Crossover Anime: From DanMachi to Becoming a Garbage Scavenging Master

What should have been a joyful barbecue party was filled with an indescribable sense of oppression, even though the charcoal fire was burning brightly.

Tianxing waved gently to the crowd, indicating that they shouldn't be so formal and should focus on their own skewers. Once the occasional sounds of grilling and whispers returned, he turned to Nyord and Loki beside him, pulled out chairs, and said calmly, "Sit down. So, can you tell me the details?"

Njord didn't rush to reply. He reached for a bottle of soda on the table, popped the cap off with his thumb, and took a large gulp. He held the bottle silently for a moment before slowly saying, "According to the fishermen, they suddenly surfaced from the bottom of the water without any warning. The first blow went straight through the hull of one of our fishing boats."

He paused, lowering his voice even further: "The fishermen could only grab whatever they could find and fight back, but the leader of those monsters was extremely fierce. The Lv.3 vice-captain of the clan rushed up and fought it head-on for several rounds, but couldn't defeat it. In the end, they were locked in a stalemate. After a while, they couldn't hold on any longer and had to abandon the ship and retreat ahead of schedule."

As soon as he finished speaking, Alphia quietly approached with a plate of freshly baked chicken wings, placed the plate steadily on the gods' table, and then quietly stepped back two steps to stand behind Skywalker. Finn and the other two also tacitly surrounded Loki, none of them interrupting.

Tianxing nodded thoughtfully and concluded, "In other words, the opponent has at least Lv.3 level combat power on the water, can act in groups, and is not unintelligent."

A hint of hesitation crossed his face as he continued, "Although our clan just recruited two Lv.2 new members a couple of days ago, they probably won't be of much use in this kind of situation."

Loki chimed in at the opportune moment, shrugging: "I'm about the same on my end. I only have three Lv.2s that I can actually show off."

Upon hearing this, Njord raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly somewhat surprised by the Skywalker Clan's rapid development.

However, he quickly composed himself and added sincerely, "I'm not asking you to confront those monsters head-on. I'd like to ask you to help investigate the Lolog Lake area and see if you can find any clues."

He sighed. "Fishing is the main business of our clan and one of the foundations of Mellen Town, so we can't stop going to sea. Most of the clan's high-level combatants have to accompany the fishing boats for escort. Although we conduct investigations from time to time along the way, the only suspicious locations left right now are around Lake Lolog."

After listening, Skywalker and Loki nodded in unison, which was considered as a preliminary assessment of the commission.

Seeing that the two were willing to help, Njord's expression softened slightly, and he asked directly, "What are your thoughts on the reward?"

Tianxing thought for a moment and said, "Equipment or something, my members happen to be short of that."

Loki chuckled casually, "I'd like some information about Orario, and some local seafood, that'll do."

Nyord's eyes lit up, and he replied, "As for equipment, our clan has always cooperated with the forging clans of Orario. Using the blue crab shells and water serpent fins I showed you before as materials, we've made standard breastplates and water boots, which are very convenient for movement in water. How about I give you two sets as payment?"

He paused, then said to Loki, "As for Orario... with your current strength, it will be very difficult to develop there. Maxim, the leader of the Zeus Familia, recently reached Level 7 and rules Orario together with the Empress of the Hera Familia. It would be better to stay in Melon for a while, improve your strength, and then go to Orario to make a name for yourself. Anyway, it's not far away."

Loki squinted and pondered for a moment, then nodded: "It's definitely worth considering. I'll discuss it with the children later."

Tianxing agreed to Nyod's request and inquired about information on the grimoire and equipment manufacturing, intending to obtain several sets of equipment from Nyod's family.

With the matter mostly settled, the atmosphere at the barbecue party warmed up again.

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During the banquet, Riveria walked through the crowd and came before Tianxing. She lowered her head slightly, her jade-colored hair gleaming softly in the firelight.

"Lord Prometheus, there is something I wish to ask you." Her voice was not loud, but clear and steady. "There is a life force flowing through that forest. Do you know anything about it?"

Tianxing put down the squid skewer he had just taken a big bite of, secretly glad he had planted the tree yesterday, but said aloud, "I know a little about it. There's a newly grown sacred tree over there. What's wrong?"

Riveria clenched her small hands and asked eagerly, "Would you be willing to let me in to take a look? I'm quite intrigued by this aura."

Skywalker stood up and gestured for Riveria to follow. The two reached the edge of the clearing and walked along the forest path deeper into the woods. Only Loki noticed their movements.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a beautiful shadow on the ground.

A small tree, barely taller than a person, stands in the woods, its branches and leaves still tender, yet it subtly overshadows the surrounding trees, as if the entire forest is breathing slowly around it. The life force flowing from its trunk is gentle and clear, stirring the air and soil, making its extraordinary nature immediately apparent.

Riveria's steps involuntarily stopped, and the magic power within her body fluctuated slightly, resonating subtly yet clearly with that rhythm. She almost moved forward, but forcibly stopped before taking a step.

This is not Alfred's territory, but someone else's. Reason reminded him of this, yet the pulse of emotion grew ever clearer.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her hesitation had been suppressed.

Riveria stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Tianxing, her tone restrained yet solemn: "Lord Prometheus, please forgive my sudden rudeness. The sacred tree here is so precious yet left unattended; as an elf, I cannot stand idly by."

Tianxing calmly looked at Riveria, nodded slightly, and gestured for her to continue.

Seeing that the other party did not seem displeased, Riveria continued, "I would like to have my former maid, Aina, tend to this sacred tree. Her abilities are exceptional even in Alfred Forest, and she will surely be able to arrange things properly. I humbly request your permission."

Tianxing nodded. On second thought, it seemed a bit unreasonable for a god to simply ask Riveria to do things without giving her anything in return.

He quietly took out a fragment of the rules and kneaded it into a jade-colored crystal flower hair clip in his palm—this was a preliminary result of the Black Tower's borrowing of the folding knife ritual this morning. The relic system of the Golden Finger simulating the universe had finally yielded some results.

This hairpin can amplify the flow of magic and slightly improve the wearer's physique, making it a rather nice gift for a mage like Riveria. Moreover, the data generated from the hairpin's actual use can help the Black Tower further refine this system.

He handed over the jade-colored crystal flower hairpin and said, "Then I'll leave this sacred tree to you. My clan has some empty land there, and your maid can stay there temporarily. This hairpin is a reward; it's an experimental product developed by our clan, and wearing it should be helpful to you."

Riveria thanked him and accepted the hairpin, fastening it in her hair. The surging power of the rules emanating from it continuously nourished her body, causing her face to flush slightly, making her appear as if she were shy.

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In the shadows of the woods, Loki silently watched all of this.

She only saw Riveria suddenly kneel down before Prometheus, then take a crystal flower and put it on her head, her face immediately turning red.

Loki felt like his world was collapsing—was the elven princess he had raised with such care going to be kidnapped like this?