The fox girl—her name seemed to be Haruhime, wasn't it?
Back when Ishtar and Kali had joined forces to capture Eiji, she had appeared in the Dungeon alongside Argana and cast that level-boosting cheat magic on her.
To be honest, Eiji had completely forgotten about this fox girl.
There had simply been too much going on lately—searching for the key, undergoing special training, preparing for the Dungeon expedition—he hadn't even remembered her existence until now, despite her being such a ridiculously overpowered adventurer!
"Mr. Eiji, you know Haruhime?" Bell looked surprised, his gaze shifting between the two.
"It was my fault for offending you last time... P-please forgive me!"
The fox girl shrank her head like an ostrich, trembling as she stepped forward and bowed deeply to Eiji.
As she spoke, she also answered Bell's question.
"Just a difference in allegiances. No need for forgiveness."
Eiji waved his hand dismissively.
He couldn't help but glance enviously at Bell.
This kid's luck was unreal.
It seemed that after the Ishtar Familia disbanded, Haruhime had joined the Hestia Familia.
Typical protagonist—good things just naturally fell into his lap.
"I'm truly grateful for your forgiveness."
Haruhime visibly relaxed, then spoke up again.
"If possible, I'd like to atone for my past offense. Please allow me to contribute to this battle in some small way!"
Her expression was earnest and pure.
Bell had probably brought her here for this very purpose.
"Will your level-boosting magic work on us?" Eiji asked calmly.
Level-boosting magic?
Behind him, Finn and the others collectively sucked in a sharp breath before their eyes lit up.
It was like finding a ray of hope in pitch-black darkness.
"Yes."
Haruhime nodded gently.
"No matter how high the level, my magic can forcibly raise one's strength by a full rank. Though I've never tried it on an Level 7 adventurer, I can confirm it will definitely work on Level 6 adventurers!"
Such an overpowered magic!
It was practically cheating!
Riveria instinctively moved to shield her from view, and Tiona and the others quickly followed suit, forming a protective circle around her.
"Um..."
"Don't worry, this is for your protection. If word of this magic got out, it would cause absolute chaos."
Haruhime flinched in surprise, but Eiji reassured her.
"Miss Haruhime, correct?"
Finn stepped forward, his expression grave.
"How many targets can your magic affect at once?"
Faced with the famous hero of the city, Haruhime tensed up immediately.
"W-well... only one person at a time..."
She lowered her head, looking somewhat guilty.
If only her magic could affect multiple people—maybe then they could resolve the current crisis.
"Just one?"
Finn frowned slightly.
Though disappointing, this made sense. If such a cheat-like magic could affect multiple targets, even he would have to call it unfair.
"In that case, we must have the person most skilled at fighting above their level receive this magic!"
Finn declared resolutely.
He neither volunteered himself nor asked Ottar to take on the task.
His words clearly indicated the most suitable candidate in his mind.
"When it comes to excelling in battles against higher-level opponents..."
Gareth pondered thoughtfully upon hearing this.
"There's only one person who comes to mind!"
Riveria smiled faintly without speaking.
Ais, Tiona, Tione, and even Alicia and Anakitty behind them, as well as Bete, who usually clashed with him the most, all turned their silent gazes toward him.
"Can we count on you, Eiji?"
Finn made a solemn request to him as the leader.
"Leave it to me!"
Eiji straightened his back, answering with full confidence.
"Loki, update my status! Haruhime, prepare your magic!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Here we go!"
Loki cheered excitedly.
"Everyone, spread out!"
Finn turned around, his voice reaching the ears of all the Familia's adventurers.
"Buy as much time as possible without sustaining unnecessary damage! High-level adventurers, assist the lower-level ones! Once the time comes, the strongest reinforcement in history will make his appearance!"
"Placing all hopes on a single person, huh?"
Shakti glanced at Eiji, who was surrounded by the crowd, and sighed with mixed emotions.
"Ganesha Familia, follow me! Act according to the Brave's orders!"
Had it really been so long?
That kid was now shouldering the fate of all Orario.
The contrast gave Shakti an almost surreal sense of déjà vu.
At Finn's command, the various Familias sprang into action. Countless adventurers, as if finding their backbone, roared and surged through the city's streets and alleys!
"What resistance can you possibly muster now?!"
Dionysus laughed hoarsely.
"No matter how you struggle, you can never defeat the evil dragon Nidhogg! This is fate—destiny bestowed by the gods!"
Seeing these adventurers reignite their fighting spirit disgusted him more than anything.
"There's one line of yours I really like."
A leisurely voice came from the direction of the encircled crowd.
"No matter how outstanding one's wisdom is, it's useless against an absolute difference in strength."
An absolute difference in strength.
What a beautiful phrase.
Eiji loved those words.
"In other words, as long as we win, that's all that matters."
As long as they defeated the evil dragon, all problems would be resolved.
"Status update complete!"
Loki's excited voice reached everyone's ears, filling the lower-level adventurers of Loki Familia who had gathered to shield Eiji's status update with joy.
==========
[Eiji Nangou]
[LV·6]
[Strength: H·198 → B·709]
[Endurance: H·0176 → C·656]
[Dexterity: G·283 → A·887]
[Agility: F·354 → SS·1098]
[Magic: I·54 → F·423]
[Development Abilities: Hunter (G), Spirit Healing (G), Swordsman (S), Escape (H)]
[Magic: Aurora Blade]
[Skills: Ten Years of Sharpening a Sword, Sword Heart's Valor, Charm, Sword God]
==========
"Grow—thy power and deeds, countless treasures, countless wishes. When the bell tolls, pray for glory and fantasy."
At the same time, Haruhime's gentle chanting reached their ears.
"Grow—this body that feasts upon divine blessings, bestow upon it the golden light of the gods. Return the mallet to the earth, grant thy blessing."
"Grow—Uchide no Kozuchi!"
Golden light descended.
Tiny particles of light enveloped Eiji, merging into his skin.
Suddenly, an explosive surge of power erupted from within him.
Thanks to his complete mastery of the Twin Wings Style, Eiji instantly gained full control over this overwhelming surge of strength.
"The final round begins!"
Eiji raised his head.
His eyes blazed with fighting spirit as they locked onto the rampaging evil dragon in the sky.
With a light push off the ground, his figure vanished in an instant.