"Anyway... thank you for saving me. Um, your weapon."
Yoru said this as he returned the sword that Aiz Wallenstein had dropped earlier.
As her fingers touched the hilt, Aiz's hand trembled slightly. A faint layer of frost had formed along the blade.
However, just like when she had held Yoru's hand, there was no coldness—only a refreshing coolness that was strangely pleasant.
Letting out a soft sigh, she sheathed her sword and gently shook her head.
"I didn't save you. That Minotaur… you were the one who killed it."
She glanced at the icy sculpture beside them, shaped like a masterpiece, and let out a small breath of admiration.
Such a magic was truly beautiful—yet terrifying.
In her mind, Aiz had already concluded that Yoru was an adventurer capable of wielding powerful ice magic. She was still curious, though—what familia did he belong to?
With someone that strong, he should be somewhat famous. There's no way she wouldn't have heard of him.
"Uh… I killed it?"
Yoru mumbled, a bit confused, while looking at the frozen Minotaur beside him.
He seemed to recall blacking out momentarily during the monster's charge, and when he came to, the Minotaur was frozen solid.
Magic, huh?
It was exciting to think he had used a spell. Though he had no idea how he'd done it, nor could he recreate it even if he tried.
Well, it's my own power. I'll figure it out again eventually.
"Are you heading down to the lower floors? What familia are you from? I don't think I've ever heard your name."
Dungeon monsters vanish into dust not long after they die. As Aiz said this, the frozen statue of the Minotaur shattered, crumbling to the floor in glittering fragments.
Watching something so magnificent collapse felt like a shame. Aiz let out a small sigh of regret.
"Here, this is your spoils."
She handed Yoru the magic stone that had fallen among the shards of ice—a purple crystal.
"This is a monster's magic stone? It's so big… how much would this be worth?"
Yoru muttered as he examined the oversized gem in his hand. At the Guild, he had seen adventurers trading magic stones for money, but theirs were tiny—no bigger than a fingernail.
Aiz tilted her head, puzzled. Why was someone this powerful talking like a total newbie?
"Hey! You okay, Aiz? Is it done?"
Just then, a voice called out from behind Aiz. A man with beast ears and a tail approached.
The moment he saw Yoru standing in front of Aiz, the man froze for a second, then arrogantly lifted his chin and barked at him.
"Who are you?! Why are you standing next to Aiz?!"
Aiz frowned slightly at her companion's rude tone and gave Yoru a small apologetic bow.
"Sorry… that's just how Bete is."
"Aiz, why are you apologizing to him? Someone like you standing next to a lowly adventurer like that is a disgrace. He's just some coward who got chased around by a Minotaur!"
Bete snapped, and then turned to face Aiz—only to freeze completely.
"You… you two!"
The beastman's eyes widened in disbelief, and his trembling hand pointed forward.
"Huh?"
Only then did Aiz realize that she was still holding Yoru's hand. Their fingers were interlocked like a pair of lovers.
Yoru hadn't done it on purpose—Aiz simply hadn't wanted to let go. Holding his hand brought a calming warmth, something she had desperately needed after the terror of that icy magic.
The initial frostbite had left her with lingering fear. Holding Yoru's hand, on the other hand, gave her a strange sense of security.
As always, Aiz didn't think much of it. To her, it wasn't weird at all.
But to Bete Loga, this scene was utterly unacceptable.
Aiz Wallenstein—the strongest female adventurer in Orario, the top-tier swordswoman, a beauty who rivaled the goddesses—his ideal, his goddess, the one he admired and adored… was holding hands with some random brat?!
Unforgivable!
"You… you… let go of Aiz! I challenge you to a duel!"
"Uh… she's the one holding my hand. I didn't grab hers."
Yoru blinked, genuinely confused, and held up their still-clasped hands as if to prove his innocence.
But to Bete, those words were nothing less than mockery. The hot-headed werewolf exploded in rage.
"You disgraceful bastard, how dare you defile the noble Aiz Wallenstein! Die!"
With a roar, Bete charged at Yoru, unleashing his full speed as a werewolf.
Aiz Wallenstein was a level 5 adventurer. So was Bete Loga. And as he charged in full fury, Aiz immediately sensed the pressure and danger from his attack.
Without a word, she pushed Yoru aside and drew her sword to intercept.
"Step aside, Aiz! You bastard—if you're a man, don't hide behind a woman! Fight me fair and square! Only the victor has the right to pursue Aiz!"
What the hell… is even happening?
Yoru scratched his nose, thoroughly confused by the beastman's rage.
Pursue…?
So this girl's name is Aiz? That's a pretty name.
"You… damn it, are you mocking me?!"
Bete roared, furious at Yoru's clueless expression. He shoved Aiz aside and lunged directly at Yoru.