Listening to Ren, Lefiya instinctively searched for that figure. He was fighting through the monsters, not letting a single one get close. As for the floor master, Ren kept striking him, sending him flying again and again.
At that moment, she understood. If Ren really wanted to defeat the floor master, the battle would end quickly. This was meant to train her. Thinking back to her own behavior on the battlefield before, and then watching everything Ren and Tiona were doing now, she slowly stood up.
She began chanting a spell, her gaze more determined than ever. Even Goliath's cannon fire couldn't faze her.
She trusted in the power of her companions to overcome her inner fear and started chanting her attack magic. The magic circle gradually appeared, bringing with it a tremendous sense of pressure.
That was what being a mage was like. The casting took time, but once it succeeded, she became a humanoid cannon.
"It actually worked. I guess we owe him one now," Tiona sighed after taking down a monster.
"Tiona… Ren, thank you," Lefiya said, then immediately signaled Ren and Tiona to step back.
A massive magic circle appeared beneath Goliath's feet, covering a huge area. Flames exploded outward, engulfing Goliath and the nearby monsters.
The monsters were instantly obliterated. Goliath was severely injured but still alive—until the next moment, when Ren simply beheaded him with a single, ordinary strike.
"Looks like it worked," Ren said, picking up the dropped items and approaching Lefiya, extending his hand.
Snap—
Lefiya hesitated for a moment, then met his hand with hers, creating a sharp clap.
"The floor master is down. That's enough for today," Ren said, stretching as he passed by Lefiya, heading back.
"Wait a moment," Lefiya called out, stopping him.
"What is it?"
"Thank you for today. I'd like to invite you to a meal," she said, bowing deeply, looking like she wouldn't rise until Ren agreed.
"Sure. You don't mind if I bring someone along, right?" Ren agreed immediately. After all, it was free food—why not?
"That's fine," Lefiya breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried she couldn't repay the favor.
"That's great," she said with a sweet smile.
"Finally done. But you two… you're about to get famous," Tiona said, leaning closer.
"Famous?" Lefiya tilted her head, puzzled.
Soon, a group of adventurers burst in. They had followed the monsters from the earlier chaos. Seeing only three people inside, all eyes turned to Lefiya and Ren, because they had caught sight of Tiona earlier.
"Ah…" Lefiya felt a little socially anxious.
"The two of them defeated the floor master?"
"That's Tiona of the Loki Familia, a Level 5 adventurer."
"Oh, if she's here, then it's fine."
"So the other two must be from the Loki Familia too?"
"Isn't that the super rookie whose leveling speed surpassed the Sword Princess?"
"Wait, aren't they from different Familia?"
The crowd around them buzzed with chatter.
No matter the outcome, they had become completely famous.
Especially Ren—this time, everyone would know him.
After all, he had just leveled up and already dared to challenge the floor master.
Except for him, no one else had the guts.
"I'm leaving first. We can eat whenever." Ren walked off quickly, uninterested in being gawked at like a monkey.
Thanks to the Loki Familia, no adventurer dared to stop him on the way out.
That was the advantage of having a powerful patron Familia: not only did it keep petty trouble away, but it also meant having strong allies to spar with.
"That guy… he makes it look so easy."
Seeing Ren leave, Tiona's expression grew serious.
If she hadn't seen it wrong, Ren had ended the floor master with a single strike.
Even though Lefiya's magic hit him, killing someone shouldn't have been that effortless.
"What's wrong, Tiona?" Lefiya asked, looking at her.
"Nothing. Let's head back too, and we can call Ais for dinner." Tiona smiled lightly.
"Um… is that okay?" Lefiya hesitated.
"Why wouldn't it be? She'll definitely agree."
Tiona headed toward the exit first, and Lefiya followed.
Under the setting sun, Ren stretched lazily.
For the first time, entering a dungeon felt relaxing.
This time, he could clearly feel the intense gaze from the top floor of Babel Tower.
Apparently, they had already received the news in advance, and their interest in him had grown even stronger.
Ren shivered.
He regretted it deeply.
He couldn't believe he had been foolish enough to join the Freya Familia in the first place and hurried home.
"Ren, welcome back."
"Lady Hestia, why are you wearing a maid outfit?" Ren asked, both confused and a little impressed.
"Of course, I'm working to earn money." Hestia put her hands on her hips, beaming with pride.
"Alright, since Ren's back, you don't need to worry about this anymore." Hephaestus said bluntly, her gaze sharp.
A man stood beside her; judging by his position, he must be her follower.
"Lady Hestia, you should go upstairs first."
Hestia, who had wanted to protest, obediently returned to her room.
"Ren, he is from my Familia, Welf Crozzo." Hephaestus patted the man on the shoulder.
"Hello, Mr. Ren. I think this is wrong. Selling equipment should be based on its actual value, not some underhanded tricks," Welf said directly, stating the reason for his visit.
Hephaestus felt a little awkward. When the other person came to her, they said they wanted to learn Ren's equipment-selling techniques, but she hadn't expected them to start criticizing outright. It put her in an uncomfortable position.
"What's wrong? The gear isn't good?" Ren looked at them.
"This… you shouldn't demean equipment just to sell it. It's made carefully by the blacksmith," Welf thought for a moment before speaking.
"We're not on the same page. To me, if someone becomes a blacksmith, they obviously want to earn a living through it, not chase some vague ideals," Ren said, then headed upstairs, feeling bored by the discussion.
"Welf, you don't understand. He didn't raise the price. He even lowered it. Raise the price slightly on two pieces, give one away, and the user feels like they got a deal while we make money too," Hephaestus patted Welf on the shoulder. Seeing this strategy for the first time, she was stunned.
"Ren, why are you up here?" Hestia asked, a little confused.
"Don't ask. I ran into someone really serious about this," Ren sighed.
"That blacksmith?"
"Yes. Helping their goddess make money and still getting criticized… what a human hardship," Ren said, sitting on the bed.
"Hmph. That guy… Ren, let's move out," Hestia naturally couldn't stand it.
"We don't have money," Ren replied, ending the conversation abruptly. Hestia laughed and said, "I know a place where we can stay for free."
"Lady Hestia, I think being comfortable is more important. I'll take you out for a feast these days," Ren said, patting his chest.
"A feast? Where would we get the money?"
"An elf plans to treat me."
"An elf? Who? From which familia?" Hestia started asking in rapid succession.
**********
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