Chapter 3: A Gift from the Goddess
Is this perhaps the struggle of a bottom-tier Familia in Orario?
From Amid's perspective, she didn't actually think this way; she even felt a sense of empathy because of this slender young man before her.
He was walking the same path she had.
Seven years ago, the Dark Factions attacked Orario, instigating a war. Among the currently surviving Familias, the Dian Cecht Familia had suffered the most casualties.
Their former captain was assassinated, and most members died in the slaughter by the Dark Factions.
During the Familia's most turbulent times, she had single-handedly supported and managed the Familia, leading to the Dian Cecht Familia's prosperity today.
The difference was, back then, she could only rely on herself.
Liam still had his goddess.
Knowing that offering help free of charge was something she absolutely couldn't start, but looking at Liam's demonic hand, Amid was ultimately swayed.
She got up and took a bag of healing medicine from the consultation room.
Amid's tone of voice betrayed no emotion: "This is a small portion of healing medicine, consider it compensation for recording your special medical case."
"If there's any progress in treatment, I hope you can cooperate with the research then."
"Thank you."
Any promises made when one's strength is low are merely to satisfy a meager sense of self-esteem. Liam expressed his thanks earnestly.
He kept Amid's kindness deep in his heart.
After leaving the Dian Cecht Familia's home, he looked at the suddenly silent young woman beside him. The final conclusion must have moved Hestia.
Then next…
It was time to consider how to begin his Dungeon adventure!
"Lady Hestia, I'm already prepared for the Dungeon adventure, and I won't joke around with my own life."
"I'll probably be active in the upper levels."
He proactively took Hestia's delicate hand, able to feel her worry for him. Liam's attitude was pure and serious.
He could still distinguish between games and reality.
In Arad, if a character died, one could use a resurrection coin. If he died in the DanMachi world, there probably wouldn't be a chance to restart.
The "Sword Soul Template" he possessed had already paved a path for him.
Unlike Asura's (Wave), Soul Bender's (Ghosts and Gods), or Berserker's (Frenzy), the path the Sword Soul had to walk was the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Since he was going to walk this path.
Giving up reliance on the power of ghosts and gods, the mastery of swordsmanship and the improvement of his realm became particularly crucial. This kind of improvement couldn't be achieved through training alone.
It required real combat. Liam had long been prepared for this, possessing the courage to face danger, and more importantly, to act within his capabilities.
"Since Liam-kun already has his own ideas."
"As your goddess, I must support you. However, it's best to understand the situation from the Adventurer's Guild staff before setting off."
Hestia didn't know what to remind him of. She looked up at Liam, who was very measured in his actions, unlike her own rashness.
In the end, she just patted the back of the young man's hand reassuringly, "I believe in you."
"Let's consider this a celebration that Liam-kun's injury isn't serious, and then for the upcoming Dungeon exploration, let's have a big meal at home tonight!"
"Okay."
Having received final permission, Liam followed the route from his memory, using the conspicuous street signs, and headed towards the Adventurer's Guild.
Hestia had to work at her stall in the afternoon, so they parted ways on North Main Street.
Thanks to the number of adventurers in Orario, the center of the world, Liam, wearing a grayish-brown hooded cloak, looked quite normal walking along the bustling street.
He soon arrived smoothly at the Guild's location – a pantheon built with white pillars as its frame and stone bricks, sacred and solemn.
Just past noon, many adventurers were coming and going, various parties discussing which restaurant to go to fill their stomachs.
But it was exceptionally quiet at the Guild headquarters; even conversations were kept in low voices.
His gaze swept over the staff at the counters; almost all of them were young, pretty girls, with some half-beastmen and elf faces among them.
"No wonder even asking about basic Dungeon knowledge costs money."
"Is it a paid chat service?"
Taking out the Valis Hestia had stuffed into his pocket, Liam's gaze scanned his surroundings, finally locking onto a counter in the central area.
Wearing round-framed glasses, with shoulder-length brown hair, her dignified appearance, paired with the Guild's uniform, exuded an inexplicable charm.
What was most eye-catching were the girl's slender elven ears.
Eina Tulle.
Serious, kind, and considerate in her work, coupled with a sweet appearance and a good figure, she could definitely be called the poster girl of the Adventurer's Guild.
Since he needed to find a person in charge.
Then it definitely had to be someone familiar and reliable!
Noticing an adventurer walking towards her counter, Eina pushed up her glasses with a finger, her smile confident and gentle.
"May I help you with anything?"
"I want to register as an adventurer and also understand the situation in the upper levels." Liam sat on the chair in front of the counter, his demeanor relaxed.
The process of registering as an adventurer was very simple: just fill in basic identity information, name, affiliated Familia, and the god one belongs to.
Only after registering one's identity could one normally begin adventuring.
After all, for selling magic stones and dropped materials, the best choice was definitely the Adventurer's Guild. After all the information was entered, Eina picked up a book and left the counter.
She took Liam to the library area of the Guild headquarters. Since he was an adventurer she had registered, according to Guild regulations.
She was now Liam's advisor. Explaining the Dungeon environment couldn't be done perfunctorily; this ultimately concerned the adventurer's safety.
"Liam, may I call you that?"
"From now on, I will be your advisor after you register as an adventurer. What I'm about to say next will be very important."
After pouring Liam a cup of hot tea, Eina spoke with a serious attitude, "I hope you can take it seriously."
The safe area of the Dungeon was called the Starting Road, a wide spiral staircase connecting to the underground caves, capable of accommodating several thousand people.
Then there were floors 1-5, the upper levels, where monsters like Goblins, Kobolds, and Dungeon Lizards were distributed; the danger level was relatively low.
As one continued deeper, one would encounter monsters called "War Shadows," which were, in every sense, rookie killers.
As one delved deeper into the Dungeon, the danger level would gradually increase.
Killer Ants with hard shells would call for companions when in danger, and might even trigger a "Monster Rex."
Monsters like Blue Butterflies, Purple Moths, and Imps.
Compared to the not-so-extensive descriptions in the original work, Eina's explanation was clearly more detailed. He silently committed these to memory.
This was enough for the current stage.
With a new adventurer's strength, he hadn't thought of going deeper anyway!
Liam looked at the half-elf girl sitting on the sofa opposite him and interrupted her impending continuation, "Thank you, Miss Eina."
"What I've learned now is already enough."
"This is what I should do."
Eina smiled faintly, having a good impression of Liam, who was polite in his words and actions. She then kindly reminded him, "The Dungeon is very dangerous."
"Please don't push yourself too hard."
"Of course."
"Staying alive is the most important thing."
Liam didn't deny it. It was close to afternoon when he left the Adventurer's Guild, so there wasn't ample time for Dungeon exploration.
He didn't return to the Familia's home but instead wandered around the Labyrinth City Orario.
He wasn't particularly familiar with this city, but since it was the area where he would be active in the future, familiarizing himself with the environment was always beneficial.
The outer areas of the city were very prosperous.
But as he moved towards Babel, he could see that the buildings were significantly lower, presumably due to concerns about monsters rushing out of Babel.
Causing particularly severe damage to the surrounding city?
Walking continuously along the streets, after a cursory "pilgrimage" to "The Hostess of Fertility" and "Hephaestus Familia Branch Store."
He returned to the Familia's location once more.
The basement of the abandoned church seemed exceptionally deserted compared to the lively streets. On a worn-out table, picked up from who knows where.
A brand-new weapon was placed, complete with a matching scabbard. It was clearly much more refined than the iron sword used for training.
What finally caught Liam's attention was a piece of cowhide paper pressed underneath it. It was familiar because he could see his status, which had been printed after receiving the Falna upon becoming a dependant.
Liam Moon
Lv1
Strength: I0 丨Endurance: I0 丨Dexterity: I0 丨Agility: I0 丨Magic: I0
Development Abilities: None
Magic: None
Skills: Secret Sword Art
Glancing over it, one could say Hestia had taken frugality to the extreme. The blank part of the cowhide paper had words written to him.
"Liam-kun, this weapon is an adventure gift prepared for you. Take the money on the table and go out for dinner tonight to celebrate."
"A friend invited me to a banquet, so I won't be having dinner with you tonight!"
"."
"Really?"
Liam picked up the weapon and examined it carefully. The hilt and blade were slightly angled; it was a single-handed straight sword with a total length close to 1 meter.
It was likely a weapon Hestia had carefully chosen considering the cave environment. He drew the blade from its scabbard; it was forged entirely from refined iron.
The blade emanated a sharp, cold glint.
Considering her financial situation.
The second half of her message could basically be ignored. The so-called banquet was probably her working at her close friend Hephaestus's weapon shop to pay off debts, right?
His gaze finally fell on the 1500 Valis Hestia had left on the table. Liam's heart was touched.
For him, the Hestia Familia was not just a foothold in the DanMachi world; it could even be called a warm harbor.
Although the overall environment was relatively ordinary.
But compared to freeloading off a goddess, nothing compared to the sense of accomplishment from earning his own money and leading a good life with Hestia.
Then, there was something he hadn't had a chance to say. Liam simply left it on the light brown cowhide paper on the table; this was also a promise with Hestia.
"I hope that for the real celebration banquet, Lady Hestia will be present."