Bell was jolted back to his senses by those flat, yet indisputable words. Looking at Lynn's back, a surge of emotion hit his heart.
"Y-Yes! Please be careful too, Mr. Lynn!"
Bell nodded vigorously. Without time to overthink, he grabbed Hestia's hand and began to run. Goddess Hestia's face was deathly pale, but she knew better than to ask questions now. She allowed Bell to pull her along, stumbling as they evacuated.
Lynn watched Bell weave Hestia through the chaotic crowd. Once he confirmed they were temporarily safe, he turned his focus back to the threat in front of him.
The Silverback's massive palm was still pinned against the Carian Knight's Shield. It didn't withdraw; instead, it ground down with increasing pressure. Lynn felt a mountain-toppling force transfer through the shield. The stone slabs beneath his feet creaked and groaned, cracks spreading outward like a spiderweb.
This beast's strength is truly extraordinary. It's certainly stronger than a typical monster of its rank, but it's still only Level 2.
However, this raw power reminded him of the giants in the Lands Between, who could flatten a man into meat paste with a single step.
Seeing its first strike fail, the Silverback roared. Its other massive palm swung around, carrying a foul wind as it swept toward Lynn from the side. Lynn didn't hesitate. With a light tap of his foot, his silhouette blurred into a ghostly afterimage, vanishing from the spot.
Bloodhound's Step!
The Silverback's attack hit nothing but air. Its two massive palms slammed together with a dull, thunderous boom that made the surrounding air vibrate. It shook its head in confusion, its crimson eyes darting around in search of its prey.
Lynn had already circled to the Silverback's rear flank. He moved the Bloodhound's Fang to his back and, with a reverse grip, drew the newly acquired Moonveil.
As the blade left its sheath, a clear, high-pitched ring echoed through the air. The silver-white steel reflected the ambient firelight and the night sky, casting a cold, dark-moon glow. Unlike the sharp glint of ordinary weapons, this light carried a chilling, profound depth that felt as if it could steal one's soul.
He lowered his center of gravity into an Iai stance.
The Silverback finally spotted him. It let out a furious roar and pivoted its massive frame, lunging at Lynn again. Its speed belied its size, carrying the brute force of a runaway train.
Lynn didn't retreat; he lunged forward. At the moment of impact, a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
"Transient Moonlight!"
A flash of light streaked out, moving too fast for the eye to follow. By the time the Silverback's hulking body reached where Lynn had stood, a blue trail of magical energy had already sliced across its chest.
Splurt!
Crimson blood geysered from the Silverback's torso. A bone-deep wound instantly tore through its tough hide and dense muscle.
"ROAR...!"
The Silverback shrieked in pain, its forward momentum coming to a jarring halt. The magical attribute of the damage made the magic stone within its body shudder, and the intense agony left its massive frame unstable.
But Lynn's assault didn't end there. He blurred again, sticking to the Silverback like a phantom. Moonveil danced in his hands, leaving behind a flurry of silver afterimages. He landed three consecutive slashes, each one striking precisely into the wound on the beast's chest.
Three more bone-deep gashes stacked atop the first. Blood sprayed out like a fountain, carrying a heavy, metallic stench.
"ROAR!"
The Silverback let out a final, desperate howl. Its massive body shuddered violently as the accumulated Hemorrhage damage finally erupted. Under the passive boost of [Abnormal Status Efficiency Increase], triggering Bleed had become significantly easier.
The light faded from its crimson eyes. Its massive body wobbled in mid-air for a second before crashing to the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
The world went silent.
The terrified adventurers fleeing in all directions, the Ganesha Familia members frantically trying to evacuate the crowd, and even Eina—who stood at the edge of the stage, pale-faced and clutching her mouth—all stared blankly at the scene.
One hit. A single Iai draw, followed by a three-hit combo.
That Silverback—captured from the 20th floor of the Dungeon, a beast that was notoriously difficult to domesticate and had suddenly gone berserk—had fallen just like that. It had fallen under the blade of a seemingly slender young adventurer.
What kind of power was this? What kind of speed? What kind of... elegance?
One had to realize that while this Silverback was "domesticated," the power it showed after losing control was easily at the level of a Level 4, or even approaching a Level 5 monster. And Lynn? Wasn't he just a Level 2?!
"He... he took it down alone?!" someone asked, their voice trembling.
"W-What kind of sword style is that?!"
"Too... too fast. I couldn't see it at all!"
After a brief, stunned silence, the crowd erupted into unprecedented cheers. The sound of applause and shouts of admiration swept through the plaza like a tsunami. In this moment, Lynn's name was burned into the hearts of countless people.
Shakti, the captain of the Ganesha Familia, didn't even bother to wipe the cold sweat from her brow. She stared fixedly at Lynn, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief. Well-traveled as she was, she had never seen such exquisite swordsmanship. That silver-white katana radiated a unique aura, as if it didn't belong to this world.
Lynn sheathed his blade in one fluid, seamless motion.
The monsters caught for this exhibition were mostly between Level 1 and Level 2; for him, they truly weren't enough of a challenge anymore. He looked up toward the edge of the stage, where Eina's eyes were still shimmering with disbelief. He gave her a relaxed smile, as if he had just finished a trivial errand.
Eina's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed again. She knew Lynn was strong—strong enough to adventure alone—but this was her first time seeing him truly fight. To end such a dangerous monster with such clean efficiency...
This wasn't just a "Hero Guest." This was a hero in the flesh.
However, the chaos of the Monster Fair didn't fully subside with the fall of the Silverback. The Central Plaza had been designed to showcase many monsters, and naturally, there were many cages. The Silverback's rampage seemed to be just the beginning.
"It's bad! The Giant Ogre on the west side has gone berserk too!"
"The Chimera to the east has broken through the fence!"
Frantic shouts came from all directions, and more screams echoed in every corner of the plaza. Several massive cages had had their structural integrity compromised by the earlier tremors and the panic of the crowd. Or perhaps these monsters, stimulated by the Silverback's frenzied aura, had become restless and finally broken free.
Several agile figures shot out like arrows toward different directions.
"Don't worry, Mr. Lynn! Leave this side to me!"
A crisp voice rang out. Lynn looked over to see several Ganesha Familia staff members arriving, clearly prepared to treat the wounded. On the other side, Lynn realized Aiz Wallenstein was also part of this event. She drew her saber with an expressionless face, her body moving like the wind as she charged toward the Ogre on the west side. Behind her followed members of the Loki Familia; top-tier adventurers like Riveria were also moving out, heading for their respective targets.
In an instant, the Monster Fair transformed from a grand celebration into a sudden urban monster defense battle.
Lynn stood his ground, watching the familiar powerhouses join the fray. His brow furrowed slightly. It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but these out-of-control monsters shouldn't be difficult for these top-tier adventurers to handle. Furthermore, he had something else he needed to verify.
He turned and walked toward the corpse of the Silverback.
"Lynn, are you okay?" Eina ran over, her face full of worry. She scanned him up and down, only sighing in relief after confirming he wasn't injured.
"I'm fine." Lynn shook his head. He knelt beside the Silverback and carefully examined the beast's remains.
The monster's eyes still held a faint crimson glow. Even in death, that violent aura hadn't completely dissipated. Lynn reached out and lightly touched the wound.
"This isn't right," he muttered to himself.
"What's not right?" Eina leaned in, asking curiously.
"This Silverback's strength far exceeded its rank. Moreover, its mana is chaotic—as if it was forcibly stimulated by some external force to make it lose control."
Lynn stood up and looked at the other monsters still rampaging in the distance. He could feel a similar chaotic mana emanating from all of them.
"Someone is pulling strings behind the scenes," Lynn said calmly, but a dangerous light flickered in his eyes.
Eina's expression turned serious. As a Guild employee, she had a keen intuition for such anomalies. "You mean someone intentionally made these monsters go berserk?" she asked in a low voice.
Lynn didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked toward the center of the stage. There, Shakti was organizing her people to clear the scene, her face a mask of fury and anxiety.
"Theoretically, a festival of this scale should have enough safeguards from the Ganesha Familia to prevent accidents," Lynn said softly. "Unless it was deliberate sabotage."
"Lynn, what do you plan to do next?" Eina asked.
Lynn pondered for a moment, then smiled. "I'll watch the show for a bit."
He pointed toward Aiz, who was still tangling with the Ogre, and Riveria, who was battling the Chimera. "A fight of this caliber isn't something you see every day. Besides, if someone is pulling strings, they must have a goal."
His tone remained light, but Eina saw an unusual sharpness in his eyes.
Just then, a commotion broke out in the crowd.
"Look! It's Bell!"
Lynn followed the sound. He saw Bell, spurred on by Hestia, hadn't fully left. Instead, he was hiding in a relatively safe corner, nervously watching the battle. He was looking toward Lynn with an anxious face, seemingly wanting to rush over but being held back firmly by Hestia.
Lynn gave Bell a nod, signaling him not to worry. Then, he looked at Eina, his tone returning to his usual casual teasing. "In this situation, shouldn't a Guild employee like you be helping to maintain order or comfort the public?"
Eina was taken aback, then realized her duty. A bitter smile touched her lips. "Ah! Right! I... I almost forgot!" She tapped her forehead, looking annoyed with herself. "Lynn, what about you...?"
"Me? I'm a 'Hero Guest.' As a guest, I think I'll just wander around." Lynn shrugged, looking as if none of this concerned him.
Eina was amused by his attitude, and the tension from moments ago dissipated quite a bit. "Then... stay safe."
She gave him a final instruction, took a deep breath, and transformed back into the efficient Guild employee. She turned and dove into the work of evacuating the crowd and coordinating relief efforts.
Lynn watched Eina's retreating back, the corner of his mouth turning up. This Monster Fair chaos was far from simple. He turned his gaze back to the rampaging monsters and the fighting adventurers.
Lynn walked casually, appearing aimless but observing every detail of the surroundings. He noticed that while the monsters seemed to attack at random, their paths of movement vaguely pointed toward several specific directions.
Was it a coincidence? Or was someone controlling them? He needed to find the source.
"Hey, kid, what are you looking at?" a gruff voice sounded in his ear.
Lynn glanced sideways. It was a burly adventurer carrying a blood-stained greataxe, a look of disdain on his face.
"Nothing," Lynn replied flatly.
The adventurer sneered. "You sure are leisurely. Can't you see everyone is busy fighting monsters? With a scrawny frame like yours, you better find a place to hide. Don't get in the way of real adventurers."
Lynn ignored the mockery, spared him a single glance, and continued looking into the distance. Being ignored made the adventurer's face turn red with anger. He was about to snap when he saw Lynn's gaze freeze in one direction, his pupils contracting slightly.
On the edge of the plaza, in an inconspicuous corner, a figure dressed in a black robe and a hood was moving silently.
If anyone looked suspicious, this was the textbook definition of it.
For the first time, the smile completely vanished from Lynn's face. He moved, triggering Bloodhound's Step again. Like a phantom, he pursued the black-robed figure.
"Hey! Kid! Where are you going?!"
The burly adventurer was stunned. He tried to call Lynn back, but Lynn was too fast, vanishing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.
The black-robed figure seemed to sense something. They accelerated, fleeing toward the alleys on the outskirts of the plaza. Lynn gave chase, his right hand quietly resting on the hilt of Moonveil. He wanted to see exactly who was foolish enough to play these games here.
Thud!
A dull sound came from the alley ahead, as if the black-robed figure had run into something. Lynn sped up and turned the corner. He saw the robed figure on the ground, and standing before them was a messenger wearing an elephant mask and a standard uniform.
It was the same Ganesha Familia messenger who had invited Lynn to the fair.
"Who are you?!" The messenger's voice was wary through the mask.
The black-robed figure struggled to get up. Instead of answering, they slammed a black smoke bomb onto the ground.
Bang!
Smoke billowed out, instantly filling the entire alley. Lynn's eyes flashed with annoyance. These petty tricks were incredibly irritating. Without hesitation, he charged into the smoke.
The messenger was clearly caught off guard by the sudden smoke. He let out a muffled groan, seemingly affected by some power within the fog. When the smoke cleared, the alley was empty.
The messenger lay on the ground with a shallow sword wound on his chest, evidently having been ambushed by the robed figure under the cover of the smoke. Lynn stood beside him, Moonveil already drawn, its tip pointing forward.
The aura of the black-robed figure had vanished.
"Tch." Lynn clicked his tongue in frustration, looking at the empty alley. He pressed his right hand against the messenger's chest. He focused his senses on the shallow wound, and his pupils shrank almost imperceptibly.
"This wound..."
He whispered to himself. His fingertips brushed the torn uniform. A weak but corrosive, cursed mana was slowly seeping from the cut.
"Under... ground... they are underground..." the messenger gasped. His voice sounded like dry leaves scraping together, carrying the desperate struggle of someone on the brink of death. He gripped Lynn's sleeve tightly, his eyes behind the mask staring at Lynn as if trying to etch the final clue into his mind.
"The Monster Fair's..."
Before he could finish, the messenger's head lolled to the side as he fell unconscious. Fortunately, as an adventurer, his life force was quite resilient; he wouldn't die just yet.
"Hey, finish your sentence before you pass out. I hate people who talk in riddles!"
Lynn's brow furrowed. Underground? The Monster Fair's what? This messenger seemed to know something. He quickly scanned the area, and once he confirmed the black-robed figure's presence was truly gone, he didn't linger. He bent down and carefully propped the messenger against the alley wall.
"Hey! Someone's injured here!" Lynn shouted toward several Guild employees rushing over in the distance. "A Ganesha Familia messenger was attacked! There's strange residual mana in the wound—handle it with care!"
The Guild staff were stunned. Seeing the uniform and mask, they immediately grew tense and rushed over. Seeing this, Lynn said no more and sprinted back toward the plaza.
When he returned to the Central Plaza, the chaos had been brought under some semblance of control. Aiz Wallenstein was retracting her saber, the blade still dripping with the Ogre's red blood. Behind her, the massive creature crashed down, sending up a cloud of dust.
Elsewhere, the Amazon sisters, Tione and Tiona, had worked in perfect synchronization to slay the Chimera. The members of the Loki Familia truly lived up to their reputation as Orario's elite.
However, screams continued to echo across the plaza. It seemed there were far more than just those few monsters. Several massive cages were empty, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and the rot unique to monsters.
Lynn's gaze swept over Aiz and the Amazon sisters. He gave them a slight nod of acknowledgment before his attention was drawn to an anomaly coming from beneath his feet.
The ground began to tremble slightly. It felt as if something colossal deep underground was slowly waking up and rushing toward the surface. Lynn's expression shifted. This vibration was far larger than what he had felt from the Silverback.
"Everyone! Get away from the center of the plaza!"
Lynn shouted a warning, his voice carrying an indisputable authority. He triggered Bloodhound's Step repeatedly, his body moving like an arrow toward the center of the plaza where the ground had begun to crack.
Aiz, having just finished her battle, instinctively froze upon hearing Lynn's voice. A flash of trust appeared in her golden eyes. Without hesitation, she turned, her slender figure becoming a gust of wind as she sprinted toward Lynn.
"Lynn?!" Tiona's loud, boisterous voice followed. "What's going on?!"
She and Tione also saw the widening cracks and felt the intensifying mana surge. They followed immediately.
BOOM!
Just as the three of them reached the center, the ground could no longer contain the violent mana and exploded upward! Rubble and dirt soared into the air, and a nauseating stench instantly filled the area.
Then, thick, snake-like vines covered in green slime lunged out from the depths like living things, writhing frantically.
It was a giant man-eating plant, birthed from curses and mana! Its petals were dark purple and lined with razor-sharp teeth. At its center was a bottomless black hole that looked as if it could swallow everything.
This was the strength of a Deep Floor monster! In fact, it was even stronger than a typical inhabitant of the lower depths.
"Dammit! What is this thing?!" Tiona's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief. This was the surface—how could a monster of this caliber appear here?
"Be careful. This isn't a normal monster," Lynn warned, his expression more somber than it had ever been. The pressure radiating from this giant plant seemed to far exceed his current attributes.
"Lynn, get back!"
Aiz's voice was cold and firm. Without a second's hesitation, she charged. She knew Lynn was strong, but if he tried to trade blows with a monster of this level, his body might not hold up. Her saber shimmered with a faint magical glow as she pointed it at the plant's massive stamen.
Only then did Lynn notice that she wasn't using her own sword, though the one she had appeared to be a high-end weapon.
Aiz let out a low cry and rushed the plant like a gale. Her saber carried a sharp arc of light, aimed directly at the plant's most vulnerable point.
However...
CLANG!
A piercing screech of metal on metal rang out as Aiz's saber slammed into the flower. To everyone's horror, the seemingly soft stamen was as hard as iron!
Aiz felt a massive recoil vibrate up her sword. Her arm went numb, and she was forced back two steps. What made her heart sink further was that her saber—under the force of that single impact—snapped in two!
Aiz looked at the broken hilt in her hand, her eyes wide with shock. This sword wasn't her personal weapon, but it was still a masterwork piece far stronger than average gear. It had been shattered in a single strike?!
Before she could react, another vine lunged out like a viper. Aiz dodged quickly, but the vine seemed alive, tracking her and wrapping tightly around her waist. In an instant, she was hoisted into the air, hanging upside down!
"Miss Aiz!" Tione and Tiona cried out. They were equally fast, rushing forward to try and tear the vines apart with raw strength. However, their fists hit the vines with dull thuds, as if striking toughened leather. They couldn't do any damage.
"Dammit! I don't have my weapon!" Tiona shouted in frustration. Her fists, usually invincible, felt powerless here.
The plant seemed enraged. More vines flooded out like a tide, instantly ensnaring Tione and Tiona as well, hoisting them up to join Aiz.
Aiz's expression was a rare picture of bewilderment. Tione was red-faced with fury, muttering curses under her breath, while Tiona looked like a child caught in a prank, wearing a piteous pout.
"Are you all cosplaying as Magical Girls?"
Lynn looked at the scene and almost couldn't hold it together. His lip twitched uncontrollably. He wanted to laugh, but the timing was definitely inappropriate. He took a deep breath, forcing down the bizarre impulse.
Physical attacks aren't breaking through... then let's try magic.
Lynn's mind analyzed the situation at top speed. He raised his left hand, Glintstone Staff in his grip, the tip glowing with blue light.
"Glintstone Pebble!"
A bolt of mana shot out like a meteor, striking the plant's blood-red crown with pinpoint accuracy.
Hiss!
The plant let out a pained shriek, its massive body shuddering. The vines holding Aiz and the others wobbled. A cloud of black smoke rose from where the spell hit, and corrosive slime began to flow faster.
"I knew it!" Lynn's eyes sharpened. The plant had a clear weakness to magic.
"Lynn! I'll help you!"
A crisp, anxious voice rang out, followed by a barrage of emerald light arrows that rained down on the plant like a storm!
It was Lefiya. The wand in her hand was glowing brilliantly, every arrow of light striking the plant's weak points and raising more black smoke. Lefiya's face was flushed from running, but seeing Aiz hanging upside down filled her eyes with panic and rage. Seeing Lynn's magic was effective, she poured out her mana without reservation.
"Good! Lefiya! Focus your fire on the crown!"
Lynn immediately took command. Simultaneously, he fired more Glintstone Pebbles, coordinating with Lefiya's attacks to steadily weaken the plant's defenses.
Lefiya went into full offensive mode, chanting loudly as she unleashed Arcus Ray and Fusillade Fire Volt in rapid succession. Lynn continued his barrage of Glintstone Pebbles. Working together, they forced the giant plant into a retreat.
SCREECH!
The plant writhed in agony, its crown riddled with holes from the magical bombardment. Its vibrant red color began to fade. The vines holding the three girls started to loosen.
"Now!" Lynn shouted.
The three girls seized the chance. Though her sword was broken, Aiz scrambled across the plant's body like a cat, searching for a new opening. Tione and Tiona dropped to the ground; even without weapons, their battle instincts were sharp, and they began destroying the plant's roots.
Lefiya's mana output reached its peak. She chanted a high-tier spell, manifesting her Elf Ring. Emerald light enveloped the plant, further amplifying the magical damage.
Lynn seized the momentum and charged. Moonveil was drawn, its blade gleaming coldly in the night. He moved like a phantom to the plant's rear and plunged the katana precisely into a rupture created by the magic!
Squelsch!
The cursed mana collided violently with Moonveil's dark-moon energy. The plant let out a deafening wail of agony, its body convulsing.
"Transient Moonlight!"
Lynn didn't stop. With a flash of light, a horizontal blue moon-shadow swept out, completely severing the plant's crown!
BOOM!
Without its crown, the plant collapsed like a beheaded beast. Its massive frame crashed down, splashing dirt and rotting sap everywhere. The cursed mana receded like a tide, leaving only a massive crater behind.
"Hah... hah..." Lefiya panted heavily, her mana nearly spent. But seeing Aiz and the sisters safely on the ground, she managed a relieved smile.
Aiz looked at the fallen plant, then at the Moonveil in Lynn's hand, a complex light flashing in her eyes. She walked over to Lynn and said softly, "Thank you, Lynn."
Tione and Tiona walked over as well. Though they didn't say much, the gratitude in their eyes was sincere.
"I'm just glad you're okay," Lynn said, sheathing his blade. He looked around. The chaos in the plaza was still being dealt with, but the fall of the giant plant had undoubtedly restored confidence to the adventurers.
The chaos of the Central Plaza gradually returned to calm. The monsters that had escaped were subdued by the combined efforts of the Loki, Ganesha, and other elite Familias. While the process was harrowing, Orario's strongest warriors were there; these "exhibition pieces"—domesticated and far weaker than those in the deep floors—couldn't ultimately cause a greater catastrophe.
Eina was summoned by the Guild to handle the aftermath of the riot. When she left, her eyes were full of apology and worry. Lynn just waved her off, telling her not to worry.
Now, Lynn stood alone at the edge of the crater where the giant plant had fallen. The air was still thick with the smell of earth, blood, and the sickening rot of the plant. He looked down into the pit. The giant plant had completely withered, its dark purple petals charred as if by fire. With the cursed mana gone, it had lost its life force, leaving only a massive pile of wreckage.
"Underground... Monster Fair..." Lynn muttered to himself, his brow furrowed. He thought about what the messenger had said before passing out.
He remembered the survivors of the Three Fingers—those who coveted his Great Rune and wanted the Flame of Frenzy to descend. He thought he had cleared them all out. Could there be other factions seeking to bring chaos or destruction?
"Mr. Lynn, have something to drink."
A soft voice sounded in his ear. Lynn turned. At some point, Syr had appeared behind him. She held a steaming cup, a faint sweetness wafting from it. Wearing her Hostess of Fertility uniform amidst the wreckage and blood of the plaza, she looked strikingly out of place, yet she brought a strange sense of stability.
"Thanks."
Lynn took the cup. The heat transferred through the ceramic, warding off the chill of the night wind. He took a sip; it was chamomile tea with honey, mild and soothing.
Syr's gaze rested on Lynn's face. In her deep eyes was a complex emotion Lynn couldn't quite read. She said softly, "You were amazing today, Mr. Lynn. But it was also too dangerous."
"I'm used to it," Lynn shrugged, his tone light. For him, a battle of this level truly wasn't much, especially with Aiz and the others there as back-up.
Syr smiled, but there was a trace of almost imperceptible bitterness in her expression. "Being used to it... sometimes that's the scariest thing." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the plaza—the broken cages and the adventurers clearing the scene. "Be careful, Mr. Lynn. Some people are scarier than monsters."
Her words were meaningful, her voice trailing off like the wind. Without waiting for a response, she turned and melted into the night, leaving only the sight of her slender back.
Lynn was about to call her back to talk more when Aiz walked over. Her long golden hair was a bit messy, and there were smudges of dirt on her face, but her golden eyes remained bright. She stood beside Lynn, glanced at the tea in his hand, and though her face remained expressionless, he could feel a faint sense of exhaustion from her.
"That flower... was troublesome," Aiz's cold voice sounded, carrying a rare note of sighing.
Lynn nodded. "Indeed. And your sword..." He pointed to Aiz's empty waist.
Aiz looked down, a flash of helplessness in her eyes. "Broken. A pity."
"Physical attacks weren't effective, but magic worked wonders," Lynn added. He thought back to how Aiz had charged in recklessly only to be caught by the vines; even the legendary Sword Princess had shown a rare look of shock then.
Aiz nodded slightly in agreement. She clearly realized there was something unusual about that plant.
"I'm glad you're okay," Aiz said, looking at Lynn. She seemed to want to say more, but that was all that came out.
Lynn smiled. "I'm glad you're okay too. By the way, was that sword a loaner?"
Aiz gave a quiet "Mm." "Yes. I didn't bring my weapon, so I borrowed one from the shop on the main street."
"Then you'd better go return it—and pay for the damages," Lynn joked.
Aiz's expression stiffened for a second, then she nodded. "Yes. I'll go now." She turned to leave.
Looking at her back, Lynn suddenly remembered something. "Wait!"
Aiz stopped and looked back.
"Next time you encounter a weird monster like that, don't just charge in. Look for a weakness first," Lynn advised with a touch of helplessness. He always felt Aiz was a bit "one-track-minded" when it came to combat—powerful, but occasionally lacking flexibility.
Aiz thought about it, a flash of contemplation in her eyes. Then, she nodded seriously and softly. "Okay."
She turned again, her slender silhouette quickly disappearing into the crowd. She was likely going to find someone from the Hephaestus Familia.
Lynn sighed and shook his head. Seeing Aiz's back made him think of Bell. In some ways, those two were quite similar—both had a stubborn streak, and both were a bit adorably "reckless."
He withdrew his gaze and began to scan the ruins. Although the main threat was gone, there were still stray monsters and destroyed facilities that needed clearing and repair. Lynn wasn't the type to just leave after having his fun; since Eina was busy, he decided to help out.
He saw Shakti directing her familia members in the aftermath. The muscular man's face was full of fury and anxiety, but mostly the heavy sense of responsibility of a captain. Lynn went over, spoke with him briefly, and mentioned the attack on the messenger.
Shakti's massive frame shuddered, and the eyes behind his mask flashed dangerously. He immediately sent people to check on the messenger's condition and vowed to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Lynn didn't say much more. He spent some time quietly helping to clear the destroyed areas to ensure no dangers remained. It wasn't until deep into the night, when the chaos had fully subsided and only flickering torches and busy shadows remained, that he turned and left the ruins.
The day had started with a grand celebration and ended in sudden riot. With the holiday ruined like this, tomorrow's news would certainly have plenty to say.
Half an hour later. Weapon Shop, Shopping Street.
Aiz stood there, the fragments of the broken sword laid out on the table before the blacksmith. She waited nervously for the man's judgment.
The blacksmith's expression was terrible. He stared at the pulverized remains of the treasure for a long time. Finally, he made up his mind and spoke abruptly.
"40 million Valis!"
The moment she heard the price of the compensation, the light vanished from Aiz's eyes. She became hollow and vacant. She stood there in a daze, her mind filled with nothing but that astronomical figure.
"Eh...?"
Even for her, paying off such a debt would likely take a very, very long time...
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Danmachi: My Primary God is Hidetaka Miyazaki? (Simulpub – Ongoing)
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