After Roy acted, he swiftly eliminated the remaining dozen or so Level 2 monsters.
The adventurers who had narrowly escaped death collapsed to the ground, catching their breath.
"Did you go deaf just now?" the demi-human adventurer snarled, regaining some strength and storming toward Lili in rage.
Roy glanced over and shook his head.
This showed just how rotten the Soma Familia's members were—they couldn't even thank Lili, their savior.
Familia matters were internal, untouchable by outsiders, even in the dungeon, per the rules.
That's why the demi-human adventurer dared ignore Roy.
Of course, it was mostly because he was used to bullying the weak in the Soma Familia.
But Lili wasn't the same as before.
With quick reflexes, she elbowed the demi-human adventurer in the abdomen as he approached.
The intense pain made his eyes bulge, and he dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach and groaning.
"I asked Lord Roy to save you, not so you could strut around me," Lili said, her delicate face wearing a cold smile as she looked down at the demi-human adventurer, now eye-level with her even on his knees.
In the past, she couldn't have stood up to him, let alone hurt him with bare hands.
After all, she was just a frail Pallum.
"And do you think I'm still the one you can bully and curse at will?" Lili grabbed his hair and slapped him hard, as if repaying all the suffering she'd endured over the years.
She stopped only after his eyes glazed over and he nearly passed out, then released his hair.
Glancing at Zanis, who was barely breathing, she declared firmly, "Captain Zanis is dead. I want to be the captain of the Soma Familia!"
"What?" The other adventurers stared in shock, then burst into laughter.
"Lili, have you lost your mind? What nonsense! You, captain of our Soma Familia?"
They felt no sorrow over Zanis's death.
In truth, most in the Soma Familia wouldn't mourn a comrade's passing.
"Even if we pick a new captain, it won't be you."
"Exactly. Who do you think you are, aiming for captain? Chandra hasn't even spoken yet."
Chandra, another Level 2 adventurer in the team, was the Soma Familia's other high-class member besides Zanis.
With Zanis gone, he was the most qualified.
"No, I don't mind Lili as captain. I'm not interested in the hassle anyway. Becoming captain means no more peaceful sleep!"
Chandra said unexpectedly, rejecting the others' suggestions.
"And Lili's strength seems solid now—good enough for captain."
"Chandra, you…" The adventurers gaped at him, stunned by his refusal.
"Don't forget, Lili saved us, or we'd be monster food," Chandra said lightly, glancing subtly at Roy as if hinting at something.
Recalling Roy's power and realizing he was Lili's ally, plus Chandra's support for her, the four adventurers grudgingly shut up.
Roy looked at Lili, understanding why she'd asked him to save them.
At least Chandra wasn't ungrateful, and his backing would make controlling the Soma Familia easier.
"Lord Roy, we should head to the Soma Familia now," Lili said, satisfied with the outcome.
The group left the dungeon and headed to the Soma Familia.
This was the Soma Familia's base.
Led by Chandra, Roy and Lili arrived at the two connected management towers.
"Lord Soma's up ahead, on the top floor. Go see him yourself—I'm not interested," Chandra said, pointing to one tower.
His tone lacked enthusiasm when mentioning Soma, revealing clear dissatisfaction with the god.
"Thanks," Lili said, then entered the tower with Roy, heading to the third floor.
"You go in alone," Roy said, stopping at the closed door.
Lili nodded and pushed it open.
Inside, a figure with slightly curly long hair obscuring his face worked at a bench in the spacious balcony room, mixing plants.
This was Soma, the god of wine.
Even hearing the door, Soma didn't react, continuing his work.
"Lord Soma," Lili began, but Soma cut her off.
"Talk to Zanis if you need something."
"Captain Zanis died in the dungeon. I'm here to say I want to be captain. I hope you'll approve," Lili stated plainly, holding no illusions about her god.
"Died?" Soma paused, sensing Zanis's Status. The connection was gone.
Gods formed links with those they granted Status to, sensing only life or death. A vanished Status meant death.
"I see. If you want to be captain, fine. I'll leave Familia affairs to you. Don't bother me with brewing unless necessary," Soma said, resuming work without surprise over Zanis's death.
"Update my Status, and give me your approval letter," Lili said directly.
With Soma's consent, Lili relaxed.
Soma set aside his work, wrote the letter, and updated her Status.
"Level 2?" Soma stared in shock.
He recalled no exceptional talent in Lili, and her Status hadn't been updated in ages.
Yet she'd jumped straight to Level 2, astonishing even him.
"How?" Soma, curious about the unknown beyond brewing, asked.
"None of your concern, Lord Soma. Just stay here brewing," Lili replied coldly, showing no respect.
She was deeply disappointed in her god, offering no courtesy.
Soma said nothing, silently returning to his bench and work.
Lili held the updated Status parchment, excitement surging through her.
Level 2 for real? She'd never dreamed of becoming a high-class adventurer, let alone so quickly. It felt like a dream.
She knew Roy had made it possible. Without him, she'd still be a thief scraping by.
She hadn't let Roy down.
With the Status parchment and Soma's letter, Lili was secure as captain.
She glanced back at Soma, anger flashing in her eyes like disappointment in wasted potential.
Soma's room reeked of wine, intoxicating even to non-drinkers. This was divine wine's allure.
But Lili loathed it—the cause of the Soma Familia's chaos.
Divine wine's magic addicted people, driving them to desperate measures for more.
Her parents, captives of divine wine, died chasing money for it.
Lili glared at the wine in disgust, then gathered it all and handed it to Roy.
"Lord Roy, take all the divine wine."
Roy reached for a bottle, ready to open it.
"Those aren't finished. Let them sit a few days before drinking," Soma said.
Though indifferent to affairs, he wouldn't let ignorance ruin his wine.
"Lord Soma, keep brewing!" Lili retorted sarcastically.
He looked away silently, head down, resuming work.
"You should be set as captain," Roy said, storing the wine in his space for later tasting.
"Lord Roy, I'd like some time off," Lili said. "As new captain, I'll handle Soma Familia matters first, then resume as your supporter."
After instructing Lili, Roy left the Soma Familia.
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter