Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Even though he's a male god, he's as beautiful as a goddess.

He had long, golden hair that was a darker shade than Miss Ais's, and skin as smooth as white porcelain.

One of the reasons I thought he was "absolutely stunning, like a goddess" was his incredibly slender figure.

However, he was much taller than me and wore a sacred robe that completely exposed his right shoulder. The crown he wore looked like it was made of mistletoe?

I cannot see the eyes of the gods.

His eyes were hidden behind his ever-closed eyelids.

That being said, this guy clearly "could see" me.

Upon witnessing the majestic appearance of this deity, I was stunned and only understood one thing.

That means this god must be in charge of sacred things related to "light".

The handsome man turned his closed eyes toward me and gave me a gentle smile.

"God Baldr!"

A female student pushed open the door and walked in.

Presumably because the visitor was a student from the "school district," although it seemed somewhat impolite, she still managed to maintain basic etiquette and enter the room. Her flustered expression conveyed the urgency of the situation, and she shouted at the top of her lungs:

"Excuse me, has a white-haired human come here?!"

"No one has come here. What happened, Yarisa?"

"He didn't make it to the top floor? If that's the case, is he planning to hide on a floor along the way and wait for things to calm down...?"

The girl wearing the armband momentarily appeared lost in thought, but she quickly straightened her posture and replied, "I'm sorry I didn't answer your question immediately, but there was an intruder!"

"Once again, we failed to stop the Orario outlaws...! And the perpetrator is none other than the infamous White Rabbit (Bell Crane)!"

"I see."

"We will definitely catch him! Please rest assured and wait for our good news!"

They're gambling with the prestige of the "school district"!

The female student, with an expression as if preparing to make such a vow, left the room at lightning speed.

"It's alright now."

"Thank you so much..."

—After listening to the conversation from under my desk, holding my breath, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Having barged into this room first, I am grateful for the kindness of the handsome man before me and have taken refuge here.

"But...why are you protecting me...? Uh..."

"Hello, Bell Crane, my name is Baldr. Although the order is a bit off, I'm glad to meet you, Orario's new hope."

"Hope...? Ah, no, I should say that! I... I'm also very happy to meet you!"

After I finished speaking, Baldr first smiled and then slowly greeted me.

At first I was a little surprised and quickly bowed. But it was really amazing. The apology and nervousness that had been lingering in my heart gradually lessened over time.

It feels like... time seems to pass particularly slowly around this male god?

Or perhaps it was after hearing his gentle voice that my mood gradually calmed down.

As if seeing through my relaxed state, Baldr answered my question:

"The reason I'm protecting you is because we happened to be talking about you just before I received news of the intruder."

"—The person who talked to him about you was none other than me!!"

"Whoa ...

I was terrified when Hermes appeared as one of the stone slabs on the outer side of the large carpet was pushed aside.

This means that Hermes was already hiding under the floor before I arrived.

"After parting ways with you, little brother Bell, I happened to arrive at the bridge... which is the 'Temple Tower' area. Could my old acquaintance Baldr please let me hide for a bit?"

"Honestly... you only say things like that when you need to."

Hermes, twirling his hat with his index finger, walked over as he spoke. Baldr, after listening, smiled gently, still very mildly.

I don’t know what kind of relationship exists between Hermes and Baldr… but judging from the way they talk, it’s not hard to tell that they have known each other for a long time.

"Besides recruiting students, I also happen to have something 'god-like' I want to discuss with Badr, so this is just a side trip!"

"If you just write to me, I'll definitely make time to meet you... You really are like a gust of wind, always coming and going in such a hurry."

"What can I do? Even if I send you a letter through the proper channels, it will only be delayed again and again, and eventually the guild will tell me that I have to wait for a month. The 'school district' is already very busy during this period... not to mention the god who is the 'principal'."

I was transformed into a mere ornament, looking back and forth at Hermes and Baldr, who indicated they would only come when there was something important to do. Then, I couldn't help but let out a soft gasp because of one of the words.

"Excuse me, may I ask who the principal is...?"

"It means exactly what it says. Baldr is the greatest god here... and in terms of origin, he is also the founding god of the 'school district'."

The creator god... so the "school district" was created by Baldr!?

I looked over in surprise, only to see that Badr God still had his eyes closed, but seemed to be showing a bitter smile as he slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

"The word 'greatest' is somewhat grammatically incorrect. This 'school district' is ultimately operated by academy-type 'familias', and each of the main gods has an equal voice... But if we consider the need for someone to coordinate and take responsibility when something goes wrong, then I am indeed the highest person in charge of the 'school district'."

Since the shrine is located at the top of the central tower, I should be able to tell that the owner of this room has a worthy status... But after hearing the title of God Baldr, I tensed up all over again.

Although it's a bit late to say this, the thought of what kind of punishment we'll face makes me uneasy.

Although the god Baldr kindly provided me with shelter, I ultimately arrived here through illegal means...!

"So, what do you think, Badr? Regarding the 'request' I just mentioned, are you willing to grant it?"

Unlike me, who was tense all over, Hermes asked with a calm and collected expression.

"A request"...?

What did the two talk about before I arrived? The key point is that Baldr said, "We just happened to be talking about me." Why were they talking about me?

“Well…”

Badr looked at me, who stood still, not daring to make a move.

However, he did not hesitate for long. He curved his eyebrows into a crescent shape and spoke the following words in a gentle tone.

"I understand—Bell Craney, would you like to become a student in the 'school district'?"

I was instantly transported to the illusion that time had stopped.

After finally understanding what he meant, I was stunned and couldn't help but shout out loud.

"Eee ...

"Attending a 'school district'?! Lord Bell, is that you?!"

"Look what trouble you've gotten yourself into this time!"

Faced with Lily's angry shouts, I couldn't help but shrink back.

"I was wondering if you disappeared after joining the guild, or if you were poached by someone else?"

"Um, this isn't poaching... should we call it a 'conditional exchange'... or should we say that Hermes acted on his own initiative..."

"Oh dear! Is it Hermes's doing again!?"

It is now evening, and the location is the large dining room of "Zao Huo Guan".

After I recounted everything that had happened in the "school district," Welf, who was sitting next to me, looked dumbfounded, while Lily, who was in front of me, was so angry that she kept slamming her hands on the table, making a sound so loud it almost lifted the ceiling off.

I felt utterly ashamed that all I could do was foolishly offer the explanation that "this matter was settled without my knowledge."

"Bell, let me confirm with you one more time, you didn't say 'Recruit' or 'Intern,' did you?"

"Uh... I'm sorry, Hermes also mentioned these two words, but what exactly do 'Recruit' and 'Intern' mean...?"

"Recruit is 'Familia Recruitment,' while Intern is 'Faction Experience'... which means joining a Familia through experience. Both of these are channels for recruiting outstanding individuals from the 'Academy District' to join your own faction, Lord Bell."

Since I was still completely clueless about anything outside of the maze (dungeon), Welf and Lily helped me understand.

The so-called "Family Recruitment" is similar to a recruitment event held by the Orario faction on a designated date. Of course, this is an event approved by the "school district".

Each clan sends a representative to hold faction briefings in the "school district" to attract students to join. This not only ensures Orario has access to top talent, but also provides more career paths for students in the "school district".

Orario, hailed as the "center of the world," boasts a diverse array of Familias, including not only exploration (dungeon) types but also numerous high-level factions, placing it a strategically important location compared to other cities and nations. Consequently, it's natural to attract many volunteers from the "School District." According to the description, this activity, beneficial to both Orario and the "School District," has become a tradition.

"During the 'Family Recruitment' event, the 'School District' can invite members of a [Family] to stay for a period of time... which is called 'Family Recruiting Officer'. Doing so can deepen the relationship with students and thus promote one's own faction. Lord Welf just wanted to ask if you have become a Familia Recruiting Officer."

After listening to Lily's further explanation, I nodded in understanding.

The faction that can dispatch "Family Recruiters" is mainly the "School District" because "many students want to join your [Family]", so the larger the [Family], the more likely it is to be applicable.

The other "faction experience" is simpler, where students temporarily participate in various activities of the "familia" to which Orario belongs through the "school district".

This would allow Orario's [Family] to have a channel to promote their own faction, and it would also prevent students from experiencing maladjustment such as "This shouldn't be happening!" after joining the group.

After all, joining a guild is different from going out to find a job. Being branded with "divine grace" and joining a "familia" is a major life choice—after all, you have to stay in that faction for at least a year, and sometimes you will encounter situations like Lily's where it is difficult to leave the guild or convert—I can completely understand this part.

At the same time, I inexplicably felt that it was very thoughtful.

While I don't intend to dwell on my troubled past before meeting the goddess Hestia, perhaps it was the school's exceptional care and preferential treatment of its students... well, in short, an overly rigid adherence to rules. The moment these thoughts surfaced, it also signified that I had indeed become an adventurer in Orario.

No, it could also be because the talent pool in the "school district" is so outstanding that the competition for talent is too fierce, which has led to this situation.

Comparing someone like me, who used to farm in a poor, remote area, to students in a "school district" seems rather shameless.

In short, "Family Recruitment" and "Faction Experience" are major events that closely connect Orario with the "School District." Since I was only invited to enroll as a "student," I vehemently deny any questions regarding Welf and the others.

"Speaking of which, why do you have to be a 'student' in the school district? You could easily get in as an adventurer!"

"That's because... my infiltration of the 'school district' has become common knowledge... so everyone definitely won't give me a friendly look, or rather, they won't welcome me... or rather, they'll likely strongly oppose it..."

"So it means the students have a bad impression of [White Rabbit's Foot] and [Hestia Familia]."

"Ugh...! I'm so sorry, Lily!"

I gave Welf's question very vaguely, and after hearing Lily's sigh, I reflexively apologized.

As the leader of the guild, I felt incredibly guilty for causing this problem. After listening to the detailed introduction of "Family Recruitment," I finally realized that I had made such a big mistake, and I lowered my head in frustration.

"I'm truly... so sorry... If because of me, the Hestia Familia is unable to participate in the Familia Recruitment..."

"Ah, you don't need to worry about it. Anyway, it's fine no matter what."

"Huh... W-Anything is fine?"

"Yes, ever since that incredibly talented newcomer (Lord Ryu) joined the group, Lily has already discussed with Goddess Hestia about the recruitment of members for the 'school district'... In other words, we will not be recruiting any new members for the time being."

"Is this...is this real?"

"After all, our [Familia] has already been promoted to Rank B, and we've gained too much unnecessary fame. In addition, the War Game's celebration is still going on, and people are praising us a bit too much... This will definitely cause other [Familia], especially powerful factions, to have a lot of complaints about us behind our backs."

After Lily, who hadn't taken my troubles to heart, finished explaining, I blinked repeatedly, utterly surprised.

In short, Lily and the fairy's policy on recruiting members is "We've already recruited enough Lv.6 members, so we won't participate in the 'school district' recruitment war this time."

To put it more clearly, it means, "We are willing to give up our Level 2 and above Ascendants to you all, please stop seeing us as a thorn in your side~ But if the other party joins on their own initiative, please understand~".

Because of the gods' debt disturbance, no one had joined for a long time. I was originally a little confused because I thought I could recruit new members by taking advantage of this victory in the war game, but I understood after hearing the explanation.

When I joined, the Hestia Familia was a tiny faction, but it has grown at an almost dizzying pace. It's hard to guarantee that those factions that have been working hard all along won't be dissatisfied. Besides feeling annoyed, they'll probably also find us a nuisance.

"If we continue to grow stronger, others will inevitably see us as a thorn in their side. Although they will probably be wary of the valiant warriors behind Lily and the others (Lord Otto and others), so in principle they will not provoke 'resistance'... However, there are countless ways to cause trouble for others, the simplest of which is to sabotage the dungeon."

Situations that could lead to conflict or friction with other factions should be avoided if possible.

After Lily clearly expressed this meaning—

"I remember there's a proverb in the Far East that goes, 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.'"

"Ah, Miss Ryu."

Ms. Liu emerged from the kitchen and deftly placed dinner in front of us, just as we were finishing our conversation.

Today, Ms. Ryu and Ms. Mei are in charge of preparing dinner for the group members.

Ms. Ryu, who honestly admitted that her cooking skills were second only to Ms. Seele (and then sincerely apologized to everyone), was in charge of handling other miscellaneous tasks, while Ms. Mikoto was in charge of cooking, and Ms. Haruhime was also helping out.

Miss Ryu, who had been trained at "The Abundant Mistress," moved with exquisite grace in every movement. Even though she was only wearing loungewear and an apron, I couldn't help but be deeply attracted by her figure.

When Miss Ryu isn't participating in faction activities like dungeon exploration with the Familia, she'll temporarily help out at the "Hostes of Abundance"—Miss Ryu says that the Abundance Tavern is also a very important place for her, and she wants to continue to repay Aunt Mia and Miss Seele—so it can be said that she's an active tavern waitress providing table service for us.