Tower of Babel was a mythical structure said to connect the mortal realm with the heavens.
As for whether one could really ascend to the heavens through it, Takashina Kai had no idea. But standing before this towering cylindrical building that pierced the clouds, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
"Kai-kun, you're from outside the city, so you probably don't know—this tower is what links the us gods in heaven with the mortals here in the lower realm."
Holding Takashina Kai's hand, Hestia walked beside him, explaining the common knowledge of Orario as they approached the entrance of Babel Tower.
"Yaaaawn—"
With faint dark circles under his eyes, Takashina Kai yawned loudly. Hestia had dragged him off the sofa before dawn, shoved some cold water into his stomach for breakfast, and then led him into the early morning light toward Tower of Babel.
He didn't particularly mind getting up early, but this early? The streets were still deserted. Would they really find any open stores at this hour?
He was skeptical.
Still, seeing how energized Hestia was, he kept his mouth shut, shook off the drowsiness in his head, and silently followed the perky little goddess into Tower of Babel.
There was no denying it—this iconic building of Orario was absolutely awe-inspiring.
Unlike how it appeared in the anime, it was only upon stepping inside that one could truly grasp its scale. Just one of the entrance archways stood over three meters tall. On the first floor, the golden-tiled platform stretched across an area equivalent to several soccer fields, with dozens of massive jade columns supporting the structure. Each column was so thick it would take over ten people holding hands to circle one.
"Impressive, right?"
Standing next to him, Hestia beamed with pride as she took in Takashina Kai's amazed expression. Puffing up her chest, she added smugly, "This tower's design was something we gods in the heavens discussed for a long time before settling on!"
"It really is impressive…" Kai nodded, then added, "But wasn't the tower built by mortals?"
"Well… yes—hey, how do you know that?" Hestia blinked at him in surprise.
While it wasn't exactly a secret how Tower of Babel was built, for someone who claimed to be from outside Orario to know the details so clearly was more than a little suspicious.
Realizing he'd blurted out too much again, Takashina Kai could only chuckle awkwardly and wave his hand. "Just rumors I picked up. Rumors, that's all…"
"Really just rumors?"
Hestia narrowed her pale blue eyes and stared at him until he started to sweat under her gaze. Finally, she huffed and turned away. "Fine, fine. Like you'd actually answer if I asked… You were the same last night too. Seems like you've got even more secrets than I, a goddess, do!"
"Please don't tease me, Lady Hestia…"
Relieved that she didn't press further, Kai stayed quiet this time, afraid he'd slip up again. He kept his eyes scanning the interior of Babel Tower while sealing his lips tightly.
Seeing him clam up, Hestia rolled her eyes but continued explaining on her own.
"The construction work was indeed done by mortals from the lower world. But the original idea and design came from us gods. So technically, Tower of Babel was built under divine instruction. That's why the top floors are where the gods live."
As she spoke, she led Kai toward a lift platform. "Right below the divine residences is the Guild, established by the city's administrators to manage Familia and adventurers. Below that are commercial floors with shops. Store owners pay rent to the Guild at regular intervals—but having a shop inside Babel is worth it."
Takashina Kai followed her onto the lift. He had no idea how it operated, but as soon as it detected passengers, it began to ascend slowly and steadily. Soon, they reached their destination.
Stepping off, Kai was surprised to see that the stores on either side of the corridor were actually open, with warm lights shining from inside.
Did none of these shopkeepers need sleep?
Sensing his doubt, Hestia explained, "These shops never close. They operate 24/7 so adventurers who return from the Dungeon at night can restock or change equipment. The staff work in rotating day and night shifts."
"I see…" Kai nodded, then suddenly asked, "But how does Lady Hestia know so much? You've never been into the Dungeon, and until recently you didn't have any Familia members."
At that, Hestia's smile froze, and she lowered her head, sounding a little embarrassed. "I… um… I used to work here, when things got really tough…"
That jogged his memory. Right—the anime had mentioned that Hestia once took part-time jobs to survive. Smiling brightly, Kai reassured her: "Don't worry, Lady Hestia. Now that I've joined your Familia, I won't let you live that kind of life ever again."
"Kai-kun!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him, deeply moved by his promise.
"Bringing you into my Familia was the best decision ever!"
Just a few kind words were enough to make her tear up—that spoke volumes about what kind of hardship she must have endured before.
A goddess brought to such a state… no wonder no one had joined her Familia before. With such a thick aura of poverty surrounding her, who'd want to share in her misery?
Well—except for that white-haired kid Bell. That guy was naivety incarnate…
Because of his unexpectedly powerful words, Takashina Kai now found himself being dragged around by an emotional Hestia as they roamed through all kinds of weapon and armor shops.
"I have to find only the best equipment for Kai-kun!"
"But even if you say so, Lady Hestia..."
Takashina Kai wasn't trying to dampen Hestia's enthusiasm, but every time he thought about how poor she really was, he couldn't help but worry what kind of weapon she could actually afford.
"What's that supposed to mean, Kai-kun? Don't underestimate me!"
"Ah, no—ow ow ow ow ow!"
Seeing the doubt on Kai's face, Hestia raised an eyebrow and stretched out her slender white arm to give him a firm smack on the back.
"Never underestimate the value of a true deity's name, Kai-kun. Just wait and see!"
"Yes, Lady Hestia..."
Taking into account the slap he just received, Kai wisely refrained from showing any more skepticism. He nodded obediently and followed behind her.
Even though, in terms of height, his 176 cm frame had a whole head and a half over her, it felt awkward being pulled along by her like a child.
Hestia, however, didn't seem to find it strange at all. Her delicate, soft fingers gently held his rough hand, leading him through shops that grew more luxurious the deeper they went.
"Um... Lady Hestia... Are you really sure about this?"
As they passed a boutique adorned with pure violet transparent glass, Kai happened to glance through the display window and spotted a crimson spear at the center of a weapon rack. Underneath it, on the price tag, was a string of zeroes.
Tens, hundreds, thousands, ten-thousands... Eighty-seven million...
To be precise, it was 87,400,000!
He didn't know exactly how much purchasing power this currency had in Orario, but just looking at that long string of digits made his head spin.
At this price, even selling himself wouldn't be enough to afford it!
And what's worse, as they kept walking, Kai gradually realized: the closer the shops were to the elevator, the cheaper the goods were. The further in they went, the more the prices shot up exponentially.
But Hestia just kept walking inward.
Was a god's name really worth that much? Or was Hestia just putting on airs?
Thinking this, Kai couldn't help but sigh and press a hand to his forehead.
"Alright, we're here, Kai-kun. Let's go in."
Hestia finally stopped in front of a shop at the far end of the floor.
Actually, calling it a shop didn't do it justice—this place was massive. It looked like four large stores had their walls knocked down and merged into one giant storefront. A deep black stone sign hung above, etched with an unknown name.
Hephaestus Familia Exclusive Store.
"This... this really can't be good..."
Kai stared up at the name and swallowed hard. He suddenly grabbed Hestia's arm and tried to turn around.
"Lady Hestia, I understand you want to maintain our Familia's dignity, but just looking is enough. Going in would be a disaster!"
Just looking and not buying—such a bumpkin move would definitely get them mocked by the staff!
As Kai tried to drag her away, Hestia struggled to break free.
"What are you talking about? Let go! Let go, Kai-kun!"
"No way! I don't want to embarrass ourselves in public! Please, Lady Hestia, let's go back!"
"Oww! Let go of me, Kai-kun! Don't you trust me at all?"
"This isn't about trust anymore—this is about not becoming a public laughingstock! I don't care about my reputation, but you're a goddess! You should at least care about your dignity!"
"So you still don't believe in me?"
"...I'm sorry, Lady Hestia, but I really don't see a reason to trust you here."
"Hoh? You dare speak that way to a goddess? I'm seriously getting angry, Kai!"
"Even if you're mad, I'm still not letting go!"
"Will you let go or not?!"
"No!"
"Still not?!"
"When I say no, I mean it!"
…
Their argument continued as time ticked by. Eventually, adventurers started gathering around to watch, curious about the scene. All kinds of strange looks were cast their way.
In the end, unable to endure the public shame, Kai finally relented and released her hand.
"Huh? Didn't you say you weren't letting go?"
Hestia crossed her arms and puffed out her chest with pride. After a dramatic bounce, she turned away with a smug tone. "Kai-kun, it's your first day in the Familia, and you're already not listening to me?"
"..."
Kai was at a loss for words. He rubbed his head in frustration and finally drooped like a deflated balloon, bowing his head and apologizing. "I'm sorry, Lady Hestia. I was wrong."
"Hmph! Don't think an apology is enough to get you off the hook!"
She still turned her head away in a tsundere huff, but her lips were twitching—clearly holding back laughter.
Then she walked toward the store, her cute twin ponytails bouncing rhythmically.
"If you want me to forgive your rude behavior, then you better show me some real effort in the future! Now come inside."
Watching Hestia walk toward this den of luxury, Kai opened his mouth but said nothing. He finally followed her in with a heavy heart.
"Welcome! Honorable adventurer!"
As soon as they passed the threshold, two petite bunny-eared girls bowed in greeting from either side.
"I brought my child here to purchase weapons and armor. Go call your store owner."
Hestia nodded at them politely, her tone now completely serious—no longer the cheerful fool she usually acted like.
Standing next to her, Kai was taken aback by her sudden shift. As expected of a goddess who had lived for ages… her aura was undeniable.
Shortly after the bunny-girls relayed the message, a mature woman wearing thin gold-rimmed glasses came out from the back, holding a green crystal ball the size of a basketball.
"Hestia-sama, what an honor! How may our humble store serve you today?"
"I'd like to buy weapons and armor. Any recommendations?"
After casually swiping her god-seal across the crystal ball, Hestia turned to Kai.
"What kind of equipment do you want?"
"Uh… just a regular one-handed sword is fine. As for armor..."
Thinking about Kirito's cool aesthetic, Kai shook his head. "Too much armor would slow me down, so I'd prefer not to wear any. But if possible, I'd like a black coat that can conceal my presence—or at least mask my aura. Also, the sword should be black too."
Black coat and Elucidator—the signature of the Black Swordsman! Maximum cool points!
"Understood. Please wait a moment while I make arrangements."
The woman bowed slightly, cradled the crystal carefully, and went to prepare.
"…That's all it takes?"
Watching her go, Kai felt a wave of nausea.
Was being a god really this convenient? Then why was Hestia living in a church basement, struggling to make ends meet?
"Hmph, you think a goddess isn't worth anything?"
Seeing his shock, Hestia sneered. "Just from that one god-seal I left, I could buy every weapon and piece of armor in this entire store."
She wasn't exaggerating.
For gods, a god-seal was basically their line of credit. With her status, Hestia could theoretically walk out with everything in Hephaestus' shop without paying a single valis.
Of course, the downside was: she'd probably ruin her relationship with Hephaestus forever.
It was just like using a credit card—if you don't pay it back, your account gets frozen. Hestia was now spending on credit using her divine reputation. Eventually, she would have to repay the full amount. If not, her seal would remain here, and it might even end up in Hephaestus' hands.
And then she'd become the laughingstock of the gods.
That was why the store owner handled the crystal ball so carefully. To mortals, the god-seal was sacred.
Kai had no idea what any of this meant. He just thought gods had it easy—leave a stamp and take whatever you want.
Hestia didn't explain. She just looked at the boy who had joined her Familia and promised her a better life, smiling gently.
You better work hard, Kai-kun!
Otherwise, the debt I've just taken on… might take 100—no, 200 years of labor under Hephaestus to pay off!