Chapter 175: Lv 2 and Celebration
Returning to the surface after their deep dive, Harry and Bell found themselves face-to-face with some of Orario's most powerful adventurers—the Loki Familia elites.
Ais Wallenstein.Finn Deimne.Bete Loga.Tiona and Tione Hiryute.Riveria Ljos Alf.Gareth Landrock.
These were legends in the making.
Yet, instead of tension, the meeting was surprisingly… casual.
A friendly chat ensued, trading battle stories and insights into the Dungeon's dangers.
Harry found himself studying Ais a little more than expected, something that Bete Loga noticed instantly.
"Oi, oi, you staring at Ais, punk?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And what if I am?"
Bete smirked. "Tch. Thought so. You ain't on our level, rookie—let me teach you your place."
Before anyone could react, Bete lunged.
His form was flawless, his movements practically invisible to most adventurers.
But to Harry?
It was laughably slow.
With zero effort, Harry sidestepped, grasped Bete's collar mid-air, and slammed him down face-first into the ground like a misbehaving pet.
BOOM.
The earth cracked.
Silence.
Harry didn't even seem remotely fazed, keeping one foot pressed against Bete's back like a noble disciplining his hound.
"Heel," Harry said dryly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Bell, unable to resist, burst out laughing. "Pffft—Harry, did you just… tame Bete?"
The group stared in stunned silence.
Even Finn was impressed.
Riveria was blinking rapidly, Tiona and Tione were wheezing with laughter, and Gareth was scratching his beard thoughtfully.
The real shocker?
Ais.
She was blushing.
Ais Wallenstein. Blushing.
It was subtle—barely noticeable—but it was there.
And that… stunned the entire Loki Familia.
Tiona clutched her chest, gasping dramatically. "So cute! I'm gonna die!"
Tione nodded frantically. "S-She actually showed emotion! This is a historical moment!"
Riveria sighed but couldn't hide the tiny amused smile on her lips.
Harry, ever the gentleman, apologized smoothly to Ais, his voice calm and confident. "Forgive my rudeness, Lady Ais. I meant no disrespect."
Ais, still blushing, nodded. "It's… okay."
Then, turning to the rest of the group, Harry gave a less gentlemanly, but still well-mannered apology.
"As for the rest of you—well, you'll live."
With that, he and Bell casually left the scene, leaving behind a dazed, flustered, and thoroughly entertained Loki Familia.
Back at the Guild, the spoils of their insane expedition were traded in.
The result?
An obscene amount of money.
Easily enough to buy a house and live like nobles for a month.
Bell could barely believe it. "Just one dive got us this much?!"
Harry smirked. "Told you, mate. We grind smart, not hard."
Upon arriving back, the first thing they did was trade in their spoils at the guild.
The total earnings? Enough to live like kings for a month.
Bell's eyes widened. "We could buy a house."
Harry smirked. "Aye. And still have enough to eat like nobles for weeks."
But before they could fully bask in their newfound riches—
Hestia. Found. Out.
Hestia, the ever-adorable goddess of the hearth, took one look at their updated status and immediately went nuclear.
"YOU IDIOTS!"
Bell flinched. "H-Hestia-sama—!"
"BELL! YOU WENT TO FLOOR 24!"
"I—I was safe! Harry was there—"
"HARRY WENT TO FLOOR SEVENTY-TWO!"
Hestia threw a sandal at Harry.
Harry caught it effortlessly.
"Bloody hell, mate, at least let me dodge."
Hestia's eye twitched. "Do you have a death wish?!"
Harry rubbed his chin. "Not particularly, no."
"THEN STOP TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!"
She huffed, arms crossed. "You two better be grateful I can't punish you properly."
Harry just grinned. "Aww, you care about us."
Hestia puffed up her cheeks. "Of course I care, idiot!"
After a long (and hilarious) lecture, Hestia finally calmed down and got to updating their statuses.
Their status was maxed out at SSS-1999 in all five stats.
Meaning…
They could level up.
Hestia, still grumbling about their recklessness, granted them their Level 2 promotions.
Bell gained:
Spirit Healing (+Light-based attack and support magic). Abnormal Resistance G (Boosts resistance to status ailments).
Harry, however…
Got something ridiculous.
Barrier Magic: Creates indestructible energy barriers, strong enough to level entire areas when broken.
Fear: Paralyzes weaker opponents just by looking at them, inducing mind-breaking terror.
Gravitation Magic: Allows total control over gravity, enabling flight, telekinesis, and more.
Hymn Magic Series: A collection of powerful spells:
Hymn of Agony: Induces unimaginable pain in a target.
Hymn of Blindness: Temporarily or permanently blinds enemies.
Hymn of Combustion: Causes objects or people to spontaneously explode.
Hymn of Frenzy: Weakens enemy defenses.
Hymn of Giants: Temporarily enlarges Harry's size and strength.
Hymn of Lethargy: Drains stamina from enemies.
Hymn of Protection: Generates an impenetrable blue shield.
Hymn of Rage: A berserk mode that doubles or triples his stats.
Hymn of Slumber: Forces targets into a deep sleep.
Hymn of Strengthening: Boosts his or an ally's power.
Hymn of the Blazing Fire: Unleashes massive waves of fireballs.
Hymn of the Dragon: Summons a dragon's head of pure energy to fire elemental beams.
To top it all off, he unlocked Luck X—An unknown, beyond-SSS rank that makes his luck practically divine.
Hestia stared at his status in disbelief.
"What… the actual hell… did I just read?"
After receiving their insane level-ups, the trio decided to celebrate.
Before celebrating, the trio went shopping.
Harry, stepped into the restroom at their Church and suddenly felt a tingle in his mind.
Moments later, clothes dropped before him.
High-quality. Stylish. Durable.
When he stepped out—
190cm tall, exuding unshakable confidence.
Black button-up, sleeves rolled up, showing his forearms.
Matching black pants.
Red-bottom, black combat boots.
Hair slightly tousled, eyes sharp yet relaxed.
Hestia stared. Bell froze.
Hestia: "Who the hell is this model!?"
Bell: "Harry… you look… terrifyingly cool."
Harry just smirked. "Shall we, lads?"
And with that, they headed out.
Destination?
Cloth-shops.
The bustling streets of Orario were alive with energy as the trio of Hestia, Harry, and Bell wandered through the lively marketplace. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden hue over the city. The streets were filled with adventurers, merchants, and travelers, all going about their business.
Hestia, as excitable as ever, practically bounced between shops, dragging the two along as they passed by weapon stalls, potion vendors, and enchanted trinket sellers.
"Oi, Hestia… we're supposed to be shopping for clothes, remember?" Harry reminded her with a chuckle as she eyed a shimmering golden amulet in one of the stalls.
Hestia pouted but relented. "Fiiine. But you're paying next time, Harry!"
Harry simply smirked in response.
The Clothing Store:
The trio finally arrived at Fleur d'Orario, one of the finer clothing boutiques in the city. The store was filled with elegant outfits, shimmering gowns, and finely tailored suits. A mix of adventurers, nobles, and even a few gods could be seen browsing through the racks.
Hestia's eyes gleamed as she skipped over to the women's section, eagerly searching for something to wear. After much deliberation—and a few eye rolls from Harry—she finally settled on an outfit.
She stepped out of the fitting room a few minutes later, twirling in place.
Hestia wore a stunning white, backless dress that elegantly hugged her figure, flowing down just past her knees. To complement it, she donned white thigh-high stockings and a pair of lapis-blue high-heeled shoes, matching the radiant color of her eyes. To complete the look, she adorned herself with delicate blue jewelry, a sapphire pendant resting against her chest.
Harry and Bell both stared for a second before Bell coughed awkwardly, looking away, while Harry just gave a thumbs-up.
"Damn, Hestia. You clean up nice," he said with an approving grin.
Hestia puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! I'm a goddess, after all!"
Bell, not wanting to be outdone, quickly picked out his own outfit. He opted for a black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, paired with a black tie and matching shoes. It was stylish yet simple, perfectly complementing his more reserved nature.
Finally, Harry remained in his new attire—the black button-up with rolled sleeves, black combat pants, and stylish red-bottom combat boots—not needing to change a thing.
With their outfits chosen, they left the shop, ready for a night out.
The Hostess of Fertility:
The moment they stepped into The Hostess of Fertility, the warm, lively atmosphere of the tavern embraced them. The delicious aroma of freshly prepared meals filled the air, and the sound of laughter and conversation created a welcoming ambiance.
Seated at one of the larger tables was the Loki Familia—Ais Wallenstein, Finn Deimne, Riveria Ljos Alf, Gareth Landrock, Tiona and Tione Hiryute, and Bete Loga. However, there were two additional presences among them tonight—Loki herself and her newest recruit, Lefiya Viridis.
The moment Loki spotted Hestia, a devious grin spread across her face.
"Oi, oi, oi! If it isn't the pipsqueak goddess herself! I almost didn't recognize you, Hestia. You actually look halfway decent tonight," Loki teased, a mischievous glint in her red eyes.
Hestia's eye twitched, but before she could explode, Bell stepped in with a respectful yet firm tone.
"Lady Loki, while I respect you, I must ask that you refrain from antagonizing our goddess tonight. We're all here to enjoy ourselves, aren't we?" Bell said, offering a calm smile.
Loki blinked in surprise before grinning. "Hoo~? You got guts, kid. Calling me out like that."
She then turned to Harry, who was still leaning casually against the table, taking in the scene. "And what about you, hotshot? Gonna defend your little goddess too?"
Harry smirked. "Nah, Bell handled it just fine. You should learn a thing or two about restraint, Loki."
That earned a round of laughter from the others, much to Loki's mock annoyance.
As the night went on, food and drinks flowed freely. The atmosphere was lighthearted, filled with banter and shared stories.
At some point, Ais Wallenstein, ever the curious one, left her table and joined Harry and Bell. She quietly sat beside Harry, listening as he spoke about his experiences in the Dungeon.
Bete, who had been drinking a little too much, eventually decided to try and flex again. The werewolf demihuman stood up, swaying slightly, pointing at Harry.
"Oi… You! I ain't losin' to some cocky bastard who just got lucky last time!" Bete slurred.
Without missing a beat—and without even looking—Harry grabbed Bete by the collar and effortlessly chucked him out the open window.
A brief silence fell over the tavern.
Tiona and Tione burst out laughing, while Riveria just sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I'll go get him," Gareth muttered, standing up and trudging outside.
Ais, meanwhile, blinked in mild surprise before continuing to eat, as if nothing had happened.
Harry smirked at her. "You get used to it."
Ais simply nodded in agreement.
As the night came to a close, the adventurers slowly filtered out of the tavern. Loki, now completely wasted, had to be dragged away by Riveria while slurring nonsense about "flat being justice."
Riveria, ever the responsible one, apologized for Bete's behavior once again.
"I hope this doesn't cause any problems between our familias," she said politely.
Harry chuckled. "Nah, don't worry about it. I don't take drunk wolves seriously."
With a final round of goodbyes, Hestia Familia made their way home.
As soon as they left the Hostess, Hestia let out an exasperated groan.
"Ugh! These shoes are killing me!" she complained, nearly tripping on the cobblestone street.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why'd you buy them, then?"
"They looked good! I didn't expect them to be so uncomfortable!"
Bell laughed awkwardly while Harry sighed, before scooping her up bridal style.
"Wha—?! Put me down!" Hestia shrieked, blushing furiously.
"You can walk barefoot, or I can carry you. Choose," Harry stated flatly.
Hestia pouted but ultimately wrapped her arms around his neck, grumbling under her breath. "Stupid handsome adventurer… carrying me like some kind of princess…"
Bell just smiled as they walked, happy that their small familia was growing stronger and closer each day.
Back Home:
Upon arriving back at their church-turned-home, exhaustion finally caught up with them.
"I'm going to bed," Bell yawned, stretching before heading off.
Harry set Hestia down gently, and she kicked off her cursed heels with a huff.
"Never again," she muttered before heading inside.
Harry chuckled, following suit. Tonight had been a good night—one full of laughter, food, and camaraderie.
With that done, Harry and Hestia also fell asleep on their shared Couch, falling into lands of peaceful dreams.