The Journey Begins in DanMachi

That was not merely the smile of a "god," but the smile of the "God of Deceit," a smile as dangerous as a viper.

"Interesting. It's been a long time since I've met a brat as interesting as you! I'll take you!"

The moment the words left the main deity's lips, the peerless elven royalty subconsciously glanced at Noah, gritted her teeth, and still raised an objection.

"Wait a moment! Loki! Shouldn't you discuss this with Finn and the others? Isn't this a bit too rash?"

It is no longer big news in Orario for gods to cause trouble for their own Familia due to various whims, leading to the members having to deal with the aftermath, suffer great embarrassment, or work themselves to the bone to pay off debts.

Although Loki is also willful, she is usually quite reasonable regarding Familia affairs and values the opinions of the three leaders of the Loki Familia.

Especially when it comes to adding new members, for the Loki Familia, which frequently launches expeditions into the deepest front lines of the Dungeon, the reliability of one's comrades is of paramount importance.

In the deep levels, where the slightest mistake could lead to the annihilation of the Familia, any issue with a member—whether it be a vanguard getting injured, a logistics error, or conflict between teammates—could result in massive casualties.

Therefore, before adding any new member, Loki would at least have Finn, the captain, conduct an assessment first.

Why this time...

"Ha?! Where is there time for that Alf to consider this now?! If we wait for Finn to come back, what if this brat runs away?"

Like a willful child throwing a tantrum on the street demanding a snack, Loki once again displayed the capricious nature of the gods of Orario, and stared fixedly at Noah.

"Hey! Brat! Joining the Familia means you're family, understand? Do you know what family means? Under no circumstances are you allowed to have thoughts of betraying or abandoning your family. Otherwise, even if I have to scour the entire Lower World, or get sent back to the Heaven Realm, I will absolutely kill you! And after returning to the heavens, I'll drag your soul out and torture it! Got it?"

Noah was curious: if he were to leave this world again, would Loki still be able to catch him?

Seeing Noah bowing his head in thought, Loki wore a look of shock, as if to say, You're actually considering such a thing?

"Hey! Brat! What are you hesitating for!?"

"Well, I was thinking about whether I could uphold your policy of never betraying family under any circumstances, but the conclusion I reached is that it's probably a bit difficult."

"Ha?!!"

Not only did Loki roar, but even Riveria and Ais showed expressions of astonishment.

"I can only guarantee that I won't betray you while I'm still alive, but what happens after I die is probably not something I can decide."

Noah had long since passed the age of believing that every difficulty in the world could be solved with a sword; the human heart is harder to conquer than a Demon King.

Saving a person is far more difficult than killing one.

Hearing the silver-haired youth's reply, the three women—one god, one elf, and one human—all fell silent in unison, then immediately wore expressions of indescribable resentment.

"Brat, I couldn't tell you were so good at playing with women's hearts!? If you dare to lay a hand on the other girls in the group later, I will absolutely not forgive you!"

"Huh?"

Labeled a scumbag, Noah truly wore a look of confusion and surprise this time.

Let alone being a scumbag, Noah hadn't even held a woman's hand outside of a combat scenario.

But Loki had no intention of explaining; she waved her hand and walked toward the depths of the corridor.

"Follow me!"

This time, Riveria did not stop him, but merely crossed her arms and glared at him with annoyance, as if he had truly done something unforgivable.

Ais, standing beside her, wore a similar expression, though her small cheeks were puffed up and slightly flushed.

Noah, completely bewildered, had no choice but to quicken his pace to keep up with Loki as they headed toward the depths of Twilight Manor.

Twilight Manor is composed of numerous towers connected by suspended corridors, hence its nickname, the "Long Mansion."

At the very center, surrounded by the other towers, is the highest one, and on its top floor lies the "God's Chamber," the bedroom where the main deity, Loki, resides.

After climbing the entire spiral staircase set within the tower, Noah followed Loki to the top floor and entered a room.

Although the room was very spacious, it was stuffed with all sorts of miscellaneous items; the doorway was piled high with a variety of liquor bottles, and half-finished drinks sat on the table.

However, Loki didn't care in the slightest that her room was being scrutinized; she simply drew the curtains on the bedroom windows and waved at Noah.

"Hee hee hee, take off your top and lie down on the bed."

Noah was not accustomed to being touched; or rather, he refused to have physical contact with others.

Because it was hard to say when or how an enemy might poison him.

However, after taking a deep breath and overcoming the strange feeling in his heart, Noah didn't say anything more; he unbuckled his long sword and took off his jacket, which already had many holes in it.

Unlike the lean appearance he had while clothed, Noah's body, though fair-skinned, was covered in sturdy, well-defined muscles.

Yet, his skin was also covered in various scars, making it look somewhat gruesome.

After Noah turned and lay down on the bed, Loki's gaze swept across his back.

Compared to his chest, which was covered in scars, the skin on Noah's back was as smooth as a woman's.

But because of that, the few wounds there appeared all the more jarring.

Having seen the backs of many adventurers, Loki could tell at a glance that these wounds were caused by short, thin weapons like daggers, knives, or needles.

In short, they were attacks from behind...

This guy...

However, after one look, Loki's vermilion eyes narrowed into crescents, and she jumped onto Noah's back, her palms slapping against him with a rhythmic thwack, thwack.

"Hoo, you look so thin with your clothes on, I never expected your physique to be this impressive! Honestly, you're so good-looking that I was worried you might just be skin and bones!"

Noah didn't know how to respond, so he simply closed his eyes and waited in silence.

"The Lower World, so full of the unknown and mystery! To think it could give birth to someone like you! You'd better not disappoint me!"

Without further ado, Loki pricked her finger with a needle and smeared her divine blood onto Nolan's back, skillfully drawing divine characters and ritual markings.

After a flash of light, Loki looked at the sacred text inscribed on Noah's back, her narrowed eyes widening as she let out an excited, animalistic laugh.

"Ho ho ho, didn't I just hit the jackpot?!"

Eh? Have I opened my eyes too many times today?

19 Magic and Skills

The so-called Divine Grace is, in essence, a catalyst, or perhaps a key.

Fundamentally, the Grace of all gods is the same; it merely forcibly unlocks the limitations of the human body, stimulates infinite potential, and displays these values in a systematized manner.

Therefore, the awakening of skills and magic often carries distinct racial characteristics.

For instance, the skills and magic of Elves tend to lean toward enhancing magical power, Beastmen toward speed and agility, and Dwarves toward strength and defense.

However, even after thousands of years of verification and analysis, the gods still cannot fully comprehend the potential possessed within the bodies of the Lower World's inhabitants.

It is highly correlated with personal aptitude, unique experiences, interests, and willpower; combined with one's inner landscape and deepest desires, it eventually manifests as a "possibility" that is exclusive and unique to the individual.

This is what constitutes unique magic or rare skills.

Although not absolute, most adventurers who awaken special magic or rare skills are considered to possess the "measure of a hero," with the potential to reach the "realm of heroes."

In most Familias, these adventurers are cultivated as high-potential newcomers.

At the same time, all factions within the city cast their attention upon them.

"But, to start off with two magic spells and three rare skills—even for me, this is a first!"

Printing the Grace values onto paper in the common tongue, Loki leaped off the bed, examined it meticulously, and then handed it to Noah.

"Kid! You didn't let me down!"

After getting dressed, Noah took the paper.

He discovered that his heart, which should have been calm as water, was actually feeling a trace of excitement and nervousness.

This must be what the unknown is; it always makes one curious, always makes one excited!

Noah Cipher

Lv.1

Strength: I-0

Endurance: I-0

Dexterity: I-0

Agility: I-0

Magic: I-0

Development Abilities:

Magic:

[Thunder Decree]

attribute, Thunder attribute, Sound attribute

magic, arbitrary activation, autonomous development

: Roar, Thunder

[Elegy of Light]

·???

despair, gather darkness, use the body as fuel, carve out light

:

At the moment of awakening from ignorance, sincerity is a sin

Sacrifice innocence, burn away nobility

Play the melody of blood, chant the nursery rhyme of death

The gods sing in unison, all things rejoice, with a sound that echoes through the heavens, awaiting my collapse

Gather the darkness, head toward the fate of the primordial fire, and with a heart of compassion, scatter death

Carve out the future, become the embers of the morning star that no one knows

Skills:

[Fall of the Morning Star]

against fate, resist death, counter despair, transcend limits, never yield, a yearning for the boundless sky, pursuing heights without end

· Activates when injured; all attributes except Health increase continuously based on battle duration, intensity, severity of injury, indomitable fighting spirit, and the gap between combatants.

· Reduces the probability of death when sustaining a fatal wound.

[Ode to Spring]

· Immortal achievements shall shine through the ages; the gratitude of all things in the world shall follow unto the end of eternity without ceasing.

· Charisma increased.

· Luck correction.

[Movement of Truth]

· Endless unknown, endless truth, endless tracing; the heart of exploration shall never be extinguished.

· Magic creation, matter reconstruction.

· Mental power increased.

After reading the descriptions of the magic and skills, Noah sat on the bed, remaining silent for a long time.

Loki walked over to the table, poured herself a glass of wine, downed it in one gulp, and then let out a rough, dwarf-like sigh.

"Hey, some gods say that the more vague a skill's description is, the greater its potential, but I honestly can't quite make heads or tails of it... Still, looking at you, you must have some idea, right?"