Chapter 10 – Living With the Goddess!
One by one, the Lizardmen collapsed.
Each blow was delivered with effortless ease—almost too casual, as if Akira were simply taking a stroll through a garden rather than cutting down enemies.
It was surreal to witness.
There was a strange elegance in the way he moved—fierce, wild, and yet graceful. Every strike was lethal. Every motion clean. And yet, there was an untamed, animalistic aura behind it all.
That contrast—between refined beauty and primal brutality—shouldn't have coexisted. But somehow… in Akira, they blended into something eerily perfect.
Once the last of the Lizardmen fell, the shadow beneath Akira stirred.
Two cloaked figures rose from the darkness—the Shadowkhan soldiers—moving wordlessly to collect the scattered Magic Stones.
Tsubaki's eyes sparkled with a hint of envy as she watched the obedient ninja shadows at work.
"What kind of summon is that…? That's just too perfect," she muttered.
Able to fight, clean up, and vanish at will… They were practically the dream companion for any adventurer.
"That's enough for today," Tsubaki suddenly said.
"Hm?"
"We've been in the Dungeon long enough. It's already late afternoon. Today was only meant to show you the routes, not to dive seriously."
"Got it."
Akira casually pocketed the Magic Stones he had gathered.
Unfortunately, the day's earnings were pretty sad—barely twenty stones, most of them just tiny fragments. They held little to no value.
On their way back to the surface, a few more monsters appeared, but none stood a chance. Akira dispatched them without effort, adding a handful more stones to his haul.
When they returned to the Guild, Akira exchanged everything for Valis.
Total amount?
2,600 Valis.
That was it.
"Disappointed?" Tsubaki asked as she noticed his sour expression.
"Obviously! You said the cheapest weapons at our Familia's store cost hundreds of thousands to millions of Valis! This isn't even enough for the pommel!"
Thwack!
A solid flick landed squarely on his head.
Of course, it was Tsubaki.
"Kid, do you seriously think newbies can afford those kinds of weapons? Those are crafted by top-class smiths with decades of experience!"
"You're the first woman who's ever dared to flick my forehead. I'll remember this."
Thwack!
Another flick. A matching bump joined the first.
"What was that!?"
"Nothing, ma'am…"
"Hmph."
Not that Akira was scared—this was just a tactical retreat. A strategic surrender. Nothing cowardly about it at all!
He clenched his teeth silently as he watched Tsubaki walk ahead.
A tiger trapped in a village… That's what this feels like.
But just you wait, Tsubaki… Once I'm strong enough, I'll make you mine. One hundred times over! No, more!
Eventually, Tsubaki brought him to a small, no-frills diner. They shared a simple meal and then—
She left.
Just like that.
Akira froze.
Alone in the city of Orario. Pockets light with only 2,600 Valis. No place to go.
He didn't even know where any inns were located!
After racking his brain for options, only one came to mind.
Knock knock—
The door creaked open.
Standing there… was the Goddess herself—Hephaestus.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
And since they'd already kissed…
Living together shouldn't be that weird, right?
"…Why are you here?" she asked, clearly caught off guard. This was the upper floor of Babel—mortals weren't even allowed up here.
"I've got nowhere else to go," Akira admitted. "So… I figured I'd just stay with you."
His voice was calm but laced with a trace of sheepishness.
"Stay here? Are you serious? This is Babel! This is the private residence of the gods!"
"I know, but this is your territory, right? Why can't I stay for a bit?"
"No."
"Hephaestus~…"
Denied, Akira dropped the act and went full-on spoiled puppy mode.
He pouted. His handsome face scrunched up like a child begging for candy—and that was a critical hit.
Hephaestus hesitated.
"J-just for tonight…"
"Thank you~!"
Before she could react, Akira wrapped his arms around her in a joyful hug.
A soft sensation pressed against his chest.
So warm… so bouncy… easily a D-cup. Maybe even D-plus.
"Let me go!" she squeaked.
Flustered and red-faced, the Goddess struggled in his arms.
Akira finally let go, wearing the most satisfied grin he could manage. He hadn't crossed any lines—barely. But judging by Hephaestus' burning cheeks… mission success.
Now that he was back in this room, something in him had changed.
Like they say—the first time is the hardest. But once that line's crossed, the second, third, and fourth come naturally.
This blacksmith goddess?
Sooner or later, she'd be his.
"Where's Tsubaki?" Hephaestus asked suddenly.
"She took me to the Dungeon, bought me food, then left."
"Left?"
"Yeah."
"Where to?"
"No clue."
"Then why are you here?"
Akira shrugged. "I don't know anyone else in Orario. I've got no money. You were the only one I could turn to."
Hephaestus let out a long sigh. Her expression tightened.
I told Tsubaki to look after him properly… and she didn't even arrange a place for him to stay!?
Still, Tsubaki wasn't entirely to blame.
From her perspective, Akira could reach the upper floor of Babel—which meant he and Hephaestus were already close.
She had simply assumed Akira would be staying here anyway.
A misunderstanding born from trying too hard to read her goddess's intentions.
"…Fine. Here. Ten thousand Valis. Use it to rent a room."
"Nope!"
Without even a second of hesitation, Akira rejected the offer.
Rent a room?
Why would he do that… when he could stay here and eat food made by a goddess?
No chance. Not in a million years.
Hephaestus sighed again, though this time, there was a subtle smile behind it.
Even as a goddess, she could feel human emotion.
And she knew…
Akira didn't come here out of desperation.
He came… because he wanted to be with her.
The blacksmith goddess, who had always hidden her face and avoided mirrors…
Felt beautiful for the first time in her life.
Someone actually… likes me…
"Well, suit yourself," she muttered, barely hiding the warmth in her voice.
She had officially given up.
Or perhaps, she never truly meant to resist in the first place.
And so—
The chaotic cohabitation between a reckless human and a stubborn goddess had officially begun.
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