Chapter 66: Same Emotion, Same Obsession
In the well-lit Twilight Manor, where lights shone brightly, the place where Riezel and Ais met had little illumination.
Moonlight streamed in from the window, casting a glow on both of them.
Riezel sighed slightly as he watched Ais, who stood there in silence.
At first glance, she seemed no different from usual, still wearing her emotionless demeanor with no expression on her face. However, Riezel, being perceptive, sensed that her mood wasn't great.
She was dejected.
Her emotions were low.
Just like Loki mentioned before, this girl seemed somewhat depressed.
Witnessing the girl who had taken care of him since he joined the familia, not only teaching him her magic and swordsmanship but also often sparring with him, he couldn't just ignore her.
"What are you doing here?"
Riezel approached, leaning against the window like Ais, gazing out at the night scenery, and asked.
"..." Ais remained silent, only staring into the distance.
Hearing no response, Riezel glanced at the piece of parchment she was holding.
"Wasn't the gains good this time?"
At his questions, Ais fell into another momentary silence, then handed the parchment to him without speaking.
"I can see it?" Riezel asked while furrowing his brow.
Ais nodded, allowing him to take the parchment.
On the parchment was her recently updated status.
...
Ais Wallenstein
Level 5
STR: D549 → D555
END: D540 → D547
DEX: A823 → A825
AGI: A821 → A822
MAG: A899
Hunter: G
Abnormal Resistance: G
Swordsman: I
...
Upon seeing her status, Riezel probably understood why Ais was feeling so depressed. Not because of anything else, but simply because her gains this time were really bad.
An expedition, struggling in the dungeon for over three weeks, reaching the deep floors, dealing with countless high-level monsters, yet, her total proficiency only increased by less than 20.
Such progress was truly disappointing. At least, for Riezel, who had never experienced proficiency growth below 500, this number was a bit unsettling.
"Don't worry too much. It's not that you didn't work hard, but your status is almost at its peak."
Riezel could only say that.
He wasn't deliberately comforting her. In his view, the main reason for Ais's poor growth was because her status had reached its limit.
'STR' and 'END' were not her strong suits; reaching D-rank for both was already quite good.
'DEX' and 'AGI' were already at A-rank, and pushing them further would lead to the highest S-rank. Considering the principle that progress slows down as you approach S-rank, the improvement in these two abilities would be minimal was purely normal.
Not to mention 'MAG'; it was just a point away from S-rank, and it wouldn't be easy to raise it.
In summary, Ais's slow growth this time wasn't her fault; it was because she had almost reached the potential limit of Level 5.
"I know." Ais finally spoke but her voice wasn't as calm as usual; it carried a hint of exhaustion. "At this point, I've hit the limit. Even if I slay thousands or tens of thousands of monsters, my basic abilities won't increase much... I can feel it."
At this moment, she didn't have much room for growth. Her current status was her limit; there wouldn't be much room for significant development. For over three years, she had been stuck at Level 5, with a wall called bottleneck blocking her way. It made any significant advancement seem unattainable.
Ais realized this and therefore felt lost.
"And you?" Ais turned her gaze towards Riezel. "Leveled up?"
"Yeah..." Riezel met her gaze and nodded.
"As expected..." Ais's eyes became somewhat complex as she whispered. "In just three months, you caught up to me..."
This blow, at this moment, was truly powerful for her.
But Ais knew it was inevitable. As someone who had watched Riezel rise from the beginning, she was well aware of how fast he grew and how much potential he had.
Thinking back to when he was still Level 1, forcing her to retreat with a single sword trust, she could roughly sense that this man, so similar to herself, would catch up soon.
Now he had, but she couldn't widen the gap, still stuck in place.
"How should I do it?" Ais couldn't help but speak up.
"What?" Riezel raised an eyebrow.
She was staring at him intently.
"How can I get stronger as fast as you? What's your secret?"
Ever since she saw Riezel's status, Ais had been eager to uncover his secret. She practiced diligently with him, sharing her swordsmanship without reservation, all the while keen on observing him closely, hoping to understand his fast growth of getting stronger.
However, all she witnessed was him running extremely fast, constantly moving forward, climbing steadily, rapidly approaching her level at an astonishing speed. Yet, she couldn't discern any specific method or secret.
Normally, Ais wouldn't voice such thoughts. But at this moment, overwhelmed by her desire to get stronger, she couldn't contain herself, expressing her yearning openly.
This left Riezel momentarily silent.
"Sorry." Ais suddenly realized what she had said, looking at him apologetically. "I asked something that might trouble you."
Indeed, answering her question wasn't easy for Riezel. He couldn't just say he did nothing extraordinary, only repeatedly cut down monsters every day to achieve such progress, right? That would sound dismissive.
After organizing his thoughts, Riezel spoke up.
"Actually... I understand your urgency to get stronger... I'm just like you after all, eager to become stronger than anyone else to fulfill my long-cherished wish."
"Wish?" Ais was intrigued.
"Yeah..." Riezel said indifferently. "I want to break free from anyone's control, escape their control and manipulation, run toward the direction and path I desire, no longer helpless, no longer drifting with the current, no longer being used..."
This was a feeling only Riezel understood, something Ais couldn't comprehend. However, hearing the word 'wish', she unknowingly resonated with him.
"So, you're like me..." Ais looked at him with a more complex expression.
She had her own wish, a wish that she wanted to fulfill, which explained her eagerness to become stronger. Riezel knew this, even knew the undisclosed wish in her heart. Hence, he could utter such words.
"It seems we're quite alike in many ways, but that should be the most alike, right?" Riezel chuckled lightly, his words echoing in her ears.
"We're all trying to get stronger to fulfill our long-cherished wishes, so I really get where you're coming from..." Riezel said while locking eyes with Ais. "Unfortunately, in this regard, I can't offer you any mature advice. After all, I'm still figuring things out myself. I'm just a bit luckier than you, having grabbed a chance to achieve my goals... I'm really sorry."
If there were any secrets to his power-up, he would surely share them with Ais. He was more than willing to impart his knowledge to her.
But he didn't.
His rapid growth was primarily due to the influence of 'Fool's Obsession'. This was something he couldn't share with others. Therefore, Riezel was completely incapable of addressing Ais's troubles and questions.
"The only thing I can probably do is, well, listen to your worries..." Riezel chuckled. "If there's something you want to talk about, something that's bothering you and you don't know who to tell, just tell me. If this can help you reduce some confusion and lessen your worries, I'm more than willing to be your listener."
His words made Ais focus her gaze towards his eyes.
Riezel didn't avert his eyes, just continued to lock eyes with her.
The eyes of the two didn't share the same color but had the same emotion, the same obsession.
Watching those eyes so similar to her own, for some reason, Ais did feel a bit less depressed.
"Thank you..." Ais took a deep breath and expressed his gratitude to Riezel.
"No problem..." Riezel said casually, noticing Ais perk up a bit. "Feeling better?"
Ais nodded, redirecting her gaze out the window.
"Since there's no room for growth at my current level, let's move on to the next one then..."
Her golden eyes now seemed more resolute as she declared that.
What did her words mean, he wouldn't fail to understand.
'Level up, huh...' Riezel thought inwardly.
That was Ais's only way out.
Since Level 5 had reached its limit and progress seemed impossible, Ais had to find a way to reach Level 6. Only by leveling up could she make a significant leap in strength, and her body would become stronger, unlocking new possibilities and potential.
If she couldn't achieve that, she wouldn't experience any significant growth in the future.
"Good luck, then." Riezel stared at her, who had made a determined decision. "If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."
That was the extent of support he could provide.
"Thank you..." Ais thanked him once again.
The two simultaneously looked out the window, silent.
Moonlight spilled over them, casting a lingering glow.
===
The conversation between Riezel and Ais happened without anyone knowing.
Even the top executives of the familia, on the first day back from the expedition, were too focused on resting to pay much attention to anything else.
The rest of the expedition party members followed suit, one after another, starting their recovery.
The three-week expedition left many feeling physically and mentally exhausted. At times like this, the only remedy was to rest well for everyone to get back to health.
It wasn't until the next day that news spread not only within Loki Familia but also throughout Orario.
—Riezel Brynhart successfully leveled up to Level 5.
This news created a citywide uproar.
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Chapter 67: Shocking Announcement
Riezel Brynhart
Affiliation: Loki Familia
Race: Human
Age: 17
Profession: Adventurer
Current Floor: 51st Floor
Notable Achievement: Riezel, an adventurer affiliated with the Loki Familia, embarked on a deep floor expedition with his familiar and actively participated in numerous floor boss battles spanning over a month and a half. Eventually, he officially leveled up to Level 5.
...
When this announcement was posted on the bulletin board in the first-floor lobby of the Guild main building, everyone who saw it had their eyes opened wide.
They gathered in front of the bulletin board, double-checking the information and even questioning the Guild staff at the counter.
The result was always the same.
The information was accurate, without a doubt.
As a result, the Guild exploded.
"Is this a joke or something?"
"Getting to Level 5 in, what, a month and a half? Are you freaking kidding me?"
"Trickster Swordsman has become a first-class adventurer, huh?"
"He was just a normal dude who got blessed three months ago, wasn't he? This is fucking bullshit, man!"
People were clamoring.
People were arguing.
People were in disbelief.
People were jealous.
Riezel reaching Level 5 and becoming a first-class adventurer caused a stir much greater than any of his previous deeds. Unfortunately, this time, the severity of the situation was completely different from before.
In the past, whether reaching Level 2, Level 3, or even Level 4, although shocking and impressive, Riezel had only become a second-class adventurer and a third-class adventurer.
In Orario, there were still quite a few adventurers in these classes.
Therefore, even though he rapidly rose with a speed that amazed and sparked envy and jealousy, he only became one among the many high-class adventurers.
In the eyes of many, while Riezel was undoubtedly worth attention, what difference did it make if he reached Level 4? Adventurers at this level were not rare, and they didn't pose a threat to others or their familia.
Therefore, various gods might have been interested in this rapidly rising rookie, adventurers would discuss his feats as a topic more than once, but the appearance of a Level 4 adventurer was, for many, just a not-so-significant and rare event.
In Orario, people reached Level 4 every now and then; it was nothing extraordinary.
Riezel was just one of them, albeit with a significantly faster level-up speed, considered talented and full of potential.
However, this time was different.
"Dude, we're talking Level 5 here! They're top adventurers in Orario, boasting powerful strength that only a few well-known big familias can have!
"All in just a month and a half, huh? If it's true, that's wild, y'know?"
"What a damn joke!"
Becoming a Level 5 first-class adventurer was not just like becoming an adventurer at any other level. Being at this level not only made anyone one of the top experts in Orario but also put one at the level of leading figures in top familias, even among those well-known and influential familias.
Take Hephaestus Familia for example.
It was famous in Orario alongside Loki Familia and Freya Familia as the best blacksmith familia of Orario. Tsubaki, the captain of this familia with the alias 'Cyclops', held the status of Level 5 first-class adventurer.
Meanwhile, the majority of top familias in Orario, trailing just behind Loki Familia and Freya Familia in both fame and strength, also followed the same pattern. Without exception, the higher-ups of these familias, holding the position of captain, were also Level 5 first-class adventurers.
It could be said that the reason these familias held a powerful position in Orario was because they had Level 5 first-class adventurers.
As for Level 6 and above, besides Loki Familia and Freya Familia, no other familia in Orario had adventurers at this level.
This was why Loki Familia and Freya Familia were considered Orario's strongest familias because only they possessed Level 6 adventurers. Apart from these two familias, all the other top familias in Orario, without exception, had their highest combat power limited to Level 5.
At this moment, Riezel managed to become such a high-level presence in just a short month and a half, even though he was just an ordinary person without a blessing three months ago.
The commotion caused by this was beyond anything in the past.
Thanks to this, news of Riezel's rapid level-up spread to the higher-ups of various familias and gods at an astonishing speed.
Soon enough, these familia higher-ups and gods were obviously blown away by the news.
===
"Lady Freya."
In the suite at the top of Babel, Ottar once again visited, reporting to the Goddess of Beauty, who stood by the large French windows.
"Riezel Brynhart has become Level 5."
Upon hearing that information, Freya, dressed in a black sheer evening dress, halted her actions of swaying the wine glass in front of the French windows.
"...He has become a first-class adventurer already?" Freya spoke in a hushed tone.
"Yes." Ottar solemnly said. "It seems Goddess Loki went to the Guild early in the morning to report the matter. After confirmation from the Guild, the news has already been announced."
"Loki, huh..." Freya swayed the wine glass and chuckled lightly. "She seems eager to show off in front of us."
"Allen already knows about this." Ottar continued, seemingly unaffected by her teasing. "He's not in a good mood and raging in the wilderness, venting his frustration."
"Fufu, let him be..." Freya shook her head with a chuckle. "That child has always been one to hold a grudge. Last time, he did some hateful things on my orders and ended up getting hurt. Now, the one he fought with has leveled up to Level 5, so it's only natural he's in a bad mood."
"What about Riezel Brynhart?" Ottar asked with his head down. "Loki Familia gained an executive-level combat power. For us, it's not something to be happy about."
After all, Freya Familia and Loki Familia were rivals. Suddenly having an additional first-class adventurer in Loki Familia was not advantageous for Freya Familia.
Freya, not indifferent to the situation, pointed her slender and fair fingers at her chin before turning to Ottar.
"What do you think?" Freya asked Ottar. "About Riezel Brynhart."
Without much hesitation, Ottar gave his answer.
"If you see him as a threat, I am willing to make a move."
Implying that if she gave the order, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate this threat.
"That won't do..." Freya sighed with a smile. "Just look at Loki's behavior. That boy is her treasure now. If we casually harm him, our familia might end up in a full-scale war."
Such a situation would be avoided deliberately by both sides and even the Guild, as the city manager, would not allow it.
In principle, the Guild strictly prohibited big familia from engaging in conflicts within Orario because each big familia played a significant role in the city. Business-type familia naturally contributed to the city's economic development, and exploration-type familia provided the strength needed for the Guild's various tasks, especially dungeon-related tasks.
Furthermore, Loki Familia and Freya Familia, being the strongest, were the mainstays in dungeon exploration and city defense.
Therefore, as the city manager, the Guild wouldn't silently watch these two big familias clash without intervening.
"Starting a war, that shouldn't happen." Freya looked at Ottar, her expression unchanged. "Anyway, I'm asking you like this is not from our familia's perspective but more like wanting to hear your personal opinion."
Hearing that, Ottar raised his head.
"Personal opinion?"
"Yes..." Freya's lips curled up. "Don't need to consider my thoughts. For you, Ottar, how is Riezel Brynhart as a person?"
At her question, Ottar fell into silence.
Freya, unfazed, just smiled at him and waited.
After a while, Ottar spoke.
"I'm looking forward to it."
His face remained firm and calm, but in his eyes, there was a newfound fighting intent that hadn't been there before.
"If he can truly continue to grow, perhaps one day, he could replace Finn as my opponent."
How high this evaluation was, anyone hearing Ottar's words would understand.
No choice.
"Can't believe Orario's only Level 7 would make such an evaluation." Freya's smile on her face deepened.
"He's worthy of it."
The man regarded as the city's ultimate weapon admitted.
"Well, let's not worry about him for now." Freya took a sip of wine. "I also want to see if he can catch up to you."
She was curious about Riezel—very, very curious.
A soul as peculiar as his, she had never seen in her entire life.
She was eager to know what lay deep within his soul.
This curiosity and thirst to explore made her feel both refreshed and amazed.
In the past, with her Discerning Eye, she always gathered souls with extraordinary radiance, being infatuated with heroes possessing such souls. But this kind of feeling, not infatuation, not admiration, but purely curiosity, an itching desire to explore the unknown, something she had never experienced before.
Freya's attitude toward Riezel was currently in a state of curiosity and observation.
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