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Chapter 27: The Tsundere Wolf
Following that was another Status update.
Accompanying Furina's somewhat clumsy update operation, the brand-new stats clearly surfaced on their skin.
[Aiden]
Lv.1
Strength: I 75 → H 136 (+61)
Endurance: I 73 → H 133 (+60)
Dexterity: I 78 → H 143 (+65)
Agility: I 81 → H 144 (+63)
Magic: I 0 → H 150 (+150)
[Robin]
Lv.1
Strength: I 8 → I 11 (+3)
Endurance: I 9 → I 13 (+4)
Dexterity: I 12 → I 25 (+13)
Agility: I 11 → I 39 (+28)
Magic: I 70 → H 168 (+98)
Looking at his stats, which had grown explosively, Aiden nodded with satisfaction.
Although the raid time today was longer than yesterday, and they had gone to new floors and encountered stronger monsters, the efficiency of experience gain had decreased slightly because they spent most of the time wandering in already explored areas. This growth was completely within his expectations.
Under the frequent use of Magic, his Magic stat had successfully caught up with his other attributes. He was steadily marching toward becoming a "perfect all-rounder."
As for Robin, it was the same as always. She improved by over a hundred points, mostly in Magic, with a small portion in Agility and Dexterity due to moving and dodging during support combat.
In Aiden's system panel, the Intertwined Fate representing a summon opportunity was already more than half filled.
After a few more adventures in the Dungeon like today, he should be able to summon again.
He urgently needed new companions to join.
Whether for exploring the Dungeon more efficiently or for Robin's Tonal Resonance skill—the more companions, the greater the team's growth buff.
After personally cooking a sumptuous dinner for Furina and Robin, Aiden changed into casual clothes and left the residence alone, heading to the famous tavern in the bustling 5th District—Flame Peak Pavilion.
This was a standard adventurer's tavern.
The heavy oak door separated the tranquility of the outside from the noise inside.
Upon stepping in, the rich aroma of ale, the charred scent of roasted meat, and the rugged smell of sweat and earth from adventurers hit him in the face.
The tavern's decor was slightly old-fashioned. The walls were built of rough stones, decorated with old monster head trophies and rusty weapons.
Several huge iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Dim candlelight illuminated the entire hall while casting large, swaying shadows.
The floor was covered with thick wooden planks, full of alcohol stains and scratches from boots.
But it was this rough and real atmosphere that made it popular among adventurers.
Aiden found a corner seat, ordered a cup of the Flame Peak Pavilion's signature spicy liquor, and sipped it quietly while listening to the conversations of nearby adventurers.
"You didn't see it! That Rock Shieldwall Mitachurl's shield was harder than a millstone. My sword's edge curled up from hacking at it."
"Hardness means nothing. Money is king. Our team split over a hundred thousand Valis today."
"I heard these new monsters were named by the Guild. I don't know where they got the data..."
Almost all discussions revolved around the new monsters.
People bragged about how many Rock Shieldwall Mitachurls they had killed or complained about how troublesome certain Slimes were, but their words revealed excitement and greed.
Aiden listened quietly, the corners of his mouth curving into an imperceptible arc.
Coincidentally, the Guild's final naming was almost identical to the ones in his memory.
For example, the name "Hilichurl," which only he and Furina knew, had now become the consensus among all adventurers in Orario.
The appraisal skills of this world were truly magical.
But on second thought, it was reasonable.
After all, this was a world with Gods, and the Guild had that legendary Sage who possessed the "Mystery" Development Ability.
Not long after, a tall figure sat down on the chair opposite him and unceremoniously propped a pair of long legs clad in silver metal combat boots onto the table.
"Long time no see, Bete."
Aiden didn't mind the other party's rudeness and even smiled, taking the initiative to greet him.
The visitor was none other than the executive of the Loki Familia, the Level 5 First-Class Adventurer, "Vanargand" Bete Loga.
"Why come to Orario now, after all this time?"
Bete ignored his greeting. Instead, he picked up the other drink on the table that Aiden had prepared for him, downed it in one gulp, and asked straight to the point.
"Because I've become an adventurer and joined a Familia, of course," Aiden answered calmly.
"Heh. To think there's actually a God who successfully carved Falna for you."
Bete let out a sneer, then his eyes turned cold.
"Forget it. I can't be bothered to ask. I just want to say, at this point, a small fry like you is better off staying honestly in that little village. The Dungeon isn't as simple as you think."
Harsh words. His poisonous tongue attribute was fully on display.
"I've never underestimated the Dungeon."
Aiden's tone remained calm. "The reason I came here is that I have resolve."
"Resolve? What resolve can a weak low-level adventurer have?"
Bete appeared even more rough and impatient. He slammed the table.
"Weaklings should act like weaklings! Stop dreaming here! You might die in the Dungeon any day now. Get the hell out of Orario!"
Although Bete's words were extremely ugly, Aiden could catch a trace of deeply hidden concern beneath that irritable tone and those cold eyes.
He knew that the wolf before him only didn't want to see any more weaklings die in front of him because he had lost too much and bore too heavy a burden of pain.
In Bete's view, only the strong were qualified to adventure; the weak would only throw their lives away in vain.
"Heh, you're still the same as always. You haven't changed a bit. No wonder I heard you're a loner in the Loki Familia too, with no friends."
Aiden chuckled, then his eyes became firmer than ever, as if a fire was burning within them.
"But rest assured, I won't die. I have my obsession too. Before I fulfill it, even if I die, I'll crawl back from hell."
Bete fell silent.
That look... that paranoia and coldness that would abandon everything and use any means for an obsession. He had seen it in Captain Finn's eyes.
"Tch."
After a long while, Bete clicked his tongue in disdain.
He retracted his feet from the table, stood up, and didn't say another word. But as he turned around, he dropped a sentence impatiently in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Don't die."
Then, hands in his pockets, he kicked aside a chair blocking his way and walked straight toward the tavern entrance.
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