'What the hell.'
Judas felt his eye twitch as the situation spiraled completely out of his control.
He didn't respond right away.
Instead, he slowly turned his head toward Finn... only to see the Pallum Captain casually shrug, as if silently saying, "You deal with it."
Judas clicked his tongue internally before shifting his gaze to the Amazon glued to his side.
Tiona was still hugging his arm with all the enthusiasm of a child clinging to their favorite toy... her bright grin and puppy-like eyes practically radiating sparkles.
Honestly, the look alone was enough to kill most people's resistance.
But what really got him was the strength behind that grip.
Cute face or not, the pressure she was putting on his arm was starting to hurt.
Judas tried to quietly tug himself free... once, twice... but her hold didn't budge in the slightest.
'She's too damn strong.'
Eventually, he gave up and looked to his other side.
Tione was trying to act composed, arms crossed, eyes half-averted... but the slight lean in his direction betrayed her interest.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Bete pretended to not care... ears perked, tail stiff, eyes glaring but undeniably eager.
Subtle? Not in the slightest.
Judas exhaled.
"I'll have to ask Alfia first. Whether she lets you join or not is completely up to her."
As soon as he said that—
Tiona's face lit up with pure joy.
Tione gave a small, satisfied nod.
And Bete clicked his tongue before turning away, though his tail still betrayed that spark of excitement.
Gareth, watching all this unfold, furrowed his brows.
"Are we sure we should be allowing this to happen? If I remember correctly, that witch Alfia isn't exactly... gentle. They might come back with broken bones every time."
He stroked his beard thoughtfully, turning to Finn.
Finn only smiled lightly before answering.
"It's fine. Didn't we also go through that kind of harsh baptism? Besides—"
His gaze drifted to Judas.
"With his healing magic, they'll survive. Probably."
"Aye... if you say so."
Gareth let out a low breath, shoulders rising and falling as if bracing himself for memories he'd rather forget.
"Good luck, lad. You'll need it more than any of us."
He gave Judas a sympathetic pat on the shoulder... heavy enough to almost make him stumble.
It was then Raul jogged toward them with a salute, slightly out of breath.
"Captain, we are ready to depart,"
Raul said respectfully.
"Let's go."
Finn nodded as he watched Anakitty finish tightening one of the ropes securing a cart, giving it a firm tug before joining the others.
As the group began moving toward the main street, Judas naturally fell into step beside them, the rumbling of wheels filling the air.
It didn't take long for him to notice the shift in the atmosphere.
People on the streets immediately stepped aside, creating a path for them without anyone needing to say a word.
Some watched with wide eyes, others whispered excitedly, while a few simply stood frozen... caught between awe and disbelief.
"Look! It's the Loki Familia... they already came back from their expedition!"
"The Braver... Finn Deimne is right there."
"Amazing... so many first-class adventurers gathered together."
Judas blinked at the reactions.
Even though he had already gotten used to his own growing reputation, seeing the entire Loki Familia parade through the streets with carts filled to the brim was a different kind of spectacle.
With the sheer number of first-class adventurers walking in formation... and the mountain of loot being dragged behind them... of course they drew attention like moths to a flame.
Naturally, no one with half a brain would ever consider a robbery.
Even the city's most hardened criminals wouldn't dare to breathe in their direction, much less cause trouble.
So with quiet admiration, awe-struck stares, and an open path before them, the Loki Familia made their way confidently toward the Guild.
They stopped right in front of the Guild's main building as Finn turned to the group, his presence instantly commanding attention.
"Alright. Riveria, Gareth, and I will handle the exchange of magic stones for valis."
"Everyone else, follow the plan and head to your assigned duties."
Finn's gaze swept across the gathered adventurers.
"And remember... don't go pocketing any of the money for yourselves. Isn't that right, Raul?"
Finn added with a knowing smirk, eyes locking onto Raul in particular.
"C-Captain! That was only one time... and I already returned it!"
Raul stammered, beads of sweat rolling down his face.
"Haha."
Finn laughed it off before shifting his attention to Judas.
"Oh, right. I forgot to assign you to a group. Well, you don't have any tasks for now... just observe how everyone handles their negotiations. Take it as a learning experience."
Judas nodded silently.
"Then let's head in."
Finn strode toward the doors, Riveria and Gareth right behind him, and the entire procession broke apart into smaller teams, each group peeling off toward their designated partners and shops.
Left on his own, Judas was just deciding which group to join when—
"Judas, come here! You can join us!"
Tiona's energetic voice shot through the air as she grabbed his arm and immediately dragged him across the street.
Ahead, Ais, Lefiya, and Tione were already waiting.
Tiona pulled him straight toward them, and Judas naturally blended into their formation without anyone questioning it.
Well... except for a certain amber-haired elf.
'Lefiya, was it?'
He couldn't help noticing her glancing at him every now and then.
Out of everyone here, Lefiya was the one he knew the least.
But since Ais, Tiona, and Tione accepted his presence without hesitation, there wasn't much she could say about it.
Judas let the thought go as Tione's voice snapped his attention forward.
"Alright, we're here."
The group came to a stop in front of a familiar storefront.
Judas looked up at the sign.
Dian Cecht's Pharmacy.
The very place he usually bought his potions before delving into the Dungeon.
"Hehe... let's squeeze as much money as we can out of these suckers."
Tione said with a predatory grin, eyes practically sparkling with dollar signs.
"Um, Miss Tione, that's... not a very nice thing to say."
Lefiya murmured nervously, though she still followed them inside.
It wasn't only the Guild that bought drop items.
Business-type familias also conducted exchanges... often at better rates, provided the adventurer could negotiate well enough.
As Judas and the others stepped inside, they were greeted by a silver-haired woman behind the counter.
"Welcome, members of the Loki Familia."
Airmid Teasanare said gently, dressed in her usual healer's attire.
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