( Rocky''s POV )


    After returning from the church, Rocky went straight to the True Elites Guild to hand over this week''s medicine for Riva to Amelia.


    Since Riva was currently in a very vulnerable state, Rocky only trusted Amelia to take care of her in his absence and since he was going to be forced to go-out and participate in floor raids often from now on, Rocky understood that this was going to be a frequent urrence.


    "Don''t worry Rocky, of course I''ll take care of Riva when you are not around. She is a part of this guild and hence like family to me.


    Trust me when I say that I won''t let anything bad happen to her–" Amelia reassured Rocky, much to his relief and gratitude.


    Next, Rocky returned to his apartment tofort Riva and inform her about his absence from home for the next few days.


    Internally, Rocky felt extremely anxious to have this conversation, as he was not sure how Riva would react to it, however, when he sat down beside her and exined the situation to her, she was surprisingly very supportive of it.


    "God Shakuni has been very merciful and understanding of our situation…. Riva. He has promised to cure your condition, but it will need me to run some errands for him.


    They are nothing dangerous, but it will force me to only visit home once a week… So you will be on your own more" Rocky exined, as Riva nodded her head supportively.


    "If it''s not dangerous and there is a way to cure me of this….. this horrendous disease then please help me brother. Experience new tales on м??


    You are the only one I can rely on" Riva said with a hopeful smile on her face as she seemed to haveplete faith in Rocky to help here out of this mess.


    "Don''t worry about me at home. I''m adjusting well to this new environment. It''s pretty nicepared to my prison and at least here I can sleep on afortable bed and take a dump with dignity.


    If I need anything, I can always call Amelia, so I think I''ll be okay, brother" Riva said, as her words made Rocky sigh in relief.


    "Alright then, take care of yourself, I''ll be back as soon as I can–" Rocky said, as he hugged Riva for a warm goodbye and resolved to do whatever it took to cure her.


    *********


    Rocky''s final stop on Earth was the True Elites Guild, where he exined the entire situation to Erin and Buhara about how the God Shakuni had given him a mission to climb one floor every week, from here up-till floor 40, to get weekly supplies for her sister.


    Rocky half-expected Erin to feel nervous about this information, however, he was rtively unfazed by it.


    Speed-running through the tower was dangerous and they were taught explicitly in the academy to not try something this insane, however, despite knowing the dangers, both Erin and Buhara seemed to be on-board with the idea.


    "Sir Rocky, I knew the dangers of joining the Champion''s Party when I joined your crew, so there is no way I will chicken out now.


    As you know, I''m from the Church Of Vanity and for us, fame is a big-deal.


    While just being inside your Champion''s party is sure to make me famous throughout the cosmos, I think speed-running the tower with you is bound to make me even more famous.


    So I just want to thank you for the opportunity" Erin said, as Rocky was quite shocked to hear his perspective.


    "Buhara wille too… the two of you alone will die. But strong Buhara can protect you–" Buhara said, as he seemed to be worried that without him Rocky and Erin could die and he did not want such a fate for his friends.


    "Well, I''m in too–" said Kronos, as although Rocky had not yet officially invited him to the group, somehow Kronos seemed to be wanting in on the team, despite knowing the dangers.


    "Are you sure?" Rocky asked, as he remembered God Shakuni''s advice to recruit him into his party.


    If Kronos had not volunteered, Rocky nned on persuading him anyways, however, him wanting in of his own volition was always better.


    "Yeah, my end-goal is to kill as many gods as I can and for that to happen, I need to grow much stronger myself.


    Since you guys are nning to speed-run the tower, I see it as a fast ticket to getting more powerful, so I want in" Kronos said, shrugging his shoulders as he thought that he had made a solid pitch.


    ncing towards Erin and Buhara, Rocky tried to make sure that those two did not have a problem with Kronos joining the team, and since both of them agreed to letting him join, Rocky too extended his hand and weed Kronos to the group.


    "Wee to the team then…" Rocky said, as Kronos shook his hand firmly.


    "Just know that someday I n to kill all-gods, including the one who you serve…..I hope that won''t be an issue" Kronos said, looking squarely into Rocky''s eyes as Rocky snorted in response.


    "If you can really kill a True God then good-luck trying.


    From the two gods I serve, one literally controls the fate of billions of mortals like you and the other is the God Of War.


    And I wish you the best of luck in trying to kill either" Rocky said sarcastically, as he dismissed Kronos''s ambitions as absurd.


    "But what if someday I do wish to go against the Gemini Gods?" Kronos asked, gripping Rocky''s hand harder, as at this moment even Rocky turned serious.


    "Alright, if someday you are strong enough to take them on…then I promise to note in your way or oppose you" Rocky said, as with this promise he sealed their alliance forever.


    —---


    /// A/N - My sincerest apologies for the chapter beingter than usual today.


    My wrist pain was worse than usual today ///