Chương 115: Two Lives Owed

"Aaaaaah!" Ouka slammed into a tree and fell to the ground, clutching his stomach. His eyes bulged from the pain, sweat breaking out across his forehead as blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. Before he could recover, pain struck his cheek. His vision spun, and he landed on his back staring at the glowing moss in the branches above. Cael looked down at him coldly. He had knocked Ouka down with one kick and one punch.

"Why..." Ouka coughed up blood and forced his eyes open.

"Why did you not use the sword?"

"Do not think I forgive you," Cael said.

"If anyone drags my companions into danger with malice, I do not care who they are. I will not be kind." His gaze moved across Takemikazuchi Familia.

"But I also do not want my goddess placed in a difficult position because I cut off your limbs." The others lowered their heads in shame.

"That is all. Because your god has a good relationship with my goddess, and because Lord Takemikazuchi has helped me before, this ends with a beating. Otherwise, it would not be this simple." Takemikazuchi Familia knelt deeply.

"Thank you. No matter what, thank you."

"Enough. Remember this." Cael clicked his tongue.

"You owe me two lives. I will leave the debt at that. If this happens again, I will not show mercy." If he cut off their limbs and left them to die here, he could justify it. But afterward, how would he face Hestia? Takemikazuchi was a good-natured god who had helped him more than once. Even if the help had not succeeded, the goodwill had been real. If this had been Soma Familia or some other rotten group, Cael would have swung the sword without hesitation.

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"We will remember this debt," Mikoto said, bowing until her forehead touched the ground. The Hashira nodded behind Cael. This was the best outcome. The problem was addressed, and Takemikazuchi Familia would remember both the debt and the warning.

"You may rest at the temporary camp," Cael said. Mikoto and the others looked at him in disbelief. After what had happened, he was still allowing them into the camp?

"This matter is only temporarily settled. Do not think I will give you friendly treatment," Cael said.

"You are benefiting from Lord Takemikazuchi's goodwill, nothing more." He turned and walked away. Whether they followed was their problem. Ouka was supported by two members while Mikoto carried the injured Chigusa.

"Follow him," Ouka said. As they moved behind Hestia Familia, Ouka stared at Cael's back in shock. He was absurdly strong. Was Cael already Lv. 3? They had met three times, and each time he seemed completely different. If he had reached Lv. 3 in less than two weeks, then he was a monster in human form. Cael returned to camp and sat down around the pot with his companions. He had allowed Takemikazuchi Familia to come over. That was already generous. He did not plan to provide medicine or food.

Unfortunately, they had thrown away nearly everything while fleeing. Without potions, food, or proper recovery, returning to the Eighteenth Floor would be difficult. Cael was curious how they had dared come to the Nineteenth Floor in the first place. The monsters here started around middle Lv. 2 potential, while their whole group seemed to be on the lower end of Lv. 2. In the end, soft-hearted Shinobu saw them licking their wounds and gave them a healing potion and some dried meat. They thanked her repeatedly.

The scene reminded Cael of Finn's behavior after Hestia Familia defeated the Monster Rex. He pretended not to see it. Mikoto eventually approached Cael and thanked him again.

"Enough. I do not accept your gratitude right now." Cael waved her off, unmoved by her stubborn eyes.

"But I am curious. With your strength, why did you come to the Nineteenth Floor? Were you trying to die?" Mikoto fell silent.

"If it is private, forget it," Cael said, picking up his bowl.

"We will leave soon. Follow if you want, but do not expect us to take care of you." Saying it openly was better. Once Hestia Familia left, Takemikazuchi Familia would certainly follow them from behind. That was the only way they could safely leave the Nineteenth Floor.

"After what happened, allowing us to rest here is already the greatest mercy," Mikoto said. Then her eyes grew firmer.

"The truth is... we needed a lot of money. We accepted a Dian Cecht Familia herb commission and came here for the reward."

"So you risked your lives for money." Cael's voice turned dry.

"That is impressive in the worst way." Takemikazuchi Familia was poor, but they were not the kind of people who gambled with their lives for simple greed.

"It is for a friend," Mikoto said quickly, then stopped herself.

"I am sorry. I spoke too much."

"A friend?" Cael became interested.

"If I were doing it for people close to me, I might take risks too. What kind of friend?" He smiled faintly.

"If you tell me your painful story and entertain me a little, maybe I will let this whole matter go." He was not usually this mean. But after they had tried a Pass Parade on his camp, surely he was allowed to find a little amusement at their expense.