Chapter 140: The More You Analyze, the More Problems Arise (Bonus)

It wasn't abnormal magic—so how did he manage to take down a group of Ishtar Familia members?

'Abnormal Resistance' is supposed to counter all status effects.

Gaining it isn't especially difficult either, since Development Abilities directly reflect an adventurer's experiences. The more exposure they have, the more likely they are to acquire related abilities.

Take the Purple Moth, for example. It shows up early in the upper floors of the Dungeon and specializes in attacks with toxic powder from its wings. One careless moment, and an adventurer could end up poisoned. If they don't detox quickly, lower-tier adventurers might die in minutes.

Since Purple Moths appear so early, adventurers commonly end up acquiring 'Abnormal Resistance.'

That ability doesn't just block poison. It also guards against paralysis, sleep—any effect categorized as abnormal. So, when adventurers level up and get to pick a Development Ability, most will choose 'Abnormal Resistance.'

Then how did two Level 3 adventurers with 'Abnormal Resistance' get knocked out by a single spell?

After pondering that, Loki summoned Riveria and the others and explained what had happened.

Once all three were silently deep in thought, Loki posed the same question to them.

"Mama, how do you think that kid pulled it off?"

"Who's your mom?!"

Riveria shot Loki a fierce glare before shifting into analytical mode.

"Based on Aisha's account, it's clear the spell involved a status effect. Rendering over a dozen Level 2 and Level 3 adventurers powerless without them realizing it—that's only possible with magic that inflicts abnormal conditions."

"So, he must've used some special technique to bypass 'Abnormal Resistance.'"

"This is a serious problem. Most adventurers in Orario have 'Abnormal Resistance' as a Development Ability. If someone can bypass it, that means they have the potential to take down any adventurer."

Just from that fact, Riveria could already grasp how dangerous the boy's power was.

Finn nodded in agreement.

"Luckily, the boy now has a direct connection with our Familia. At the very least, we can trust he won't move against us. What do you think, Loki?"

"If we ever end up on opposite sides, I guarantee he won't show any mercy."

Loki splashed cold water on the idea without hesitation. She was absolutely sure that Shorty's kid was capable of doing something extreme.

"I didn't bring this up last time, but when I went to talk to Phae-Phae, I didn't even realize I was sitting on the kid's lap. If he hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have even noticed he was there."

Finn, Riveria, and Gareth all stiffened unconsciously.

For Loki to have sat on his lap without even realizing it until he spoke—just how terrifying was that?

That level of concealment was outright monstrous. And now, adding the fact that he used a spell capable of bypassing 'Abnormal Resistance' to neutralize adventurers... they could now be sure of one thing:

That boy could take on virtually any adventurer below Level 5.

Loki glanced at her captain and vice-captain. She still had more bad news to share.

"Besides, that kid can't possibly be just a Lv. 1."

"!?"

"The last time I saw him, I thought maybe that stealth ability of his was some kind of magic. Think about it—he can completely hide his presence, render adventurers powerless, and Aisha personally saw him raise a stone fist from the ground and crush a Level 3 to death with it."

"Do you really still believe he's just some ordinary Lv. 1?"

Loki had posed this question before, but Shorty had shot her down immediately. At the time, his reasoning was solid: no adventurer in Orario could grow that quickly.

Loki had believed him.

But now... she was starting to doubt.

Finn's expression turned serious. He understood what Loki was implying.

"...But he's only been an adventurer for less than a month."

"Finn, has there ever been an adventurer who could bypass 'Abnormal Resistance' and completely neutralize others?"

Finn hesitated, then shook his head, clearly troubled.

"That's why I'm telling you, Finn—don't judge that kid with common sense."

Loki let out a soft sigh. She had been in the Genkai for so long, but this was the first time she felt so mentally exhausted.

'How could that Shorty get so damn lucky!'

Even she couldn't help but feel jealous of Shorty's fortune.

The kid he'd taken in was just that abnormal. Just based on talent alone, he might even surpass Finn and Riveria.

"He used the Rune Stone as a stepping stone, then pulled in both Phae-Phae and us—now our three Familia are all tied together."

"From the beginning, all he's shown is talent with magical script. The only other thing we've seen is that stealth ability."

"And if his real level is already Lv. 2..."

"It's like he's gone full blast from the start."

A single person flipped Shorty's entire starting situation on its head. Even now, Loki felt her scalp tingle just thinking about it.

He hid his real level.

He hid everything except for his magical script.

But that one thing alone earned him massive profit and even dragged her and Phae-Phae into it.

Loki had never seen such an abnormal child in Genkai.

In a way, he was even more unsettling than Hermes. At least Hermes wasn't this good at hiding things.

"Looks like I need to have a face-to-face with Shorty."

After organizing all her thoughts, Loki knew it was time for a serious conversation.

"Aisha, Haruhime, take it easy today. Tomorrow, you're coming with me."

"Finn, you and the others stay home tomorrow. Don't let Ais go into the Dungeon either."