When Rose saw Judas walk through the doors, her eyes suddenly lit up.
Unconsciously, she adjusted her uniform and hair as he made his way toward her counter.
A faint blush crept onto her face, but she quickly shook her head, suppressing it as she forced herself back into her usual composure.
In an instant, the stern and cold expression she always wore returned to the surface.
But Misha, standing just behind her, caught the way Rose's tail began to sway from side to side.
'Rose... you're being way too obvious.'
Misha couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
"Miss Flott! What are you doing slacking around? Get back to work!"
A man with glasses... their supervisor... barked sharply, shooting her a glare.
The pink-haired receptionist jolted, a reluctant expression flashing across her face.
'Just when the interesting part was about to happen.'
Receiving another pointed look from their superior, Misha could only retreat back to her station.
"J-Judas."
Rose stuttered, then immediately stopped herself and cleared her throat.
Ahem.
"Judas, what brings you here?"
Her voice was cool, her expression perfectly neutral.
'Hmm? Why do I feel like she's being stiff?'
Judas noticed the change at once, but chose not to comment as he placed two sheets of paper on the counter.
"Miss Rose, I'd like to report my level up," he said calmly.
A brief silence fell between them.
"...Huh?"
Even the usually composed Rose widened her eyes slightly.
"Excuse me?"
She blinked once, then again, as if checking whether she had heard him correctly.
Instead of answering, Judas simply slid the papers closer.
They were his previous status sheet from his final update as a level 2... and his newly updated status as a level 3.
Rose lowered her gaze and read through them.
After a moment, she took a slow breath, steadying herself.
"I see... you're already a level 3."
She picked up the sheets, holding them carefully in her hands, then reached beneath the counter and pulled out a file bearing Judas' photograph, neatly sliding the documents inside.
"It has been roughly three weeks since your last rank up..."
Rose paused, her fingers tightening slightly around the file as she lifted her gaze back to him.
"Another record broken. Honestly, I don't even know what to say anymore."
She exhaled softly.
"Four days to reach level 2. Three weeks to reach level 3. I already knew you weren't a normal adventurer...but this growth rate is... absurd."
Her eyes lingered on him.
"When the news of your promotion is officially announced, another commotion is bound to follow. Just like last time."
There was a brief pause before her voice lowered.
"I can only imagine what kind of battles you've thrown yourself into to achieve this. Pushing that hard... one of these days, you're going to give someone a heart attack."
She met his gaze directly, her concern unmistakable.
"...Including me."
"Sorry, it just kind of... happens."
Judas replied, rubbing the back of his head with a faint, awkward smile.
"...You say that, but you're still going to keep doing the same reckless things."
Rose muttered under her breath.
She exhaled slowly, then lifted her gaze back to him, amber eyes sharp once more.
"Your level has been recorded. The paperwork will be processed immediately."
Her fingers moved with practiced efficiency, stamping the documents and setting them aside.
From the outside, it was business as usual.
But then she paused.
Just for a fraction of a second.
"...Judas."
The way she said his name was quieter than before.
"Try not to forget that you're still human."
Judas blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift.
"Ah... I'll keep that in mind."
He offered a small, earnest smile.
"I don't plan on dying anytime soon."
That earned him a faint frown.
"That's not reassuring."
Rose's ears twitched before she could stop them, and she quickly straightened.
"I know I might sound like a nagging mother for worrying too much, but..."
"Don't assume that everything will go your way, it doesn't matter how talented you are, you are not a God."
"Plenty of gifted adventurers thought they were different."
She met his eyes again, this time unflinching.
"And most of them don't come back."
For a moment, the noise of the guild seemed to fade into the background.
"I know, which is why I now have capable companions who will watch my back."
Judas replied, his voice steady.
Her tail slowed its swaying, curling slightly behind her.
"...Good."
She turned away, pretending to organize the files.
As Judas stepped back from the counter, Rose spoke again... this time without looking at him.
"And Judas?"
He paused.
"...Congratulations."
The word was stiff, practiced.
But genuine.
For a heartbeat, her tail gave one small, unmistakably happy flick.
'First Ryuu... then Tiona... and now Rose...'
Judas realized just how many people cared about him.
The thought alone was enough to draw a small, genuine smile from his lips.
"Thank you."
Misha, watching from across the room, covered her mouth to hide her grin.
'Yeah... she's definitely done for.'
Even Eina couldn't help but glance over curiously, her eyes lingering on the interaction between Judas and Rose.
'Belle... it looks like you've got some competition.'
'Even someone as cold as Rose...'
She adjusted her glasses, but her gaze inevitably drifted back to Judas's features.
'He's handsome... and strong... and—ah—handsome...'
Her eyes shimmered as her expression softened into something dreamy, before she abruptly shook her head.
'W–Wait! What am I even thinking?! That's the man Rose and Belle clearly like!'
Heat rushed to her face, her ears turning red as she quickly covered her eyes in embarrassment.
'But still...'
She peeked through her fingers.
'Admiring someone from afar shouldn't be a problem... right?'
...
Seeing his departing back, Rose couldn't help but feel a heaviness settle in her chest.
She lifted one arm slightly, as if to call out to him... or perhaps to stop him... only to hesitate.
After a brief pause, she slowly lowered it again, her fingers curling into her palm.
It wasn't until later that day that one of the guild workers posted a new notice on the announcement board.
"Oh? Someone leveled up?"
Belle murmured softly, her crimson eyes drifting toward the small crowd forming near the board.
By coincidence, Belle and Lili... having just returned from a long day in the Dungeon... were the first to arrive and notice it.
"Is that...?"
Belle's words trailed off as her gaze locked onto the poster.
The moment she recognized the face displayed on it, her pupils shrank in sheer disbelief.
"H-Huh? Miss Belle, what are you—"
Lili began, only to freeze mid-step when she followed Belle's line of sight.
"Is that Mister Judas? ...No way... Level 3!?"
The small pallum's voice rang out far louder than intended, instantly drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
What followed was inevitable.
Gasps, raised voices, hurried whispers... another commotion erupted, eerily similar to the one that had occurred during Judas' previous level-up.
Before long, the news would spread through the guild, then beyond it, racing through Orario like wildfire.
Amid the noise, Belle stood perfectly still.
She clenched her fist tightly at her side, tuning out the chaos around her.
'Does Judas also have a growth skill... like mine?'
That was the first thought that crossed her mind.
'Just when I thought I was finally catching up with [Liaris Freese]... he's already pulling even farther ahead.'
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
Belle drew in a few deep breaths, steadying herself, forcing the surge of emotions back under control.
'Harder... I have to try harder...'
Determination ignited in her ruby-colored eyes, burning brighter than ever before.
That evening, as she walked back to the Abandoned Church, her steps were firm, her resolve unshaken.
Inside, Alfia sat quietly on the couch, a book resting in her hands.
"Mother..."
Belle stopped in front of her, her voice steady despite the weight behind it.
"I'm ready to take the special trial."
Alfia raised an eyebrow, lowering her book as she looked up at her niece.
For a moment, she said nothing... simply studying Belle's eyes.
Then, seeing the unwavering resolve reflected there, she gave a small nod.
"Very well," Alfia said calmly.
"You'd better be prepared."
It wasn't just the Loki Familia that had been stirred by Judas' presence.
At this moment, Belle Cranel had taken her first true step onto the path of a hero.
And before long, the city of heroes would come to know her name.
---
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