Chương 108: Apollo's Invitation

After leaving the Guild, Cael stopped in front of the commission board. The board was covered with requests. Some asked for rare herbs, minerals, or Drop Items. Others sought temporary team members or missing companions. A few even came from villages around Orario that needed beasts cleared from nearby roads.

"Since we are going to the Dungeon anyway, should we take some commissions?" Tengen asked.

"Yes," Cael said. Middle Floor parties often accepted commissions as side income. Most requests had no penalty if they failed, and as long as the goal matched their route, there was no reason to refuse. Cael accepted several requests from Dian Cecht Familia and Miach Familia for Middle Floor Drop Items. Forge and pharmacy Familias posted the most requests. Materials were always useful to them.

"There are also bounty hunters in Orario," Lili explained.

"They accept commissions too, but many of them use any method they can. A lot of that work belongs to the darker side of the city."

"Then we keep our distance from them for now," Cael said. He put away the accepted requests.

"Once Apollo Familia becomes our stepping stone, Hestia Familia can truly grow." The timing was also interesting. If Cael remembered correctly, this period was close to the Jewel Fetus incident and the City Destroyer stirring trouble in Orario. If he had the chance, participating might bring large rewards. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. And if he was lucky enough to meet the Xenos in the Great Tree Labyrinth, he might even draw out Fels.

When he leveled up, the Infinite Skill Tree would grow new leaves. If concepts related to resurrection, space, or time appeared, they could decide major turning points in the future. That was why growth mattered. Apollo's invitation was only one piece on the board. The party left the Guild and headed for the Dungeon. Eina remained behind, still staring at the door. She wanted to believe Cael, but Apollo Familia's reputation made that difficult. In Orario, adventurers clashed constantly.

Most conflicts began with words and ended with fists. Familia conflict was worse. Once gods became involved, even the Guild's authority became limited. Eina pressed a hand to her forehead.

"That idiot..." Outside, Cael opened Apollo's invitation and glanced through it. The wording was elegant, arrogant, and full of false courtesy. It invited Hestia Familia to a banquet hosted by Apollo, where gods and adventurers would gather. In other words, it was a trap dressed as an invitation. Lili's expression darkened.

"Lord Apollo will not stop with polite invitations."

"Of course not," Cael said.

"He wants a public stage." Apollo needed witnesses. If he provoked Hestia Familia in front of many gods and adventurers, then pushed the situation toward a War Game, he could take what he wanted under the cover of rules. Unfortunately for him, Cael wanted the same stage. Hestia Familia needed money, a home, and reputation. Apollo Familia had all three. Tengen laughed.

"So we let him perform?"

"We let him perform," Cael said.

"Then we take the stage."

"Flashy."

"Very flashy." Lili looked at Cael's relaxed face and sighed.

"Lord Cael always makes dangerous things sound simple."

"Because fear does not make them safer." He folded the invitation and put it away.

"Dungeon first. Banquet later." The party passed through the streets toward Babel. The huge white tower rose above them, and adventurers flowed around its base in constant streams. Some looked at Cael's group with curiosity. Others whispered when they recognized Hestia Familia. The rumor of the Monster Rex had already done its work. Cael ignored the stares. He had planted bait in Orario. Apollo had bitten. Now all that remained was to pull at the right moment.

"Let us go," he said. The party entered Babel. For them, the next battlefield lay below the city.