Chapter 32 - A Date with Riveria

After a moment—

The werewolf Bete gritted his teeth, pushing himself up and launching another punch.

Raven Eltharion stood unfazed.

He figured maybe this time, the magic shield's passive would finally activate.

But then—

Boom—

A massive battle axe came hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground between them.

Bete was forced to halt again.

With a snarl, he leapt back, instinctively widening the distance—just in case he got ambushed like last time.

Raven glanced sideways.

The newcomer was—

One of the "Big Three" of the [Loki Familia].

Well, there went his chance to properly put Bete in his place.

"—Bete, that's enough!" Gareth barked, leaping to retrieve his axe.

Finn licked his thumb and spoke calmly, "Bete, Raven Eltharion isn't someone you can mess with."

"Stand down."

Finn's fingers still tingled slightly—he could sense it: the golden shield held terrifying power.

His conclusion?

Don't touch it.

As Riveria silently observed the radiant shield formed by countless golden feathers, her gaze turned thoughtful.

Twilight Manor — Main Conference Room

Raven Eltharion sat on a plush sofa, sipping the black tea Riveria had brewed.

Hmm… not bad at all.

The room was elegant yet warm, decorated in deep oranges and soft lighting. It felt more like a quiet lounge than a war room.

Raven spoke calmly, "Just to clarify—I'm not from the [Freya Familia]."

"I belong to the [Hestia Familia]."

"As for that 'Chariot of the Goddess', Allen—I don't know him."

"And that masked woman in the black cloak? I have no idea who she is either."

He gave a half-apologetic shrug.

At that, he dismissed the golden barrier and stored away the [Thousand Feather Wand].

Finn sat at the head of the table.

Gareth and Riveria sat across from Raven.

Bete leaned against the wall by the door, arms crossed, eyes shut—sulking.

Loki was nowhere to be seen.

Neither were the other senior members.

Finn sighed and gave a half-smile. "Bete, I told you—don't judge a book by its cover."

"Now look at you. How's it feel, getting humbled for once?"

Riveria, ever icy, added, "Utterly disgraceful."

"Tch. If you hadn't interfered, I'd have flattened him," Bete growled, still unwilling to admit defeat.

He even suspected the Big Three had jumped in just to ruin his fun.

Surely, squashing rookies was his specialty?

Suddenly, Gareth let out a loud belly laugh. "Ahahahahaha!"

"That's the first time I've seen Bete get stomped! Brilliant!"

Raven took another sip of tea, then stood.

"Well then… I've said what I came to say. No need to overstay."

"I'll walk you out," Riveria offered.

Raven blinked.

That's rare.

Bete scoffed. "Oi, old hag, you planning to take him for a steamy little date?"

"—Shut your mouth."

The chill in Riveria's tone could've frozen a flame.

Without a word, Raven followed the [Nine Hell Elves] through the grand hallway.

Outside the chamber—

"You've reached upper-class status already?" Riveria asked as they walked.

"Something like that," Raven replied casually.

He'd already told her—he'd soloed the Goliath.

A brand-new Level 1 adventurer defeating a Level 4 floor boss?

If that wasn't worthy of a level-up, nothing was.

Riveria said nothing at first.

Her emerald hair swayed softly, tied in a low ponytail.

Tall, graceful, otherworldly—she was royalty among elves, and it showed.

But Raven didn't flatter her like others did.

Calling her "Lady Riveria" would only lower his own dignity.

And fortunately, Riveria disliked empty reverence anyway.

If there was any heroine in Orario hardest to "conquer," it was her.

A core figure in the [Loki Familia].

An elven royal.

Often gone for weeks exploring the Deep Floors.

Just getting a word with her was already difficult…

…and passing through Loki's gatekeeping?

Another boss fight entirely.

Still, Raven Eltharion welcomed challenges like this.

That's why he planned to start with Ais—or maybe Lefiya.

One was adorably dense, the other a clumsy elf.

Especially Lefiya—the Thousand Elf.

His skill, [Sanctuary of Divine Magic], synergized perfectly with elf-type support casters.

For now, that would do.

As they reached the manor's entrance—

Riveria suddenly stopped.

"Do you have time tonight?"

"I do," Raven said, curious. "Why?"

"6 PM. Southwestern main street. Amor Plaza."

"I'll explain then. It's not something I can say here."

"Got it," he nodded.

Was this… a date?

Or maybe…

Was Bete's joke about 'steamy action' not so wrong after all?

Riveria squinted, eyes sharp—reading his expression.

But Raven didn't flinch.

He turned with a composed look and walked off.

Northwest Street — Later

As Raven passed a narrow alley, Alfia quietly emerged beside him.

"That catman Allen—did he notice us?"

"No. At that speed, he dares call himself the fastest in Orario?"

"He's not tailing us?" Raven asked.

"He went back to the headquarters," Alfia replied.

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