me,"
Eina giggled behind her hand.
"Ah..."
The image of a purple-eyed boy flashed in Belle's mind, and her heart quickened.
"Now go... you're holding up the line. Don't forget to check the board. I promise you'll be surprised."
Eina urged.
"Yes. See you tomorrow, Miss Eina."
Belle nodded and made her way toward the board with anticipation.
Her eyes immediately landed on a rank-up poster with a familiar face.
'It's him... he ranked up!'
Her eyes lit up, then drifted down to the fine print.
"F-four days!? He ranked up in four days!?"
Her mouth fell open, her eyes wide in shock.
'That means... he almost started at the same time as me.'
She clenched her fists.
'He's already Level 2 while I'm still stuck at Level 1.'
'That hag was right... this city is full of talented people... people like Mister Judas. If I don't want to be left behind, I'll have to work harder.'
Her gaze hardened.
Where before she had only admiration and longing, now determination burned bright... a challenge, a desire to catch up.
To stand by his side.
For a brief moment, the falna on her back glowed faintly, as if in response to her resolve.
In Stardust Manor, Alise sat with a piece of paper in her hands.
"I knew it... Judas, he's amazing."
A warm smile spread across her face as she read the rank-up poster.
"How long are you going to keep staring at it? We have a job to do."
Kaguya said, polishing her blades with a cloth.
"Don't tell me you're going to kiss that paper just because his face is on it?"
Lyra teased with a mischievous grin.
"H-hey, Lyra, what are you talking about?"
A faint blush colored Alise's cheeks.
Seeing her reaction, Kaguya, Lyra, and the rest of the Astraea Familia burst into laughter.
"Not you too, Lady Astraea..."
Alise pouted at her goddess, who was doing a poor job of hiding her own chuckle.
Meanwhile, at the Hostess of Fertility, the tavern was alive with boisterous laughter, and the rich aroma of cooked food filled the air.
"Hey, stupid cats! Stop lazing around and move it!"
Mama Mia's roar rang out, making Anya and Chloe's tails stiffen.
"Right away, meow!"
"Nyaa~ on it!"
Syr giggled at the scene—until her ears twitched, catching an interesting conversation from a group of nearby adventurers.
"Hey, have you heard? There's a super rookie that's been on the rise lately."
"You mean that new recruit from the Loki Familia, Judas Spade? I heard he's being accused of hiding his true level or something."
"That was just a baseless accusation. The Guild already denied those claims."
"He was also seen going around, healing the victims of the irregular monster incident."
"Rumor has it his healing magic is so powerful, it could even put the Dea Saint's title as Orario's greatest healer in jeopardy."
"Heh... this is supposed to be top secret, but I heard Judas Spade has powerful skills and magic—that's what let him break the Sword Princess' record."
A dwarf adventurer whispered.
"Oh, come on! Level 2 in four days? Is that even possible? Fraud! That guy's nothing more than a cheater."
*Hiccup*
"His goddess must've used her divine power to boost him, and the guild is likely covering for him. That's why all the attention this brat is getting pisses me off."
A drunk adventurer slammed the table as he stood up abruptly, causing the chair fall over.
"I'm sick and tired of hearing that guy's name everywhere. What's so great about him? He's just a brat. If I see him, I'll make him eat dirt and expose him for the fraud he is!"
The drunk man said with frustration in his voice.
Ryuu, carrying a tray of food, frowned.
Even Syr's brows furrowed at the words.
"Hey man, I think you just drank too much. Tone it down or you're going to get us in trouble with the bar owner."
The drunk man's friend said as his gaze shifted to Mama Mia standing behind the counter, looking in their direction.
Hiccup.
"Huh?"
Hiccup.
The drunk man turned to see where his friend was pointing.
When he met Mama Mia's death glare, he shivered, clamped his mouth shut, and sat back down.
On the surface, although the Hostess of Fertility may seem like your everyday tavern, this particular place has a reputation.
Not only are the workers here very beautiful... which attracts many customers... but this bar also possesses a combat force that surpasses most familias in the city.
There are several Level 4 waitresses, and even the owner herself is Level 6.
A line-up like this is strong enough to take on the deep floors of the dungeon.
There have been many instances of customers foolishly testing their luck, as though they had a death wish.
Trying to flirt with the waitresses or outright incite conflicts... only to get their asses beaten and thrown out.
Seeing the commotion die down, Syr continued smiling, but not before taking a long look at the drunken adventurer's face and committing it to memory.
"Mama... I'm taking out the trash."
Syr said as she picked up the trash bin nearby.
"Alright, don't take too long."
Mama Mia didn't glance her way, continuing to chop vegetables.
Syr smiled before heading out the door.
After she finished dumping the trash into a composter, Syr's smile vanished as she walked into a dark alley.
"Allen."
A bright pink glow covered her body and her voice changed drastically.
At her words, a shadow flashed behind her and then kneeled respectfully.
"Yes, my goddess."
Syr, the friendly waitress of the Hostess of Fertility, disappeared.
In her place stood Freya... the goddess of love and patron deity of the Freya Familia.
"That drunken man from earlier, I want him beaten nearly to death, but make sure not to kill him."
The shadow behind her said nothing more and vanished on the spot.
"Oh dear, it seems I need to reign in my emotions a bit more."
She gently touched the side of her face and looked up, her purple eyes reflecting the moon hanging in the sky.
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