Dressed in a taupe cloak and carrying a backpack completely disproportionate to her size, these two points alone certainly couldn't determine her specific identity.
Through the gaps between the Soma Familia Adventurers, Keare finally caught sight of the girl's face.
She hadn't used her 'Cinder Girl' magic, likely worried that her unique ability would be discovered by the Adventurers in the Familia.
The girl was like a frightened kitten, trembling softly in the corner, her fear from the depths of her heart was undeniable.
Considering the oppressive environment she had lived in for so long, Keare suddenly found it very normal.
She was probably caught in the Dungeon by the Soma Familia addicts, who wanted to extort some valis from the weak Supporter to buy divine wine.
A typical protagonist in a standard heroic story would say:
"What you're doing is wrong!" and then, shouting about bonds and friendship, charge forward and defeat the villains using their protagonist's aura.
But the problem was...
Keare wasn't that kind of person; he wanted to leave directly, but the Soma Familia Adventurers blocked the crucial path.
To avoid being discovered, he hid in a dark corner in a blind spot.
Coming to the Dungeon or Familia, continuing to use the values from before his transmigration and applying them to Orario, a world of the survival of the fittest where the winner takes all, would definitely lead to losses.
Moreover, was Liliruca truly worth saving?
This question always troubled Keare; facing oppression, yet taking out her hatred and revenge on other unrelated Adventurers.
This outrageous behavior left no room for whitewashing!
"In chaotic times, kill the Holy Mother first." This was Keare's ingrained thought, but then again, don't miss a good girl, and of course, don't waste a bad girl.
At this thought, he already had an answer in his heart.
He could save her appropriately, but the method didn't need to follow the gentle style of the white-haired, red-eyed rabbit, but rather the Healer's exclusive salvation!
"..."
"Actually… she feels quite similar to Setsuna."
Both were oppressed; in contrast, Setsuna from the Legendary Hero world, to some extent, had similarities with Liliruca.
After being bought from her slave owner, her injuries were healed with Recovery, and when she woke up, she was given freedom, yet she still thought of ambushing and leaving to save her hometown.
However, at that time, the disparity in strength prevented her from succeeding.
Instead, the opportunity for a future was presented to Setsuna.
After transmigrating into the 'Healer' for a second playthrough, Keare always felt like something was missing when he was in the Dungeon or Familia?
All sorts of dark scenes, no opportunity to replicate them!
But looking at Liliruca, who was surrounded by the Soma Familia Adventurers, he felt an indescribable strangeness in his heart and slightly changed his perspective.
"The Cinder Girl can transform."
"In a sense, can Liliruca also cosplay as Setsuna and seize her own future?!"
—
Liliruca Erde was cornered, and the burly Adventurer leading them had a grim expression, his body long hollowed out by years of heavy drinking.
But the inherent difference between a Supporter and an Adventurer left no room for resistance.
Knowing that extortion was an unavoidable outcome, Liliruca tightly clutched the cuffs of her brown cloak, her voice trembling as she said, "Excuse me…"
"Did Liliruca do something wrong?"
"Hmph."
The burly Adventurer's eyes were full of mockery; any Adventurer could step on her, and there was no need for a reason to extort money from her.
He said directly, "Liliruca, you wouldn't want your situation within the Familia to be so difficult in the coming days, would you?!"
"If not…"
"Then you should know the rules."
"I really don't have any money left; no Adventurers have hired me these past few days…" The girl shook her head, her terrified expression genuine.
But when she finished speaking.
The extorting Adventurer decisively raised his foot and kicked Liliruca in the abdomen, the powerful force sending her small body crashing against the wall.
Even with the padding providing some cushion, the intense pain still made the girl curl up on the ground.
And the coin purse hanging from her waist also fell in front of everyone, making a crisp sound as the valis inside clinked together.
"Lying isn't what good children do."
Seeing that their goal had been achieved, the burly Adventurer's smile was exceptionally wild.
When he bent down to pick up the coin purse and saw that there was less than 2000 valis, he spat fiercely on the ground with a dark expression.
"You pauper, is this all the money you have? Are you trying to bribe a beggar?!"
"At least we got something. Let's head back. Let her fend for herself in the Dungeon," another Adventurer said, shaking his head regretfully.
Compared to other Familias.
The relationship between the Adventurers and Supporters of the Soma Familia was like that of vampires and blood bags; as long as they could earn enough money to buy divine wine.
They didn't care whether such behavior was appropriate!
Anyway, other Familia members did the same, so there was no reason they couldn't find a blood bag; even if it meant getting one more cup of divine wine, it was worth it.
Watching the Soma Familia members leave, the girl curled up against the corner.
The hatred in her weak eyes was extremely firm; fortunately, she had been prepared, placing the coin purse in a conspicuous spot, so even if she took a beating.
As long as the money she had saved was still there, she still had hope.
"When will I finally…"
"...save enough valis to leave the Soma Familia?"
The severe pain in her abdomen made it difficult for Liliruca to stand up and leave the Dungeon; she could only hope that she wouldn't encounter any Dungeon monsters.
After all, relying solely on her hand crossbow, she definitely couldn't retreat safely!
But sometimes, things don't go as planned; her fellow Familia members who had oppressed her had barely left when a gradually approaching sound of footsteps echoed.
Years of Dungeon exploration experience quickly made Liliruca realize…
It wasn't a monster; it was very likely an Adventurer passing by, or one who had witnessed the entire ordeal. The girl struggled to prop herself up with her hands.
Leaning against the cave wall, she pulled out the hand crossbow hidden behind her Supporter's backpack.
"..."
An unprecedented sense of tension enveloped the girl.
She held her breath, hoping only that this passing Adventurer would change direction, but the footsteps grew clearer, illuminated by the faint light.
When she looked up, what met Liliruca's eyes was—
Keare's highly recognizable, brown-haired, delicate face.
She stood there, stunned, looking at the young man she had labeled as a 'fat sheep'; logically, there should have been no interaction between them.
But the extreme lack of security prevented Liliruca from calming down.
She didn't speak first, but when Keare stood in front of her, she had already made up her mind; her thoughts were indeed correct.
All these Adventurers were filthy bugs!!
"You just… saw everything?"
Having given up entirely, the girl lifted her head expressionlessly. She unzipped the Supporter's backpack behind her and pulled out a coin purse from inside.
Like giving alms to a beggar.
Liliruca, enduring the heartache, casually tossed it in front of Keare, her tone filled with defiance: "This is my last money."
"Get me out of the Dungeon safely, consider it your reward!"
"Hmm?"
"I think you might have misunderstood something."