After a chaotic and playful skirmish, Hestia and Kokkoro officially met.
Hestia eyed Ying Ping suspiciously, then turned to Kokkoro: "Kokkoro-chan, where exactly did you come from?"
Kokkoro gently shook her head, trying hard to recall: "My last memory is of a city on the continent of Astrea, a place called Re:Port..."
"My homeland is an elven tribe protected by the World Tree..."
"W-what?! I've never heard of such a place!"
Hestia's blue eyes widened. "Wait, could it be..."
She suddenly grabbed Ying Ping's arm and dragged him to a corner, lowering her voice: "Ying Ping-kun, this child isn't from another world, is she?!"
Seeing Ying Ping nod, then speak vaguely.
Hestia gasped. "Listen, you absolutely cannot let the other gods know about this! Otherwise, we'll be in big trouble!"
Hestia returned to Kokkoro, her small face serious as she held up her index finger: "Kokkoro-chan, you absolutely must not tell anyone about coming from another world, okay!"
"Understood, Goddess-sama~"
Kokkoro bowed obediently, the crystal on her staff-spear emitting a soft glow.
"Hestia, it's time to update my stats, isn't it?"
Ying Ping saw Hestia still in a daze, so he reminded her softly.
"Oh right, let's see how much Ying Ping-kun's stats have improved..."
Hestia took out a silver needle, and as the divine blood dripped onto Ying Ping's back, she mechanically recorded the data.
Strength H335, Agility H320... Hmm, very normal.
"Huh? There's even an extra development ability... Goddess's Guardian?"
Hestia looked at this rare skill, and for a moment, she lost her composure, finally a charming blush appearing on her cheeks.
"Oh, really~"
"Ying Ping-kun actually awakened such a wonderful development ability, it makes me so shy~"
"To actually want to fight for me..."
She covered her flushed cheeks and rambled for a while, then handed the imprinted parchment to Ying Ping.
[Name]: Ying Ping
[Level]: LV2
[Strength]: I0 → H335
[Endurance]: I0 → I50
[Dexterity]: I0 → H320
[Agility]: I0 → H315
[Magic]: I0 → I25
[Development Ability]: Goddess's Guardian
[Magic]:
[Skill]: Shadow Step
Seeing Hestia so happy, Ying Ping couldn't help but laugh: "Hestia, is this development ability very powerful?"
"Of course it's powerful! I've never heard of such a skill before!"
Hestia gently straightened Ying Ping's collar, then sighed: "It's a shame I can't go to the Dungeon with you, otherwise you would definitely be able to use this skill."
Her eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Kokkoro: "Oh right! Should this child also become part of my Familia?"
"Agreed, I think that's a good idea."
Ying Ping smiled and nodded; he had already intended to do so.
"Eh? I just said that casually, is it really okay?"
Hestia looked at Ying Ping in surprise.
Through their earlier conversation, she already knew that Kokkoro was very obedient to Ying Ping.
"Of course."
Ying Ping said with a smile, "Kokkoro is already my companion, so it would be even better for her to join the Hestia Familia and become family."
"To become family with Roadroller-sama and Goddess-sama..."
"That's wonderful, Kokkoro is very happy!"
Kokkoro immediately showed a look of longing, and her elf ears adorably twitched several times.
"Hehe, this is great! The Hestia Familia has grown a little stronger!"
Hestia eagerly began the ritual.
As the divine blood dripped onto Kokkoro's smooth back, the entire basement was suddenly filled with an emerald green light.
Countless elven characters flowed through the air, eventually condensing into a black sacred flame emblem identical to Ying Ping's.
"Th-this is..."
Hestia trembled as she imprinted the data:
[Name]: Kokkoro
[Level]: LV2
[Strength]: I0
[Endurance]: I0
[Dexterity]: I0
[Agility]: I0
[Magic]: I0
[Development Ability]: Elven Pact (Will not betray, forever fights for the contractor)
[Magic]:
Healing Light
Song of Courage
Elven Blessing
[Skill]: Nature Affinity
"Impossible, how can such a thing be?!"
"There's actually a natural LV2?! And with a development ability, skills, and even three magic spells?!"
Hestia's voice was distorted with surprise. "Kokkoro-chan, have you ever changed Familia before? Have you ever joined another Familia?"
Kokkoro shook her head blankly: "No, this is indeed my first time receiving the Divine Blessing..."
Hestia slumped onto the bed, her eyes vacant: "A natural LV2... what kind of monster Familia have I picked up..."
Ying Ping chuckled, embracing both of them: "Now our Hestia Familia finally has another family member."
"It's another incredible monster, you mean!"
Hestia protested, but couldn't help but rub against Ying Ping's chest.
She suddenly realized, and added with a blush: "I'm so sorry, Kokkoro-chan, I shouldn't have called you a monster just now. I was just shocked by your potential..."
Kokkoro shook her head, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness: "It's alright, Goddess-sama's reaction is normal. I also feel that my own situation is a bit unusual."
"However, I will definitely do my best to help you all."
Hearing this, Hestia finally relaxed and smiled: "That's true, your healing magic will definitely help Ying Ping-kun."
... Hestia and Ying Ping held Kokkoro's small hand, and the three of them entered the Adventurers' Guild once more.
Eina was organizing documents, and when she looked up and saw them enter, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Oh my, who is this...?"
Eina pushed up her glasses, her gaze falling on Kokkoro.
"She's the new member of our Familia, Kokkoro-chan!"
Hestia proudly puffed out her chest, though the gesture made her appear even smaller.
"So cute!!!"
Eina instantly rushed out from behind the counter, knelt down, and took Kokkoro's hand.
"This face, can I touch it?"
"Wow, your skin is really good! Which elf tribe are you from? Are your parents adventurers too?"
Faced with Eina's barrage of questions, Kokkoro had no idea how to answer.
Hestia darted between the two: "Stop!"
"Ahaha... Eina, Kokkoro-chan is from a very distant forest! You wouldn't know the exact location even if I told you!"
She frantically winked at Ying Ping.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes."
Ying Ping quickly agreed, "Her hometown's elf tribe is a secluded place..."
"Eh? Is there such an elf tribe?"
Eina pushed up her glasses, looking at the three of them suspiciously.
In the end, she was defeated by Kokkoro's innocent gaze: "Alright, I won't ask anymore~"
"Then let's process the Familia registration. The level is... LV1, right?"
"That's right!"
Hestia's voice suddenly rose an octave, "Kokkoro-chan is just a normal LV1 rookie!"
After completing the formalities, Ying Ping rented a set of custom light armor and a backpack for Kokkoro.
As for a weapon, it wasn't needed.
The staff-spear with the crystal embedded in it that Kokkoro held in her hand clearly wasn't an ordinary item.
When Kokkoro emerged from the changing room, her silver-white short hair paired with the emerald green light armor, and her staff-spear shimmered in the sunlight, making her look like a delicate porcelain doll.
"Oh~"
"Look at that elf!"
"So cute!"
People came and went in the Adventurers' Guild hall, and many couldn't help but stop, captivated by Kokkoro's cuteness.
"Kokkoro, this outfit suits you very well."
Ying Ping gave a thumbs up.
"Yes, thank you for the equipment, Roller-sama!"
Kokkoro couldn't help but show a shy smile.
Hestia's eyes suddenly reddened. Seeing such a young child also going to the dungeon, her maternal instincts kicked in.
"You two... you must come back safely..."
She tugged at both of their clothes, "Even though you're LV2, don't go past the fourth floor at most! Absolutely no further! Do you hear me?"
"Yes, I promise."
Ying Ping nodded solemnly: "I will never joke with our lives. I will protect Kokkoro well."
Kokkoro also nodded seriously: "I will also protect Roller-sama's safety with my life."
When they parted, Hestia stood at the guild entrance, watching them until their figures disappeared.
Ying Ping noticed that Kokkoro's hand, holding her staff-spear, was trembling slightly, seemingly worried about the upcoming journey.
"Are you afraid of combat?"
He asked softly.
Kokkoro shook her head, but her elven ears twitched uneasily: "No, it's just... I'm a little worried I'll hold Master back..."
Ying Ping smiled and ruffled her hair: "You won't. With you here, I'm actually more at ease. Your healing and support magic are our greatest assurance."
"When you weren't around, I used to fight alone in the dungeon, and I wasn't as strong then as I am now."
"So now that there are two of us, there will definitely be no problem!"
Hearing this, Kokkoro's eyes lit up, and she finally gained confidence.
"Mm! I will definitely become Master's most reliable support!"