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It has been half a month since the catastrophic event that saw the entire Ishtar Familia wiped out. During this period, some gods harbored suspicions that Yuto was the mastermind behind the massacre. However, to outsiders, he lacked any apparent motive and possessed a rock-solid alibi. Furthermore, the gods residing in the mortal realm have had their divine powers sealed, rendering them weaker than ever before. With no concrete evidence against him, Yuto attended a few meetings of the gods and then returned unscathed to his sprawling villa.
Orario, the bustling city, has yet to fully recover from the shock of that devastating slaughter. The Ishtar Familia, a dominant faction that once held sway over the Anti-Moon Festival, was nearly obliterated. A handful of fortunate survivors managed to escape, but with their patron god dead, their bestowed blessings were revoked. Left with no choice, they departed Orario to seek new paths elsewhere. Meanwhile, Yuto, the one who set all this chaos in motion, faced no repercussions. Instead, he continued to live a life of ease and comfort.
It's worth noting that over these past two weeks, two members of the Hestia Familia, Daphne and Cassandra have made remarkable strides. Both have advanced to level 3, with their attributes reaching F-rank, marking a significant boost in their strength. Likewise, Sanjouno Haruhime, another recent addition to the Familia, contributed during monster subjugations and successfully rose to level 2. She mastered a magic spell called "Level Boost," which temporarily elevates a person's level, proving to be a vital asset in the team's battles. Thanks to these developments, the Hestia Familia now ranks among Orario's elite.
…
That day, deep within the underground labyrinth beneath Babel Tower, Yuto was training with his three companions as usual.
"Grow, its power and deeds, countless treasures and wishes. When the bell tolls, pray for glory and fantasy!"
"Grow, swallow this body of divine feast, grant the golden light of the gods. Grant the hammer to the earth, grant blessings!"
Clad in a flowing kimono, Sanjouno Haruhime closed her eyes and recited the incantation. A radiant burst of magical light shot into the air. In the next instant, the red-haired girl before her; Daphne gasped in delight as she realized her level had genuinely increased by one.
"Well done, Haruhime!" Daphne, the short-haired girl, waved her small fist with excitement. Feeling the surge of power coursing through her, she turned to the fox girl with a heartfelt thank you.
"Phew... no need to thank me," Haruhime replied, wiping sweat from her brow and smiling with satisfaction.
This unique magic, capable of temporarily raising an adventurer's level, was both practical and formidable. Though Haruhime was clumsy and often useless in direct combat, this ability alone made her an indispensable part of the team.
"Next time, we should visit the Hermes Familia's warehouse," Yuto suggested. "If Haruhime learns the 'Kokonoe' spell, it'll enhance 'Level Boost' even further."
In the original Danmachi story, the fox-eared girl had acquired this connection magic from a stolen book in the Hermes Familia's stash, using it to great effect during a forced expedition. "Kokonoe" allows "Level Boost" to affect up to nine people at once, its chain-like properties offering unmatched support in battle, arguably the strongest of its kind in Orario.
"Not bad at all," Yuto said, pleased with how quickly she'd grasped the spell. He reached out and gently patted her head.
"Y-Yuto... Daphne and Cassandra are right there," Haruhime stammered, her fox ears twitching as she savored the warmth of his hand. She nearly let out a soft "purr, purr", but then noticed the two girls across from her had paused, smirking teasingly.
"No worries, they're family. What's there to fear?" Yuto chuckled.
Daphne, with her fiery energy, and Cassandra, with her brooding aura and unexpectedly curvy figure, were both his close companions, intimately so. He'd even indulged in some wild games with them, so their playful jabs were nothing to him.
"B-But..." Haruhime, ever shy, tried to protest. Before she could finish, Yuto's deft fingers brushed the sensitive spot on her beast ear, drawing a soft, alluring cry from her. Her toes curled in her shoes, leaving faint dents in the insoles, and with misty eyes, she collapsed into his arms.
Just as Yuto's interest piqued, planning to take the weakened fox girl to a nearby safe spot for some bonding, a chorus of excited voices rang out nearby. A group of lively girls, each with their own flair, quickly spotted him.
"Mr. Yuto!"
"Hey, little brother! Fancy meeting you in the dungeon!"
Lefiya and the Amazoness sisters, Tiona and Tione, were the first to call out. The yamabuki-colored elf, Lefiya, who usually clung to Ais, dashed over and latched onto his arm. The pleasant weight against him felt just right, and Yuto couldn't complain.
For the sharp-witted elf, Ais was a daily presence in their Familia, but Yuto was a rarer catch, especially with so many others vying for his attention. She had to act fast. Tiona, not to be outdone, grabbed his other arm and playfully shook her head at Lefiya. Their rivalry drew quite a few curious glances.
"I'm heading to the 37th floor to take on Udaios. You?" Yuto asked, squinting happily at the girls clinging to him.
"We've got another expedition coming up, so our Familia's warming up early," Tione replied. Seeing no room left beside him, she shot him a mildly resentful glance before adding, "Since we've bumped into each other, why not team up? We can help with Udaios."
"Absolutely! If you need me!" Lefiya chimed in with a nod.
"Fine by me. Let's group up," Yuto agreed, accepting their enthusiasm. With Tiona and the others in tow, he soon reached the 37th floor.
Before them loomed a pitch-black monster gazing up at the dark expanse above. "Udaios," the colossal skeletal beast, was black as coal, its heavy bones gleaming with an eerie, menacing sheen. Its lower half was buried in the ground, its head crowned with demon-like horns. Deep within its shadowy eye sockets burned strange vermilion flames. At its core sat an oversized magic stone, glowing a brilliant blue. This was the solitary king of the 37th floor's labyrinth: Udaios.
"Roar!"
Sensing intruders in its domain, the massive creature unleashed a wave of murderous intent, its bones clattering ominously. With a swing of its giant arms, a forest of spears erupted from the ground, surging toward Yuto and his group like a relentless tide. To most adventurers, this was a deadly threat, but Yuto didn't even flinch. Trusting in his godlike physique, he charged straight into the thick of the spears.
Boom!
The watching girls saw him move in a flash. He reappeared at the monster's feet and smashed a fist into it. Compared to the mountain-sized beast, he looked tiny, yet his strike carried a force capable of shattering worlds.
Bang!
The impact, like a meteor crashing into the earth, split the ground apart.
Boom!
As the roar echoed, the fractured floor caved in, everything within a hundred meters collapsing into an abyss-like pit. Rubble tumbled downward, and the shockwave sent flying debris scattering as if struck by an unseen force. Amid the thunderous blasts, the girls stared in disbelief as the towering labyrinth king fell to a single punch.
Crash!
The earth crumbled like melting snow, dust billowing out in an avalanche. Udaios didn't even have time to bellow before it was obliterated. Amid the swirling smoke, Yuto's lithe figure descended from the air.
"So strong!" Ais's clear eyes shimmered with awe.
"No surprise there..." Riveria murmured, dazed.
While the Loki Familia girls were still reeling, Daphne, Haruhime, and their companions were unfazed, long accustomed to Yuto's occasional displays of overwhelming power.
With the mission complete, Yuto led the group to the "Hostess of Fertility." The tavern buzzed with celebration, a lively affair that lasted until night fell. Eventually, Yuto said his goodbyes and, buoyed by the drinks, made his way to Sanjouno Haruhime's room.
Inside, her golden hair cascaded like a shimmering waterfall. Her gentle, submissive demeanor paired with her striking figure, was utterly captivating. Seeing the boy who'd saved her, Haruhime's heart fluttered with shy affection. She guided him to the bed. Her emerald eyes glistened, ears flushed red, and a soft blush spread across her face.
"Lord Yuto, you're my hero... I'm unworthy, with nothing to offer in return. Please, be gentle with me..." She pushed past her shyness, shedding her red kimono, her gaze brimming with devotion. "From tonight, Haruhime is yours alone, your fox girl."
That night, Yuto discovered a pleasure fit for an emperor.
…..
The final expedition in this world loomed ahead. Days later, Yuto rose early, nudging aside Hephaestus and Hestia from his bedside. With Haruhime's help, he donned his armor and led Tiffany and two others to the dungeon's entrance, where they joined the fully equipped Loki Familia.
"Finally here," said Finn, the Pallum captain, a spark of joy in his eyes as he watched Yuto's team approach. He'd personally invited this mighty god-slayer, confident that with such a powerhouse, their Familia could conquer the 59th floor, a feat unprecedented in Orario's history.
'Teaming up with the Loki Familia should let the Hestia girls level up once more; my last gift to them before I go,' Yuto mused. He'd only told Hestia about his departure. She'd panicked at first, fearing he'd never return, but when he explained that this world would freeze in time for him, she tearfully fell into his arms. Recalling the sweet, clumsy goddess with her blue ribbon, a smile crossed his handsome face, prompting jealous pouts from the girls watching him.
On the journey, Yuto held nothing back. With his fearsome strength, he carved a path through the monsters above the 58th floor single-handedly. Spirits, alongside elves, were iconic magical races, also called nymphs, elementals, or magical essences. Rare and enigmatic, they included earth, water, wind, thunder, and light spirits, with earth spirits. Seen as the race closest to the gods, they bore titles like "the gods' favored children" or "divine avatars." Yet, when corrupted, they became harbingers of dread.
This one stood six meters tall, its yellow-green body a chaotic swirl of colors, as if poisoned. The hues stretched to its faceless head, a feminine outline devoid of features. It was grotesque beyond words. On the 59th floor, this female-bodied, insect-legged abomination crawled up from the abyss, screeching like a frenzied soprano.
'A corrupted spirit?!'
Ais, the Sword Princess, broke into a cold sweat. At level 7, this foe was beyond her current abilities. As her hands trembled and she braced to charge, a firm arm stopped her.
"Leave this one to me," Yuto said with a reassuring smile.
In an instant, he unleashed his solar divine power.
Boom!
Flames roared upward, heat rolling in waves. Solar fire surged like a crimson tide, consuming everything in its path with devastating force. A cataclysmic blaze engulfed the monster, and it shrieked as purple fluids sprayed from its body.
Pfft!
A golden solar sword pierced its frame, tearing a gaping hole. With a final scream, the creature exploded and perished.
The Loki Familia erupted in cheers at the godlike spectacle, rushing to Yuto to celebrate clearing the 59th floor.
"Yuto..." Ais whispered from the crowd, her cool eyes alight with admiration.
…..
Late that night, back at the tavern, Yuto was about to rest when a knock sounded at his door. In the soft glow, Ais and Riveria approached him. Ais exuded a youthful grace, contrasting sharply with Riveria's mature allure.
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