Chapter 151: Collective Promotion! Loki's Conspiracy?
The next morning, the Guild Hall was as bustling as ever.
Adventurers loudly boasted about their achievements from the previous day, or gathered in groups of three to five, surging towards the quest board. The clamor almost threatened to lift the entire hall's dome.
However, today was destined to be out of the ordinary.
The adventurers' footsteps, coming and going, all stopped in unison before the massive announcement board.
A parchment representing the highest honor for a Familia was nailed in the most conspicuous position, the ink on it seemingly still radiating a scorching heat.
"Bete Loga, Tione Hiryute, and Tiona Hiryute, all belonging to the Loki Familia, have completed an expedition to the 59th Floor and are confirmed to be promoted to LV6."
"Finn Deimne, Gareth Landrock, and Riveria Ljos Alf, all belonging to the Loki Familia, have completed an expedition to the 59th Floor and are confirmed to be promoted to LV7."
The silence lasted only a moment.
The next second, exclamations and roars ten times more intense than before shot skyward!
"Three, three LV7s!? The Loki Familia has produced three LV7s!"
"The dual-king situation is broken! The landscape of Orario is about to change completely!"
And at the top of Tower of Babel, overlooking the entire Dungeon City, Freya stood silently before the floor-to-ceiling window.
Her gaze was fixed, lost in thought, towards the Twilight Manor, a smile blooming like a flower on her exquisitely beautiful face.
"Having returned from the expedition, that child's soul shines even more brightly… but it just had to be at this time…"
The Goddess of Beauty reluctantly withdrew her gaze and turned to look at the stern-faced Boar-Man warrior behind her.
"Loki's children are almost catching up to you, Ottar."
Facing the Goddess's almost teasing words, Ottar's expression remained unperturbed, only shaking his head slowly and firmly.
"Level does not represent everything. Even as LV7s, they are still not my opponents."
These words were spoken with conviction.
In Ottar's heart, Finn and the others were never the goal.
He always gazed at those peaks that were once out of reach, those who had reigned over the city with the strength of a single individual.
That sense of frustration, of being unable to budge them even with all his might, had long since become a brand, driving him to ceaselessly crave power.
Now, he was only one step away from LV8, his strength far surpassing that of the three newly promoted leaders.
From Ottar's eyes, Freya saw only an endless ambition for those who had come before him, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"What about the Holy Sword User?"
This question seemed to freeze the surrounding air.
Ottar fell into a long silence, and finally, each word was squeezed out as if through gritted teeth.
"…I am not his equal."
Freya's eyes gleamed, and she turned back around, her gaze pulling her delicate body close to the cold glass, her breath like an orchid.
"I will not give up on that child, absolutely not. So, Ottar, you all must prepare yourselves quickly."
The warrior, like a towering iron structure, nodded silently, then turned and walked away, disappearing out of the suite with an air of resolute determination.
…
Arthur pendragon
LV.5
Strength: I (0) → A (861)
Endurance: I (0) → A (812)
Dexterity: I (0) → A (837)
Agility: I (0) → A (843)
Magic: I (1) → S (959)
Miracle: C → B
Swordsman: D → C
Magic Conduction: D → C
Shatter: I → G
——Magic——
——Skills——
…
Arthur pushed open the door of the God's room and casually folded the parchment imprinted with his ability values.
In the high-level corridor, Familia members waiting for updates formed a long line, and excited discussions filled the air.
"The Captain and the others have all been promoted to LV7! We've finally caught up to the Freya Familia!"
"And Miss Tione and her group! The number of LV6s is also tied!"
"Hiss—then what about their LV5s?"
"Why panic! Don't we still have Arthur-san!"
"The Four Flame Gold Warriors versus the Holy Sword User… will it be too much?"
"What Holy Sword User?"
The arguing members suddenly looked up, realizing that the very person they were discussing was standing before them. One by one, they awkwardly grinned foolishly.
Arthur pressed, "What's this about the Holy Sword User you just mentioned?"
A member who had just returned from the Guild raised his right hand and quickly explained.
"It's like this, Arthur-san. Soon after we set off on the expedition, your title was confirmed at the Gods' Assembly!"
Hearing this, a flicker of understanding passed through Arthur's eyes, and he mused inwardly.
'Holy Sword User, huh? I thought Loki, with her mischievous nature, would give me a title like 'Twilight Sword' or something.'
Just then, Loki, with her hands behind her back, rubbing her lower back, ambled out of the God's room, muttering curses.
"No, no, I'm exhausted! Too many people to update, I need to rest first!"
A wail immediately rose from the queue, but they were helpless against their capricious Goddess.
Seeing this, Arthur's figure flickered, blocking Loki, who was about to sneak off for a drink, with a playful smirk.
"There's a celebration banquet tonight. You wouldn't want everyone to be unable to enjoy their drinks because they haven't updated their ability values, would you?"
The Goddess, who loved alcohol more than anything, felt a pang of empathy at his words, her expression instantly freezing.
She pouted unwillingly, but eventually dragged her heavy feet back into the God's room.
"Alright! My little ones, all of you take off your shirts! Next, I'm going to get all of you done in one go!"
While Loki performed her haphazard update ritual, the executive members went out into the street to deal with the spoils brought back from the expedition.
As dusk fell, amidst the awed and envious gazes of Orario's residents, everyone reconvened at their usual tavern.
Inside the bustling establishment, dishes of all colors, aromas, and flavors piled high on the long table.
Loki, in high spirits, raised her glass: "Anyway, everyone, thank you for your hard work on the expedition—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The hearty clinking of glasses was crisp and loud, instantly igniting the atmosphere at the entire dining table and drawing the attention of other patrons.
After downing a mug of ale, Loki, in a grand gesture, waved her hand, and another large spread of meat and egg dishes, along with signature noodles, were brought to the table by adorable cat-eared waitresses.
Her extravagant behavior made both Arthur and Finn frown simultaneously.
"Hey, Loki, you're not drunk after the first glass, are you?"
"Indeed, if you keep ordering, we'll go over budget. In that case, I will directly use your personal savings to pay."
Facing Finn's threats, which usually worked without fail, Loki this time waved her hand dismissively, her eyes full of pleasure.
"It's fine, it's fine! It's a party, be happy! Don't worry everyone, this round is on me!"
The words "on me" brought the noisy dining table to an instant silence.
Even Tiona, who had been burying her face in food, noticed the strange atmosphere, a piece of steak dangling from her mouth as she froze.
Arthur took a sip of ale, glancing at the various dishes almost overflowing on the table, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Offering courtesies for no reason means either ill intent or theft. Loki, you're being too eager, just tell us what your scheme is."
"…Sigh, I originally planned to wait until everyone was happily drunk and then tell them back at the base…"
The bleary-eyed Loki suddenly reined in her smile. She narrowed her eyes, placed her hands on her hips, striking a pose of a dead pig not fearing boiling water, and announced self-righteously.
"I wasn't planning anything bad! I just felt that after such a tough expedition, we deserve a Comfort trip outside the city!"
Everyone exchanged glances. Arthur and Finn looked at each other, and the former asked in a deep voice.
"If it's just a Comfort trip, it's not worth you spending so much. Just be honest."
Loki took a deep breath, slammed her hand on the table, and shouted with all her might.
"The Guild requires half of our combat strength to remain stationed! So for this trip, all the men stay behind! I'm going to the beach with all the girls!"
"…"
The next moment, the sound of glasses and cutlery falling to the floor echoed one after another, and all the male members roared, almost tearing the tavern roof off!