Chapter 55

Chapter 56: Izay Runs Off With Ryu?

“So, a pretty «normal» growth process for a rookie, huh?”

Blinking her eyes, Loki tilted her head to answer Bert’s question.

“???”

Instantly, everyone present felt like they were being mocked!

“Loki, hasn’t Izay leveled up yet?”

Chin in hand, Finn seemed to be guessing the truth of the matter.

To this, Loki nodded to indicate correctness:

“Hmm, not yet. Because his ability values are gradually approaching the bottleneck for leveling up, he started preparing to obtain a «Great Deed». Coincidentally, a few days ago, a reinforced species appeared on the fifteenth floor, and the guild issued a bounty hunt mission, which he then took an interest in.”

“That night, the kid told me he found a Lv.4 helper who would explore the dungeon with him, and then dove headfirst into the dungeon.”

“And just yesterday, news came from the Guild Headquarters that the reinforced species on the fifteenth floor had been defeated, but until now…”

“Izay hasn’t returned yet?”

Finn picked up where Loki intentionally paused, finishing the sentence.

“So that’s why you asked us if we saw Izay on our way back?”

“Mhm, Mommy, exactly!”

“Don’t call me MOMMY so many times!”

Looking at Loki’s grinning face, Riviria wanted to throw her staff at her.

“Hmm… Although it is somewhat worrying that he hasn’t returned to the surface, since there’s a Lv.4 with him, it should be hard for anything to go wrong in the middle-upper levels. Loki, you should be slightly more at ease.”

Rubbing his big beard, Gress voiced his opinion.

“Well, that’s true. Actually, I originally thought you guys might have run into him.”

At this, Loki nodded noncommittally, and at this point, Ais suddenly spoke up with her naturally curious tone.

“So… how could he become so strong in such a short time?”

In just half a month, how did Izay manage to transform from a complete novice just receiving divine blessings into a powerful adventurer rivaling Lv.2?

Ais was curious and hoped to get an answer from Loki.

She wasn’t the only one; everyone in the room, to varying degrees, wanted to know the answer.

Especially Tione, Tiona, and Bert, all Lv.5s.

As the time stagnating at this level grew longer, they could all feel how increasingly difficult and slow it became to improve their ability values.

Now, suddenly, someone who grew stronger so quickly had appeared, and he was even a member of their own group. How could they not be curious?

“Hmm…?”

Loki deliberately drew out her words, smiling as she saw Ais’ eager expression, her mouth almost splitting to her ears.

“We don’t really know either!”

“—!!”

The next moment, Ais blankly froze, then realized she’d been tricked by Loki, puffing out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

Of course…

As seasoned veterans, the Three Giants knew Loki’s intentions the moment they saw her smile, and sure enough, their expectations were met.

“Ahaha, Ais-chan, don’t be mad~ This question involves ability values, which is Izay’s personal secret. As the main deity, it’s our duty to keep it confidential for him. Until we get his permission, we can’t tell you for now~”

Noticing that Ais seemed a little upset, Loki quickly apologized to her.

Though she was still smiling brightly…

Seeing this, Riviria’s lips twitched.

I’ll believe that when hell freezes over…

Clearly, Loki answered this way because it amused her and gave her a chance to tease Ais.

Soon after, the group temporarily set this matter aside and moved on to the main topic—the report on the expedition.

Meanwhile, in the western district of Orario, at The Bountiful Mistress tavern.

Izay and Ryu, now dressed in waitress attire, arrived at the door marked “Closed.”

Ryu changed her clothes inside the facilities of the Babel Tower, which has dedicated shower rooms for adventurers returning from the dungeon.

Many adventurers make it a priority to visit the showers provided by the Babel Tower upon returning to the surface to wash away the traces of battle.

Although the tavern was closed and not yet open for business, Ryu, as an employee of the shop, calmly pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Passing through the entrance, the bell above the door clanged loudly.

“The cats’ store isn’t open yet… Mew! The runaway Ryu is finally back!!”

It was close to noon, and Aniya, busy setting tablecloths while preparing to open, instinctively tried to shoo the visitor away but stopped mid-sentence.

Upon seeing the familiar figure open the door and walk in, she immediately began shouting excitedly.

“Runaway? Runaway???”

Hearing such explosive words as soon as she entered, Ryu’s face instantly turned red, stammering for a moment before glaring irritably at the cat-eared girl.

“Aniya, what do you mean by ‘runaway’?!”

She managed to refute, but for some reason, her rebuttal lacked conviction.

“Stupid cat, can’t you change how you address me at least a little? Who’s the ‘dislike ghost’ you’re talking about?”

Following Ryu into the store, Izay casually closed the door behind him.

“Mew! Of course, I’m talking about you! You’re so unfriendly to cats; who else could you be but a dislike ghost?”

Aniya raised her chin, trying to look down on Izay with a contemptuous gaze.

But it was useless.

There was a decisive height difference between them.

Standing at only 150 cm, even on her tiptoes, Aniya struggled to reach the height of the 180 cm tall Izay.

Looking up at him like this instead made her seem like a younger sister looking up at her older brother.

“Right, there’s a dislike ghost talking about me, and she seems completely unaware of herself~”

Unable to resist, Izay placed his hand on her head and gave her a vigorous scalp rub.

“Meoww!!!”

Aniya went berserk—snarling and clawing as she lunged toward Izay, but was held back by a fateful hand, leaving her flailing arms unable to touch the other person.

“Meow? Ryu seems embarrassed… I think this trip outside the door wasn’t simple at all. What do you think, Lunowa?”

“I? I quite agree with Kuroi’s opinion~ There’s definitely something fishy going on~”

“…”

Kuroi’s lips twitched slightly, unable to help but glance sideways at Lunowa with a “what’s wrong with you?” look.

Do you have to use “fishy” to describe it?

Can’t you use something else?

Could you show a little respect for her identity as a catgirl?

Meow your head off!

“Ara~ Welcome back, Ryu.”

Soon, Hiel, the signboard girl of The Bountiful Mistress tavern, also appeared from the kitchen, approaching Ryu with a sweet smile.

“Uh-huh, I’m back, Hiel.”

Ryu retracted her gaze from Aniya and smiled back at her.

Hiel Flova.

The only employee in this tavern without any powers, she is the most unique member…

Her personality is very pure and friendly, able to treat anyone equally without reservation, making her highly popular among male customers.

In front of her ever-present, fearless smile, even the roughest adventurers couldn’t help but relax their expressions and unwind.

Izay himself harbored a bit of caution towards her deep down, but in terms of daily interactions, thanks to Ryu acting as a bridge, his relationship with Hiel could be considered superficial friends?

After all, no one knows what this witch truly thinks inside…