"I'm sorry, Mr. Arthas… I've dragged you down."
Lilly's face held a bitter smile as the Killer Ants surrounded them.
"Before you apologize, tell me who they are."
Arthas stroked Lilly's head.
"They… they're from the Soma Familia… I am too."
Lilly spoke slowly, closing her eyes. Unpleasant memories flooded back.
The Soma Familia was a large Familia, but its members were all mad, obsessed with money.
They were drawn together by Soma's divine wine, willing to do anything to earn money for another drink.
To survive, Lilly had to earn money, but as a support member, she was bullied and slandered by adventurers, never receiving proper payment.
In the Familia, the weak had their earnings stolen.
Lilly left the Familia, pretending to be an ordinary person, finally finding a stable job and life. But her happiness was short-lived. Her Soma Familia companions ruined it.
Adventurers, somehow learning of her, broke into her home, stealing her money and destroying everything.
The kind flower shop owners immediately kicked her out. She still remembered their disgusted looks.
With no support, no place to go, that was Lilly's sad reality.
"For money… they'll do anything, even risk their lives."
More Killer Ants surrounded them, but the three adventurers remained unmoved.
Only Lilly, pale-faced, understood the obsession with money and the madness of those bound by the 'divine wine'.
"Finished talking? Hand over your belongings and money. You don't want to be surrounded by these things while we fight."
The chamber had four exits. Three were blocked by adventurers; the fourth was being surrounded by monsters.
"Since you hate Soma… join my Familia."
"Eh?"
Lilly didn't react; Arthas continued smiling.
"Join Hestia's Familia, become my companion."
Lilly was moved, but Arthas's next words made her roll her eyes.
"You saw; I need someone to lure monsters."
"You two idiots! Do you want to die?!"
Seeing Lilly and Arthas unresponsive, the leading half-orc panicked. He wasn't afraid of death, but he didn't want to die.
His goal was to intimidate Arthas into handing over his money.
But if they stalled, they'd all become ant food.
"Afraid? Did you consider the consequences?"
Arthas smiled unconcernedly; his composure enraged the half-orc.
"You're weak, right? You wouldn't stand there if you had mana! Hand over your things, and then help us hold them off!"
Three adventurers charged at Arthas; Lilly bravely stepped in front of him, drawing a sword that glowed strangely from beneath her cloak.
"A… magic sword?!"
The adventurers were startled. Magic swords possessed inherent magic, usable without incantations, but with limited uses—usually single digits.
"Don't come closer! Or… we'll all die!"
Lilly's shoulders trembled, but she pointed the sword at the men.
"How powerful can a girl's magic sword be? Goblin-level at best. Go, Bull!"
The half-orc threw a companion at Lilly.
"No… don't!"
Lilly screamed, closing her eyes; her sword flashed.
"Waaaaaaagh!!!" The thrown adventurer screamed, falling, charred black.
"Bo… boss, what are you doing?!"
"Since you know I'm your boss, die for me!"
The half-orc grinned, throwing his companion.
He was also hit by Lilly's sword and fell, screaming.
The glow faded from Lilly's sword.
"I wasn't wrong. Even with a magic sword, you have limited uses."
Oh… no! What do we do?!
Dropping her powerless sword, Lilly stumbled back, falling against Arthas.
"Mr. Arthas… we might die. It's my fault. I dragged you into this."
"If you wanted to kill me, you would have led me into their trap, wouldn't you?"
Arthas chuckled, stroking her head, then looked at the grinning half-orc.
"Don't worry. I'll handle this, and then… Lilly, you'll join Hestia's Familia."
"Stop pretending! You're weak!"
The half-orc charged; Arthas calmly watched, extending a finger.
A chilling killing intent spread through the chamber; Lilly shivered, hugging herself.
The chamber became an icy world; the half-orc, and the surrounding Killer Ants, were frozen.
"To dust… let your obsessions vanish with you."
Arthas murmured, waving his hand; the ice sculptures shattered into icy fragments.
"Beautiful…"
Watching Arthas amidst the falling fragments, Lilly exclaimed, forgetting the cold.
Tears flowed uncontrollably; tears of joy, celebrating her rebirth and finding a home.
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