Laila suddenly remembered—so that was why Ryuu had been so determined to learn cooking?
…Could she copy that move too?
If I make a bento for Finn, would that improve our relationship?
But then reality punched back: would Loki Familia even let her inside?
Before she could spiral any further, Kaguya started moving—heading in the direction Ryuu had run off.
"You going somewhere?" Laila asked.
"You don't want to follow and see what happens?" Kaguya replied.
"Uh…"
That question triggered something deep and universal inside Laila.
Yes. Of course.
Gossip was a law of nature, no matter which world you lived in.
How could she possibly miss something this good?
So she followed.
And for reasons nobody could explain, it turned into a chain reaction—more and more members of the Familia got pulled in by the strange atmosphere, including even their goddess and their captain.
Kaguya and Laila weren't even big blabbermouths, but their sneaky behavior was so obvious that teammates wandered over to ask what was going on.
Once the whole crew was gathering, there was no way to keep it secret.
And so—without the two "main characters" noticing at all—
a massive "peeping operation" unfolded inside the Familia's residence.
Meanwhile…
Ryuu, carrying both excitement and dread, quickly found the familiar figure.
"Be brave… be brave…"
She muttered to give herself courage, then clenched her teeth and stepped forward.
Even after everything in the Dungeon and the goddess's "talk," when it came down to the final step, she still needed tremendous nerve.
Normally, being around him was fine—
but the moment she thought of it that way, her heart refused to settle.
That strange, thrilling feeling threw Ryuu off balance.
Someone who had spent so long relying on inner calm wasn't used to this at all.
Xien, for his part, had no clue what was about to happen.
He judged he'd trained enough for now and was getting ready to head back for lunch.
Still not good enough…
To him, basic training was basically warm-up now.
If he wanted to keep gaining "experience," he needed a higher-pressure environment.
His master's training was solid, but she had a huge Familia to manage—plus they were in a turbulent period—so he couldn't rely on her.
That left only one route: the Dungeon.
He was Level 2 now…
Should he propose an expedition to the captain? Big events were approaching, and the Familia needed to ramp up overall strength fast.
And with him around, the team's survival margin skyrocketed.
In that situation, refusing to push growth would be outright stupidity.
The Evilus remnants weren't making big moves yet because the two major Familias still hadn't driven them out.
But that didn't mean they weren't there.
Evil doesn't spawn overnight.
Xien didn't believe that kind of underground network could grow into what it became "in just a few years."
Those sewer rats were experts at hiding—so much so that even the information-focused Hermes Familia had almost nothing solid on them.
So: strengthen your side first. That was the correct path.
…And then, while he was planning, he noticed someone walking toward him.
He looked up.
Ryuu.
She wasn't avoiding him anymore?
So the earlier weirdness really was special circumstances?
But why was she here now?
To eat together?
…Wait.
What was that in her hands?
That size—
No way.
No, seriously?
In Xien's stunned silence, Ryuu reached him.
"H-Hien…"
The volume made Xien flash back to his training trauma and respond on instinct:
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"I… you worked hard. I made a bento…"
"I-I mean… if you don't mind… please… try it."
She was bright red and stiff as a board.
This didn't look like "offering lunch."
It looked like she was sentencing him to execution.
Xien's heart started pounding.
A girl had made him a bento.
For the first time.
His dream had come true.
He could die without regrets.
Whatever plans he had in his head? Pause them.
Right now he had to respond to the elf's precious sincerity.
"I don't mind at all—no, I'm really grateful."
"I was just starting to feel hungry…"
Xien was so moved he decided: even if it were poison, he'd eat it.
It was her heart in a box.
And he wasn't going to die from it anyway—his Body of Abundance wasn't a joke.
His hands trembling slightly, Xien accepted the bento and happily invited her to sit in the nearby resting area.
The most beautiful person is always the one who's willing to be captivated by you.
Right now, the shy blonde elf in front of him was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Xien opened the bento and took a bite—
and his eyes lit up.
It was… unexpectedly good.
Not "professional chef" level, sure, but for a beginner it was genuinely solid.
And that flavor…
Laila taught her, didn't she?
As the Familia's most professional cook, he recognized the "signature" immediately.
"S-So… how is it?" Ryuu asked, tense like a kid awaiting a teacher's judgment.
Xien smiled.
At this moment, she wasn't intimidating at all.
She was just… cute.
"It's delicious," he said.
"And for a first attempt—made with your feelings in it—it's perfect."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah."
"Ryuu… I received your feelings. Thank you."
"Thank you for making me a bento."
"I'm honestly really happy."
Xien said it straight—no games, no dodging.
Ryuu visibly loosened, as if a heavy pressure had been lifted.
"…That's good. Really… that's so good."
Then Xien added:
"If you want, I can teach you cooking later?"
"Really?"
"Of course. I'd love to."
Their warm conversation continued—completely unaware that a crowd was gathering as an audience in the distance.
The Peanut Gallery
"Uwaaah, it's so sweet…"
"Why is the first one to actually succeed the stiff, awkward Ryuu!?"
"Lady Astraea, I want a sweet romance too…"
"Stop."
"Even if Orario had someone worth dating, they wouldn't survive a couple of your rage punches."
"Oi, Nize—what did you say!? You wanna fight!?"
"Come on, then. Who's scared!?"
Ignoring those two clowns, the rest watched with mixed bitterness and blessing.
"Xien… that was smooth. Is this really your first time? It's suspicious."
"Some people are just born like that."
"But if no one intervenes, people like that often evolve into a disgusting creature…"
"A scumbag."
"Then we have to support them more."
"Yeah… yeah…"
Astraea Familia's goddess pressed a hand to her forehead.
This had really stirred the hornet's nest.
The jealousy in the crowd was palpable—they were getting force-fed romance.
Still, looking at the pair in the distance, she couldn't help smiling.
Youth was nice.
Sweetness Ends, Life Continues
Beautiful moments never last.
Xien felt reluctant, but seeing the faint smile on Ryuu's face was enough.
There was nothing more beautiful than the person you like… liking you back, and choosing to change for you.
Still, he couldn't stop becoming stronger.
If only to protect that smile.
That afternoon, he was supposed to report to the Adventurers' Guild—register his new Level 2 rank.
…Although he had just been with Ryuu, and now he was thinking about another girl.
Did that make him a scumbag?
Probably not. He was thinking about work.
With his growth rate, he was likely the fastest Level 2 in Orario right now.
Ais Wallenstein hadn't even arrived in the city yet in this timeline, and even if she had, her record for reaching Level 2 had still taken around a year.
His pace was similar to Bell Cranel—but his overall values were higher, so his payoff was larger.
That was why he could already spar against Level 3s and, at full power, even challenge an average Level 4.
Different people had different "vessels."
Some held a cup.
Some held a lake.
At the same level, that gap only widens with time.
That was why Orario worshipped heroes.
A Cloaked Giant at the Gate
With Level 2 strength, Xien could now act independently in many districts.
So he greeted Nize at the post and walked out—
only to run directly into a tall figure.
The man was massive, wearing armor—then covering it with a black cloak, presumably to hide himself…
but honestly, it made him more noticeable.
And since he was blocking Xien's path, he was clearly here for him.
Even with the pressure of that body and presence, Xien kept his smile.
"Hello. Who are you?"
"Hello," the man said calmly.
"I'm a member of the Zeus Familia. My name is Zard."
Xien relaxed slightly.
Not hostile.
And Zeus Familia…
He could guess why this man was here.
"So, Mr. Zard… you came to see me?"
"Yes." The man's gaze locked onto him.
"I want to ask you for help."
"Miracle-bringer… Xien."
Xien nodded. If the man knew his reputation, there was only one likely reason.
"So you're a patient."
"Sure. Come with me."
He turned back toward the residence.
The Guild receptionist would have to wait.
This guy was too conspicuous to handle on the street anyway.
Nize's expression turned blank as Xien returned just minutes after leaving—now accompanied by a stranger.
"This is Mr. Zard from Zeus Familia," Xien explained.
"He's probably here for treatment. I'm bringing him inside to take a look."
"What!?" Nize exploded.
"Zard!? The absolute Devourer!?"
…A wolf-girl "fur-bristle" reaction was, unfortunately, kind of adorable.
"Huh? Is he famous?" Xien asked.
The man really was someone big? Maybe another survivor from the Three Great Quests like his master? 1pgg1
Nize rubbed her forehead, cursing a certain dense elf internally.
Ryuu, what have you been teaching him?
He doesn't even know basic cross-Familia "who's who"!
All Hands in the Living Room
Soon, the entire leadership group was assembled in the living room—Astraea Familia's cadres, Xien, and the guest.
"I see… you're Master's friend," Xien said.
"You should've led with that—my heart nearly jumped out."
Zard's sudden appearance had basically shocked Astraea Familia for an entire year's worth of stress in one moment.
No one expected one of the strongest warriors in Orario to walk into their home.
"I apologize for the sudden visit," Zard said.
"It was my mistake—but please understand."
"I didn't want anyone else to know."
"That's fair," their captain said.
"And our members did overreact a bit."
Once they confirmed he wasn't here to start trouble, the tension eased.
And everyone's eyes naturally drifted toward Xien.
Xien, rare moment of swagger, waved a hand grandly.
"No problem."
"Come on, Mr. Zard."
"If you're Master's friend, you're my elder."
"The pain and curse on you—"
"I'll handle it."
....
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