No, he's strong!"
Facing Syr's puzzled expression, the elf girl, Lyu Leon, spoke solemnly as she watched Su Hai's figure disappear into the night.
"The killing intent he showed just now… That's not something an ordinary adventurer can possess."
"The youngsters these days are getting scarier and scarier," mused Mia Grand, the proprietress of the Hostess of Fertility, from her place behind the counter.
Even through the lively atmosphere of the tavern, she had clearly sensed the sharp, cold intent that had flared from Su Hai.
Meanwhile, outside the tavern…
"Damn that brat!"
Staggering down a dark alley with his companions, Beimon grumbled as the alcohol-induced flush faded from his face, replaced by lingering frustration.
"If that damn elf hadn't stopped me, I would've made that kid kneel and beg for mercy!"
His companions chuckled cruelly, their drunken minds already picturing Su Hai's bloodied figure.
But as they moved deeper into the alley, their laughter faded.
Ahead of them stood a young man with a sword at his waist—waiting in silence.
"You…!"
Beimon's eyes widened as he recognized Su Hai. The adrenaline rushing through his veins quickly burned away the last traces of alcohol.
"Looks like you're too stupid to learn your lesson," Su Hai said calmly, though his hand was already resting on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade (Sun Blade).
"You bastard!" Beimon roared. "I'll teach you not to mess with me!"
Drawing the heavy sword from his back, he charged toward Su Hai with surprising speed for his size.
But Su Hai did not flinch.
His eyes sharpened with deadly focus as he vanished from sight in a flash of golden lightning.
Before Beimon could react, Su Hai reappeared behind him with his blade drawn, the air crackling with residual energy.
"Ahhhhhh!"
A scream of agony tore through the night as Beimon's left arm, severed cleanly at the shoulder, fell to the ground alongside his heavy sword. Blood gushed from the wound, staining the cobblestones beneath his feet.
His eyes bulged with shock and pain as he collapsed to his knees, clutching the stump of his arm.
Su Hai slowly sheathed his sword and began walking toward the alley's exit without so much as a backward glance.
His presence alone was enough to part the other adventurers like a blade through water. Their drunken bravado evaporated in an instant, replaced by the icy grip of fear.
Once Su Hai disappeared into the night, they scrambled to lift Beimon's unconscious body and fled from the alley, their earlier laughter replaced by panicked whispers.
When Su Hai returned to the Hostess of Fertility, Hestia and Liliruca had nearly finished their meals.
"Lord Su Hai."
"Ah Hai."
The two greeted him with relieved smiles, though neither asked what had happened outside.
Su Hai returned their smiles as if nothing unusual had occurred. After placing a few gold coins on the table to pay for their meal, the trio left the tavern and began their walk back to the Hestia Familia's residence.
However, as they made their way through the quiet streets, the sound of voices drifted from a nearby alley.
"Lord Goddess, please let me join your Familia and become an adventurer!"
"Hah! Look at you—so scrawny and weak. Come back after you've toughened up!"
"Unless, of course, you have money. Then we might reconsider!"
Hearing the exchange, Su Hai glanced toward the alley and paused in his tracks.
A faint smile touched his lips as he recognized the white-haired boy standing outside the residence of another Familia.
Bell Cranel.
The protagonist of this world, and a boy with dreams of becoming a hero.
Despite the repeated rejections he had faced over the past week, Bell's eyes still held a spark of determination as he stepped out of the alley. Yet his shoulders slumped slightly, betraying the weight of his disappointment.
Su Hai's gaze, however, was drawn to the faint golden glow above Bell's head—visible only to him.
A Four-Star Treasure Chest.
And the condition to unlock it?
Bell had to join the Hestia Familia.
As Bell walked past them with his head lowered, Su Hai spoke.
"Young man, are you looking for a Familia?"
"Ah…?"
Bell stopped in his tracks and slowly looked up, surprised that someone had addressed him so directly.
"My name is Su Hai. I'm the captain of the Hestia Familia."
"This is Liliruca Arde, a supporter in our Familia. And this is our goddess, Lady Hestia."
Su Hai gestured to the two girls beside him before meeting Bell's gaze with a calm, welcoming smile.
"If you're still looking for a Familia… How about joining ours?"
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