Chapter 120
A *Powerful Individual* doesn't just *poof* into existence from the *Sky* overnight.
No matter how talented someone might be, they couldn't split rocks the moment they were born. Unless they were a dragon.
Even a *General* who could shake heaven and earth was a newborn baby when they came into the world, growing up on mother's milk.
The grueling effort and life-or-death *Combat Experience* they endured on their way to becoming a *General* couldn't be ignored. In short, a *Powerful Individual* doesn't just appear suddenly; they are forged over a long period of time.
This was no different for *Lemegeton*, who lived hidden in the shadows.
The history of *Lemegeton* was surprisingly long, and most of its *Executives* had already left various records in society.
Sephiroth, the *5th Branch Leader*, was a prime example. Even before joining *Lemegeton*, she already possessed the impressive credentials of a *Magic Tower Master*.
One could easily trace the pasts of the *Branch Leaders*.
...But the word 'most' also implied that there were certainly *People* who didn't fit that description.
Ugh! So I'm saying we should have *Fireworks* for the *City Entry Event*! But that would draw too much attention... We barely escaped the notice of the *Countries* and just managed to move beyond a *Village* level. *Fireworks*? I don't want the *Knight Order* to have a housewarming party at my new *House*. But *Fireworks* are so pretty! Are you ignoring *Fireworks*?
Livia, the *3rd Branch Leader*, was a prime example. Very few *people* knew her past. It was said she joined *Lemegeton* a very long time ago, but even fewer knew exactly when. Perhaps only the *Chairman* would know the date of her enlistment. This meant she had lived in the shadows for an exceptionally long time.
All that could be known about her was that she had white hair, liked bright things, and always smiled in a way that made it impossible to know what she was thinking.
Speaking of which, where's Sephiroth? I have something to tell her. Oh, and I need to tease her periodically.
And there was also the minor detail that she didn't get along with the *5th Branch Leader*. More accurately, it was Livia constantly picking at Sephiroth.
Oh, she's coming right now. So please, let me go. My head already hurts from money issues, and now *Fireworks*? *Fireworks*... Waaah, you're so mean to me~.
Despite her outwardly bright demeanor, she got along well with a few of her *followers*. In particular, she was close with Amber, the *Financial Management Department Team Leader*.
As they waited for a moment, Sephiroth appeared.
You said you were looking for me, so I came. What do you need?"Oh, nothing much. You heard about the *Altar* appearing, right?"Of course. I also know that *Berith* is the owner of the *Altar*.
*Berith*, that was the name of the *Demon* about to appear. Livia said cheerfully in response to Sephiroth's answer.
"Yes, so I was thinking of participating in this operation."
"...What? You're supposed to be in charge of *the City Guard*. *Talent Acquisition* and finding *Demons* were clearly my and the *4th Branch Leader*'s roles."
"That's because Sephiroth is so bad at her job~. The *Talent Acquisition* is unsatisfactory, and she can't even find *Demons*. How can I trust her?"
"...What?"
Sephiroth frowned for a moment at that. But only for a moment; then Livia burst into laughter and continued.
Just kidding, just kidding~. Anyway, a lot of *Adventurers* will gather this time, right? I heard the announcement went out already.
Livia's eyes narrowed slightly.
I've been cooped up in the *Hideout* for too long... so I figured I'd burn everything down while I'm at it.
At that, Sephiroth felt a shiver of dread. Just because someone was cheerful and bright didn't mean they had a good personality. In fact, her personality was quite twisted among the *Branch Leaders*.
Her methods were also quite rough, and she never hesitated when killing *Adventurers*, as if she held some deep-seated resentment against them. It was even said that she sometimes threw severe fits of *Hysteria*.
Unless you were close to her, those who hadn't seen much of Livia often felt fear. So, when such a *person* suddenly announced her participation in battle, Sephiroth couldn't help but feel worried. Sephiroth didn't like unnecessary killing.
It's no use objecting. I already received permission from the *Chairman*~.
Of course, the outcome was already decided the moment Livia spoke. This time, Sephiroth would ultimately have to switch places with Livia and take over *Hideout* guard duty.
And so, Livia was set to participate in the upcoming battle.
*
"So, are you going to participate or not?"
"...Hmm."
I pondered for a moment at Haneul Im's words. If it were about directly *beating up* a *Demon*, that'd be one thing, but going to destroy an *Altar* didn't appeal to me much.
I'd participate in *beating up* a *Demon* because there was at least a chance of escaping the berserk state, like *Nikki*. But an *Altar*? No. I'd just get into troublesome fights. I'd rather just rest in my *Cave* for a change.
Now that I had my *Adventurer Card*, I also wanted to visit the *Orphanage* where I grew up.
Of course, they probably wouldn't welcome me... but I just wanted to know how they were doing.
But that thought lasted only a moment, and I soon decided to participate in the battle.
I need to build up my achievements, after all.
Since I'd become an *Adventurer*, I wanted to reach S-rank. They say there are benefits for guild transactions at S-rank, so there's no reason to stay put.
And I could always visit the *orphanage* later.
So, I decided to join the mission with her.
And the departure took place promptly three days later. Haneul Im said it's better to leave as soon as possible for these kinds of requests. It inevitably takes the form of an occupation battle for something like an *Altar*, which occupies a specific location.
Therefore, it's advantageous to secure a position first. In fact, three days was quite late... apparently, most *Adventurers* had already left. The *Destination* was also quite close, about a two-day journey.
As always, the *People* accompanying me this time were Chaerin Yu and Haneul Im. Perhaps because the *Knight Order*, my suppressor, wasn't here, Chaerin was streaming, chatting with her *Viewers*.
Everyone, today I'm going to get some amazing footage. My YouTube views have been dropping lately; it's an emergency, you know?
[That's because you always just do boring *Hunting*, dammit lol]
[Stop *Hunting* stop leveling up stop *Hunting* stop leveling up]
[Let's catch a *Lizardman*... Part 1... Part 2... Part 3...]
Come to think of it, it felt like a long time since I'd seen Chaerin.
She had been wandering around lately, trying to *Level Up* again.
It seemed like her lack of activity during the *Andras Extermination* battle had subtly bothered her.
Leveling Up is good and all, but... a mischievous thought came to me, and I asked her.
"Seems like it's been a while?" "Oh, it has, hehe. I've been busy *Leveling Up* lately."
[Oh yeah, this is it!][Why is she looking for views? There's a view copier right there lolol][Our *Streamer* just barely reached A-rank, but someone else is an A from the start...][Actually, A seems a bit low for him lol][If this is the case, why is the *Streamer* even an *Adventurer*?][Ah, lol, just get protection quietly from a *Man* lolol]
As soon as I asked, various reactions immediately popped up in the chat. It was a common sight, but today it was more intense. The news of me recently receiving an *Adventurer Card* had spread there too.
Well, there were a lot of *Otherworlders* in the *Guild* at the time, so it would be strange if the news hadn't spread. Anyway, that wasn't important.
I had a slight feeling of resentment towards this *Person*. Because she had been wandering around outside, my precious little one was missing its chance to shine. It wanted to unleash its energy to its heart's content, but there was no opportunity.
Thanks to that, I'd only managed to 'shoot' fewer than twenty times with her in the two weeks since we returned from catching *Andras*...
...Huh? You might ask if that's not quite a lot, considering I said it's been a long time?
Unfortunately, my libido isn't satisfied with just that. In some ways, even a week is a long time for me.
So, I just quietly stared at her, occasionally glancing at her chest and butt.
...Hmm.
...Why, why are you looking at me like that?
She asked me with an anxious gaze. I paused for a moment, then told her.
Come visit my *House* sometime soon.
Flinch.
At my words, her body trembled slightly. She didn't show it explicitly, but she seemed to have sensed something internally.
Her eyes trembled like a lamb before a predator.
But that was only for a moment; then Chaerin replied in a meek, almost whispering voice.
Yes, y-yes...
At that, I nodded with satisfaction. And so, we headed comfortably towards the *Altar*, chatting casually and enjoying some gourmet food along the way.
We've arrived!
When we reached our *Destination*, a multitude of *People* had already gathered.
*Adventurer Tents* and *Knight Order Encampments* were visible everywhere.
Since the announcement had gone out several days ago, many *People* had already arrived.
*Is an occupation battle going to take place here?*
Thinking that, I looked around for a moment.
Then I grabbed a random *Adventurer* and asked.
Do you know when the occupation battle will begin?
Since I joined on a whim, knowing when the battle would start was an important factor for me. I needed to know that to figure out when I could return *home*.
However, when I asked this question, the *Adventurer* made a troubled expression. As if he was hesitant to answer.
Well...
But that was only for a moment; then the *Adventurer* sighed and said.
"The occupation is already over..."
"What?"
"The *Altar* has already been taken. We are currently on our way back, defeated."
"Eh."
At that, I was momentarily shocked. It seemed the *People* I was seeing were *Stragglers*.