" Familia is an organization established by gods and their children in the lower realms."
Finn didn't laugh at Lin Yuan for his question; he simply gestured for the group to continue, while he stayed behind to explain.
"The gods bestow Falna, and the children live with the gods at the center. Some explore Dungeon, some forge weapons, and some run trading guilds. Each Familia does different things."
"Child?"
"The way the gods refer to their Familia."
Lin Yuan looked at Ais, who was walking ahead. She had already sheathed her sword, but she kept turning back to look at Nameless, clearly not having given up on trying again.
"Are you from the same Familia?"
"We belong to Loki Familia," Finn said. " Loki is our chief god."
Lin Yuan paused slightly.
He had originally thought that "gods" was just a term used in this world to refer to powerful mages or rulers, but when Finn mentioned the word, his tone made no sense of metaphor.
"The real God?"
"A god descended from heaven."
"Is she in the Dungeon?"
"Gods cannot enter Dungeon," the elf beside him interjected. "At least not as gods. Once divine power is unleashed in Dungeon, no one can guarantee the consequences."
Finn introduced the two, " Riveria."
Lin Yuan nodded to her, then asked, "Did the gods willingly seal their own power before allowing you to enter this place?"
That's one way to understand it.
Lin Yuan did not press the matter further.
The team spent several days returning to the ground.
Along the way, Lin Yuan learned that he had initially appeared on the thirty-seventh floor and gradually understood the strength of this team. Finn was responsible for navigating the route and arranging the battle lines, Riveria and a dwarf named Gareth guarded both ends of the team, and Ais and the others were responsible for clearing out monsters along the way.
Lin Yuan did not take on their original tasks, only intervening when monsters approached him or when supply teams were at the rear.
His spatial True Magic still attracts a lot of attention.
Especially Ais.
After noticing her staring at Nameless for the third time, Lin Yuan asked directly, "How long are you planning to keep staring?"
"Can I try again after leaving the Dungeon?"
"Can."
Ais received an answer and finally turned back.
Several days later, in the early morning, Lin Yuan followed the group up a long flight of stairs.
The cave ahead was no longer glowing with phosphorescence. Real sunlight streamed down from the exit, illuminating the massive structure built above the Dungeon.
After leaving the Tower of Babel, a city far larger than Magnolia appeared before Lin Yuan.
Wide streets extend in eight directions from the Tower of Babel. Pedestrians of different races pass by, and adventurers carrying weapons are a common sight. Further away stand Familia settlements, and beyond the high walls, the city walls that completely encircle the city can be seen.
Lin Yuan stopped and extended his spatial perception to the surroundings.
The city is filled with auras that are different from those of ordinary people. Most of these auras are suppressed to a very low level, and are not even as obvious as those of powerful adventurers. However, when the Space God-Slaying Magic Power touches them, it still sends back an instinctive repulsion.
God truly lives here.
Finn first arranged for the other members to return to their base, and then had someone notify the guild to submit the expedition log later. He did not immediately send Lin Yuan to the guild, but instead took him to the Twilight Manor where the Loki Familia was located.
"Your situation can't be explained by ordinary getting lost," Finn said. "Before reporting to the guild, we need to let Loki see you first."
"Your god?"
"And the only one who can decide whether the Loki Familia will vouch for you."
As soon as the gates of the Twilight Manor opened, a red-haired woman strode quickly from the courtyard.
Finn! You're finally back!
Loki bypassed Finn and looked first at Ais at the back of the group. Her smile had just widened when her gaze fell on Lin Yuan.
The smile vanished the next moment.
Loki didn't know why he disliked this strange boy.
It wasn't because of his appearance, nor because he carried a sword. The aversion came without reason, as if a part of her being, as a god, had already recognized the danger long before she truly knew Lin Yuan.
She even had the urge to make Lin Yuan leave the Twilight Manor immediately.
" Loki?" Finn noticed her unusual behavior.
Loki narrowed his already small eyes and looked Lin Yuan up and down.
The disgust didn't disappear, but the smile returned to her face, even more pronounced than before.
Who is this guy?
"The person we met on the thirty-seventh floor. He didn't know about Orario or the Familia, yet he was able to move around on that floor alone."
"No Familia?"
"At least that's what he said."
Loki walked up to Lin Yuan.
The closer she got, the clearer the urge to avoid her became. She couldn't sense any divine power from Lin Yuan, nor could she detect any familiar aura.
That's why she's even more eager to know the reason.
"Your name is Lin Yuan, right?"
Finn didn't say my name.
"Someone already sent word on the way back," Loki waved his hand dismissively. "None of that matters."
She raised her hand and pointed to the Twilight Manor behind her.
"Since you have nowhere to go and haven't joined any other Familia— "
Loki wore a very interested smile.
"Want to join us?"