(Riven POV – Church Basement Room)
I kneel on the floor, back straight, hands on my thighs like a repentant monk. Hestia sits cross-legged on the bed in front of me, arms crossed, glaring with all the divine fury a four-and-a-half-foot-tall Goddess can muster.
She's trying her hardest to look intimidating... And she fails spectacularly.
'Is having mortals kneel a divine kink or something?' I muse, keeping my face solemn. 'But I'll play along, and follow her divine will.'
Hestia narrows her eyes. "Do you know what you did wrong?" She asks, her tone heavy with reprimand.
"I do," I reply seriously, my tone respectful. "I'm truly sorry for my actions."
She squints slightly, chin lifting in pride. "And what exactly are you sorry for?"
"For worrying you, Goddess," I say sincerely, even putting emphasis on the title. 'Might as well feed her ego while I'm here.'
It works. The corners of her lips curl with satisfaction, and for a second, her stern mask nearly slips.
"At least you know that much." She huffs. "But what about going into the dungeon alone, without telling me, and putting your life at risk?! You do realize that's a problem, right?"
I sigh internally. 'She just had to ask it like that.'
I don't answer immediately, and her eyes sharpen. "Well? Are you sorry for that too?"
"...Goddess," I say slowly, "can we skip that part? I'll lie and say I'm sorry, you'll know I'm lying, and then you'll get mad again."
Her mouth opens—then closes.
She looks astounded by my audacious response.
Then she huffs, glaring at me, but I can tell she's flustered and confused. "Th-Then you'll stay kneeling until you are sorry!"
"I would," I nod solemnly. "But my knees are starting to hurt."
Hestia hesitates, almost concerned, then she suddenly deadpans. "...That's a lie."
"...Okay, yes. I don't feel pain, but I still know it should start hurting about now." I smile faintly. "But that's not the point."
I shift my tone, softer now. "Goddess... I am sorry I hurt you. I never wanted to make you cry. I didn't mean to make you worry."
Her expression falters slightly.
"But I'm not sorry I went into the dungeon."
Her eye twitches, any sympathy evaporating. "You could've prepared better! You just dove in with no plan—!"
"I had a plan," I interrupt gently, standing up despite her punishment, my defiance causing her eyes to widen in surprise. "I didn't go in recklessly. I never used my full power. I wouldn't needlessly risk my life. I stayed within the fourth floor, where there are only goblins, kobolds, and dungeon lizards."
I step forward, reach out, and pat her head and ruffle her hair.
She stiffens at the contact, cheeks going red. "H-Hey! Don't pet me! I'm not a kid. I'm older than you by thousands of years!"
"Funny. I thought most women liked bragging about being young, not old."
She doesn't answer.
Instead, she lunges at me without warning.
"HOW DARE YOU—!"
I dodge, snatching her out of the air in a smooth, practiced motion, cradling her like a princess.
"Careful," I say with mock concern. "You'll give yourself a divine aneurysm. Imagine dying of anger and getting sent back to Heaven. How tragic... and embarrassing."
She glares up at me, crossing her arms and pouting. "I'm not talking to you anymore!"
I smirk. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"
She turns her head dramatically, nose up in the air. But despite all her anger, she doesn't ask to be put down.
'So she's not actually against being carried.' I note, happy to oblige.
"Would you keep ignoring me even if I told you I made over twenty thousand Valis today?" I ask casually.
One eye opens. A suspicious squint. "I saw your bag was empty..."
"I stored it with my skill." I hold out one hand, palm open, and summon the pouch from Stomach.
Her eyes widen like saucers. The second the bag hits her hand, she pops it open and peers inside.
Her whole face lights up.
"Wow—so many coins!" She gasps, hugging the pouch to her chest.
I chuckle. "Am I forgiven, my merciful, beautiful, and endlessly generous Goddess?"
She pretends to clear her throat, clearly trying to hide her embarrassment. "W-Well, it's not like I wanted to stay mad... and we do need to celebrate you joining the Familia and your first time entering the Dungeon..."
She trails off, cheeks glowing pink, but she's already smiling.
"But only this time, alright?!" She adds quickly, raising a finger like a teacher scolding a student. "Don't make me worry like that again!"
"I promise to try." I say gently, watching her cradle the pouch delicately.
She giggles to herself in my arms, counting coins in her head, cheeks flushed, small frame resting against me without a hint of resistance.
'Exactly why I hid the money first. She's way too easy.' I think fondly.
I feel a warmth in my chest as I look down at her that even IronHeart can't suppress.
I let Hestia play with the pouch for a few more minutes.
Of course, I continue carrying her since it's oddly satisfying.
"Hestia." I call out.
She glances up, seemingly to have her eyes part from the coins. "Hmm?"
"Can we update my status?" I ask, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
Her eyes snap wide open. "I completely forgot!"
In one swift motion, she launches herself out of my arms like a missile. It's unfortunate, but other than that, her ability is impressive.
"Take off your shirt!" She demands as she points to the bed. "Hurry up!"
I nod, obliging her with an amused smile as I peel off my shirt. 'Is she excited to update my status?'
Hestia, in all her subtlety, stares openly at my torso, a blush blooming across her cheeks.
'She is one of the virgin goddesses. Did she become unhinged after descending.' I wonder. 'Either way, I've got no reason to be shy about my Goddess seeing my nipples.' I muse, before lying face-down on the bed.
A moment later, she hops up onto my back, straddling me. "Is it necessary to sit on my back for this?" I ask curiously.
She squints down at me. "Do you have a problem with it?"
"Not at all. Just wondering."
'Joke's on you. I'm into this shit.' I think internally, suspecting I'd get smacked if I said that outloud.
She pricks her finger, and I feel a drop of divine blood land on my back.
[Notice: Falna is being updated. Would you like to distribute Exelia stored in Stomach?]
'Yeah. Distribute it evenly across all of my basic attributes.'
"Wh—What's happening?!" Hestia gasps from above, her voice rising in pitch. "How... how is this even possible?!"
"Is something wrong, my Goddess?" I ask sweetly, innocence dripping from my voice.
"N-no," she squeaks. "J-just... j-just a bit more growth than I expected..."
'A bit, huh?'
She doesn't move for a few seconds, probably making sure her eyes aren't playing tricks on her. Then she starts scribbling my updated status onto parchment, muttering something under her breath that sounds suspiciously like "monstrous child."
Finally, she hops off my back and hands me the sheet with slightly trembling hands.
(A/N: The first arrow is normal Exelia being distributed, then the second is from the Exelia in Stomach. It's 10 times the amount absorbed, for anyone curious. And above 999 it gets significantly harder, so he won't speed run levels.)
——————————
Name: Riven Alaric
Level 1
Strength: I0 —⟩ I56 —⟩ C698
Endurance: I0 —⟩ I38 —⟩ C680
Dexterity: I0 —⟩ H167 —⟩ A809
Agility: I0 —⟩ I60 —⟩ B702
Magic: I0 —⟩ I0 —⟩ C642
***
"Great Sage": A high-tier cognitive support skill. Grants the user enhanced thought processing, parallel computation, memory storage, and predictive analysis in combat. Capable of rapidly interpreting new data, analyzing enemy abilities, and calculating optimal actions in real time.
— Thought Acceleration
— Analytical Appraisal
— Parallel Calculation
— Chant Annulment
— All of Creation
"Predator": An absorption-based skill that allows the user to consume other creatures or substances entirely. Upon consumption, the skill breaks down the target and analyzes its properties.
— Predation
— Analysis
— Stomach
— Isolation
"IronHeart": A mental skill that suppresses emotion, heightens pain tolerance, and renders the user immune to psychological status effects.
— Emotion Dulling
— Fear Nullification
— Pain Nullification
— Mental Manipulation Immunity
***
——————————
"...Wow." The word escapes me before I can stop it. Even I wasn't expecting that much of a jump.
At best, I expected all stats to jump to 200, or 300 at most.
"You don't even have any magic!" Hestia finally breaks down. "So why is your magic stat so high?! Not to mention everything else! C-rank?! A-rank?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
She grabs my shoulders and starts shaking me like a maraca.
"I'd... tell you... if you... stopped... shaking me..." I wheeze.
She stops, dropping me ruthlessly. Luckily, there's a bed below me.
I take a breath, then explain.
I walk her through my dungeon run. Killing over sixty monsters solo, and delving up to the fourth floor, using only a dagger and my leather chest piece. I explain how Predator allowed me to consume exelia directly and how it's ten times the usual gain. I gracefully leave out the part where I enjoyed nearly getting killed a little too much.
Hestia stares at me, pale and speechless, horror dawning in her eyes.
I watch Hestia nearly have a panic attack as she realises how much danger I was actually in. While updating my Falna allows her to see my history, it's a watered down version of what I've experienced.
And with IronHeart making me feel no fear, and suppressing my emotions, it must've felt quite calm.
To her, I must've felt like I was play-fighting puppies.
"You're forbidden from going into the dungeon alone ever again!" She commands, her voice rising as she stomps her foot.
I pull my shirt back on calmly. "Nope. That's not how adventuring works."
She scowls.
"Besides," I continue, "I was never in any real danger. The only reason it wasn't even easier was because I didn't use Thought Acceleration during combat. I was training."
Hestia throws her hands up in defeat, puffing out her cheeks. "...You're impossible."
"Thanks. I try," I grin. "Oh, and you should really learn to lock my Falna. I'd rather not have strangers peeking at my stats."
'Not that I'd let them.'
She blinks. "Wait... I can do that?!"
I deadpan at her. "...You're the goddess. Why are you asking me?"
"I—I'm new to this too, okay!" She huffs, but I can see she's embarrassed. "I'll ask Hephaestus how to do it."
"Good plan."
With a stretch, I clap my hands. "Now—celebration time. I hear the Hostess of Fertility has great food. Why don't we go eat there?"
Her eyes sparkle like stars. "YES! That place is amazing!"
Before I can say another word, she grabs my hand and starts dragging me up the stairs, and out of the basement.
I let her.
Despite the ridiculous status increase, I have no trouble controlling my strength. Still, I'll need time to fully adapt to the difference.
As for the real reason I suggested the Hostess…
'I need to see how Freya—or Syr—reacts to me.'
I can't see my own soul. But Freya can. Whether it's because I'm a transmigrator or my unique skills, I need to know if she sees something in me.
'At best, she finds nothing special and ignores me. It means I'm at least safe from her schemes. But I'm hoping she's at least intrigued by what she sees. Maybe she'll even drop a Grimoire like she would for Bell, then shifts her focus once he shows up.'
While I'd feel bad throwing him under the bus, I'm sure he can handle her love.
In the worst case...
'She goes full psycho and sends someone to kidnap me. But I can't switch Familia for a year, so I'd be fine for a while.'
I swallow that thought with a dry chuckle.
'My luck's not that bad... right?'
*************
A/N: Hello Everyone. Hope you're all having a good day. If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.
So yeah, it's quite OP. The status jumped like crazy because of the way I'm making exelia work. It's 10 times + original of whatever he kills. So it wouldn't depreciate since it's stored purely. Of course, it won't be that easy after 999, and would actually take him a while. Made easy by high rank exelia if he absorbs that too. But still a while.
As for the pace, I think it's quite slow, which is intentional on my part. I've learned a lot, and I'm developing relationships slowly this time, right from the start, instead of rushing. I try to be accurate with the numbers and everything, so let me know if you see an error, and overall, just how you feel about the chapter.
Kinda looking forward to Freya running into him, and maybe Loki's reaction if I write them being at the Hostess around that time, but I'm not too sure yet. For the status, I removed descriptions for the sub abilities, since it's unnecessary. Do you guys think the description for the main skill is needed, or can I just leave it? I left the sub skills so that anyone can refresh their memory, but it's not that deep.
Anyway, that's all from me. Have a wonderful day.
6 chapters ahead on Patreon by the way at: [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY