Going to the Large Tree Labyrinth.
I was heading to inform Hephie of the meeting and tell her about the little bit of breathing space I got with the guild shielding me. At least concerning the level-ups. She had been very stressed about it.
I came across Tsubaki bantering with an old dwarf. I couldn't help but feel curious.
I closed in on them and greeted Tsubaki. ''Hello there!'' I waved to her.
''General Kenobi.'' She said with a raised eyebrow. I couldn't help but chuckle.
My relationship with Tsubaki improved a lot this last week after that drinking match. Perhaps too much, she always tries to outdrink me and I always have to carry her home after. Luckily she was a happy drunk.
I would teach her some references from my old world, and they somehow stick when she's drunk.
People are starting to call me some names. Drunk boy, Booze man, or some other stupid nickname.
'I swear if my Alias is something like that.' I thought with a sour expression as I looked at her.
''What?'' The older dwarf was feeling very confused. He looked between the two of us.
'Maybe I should try to introduce shows or movies to this world. The people here could use some entertainment that doesn't involve killing'
It seems like Tsubaki was done with her thing. ''What was that about?''
''Hmm. The Loki Familia is doing an expedition and we got a pretty big order. Was just setting things straight.'' She said explaining.
''What about you? I don't see you for a day and you suddenly get way stronger. Another magical power-up from your ass?'' She said grinning.
''What can I say? I'm just built different.'' I laughed as she rolled her eyes.
''Jokes aside, I was just about to go talk to Hephaestus.''
She grinned '' So soon. Didn't have enough yesterday'' hitting my shoulder with hers.
Tsubaki was the only one that knew about me and Hephie. It just felt right to tell her about the two of us. The fact that she also saw us when we got back, coupled with the rumors of a strange flying object going out of Orario. It would have only been a while until she figured it out.
''Can never have enough of Hephie.'' I laughed.
''But I'm planning to continue into the middle floors, hopefully, complete the large tree labyrinth. Not sure how she's going to react to my plan though.''
''And let me guess? You are going solo again?''
''I don't have a choice Tsubaki. No sane level 2 would want to travel to the lower middle floors. And they would honestly only drag me back. Even normal level3s would rather not go there.''
''True. You do play unfair like that.'' She looked pensive. ''I would join you like last time, but I've been rather busy.''
''That's not what I'm asking of you. I'm just asking for some tips on how to lay it down to Hephaestus.'' I shook my head.
''You're alone there Ken. This sounds pretty stupid even to me. The only reason I'm even supporting you is that I was with you last time. I know you'll be able to handle yourself.'' She said basically washing her hands clean off of me.
'This traitor.'
''Do you at least know where she should be?''
''As I said. We have a pretty big load to craft up. You will probably find her in the workshop.''
We kept chatting it a bit until we split up when we reached her forge. She seemed in a hurry to start hammering away. Immediately rushing in.
I went to find my favorite goddess, I went to her workshop. Unfortunately, I didn't find her there. Something that was surprising.
I headed for her home next. I knocked on the door for a solid minute and stayed at the door for another. I was about to leave when the door opened showing a Hephie looking like she just woke up.
''Ken??! What are you doing here?'' She asked in surprise.
''Can't I come to my Hephi's home? You look like you just woke, couldn't sleep thinking of me?'' I teased her.
''What are saying?!!''
That was surprising.
I was just joking. I guess it was true if the atomic blush she had was indicative.
I just coughed'' Can I come in?''
She nodded and ushered me in.
I hugged her as soon as the door closed. She stiffened a bit in my embrace, but then stopped and laid her head on my nape after a while.
We stayed like that for a while. But eventually, we broke off our hug.
There was a comfortable silence between us ''So what's the reason for the visit Ken?'' said Hephaestus.
''Can't I just visit you for no reason'' She gave me an unimpressed stare.
I coughed '' Well, I just had a meeting with Lord Ouranos.''
''You had what?!! What happened??'' She shouted.
I found that reaction really weird. I know having a meeting with Ouranos is a big deal. But is it this much of a deal?
''Relax Hephie. Nothing bad happened. I was apparently judged as not a threat to the world.''
'Maybe I could have worded it in a better way' I grimaced.
''But. We got some leeway with the level-ups. The 2nd level-up will be made official. We agreed to keep things in the shadows about the next ones.'' I cooed to her while grabbing her hands with mine.
''You can't keep doing stupid stuff like this Ken. I will chase your soul to the end of space and time if you die.'' She said with a strange glint in her eyes.
'Woah there. And why do I think that's hot?'
I grimaced ''Well. I will be going to the deeper middle floors. I might stay in Rivira for two or three days.''
She got quiet real fast, but then just sighed ''Do you really have to do this Ken? You are already growing at an astonishing rate.''
''I don't need to Hephie, I want to. I'm also a lot stronger than other adventurers at my levels. The difference only gets bigger depending on the kind of adventurer we are talking about. Especially since I raise all my stats to the max. Not to mention my skills and magic. I'm not just being reckless Hephie.'' I tried to reason with her.
''I know Ken, I know. That's why I can't really stop you. I just don't know what I would do if you died.'' She said in a small voice.
I put her in my lap and hugged her ''I told you I'll never leave you, didn't I?'' she had a really nice smell.
She just leaned on my chest and said nothing.
--------------------------------
[One-Handed-Sword Mastery: Lvl72.]
[Elemental Magic: Lvl69.]
[No-Ele-Magic: Lvl42]
[BlackSmithing: Lvl83.]
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