Looking Forward to Another World - Chapter 12

Shortly after, Riegel thrust his short sword into the chest of the last Kobold, piercing its heart.
With the fall of the last Kobold, the battle came to an end.
The dungeon once again fell into silence.
Standing amidst the corpses of the Kobolds, Riegel gazed at the blood and remnants of monsters scattered around. He then glanced at his blood-stained hands and short sword, the dark red bloodstain on his cheek appearing particularly jarring.
“Not enough…”
Riegel murmured softly.
“It’s still not enough…”
His racing heart refused to calm.
His throbbing veins wouldn’t cease.
Overwhelmed with intense emotions, Riegel felt as if he was releasing all the oppression of his past lack of freedom, whispering from deep within.
“It could be more intense…”
Following his inner whispers, Riegel shed his usual polite demeanor. Like a berserker pursuing an unseen goal, he stepped further into the depths of the underground labyrinth.

Twilight Manor, atop the central tower.
In the divine room, Loki was pacing anxiously.
“Why hasn’t he come back yet?”
Staring at the gradually darkening sky outside, Loki’s agitation became more evident.
“He left last night and hasn’t returned all day today. It’s been a whole day and a night, hasn’t it?”
Recalling Riegel’s departure from the divine room last night, his icy and resolute silhouette, Loki bit her nails in worry.
“Did something happen?”
No, right?
Just one day into joining the Familia, and the treasure she’d stumbled upon is gone?
“If only I hadn’t indulged him.”
Loki was regretful.
She knew Riegel might have headed to the Dungeon.
Normally, a newcomer like him, who had just received a blessing and whose abilities were not much different from an ordinary person’s, should have been stopped by Loki after she guessed his intentions.
But Riegel’s potential was too promising. Despite being new to the blessings, his basic abilities were no different from an ordinary person’s. He possessed a magic and three skills and always seemed so calm and composed, as if he knew his limits. Thus, Loki ultimately chose not to intervene, allowing this new Familia member a bit of leeway.
Little did she know, this leniency would lead to trouble.
“Thinking about it, even if he’s sensible and talented, venturing rashly into the Dungeon as a newcomer is extremely risky.”
Setting aside anything else, Riegel knew very little about the Dungeon.
For instance, the layout of each level of the Dungeon.
Or the abilities and types of monsters in each level.
These are crucial pieces of information that a novice adventurer should understand before venturing into the Dungeon.
But Riegel had made no such preparations. Wasn’t an accident highly likely?
“Could he have been hurt because he didn’t understand the monsters’ attack patterns?”
“Or perhaps got lost due to unfamiliarity with the terrain?”
“Or encountered an unusual situation or a Monster Feast? But such things are rare on the upper levels, right?”
Loki couldn’t help but let her thoughts run wild.
“I can’t just sit here; I need to find someone to help.”
Unable to remain still, Loki left the divine room and headed outside.
Just as she was about to send people to look for Riegel in the Dungeon, someone called out.
“The rookie’s back!”
At the entrance of Twilight Manor, a Familia member on guard duty shouted.
“Back?”
Loki’s eyes brightened, and without a second thought, she rushed to the entrance.
However, the sight that greeted her at the entrance left her speechless.
“Hey, rookie, are you really okay?”
“You don’t look alright at all.”
“Here, take this water and this potion, drink it quickly.”
“What did you do to end up like this?”
A group of Loki Familia caretakers surrounded the entrance, engaging in frantic discussions and attentively offering various items to someone.
“Thanks for your concern, I’m really fine.”
Riegel thanked his seniors in the Familia, his tone as calm as ever, but his condition was visibly poor.
His clothes were torn and covered in various bloodstains, some so dark they were indistinguishable as his own or a monster’s. His black hair was a mess and damp, making him look as disheveled as one could be.
In his hand, he held a bloodstained short sword, its blade nicked and bent.
Such an appearance, so disheveled, was indeed shocking.
“You, boy…”
Loki approached, intending to scold him but stopped herself.
“Come with me.”
The Chief God, with an unpleasant expression, ignored the intimidated Familia members who dared not speak. She grabbed Riegel’s hand and dragged him away.
Riegel offered no resistance, allowing Loki to lead him to the top floor of the central tower and into her divine room.
Before Loki could say anything, Riegel spoke first.
“Sorry for making you worry.”