DanMachi Crossover: I, with the Kevin Template, Joined the Chat Group

At this moment, there were fewer and fewer people in the tavern.

After all, happy times were always short!

Amid laughter and cheerful chatter, the Loki Familia group left as well.

Meanwhile, although Ais was extremely curious about the relationship between the two, she never found a chance to speak with Ling Xuan.

As the crowd thinned out, Ling Xuan's gaze settled on a young girl.

She had a slender figure that looked as though it might snap at a touch, along with pointed ears.

Her sky-blue eyes were utterly captivating.

Naturally, Ling Xuan recognized her true identity.

Ryu Lion.

A waitress at The Hostess of Fertility, with yellow-green hair and blue eyes.

She had once been a renowned Level 4 adventurer and a member of the Astraea Familia.

Information about Ryu Lion surfaced in his mind.

Since Astraea was the Goddess of Justice, her Familia valued fairness and justice, which made them hated by many adventurers. They were later framed, resulting in the destruction of the Familia.

Seeking revenge, Ryu asked Astraea to leave. She eventually succeeded in getting her revenge, but was severely injured. Syr Flova found her and took her away to recover, after which she began working at The Hostess of Fertility.

"Mr. Ling Xuan!"

Ryu greeted him with rigid formality.

After witnessing everything that had just happened, Ryu Lion believed that Ling Xuan and Syr were a couple.

After giving it some thought, and out of affection for Syr, Ryu still spoke up.

"Um... Mr. Ling Xuan, you only became an adventurer not long ago, correct?"

Ling Xuan was slightly taken aback by her words, then nodded.

"Perhaps I am overstepping, but as someone who was once an adventurer, I can offer you some advice—you can form a party. People whose strength falls short can make up for each other's weaknesses and defeat enemies together.

The adventurers of Orario all hone themselves this way."

Hearing that, Ling Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Form a party?

That was indeed a very good suggestion...

He already had someone in mind for the party.

And the first member... naturally, would be the elf girl standing before him.

A former member of the Astraea Familia, she had been a supernova as famous as Ais.

Five years ago, her Familia had been framed and its members wiped out. To avenge them, she had become willing to do anything. As a result, she was blacklisted by the Guild, concealed her identity, and disliked speaking of the past.

She had already reached Level 4 back then, and her Ability Stats had not been updated since. Her strength and skill were said to stand at the pinnacle of Level 4.

Someone like her would be the perfect teammate!

"A party... that is indeed a good suggestion. But Miss Ryu, you used to be an adventurer, didn't you?"

Ryu was slightly startled by that.

"...Yes. I once called myself an adventurer. Why do you ask?"

"I would like to invite Miss Ryu to join my party."

????

Ryu froze when she heard that.

She had never expected him to make such a request...

After blanking out briefly, Ryu abruptly raised her head and stared at Ling Xuan with her sky-blue eyes.

"You... are certain you wish to invite me into your party? Even after learning about my past?"

As Ryu spoke, Ling Xuan gave no reply. Yet the look in his eyes said everything.

Seeing this, Ryu turned to look at Syr, as if asking something.

Syr nodded.

Under Syr's gaze, Ryu spoke again.

"My name is on the Guild's list of dangerous individuals."

Ling Xuan's face showed no surprise whatsoever.

"So?!"

Seeing that he did not show even the slightest hint of fear because of it, Ryu's eyes widened at once.

"You are not afraid? My status as an adventurer was revoked long ago... and for a time, I was even a wanted criminal."

"There is nothing for me to fear, is there? Miss Ryu has no reason to harm me, and there must have been a reason you did those things, right?"

A complicated expression appeared on Ryu's face at his words.

"The faction I once belonged to was called the Astraea Familia... under Astraea, the Goddess who presides over justice and order, I was somewhat well-known at the time.

Our Familia not only explored the Dungeon, but also dealt with vile people who disrupted the city's peace. Because of that, many people stood against us."

With a complicated expression, Ryu recounted her past story in full.

She certainly would not have said such things to just anyone.

But since he was Miss Syr's partner—at least, that was what she believed—he was naturally someone she could trust.

"One day, a Familia hostile to us set a trap in the Dungeon and framed us. Every member except me died... I could not even retrieve their bodies. Back then, I could only bury my companions' belongings on the 18th Floor."

After that, she carried out a fierce campaign of revenge alone.

Having revealed everything, Ryu Lion spoke gently.

"...I apologize for making you listen to such foul things. But now that you know everything about me, you should abandon the idea of having me join your party."

As Ryu Lion spoke, a bitter smile appeared on her face.

However...

"No, Miss Ryu. Although I may not be able to compare to your former companions, I still want to become your new companion, your new friend.

Would you be willing to join my party?"

As he spoke, Ling Xuan extended his hand.

At the sight of this, Ryu's sky-blue eyes opened wide.

She was rendered speechless for an instant. Then, at last...

"Honestly... there is simply nothing I can do with you..."

As she spoke, the line of her lips softened slightly.

He had gone this far. Refusing again would be impolite, wouldn't it...

That was what Ryu thought.

Still, if she joined him, she could protect Miss Syr's partner in the Dungeon.

Looking at his outstretched hand, Ryu hesitated for a moment.

Then she took it.

Strangely enough, because she was an elf, she "only allowed those she acknowledged to touch her skin."

And Ling Xuan had clearly gained the elf girl's recognition, becoming the third person who could hold Ryu's hand without being shaken off.

"Please take care of me from now on!"

Hestia: Is This a Date?

After persuading Ryu to join his party, Ling Xuan finally let out a sigh of relief.

After leaving the tavern, Ling Xuan began thinking about the path ahead.

Now that Ryu was in the party, the next person he needed to bring in was Lili...

But there was no rush. It was already the middle of the night.

There was no way he could find her now.

Besides, if Hestia found out that he had formed a party, and that there was a woman in it, that jealous pot would probably explode again.

But it no longer mattered. After spending this time together, Ling Xuan had come to understand a few tricks for handling Hestia.

"But at this time... Hestia probably has not returned yet, right?"

Ling Xuan thought to himself.

He wanted to use this time to grind a little more.

He acted as soon as he decided!

Ling Xuan had always been a man of action!

After that, he headed to the Dungeon alone!

Ling Xuan began hunting monsters by himself!

Late at night, Ling Xuan advanced at a terrifying speed.

One monster after another fell beneath the sound of his gunfire.

Heavenly Fire Judgement relentlessly harvested the monsters' lives.

He soon reached the Sixth Floor.

What appeared before him was a giant frog-like monster.

Upon seeing it, information about the monster immediately came to Ling Xuan's mind.

This was a monster that only appeared on the Sixth Floor—the Frog Archer.

As the name implied, it was a frog monster with huge eyes.

Naturally, its method of attack was similar to that of a frog: it could lash out with its long tongue!

Facing such a monster, Ling Xuan pulled the trigger without hesitation!

Accompanied by a deafening boom, the frog monster immediately collapsed!

At the same time, a mechanical voice echoed in his ears.

Ding! Detected that the host has slain a "Frog Archer." Kevin Template progress has increased!

Kevin Kaslana Template (Beginner)

Current Progress: 20%

Ding! Proficiency sufficient. Skill "Honkai Energy Lv1" awakened!

The sudden notification made Ling Xuan pause in surprise.

He subconsciously opened the panel and tapped the Honkai Energy skill.

Honkai Energy Lv1

Skill Description: Magic stat values will no longer increase. The skill holder will gain a Honkai Energy stat. When casting magic, Honkai Energy will be consumed instead, and the effects of magic-type skills will be increased by 50%!

Seeing the skill description, Ling Xuan immediately found it hard to stay calm.

In other words, his Magic stat would no longer grow at all.

Nor would he consume even a single point of Magic.

Instead, he would use Honkai Energy, and magic-type skills cast using Honkai Energy would have their effects increased by 50%...

This skill was undeniably powerful!