Chapter 47: Be Pragmatic!

After filling his stomach, Liang Yue clearly felt his physical condition improving significantly, though a vast majority of the reason was due to his transaction with Liliruca.

The task was simple: merely intercept Chanis, the captain of the Soma Familia, and buy Liliruca enough time to break away from the Familia.

The reward was 500,000 Valis, which was practically no different from picking up money off the street!

Combined with the savings from his dungeon explorations, buying a mid-tier second-grade weapon should pose no problem. At the very least, after returning those two short swords to Tsubaki, his exploration efficiency wouldn't drop too drastically.

Leaving the "Hostess of Fertility" pub, Liang Yue looked at Liliruca, who was standing beside him and still wearing a deeply worried expression.

He understood the principle of getting paid to do a job. Turning his head to look at the girl's delicate face, he casually inquired about the details: "What's the exact time tomorrow night?"

"Where are we meeting?"

"The Soma Familia."

Liliruca thought carefully. The Familia gathering was held at a fixed time, a method Chanis used to consolidate his authority within the Familia.

Depending on what the members harvested during this period, the portions of divine wine would be distributed.

Adding Blue Papillon scales to the food and drink—her "Cinders" magic would make things much easier for her, especially if she had Liang Yue along...

She wasn't worried about unexpected accidents occurring; to put it accurately, it was even a guarantee of safety.

Liliruca even had an illusion that if she were to make any more demands, given this guy's personality, he would definitely ask her to pay extra!

"The exact time will be a little earlier than now."

Noticing Liang Yue nod, she immediately added a question: "You know where the Soma Familia's headquarters is located, right?"

"I know."

"Alright."

"I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."

Pitch-black darkness enveloped the earth, and the once bustling and noisy Orario gradually fell silent as he looked at the scene before him.

Liliruca suddenly felt a wave of sentimental emotion.

The smooth execution of her plan also meant she would soon be leaving this city. In fact, looking back closely at her experiences from childhood to the present day,

she suddenly realized there was nothing in this city worth her nostalgia.

If she had to name anything that caused her a sense of guilt, it would probably be the florist couple who had kindly helped her a few years ago yet became innocently implicated because of it.

Even now, Liliruca was not ready to face them.

"How truly... pathetic..."

She gently shook her head to gather her complex thoughts, preparing to turn back and return to her rented residence, when she noticed Liang Yue standing beside her.

Compared to a Pallum, he was definitely a tall and imposing figure of an adventurer.

Mm...

He was very different from the adventurers in her impression. Clearly, he held her weakness in his hands and could have threatened her however he pleased, yet he hadn't done so.

He could barely be considered a good guy, except she still didn't even know this guy's name?

Before heading home, when Liliruca turned around, her eyes lacked the deep scheming she usually held for other adventurers.

"This is our fourth time meeting."

The girl turned around with her hands behind her back, the bright moonlight breaking through the dark clouds and spilling over her delicate and pretty face.

"We can also be considered partners for tomorrow's plan."

"My name is Liliruca Erde. May I ask what is the proper way to address you?"

Utterly cliché lines like "I am an emotionless killer" were naturally impossible for Liang Yue to say out loud. Looking at the girl before him,

he maintained a calm expression and nodded slightly: "Liang Yue."

Her sudden shift in personality and attitude had an easily guessable reason: once she resolved the issue of leaving her Familia, she would likely run away overnight and flee Orario directly.

To safeguard his own rights and interests after a brief introduction, Liang Yue added with a serious face: "Actually, people in our line of work have a rule: we get paid upfront."

"Can you understand that?"

"?"

The slight smile on Liliruca's face vanished instantly, replaced by genuine, heartfelt suspicion in her eyes as she guessed Liang Yue's worry.

Of course this wasn't unnecessary paranoia.

She was still worried whether this guy would just take the money and run!

Reluctantly acknowledging their quasi-partner relationship, Liliruca didn't outright refuse, which also ensured Liang Yue would put in his full effort: "Giving it all now is unrealistic."

"Fifty percent?"

"No problem."

At the very least, getting 250,000 Valis into his hands first as a partial advance payment was something Liang Yue felt he could accept.

After all, after such a brief interaction, it was difficult to let down all one's guard.

Once he earned this payment, even after purchasing a new weapon, he wouldn't be financially strained in his daily life.

Knowing that with Liliruca's cautious personality, she wouldn't carry a massive amount of Valis on her person,

roles reversed naturally as Liang Yue followed Liliruca's pace toward the residence she rented in Orario.

--

"Hephaestus Weaponry Headquarters"

Hestia had changed back into her usual white short skirt and was lounging on her best friend's soft sofa, enjoying a normal day off without having to work part-time at the branch store.

For her, once she had free time, she didn't even know what to do with herself.

Mainly because she had recruited a Familia member like Liang Yue—someone with innate talent, a strong work ethic, and a maturity in personality that was utterly flawless.

He really made things worry-free.

After filling her stomach tonight, she hadn't found Liang Yue back at the Familia estate, and the only place she could think of was her best friend's place.

The goddess sat upright on the sofa, her tender, water-like eyes filled with an uncontainable excitement and a desire to show off.

Happiness, of course, was meant to be shared with those around her.

For some reason, however, when she was sharing with Hephaestus just how exceptional Liang Yue was, she hadn't received any feedback.

"Anyway..."

"Liang Yue-kun is truly, really, wonderfully amazing! Recruiting him to become my Familia member is the luckiest thing that has ever happened in my life!"

She delivered her final conclusion.

Feeling a bit thirsty, Hestia picked up the cup of hot tea on the table, only to notice that Hephaestus currently wore a slightly helpless expression.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Why don't you ask yourself?"

Hephaestus raised her head with a look of disdain in her eyes, reaching out to massage her temples. Everyone had different standards for evaluating their Familia members,

but she preferred personal contact.

Diligently exploring the dungeon, and then using the money he earned to directly pay off the debts Hestia had accumulated—

based on that alone, his character certainly wasn't bad.

Yet no matter how good her impression was, Hephaestus couldn't endure being nagged like this. If not for their relationship,

she really would have blurted out:

"This is already the third time, Master, please stop chanting!"

"..."

Yet, considering the changes this girl had undergone in such a short time, Hephaestus decided to let it go. Recalling Tsubaki's reminder from earlier today,

she gradually put away the smile at the corner of her mouth and turned serious: "Tell Liang Yue to come to the headquarters tomorrow; his weapon has been repaired."

"Got it."

Hestia clapped her hands, only to suddenly realize upon snapping out of it that even the matter of Liang Yue getting his weapon repaired

was something she was only hearing about now?!

Her smile grew increasingly stiff as she quickly recalled how Liang Yue always set off early in the morning for dungeon exploration and only returned at night.

The time they spent together each day was terribly short.

"Liang Yue-kun should be getting home around now." Hestia slipped her feet into her slippers and remembered to greet her best friend before leaving.

Having overslept from drinking yesterday, she woke up to find Liang Yue had already departed for exploration.

As one of the few useful functions a deity could serve, she was already impatient to help Liang Yue update his Status.

"I'm heading back first too!"