WebNovels

Chapter 7 - Chapter 07 – Skill and Status in this Danmachi World

"Infinite world theory, huh… The Administrator talked about a world filled with countless protagonists and heroines, so she brought you here to stabilize it by strengthening the heroines. And now you've come to this world, where there are dungeons and divine blessings… You chose this Familia because it's small, easy to join, and won't raise any suspicion, since you'll be moving back and forth between this world and your own. Wow… actually, that's quite an interesting story, isn't it?" Hestia said after listening to my long explanation — which wasn't too different from the one I had given Eriri before.

"Oh, goddesses really are different… you accepted it so easily," I said.

Hestia looked at me and Eriri with a sweet, playful smile. "Ahaha, well, I don't sense that you're lying. And if you're not lying, that means you're either truly from another world… or you're both incredibly delusional to believe in such a story you're making. But either way, there's truth to what you said, since my divine ability doesn't seem to work on either of you."

"That might be true…" I commented.

"Yeah, and I'm honestly surprised to hear that you even know about what I was doing before I founded the Hestia Familia, and how I met Bell-kun. You even know about my relationship with Artemis — something that should only be known among the gods." Hestia said with a faint, bitter smile, nodding slightly.

Meanwhile, Bell just stood there, dazzled and speechless, his red eyes darting between the three of us. He probably tried hard to follow the conversation, but from the look on his face, it was clear he could barely process what was going on. Even though he seemed like he wanted to speak or at least catch up, it looked like our conversation was already on another level entirely for Bell. 

"Yeah, that's why I'm hoping you'll accept us into your Familia," I said while bowing my head. After all, if Hestia refused, the only other goddess I could think of approaching was Hephaestus.

"Hm, alright. Why not… I don't think it'll be a big deal. Yeah, no problem. I'll probably have to mention it during the Denatus meeting or maybe not, oh well, that's a problem for me in the future," said Hestia casually.

"Really!? I'm grateful," I replied quickly.

"Yeah, okay. Then, I'll give the two of you my blessing. Kay, Bell, could you leave us for a bit?" Hestia said, gesturing with her hand for Bell to step out.

"Ah, yeah. I'm sorry," Bell replied, obediently following his goddess's command. I remembered that receiving a blessing meant gaining a tattoo-like mark on one's back, symbolizing the divine connection.

Since this was our first time receiving one, I assumed the process would be similar. However, because of my current appearance, both Bell and Hestia probably thought I was a girl.

"Alright, now it's just the three of us," Hestia said, clapping her hands lightly before giving us both a playful but warning look. "Before I give you two my blessing, I have to make one thing clear—Bell, that cute boy from earlier, is mine, okay? You can be friends with him, but don't get too close. Got it?"

"Ah, you don't have to worry about that. She already has someone she likes," I said, pointing at Eriri.

"Huh, no… no… it's not like that!" Eriri replied in that classic flustered way, waving her hands defensively.

"As for me, Hestia-sama doesn't need to worry either… because I'm actually a man," I said, revealing the truth.

"Hm!? Really? You're a man?" Hestia blinked in surprise before leaning forward with a curious expression. "Hm… but you look so cute. I'd say you could easily rival the beauty of some goddesses—though, of course, not as cute as me."

Hestia's tone was teasing, but her gaze was sharp and full of curiosity as she circled me, inspecting me from every angle like a cat fascinated by a new toy.

"Well, this appearance actually comes from one of the legendary characters from my past life. Even though he was fictional, he was famous for being the most handsome man in the knight order—so handsome, in fact, that he once stopped his berserk friend just by disguising himself as a woman," I explained, telling her a bit about Astolfo, whose appearance I had now inherited.

"Is that so? I heard you died and were reborn, which means this body is completely new. Hm… okay then… how about we start with you first?" she said, motioning for me to lie down.

Just like in the anime and novels I'd seen, she began a ritual while tracing her fingers across my back. I could feel an unfamiliar energy flowing into me—warm, tingling, and almost alive. I wondered if this was mana, magic, chakra, or spiritual energy like in all those stories I used to read.

After all, I had been given Astolfo's body, so it wasn't strange that I could sense such things easily.

"Hm, this is quite something, right? Ahaha, the other gods will probably protest and say I'm cheating," Hestia said with a laugh, holding up a parchment before handing it to me.

[ Status: Adicipta Perkasa ]

Race: Human

Level: 1

Basic Abilities:

STR: H 102

END: I 96

DEX: H 109

AGI: H 153

MAG: H 104

Magic:

[System Link] – A unique spell that allows Adi to connect with his party's interface, viewing their growth, stats, and mission logs. Can also provide temporary buffs by consuming his own magic points.

Skills:

[Moderator's Blessing] – Grants partial resistance to confusion, illusion, and mental interference. Slightly increases experience gained when cooperating with heroines.

[Otaku's Insight] – Instantly identifies the origin or background of summoned heroines from other worlds. Useful for understanding their abilities and weaknesses.

"This is…" I muttered. I wasn't sure if my stats were good or not, but they definitely looked above average for a rookie, right? Maybe it was because my body was based on Astolfo's, and since he was a Rider-class hero, my Agility being the highest made sense.

I also had both skills and magic, which was fascinating. And judging from the screen in front of me, I seemed able to see my status without needing an update from Hestia.

"Ahahaha, this is amazing! Seeing a skill like this with my own eyes—there's no doubt you really did come from another world. I've never seen anything like it," Hestia laughed joyfully before turning her gaze toward Eriri, eyes gleaming like a predator spotting her next target.

"Hehehe, I can't wait to see what kind of status and skill you have…" she said before suddenly pouncing on her.

"Kyaaa! What are you doing!? Adi! Why are you leaving me like this!?" Eriri screamed as I quietly slipped away.

I decided to give her some privacy—after all, I doubted she'd be comfortable with me around while getting her blessing, especially if she had to, well, remove a few layers of clothing.

I figured I could wait outside… maybe talk to Bell for a bit.

[author]

Each chapter is about 1,000-1,200 words, and I'll post whenever I reach that mark. Sundays are my day off, so no updates then.

[/author]

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