"So, this is the status of a hero… I've always wondered what would happen if a hero received Falna's blessing from the gods. Now I understand why you're so strong."
After seeing Charlie's status, Aiz had regarded him as a hero.
Unlike people today, who only know about heroes from books and archives, she knew firsthand how powerful a hero truly was. Especially since her father wasn't just any hero from the last era, but was also considered the strongest hero.
The power of heroes was immense, even without Falna. So Aiz had always wondered about the status of a hero who received Falna's blessing.
Now Charlie had satisfied her long-held curiosity.
Keep in mind that Falna doesn't give power to anyone, even with things like stats. Falna merely allows individuals to realize their potential. So all the strength and abilities they possess are already a part of them.
Charlie interpreted the potential of past heroes if the gods had granted Falna to them.
"Stop it, Aiz. Don't call me a hero, I'm not worthy of that noble title. The term 'Avenger' suits me better." Charlie spoke calmly.
"No, you are a hero. You may not know this because you're from outside Orario, but the world expects a hero. A hero who will be the world's last hope, to protect Orario from the Black Dragon like my father did, and to defeat the Black Dragon."
"Your father?"
"Ah, I..."
Because Charlie refused to be seen as a hero, it made Aiz uncomfortable, causing her to speak more than usual and accidentally let her lips slip.
"Forget it, you don't need to explain anything. Everyone has one or two secrets they don't want others to know."
Seeing Aiz's troubled expression, Charlie didn't want to press her. After all, their relationship wasn't close enough to share such important secrets.
"Thank you, Charlie."
Hearing that, Aiz looked at him gratefully.
"Well, you've verified that what I said is true. Please leave, it's not appropriate for an unmarried man and woman to be in the same room. You're the Sword Princess, your reputation will—"
*BRAAAK*
Before Charlie could finish his sentence, the sound of a door being forcefully kicked open shattered the calm night. The broken door splintered across the floor, and in the doorway stood Bete Loga, a Level 5 First-Class Adventurer and one of the executives of Loki Familia.
A furious and hateful glare covered his fierce face, his eyes glowing red like a wolf ready to strike its prey.
"What did you do to Aiz!" Bete shouted, his voice echoing throughout the inn.
Seeing Charlie only wearing pants and Aiz near him, Bete's anger exploded.
"Bete? What are you doing here?" Aiz asked, tilting her head slightly.
She wasn't good at reading situations and didn't understand why Bete seemed so angry.
"It seems you've misunderstood something, Aiz and I didn't do anything like what you're thinking."
Charlie tried to explain the situation. Unfortunately, Bete wasn't the type to listen to others.
*WHOOSH*
Without a second thought, Bete charged at Charlie with immense force.
'Damn it! This is why I dislike muscle-heads like him. They prefer violence over thinking.' Charlie grumbled to himself.
Facing a furious Level 5 adventurer, he couldn't afford to be careless and immediately activated his Spirit Art to enhance himself.
"Physical Enchant."
"Wind Divine Protection."
After that, Charlie and Bete exchanged blows.
*BAM* *BAM* *BAM*
Each of Bete's punches destroyed the furniture and walls around them. In no time, they had smashed through the room's walls and were fighting in the inn's courtyard.
'So this is Level 5 power? Tough… My hands are going numb.'
*BAM* *BAM* *BAM*
Bete uninterested in the commotion they were causing, continued pounding on Charlie relentlessly.
"What's going on? Who's fighting in the street?"
"Hey, isn't that Vanargand from Loki Familia? Who's his opponent? That guy can keep up with Vanargand!"
"He must be at least a Level 5 adventurer, right?"
Orario at night was busier than during the day. Adventurers roamed the streets after spending all day in the Dungeon.
The brawl between Charlie and Bete quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers.
Among the spectators, there was no shortage of gods watching, as if they were enjoying some kind of show. After all, the main reason the gods descended to the lower world was for entertainment.
"Hey, this is just a misunderstanding!" Charlie yelled, but his words went unheard.
"Screw you! How dare a weakling like you mess with Aiz. I'll kill you!"
Bete's attacks became even more fierce and brutal, filled with murderous intent.
"You leave me no choice..."
Feeling cornered and running out of patience, Charlie, who had initially wanted to avoid conflict, finally decided to fight back. Though he was only a Level 1 adventurer, he couldn't allow himself to be trampled without putting up a fight.
Bete sneered, belittling the other party efforts.
"Come, try and fight me, you brat!"
Charlie took a deep breath, focusing his Essence. His body began to emit bright blue lightning and growing stronger.
"What is this?"
As a Werewolf, Bete had sharp instincts like a wild animal. The other's actions gave him a sense of threat, reminding him of the monsters in the Dungeon's Deep Floors.
"No matter what you do, the gap in our strength makes all your efforts useless."
Bete refused to believe a Level 1 could make him feel threatened. He then charged at Charlie, aiming for a direct confrontation.
"Thunderclap and Flash." Charlie whispered softly.
*DHUAR*
*WHOOSH*
In an instant, Charlie shot forward with lightning speed, tearing through the air and creating a deafening sonic boom. A bright blue light engulfed the entire street, shocking everyone around.
"What the—"
Bete caught off guard by the sudden speed and power, tried to withstand the attack but was overwhelmed by the immense lightning force.
Charlie's strike hit Bete hard, sending the Werewolf flying several meters back, crashing into the inn's wall and causing cracks to form.
The citizens of Orario were stunned by the thunderous noise and the blue light radiating from the small inn.
"Wow, who's that white-haired kid? His power isn't weaker than Vanargand's. Why haven't I seen him before?"
"I'm more interested in the technique he used. Lightning magic? That's rare."
"A good show. I'm glad I didn't stay home."
Not only were the people excited, but the gods were even more thrilled than everyone present. For them, this fight was entertaining.
*BOOM*
Bete struggled to his feet, his body numb from the lightning strike. He couldn't believe that a Level 1 had managed to put up such a strong fight.
"You..." Bete smiled angrily. "You really want to die, huh?"
Charlie, still standing tall, breathing heavily but remaining focused, just stared at Bete.
"As expected of a Level 5. You only suffered light injuries from that attack. In the end, I'm just a Level 1, my attack output is weak."
"..."
When the audience heard Charlie's words, they were shocked to learn that Bete's opponent was a Level 1. Many of them couldn't believe the statement, not even the gods.
However, the gods could detect lies. So, as unbelievable as it was, they had no choice but to believe Charlie's claim.
As a result, many gods became interested in him, their eyes gleaming as if they wanted to pounce on him.
To be able to fight evenly despite the four-level gap, and Charlie coming out on top, only a legendary hero could do that.
That's what the observing gods were thinking.
"Don't feel too proud yet, weakling. I was just careless. From now on, I won't let you touch even a thread of my clothes."
Spitting blood onto the ground, Bete began to take things seriously.
"Just try, mutt. You only know how to bully the weak." Charlie sneered.
"Huh… I'll tear your mouth off." Bete growled, angry at being called a mutt.
The two men prepared to continue their fight, but suddenly Aiz reappeared between them, standing with her sword drawn.
"Stop!" Aiz shouted firmly, holding both men back.
"That's enough. Bete, stop this."
"Oi, Aiz, are you seriously siding with an outsider over me? We're in the same Familia!"
Bete's fury skyrocketed as he saw Aiz standing by Charlie's side with her sword drawn toward him.
The girl he liked was now standing against him. How could Bete not be heartbroken?
"I won't let you hurt Charlie."
Standing in front of Charlie, Aiz spoke without changing her expression.