Authors Notes:
Since the last chapter was a bit shorter than usual, decided to drop another one in advance. Its also a way of saying thanks for sticking around and reading, especially with how far you guys pushed this fanfic up the rankings. Its officially been a week now since I published my first chapter.
The next few chapters will be spent around Orario and getting Yuji a bit more established, but that means talking and dialogue, so I hope you'll bear with me if you're more action oriented in your preferences.
Enjoy the chapter!
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The office began to settle into a comfortable silence after Loki's revelation, with Finn still coming to terms with it, but isn't as shocked as one in his position might be while Yuji sat back with his legs crossed, not a care in the world as he waited for them to finish their thoughts.
"So," Loki started, stretching the word out, "Now that we've gotten the fun stuff outta the way, what are we gonna do with ya, Yuji Itadori?"
"Do with me?"
"Compensation, first and foremost." Finn clarified, sitting up and leaning forwards with his arm resting on his knees. "You accompanied us through the expedition without any formal contract or agreement. You fought on our behalf, protected our members, even going so far as healing them, and contributing significantly to the success of the mission. All of that warrants payment."
Yuji shifted in his seat slightly, "A bit is fine-"
"No, not just a bit." Finn interrupted gently but firmly. "The Loki Familia intends to repay this debt. Ignoring your contributions would reflect poorly on us and set a bad example towards the younger members of our Familia. Besides, it wouldn't be right."
Loki nodded, her grin widening. "What Finn said. We can afford to do it, so don't ya worry. Plus, I heard about the buttload of monsters that the Dungeon spawned out this time, that means tons of magic stones and drop items! And most importantly!!" Loki slammed her hands on the table, pinching her fingers together, the hallmark universal sign of a money grubber.
"We get a bit of transportation and carry costs as well from our poor and exhausted supporters."
"In that case, knock yourselves out then. I'll let you handle it, I don't believe you would short change me." Yuji replied, his posture looking a lot more relaxed.
Finn nodded, "Of course we wouldn't." He got up and went behind the main office desk and pulled out a ledger.
Loki leaned forward across the coffee table and whispered to Yuji, "Although I said it was my office, it actually belongs to Finn." She gave him a wink and sat back. Yuji could see from the corner of his eyes Finn shaking his head.
He sat down by the chair and began writing in his ledger, "Regarding the magic stones and drop items collected during the expedition, you personally accounted for a significant number of kills on the deeper floor, as well as the swarm of minotaurs later on. I'll have some accountants help calculate your share based on estimated contribution more thoroughly. It won't be an exact amount, but it will be generous."
Yuji nodded, watching as Finn finished writing in the ledger and closing it shut. "If that's all, do you mind giving me a cut of money first? That way I can go find a place to stay for the night." Yuji asked as he stood up, prompting Finn to do the same while Loki stayed seated.
"Huh? You didn't tell him yet, Finn?"
"I was going to, but you dragged us in here, Loki."
"Teehee?"
Finn sighed before addressing Yuji, "We were going to offer if you wanted to stay the night. I already had a feeling you wouldn't have any accommodation lined up or planned." Finn smiled at him, with Loki butting in at the end.
"That's right! We ain't running a charity here, but we also ain't gonna just kick ya out on the street after what ya did for my kids down there."
Yuji let out a grateful smile, before turning to Finn. "Out with it, you've been dying to tell me something, haven't you? I've seen it in your eyes on the last couple of floors coming up." Yuji could recognize that look from a mile away. He met a few people in the past who had the same calculating look, and Yuji could tell that Finn was smart. Smarter than what he showed.
'Todo would have a field day with him'
"I'm surprised you caught that." Finn said, an apologetic smile on his face, Loki smirking up at the Pallum as though she was watching a show play out. "I started piecing things together, rearranging the puzzle one piece at a time, starting from the time you appeared all the way till this very moment when you confronted me."
Finn shrugged before continuing on, "Usually it would have taken me a lot longer, if not for the fact that I met someone with similar circumstances as you. Not 100% the same, but similar enough. Waking up in the Dungeon with no recollection of anything or the world at large. Although you haven't explicitly said so, you gave away enough for me to form my own conclusion. Again, this is just what I think, but I'm confident in my findings."
Yuji watched him for a moment before turning to look at Loki.
"Don't look at me! That's just how Finn is, he's always been hella mega smart. Why do you think he's the Captain and Head of my Familia?" Loki held her hands up.
"That's just because you're lazy, Loki."
"Gah?! Exposed by my own Captain?! Et tu Finn?" Loki grabbed her heart in mock hurt, falling back in the chair.
Yuji shook his head, able to easily tell Loki was trying to ease the tension in the room with her silly antics, something he appreciated regardless.
"Well, you're mostly on the mark. You can consider myself to be completely ignorant of the world at large."
Finn nodded before moving to the door and opening it, the sounds of faint footsteps running away down the hall made him give away an exasperated smile.
Yuji already long knew they were being eavesdropped, but didn't care regardless. What they knew didn't matter.
"Ah right, I almost forgot. What was up with that magic stone from the vine monster?" Yuji asked before he left the room.
The atmosphere shifted, Finn's hand tensing by a tiny fraction but Yuji caught it, while Loki's grin didn't fade, but something behind it sharpened.
"That one is… different." Finn slowly said, looking over his shoulder at Yuji. "Rivera's holding onto it right now for study. We've seen unusual things start to appear in the Dungeon as of late. Monsters that don't behave like they should. The stone might help us to figure out why. It's a matter we're investigating internally for now. We'll keep you updated on it in the future, since you were personally involved in the matter."
Yuji nodded and stepped outside the office.
"I'll show you to your room then and we can talk more in the morning."
"Sure thing. Good night, Loki."
"G'night!" The Goddess waved from her couch, her head hanging over the armrest and looking at the pair's disappearing figure.
She stayed like that for a while, hanging her head upside down with her eyes closed, deep in thought. Before a smile formed on her face, her eyes glinted as the expression on her face matched that of Loki Familia's insignia, the Trickster.
As for Yuji himself, he was left alone once Finn had guided him to one of their guest rooms. It was quite a modest accommodation for a guest, a bed that looked more than comfortable to lay on, a table and chair by the window and a wardrobe for storing clothes and other belongings.
Moving to the bed, he lay down and let out a long sigh. The room was quiet. Properly quiet, for once. He couldn't hear the ambience of the Dungeon or the distant sounds of Monsters roaming the Floor back and forth.
Sitting up, he walked over to the window that was casting down the faint glow of moonlight into the room. He saw Orario sprawled out beneath him, the city lights scattered throughout the streets and between buildings. And in the middle of it all, Babel tower stood, piercing far up into the night sky.
He pressed a palm against the cold window pane.
'All this time, everything that happened, and I get dropped into a fantasy world at the end of it all.
Letting out a sigh, he stepped away from the window and returned to the bed, sinking into it. Slowly, he shut his eyes and let himself doze off.
He fell asleep in minutes.
No dreams. No nightmares. No echoes of voices long gone.
Just rest.
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Morning arrived with sunlight streaming through the window and the sound of Twilight Manor coming to life around him.
Opening his eyes slowly, Yuji blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling above him. For a brief, disorienting moment, he didn't know where he was. He tensed for a moment before memories caught up to him and the tension rolled off his body.
Sighing, he sat up, running a hand through his hair and looked out the window. The city looked completely different in daylight. Terracotta rooftops lined the top of buildings and market stalls with bright canopies were being set up along the main streets.
A knock soon came to his door while he was just watching the view to the city.
"Yuji? Are you awake?"
"Yeah, give me a second."
He got up and went over to a basin placed on the table, quickly washing his face from him. Opening the door, he saw Finn standing there, looking completely refreshed as if he hadn't just spent weeks inside of the Dungeon, dressed in his casual attire rather than his battle gear.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
Yuji thought for a moment, "Probably the best sleep I've had in a while."
Finn chuckled, "A while from you could be 200 years for all I know. Breakfast is available downstairs if you're hungry. After that, we'll all be heading into the city. There's quite a bit on everyone's agenda today, lots of errands to run."
Yuji leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms, "Post expedition stuff? I'm guessing it's a bunch of logistical work."
Finn's ears perked up, seeing Yuji recognized what he entailed, "Precisely. We'll need to exchange all of the items we've brought back from the Dungeon for money." Finn began walking and Yuji followed next to him, easing his stride to match the Pallums.
"There's also the numerous weapons and armor we'll need to replace and restock our supply of items. The list just goes on and on, that's why everyone in the Familia will help out and tackle everything together to ensure it all finishes smoothly without any problems arising."
"I don't envy your position. Sounds like it'll be a busy day." Yuji chuckled, looking out the windows lining the hallway, seeing people already organizing carts and bags for transport by the front courtyard.
Finn looked up at him with a smile, "It will be. But I figured it'd also be a good opportunity to show you around Orario while we're at it. Two birds with one stone."
"Sounds like a plan. I could do with some sightseeing for once."
"Relaxing for you, maybe. I still have to work here."
"That's why I don't envy your position."