Chapter 40: Coming to Take You Home

The brief interaction with Eina left Liang Yue feeling remarkably relaxed. There is something about the playful half-elf miss that no one can resist.

After finishing his consultation regarding the Dungeon, and with Eina accompanying him, he exchanged all the spoils from today's adventure for Valis. As he left the Guild hall, Liang Yue looked down at the money pouch, now heavy and stretched by the weight of the Valis, and felt a momentary sense of disbelief. He hadn't expected the drops and magic stones to net him a total of 170,000 Valis.

"Rare species... are they really worth this much?"

The magic stones and common drops were worth 40,000 Valis; the rest of his earnings came from the sale of thirteen pairs of rare Blue Butterfly wings. This was nearly enough to equal his total income from the last few days of exploration. With these earnings, he could finally pay off the debt incurred by his short sword. His short-term goal had been successfully achieved. It was this intense sense of monetary reward that finally made Liang Yue understand why so many adventurers were drawn to the lifestyle.

"Of course," Eina said, her expression returning to its usual professional composure as she walked him to the Guild entrance. She explained with a smile, "After all, they are rare monsters. If they were easy for every adventurer to encounter, what would be the point of them being considered rare?"

He couldn't argue with that. Eina’s words brought Liang Yue back to reality, his excitement gradually settling into calm; it was precisely because they were hard to find that their drops were so valuable. He glanced over at the half-elf, who had been patient and warm toward him from the beginning, and vaguely recalled their last meal together. Eina had ended up paying the bill.

With his finances now in better shape, Liang Yue smiled and offered an invitation. "Miss Eina, I’m planning to take a day off the day after tomorrow. I’d like to treat you to a meal—might I have the honor of picking up the tab?"

"The day after tomorrow..." Eina considered it carefully. Guild staff had fixed vacation schedules, and strictly speaking, she didn't have the time. But seeing the sincere look on Liang Yue's face, she didn't want to let him down. Tilting her head slightly, she offered a bright smile. "Since it’s an invitation from Liang Yue-kun, it would be a bit improper to refuse, wouldn't it?"

"Then I'll see you the day after tomorrow!" Liang Yue replied decisively.

"I'm looking forward to it..."

As she watched Liang Yue walk away, Eina’s smile slowly faded. The reason wasn't the boy who had invited her—she was already busy calculating how she could shift her schedule to free up the day after tomorrow. Meanwhile, Miach, who had been eavesdropping from not far behind, walked over to her friend, her smile filled with gossip, especially now that she knew a date was in the works.

"Eina."

"Miach." Eina turned to see her friend approaching and looked visibly startled.

"Are you... planning on falling in love?" Miach couldn't help but tease. She couldn't understand what merits a newcomer adventurer like Liang Yue could possibly have to make Eina agree to a date. "I recall your time off isn't due for a few more days. For a first date, you should definitely pick a time when you're both free!"

"It's not like that..." Eina wanted to explain, but seeing the mischievous glint in Miach's eyes, she realized any explanation would sound hollow. Looking at her friend's familiar face, she recalled the staff roster. She didn't deny it, instead leaning into the assumption. "Since you're so convinced that I'm going on a date with Liang Yue-kun... your day off is the day after tomorrow, right? It shouldn't be a problem to swap, should it?"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Miach’s expression froze. She had never imagined that she would become an indispensable link in Liang Yue and Eina’s date. However, since Eina had requested the swap, she wouldn't refuse, though her tone was filled with mock resentment. "Fine! We'll swap!"

***

By the time Liang Yue left the Adventurer's Guild, dusk was already approaching. He tucked the money pouch into his dusty brown cloak. His next goal was clear: head to the Hephaestus weapon branch store, pay off the last of Hestia’s debts, and put an end to his days of working to pay them off. As for the remaining 100,000 Valis, he factored in his projected earnings from tomorrow's dungeon exploration and decided to purchase a *katana* to better utilize his "Li-Ghost Sword" technique. At the very least, it would keep his efficiency from dropping.

Walking along the Northwest Street, the Hephaestus weapon branch came into view. It was still early, and only a scattering of adventurers were on the streets. As he pushed open the glass door of the shop, he was greeted by the sight of a girl in a clerk's uniform, her hair tied into twin tails. Even without her trademark blue ribbon, the form-fitting uniform perfectly outlined her curves.

It was Hestia.

The shop was quiet. Sitting in a chair by the counter, Hestia looked dazed when she noticed Liang Yue’s arrival. Every day, besides working hard to pay off her debts, most of her thoughts were on Liang Yue: Was his exploration going well? When would he be back tonight?

"Am I seeing things?"

Hestia rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Confirming it wasn't a hallucination born of longing, she didn't even bother to put on her sandals. She leaped straight off the chair.

"Liang Yue-kun!"

Her bare, fair feet pattered on the tiled floor of the store. With a short run, she jumped up, wrapping her arms tightly around Liang Yue’s neck. Feeling the clear, defined muscles and his familiar scent, the surreal feeling finally faded. Without even realizing she looked like a sloth, Hestia tilted her head back to study his face.

Instead of the joy she felt at seeing him, her expression turned serious. "Did the exploration go well? Why are you back so early today?"

"I just finished the exploration a bit early." It was an awkward thing to say, but feeling Hestia’s genuine concern, Liang Yue didn't explain his full intentions. He glanced around the shop briefly before looking back at the goddess clinging to his neck. He said with a bright, clear tone, "Hestia-sama, I have a question for you. Where is Hephaestus-sama?"

"Her?" Realizing how intimate their position was, Hestia released his neck, though she crossed her arms over her chest, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes. To think that after reuniting with his own goddess, the first thing he thought of was another woman! Even so, she answered patiently, "She should be at the main store. Do you have business with her, Liang Yue-kun?"

"Yes." Liang Yue nodded lightly.

Hestia frowned, her brow remaining furrowed as she analyzed his words. She knew his personality well. Could finishing the exploration so early mean his weapon had been damaged? She remembered Hephaestus saying that if a weapon was damaged, he could have it repaired by her Familia members. But he had bought it on credit; he didn't even know how to thank her properly, and the weapon wasn't particularly high-value, so damage was certainly plausible.

Hestia looked at him again. A faint blush rose on the girl’s baby-soft skin. Just as she was about to ask for an explanation, Liang Yue spoke.

"There's nothing else wrong. I just need to see Hephaestus-sama." He didn't give her a chance to press him. He placed the money pouch on the counter and smiled sincerely. "I'm paying off the debt early, and then..."

"I'm taking Hestia-sama home."