By noon, Loki did something she hadn't done in nearly half a year—she left her home on her own.
That alone was enough to stir the many spies who had been keeping an eye on the Loki Familia. Reports were quickly sent out, and the news soon reached the ears of every god pulling strings behind the scenes.
"Loki went out alone?"
Hermes raised an eyebrow when he heard the report. She hadn't set foot outside for months—why choose now, of all times?
"Lord Hermes, I believe Goddess Loki went to see Goddess Hephaestus," Asfi reminded him quietly.
"The Joint Expedition, huh? Right, it's about that time again."
Only after Asfi's words did Hermes snap his fingers in realization.
This Joint Expedition was practically being led by the Loki Familia, with the Hephaestus Familia and Astraea Familia joining forces under their lead. Their goal—of course—was the Unknown Floors.
"This Expedition might actually push into the deeper levels this time."
"A newly recruited genius from Hephaestus Familia, and that incredible rookie from Loki Familia—the one who can control Puppets and manipulate space."
"This time, the Loki Familia won't be held back by the Dungeon. They'll definitely bring some impressive news to the Labyrinth City."
A rare spark of genuine interest flickered in Hermes' eyes—though it was quickly replaced by a look of regret.
"A shame, though. I won't get to see it for myself."
"Lord Hermes, I doubt any god will ever witness that scene firsthand."
The Dungeon hated gods. It rejected their presence completely.
Whenever a god tried to descend into its depths, the Dungeon would erupt in violent, almost sentient rejection.
"Ahh, what a pity Such a pity"
Despite his lamenting tone, Hermes' lips curled into a playful grin.
"Asfi, tell me—how long do you think Loki plans on keeping her little secret hidden?"
"Lord Hermes, if your own Familia produced someone who might rival the top Adventurers from three years ago, would you parade that child in front of the other gods so easily?"
"Ha! Not a chance! I'd keep that kid hidden until the day I die!"
Hermes' face changed completely—gone was the lazy grin, replaced by fierce conviction.
"My children only need my guidance. I'd never let anyone else lay a hand on them."
Hearing that, Asfi simply nodded.
"That's exactly why I believe Lady Loki and Lady Hephaestus are doing the same."
Hermes paused for a moment, then returned to his usual smile.
"You're right. None of us want our children tainted by someone else's influence. In this city, rookies die far too quickly. If you don't protect them properly, no matter how talented they are, they won't last long."
"But hiding them forever is impossible."
In a city like Orario—riddled with spies and watchful eyes—how could anyone keep a child hidden forever? Would that child ever grow?
A trace of doubt flashed through Hermes' gaze.
"It's been almost half a year now. How in the world has Loki managed to keep that kid hidden this long? Isn't she worried about his future?"
"Lord Hermes, I think the simplest explanation is that the rookie uses his ability to control a Puppet to move around unnoticed—just like what happened with the Soma Familia."
"That's... plausible. But the Dungeon isn't a private playground. Adventurers are always coming and going. Even if it's vast, it's not so big that you'll never cross paths with someone."
Hermes understood Asfi's reasoning, but something still didn't add up.
"Asfi, with Hades' Helm in your possession—could you stay hidden in the Dungeon indefinitely?"
"..."
Asfi fell silent, thinking for a moment before slowly shaking her head.
"I can't."
With only Hades' Helm, she could conceal her presence, yes—but only for a limited time.
"Hades' Helm can hide my body, but not my scent. Some monsters in the Dungeon have incredible senses of smell. Even if they can't see me, they can still track me down."
"In the larger areas of the middle floors, maybe even the lower middle, I could avoid being spotted entirely. But a rookie Adventurer? There's no way someone that inexperienced could manage the same."
"Exactly. That's why I can't help wondering what Loki's really thinking. Or maybe... that rookie's abilities go beyond just Puppets and space. Maybe his potential is even greater than we know."
Hermes' bold speculation left Asfi silent.
A rookie capable of spatial manipulation—and possessing extraordinary potential on top of that? It sounded ridiculous.
"Lord Hermes, even if there's a chance your theory is right—have you ever actually met anyone like that?"
That single question shut Hermes up instantly.
Orario had never seen such a case before. No Adventurer with exceptional talent also possessed limitless potential for growth.
It simply wasn't normal.
Even Alfia—the "genius monster" hailed by the gods themselves—was shackled by the curse of frailty, the illness that plagued her life.
Every great Adventurer in every era carried some fatal flaw.
It was as if the world itself rejected the concept of "perfection," condemning prodigies to tragic fates.
Loki arrived alone at the Hephaestus Familia's home.
"Hephaestus, I'm here to see you."
She didn't need anyone to escort her. She walked straight to Hephaestus' private room—she'd been here many times before.
In the past, she'd often entered through Tsuna's spatial gate, stepping directly into this very chamber.
The sound of Loki opening the door wasn't subtle at all, but there was no response from inside.
Immediately alert, Loki looked toward the desk—where Hephaestus sat with her chin propped on her hands.
Her eyes weren't focused on the room around her, but on some scene that existed only in her imagination.
There was even a faint smile on her lips—serene, almost unsettling.
But Loki instantly understood what had put that expression on her face.
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