Chapter 12
Senju Kiriya
Level 1
Strength: A (890) → S (935)
Endurance: A (812) → S (978)
Dexterity: A (863) → S (988)
Agility: A (890) → S (990)
Magic: S (908) → SS (1002)
Magic:
-Forest of All Things
-Yang Power: Life Everflowing
Skill:
-Wish of the Strong — As long as the obsession with becoming stronger remains, the effect will continue. The stronger the obsession, the more powerful the effect.
Hestia: "..."
’No matter how many times I see it, this terrifying growth speed still leaves me stunned.’
Hestia could not help sighing inwardly.
In only one week, Kiriya had raised all of his ability values from I rank to S rank and above.
What kind of monstrous growth speed was that?
If Kiriya wanted to level up now, his basic abilities were already more than enough.
As long as he completed a true great feat, he could immediately advance to Level 2.
The thought left Hestia feeling a little dazed.
How long had that child of the gods taken to reach Level 2 again? It seemed to have been one year.
Back then, it had shaken the whole of Orario and earned the title of the "fastest leveling adventurer in history."
But compared with her child, that record was so slow it looked as though it had been left far behind in the dust.
"Uwaaah, Kiriya, you’re really amazing!"
Overjoyed, Hestia threw herself at him again.
"Pff—"
Kiriya was struck hard by that full-force charge.
Even though he had already experienced this situation many times, he still could not remain completely calm.
All he could say was that the goddess was truly great. No further explanation was needed.
"Kyaa—!"
Hestia, who had been hugging Kiriya tightly, suddenly let out a sharp cry.
She jumped up at once, clutching her shapely rear as she glared at Kiriya.
At least, the goddess had intended to show her anger, but her adorable baby-faced cheeks were covered in a bashful blush, making her look less angry and more like she was shyly resisting.
"What are you doing?!"
Hestia stomped her foot and complained in a sweet, flustered voice.
"That was self-defense." Kiriya spoke with perfect confidence.
"You’re the one who launched a surprise attack first."
"T-that... that’s not the same thing!"
Hestia huffed angrily.
"What’s different about it?"
Kiriya chuckled, his voice carrying a slightly wicked undertone.
"Hestia, as a goddess, you shouldn’t have double standards."
Seeing that Hestia did not seem ready to counterattack, Kiriya decided not to continue dragging out the topic and smoothly changed the subject.
"You still haven’t told me my ability values."
"You... you changed the subject again. So sneaky."
Hestia muttered unhappily before copying Kiriya’s Falna information and handing it to him.
Naturally, she had deliberately blurred the Skill section.
Kiriya looked at the ability values written on the paper and let out a long breath.
’Finally. I finally reached this step.’
During this past week, aside from eating and sleeping, he had spent almost all of his time in the Dungeon.
Fighting.
Mad, relentless fighting.
Battles with almost no pause.
All of it had been for the sake of pushing himself to the limit and drawing out as much of his potential as possible.
Continuous, high-intensity battles had driven the growth of Endurance.
Constantly using Forest of All Things to shape weapons and kill enemies, while relying on Yang Power: Life Everflowing to heal, had raised his Magic.
Deliberately drawing large groups of monsters to surround him had allowed him to train Dexterity and Agility under pressure.
And repeatedly clashing with thick-skinned, powerful monsters had strengthened his Strength.
All of that had been reflected in his ability values.
Every attribute had surpassed S rank.
"That’s wonderful, Kiriya. Next, as long as you complete a great feat, you’ll be able to level up."
Hestia patted Kiriya’s head, her face filled with the relieved smile of someone watching her own child grow.
"A great feat, huh?"
Kiriya also began thinking about that problem.
In this world, a so-called great feat referred to a heroic achievement worthy of praise even from the gods.
But there was no fixed standard for such a feat.
It did not mean one had to kill a specific monster or clear a specific floor. Instead, it was about surpassing one’s limits and creating a legend.
For example, in the original story, Bell Cranel had defeated a Minotaur alone while still Level 1, even though that monster normally required several Level 2 adventurers working together to handle.
That had been an undeniable great feat.
But for Kiriya, that method would not work.
After all, he had already defeated several Level 2 adventurers, and he had done so without much difficulty.
Under these circumstances, expecting to achieve a great feat by merely killing a few middle-floor monsters was far too naïve.
’Do I have to solo a Floor Boss?’
That thought appeared in Kiriya’s mind, but even he felt somewhat uncertain.
Even with cheats like Hashirama cells and the Sharingan, his combat power far exceeded others at his level, and he could even leave many Level 2 adventurers far behind.
But in the end, he was still only Level 1.
Going straight against a Level 4-class mini-boss right away seemed a little reckless, didn’t it?
Still, after thinking about it carefully, it was not completely impossible.
The Floor Boss of the Seventeenth Floor, Goliath, was famous for its slow movements.
If he could not win, he could always run!
"What, what? Did you think of a way to complete your great feat?"
Hestia, who had been watching his expression from the side, saw that Kiriya seemed to have an idea and quickly asked.
"Mm. Once my ability values improve a little more and break through to SSS rank, I’ll go test myself against Goliath."
Kiriya nodded, cheerfully making the decision just like that.
"What? You’re just saying that to make me happy."
Hestia puffed out her cheeks.
A Level 1 rookie challenging a Level 4 Floor Boss? If word spread, people would probably think he had lost his mind.
"Haha, you noticed?"
Kiriya laughed it off without explaining further. He stretched lazily, then quickly climbed onto the bed and lay down.
"I’m going to sleep first. Good night."
"Honestly."
Hestia planted her hands on her hips, but there was nothing she could do about Kiriya’s lazy behavior.
She could only turn off the lights, climb into bed, and curl into Kiriya’s arms.
"Good night."
Hestia murmured softly like a kitten, then peacefully fell asleep.
...
Early the next morning, Kiriya woke up early.
He was planning to go out with Hestia for a hearty breakfast, only to find a large group of uninvited guests blocking the door the moment they stepped outside.
"Apollo?"
When Hestia saw the person leading the group, her anger gauge instantly maxed out.
Her twin tails began moving even though there was no wind.
"What are you doing here? And these people... Are you planning to violate the Guild’s rules and start a fight inside the city?"
As she spoke, she pointed behind Apollo.
Standing there was a large group of adventurers, numbering around fifty or sixty in total.
Most of them were Level 1, but there were more than ten Level 2s among them.
At this moment, all of them were holding weapons aimed at Kiriya and Hestia, as if they would attack at any second.
"Ah, good morning, Hestia. After so many years apart, you’re still as beautiful and charming as ever."
Apollo’s face showed an intoxicated smile.
"Ewwww."
Goosebumps rose across Hestia’s body.
She was thoroughly disgusted by that soft, oily tone!
Seeing that Apollo actually seemed to want to approach, she immediately shouted, "Stay right there! You’re not welcome here. Leave immediately!"
"How heartbreaking, Hestia. Have you forgotten that unforgettable romance we once shared?"
Apollo gently pressed a hand over his chest, looking like a poet deeply wounded by love.
Unfortunately, his face was far too sleazy, completely ruining the atmosphere he was trying to create.
"Stop spouting nonsense. You were the one pestering me, and I rejected you cleanly!"
Hestia was furious!
Kiriya was standing right beside her, yet this bastard was actually spreading rumors right to her face?
"How cold of you, Hestia." Apollo’s expression turned cold.
"In that case, I won’t waste more words. I’ll be direct. The purpose of my visit is that adorable child behind you."
"Mm, Kiriya-kun?"
Hestia and Kiriya exchanged a look.
Both of them had expressions that said this was exactly what they had expected.
"What kind of scheme are you trying to pull now, Apollo?"
"Hmph. You should be asking what your child has done!"
Apollo’s expression turned sorrowful. With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen people were carried forward on stretchers.
They were covered in bandages from head to toe, their breathing faint, as though they might pass on at any moment.
Kiriya narrowed his eyes.
In yesterday’s fight, he had held back properly.
Those people had looked miserable, but in truth, their injuries had only been superficial and would not threaten their lives.
Yet now, their weakness was real.
’For the sake of this performance, he really went all out.’
Kiriya sneered inwardly.
"Yesterday, your child, Kiriya, badly injured all of my children."
Apollo actually squeezed out a few tears, putting on a look of grief and righteous pain.
"These are all my beloved children. Kiriya committed such a despicable crime. As his patron goddess, do you have nothing to say?"
Hestia folded her arms and coldly watched Apollo’s performance.
At the end, she sneered.
"You really have the nerve to play the victim after causing trouble first? They were clearly the ones who attacked first. My Kiriya-kun merely defended himself."
"Oh?"
Apollo widened his eyes.
"I never expected that you, famous for your integrity, would protect such a violent criminal. You’ve fallen, Hestia."
"My children only wanted to have a friendly exchange, yet he beat them so badly. If you don’t give me an explanation for this matter, it will be difficult to end peacefully."
"Hehe. Then what do you want?"
Hestia sneered.
"Hand over Kiriya."
Apollo finally revealed his true purpose.
He pointed at Kiriya, his face flushed and his nostrils flaring uncontrollably.
There was no trace of a god’s dignity left in him.
He looked exactly like an absolute pervert!
"Impossible!"
Hestia refused without hesitation and pulled Kiriya, preparing to leave.
"Put away those disgusting thoughts of yours. Kiriya-kun isn’t an object. He’s my most important family. I will never hand over my family."
"Then there’s no helping it."
Apollo looked sideways at the goddess he had once admired and loudly made his declaration.
"Then let us have a War Game, Hestia."
"If you lose, that child belongs to me."
"If I lose, the Apollo Familia will be yours to deal with as you please. How about it?"
"A War Game?" Hestia’s eyes widened.
"Are you insane?"
A War Game was a large-scale "game" between Familias, applied for through the Guild, with rules decided by both sides and witnessed by the gods.
It was an all-out battle between two Familias under established rules.
Orario did not allow open conflict between Familias, but that did not mean conflicts between Familias disappeared.
When such conflicts could no longer be reconciled, they could only be settled all at once through this method.
The victorious god could make any demand of the loser, possessing absolute authority over the defeated side.
In other words, winner takes all, loser eats dust.
It was a "game" that supposedly avoided damaging relationships, yet in reality was extremely cruel.
It was also one of the favorite events of those gods who were terminally bored.
"Whoa, a War Game?"
"Not bad, Apollo. I didn’t expect you to quietly set up something this big."
"Finally, we’ve been waiting for this! Hestia, accept it!"
In an instant, a large crowd of gods appeared from who knew where, cheering Apollo on.
This was only natural.
After all, the movements of more than a hundred members of the Apollo Familia could not possibly be hidden.
Those entertainment-loving gods had obviously come over to watch the show.
They had not expected to arrive just in time for such major news.
"Hah. Why would I agree to something so ridiculous?"
Hestia was so angry she laughed.
The Apollo Familia was one of Orario’s mid-level powers, with over a hundred members. She, on the other hand, only had Kiriya as family.
Only if her brain had gone bad would she let Kiriya fight a huge group of opponents alone.
"That won’t do, Hestia."
Apollo looked deeply troubled and pointed behind him.
"After hearing what happened, my children were all filled with righteous indignation. They insist on receiving an explanation. If you refuse even this small request, I truly don’t know what these angry children might do. I may not be able to control them myself."
As if responding to Apollo’s words, all the Familia members behind him raised their weapons.
Some of the mages had even begun chanting.
"You’re threatening me?"
Hestia was truly enraged now.
Did he really think she was a pushover?
"Hestia, you should think carefully. If it’s a War Game, you at least still have a chance. But if you refuse, these children will do everything they can to regain their honor."
Apollo’s smile deepened.
"Kiriya-kun still has to explore the Dungeon, doesn’t he? That place is so dangerous. Aren’t you worried that some accident might happen?"
A threat.
A naked threat.
Hestia was so angry that she ground her teeth, wanting nothing more than to punch Apollo’s filthy face.
But before she could move, Kiriya caught her pale wrist.
"Kiriya?"
Hestia looked at him in confusion.
"Hestia, accept it."
Kiriya smiled.
His smile was brilliant, but there was no warmth in his eyes
They were terrifyingly cold!
This was the perfect chance to remove this disgusting god from the board completely.
"Don’t be impulsive. He’s deliberately provoking you."
Hestia panicked and wanted to say more, but Kiriya gently pressed a finger against her lips.
"Trust me. I’m confident."
His voice was gentle yet firm, and the panic in Hestia’s heart instantly eased by several degrees.
"Really?"
"Of course. Would I lie to you?"
Kiriya lightly tapped Hestia’s nose with his finger.
Then, when he looked at Apollo again, his expression turned completely blank.
"A War Game? Fine. But it will be three days from now."
"Oh? Truly?"
Apollo was ecstatic and looked toward Hestia.
"That’s right!"
Hestia stomped her foot.
"Three days from now. What, don’t tell me you can’t even wait that long?"
"How could that be?"
Apollo’s goal had been achieved, and he was in a wonderful mood.
Laughing loudly, he said, "Then I shall very much look forward to the War Game three days from now."
With that, he threw his head back in laughter and left grandly with his Familia.
The surrounding gods were also delighted.
They had already begun spreading news of the upcoming War Game throughout Orario.
1 vs. 100+.
A genius adventurer against a mid-level Familia.
That hook immediately caused a huge uproar across Orario!