Return and Shock

"Wait, you say you came here to go on an adventure—does that mean you haven't even reached Level 2 yet?"

Seizing on the oversight, Riveria felt her head spinning. To have delved alone all the way to the 17th Floor and back with only Level 1 stats—what kind of chaotic nonsense was this?

How could anyone possibly accomplish such a thing?

"Yeah, I've only been an adventurer for about a month."

Faced with Riveria's doubt, Shirou Emiya replied without a care. After all, it was true that others couldn't do this.

And the reason he could was due to a variety of factors.

For instance, his Magic Circuits. Because he possessed an extra set of magical organs compared to the adventurers of this world, his mana recovery rate was vastly superior to theirs.

Not to mention that, under the enhancement of his Divine Blessing, his Magic Circuits had also received a tremendous boost.

Then there was his base ability, far exceeding that of adventurers at the same level.

Unlike other adventurers whose base ability cap was 999, his cap was 1199. And that's not even considering that most adventurers never reached their limit anyway.

After that came the most important factors: combat experience and a steady mindset.

These were traits typically possessed by the strong, but even the strongest started out as beginners.

Their path of growth began when they entered the Dungeon, whereas Shirou Emiya had already grown during that mythological war.

That was why he could accomplish this impossible feat.

"In just one month, you went from a novice to a quasi-high-level adventurer about to advance to Level 2? How is that possible? Do you have a rare Skill?"

Snapping out of her chain of shock, Tiona wrapped her arm around Shirou Emiya's shoulder and shook him.

Beside her, Tione also leaned in.

Faced with these two Amazon warriors pressing against him, Shirou Emiya—who had never experienced such a situation—quickly turned red.

Seeing this, even Ais seemed about to join in, but fortunately Finn stopped them in time.

"Alright, hold on. I know everyone has a lot of questions, but this isn't the place to talk!"

He glanced around. The other adventurers nearby were staring with puzzled looks at Shirou Emiya, who stood among the Loki Familia.

Murmurs and discussions buzzed.

"How did that guy end up with the Loki Familia?"

"Is he a member of the Loki Familia? I've never heard of him before!"

"Could he be a newcomer? Hah! No, impossible!"

They had all witnessed Shirou Emiya's earlier battle. He was clearly an adventurer with top-tier combat instincts.

They had assumed some lucky Familia would gain a huge boost from him, but to think such a genius was already part of the Loki Familia.

Sensing the pointed stares from all around, Shirou Emiya quickly broke free from Tiona and Tione's grip.

He stepped back a few paces and said, a little shyly, "Then let's talk when we get back, Captain. First, I need to finish my expedition."

With that, Shirou Emiya took the lead and started walking forward.

"Wait, I'll go with you!"

Ais, who hadn't had a chance to say anything earlier, hurried after him. Seeing this, Tiona, Tione, and Bete also quickly followed.

"Hey, where do you think you're all running off to?"

Watching the five figures vanish in an instant, Riveria pressed a hand to her forehead in exasperation. These problem children were such a handful.

"Enough, Riveria. Let's hurry back too. I have a lot of questions I want to ask Loki!"

The information Shirou Emiya had revealed was truly astonishing.

Judging by their past experience, his rate of progress was almost impossible.

But there was no reason for him to deceive them—it would be far too easy to expose.

That left them conflicted.

And now, the only one who could clear up their doubts was their patron god, Loki.

"Pick up the pace. Let's get back to the Familia as soon as possible!"

"Yes, sir!"

At Finn's command, the members of the Loki Familia began a forced march. For them, the upper floors were no different from the surface.

Gazing at the rapidly approaching ground, Finn couldn't help but think: I hope Loki can give me a satisfactory answer.

"That's how it is. I just didn't expect his idea of an adventure would be to go all the way to the 17th Floor alone. If I'd known, I would have waited for you all to come back and had someone follow him."

At the Loki Familia's base, the Twilight Manor.

After finishing her conversation with Finn, Loki looked gravely at Shirou Emiya.

"Sure, advancement requires adventure, but this is too reckless! You're still Level 1, you know!"

Around Shirou Emiya, the other executive members of the Loki Familia sat in the hall, all eyes fixed on him.

Including the other team, led by Gareth, which had originally been handling supply transport.

Upon hearing of Shirou Emiya's Great Deed, one after another, they were all so shocked they couldn't close their mouths.

Being stared at by so many people with such gazes, Shirou Emiya felt especially uncomfortable—neither in his past life nor this one had he ever experienced something like this.

Watching the somewhat flustered Shirou Emiya, Loki's previously grave expression suddenly broke into loud laughter.

"It was dangerous, but I'm satisfied! Now that's a true hero!"

Satisfied, Loki directly threw an arm around Shirou Emiya's shoulder and kept patting him on the back.

Hearing Loki's triumphant laughter, the other members of the Loki Familia also cheered and laughed along.

"Not bad! Doing what must be done even knowing it's impossible—that's a true hero!"

"Though he's not exactly steady, that Fighting Spirit is truly unmatched!"

"He's practically a born hero!"

Amid the crowd's cheers, the Three Greats of the Familia—Gareth, Riveria, and Finn—all praised him in turn.

"I'm not that great!"

Hearing everyone's acclaim, warmth surged in Shirou Emiya's heart.

"You! Always so humble and never arrogant. This is your comrades' recognition—just accept it honestly!"

Patting Shirou Emiya on the shoulder, Loki turned back and shouted loudly to the other members in the hall: "Right, everyone?"

"That's right! Little Emiya is the best!"

"Keep it up, Emiya—we believe you'll become a hero."

"You even broke our Princess's record—believe in yourself!"

Hearing the calls from the other Familia members, Shirou Emiya shouted back with excitement: "Yes!"

This feeling of being cared for by others was truly wonderful!

Shirou Emiya could feel that these comrades of his held the most sincere blessings for him.

They didn't regard him with vigilance or suspicion just because he was different from others.

This kind of solid, grounded trust—Shirou Emiya found it very gratifying.

Bang!

In a burst of high spirits, Loki slammed heavily on the table and shouted loudly: "Today is a day of double happiness!"

"Everyone from the expedition returned safely, and our Familia's new member has achieved a Great Deed and become a high-level adventurer—how can we not celebrate such joyful occasions!"

"Everyone, let's have a grand celebration tonight!"