Danmachi, Ch 166-170

Chapter 166 – The Nail Planted Inside the Dark Faction

“Hiss…”

Valletta groaned, clutching her head as she pushed herself off the ground.

Damn it… what the hell happened…

Pain radiated from every inch of her body, like she’d been beaten half to death.

Then, like a tide crashing over her mind, her memories returned all at once.

Right. I was lying in ambush for those two brats… and got outplayed by that newcomer from the Loki Familia.

Grinding her teeth, the confusion in her eyes quickly turned into malice.

They saw right through my plan—or maybe those two brats were just bait, meant to lure me out.

Damn it… don’t tell me this was another one of Finn’s traps!

Thinking back to everything that had happened three years ago, Valletta found that possibility all too likely.

They’d probably sent those two kids into the Dungeon on purpose—made them act carelessly, made their need for Excellia obvious—just to reel her in.

The more she thought about it, the more certain she became.

“ROAAARRR!”

A beast-like bellow echoed from afar, snapping Valletta back to her surroundings.

This isn’t the Great Fall… I’m deeper down?

Water was everywhere, pooling and streaming across the ground. Large crystals glimmered faintly around her.

A food storage area?

Her shattered memories began to piece themselves together. Before losing consciousness, she’d been swept away by a raging current.

And in those last moments before blacking out, she had heard a dragon’s roar.

Given what had been happening near the Great Fall, there was no doubt—it was the cry of Amphisbaena.

How ironic. Saved by a Floor Boss of all things.

Hah… they must’ve thought I was dead and left me behind. Guess I’ve got the luck of a cockroach.

Even she had to admit—her luck was freakishly good. In that situation, anyone else would’ve died.

Instead, she had survived—swept to the deeper levels by the raging current from the Great Fall, triggered by the Floor Boss's rampage.

While her condition was far from ideal, it was still better than being captured or killed.

First things first, I need to get back to the Great Fall.

The monsters down here are way too strong for me right now.

Her body was battered, her wounds untreated, and she didn’t have a single healing potion left. Death was a very real possibility.

Especially since this was the Dungeon’s food storage.

Everyone knew those areas were swarming with monsters. If she got surrounded now, she’d die here for sure—if not to the Loki brats, then to the creatures prowling this place.

So for now, her only goal was simple: get out of this food storage alive.

“Mm. No issues.”

Confirming the fragments of memory transferred from Valletta, Tsuna nodded. Her recollections were exactly as he had intended.

He hadn’t even erased her memories of him entirely—only the part about his abilities. Enough to make it perfectly believable.

That was how a lie worked.

Mix truth with falsehood, and even your enemy would believe it.

Erase too much, and the illusion broke apart.

Tsuna looked up, nodding slightly to Finn and Gareth.

"As long as we don't transmit memories to a god, there shouldn't be a problem."

“Is it really that sensitive?” Finn asked, puzzled.

“When it comes to gods, we can’t afford even the slightest mistake. One slip, and we’ll lose the chance to make use of Valletta.”

“If a god notices their name being mentioned—and traces that awareness to the parasite I left inside Valletta—that would spell trouble.”

Cautious as ever, Tsuna didn’t underestimate the gods.

He couldn’t be sure how much of his information about them was accurate, but one thing he did know—caution was survival.

"What we need is intelligence on the Dark Faction's arrangements. Nothing more. The less we extract from her, the less risk there is of exposure. That's not our goal here."

“Her greatest value,” he added, “is as an early warning.”

“That’s far more useful than being completely blind to what the Dark Faction is planning.”

“Agreed,” Finn said.

Valletta’s role made perfect sense. They didn’t need to squeeze her for everything she knew—just to use her as a sensor, a line of warning.

"Rather than ruthlessly squeezing all her value, it's better to keep Valletta as a dormant agent inside the Dark Faction."

“As one of their key members, her existence alone is priceless.”

“And when she returns, she’ll definitely be under observation for a while,” Tsuna added. “As long as the Dark Faction doesn’t realize what I placed in her, that’s a success.”

“By the way,” Finn said, “the people stationed around the Great Fall—are they all taken care of?”

“Don’t worry. I extracted all of Valletta’s memories myself. Not a single one got away.”

Finn let out a small breath of relief. Having someone who could tie up loose ends so cleanly was invaluable.

“In that case, we might as well use this opportunity to make a bit of noise about what happened to Tiona and Tione. Just as Valletta suspects—let’s say it was my plan all along.”

“Let the Dark Faction see this as a display of your capabilities,” Gareth said with a grin.

“Exactly. Make them believe this whole affair—our counterattack, Valletta’s failure—was orchestrated by me. Let them be convinced of it. Let Valletta herself be convinced. It’ll make the story airtight.”

He smirked faintly. “We’ll spread word of the Dark Faction’s defeat and Valletta’s disappearance in the Dungeon. The more they believe the story, the smoother our plan will go.”

“With her cooperation, we’ll have successfully planted a nail right into the heart of the Dark Faction.”

A single, hidden nail buried deep in their organization was far more valuable than any fragment of stolen information.

Especially now, when the Loki Familia couldn’t afford an all-out war.

Without proper intelligence, launching a full-scale assault on the Dark Faction would be suicide.

So for now, patience was the key—build strength, gather intel, and wait for the perfect moment to strike.

When that time came, they’d crush the Dark Faction completely.

Finn turned toward Tsuna.

“In the coming months, the gods will definitely start probing into your background. Be careful.”

“No need to worry,” Tsuna replied calmly. “The information I’ve allowed to leak is exactly what I want them to find. As long as the vital parts stay hidden, everything else is expendable.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “What about Raul? Should we make some arrangements there too?”

Finn thought for a moment before nodding.

“Good idea. I’ll speak with him personally.”

Chapter 167 – Recuperation and Observation

"Ah~ Valetta, you really look a mess this time, don’t you?"

As soon as he received the report, Thanatos hurried to the infirmary to see Valetta, who was already lying in bed recovering.

"Tch! Those two brats were nothing but bait to lure us in."

"Bait, you say? Are you sure about that?"

Thanatos gave her a look that clearly said, aren’t you just shifting the blame?

"‘Jormungand’ and ‘Crusher’ are both key assets of the Loki Familia now. Two promising young talents like them—do you really think that guy Finn would ever allow such valuable rookies to wander into the Dungeon without purpose?"

Though Thanatos still suspected Valetta was trying to deflect responsibility, he had to admit her reasoning made sense.

Judging from the outcome, Finn had probably anticipated everything from the start. He’d even accounted for Valetta’s personality—and set this whole trap precisely because of it.

‘Jormungand’ and ‘Crusher’ were now two of Loki Familia’s most important members. From any perspective, Finn would never leave such valuable children unattended.

"So this was one big trap."

"Finn’s plan really is bold—using two powerful rookies as bait just to draw you out."

"Because he understood your personality, he could predict exactly how you’d react."

Thanatos’s mind raced as he turned to glance at Valetta, who was lying pale and silent on the bed.

"Valetta, you’re lucky to still be alive."

"I know what you mean. Surviving this time really was pure dumb luck—but it feels more like a cruel joke than a blessing."

Her face twisted into something dark and cold. For her, this was the greatest humiliation.

Thanatos watched her for a moment, then nodded slowly.

His gaze lacked the sharpness of Freya’s, but it was keen enough. From her words, he could already piece together enough to see the outline of the truth.

The picture was clear—Finn’s trap had been meticulously planned, and Valetta had walked right into it.

Still, one question lingered in Thanatos’s mind.

"Valetta, how exactly did Finn’s plan succeed?"

"Because of Loki’s newcomer. That mysterious one she kept hidden. I thought it was just one of that bitch Loki’s false rumors—but it turned out to be true."

"Loki’s newcomer… ah, the child rumored to control Puppets—the one said to have spatial abilities?"

Seeing Valetta’s furious expression jogged Thanatos’s memory. Yes, there had been such a rumor—a report from months ago, first whispered at the Denatus about Loki Familia’s new recruit.

At the time, Thanatos had doubted the story. Knowing Loki, there was no way a child she worked so hard to conceal could be exposed by Ishtar of all people.

But looking at Valetta now, her expression dark and murderous, Thanatos realized the rumor had been true after all. And instead of irritation, a spark of amusement flickered across his face.

"Interesting, very interesting. A mortal child with such an unusual ability…"

"A shame that this child happens to belong to Loki."

"But it’s fine. Knowing Freya’s fascination with extraordinary mortals, she’ll definitely try to make contact with Loki."

"As long as Freya and Loki don’t join forces, that’s good news for us."

In that moment, Thanatos could already see the hidden tension between the two Goddesses through the existence of that secret child.

"Freya and Loki, huh… tch, I didn’t expect that move."

Valetta thought of Freya’s reputation and nodded slightly. This was indeed valuable information.

Ensuring there was conflict between Loki and Freya would benefit them greatly—it was an important card to hold.

"Still, that child’s power is nothing good for us."

"The extent of her spatial ability remains unknown—we’ll have to observe further."

"And as long as Loki’s child possesses that power, we can’t attempt any sneak attacks on her people anymore."

"Nor can we use our old methods against Astraea’s child."

"From the information I’ve received, it’s highly likely that Astraea’s child was rescued by Loki. Judging by Astraea’s subsequent contact with her, the two of them are now working together—with Loki in charge."

"Until we fully understand the true capabilities of Loki’s hidden child, Valetta, you’ll restrain yourself."

That was Thanatos’s warning.

"I know… I won’t step into the same trap twice."

Valetta sighed and sank deeper into the bed, looking annoyed.

"I’ll take this time to rest and observe—call it a forced vacation."

"But you, Lord Thanatos, should be careful with the others. That kid hiding in the shadows is more dangerous than he looks."

"Ah, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on Loki’s child. But really, we don’t need to do much—Ishtar’s obsession with Loki’s secrets will keep her busy digging up information for us. Just like last time at the Denatus."

Thanatos wasn’t about to expose himself on the front lines. If Ishtar wanted to chase Loki’s secrets, then let her.

"And with such a flashy ability, that child will draw plenty of divine attention."

"Ishtar won’t be the only one investigating—many curious Gods will take interest."

"I’d like the Guild to step in, but as long as Loki doesn’t reveal her child herself, they can’t. Ouranos isn’t the type to pressure her over something like this."

Valetta waved a hand lazily.

"Intelligence work isn’t really my thing anyway. I’ll leave it to you, Lord Thanatos."

"Also, until I clear myself of suspicion, you’d best not visit my ward alone."

"It’s dangerous."

Thanatos, however, didn’t seem concerned.

"If you really were compromised, you’d have attacked me already."

"Besides, this serves as another test."

"Tch. You Gods really are too complicated."

Valetta muttered under her breath, too tired to argue further. She’d said what needed to be said.

"Then rest well for the next few months, Valetta."

"Mm. And try to control your temper. Don’t destroy the infirmary just because Finn outplayed you."

A vein twitched on Valetta’s forehead—her temper was already flaring.

Chapter 168 – The Astraea Girls’ Discovery

Evening had fallen, and it was time for dinner.

Tonight, the rare host was none other than Loki herself.

"I have some good news to announce to everyone."

Standing at the front, Loki’s eyes swept over the room, unable to hide the excitement on her face. With a wave of her hand, Tiona and Tione stepped up onto the platform.

"Tiona and Tione have completed their breakthrough from Level 4 to Level 5 today. From now on, our Familia has two more Level 5 Adventurers."

"Eh!?"

Gasps of surprise exploded throughout the hall.

"They’ve already reached Level 5?"

"Even though I knew Tiona and Tione were already at their limit, I didn’t think their Level Up would come this fast."

Most of the Familia members were aware that the Hiryute sisters had long been brushing against the boundary of Level 4. Everyone assumed it would take at least another year or two for them to reach Level 5.

Yet here they were—breaking through so suddenly, almost casually.

"Tiona, Tione… their promotion speed is so fast!" Alise said, looking at the two sisters standing proudly on the stage with some envy showing on her face.

"They must’ve challenged a Floor Boss."

Kaguya instantly pieced it together. The two must have fought a Floor Boss and earned enough Excellia for their Level Up.

"Goliath?"

"No. Even if they faced Goliath alone, that wouldn’t be enough for both of them to reach Level 5."

Alise was the first to think of Goliath, a foe roughly equivalent to their previous level. But Kaguya shook her head. Even though Goliath was indeed a Floor Boss, it was only a Level 4 threat. Defeating it wouldn’t grant enough Excellia for two people to Level Up simultaneously.

Which meant—it had to be a stronger Floor Boss.

"Amphisbaena. I think they challenged it."

Kaguya was certain.

Alise, however, still sounded doubtful.

"But Amphisbaena is only Level 5 too, right? Is that really enough for both of them to Level Up together?"

"Impossible," Kaguya said flatly. "Unless… they fought it at a severe disadvantage."

"A disadvantage… you mean they challenged Amphisbaena in a terrain that favored the monster? Isn’t that suicide?"

Realization struck Alise—and she immediately thought the idea insane.

Kaguya didn’t bother to argue. Instead, she pointed toward the sisters on stage.

"And yet, they’re both alive and well, aren’t they?"

Alise fell silent at that.

Kaguya then turned her gaze toward the crowd, searching for someone she was sure had a hand in this. After scanning for a while, her eyes found him sitting quietly in the corner of the dining hall.

"The biggest reason Tiona and Tione could defeat Amphisbaena against the odds… is him."

Alise followed her gaze, and that familiar figure came into view.

"Ah… him. That does make sense."

"His abilities are completely beyond standard limits. With his help, it’s entirely possible they could have taken down a Floor Boss under such disadvantageous conditions."

Alise still regarded Tsuna as an all-rounder—someone whose power simply defied logic. After all, she had experienced it firsthand.

He had saved them from that monster they couldn’t defeat even after exhausting all their strength. Later, he’d recreated that same monster perfectly right before their eyes. That ability alone had driven home one simple, terrifying truth:

This guy… can’t be beaten.

It wasn’t a lack of confidence in herself—just a painfully clear understanding of how far beyond human Tsuna’s power was.

However, Ryuu seemed confused.

"Weren’t the Floor Boss challenges completed by the two of them alone? If someone else participated—especially him—wouldn’t that prevent them from receiving the proper Excellia?"

It was a fair question. If that strange power had intervened, the fight would have been effortless. But if it was merely his ability doing the work rather than their own strength, would it still count as a legitimate challenge? Would the Falna even recognize it?

Kaguya only shook her head slightly and gestured toward the sisters’ hands.

"Look closely. They didn’t use to wear rings, did they?"

"Those two are Amazons. They don’t care for accessories—rings definitely aren’t their style."

"Then those rings were made by him."

Kaguya’s eyes gleamed. Her sharp perception had picked up the subtle change right away—the difference in the sisters’ appearance, and the presence of something crafted specifically to aid them.

With her words, everyone’s eyes turned toward Tiona and Tione’s hands. Sure enough, the two Amazon sisters each wore a simple, gleaming ring.

The girls of the Astraea Familia exchanged curious glances.

"Should we… ask them about it later?" Alise said, unable to hide her curiosity—or the spark of desire that came with the thought of getting stronger.

"Of course," Kaguya replied. "A chance like this doesn’t come twice. When opportunity appears, you grab it."

It seemed she had no intention of letting it slip by.

Watching her captain and vice-captain both stir with excitement, Ryuu looked worried.

"Alise, do you really think he’ll tell us anything?"

"It’s fine!" Alise shot her a mischievous smile.

"If he refuses, we’ll just send you, Ryuu. With your beauty, he’ll definitely agree."

"Alise!"

"Okay, okay! Don’t take it so seriously. Can’t you tell she’s joking?" Kaguya sighed helplessly.

"Honestly, you know Ryuu takes things literally, and yet you still tease her."

"Hehe~ sorry, Ryuu. I really didn’t think you’d believe it," Alise said, sticking out her tongue playfully.

Ryuu’s face flushed bright red.

"Alise! You’re dead!"

"Ah! Ryuu, wait—you’re actually mad!?"

Ryuu didn’t answer—her fists did the talking.

Kaguya could only pinch the bridge of her nose and sigh.

"I told you. Ryuu’s too pure for your jokes."

Chapter 169 – The Record Book and the Night Visit

Tsuna’s room.

He sat at his desk, the soft yellow glow of a Magic Stone Lamp spilling across the wooden surface.

A sheet of paper lay before him, covered in handwritten words:

“Memory Worm,” “Silent Beast,” “Parasitic Beast”…

All were functional-type monsters Tsuna had once created.

“Annihilation Maker.”

At his quiet invocation, a thick tome appeared in his hands.

Its cover was bound in black hard leather, the surface shimmering faintly with a metallic sheen—heavy and solid, exuding an undeniable sense of weight.

“Success.”

A faint smile curved his lips.

“I kept thinking I needed my Sacred Gear to respond to my expectations, but it turns out I didn’t need a response at all. I just needed to add that ‘function’ myself.”

He shook his head lightly. “How dangerous fixed thinking can be.”

He began examining the book he had just created.

Its exterior seemed forged from some special material—completely black, free of any unnecessary engravings, smooth and clean.

Tsuna preferred that sort of simplicity.

Opening the tome, the first page was a table of contents, listing four categories: Biological, Functional, Armed, and Puppet.

He touched Biological with his fingertip. The pages fluttered on their own, stopping precisely at that section.

The first entry depicted the very first monster he had ever created—the Sky Lion.

Beside the illustration were several notes:

“Capable of using Sky Flame attacks, capable of flight, can transform into cloak and gauntlets.”

“Sky Flame, through the Trait: Harmony, can forcibly alter the structure of matter, allowing for Petrification.”

Reading the annotations, Tsuna nodded slightly. It matched perfectly with how he had envisioned the Sky Lion back then.

He tapped the page lightly.

The Sky Lion appeared on his desk.

What was drawn in the book as a two-dimensional image now stood before him in full three-dimensional form—exactly as he had imagined it.

Then, with a simple thought, he dismissed it. The creature vanished as if erased by an invisible hand.

The smile on his face deepened.

“As expected, with a detailed record of my monster creations, I can reproduce the beasts I’ve already designed much faster.”

“And this record book…”

Though the book disappeared from his hands, Tsuna could feel it residing deep within his soul.

“This must be the Sacred Gear’s response to my expectations.”

“It’s not merely a product of Annihilation Maker—it’s the Gear reshaped by my will, taking a form better suited to me.”

“Not bad at all. It’ll save me from having to imagine my previous creations from scratch. Now I can focus on using this power effectively in battle.”

Until now, Tsuna had always known the greatest weakness of Annihilation Maker: every creation required his imagination.

In combat, even the slightest distraction could prove fatal, which was why he always prepared his monsters in advance rather than creating them on the spot.

But this record book changed everything.

It gave him the ability to utilize Annihilation Maker more freely during actual combat.

Even if he still needed some preparation, the convenience it offered was more than triple what he had before.

With the record book, Tsuna could now produce far more battle-ready monsters than ever.

He was well aware he wasn’t a pure warrior—he was, first and foremost, a summoner.

For now, his combat prowess was still incomplete; summoning remained his main source of strength.

“So the two initial questions have been answered,” he murmured.

“One: how long my creations can last. Two: the record of every monster I’ve ever made.”

“Now, what I need to do is strengthen myself—find a way to return to my original world, and discover a method to travel freely between the two.”

Tsuna wasn’t content with simply returning home. He wanted to establish a stable passage between the two worlds.

He had left too many marks in this one—made too many friends.

And this world, too, was his contingency plan should the other one fall into ruin. It wasn’t something he could abandon easily.

“I have to take care of things on both sides. Otherwise, one world’s collapse will drag the other down as well.”

“Just like what Finn and I discussed regarding the Dark Faction…”

“In the end, the one who decides everything is always the one who holds power.”

In the end, only absolute strength could break the chains of rules and conventions.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sudden knocking interrupted his thoughts.

Perhaps it was a good thing—he could use the distraction.

He had achieved so much already, and the future no longer seemed so distant. But continuing to dwell on complex matters right now might only weigh him down.

Yes, maybe being interrupted was for the best.

He stood and opened the door.

Outside stood a red-haired girl with a somewhat awkward expression—Alise—and beside her, her calm and ever-collected companion, Kaguya.

“Good evening, Tsuna. Sorry for dropping by so suddenly. Did we interrupt you?”

“Not at all. In fact, your timing’s perfect.”

Kaguya gave a small nod, not questioning his words further.

“Come in,” Tsuna said, stepping aside. “I can guess why you’re here.”

He wasn’t an idiot—Loki had just announced Tiona and Tione’s successful Level Up, and now Alise and Kaguya were paying him a visit. It didn’t take a genius to see what they wanted.

Of course, he had no intention of hiding anything.

He didn’t mind spreading the power of the Dying Will Flame—but it needed to be shared responsibly, in a controlled direction.

Alise and Kaguya exchanged glances, then followed him into the room.

It was simple but spotless—unexpectedly neat for a young man’s quarters.

The bed, the floor, even the air itself felt clean, free of dust or the faintest trace of sweat.

From the Alternate Dimension, Tsuna took out two melon-sized fruits and a wooden spoon, offering them to the girls.

“You’re here to talk about the power Tiona and Tione gained, right?”

Chapter 170 – Visitors +2 (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

“…I see. I didn’t expect such a power to exist.”

Kaguya's tone carried both understanding and surprise.

She already knew Tsuna had been giving the Amazon sisters a bit of special training. After all, the three were close in age and often spent time together—it wasn’t strange at all.

What she hadn’t expected was that Tsuna had essentially given them a form of magic that required no incantation.

That realization made Kaguya more serious—and far more interested.

She understood perfectly well how much a power comparable to magic could raise both personal and overall strength.

Which meant that this time, she had every reason to press for it.

“Tsuna, what do we need to give in return to gain this power? If it’s that idiot elf, I think we can manage that!”

Kaguya said it without hesitation, casually selling out her own party member, Ryuu.

“Hey, didn’t you just say we shouldn’t tease Ryuu?”

“That was a moment ago. She’s not here right now.”

“Oh, come on! If she finds out you sold her out, she’ll cry for sure!”

Watching the two of them banter like a comedy duo, Tsuna couldn’t help but laugh. He waved a hand.

“There’s no need for any price. And as for that elf you mentioned, forget it. She can’t do anything besides fighting, can she? If I actually brought her here, she’d just cause me more trouble.”

“…”

So even the ‘useless elf’ reputation has spread this far?

Both Alise and Kaguya silently made the same remark in their minds.

“I never planned to hide this power,” Tsuna continued, “but I also don’t intend to announce it within the Familia just yet.”

“Why’s that?”

"It's simple. Low-level Adventurers don't have the spare energy to focus on anything beyond improving their basic skills and abilities. If their attention gets scattered, their growth will only slow down. Besides, the source of this power lies in one's resolve. Without a strong heart, this power can't even be awakened."

“It’s connected to one’s heart?”

Kaguya was beginning to understand why Tsuna didn’t want to spread it too widely. If that was the case, then indeed—this kind of power wasn’t something low-level Adventurers should handle.

“Low-level Adventurers need to first build a proper foundation,” Tsuna said. “While gaining strength, they should use that process to fortify their resolve. Once they’ve reached a certain point, mastering this power will be far easier.”

He nodded slightly.

"Miss Gojouno, you should understand this. In the Labyrinth City, low-level Adventurers make up the majority. Only a small portion ever rise above the lowest ranks. But many of them lose the will to become stronger—they just drift along."

“Even the Loki Familia, the second-largest Familia in the Labyrinth City, has plenty of low-level members. And right now, they’ve crossed their hurdles not through their own efforts, but through mine. That means they still don’t have the right mindset.”

Kaguya understood his point immediately.

Adventurers who overcame challenges on their own gained an inner resilience—that, in itself, was the condition needed to wield such a power.

Those who advanced only with external help lacked that same fortitude.

So this power isn’t without its limits after all.

But she could accept that. It was like how an Adventurer needed courage to challenge stronger monsters in pursuit of greater strength.

Without a strong and unyielding heart, they could never find the resolve to risk their lives against tougher foes.

Only those who took that step forward had the right to gain greater power.

Just like the power Tsuna possessed.

“Hmm… as for this ability,” Tsuna said after a pause, “I might need to explain it to a few more people, not just the two of you.”

“Huh?”

Both women blinked in confusion.

A moment later, there was another knock on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Tsuna opened it as he had before, while Kaguya and Alise instinctively craned their necks to peek outside.

Standing in the hallway were two familiar figures—Riveria and Ais.

“!”

The two women at the door also froze when they saw who was inside.

“Ah… did we interrupt something?” Riveria asked carefully.

She hadn’t expected to find both Kaguya and Alise visiting Tsuna’s room this late at night.

“It’s not really an interruption,” Tsuna said with a small smile. “Actually, I’d meant to visit you earlier, Riveria, but I’ve been spending a lot of time with Lady Hephaestus lately. Both she and Tsubaki have been researching new forging methods, so I haven’t had the chance.”

“Anyway, since you’re all here for the same thing, I won’t need to explain twice. Come in.”

Tsuna didn’t mind at all. Since their goals overlapped, discussing everything together would only save time.

Riveria entered with Ais in tow and gave a polite bow to Alise and Kaguya. The gesture made both of them stand at once.

“Alise, Kaguya—thank you for having us.”

“You’re not the ones intruding,” Kaguya replied quickly. “If anything, we’re the ones who came uninvited.”

It wasn’t false modesty—it was the truth.

Tsuna was a member of the Loki Familia, and technically, it was she and Alise who were the outsiders here.

The small room was now filled with key members from both the Loki and Astraea Familias, and though it felt a bit cramped, that didn’t stop everyone from listening attentively as Tsuna began his explanation.

Riveria and Ais soon heard his reasoning about why he hadn’t yet spread this power more widely.

“I agree,” Riveria said softly when he finished.

“The use of such power requires a steadfast heart. Without it, a strength born from the soul could become a burden rather than a blessing.”

“Only those who have crossed their hardest trials and found true resolve as Adventurers are ready to handle it, Tsuna.”

Riveria looked at him with quiet approval. She respected this diligent, self-driven boy—someone who had clearly earned the right to wield that power.

Still, there was one thing that piqued her curiosity.

“But tell me… why were Finn and Gareth the first to master it?” (End of chapter)