8 Chapter 8: A Rewarding Invitation

Chapter 8: A Rewarding Invitation

"It's really great that you're okay, Messiah!" This time, Aina's smile was not the professional, feigned one, but a genuine smile from the heart. The moment she saw Messiah, Aina's heart greatly relaxed, as if a burden had been lifted.

"Are you hurt?" Then, Aina quickly scanned Messiah's entire body to see if he was injured.

"Ah, I'm not hurt, thank you for your concern, Aina-san," Messiah responded with a light smile.

"Aina-san, please exchange these magic stone shards for me." Following that, Messiah grinned and said, placing a huge bundle on the counter.

"!!!" Aina was momentarily stunned by the large package before her.

"It's so big, are these all magic stones? How many are there inside?" Aina thought to herself in shock.

Immediately after, Aina's expression turned to one of displeasure.

"Messiah, didn't I tell you that adventurers must not take unnecessary risks? It's your first day entering the dungeon, how could you..."

Sitting in a small compartment, Aina lectured Messiah with an unhappy face.

She had already exchanged Messiah's findings for over ninety thousand Valis. Messiah had managed to obtain so many magic stone shards in just one day, which indicated how recklessly he must have acted in the dungeon.

She had thought that Messiah took her words to heart, but now it seemed he hadn't at all, otherwise, he wouldn't have such a large haul.

A novice adventurer, especially one without a guide, would at most have a record haul of just over three thousand, but Messiah's was starting from tens of thousands, nearly a hundred thousand.

Facing Aina's lecture, Messiah accepted it all because he knew that this half-elf was concerned for his safety. So even after more than an hour, Messiah didn't feel irritated but rather felt a warm feeling inside.

Having someone care and think about you is a very rare thing.

"I'm sorry, I've said too much." At this moment, Aina also realized she had spoken too much and wasted a lot of time, so she stopped her chatter and apologized to Messiah.

"No, not at all, thank you for your concern, Aina-san. I'm very happy," Messiah said with a faint smile.

Aina was taken aback for a moment, then her expression softened, and she said gently to Messiah, "Messiah, adventurers must not take unnecessary risks. I don't know what you're thinking, but please be sure to act within your limits. You only live once, and once it's gone, it's gone."

"Mm, don't worry, I cherish my life very much and won't act recklessly. You can rest assured, Aina-san, because I'm very afraid of dying," Messiah said with a laugh.

Pfft!!

Hearing Messiah's words, Aina was startled, then burst out laughing.

"Messiah, you really are interesting." Most adventurers care a lot about their reputation, and while many are afraid of dying, none would admit it to others, as they would be looked down upon by other adventurers. But Messiah didn't care and openly admitted his fear.

To this, Messiah just smiled and did not argue.

Being afraid of dying is just that, what's there to hide.

"Alright, I've delayed you long enough. To celebrate your successful start, Messiah, let me treat you to a meal," Aina stood up and said to Messiah.

"No, let me do it. After all, I've also had a big haul today," Messiah said, shaking his head.

"Really? Well, okay then, I won't be polite," Aina said after a moment's thought, then smiled.

"Do you have any recommendations, Aina-san?" Messiah nodded and then asked.

He had just arrived here, unfamiliar with everything, and even if he wanted to treat Aina to a meal, he didn't know where to go.

The only tavern he knew of from his memory seemed to be the one owned by the bountiful lady.

But Messiah didn't know where that was.

Orario was too big, and he hadn't had time to get familiar with it.

"TheHostess of Fertility place then. The food there is quite delicious, but also quite expensive. You should be prepared to spend a lot, Messiah," Aina said thoughtfully.

"Okay, then please lead the way, Aina-san. I don't know where it is," Messiah said lightly.

"Mm, follow me."

...

Under Aina's guidance, Messiah learned the location of theHostess of Fertility tavern, and then the two temporarily parted ways.

They agreed to each go back, freshen up, and then meet there.

After freshening up at the inn, Messiah set off for theHostess of Fertility place.

"Speaking of which, the last member of the Astrea familia, Quick Wind Lefiya, works at theHostess of Fertility place. I'll meet this elven miss soon, which feels quite strange."

"I wonder how this elven miss will react when she learns of my identity, hehe." Walking on the road, Messiah thought to himself with amusement.

"Never mind, better not to reveal my identity. I'm not here to revive the Astrea familia, just to become stronger. Revealing my identity would only cause unnecessary trouble for the elven miss." Shaking his head slightly, Messiah decided to keep his identity a secret from Lefiya.

If Messiah revealed his current status as a member of the Astrea familia to Lefiya, it's likely that the already incognito Quick Wind Lefiya would have to end her peaceful life and come out of hiding because of him.

This elven miss is currently on the guild's blacklist, and coming out of hiding would definitely cause a lot of trouble.

If the situation remains as it is now, the guild probably won't take action against her, but once she comes out of hiding, the guild would have to act to appease the gods of Orario, and they would move against Lefiya.

However, once I level up, the fact that I am from the Astrea familia will be made public by the guild, and my identity will be exposed anyway.

What a hassle, maybe I should just keep it hidden?

Even if it's discovered later, I'll just have to pay a fine.

Should I just lay low and not make waves?

While Messiah was pondering, he had already arrived at theHostess of Fertility place.

At the entrance of theHostess of Fertility, Aina had already spotted Messiah and was waving at him.

"Over here, over here, Messiah!"

Messiah snapped out of his thoughts, shook off the considerations in his mind, and quickly walked over.

"Sorry, I'm late, Aina-san."