15.

Chapter 15: Reflection, Update, Floor 2-3 Prep.

There was so much to unpack here, Chico thought.

There were some incredible draws from the Gatcha, and some…interesting ones.

For instance, his new blade mastery skill was already taking effect. He could feel it—his grip, his stance, his balance. The way his body understood the edge. He wasn't just wielding swords and daggers anymore—he was wielding them well. Like a veteran. Like it was second nature.

Then there was Desperation.

He couldn't even put into words how much of a blessing that ability could be. To gain strength based on danger…It felt like the very essence of survival now distilled into power. Maybe even enough to let him face danger head on…not recklessly, but out of necessity.

Combat Armor was another surprise. He'd been planning to either purchase or make something for himself, maybe with help from a certain Goddess down the line. But now? "Perfectly tailored" armor, and upgradeable with any metal? Iron would work for now. But if he could get his hands on Mithril…or Orichalcum…

This armor could become legendary.

But it wasn't all straightforward. One trait…complicated things.

Harem King.

He didn't know how to feel about it.

The idea of multiple women loving him, being with him…Part of him—his heart, maybe—longed for that connection. For warmth. For love he had yet to experience.

But his mind was tangled in monogamy. In expectations. In doubt.

How would he handle it if more than one woman felt something for him? How would he feel? He had no experience in romance, let alone something like this.

And what about the women in his life?

Ariel…She was clever, beautiful, and kind. That sharp wit and gentle heart had already carved space in his mind, she was his friend…but there could be more.

And Demeter…

She was radiant. Not just in looks, but in soul. Kind, teasing, nurturing. She made his heart flutter sometimes, in ways he hadn't wanted to admit before.

He'd be blessed to be with either of them.

But he wasn't there yet. Not with either woman…Not yet.

So, he'd set those thoughts aside. For now.

The Magic Spring was another oddity. Incredibly powerful…but where would he even place it? Maybe in a safe zone within the Dungeon? If he could get there. Regardless, it would be invaluable later.

Magic Arrow was cool—simple but useful. He wondered if his skill with projectiles would translate, or if it'd behave more like pure magic.

And lastly…

The baseball bat.

Not flashy. But very durable.

He'd picked it over the absurd sponge—which could absorb a billion liters of water—because frankly, 1 billion liters is, what? A lake? The dungeon is vast, and its waters are no doubt deep.

The bat, though? You could always use a solid weapon. Or a training tool. Or just…something to sell.

Today had been a good day.

A great haul from the Dungeon. An even better haul from the Gatcha.

And so, after hours of letting his thoughts spiral from strategy to sentiment and back again… Chico skipped dinner. He needed rest more than food.

He crawled into bed, muscles relaxed, mind humming, heart quiet.

And just like that his day ended.

Only four days remain.

——————————————————————

The warmth of sunlight bled gently through the curtains when Chico stirred awake.

He sat up slowly, stretched with a groan, and let the morning quiet settle in his chest. The comfort of his room was familiar now—clean, soft sheets, the muted scent of wood and nature, and the faintest reminder of divine presence somewhere in the manor.

He also received a reward from the Gatcha. It was another milestone.

Milestone Reached! Unlock 10 Unique Abilities

Reward: 1 Extra Ability Slot 

Another slot…This would be imperative for the dungeon. Even if it was the early floor, having an actual magic as backup along with his strongest combined ability would be perfect…though he wondered if he can temporarily combine 3 abilities at once…

Thoughts for later.

He stood, took a quick shower, dressed with practiced ease, and made his way to the dining hall. He hadn't eaten the night before, and now his stomach was quick to remind him.

A quick scan of the room confirmed what he'd hoped wouldn't be the case—no Demeter, no Persephone. A small pang of disappointment pulsed in his chest. He'd really wanted to share yesterday's events and get a status update while the details were still fresh. But it was still early. He had time.

So, he ate. Hearty, simple food filled his plate: warm bread, eggs, some roasted sausages, and fruit. It was enough to ground him again. Afterward, he made his way back toward the sleeping quarters, then turned toward the private halls. His first guess? Demeter's quarters. And if not, the solarium.

He walked quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace of the early morning, until he reached her door. Lifting his hand, he knocked gently on the smooth, wooden surface.

For a moment, nothing. Then—

"Come in," came a soft voice from the other side.

He opened the door and stepped in, pausing instinctively.

There she was.

Demeter.

Wearing a dark, silky nightgown that hugged her form, just like always. The morning light filtered through behind her, casting her in a glow that somehow made her even more radiant than usual. She stretched lightly, graceful and effortless.

Her eyes met his.

She saw his gaze—and smiled, eyes crinkling with mischief. "Fufufu…how may I help you, Chico?"

He blinked, snapped out of it. Color rushed to his face, but he pushed through it quickly, stepping inside. "I was hoping you'd be free for a status update."

"Of course," she replied, rising from her seat with a gentle smile. "Let's begin."

It was the same ritual as before. Almost comforting in its routine.

Chico removed his shirt and laid down on her bed, back bare. Demeter took her place, straddling his legs lightly, placing a hand on his lower back. A drop of divine ichor traced a path down his spine—and the update began.

She worked in silence, her fingers moving with precision, channeling the gods' power into parchment and flesh alike. When she was finished, she set the updated sheet beside him—then laid down atop his back with a contented sigh.

He didn't even flinch. Maybe he was getting used to her warmth, her teasing—though it still sent a strange, comforting feeling through his chest.

After a moment, she moved upwards along his spine, and handed him his status.

——————————————————————

Francisco 'Chico' Sol

Demeter Familia

Race: Human

Strength: I45 → I80

Endurance: I85 → H115

Dexterity: I35→ I75

Agility: I90 → H110

Magic: I50 → I75

Skills:

— Habilidad Activa: 

-Overdrive Core

-

Magic:

— Four Arms

— Lightning Spear

— Light Shield

— Weather

— Summon Item

— Conditioning

— Arc

— Desperation

— Magic Arrow

——————————————————————

"Well now…" Demeter hummed, smiling gently as she scanned the sheet. "Three new abilities, a solid bump in your stats…You must've had quite the day yesterday."

Chico hadn't moved from his spot, he couldn't with Demeter on top of him, parchment still in hand. "I did, yeah. It was…quite a bit."

And so he told her. Everything.

How many monsters he'd slain. How he used his familiar to which he had yet to summon. How many item drops he got, likely thanks to his Luck trait. How a Guild representative suspected him of stealing. How he'd opted to bring in a god or goddess to verify his honesty for it would happen again.

Demeter listened with a calm, attentive expression.

Then he told her about Hephaestus.

How she came in. How he had to explain the ridiculous number of drops. How he'd chosen to be honest—not just to gain favor, but to potentially start a business relationship…and because he knew Hephaestus and Demeter were friends.

At that, she wrapped her arms around him from behind. Her cheek rested softly against his back.

"I'm proud of you," she whispered. "You handled your dive with integrity. And yes…Hephaestus and I go a long way. I'm glad you got to meet her."

He nodded, letting the warmth of her approval sink in. It meant more than he could say.

"Is there anything else you wanted to share?" she asked gently.

He hesitated—then remembered.

"Actually, yeah. I wanted to show you something." He glanced over his shoulder. "Could you let me up?"

Demeter chuckled. "Fufu, I was just getting comfortable."

But she rolled away nonetheless, giving him space. Chico pulled on his shirt, then stepped back. With a thought, he summoned it.

Combat Armor.

The armor materialized neatly on the bed. The armor was a masterpiece of form and function—sleek, silver, and designed with precision that bordered on artistry. Its polished plates shimmered with a soft chrome luster, sculpted to contour the wearer's physique without sacrificing defense. Thin, angular lines of glowing blue traced across its surface like veins of condensed magic, running from the pauldrons to the gauntlets, and down through the greaves. The design was distinctly modern yet retained the regal air of knightly tradition—segmented for mobility, reinforced at the joints, and balanced to allow swift, fluid motion in combat. It bore no insignia, no house crest, no decorative cape—only a silent confidence, as if it was forged not for ceremony, but for battle. Its tailoring was exact, perfectly fitted to Chico's build, as though it knew who it belonged to. Subtle channels in the metal hinted at enchantments or upgrade paths, their function latent but undeniable. This was armor meant to grow. To evolve.

The description of the armor said that it was perfectly tailored to him, it also seemed to be perfectly tailored to his tastes as well.

Chico couldn't help but admire it for a moment before speaking.

"I haven't tried summoning it on my body yet, but I'm hoping I can. That'd be useful…and cool."

Demeter leaned forward, admiring the craftsmanship. "It's lovely. Strong lines. Clean detail. Definitely suits your aesthetic."

He smiled a little. "It upgrades, too. Just needs to be fed any ore or ingots, just ten kilograms. And in 24 hours, it upgrades."

"Hmm…" she tapped her chin. "I could probably get you some ore from Hephaestus. Something basic, for now. Iron, maybe steel. But if you ever want something rarer—mithril, adamantite, or even orichalcum—just ask, they'll be extremely expensive…but no doubt worth it."

"I will, and I'll make sure to pay back every vali," Chico said sincerely. "But…it might be best to hold off on the valuable ores and ingots, if it changes its appearance based on its materials, might garner too much attention, and probably not the good kind. "

A few quiet seconds passed.

Demeter stretched again, her voice light. "So…what's the plan for today, Adventurer-kun?"

He smiled, standing straighter now. "Status is gonna start to slow down a bit, so I figured I'd hit the Guild archives. Study the second and third floors. Maybe pick up a few more potions."

"That's completely normal for your status, once you get past a certain point, it will be harder to gain excelia."

"Yeah," he nodded. "Guess I'll have to go deeper. But not until I'm ready."

Demeter placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "Just be careful. And don't forget—you can always ask for assistance, anything at all."

Chico looked back, grateful. "I won't forget."

And with that, he made his way out of the manor and into the city.

It was time to prepare to go deeper. 

——————————————————————

The Guild archive had been a necessary slog.

Chico spent nearly five hours buried in parchment and ink, combing through floor maps and monster entries for the Dungeon's second and third levels. The most notable shift in threats came with the appearance of Dungeon Lizards—tougher, a bit faster, and more unpredictable than kobolds or goblins. They'd be a small step up. Still, there wasn't much else of note. No major hazards, no terrain shifts. Just deeper corridors and stronger monsters.

By the time he emerged, sunlight was pouring down from directly overhead. His temples ached from too much focus and too little movement, so he rubbed at them with a groan. But the effort was worth it. Every floor he studied ahead of time was another chance to live longer.

And now? He had time to spare.

With a hand on his coin pouch—25,000 valis—Chico decided it was a good opportunity to restock and plan ahead. First stop: the Blue Pharmacy. It was the farthest walk, but anything else would be on the way back. He'd need more healing potions, and if he could afford it, a magic potion too. His magical reserves were going to matter more and more.

The walk took a while, but eventually he arrived. The small jingle of the doorbell announced his presence as he stepped inside. He expected to see Naaza at the counter again, but instead…

A man stood there.

He was about Chico's height, with soft blue hair and a gentle, inviting expression. There was a kind of serene kindness about him—like someone who never raised their voice, even when they should.

Lord Miach.

Chico straightened up and offered a respectful bow. "Lord Miach, it is an honor. Francisco Sol, but most people call me Chico."

Miach blinked in mild surprise, then offered a warm smile. "A new face for me, then. Welcome, Sol-san. I'm grateful for your patronage. Please, take your time. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Lord Miach," Chico replied with a nod. "I appreciate it."

He browsed quietly for a few minutes, scanning labels and counting coin. In the end, he picked up three basic healing potions. Then he found the magic potion price tag: 10,000 valis. A bit of a hit—but worth it. He took one.

When he approached the counter, Miach greeted him again, already starting to ring up the total.

"Three basics and one magic…11,500 valis, please."

Chico paid the amount without complaint. But as Miach was packing the potions, he added a fourth vial—a healing potion—without charge.

"This one was a defect," Miach said casually. "Too much water in the mix. Still usable in a pinch, but not quite up to standard."

Chico raised a brow. "You? A god of Medicine? Making a mistake like that?"

Miach chuckled. "Even a god isn't perfect, I'm afraid."

Chico laughed softly, accepting the extra potion. "Solid sales pitch, Lord Miach. Thank you, I'll be sure to come back."

"Take care down there," Miach said warmly. "And may your steps be steady."

With that, Chico stepped out into the sun again, potions tucked safely into his pouch. The shopping spree wasn't quite over yet—but so far, it had been a good haul.

——————————————————————

After stocking up on potions, Chico kept it simple. He picked up a plain black shirt and a pair of black pants from a stall near the Central Park edge—nothing fancy, but functional. His eyes lingered on a flowing cloak made of salamander wool… and another woven from glimmering undine cloth. He even dared to ask the price.

100,000 valis for the Salamander cloak, and around 150,000 for undine cloth.

Yeah. Not today.

With his short shopping spree done, Chico returned home. It was just past midday, a perfect time to grab a meal and catch up on some neglected training. He'd skipped his daily regimen yesterday. That wouldn't become a habit.

Four hours later, he made it back to the manor. After dropping off his purchases, he wolfed down a quick but hearty lunch in the kitchen, thanked the cooks, then immediately headed outside to sweat.

His body still remembered the rhythm: push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and a 10 km run. At the end of it all, sweaty and breathing harder, a familiar flicker of light danced in the corner of his vision.

Daily Training Complete

Reward: Random Bronze Gatch Ticket

He rolled it without much thought.

Ripen (1.2 Rarity, 1.16% odds)

- Common Ability -

Allows you to ripen and mature organic objects that cannot or do not resist.

Chico blinked, then chuckled. "Huh. How fitting," he muttered, amused. "Guess that's a blessing of being in the Demeter Familia."

Still, no time to dwell on farming-themed powers. The sun was still high, and he had a bit more juice left. Maybe some study time later…but first?

Some sword practice.

Now that he had Adept Blade Weapon Mastery, he wanted to put it to the test. He summoned both Demon King blades and found a quiet patch of grass near the manor's training yard. Blade arcs, stances, footwork—it all felt so natural, so fluid. He could feel the technique coursing through him.

But that didn't mean he had experience.

That became clear when he suddenly heard approaching footsteps behind him—quiet, fast.

Chico's instincts screamed.

He pivoted, blades up just in time to parry a strike aimed at his shoulder. Metal hit metal. He grunted, then instinctively kicked off with his back leg, putting distance between himself and—

"Persephone-san?" he exhaled.

She straightened up, lowering her steel practice blade. Her expression was unreadable for a moment—then a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"It seems you've improved. Much improved," she said, voice even.

Chico caught his breath and lowered his weapons. "I… I was gifted this," he admitted. "The form, the flow. It's there. But I don't know how to use it. Not really. I know what to do, but not when to do it. I lack the experience."

She studied him silently for a beat. "What you just did…that was instinct."

"Yeah," he nodded, "but that's the problem. It was only instinct."

Persephone's reply was simple. "Then fight."

She turned, retrieving her real weapon from the stone bench nearby.

A single-edged saber, dark steel with a hooked curve and a weighted hilt, a duelist's blade, designed for precision and strength.

She held it casually, but with clear mastery. "If you lack experience, gain it. Training swords are useful. But you're strong enough now."

Chico didn't hesitate. He nodded, then activated Overdrive Core, with Conditioning filling his third slot—two support abilities meant to maximize his body's output.

The match began.

Persephone didn't hold back in form—only in power. Every slash, every lunge came from a real fighter with years of battlefield experience. Chico was forced to move, think, adapt. His body strained to keep up, and though she wasn't fighting to injure him, her speed and precision left no room for mistakes.

Four minutes.

That's how long it took before Chico began to adjust—before he started to read her movements instead of reacting to them. He didn't know how strong he was at that point. Maybe a mid Level 1, or perhaps a high level 1. But it didn't matter.

He was fighting her.

His muscles burned. His lungs begged. But he kept going.

And she kept increasing her power, little by little.

Five more minutes.

By now, his black shirt clung to his chest. His breath came ragged, his legs trembled, and his senses dulled—but his movements only grew sharper, faster, more refined. His spirit burned like a forge.

He had one more minute in him. Maybe less.

And then, just before he collapsed, Persephone stepped back and lowered her blade.

"That's enough."

Chico dropped to a knee, gasping. "You sure?"

"You held your own," she said with a nod. "I started at high Level 1. Once you caught up, I kept increasing my strength. We stopped just now when I reached a low Level 2." She sheathed her saber. "That's not even close to my full strength."

Chico nodded once, slowly. "I know. But…I'll reach it. Eventually."

"You will," she said softly. "You've already begun."

——————————————————————

He was dead on his feet. His body screamed at him to rest. He considered a shower—but then remembered the manor's bathhouse. He half-dragged himself there.

Warm water. 

It was heavenly.

A few other Familia members were there, whom he greeted quietly. They returned the nods with tired smiles. No one asked why he looked half-dead. Adventurers all knew the look.

Dinner followed. Chico pigged out—meats, rice, sweet bread, and juice until he could barely move. Persephone gave him a knowing glance from across the table, but said nothing.

Later, back in his room, Chico wanted to sleep. He truly did.

But instead, he pulled out his maps and notes and studied the routes through floors 2 and 3—which hallways connected where, where monsters tended to spawn. Just a bit more. A little longer.

Then, as the hour approached midnight…

Feat Achieved!

Hold your own against Persephone—even while she held back, you fought beyond your base strength!

Reward: Silver Familiar Gatcha Ticket

Chico blinked, surprised.

"…Well, alright."

He rolled.

Schrödinger's Cat (1.7 Rarity, 1.17% odds)

- Common Familiar -

A regular-looking cat, but in reality it is the Schrödinger's Cat: able to teleport freely as long as it is not being observed, and effectively immortal—it revives whenever its corpse is not observed.

Chico smiled.

"I've always wanted a cat." 

He couldn't help but laugh a little. "Demeter's definitely not gonna mind one more animal running around the place." Also the fact that it was immortal was cool. 

And with that thought, the day officially ended.

Three days remained.

Chapter 15 End