As it turned out, it wasn't about whether DanMachi's world had Lostbelts or parallel universes.
It was simply that Renjiro had fallen into a mental trap.
Perhaps he had leaned too heavily on the prophetic advantage he gained from watching stories and anime before transmigrating, so much so that he subconsciously overlooked one crucial fact:
This was the real world.
Whether god or mortal, any being with emotions and wisdom would inevitably change through new experiences and encounters.
The gods of Orario, its countless adventurers, and even its ordinary citizens were not NPCs limited to scripted dialogue.
Even if this divine era bore uncanny similarities to a game setting, even if Renjiro himself had a system, he couldn't allow those illusions to mislead his judgment.
And so…
"Thanks, Sis."
Renjiro didn't refuse Freya's kindness. "I'll pay Loki Familia a visit."
Freya's lips curved in a smile.
"Good. Remember, I won't restrict you from using your abilities, whether your spatial inventory or teleportation. Just remember to keep your real identity hidden.
After all," she added with a hint of teasing warmth, "your true self is still far too weak."
Her words carried a rare touch of concern.
"I understand," Renjiro nodded firmly. "By the way, when exactly is Loki Familia's next Expedition?"
"In the next few days, most likely." Freya shrugged lightly. "I'm not one of their official members, so ask them directly. What's this? Planning to prepare ahead of time?"
"Something like that."
Renjiro admitted without hesitation. "Bottom line, I haven't yet reached the limit of this stage."
And what exactly was his current limit?
It was simple.
Gather five Genshin clones, plus the Traveler twins and Paimon, for a full eight-person party, the maximum he could field.
Every member (aside from Paimon) at Lv.20.
Weapons upgraded to Lv.20 with magic stones, preferably refined. Ideally, at least some 4-star weapons.
Constellations and Artifacts? Forget it. Constellations required pulling cards, and as for Artifacts, he still had no clue how to farm them here.
Talent Skills? His main body was still Lv.1, and he hadn't had a Breakthrough, so he couldn't allocate points yet.
That was the rough picture.
"Ah, speaking of which…" Freya's eyes suddenly lit up. "It's getting close to dinner time. Remember that tavern I recommended to you last time? Want to give it a try?"
At that moment, Renjiro was certain Freya was absolutely acting like a trickster goddess. She just wanted to see him squirm.
But…
"Sure," he replied smoothly. "It is getting late anyway. I can visit Loki Familia tomorrow. Tonight, I'll check out that tavern."
He added casually: "I'm actually looking forward to the food."
================
The labyrinth city of Orario, the world's current hub, was encircled by a massive circular wall, tens of meters tall and several meters thick.
From the Central Plaza, where Babel Tower stood, the city was divided into eight equal districts:
North: 1st District (Commercial Quarter) & 8th District (High-Class Residential).
East: 2nd District (Workshops) & 3rd District (Slums).
South: 4th District (Pleasure Quarter) & 5th District (Casino Quarter).
West: 6th District (Warehouses) & 7th District (Old Town).
Loki Familia's base, the Twilight Manor, was in the 1st District.
Freya Familia's stronghold, Folkvangr, was in the 5th.
The tavern Renjiro was headed to tonight was on the western main street, in the 7th District.
Its name: Hostess of Fertility.
Renjiro, of course, knew it well. After all, in the original DanMachi storyline, this bar was deeply entwined with countless events.
And…
"A Lv.6, four Lv.4s, plus a goddess in disguise… tsk, this staff lineup is ridiculously stacked."
By the time Renjiro arrived, it was already past 8 p.m.
Tonight, he wasn't using his Starfire Glow disguise, but appeared as himself, black hair, black eyes.
Through the windows, firelight and candle-glow spilled onto the street. Even from outside, he could hear the cheerful banter and laughter within.
He knew well that most patrons here were upper-class adventurers.
The food prices were steep; common folk couldn't dream of eating here regularly.
As for nobles or wealthy merchants visiting Orario? They usually preferred the grand establishments and casinos of the 5th District, places that flaunted their status.
This tavern, then, was clearly designed as a haven for upper-class adventurers.
Renjiro paused at the door, resting his chin on one hand, thinking to himself:
Makes sense. In some ways, this is also Freya's little playground.
And what was Freya's little interest?
According to her alter ego, Syr Flova, it was meeting all kinds of strangers, hearing their stories, and savoring the freshness of it all, a hunger for novelty to sate her endless curiosity.
Indeed, words bold enough to be called tiger-wolf talk.
Just then,
"What are you doing standing outside?"
A sweet, girlish voice reached his ears. "Fufu, waiting for someone?"
Renjiro didn't need to turn his head to know exactly who it was.
Before he could reply,
"It's been sooo long, Renjiro-oniichan~ Come on in already!"
As a gentle tug pulled him inside, his brain stalled.
Finally,
"Not surprised it's you," he sighed at the gray-haired, gray-eyed waitress in a maid uniform. "I admit defeat."
She giggled at his flustered expression. "Ehehe~"
Hooking her arm through his, she leaned in close, whispering playfully:
"Syr Flova, that's my current name. Don't you dare forget it. Oniisama~"
================
Footnotes:
Hostess of Fertility – The iconic bar from the DanMachi series, staffed by powerful adventurers disguised as waitresses. Known as a hub for fateful encounters.
Syr Flova – Freya's mortal disguise, working as a waitress at Hostess of Fertility. She often uses this identity to interact with adventurers in secret.
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