Start of the fall

(Author: I was correcting some old chapters and oh God, they were horrible, even I had some trouble understanding what was going on. I'm surprised how you managed to continue reading, so thank you all.)

If for some the week seemed serene, for others it was hell.

Inside Daedalus Street, four people were exploring the complex streets of the most problematic area of Orario... There were actually three people walking normally, the fourth seemed to be moving only by force of will.

'...I'm tired.'

With a pale face and huge dark circles under his eyes, Mark had seen better days.

"You look like shit." -Bete ridiculed him.

"Now you understand the suffering people must go through every time they look at you." -Replied Mark without energy."

"Ohi little shit, listen here I-"

"Yeah, yeah. You are the big strong wolf beast, while I am the poor weak human. I bet you wanted to say something similar. At least make an effort to come up with a more original insult." -Mark said ironically.

"...Tch."

Raul and Anakitty, who were with them, could only look at each other and sigh at the attitude of their two companions. It had already been a week since they had been together, but Mark and Bete were always at loggerheads.

The reason behind Mark's tiredness and why they were exploring Daedalus Street, began the day after the War Game.

(One week earlier.)

"Yaah, yesterday's War Game was full of surprises." -Hermes said.

"The surprise will be the state of your Familia if you keep talking about it." -Loki said irritably.

Hermes wisely closed his mouth.

Because of the newspapers that kept talking about the Hestia Familia, Loki's mood was of the worst, but there was one she could not accept.

'How is it possible that the child of Hestia is more popular than my Aiz?'

Dionysus could only sigh before drawing their attention.

"Let us move on to more serious matters."

The three gods were seated in a circle at a table, inside a building that from the outside did not seem to attract any attention at all.

"As I wrote to you, in Melen we found no Evilus base. We only discovered that Ishtar has some connection with them." -Loki said.

"This is problematic. Within the red district, where she resides, not even the guild can do anything." -Said Dionysus frowning.

"What did you two do anyway? You didn't let me know anything."

"We searched inside Daedalus Street, which was rumored to have a passage to a base built by Evilus." -Replied Hermes.

"Why am I only hearing about this now?" -Loki said coldly.

She didn't like that they were hiding something from him even though they were "cooperating".

"Calm down Loki. It's not that we didn't want to tell you." -Hermes said quickly.

"Exactly. It was just a rumor without concrete proof, and even though we've been making an effort to search these days, we haven't found anything. The area is simply too large and complicated to explore for just our two Families." -Dionysus said, soothingly.

"...Alright, from today my Familia will also start searching."

"Then I will take care of Ishtar." -Hermes said, getting up.

"Are you sure? As Dionysus said, even the guild can't do much against her Familia."

"No problem, I'll just have to agree to one of her demands. So wish me luck."

As if about to face a battle to death, Hermes walked out the door with a determined look on his face.

"Sometimes I wonder what goes around in that head of his."

"...Try to be careful with him. Even if he's cooperating with us, remember that he's related to Uranos." -Dionysus said seriously.

"I doubt that Uranos has anything to do with this." -Loki said without much concern.

"I understand that you see him as a neutral existence, but I feel he is hiding something. As you said, it might not be the Evilus, but it doesn't change that that something might cause disorder to the city or so my gut says.

Remember, both of them are gods who trust no one."

(Current time)

The group continued to explore without finding anything of importance, increasing Mark's irritation. Because of this quest, the time he had to train had decreased drastically, so he could only go to the dungeon in the evening, but here a problem arose.

As he became stronger, he had to go to the floors after the 18th to train properly and this took a few hours. So he could only fight for a little while and then go back up and rest a little and then start the whole cycle again. Considering he had been going like this for a week, it was normal that he was exhausted.

"Mark how about you go and get some rest? I doubt we'll get anything today anyway." -Anakitty said worried about his state.

Mark didn't let that be repeated twice before darting out of the labyrinthine area. When he reached a quiet area outside Daedalus Street, he managed to breathe a sigh of relief.

In those days he hadn't had a moment's peace, if he wasn't fighting he was training his aura, if he wasn't training his aura he was fighting monsters, and if he wasn't doing either, he was forced to perform the task of exploring that area. Because even if it didn't look like it, Orario was gigantic and Daedalus Street was one of the largest areas in the city.

"Just a few minutes."

Noticing a bench, he walked towards it and then sat down to absentmindedly watch how people were animatedly living their lives. It seemed different from Daedalus Street, where the atmosphere seemed colder and more solemn, even though it was only a short distance from where he was now.

The spring breeze moved his hair rhythmically tickling him, but he was too relaxed to move it with his hand. Moreover, the spot where he was sitting was bathed in the soft warmth of the sun, which made him slowly doze off, and before he knew it his mind was already wandering through the world of dreams.

...

"..."

"...!"

"!"

By dint of the fighting and thanks to the increase in his strength, Mark's senses picked up something approaching him, and out of pure reflex, he reached out his hand grabbing it before he even knew what it was.

"So you're awake."

Hearing a familiar voice, the confusion Mark had after waking up quickly dissipated and he was surprised by who it was.

"Zoe?"

"Yes it's me, could you release me? Your grip is quite tight."

Zoe pointed to her wrist being held tightly by Mark, who released it once he noticed.

"Sorry it was a reflex." -Said Mark stretching, feeling more rested.

'How long did I sleep?'

[About two hours. The fatigue the host has accumulated these days has taken a substantial toll on your mind]. -Replied the Guide.

"Part of the fault is also mine that I got too close, but you didn't seem to wake up to my voice." -Zoe said, shaking her head.

"Then how come you were sleeping here?"

"Tiring week. How about you?" -Sighs Mark.

"I was on my way to my Familia's new residence, today we will open our doors to adventurers who want to join us."

"Right, now Apollo's residence is yours. By the way, congratulations on the War Game." -Said Mark sincerely.

He had a general estimation of Zoe's strength, but he wasn't sure about the others. But their tactics and skills had exceeded his expectations, especially Bell.

"Thanks... listen, are you by any chance busy right now?" -Zoe asked with some hesitation.

Mark pondered for a moment. His group could easily explore on their own, and it was still a while before the meeting time together with the other members, so he was in no hurry.

"For a few hours, I am still free, why?"

"It's my turn to fulfill the part of the contract we made."

"Oh, I thought it would take you longer to make the potions, especially after all the issues your Familia had to deal with after the War Game." -Said Mark surprised.

"As I said, I'm quite experienced in the field." -She said with some pride.

"...Then lead the way?"

"Sure, follow me."

As she turned to lead the way for Mark, Zoe let out a sigh. The surprise she had when she saw Mark was no less than his, especially after she had spoken to her mother about him. For this reason, she spent several minutes undecided whether or not to approach him.

As they walked towards the residence, the gaze of the various people was focused on them, or rather, it was Zoe who was the center of attention because of the popularity she had gained after the War Game.

"The price of fame is hard to bear." -Mark joked.

Zoe could only laugh bitterly at his words.

It didn't take long for the duo to arrive at their destination. A metal fence separated them from a large villa flanked by manicured gardens and an elegant fountain at the front. It may not have been on the same level as the base of the Loki Familia, but Mark had to admit that Apollo had good taste. However, there was one thing that made him confused.

"Didn't you say there would be adventurers willing to join your Familia today?"

As Mark pointed out, the front entrance to the residence was empty and silent.

"Strange." -Zoe also looked confused.

The two entered inside, allowing Mark to look at the various decorations, but as outside, there was no movement, at least until they reached a hall, where the various members of the Hestia Familia were sitting depressed.

"...Can one know what happened?" -Zoe asked.

"Oh, Zoe... and Mr. Mark?"

Lili's words raised the faces of the others, who were also surprised by his presence.

" What can I say, sorry for intruding." -Looking at their state, Mark didn't think it was a good time.

"Lili, can you explain to me why all of you are here and where are the adventurers who wanted to join the Familia?"

At her question, the various members shifted their gaze to Hestia, causing Lili to sigh and begin to explain.

Initially, many people came from outside Orario to join, but there was a problem. Before the interviews began, Yamato ran to Hestia holding a paper she had found, which said that the goddess owed a debt of 200 million valis, due to Bell's dagger being forged by Hephaestus. The various adventurers who heard about it did not hesitate to leave, leading to the present situation.

Mark was speechless at the thing. Tiona's Urga came to 120 million valis and she still had to finish paying for it, while Bell's small dagger was worth almost twice that much. Mark could hardly understand how their little Familia could repay that amount.

"They finally got it Hestia." -Zoe said.

"You knew?" -Bell asked surprised.

"I found out directly from Hephaestus since I was initially to join her Familia."

"Well at the very least, it is a debt that only concerns Hestia-sama."

At Yamato's words, everyone nodded in agreement, redeeming the goddess's expression sourly.

"So Mark, have you come to buy potions from Zoe?" -Bell asked.

"Yes, by the way, you still haven't told me how many you have." -He asked Zoe.

"I currently have ten healing potions and five pain resistance potions, grade E. The former is worth 2500 valis and the latter 3000 valis per bottle, you have to consider that I've already split the price in half."

After a moment's thought, Mark opted for six healing potions and three pain resistance potions and paid using the card that was linked to his bank account.

"Isn't it robbery to pay so little." -Hestia asked.

"From your point of view it might be, but for me, it's a bargain." -Mark said nonchalantly.

Zoe looked at him momentarily, then shook her head helplessly and went to bring the potions.

The others talked amongst themselves for a while, mostly concerning the War Game, when Bell said something that left them surprised.

"Actually, I don't think I would have been able to resist his magic if it weren't for this."

Bell handed what looked like a broken necklace to Mark, who when he analyzed it, could see traces of Falna.

"An artifact?"

"I'm not sure. It was entrusted to me by Syr before the War Game and after I was hit by Hyakinthos' magic it broke." -Explained Bell.

'Just when I thought I had forgotten her. Bell caught the attention of someone troublesome.'

He still remembered the lustful aura he had and although he still wasn't 100% sure, it was most likely Freya, since, from the way Loki told him, she was the one who sent the first people he killed against him.

"Here's Mark."

Zoe returned and handed him the potions, which he placed in the small bag on his hip, however, the action seemed to leave her momentarily frozen.

"What?"

"No nothing, I was surprised you didn't check them." -she said thoughtfully.

"I trust your common sense." -Said Mark simply.

"Can't you just say you trust me?" -Zoe asked as she rubbed her forehead.

"Trust is a heavy thing. Anyway, I think it's time for me to go."

He had spent more time there than expected, so he had better get back. Zoe decided to walk him to the exit since a member of a different Familia walking alone in their new residence was not the safest.

"Then I'll see you next time, though I'm not sure when that will be. I'll still come here to request potions."

"Alright..."

"Is something wrong?" - Mark asked seeing some hesitation in Zoe.

"No nothing like that. Until next time Mark."

She brushed it off with a smile as she waved him off. Seeing this Mark lifted his shoulders and started to walk away.

Seeing him go, Zoe looked down with a certain helplessness, as Mark had said trust was heavy and she wasn't yet ready to give it to him. With a sigh, she returned to the building where the members were waiting for her.

In the meantime Mark quickened his walk, it was still half an hour before the meeting with the various members, but when he got there, to his surprise almost all of them were already present.

'Did I get the time wrong?'

With that doubt, he approached Cruz, the Chienthrope boy with whom he had found it strangely pleasant to explore the dungeon during the last Familia expedition.

"Cruz, did something happen? I was out of the area."

"Finn and the others found something in the sewers below Daedalus Street." -He said with his usual serious expression.

Gradually they all arrived with a certain curiosity as to what they had found. What none knew, was that on that day, the Loki Familia would pay the price for their recklessness.