The strength and operational range of the lightning entities were directly tied to the amount of magic power used. If Roy abandoned quantity and pursued quality—pouring all his magic into a single entity—its strength could reach one hundred percent of his own.
But doing so might also cause him to lose consciousness.
Therefore, the lightning entity's ability values were capped at ninety percent of his own.
Because it was a no-chant spell, its destructive power was certainly inferior to those ultra–long-chant magics.
However, the advantages of no-chant magic lay in its speed and low consumption. There was no need to stand still like a mage, and by casting continuously, it could make up for the gap in raw power.
After fully understanding his magic, Roy left the Dungeon in high spirits.
Just as he returned to the surface—
Roy noticed that quite a crowd had gathered in the spacious plaza, at least several times more people than when he had entered.
As a financial office worker with sharp instincts, Roy sensed something unusual. If he wasn't going to join the excitement now, then when would he? He stepped forward, peering through the gaps in the crowd to see what was happening at the center.
Twenty to thirty men and women wearing identical uniforms had surrounded a girl of about fourteen or fifteen.
She had short reddish-brown hair and a slender, well-proportioned figure.
Daphne Lauros!
And the ones surrounding her were members of the Apollo Familia!
Roy instantly understood what was going on. Poor kid—she had been targeted by the Apollo Familia.
Under normal circumstances, the Apollo Familia could be considered fairly well-behaved, but their patron god was anything but restrained.
Once Apollo set his sights on someone he fancied—whether a civilian or an adventurer from another familia—he would stop at nothing to take them, even at the risk of punishment from the Guild.
Even if that person fled to the ends of the world, the Apollo Familia would chase them down relentlessly, like stubborn glue that would never peel off.
Because of this, many members of the Apollo Familia had joined under coercion or semi-coercion.
"Daphne Lauros!"
"You can't escape!"
"Accept Lord Apollo's love!"
…
One after another, the Apollo Familia members spoke, acting as if Daphne joining them was already a foregone conclusion.
Daphne forced herself to stand, panting heavily. She had tried to run into the Dungeon, but in the end her stamina had given out and she had been caught. Despair showed clearly on her face.
Who could help her? Daphne cast pitiful, pleading looks at the surrounding people.
However, the adventurers all wore expressions of idle amusement, with no intention of lending a hand. They were long accustomed to the Apollo Familia's hunts.
"This time it's a girl—don't play her to death!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
Some ill-tempered adventurers even cracked jokes.
"You bastards!" Daphne shouted angrily and charged forward, but her body was weak and posed no threat.
"Hey, don't lean on me!" A middle-aged adventurer shoved Daphne away in disgust.
As she was pushed aside and others stepped back, a large empty space suddenly opened up. By sheer coincidence, Daphne collapsed right at Roy's feet.
"Why do I have to go through something like this…?" Daphne lay on the ground, tears welling in her eyes.
"You're… 'that LV.1'?"
As the Apollo Familia members closed in, one of them exclaimed in surprise.
All eyes immediately turned toward Roy.
In Orario, people generally addressed high-level or famous adventurers by their titles. Though some of those titles carried the questionable tastes of certain gods, they were nonetheless recognition of an adventurer's achievements—an honor beyond measure.
Only close friends called each other by name.
Since Roy did not yet have a title, yet was somewhat famous, people could only refer to him as "that LV.1."
"I'm just here to watch. Don't mind me—" Roy said with a smile, but he was cut off before he could finish.
"I remember him. He's from the Astraea Familia."
"That bunch that sticks their noses into everything under the banner of 'justice.' Wiping them out wouldn't be a bad thing."
"LV.1 brat, get lost!"
"Don't meddle!"
…
Given the Astraea Familia's usual conduct, they would definitely interfere in matters like this. The Apollo Familia members were therefore not polite at all, and they certainly did not believe that a mere LV.1 like Roy posed any threat.
This domineering attitude wiped the smile from Roy's face. He truly had not intended to get involved.
But now that they had said that, he was no longer willing to back down. Today, he was going to carry out justice no matter what.
A man fights for pride as much as for breath.
Roy had no doubt that if he were forced back by the Apollo Familia today, tomorrow Orario would be full of rumors: That LV.1 from the Astraea Familia ran away with his tail between his legs after being shouted at by the Apollo Familia.
If it were the Freya Familia or the Loki Familia, Roy might have swallowed his pride. But the Apollo Familia? What kind of trash were they? Their captain, Hyakinthos Clio, had only just reached LV.3.
Meanwhile, the Rudra Familia that he and Ryuu had wiped out had both a captain and vice-captain who were veteran LV.3s.
Trying to scare him? They were far from qualified.
"Run as far as you can. I'll hold them off for you," Roy said, squatting down and smiling gently at Daphne—though it carried the unmistakable air of a smiling tiger.
Daphne froze for a moment.
Whoosh!
Sensing the sound of air tearing behind him, Roy drew the Muramasa sword and spun around, blocking the blade that slashed toward him. Steel met steel, sparks flying.
"You damn brat! I told you not to meddle!" shouted the elven youth of the Apollo Familia, gripping his sword with both hands and pressing down with all his strength.
The opponent had also just reached LV.2. Roy felt how light the force was—he could probably block it with one hand.
"You're really weak," Roy sneered, snapping out a swift kick that landed squarely on the man's abdomen.
The heavy blow sent the elven youth flying back seven or eight meters. He dropped to one knee, face pale, his stomach churning as if his insides were about to spill out.
"Run!" Roy barked.
Daphne did not dare hesitate. She did not even ask for Roy's name, fleeing in panic toward the shadows.
"Brat, you're asking for death!"
The Apollo Familia members rushed forward all at once.
There was not a trace of fear on Roy's face as he charged to meet them. His newly attained LV.2 status still needed adaptation, and real combat was undoubtedly the best training.
Smashing this group of societal trash not only served as training, but also vented his anger. Roy had no reason not to do it.
"Hey—wait, is that guy really LV.1?"
"That's a lie. The information has to be fake!"
Watching Roy take on more than a dozen opponents by himself, shock appeared on the faces of the surrounding adventurers. They had never seen a LV.1 who could rampage through a siege of LV.1s and several LV.2s like this.
This was absolutely the level of a veteran LV.2 adventurer!
Just as Roy knocked down seven or eight people, a blur streaked past, launching a sneak attack from behind.
Sensing the sharp danger, Roy decisively abandoned the others, raised his arm to block a whipping kick, planted his stance, steady as a mountain, and looked up.
Standing opposite him was a beautiful young man whose looks rivaled an elf's—fair skin, tall build, white gloves on both hands, and movements as elegant as a gentleman's.
Hyakinthos Clio!
A newly promoted LV.3 adventurer, titled The Sun's Beloved, and the captain of the Apollo Familia.
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