Isekai Adventure in the Dimensional Cube

"Allen, Hedine, and Hegni recently requested me to let them temporarily withdraw from their duties as guards and embark on an expedition into the underground city."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ota immediately closed his mouth.

He knew why Allen and the others made this decision.

"You're not in a hurry, but those kids are getting anxious, aren't they?" Freyja smiled coyly, as if teasing the porcine martial artist, saying, "Especially Allen, he has some unfinished business with the child you have your eyes on. This time, being surpassed by him, he was quite upset. If I were to stop him, he probably wouldn't listen to me this time, would he?"

Ota did not respond to these words.

Because he knew, the revered goddess must have already seen through his thoughts.

"You also want to progress further, gain more power, and then have a decisive battle with that child, am I right?"

As expected, Freyja had seen through Ota's inner thoughts.

"...I have a feeling."

After a moment of silence, Ota finally said these words.

"If I don't gain more power, next time, I might lose."

Upon hearing this, Freyja's eyebrows instantly shot up.

But she wasn't surprised.

She had also been paying attention to the battle that took place on the 9th level of the underground city. In fact, it was her intention to have Ota test Reiger, to see how far Reiger had progressed at that time.

Who would have thought that the child could already fight on par with Ota when he got serious, and not even fall behind, which undoubtedly surprised Freyja considerably.

Lv.5 vs. Lv.7.

A two-level difference, which is akin to a difference of an entire world.

A difference of even one level is enough to make one feel despair, let alone two levels. The gap is like a sky-high chasm, almost impossible to cross.

Yet Reiger managed to cross it.

With combat skills not inferior to Ota's and [Sword Princess]'s magic, coupled with his own stats that, despite being Lv.5, are comparable to Lv.6, he caught up with Ota and even managed to suppress Ota at times with his other magic, showcasing extraordinary magical abilities.

Hedine and Hegni, who witnessed that battle, begrudgingly admitted in front of Freyja that the child indeed has the potential to contend for the strongest magic swordsman in the city.

Ota had also shown a high level of interest in Reiger following that event.

Freyja herself was also full of curiosity towards Reiger.

If she hadn't found someone she fancied and already reached out for that "pure white" feeling, she might very well have set her sights on Reiger.

Now, Reiger has entered a new phase, becoming stronger than before. There's a real chance that Ota might lose.

Even though Ota hadn't used all his magic and skills in that last battle, the opponent has leaped a level and become stronger. Even if he now pulls out all his secret magic and skills, whether he can defeat Reiger, Freyja can't be sure.

Given this...

"You may go."

Freyja granted permission.

"Yes."

The porcine martial artist accepted this permission with indifference, turned around, and left the side of the goddess.

The goddess did not offer any blessings.

She believed that the invincible warrior would surely return safely.

...

The personnel changes occurring within the Freyja Clan had not yet caught anyone's attention in Maze City Orario.

They were all captivated by the achievements of the Loki Clan, causing a buzz throughout the city.

The [Hero], [Nine Demon Princesses], and [Heavy-handed] had all risen to Lv.7.

The [Fierce Wolf], [Great Severing], and [Wrathful Snake] had also risen to Lv.6, following the [Sword Princess].

Even the [Transcendent Commoner] and [Noble Cat] had entered new stages, rising to Lv.5.

And with the rookie monster recognized by the gods and awarded the title of [Limit Breaker] for his unending feats of pushing the limits also rising to Lv.6, it was impossible for Orario not to be thrown into a frenzy over such explosive news.

"Someone finally caught up with the [Mighty One]!"

"Three Lv.7, wow!"

"And four Lv.6s and two Lv.5s!"

"What on earth did the Loki Clan do on this expedition to allow so many first-class adventurers to achieve such feats?"

"It's unbelievable!"

People continued talking loudly in the streets and alleyways at night, some excited, some sighing, some jealous, some indignant, fully showcasing the diverse facets of life.

Bards were singing the praises of the heroic first-class adventurers.

Merchants were carrying this major news beyond the city.

Whether it was the gods, adventurers, or ordinary citizens, they were all greatly shocked and amazed on this night, resulting in the entire city being ignited with fervor, with the sounds of drinking and merrymaking echoing everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Of course, they also talked about a few hot topics.

"After the Zeus Clan and Hera Clan, the Loki Familia reached the 59th level too."

"They are the heroes of the next generation."

"Ten first-tier adventurers, not like the Ganisa Clan, all are Lv.5..."

"By this account, doesn't the Loki Familia have three Lv.7s, five Lv.6s, and two Lv.5s now?"

"So strong."

"Even the Freyja Clan only has one Lv.7 and three Lv.6s..."

"Through this expedition, the Loki Familia has surpassed the Freyja Clan."

"That's right, they are genuinely the strongest in the city now."

"And [Limit Breaker]...How on earth did he grow? Why so fast?"

"50 days and he leveled up to Lv.6, it's unbelievable."

"Over four months, from Lv.1 all the way up to Lv.6, right?"

"It's simply monstrous."

"Speaking of which, it seems there's another newcomer being called a monster recently..."

These are undoubtedly the hottest topics discussed by the citizens now.

The current fame of the Loki Familia can be said to completely overshadow the Freyja Clan, gradually becoming the strongest familia in people's hearts, second only to the former Zeus and Hera Clans.

The gods are both admiring and envious, some purely indignant, reportedly, quite a few gods' eyes turned green with jealousy.

"Why...Why does Loki get all the good stuff?"

"Why is it that she can attract so many potential kids?"

"Even the [Heroes] are something, but now even the [Limit Breaker] joined her familia, that's just too unfair!"

"Come on, leave one for us! Let us have some hope too!"

"Exactly, exactly."

"Enough said, I'm planning to make a move on another newcomer monster."

"Hey! No sneaky moves!"

"If anyone's poaching, count me in!"

"With [Limit Breaker] in Loki's familia, I dare not make a move, but that [Little Rookie]... heh heh heh."

"Sorry, Hestia sweetie."

"We'll take good care of the bunny, feed him carrots every day."

"The carrot you're talking about...is it legit?"

"...Your taste is really heavy."

In this manner, the gods were also provoked by the glorious achievements of the Loki Familia, and some even developed some unsavory intentions.

And this topic was also talked about within the Loki Familia.

...

The Twilight Manor.

The expedition members who had just finished a banquet at The Benevolent Mistress returned here under the night sky.

It's a familia tradition to hold a banquet the night after returning from an expedition.

This time was no exception; everyone returned to their base after eating and drinking well, then bathed or went to their rooms, but the cadre members were gathered in Finn's office, meeting there.

And when they entered the office, Theona moved close to Reiger.

"Hey, Reiger, have you heard about [Little Rookie]?"

This topic seemed to attract everyone casually chatting, causing them to turn their attention over.

"You mean Bell Cranel, right?"

Reiger, sitting next to Ais, replied calmly to Theona's question.

However, Theona seemed to get a little excited.

"Yeah, the kid who defeated a Minotaur on the 9th floor, everyone in the city says he's the monster rookie after you, he might even become your rival in the future, what do you think?"

Theona's somewhat mischievous inquiry made Reiger chuckle.

"A rival?"

Reiger replied very calmly.

"I might have thought that in the past, but not anymore."

That's how it is.