When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in a room I didn't recognize.
"Where… am I?"
I tried to sit up but froze as a sharp pain pierced through my abdomen.
"Ugh…!"
Ignoring the pain, I managed to push myself upright and surveyed the area. No matter how I looked at it, this place was unfamiliar to me. At least I wasn't restrained.
I remember…
Click.
The door creaked open.
"Oh, you're awake?"
A man stepped in briskly, but before he could react, I instinctively moved behind him, conjuring a black knife from my hand and pressing it against his neck.
"Huh?"
"Answer me. Where am I?" I whispered menacingly into his ear, letting the blade nick his neck slightly. A thin trickle of blood slid down his skin.
"Uh, this is Loki Familia's home base…"
"The Loki Familia?"
Cold sweat ran down my back. I withdrew the knife and stepped in front of him. Now that I look closer… I'd seen this man before.
"Uh… if you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Raul Nord."
Raul Nord. A Level 4 adventurer and the leading member of the Loki Familia.
"I-I'm so sorry!"
Leaping into the air, I spun mid-flight and landed in a deep bow, slamming my forehead against the floor. This was the ultimate apology technique, dogeza, that Hermes-sama once taught me as a joke after hearing about it from another god.
"H-Hey! What are you doing all of a sudden?!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
I repeatedly slammed my head into the floor, apologizing profusely. This strange scene continued until Tione came to check on Raul's unusually long absence.
….
"What are you two doing…?"
"I'm sorry…"
"My bad…"
Raul and I knelt side by side, bowing apologetically to Tione. Not that Raul had any reason to apologize.
"Raul, I truly am sorry…"
"No, it's fine. It's only natural to be on guard if you wake up in an unfamiliar place." Raul said with a sheepish smile. He really was a good guy.
"Well, never mind that. Toki, can you walk?" Tione asked.
"Yes, I'm fine." I lied. The pain in my abdomen was excruciating, but I couldn't keep being a burden here.
"Then follow me. Loki and the captain want to talk to you."
"Huh? Sure."
I stood up and tried to walk but nearly stumbled.
"Hey, are you really okay?" Tione asked, concern etched on her face.
"Yes, I'm fine." I replied, pulling a staff from the shadows and using it for support. Though Tione and Raul looked surprised, I had already used this skill in front of Tione earlier. Hiding it now would only complicate things.
Let's just get this over with.
…..
"Toki!"
Tione led me to the entrance hall. The sky outside was dark, and the building was softly illuminated. The moment Lefiya spotted me, she dashed over.
"Can you really move already?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." I said, trying to sound convincing. Her skeptical eyes told me she didn't buy it, and she looked close to tears. I averted my gaze awkwardly.
"…I'm sorry. My stomach hurts a lot."
"Then don't push yourself!" came Loki's voice from behind Lefiya.
"No, I can't just stay here any longer. Loki, may I ask why I was brought to your home instead of the Guild's medical facilities?"
After all, Eina was there at the scene. Normally, I would have been treated at the Guild.
"Well, Lefiya wouldn't let go of you after you collapsed. So, we decided to take care of you here." Loki explained with a shrug.
"I see. Thank you for your kindness."
"Ah, no need for all that formal stuff, it's making my neck itch. Just drop it, please."
"Understood." I said with a faint smile.
"And thank you for helping one of our members." Loki added.
The voice belonged to none other than Finn Deimne, the Braver, the Level 6 Pallum who led the Loki Familia. Behind him stood Riveria Ljos Alf, Gareth Landrock, Ais Wallenstein, Tiona Hiryute, and… Bete Loga. All the top executives of the Loki Familia.
Yikes. Now I was getting nervous.
"I just happened to be nearby and able to assist. It's no big deal." I replied, trying to downplay it.
"Still, don't overexert yourself. That injury could've been fatal." Riveria cautioned.
"Thank you, Lady Riveria."
"...You're not an elf, so drop the 'Lady.'"
Riveria's expression twitched slightly.
"Hahaha! You've got guts, kid. Most people would be shaking in their boots surrounded by this lineup." Gareth said with a hearty laugh.
"Well, Hermes-sama has put me through all kinds of experiences. I suppose it's thanks to him."
Though truthfully, I was trembling inside.
"You're an interesting one." Loki said, narrowing her eyes slightly."Mind if I ask, who exactly are you?"
Feigning ignorance, I smiled and replied,"I'm not sure what you mean."
"Tione said you're still Level 1, yet you're using magic and moving like that. It's hard to believe."
"I assure you, it's the truth."
Smirking, I added,"If you'd like, I could show you my status right here and now."
"What?!"
Tione and the others gasped, while Loki simply chuckled.
"No need. Your eyes are practically daring me to test you. Besides, only a fool would make an enemy of the 'Shadow Devil.'"
"I'd prefer it if you didn't use that name…"
"That's how I ended up with the nickname 'Shadow Devil.'"
"Uh, excuse me, but please spare me from this nonsense."
And, well… the one who crushed that Familia was none other than me. When Lusha, a Level 2 adventurer from the Hermes Familia, came back battered and bruised, I lost my cool. I used my connections to spread some embellished stories, then applied my past assassin experience for a stealthy takedown, culminating in threatening the entire group into submission.
Well, Hermes-sama wasn't around at the time, but when Asfi-san found out later, she gave me an earful for three whole days.
"Tch. No matter the story, trash is still trash."
Finally breaking his silence, Bete spoke in a tone dripping with irritation.
"Bete, don't say that. Besides, he's not your average Level 1 adventurer, you know?"
"Hah! No matter how much trash struggles, it's still trash. That story's probably exaggerated anyway."
Bete's mood worsened further. I stepped closer to him...
"Yeah, I agree. I think so too."
...gradually closing the distance...
"By the way, Bete-san..."
"Huh?"
Just as I was about to collide with him...
"Thank you so much for all your help."
I said it with a smile.
….
Bete snapped.
He'd come because Loki told him to check out the adventurer they'd brought in. But what did he find? Just some lower-tier adventurer. And now, that same weakling was standing before him, flashing a sycophantic smile.
"Bete!"
Ignoring Riveria's sharp call to stop, Bete threw a punch with his right hand.
A clatter echoed as a staff fell to the floor.
And then, everyone's eyes widened in disbelief, including Bete's.
Somehow, Toki had dodged Bete's fist and, without anyone noticing, pressed a black dagger against his neck.
A Level 1 had not only evaded a Level 5's strike but also counterattacked. It was unthinkable. If Bete's punch had landed, Toki would've been seriously injured, or worse. Especially at that range, there was no way Toki, a Level 1, should've avoided it.
"Could you lower your arm?"
Toki's tone had shifted to a chilling, low voice, vastly different from before.
That voice sent a shiver down Bete's spine. Despite being vastly superior in Status, he felt as though Toki's presence was coiled around him like a serpent, exuding a murderous aura.
Following his instincts, Bete leaped backward. Toki's smile returned.
"Well then, Loki-sama, I'll take my leave now."
Toki picked up the staff from the floor and headed toward the exit.
"I'll walk you out!" Lefiya offered cheerfully.
"No, it's fine. You'd just end up walking back alone, right?"
"It's just to the gate. I'll be fine."
Lefiya joined him as if nothing had happened.
"Wait."
Loki called out to him just before he left.
"What is it? If it's about what just happened, I simply dodged and used a knife to intimidate him."
"No, not that… Hey, would you like to join our Familia?"
Loki asked with a grin.
"What?!"
The executives gasped collectively. Poaching members from another Familia wasn't unheard of, but for one of the two leading factions in Orario to make such a move? Even seasoned members like Finn were stunned.
"I appreciate the offer, but I must decline."
Toki turned down the invitation.
"Hermes-sama saved my life. I owe him a debt, and I have no intention of leaving the Hermes Familia."
Then, glancing at Bete, Toki smiled with childlike innocence.
"After all, a lowly adventurer like me isn't suited to stand among upper-tier adventurers like yourselves."
The Loki Familia members froze at his words. With a polite bow, Toki took his leave.
….
When Lefiya returned after escorting Toki to the gate, the Loki Familia executives were still standing there, speechless.
"Lefiya." Riveria broke the silence.
"Yes?"
"That boy… was he one of the people we mocked during the banquet?"
"Yes." Lefiya answered immediately. Several faces, especially Ais's, twisted in discomfort.
"But I don't think he holds a grudge anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, just now, he was doing a victory pose and shouting, 'Yes!'"
Lefiya said with a bright, innocent smile. Loki burst into laughter.
"Still, that was impressive. Dodging Bete's punch at such close range…" Tiona tried to shift the awkward atmosphere by praising Toki.
"No, Bete didn't just swing. He was made to swing." Loki interjected, still grinning.
"What do you mean?" someone asked.
"Exactly what it sounds like. Toki provoked Bete, made him angry enough to lash out, and timed his movements perfectly to evade and counter. He's a sly little fox, that one."
Loki chuckled as she explained.
"Still, Lefiya, you've fallen for quite the guy."
Lefiya blushed but replied with a happy smile, "Yes, but that's part of his charm."
With that, she returned to her room.
-----------
Note: This concludes the introduction of an original character (mentioned in passing). No plans for them to appear in the main story.
For reference, here's Toki's Status as of the end of Volume 1:
Toki Orticus
Level: 1
Strength: H105
Endurance: I16
Dexterity: H130
Agility: H154
Magic: G225
Magic: Infinite Abyss
Magic skill.
Nullifies "divine powers."
Incantation: "This body is steeped in the abyss.
All it touches turns black,
All it reflects falls into eternal night.
The City of Perpetual Dusk, under the new moon,
I am a wandering reaper.
Manifest, the power of judgment!"
Skill: Endless Abyss
Magic skill.
Nullifies "divine powers."
As Hermes-sama hasn't returned, his Status remains unchanged.
-------
Note: Toki only got the upper hand on Bete because it was a sneak attack, and Bete underestimated him. In a fair fight, Toki would get crushed.
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