After walking for a while on floor 18, Kael reached the entrance to Rivira.
'Everything seems fine… what a relief,' he had felt worried about how things had turned out in Rivira when he fell into the trap. But it looked like Dix's plan hadn't worked out, or maybe Rivira wasn't his real target. Either way, he was glad the small town was intact.
Kael crossed the entrance to Rivira with the black hood with gray edges that Marie had given him earlier. This time, the guards paid him no attention—they weren't the same ones.
Kael didn't waste any time.
He went straight to a small stall where he could exchange magic stones. He sold about half of what he had. The price was lower than on the surface, but acceptable.
After that, his next goal was more personal.
A tavern.
It smelled of stale beer, sweat, and cheap tobacco. It wasn't the finest place on the 18th floor, but it was the most crowded, especially with adventurers returning injured, exhausted, or simply fed up with fighting monsters.
The murmur of conversations filled the air, mixed with laughter, guffaws, the sound of clinking mugs, the occasional drunken song, and a dry cough here and there.
Kael, with his hood pulled down low over his face, sat in a discreet corner. He didn't want to draw attention. Not now. Not with so much to process.
"What'll you have, kid?" asked a rough voice from across the bar. The barkeep was a large man, with a beard as filthy as it was tangled, and eyebrows that looked like they could attack you if you stared at them too long.
"Juice is fine. Your choice," Kael replied without thinking much.
The barkeep gave him a weird look for a couple of seconds, like he was wondering if Kael was joking, then shrugged and went to get it. When he came back, he placed a glass of orange liquid in front of him without another word.
Kael took it and sipped. It wasn't bad… but after drinking blood, everything tasted a bit… bland.
'Is it going to be like this from now on?' he thought, feeling a bit uncomfortable as the murmur around him grew, like a tide of voices.
That's when he heard it. Fragments. Pieces. Conversations. Just what he'd come for.
"Did you hear what happened in Rivira? It was crazy, man. Dix Perdix, that bastard, almost blew it all up."
"Dix? The nut from the Ikelos Familia? What'd he do now?"
"He tried to lure a whole horde of monsters! He surrounded the town with some kind of stones or devices that drove the monsters crazy and pushed them right toward us. He even put bombs in the town walls!"
"BOMBS!?"
"Yeah, magic bombs. Explosives, man! If it weren't for Nine Hell and the Thousand Elf, we'd be picking up pieces of Rivira right now."
Kael narrowed his eyes. He leaned in slightly, tilting his chair without raising suspicion.
"Both elves acted immediately. They disarmed almost all the bombs before they went off. They also intercepted the devices attracting the monsters. Even set up an impromptu defensive formation around the town. It was a brutal magic display!"
"Yeah, I saw her! That elf... Lefiya! When she raised her staff and sang those elven chants, it looked like the air itself was shaking."
"Did you see how she wiped out those monsters with a single spell? Boom! Nothing left but glowing dust!"
"And Riveria didn't even flinch. She disarmed a bomb with one hand and kept giving orders like it was a picnic."
"Don't say that too loud—someone tried to hit on her the other night and got launched out the door with a finger snap."
"Haha, deserved it. Nobody messes with Nine Hell."
Kael listened silently, memorizing every detail. Dix's plan hadn't been improvised—it was full-blown strategy. The chaos must've been insane. But it seemed Lefiya and Riveria handled things before it could get worse.
Then another conversation caught his attention. Deeper in, three adventurers were talking over mugs of beer.
"Did you hear about the rookies who got caught when the mana went haywire? Apparently, it was a trap set by one of Dix's subordinates. They barely made it out."
"Yeah, yeah. I heard some guy in a hood tried to save them."
"Hooded? Someone trying to play hero?"
"No joke! They say he dove into the middle of the monsters that surrounded them, distracted them, pulled them away from the group, and finished them off… but in the end, he fell into a trap before he could take out Dix's subordinate."
"And what happened to him?"
"No one knows. But just when the rookies were about to die, a mysterious figure appeared. One with red eyes. Said they glowed like embers."
Kael tightened his grip on his glass.
"They say that figure was a beast. Took Dix's subordinate's head off in one second! And then something knocked them all out from behind. Next thing they knew, they were hanging under a tree."
"Lucky, huh? Shame about the hooded guy."
"Yeah… though I have a hard time believing the red-eyed figure thing... The rookies said it didn't seem human. Something weird was going on in that cave, I'm sure, man."
Kael let out a sigh as he heard that no one had died. Dix's attack had failed. And the adventurers he tried to save… survived.
'…At least I did something right.'
Another nearby table joined the uproar.
"Hey, did you hear? Apparently, the other executives from the Loki Familia came down to the 18th floor after getting Nine Hell's message."
"WHAT!? All the executives?"
"Yup! The elf sent a messenger to alert the rest of her Familia and in just a few hours they all came down. But by the time they got there… everything was already under control."
"My favorite was Ais Wallenstein! The Sword Princess, guys! I almost dropped to my knees when I saw her."
"Just you? I did drop to my knees! Almost broke them from the excitement. That woman is a goddess."
"Don't forget the Amazons. Tiona and Tione! God… if those two looked at me with desire, I'd die happy."
"I prefer Bete. Wild, arrogant, strong. Just how I like them."
"Bete?! You're insane. Give me Finn. So handsome and polite. I bet he'd bring you flowers after killing you with a smile."
"I drank with Gareth once. The old man chugged three barrels and didn't even sway!"
Laughter echoed through the tavern.
Kael lowered his gaze, slightly surprised by this new information.
'The Loki Familia… an elite force. Relentless. United. And with a very… specific worldview.'
He knew most of them didn't despise monsters. Not completely.
To them, monsters were what the world had taught them to be—threats, beasts, mindless beings—so they hunted them. Killed them. Their family thrived on that, and it wasn't wrong—it was an honest way to make a living. But he didn't know how they would react if they discovered the Xenos.
'…In the anime it wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. The only real problem was… her.'
Ais Wallenstein, of course. Her hatred for monsters was something she'd lived with her whole life, and he… could kind of understand her because of his past.
But he couldn't take the risk.
Marie couldn't be discovered.
Not while the world still thought she was just another "monster."
Kael decided to finish the rest of his juice. It was time to go. He pulled out some valis and left them on the table. But before leaving, he turned to the bartender who had returned to cleaning the bar.
"…Hey."
"Hmm?"
"Do you know anything about a boy with white hair and red eyes? They say he broke the record for reaching level 2 faster than anyone."
The bartender looked at him confused, even slightly amused.
"What are you talking about, kid? The record still belongs to the Sword Princess. And I've never heard of a kid like that. Believe me, if he existed, I'd be the first to know."
Kael stayed silent for a few seconds.
"And what about the Denatus, do you know when the next one will be?" The bartender blinked, surprised by Kael's question. This time, he seemed to think a bit and then replied.
"…It's not official yet, but I heard there'll be one in about 15 days. The Guild is preparing the invitations."
"…I see. Thanks."
He turned away, leaving a few extra valis for the info. The bartender took them without question, but just as Kael was about to leave, the man called out again.
"Why are you asking about those things?"
Kael didn't turn around. No need. He just answered without stopping—
—"…Curiosity."
The man just gave him a strange look as he left. But Kael didn't pay it any mind.
As he walked away, Kael murmured to himself—
—"So it hasn't started yet… and if what the man at the tavern said is true, then the next Denatus must be the one before the story… then… the protagonist's arrival at Orario must be close…" Kael began to recall everything he knew before the story began, wanting to know exactly where he was in the timeline, as it would be important for his future plans.
'…if my memory doesn't fail me, he arrived about 8 days before the Denatus that happened before the story started… that would give me about 7 days before he arrives at Orario… and about 28 days before the story actually begins.'
His heart sped up a little. He wasn't sure how reliable the information from the tavern keeper was since the next Denatus hadn't been officially announced yet, but Kael had a feeling he was right.
'The story… is about to begin.'
And if that was so, then he had to decide soon what to do with his future.
His steps took him farther and farther away from the center of Rivira. He crossed the entrance and left without even glancing at the guards. They didn't look at him either.
The artificial sky on the 18th floor was beginning to tint with orange and purple hues, mimicking a sunset that didn't really exist. The soft painted clouds moved slowly while the magical lights on the ceiling dimmed, announcing the arrival of night.
Kael walked in silence, his hood still over his head, and his mind burning with thoughts. Rivira faded behind him. The bustle, the information, the rumors… all left behind, like an ever-distant echo.
And yet, something remained.
A thought.
A decision that, little by little, was taking shape inside him.
'Joining a Familia is a good option… if I want to get stronger.'
It wasn't an easy decision. Not for someone like him. Not with what he was. Not with what he was willing to protect.
Marie.
He looked ahead, toward the tunnel of trees opening between the mountain and the rocks surrounding it.
He remembered her, with her tear-filled eyes, her trembling voice, and her sweet smile. Part of him still felt he didn't even deserve to be by her side… but another, more selfish part couldn't imagine a day without her.
And just for that reason, if he was going to join a Familia… he couldn't do it lightly.
Familia Loki.
It was the first to come to mind. Powerful. Organized. Prestigious. They had some of the best adventurers in Orario. An unstoppable force, an elite core… and constant access to deep expeditions in the Dungeon. If he only thought about growing, about getting stronger, they would be the best choice.
But he couldn't.
Marie… Marie would never be safe with them. Their worldview was too traditional. For them, monsters were monsters. Period. Even if they tolerated Kael because of his human appearance and rare abilities, what would they do when they discovered he was protecting a mermaid? A "monster"?
No. He couldn't risk it. He didn't want to see her hurt. Not by them. Not by anyone. He knew that. Even if some members accepted him, he knew not everyone would think the same. And that… was too risky.
Familia Freya.
He could imagine it. One of the most powerful. He could even say the most powerful in all of Orario… and the entire world.
Unlimited resources. Powerful members. Influence inside and outside Orario. Anyone would die just for the chance to be in that Familia.
And their goddess… Freya. She was beautiful, elegant, intelligent, and… dangerous. Only he truly knew how far Freya was willing to go for her goals. And not only did he know. He had seen it.
Freya wouldn't stop for anything or anyone until she got what she wanted. Even if that meant breaking cities… or people, it wouldn't matter, she wouldn't stop.
Especially if she thought what she wanted was her Odr. She would do anything, and it wasn't an exaggeration. When he said anything, he meant ANYTHING. She literally enchanted all of Orario when the protagonist rejected her.
And although Kael respected, and was even a little attracted to her personality… there was a small detail he couldn't forget. Her charm.
Even after her divinity was sealed, Freya could still use her charm. It was a dangerous weapon he wasn't willing to play with.
Kael shuddered. Just imagining his will being trapped under her gaze, like a puppet, gave him chills.
'No… it's not worth the risk, I still don't know if I'm immune to that kind of thing.'
And although Freya didn't openly hate the Xenos, he couldn't count on her neutrality either. If she came to see Marie as a toy… or worse, a resource… tragedy would be inevitable.
He couldn't oppose her. Not right now. Not being so weak.
Although he liked the wild side of Freya's personality, he didn't know if he could also avoid being enchanted like that white-haired guy. And he wasn't willing to risk everything just to try to make a goddess he liked look at him with love and obsession.
It was a big no after thinking for a while.
Familia Hephaistos.
Another possible option. Their members weren't problematic. Mostly blacksmiths. Makers of legendary weapons. Their goddess, although severe, was just and kind-hearted. Hephaistos was respected by all.
Kael reflected.
'Yes, that Familia doesn't represent a danger to Marie. Not directly.'
But… what would he do there?
'Become a blacksmith?'
He didn't need that. His blood could take the shape of any weapon, any armor. His body was already a living forge. Joining a Familia of blacksmiths just to pretend he was forging while his power manifested without hammer or anvil… would be ridiculous.
Besides, the other members would quickly notice something was off and everything would be over for him.
Familia Miach.
Good people. Doctors. Healers. A kind god. Very few members.
Kael considered it. There he could have a peaceful life, maybe even learn healing magic, support indirectly.
But the problem was its nature. Miach was very perceptive. If he discovered Marie… and what she could do… his kindness could become a problem. What if he tried to analyze her blood? What if he became obsessed with her potential to help others?
Marie would be in danger again.
Familia Ganesha.
Curious.
Organizers of the Coliseum. They maintain order in the city. A big, structured Familia dedicated to managing and controlling monsters for legal shows.
Kael squinted.
That Familia did have experience with monsters… they even captured them alive. In theory, they could be more understanding. But that also meant they knew exactly how to trap and subdue each type of monster. If they found out about Marie…
"No. It could be the same as with Freya. Use her. Exhibit her. Experiment with her singing ability."
Too risky.
Familia Hermes.
Another that came to mind.
Hermes was a curious, cunning god, with his own interests. He had spies, agents, information. If he needed secrets… Hermes could be useful.
But that was exactly the trap.
'Hermes would want to know everything. He would investigate me. Question me. Discover me. And if he discovers Marie too…'
Kael remembered how Hermes had devised an "incredible plan" to sacrifice the Xenos he had seen before when escaping from the cages where he and the other Xenos, Gross, were captured, so that Bell's reputation wouldn't be tarnished and he would "grow" as the hero he was destined to become.
"…tch," Kael recalled how much he had hated that part of the story.
He could never truly trust a Familia like that; they could sell Marie to the highest bidder if it was convenient. Or use her as a bargaining chip against him if the situation required it.
Impossible.
Familia Ishtar.
'…Not in a thousand lifetimes.'
Kael discarded the idea with a shiver. Prostitution, manipulation, and a structure based on carnal power and evil.
Familia Soma.
He stopped to think about it a few more seconds.
Numerous. Problematic. Evil. Yes, not an option either.
They weren't entirely dangerous, but Kael didn't trust anyone who lost control of their judgment over a glass of wine.
Besides, the Familia was broken inside. He didn't want to be part of a Familia on the verge of collapse.
'Then who was left…?'
His gaze fixed on the Dungeon ceiling where the artificial moon had already begun to shine, Kael's expression softened.
'Hestia.'
Small. Caring. Without any members yet in her Familia. No fame. No expectations.
A goddess who had barely descended, unable to form a Familia until the protagonist arrived. She was currently living in an abandoned church that Hephaistos had given her out of pity.
But…
That was exactly what Kael needed.
'No problematic people. No pressure. No scrutiny.'
And more importantly — according to what he remembered from the story, Hestia didn't hate the Xenos. She was the only one besides Ouranos who fully supported them after learning of their existence. She was never cruel to them. She never saw them as things. And if it weren't for the fact her Familia was weak and small, she wouldn't hesitate to reveal her existence and support to the whole world.
Kael let out a long sigh. He could imagine it.
A goddess who would accept him without question. Who wouldn't ask too many questions. Who would be happy just to have someone in her Familia.
And he… could protect Marie without being judged by her while getting stronger in the shadows.
Without drawing attention. Without being forced to obey the rules of the other powerful Familias. Without problems.
He could grow freely. Learn. Prepare.
And when the time came… fight for the place Marie deserved in this world. On the surface.
He tightened the bag where he carried the magic stones. He felt their warmth. Their weight. They were for her. For her future. To strengthen her.
'If someday I have to join a Familia…'
He closed his eyes for a moment.
'…Hestia would be the only option.'
Not because he wanted to steal the protagonist's role. Nor because he thought it was better.
Simply because… he had no other choice.
With that thought, he finally crossed a small pile of stones, and the sound of water, as if waiting for him, welcomed him.
The pond.
The place where everything began with some small stolen glances.
A life that wasn't his own. A sweet voice. A soul he couldn't leave behind.
And now… it was coming back to meet him.
With a heart a little clearer. And a future that, for the first time in a long time… seemed possible.
Until a splash alerted him.
A shadow was descending toward him at full speed.
"Marie?!"
Instinctively he raised his arms.
Bam! Marie fell on top of him, making him fall backward, rolling among the grass by the pond.
When they stopped rolling, she was on top of him.
Their faces were inches apart.
And Kael saw it. He felt it.
Her warm breath. Her flushed cheeks. Her trembling lips.
Warm drops fell on his face.
Marie… was crying.
"Eh? Marie?! What's wrong?" Kael said in panic.
"Marie thought… thought Kael wouldn't come back," she sobbed, "but when she saw you… she was so happy… Marie doesn't know why she's crying…"
Kael swallowed hard. He gently stroked her head.
"I'm sorry… I took longer than I planned. But I'm here. I'm not going to abandon you, Marie. Never."
She curled up against his chest, crying softly.
Kael looked up at the floor's ceiling. The artificial moon shone above them.
'I guess that answers all my questions…'
He wouldn't doubt anymore. If he had to join a Familia to protect her and see her happy, there was no reason to hesitate. He was going to do it. He was going to join a Familia. Hestia's.
'Hestia, huh?... I'm already looking forward to meeting you, my goddess.'
After making his decision and calming the adorable mermaid, he stored the objects and the cloak he carried in his shadow. Marie watched him, surprised.
"Kael is amazing!"
He laughed softly.
"I'll show you how it works later."
Both of them entered the water.
She nodded energetically and, still holding his hand, led him with a quick swim through a hidden tunnel. The water felt warm against her skin, and Kael noticed how Marie's grip on his hand was firm, as if she feared he might disappear at any moment.
It didn't take long to reach the cave hidden on the 25th floor.
Kael got out of the water and shook off his still somewhat wet clothes.
"All right," he said finally. "Look at this."
And so, he began his little show.
Kael raised both hands and let the dark energy flow from within him. In front of him, a blood claw formed, sharp like a freshly forged blade. With a simple thought, he shaped it into a spear. Then into a shield. Then into a double sword. The shapes followed one another fluidly, as if dancing to the command of his will.
Marie watched, stunned. She didn't miss a single move. When Kael made a floating blood star appear that slowly spun and emitted a faint red glow, her eyes seemed to shine like two stars in the night.
"Kael can do many things…" Marie murmured, between amazement and delight.
"And that's not all," he said as he knelt down and extended a hand toward his shadow.
He carefully sank his fingers in, and then pulled out a magical stone from within. "This is the space where I keep my things. Like a… portable magic bag."
Marie blinked several times, fascinated.
"That's like a hidden treasure!"
Kael laughed softly.
"Something like that."
With the show finished, he sat in front of her, took out the small bag she had given him earlier, and carefully opened it.
"This is for you," he said, showing her the inside filled with magical stones.
Marie looked at him with a mix of surprise and doubt. Her green eyes shone but also showed a hint of nervousness.
"Marie… does she have to eat that?"
Kael nodded softly.
"Yes. They are magical stones. Very powerful. When monsters die, they leave these behind. They contain pure energy. If you eat them, you will grow stronger."
Marie tilted her head.
"Marie thought they were pretty stones… she never thought they could be eaten."
"Well, they don't look very appetizing, but it's pure energy. It could help you a lot."
Marie took one delicately. She looked at it as if it were a fragile crystal. Then, she slowly brought it to her lips. Closed her eyes… and bit it.
The silence was absolute.
And then…
Her eyes flew open.
"Ah…!"
A shiver ran through her body. Her tail flicked under the water. A vibrant glow appeared on her cheeks.
"It feels warm! It feels… good!"
And without saying anything else, she began devouring the others. One by one. As if they were delicious candies.
Kael sighed, relieved.
'Thank goodness… I was afraid she wouldn't like them.'
While she kept eating, Kael allowed himself a reflection.
'And me? Could I get something from this too?'
He took a stone from the remaining ones. Instead of biting it, he held it between his fingers and absorbed it.
The stone slowly darkened. It vibrated in his palm. Then, with a slight crackle, it turned to dust and disappeared.
Kael felt the energy enter him like a warm current. It wasn't like when he absorbed monsters. This time, it was… different.
He didn't feel fragments of memories, instincts, or wild emotions. Just magic. Pure, dense, vibrant.
He closed his eyes, trying to visualize the energy inside himself.
And then he saw it.
His energy core, that dark sphere always at the center of his being… hadn't grown. It didn't have more energy than before.
But the color had changed. A little.
'It doesn't increase the energy… but improves the quality. More… powerful. More concentrated.'
A subtle change… but vital.
He opened his eyes just in time to see Marie approach, with a big smile on her face.
"Marie ate it all like Kael said! Marie liked it a lot. Thank you very much, Kael!"
Kael blushed a little.
"I'm glad you liked them. I'll make sure to get you more."
She, without saying anything else, raised her arms like a little girl asking to be lifted.
Kael sighed with a smile and shook his head.
"Not this time," he said, while looking for his old shirt. He handed it to her. "Put this on first."
Marie pouted a little, but obeyed. She shyly turned around, took off the shells, and put on the shirt. Small sounds of water moving accompanied the silence of the moment.
When Kael turned around, she was already with her arms raised again. More adorable than ever, dressed in his torn shirt that hung loose down to her knees, smiling with a sweetness hard to describe.
He lifted her without a second thought.
And carried her to their usual corner.
Marie settled on his chest, this time closer to his neck. She felt his warm breath on her skin. For a moment, he swore she smelled him. That she leaned in a little more, like a creature delighting in his scent.
But when he lowered his gaze, she was already asleep.
'I guess it was my imagination.'
Kael closed his eyes. For the first time since arriving in this world, he allowed himself to rest. Not as a slave to instinct. Not as someone running or hiding. But as a man who had begun to build something.
A purpose. A path.
He knew what he wanted. What he had to protect. What he had to achieve.
And this time… it wasn't just for Marie.
It was also for himself.
He had been weak once. He had been prey. A directionless aberration. But no longer.
Now he had direction. Now he had will. Power.
And he wasn't going to let anyone make him feel small again.
Not the monsters. Not the gods. Not the adventurers. Not Orario.
If the whole world stood between him and his goal… he would break it.
If they called him a monster, he would accept it.
If they tried to separate him from Marie, he would destroy that reality.
Because for the first time since he arrived… Kael felt he had something to protect. And nothing, no one, would take it away.
Not even fate itself.