Chapter 52 – Hestia Gets Kicked Out!
Even though only a few days had passed since their last meeting, Shin Akira now felt like a completely different person in Finn's eyes—as if the world had flipped upside down. It was hard to believe the man standing before him was the same rookie adventurer they'd met not long ago.
A man who had once struggled just to survive the upper floors was now effortlessly commanding an army of monsterslaying shadows in the Deep Floors. And it all happened so fast—too fast.
"It's been a few days, Akira. You've grown a lot stronger," Finn said, carefully studying him.
There was no need to state the obvious. Just seeing that many Shadowkhan under Akira's command was enough proof of his power.
The monsters they had slaughtered were mostly Level 2, with some even reaching Level 3. While most of the expedition team could handle them, Akira's sudden leap in power was too dramatic to ignore.
For a moment, Finn even questioned whether this was really Shin Akira… or maybe his long-lost twin?
"Just doing what I can to stay alive," Akira replied with a lazy smile.
Cough—! Finn choked on air at the absurd humility in that statement, which somehow sounded incredibly arrogant.
Meanwhile, Riveria narrowed her eyes as she observed Akira. There was an invisible pressure coming from him—something she couldn't quite describe, but deeply unsettling.
Her instincts as a noble elf were flaring. Every cell in her body screamed the same warning: this man is dangerous.
As a member of a noble bloodline, Riveria had always been able to pick up subtle differences in presence and aura. But this… this was something else entirely.
It made her wonder—Who is Shin Akira, really? And why did he make her feel so small?
Throughout her life, Riveria had always been the one others bowed to—whether among elves or humans. Her noble bloodline commanded respect and reverence wherever she went.
But now… it felt as if the roles had reversed.
"So, you're heading out for another expedition?" Akira asked, shifting his gaze to the rest of Loki Familia.
"That's right," Finn nodded.
"Didn't your last expedition just end recently? That was pretty fast."
"Well, the results were good, and we didn't use much of our supplies. So we figured we'd keep the momentum going."
"I see…"
Akira understood the hidden meaning behind Finn's words. This wasn't just another expedition—it was an attempt to break through to the lower record depths of the Dungeon. The little Pallum was aiming for something big.
If Akira remembered correctly, this was probably the expedition from the events of Sword Oratoria.
Unfortunately, that expedition didn't end in success. Instead, it led to disaster. The team was ambushed, their supplies destroyed, and their weapons shattered by a new species of insect-like monsters.
The aftermath put a huge dent in Loki Familia—both in strength and finances. They had to bet everything on one last grand expedition to recover.
"In that case, I won't keep you any longer. I'm heading back myself," Akira said casually.
"Alright. Then let's catch up after we return."
"Looking forward to it."
"Mm."
With Finn's parting words, the conversation ended.
Akira gave a brief nod to the rest of Loki Familia in farewell, then turned around and began walking toward the upper floors. Today's adventure was enough for him.
Everyone silently watched his back as he disappeared from view. Ais, especially, remained frozen in place.
"Alright, let's move out," Finn ordered.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Understood."
"Right."
"Got it."
Everyone turned their focus back to the mission. But the fire lit within them by their encounter with Akira would not be easily extinguished.
Could there really be such a gap between people?
Just seeing what Akira had accomplished lit a fire in Bete and the others. If someone else could reach that level… then so could they.
— — —
— Scene Break —
"How long are you planning to live like this, Hestia? Look at yourself! You laze around all day, and if you're not at home, you're hanging out in bookstores. When are you going to start growing your Familia?"
In the upper floors of Babel Tower, Hephaestus finally snapped and spoke her mind.
"Geez, Hephaestus, chill out," Hestia replied with a lazy yawn.
"'Chill out'? Do you think I don't know what you're doing? You were like this in the Upper World, and you haven't changed at all down here! This can't go on any longer!"
"What are you even talking about?"
"Starting today, you're going out there to build your Familia—or at least get a job. Anything! Just stop wasting time!"
"What?! You're kicking me out?!"
"That's right. If I don't push you now, you'll never do anything."
In that instant, Hestia felt like the sky was falling.
The rich, kind goddess who had taken her in, paid her bills, and let her freeload for months… was now throwing her out?
But—what was she supposed to do?
She had no money! No power! No followers! No connections!
She had nothing! How was she supposed to survive in Orario?!
"You can't do this, Hephaestus! I haven't even started my Familia yet! I swear, I'll start looking for members tomorrow! Just let me stay a little longer!"
"No. You've made that promise before. And the time before that. And the time before that. I've reached my limit, Hestia. I can't trust your words anymore."
"Ugh…"
Hestia blushed in embarrassment. Now that she thought about it… maybe she was being unreasonable.
"I do have an old church," Hephaestus said after a sigh. "It's abandoned and pretty far out of the way. Hardly anyone ever passes by. You can have it. Think of it as my last act of kindness."
"A church…? Hephaestus, I'm a goddess! Can't you give me something a little more divine?"
"Stop complaining. So you do remember you're a goddess?"
"Hmph! You're just doing this because you want Shin Akira all to yourself! I'm just getting in the way!"
"OUT!!!"
SLAM!
With a swift motion, Hephaestus kicked Hestia out of the room and slammed the door shut behind her.
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