Chapter 7: The Dao Of Tribulation

Lulu showed no intention of going home. Dealing with this stubborn child, Riveria felt her patience wearing thin.

She had yet to fully embrace her new role as a "guardian."

"I'll bring you back tomorrow, alright?" Riveria coaxed gently, offering a faint, reluctant smile as she handed Lulu the cloth bag filled with magic stones and loot she'd collected.

"Then... it's a promise!"

"Yes, it's a promise."

After finally convincing Lulu to return to the city, Riveria took her to the guild for her first exchange of Valis. This time, however, Lulu handled it all on her own while Riveria waited at the entrance, hoping Lulu would learn the process, as she couldn't always accompany her in the future.

"Saria! I'm here to exchange these for Valis!" Lulu's eyes lit up as she spotted Saria at a window. She ran over, climbed onto a chair, and eagerly presented her bag.

"Miss Lulu! Did you already go into the dungeon today?" Saria asked, surprised to see her at the window so soon. She vividly remembered the girl whom Riveria herself had brought in—a bold newcomer to the Sol family, entering the dungeon on her first day as an adventurer.

Saria accepted the bag, her hands now trained to reach instinctively for the loot. As she examined the contents, her eyes widened slightly.

Nearly a hundred magic stones! And over a dozen drop items!

They may have been the lowest-quality stones, but the quantity was impressive. For a newcomer spending only a few hours in the dungeon, this haul was unheard of! Most beginners were lucky to bring back a dozen stones in a full day.

'As expected of someone personally guided by Riveria-sama!' Saria was in awe. 'This one's a natural talent.'

"Hmph! Riveria took me into the dungeon this afternoon," Lulu said with pride.

'Ah, that explains it,' Saria thought. 'Some of these stones must be from monsters Riveria-sama defeated herself. Of course, she would hand the low-level magic stones to a new member of her family. How generous and fitting of her.'

"These come to a total of 67,100 Valis. Here you go, Miss Lulu," Saria said, handing back the bag now filled with Valis.

Though dungeons were indeed profitable, the magic stones from low-level monsters weren't worth much. Goblins and lesser creatures like them brought in only 100 Valis per magic stone. Lulu's income on her first day exceeded 60,000 only thanks to the additional loot items.

"Riveria, look—I earned money!" Lulu declared triumphantly as she rejoined Riveria, waving the purse in excitement.

Seeing Lulu's bright, cheerful expression, Riveria couldn't help but find her a bit endearing for once.

"Well, just be sure to keep it safe. Once real adventuring starts, you'll need money to buy many supplies," Riveria advised.

"Ohh…"

Lulu, having little concept of money, had only shown Riveria the purse as proof of her own abilities. But seeing Riveria's mild reaction, her enthusiasm faded, and she pouted slightly.

The two set off on the path back to the city, unaware of the two sneering demi humans lurking just behind a nearby doorpost.

These demi humans were part of the dark faction—though merely underlings. Weak on their own, they had nonetheless earned a living robbing adventurers under the dark faction's intimidating name. Their typical targets? Vulnerable newcomers.

In Orario, pallum were often seen as easy marks—except for a rare few.

To the demi human, Lulu, fresh from the guild with her newly exchanged Valis and her small stature, seemed like the perfect catch.

A newbie, a small fry, and carrying a tempting bag of loot! And that shiny staff looked like it might fetch a good price too.

...

With their clumsy attempts at trailing them, Riveria had spotted the demi human within two steps. Catching their reflection in the glass of a nearby window, she quickly identified their exact position.

"What's wrong, Riveria?" Lulu asked.

"Lulu, did you happen to see anyone suspicious back at the guild?"

"Suspicious? I saw the bearded guy who exchanged my Valis!"

"That's not… never mind. Let's head back this way instead."

Riveria stifled a laugh, silently apologizing to the bearded guild staff in her mind for Lulu's innocent description. More pressing matters called for her attention.

'So, the little pests have targeted us.' Though she wasn't one to seek out confrontations with the dark faction, Riveria knew these threats couldn't go ignored. She'd make sure these "pests" couldn't trouble her new family member any further.

Navigating the treacherous city streets as a guiding force for her family, Riveria had learned to set her compassion aside when needed.

Lulu, blissfully unaware of the danger, seemed delighted to explore a different route home.

The two of them turned down a darkened alley, attracting immediate attention from greedy eyes hidden in the shadows. The hostility was palpable, and both Riveria and Lulu felt the unnerving presence closing in.

After a few more steps, it became clear that more eyes were watching them with every stride.

"Riveria, I don't like this place," Lulu murmured, tugging lightly on Riveria's sleeve.

"Hold on a bit longer. We'll leave as soon as we handle these pests."

No sooner had she spoken, several figures stepped out from the shadows, the dim glow of a magic stone lamp revealing a gang of dark faction members. Most were demi humans, including the two who'd been trailing them.

"Well, well, it's dangerous to take this path at this hour," one demi human sneered.

"Boss! Look—it's a top-shelf elf too!" another demi human called out, his eyes lighting up.

"A beautiful elf, huh? Haha! Let me give you a proper welcome!" one laughed, his lewd gaze making Riveria's expression harden with icy disdain.

'Not that I expected anything better from the likes of them.'

"You fools from dark factions dare to mouth off like that in front of me?" she responded coldly, her voice cutting through the alley like steel.