Hestia operated the Falna with a few quick strokes.
Hajime immediately felt his body strengthen once more.
However, perhaps because the stat boosts from leveling up were fixed, this improvement didn't feel as dramatic as the previous status updates.
Of course, that was only because his stat values were already ridiculously abnormal.
For most adventurers, leveling up is where their power grows the most.
But for Hajime, his stat accumulation had given him greater boosts than even a level-up.
Even so, after the strengthening process, he could still clearly feel his growth.
"You're now a Level 2 adventurer," Hestia said, exhaling softly as she stared blankly at the back of Hajime for several seconds. After confirming everything that happened wasn't a dream, she gave her cheeks a little slap and asked:
"What development ability do you want to choose next?"
Development abilities were passive traits or innate skills that adventurers could gain upon leveling up. They were extremely important.
"There are four options: [Abnormal Resistance], [Magecraft], [Lancer], and [Smithing]," Hestia listed.
"Hmm… Let me think," Hajime murmured.
[Abnormal Resistance] was like a passive skill against magical effects, reducing damage from magic, curses, and poisons.
[Magecraft] boosted magic power, [Smithing] allowed one to enchant weapons, and [Lancer] enhanced spear techniques.
If this were before he got his "golden finger," Hajime would have chosen [Abnormal Resistance] without hesitation. It was convenient, helped avoid pitfalls, and increased survival chances.
Perfect for someone trying to play it safe.
But now, with the ability to share power across the multiverse versions of himself, Hajime needed to consider the benefit to all of them.
Though [Abnormal Resistance] was tempting, once his counterpart in the Campione world killed a god and became a Campione himself, he would naturally gain magic surpassing dragon veins.
Not to mention, Campiones were immune to most magic unless it reached the level of Authority.
In other words, both [Abnormal Resistance] and [Magecraft] would become redundant once one of his other selves became a Campione.
That left two choices—
"[Lancer] just sounds unlucky!"
Hajime couldn't help but joke.
Since ancient times, Lancers have always been unlucky.
He didn't want to tempt fate with that.
So only one option remained.
"I choose [Smithing]," Hajime said to Hestia.
With it, he could forge weapons imbued with enchants, magic, or even skills.
In Orario, most blacksmiths had this development ability. A few could even forge magic swords.
Although Hajime didn't need weapons or money at the moment, this ability might help his other selves across the worlds.
He saw it as a long-term investment.
---
The next morning, after leveling up.
Hajime awoke to find Hestia already up and preparing breakfast. She had even packed portable food for his trip.
"You're heading to the dungeon today. Here are some essentials—medicine, food. If things get dangerous, remember to run, okay?"
Hestia, for once, acted like a proper goddess, fussing over Hajime with genuine concern.
"Got it. I'm not going too deep today anyway, so don't worry."
Hajime didn't find her nagging annoying. Instead, he comforted the clearly nervous Hestia.
His goal today wasn't grinding monsters or exploring.
It was to legitimize his strength—to create a believable reason for his power.
After all, a powerful adventurer who never entered the dungeon would be suspicious.
But a rising star in the dungeon? That was common enough.
Even if his strength seemed excessive, people would just assume he was gifted.
That wouldn't raise too many eyebrows.
For now, Hajime wanted to avoid attracting the attention of the gods.
With Hestia watching him reluctantly from the doorway, Hajime set off toward the dungeon.
First, he headed to the Guild as promised.
As expected, Eina was there waiting for him.
She sighed in relief when she saw he'd come.
She'd worried he might back out again.
Seeing he brought only food and nothing else, she sighed again.
"Knew it. You didn't prepare anything."
No weapons, no gear—going into the dungeon like that was basically feeding himself to monsters.
"Good thing I kept a beginner's set just in case."
Eina pulled out a package containing a short sword and light armor—recommended gear for new adventurers.
Good defense, easy to run in—very practical.
"Thanks, Miss Eina."
Hajime hadn't planned to use weapons, but having some beginner gear as a cover wouldn't hurt.
Besides, she went out of her way to prepare it—he appreciated the thought.
Just then, one of Eina's coworkers leaned over and teased:
"This isn't the usual cheap stuff the Guild hands out. Eina bought this herself last night. Don't waste her kindness, handsome! She's been thinking about you all night—mmf!"
Before she could finish, Eina shoved a hand over her mouth and dragged her away in embarrassment.
Returning, flustered and red-faced, Eina muttered,
"Don't listen to her. I just thought the Guild's equipment was getting old and wanted a better spare. Since you happened to be going to the dungeon… I gave it to you."
Her excuse sounded weak even to herself. Her ears were burning.
"Alright," Hajime replied, clearly seeing through her reasoning.
There was no such coincidence—buying new gear the night before their dungeon trip?
Obviously, she was interested in him.
But Hajime didn't call her out.
"Well, in any case, thank you, Miss Eina. If you're free sometime, let me treat you to a meal."
"…Mm!"
She hesitated for a second, then nodded happily.