Chapter 10

Chapter 10: So What Does This Have to Do With Being a Jerk?

“Well, if there are any others, they might only be the [Ganesha Familia], [Apollo Familia], and the [Loki Familia].”

With that, the half-elf sisterly figure laid out three sheets of paper on the counter.

“Among them, while the [Ganesha Familia] is an exploration-type Familia, they often maintain the peace in Orario, so there probably won’t be many chances for dungeon runs.”

“The [Apollo Familia], well… their reputation might be somewhat… unsavory?”

“And the [Loki Familia]’s recruitment notice is looking for supporters rather than adventurers, which might oddly suit you. But this deity has high standards for supporters…”

In short, all three Familias had their issues.

Izay glanced at the counter, his gaze sweeping over the three documents one by one.

The first to be crossed off was the [Apollo Familia]; he didn’t want to be involved with such a deranged deity.

As for the [Ganesha Familia] and [Loki Familia], these were both famous exploration factions in Orario, ranked second and third in power among Familias, making them decent choices.

However, after hesitating for a fraction of a second, Izay made his decision.

“Excuse me, does the staff member know if the [Loki Familia] has any intention of accepting completely new adventurer recruits?”

No questions asked—it was about seizing opportunities when they arose.

“Eh??? ”

The half-elf suddenly looked confused, her eyes widening as she stared at Izay.

“Pardon my asking, but sir, do you not have divine blessings?”

“Yes, it’s my first time in Orario.”

“This… I may not be able to give you a definitive answer.”

After all, whether or not someone could join a Familia wasn’t something a mere Guild clerk could decide.

Ultimately, it came down to the deity’s will.

“So, what good advice does the staff member have if I want to join the Loki Familia?”

Don’t ask, just ask—this was the spirit Izay fully embodied.

Given his status as a freeman, seeing Loki without special circumstances would be nearly impossible, so he had no choice but to go through the Guild.

“Hmm…”

Hearing this, the half-elf hesitated, glancing sideways at Izay for a moment before timidly speaking up.

“Would you be willing to take some risks for this?”

“Will it cost me my life?”

“It shouldn’t come to that…”

“In that case, I’m willing.”

“Uh, alright, then please fill out this form.”

Even though the situation was entirely different from what she expected, the half-elf decided to help Izay as much as possible.

In Orario, the Adventurer’s Guild had a policy of giving extra care to newcomers.

Because many rookies knew nothing about the dungeons and were complete novices.

If the Guild staff didn’t look out for these rookies, the annual death toll among adventurers would likely skyrocket to alarming levels.

Thus, countless adventurers were deeply grateful to the Guild, and no one caused trouble there.

Those crowded around the Magic Stone exchange window, even if anxious, still queued up properly, never disrupting the order.

“Hmm, no problem.”

Taking the form, Izay filled out each question step by step.

It was simple stuff like name, age, why he wanted to join the Loki Familia, and whether he had previous experience with joining Familias.

Naturally, Izay marked “none” for the latter.

Finally, after paying the required fee for consultation, a few minutes later, Izay obtained a document stamped with the Guild seal?

“What is this?”

Looking at the white document in hand, Izay couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s like an ID thingy, Mr. Izay~ Earlier, I took down the recruitment notice for supporters from the Loki Familia, changed its status to completed, and what you have here is your pass to visit the Loki Familia~”

Smiling, the half-elf explained to Izay.

Through the form, she also learned Izay’s name.

“Uh… but I wanted to become an adventurer, and I’m not a supporter either?”

“It’s all about how you handle it, Mr. Izay~ For a rookie like you, this is the only way to quickly join the Loki Familia. This pass can get you an audience with Loki, though it’s a bit sneaky. But what happens next is entirely up to you.”

“…I see.”

This move, this move was called ‘deceiving the heavens.’

Pretending to be a supporter wanting to join the Loki Familia to meet Loki, the rest was thirty percent skill and seventy percent luck.

Success would make everyone happy; failure would mean being kicked out at worst.

Even if discovered, Loki wasn’t the type to hold a grudge over something like this.

Good grief, Izay couldn’t stop exclaiming.

“Thank you very much, staff member.”

Putting away the pass, Izay thanked the half-elf.

“Don’t mention it, Mr. Izay, I hope the next time we meet, it’ll be as a new adventurer at the Guild. If you have any questions then, feel free to ask me. Oh, my name is Eina, Eina Zul.”

So it was her…

Izay understood internally but responded politely.

“Alright, thanks for the good omen.”

Saying goodbye to Eina with Lanti, they met up with Letsha who had already finished her commission. The three waited outside for Artemis.

“Izay, how did the Familia consultation go?”

Finding a flowerbed edge to sit on in the spacious courtyard, Letsha placed the commission funds into Izay’s backpack and inquired.

“It went fairly smoothly, though the method was a bit sneaky. But I did meet a kind Guild staff member.”

Izay smiled and truthfully replied.

“Huh? You’re not developing feelings for her just because she was slightly enthusiastic, are you? No way!!!”

As she spoke, Lanti moved a little further away, her face full of disdain.

“Lanti, where did you learn your yin-yang techniques?”

“What are yin-yang techniques?”

“Never mind, I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re so annoying! Teasing people and then leaving them hanging, jerk!”

So what does this have to do with being a jerk?

Izay didn’t quite understand her line of thinking.

Watching the two bicker, Letsha’s lips curved into a slight smile.

“So which Familia do you plan to join? Surely you’ve considered it by now?”

Regarding Izay’s inability to join the Artemis Familia, Letsha had no complaints, only a touch of regret.

As the captain, she was the one who knew Artemis Goddess best within the Familia.

Though she treated Izay specially, it wasn’t enough to break her long-held principles for him.

After all, they’d only known each other for less than a month.

The future… who could predict it?