I stood in front of that church for several minutes.
The evening breeze caressed my face, carrying the scent of earth, dust, and something that somehow reminded me of chicken-flavored instant noodles. My stomach joined in with a protest, but I ignored it. Focus. Focus, Kaen. This might be the turning point of your life. Or... the point of free fall.
The old church looked even more pitiful up close. Its walls were cracked, the door hung slightly askew, and the windows... well, let's just call them "artistically ruined." But despite all this suggesting poverty and decay, somehow, this place didn't feel frightening. Instead... it felt warm. Strange, isn't it?
My hand reached for the door. I didn't open it immediately. I knocked.
Once. Twice. Silence.
"Hello?" I called out, a bit loudly. "Is anyone there?"
Quiet.
I knocked again. "Excuse me. I'm looking for... Goddess Hestia?"
Still no answer. I swallowed hard.
In this world, gods aren't approached carelessly. You can't just barge into their homes like a traveling potion salesman. I knew that down there—in that basement room—Goddess Hestia lived. But despite my curiosity, I didn't have the guts to just go down there uninvited.
I'm not a barbarian. Or a thief. Or an NPC triggered by an event.
So I waited.
And called out again. "Goddess Hestia?"
Then...
Tap tap tap...
Light footsteps could be heard from inside. From the small wooden door leading to the basement, soft rustling sounds... and then the door opened.
And what appeared was...
I was stunned.
A young girl—or more precisely, a short figure who could easily be mistaken for a child if you didn't look closer—emerged from behind the door. Her long black hair was tied with two characteristic blue balls, her sapphire blue eyes sparkled like a lake holding secrets... and, well, how should I put this politely?
Watermelons.
I mean... very large ones. Disproportionate to her petite body. I know the anime world is full of miracles, but seeing it directly was like watching the laws of physics thrown out the window.
But the most striking thing about her wasn't her appearance.
But her aura.
From her steps, her smile, the way she walked with hands on her hips—everything radiated one thing: confidence. But also... loneliness.
"Who are you?" she asked cheerfully, though slightly wary. "Are you lost? Or did you come to the wrong church?"
I raised my hand half-nervously. "Um, no. I came here... looking for Goddess Hestia."
"I'm Hestia!" she exclaimed while patting her chest—a big mistake, because her watermelons swayed like church bells at a festival. I reflexively looked to the side, feeling a bit awkward.
"Oh, uh, I... my name is Kaen," I said nervously. "I just arrived in Orario. I'm looking for a Familia... and... yeah. I found this place."
Hestia stared at me for several seconds. Her eyes narrowed, as if analyzing. Then she smiled.
"You look honest. Though a bit naive."
"...Thank you?"
She walked out of the basement, then sat on a rickety wooden chair near the wall.
"So, Kaen," she said while crossing her small legs. "Do you want to join my Familia?"
I hesitated for a moment. "I... may I ask first, are there... other members?"
Her expression changed instantly. From cheerful to somewhat gloomy, like a flame that suddenly dimmed.
"...Not yet," she said quietly. "I'm... still alone."
I looked at her face. Her gaze was downcast, the smile that had bloomed earlier now faded. Even her hands that were active before now lay still in her lap. As if she had heard that question thousands of times.
"They say I'm too poor. Don't have a headquarters. Don't have reputation. Don't have appeal."
"You have..." I almost said "watermelons," but I saved my social life and held back.
"...dignity," I said. "You're a goddess. That's enough."
She laughed softly, bitterly. "Dignity isn't enough in this city. Adventurers want power, facilities, and... money. I only have good intentions and spirit. But intentions can't fill stomachs, can they?"
I fell silent. It felt like seeing someone who was trying hard, but the world kept rejecting them.
And it felt... familiar.
"So?" she asked quietly. "Do you still want to be an adventurer from a poor Familia like mine?"
I looked at her. Then nodded.
Given how he currently had no choice, only the Hestia Familia could accept him.
"If it's just you... I don't mind. Besides, after being rejected by almost all the gods, I think it's time I tried something unreasonable."
Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
I nodded again. "Yes."
Suddenly, she jumped from her chair.
"YESSSSSSSS!!!"
She shrieked, jumping around like a child who just got candy, even bumping into a small table that immediately collapsed without resistance. She ran toward me, hugging me—or more precisely, crashing into me with those watermelons. I nearly choked on my own breath.
"Thank you, Kaen! Thank you! You don't know how long I've been waiting for this!"
"I-I'm also... glad..." I replied half-choked.
She released me, then pulled my hand. "Come on! Come on! Let's start the falna ceremony!"
"Eh? Now?"
"Of course! You're my first adventurer! I've prepared everything!"
She brought me to her basement room. A small and warm room, slightly stuffy but clean. In the middle were a bed and table. The scent of old wood greeted me.
I slowly removed my shirt and lay face down on the bed as instructed. I heard Hestia clear her throat softly.
"Okay... I'll start now."
Her hand touched my back. It felt... warm. Like a gentle flow of energy seeping into my skin. Then something began to form there. A system. An identity. I was... part of this world now.
"Done!" she said cheerfully.
I sat up, and she handed me my status on a piece of paper.
---
Status Panel
Name: Kaen
Level: 1
Familia: Hestia Familia
ABILITIES
Strength: I-0 | Endurance: I-0 | Dexterity: I-0 | Agility: I-0 | Magic: I-0
DEVELOPMENT ABILITIES
None
SKILLS
『Survivor's Instinct』
Type: Passive Skill
Effect: Provides a small increase in ability to detect danger and react to threatening situations. Effect increases with life-and-death experience.
Description: A skill that appears simple for survival, but holds great potential when honed through extreme experiences.
---
I stared at the paper.
"...Survivor's Instinct, huh?"
I didn't know whether to be proud or... feel mocked by this world's system. But honestly, this skill... felt very much like me. Very human. Not spectacular, but important. If used well, this could be my lifesaver.
"Good, right?" Hestia asked proudly, as if she had created the skill herself.
I nodded. "Yes. This is... very useful."
We sat for a while on the bed. Hestia looked at me with sparkling eyes, and for a moment, I could see genuine hope in her eyes. Not just because she got a member, but because she could share her life with someone. Finally.
"Thank you, Kaen," she said quietly.
I smiled. "And thank you for accepting me."
I suddenly remembered that I had to register at the guild after getting a familia. "Now... I have to go to the guild. Report my registration."
She nodded quickly. "Yes! Don't forget to bring your status! And... be careful on the road!"
I put my shirt back on, then stood up. I looked at Hestia for a moment before stepping outside.
Outside, the sky was already dark. The city lights began to turn on.
And I, for the first time since coming to this world, felt like... I had a home.
Even though I also had a stable in the village, I mean home. But somehow, it felt different.
Dismissing the disturbing thoughts, I walked toward the guild.