Chapter 3: A Gift from the Supreme Deity
Page 1/3
Is this perhaps the struggle of the lower-tier clans of Oralie? From Amid’s perspective, he didn’t feel that way; in fact, he even empathized somewhat, because the frail youth before him was walking the same path as himself.
Seven years ago, the Shadow faction attacked Oralie and ignited war. Among the clans still remaining, the Deanquette clan suffered the heaviest losses.
The previous leader was assassinated, and most members perished under the Shadow faction’s slaughter.
During the clan’s most turbulent times, it was Amid who persevered to manage and sustain the clan, which is why the Deanquette clan is flourishing today.
The difference now was that back then, he could only rely on himself.
Liang Yue and his revered deity were still young.
He knew well that offering help without compensation should never be initiated lightly, but seeing Liang Yue’s ghostly hand, Amid’s resolve wavered.
He stood up and fetched a bag of healing medicine from the infirmary.
Amid’s tone was neutral, betraying no emotion: “This is a small dose of healing medicine, consider it payment for recording the special case you carry.”
“If there is progress in treatment, I hope you will cooperate with the research.”
“Thank you.”
When one is weak, any promise made is merely to satisfy a fragile sense of pride. Liang Yue sincerely expressed his gratitude.
He stored Amid’s kindness deep in his heart.
After leaving the Deanquette clan’s headquarters, he glanced at the suddenly silent girl beside him, guessing that his final conclusion had moved Hestia.
The next words followed...
It was time to consider how to embark on the dungeon adventure!
“Lady Hestia, I am ready for the dungeon adventure, and I will not treat my life frivolously.”
“I suppose I will operate mainly in the upper layers.”
Taking Hestia’s delicate hand gently, Liang Yue sensed her concern—it was pure and serious.
He could still distinguish between game and reality.
In Arad, if a character dies, one can use a resurrection coin; but in the Diokuo world, death likely means no second chance.
The “Sword Soul Template” he possessed had already paved his path.
Unlike the vibrations of the Asura, the ghost gods of the Ghost Cry, or the blood frenzy of the Berserker, the Sword Soul’s path is the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Having chosen this path,
he must relinquish reliance on ghostly powers. Mastery of swordsmanship and the elevation of one’s realm became particularly crucial—improvements that cannot be attained through training alone.
True battle is necessary. Liang Yue had long accepted this reality, possessing the courage to face danger and, more importantly, the wisdom to act within his means.
“Since Liang Yue already has his own ideas,”
“as a high deity, I will of course support you. But before you depart, it’s best to get information from the Adventurers’ Guild staff.”
Uncertain how best to advise, Hestia looked up at Liang Yue, who conducted himself with measured composure, unlike her own impulsiveness.
Finally, she patted the youth’s hand with relief: “I believe in you.”
“To celebrate that your wounds are not serious and that you are about to explore the dungeon, tonight we’ll have a big feast at home!”
“All right.”
...
Having received the final permission, Liang Yue proceeded along the remembered route, guided by prominent street signs, heading towards the Adventurers’ Guild.
Hestia had to work at her stall in the afternoon, so they split up at North Street.
Thanks to the large number of adventurers in Oralie, the world’s center, Liang Yue, cloaked in a gray-brown hood, blended naturally into the bustling streets.
Soon, he arrived smoothly at the guild’s location, a Pantheon constructed with white pillars and stone bricks, holy and solemn.
Page 2/3
Just past noon, many adventurers come and go here, various squads debating which restaurant to visit for a meal.
Yet the guild headquarters was particularly quiet, even conversations were whispered.
His gaze swept over the staff behind the counter—mostly young, beautiful women, some half-orcs and elves among them.
“No wonder they charge for even inquiring about dungeon basics...”
“Feels like it’s a chatting-for-company service?”
Taking out the Fari that Hestia had given him, Liang Yue scanned the surroundings, finally focusing on the central counter area.
Wearing round glasses, with shoulder-length brown hair, her dignified appearance paired with the guild uniform gave off an inexplicably charming aura.
Most striking were her slender elven ears.
Eina Zoor.
Serious, kind, and considerate in her work, coupled with her sweet looks and graceful figure, she could easily be called the guild’s poster girl.
Since he needed to find someone in charge,
he naturally sought the one both familiar and reliable!
Noticing an adventurer approaching her counter, Eina pushed up her glasses with a confident, gentle smile.
“How may I assist you?”
“I want to register as an adventurer and learn about the upper layers,” Liang Yue said, sitting down at the chair in front of the counter with a relaxed demeanor.
The registration process was simple—just fill out basic identity, name, clan, and affiliated deity.
Only after registration could one officially begin adventuring.
After all, for selling magic stones and dropped materials, the guild was the best choice. Once all information was entered,
Eina picked up a book and left the counter.
She led Liang Yue to the guild’s library area. Since he was now a registered adventurer, according to guild rules,
she was his designated manager and could not be careless in explaining the dungeon environment, as it was crucial for the adventurer’s safety.
“May I call you Liang Yue?”
“From now on, I am your manager after you registered as an adventurer. What I am about to tell you is very important.”
Pouring a cup of hot tea, Eina spoke seriously: “I hope you take this seriously.”
The safe zone of the dungeon is called the Starting Road, a broad spiral staircase connecting to the underground caves, capable of holding thousands.
Then come Levels 1–5, the upper layers, inhabited by goblins, ugly demons, underground lizards, and the like, with low danger.
Going deeper, one encounters creatures called “War Shadows,” notorious killers of novices in every sense.
The deeper into the dungeon, the higher the threat level.
Hard-shelled killer ants, when in danger, call for reinforcements and may even trigger a “Monster Frenzy.”
Similar creatures include Blue Butterflies, Purple Bathers, little demons, and others.
Compared to the original story’s limited descriptions, Eina’s explanation was notably detailed, all of which Liang Yue absorbed silently.
That was sufficient for the current stage.
As a novice adventurer, he had no intention of going any deeper!
Liang Yue looked at the half-elf girl sitting across the sofa and interrupted her as she prepared to continue: “Thank you, Miss Eina.”
“What I’ve learned so far is enough.”
“That’s my duty,”
Eina smiled gently, impressed by Liang Yue’s polite demeanor, and kindly reminded him: “The dungeon is very dangerous.”
“Please don’t overexert yourself.”
“Of course.”
Page 3/3
“Survival is what matters most.”
Liang Yue did not deny this. By the time he left the Adventurers’ Guild, it was nearly afternoon—ample time for dungeon exploration.
He did not return to the clan headquarters but wandered through the labyrinthine city of Oralie.
Though not very familiar with the city, he would be active here in the future, so familiarizing himself with the environment was beneficial.
The city’s outskirts were bustling.
But moving toward the Babel Tower direction, the buildings noticeably grew shorter, likely to prevent monsters from bursting out and causing severe damage to the surrounding city.
Walking along the street, after a somewhat obligatory pilgrimage to the “Bountiful Mistress” and the “Hephaestus Clan Branch,”
he returned once more to the clan headquarters.
The basement of the abandoned church was especially quiet compared to the lively streets outside. On a discarded table, seemingly picked up from somewhere,
lay brand-new weapons, equipped with complete sheaths—far more refined than the iron swords used for training.
What ultimately caught Liang Yue’s eye was a piece of pressed parchment. Familiar because it contained the initial ability values recorded when he first became a clan member and received blessings.
——
Liang Yue
Lv1
Strength: i0 | Endurance: i0 | Dexterity: i0 | Agility: i0 | Magic: i0
Development Ability: None
Magic: None
Skill: Inner Ghost Swordsmanship
——
A rough glance showed that Hestia had economized to the extreme. The blank space on the parchment bore words addressed to him.
“Liang Yue, this weapon is your gift for adventuring. Use the money on the table to go out and celebrate with a meal tonight.”
“A friend invited me to a banquet; I won’t be eating with you tonight!”
“...”
“Is that for real?”
Liang Yue picked up the weapon for careful examination. The handle and blade had a slight angle; it was a single-handed straight sword nearly one meter in total length.
Likely chosen carefully by Hestia considering the cave environment, he drew the blade from its sheath. It was forged entirely from fine iron.
The blade emitted a sharp, cold gleam.
Judging from her financial situation,
the latter half of her words could be ignored. The so-called banquet was probably her working off debts at the trusted Hephaestus weapon shop.
Finally, his gaze rested on the 1,500 Fari that Hestia had left on the table, stirring his emotions.
To him, the Hestia clan was not only a foothold in the Diokuo world but also a warm harbor.
Though the overall environment was relatively ordinary,
earning his own living and building a good life with Hestia was far more fulfilling than relying on a deity’s favor.
There was one thing he had yet to say, so he left the light brown parchment on the table as a promise with Hestia.
“I hope that at the real celebration, Lady Hestia will be there in person.”