Liam and Eina stood frozen in a silent staring contest, neither willing to break eye contact first.
Why am I even doing this? Liam wondered, yet some stubborn part of him refused to look away.
Syr's lips formed a small pout as she glanced between them. "Liam... who is this? Why are you two staring like that?"
Breaking the tension, Liam finally turned to Syr. "Uh, I don't know. I just stared back because she was staring at me."
"You," Eina said sharply, her glasses glinting ominously as she stepped closer. "Were you planning to enter the dungeon?" Her smile was technically present, but carried all the warmth of a razor blade.
"...Yes?" Liam answered hesitantly.
In an instant, Eina's fingers clamped onto his arm like iron pincers. "Didn't I tell you how dangerous it is to enter without a god's protection?!" she hissed, twisting the skin mercilessly.
"Ouch! Ouch! No need for violence!" Liam yelped, trying in vain to pry her fingers loose.
"You'll never learn if I go easy on you!" Eina scolded, increasing the pressure. "I should've known something was up when you rushed out of the guild so quickly!"
"What's wrong with you?!" Liam yelped, twisting his arm in a futile attempt to escape her iron grip.
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you!" Eina countered, increasing the pressure of her pinch with terrifying precision.
"Ow! Ow! Syr, help! This woman's gone mad!" Liam pleaded, turning desperate eyes toward the gray-haired waitress.
Syr watched the struggle. "You two seem really close..."
"CLOSE?!?!?" Liam's voice cracked. Which part of this torture looks like closeness?! "Syr, PLEASE—I don't even know who she is!"
Finally taking pity, Syr intervened. A few minutes later, order was restored—though Liam's forearm now bore an angry red mark that he rubbed gingerly.
Eina adjusted her glasses, her composed demeanor having returned as if nothing had happened. Syr, ever the peacemaker, turned to the half-elf. "Eina-san, may I ask why you came here?"
Eina explained that she'd come to retrieve Liam, as the goddess he'd applied to join had arrived at the guild. Now he needed to complete the acceptance procedures.
Syr listened attentively as Eina continued, "If he hadn't planned to recklessly enter the dungeon, I wouldn't have had to come all this way myself." She shot Liam a sharp glare that made him shrink back. "Going into the dungeon without a god's blessing - that's why I'm here."
Syr turned to Liam with questioning eyes. "Is that true, Liam?"
"Ahem," Liam cleared his throat, avoiding their gazes. "You can't blame me - I forgot, and I was just curious about the dungeon." Looks like I won't get to test my new powers there after all, he thought with disappointment.
"Then Eina-san should take Liam back to the guild," Syr said decisively.
Eina nodded. "That was the plan." She stood and motioned for Liam to follow.
"I'll take my leave now, Miss Syr," Eina said politely before heading out.
Liam hesitated, glancing between Syr and the departing elf. "Well... I guess I'm going now, Miss Syr."
"Bye, Liam!" Syr called after him. "Don't forget your lunch box!" She waved the cloth-wrapped package with a bright smile.
------------------
Outside the Hostess of Fertility, Eina stood waiting under the afternoon sun, her glasses glinting as she watched Liam approach. Now that he knew her name, she seemed less like a mysterious guild employee and more like... well, someone who had just assaulted him with a pinch.
"Let's go," she said simply, turning toward the guild's direction. Liam fell into step beside her, rubbing his still-tender arm.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Eina surprised him by breaking the silence. "Does it still hurt?" Her voice was softer now, almost apologetic.
"No," Liam shook his head. The pain had faded, leaving only the memory of her surprisingly strong fingers. "It was just... unpleasant."
"That's good." Eina adjusted her glasses, her gaze fixed ahead. "I'm sorry about that. I just... too many adventurers die in that dungeon. Without a god's blessing, you wouldn't last a day." There was genuine concern beneath her tone.
Liam's eyebrows rose. This wasn't the scheming, violent receptionist he'd pegged her for earlier. Maybe he'd judged too quickly—just like with Anya, who turned out to be a waitress rather than some underworld boss.
Can you blame me? he thought. Everything here was new—the world, the rules, the people. When you're alone in an unfamiliar place, suspicion becomes second nature.
The guild building came into view, its imposing structure a reminder of the new path ahead. Eina's steps slowed as they reached the entrance. "Ready to meet your potential goddess?" she asked, her professional demeanor returning, though with less sharpness than before.
Liam nodded and followed Eina into the guild hall. The air buzzed with adventurers boasting about their dungeon exploits - "Took down a minotaur with one swing!" and "Found a magic crystal the size of my fist!"
As they reached the reception counter, Eina gathered some papers and gestured toward a side room. She knocked twice before entering, Liam close behind.
The waiting room held two figures seated on plush couches - unmistakably the goddesses Eina had mentioned.
"Excuse me," Eina said with a professional bow. "Hestia-sama, Hephaestus-sama, I've brought the applicant."
Liam followed suit, offering a respectful bow of his own. "Hello Goddess Hestia, Goddess Hephaestus. My name is Liam, the one who applied to join Hestia Familia."
The petite, twin-tailed goddess immediately hopped up from her seat. "You're taller than I expected!" Hestia declared, circling Liam with curious eyes that seemed to assess his every feature.
Meanwhile, Hephaestus remained silent, her single visible eye studying him.
Hestia nodded thoughtfully before settling back onto the couch. Liam took the seat across from her, while Eina positioned herself off to the side with a notepad in hand.
"Alright then," Hestia began, leaning forward with curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "May I know why you want to join my Familia, Liam?" She half-expected some grandiose reason or flattering declaration.
Liam paused, recalling how this entire situation had come about - Eina's recommendation, the application submitted without his direct consent. His gaze flickered toward the elf receptionist, who met his look with an encouraging nod.
"The truth is," Liam answered plainly, "Miss Eina suggested I join your Familia, Hestia-sama." He saw no point in embellishing - better to be honest, especially when dealing with deities who might detect falsehoods. The part about not technically consenting to the application? Best left unmentioned.
"I... see." Hestia's shoulders slumped slightly. While part of her had hoped for a more enthusiastic reason, she couldn't deny the relief of finally having a potential member. After countless failed attempts to recruit adventurers drawn to more prominent Familias, even this simple acknowledgment felt like progress.
Hephaestus, who had been quietly observing, gave an approving nod. The intensity in her single visible eye softened somewhat, perhaps appreciating Liam's straightforward response compared to the usual empty flattery gods often received.
The interview stretched on for nearly an hour, with Hestia posing increasingly personal questions. Finally, she leaned forward, her twin tails swaying as she asked the most fundamental one
"Liam-kun, why do you want to become an adventurer?"
The question hung in the air like a challenge. Liam's fingers tightened around his knees as he truly considered it for the first time.
Why?
Not for wealth - though money would be welcome. Not just because of the system that inexplicably bound him to this world. The truth ran deeper, a raw nerve he'd avoided examining until now.
In this unfamiliar world where he'd woken with no past, no connections, becoming an adventurer wasn't just a profession - it was proof he belonged. That he wasn't some anomaly, but a person who could walk among others without suspicion. Every monster slain, every level gained would stitch him tighter into the fabric of this reality.
Meeting Hestia's gaze squarely, Liam gave his answer in two simple words that carried the weight of his existence.
"To live."
Hestia's playful demeanor stilled. Even Hephaestus looked up from her silent observation. In that moment, they heard what Liam couldn't voice - that for him, adventurer wasn't a choice, but the only way forward in a world that wasn't his own.
--------------------------------------------
Outside the room, Liam sat by the guild's tall windows, his gaze distant as he watched the bustling streets below. The golden afternoon light filtered through the glass, casting long shadows across the floor while he awaited Hestia's decision.
Eina approached quietly, observing his pensive expression. "Liam?"
He turned slowly, as if pulled from deep thought. "Yes, Miss Eina?"
She could see it in his eyes—that last question had struck something profound within him. The usual sharpness in her voice softened. "It's nothing important," she said, taking a seat across from him. "I just wanted to tell you that… if you're accepted into the Familia, I'll be assigned as your advisor."
Liam studied her. The more he spoke with Eina, the more he realized the kindness beneath her stern professionalism. The pinch from earlier, the urgency in dragging him back—it hadn't been mere irritation. She cared.
A small, genuine smile touched his lips. "I appreciate that, Miss Eina."
The door creaked open, revealing Hestia bouncing on her heels with Hephaestus following calmly behind. The twin-tailed goddess practically skipped toward Liam, her eyes sparkling.
"Congratulations, Liam! You're officially the first member of my Familia!" Hestia clapped her hands together like an excited child.
Hephaestus offered a rare smile and added, "Which also makes you the captain of Hestia Familia by default."
Eina gave a warm nod. "Well done, Liam."
"Thank you for accepting me, Hestia-sama," Liam said, placing a hand over his chest and bowing.
Hestia waved her hands excitedly. "Now, now! This calls for a welcome party! We'll feast, celebrate—"
Hephaestus cleared her throat. "...Hestia. Do you even have valis for that?"
The cheerful goddess froze mid-gesture.
Uh-oh.
For the past three months, Hestia had been freeloading under Hephaestus' roof, only scrambling to recruit a member because she'd been threatened with eviction.
"Ahem... I... don't," she admitted, shoulders slumping.
Hephaestus sighed deeply before pulling out a small pouch of valis and dropping it into Hestia's hands.
"Eh?!" Hestia blinked at the unexpected generosity.
"Use it for your new member's welcome party," Hephaestus said flatly.
"R-Really?!"
"Consider it a congratulatory gift. Just... don't waste it."
"THANK YOU, HEPHAESTUS!" Hestia launched herself at her friend in a bone-crushing hug.
Liam watched the exchange with growing concern.
Wait.
She doesn't have any money?
And judging by Hephaestus' expression... has she been living off her this whole time?
A dreadful realization settled in.
...Did I just join the wrong Familia?
(A/n: Let me know your thoughts.... )