When the slightly chilly night descended, the Labyrinth City of Orario, usually lively beyond measure because of the Monster Feria, finally cooled down a little, its noise and heat fading as the peace of night slowly returned.
However, as the center of the world and the city that gathered the most adventurers and gods, Orario was still known as the most bustling place in existence, so even at night, the city's districts remained brightly lit as the glow of magic stone lamps illuminated the streets, driving away the darkness and bathing the entire city in light.
Some people had finished work, others had returned from their adventures in the Dungeon. One by one, they gathered at taverns and inns, drinking together regardless of race, and talking with excitement about everything that had happened today.
In a way, Orario was truly a restless city.
No matter how big or small an event was, news spread through it with incredible speed.
Adventurers kept an eye on updates about star-like First-Class Adventurers, bards sang of heroes who achieved great deeds, while the gods, delighted by such liveliness, roamed about noisily, exaggerating every rumor they could find.
Thanks to that, the story of Riezel's 'good deed' on East Main Street spread at a shocking pace, so much so that some people even ran over to see the huge pit he left in the ground, trembling at the sight.
Especially those who had witnessed the event in person—seeing Riezel soar among the monsters like he was flying, calmly and swiftly chanting high-level magic of tremendous power—that scene deeply shook them.
Since then, they had been telling everyone they met about it, loudly praising Riezel's display.
Because of that, many people finally began to realize that this 'monster rookie' from the Loki Familia was far stronger than they had thought.
He wasn't just fast in growth speed—his combat power itself was extraordinary.
Back when he was still Level 1, he had fought and slain a Crocodile Dragon, a monster classified as Level 2, achieving the incredible feat of leveling up within seven days.
At Level 3, he had even challenged a Goliath, a Floor Boss classified as Level 4, which was not only enormous but also END-specialized—its endurance alone rivaled that of a Level 5 adventurer.
Against such a creature, even a First-Class Adventurer at Level 5 would find it extremely difficult to defeat it alone, and with its absurd defense, one could only suppress it, not slay it.
And yet, Riezel succeeded and rose to Level 4 because of it—these feats had once spread throughout Orario.
However, since his growth had been far too rapid, everyone had focused on his abnormal speed, subconsciously overlooking his actual combat strength.
Now, after what happened that day, many suddenly remembered that this monster rookie had repeatedly succeeded in crossing levels in battle.
Moreover, famous mages had already stated that the power of his magic exceeded that of ordinary Level 6s, reaching a level capable of threatening Level 7s.
Only then did people—gods included—finally admit that this rumored monster rookie was no ordinary Level 5.
Consequently, some began to change their views on him, while others started to regard him with awe.
Of course, the gods, itching with curiosity, wanted to uncover the secret behind this monster rookie—why his growth was so fast, why his power was so extreme, but daunted by the name of the mighty Loki Familia, they didn't dare act openly and could only grumble behind Loki's back, claiming she must have hit ultimate luck to find a child like that.
Of course, those hostile to the Loki Familia quietly etched the name 'Riezel Brynhart' deeper into their minds.
For example, the Freya Familia.
And those lurking in the shadows, waiting to move.
Before anyone realized it, all kinds of names had already been attached to Riezel.
Some called him the expert on challenging an opponent cross-level.
Some called him Orario's strongest magic swordsman.
Some believed his attack power even surpassed that of Nine Hell, the city's strongest mage.
Some hailed him as a miracle-born hero—the next one who could reach Ottar's height.
While the outside world buzzed with such talk, Riezel was walking through the corridor of Twilight Manor's central tower.
"Almost couldn't get away…"
Remembering Ais, who had just been clinging to him with all her heart, eager to learn Wind Breathing, Riezel smiled wryly as he made his way toward Loki's room at the top of the tower.
About three minutes later, he arrived at the door and knocked.
"Good, good, good, come on in~"
Hearing Loki's playful accent, Riezel pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"You're here, kiddo. Had dinner yet?"
Sitting on the bed, Loki held a bottle in her mouth, drinking in gulps as she grinned at him.
"Barely had time to eat."
Seeing Loki was still the same as always, Riezel relaxed his expression and sat down across from her.
"Got stuck with Ais, huh?" Loki smirked slyly. "Serves you right! You dared to get caught in rumors with my Ais, so now you gotta taste how stubborn that pure princess can get once she sets her mind on something."
"What rumor?" Riezel blinked in confusion. "Ais and I have a rumor?"
"Duh, you seriously didn't know?" Loki shot him a weird look, then puffed out her cheeks. "Ugh, fine, whatever. Since you're my precious kid, I'll let it slide this time."
"Yeah, thanks, I guess?" Riezel shook his head, ignoring the goddess's usual erratic thinking. "Anyway, the Captain said you wanted to see me. What's up?"
"What, I can't call you unless there's something wrong?" Loki took another swig, the scent of alcohol filling the room. "Look at you, running around for days. Isn't it natural for your parent to get worried?"
"Oh?" Riezel raised an eyebrow, smiling. "You wanna know what I did out there?"
"If you're willing to talk, I'll listen. If not, I won't pry." Loki slightly opened her eyes, her golden pupils glinting with divine power as she gave him a knowing smile. "Good thing you're my kid. Otherwise, with how much you've changed, I'd dig into every last secret you have—down to the color of your underwear—before I'd let it go."
At this, Riezel fell silent.
He knew Loki might have noticed something.
He was no longer what people thought—a newly promoted Level 5, but a genuine Level 7.
And even among Level 7 adventurers, he had gone far beyond the usual limits.
Others couldn't tell because he had been intentionally holding back, suppressing his aura, and concealing his fighting spirit, but what could fool others could never fool the goddess who had carved his Falna by her own hand.
"Alright, let's check your status first." Loki's eyes returned to their usual squint, her tone once again careless and teasing.
"You sure about that?" Riezel blinked his eyes and asked with genuine concern.
"What? Your parent is not allowed to look at your little secret—your back?" Loki grumbled unhappily.
"No, that's not it." Riezel replied with a hint of warning. "I'm just afraid you'll get scared shitless."
He then swiftly took off his upper clothes and turned his back to Loki.
As if expecting this, Loki had already picked up a needle, pricking her fingertip without hesitation and causing divine blood to well from the wound. Next, she pressed her finger against his back, thereby unlocking his status, as the sacred text of the Falna appeared on his skin like carved stone.
As she began updating the status, Loki spoke lazily.
"Me, scared? You think I'm that easy to scare? I'm Loki! If I got scared that easily, how would I even survive... in... Ora... rio..."
Her mocking words gradually weakened as the sacred text on Riezel's back updated line by line.
At this moment, Loki's usually slitted eyes opened in shock as she stared at Riezel's status.
...
Riezel Brynhart
Level 7
STR: B727 → A822
END: B711 → A808
DEX: A852 → S943
AGI: A871 → S961
MAG: S940 → SS1010
Lightweight: B
Swordsman: C
Mage: D
Battle Adept: D
Fast Attack: E
Magic Chant: G
...
MAGIC
Almighty
- Memorization magic.
- Activates specific magic based on memory.
- Magic's power is determined by 'MAG.'
- Valid only for confirmed magic.
…
SKILL
Fool's Obsession
- Greatly increases growth speed.
- Greatly increases growth limit.
- The deeper the obsession, the stronger the effect.
- The effect is significantly enhanced in dangerous situations.
Endless
- Grants the highest-rank development ability: 'Healing Power.'
- Grants the highest-rank development ability: 'Spirit Healing.'
- Grants the highest-rank development ability: 'Abnormal Resistance.'
- Improves the obtained development abilities.
Self Redemption
- Immune to physical interference.
- Immune to mental interference.
- Can independently update status by consuming the corresponding god's blood.
- Can accept and enhance the effects of friendly buffs.
Pioneer of the Sun
- Becomes a spiritual being.
- Doubles the effects of light and heat magic.
- Provides resistance to light, heat, frost, and darkness powers.
- Deals special damage to evil entities.
Stake of Oath
- Fairy's divine protection.
- Power exceeds the normal limit when fighting alongside a specific individual.
- Power becomes ineffective when fighting against that specific individual as an enemy.
- Able to exchange powers and conditions with that specific individual.
- Inheritance occurs immediately upon meeting the condition of 'death.'
...
Staring at Riezel's status, which was vastly different from what she remembered, Loki was utterly dumbfounded.
"You... You're Level 7 now...?"
Loki looked at Riezel in complete shock.
"Yeah..."
Riezel nodded without hesitation.
"..."
Loki froze on the spot, her entire body stiff—the look on her face was downright comical.
===
[A bonus chapter for every 500 Power Stones.]
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