It is said that in Orario, there are twelve months in a year, and every month, a Goliath hatches in the dungeon. At least two-thirds of them are exterminated by the Loki Familia.
Because of this, that familia earned the nickname Giant Slayers.
However…
"From today onward… sigh~ this thing's ownership will have to carry the 'Eastern' name."
[Stars, converge here—]
=======
That day, Welf forgot how he had even returned to the familia base.
He only remembered that somewhere deep on the 17th floor of the dungeon, in front of the Big Wall of Grief, he had suffered a full-body, catastrophic fracture—and then a certain mischievous friend forcibly healed him.
And in his memory, just before losing consciousness, he had heard…
[Let's spark some fireworks!!!]
Other than that…
"Congratulations, Welf."
That night, the one-eyed, red-haired goddess of craftsmanship smiled warmly after updating his [Ability].
Because…
"From today, you are officially a Lv.2 'Advanced Adventurer.'"
He had finally gained the long-desired 'Forge' development ability.
And all of it… had been tricked out of him by those two so-called good brothers.
A mix of joy and resentment churned in his chest.
========
That same night, elsewhere…
"With this, my 'second growth stage' is complete."
At the Maria Orphanage in the Daedalus District, the twenty-odd children and Mama Mia had all returned to their rooms to rest.
Renjiro entered Syr's room to update [Ability].
Currently…
[Basic Abilities]:
Strength (d-593 → c-666), Durability (d-567 → c-601), Dexterity (b-792 → a-833), Agility (b-794 → a-828), Magic (s-985 → s-999)
——————
The Magic stat had capped again.
Moreover, having personally experienced the Antares Incident and played a major role in defeating Antares, Renjiro had already obtained the corresponding Achievement.
So…
"Do you want to 'level up' immediately, or continue 'accumulating' other [Basic Abilities]?"
Behind him, Syr (Frigg) asked.
The girl—revealing her true divine identity—only showed such seriousness at moments like these.
Renjiro answered…
"Continue 'accumulating.'"
It was again time to make a choice and sacrifice.
After weighing the pros and cons, he chose what he might never be able to gain again.
Though the post-level-up bonuses like four draws per day were tempting, the current [Basic Abilities] could only be improved now. Once he reached Lv.3, the Lv.2 stats would be permanently locked.
Had it not been for the Antares breaking the seal early—threatening the destruction of the lower world—Renjiro would not have rushed to reach Lv.2.
Now…
"I think… perhaps you could choose to 'level up' immediately?"
"Hmm?"
The girl's voice from behind made him curious.
"Why do you say that?"
"And… why phrased as a question?"*
Normally, whether Syr, she would not interfere with his decisions.
So if she suggested it, there was a reason.
At that moment…
"This evening, when you went to the dungeon to exterminate the floor boss, there was a girl… uh~ she looked kind of 'down.'"
Syr tapped her chin thoughtfully, looking slightly upward.
"Anyway, she's a very shy child."
"Her adventurer uniform bore the emblem of the Apollo Familia."
"Although it was the first time meeting her, she flustered and said some incomprehensible things."
Renjiro frowned deeply.
He, of course, knew who that gloomy girl was.
Cassandra Ilion, a Lv.2 Third-Class Adventurer.
In top familias like Freya and Loki, this level of power was completely unremarkable.
But her special skill—whose true nature was unknown and later named by Miach as "Five Dimension Troia"—allowed her to foresee the future through prophetic dreams.
And it was 100% accurate.
Before crossing worlds, Cassandra was dubbed by many in the dungeon as the script-holding "cheating" woman.
As Renjiro had previously said, given Mona's divination's inefficiency, this skill was his dream ability.
The Crown of Insight was already itching to awaken.
Now…
"What exactly did she say?"
His tone grew serious instantly.
Syr was slightly startled.
But, being sharp-minded, she quickly regained composure and repeated:
"She said—if the chosen one of the 'Ten Commandments' decides to 'stand still,' you must try your utmost to persuade him to 'move forward.'"
"Also…"
Syr rummaged by the bed.
"She left you a letter. At first, I thought it was a love letter."
"Here, this one."
The gray-haired girl handed a small envelope to Renjiro.
He took it without hesitation and opened it.
Then…
On the yellowed parchment was a Western-style poem—crude, but striking:
[When the second round of the blazing sun approaches the abyss, winter shall cease, and the end dragon guards its old nest alone; no new blossoms shall ever bloom.]
[Except for the solitary, world-forgotten red spider Lili…]
[The past dissipates misfortune, the future turns to ashes.]
[God's arrows may break.]
[The savior heroes stand alone.]
[The final goddess, after losing all, shall return fire to the age of origin.]
[Bearing blood blades to shatter and destroy, neither good nor evil, leaving millennia of resentment among living beings.]
[Wielding the Ten Commandments to correct all things, neither god nor man, ruler of the foreign demon gods.]
[Salvation, yet also destruction.]
[Hero, yet also demon king.]
[This is the world's end.]
[Stars glimmer faintly.]
Renjiro despised cryptic messages.
Especially ones that screamed bad news at first glance.
"Huh~"
He took a deep breath and put the letter away.
Then he looked at Syr, who had a puzzled expression.
"No leveling up tonight. I'll visit the Apollo Familia tomorrow, meet the girl, and then decide."
At that moment, his brows were tightly furrowed.
Seeing his grave expression, Syr asked with concern:
"Renjiro, are you alright?"
"Uh, yes. It's probably nothing serious. Tomorrow I'll find her and understand the situation."
"Don't worry, even if trouble arises…"
He flicked Syr's forehead gently.
"I can handle it. Tonight, we rest."
With that, Renjiro, still holding the shirt he had removed for [Ability] updates, stood up and left the room briskly.
Even so, his expression had become even more serious than before.