Chapter 76 – Ishtar's Decision!
Shin Akira
Lv4 → Lv5
Strength: SSS·1199 → I·0
Endurance: SSS·1199 → I·0
Dexterity: SSS·1199 → I·0
Agility: SSS·1199 → I·0
Magic: SSS·1199 → I·0
Magic:
Shadow Touch
Shadow Domain
Shadow Canopy
Crimson Flame of Dragon
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Skills:
King of the Shadowkhan
Greed
Shadow Force
Dragon Blood
Shadow Body
Great increase to shadow affinity
Great increase to defense
Great increase to durability
Gained Development Ability: Pseudo-Undying Body
— — —
Development Abilities:
Mage · D
Hunter · E
Luck · F
Mystery · I
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Becoming a Level 5 adventurer in Orario was no small feat—it marked the beginning of the upper ranks. But Shin Akira had reached that height in just over a month. An absurd pace.
For context, most adventurers took years just to rise from Level 1. Compared to that, Akira's progression felt like the difference between the heavens and the earth.
"By the way, Hestia stopped by earlier today," Hephaestus said casually. "You weren't around, so she left a message with me."
"Hestia?" Akira raised an eyebrow. "What did she want?"
"She recently got her first Familia member. She was hoping you could help train him. I think she also wants her child to learn a thing or two from your experience."
"And you agreed?"
"I did. She's bringing him over tomorrow morning."
"Hm…"
His first instinct was to decline.
It would disrupt the rhythm of his power growth. Now that he had reached Level 5, his max unit capacity had increased from [64×4] to [128×5], giving him a whopping 640 Shadow summons. With that, he could sweep the Dungeon floor by floor with overwhelming efficiency.
"If it bothers you, you can refuse," Hephaestus said gently.
"No need," Akira shook his head. "If you already agreed, I'll go along with it. Besides... Hestia's your only friend. I wouldn't make things harder for you."
Hephaestus smiled quietly. Their relationship was drifting in a gray area—neither lovers nor strangers, their closeness was like glass waiting to be shattered with just one decisive gesture.
Most of the flirtations came from Akira, yet Hephaestus never really rejected them.
— — —
Meanwhile, Aisha and Liena had returned to the Ishtar Familia's estate to report their encounter with Shin Akira.
After finishing her explanation, Aisha lowered her head in silence.
"What?! That bastard dares talk down to me like that?! Just some lowborn from the Lower World and he thinks he can act all high and mighty?!" Ishtar's fury exploded, her voice shrill and venomous.
Her temper flared dangerously. Ishtar was not the type to forgive or forget. In fact, she was notoriously vindictive and petty—even towards her own Familia members, she never hesitated to scold or punish them harshly.
"Lady Ishtar, what should we do now? How do we respond to him?" one of the Amazons asked tentatively.
Haruhime's value was beyond dispute. Her unique skill, Uchide no Kozuchi, was extraordinary. Many in the Familia had already experienced its power firsthand.
As for Akira, he was a terrifying man. In just half a month, he had inflicted devastating damage on the Freya Familia—over thirty casualties, and a third of those were Level 3 or 4 adventurers.
That alone was an insane feat. But what truly unsettled them was the fact that Freya still hadn't retaliated.
That silence could only mean one thing: Freya was wary. Of what, they didn't know—but Shin Akira likely held something powerful enough to keep even her in check.
To Ishtar, this was a rare opportunity. If she could form an alliance with Shin Akira—combining the strength of the Hephaestus Familia, his own overwhelming power, and her own resources—they might just be able to topple Freya from her throne.
But Haruhime was a key part of that plan. Giving her up wasn't something she could do lightly.
Then again... the Killing Stone—the key item needed to execute her perfect plan—was still nowhere to be found. Without it, the entire operation was stalled.
In that case, Haruhime's importance had dropped slightly in her mind.
"Tell Shin Akira I'm willing to accept his terms... but only if he meets me in person," Ishtar said with a cold smirk. "If we can strike a deal, then handing over Haruhime isn't out of the question."
"Lady Ishtar... Haruhime is—"
"Enough. I know her worth. But without the Killing Stone, we can't proceed with the plan. That means we need to utilize every asset we have, one way or another."
"Understood."
The woman bowed and exited the room respectfully.
What she didn't know... was that Ishtar had no intention of giving Haruhime away. Those words were simply bait.
Even if Freya was defeated, Haruhime would still be essential to achieving Ishtar's grand ambitions. She was a tool—her most valuable piece in this divine game.
Ishtar was confident. Once she met Shin Akira in person, her overwhelming charm would surely seduce him.
Once he fell under her spell, there'd be no need for negotiation.
She was convinced everything was going according to plan.
But what she didn't realize... was that Shin Akira had already resisted Freya's temptations. Compared to Freya, Ishtar was nothing.
If Freya was like a luxurious white swan at an elite club—selective about who she approached—then Ishtar was more like a street-corner escort, taking anyone who'd pay.
Freya built influence through charisma and strategic relationships. Ishtar simply sold herself.
The contrast was striking. One exuded dignity. The other, disgrace.
And Ishtar was oblivious to that gap.
Unaware of her goddess's deeper schemes, Aisha actually felt a hint of relief.
If Haruhime truly went to Shin Akira, then regardless of what status she gained... at least she'd be safe. Compared to staying here under Ishtar's control, where death was only a matter of time, that was a far better fate.
To Aisha, when it came to preserving someone's life—everything else was secondary.
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