Everyone knew how obsessed Ais was with getting stronger.
She'd been at Level 5 for two years and hit a plateau.
Even during expeditions, her stat growth was down to single digits.
For someone with a sorrowful past and burning desire for power, this kind of rapid growth was bound to affect her.
As the door closed, the room went dark again.
Only the steady rhythm of breathing remained—
-------------------------------------------------
The rising sun once again peeked out from the eastern sky — a new day had arrived.
A night of rest had washed away everyone's fatigue, and people began their day's work full of energy again.
At the Loki Familia headquarters, "Twilight Manor," everyone had started the post-expedition aftermath tasks.
Submitting "Adventurer Requests," selling rare materials collected from the "Deep Floors," replenishing supplies, maintaining weapons and equipment, and even reporting data to the "Guild."
Busy members each had their own work. After breakfast in the cafeteria, they left the premises.
"A-Ais, d-do you have anything important planned for today???"
During breakfast, the girl Lefiya blushed shyly and twisted her body, asking the one she admired.
"Hmm — I'm going to maintain my weapon."
"G-Great! Then… may I accompany you—"
"Does that mean your wand needs repairs too, Lefiya? I thought just changing the magic stone was enough?"
Taking a bite of bread, the Amazoness Tiona threw out a question, which came with a bonus critical hit.
"..."
"N-No, it's not that. I just, I just—"
"Alright, stop teasing Lefiya. She just wants to go with Ais."
[ T / N : Lefiya's inner thought's: I don't want to go with Ais, I want to always be with Ais!! ]
"T-That's right."
Her sister frankly spoke Lefiya's true intention.
Ais looking at Lefiya replied, "No problem."
"Thank you, Ais!"
Tiona blinked, "I wonder if that guy's awake? Should we go check?"
"Yeah, I'm super curious about how his strength grew so fast!"
"Ais, want to go?"
"Mm—!"
Ais responded decisively.
"If Ais is going, then I—"
And so, the four girls made their decision.
Meanwhile, in the main conference hall often used by the top members.
Finn, Riveria, Gareth, and Loki chatted over tea about the recent "Expedition."
"Well, I figured it wouldn't be that easy. If it doesn't work this time, there's always next time. Thanks to this 'Expedition,' everyone's grown a lot in both experience and strength. We'll have a much better shot next time."
"Then we can go all out."
"By the way, is that kid awake yet?"
Finn asked Riveria about Fron.
"No news yet, but by now he should be waking up."
At that, Riveria also looked intrigued.
"If word gets out that he's awake, Ais and the others won't be able to sit still."
"I'm also real curious how that kid got so strong so fast, hahaha!"
"Loki, can't you tell us something?"
Loki had somehow gotten a bottle of wine, sipping it over ice.
"Well now, if he doesn't want to talk, I can't just blab as his guardian. Considering his personality, I figure he'll tell you all himself."
Winking, Loki wore a mischievous grin.
"Every time you make that face, it means trouble."
"Ahh, Finn, don't say that out loud."
Suddenly, a scream tore through the sky and interrupted their conversation.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—"
"My magic stone—"
That scream could break hearts and bring tears to the ears.
The four exchanged glances, and Finn blinked,
"Shall we go take a look?"
"Let's go. He's a newly joined familia member after all. We should meet him at least once."
"Hehehe—"
Loki chuckled.
...
Fourth floor, near the end of the hall — Fron's room.
At the moment, wrapped head to toe in bandages, someone's spirit was utterly crushed.
After toiling nearly to death, even risking his life, all the loot he fought so hard for had been destroyed and left behind in the dungeon. He even lost a 1,600-valis "Wild Forest Short Sword."
Oh, and don't forget the 60-valis-worth of two fried potato balls.
Fron now had only 30 valis left — his life was shrouded in darkness, and he himself had turned monochrome.
This was the scene that greeted Ais, Tione, Tiona, and Lefiya when they opened the door and saw Fron Argon.
"Aww, what's up with him? He reeks of despair."
"He—he just screamed, and I think he said something about a magic stone—"
Lefiya blinked, making sure she hadn't misheard.
"Pfft—"
The two sisters burst out laughing.
Ais tilted her head cutely like a doll, unsure what to make of it.
Naturally, Fron also noticed them.
"Hi there, newbie! I'm Tiona Hiryute. Just call me Tiona! This is my sister, Tione, that's Lefiya, and that's Ais."
Faced with the cheerful angel's introduction, Fron dropped any pretense.
"Fron Argon. Just joined the familia. Just call me Fron."
"Um, um, Fron! Can you please tell me how you got so strong so fast?!"
The Amazoness' clung to Fron's arm with a big smile.
Fron blinked at their curious gazes and suddenly realized.
Defeating a Level 2 enhanced species just one week after joining — of course they were curious.
And they were all in the same familia. It wasn't a big deal to share.
"It's nothing really, just a skill."
Ais stared at him cutely like a doll, making Fron feel a bit pressured.
"A skill?"
Seeing their puzzled faces, Fron nodded.
"Yeah, it's a skill that lets me accelerate my stat growth. Nothing too impressive."
He knew very well — anyone who reached Level 5 in Orario had some kind of cheat.
Things like "the more injured you are, the stronger you get", "bonus damage against monsters," or skills that scaled with hatred — how could you not be scared?
Even with three terrifying skills, Fron didn't dare claim he could out-DPS even a Level 4 Raul, at least for now.
As for Level 6 or 7 adventurers — all he could do was laugh.
Without cheats, you couldn't survive in this era. So Fron didn't feel the need to hide his three endgame growth skills.
So what if he grows fast? So what if the boost is big? So what if he can learn magic infinitely?
Didn't Lefiya have something similar?
Elves are a species, are able to learn all elf magic. What's the difference between that and learning all races' magic???
"Nothing special???"
However—
Tione raised her voice. Her mentality shattered on the spot.
"Do you know how much we've sacrificed to reach this point?! Damn—"
"..."
The terrifying dark aura filled the room, scaring Fron back into his blanket.
"Hahaha, it's lively in here! Looks like he's awake now, that Fron kid!"
Just then, the three top familia members and Loki walked in.
The dwarf Gareth laughed heartily, teasing Fron.
His dwarven cheerfulness shone brightly dispersing the dark aura.
"Ah, I haven't had a chance to thank you for saving me. Otherwise, I might've evaporated by now."
Fron gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Well, we're all familia members. Even if we weren't, helping a comrade is an adventurer's code."
"Even so, I still want to thank you."
"Alright, your wounds are still serious, so stop moving around. Let me check your recovery."
The green-haired elven royal gently helped Fron back and carefully checked under the bandages.
That gesture made Fron feel a warm current flow through his heart.
So this—
Is what it means to have a family.