Rose couldn't help but glance at the group standing before her.
There were even more of them than last time.
Ryan and his companions hadn't returned to the guild for a week, and she had begun to wonder if they had run off and gotten themselves killed in the dungeon. But now, standing before her, they looked even stronger—more refined, as if they'd undergone rapid and terrifying growth in such a short time.
And Ryan...
Even now, her body reacted instinctively to his presence. He had already left a lasting impression on her, one she hadn't been able to shake. But standing in front of him again, she felt it even more—something dangerous coiled beneath the surface, restrained but overwhelming. It was suffocating. Her instincts screamed at her.
Power.
"Hello, Rose," Ryan greeted, his usual confident smile in place. "We have a few more members to register. Sorry for not checking in sooner—we've been busy settling into our residence."
That smile did things to her. She forced herself to remain professional, ignoring the warmth creeping up her neck.
"I see. Please step forward, and I'll handle the registration."
She began processing their paperwork, but the more she wrote, the more her mind screamed at her.
All of them were women.
And not just any women—each exuded an aura that set her nerves on edge. Beautiful? Yes. But undeniably lethal. Some carried themselves like apex predators, restrained but ever watchful, ready to strike in an instant. Others possessed an eerie stillness, as if they didn't belong to this world at all. The purple-haired one with red eyes, in particular, made her want to flee.
Then, the guild hall fell into silence.
Rose felt it before she saw it.
The atmosphere shifted. Conversations ceased. A quiet, almost reverent tension spread through the room like wildfire.
She turned her head—and her breath caught.
Goddess Freya and Ottar had entered the guild.
Ottar's sharp gaze swept across the room, locking onto Ryan's group with an intensity few had ever seen. His instincts screamed at him—danger. His warrior's intuition warned him that several among them were beyond his reach. Especially the purple-haired woman. If he moved against her, even for a second, he was certain he would die.
Rose, like many others in the guild, was momentarily dazed by Freya's beauty. She was otherworldly—perfection incarnate. But what truly stunned Rose wasn't Freya's presence itself.
It was Ryan who spoke first.
"Hello, Freya."
His tone was casual. Too casual.
The words sent shockwaves through the guild.
People had groveled, fought, even waged wars for the chance to exchange words with the goddess of beauty—and yet, here he was, greeting her as if they were old friends.
But what came next was even more shocking.
Freya lit up at his words.
Her smile bloomed, brilliant and radiant, a rare sight that left nearly everyone in the guild breathless. It was a smile of pure delight, the kind she had never shown to anyone in public.
From the moment she had sensed Ryan and his group leaving their manor, she had abandoned her usual perch in Babel Tower and descended into the city herself.
She had to see him again.
"Ryan," she said warmly, her voice carrying an intimacy that sent ripples through the room. Her silver eyes flickered over his companions, lingering briefly on the purple-haired woman. That suffocating sense of danger pressed against her once more.
"Are these your companions?"
"Some of them," Ryan admitted easily. "The rest are at the manor." He met her gaze, unflinching, unconcerned. "What brings you down from your ivory tower?"
Rose felt a spike of terror shoot through her.
Was he insane?
Who in Orario spoke to Freya like that? No one—not unless they wanted to disappear.
But Freya merely smiled, as if she found his words charming instead of offensive. "I was hoping to speak with you and meet your group properly," she said smoothly, taking a step closer. "Without interruptions this time."
There was no mistaking the look in her eyes.
Determination. Hunger.
She wasn't going to let Ryan slip away again.
Ryan nodded. "Sure. Let me finish up the registration, then we can head out."
Freya inclined her head, waiting patiently.
The guild hall was thrown into chaos—though no one dared to make a sound.
She was waiting.
Freya, the goddess who dictated the rise and fall of adventurers, who held Orario in the palm of her hand—was waiting.
For him.
Who the hell was this guy? What was his relationship with Freya?
Amidst the confusion, a voice broke the tension.
"Is this one of the warriors from here?"
Scathach stepped forward, crimson eyes narrowing as she studied Ottar with curiosity.
Ryan nodded. "Yep. That would be Ottar—known as the strongest in the city, and only Level 7."
Ottar's frown deepened.
Ryan's tone wasn't mocking. He hadn't said anything disrespectful.
But Ottar could feel it.
The presence of several people behind Ryan—people stronger than him. And Ryan himself… he had already dealt with Ottar twice, both times with an ease that left no doubt.
Who was this man?
Ottar finally spoke, his voice steady. "Can I ask what level you are and which familia you belong to?"
Ryan smiled. "I don't belong to any familia. Never have."
Ottar's frown tightened. "And your level?"
Ryan shrugged. "Level 1. I haven't stepped foot in the dungeon. Never slain a single monster in this world."
Silence.
Then, Ottar's eyes narrowed. "If you don't wish to tell me—"
"He's telling the truth," Freya interrupted, her gaze never leaving Ryan.
Ottar stiffened.
Freya's abilities allowed her to sense the divine blessings of gods. She could also detect lies. If she said Ryan had no Falna… then it was the truth.
Ottar clenched his fists. "That's impossible."
Ryan tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Did the heroes of old rely on the Falna of the gods to become strong?"
Ottar froze.
The answer was no.
The heroes of old—the strongest warriors in history—had no Falna. They had relied on spirits, forging power through sheer will and talent.
Did that mean…?
Ottar's mind raced.
Was Ryan… one of them?
[Don't forget them Powerstones, a dollar or two for something to drink or snack on is also always appreciated. I only wrote 6 chapters so far today *cough cough*. Cashapp $Ryantheholy]