As Ying Ping and his group stepped out of the dungeon gate, they heard a commotion not far away.
"Please... at least leave me a little..."
A weak, tearful female voice came through.
Ying Ping turned to look, only to see three tall adventurers surrounding a petite Pallum girl.
One of them roughly yanked her backpack, spilling all the coins inside.
"Stop talking nonsense! You stinky supporters should just hand over your money obediently!"
"Exactly, you useless people can only earn money by picking up magic stones anyway!"
Liliruca Erde huddled on the ground, her face bruised, her golden long hair disheveled.
Ying Ping narrowed his eyes, recognizing this Pallum supporter from the original work, who betrayed her companions due to her addiction to Soma's divine wine.
How to put it, when he read the original DanMachi, he really disliked this fussy Pallum.
Adhering to the principle of letting go of the urge to help and respecting others' destinies, Ying Ping snorted coldly, about to walk away—
"Master..."
Unexpectedly, Chisato Nishikigi suddenly stopped, her hands clenched into fists, staring intently at the scene.
Her voice trembled slightly: "Are we... just going to turn a blind eye and leave that child alone?"
Ying Ping frowned: "Chisato, judging by their attire, they should all be from the same Familia. Don't meddle in other people's business."
"But..."
Chisato bit her lip: "We clearly have such strong power..."
Takina took a deep breath and bravely stood beside her good friend Chisato.
She calmly added: "Master, condoning evil is no different from aiding and abetting it. I hope you can make a righteous judgment."
Ilena played with a magic stone in her hand, subtly observing Ying Ping's expression.
Then, she said nonchalantly: "Well, although I don't like this kind of thing either, but who made that girl so dirty and unlikable..."
Kokkoro also whispered: "Master, please help her, she looks so pitiful..."
Ying Ping looked at the expectant eyes of the four beautiful girls and sighed deeply: "Ah, I can't do anything with you all."
Although he could have directly ordered them not to get involved, he knew it would disappoint Ilena and the others, leaving a rift in their hearts.
"Then let's make it a quick fight."
Ying Ping shook his head, turned, and strode towards the group of adventurers.
"Hey, you pieces of trash from the Soma Familia over there, look here."
Ying Ping's voice wasn't loud, but it made the three adventurers tremble simultaneously.
"You, who are you?"
The leading adventurer shouted, trying to sound tough, "Which Familia are you from? I advise you not to meddle in our business!"
Ying Ping couldn't be bothered with nonsense, his figure flashed—
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Three heavy punches.
The three Soma Familia adventurers didn't even have a chance to react, flying back over ten meters and collapsing unconscious on the ground.
Adventurers passing by stopped in their tracks, looking at Ying Ping with great surprise.
Such agile movements—he must be a high-ranking adventurer!
Liliruca also hadn't expected an adventurer to save her. Her eyes were blank, staring at Ying Ping in a daze.
It wasn't until Ying Ping picked up the scattered coins and tossed them in front of her that her eyes regained some light.
"Hold onto your money," Ying Ping said coldly. "Be careful in the future."
"Th-thank you!" Liliruca scrambled to her feet, tears streaming down her face. "Adventurer-sama! I... I'm willing to do anything to repay you!"
Ying Ping turned to leave: "Adventurer-sama? There's no need for that."
Kind-hearted Chisato jogged over, handed Liliruca a handkerchief, and smiled gently, "Are you alright?"
Liliruca took it, flattered. "I-I'm fine! Thank you very much!"
Chisato glanced at Karyl beside her, pressed her hands together, and pleaded, "Karyl-chan, could you please heal this child?"
"Understood."
"Oh, Holy Light, please heal the one before me."
Karyl also knelt down, and her staff-spear emitted a soft green light that enveloped Liliruca, instantly healing her injuries.
Watching this scene unfold,
the passing adventurers began to whisper among themselves, all remembering the loli elf who could use healing magic.
"M-my wound doesn't hurt anymore?" Liliruca looked at her hands in disbelief.
"Be careful in the future, and take good care of yourself~" Karyl smiled gently at Liliruca, then jogged off to catch up with Ying Ping's retreating figure.
On the way back, Chisato skipped alongside Ying Ping: "Master, the way you taught those adventurers a lesson just now was so cool!"
Takina, for once, showed a slight smile: "Yes, your movements were very swift and decisive."
Ilena, however, teased mischievously: "Honestly~ you two are just ganging up, hoping Master won't scold you, aren't you?"
"Hehehe, you saw right through us."
Chisato's pretty face flushed, and she cutely stuck out her tongue.
Karyl happily linked arms with Ying Ping: "Master is the best~ Thank you, Master, for forgiving our capriciousness just now!"
Ying Ping shook his head helplessly: "You all..."
The setting sun cast long shadows of the five of them.
Liliruca stood still, watching their retreating figures, clutching her money pouch tightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes... As night fell, the streets of Orario were brightly lit.
Ying Ping and his group chose an upscale tavern in the commercial district, planning to sample a new cuisine different from the 'Hostess of Fertility.'
Hestia, for once, had changed into a light blue dress, looking particularly adorable.
She sat beside Ying Ping, happily swinging her legs: "Today, we absolutely must try their signature roast chicken!"
"Master, this dessert looks really good too~" Karyl pointed to the cream cake on the menu, her eyes sparkling.
Chisato and Takina sat opposite, quietly discussing their combat coordination in the dungeon today.
Ilena, meanwhile, leaned languidly against the back of her chair, sipping a fruit wine, a satisfied blush on her face.
However, the pleasant atmosphere was soon broken.
"Isn't that Hestia Familia's people?" A repulsive, flippant voice came from the doorway.
Ying Ping looked up to see a group of adventurers in black uniforms swaggering in.
Leading them was a tall, slender man with black hair, an handsome face, but a arrogant smile.
"Sigh, I knew going to save that little Pallum, Liliruca, would only lead to trouble."
Ying Ping sighed deeply.
[Apollo Familia Captain, LV3]
Although Ying Ping had never seen the man in Orario before, his identity spontaneously came to mind, though he couldn't recall his name.
The Apollo Familia Captain, Hyacinthus, was followed by over a dozen Familia members, all with mocking expressions.
"I heard you guys beat up some of our allies, Soma Familia, at the dungeon entrance today?" Hyacinthus walked to Ying Ping's table, looking down at everyone from above. "A mere newly-formed small Familia, daring to be so arrogant in Orario?"
Hestia frowned: "Hey, you guys! I know the whole story. It was Soma Familia who bullied the girl first!"
"Oh? Bullied a girl?"
"A destitute goddess who can only rely on her chest to make a scene, you're really naive."
Hyacinthus sneered, his gaze boldly sweeping over Chisato, Takina, Ilena, and Karyl.
"However, you're quite good at picking people. These girls... Tsk tsk, how about letting them all join our Apollo-sama of Apollo Familia?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Familia members behind Hyacinthus chimed in with various jeers and vulgar remarks.
"You!" Hestia stood up in a huff, grinding her teeth continuously.
The other patrons in the tavern all quieted down, watching the scene nervously.
Ying Ping slowly put down his wine glass, his eyes cold: "Hey, you're the captain of Apollo Familia, LV3, right?"
"So what?" Hyacinthus proudly lifted his chin: "What, scared?"
Ying Ping sneered: "Scared? If you don't want your entire Apollo Familia and Soma Familia to be annihilated, I advise you to leave now and stop bothering us."
"Hahahahaha!" Hyacinthus burst into exaggerated laughter as if he had heard a joke: "Are you crazy? With just you?"
"A useless newcomer who's only been in Orario for a few days?"
"You look like a goblin, and you actually think you're somebody?"
The Familia members behind him also joined in the laughter, some even booing.
"Captain, I think he's scared silly, isn't he?"
"Hey, kid, if you know what's good for you, hand over these girls to our Familia, and we might spare your life!"
Ying Ping sighed, shaking his head: "Truly... courting death."
He gently tapped the table and said indifferently: "Chisato, Takina."
"Yes, Master!" The two girls, who had long reached their limit, instantly stood up, their faces grim.
They also understood that this matter was probably caused by them, so they had a fire burning within them.
"Give them a good beating, then throw them all out."
"Understood!" Chisato's lips curved into a dangerous smile, and her figure flashed out like a ghost.
"Bang!" She punched an Apollo Familia member in the abdomen.
The opponent didn't even have time to scream, flying backward like a cannonball, shattering the tavern's wooden door.
Takina, like a nimble leopard, sidestepped an attack, then grabbed another adventurer's wrist and twisted it fiercely—
"Crack!"
"Ah ah ah ah!!"
Amidst a piercing scream, Takina expressionlessly flung the person out the door.
"Wh-what?!" Hyacinthus's eyes widened, completely unprepared for the terrifying strength of these two seemingly delicate girls.
"What are you standing around for?! Attack!" he roared.
The remaining dozen or so Apollo Familia members charged forward, however—
"Bang bang bang—!"
Chisato and Takina were like tigers in a flock of sheep, their fists and feet like wind, each strike precisely knocking down an opponent.
Chisato, relying solely on her physical combat skills, rendered her opponents completely helpless.
Takina's longbow was strapped to her back, and her slender legs swept out like whips, kicking enemies flying one by one.
"N-no way! Their strength is even greater than mine, an LV3!" Hyacinthus's face turned pale, finally realizing he had kicked an iron plate.
He gritted his teeth, drew the rapier from his waist, and thrust it fiercely at Takina, who had her back to him: "Die!"
"Takina, watch out!" Chisato shouted.
Takina didn't even turn her head, as if she had eyes in the back of her head. She sidestepped the blade and simultaneously delivered an elbow strike heavily to Hyacinthus's chest.
"Pfft!" Hyacinthus spat out a mouthful of blood, flying backward and overturning three tables before stopping.
The tavern was dead silent.
Everyone stared at the scene in shock.
The captain of Apollo Familia, LV3 Hyacinthus... was taken down in one move?!
...