The real reason Genichi suddenly flipped the table was the new magic he had obtained: Shadow Monarch.
With that magic, he had no need to worry about Demeter's safety at all.
Shadow Monarch could summon shadows to fight, take fatal damage in his place, and transfer his true body at any time.
As long as he left one shadow by Demeter's side, it was the same as assigning her a bodyguard who would never betray her.
As for Filvis Challia, with strength on the level of a Level 7...
Genichi was not worried in the slightest.
If she had the nerve, she could come looking for him across the whole world.
That's right.
Genichi had already decided to run with Demeter.
The idea had first taken root in his mind back when Filvis had tried to recruit him in the Dungeon.
Dionysus was too dangerous.
That mad god could make his move at any time.
And then there was Freya. Whatever her goal was, Genichi had no desire to get entangled with her either.
The Loki Familia wanted to talk to him now, but who knew what would happen later?
And then there was that damned soul coliseum. He had no idea when it might summon him again.
Every single matter was forcing him to make a choice.
Either stay in Orario and face all those dangers that could erupt at any moment.
Or take Demeter and leave, find somewhere safe, and continue growing stronger.
Genichi chose the latter.
Of course, before leaving, there were still a few things he needed to do.
First, he had to earn the feat he needed.
He was already Level 5, and his status was maxed out. What he lacked now was a great enough feat.
As long as he gained one achievement with enough weight behind it, he could level up to Level 6.
The gap between Level 5 and Level 6 was no small thing.
If he could reach Level 6, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap.
At that point, whether he was facing Filvis or any other danger, he would have far more confidence.
So he planned to challenge Udaeus first.
He had already fought that Level 6 floor boss once before.
Although he had only won that time because of Alfia, he was much stronger now than he had been back then.
And now he had Shadow Monarch.
Even if he could not win, he could still let a shadow die in his place.
That made things much safer.
And if that still did not work...
He had another option.
The Great Forest.
That monster sealed deep within it, Antares.
Of course, that was even more dangerous.
But Genichi did not care.
As long as Demeter was not in Orario, he could fight without holding anything back.
He had mobility, support, healing, offense, and resurrection.
In every respect, he had everything he needed.
And with Apparition as well, even if he settled Demeter somewhere outside Orario, he could return to her side at any time.
If the distance was too great, he still had the Portkey.
As long as he activated it, he could teleport to her instantly.
So no matter where Demeter was, he would always be able to reach her.
That was the true reason Genichi had no hesitation at all when he decided to flip the table.
As for what would become of Orario after that...
What did it have to do with him?
He had come to this world for only one reason: to grow stronger.
Demeter was the one thing tying him to this world, but that was all.
Everyone else...
Whether it was the Loki Familia, Freya, or the Guild...
Their lives or deaths had nothing to do with him.
Genichi stood by the window, looking out at Orario under the moonlight, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Demeter."
He spoke.
Demeter was sitting at the edge of the bed. Hearing his voice, she looked up at him.
"Mm?"
"Pack your things."
Genichi's voice was calm.
"We're leaving."
Demeter froze slightly.
"Leaving? Going where?"
"Out of Orario first."
Genichi turned to look at her.
"We'll find somewhere safe and finish earning the feat I need."
"And then..."
He paused.
"I'm going to challenge Udaeus."
Demeter's pupils shrank.
"You're going to challenge that monster again?"
"Yeah."
Genichi nodded.
"My Level 5 status is already maxed out. What I'm lacking now is the feat."
He looked at her.
"As long as I reach Level 6, I'll have a much better chance of facing what comes next."
Demeter fell silent.
She knew what he said was true.
He had to grow stronger.
He had to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
"Once I finish fighting Udaeus, I'll come back for you."
"Then we'll leave Orario together."
"We'll go somewhere safe."
"And keep growing stronger."
"Until..."
"We never have to fear anyone again."
Demeter looked at him for a long time without speaking.
Then she smiled.
"All right."
Her voice was soft, but utterly firm.
"I'll wait for you."
Genichi looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
Then he lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Be good."
Early the next morning.
Genichi and Demeter left Orario.
They passed through the city gates, crossed the outskirts, and arrived at a hidden mountain valley.
There was a safehouse there, one his shadow had prepared in advance.
It was crude, but well hidden.
"Wait for me here."
Genichi looked at Demeter.
"I'll be back by evening at the latest."
Demeter nodded.
"Be careful."
Genichi smiled.
"Don't worry."
He turned and prepared to leave.
"Genichi."
Demeter's voice came from behind him.
Genichi paused and turned back to look at her.
Demeter stood in the doorway, watching him.
Those amber eyes were full of tenderness and reluctance to part.
"You have to come back."
Genichi nodded.
"I will."
Then he cast Apparition.
Crack!
His figure vanished from where he stood.
Demeter remained there, looking toward the place where he had disappeared, unmoving for a long time.
Only after a while did she softly murmur to herself,
"I'll wait for you."
Dungeon, Floor 37.
Genichi's figure appeared out of thin air.
He stood on that familiar battlefield, looking at the gigantic skeletal monster in the distance.
Udaeus.
It had respawned.
At that moment, it was staring fixedly at Genichi.
In those deep crimson eye sockets, flames of fury burned.
It remembered this human.
Last time, it had been trapped to death by him and another woman.
And now he had come again.
Genichi looked at it, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Long time no see."
He murmured softly.
"This time, no one will hold me back."
He tightened his grip on the sword in his hand.
"By myself..."
"I'm enough."
The moment the words fell, he moved.
Like an arrow loosed from the bow, he shot straight toward Udaeus.
Udaeus let out a furious roar, its massive skeletal claw slamming down toward him.
The battle began again.
But this time, Genichi was no longer the weakling who had needed Alfia's help.
This time...
He would win with his own power.
(End of Chapter)
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