"Next time, drinks are on me! We're not leaving until we're dead drunk!"
Faen suddenly called out toward Bete's retreating back.
Bete's steps paused for a brief moment. He didn't turn around—just replied irritably, "I don't drink with weaklings."
But then he changed his tone, adding in an almost condescending, patronizing voice:
"Though… if you insist on having a drink with Bete-sama, I suppose I could graciously spare you a cup."
Faen couldn't help but shake his head with amusement.
Still the same old tsundere wolf.
He raised his voice in response, "That would truly be my honor, Bete-sama."
"Hmph."
Bete let out an indistinct snort and disappeared through the tavern doors.
Their exchange had already drawn the attention of several nearby adventurers.
Once they recognized one of the speakers as the famous "Fierce Wolf" Bete Loga, they were visibly shocked.
Before long, a sharp-eyed adventurer walked over with a mug in hand.
"Mind if I join you? Name's Todd. You looked pretty close with the Fierce Wolf just now?"
From their conversation, it was obvious that this unfamiliar white-haired youth had a relationship with the first-tier adventurer that was anything but ordinary.
Anyone who could call Bete a friend wasn't someone to ignore.
Faen welcomed them without hesitation, smiling as he clinked glasses and drank with the adventurers who gathered around.
He needed a channel to collect information about Orario.
They were newcomers, there were too many things they only half understood. And an adventurer's tavern was the perfect place to gather living, breathing intelligence.
After all, who doesn't have a few drinking buddies in life?
No need for deep bonds—casual companions at the bar were more than enough.
Under the encouragement of alcohol, Faen indeed gathered plenty of vivid, useful information that no book could provide.
...
When Faen returned home carrying a faint scent of liquor, the night was already deep.
The moment he pushed open the door, a look of disgust shot toward him.
"Ugh, you stink! Did you roll around inside a wine barrel?"
Furina dramatically pinched her nose, brows furrowed, and hurried over to shove him with both hands.
"Go shower! Now! Go, go!"
Faen staggered from her pushing and laughed helplessly.
Behind him, Robin stepped forward silently, taking his coat, still dusted faintly with Dungeon grit and tavern scent—and walked toward the modest wash area.
Watching her elegant figure move away, watching her calmly prepare to wash his clothes, a complicated emotion welled up inside him.
That was Robin.
The once-renowned songstress of Penacony—indeed, of the entire galaxy.
And now… she was washing his clothes in a humble rented home.
He felt like that was something he could brag about for the rest of his life.
But more than pride, it ignited something else inside him.
Motivation.
Their current life covered the basics—but his nature drove him to seek better.
He wanted Furina and Robin to have something more.
At the very least, mundane chores like this shouldn't fall on Robin's shoulders.
"It's actually… kind of interesting," Robin said softly, as though sensing his thoughts. She turned back with a gentle smile.
"Back home, my brother always protected me so carefully. I rarely had the chance to experience something like this."
Furina stopped pushing him and placed her hands on her hips.
"Exactly! No need to rush things. Taking it slow is fine. Honestly, I don't dislike this kind of ordinary life."
She dropped her teasing expression, her heterochromatic eyes turning serious.
"Everything must be built on safety first. I am the Goddess of Justice—but to me, justice means 'continuance.' As long as our familia survives, I can endure any hardship."
Though both Furina and Robin said it wasn't a big deal, Faen didn't see it that way.
He was the one who summoned them into this world.
He had to take responsibility.
"No matter what, life or safety—I'll give it everything I have."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.
"And if one day we face an unbeatable crisis… I'll be the one who dies in front of you."
The air fell silent.
Furina and Robin stared at him.
They could tell, he wasn't joking.
If danger truly descended, he would never abandon them. He would give his life to carve out a path for them.
A deep, indescribable emotion spread through their hearts.
Then—
Furina lifted her foot and lightly kicked his shin.
"Idiot. What are you saying?"
She sounded genuinely upset.
"Have some respect for your own life. Don't throw around words like 'die' so casually. None of us are dying. The Focalors Familia will endure forever."
Robin, too, wore a rare serious expression, her brows lightly furrowed.
"Faen… please don't say such ominous things again."
Seeing their earnest faces, Faen immediately raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright, my mistake. Don't worry—I've got cheats. No way I'm dying."
Only after hearing that did their expressions soften.
---
After washing up, Faen returned to his room.
It was simple, just a hard wooden bed and a battered old chest.
Lying down, he gazed through the cracked stained-glass window at the bright moon hanging in the sky.
From the adjacent room came the faint sound of Furina and Robin chatting. The words were unclear, but their gentle tones were enough to bring him comfort.
A smile crept onto Faen's lips.
This feeling… wasn't bad at all.
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During those three days, Faen and Robin had pushed their exploration to the ninth floor of the Dungeon.
As they descended, monster strength and density increased sharply. Battles became increasingly difficult—but so did the rewards grow richer.
The familia's shared funds steadily swelled. They could finally afford to purchase more Mind Recovery Potions, allowing Faen to use magic more frequently.
And most importantly—
After continuously investing a large amount of magic stones, the Intertwined Fate on Faen's system panel finally finished charging once more, shining with a captivating glow.
Back in their rented house, Robin and Furina skillfully shut every door and window. Even the curtains were drawn tight to ensure not a single sliver of light escaped.
Both of them looked at Faen, who stood in the center of the room, their eyes filled with anticipation.
=====================
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