Chapter 32: Special Treatment Exclusive to Liam Moon
"Dinner is packed for you!" "Anyway, these were ingredients that were going to be disposed of, so I'll just charge you 100 Valis. This time only, no other exceptions."
The back kitchen quickly whipped up a dish from the remaining ingredients, a hodgepodge whose name was unknown.
It wasn't portioned out separately.
But the amount could absolutely be described as explosive, completely enough to fill Liam and Hestia's stomachs. As for the discounted price Mia gave.
The main reason.
Was still the last sentence Liam had uttered.
"Not fearless, just don't want to stop moving forward."
It completely refreshed Mia's impression of Liam. A very driven adventurer. Setting aside his style of doing things, just talking about his attitude towards Dungeon adventuring.
Making such a resolution.
As long as no accidents happened, given time in Orario.
He definitely wouldn't be as unknown as he was now. She was actually quite looking forward to it; perhaps she could personally witness the rise of a new adventuring star.
Adding a little fun to her peaceful life.
"Thank you."
Considering the portion size of the bento, the price Mia ultimately charged was practically a giveaway. Liam didn't feel this was something to be taken for granted.
He cherished every act of kindness encountered during his journey.
He picked up the super-sized dinner bento in his hand. Before leaving, he didn't forget to thank Mia earnestly.
"."
Mia casually waved her hand, watching Liam's departing figure. Even her usually stern face curved into a slight smile. Just as she was about to close the shop.
Syr, having finished all her tasks as requested.
Curiously came to the restaurant counter. Seeing Mia's rare, heartfelt happiness, she immediately asked, "Mama Mia, are you..."
"It's nothing."
"Just met a rather interesting adventurer."
Mia shook her head gently. Although Liam had already determined his path, from the bottom of her heart, she still hoped Liam could be cautious.
To truly witness the rise of a new adventuring star.
First and foremost…
Is to survive in the perilous Dungeon!
It wasn't until Liam returned to the Familia and opened the dinner bento he had bought for 100 Valis that he realized the care contained within this meal.
Of course, it wasn't as Mia had said.
A dish cooked from leftover ingredients. The main course was noodles, paired with various meats to supplement protein. If sold normally…
The price would have to be at least ten times higher!
"This time..."
"I really have a reason to eat at The Hostess of Fertility."
Liam quickly made a decision in his heart. He prepared the cutlery for dinner and woke Hestia, who had been waiting for him on the sofa until she fell asleep.
Eating one's fill and then sleeping across someone leads to a more stable sleep.
Of course, he would still have to trouble Hestia to help him update his status later.
After these two days of training, he was also looking forward to the improvement in his ability scores. Liam's next goal was to advance deeper.
Sleepily sitting up from the sofa.
Hestia looked at Liam sitting beside her. After carefully checking and finding no injuries, the heart that had been hanging in suspense finally relaxed completely.
Finally, she noticed today's dinner.
Compared to the bentos he usually brought back, there was a big difference in both portion size and variety of dishes.
"Such a sumptuous dinner?"
"Mm."
Liam didn't hide anything, recounting what happened at "The Hostess of Fertility," emphasizing Mia's concern for him.
The price of the bento, the substantial portion, and the adventuring advice.
Repaying kindness.
This was something he felt he had to do. Even if his current strength didn't allow it, he had to firmly remember this kindness in the deepest part of his heart. "Lady Hestia."
"Let's eat!"
"Okay. It's really been hard on Liam-kun, having to bring dinner back every day for me... this useless goddess. I also want to be able to help you."
Hestia's curved eyes held a smile, her soft tone more like a playful tease.
Actually, feeding a goddess.
Liam felt quite a sense of accomplishment. His gaze was focused when he looked at Hestia, "Lady Hestia, after dinner, help me update my status, okay?"
"Leave it to me!"
Liam Moon
Lv1
Strength: E497 丨Endurance: D531 丨Dexterity: E466 丨Agility: E499 丨Magic: I0
Development Abilities: None
Magic: None
Skills: Secret Sword Art, Triple Slash, Moonlight Slash, Backstep Cut (Non-essential combat skills, will not appear on the back)
Helping Liam update his status, Hestia's movements were already exceptionally skilled. She just picked up the cowhide paper with the final rubbed status.
Browse through the various changes.
Her gaze wandered for a short while. Even though she had personally witnessed the soaring of Liam's ability scores, looking at the updated status again.
She didn't feel shocked.
Purely for the child who "shouldered the responsibility of the Familia," her heart was filled with guilt and heartache.
The improvement of ability scores…
Could only be achieved through combat training against monsters in the Dungeon. And the key factor determining the specific numerical increase was the intensity of the combat training.
"This…"
"What kind of battles has he exactly gone through?"
Hestia's furrowed brow was hard to smooth out. She really couldn't imagine, but what she knew clearly was that everything Liam had done.
Was entirely out of consideration for the Familia.
The pressure of developing the Familia from scratch, including repaying Hephaestus's debt today – the result of various reasons.
As for that extra skill, Hestia actually didn't pay much attention to it.
What she was considering now was, the heavy burden Liam carried, and his original intention for becoming an adventurer – was there really no conflict?
"..."
Looking at Liam lying face down on the bed with his shirt off, after this period of training, the muscle contours on his back were clearly much more defined.
Even while lying face down, they remained in a taut state.
Hestia straddled Liam's legs. It made no sense for her dependant to be working so hard while she enjoyed the fruits of his labor behind him.
Having figured this out, her nervousness at this moment was greatly alleviated.
The young woman slowly extended her hand. Compared to that brief touch last time, the process was significantly longer.
Her slender, fair, soft hands landed on the muscles of Liam's shoulders. The intimate contact with the opposite sex caused Hestia's cheeks to gradually be enveloped by a shy blush.
This is a massage!
Not doing anything else!
Hestia repeatedly emphasized this in her heart. This was one of the few things she, a somewhat useless goddess, could do for Liam!
It also served to ease the atmosphere.
There was a slight tremor in her voice as she spoke, proactively changing the subject, "Liam-kun, you've really worked hard during this time..."
"I find this kind of life very fulfilling."
Feeling the girl's clumsy technique, this was treatment Liam hadn't expected. Hestia, as a goddess, massaging him to help him relax.
It was most likely a psychological effect, but he felt the fatigue in his body slowly disappearing.
"I'm worried..."
Gradually adapting to the throbbing deep in her heart, she reverted to her usual girlish demeanor.
Hestia hesitated internally, finally saying directly, "Worried that these external pressures will make Liam-kun forget his original intention for becoming an adventurer."
"Of course not."
The answer was decisive. She looked at Liam's cheek as he turned his head. His smile wasn't feigned in the slightest, depicting the truest thoughts deep in his heart.
"I feel that everything I'm doing is worth it!"
(End of this chapter)