Chapter 4: The road to Orario (rewritten)

Xander descended from the sky like a shooting star, his form enveloped in a golden glow that streaked across the night sky. The wind roared around him, an unfamiliar sensation after so long trapped in its domain. For the first time in centuries, he felt gravity pulling at his body, the air crashing against his skin, the world closing in at breakneck speed.

The lights of the city of Orario shone below, surrounded by the colossal wall that protected it. From this height, the majestic Guild Building and the imposing Tower of Babel stood out as monuments to a civilization that had prospered without him. Xander couldn't help but smile with some emotion.

"So this is the world of mortals…"

His fall became steeper, speed increasing until impact was inevitable. However, at the last moment, a golden glow enveloped him, softening his descent. He hit the ground with a slight tremor, the energy dissipating around him.

For the first time in countless centuries, Xander was in Genkai.

His landing was not as precise as he had hoped. Instead of landing majestically on the outskirts of Orario, his trajectory veered off course, sending him into a dense, dark forest several miles from the city.

Xander stood up with a grunt, dusting himself off as he looked around. Tall, old trees surrounded him, their leaves rustling in the night wind. There was no sign of roads or settlements nearby.

"Great… I come down here after ages and the first thing I do is get lost," he muttered, crossing his arms. 

"Loki would laugh at this."

He clicked his tongue and looked up at the sky. Orario was nowhere in sight, but he could see the faint reflection of the Tower of Babel's light in the distance. He sighed and began walking, his only company being the sound of his own footsteps and the distant howls of night monsters.

Okay, something more serious and in line with Xander.

As he continued along the path, he began to notice that the environment was becoming increasingly hostile. The stillness of the forest was not normal, and his instinct told him that he was not alone.

It didn't take long for him to confirm this. All around him, shadowy figures emerged from the trees. They weren't monsters, but humans. They wore worn clothes and carried crude weapons, but their stance left no doubt: bandits.

Xander sighed. "Oh, right. I go down into the world and the first thing I find is an attempted robbery. What a welcome."

One of the bandits, apparently the leader, stepped forward with a confident smile. "Well, we're lucky. It's not every day a noble gets lost on these roads."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Noble?" He looked down at his own clothes, still with some gold trim and a 

bit too neat an air for a common traveler. He sighed. "Well, I guess I'm to blame."

The leader raised his sword. "Leave everything and maybe we will let you go."

Xander clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. "If it was that easy, don't you think I'd be in the city and not out in the middle of nowhere? If I had anything of value, I'd have been looted before I got here."

The bandits looked at each other, hesitating for a moment. But greed got the better of them.

The leader growled. "Don't waste our time."

Xander simply exhaled. He had no interest in fighting, but neither did he want to waste any more time. When the first bandit tried to lunge at him, in one fluid movement, he dodged the charge and struck his wrist, disarming him. Before the others could react, he used the bandit's own sword against them, with precise cuts that weren't meant to kill, but to incapacitate.

Within seconds, the bandits were on the ground, some with superficial wounds, others simply stunned. Xander dropped his sword and looked at the leader, who was now backing away with wide eyes.

"You said you'd let me go if I handed over my stuff." Xander looked at him mockingly. "But you forgot to ask if I was willing."

The leader staggered, and without another word, fled. The others, seeing him run, did the same.

Xander sighed, dusting himself off. "Perfect. Now, where was I?"

And he continued on his way, as if nothing had happened.

With the bandit's sword in hand, Xander continued on his way, this time feeling more confident. Not because he really needed it, but because it was more convenient not to look like a helpless traveler. If there was one thing he had learned from his brief encounter with the bandits, it was that looking too imposing avoided unnecessary trouble.

The path was still long and monotonous, but at least now he had something to distract himself with. He turned the sword in his hand, assessing its weight and balance. "Mediocre, but functional," he muttered to himself. It was not a weapon worthy of a hero, but until he reached Orario, it would do.

The forest eventually gave way to rolling hills and open fields. In the distance, he spotted a small village surrounded by crops. The sight reminded him of how much the world had changed since he had last been here. It wasn't just the land, but the people as well. Now, humans were the true masters of this world.

He approached the village with a relaxed but attentive step. He knew that his presence would stand out. A man with unusual hair and eyes, dressed in clothes foreign to the region and with a sword in hand, would not go unnoticed.

As expected, the villagers eyed him warily as he passed. Xander just sighed. "Wonderful. First day in Genkai and I already look like a suspicious outsider."

He decided to look for an inn or a merchant. He needed information, maybe a map, and most importantly, some food. Although as a god he didn't need to eat, he wasn't going to turn down a good meal now that he was in the mortal world.

As he walked through the town, his senses picked up something. It wasn't danger, but it was something unusual. A group of children watched him from an alley, whispering amongst themselves. Xander pretended to ignore them at first, but when he moved, the children began to stealthily follow him.

"Really?" he thought. "I'm the town's attraction now?"

He decided to play around with them a bit. He pretended not to notice, turning corners unexpectedly and stopping short only to hear the small, hurried footsteps trying to hide.

Finally, without turning around, he spoke loudly: "If you are going to follow me, at least present me with your tribute."

The children fell silent. Then, after a moment of hesitation, one of them stepped forward with an apple in his hand. "Is this any good…?"

Xander turned and took the apple seriously, as if he were accepting a gift of great value. 

"Acceptable."

The kids looked at him in amazement, but when Xander took a bite and looked approving, they started laughing. It seemed like his mysterious attitude had been more entertaining than scary.

Maybe this trip wouldn't be so boring after all.

Xander arrived at the entrance to Orario just as the sun began to descend over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and red. Before him, the city's massive walls loomed, their ancient stonework marked by years and history. But what caught his attention most wasn't the magnificence of the city, but the long line of travelers waiting to enter.

From merchants with their carts loaded with goods to novice adventurers in newly acquired armor, the variety of people was remarkable. Xander even noticed a few groups of villagers in simple clothing, probably looking for better opportunities within the large city.

He sighed. "Of course, there has to be bureaucracy."

Xander left the sword in a bush before approaching. If he was going to register as a god, he wouldn't inspire much confidence entering with a sword if he wasn't an adventurer. Besides, he was pretty sure that he would have to pay to enter Orario with this one, and he really didn't have any money on him.

He joined the queue, without much else to do but wait. He watched the others with interest. A group of young adventurers were excitedly discussing the monsters in the Dungeon. One of them was talking enthusiastically about a goblin he had defeated, describing it as if it had been an epic battle.

"Rookies never change," he thought with an amused smile.

Further ahead, a merchant was haggling with a guard, trying to reduce the entrance fee for his wares. He was not doing very well. Other travelers were simply chatting or staring impatiently at the distance to the gate.

After a while, the sun was almost hidden behind the wall. Xander crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a moment, wondering how much longer it would take.

When it was finally his turn in line, Xander calmly made his way to the table where the guards were conducting entry checks. He didn't expect much from the process, just to answer a few questions, pay the fee, and be on his way. What he didn't expect, however, was that the god Ganesha himself would be there, overseeing the entrance.

"I AM GANESHA!" a powerful voice boomed, immediately capturing the attention of everyone present. In front of Xander, a tall, muscular man wearing an elephant mask stood with his arms crossed, radiating an imposing yet strangely friendly presence.

Xander blinked.

"…I know."

"You are different!" Ganesha declared, leaning slightly towards him with his eyes narrowed behind his mask. "You are not a mere adventurer or a merchant! You are…!"

"Xander." The god of heroes smiled slightly, not hiding what he was. "And yes, I am like you."

The bustle around the entrance died down slightly as some nearby travelers and adventurers caught the key word in the conversation. A new god.

Ganesha straightened his posture, bringing a hand to his chin in a thoughtful gesture. "Hmmm… Interesting! Very interesting!" He then pointed at Xander excitedly. "Welcome to Orario, young god! Have you come to start a Familia?"

Xander tilted his head. "Eventually."

"Excellent, excellent!" Ganesha nodded approvingly, his energy contagious as ever. "But you must register with the Guild first! A god cannot wander around Orario without being registered! It is a sacred and unbreakable rule, for I AM GANESHA!"

Xander sighed, already anticipating the bureaucracy that was coming his way.

"I assume I should go to the Guild right now?"

"Of course!" Ganesha laughed loudly, then gestured to one of his followers. "Show our new friend to the Guild! It's his first day in town and I don't want him to get lost!"

Xander watched as the guard approached to escort him.

Xander sighed in resignation at Ganesha's enthusiasm.

"So I just go to the Guild and that's it? Isn't there any other strange procedure I need to do?"

"Right!" Ganesha exclaimed with a big smile. "But be careful! Orario is a city full of dangers, even for the gods!"

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried that someone might try to attack me?"

"No, no, no! Not at all!" Ganesha waved his hands vigorously. "But you might get lost! Or get scammed by a crafty salesman! Or maybe get caught up in the fun of Ganesha's Colosseum! Where the entertainment never ends!"

Xander crossed his arms. "Should I be more concerned with the Dungeon or Ganesha's entertainment?"

"Ganesha's entertainment, of course!" the masked god proudly proclaimed. "The Dungeon only has monsters, but the Colosseum has excitement, glory, and elephants! Lots of elephants!"

Xander looked around. "I don't see a single elephant."

Ganesha snapped his fingers and, as if by some twist of fate, a loud trumpet echoed in the distance. Xander turned his head just in time to see a huge elephant being led by some members of the Ganesha Familia. How were there elephants in Orario?

"…I don't know what I expected."

"Nobody expects it! That's why GANESHA ALWAYS SURPRISES!"

Xander massaged the bridge of his nose. "Okay. I'll head to the Guild before you end up convincing me to get on one of those."

Ganesha laughed out loud. "If you ever want to do so, the doors of the Colosseum are open to you, young god!" He then gave him a hard slap on the back, almost making him stagger. "Good luck in Orario! I hope to see great things from you!"

Xander pulled himself together and gave a small smile. "Same here."

With a final salute to the most positive and unstoppable force in the city, Xander finally headed back to the Guild.

Xander walked through the streets of Orario at a leisurely pace, observing everything around him with a mix of curiosity and analysis. Even though he had watched the city from his mirror for centuries, being there in person was something else entirely. There was a constant hum of activity, a vibrant rhythm that filled the air with the sound of conversation, hammers clanging metal, merchants calling out to customers, and adventurers sharing stories of their exploits in the Dungeon.

The first impression he got was how crowded the streets were. Adventurers of all races and experience levels walked confidently, some sporting gleaming armor and ornate weapons, while others seemed more modest, with barely enough equipment to survive. Among them, merchants set up their stalls, selling everything from potions to exotic ingredients brought back from the Dungeon.

Xander paused for a moment as a colorfully robed vendor waved a jar in his face.

"Young man, young man! This is a special potion made with rare extracts from the 20th Floor! It instantly restores energy and gives you the vitality of a minotaur!"

Xander gave him an incredulous look. "What if I already have the vitality of a minotaur?"

The salesman blinked, then laughed. "Then you'll get the two of them!"

Shaking his head, Xander continued on his way, ignoring other vendors trying to attract his attention with even more outlandish promises.

As he made his way through the shopping district, he saw a blacksmith steadily hammering a red-hot sword on an anvil. Sparks flew as his hammer came down with precision, shaping the metal with a mastery that spoke of years of experience. Nearby, an armor shop displayed its wares with signs proclaiming "Protection guaranteed, refund if you die in the Dungeon!"

The air was filled with different aromas, some more pleasant than others. From the sweet scent of freshly baked bread to the unmistakable smell of treated leather, each step brought a new smell to his nose.

Xander noticed a few adventurers watching him curiously. Although he had tried to dress discreetly, there was no way to completely hide his godly bearing. It didn't help that he still wore the bandit's sword at his waist, which probably made him look like a rookie adventurer with an odd presence.

As he made his way through the city, his steps led him to the entertainment district, where taverns and inns were the center of activity. Outside one particular establishment, a group of adventurers laughed uproariously as they shared a mug of ale, slapping shoulders in camaraderie. One of them, a dwarf with a bushy beard, raised his mug in Xander's direction.

"Hey, stranger! If you're looking for a good drink, you'll find it here!"

Xander held up a hand in a dismissive gesture. "I'll pass for now."

The dwarf shrugged and returned to his conversation while Xander continued exploring.

After a while, he decided that he had had enough of aimless wandering. While the city was fascinating, his purpose in Orario was not just to wander. His eyes rose to the majestic Guild Building, an imposing structure that towered over the plaza with elegance and authority.

With one last glance at the bustling city, Xander adjusted his stance and headed to the Guild, ready to take the next step in his arrival in Orario.

As Xander made his way towards the Guild, he felt a sudden impact against his chest. Before he could react, his balance was completely lost and he fell backwards onto the ground.

The blow didn't hurt, but the surprise did leave him momentarily taken aback. He blinked a few times before looking up and seeing the person he had collided with.

She was a young girl with vibrant red hair, a lively face, and a confident stance. She hadn't budged an inch from the crash, as if her weight was that of a mountain compared to his. She was looking at Xander with a raised eyebrow and an expression of barely contained amusement.

"Wow, that was unexpected," she commented with a playful smile, crossing her arms. "I didn't think you were going to fall so easily."

Xander, still on the ground, blinked again and then sighed, lifting his head. "Is this how you greet each other here? Because if so, maybe I should stay on the ground to avoid any more surprises."

The young woman laughed and extended a hand to help him up. "Don't worry, I don't usually run over strangers… although I can't promise it won't happen again."

Xander took her hand and stood up easily, brushing the dust off his robes. "What a relief, for a moment there I thought I was going to have to dodge rampaging adventurers at every turn."

The young girl smiled sideways. "You're new to Orario, aren't you?"

Xander tilted his head slightly. "What makes you think that?"

She gestured quickly at his attire, his posture, and the bandit's sword still at his waist. "You look like someone who hasn't yet learned the rhythm of the city. Besides, if you were a real adventurer, you wouldn't have fallen so easily."

Xander sighed theatrically. "I'm glad to know my clumsiness gave me away so quickly."

The young woman laughed again. "Alise Lovell," she introduced herself confidently, placing a hand on her hip. "And you, stranger, who are you?"

Xander watched her for a moment before answering with a slight smile. "Xander."

Alise seemed to look at him with more interest upon hearing his name, but didn't comment further on it. Instead, she shrugged and patted him on the shoulder with enough force to make Xander stagger slightly.

"Well, welcome to Orario, Xander. I hope you survive long enough to get used to it."

Xander smiled with a hint of irony. "I'll do my best."

Alise quickly noticed that Xander wasn't in a hurry to leave, instead he was watching her with a relaxed but intrigued expression, as if he was analyzing her.

"What's wrong? Surprised by my beauty?" he joked with a mischievous smile, crossing his arms.

Xander gave a small smile and shook his head. "I wouldn't put it that way… though I must admit you are striking in more ways than one."

Alise raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Oh? I like the sound of that. What else can you tell about me just by looking at me?"

Xander tilted his head slightly, as if he were assessing her more closely. "You're strong, that's obvious. 

Your stance, your confidence… not to mention that you took me down without even flinching."

Alise laughed. "That's not exactly an achievement if you ask me."

Xander ignored the comment and continued. "You're also experienced, more than you let on. You don't just walk like someone who knows how to fight, but like someone who's used to leading."

Alise smiled widely, clearly enjoying the analysis. "Wow, look who's observant. Are you some kind of psychic or something?"

Xander smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Let's just say I have a bit of a… unique perspective."

Alise tilted her head curiously. "Oh, really? And what kind of perspective is that?"

Xander shrugged. "Let's just say I've seen a lot of stories unfold, a lot of legends form… and I know how to recognize someone with the potential to be a part of one."

Alise blinked, before letting out a laugh. "Ha! You are such a talker! I don't know if you are trying to flatter me or if you actually believe in those words."

Xander simply watched her in silence for a moment before calmly replying. "Trust me, I mean it."

For some reason, Xander's gaze made Alise's laughter stop for a moment. There was no doubt or mockery in his eyes, only a certainty that made a slight feeling of unease, or perhaps excitement, run down her spine.

Shaking her head, Alise decided to play back. "Well, since you seem so good at reading people, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

Xander smirked. "What do you want to know?"

Alise stared at him for a second before answering. "For starters, where are you from? Because you don't exactly look like you're from around here."

Xander exhaled softly, his smile unchanged. "Let's just say I come from far, far away."

Alise clicked her tongue. "That sounds suspiciously vague."

Xander brought a hand to his chin, pretending to think about it. "I could tell you more… but I doubt you'd believe it."

Alise crossed her arms, raising a challenging eyebrow. "Try it."

Xander watched her for a moment before speaking in a calm but firm voice. "I'm not exactly an ordinary man. I don't belong to any kingdom or nation in this world. I'm someone

who has seen heroes born and fall, who has witnessed battles that marked history... and now I have decided to see all this up close."

Alise blinked. "…Wow."

Xander waited for some further reaction, perhaps disbelief or mockery, but instead Alise watched him silently, a mix of interest and curiosity.

Finally, a smile appeared on his lips. "That's the most pretentious thing I've ever heard."

Xander let out a short laugh. "I knew you wouldn't believe it."

Alise shrugged. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's a lie… but if it was, you'd have talent as a storyteller."

Xander smiled, recognizing her response as that of someone who wasn't content with the obvious.

"If it's true, then I guess you'll prove it in time," Alise said in a carefree tone. "And if not… well, at least you're entertaining."

Xander inclined his head in a slight gesture of respect. "I guess I'll have to make sure I keep your interest, then."

Alise smiled widely. "I want to see that."

Xander couldn't help but notice that even though Alise was still joking, there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes. Something told him that this meeting wouldn't be the last.

Alise narrowed her eyes, watching Xander more closely. There was something about him that seemed… different. It wasn't just the way he spoke, or the confidence that flowed from every word. There was something else.

"I see…" he murmured, tilting his head slightly.

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Anything you'd like to share with the class?"

Alise smirked, crossing her arms. "The way you talk, the way you look… there's something about you that doesn't fit in with normal people."

Xander remained calm, but noticed the sly glint in Alise's eyes.

"Let me guess…" she continued, walking around him in a casual gesture, but clearly analyzing him. "You come from far, far away. You have seen heroes born and fallen. You have witnessed history itself… And you speak with a certainty that only a few can have."

Xander didn't say anything.

Alise stopped in front of him and snapped her fingers, smiling triumphantly. "You are a god, aren't you?"

Silence stretched for a brief moment between them. Xander smiled slightly, but didn't deny anything.

"What makes you think that?" he asked, in a relaxed tone.

Alise shrugged. "Call it instinct. You gods have a 'vibe' that gives you away. I can't explain it, but once you meet one, it's easy to tell."

Xander let out a short laugh. "Interesting insight."

Alise smiled confidently. "Do you take that as a compliment?"

"Let's just say I didn't expect to be discovered so quickly."

Alise clicked her tongue. "Then I confirmed it."

Xander stared at her, but instead of getting uncomfortable, Alise just smiled wider.

Alise let out a soft whistle, shaking her head with an amused smile. "If you're a newly arrived god, that means you haven't registered with the Guild yet, right?"

Xander looked at her with interest. "That depends… what happens if I say no?"

Alise rolled her eyes. "It means you're a newbie in town. Didn't you know that all gods have to register when they arrive?" Xander shrugged. "Let's just say I had a bit of a detour before I got to Orario."

Alise raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess… you fell from the sky like a shooting star?"

Xander smiled, but didn't answer directly. "You have a very active imagination."

"Uh-huh. And you're terrible at lying by omission." Alise put her hands on her waist. "Anyway, if you haven't registered, you better do so before someone from the Guild finds you first and drags you in there. It wouldn't be a good first impression."

Xander sighed in mock resignation. "I guess I have no choice."

Alise smiled from ear to ear. "Exactly! And since I am an exemplary citizen, I offer to take you."

Xander watched her for a moment, noting the excitement in her expression. "Are you always this nosy?"

Alise put a hand to her chest, pretending to be offended. "Nosey, no! It's my duty to help the newcomers… besides, I'm curious about you."

Xander cocked his head. "Curious?"

"Sure. It's not every day that a new god appears in town without making a fuss. Well, outside of the light show in the sky." Alise chuckled. "And it's not every day that I bump into one on the street either." Xander let out a soft laugh. "I guess it's my lucky day." "I'd say it's mine." Alise nodded at him. "Come on, I'll take you to the Guild before you end up lost or someone else drags you there in a less pleasant way."

Xander hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "Very well, guide me, oh generous citizen."

Alise laughed as she began to walk, with Xander following at her pace. Orario was a huge place, filled with vibrant and busy streets, but with Alise by her side, the walk to the Guild promised to be at least entertaining.

…

The imposing Guild building, known as the Pantheon, stood before them with its majestic architecture. Its massive columns and reinforced wooden doors gave the impression that it was a temple dedicated to the deities… which, considering its function, was not far from the truth.

Xander looked around the place with a raised eyebrow. "They should have put up a sign that said 'Welcome to bureaucracy.'"

Alise laughed at his comment. "Oh, don't worry. That's what comes next."

Xander gave him a suspicious look, but didn't have time to say anything else as a Guild receptionist approached them as soon as they entered. After a brief conversation and confirmation of his identity as a newly arrived god, he was directed to a desk and a thick stack of papers was placed in front of him.

Xander stared at them in silence for a few seconds, then blinked and turned his head to Alise. "Is this a joke?"

Alise, who had been leaning against one of the nearby columns with her arms crossed, gave him an amused smile. "No, it's standard procedure. What did you expect? A simple 'Welcome to Orario, have fun'?"

Xander sighed heavily and picked up a pen. "I knew there was going to be paperwork… but this is ridiculous."

The receptionist, a man with a neutral expression and unwavering patience, pointed at the documents. "You must complete all these forms before you receive official approval to operate in the city."

Xander snorted and began writing, reading the absurd requirements in a low voice. "Name, Divinity, purpose in Orario, personal restrictions, prior knowledge of the Dungeon…"

Alise covered her mouth with one hand, trying to hold back her laughter. "Come on, it can't be that bad."

Xander glared at her. "Oh, really? There's a question here that literally says 'Do you solemnly promise not to provoke a divine war in the city?'"

Alise laughed. "Well, considering some gods have… chaotic tendencies, I'm not surprised they have to make sure."

Xander dropped his pen onto the table and ran a hand through his hair. "This is a nightmare."

"Come on, you're a god, aren't you? Don't tell me a little bureaucracy can defeat you."

Xander glanced at her. "Don't make fun of it."

Alise gave him an innocent smile. "Who, me? I would never do that."

Xander sighed in resignation and continued writing, while Alise watched with an amused expression. The scene was strangely absurd: a god who had just arrived in Orario, struggling with mountains of paperwork, while an adventurer was having fun at his expense.

The process dragged on for what seemed like an eternity, with Xander grumbling every now and then and Alise holding back her laughter. But eventually, after signing more paperwork than he thought possible, Xander finally finished the registration.

He leaned back in his seat and exhaled dramatically. "I've faced easier battles than this."

Alise clapped slowly. "Congratulations, you officially exist in Orario."

Xander narrowed his eyes. "I appreciate your moral support."

She winked at him. "Always."

As Xander and Alise walked out of the imposing Pantheon, the cool evening breeze greeted them, along with the constant bustle of Orario. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in warm hues, and the streets were filled with adventurers, merchants, and citizens coming and going with the endless energy of the great city.

Xander stretched his arms, relieved to finally be free from the clutches of bureaucracy. "Well, that was a tiring experience."

Alise, walking beside him with a carefree air, smiled sideways. "It wasn't so terrible. Besides, I learned a lot about you."

Xander narrowed his eyes and looked at her suspiciously. "Yes, in fact, now that you mention it… you know practically everything about me after reading those documents."

Alise tilted her head in a mocking gesture. "Oh, everything? I don't know if I would say that much… but yes, I have a pretty good idea."

Xander clicked his tongue. "That's unfair. I barely know anything about you other than your name."

Alise laughed, shoving her hands into her belt. "And that bothers you?"

Xander gave him a neutral look. "I wouldn't say it 'bothers' me, but it definitely puts me at a disadvantage."

She shrugged with a mischievous expression. "Well, I guess I could tell you a little bit about myself… but tell me, where do you want to start?"

Xander looked at her for a moment, assessing her. There was something about her that he found intriguing. Not only was she overflowingly confident, but she seemed to enjoy toying with him, as if every conversation was some sort of combat in which she sought to maintain control.

"Are you an adventurer?" he finally asked.

Alise nodded. "Of course, what other reason would I have to be in this city?"

"How strong are you?"

She smiled proudly. "Pretty strong, if I do say so myself."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "That sounds pretty vague."

Alise laughed. "Don't worry, I wouldn't let you down in a fight."

Xander crossed his arms. "What family do you belong to?"

Alise tilted her head slightly, as if considering her answer. "I am from the Astrea Familia."

Xander frowned slightly. That name sounded familiar, though he didn't know much about Orario families yet. "An adventurer family?"

Alise nodded. "But not just any kind of adventurers. We are dedicated to justice. The Astrea Family follows an ideal, one we believe in with all our hearts."

Xander noticed that although Alise kept her tone playful, there was a hint of seriousness in her words. 

"Justice, huh?"

She glanced at him sideways, with a confident smile. "What? A god like you doesn't believe in justice?"

Xander brought a hand to his chin, pondering for a moment. "Let's just say I have a more… nuanced perspective."

Alise giggled. "Oh, that sounds interesting. Now I want to hear more from your perspective."

Xander sighed. "Well, you already know too much about me, so I don't see the need to reveal any more information for now."

Alise clicked her tongue in mock disgust. "Wow, how selfish. But okay, I guess I can get more details out of you in time."

Xander smirked. "Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe."

They continued walking through the crowd, the energy of Orario surrounding them. Even though they barely knew each other, the conversation flowed naturally, as if they had met before in a past life.

Xander stopped dead in the middle of the street, his expression freezing as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over him.

Alise, who was still walking a few steps ahead, noticed his absence and turned around with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong? Did you realize that I'm incredibly cool and you were paralyzed?"

Xander didn't respond immediately. His mind was processing a simple but devastating fact: he had no money.

He had brought nothing with him when he came down from the heavens. He didn't have a single valis coin in his pocket, and now he was in a city where everything, from food to lodging, required just that.

Slowly, he brought a hand to his face and let out a sigh. "Damn it…"

Alise tilted her head, curious. "What's wrong? Did you forget something?"

Xander dropped his hand and looked at her seriously. "Yeah. I forgot something… pretty important."

She crossed her arms and smiled at him in amusement. "What could be so serious?"

Xander sighed. "I don't have any money."

There was a moment of silence before Alise burst out laughing. Not just a suppressed laugh, but a genuine one, which made several people on the street turn to look at her.

"Seriously?! A god who descends to Genkai without a single coin in his pocket!"

Xander frowned as she continued to laugh. "It's not funny."

Alise tried to regain her composure, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "No, no, it's absolutely hilarious."

Xander crossed his arms, still frowning. "You have to understand that this wasn't part of my plan."

Alise patted him on the shoulder, still smiling. "Well, that's clear. But now you have a rather big problem. Where are you going to sleep? How are you going to eat? Or do the gods not need that?"

Xander sighed. "It's not that we don't need to, but… yeah, this does complicate things."

Alise slowly stopped laughing, though the amused smile remained on her face. "Well, well, then we're in an interesting situation."

Xander sighed. "Yeah, I guess so. Any ideas on how to fix this?"

Alise crossed her arms, tilting her head with a thoughtful expression. "You could work, sure, but… honestly, that would take time and I doubt you'd want to sleep on the streets while saving up enough."

Xander frowned. "No, that definitely doesn't sound like the best option."

She snapped her fingers. "Then the quickest way would be a loan."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "A loan?"

"Yes." Alise smiled. "You can ask someone for money and pay them back later. There are a few places in Orario where you might be able to get it without too many questions, though of course… most of them aren't exactly the most trustworthy."

Xander sighed. "And by trustworthy, you mean…?"

"Let's just say there are loan sharks who will break your legs if you don't pay on time." Alise shrugged as if it was no big deal.

Xander looked at her in disbelief. "Yeah, that doesn't sound appealing at all."

"Luckily for you, there's also the Guild." Alise pointed with her thumb at the large building behind them. "They have loan options for adventurers. They give you a little initial money and then you pay back with the income you make in the Dungeon."

Xander placed a hand on his chin, considering the idea. "Hmm… so the Guild also handles things like loans."

"Of course! Orario revolves around the Dungeon, and adventurers need money to get started. It wouldn't be unusual for newly arrived gods to have the same problem."

Xander exhaled slowly. "I guess it's a better option than getting into debt with someone who wants my head if I'm late paying."

Alise nodded. "Definitely. Plus, you have to start somewhere. Of course, that means you'll have to get followers soon. If you don't have a Family, no one will want to lend you money."

Xander snorted. "Great, more bureaucracy."

Alise laughed. "Welcome to Orario."

…

Xander trudged out of the Guild, holding a small bag of money in his hand. His expression was a mix of disbelief and frustration, his brow furrowed and his mouth set in an annoyed line.

"This… this is a robbery. An armed robbery!" he exclaimed, shaking the bag as if he couldn't believe that he had actually been given so little.

Alise, walking beside him, laughed out loud. "Oh, come on, it's not that bad."

Xander looked at her in disbelief. "It's not that bad?! They're going to make me pay back double what they lent me. And with interest that goes up every month if I don't pay on time!"

Alise shrugged. "Welcome to the world of debt, Xander."

The god ran a hand over his face, as if trying to process the utter betrayal he had just suffered. "This is absurd… I am a god, how did I end up in this situation?"

Alise tapped him on the shoulder with a smirk. "Because, dear god, you came down without a plan, without followers, and without a penny in your pockets. Frankly, you brought it on yourself."

Xander snorted, putting the bag away with a resigned expression. "This doesn't mean I'll accept it. I'll just… tolerate it."

Alise laughed in amusement. "That's how I like it. And now that you have some money, the next thing on your list should be finding somewhere to sleep."

Xander sighed. "I hope the rent in Orario isn't another blatant rip-off…"

Alise just gave him a mysterious smile. "I won't give you any spoilers."

Before Xander could continue to complain about his debt to the Guild, a small figure quickly approached. It was a pink-haired Pallum adventurer, with a slightly urgent expression on her face.

"Alise, I've been looking for you."

Alise turned her head and raised an eyebrow. "Lyra? What's wrong?"

Lyra crossed her arms and sighed. "They're calling us all. You're the captain, so you can't just hang around here with some stranger."

Alise snorted in amusement. "He's not just any stranger, Lyra. He's a new god."

The pallum's eyes narrowed as she examined Xander from head to toe. "I see… Well, that doesn't change the fact that we need you back."

Alise looked at Xander with a somewhat resigned expression. "Looks like work is calling me."

Xander nodded with a half smile. "Don't worry, I've taken up enough of your time."

She patted him on the shoulder. "I'll see you later. Don't get into trouble."

"That will be difficult."

Alise let out a laugh and began to walk away with Lyra, who was still eyeing Xander suspiciously before following her captain.

The god watched them disappear into the crowd and then let out a sigh, looking around. "Well… what do I do now?"