Chapter 43: Chapter 41: The Next Step
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[20ps]
The clink of coins hitting the wooden counter echoed through the guild hall.
"Not bad," the guild receptionist said, raising an eyebrow as she finished counting the pile of magic stones and monster drops. "You two have been busy."
Ethan gave a half-smile. "Just keeping up the momentum."
Lili adjusted the strap of her crossbow behind him, standing proudly. "We’ve been training hard."
The receptionist slid a small stack of valis toward them. "This is your reward for today’s haul. Not bad at all. Especially that rare drop from the Floor Boss. You’re getting noticed."
Ethan paused.
"Noticed?"
The receptionist leaned forward slightly, her expression turning more serious. "Word travels fast, Ethan. A solo adventurer taking down a mutant Minotaur? Now officially a Level 2 with excellent stats? And now you’re clearing deeper floors with a porter who handles herself like a pro?"
Her eyes flicked to Lili, who looked down shyly.
"There are Familia captains, nobles, and merchants who pay attention to stories like that. You’ll want to start preparing for what comes next."
Ethan’s brows furrowed. "What comes next?"
The receptionist leaned back with a grin. "Special quests. Invitations. Challenges. And eyes on your back."
There was a pause.
Ethan took the valis and tucked it into his pouch. "We’ll be ready."
As they walked out of the guild and into the late afternoon light, Lili gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you think she’s right?"
"She’s not wrong," Ethan muttered. "We’re not invisible anymore."
They moved through the crowd, past adventurers laughing with their comrades, blacksmiths delivering blades to new clients, and shopkeepers calling out to late buyers. The city was alive with energy—but beneath the noise, Ethan could feel the undercurrent.
Attention.
Eyes.
Some curious. Some calculating.
It made sense. Orario wasn’t a city of peace—it was a city of ambition. And strength invited both respect and danger.
Back at the church, Hestia was waiting at the door, arms crossed but smiling as they arrived.
"Back already?" she asked.
Ethan nodded. "We’re pacing ourselves."
"Good," she said. "You’ve just leveled up. No need to throw yourself into the fire again."
Lili bowed politely. "Hestia-sama."
Hestia nodded back, more warmly than usual. "Thank you for watching his back."
There was a small silence. It wasn’t awkward, just... careful.
Ethan opened the door and stepped in. The inside of the church smelled faintly of stew—Hestia must’ve started cooking.
"I heard something from the guild today," he said, unbuckling his gear and setting it down. "They said people are starting to pay attention to us."
Hestia tilted her head. "That so?"
He nodded. "Said we should start thinking about what comes next."
She was quiet for a moment, then walked over and placed a hand on his arm.
"You don’t have to rush. Let the world look all they want. We’ll face it together."
Ethan smiled slightly at that. "Yeah. Together."
Lili, watching from the side, felt a warmth in her chest. In Sora Familia, she had been overlooked. Used. Here... she was seen.
Part of something.
They sat down to eat not long after, a simple dinner of stew and bread. No big battles. No wild drama. Just three people at a worn table, lit by lanternlight and dreams of the future.
Tomorrow would bring something new.
It always did.
But for now, they had peace.
And they had each other.
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