Chapter 42. Returning Home

[Arc3] - 42. Returning Home

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"It's so much cheaper now, no, it should be said that it's finally back to normal... Have you guys really turned over a new leaf?" Lili placed a bag of money on the counter, suspiciously eyeing the adventurer who was packing the healing potions. "You didn't water it down, did you?"

"Of course not! I already told you, I've reformed!" The adventurer rolled his eyes. "Didn't you notice that the stalls around here have all adjusted their prices too?"

"Now that you mention it..." Lili glanced around and nodded. "It does seem a lot busier here."

"They were all short on supplies, but the prices were so outrageous that they refused to come. If the prices are only slightly higher than outside, it's still acceptable," Welf shrugged. "This should've been the way from the start."

"Haha... yeah," the adventurer scratched his head awkwardly.

"But there are still a lot of shops that haven't adjusted their prices," Lili crossed her arms and snorted. "I wonder how long they'll last."

"That's none of our concern," Welf patted Lili's shoulder. "Bell is still waiting for us. It's time to go home."

"Hey! Pass on a message to that Hero's Apprentice for me," the adventurer hesitated for a moment before taking a coin from his pouch and tossing the bag back.

Lili caught the bag and stuck out her tongue, "Even if you do that, Lili won't help you."

"Suit yourself," the adventurer waved dismissively, leaning back in his chair. "You're probably going to go farther than the rest of us. Don't falter."

"Even if you say that, Lili won't forget what you've done. Hmph!" Lili snorted again, shouldering her pack and leaving the shop.

"I never expected forgiveness," the adventurer sighed, closing his eyes. "We're just worthless cowards who don't even dare to move forward. No, not only that, we tried to drag others down with us... We're truly despicable."

He couldn't forget that moment...

Dragging each other down, hurling insults, all just to use others as stepping stones, just to ensure we weren't the first to fall.

Lying there on the ground, it felt like he was staring up from the depths of hell, watching the upheaval of the earth.

Are we... really this ugly?

Why did we even become adventurers in the first place?

Looking at Bell's innocent yet determined smile, it was like seeing the self he could no longer face, the self that hadn't yet been corroded by reality. To cover up his own shameful state, he had tried to drag Bell down, but instead, they saw a light even more dazzling.

It's impossible now. We've reached our limit. There's no going forward anymore.

But that figure, holding up his right hand amidst the flames, deeply captivated them.

Perhaps men can never fully escape the allure of being a hero. Looking at that figure, the passion long extinguished seemed to reignite.

That boy... That adventurer named Bell, though stumbling forward, will someday overcome all obstacles, holding his head high as he walks through the flames to reach that figure's side.

"We really are fools..."

In the 18th-floor passageway.

"Are you ready?" Cyd snapped his fingers.

"Perfect!" Bell, having fully recovered from his injuries, waved his arm.

"Lili can't wait to go home," Lili patted the huge bundle on her back. "It's been a great day!"

"I want to get back quickly too, my hands are itching," Welf kept rubbing his hands together. "I feel like I can forge an incredible weapon right now."

"I've skipped work for a day already, I hope Mama Mia won't be angry," Ryuu sighed. "Syr must have covered for me with a lot of work."

"Hey..." Cyd scratched his face, somewhat speechless as he watched Ais naturally join their group. "Shouldn't you be heading back with your Familia?"

"They'll be resting for another day," Ais replied with a straight face, "but they agreed that I could return with you."

"Let me guess... You want to go back so I can train you, right?" Cyd sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"That's right!" Ais's eyes lit up. "I feel like my strength is improving!"

Combat is the fastest way to increase one's abilities, but in the Loki Familia, there were few who were stronger than Ais who would take her seriously in a fight. The weaker monsters in the dungeon were one-hit kills, and her companions wouldn't allow her to solo the particularly strong ones.

But Cyd was different. He had no intention of going easy on her, as long as he didn't kill her, he'd hold nothing back. Not only did Cyd completely outclass her in all basic abilities, but he also surpassed her in combat experience and technique.

Having someone she couldn't beat but who would seriously spar with her as a training partner, it would be strange if her abilities didn't improve.

Except that it uses up a lot of healing potions.

"Young lady, rest is also part of training," Cyd said, placing both hands heavily on Ais's shoulders.

"I've been resting the entire time on the 18th floor," Ais blinked.

This girl is hopeless...

On top of the tower built over the dungeon, a silver-haired goddess sipped red wine while gazing out the window, but there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

Because she couldn't see it clearly...

That dazzling light had become a bit blurry due to the distance, driving her crazy, making her want to personally enter the dungeon.

"Ottar, if I wanted to enter the dungeon, what would you do?" Freya asked softly.

"I would cut down all obstacles for you," Ottar, standing at the door, replied without expression.

"Thank you, having you here really puts my mind at ease," Freya smiled gently, placing the wine glass on the table. "What news have you brought me this time?"

"It's about the Pure White Hero. He defeated the floor boss," Ottar said methodically, as if not noticing the envy on his beloved goddess's face. "Also... The Soma Familia has been getting close to the Ishtar Familia lately."

"The Soma Familia... I remember that child's supporter is from the Soma Familia," Freya narrowed her eyes. "And that woman, though I've never paid her much mind, if she dares to interfere with my plans..."

"Shall I take care of it?" Ottar asked without a hint of emotion.

"No, she might actually play the role of a clown on the stage quite well," Freya laughed softly. "Ottar, you'll accompany me to the divine banquet, won't you?"

"I will go wherever you go," Ottar lowered his head.