"…Let's skip that topic for now."
Tsuna still wasn't mentally ready to step onto that particular path. Finn Deimne didn't seem surprised.
From Tsuna's actions so far, Finn already knew—he was cautious. Tsuna never agreed to things lightly.
But Finn wasn't worried.
Right now, Tsuna was still just a newcomer to the Familia. Even if he didn't make a decision now, Finn was certain he would, eventually. It was only a matter of time.
"Then let's go back to what we were discussing earlier."
Finn smoothly shifted the topic back to their original discussion.
"Lowering the environmental intensity of that space is the best option."
"Keep it at a level that most members can endure, and let lower-level Adventurers have a suitable space for growth."
"Also, from now on, when we recruit, it shouldn't just be based on talent. We need to consider whether the person is trustworthy."
In the short term, Finn had no intention of letting new recruits join the Familia—unless they were truly reliable.
Like the two people Tsuna had mentioned before when they discussed potential candidates: Sanjouno Haruhime and Cassandra Ilion.
They'd been busy with Expeditions for a while now, but it was time to start reviewing those two for promotion.
"So, we're taking the elite route for now? That's actually a smart move."
Riveria Ljos Alf nodded slightly. The current situation made such an approach possible.
As long as Tsuna could lead everyone on the path of growth together, the current number of members in the Loki Familia was already sufficient.
Expanding further would only increase the risk of someone leaking Tsuna's secret. Stopping recruitment temporarily wasn't just safe—it was necessary.
"The next round of recruitment should wait until our current low-level Adventurers take that crucial step forward."
Riveria chuckled a little to herself after saying that.
If other Familias heard her right now, they'd probably think she'd gone insane.
But the crazy part was—under Tsuna's guidance, this so-called "impossible dream" might actually come true.
That was what made it funny—and incredible.
"Are you guys seriously putting this much faith in me?"
The Big Three exchanged glances and laughed together.
"Not too much," Finn replied with a grin. "Just the right amount."
"Finn," Riveria asked teasingly, "you really think they can do it?"
"Of course."
Finn's voice was full of conviction as his clear eyes locked on Tsuna.
"Every Adventurer dreams of reaching their goal one day."
"They all became Adventurers for their own reasons—and it's because of those reasons that we all gathered here."
"The difference is, we had a bit more talent than most. That's why we've made it this far, while they're still struggling below."
"But if they're given a clear chance to grow, I don't think any Adventurer would let that chance slip by."
The ones still stuck at Level 1 weren't there because they wanted to be.
No matter how hard they trained, their Status growth crawled at a snail's pace. Some had been at it for years—long enough to graduate from the Guild Academy—yet still hadn't reached the standard needed to Level Up.
What they lacked wasn't effort. It was opportunity.
"And you," Finn said, leaning back slightly, "don't you have your own reason for becoming an Adventurer too?"
"If they can keep up with us, won't that help you as well?"
That last line hit home. Tsuna didn't deny it. Of course it would help him.
No matter how capable he was, Tsuna knew he couldn't handle everything on his own.
Strengthening the Familia would only make things easier for him.
A Familia that bloomed on all fronts would also make it easier for him to stay hidden.
Until he was strong enough, Tsuna had no intention of standing in the spotlight. He needed others to draw the Gods' attention instead.
While the deities obsessed over how such a "miracle" came to be, he'd use that distraction to go even further.
And the stronger and more balanced the Familia became, the deeper they could venture into the Dungeon.
Somewhere in those depths lay the final of the Three Great Commissions—
the very cause of this world's potential apocalypse.
Maybe once he reached that level of power—when he could sense that location for himself—he'd be able to quietly slip away.
But Tsuna knew deep down that he probably wouldn't.
He wasn't someone who made friends easily. Back in his old world, he hadn't had many close bonds.
Yet here… he'd met so many people.
Knowing that this world was fated to end, knowing that if he did nothing, they'd all die—there was no way Tsuna could just turn his back.
At least not until he'd done something to fix it.
Let's call this a rehearsal for solving my own world's mess.
Tsuna gave himself that perfect justification.
Building strength here could very well help him later.
And even if I can't fix things back home… at least I'll have somewhere to fall back to.
So before anything else—I need to make sure the foundation here is solid.
"I don't know if it'll work," he said quietly, "but… I think I've found some motivation."
Finn noticed the subtle change in Tsuna's eyes and felt relief wash over him.
He didn't have a divine ability to read minds like a God, but he didn't need one.
He could tell Tsuna had just found his reason—and that was enough.
Whatever that reason was, Finn didn't care. The result was what mattered.
"I can't predict how things will play out in the end," Tsuna added, "but Finn, you'd better be ready."
"How about we test the waters for a week first?"
"We'll build their confidence—give them something real to show for it. Once they see results, I think things will go just like you said."
"Deal!"
Finn burst out laughing, unrestrained.
A week was plenty. Once everyone saw their progress, that old fire—the ambition they'd once lost—would start burning again.
"Riveria, Gareth," Finn said, his grin wide, "looks like we've got some work to do."
"Hahaha! That's not a bad thing," Gareth replied, his booming laughter filling the room. "I've been itching for something fun to tackle."
He could already see it—the shape of a brighter, more exciting future ahead.
What lay before them was an unknown world, and the choices they made now would shape it.
Leading everyone forward together was just the first step.
Riveria sighed softly, shaking her head as she watched the two men grin like kids.
"Men really are such simple creatures."
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You can read up to chapter 135 on patreon.com/NiaXD.