Chapter 12: Because I Don't Want to Make You Sad

The sunset had already been across the sky, covering the entire city of Orario in warm, golden light. 

As the sun went down, the magic stone lamps on the streets slowly lit up.

In the abandoned area on the edge of the slums...

Hestia stood nervously with her hands behind her back, leaning against the old wooden door of a broken church that could no longer open or close.

She looked melancholy as she gazed down the street, searching for the silhouette of someone she was waiting for.

"It's getting dark… Kiyo-kun still hasn't come back yet… Has he… left? A goddess like me, after all…"

Then, a tall and thin figure appeared at the end of the street. Hestia quickly looked over, but realizing it wasn't the person she was waiting for, she sighed disappointed.

"Lady Godess Hestia."

"I remember you… Uh, you're that one from the Guild… um, what's your name again?" 

Hestia blinked in confusion.

"Eina Tulle." 

Eina stopped in front of Hestia, leaning forward with her hands on her knees, panting from running too far.

"The Guild is looking for me? Why?" 

Hestia asked with confusion. 

She hadn't even established a Familia yet, nor did she have a Familia emblem, so there was no need for her to pay taxes to the Guild. 

Besides, as a goddess, if the Guild had a request for her, Ouranos would have come to her directly.

"I am the newly assigned advisor for your Familia member, Kiyo Astrea. There has been an unusual situation in the upper levels of the dungeon, and Kiyo still hasn't returned. I came to inform you, Lady Hestia."

Hestia's body tensed instantly, and she anxiously asked, "An unusual situation? Kiyo-kun still hasn't returned? What exactly happened? Please explain in more detail!"

"Not long ago, the monsters in the upper levels of the dungeon started respawning at an irregular and much faster rate. Even monsters that are usually spawned in deeper floors have started appearing on upper floors." 

Eina hurriedly explained, "The Guild has already issued a rescue mission to evacuate the trapped adventurers. But so far, Kiyo still hasn't come out of the dungeon… We don't know if he…"

Eina explained briefly, but she hesitated as she reached the end.

A beginner adventurer, on his very first day, encountering such an emergency… the chances of him making it back were slim.

"No, that's impossible. Kiyo-kun is still fine—I can feel it because my blessing hasn't disappeared yet." 

Hestia said firmly, "I can't just sit here. I have to go save him!"

As soon as Hestia heard this, she shook her head and ran straight toward Babel Tower without hesitation. The sadness in her heart vanished in an instant.

'Kiyo-kun didn't leave. Someone who could still smile so happily after seeing me in such a miserable state, there's no way Kiyo-kun would secretly abandon me and leave.'

'Kiyo-kun is my only Familia member—I have to save him. I'll go to the Guild and issue a request, no matter how much debt I owe them, it doesn't matter.'

"Wait, Lady Hestia!" 

Eina sighed in relief when she heard that the divine blessing was still intact.

...

Hestia ran barefoot through the bustling streets, ignoring the crowds around her. Right now, the only thing on her mind was seeing her one and only Familia member.

"Huh? Hestia? Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Hestia immediately stopped in her tracks.

The one who had called out to her was none other than her fellow god—Takemikazuchi. 

He wore a white shrine outfit, his black hair was tied into horn-like braids, and he held a paper bag filled with fried potato balls. 

Like Hestia, Takemikazuchi worked part-time as a vendor at a branch of the "Fried Potato Balls" shop.

"Také! I need your help—please, you have to help me. No matter what the price, I'm willing to pay it!"

Hestia pleaded desperately, her eyes filled with determination.

"Uh…? What exactly happened, Hestia?" 

Takemikazuchi asked in confusion. He had never seen Hestia so panicked before, let alone ask someone for help. 

"My only Familia member got trapped in the dungeon on his very first day… I beg you, I know I'm asking for a lot, but… please!"

Hestia bowed deeply, not caring at all about her dignity as a goddess.

"You… have a Familia member? Wait… Trapped in the Dungeon? You mean in that unusual situation?!" 

Takemikazuchi's expression changed. 

"I just heard about it a moment ago… I didn't expect that…"

...

"Huff… huff… I can finally see the exit."

Kiyo's body staggered, ready to collapse at any moment and his vision was blurry, and even the sunset shining through the dungeon's exit felt painfully bright.

The sword Eina had given him was now covered in countless nicks and cracks, with its tip completely broken off. 

He had killed 17 War Shadows, each with a stat of at least 200, along with countless Goblins, War Shadows, and Werewolves.

The chest armor that once protected his chest was completely gone, leaving his torso covered in cuts and injuries.

In his other hand, he carried a backpack filled with magic stones. It was so full that a few had slipped through the holes and fallen onto the ground.

The bag had been abandoned by some supporter, and since he had already killed so many monsters, Kiyo figured he might as well collect some magic stones along the way.

"Good thing it only lasted two hours… Otherwise, I really wouldn't have made it out. Heh… So, is it not targeting me anymore? Or does it only last for two hours?"

He let out a relieved chuckle as if he had just grasped an important pattern in the chaos.

'I've changed—completely transformed. The weak, fragile, pathetic man I used to be is gone forever.'

The battle, blood, survival… facing life and death head-on truly is the fastest way to change a person.

The noise of the bustling city rang in his ears, and the warm evening sun shone upon his face.

He had made it out of the Dungeon.

Kiyo's vision was blurred, and he could barely see a familiar figure running toward him, looking extremely worried.

"Kiyo-kun—"

He felt himself being caught, warmth and softness enveloping him.

'A blue ribbon… Hestia... My Goddess.'

"Cough, cough! Goddess, I made it back before sunset… If I hadn't returned before the sun went down, you might have thought I abandoned you because of your situation and secretly left. That would've made you sad... And I don't want to see you sad."

He could no longer stand. He fell to his knees, struggling to lift his head, forcing a small smile, but his face was covered in dirt and blood, looking exhausted.

"I've gotten stronger too."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kiyo lost consciousness, falling into darkness.

Hestia held the wounded, unconscious Kiyo in her arms, and those warm words pierced straight into her heart.

Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes, but a radiant, blissful smile spread across her face.

"Kiyo-kun is so badly hurt… I almost lost my one and only Familia member. I should be sad, heartbroken… but why do I feel so happy deep inside?"

She gently stroked Kiyo's hair with blood, her young face filled with warmth and deep emotion.

"I'm really, really, really happy to have a Familia like you, Kiyo-kun."

Standing behind Hestia, Takemikazuchi watched the scene, feeling a surge of emotion.

"Hestia, you've truly found yourself an exceptional Familia."

Meanwhile, the adventurers behind Takemikazuchi were completely shocked. The sight of the blood-covered boy left them in awe.

The backpack that had slipped from Kiyo's grasp spilled countless violet magic stones onto the ground, glistening brilliantly under the setting sun.

"Kiyo-kun…"

Eina stood frozen, staring in disbelief at the boy covered in blood who had collapsed into unconsciousness.

...

300 Power Stone = 1 Chapter

500 Power Stone = 2 Chapters

1000 Power Stone = 3 Chapters