This shy girl—didn't know how to say it.
Thankfully, the understanding elf sister Alicia gently patted her head and helped explain:
"Fron, Lefiya wants to practice her skills. Since you're going to the dungeon, she wanted to ask if she could join you."
——?
--------------------------------
Bringing along a elf mage?
She's the one bringing me along, okay? Lefiya is a Level 3—and a super cannon with firepower beyond her level.
"Uh, I'm only Level 1, you know. I've only explored up to the 12th floor, but if you don't mind, I'd be totally fine with it. Also, if I'm not mistaken, you're trying to train parallel chanting, right?"
"Yeah, I am. I've been training for a long time. It's just... I haven't gotten the hang of it yet. And when I'm facing a monster, I... I just..."
"Can't chant?"
"Yeah."
Fron understood that feeling.
Chanting in front of a monster, unable to move, with no means of counterattack—just waiting to be slaughtered—that fear is crushing. The pressure is all on the mage. Getting your chant interrupted is only natural if you haven't been hardened by experience.
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow, come with me to the dungeon."
"Thank you, Mr. Fron!"
"By the way, to celebrate today's big haul, wanna go for drinks? I earned 60,000 valis today! And that's not even counting drop items!"
"—!"
Lefiya, Aiz, Tiona, Alicia might not grasp the weight of that number. They're either top-tier adventurers or elf magic nobles.
But Alicia, always thrifty, had her tail puff up in shock!
"60,000 valis??? At Level 1... that's insane!"
Fron gave a genuine smile.
"It's not that big a deal, haha."
"No need to treat us, Mr. Fron. As far as I know, you still have equipment to buy, right? Next time you hit the jackpot, I'll definitely come!"
——?
That handsome smile froze a little.
Awkward! Don't say it out loud! I still have my pride! Are all elves this blunt?
Fron took a major hit.
"Since you're still busy, and we've said what we needed to say, we're heading off!"
"Yeah, it's a bit early, but good night!"
Yeah, fair enough. It's already dark.
After a shower, Fron changed into a freshly bought black outfit—top, pants, and leather boots totaling 4,400 valis—and stepped out feeling refreshed.
As the saying goes, with money in your pocket, you feel at ease.
Carrying tens of thousands of valis, even eating at The Benevolent Mistress, he had confidence he could handle the bill.
As he left his home, Loki watched him from the window.
"Hehehe, so what if that lovestruck goddess has her cheating 'Insight Eyes'? My luck is still better."
Riveria, Finn, and Gareth exchanged helpless looks.
Thinking about it, it was kind of true.
Finn joined Loki Familia because he sought her out and made a contract when she first descended.
Riveria was saved by Loki and Finn while on the run from her father and the knight order, which formed their bond.
Gareth was pretty much the same—recognized by Loki and Finn on sight.
All in all, Loki's amazing team came down to sheer luck.
Now, with a weirdo like Fron joining, the future of Loki Familia was shining bright.
"By the way, how did Goddess Freya's power not spot Fron?"
Finn chewed his finger in confusion. Loki swirled her wine glass and sneered:
"Children of the lower world have always held potential beyond the gods' expectations. It's no surprise a kid like Fron, who even Freya can't see through, showed up."
"True enough. Isn't that what you gods are always after!"
Night fell like a vast curtain, gently draping over mountains, fields, and the city.
Magic stone lamps lit up the main street, shop signs glowing with unique colors.
The busy downtown buzzed louder than in the day.
For some in Orario, the day was just beginning.
Just like they said, adventurers who'd made a killing in the dungeon during the day liked to head to the tavern for a drink.
Fron had grown fond of that feeling too—the pleasure of sipping his favorite fruit wine after the thrill of adventure was indescribable.
The Benevolent Mistress was at its peak during nighttime.
The first-floor hall was packed with over a dozen full tables. Patrons laughed, shouted, and let loose emotions of joy, sorrow, bitterness, and sweetness—a true cross-section of human life: joyous reunions and bittersweet partings.
This was real life.
Standing blankly at the tavern's entrance, Fron sighed without knowing why.
"Yo!"
A pat on the shoulder. Turning slightly, he saw Welf grinning at him.
"You're here. Let's go."
Fron smiled and went in first.
The barmaids noticed a new customer and rushed to greet him.
"Welcome... Oh, it's you, meow!"
Anya's cat tail puffed up in shock.
"Hiya, little Anya, I'm here!"
"Hmph! Who're you calling little, meow? I may be short, but I'm already 20, meow!"
"Click click click, a year younger than me then."
Fron smiled on the outside, but inside he was reeling.
They always said Orario was full of monster adventurers. He hadn't thought much of it—until now.
Looking at Anya, Fron realized she might be as terrifying.
She was 19 now, but she joined The Benevolent Mistress 8 years ago. Meaning she retired from adventuring 8 years ago.
And back then she was already Level 4—at 11 years old.
How's that not terrifying?
"Meow, boring! Oh right, meow, I heard you nearly died your first day in the dungeon and didn't even come here for a drink that night, meow!"
"..."
"Eh, Fron was that unlucky? You never mentioned it."
Welf looked curious too.
Hearing that, Fron's face immediately darkened.
"Ahem, little Anya, why don't you find us a table first—"
"Right, meow, welcome to The Benevolent Mistress, this way please, meow."
Since it was just the two of them, she took them straight to the bar.
"Yo, you're the new guy from Loki Familia? Since you're here, you must've had a good haul today, huh?"
"..."
This pressure—
Mia Grand, the tavern's owner. Hidden identity: former captain of Freya Familia. Level: 6.
"Just—just okay. I'm just a newbie, that's all."
"Hahahaha! Newbies need to celebrate even more. Eat your fill!"
"..."
He had a bad feeling from the start, but getting ripped off still made Fron's heart bleed.
Thud, thud, thud—
Several heavy dishes were served up, along with quality wheat beer.
"Ugh—"
Even Welf, slow as he was, figured out what was happening and looked stunned.
"Come on now, don't worry about it. It's not expensive."
Mia's deadpan stare locked onto Fron—the meaning was clear.
"Th-thank you very much—"
"Hahahaha! Eat big, drink big, that's what adventurers should do!"
"..."
Fron's face twitched as he raised his wooden mug and clinked it with Welf's.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Gulp, gulp, gulp—