Orario was a free city.
The new rules Chen Hai had set a few days ago hadn't changed this.
So, when he invited Riveria of the Loki Familia to dinner, and Hestia and the others joined them… the joyful atmosphere attracted the attention of other customers in The Hostess of Fertility tavern.
In the eyes of many Adventurers, Chen Hai's rules had changed their lives.
Although they still needed to fight desperately to defeat monsters and gain benefits, at least they didn't have to worry about life-threatening risks.
Moreover, except for special circumstances, the floors Adventurers were assigned to were very reasonable.
They could defeat the refreshed monsters;
Even if they couldn't win, they had a chance to escape.
As a result, Adventurers' stress decreased while their income increased significantly.
Chen Hai was also happy to see this situation.
After all, as long as these people were motivated and went to the Dungeon diligently every day, Chen Hai's level would continuously rise.
And it was twenty-four hours a day.
Because Adventurers in the upper and middle areas worked in three shifts, eight hours each.
Breaking through LV200 was believed to be no problem.
It was precisely for this reason that Chen Hai raised his cup to celebrate with the Adventurers.
People clinked glasses, people were in a daze, and people talked about the future.
And at Chen Hai's table,
Shizuka Marikawa seemed to be completely unaccustomed to Orario's alcoholic beverages, looking rather groggy.
"Is Teacher drunk…?"
Rei Miyamoto looked at Shizuka Marikawa, whose face was flushed beside her, and couldn't help but worry.
"There's a resting area on the second floor. Do you need me to take this lady up there first?"
Syr, the waitress, leaned forward at this moment.
Chen Hai nodded, asking her to help deal with the drunken teacher beside him.
After Syr called another companion, they helped Shizuka Marikawa walk towards the second floor.
Rei Miyamoto, who watched this unstable element leave, then turned to Saeko Busujima,
"I heard that Busujima-senpai registered as an Adventurer. Is that true?"
"Yes, I just became an LV.1 Adventurer, because I don't want to stand still."
After Saeko Busujima finished speaking, her gaze fell upon Riveria.
"And I've also witnessed the strength of the Adventurers in this city, so… I hope to further improve my strength so I can help Chen Hai in the future."
"Oh, I see, that's amazing…"
Rei Miyamoto expressed her admiration.
Now Shizuka Marikawa could join the guild's healing department, Yuriko Takagi could help the guild adjust its economy, and Saeko Busujima had the identity of an Adventurer.
Only… Rei Miyamoto and Saya Takagi exchanged glances, and both girls smiled wryly.
"You'll always find things you want to do and can do, there's no need to rush."
As someone who had been through it, Yuriko Takagi said with a smile.
The two girls didn't think much more, and began to pick up their drinks, recommending delicacies to Chen Hai while enjoying their own meals.
Hestia then asked Riveria,
"After Chen Hai-kun set the rules and opened the Dungeon, is the Loki Familia's main task still to explore the deep levels?"
"Yes, Miss Hestia, Loki doesn't intend to give up on exploring the deep levels; and from the current situation, the efficiency is much higher than before."
"I see. But if you really want to go to the deep levels, perhaps flattering Chen Hai-kun might give you a chance."
Riveria heard this suggestion, and she didn't deny it.
But she had no intention of accepting it.
"The Loki Familia will not change its existing opportunities because of new rules. Besides… even if Chen Hai agrees to let us go to the deep levels, those powerful monsters would probably easily kill us, so it wouldn't mean anything."
Only evenly matched battles can improve strength.
Regularly fighting strong enemies can make one stronger faster.
If the leap is too great and one is completely crushed, it only brings a sense of defeat.
Since this topic was brought up, Riveria couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Chen Hai controls the Dungeon's resources, why is he willing to open it to the public?"
As soon as she said this, not only Hestia and the others at the table, but even nearby customers and passing waiters were very interested.
In the eyes of some, Chen Hai was like a rich man sitting on a mountain of gold, yet he generously opened it up, allowing people to explore and excavate the golden mountain.
Chen Hai raised his glass, took a sip, and then looked at Riveria,
"The Dungeon is my property, but before that… it was also the 'origin' of Orario; in the past, monsters ran rampant, now it is explored by people, which has become a habit, and I don't want to break this habit. More importantly… it can bring all sorts of possibilities, and I want to see those possibilities blossom and bear fruit, which is also a kind of enjoyment."
Greatness, no words needed.
The Adventurers around, after hearing this, showed expressions of gratitude, admiration, respect, and worship.
Riveria saw the situation and clearly understood that Chen Hai had grasped the psychology of these Adventurers.
Opening the Dungeon was a gift from the strong—not pity for the weak, but expectation for the Adventurers of Orario.
This reminded Riveria of her own chief god.
She seemed somewhat lax, but was actually very shrewd, skilled at reading people's minds and controlling them.
Riveria believed that after this speech, the Adventurers would explore the Dungeon even more diligently.
"Indeed, Chen Hai. I toast you."
"Just speaking the truth."
Chen Hai smiled and clinked glasses with Riveria, drinking together.
After several rounds of drinks and a satisfying meal, everyone did not stay at The Hostess of Fertility.
Riveria left first as she still had things to do.
After charging the bill to the guild, Chen Hai took the girls back to the mansion.
It was already night, and Chen Hai planned to simply wash up and rest.
He still had to arrange Asuna's training tomorrow.
But just then, the system prompt sounded again.
Ding—!!
[Level Breakthrough LV.200, New Plane Connection—that time i got reincarnated as a slime Plane!]
"???"
The level-up speed was faster than Chen Hai had imagined, but he didn't expect it to directly connect to that time i got reincarnated as a slime.
"The difficulty of this world isn't low, is it? And the Corpse plane hasn't been fully conquered yet."
[Connected planes are linked to 'time' and 'level'; there are no other factors besides that.]
"I ask for the reason, and you tell me the rules."
"We'll win."
…Why does that sound like a death flag?
Fortunately, Chen Hai isn't a Jujutsu Sorcerer teacher who uses 'Domain Expansion'.
"What floor is it on?"
"The thirtieth floor."
"Hmm, no issues currently, I don't feel like the floor has been damaged."
"Of course, the entry and exit permissions for the dimensional gate are decided by you."
"Then we'll go check tomorrow."
Chen Hai decided to sleep first; the investigation into the that time i got reincarnated as a slime plane could wait until later.
Just as he thought this, a sudden knock sounded on his door.
Before he could ask, he heard a voice from outside the door.
"I'm Saya Takagi, is Chen Hai-kun asleep?"
"I hope we haven't disturbed Chen Hai-kun."
The second voice was… Yuriko Takagi.
Clearly, Saya wasn't the only one knocking on Chen Hai's door tonight; her mother was also at the entrance.