(Riven POV – Church Basement Room)
A quiet groan escapes me as I stir awake, a strange pressure on my chest tugging me back to consciousness. I blink the haze away... only to find a familiar goddess snoozing peacefully on top of me.
"...Seriously?" I mutter, my eyes lazily drifting to the empty bed across the room. 'How the hell did she manage to migrate here in her sleep?'
'Is this what Bell had to deal with every morning?' I sigh softly, a half-smile tugging at my lips. Although... it's not exactly the worst way to wake up.
'Hestia is quite... blessed. Still, it'd be a little weird to stay like this.'
Carefully, I ease myself out from under her, shifting her gently onto the couch and draping a blanket over her. She mumbles something in her sleep, but doesn't stir. I stretch, muscles loosening with satisfying pops, before my stomach promptly betrays me with a low growl.
"Right. I haven't eaten."
Also on the list is registering at the guild, getting actual info on the dungeon... and maybe actually diving in.
I quietly take some Valis from the small stash Hestia told me about. 'She likely saved up from her job. But she said I can use it if needed.'
I scribble a note and place it on the table before making my way out of the church.
'It was easy learning to write from Hestia last night with Great Sage's help.' I hum.
The morning air is crisp, the city already stirring with life. I find a vendor nearby and buy 5 kabbabs for 200 Valis to fill my stomach.
I devour them on the spot, savoring the juicy meat.
My boots tap against cobbled roads as I walk toward the guild. It's only about fifteen minutes from the church, but I take my time. It feels wrong to rush through it.
The thing that immediately grabs my attention is the Tower of Babel, looming impossibly high above everything else. Even from a distance, it dominates the skyline, stabbing through layers of cloud like a sword striking towards heaven.
The architecture's all medieval, obviously, but... it's interesting. Buildings are arranged in orderly circles around Babel, and eight wide roads stretch from the tower like spokes on a wheel, dividing the city into 8 districts. Even though I'm not walking through the main road, it's still bustling with people.
They pass by in every direction—merchants wheeling carts, vendors calling out their morning deals, people chattering as they walk. And of course, the adventurers, scattered all over, decked out in various grades of armor and weapons. Some look like complete newbies. Others have the hardened look of veterans.
I catch a few stares as I pass.
More than a few, actually.
"Right..." I glance down at myself. "...Probably stand out more than I thought."
'Great Sage. Can you project a 3D model of my current appearance in my vision?'
[Answer: Altering your vision to show a three-dimensional model of your appearance.]
A moment later, a translucent, rotating model of myself appears in the corner of my sight.
'Yup. It makes sense now.'
Snow-white hair, slightly messy and curling toward the ends. Bright blue eyes, unnaturally so, like gemstones reflecting sunlight, they shine with ethereal beauty. I'm tall, 189 centimeters according to Great Sage. I've got a lean, fit build. And despite the plainness of my loose clothes, I can't exactly hide the way I look.
I resemble a younger Gojo Satoru.
'...Welp. I definitely stand out like a sore thumb.'
Not that I'm complaining. There are worse things than being stupidly good-looking, even if it might cause problems later. 'But that's a problem for my future self.'
Still, I deactivate the projection and refocus on my surroundings, brushing off the curious glances.
The guild comes into view before long—one of the larger, sturdier buildings along the main road. Groups of adventurers mill about outside, some chatting, others arguing, a few clearly just back from the Dungeon.
I step through the doors.
Inside, the space is even bigger than I expected. Marble floors, counters lining the walls with receptionists stationed behind each one. Most of them are already helping adventurers. To the right, there's a decently-sized library section with shelves of books and scrolls, although it's entirely empty.
'Perfect. I can probably get all the info I need there.'
(Rose POV – Guild Counter)
Another morning, and the same old routine.
Adventurers stream in and out of the guild like clockwork. Some are returning from overnight expeditions, still stained with dirt and blood. Others are bright-eyed and eager, ready to throw themselves into the Dungeon after a night's rest.
'Idiot.' I watched one of them—mid-twenties, maybe—stride away confidently after asking a few vague questions about the Middle Floors.
'You're not ready for that.' I thought, impassively. 'No matter how tough you think you are.'
But I didn't say it out loud. Not this time. I'd already told him everything he needed to know. Whether he listened or not wasn't my responsibility.
I sighed, quietly. Not from frustration. Not even from disappointment.
'I was just... tired.'
Tired of watching them march to their deaths with smiles of hope on their faces. Tired of handing out warnings like were pamphlets no one ever read. Tired of remembering the faces of people who'll never return.
But then there's a momentary break from the familiar routine.
Adventurers pause for a moment, glancing toward the door. Some hushed whispers, and a few whistles sound out.
I look up only to see...
A boy—sixteen, maybe seventeen—stepping into the guild. No gear, no weapons. Tall, white haired, and clean. His eyes, an unnaturally bright blue, scanned the room with quiet interest.
'I've never seen him before.' I narrowed my eyes slightly. 'Another one looking to die young.'
I watched him for a second longer, then returned my focus to the adventurer standing in front of me. One by one, I fulfill requests like exchanging magic stones for Valis, or answering vague questions.
Then, as I looked up again, the strange boy was next in line.
"Welcome to the Guild. My name is Rose. How may I assist you?" I asked, my voice neutral and professional.
He smiled—just a small one, like he already knew I wasn't the friendly type and didn't mind.
"Hello to you too. I'm Riven. I'd like to register as an adventurer."
Of course he would.
I kept my expression stoic. "Please be aware that adventuring is extremely dangerous. Fatalities are common. Do you still wish to register?"
I always ask that. Most brush it off. Some get nervous and hesitate. Only a rare few actually ever reconsider.
Riven didn't even flinch. "Yes. I'm sure."
His tone was calm, filled with quiet confidence and certainty that made me study him more closely.
"And," He added, "I want to register a new familia as well."
That caught me off guard a little.
I frowned slightly. "A new familia?" I echoed, already dreading the paperwork.
He nodded. Still smiling.
No veteran guidance. No support. No resources. Just another naive rookie underestimating the Dungeon.
'Stopping them isn't part of my job. It's making sure they at least stand a chance is... if they take it.'
"Wait here." I say, heading to the back.
I returned with two forms in hand. "This one's for registering your familia. The other is for registering yourself as an adventurer."
He took them and gave them the quickest glance I'd ever seen—then looked back up. "Do you have something I can write with?"
I handed him a quill, raising an eyebrow. It's often a time consuming process, filled with various questions, but he filled them out quickly, with amazing precision.
In less than a minute, he was done. All the essentials—name, deity, base of operations, Level 1. Nothing more than the bare minimum information required to actually register.
I took the forms, stamped them, and retrieved the standard starting kit—a basic knife and chest armor.
"As a new adventurer, you're provided a weapon and armor piece," I said, placing them on the counter. "Additionally, you can request an advisor if you'd like. Someone to guide you."
He accepted both items, turning the knife over once in his hand before nodding. "I'd like an advisor."
I gave him the advisor preference sheet.
He scanned it for a moment. Then looked up and met my eyes, and I could detect of hint of amusement and... mischief in his eyes.
"I think I'll go with... a werewolf advisor," he said lightly, almost teasingly. "Totally random choice. Hope that's not a problem."
I'm used to such provocations, and don't dignify it.
'I didn't ask how you chose.' I thought flatly, keeping my face composed.
"It's not an issue. But be aware—preferences aren't guarantees. Come back tomorrow for the result."
He nodded, slipping the sheet back to me.
Then he paused. "One more question."
I motioned for him to continue.
"Are those books over there open to everyone, or do I need to pay?"
My eyebrow rose slightly. No one ever asks about the library.
"They're free to read," I said. "But you'll be fined for any damages you cause."
He smiled again. "Good to know."
Then he turned, heading straight for the library.
"See you next time, Rose," he said over his shoulder, like we were old acquaintances.
I watched him walk off, carrying the armour under one arm, and the knife now strapped loosely to his side.
'Why do I feel like he's going to be trouble? But if he's bothering to read, he can't be entirely hopeless.'
I sigh and turn to the next adventurer in line.
Back to my routine.
(Riven POV – Guild Library)
The guild's library wasn't anything grand—just a few dozen shelves tucked away in a quiet wing of the building—but for a new adventurer like me, it was a treasure trove.
'It's... surprisingly comprehensive.' I mused, eyes gliding over books as I walked through the aisle. Bestiaries, survival guides, floor maps, Dungeon theory. Even personal accounts from adventurers.
Only information up to the 12th floor seems detailed, with the 13th to 17th floors being more vague, and nothing beyond the 18th.
I trailed a finger along the shelves. 'Alright, Great Sage. You know what to do.'
[Answer: Activating Analytical Appraisal. Scanning surrounding material for relevant content.]
I pulled a thick volume from the middle shelf: A Comprehensive Guide to Development Abilities.
'Good a place as any.'
I flipped it open as Great Sage worked in the background. The book laid out the basics of acquiring DAs—how the type of exelia you acquire determines what options you might get, how to acquire common ones, and a list of most known DAs.
Some methods were straightforward: prolonged exposure to the Purple Moon's poison for Abnormal Resistance. Others were vague or speculative.
'It's not perfect.' I note, seeing all the empty passages. 'But it's better than nothing.'
Much of it, though, didn't apply to me.
'Great Sage,' I called while skimming through the book. 'Predator negates the need for crafting-based DAs, right?'
[Answer: Correct. Predator's analysis ability can replicate item, created with abilities such as Mixing, Alchemy, and Blacksmithing—provided source materials are acquired. It is also possible to learn the underlying methods behind their creation, even without acquiring the development abilities.]
I nodded. That rules out half the list already.
'Predator also eliminates the need for Spirit Healing too, right?'
[Answer: Mind can be recovered through consuming materials in Stomach.]
'Great. I can probably have Great Sage learn elven magic too.'
Flipping to the next page, my eyes scanned over DAs like Hunter, First Strike, Strong Body... all decent, but they don't compliment my current skills.
"Offensive DAs can be compensated for with the right gear."
I paused on two that seem useful.
'Mystery... and Luck.'
Luck was... well, luck. There's nothing I could really do to acquire it, except rely on pure chance and a little divine favor.
But Mystery? That one intrigued me.
I stared at the page. 'How do you get a DA like Mystery, anyway?'
'It allows you to activate a miracle and craft magic items with much better, and sometimes, unprecedented effects.'
I think about the people I know to have had it: Asfi, Fels, Barca, Airmid.
"What do they have in common?" I murmured, my eyes narrowing.
Asfi made high-grade explosives. Fels crafted the Philosopher's Stone, making them immortal. Barca was involved in the construction of Knossos. Airmid created healing elixirs and magical prosthetics.
Each one made something. Something unique and potentially... miraculous.
I tapped the book's spine. 'So either they could because they had Mystery, or those feats allowed them to access the DA.' The latter being more likely.
'What's your take, Great Sage?'
[Answer: Based on observed data, it is likely the Mystery DA is linked to the accumulation of high-tier exelia through innovative or miraculous creation. Intent and impact may influence results.]
I smiled faintly. 'Then it's not out of reach.'
With Predator's analysis, and Great Sage's All of Creation, creating magic items might actually be one of the easiest things for me to do... if I can get them.
If I'm using skills, I might need to do something big.
I let out a sigh. 'There's an easy way to potentially get what I want, although... It's either very risky, or it frees me of a lot of my worries.'
'Let's shelve that for now.' I muttered, closing the book with a soft thud. 'I'll cross that bridge when I get there.'
I wandered deeper into the library. Great Sage continued working in the background, scanning each book.
[Notice: All books have been analysed.]
'Efficient as always.'
I returned the book to its rightful spot and turned to leave.
'Can you summarise everything and upload it into my brain?'
[Acknowledged.]
The process wasn't painful. It's more like remembering something that had always been there but simply forgotten.
'That's quite convenient. Thank you, Great Sage.'
[Answer: You are welcome.]
I stepped out of the library and into the hall.
'Alright then... on to the Dungeon.'
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A/N: Hello Everyone. Please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones if you enjoyed the chapter and book so far.
So yeah, this is the chapter. Riven is about to venture into the dungeon and do stuff. I introduced Rose's POV, although I'm not sure whether to make her a love interest. She seems more like someone he'd be great friends with instead. It was kinda hard to write her. The wiki isn't too comprehensive about her personality, and it's hard to be cynical and weary, while still caring, and being stoic and serious, but I tried my best.
I noticed that most development abilities are useless to Riven, and mystery and luck seem the most useful for level 2. So... I tried applying some logic to the lore of how mystery is acquired, which could be wrong, given that there's no explanation besides it takes talent, luck, and opportunity.
There are lots of things I think about. Like how much Riven should rely on great sage. I don't want it to seem like he's useless without it, but it's literally in the title😂, so I did it like this. Convo partner great sage.
I'm also planning to have him go to the Hostess of Fertility soon. I've got my reasons (I'm sure you all know them too, but let's pretend we don't) beyond the obvious ones. And I've read fanfics were people hated that. Objectively, he can't avoid Freya forever, she'll eventually see him, even if when Bell appears, and it's likely Hestia would want to go to that restaurant eventually, given it's popular, and nearby.
Running away is delaying the inevitable. Might as well be on his own terms.
And the hardest thing this chapter was, 1. Figuring out the Valis currency. Like, how much should be even earn, but I think I've accepted what I arrived at. And 2. Who his advisor should be. It was either Eina, Rose or Misha (and I'm leaning towards Misha).
Currently 4 chapters ahead on Patreon.
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