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[The fic is doing amazing in Faloo so looks like it will be a good fic!]
Facing the rushing thugs.
Yukino tilted her body slightly, elegantly avoiding that sloppy, patternless cleaver swing.
"Don't act."
Her cool voice was a cue to Shiina Mahiru.
The next moment.
Her slender figure moved.
No flashy sword-light.
Only killing done with ultimate efficiency.
In the narrow corridor, her long sword traced two almost-overlapping arcs of frost.
The first strike.
It stabbed precisely into the throat of the one-handed adventurer, who'd left himself wide open in his rage.
The tip touched and withdrew.
Bringing out a spray of blood that froze to rime in an instant.
The adventurer's forward momentum halted on the spot, a wheezing "kha—kha—" leaking from his throat.
He toppled, rigid, and the spreading frost carried his life away just as quickly.
The second strike.
Came almost in the same breath.
It met the knife-scarred adventurer's panicked, wild slash.
A light "clang."
His short sword was brushed aside like nothing.
Yukino's blade, as if meeting no resistance at all, flowed across his neck.
The scarred man froze mid-motion.
He clutched at the neck spraying icy shards, terror and regret filling his eyes.
In the end.
He sagged soft to the floor.
The whole fight took no more than two breaths.
The corridor fell silent again.
Only two corpses thinly frosted over remained, and a faint tang of blood in the air.
Zyhark watched quietly, unable to keep a ripple from rising in his heart.
He thought of the first time he'd met Yukino—that helpless girl in a strange world.
And the decisive, ice-calm swordswoman before him now.
They were worlds apart.
With her [Blessing]'s potential awakened, and her own tenacious will and learning speed—
She'd pulled off a stunning metamorphosis in a short time.
That adaptability and growth really did deserve to be called a "cheat."
"Let's go."
Yukino slid the blade back into its scabbard.
Her flat tone made it sound as if she'd just swatted two flies.
She didn't linger, and continued toward the surface.
The three said nothing along the way, only footsteps echoing through the empty maze.
On the way.
Zyhark broke the silence:
"Those two were bottom-rung members of the Soma Familia."
He recalled the crescent and goblet engraved on their combat sleeves.
"Soma Familia?"
Mahiru repeated softly.
"Mm. A mid-tier faction not known for a good reputation in Orario."
Drawing on his memory, Zyhark explained:
"They've got numbers, but their management is chaotic—like a loose pile of sand."
"Their main god, Soma, seems disappointed in the Children below. He spends all day in his brewery making something called 'Divine Wine.'"
"They say that wine makes people forget their troubles, but it also keeps his members addicted."
"To drink the best 'Divine Wine,' they scramble for Valis like mad."
"Even by any means necessary."
"All Familia business is dumped on a Lv.2 captain named Zanis, titled the [Winekeeper]."
"Clearly, he's not doing a great job."
He paused.
And his tone turned more sober:
"Even if this dust-up is done, there may be trouble later."
"Though our Familia is still unknown."
"I think it won't be long before we butt heads with other factions."
"So, Yukino, Mahiru—you both need to get stronger."
Looking at the two girls brimming with potential, Zyhark continued:
"And if we want to level faster, and earn richer returns—"
"We have to challenge deeper floors."
"But with just the two of you, we may run short-handed in the more dangerous Deep Levels."
"So I'm planning to recruit a new member into our Familia."
After all, he still had an unused "Crossover Heroine Summoning Card" in the system.
"A new member?"
Yukino glanced over, her tone unreadable:
"Let's hope it's not another 'princess' who needs babysitting."
Mahiru shot back at once:
"That's my line."
"Let's hope it's not another 'instructor' radiating cold air like you."
Zyhark let out a helpless wry smile:
"In any case, we need to raise our team's power."
"Also."
"If we're going to push deeper, your current newbie gear needs an upgrade."
"Once we're back, we have to do some serious shopping."
…
When they stepped out of the Dungeon and returned to the bright, bustling first floor of the Babel Tower—
All three felt like they'd passed into another world.
No lingering.
They took the lift up to the Exchange counter at the Guild branch on the second floor of the Babel Tower.
Zyhark dropped the massive, heavy pack onto the counter.
He drew out the mountain of magic stones one by one, plus the various drop items:
"Blue Papilio Wings," "Killer Ant Carapaces," "Orc Hide," "Violet Moth Wings," "War Shadow Finger-Blade," and more.
Even the seasoned Guild clerk couldn't help giving them a few extra looks.
After careful counting and tallying, the final number lit the board:
Total Take: 230,000 Valis!
The heavy gold was packed into a special coin pouch and slid across to Zyhark.
This time.
He didn't lose his cool like the first time.
He simply slipped the pouch away and let a small, satisfied smile show.
He knew—
It was only the beginning.
Staring at the bag full of gold, a glint of surprise flashed in Mahiru's caramel eyes.
She murmured:
"Didn't think… making money would be this…"
In her old worldview, wealth accumulated slowly and painfully.
But here—
If you had the strength, you could convert it straight into staggering wealth.
Yukino was still bland, as if the 230,000 Valis were only proper and expected.
She flicked Mahiru a look, and said coolly:
"That surprises you?"
"Seems 'Angel-sama' still thinks about money like in that peaceful old world."
"Here, strength is the greatest source of wealth."
"And, of course, the seedbed of greed and sin."
Mahiru countered at once:
"At least I don't put on that 'no big deal' face over a bag of gold like certain people."
"For all we know you're already calculating how many new outfits you can buy."
Yukino snorted:
"Heh. Vulgar."
"Upgrading equipment comes first."
Mahiru's voice rose a shade:
"Really?"
"Then who stared three whole seconds at that blue dress in the shop window today?"
Yukino was silent a beat, then replied evenly:
"…You saw wrong."
Hearing the familiar bickering in her ears again, Zyhark sighed inwardly.
But with the coin pouch in his hand, his heart was still full of hope for the future.
They had funds.
They had two promising members.
Their Familia's rise had taken a solid first step.
"Let's move."
Zyhark cut off the "friendly" exchange:
"First, a proper meal."
"Then… we go shopping—and get ready to welcome a new partner."
…
By the time they returned to the luxury suite—
Night had fallen.
Magic-stone streetlamps lit the city like a sea of stars.
The three first doffed cloaks, gloves, and boots caked with Dungeon dust.
They changed into comfortable casual wear, and the weight slid off their shoulders.
"Fuu~ finally… home."
Zyhark let out a breath.
The plush carpet and the tidy, fresh room had been set to rights by housekeeping.
Mahiru tied on her apron as always and slipped into the kitchen to start dinner.
The fragrance spread quickly.
Zyhark and Yukino, after a short rest, sat together on the soft living-room sofa.
When Zyhark relaxed back against the cushion—
Yukino suddenly rose.
Then, unexpectedly, turned and sat on his lap.
She rested her head lightly in the hollow of his shoulder.
"?!"
Zyhark stiffened a little.
He looked, a touch startled, at the girl in his arms—her delicate profile right there.
Yukino felt his stiffness too.
She closed her indigo eyes.
Her cool voice, tinged with a thread of fatigue, whispered:
"Don't move…"
"I just need a little warmth."
They'd pushed to the 10th floor today, and clashed with the "Killer Ant" swarm and the Soma Familia.
Though her surface stayed frosty—
The drain on mind and body wasn't small.
Zyhark's heart softened; he understood.
He let the tension go, a gentle curve creeping to the corner of his mouth.
He reached out—
And kneaded Yukino's slightly tight neck and shoulders with just enough pressure:
"Good work."
Yukino didn't refuse.
She merely shifted a little to make his hands move more easily.
After a moment's quiet—
She spoke suddenly, very softly:
"Tonight…"
"You're summoning the new member?"
"Mm."
Zyhark nodded; he'd already prepared the pretext:
"It's a special ability I have—as a god."
"Not something every deity possesses."
He neatly filed "the system" under his own divine office's peculiarity.
After all—
With their "Divinity sealed," gods in Orario couldn't summon people from other worlds.
Yukino opened her blue eyes, a glint of interest in them:
"A special ability… an otherworldly summons, huh…"
She thought a moment.
Then looked at Zyhark again, her tone brooking no denial:
"This time, let me try."
"Hm?"
Zyhark blinked.
"I mean,"
Yukino straightened slightly to meet his eyes, her gaze keen:
"Leave persuading the new member to me."
The flat tone carried a solid, quiet confidence.
As if to say: "If you can't handle it, I will."
That "everything under control" look made Zyhark chuckle low:
"Sure. I'll leave it to you."
Privately, he was relieved.
"I really don't want another round of being treated like a creep or a con man and watching the summon bolt for the door."
He'd had enough of heroines summoned only to immediately try to escape.
Just then.
Mahiru walked out from the kitchen with a platter of perfect grilled fish.
She happened to catch the two in their close pose on the sofa, and her steps hitched.
Those caramel eyes fluttered twice.
"What were you two… talking about?"
She set the dish on the table and asked with casual air.
Yukino slid off Zyhark's lap.
She smoothed her hem with practiced grace and answered in her signature biting tone:
"Discussing how to 'lure' the next 'lost lamb' about to arrive."
"After all, our 'kind' god-sama doesn't seem great at dealing with women with strong personalities."
"Mahiru-san, you know all about that, don't you?"
"This time, I'll need you to 'cooperate properly.'"
Mahiru caught the meaning at once, a faint blush rising.
But she fired back at once:
"Hmph, at least I won't talk about 'luring' like it's only natural, unlike certain people."
"But…"
"For the growth of our Familia—"
"I'll 'appropriately' show this world's 'warmth' and 'friendliness.'"
Her words had barbs, but she was clearly on board.
Dinner that followed was warm and subtly tender.
Mahiru's cooking conquered the other two once again.
Simple ingredients, in her hands, became astonishingly delicious.
"Mahiru, your cooking is unreal!"
Zyhark praised from the heart:
"With you here, our Familia's happiness bar just hits max."
Yukino ate in quiet.
She said nothing.
But the steady motion of her chopsticks was the best review.
In a voice so small it was nearly a first, she added:
"…Mm. Passable."
Watching their satisfied faces and hearing Zyhark's unreserved praise—
The grievance and unease from being forcibly summoned seemed to wash a bit further away for Mahiru.
She lowered her head and nibbled at her meal.
An unconscious, tiny curve lifted the corner of her lips.
Maybe…
Staying in this unfamiliar world—
With these two—
Wasn't so impossible to accept?
…
After the meal.
Zyhark volunteered to clean up, and washed dishes alongside Mahiru in the kitchen.
Under the sound of running water—
Mahiru asked quietly:
"Zyhark-sama, how can I… become as strong as Miss Yukino?"
Wiping a plate, Zyhark explained patiently:
"The core of getting stronger is 〖Great Deeds〗."
"That is, challenge strong enemies and complete arduous tasks to amass experience—"
"And then raise your 〖Ability Scores〗."
"When your 〖Ability Scores〗 hit the cap, and you achieve a 'Great Deed' with enough weight, you can level up."
"For example, going from Lv.1 to Lv.2—that's a qualitative leap."
He paused, and gave an example:
"Do you know who the strongest adventurer in Orario is right now?"
"It's Ottar of the Freya Familia—a Lv.7 powerhouse!"
"That's what pushing past your limits over and over looks like."
"Lv.7…"
Aspiration flickered in Mahiru's eyes, but more than that, resolve:
"I understand. I'll work hard."
Cleanup done.
The three returned to the living room.
Zyhark took a deep breath.
With Yukino and Mahiru watching intently, he spoke in his heart:
"System, use the 'Heroine Summoning Card'!"
[Understood.]
That familiar white light bloomed again out of nowhere and gathered itself.
After a moment, it faded.
And a new girl stood in the center of the room.
She had long, jet-black hair like a waterfall, falling to her waist.
A white hairband on her head lent her both a calm and a slightly intellectual air.
She wore the uniform of Toyogasaki Academy.
Below the short skirt were long, flawless legs sheathed in black stockings—impossible to look away from.
Her figure was outstanding.
Especially the dramatic swell of her chest, pushing the uniform shirt into a breathtaking curve.
Perfect onee-san proportions that would make any woman feel the pressure.
Her eyes were closed, lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.
Even before those dark-red eyes opened—
Her exquisite features already made a face of quiet grace and smoldering allure.
The instant Zyhark saw that face, he blurted inwardly:
'Kasumigaoka Utaha?! Senpai?! Another queen of snark…'
Even as he ranted at the system's "preferences," he had to admit—
This girl's beauty and presence were lethally compelling.
That unique charm—a literary maiden's air with a hidden, scheming streak—
Was wholly different from Yukino's chill and Mahiru's softness.
'…That figure…'
Yukino's gaze paused a heartbeat on those astonishing lines.
Then flicked away fast.
'…Hmph.'
Her face stayed cool, though the tips of her ears seemed a touch warm.
Mahiru, by reflex, compared to her own chest and pursed her lips:
'…Foul play… this is…'
...
…
(End of Chapter)
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