After sending Hephaestus away, Levi, holding his lover, turned his head to look at Alise and Gojouno Kaguya.
"Find a seat and sit down."
The two women nodded. Instead of heading for the seat Hephaestus had previously occupied, they chose the single sofas to the side.
Seeing Alise and Gojouno Kaguya seated, Levi coughed lightly and said:
"When I summoned you to the Lower World, I mentioned that I needed you to help me farm gold and make money. In return, I would 'resurrect' your companions and find ways to increase your strength."
"Because we were in the Dungeon, and I vaguely sensed someone... well, it was most likely the goddess Freya spying on us, so I didn't provide many details at the time."
"Now..."
As he spoke, Levi took out a piece of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink from his Inventory.
"We can formally establish the contract."
"Okay." "Acceptable."
Hearing this, Alise and Gojouno Kaguya nodded, their expressions gradually turning serious. As Heroic Spirits, they currently needed to rely on the magical energy provided by Levi to continue existing in this world. Therefore, they were actually prepared to be ruthlessly exploited by the other party.
However...
"First, working hours."
"Every month, you need to descend into the Dungeon with me for two weeks. During this period, you will provide services such as luring monsters, support, and collecting Magic Stones and materials. When not in the Dungeon, you need to serve as Hestia's guards," Levi said as he dipped the quill in some ink.
"Additionally, if due to force majeure—such as encountering a strong enemy in the labyrinth necessitating a return to the surface for recovery, or if I am detained by other matters and unable to enter the Dungeon—the working hours for that month will automatically be calculated as the full two weeks."
At the end of each month, your wages will be issued on time. The base salary is 500,000 Valis, and the bonus is 1% of that month's income from Magic Stones and materials. This can be settled directly in Valis or exchanged 1:1 for internal Familia points.
"Any problems?"
"None." "This is very reasonable."
In the eyes of the two women, the conditions offered were already quite lenient. Although being in the labyrinth meant working 24/7, it was still more comfortable than staying in the dark Dungeon 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
Seeing that the two had no objections, Levi immediately wrote down the terms he had just spoken in the Common Tongue. At the same time, he tapped Hestia's waist, asking her to translate and transcribe it in Hieroglyphs below the Common Tongue text.
After leaving some space below the first clause of the contract, Levi continued:
"Next, let's talk about internal Familia points. I possess the Development Abilities 'Mystery' and 'Mixing', allowing me to create 'potions' with special effects."
"For example..."
As he spoke, he took out two bottles of Ice-Fire Wine from his Inventory and pushed them towards Alise and Gojouno Kaguya with his left and right hands respectively.
"This is 'Ice-Fire Wine', which, after drinking, can replace 'training' to improve an adventurer's ability scores."
"?!" x2
As former backbone adventurers of Orario, and the Captain and Vice-Captain of the Astrea Familia, the two women naturally understood what kind of miracles the Development Ability known as 'Mystery' could bring.
Gojouno Kaguya opened her mouth at this moment: "Can I try it?"
"Of course. These two bottles of Ice-Fire Wine were gifts for your formal employment to begin with."
Levi made a gesture of invitation. "However, please drink slowly. It's best to wait a little while after each sip."
"Understood."
Gojouno Kaguya picked up the Ice-Fire Wine on the table, twisted off the cap with her fingers, hesitated for a moment, and then poured a small sip into her mouth. About 20ml. Definitely not much.
Yet even so, in the next instant, Gojouno Kaguya's cheeks turned completely flush, like burning clouds.
"Woo—"
It wasn't drunkenness, as Levi had already diluted the alcohol content of the Ice-Fire Wine to an almost negligible level. But the fire and ice elements contained within were enough to let the young woman thoroughly experience the sensation of fire and ice clashing.
"Kaguya, are you okay?"
Seeing her friend in such discomfort, Alise couldn't help but feel anxious.
Fortunately, although the elemental reaction in her body was uncomfortable, it didn't prevent Gojouno Kaguya from speaking:
"I-I'm fine, ha... it's just that this feeling reminds me of when I took the 'Konohana Poison' back in my hometown."
Speaking, she looked at the pale-blonde youth sitting opposite her.
"I think I understand now why your 'potions' can replace 'training'."
Being gazed at by the girl with a slightly complex look, Levi merely shrugged.
"Without sufficient talent, if you want to improve your strength quickly, you always have to suffer a bit."
Gojouno Kaguya was only a Lv.4 adventurer, and in the past, when she updated her Falna, she hadn't raised her ability scores to their limits. Therefore, the Ice-Fire Wine, which was only slightly uncomfortable for Levi, instantly became a round of painful torture for her.
Fortunately, because she hadn't drunk much, Gojouno Kaguya's condition gradually recovered after about three minutes. Although beads of sweat were still emerging on her forehead, she could move normally.
Seeing this scene, Levi narrowed his eyes slightly.
"It seems that 4-star Ice-Fire Wine is still a bit too overbearing for adventurers below the First-Class."
Thinking this, he took out a full set of bartending tools. In front of the three women in the room, he took a bottle of wheat beer that could be bought at any tavern, and through a series of mixing and diluting, quickly created a new bottle of 3-star Ice-Fire Wine.
After about another five minutes, Gojouno Kaguya's condition fully recovered.
"Go take a bath."
Levi stood up and handed Hestia a bottle of Status Update Potion and a bottle of Unlocking Potion that he had purchased on the 18th Floor. "After you come out, it will be the perfect time to update your Falna and check the effects of the Ice-Fire Wine."
"Okay."
Gojouno Kaguya, feeling sticky all over, did not refuse. After returning to the surface, she had actually wanted to do this all along. Now that she had permission, she stood up without hesitation.
As for Alise, about two minutes ago, she had already poured a mouthful of the 3-star Ice-Fire Wine into her stomach at Levi's suggestion. However, perhaps because her ability scores were superior to her friend's, or because the wine she drank was of a lower star grade, although sweat also appeared on the girl's forehead, she did not seem to be affected much by the elemental reaction within her body.
____
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