Chapter 27: Able to Feel Sturdy Ribs~
In response to Izay’s question, Loki burst into an even brighter smile for a moment.
Perhaps this question hit right at her soft spot, but the broad-minded goddess didn’t dwell on Izay’s casual words.
Lowering the arm that rested atop Izay’s head, she now draped it around his neck, her breath reeking of alcohol.
“I heard young Izay spent the entire day in the Dungeon today. And the gains from your first entry were quite impressive. How about trying to update your ‘Ability Values’ later? Let me see if there have been any changes?”
Though Loki phrased it as a question, her actions clearly demonstrated her capricious nature as she tightly gripped Izay’s neck, with the clear implication that she wouldn’t let him leave until he agreed.
Normally, newcomers would undergo their first Ability Value update after enduring extensive training following receipt of divine blessings.
This could take days, weeks, or even months.
After all, divine blessings unlock potential; they don’t directly bestow power.
Without subsequent training or combat, there would be no growth.
And usually, this growth process… well, took time.
If the sum of the five basic attributes increased by several dozen points after one update, that was already considered excellent data.
It had always been like this.
Loki was fully aware of this, which is why she held expectations for Izay.
To be precise, she expected much from Izay’s “Celestial Favor” skill.
This was an unprecedented rarity—a skill capable of accelerating growth!
“Um… Loki, isn’t updating Ability Values on the very first day a bit too soon?”
Anna, who also knew the speed at which divine blessings improved abilities, couldn’t help but feel puzzled upon hearing Loki’s suggestion. What kind of accumulation or enlightenment could one gain in just a day? The increase in ability values would probably only reach single digits…
Since Loki hadn’t bothered to lower her voice, the remaining members in the large dining hall overheard her words and exchanged looks of confusion.
In response, the Red-Haired Goddess smirked, “Well, don’t worry too much about it, Anna-chan. This kid’s situation is special~”
“Who’s Anna-chan?! Don’t call me that!”
The catgirl exploded in anger at the nickname.
“Probably out of curiosity, Loki.”
From afar, Gress immediately guessed Loki’s thoughts.
“Ah, given that skill, it’s only natural for Loki to be curious.”
Sitting beside him, Finn nodded nonchalantly in agreement.
“Eh? What? What are you two talking about being curious?”
Tiona, the younger of the Amazon sisters, couldn’t help but become intrigued by their cryptic conversation.
Not just her, but several top adventurers of the Loki Familia seated at this table turned their curious gazes toward Finn.
If the group sitting at Izay’s table represented the second tier of adventurers in the Loki Familia, then those seated here were the first-tier combatants.
Excluding the three leaders, there was Level 5 Swordswoman Ais, the Amazon sisters, werewolf Bert, and a certain yuri fairy who somehow managed to infiltrate the ranks of the elites.
“It’s about Izay. He has a rare skill never seen before, and Loki is curious about it.”
Finn kindly explained to Tiona, who seemed completely lost.
“Eh? What kind of rare skill? Is it super strong!?”
Her curiosity fully piqued by Finn’s words, Tiona propped herself up on the table and looked hopefully at her guild leader, hoping for further clarification.
“Hmm, yes, it’s strong. In the future, Orario will undoubtedly have a place for Izay.”
Given his limited understanding of Izay’s skill, Finn refrained from making overly bold statements, merely voicing his inner judgment.
Even so, this was enough to shock everyone present.
“The guild leader actually holds such high regard for that kid?”
Tione couldn’t help but glance at Izay with some doubt. After hearing that Loki and the three leaders thought highly of Izay’s talent, she had simply regarded him as a slightly promising newcomer.
But now, with Finn speaking so highly of him, that impression was quickly overturned.
Ais and Refia felt the same way.
Looking at the distant figure of Izay, who was currently struggling against Loki’s advances with a look of silent suffering, they began paying attention to the new recruit who had joined the Familia just yesterday.
“Tch! Boring. I’ve finished eating, I’ll be going ahead.”
Werewolf Bert glanced at Izay a few more times due to Finn’s words, then grunted and left with his plate, his motives unclear.
The others were used to his behavior and continued discussing the earlier topic.
“Hey hey, Guild Leader~ what kind of rare skill is it?”
“Well… you should ask him yourselves when you get the chance. I don’t think I’m in a position to divulge anything…”
“Eh~ Guild Leader is mean~”
“Tiona! Do not speak ill of the Guild Leader!”
The commotion nearby did not interrupt the exchange between Izay and Loki.
After being strangled for a while, Izay eventually gave in under Loki’s silver authority.
Actually, it wasn’t painful—just his head feeling a bit… compressed.
Hmm, able to feel sturdy ribs.
……
After finishing his meal and leaving the dining hall, Izay walked along the aerial corridor overlooking the courtyard, its appearance rather plain.
Twilight Manor was formed by many towers grouped together.
The lower halves of the towers were connected, while the upper halves extended stone corridors linking two towers, compensating for their shortcomings. They crisscrossed in all directions without any discernible order.
By now, the evening glow had long faded, replaced by a cobalt night sky dotted with countless stars and a golden moon.
Looking towards the city, dazzling lights spilled out between buildings, accompanied by faint sounds of joyous revelry carried by string instruments.
After observing briefly, Izay headed towards Loki’s Divine Room according to memory.
That whimsical goddess had gone off somewhere drinking after telling him to meet her later to update his Ability Values.
However, wherever she might be, she would surely appear in her Divine Room later.
Simply put, the Divine Room was Loki’s personal quarters, located on the top floor of the Central Tower surrounded by other towers.
After climbing the spiral staircase inside the tower, Izay arrived at the Divine Room.
As expected, Loki was indeed here, seemingly tidying up the room?
Standing at the doorway, looking at the cluttered interior filled with various items, with a small wine stash piled in the corner, Izay fell silent.
Hadn’t this room been neat and tidy when he came here yesterday?
What happened now?
“Oops, sorry, I’m looking for something. After Riviria helped clean the room yesterday, some things seem to have mysteriously disappeared~”
Perhaps sensing Izay’s bewilderment, Loki smiled and offered an explanation.