Chapter 4
"Ow, ow, ow—!"
Hestia looked at Kiriya, who was biting down hard on her arm, and her adorable little face scrunched up until it looked like a bitter melon.
This boy had just saved her, so out of gratitude, she had wanted to help him in return.
Who could have expected things to turn out like this?
Not only had he not thanked her, he had actually bitten the hand that tried to save him.
Literally bitten it.
He had even drawn quite a lot of blood!
She, Hestia, was a well-known goddess even in Heaven. When had she ever suffered such an indignity?
"Sorry... I had no other choice."
After swallowing the divine blood, Kiriya only managed to say those words before losing consciousness.
A clear look of shock appeared on Hestia’s small face.
But when she saw how deathly pale Kiriya was, felt how violently he was trembling from pain, and noticed how his clothes had been soaked through with sweat, her expression softened again.
"Honestly, what am I supposed to do with you? Just this once, all right?"
...
Kiriya had a dream.
A very, very long dream.
In that dream, he became a vast, boundless land. Countless living beings multiplied and thrived upon him.
Eagles struck across the sky, fish glided through clear shallows, and every creature beneath the frosted heavens lived freely in peace.
But one day, in a certain part of that land, an enormous tree suddenly rose from the earth.
Its roots spread wildly, expanding without restraint as they greedily drew in every trace of nourishment from the land to strengthen themselves.
Seen from high above, it was like a drop of green ink falling into clear water, turning an entire pond dark green in the blink of an eye.
Green should have been the color of life.
Yet from it, Kiriya did not feel nature’s tolerance or vitality. W
hat he felt instead was domination pushed to its absolute limit, a frenzied devouring that sought to consume everything.
As if stimulated by it, the bright moon hanging high in the sky also turned blood-red.
Each rotation of the tomoe upon it released a light of decay and extinction, as though all things would wither beneath its gaze.
Crimson light and dark-green light collided.
Countless lives were born and destroyed, while waves of devastating power swept across the entire world again and again.
Soon, all things upon that land withered into silence.
The once fertile soil dried up and cracked, covered in abyss-like fissures.
The whole world trembled on the verge of collapse, slowly heading toward complete ruin.
Kiriya could only watch everything happen.
He could do nothing.
But just as that world was about to break apart and be destroyed, a cluster of flame descended from the sky, bringing warmth and light to the dying world.
The flame merged with the moon, and its scarlet color faded, transforming into a gentle wine-red shade that soothed the eye.
Like the sun, it brought life-giving energy to the world.
Tiny sparks of flame fell to the ground, and in the blink of an eye, they spread into a great blaze.
The giant trees upon the earth stopped plundering and expanding. Within the fire, they turned to dust.
It was not the complete annihilation of life, but a return to the soil, their nourishment flowing back into the land.
Kiriya could clearly feel an unprecedented vitality brewing deep within the earth.
"I’m alive."
...
Kiriya opened his eyes.
Looking at the pale arm in front of him, he let out a breath of relief.
He was still alive.
He had made the right gamble.
Hestia’s divine blood had truly worked on him.
The goddess Hestia of this world might have the face of a little girl, but anyone who underestimated her because of that would be making a grave mistake.
As one of the three virgin goddesses, Hestia governed the "sacred flame that never goes out" and symbolized the "continuation of life."
The core of her divinity lay in "inextinguishability," representing eternity and an inviolable will.
Her divine rank was so high that even Zeus marveled at it.
The blood of such a goddess naturally brought tremendous benefits to both life and will.
Because of that, obtaining her blood to stabilize the rampaging forces inside his body had become Kiriya’s most urgent choice.
As for any other method, it was not that Kiriya did not want to make comparisons.
Time simply did not allow it. This was already the most reliable option he could think of within the limited time he had.
And reality proved Kiriya’s guess correct.
The moment that divine blood entered his body, it became the absolute MVP.
The rampaging Hashirama cells and the overstimulated Uchiha bloodline both settled down obediently, undergoing unification and sublimation beneath the purification of the sacred flame.
Looking at the wine-red two-tomoe Sharingan in the mirror, then at his arm as it smoothly shifted between flesh and wood according to his will, Kiriya felt confidence in his future swell within him.
"Danzo, Orochimaru, you never expected this, did you? I’m still alive!"
Kiriya sneered.
"Just wait. I’ll settle our debts one by one."
Just as Kiriya was rejoicing over his new life, movement came from outside the door, and two female voices reached his ears.
"Hestia, it’s bad enough that you keep coming here to eat and drink for free. Now you’ve even brought someone else with you?"
The voice belonged to a mature woman, slightly husky, with both helplessness and a touch of dissatisfaction in it.
Kiriya’s heart stirred when he heard it, and he immediately pricked up his ears to listen.
"Muu... I had no choice."
A familiar girlish voice rang out, trying to defend herself.
"This child was badly injured. I can’t use Arcanum to save people, and I don’t have the money to hire a mage, so I could only come to you, Hephaestus."
"You can’t even take care of yourself, and now you’re trying to take care of someone else?"
Hephaestus sounded both exasperated and amused.
But Kiriya could hear a trace of affection in her voice.
It was like an elder saying, "Why are you always such a handful?" while secretly feeling relieved that the child had done something kind.
"Hmph. As a goddess, I can’t simply stand by and ignore a child asking for help."
Although Kiriya could not see her, an image still appeared in his mind: a proud little goddess with both hands planted on her hips.
Clap, clap, clap—
Hephaestus clapped several times and praised her.
"Very good, how.....admirable."
"Ehehe."
Hestia rubbed her head and laughed foolishly.
"But, admirable Hestia, when exactly do you plan to establish your own Familia and become self-reliant?"
Hephaestus’s tone suddenly changed, nearly making Hestia twist her waist from the shock.
"Well... about that... anyway, I’ll definitely work hard to find someone. I’ve already gained some experience recently, so I’m sure I’ll be able to find a member for my Familia very soon."
The little goddess Hestia was still trying to talk tough.
"Experience? You mean experience being rejected?"
Hephaestus mercilessly exposed Hestia’s little trick, making the little goddess feel as though an arrow had pierced straight through her chest.
"T-that... those people just don’t have good eyes! As long as I get a little more time to show off my good points, plenty of children from the Lower World will definitely come crying and begging to join my Familia."
As Hestia spoke, she nodded hard.
That was right. That was definitely how it would be!
"Why keep searching? The person you rescued is already a good candidate. Mm... at the very least, his looks pass. He could help attract plenty of innocent young girls for you."
Hephaestus was talking about Kiriya.
Even while gravely injured, he had still thought to save someone, so his character could not be bad.
If he joined the pure-hearted Hestia’s Familia, that would not be a bad thing.
Not to mention, he had not received a Falna, yet the speed he unleashed had been no worse than that of a Level 2 adventurer.
After suffering injuries that severe, he had even been able to heal on his own. It was obvious that he was an excellent seedling.
With such a promising child in her hands, Hestia’s life would probably become a little easier too.
It had to be said that as a fellow goddess and friend, Hephaestus had truly worried herself sick over this little goddess.
Of course, that was because she did not know about Kiriya "biting back" at Hestia.
If she knew, she might have reconsidered.
"That actually does sound possible..."
Hestia was clearly tempted, but she quickly snapped back to herself.
"Wait, wouldn’t that make me someone who demands repayment for saving him? I can’t do that!"
"Idiot."
Hephaestus lightly tapped her forehead.
"Why do children of the Lower World come to Orario? To become adventurers, of course. That boy doesn’t even have a Falna right now, so he clearly needs to join a Familia. Instead of making him line up in some large Familia and wait for a goddess to update his Status, wouldn’t one-on-one service from you as his patron goddess be much better? Think about it carefully."
After saying that, Hephaestus gave Hestia a deep look, then turned and left.
Hestia fell into thought.
"What Hephaestus said... does make some sense."
Still thinking, Hestia opened the door and walked in, only to see Kiriya already sitting up.
"You’re awake? How do you feel now?"
Hestia set her thoughts aside and walked to the bedside, asking with concern.
"I feel much better now. But... where is this?"
A puzzled look appeared on Kiriya’s face.
"This is the Hephaestus Familia. I asked them to help carry you here."
Hestia patted her chest, looking rather proud, her little expression practically saying, "Hurry up and praise me."
"I see. Thank you for saving me."
Kiriya’s gratitude was sincere.
Toward this simple and kind-hearted goddess, he still had a very favorable impression.
"You’re amazing. You can even get such a large Familia to help you."
"Well, well, I am a goddess, after all."
Hestia waved her hand modestly.
"And don’t be so formal with me. Just call me Hestia. Right, what’s your name?"
"Oh, I’m Senju Kiriya. You can just call me Kiriya."
"Kiriya... A name like that means you’re from the Far East, right?"
Hestia nodded happily.
Since he was willing to let her call him by name, he seemed like an easy child to get along with.
Thinking of Hephaestus’s words, Hestia glanced at Kiriya, lowered her head, and asked with some embarrassment.
"Um... Kiriya-kun, you haven’t joined a Familia yet, have you?"
"No."
Kiriya gave a bitter smile.
"Some nameless hobo like me probably wouldn’t be accepted by any Familia."
"You absolutely must not look down on yourself. I think you’re very good."
Hestia hurriedly waved both hands, her two index fingers fidgeting as she spoke.
"So, well... my Familia just happens to be short on members. Would you like to join? Don’t worry, as your patron goddess, I’m very—"
"I’m willing."
Before Hestia could even put her eloquence to use, Kiriya’s answer forced the rest of her words back down her throat.
She nearly choked on her own saliva.
"What did you say?"
She still could not quite believe it.
"I’m willing to join the Hestia Familia."
Kiriya looked steadily into Hestia’s eyes and spoke with great seriousness.
"You saved my life, which means you are an upright and kind goddess. And you’re also so cute and beautiful, so I’ve decided to join."
"Ehehe, I’m not as good as you say."
Hestia sounded modest, but both of her legs were already bouncing nonstop.
She was as happy as a little girl who had won her favorite stuffed toy in a lottery.
As a goddess, she could tell whether a mortal’s words were sincere.
That was exactly why receiving such honest praise from a child of the Lower World made her so happy.
And on top of that, the person saying it had a very persuasive face.
"Don’t celebrate too early. I have one condition."
Kiriya was starting to feel a little dizzy from the bouncing, so he quickly raised a hand and spoke.
"Mm, mm. Tell me."
Hestia immediately stopped and looked at Kiriya nervously.
"I’m joining a Familia because I want to become stronger. So, in order to train myself better, I need greater freedom of movement. I hope you won’t interfere with that."
"Oh, so that’s all."
Hestia let out a breath of relief and waved her hand.
"Don’t worry. How could I force one of my children to do something he dislikes?"
"In that case, there’s no problem."
Kiriya nodded.
"From now on, please take care of me, Hestia."
"Wonderful!"
Hestia jumped nearly three feet into the air again.
Then, suddenly, she thought of something and looked at Kiriya.
"Then there’s only one important thing left."
"What is it?"
"There’s no time to waste. I’ll grant you my Falna right now."
Hestia made her decision at once.
This was a member she had finally managed to find. She could not let some other god steal him away. She had to mark him first.
"Wha—"
Kiriya had barely uttered one syllable before the little goddess pushed him down onto the bed, making him lie on his stomach.
With a soft puyo, a considerable weight settled on his back.
A soft, springy sensation passed directly through his skin and shot straight to his brain.
’This goddess really doesn’t treat me like a stranger, does she?’
Kiriya sighed inwardly, but he did not resist.
The Falna of this world was something he had heard plenty about, and he had wanted to see it for himself anyway.
Hestia took out a steel needle and lightly pricked her fingertip. Two drops of blood, clear and crystalline like jewels, fell onto Kiriya’s back.
As Hestia chanted in divine language, her fair, jade-like fingers traced mysterious patterns over his skin, and a gentle white light bloomed.
Within that light, Hestia’s divine blood moved across the surface of his skin like a living thing, flowing and combining to form countless fine letters and symbols.
These letters were not static tattoos.
They were more like glowing crests floating above the skin, slowly rotating and arranging themselves before finally settling into place, forming an intricate and beautiful pattern.
It was a burning flame.
A flame crest formed from sacred hieroglyphs.
And as that flame crest appeared, Kiriya’s personal information surfaced as well.
Kiriya
Level 1
Strength: I (0)
Endurance: I (0)
Dexterity: I (0)
Agility: I (0)
Magic: I (0)
Magic :
-Forest of All Things
-Yang Power: Life Everflowing
Skill:
Wish of the Strong — As long as the obsession with becoming stronger remains, this effect will continue. The stronger the obsession, the greater the effect.
"W-what... what the fuck is all this?!"
The usually civilized Goddess Hestia actually cursed for once!