Chapter 63: Investigation, Status Update
Leaving the Dungeon and returning to Orario, the process was very smooth. He didn't encounter any large-scale monster groups during this time, but he parted ways with Lili on a safe floor. Leaving together with the sole remaining supporter of the Soma Familia.
Liam felt he definitely wouldn't have time to find Hestia to update his status and undergo level sublimation. Even if Lili was interrogated by the Ganesha Familia.
Before being questioned by a god, they definitely wouldn't be able to lock onto him as the target.
"I can win." He didn't feel nervous. Even if all his ability scores hadn't reached their upper limit, a comprehensive S-rank and the fastest breakthrough to Lv2.
Before the final battle with the Black Dragon, his value was greater than that of the entire Soma Familia.
If there was something to look forward to, it was to what extent his own ability scores, having reached a bottleneck, would be after this period of high-intensity Dungeon exploration.
"."
Can I really win?
Lili had no specific answer in her heart. All she could do now was trust. She took out all the earnings from the Dungeon exploration and handed them to Liam.
She looked up, her eyes grave, "If I'm questioned by the guards as you said, I'll just say I don't know anything. I'll only tell the truth when questioned by a god?"
"Of course."
"As for the materials dropped in the Dungeon, let's wait until the incident is over before exchanging them."
The outside time was still unclear for now. The exchange would naturally have to wait until the Adventurer's Guild was open for business. The most urgent matter at present was still updating his status.
Liam didn't take the packed dropped items. It couldn't be said that his impression of Lili had completely changed.
At least the changes during this period were visible to the naked eye, and the "Soma Familia Destruction Incident" had, to some extent, established a bond.
Compared to materials estimated to be worth 100,000 Valis, a trustworthy supporter was clearly more important.
Holding the packed monster materials, Lili watched Liam's departing back. The gravity on the young woman's youthful face dissipated, and her eyes gradually became complex.
She was aware of his guardedness due to her不堪 (unbearable/sordid) past, his well-intentioned help, and even his unhesitating rescue when she was in danger…
Perhaps this was the feeling of being "trusted"?
She had never thought it would happen to her. Although the value of these materials wasn't high, their weight was exceptionally heavy for Lili.
"I have to work hard too... at least not to drag him down, right?"
"."
Packing her bags, after waiting long enough for Liam to leave, Lili gripped the shoulder straps of her supporter's pack and left via the spiral staircase.
Usually, it was easy to blend in and get out by following an adventurer team.
But the "Soma Familia Destruction Incident" had caused the Ganesha guard to implement strict adventurer identity control. When it was her team's turn.
They conducted a meticulous check of her identity information.
Especially when they discovered the Pallum supporter before them was the sole survivor of the Soma Familia, the atmosphere on the scene instantly froze.
The adventurer wearing an elephant-trunk mask, whose face couldn't be seen clearly, said politely, "Are you Liliruca, the supporter from the Soma Familia?"
"There's a matter we hope you can cooperate with us in investigating."
Lili didn't answer, just remained silent. There wasn't much she could do, other than to buy as much time as possible for Liam.
Her silent attitude already said a lot.
If she didn't know about the Soma Familia destruction incident, she would definitely ask for the reason. And Liliruca's subtle attitude was an indirect indication.
She was an insider!
The guard member signaled his colleague behind him with his eyes, then said comfortingly, "It won't take up too much of your time, just asking a few questions."
"The questioning will be completed by Captain Shakti. Don't worry."
For Hestia, the waiting process last night was agonizing. As a Familia goddess, she certainly shouldn't add to her dependant's burden.
She knew Liam didn't want her to work part-time.
When he set off for his Dungeon adventure, she would still go to the fried potato ball stall to "work part-time." At least when Liam sublimated his adventurer level to Lv2. She could save some money for a celebratory meal at a good restaurant?
Hestia had thought of giving him a gift, but she could only ask Hephaestus for credit. If she explained the specific reason clearly, she should be able to get help.
But according to Liam's character, knowing the debt she carried.
He would definitely shoulder the pressure of the debt himself. This was probably a happy problem, a dependant for whom she held feelings that surpassed family.
His character was excessively mature and steady!
The part-time job at the fried potato ball stall was over. All Hestia could do was wait at home. She hadn't seen Liam since waking up yesterday.
The Valis left on the table indicated he had been back.
Liam not returning all night had already made Hestia very worried, not to mention the turbulent news of the "Soma Familia's Destruction" she received during the day.
It made her suspended heart tighten even more.
Sitting on the steps at the entrance of the abandoned church, the young woman hugged her knees, her chin resting lightly on them, watching the dusk sunset spill onto the street.
"Liam-kun, when will you be back?"
"His ability scores improve so quickly, he should... he shouldn't be in any danger, right?" Hestia's face lacked its usual lively energy.
She inexplicably recalled what she had said to Liam during that status update.
The reason for not helping with the level sublimation was the hope that he wouldn't waste his talent, but at that time, she had ignored his method of Dungeon training.
"New adventurer single-handedly fought a swarm of rare Blue Butterfly monsters and won easily."
"Encountered a Monster Party, went all out to complete the monster cleanup."
These were grand feats that would absolutely not occur for other adventurers, yet they were Liam's means of improving through Dungeon training!
Thinking of this.
Hestia didn't continue to sit on the steps and wait. She didn't want Liam to encounter danger in the Dungeon because of the direction she had guided him in.
"No."
"I have to do something!"
The only one who could provide help was Hephaestus. No matter what it took, if worse came to worst, she would go beg that detestable Loki.
As long as she could find Liam and confirm his safety…
The young woman set off decisively without hesitation, knowing that the more time she delayed, the more dangerous Liam's situation might become.
Hestia's mood was quite complex. Walking quickly along the weed-strewn abandoned street, that sense of guilt gradually enveloped her.
"I'm really not a... competent goddess."
Climbing the stairs, this feeling was particularly strong when she reached the top.
But seeing the familiar figure walking towards her under the sunset, the young woman's face went blank, replaced by a heartfelt joy.
Not caring about the slipper that flew off her foot as she ran.
Excitement, relief, all sorts of complex emotions finally resulted in Hestia's leaping embrace, her hands tightly wrapped around Liam's neck.
Liam could feel that Hestia's mood was a bit off. Normally, she would definitely ask about his adventure process. His heart hesitated.
Finally, he reached out and gently hugged the young woman.
His smile was exceptionally relaxed, his tone gentle and teasing, "Lady Hestia, good thing I ran into you here, otherwise…"
"I wouldn't even know how to update my status!"
After all…
The time left for him now was not much.
(End of this chapter)
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Sorry, I forgot to upload the chapters tomorrow. I will upload the two extra chapters today. Enjoy!