The young visitor was the traveling god who presided over negotiation and contracts—Hermes.
The Hermes Familia operated in multiple fields in the Lower World: commerce, delivery, intelligence, and more. They also possessed the privilege of entering and leaving Orario freely—something that, in itself, was proof of how extensive their influence was.
Because Hermes had issued an order to conceal levels from outsiders, the Hermes Familia's members were publicly presented as Level 2 or below.
In truth, it was far more than that. Within the Hermes Familia were multiple second-tier adventurers.
For example, the woman currently accompanying Hermes: short-haired, wearing glasses, her brow permanently weighed down by exhaustion, yet giving off a sharp and capable impression—
She was one such adventurer, hiding her true status: actually a Level 4 second-tier.
She was also the Hermes Familia's captain—the "Universal" expert in magical item crafting:
Asfi Al Andromeda.
"Hermes? You're back from your travels?" Hestia was surprised when she heard the familiar voice.
After confirming the newcomer really was an old acquaintance from the heavens, she didn't hold back—she casually poured juice for the two of them and introduced Guede with enthusiasm and pride:
"This is my Familia's captain, Guede. And the drink you're having right now? He brought it because he was worried about me, his goddess. He's a good person, isn't he?"
"What a considerate gentleman. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Guede."
Hermes put on an appropriately surprised look, removed his hat and pressed it to his chest in a simple gesture of courtesy, then introduced the woman at his side.
"This is our ace—Asfi."
"Hello, Lord Hermes. And Miss Asfi."
Even though Guede knew Hermes's routine was less "politeness" and more "merchant habit," there was no need to swat away a smiling face. He nodded, acknowledging them as acquaintances.
Asfi, perhaps simply too tired, didn't make small talk either—she just nodded in return.
"Come on, Hermes," Hestia said. "What did you find this time that's so entertaining?"
"That really hurts, Hestia. We were close friends back in the heavens—can't I just be taking a detour to visit you?"
"Spare me. I've been down here half a year and barely saw you. Even the few times I did, I ran into you by accident. And now you come straight to me—are you really telling me you're only here to check on me?"
Hestia's eyes narrowed, full of suspicion.
In front of a maiden goddess who wasn't swayed by sweet talk, a merchant's slyness didn't seem to work.
Hermes gave up trying to explain. Instead, he walked to Guede and produced a card from inside his coat—a business card engraved with the emblem of a winged traveler's hat and sandals.
"This is my card. It also grants you a 30% discount at Hermes Familia shops. Consider it a meeting gift—please accept it."
Guede didn't speak, but he took the card.
Hermes Familia shops were spread all over Orario. Their goods and services covered nearly everything. That card was something he'd be using for a long time.
But that wasn't the main reason Guede accepted it.
He knew Hermes—his nature wasn't truly villainous, but he definitely carried plenty of bad ideas in his gut.
Whether Guede took the card or not, Hermes had already set his sights on him.
Because in the near future, this world would face a "calamity." What it needed, urgently, was a hero.
And Hermes believed that rather than trusting fate to produce a hero at the critical moment, it was far more reliable to "forge a hero" with his own hands.
At least then, the pace of developing strength to resist the coming crisis would be under his control.
In the original course of events, Hermes would still have waited a while—until Bell reached Level 2—before acting on Zeus's instructions and manufacturing hardship for him.
But because of Guede's not-exactly-low-profile actions lately—
Hermes had likely learned of Guede through his informants in Orario, realized Guede could be a viable "hero candidate," and so came in person to verify.
Even though Hermes's appraisal was conducted through casual glances and "incidental" angles, Observation Haki caught every single one—without missing a beat.
And Hermes was mainly a smokescreen.
The real information-gatherer was Asfi, who stood quietly at the side, wordless, deliberately displaying fatigue.
To be blunt, Guede judged that with the potential he'd already shown, he had absolutely become one of Hermes's primary targets.
Over on Freya's side, he didn't know the exact reason, but it was obvious she'd also taken an interest in his soul—one that was not "pure."
Still, even if Freya's motives differed, the process was the same:
shaping a hero.
So from here on out, he would likely be facing many "god-made trials."
But Guede didn't dislike that.
Sure, the trials they would give him were the kind where—if he didn't push his will to the limit—he would lose, even die.
But they truly did provide real rewards.
If they acknowledged you, they would hand out rare super-grade items and equipment, and even bring powerful connections and networking advantages.
And the price Guede would pay was simple:
In the future, either he—or the people he led—would have to eliminate the calamity and provide "safety" for the world.
The truth was, whether Guede had the ability or not, whether he received divine favors or not—when the calamity arrived, the sky would fall all the same. He wouldn't be able to escape; he would have to face it.
Considering everything, accepting their one-sided "arranged trials" wasn't such a bad deal.
In fact, after today's near-death adventure, he found himself faintly… looking forward to it.
Because even if they didn't manufacture trials, he would still need to chase Great Feats for leveling up—wandering around like an idiot, searching for opportunities.
So if benefits were being offered—
He'd take them.
His goal was to stand at the very top of the world.
Which meant that, for now and for the near future, his objectives aligned with Hermes and Freya's.
A cooperative relationship had already been silently formed—ever since Guede saw the Sword Princess in action and had his desire to become strong ignited.
In the future, Freya and Hermes would play the roles of trial facilitators and hero promoters.
Guede would play the role of someone who seemed completely unaware—yet would always step forward when trouble came, acting like a hero… while enjoying the growth that followed.
A three-way win.
Once he sorted out the stakes, Guede had nothing to fear.
Hermes, seeing Guede accept the card, nodded.
"Then Asfi and I still have business, so we won't trouble you two any further. See you around."
With that, Hermes waved, finished his juice, and disappeared into the crowd with Asfi.
"Suspicious…" Hestia muttered.
She had stared at Hermes the entire time, her doubtful gaze never letting up.
But she had no idea what had actually happened—no clues at all—so she could only drop it.
Afterward, Guede told Hestia what had happened in the Dungeon earlier that day. She immediately couldn't sit still—anxiously circling him and inspecting him from every angle. Only after confirming he really was fine did she finally relax.
Then, taking advantage of the lull while waiting for the stall's next shipment, she updated Guede's status.
As expected—
"Four main stats at SSS!? And you… you awakened two more skills!?"
Hestia's eyes went wide. She stared at Guede's back like she was looking at a monster.
Guede's progress was already terrifying on normal days, but today was beyond exaggerated.
His main stats had increased by over 50% in a single morning?
Even as one of the oldest gods, Hestia was completely shaken.
The sacred letters carved across Guede's back were motionless, yet they felt as if they twisted into some monstrous "stat demon back," a presence so overwhelming it made her nerves tremble.
But then, worry surged up again.
Was it truly good for a child's abilities to swell so fast?
Rapidly expanding numbers could make someone arrogant, unable to judge their own strength correctly…
Should she conceal his true numbers?
No—she couldn't hide it from Guede, and he wasn't the arrogant type anyway. There was no need.
Children in the Lower World changed so quickly. A god's power to help really was limited…
With a helpless sigh, Hestia realized there was no point agonizing. She quickly adjusted her mood, returning to her usual energetic self.
And with that, the matter ended.
Guede returned to the Familia home, took a hot bath, and sank into sleep—safe and at ease in his own bed.
…
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