For this sudden "lost" stranger who emerged from the shadows asking for help, the members of the Loki Familia almost instinctively frowned, the wariness in their eyes not diminishing in the slightest.
In the Dungeon, where danger lurked everywhere, monsters roamed, and human malice hid in the dark, any chance "encounter" could be a trap.
No one could guarantee that this battered-looking, seemingly unarmed guy would not lunge at them in the next second, or lure an endless stream of monsters to their position.
And yet, as one of Orario's top Familias, the Loki Familia also carried a reputation and responsibility to match.
They were known for overwhelming strength, relatively fair conduct, and a certain adherence to principle.
If they left someone to die, especially when the other party had clearly asked for help and shown no obvious hostility, word getting out would undoubtedly damage the Familia's name, and it would go against the personal code many of them held.
Finn Deimne, the small-bodied yet commanding Pallum leader, swept his sharp green eyes over Genichi beneath short blond hair, as precise as an instrument.
He weighed the pros and cons in an instant.
Refuse?
Lowest risk, but it could invite criticism, and if the man truly was an innocent lost soul, it would sit poorly in the heart.
Accept?
The risk was manageable.
Put him at the back of the formation, assign someone to "protect" him. That way they could guard against sudden trouble while observing his behavior.
If he made a move, with the Loki Familia's strength, they could subdue him instantly.
Within a few breaths, Finn had decided.
"Of course," Finn said, voice calm but carrying undeniable authority. A standard leader's smile appeared on his face. "Helping each other when we run into trouble in the Dungeon is only right. In that case, you'll follow at the rear of the party."
He did not allow Genichi anywhere near the core of the group, nor did he offer weapons or supplies. He simply assigned a "guard."
"Tione."
Finn looked to a tall, powerfully built Amazon warrior with sun-kissed skin and a fierce, feral charm.
"You'll be responsible for protecting our friend here. Make sure he can keep up safely."
"Leave it to me, Captain!"
Tione Hiryute grinned, showing neat white teeth, and accepted without hesitation.
She strode to Genichi's side. She looked casual where she stopped, but the sharpness in her gaze made one thing crystal clear. This "protection" was the highest level of surveillance and caution.
If Genichi so much as twitched wrong, she would cut him in half without hesitation.
Genichi understood the warning perfectly.
His expression did not change. He even dipped into a slight bow, thanking them again. "Thank you all for your help. I'm sorry for the trouble."
He was extremely tactful. He did not try to drift toward the front, did not look around, and did not strike up conversation. He simply stayed half a step behind Tione's flank, silent, maintaining the image of a grateful, lucky survivor who did not dare make demands.
With a veteran, powerhouse Familia like Loki's leading the way, the underground maze that had stumped Genichi became a straight road.
They were clearly familiar with this corridor, skirting every known danger zone and monster nest, moving at a swift pace.
Now and then, someone in the party murmured about their expedition haul, monster traits, or mundane matters aboveground. The mood still carried the fatigue of returning from a long foray, but the overall rhythm was relaxed and orderly.
Genichi quietly observed this legendary Familia.
Their gear was far better than he had imagined. Every member carried the steady aura of a battle-hardened veteran, and their coordination was flawless.
Half a day later, the light ahead gradually brightened. The stench of rot in the air was replaced by clean, fresh currents.
When he finally stepped out of the dark passageway, saw the towering silhouette of Babel, and felt Orario's street noise and sunlight again, a small weight lifted from Genichi's chest.
He had made it back to the surface safely.
The party stopped in a relatively quiet side street.
Finn turned, his polite, formulaic smile still in place as he looked at Genichi. "All right, my friend. We're back in Orario. What do you plan to do next?"
"Thank you again for your assistance."
Genichi immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply, cutting off whatever follow-up Finn might have asked.
"Meeting all of you was my good fortune. I've already delayed you long enough, so I won't impose further. I will remember this life-saving kindness. If there's ever a chance, I'll repay it."
His words were sincere, his posture humble, and his intent to leave unmistakable. He gave them no opening to probe deeper.
A faint glint passed through Finn's eyes, but he did not force the issue. He only nodded. "If that's your choice, then we'll part here. The Dungeon is dangerous. Please be careful from now on."
"Yes. I'll keep your advice in mind."
Genichi thanked them again, then did not linger. He turned and quickly merged into the flow of people on the street, disappearing from the Loki Familia's sight after only a few turns.
Watching Genichi leave so decisively, without hesitation or lingering, Finn's polite smile slowly faded. His brows tightened almost imperceptibly, a thoughtful light flickering in his eyes.
"Captain, is there something off about that guy?" Tione asked in a low voice, noticing Finn's shift.
Beside her, Bete pricked up his ears. Ais still wore her usual blank expression, but her gaze also moved to Finn.
Finn did not answer at once. He looked once more in the direction Genichi had vanished, as if replaying something in his mind.
Only after a moment did he shake his head, his tone carrying uncertainty. "No, not exactly. At least, he didn't show any direct malice or threat, and he didn't ask us for anything more."
That was precisely what felt odd to Finn.
Aside from requesting to follow them out of the Dungeon, the man made no other demands. No questions about food or water. No fishing for information. Even after reaching the surface, he never even gave his name before taking his leave.
It could be explained as tact, as not wanting to burden them.
But in Finn's experience, a contact and farewell that clean, too clean, carried a faint sense of intention.
It was as if the man needed nothing more than a ride back to the surface, and that was all.
Then why would someone capable of reaching that kind of area be so eager to return aboveground without drawing attention?
He bore no obvious Familia mark, and his presence was strangely hard to pin down.
He seemed stronger than an ordinary person, yet he did not feel like an adventurer with a falna should.
There were plenty of questions, and just as little evidence.
In the end, Finn set the doubt aside for now.
Orario saw all kinds every day. Eccentrics, secrets, people with things to hide.
As long as the man posed no direct threat to the Familia, the Loki Familia had no obligation to dig into every passerby's background.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it." Finn smiled, regaining his composed, captain's presence.
"Come on. Back to the headquarters. We need to sort the expedition haul as soon as possible. You all worked hard. Get some proper rest."
"Yeah!"
The group echoed him and stopped dwelling on the stranger who had left in a hurry. With the ease of returning to familiar ground and the anticipation of recovery, they headed toward Twilight Manor.
On the other end of the street, after confirming he had moved beyond the Loki Familia's line of sight, Genichi did not slow down. Only his gaze grew deeper.
Step one was complete: a safe return to Orario's surface.
Next, he needed to find a place to stay as soon as possible, familiarize himself with the city, and begin the most critical step of all: obtaining a god's falna.
(End of Chapter)
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