Chapter 21: Admiration of the Strong
「Single-Minded Aspiration」
「The speed of improvement when training ability scores far exceeds that of other adventurers, and can even break through the ability score limit.」
「Maintains effect concurrently with Admiration of the Strong; the stronger the admiration, the greater the effect. Battling with the object of admiration, Liam Moon, will increase the effect.」
「If one forsakes their original aspiration, this skill will immediately become silent and never take effect again.」
Possessing this skill would allow Bell to break through the S-rank limit of ability scores.
Based on this point.
Freya could already foresee the upper limit of Bell, the dependant she had recruited, whose soul shone with exceptional brilliance.
It was just that, inexplicably…
Looking at the effect of the "Single-Minded Aspiration" skill, her mood became silent. She even felt a sense of being beaten to the punch.
Admiration of the Strong.
"Liam Moon."
Freya's gaze was profound. She couldn't help but recall the black-haired, red-eyed young man she had met at "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant.
He possessed eyes that could see the essence of souls.
Their first formal meeting, but it was merely from the perspective of serving a customer. After all, his soul seemed to have been polluted by some existence and had become turbid.
She couldn't see the light of his soul.
Moreover, he was the dependant recruited by Hestia, a goddess she held some awe for. Yet now, he would have some connection with Bell.
"A bit interesting."
"."
Placing the cowhide paper with the rubbed status beside Bell, Freya walked with an elegant gait and gently sat down by the bedside.
She reached out and tidied Bell's messy hair.
Her smile was dignified as she asked, "Bell, did you encounter anything particularly special during your Dungeon exploration today?"
"Yes..."
"When I was exploring the 7th floor area, I couldn't quickly deal with the Killer Ants and was almost besieged by the ant swarm."
As Bell said this, he was worried that Lady Goddess would scold him for "not taking his own safety seriously," so he quickly added an explanation.
"But there was a passing senior adventurer."
"Who helped me escape the dangerous situation…" After recounting this special event, Bell's eyes were filled with regret, because that adventurer.
Ultimately didn't tell him his name…
Having grasped the beginning and end of the matter, Freya's smile exuded gentleness. She became even more curious about the "Liam Moon" Bell spoke of.
Noticing Bell, who was somewhat melancholic and filled with admiration for the strong.
"You'll definitely have a chance to meet again."
After Liam updated his status, he simply washed up and prepared to rest directly. Up to now, all his plans had been relatively smooth.
He was leveling up his Sword Soul class step by step.
His mastery of skill methods was gradually enriching, and he possessed the strength to explore deeper levels. And before each Dungeon exploration.
He made plans in advance.
This was a habit he had developed during this period.
"Utilizing the Killer Ants' trait, as long as they call three waves of companions, the experience points gained after killing them all can raise my level by 1."
"Exploiting a bug, huh?"
During tonight's battle with the Killer Ant swarm, Liam had gradually figured out their combat style, utilizing his existing skill methods.
It wasn't difficult to deal with them.
And the problem of stamina consumption from using skills, from another perspective, was also a way to train and improve his "Endurance" stat.
Physical exhaustion quickly sent Liam into dreamland.
When he woke up again, it was already early morning. Hestia was sleeping on the sofa, covered with a blanket. Raising his level was a very long process.
Tedious and dull.
To master greater strength, one had to be prepared to grind hard every day.
"Today."
"It's best to raise my level to 18, strive to reach level 20 in two days, and also master some skill methods to improve my strength."
After making his plans, Liam routinely checked his weapon's durability.
After these days of Dungeon battles, even with the "Secret Sword Art" short sword state allowing direct sword aura attacks.
The release of sword aura still affected the material stability of the weapon.
When he inspected the weapon, its sharpness remained the same, but upon closer observation, he could find cracks on the sword body.
A broadsword worth 130,000 Valis.
Liam already felt it was quite good that it had lasted to this extent.
"So."
"Before adventuring, I still have to make a trip to Hephaestus's main weapon shop first."
Liam still vividly remembered what Hephaestus had said at the weapon shop branch when he returned from his first Dungeon adventure.
To be precise, it was her care for Hestia.
Spending a little time could save money by repairing this weapon; he was, of course, very willing.
Compared to unexpected accidents during exploration.
Liam was actually more willing to proactively avoid the slight risk of his weapon shattering. He hadn't yet mastered the "Formless Sword Intent" skill.
If his weapon broke while facing monsters, the danger level would increase linearly!
Besides, repairing the weapon shouldn't take a particularly long time.
There was also another point…
Babel, where Hephaestus's main weapon shop was located, also had other more ordinary weapon shops. He could browse for another weapon while he was there.
Keeping the price within 20,000-30,000 Valis.
Paired with the dual-wielding style of Secret Sword Art.
Could he achieve double sword aura with his attacks when equipped with two short swords? Liam was quite looking forward to this.
At this moment, Hestia was sleeping soundly on the sofa; he didn't disturb her.
He informed her in a relaxed tone, "I'm heading out, Lady Hestia."
"."
Leaving the desolate and abandoned street, feeling the coolness in the early morning air, Liam walked towards Orario's main street.
It was still early.
The street environment was relatively deserted, but the shops on both sides were already preparing to open.
Things, of course, had to be done step by step. Going to Babel for weapon repair and purchase would be slightly delayed. First, a trip to West Main Street.
To buy today's bento supplies.
And when passing by "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant, a familiar figure in a light green maid outfit attracted Liam's attention.
She was currently directing the transport of today's ingredients.
Syr Flova.
"."
Liam and Syr hadn't had much interaction. If anything, it was the brief contact during his short date with Eina the night before last.
As for her specific identity.
He was, of course, well aware. When their eyes met, he nodded lightly as a greeting.
And Syr, who naturally exuded a bit of girlish charm, reached up and tucked the gray hair falling by her cheek behind her ear.
She smiled and took the initiative to greet him, "Good morning, Mr. Adventurer. Heading out to adventure in the Dungeon so early?"
"."
There was no conflict of interest.
Besides, Bell was also a member of the Freya Familia. Liam wasn't particularly wary. "The early bird catches the worm."
"It's the same for adventurers."
It was just that as he said this, the protesting rumble from his stomach, which hadn't had breakfast yet, sounded rather inappropriately during their chat.
Syr blinked her clear eyes, a slight smile appearing on her lips.
She didn't say anything, just turned and entered "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant, emerging with a bento wrapped in a white cloth.
"That makes a lot of sense."
"Mr. Adventurer still needs to be prepared, but don't neglect your body, okay? It will trouble those who care about you."
"For example."
"That half-elf young lady from the night before last."
(End of this chapter)