The party was officially underway, yet Gurin and An remained rooted to the very edge of the venue. A cursory glance around revealed nothing but legendary figures; for two women who were effectively ordinary commoners, the mere thought of approaching such people was paralyzing.
Even those they did not recognize radiated an aura of immense authority. Fearing they might unknowingly snub some high-ranking power, they found themselves unable to take even a single step forward.
Just as they were reaching their limit, two familiar faces—a literal godsend in their dire situation—approached them.
"Gurin-san, An-san, hello!"
"It’s been a while—since the Flying Board After-party, right?"
"Ah... r-right, Aoi-san and Hina-san! It is you!"
"Oh, thank goodness. We finally found someone we actually know."
Aoi and Hina had come to check on them at Kaito’s request. To Gurin and An, who had been shrinking back in this alien environment, they were nothing short of messiahs.
The fact that they had met before was a relief, but more importantly, Gurin and An knew exactly who they were: otherworlders and adventurers. Since they were not the type of people who would look down on them, the two commoners finally felt the tension leave their shoulders.
However, that sense of relief was destined to crumble in the most fragile way possible.
"...Oh? And who are these two?"
An noticed two other women standing with Aoi and Hina. In response to her question, the pair—Sky and Gaia—offered gentle smiles and spoke.
"Ah, nice to meet you. I am Sky God Sky."
"And I am Earth God Gaia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Guh...!"
Gurin and An simultaneously choked on their breath, their spines snapping straight. The color vanished from their faces as their minds began to race at a frantic pace.
Sky God? Earth God? Wait, those are High-ranking Gods, aren't they?! Why are they acting so casual, as if they just happened to be passing by? Aoi-san and Hina-san have the most terrifying social circles... Is it because they're otherworlders?! Is this just what happens to people from another world?!
It was only natural for a commoner like Gurin to be overwhelmed. She had never even properly seen a Low-ranking God, let alone two High-ranking Gods appearing as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. It was well beyond her cognitive limit.
In their defense, the status of the other guests at the party was so absurdly high that Sky and Gaia themselves did not feel particularly important in comparison.
High-ranking Gods?! Why are they here? And wait, did they just introduce themselves by name?! Is it even legal for us to know a god’s name so casually? Are Gurin-san and I going to be silenced once this party ends?!
An was equally plunged into chaos. Drenched in a cold sweat, she agonized over what to do. Since they had introduced themselves, it would be a grave insult not to respond, yet the thought of speaking to High-ranking Gods was so terrifying she felt like she might faint at any moment.
Before the pair could force a single word out, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed Sky and Gaia by the scruffs of their necks.
"Don't be fools, you idiots! If High-ranking Gods introduce themselves to commoners, they’re obviously going to be intimidated. Honestly, first the Great Sea God and now you two... I'm not your babysitter! Now, get over here!"
"Eh? Ah, Calamity God?"
"W-What is this all of a sudden?"
Shia had appeared out of nowhere. She scruffed the two goddesses and began to forcibly drag them away. As Sky and Gaia questioned her in bewilderment, Shia let out a heavy, exasperated sigh.
"Honestly... It’s great that the Gods have been trying to be more social with the Human Realm since the White God Festival, but if you're going to interact with people, learn some common sense first! Common sense!"
Shia had always been an outlier among the Gods. Excluding the Low-ranking ones, she was a rare individual—practically the only one who had actively maintained ties with the Human and Demon Realms long before Kaito ever arrived. She was the type who genuinely enjoyed going out on shopping trips just for the fun of it.
Consequently, when it came to interacting with ordinary people, she was the most sensible person in the God Realm. She had immediately recognized that Gurin and An were paralyzed with fear and had come to retrieve the troublemakers.
After telling Aoi and Hina to "come pick them up later," Shia successfully dragged Sky and Gaia away from the scene.