Zephyr
Level 1 → 2
Strength: SSS1407 → I0
Endurance: SSS1400 → I0
Dexterity: SSS1399 → I0
Agility: SSS1411 → I0
Magic: SSS1405 → I0
Done!
Accompanied by a soft glow surging from Zephyr's back, the jester emblem symbolizing the Loki Familia also served as a symbol of identity.
All the stats accumulated at Lv1—Strength, Endurance, Agility, Dexterity, and Magic—began to transform into potential, settling deep within his body. Immediately afterward, they returned to zero.
After the light dissipated, the Loki Familia emblem stabilized once more, the divine characters rearranged themselves, and a brand-new level appeared.
Thus, Zephyr had successfully become a Lv. 2 Adventurer.
And after an Adventurer completes a Level Up, they obtain the right to choose Development Abilities based on their experiences during that period.
Loki's gaze swept over the options Zephyr could choose from, there were three in total. Each one corresponded to a special effect that could provide some help for future Dungeon exploration.
"Zephyr. When an Adventurer levels up, they can choose Development Abilities based on their experiences. You have a total of 3 choices now, depending on your own preferences."
"Hunter, Escape, Abnormal Resistance. Which one do you want to choose?"
According to Loki's explanation, it was easy enough to understand, but the specific effects of these Development Abilities could only be guessed from their literal meaning. It was all up to Zephyr to guess.
After all, during this time in Orario, his channels for obtaining knowledge related to Adventurers were either Lili or the Guild. As for the Development Abilities after a level up, Lefiya hadn't explained it in detail to him.
He couldn't exactly ask Loki, could he?
Zephyr thought seriously, looking again at Loki's expectant face. He knew that asking wouldn't likely yield a complete answer. After all, the choice of Development Ability depends more on the Adventurer's own growth direction.
I'm not good at multiple-choice questions.
Zephyr remembered the logic he realized back in school when facing those multiple-choice questions.
Don't know which one to pick? Then choose the one with the most words.
Zephyr recalled the cup of Divine Wine he had drunk in the Brewing Room a few days ago, brewed by Soma's own hands, which could make Adventurers addicted to extreme pleasure. At that time, he had resisted it relying on Gluttony.
If he encountered the same situation, but that kind of thing couldn't be classified as gourmet food by the System, then this Development Ability might be able to play a role at a critical moment.
"I want Abnormal Resistance."
"Really?"
Loki's face showed obvious surprise, and her gaze lingered on Zephyr's face for a moment.
She had originally thought that Zephyr would, like the vast majority of Level 2 Adventurers, choose a Development Ability biased towards combat support, the most common being Hunter.
But the choice he made was an extremely unpopular Development Ability. Most importantly, it had no real use. The number of Adventurers in Orario who chose Abnormal Resistance could be counted on one's fingers.
"Forget it. It's your choice, so I'll respect the decision you've made."
Loki stretched out her finger and pressed it against Zephyr's back. After selecting the Development Ability, this Level Up process came to a complete end.
Loki clapped her hands in satisfaction and handed the parchment to Zephyr, complex emotions surging in her eyes.
His talent was such that it would definitely attract the covetous gaze of countless gods. She wasn't afraid, but some things needed to be kept secret. If it were known by gods of other Familias, she didn't know how much of a headache that would cause.
After a moment of thought, she chose to leave a shackle on the Falna on Zephyr's back that only she could unlock and interpret.
"Alright. Regarding your Falna, I have locked it for you. From now on, even if there are other gods, they will have no way of perceiving the skill you possess. You don't need to have any concerns in this regard."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow.
She was more considerate than he was. According to Loki's explanation, at least the skill he possessed could be kept secret.
"Thank you, Loki-sama."
"No need to be so formal." Loki waved her hand dismissively.
"Remember. No matter what, you must never explain your talent to anyone else. That includes Lefiya, other members of the Familia, and the people you trust the most."
"Understood?"
"No problem." Zephyr nodded.
Lefiya was a friend, but friends didn't need to share everything. The fewer people who knew certain secrets, the safer they were.
Not to mention, as a transmigrator, if his Strongest Gourmet Hunter System were to be exposed, it would likely bring trouble several times more troublesome than Zanis.
Just out of curiosity, gods could descend to the lower world. If they found out about the existence of the system, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After Zephyr finished dressing, he carefully felt the changes in his body. After his rank up, he felt a sudden surge of power. In the short term, his biggest sensation was that his limbs seemed a bit uncoordinated. He needed time to adapt.
"After a Rank Up, it takes some time to get used to the power." Loki explained of her own accord.
Finally, she destroyed the parchment on the table. Looking at this new Familia member who seemed to be the very definition of the unknown, she offered her blessing.
"Congratulations on successfully becoming a Level 2 Adventurer of the Loki Familia. From beginning to end, I have always believed that the future Orario will become much more exciting because of your presence."
...
During the Conversion ceremony, Lili's face wore a hint of nervousness. She gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her teeth biting her lower lip.
Having stayed in the Soma Familia for so long, Lili knew that she was quite subpar among the vast number of Adventurers in Orario. Changing Familias would absolutely not change anything of substance.
Yet, when Loki handed the updated parchment to her, she couldn't help but lower her head to carefully check the specific data.
Liliruca Arde
Level 1
Strength: H120 -> H145
Endurance: I92 -> H158
Dexterity: H180 -> G233
Agility: F304 -> F355
Magic: F303 -> F355
[Skills]
Artel Assist
[Magic]
Cinder Ella
The moment Lili saw the numbers clearly, her breath hitched.
It was exactly as she had anticipated. Compared to her previously updated stats in the Soma Familia, the increase in each of her attributes was meager. That tiny increase was practically no different from no growth at all.
But she wasn't surprised. From the day she put on her backpack, her perception of her own stats had been set in stone—there would be no miracles.
When she raised her head, a polite smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, Loki-sama. In the future, Lili will work hard and try her best not to drag everyone down."
She emphasized those words "work hard", as if trying to suppress all the insecurity surging inside her. She lowered her head, and the hood of her cloak slid down again, obscuring most of her face.
"Hmm? Why do you say that?" Loki sat back on the sofa, her calm gaze peering through the gap in Lili's hood.
Lili's deliberately suppressed tone, her clenched fists, and that obviously cautious, reserved look.
Loki took them all in. How could she possibly miss them?
Her self-deprecation as a low-level Supporter, and the guilt of only being able to squeeze into a top-tier faction because of Zephyr's talent, were all intertwined. At the very least, this Pallum girl had defined herself as a freebie.
"Lili. Come here."
When Lili walked over, her steps carried a hint of hesitation. Her height was barely level with the sofa.
Loki sat up straight and pointed her finger at the cloak on her head. "Take it off. There's no need to hide it in your own Familia. Don't you look quite pretty?"
Lili's fingers rested on the edge of her hood. After a moment of hesitation, she pulled the hood back.
Loki looked at her and curled her lips into a smile. "Lili, when you updated your status just now, I saw the magic you possess—Cinder Ella."
"The magic you have is excellent. Transformation, disguise, altering your body shape—it can save lives in critical moments in the Dungeon, and can even be of great use in gathering intelligence."
"In any Familia in Orario, this is an extremely rare talent for a Supporter. If I were to encounter a child with magic like yours in Orario, I would definitely take the initiative to snatch them into my Familia."
"So, as we get along in the Loki Familia from now on, I hope you won't carry any psychological burden, alright?"
Originally, Loki's view on Lili joining the Familia was indifferent. But once she saw the magic she possessed, that thought was dispelled.
Stats and combat weren't Lili's strong suit, but as long as it was used properly, her talent could be perfectly utilized.
Loki's tone grew slightly firmer. "You're not a freebie. You joined the Loki Familia based on your own ability and talent. You enjoy the exact same treatment as Zephyr."