Multiverse: In DanMachi, I'm the Strongest Summoner

He knows me?

Lili's heart jolted, eyes filled with disbelief.

But still…

She opened her mouth and softly said,

"Thank you… Mister Adventurer."

Lili reached out her hand.

Raven grasped it and pulled her up in one motion, continuing,

"Let's go. I'll get you out of here."

On the way back—

Any killer ants or shadow beasts that tried to attack were all wiped out by him.

"S-So strong…"

"Are… are you really the Heavenfeather Demon Lord?"

Lili finally recognized him—and recalled how she once dreamed of becoming his supporter.

"Yeah."

Raven nodded and asked,

"What happened back there?"

"Why were you alone on the seventh floor as a supporter?"

"I was abandoned… by the adventurer I was helping…"

"When we were surrounded by the killer ants, he shoved me into the horde to distract them…"

"So he could escape…"

Lili lowered her eyes, her face full of dejection.

"That adventurer… probably got devoured by the monsters."

"I see…"

"Karma got him, then."

Unfortunately, such things weren't rare in the Lower City.

Not every adventurer was a good person.

When cornered, some people were capable of doing anything.

"R-Raven-sama…"

"What you said earlier… about me joining your team as a supporter—was that true?"

"Yeah. I really need a supporter right now."

Raven didn't deny it.

If he planned to explore deeper floors, a supporter was absolutely essential.

After all—

Picking up magic stones and drop items was a total hassle.

Far better to leave that work to someone else.

Meteria had already begun walking the path toward becoming an Overlord.

She wasn't suited to support roles anymore.

Raven thought…

During future Familia expeditions, they could teleport directly to unknown floors.

That way—

Lower-level members could piggyback on the achievements and level up fast.

Just like how Loki Familia's Raul had done.

"All right."

"Then, Raven-sama, I'll be in your care from now on."

Lili's eyes sparkled as she accepted the role of his personal supporter.

"Good…"

"By the way, where's your backpack?"

Raven looked at her curiously.

At the moment—

Lili's clothes were torn and ragged, and her trademark oversized backpack was nowhere to be seen.

"It was… taken by that adventurer."

Lili muttered bitterly, lowering her head again.

Raven sighed internally.

What a rough day for her…

"Raven-sama, may I ask how you knew I was a member of the Soma Familia?"

Lili looked up at him in confusion.

Raven chuckled softly.

"I know more than just that. I also know you've been wanting to leave the Soma Familia, haven't you?"

Lili's heart skipped a beat.

H-How does he know that?

"Here's the deal."

"My Familia is short on people right now. Why don't you join us?"

"I… really can?"

Lili was visibly moved.

"Of course."

"Like I said—I'm really in need of a supporter."

Right now, the Hestia Familia was desperately understaffed.

If he wanted the Familia to grow, the right people were a must.

Of course…

Raven didn't want Hestia to go around randomly recruiting strangers.

In the original story—

When they first moved into the Hearth Mansion, Blue Ribbon (Lili in disguise) nearly recruited hundreds of people behind Bell's back.

Thankfully, once those people found out the Hestia Familia was 200 million valis in debt, they all backed out.

That kind of situation—

Raven had no intention of letting it happen.

As the Familia's leader, he wouldn't allow just anyone to join.

So—

Who could enter the Hestia Familia? That would be his call.

...

Lili was elated for a moment—but then her mood dimmed again.

"But…"

"I'm sorry, Raven-sama."

"My god—Lord Soma—probably won't let me leave that easily…"

"You mean he'll demand a 10,000,000 valis withdrawal fee to let you transfer, right?"

Lili's eyes widened in shock.

"H-How… How do you know that, Raven-sama?!"

Raven thought to himself for a moment, then replied casually,

"It's nothing, really."

"All right. I'm taking tomorrow off, so I'll head into the dungeon the day after."

"Be at the central square around 10 a.m. that morning, okay?"

"Lili understands…"

As she stepped out through the gates of Babel Tower, the sky had already dimmed into twilight.

After saying goodbye to Lili—

Raven headed northwest through the avenue.

His goal remained unchanged.

First, a stop by the Guild—to see the long-absent Eina.

And then—

It would be time to hang out with Naaza, just as promised yesterday.

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