But the moment Hestia's gloved hand touched Ye Yu's back, she let out a startled yelp and tumbled off him as if she'd been shocked by lightning.
"What on earth are you trying to pull?"
Ye Yu, looking more annoyed than concerned, straightened his clothes and sat up again, his brows furrowing as he glanced over at Hestia—who was now curled up at the edge of the bed, shivering.
"Hestia? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"S-So cold… it's freezing…"
Hestia's face was drawn in discomfort, and a pale layer of frost had begun to form on her gloved hands.
Frost...?
Ye Yu blinked, momentarily taken aback. Seeing the icy film covering her palms, guilt flickered in his eyes.
"…Sorry. I don't know what's happening either. Are you hurt?"
Did I scare her?Will she be afraid to come near me now?
Worried, Ye Yu leaned forward, intending to help her up from where she'd fallen.
But instead of recoiling, Hestia did something completely unexpected. The moment she saw Ye Yu's hand reaching toward her, she gave a small squeak—and with a shout that barely made sense, she leapt at him like a koala, clinging tightly to his head.
"Wha—?! What are you doing?! Get off!!"
"Bingo! Bingo! That was magic, wasn't it?! It had to be magic! My Familia actually received magic the moment the contract was formed!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about! Just get off my face!!"
Ye Yu struggled, flailing, but Hestia paid no attention, entirely caught up in her own fantasy. She was practically bouncing with excitement—until Ye Yu tripped over something and the two of them crashed to the floor in a heap, finally silencing her enthusiastic squeals.
"Owwww…"
Ye Yu had landed face-first, effectively using Hestia as a cushion. The tiny goddess had taken the full brunt of the fall.
Now, clutching her head like a dazed little hamster, Hestia sat on the ground teary-eyed and groaning. Ye Yu, on the other hand, lay sprawled beside her, gasping desperately for air after narrowly avoiding suffocation between her… divine blessings.
"Are you calm now?" he grumbled between breaths. "If so, would you please explain everything properly?"
Letting out a sigh of pure exasperation, Ye Yu sat up once more and gave her a pointed look.
"…Okay, okay, I get it," Hestia muttered with a pout.
Realizing that Ye Yu genuinely didn't know anything, she finally began explaining—patiently, bit by bit—what it meant to be in a Familia, and what blessings were.
After a good while, Ye Yu nodded slowly, a rough understanding forming in his mind about the kind of world he'd awakened in. But then he looked at Hestia again—his expression oddly skeptical.
"So… what you're saying is… you're a goddess?"
"Of course I am!" Hestia replied proudly, puffing out her chest. "A real, honest-to-goodness goddess! Impressed yet? Feeling just a little bit awed, maybe?"
She stood tall and posed grandly, full of self-importance.
"…Honestly?" Ye Yu muttered, glancing around the cramped and worn-down room. "I'm a little disillusioned. So this is where a goddess lives?"
His tone was flat, unimpressed.
The blow hit Hestia squarely in the pride, and she visibly deflated.
"T-That's only because…! I-I'm doing this to build character! Yes, that's it! Living simply to temper my will!"
She flailed for an excuse, but Ye Yu just gave her another bored glance and delivered the final blow.
"…More like you're just broke. Didn't you say I'm your only Familia member?"
"Ugh… you're bullying me…"
And just like that, Hestia sniffled and scrunched up her face, her eyes brimming with tears.
This is a goddess? Ye Yu thought, staring at her. She's just like a little girl who never grew up.
"Alright, alright. Don't cry, my dear goddess. Why don't you teach me what I'm supposed to do as your Familia, hmm?"
Maybe it was the look of her tears, or maybe it was that word—family—still echoing quietly in his heart.
Whatever the reason, Ye Yu gently leaned forward and pulled the tiny goddess into a soft embrace.
The moment Ye Yu embraced the soft and warm figure before him, he instinctively closed his eyes. The bitter chill that had gripped his heart melted away completely, replaced by a gentle warmth that seeped into his soul—subtle, but intoxicating.
Aside from his name, everything else—his past, his memories, his very identity—had been buried under an icy frost. In this world, it felt as though even the proof of his existence had been erased.But at the very least… the girl before him, the one who now called him family, had accepted him.And truth be told, he had nowhere else to go.So maybe… just maybe… staying by her side as family wasn't such a bad idea.
"Mhm! Since you're my Familia now," Hestia said with a serious little nod, her cheeks slightly flushed from the hug, "you have to listen to everything I say. If there's something delicious or fun, you'd better think of me first!"
Hearing that, Ye Yu couldn't help but smile wryly. "How's that any different from being your slave?"
Hestia looked up at him from within his arms, a little embarrassed. But then she puffed out her cheeks, stubbornly declaring:
"W-Well… we're family now! That's how it starts! So let's work hard together—for the glory of Hestia!"
"For the glory of Hestia… huh?"
Ye Yu softly repeated the name, his eyes drawn to the girl smiling in front of him.Somehow, hearing that name stirred something faint inside him.
Then, without thinking, and to her surprise, he gently reached out and held her hand.
This place… this modest home… and his new role as the first—and only—member of Hestia Familia… it all settled heavily on his heart.
She was a goddess, after all. And yet she lived like this, struggling quietly in the shadows.It was hard not to feel sympathy… or perhaps something more.
"I promise…" Ye Yu said, his voice low and warm as he leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "I'll make the name Hestia one that's respected—feared—even in the deepest parts of the Dungeon."
Hestia froze for a moment, startled by his earnest tone and sudden closeness.But then she gave a soft smile and nodded with determination.
"Mhm. That day… will definitely come!"