Seeing Tsunayoshi still lost in thought, Loki sat down beside him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"What is it? Still mulling it over?"
"Mm. The extra dimension needs solid intel behind it. The key is that, inside it, I can observe what's happening in the normal world. That should be pretty useful—I should dig into it properly."
"Purely for recon and investigation, that ability is excellent. But before those functions are practical, you'll need to survey terrain within the target area. That's really inconvenient. Maybe you can create some 'eyes' outside to do the scouting."
"Yeah. I'll think about how to make those eyes. If they're going to move around outside, concealment comes first. Otherwise they'll be caught too easily and cause trouble."
Loki's suggestion struck Tsunayoshi as very sensible. The extra dimension was powerful, but its constraints were just as big.
The overlapping part between the extra dimension and reality was basically his own knowledge of reality.
In other words, the structure of the extra dimension was shaped by his understanding of the real world—imagination applied to what he knew. Once that imagination ran thin, large swathes of structures in the extra dimension would get copy-pasted from how Tsunayoshi understood a few things.
Like endless rooms of the same type, differing only in left–right mirroring.
Compared to cramming intel beforehand, Tsunayoshi actually preferred Loki's approach: as he acquired information from outside, let the extra dimension update accordingly to give timely feedback.
He still needed to think carefully about those "eyes" that could act outside. If they were operating in the open, stealth was essential. Ideally, he wanted to fold the rabbit and the eyes into one system—then the extra dimension and the outside environment could sync more in real time and become truly practical.
"There's a huge amount of room to develop that ability of yours. And because there's so much to mine, it'll take time and focus to research."
Worried he might get too hung up on it, Loki tried to ease him off.
"You've got a lot of secrets and unknowns on you—and in your power. None of that gets solved in a day. You don't have to fixate on one problem. You can figure these things out bit by bit."
"Mm."
Tsunayoshi knew she was right. Whether it was the mysteries hidden in himself or getting finer control over monster creation, none of it could be done all at once. It would take time, layer by layer. He decided to stop obsessing for now.
"You've only been in this world for a few hours. No need to rush into thinking about everything."
Loki patted his shoulder and pulled him up from the bed.
"Alright, dinner first. And I'll introduce you to the others while we're at it."
She did need to present him to the familia. Loki felt it was pretty important.
Given how strong-willed the main members were, a proper introduction would help. Someone with a… very strong personality like Bete should definitely have Gareth talk to him first.
Gareth could probably make Bete a tad more well-behaved. Bete was the main worry; others had quirks, sure, but only Bete managed to combine a venomous tongue with a difficult temperament.
Loki led Tsunayoshi out the door and down to the first-floor dining hall.
That was where familia members ate. No fees—anyone in the familia could dine there.
It was also where the Loki Familia mainly took their meals. The only rule: no alcohol in the hall.
Because of that rule, the dwarves who loved to drink often ate here and then went out to a tavern for a cup before coming back—or just solved dinner at the tavern entirely.
Which meant the dining hall rarely filled up.
Today was a little different.
The main members of the Loki Familia were already seated inside—especially the First and Second Parties.
Anyone who heard that both parties had gathered chose to stay and watch.
"Something big today? It's not often the captain and vice-captain sit and wait in the hall together."
"Mm. Not just Finn-san and Riveria-san—look over there."
A finger pointed toward Gareth-san and a bruised, swollen-faced Bete.
"Before dinner, Gareth-san had a little 'talk' with Bete-san. Looks like Bete-san got questioned. I'd say it's related to today's atmosphere."
"Could be."
The hushed whispers naturally reached the werewolf who'd just been "educated."
"Tch…"
Bete clicked his tongue, but the motion tugged at his bruises and made him bare his teeth in pain.
"Hey, Finn-san, what's the deal? The old man didn't say a word—just laid into me. I'm totally in the dark here."
Bete couldn't remember doing anything to hassle anyone.
Did I get drunk and go overboard again? He knew he often crossed lines after drinking; sometimes, when sober, even he thought his drunk self went too far.
But he didn't recall getting drunk lately. In fact, since the next dungeon push was coming, he'd been pre-adapting to the pace and had stayed off alcohol for a while.
"Just telling you to watch your mouth. Loki brought a newcomer into the familia today. To keep you from causing trouble, I asked Gareth-san to have a deep conversation with you."
Finn's words made the muscles on Bete's face twitch with pain.
A newcomer joins…and I get beaten up for it? Bete was irritated, but he knew where his issues lay. His foul mouth was practically a trademark.
"A newcomer, huh~"
Tiona's eyes lit up.
"Finn-san, Finn-san—what kind of person is the newbie?"
Her question perked up everyone else's interest as well.
(End of Chapter)
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