A few hours had passed, the massive revelation to the gods was finally behind him. Slowly, reality began to move again. Everyone eventually went their separate ways. The girls headed straight back inside the Hostess of Fertility, while the crowd previously trapped outside the shop was swiftly detained by the Ouranos Familia.
Yet, Luki had not forgotten the oath he made to himself.
'From now on, I am doing things my own way.'
An opportunity was staring him right in the face. If he played his cards right, he could secure a powerful ally. The only real obstacle was explaining how on earth he knew about her specific abilities in the first place.
Answer: He just won't explain.
Luki didn't actually remember her name. Whether it was because he forgot—which is unlikely, given that his memory became supernatural at a certain point—or, more likely, he didn't pay attention while watching the anime and completely ignored her existence.
But, he had read several fanfics in his past life and knew that the Apollo Familia harbored a woman with prophetic dreams. She suffered from a "curse" that made it impossible for anyone to believe her warnings.
What was strange was how adored she was by the community, since in every fanfic he read featuring her, her prediction was never used—even after the plot changed.
Proving just how useless those special abilities and other unique characters are when you give the protagonist unnecessarily overpowered abilities at level 1.
Anyway, who she actually was, whether she had joined Bell in the original timeline, or if she held any true importance in the canon story—he had no clue. But now that the anime plot had completely shattered, having someone with her foresight would be helpful.
Even if her curse was real—and not just a sad reality where nobody would naturally believe a random girl claiming to see the future—the gods could probably bypass that restriction.
So, Luki had a private word with Hermes, tasking him to investigate that Apollo Familia for the girl. Didn't they say they were going to help? Great, then let the gods' official handyman do the job.
Luki had also demanded information regarding Haruhime, from the Familia of that dark-skinned prostitute goddess whose name he also doesn't know.
If the future-seeing girl was broken, then Haruhime was a strategic superweapon explicitly meant for someone like Luki.
A temporary level boost with zero drawbacks. In his honest opinion, was a waste of Falna's magic slot, considering the Falna could grant infinite growth. But that logic only applied to normal people.
For someone whose status limit was ten times higher than the conventional cap, and who was right on the verge of reaching Level 2... just imagine how monstrously strong he would be as a Level 3. The entire Freya Familia would probably eat his dust.
In any case, leaving future recruitment aside, Miach and Luki were standing right outside the doors of the Hostess, finishing up their conversation. The god needed to attend to his own business and prepare for his newest member, while Luki needed a moment alone to fully process everything.
"Now that we are a Familia, it would be better if you moved closer to me. However, if you don't want to, I won't force the issue," Miach said, offering a gentle smile.
"No, I think I'll move along," Luki replied, shaking his head slightly. "It would feel weird to keep living here for free when I don't even work at the tavern. Maybe I'll rent a room for myself using the money Hestia left behind."
"That would be a good idea. I told you to follow me, but... well, I don't exactly have the best roof over my head. Finding your own place might actually be for the best."
"Sure, sure... Miach-sama~"
"Hey, none of that," Miach chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Even though we are a Familia, we are also family... that sounded much better in my head. Anyway, you don't need to change how you talk to me. These mortal honorifics are honestly a pain."
"Wasn't planning to anyway. I also find that stuff completely unnecessary."
"Great," Miach smiled, his expression turning a bit more serious. "With Ouranos on our side, the news of you joining my Familia will take some time to spread, so we can play dumb for now. Tomorrow, drop by the Blue Pharmacy as if you're just visiting. We will level you up there."
"Yeah, leveling up sounds like a good idea. It was honestly taking too long," Luki muttered.
Miach let out a defeated sigh, looking at him with wide eyes. "Pff~ 'Taking too long,' he says. You talented little monster. Do you have any idea how many years it takes for a normal person to—argh, forget it. Of course you wouldn't know."
Luki simply offered a casual smile, shrugging his shoulders as if to say, it is what it is, bro.
Miach, for his part, also let out a casual smile, straightening his posture.
"Ah, and there is one more thing," Miach added, his tone shifting slightly. "About your Falna..."
"What about it?" Luki asked.
"Let's just say I hid some of the details, when I let the others take a quick look. It felt a bit too personal, so I figured it was for the best. Before you go to sleep tonight, try to think about Hestia. You might just end up with a surprise."
"Like what? A revealing dream with my goddess?"
"Something like that. Take care of yourself, kid," Miach said, turning around and walking away into the evening.
Luki stood by the door, quietly watching the god's retreating back until he eventually decided to head back inside the tavern.
He wasn't in the mood for small talk or answering questions. Although the girls were bursting with curiosity, they understood the situation and chose not to press him. Grateful for the silence, Luki didn't strike up a conversation with anyone and walked straight to his room.
Click.
Upon opening the door, Luki was greeted by the dark and cold atmosphere of his room, illuminated only by the faint light filtering through the window. The night had barely begun, yet everything already felt incredibly bleak—one of the many misfortunes of living in an ancient era.
On the bed, Lili was still sleeping like a rock. Having her Falna pushed to the brink of hibernation must have taken a massive toll on her body. Luki himself was only awake right now thanks to Freya's antics.
Luki smiled faintly. He walked over to the side of the room to change into more comfortable clothes, then climbed onto the bed. He carefully lifted his light companion, adjusting her so that she was lying partially over him.
As usual, even while completely unconscious, Lili buried herself deeper into his warmth, murmuring his name as if she could instinctively recognize his presence.
"Sleep well, Lili..." he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head while gently stroking her side.
Now, all that was left to do was sleep... but sleep never came.
Luki just stared blankly at the ceiling. His brain was fully active, firing on all cylinders and thinking about a thousand different things at once, bursting with chaotic creativity at the exact moment he just wanted to rest.
'The Primordial Chaos, the true creator, the father of gods... am I a god, or something close to it? Why can't gods and chaos coexist if they are fundamentally the same thing? Is it some sort of classic clash between order and chaos? What do the Dungeon, the monsters, and I have to do with bringing progress to this world? Is everything really going to be okay? What kind of enemies am I going to face... the gods? Freya? What the hell am I even supposed to wear to our meeting?'
Luki shifted his legs, restlessly changing positions multiple times. He was incredibly nervous.
It was one thing to be unprepared because you didn't know what was coming. It was an entirely different nightmare to know exactly what lay ahead and realize you were still completely powerless to stop it.
He wanted to actually do something. He wanted to take control of his own life, to tell these idiotic plots and everyone pulling the strings behind them to go straight to hell. Part of him just wanted to dive deep into the Dungeon and never come back out.
'When did I start thinking of that place as a second home? Why do I want to go back there so badly? Am I a monster just like them? A monster in human form? Well, an elf, in my case... or whatever the hell I've become with these wings.'
Luki let out a frustrated, defeated sigh. It felt as though the longer he stayed in this world, and the more he adapted to it, the more he somehow earned the right to absolutely ruin his own life.
Now, he could truly understand why so many fantasy novel protagonists actively searched for a peaceful life. He deeply missed those simpler, more pleasurable moments. Yet, at the exact same time, he wouldn't trade this chaotic life for anything else in the world.
Human nature truly was a marvel of duality and pure mindlessness.
'Think about Hestia and you'll get a surprise, huh...' Luki mused, staring at the ceiling. 'Does this have something to do with that gift she gave me? What could it possibly be... a divine dream, or maybe just hearing her voice? I barely lost you, and I already miss you so much.'
'Hestia... Hestia... Hestia... Hestia...'
Luki began to repeat her name like a mantra inside his mind. He meticulously recalled entire scenes they had shared together, his memory functioning far better now than it ever had before.
Strangely enough, it felt just like counting sheep. The more he repeated her name, the more drowsiness washed over him. Even the mattress beneath him suddenly felt incredibly comfortable.
With his eyes practically watering from sheer exhaustion, Luki adjusted his position one last time and finally lost consciousness.
...
Comfort. Warmth. Love. Affection.
These were the only things Luki could feel. Was this a dream? It was an incredibly bizarre one.
It felt almost as if he were being embraced by a giant, welcoming mother who allowed him to rest peacefully against her chest while she gently stroked his hair; that was the only logical comparison his mind could make.
'Mother? This scent... Hestia?'
Slowly, his consciousness began to resurface. His eyelids fluttered open, parting bit by bit with immense effort.
He could feel it clearly now. Someone was actively smoothing down his hair. He was lying on a remarkably soft bed—softer than any mattress he had ever experienced in his entire life—with his head resting gently against the chest of a woman he knew intimately.
"Good to see you, my Luki," she said. Her voice was melodious, calm, and deeply content.
Luki looked up and saw his first girlfriend smiling down at him, practically glowing in his vision. If this was a dream, it was an exceptionally good one.
Supporting himself against the mattress, Luki pushed his upper body up slightly and pressed his lips against hers.
"Mwah~ I missed you, Hestia."
"I missed you more."
Luki wanted to keep the argument going, perhaps jokingly claiming that his longing was far greater just to start a playful bickering match with her. However, he was currently overwhelmed by a profound sense of comfort and relief.
The strength completely drained from his arms, and he collapsed right back over her. It was strange. He was technically taller than Hestia, yet he was under the bizarre illusion that she was utterly massive right now—as if he could easily fit into the palm of her hand.
"Mmm-hmmm~" Hestia softly murmured a sweet, unfamiliar melody, her voice sounding absolutely flawless
Luki was incredibly drowsy. There was so much profound comfort in this exact moment that if he simply closed his eyes, it was obvious he would sleep for hours like never before. Yet, proving the duality of the human mind once again, he desperately wanted to stay awake right now. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to savor this delightful sensation just a little longer and listen to more of her sweet music.
"Go to sleep, my love," she whispered softly. "We will talk when you wake up. I am not going anywhere."
Her words carried far more weight than whatever sleep command she had used on him earlier that day. Luki didn't stand a single chance of resisting. Defeated, he finally let his eyes close.
Hestia smiled warmly as she watched him fall asleep right over her. Without saying another word, she simply continued to smooth down his hair and hum her melody, fully prepared to do this for eternity if it meant he could finally get a good night's rest.
...
Luki opened his eyes, feeling lazy yet completely refreshed. His mind was incredibly clear, as if a dense, heavy fog had suddenly dissipated from his brain.
However, he didn't stop to marvel at his renewed clarity. Instead, he immediately turned his gaze to the goddess lying right beside him. Her head was resting on her outstretched arms as she stared back at him with an intensely affectionate look.
"Good morning, Hestia," Luki murmured.
"Good morning, Luki, once more," she replied, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
"Yeah, once more," he said casually, feeling a bit disappointed in himself for losing to sleep so easily.
'Sleep resistance my ass. My Tireless Explorer skill is broken. I demand a refund.'
"No, your Skill is working perfectly fine," Hestia giggled, reaching out to gently caress the side of his face. "But just because you can resist sleep doesn't mean you don't actually need to sleep, you dummy."
Luki leaned his face deeper into her palm, experiencing a strange warmth he had never felt from such a simple gesture before.
'Fucking Goddess of the Hearth and Family. She is the literal definition of a perfect mother. I could honestly die right here wrapped in this affection. Low blow, Hestia... low blow...'
"Good to know that I am finally useful for something," Hestia remarked.
"What? Can you actually hear my thoughts or something?" Luki asked, blinking in surprise.
"I am a goddess. I can do anything."
"Even cakes?"
"Even cakes. Especially birthday, wedding, and bridal cakes. But no, my divine powers have absolutely nothing to do with this right now."
"Then what is it?"
"You don't recognize it? We are inside your mind, my silly Luki," she smiled warmly once again, as if calling him a dummy brought some bizarre, pure happiness to her heart.
Luki looked around and immediately recognized his surroundings.
It was a magical forest teeming with all sorts of different fantastical creatures living in perfect harmony. It was an impossible utopia that could never truly exist, yet it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Luki and Hestia were lying on a bed of pristine white sheets right in the middle of a small clearing in the forest. A single cloud perfectly blocked the harsh sunlight so it wouldn't hurt their eyes, while the gentle breeze brought a morning freshness that no mechanical fan could ever replicate.
"How did you..." Luki muttered, looking around the landscape.
"Fufu~ As if I would ever let those idiots of my siblings tear us apart," Hestia giggled mischievously. "I gave you my blessing, Luki. You are now officially the Apostle of Hestia. So... I can enter your mind, and we can do anything we want."
"Your... blessing?"
"Yes. Don't tell me you honestly thought the Falna was the only blessing we gods are capable of bestowing?"
Luki thought about it for a moment and realized that it actually made perfect sense.
In various fantasy works from his past life, it was entirely normal for gods to grant unique blessings to characters. These came in many shapes and sizes—a special ability, an increase in raw power, a divine weapon, or perhaps a holy symbol marking them as belonging to that specific deity.
Honestly, with the rise of modern games and manga, it was rare to find any kind of fantasy system that wasn't strictly categorized and logical. In the world of Danmachi, that structured system was reflected through the Falna.
But the Falna was just a specific blessing that Ouranos engineered when he first descended to Genkai. The other gods simply chose to copy his method until it became the standard practice it was today. No rule ever stated that someone like Hephaestus couldn't grant a personal blessing to someone, enabling them to manipulate special divine flames without relying on a status screen.
"So now you are officially my goddess?"
"I always have been, I am, and I always will be. For all eternity. Remember?"
"Don't scare me like that, woman," Luki joked, a smirk spreading across his face. "We haven't even gotten married yet. I am way too young for that kind of commitment."
"I am the goddess of the hearth and family," Hestia huffed playfully, puffing out her chest. "If I say you are ready to get married, then you are. Or would you rather face the wrath this goddess?"
"Oh, dear goddess of mine, there is a beautiful, wonderful, sweet-smelling, gorgeous goddess trying to completely lock me down. What on earth should I do?" he teased.
"You could start by spoiling me, just like you always do when you try to wake me up," she purred. She gently tilted her head back and adjusted her hair, completely exposing the bare skin of her neck.
"But you're already awake."
"No, I am not~" she sang out melodiously. "We are inside your mind, your dream. So technically, we are both still fast asleep."
"Is that so? Very well then," Luki whispered, his voice dipping into a low, affectionate tone. "I suppose I can take care of a spoiled goddess like you."
Luki pushed his upper body up slightly. He leaned down, burying his face directly into the crook of her neck, and began to trace soft, lingering kisses all along her skin.
"Ah~" Hestia let out a content moan. She didn't bother holding back at all, fully aware that there was absolutely no one else in this world to disturb them.