"Tell me, sir—by challenging a rookie with such an astronomical gap in level, do you find the Loki Familia's reputation to be too prestigious? Do you feel a personal need to drag it through the mud?"
Her words were sharp as daggers, carving straight through his pride without a shred of mercy!
Bete's face, already flushed with rage, froze instantly. His mouth hung open as he tried to find a retort, but he found himself completely stifled by the sheer aura of a mere Guild clerk.
"I... I was just..."
"Just what?" Eina didn't give an inch, her voice growing even colder. "Just because of a small conflict a few days ago, you've held a grudge? You came here specifically to block the Guild entrance and, in front of every adventurer here, use your status to bully and coerce a rookie into a duel? 'Flashing Wolf' Bete Loga—is this truly the extent of your character?"
The hall was pin-drop silent. Everyone was stunned by the scene. The usually smiling, gentle, and considerate Miss Eina... was actually this... this fierce?
Linn raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised himself. He leaned against the counter with his arms crossed, watching with genuine interest. Tsk. Who knew the half-elf lady had such presence when she was pissed?
"You half-elf...!" Bete's face turned from red to white and back again. Being publicly humiliated like this made his fury nearly blow the top of his head off.
"I will say it once more." Eina completely ignored his anger, speaking with absolute finality. "Private duels are strictly forbidden inside the Guild! I am Mr. Linn's advisor. As long as I am standing here, I will never allow him to engage in an act of stupidity that is tantamount to suicide!"
She snapped her head around, her eyes still burning with rage as she glared at Linn.
"And you! Mr. Linn! Do you think your life is so expendable that you can just joke around with it? Or do you think it's funny to make me prepare your funeral arrangements?"
"Uh..." Linn rubbed his nose and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I just thought... he looked pretty durable. I wanted to see how he felt to hit."
(In reality, if I die, I just lose some Runes and respawn at a Grace...)
"Shut up!" Eina actually barked at him—a rare sight.
Linn wisely closed his mouth. Fair enough. The landlord's word is law.
Just as the standoff reached a stalemate and the air felt heavy enough to solidify, a calm, steady voice drifted from the entrance, shattering the silence.
"Bete, you're being too impulsive."
The voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an indisputable authority.
Bete stiffened. The rage on his face vanished, replaced by a flicker of disbelief and panic.
The crowd turned to see a small-statured Pallum youth with short blonde hair and green eyes standing at the entrance. He wore a gentle smile and held a spear that seemed much too long for his height, but his mere presence naturally drew every eye in the room.
"It's... it's the 'Braver,' Finn!"
"The Captain of the Loki Familia!"
"Gods, what day is it today? Why are the big shots of the Loki Familia showing up one after another?"
Finn Deimne. Captain of the Loki Familia, a top-tier Level 6 powerhouse, and widely recognized as one of Orario's greatest tactical minds. His appearance instantly escalated the gravity of the situation.
Finn's gaze swept over the fuming Bete, the fiercely protective Eina, and the nonchalant Linn who looked like he was just enjoying the show. Within a second, he had grasped the gist of what had happened.
He ignored everyone else and looked directly at Bete. His smile remained, but his tone carried a hint of reprimand. "I believe I told you not to cause trouble at the Guild."
"Captain... I..." Bete's bravado vanished almost entirely. In front of Finn, he was like a mouse before a cat. He stammered, "It's this kid, he—"
"Enough." Finn raised a finger and wagged it gently, silencing him. "I apologize for the trouble we've caused everyone at the Guild."
Finn first bowed slightly toward Eina and the surrounding adventurers. His polite and thorough manner was so impeccable that no one could find a single thing to complain about. Then, he turned back to Bete. His voice was still gentle, but the underlying command was absolute.
"Go back, Bete. You are not permitted to step foot outside of Twilight Manor for the rest of the day."
"But Captain!" Bete protested, unwilling to leave in such a pathetic fashion.
"That is an order." Finn's smile disappeared, and a sharp glint flashed in his green eyes.
Bete froze. He ground his teeth so hard they audibly creaked. He shot one last venomous glare at Linn—a look that clearly said 'You just wait'—but ultimately bowed his head in reluctant submission.
"...Understood."
With that, like a beaten wolf, he pushed through the crowd and stormed out of the Guild hall without looking back.
The earth-shattering duel had been forcibly terminated.
Having dealt with Bete, Finn finally turned his full attention to Linn. He scrutinized the black-haired youth who had caused the commotion, his eyes shimmering with thoughtful intent.
"You must be Linn," Finn said with a smile. "I've heard Ais and the others mention you. Bete caused you a lot of trouble; I apologize on his behalf."
"It's fine. He's got a lot of energy," Linn said with a shrug.
Hearing this, Finn's smile deepened. He gave Linn a long look, as if trying to see through him. "I appreciate your tolerance." He didn't say anything more, simply nodding. "I hope we'll have a chance for a formal introduction in the future. Farewell."
With that, he also turned and departed, leaving the hall full of adventurers staring at each other in bewilderment.
The storm had passed, and Eina's terrifying aura slowly receded. She let out a long, shaky breath, feeling a bit weak in the knees. Then, she whipped her head around, giving Linn a look that screamed 'You're in for it.'
"Mr. Linn, please come to the office with me."
"Huh? I still need to buy a map..."
"Now! Immediately! This instant!"
Seeing Eina's non-negotiable expression, Linn could only sigh helplessly. He obediently followed her toward the staff-only area on the second floor of the Guild.
The moment they entered the office, Eina slammed the door shut with a loud bang. She stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring at Linn with puffed-out cheeks.
"What on earth were you thinking?!" she finally exploded. "That was Bete Loga! A Level 5 'Flashing Wolf'! Why would you, a Level 1 rookie, think you could fight him? Do you even know how massive the gap between levels is? He could have kicked you into a pulp!"
"In theory, if he doesn't hit me, it's fine," Linn muttered under his breath.
"You're still talking back!" Eina's face flushed red with anger. "You're gambling with your life! Don't you realize that if something actually happened to you, I... I would be very upset!"
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Danmachi: My Primary God is Hidetaka Miyazaki? (Simulpub – Ongoing)
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