"Why do I keep hearing you? I should have made sure to truly destroy you."
---
One week and four days since joining hestia familia.
---
"So, Jon, was it? You don't look like a Jon. You look more like a guy who's been fired from a stable job," Eddard—a brown-haired human wearing a bodyguard suit—said, trying to spark a "friendly" conversation. "What'd ya do before comin' to Orario?"
Jon, a blonde-haired man who also happened to be human, sighed in annoyance. "I was at the Grand Sand Sea. Merc work," he replied irritably, his tone carrying the weight of someone who had answered this question far too many times.
"Kaios?! No way! I was there too! Got lost for three days 'cause I told my guide his name sounded too deserty." Eddard chuckled, his face lighting up. "I was huntin' treasure and—uh—chasin' the local talent, if you know what I mean." He winked at Jon, giving him a knowing smirk. "Problem is, some of them had those... y'know, those 'curtain outfits.' Like, you can't tell if it's a girl or someone's grandma under there. Real suspicious if you ask me."
"Yeah, no shit," Jon replied flatly, his expression shifting to one of mild disgust as he assessed his new job buddy.
Jon's eyes wandered around their work environment: a bar-slash-gambling ring. Nothing special, really. He wouldn't have taken the job if it weren't for the debt he owed the owner. At least he was being paid, and his debt was slowly shrinking.
"What were you doing there? Don't tell me you were fighting, like some noble soldier or somethin'," Eddard asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Psh, as if there's anything noble there," Jon said casually, as if discussing the weather. "It was real classic 'business.' Just me and a sword, cutting through villages, collecting coin. Good times."
Eddard chuckled darkly. "Villages, huh? Ain't it great? Nothing smells better than fire, blood, and the sound of people screamin'. It's like... music," he said, a twisted fondness in his voice, as though recalling a cherished memory. "Unless someone's beggin' too loud—that just kills the vibe." His face turned into a scowl, clearly having encountered that kind of screaming.
"Gods... You're even worse than I thought. I mean, I'm bad, but at least I don't monologue about it like some second-rate villain," Jon said with disdain. He couldn't believe he was stuck with this gangster wannabe for the foreseeable future.
Suddenly, a white-haired kid strolled past them without so much as a glance, opened the door to the boss's room, and walked right in.
The two men froze, staring at each other for a full, dumbfounded minute as they tried to process what had just happened. Then, like fish flopping on dry land, they scrambled toward the door, desperate to stop the punk who had just barged in and made them look like complete idiots.
When they burst into the room, what they saw made them stop dead in their tracks.
Their boss—an elf—was blushing furiously, her face as red as the cocktail they served in the bar. The white-haired kid had her jaw held in his hand, his posture casual and calm.
"Oh. OH." Eddard murmured under his breath. "Well, damn, Didn't know elves were into... that."
The kid turned his head to glare at them, locking eyes with the duo. His gaze radiated pure irritation. Meanwhile, their boss's blush only deepened.
"Hey, man, we didn't mean to interrupt your... uh... whatever this is! You good, boss? Cool. We're out!" Jon stammered, and without waiting for a response, he and Eddard slammed the door shut behind them.
They stood outside, silent for a long moment. Finally, Eddard broke the silence. "Okay, let's agree right now: this never happened," he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Oh, it happened. And now it's burned into my skull," Jon disagreed, still processing what they'd just witnessed.
"Honestly, though... mad respect. Kid's pulling more bitches than half the people in this bar," Eddard chuckled. Not even he had managed to convince an elf to be his for a night.
---
Ignoring the two incompetent lackeys his soon-to-be business manager had hired as bodyguards, All For One refocused his attention on the lovely Miss Lia, her jaw still held firmly in his hand.
The recent addition of one million valis, a "compensation" from the Loki Familia, was already presenting excellent opportunities.
This gambling venture, a small-time operation for now, had the potential to expand to more respectable heights under his vision.
While holding poor Miss Lia in this manner might give outsiders the wrong impression, for her, it was a necessary demonstration. She needed to fully grasp the reality of the power she was now entangled with—and the consequences of displeasing him.
"P-please! Fangs' people came and took every valis before you killed him—I have nothing left!" she stammered, her face flushed from more than just his awkward grip on her jaw. Fear radiated from her, raw and unfiltered.
He supposed his demand was unreasonable. Appearing out of nowhere and demanding a million valis? Outrageous by any standard.
But that was the point. He wasn't here to negotiate or explain himself; he was here to ensure she believed she had no escape, no choice but to comply. Cornered people made for the easiest pawns.
"I don't know, dear," he said calmly, his voice deceptively soft, almost tender. "But my patience is wearing thin." His grip tightened slightly, enough to elicit a soft whimper. Her skin, he idly noted, was remarkably smooth.
She whimpered again, her wide, tear-filled eyes locking onto his. "P-please! I'll do anything! S-s-sensei!"
'Ah, there it is.' He allowed himself a small smile, savoring the moment. She was perfectly tamed now, trembling on the edge of obedience and despair.
"Anything, huh?" he murmured, his sly smile widening. He could see the storm of emotions in her eyes.
Her head bobbed weakly, frantic and compliant.
Satisfied, he released her. She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing softly, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of her dress.
Without sparing her a second glance, he casually unstrapped the large bag from his back and tossed it near her. The sound of it hitting the ground made her flinch. "That's about 800,000 valis," he announced, his tone sharp and commanding, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "From now on, I own this entire operation."
Her sobbing hitched as her gaze flickered between the bag and his face.
"Use that money to get an official permit for a casino," he continued, the plan already prepared. "You'll open it in the red district, where the real profits are. For now, that's your task." He studied her reaction closely, ensuring she absorbed his instructions.
Lia remained on the floor, tears still streaming down her face. Perhaps she had expected something more... physical, given his earlier demeanor.
How disappointing. He had no time for such trivialities. She was merely a tool to him, a cog in a much larger machine.
"And keep this place afloat," he added, his tone growing lighter, almost conversational. "Money is money, whether it comes from a beggar or a god. Don't forget that."
Her head nodded weakly in acknowledgment, though the tears hadn't stopped.
"Did you understand all that?" His question was laced with a subtle threat, daring her to show even a hint of defiance.
"Y-yes..." she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
That wouldn't do. Respect was non-negotiable.
"Yes, what?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp, cutting through her sobbing like a blade.
"Y-yes, Sensei!" she stammered frantically, her entire body trembling as she forced the words out.
"Good," he said, his tone immediately softening again, his expression almost amused. "Now, have a lovely day, dear Lia."
With a quiet chuckle, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving her crumpled on the floor. The evening's events had been thoroughly entertaining—and, more importantly, productive.
---
"Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility," Ryuu said stoically, her posture perfectly straight as she greeted the white-haired human who had just entered the establishment. Her tone was calm and professional.
As he approached, Ryuu's sharp eyes scanned him with practiced precision. The first time she had seen this man, Syr had been unusually wide-eyed at his presence—a reaction Ryuu still found perplexing. What about him could have elicited such an uncharacteristic response from her colleague?
The human stood out, no doubt about that. White hair, striking red eyes, and an innocent expression that didn't quite match the calculating sharpness behind his gaze.
He wasn't just looking at her; he was studying her, mirroring her own scrutiny.
"Table for one," the human said softly, his voice calm but firm, cutting straight to the point without unnecessary words.
Ryuu remained unfazed. "I regret to inform you that all the tables are currently occupied," she replied, gesturing to the counter. "If you don't mind, we have a free spot at the counter."
The human's red eyes narrowed slightly, assessing the room for himself before nodding. "I don't mind," he said simply, striding toward the counter with an air of quiet confidence, as if nothing in the world could harm him.
Ryuu watched him for a moment longer, her curiosity piqued. He certainly carried himself like a cocky adventurer.
What is so special about this man that Syr could see, yet she could not?
"SYR! Your boyfriend's here! Make sure he eats a lot and pays well!" Mama Mia's booming voice suddenly cut through the din, jolting Ryuu from her thoughts.
At the counter, Mia was smirking down at the white-haired human, her sharp eyes glinting with amusement.
"Mama!" Syr appeared from the kitchen, her face flushed a faint pink as she hurried toward the counter. "Don't spread rumors!"
Mia let out a hearty laugh, clearly enjoying Syr's embarrassment, before turning her attention to another customer.
Ryuu's brow furrowed slightly as she observed the interaction. "Is Syr..." she began hesitantly, her usual composure faltering just enough to allow a faint blush to creep onto her stoic face, "interested in him?"
The possibility did make some sense. Syr was a girl, after all, and at the right age to start considering a potential partner.
Before she could think further, Anya's voice called out from across the room, "Customers with nyaservations have arrived, nya~!"
The announcement drew the attention of most patrons, but Ryuu hardly needed to look to know who it was.
Returning her focus to her work, Ryuu gave the white-haired human one last glance.
His calculated gaze was fixed on the newly arrived people, studying them intently.
What a strange man. Yet, it wasn't her place to dictate who Syr interacted with.
For now, she resolved to keep her distance, though she couldn't quite shake the feeling that this human was more than he appeared.
---
All For One was about to order something when that irritating, overly enthusiastic cat girl announced, "Customers with nyaservations have arrived, nya~!"
How obnoxious.
What a coincidence that it turned out to be the Loki Familia, of all people.
His eyes remained fixed on them as they entered. He scanned the group, recognizing some familiar faces.
There was Ais Wallenstein, the so-called Sword Princess, accompanied by the Runt—and Riveria Ljos Alf, the elf he had "convinced" to compensate him.
The others? Less familiar.
A pallum walked at the forefront, steps confident and deliberate, radiating authority.
That one was likely Finn Deimne, the "Hero" of the pallums and the captain of the Loki Familia.
Then there was a red-haired girl in a tight outfit so small it barely covered her. Her attire reminded him of the tomboyish prostitutes he had encountered in Japan.
A brown-haired dwarf lumbered in next, his steps heavy yet resolute.
Two dark-skinned Amazonesses followed—one with short hair and the other with long, flowing locks. Their revealing outfits did little to leave anything to the imagination, though the long haired one's figure was... notably more "generous" than her companion's.
Modesty seemed to be a foreign concept in this world.
Finally, there was the shy elf trailing behind Wallenstein. Blonde-haired and dressed in an elegant pink gown, she looked entirely out of place in this average establishment. This wasn't a noble's soirée, after all.
Wallenstein's golden gaze briefly met his, her head tilting slightly as though puzzled by his presence.
He ignored her, turning his attention back to his surroundings without a second thought.
As everyone else settled into their seats, All For One's own order arrived: a rare steak with a side of wine. It was one of the few meals in this world he could actually savor, despite his tight budget.
He ate slowly. There was no rush—etiquette was no burden for him.
"So, Bell, what's the furthest floor you've reached?" Syr asked from beside him, her relentless pursuit of information showing no sign of letting up.
He decided to humor her this once. "The seventh floor. I'm planning to head further soon." His tone was calm, indifferent, as he resumed eating.
"Wow! And you've only been an adventurer for slightly over a week? That's amazing, Bell!" Syr exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. The sparkle in her eyes seemed genuine. She was a good actress, he had to admit.
Before he could reply, the Runt's grating voice cut through the air like nails on a chalkboard.
"Hey, Ais! Why don't you tell us what really happened on the seventh floor?!" Bete shouted, his slurred words revealing his drunken state.
Ais tilted her head, looking genuinely confused. "What really happened?"
"You know!" Bete barked out a laugh, leaning forward. "We were dealing with that minotaur breakout, right? You chased down the three we couldn't catch. What happened with that tomato boy? You killed all the minotaurs, and he was crying like a baby, wasn't he?"
Ah, so they were twisting the story to make themselves the heroes. Typical.
Still, All For One had no intention of disrupting the narrative. It wouldn't be wise to antagonize people who could snap him in half with a flick of their fingers.
"I already told you, Bete," Ais said calmly, her tone even. "He killed two, and I killed the last one."
"That's enough, Bete. You're drunk," Riveria interjected, clearly uncomfortable with the embarrassing scene.
"Shut up, old hag!" Bete snarled, his voice rising. "That wimpy brat couldn't kill a damn rat, let alone a minota—"
A half-filled glass of wine splashed over his back, the liquid staining his clothes. Laughter erupted from some patrons, while others struggled to stifle their amusement.
Oops. His hand slipped.
It wasn't as though anyone had seen him do it, save for Syr, who was covering her mouth in shock. As for the Mutt—as All For One now decided to call him—he was far too drunk to notice.
"Who the hell threw that?!" Bete roared, jumping to his feet. His furious eyes scanned the room until they landed on All For One, who sat calmly at the counter, one leg crossed over the other.
A smirk played across All For One's lips as he propped his chin on one hand, clearly enjoying the show.
"It's you! Tomato brat! I'll kill you for this!" Bete lunged toward him, but Finn and Riveria swiftly restrained him.
"That's enough, Bete," Finn said, his tone firm but amused. He clearly had no intention of escalating the situation further.
Bete continued to struggle, his anger palpable, but he seemed to calm down when his eyes caught Riveria's sharp gaze.
With a final glare at All For One, Bete sat back down, his murderous intent fading.
Finn's eyes flicked toward All For One, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, before he turned back to his group.
Ais, however, continued to stare at him blankly, her gaze unwavering.
Did she want something? Not that he cared.
Finishing his meal, All For One stood, paid for his food, and headed toward the exit.
"Come back soon!" Syr called cheerfully after him.
Without so much as a glance at the Loki Familia's table, he left the establishment, his steps unhurried.
What an amusing night.
---
"Quite the cocky one," Gareth commented casually, sipping his drink as he watched the white-haired human disappear into the night.
Finn turned to Riveria, his voice low. "Was that him?"
Riveria nodded silently, her expression unreadable.
So, this was the Level One who had supposedly defeated two minotaurs and "convinced" Riveria to pay compensations.
At first glance, the boy appeared frail, easy to dismiss. But his eyes told another story—cold, sharp, and calculating.
Finn's thumbs twitched unconsciously as he recalled the encounter.
He would definitely be keeping an eye on that one.
---
The End
---
Updated version: What changed? Bob and Mike are out, replaced by two new guys who are more fleshed out. Don't worry, they won't show up much.
Also added a few extra scenes with Ryuu to start building an actual relationship with her.