"This isn't the first time, but Levi, isn't the effect of your [Identity Unknown] a little too terrifying?"
Looking at the Sacred Text that appeared before her, even though she had mentally prepared herself, Hestia couldn't help but reveal a complicated expression.
It was one thing for all his ability scores to exceed the theoretical limit of 999; after all, Levi's stats were all 1099 back at Lv.1. Now, they had only increased by another 200 points, something she could totally accept... like hell she could!!!!
According to the way the Falna is calculated, every 100-point increase in an ability score adds a rank. 900-999 is S, 1000-1099 is SS, and 1100-1199 is SSS.
So, what should 1299 be?
SSSS?
What if Levi's ability scores continue to grow after he levels up, becoming 1399, 1499, or even higher?
She couldn't just let the string of ranking letters get longer than the numbers themselves, could she?
Muttering this complaint in her mind, Hestia used her divine authority to begin rewriting the ability score rankings, setting 1000-1199 as SS and anything from 1200 onwards as SSS.
The issue with the ability score rankings wasn't a big deal, really. It was just a matter of a little tweak.
What truly surprised Hestia was Levi's magic—what was once 'Mana Burst' was now 'Mana Burst - Cryo'.
Unlike skills, which can change at any time along with one's soul and instinctual urges, magic in the world of DanMachi is essentially a one-time deal.
Whatever form it takes upon awakening is how it will remain for one's entire life.
But Levi...
Was this to be expected from the greatest [Unknown] in the lower world?
Without a word, he had elevated his magic's effect to a whole new level.
His original 'Mana Burst' was already excellent. It had low energy consumption, provided a high degree of enhancement, and Levi had even developed four different advanced applications for it.
Even if it couldn't compare to the legendary magic recorded in Orario's history, it was more than enough to provide significant help to her Familia member in battle.
Now, enhanced by [Identity Unknown], 'Mana Burst' had gained an elemental enchantment effect on top of its original function.
What did this mean?
Although Hestia hadn't seen them with her own eyes, she had heard Hephaestus and other divine friends mention two seeds of this era who were very likely to become heroes.
One was the 'Sword Princess' of the Loki Familia, Ais Wallenstein, who had awakened a wind-element enchantment magic that could enhance her attack, defense, and speed, and even grant her short-distance flight.
The other was Alise Lovell, the 'Crimson Virtuous Flower' of the Astrea Familia who had died five years ago. Her magic, 'Cerasus Stellaria', was a fire-element enchantment. While not as versatile as the 'Sword Princess's' wind enchantment, when combined with her own skills, it was enough for her to fight on par with, and even defeat, a Lv.5 as a Lv.4!
Hestia wasn't the patron goddess of these two adventurers, so she didn't know the specific values of their abilities when they leveled up.
But it was obvious that even for a supreme genius whose ability scores reached S999, they were far from a match for her own Familia member at the same level.
Now, with the appearance of an ice-enchantment magic, Levi's greatest weakness as a magic swordsman had been successfully filled.
For him, fighting opponents of a higher level should be no more difficult than drinking water.
In contrast to his patron goddess's surprise, the boy lying on the bed with his chin propped on his hands wore a perfectly calm expression.
'Terrifying, huh~' he murmured softly, then shook his head. 'Hestia, you seem to have forgotten just how many Valis I've invested in myself over the past half-month.'
'Uh...' Hestia was taken aback at first, then an embarrassed expression appeared on her face. 'W-Well, that's true.'
Although Levi was personally responsible for the Familia's finances, she had heard him mention the terrifying expenses during this period.
He was spending money to increase his stats, acquiring new weapons, and hiring Tsubaki as a guard.
All in all, he had spent thirty to forty million.
It was only because Levi's gold farming speed was fast enough, and he had previously gotten a sum of initial start-up capital from Hephaestus by trading the Vision and Sky-Piercing Sword.
Otherwise, if he had relied solely on himself, it would have taken him at least another half a year to grow to his current state.
However...
'Levi, you might need to pick up a side business,' Hestia suggested gently.
Farming Magic Stones in the Dungeon for money is certainly stable, but as the level of Levi's Falna continues to increase, the amount of Valis he needs to consume to improve his strength will only grow larger.
'Besides, we don't know if your skill will be able to use Magic Stones or monster drop materials instead of Valis later on. For now, it's fine; the disappearance of tens of millions of Valis might not even make a ripple in all of Orario. But if hundreds of millions, or even tens of billions, of Valis were to vanish in an instant...
Hestia didn't finish her sentence, but Levi wasn't a fool; he understood what she was worried about.
Valis itself only has value as a metal for smithing. The reason a single small coin can be equivalent to a weapon or a magic stone product is entirely because The Guild and the gods back it.
And don't be fooled by the trillions circulating in Orario's market; in reality, the total amount of Valis in the entire labyrinth city is probably only between one and two hundred billion.
As the total amount of Valis gradually decreases, its value as currency will actually increase.
In other words, deflation.
When that time comes, the same monster drop that might have previously sold for tens of millions could end up selling for the bargain price of only a few million due to the increased value of Valis.
This was something Levi did not want to see.
But as for a concrete solution... he hadn't found one yet.
'As for a side business, I'll consider it after I reach Lv.4; that was already part of my plan. Regarding the Valis issue, we can only take it one step at a time.'
Hearing this reply, Hestia smiled calmly and patted Levi on the back. 'Well then, I'm going to level you up.'
As a slightly damp finger traced down his spine, a familiar system notification sounded in his ears:
[Main Quest 'Increase Falna Level to Lv.3' completed. Distributing rewards...]
[Levi Bright]
[Lv.2→Lv.3]
[Strength: SSS1299+200/1299→I0+200/1599]
[Endurance: SSS1299+200/1299→I0+200/1599]
[Dexterity: SSS1299+200/1299→I0+200/1599]
[Agility: SSS1299+200/1299→I0+200/1599]
[Magic: SSS1299+200/1299→I0+200/1599]
[Development Abilities: Swordsman F, Mage E, Archer G, Spearman G, Luck I]
[Selectable Development Abilities: Hunter, Spirit Healing, Genshin]
[...]
[Lv.3 Dimensional Gacha unlocked.]
[New Main Quests generated:]
[Main Quest 1: Increase Falna Level to Lv.4. Quest Reward: Quest Level increased to Lv.4, all ability potential caps +400, unlock Lv.4 Dimensional Gacha.]
...
[Main Quest 3: Challenge and defeat a 'Divine Assassin' (Repeatable). Quest Reward: Varies based on the 'Divine Assassin's' potential, minimum of 1 Crystal of Law, no upper limit. First completion of this quest will also unlock the 'Exchange Shop' panel.] [Note: You can only complete the quest once for each type of 'Divine Assassin'.]
...
Almost at the exact moment the level-up on the panel was complete, Hestia's voice suddenly rang out again:
'Levi, it seems like there's something incredible among your development ability choices this time!'