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Chapter 67: Do You Have the Qualification to Be Noticed?
🕑 Added 2025-02-09 07:58:24 +0000 UTC
"Blake, did you come to check on the situation with the Apollo Familia?" Ais asked after a brief pause, sensing that the atmosphere had shifted slightly.
"No. The monsters on the tenth floor are too weak, and they don’t provide much training. I was planning to go to the seventeenth floor to train with Minotaurs." Blake shook his head and replied softly.
"I see."
Ais nodded, unsurprised by his response, as it made perfect sense.
However, while it might have been an obvious fact to them, the surrounding adventurers who overheard their conversation couldn’t help but twitch their mouths.
"Come on, Blake, don’t be so flashy. Someone’s going to strike you down with lightning!"
Not far from Ais, Ryu lowered her hood and gave Blake an odd look.
Yesterday, Aunt Mia had said that Blake was probably on par with her. She had been a little skeptical, but now it seemed Aunt Mia’s guess was right—perhaps even beyond expectations.
She was also beginning to understand why Syr was drawn to him. This man definitely had a different kind of presence.
"You’re Aunt Mia’s shop assistant, right? I didn’t expect to see you here."
At that moment, Blake shifted his gaze to Ryu, who had been watching him curiously, and spoke gently.
"Hm?"
Ryu was startled out of her thoughts by Blake’s sudden words. She looked up, her emerald-green eyes meeting his.
"Let me introduce myself. I’m Blake Silverstone. What’s your name?" Blake asked, extending his hand slowly while speaking in a soft voice.
"Ryu... What’s this about?"
Ryu fell silent for a moment before responding with her name, then glanced at Blake’s outstretched hand with a puzzled expression.
"This is a greeting from my homeland. A handshake."
Blake, noticing her confusion, smiled and explained. He had forgotten that customs in this world were different.
"I see."
Ryu nodded in understanding, her voice slightly cold. After a moment’s hesitation, she extended her hand and shook his.
Feeling the smooth and soft touch of Ryu’s hand, Blake found it pleasant, though he released it after just a second.
"I’ll join too."
"Master Blake, I also want to shake hands."
For reasons unknown, both Ais and Lili suddenly spoke up.
"Uh..."
Blake could only chuckle as he shook both of their hands, experiencing different sensations, though all were pleasantly soft.
Meanwhile, Ryu, as she watched Blake and Lili shake hands, glanced at the hand that had just touched his. Her emerald-green eyes softened slightly.
"He’s not a bad person... I can relax about Syr now..."
Elves were an incredibly proud race.
It wasn’t that every elf was arrogant, but pride was deeply ingrained in their nature.
Elves, known for their exceptional beauty, often viewed other races as physically inferior.
As a result, they instinctively rejected physical contact from others unless they truly recognized and accepted the person. Even gods were not allowed to touch them unless they were acknowledged.
It was an ingrained instinct—an elf’s body would automatically reject any form of contact from someone they did not approve of, much like a person instinctively pulling away if pricked by a needle.
Now, Ryu was using this instinct to judge Blake’s character.
"Heh heh, the Apollo Familia is really pitiful, struggling over there while this silver-haired kid is just chatting and laughing with the Sword Princess."
"Yeah, it’s tragic."
Seeing Blake’s situation, the adventurers couldn't help but feel envious, jealous, and resentful.
However, they had no way of dealing with Blake and Ais, so they vented their frustrations on the Apollo Familia, still desperately trying to survive.
"Lili, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to stay here with Ais for now."
"Ais, please bring Lili to me later. If I use Minotaurs in groups as training, it will be too dangerous for Lili."
Hearing the noise around him again, Blake decided not to waste time. He spoke to both Lili and Ais.
"I understand, Lord Blake!"
Lili, though reluctant, had no choice but to agree.
"Mm."
Ais simply nodded in response.
"Well then, Ais, Lili, Ryu, I’m heading out first."
Blake waved his hand and turned, heading toward the Apollo Familia's direction.
The adventurers who had been watching the scene closely all brightened their eyes and smirked.
"Haha, the long-awaited show is finally about to begin."
"Tsk tsk tsk, I can't wait to see the expressions of those six Apollo Familia members."
......
Just then, a commotion came from behind as several unexpected individuals appeared, causing a series of exclamations.
Walking at the front was none other than the Boaz, Ottar—the leader of the Freya Familia.
Aside from another missing Level 7 adventurer, he was the strongest in Orario at the moment, the only confirmed Level 7 adventurer.
"Leader, you're here."
Amidst the exclamations, the Level 5 adventurers Todd and his group of three approached Ottar respectfully and greeted him.
"Mm, how’s the situation?"
With a slight nod, Ottar asked in a commanding tone.
"Rookie Blake... the strength he displayed has far exceeded my imagination..."
Upon hearing this, Todd and his companions exchanged glances, speaking with a hint of awe.
"We’ll explain the earlier events later," Ottar suddenly interrupted Todd’s explanation with a wave of his hand, his indifferent gaze locked onto Blake.
At that moment, the pack of gray wolves that had been surrounding the Apollo Familia had decreased in number from twenty to thirteen.
Upon sensing Blake’s approach, four of the wolves broke off from the group and charged at him, their mouths opening wide as dark-red flames brewed within.
"Blake... what makes you worthy of being noticed by Lady Freya?"
"Let me witness it."
"If you’re not qualified..."
"Then maybe death would be the best relief for you."
Ottar coldly stared at Blake, thoughts flashing through his mind.
In Ottar’s eyes, Freya was a perfect goddess, and he would never allow anyone unworthy to defile her—absolutely not!
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