I woke up feeling a weight on my chest.
Now, back in the day, saying something like that would've meant I was dealing with some emotional baggage or a heavy situation weighing me down. Y'know—life stuff.
Lately though… that line had taken a much more literal turn.
Looking down, I was met with a familiar cascade of silky black hair and the unmistakable view from above of a certain short-stacked goddess. Hestia, it seemed, had officially designated me as her personal body pillow—or more accurately, her bed—judging by how often I woke up with her sprawled on top of me.
Now, let it be known that I didn't mind this development, not really, despite it causing some breathing problems and a certain other problem that was hard to describe. Ahem.
Taking a deep breath in and then out, partially to get some proper airflow going and partially to lament at the hard position I had to deal with due to this almost every day for the past 6 days, I did what I had taken to doing as a reprisal—I held Hestia close to me, hugging her back and drifted back into a mild slumber, feeling her small, warm and supple body flushed against me.
Yeah, I most certainly didn't mind this one bit. Hestia might have made me as her bed, but in turn I had made her the softest and warmest body pillow ever. It was a fair trade in my book.
-x-
Later in the morning, once we were both fully awake, an awkward silence lingered as we quietly untangled ourselves from the cuddle-embrace. Neither of us brought it up—we just moved on like it hadn't happened.
Still, as I got ready for the day, my thoughts were already elsewhere.
Today marked the seventh day since I'd woken up in this anime-turned-reality version of Danmachi, and my fifth day working at Miach's pharmacy.
The past four days had been a steady introduction to potion-making. Honestly, it had been unlike anything I'd ever done.
I mean, of course it was—I'm living in a fantasy world where magical alchemy is a casual profession. But still, getting to experience it firsthand was something else entirely.
It wasn't easy by any stretch. Potion-making required a lot—precision, patience, attention to detail—and I wasn't naturally gifted in any of those. But I was learning, and that in itself felt good. Creating something that could heal wounds or restore stamina with my own hands? That was rewarding in a way that I hadn't quite experienced very frequently back on Earth. It was learning something new and fascinating.
Plus, I was learning more than what little I'd known from the anime. There were more varieties of potions beyond the classic Healing Potions, Mind Potions, and Elixirs. Turns out, the real world—anime or not—was far more complex than a simplified depiction.
But I digress.
Today wasn't just another day of work. It was something bigger.
"Are you ready for today, Ethan?"
Hestia's voice broke through my thoughts as I stood in front of the small mirror, checking my appearance one last time after getting dressed.
I took a breath, exhaled, and nodded to myself.
"As ready as I can be, I guess. I've got everything I was told I'd need… Still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous."
I turned to look at her, catching the worried look on her face, and offered a small, wry smile.
"But I need to do this. I want to find out if what Heph—Lady Hephaestus said is really true. I need to know. Even if I'm afraid of the answer, I have to understand what I'm working with. And with an experienced Level 2 Adventurer watching my back, I should be safe enough on the first floor. I should really go thank Lord Takemikazuchi for lending me one of his Familia members. That's not something you can take for granted."
I looked at her, meaning every word.
"Thank you, Hestia. For setting this up."
She waved me off with a light smile.
"Na-uh. No need to thank me. I'm your Goddess—it's my job to make sure my first child is safe and prepared. Especially when it's your first time going into the Dungeon."
I smiled a bit more naturally at that.
"True."
"And don't worry about Take."
She added with a little huff.
"I already thanked him plenty, and he said he didn't mind. He's nice like that."
I nodded, accepting her words with a soft hum.
As I looked at her, still dressed in her usual white outfit, a few stray thoughts crept in. Her dress—while iconic—showed off a bit too much, especially from the back and sides.
It really shouldn't have bothered me. After all, we'd only known each other a week. But… it kind of did. Not because she was doing anything wrong—Hestia was pure-hearted to a fault—but because I couldn't help but notice how exposed she was.
That said, it was the only outfit I'd seen her wear since arriving—besides the pyjamas she changed into at night. Her wardrobe was pretty sparse, and only one outfit looked like a full two-piece set.
And honestly, she looked so different when her hair was down compared to her usual twin tails. The twin tails gave her more of that "Loli Goddess" vibe the anime leaned into, but the loose hair? It softened her features. Made her look older. I preferred that look, truth be told.
Again, I shook the stray thoughts away and focused back on the day ahead.
"Well, I'm heading to the pharmacy. Since I asked for a half-day off, I figured I should go in a little early and put in some extra effort."
Hestia nodded, clearly approving.
"Good idea. Just make sure not to wear yourself out, okay? You need to be in top form when you head into the Dungeon."
"I'll be careful."
I promised, and with that, I left the abandoned church, anxiety and anticipation mixing in my chest like oil and water.
Today was the day. My first step into the Dungeon.
-x-
Having a daily income on both our sides had definitely improved our living conditions. No longer were we stuck eating stale potato puffs for breakfast and the same (warmed and fresher) puffs for dinner.
We still had to keep a tight grip on our budget, making sure not to overspend on any given day, but even with that restriction, our meals had gained variety—breads, vegetables, and even meat once.
God, that had been divine. I still regretted not being able to buy ten times more and scarf it all down like a starving beast. But alas, I had other responsibilities now. Gluttony would have to wait until I could earn enough to splurge like that.
A portion of our earnings and Hestia's existing savings went into emergency savings, and another, smaller fund, was set aside for something important for me: my adventurer starter kit.
Both Rose Fannett and Naaza had recommended getting the Guild-issued starter kit as my first gear instead of buying individual items from street vendors or shops. The Guild kits were generally more reliable, less prone to breakage, and most importantly, they came with far less risk of being scammed.
Heeding the advice of people more experienced than me, I'd gone ahead and made the purchase yesterday.
It had also been the day I officially registered myself as an Adventurer, with Rose Fannett becoming my official assigned Guild Adviser.
To say she was happy about it would be a flat-out lie.
She wasn't angry, exactly—not outright. But the way she spoke, with that dry tone and ever-present jaded expression, made it very clear she wasn't thrilled either.
"Mr. Cole, you've been here barely a week and already think you're ready for the Dungeon?"
Arms crossed, eyes half-lidded, she looked like she'd seen this exact situation a thousand times before when she asked me that question. I hadn't been able to reply confidently enough to her question, given my own hesitation and nervousness at the prospect of entering the place.
"Wonderful. Another rookie with more guts than sense."
Yeah, I'd be lying if I said that didn't sting a little. It was annoying, sure.
But… she wasn't wrong either.
I was being reckless—heading into a monster-infested hellhole with barely any training under my belt. I doubted my morning yoga sessions and light exercise could be considered real combat prep. I had just barely started doing that the day before yesterday and had already skipped today.
Still, I had to do it. If I wanted to understand what my Skills truly did—what Essentia Luctatoris actually meant—I needed to see it in action.
Even if the truth ended up being disappointing, I'd rather know now than live in fear or ignorance later.
Shaking off the anxious thoughts, I made my way through the back gate of the pharmacy instead of the usual front entrance, deciding to change things up a bit.
"Good morning, Lord Miach. Naaza."
I greeted the blue-haired god and his ever-drowsy-looking Familia member.
"Good morning to you as well, Ethan. I see you're here early today."
Miach said, offering me his trademark warm smile.
"Morning."
Naaza added with a lazy nod, barely glancing my way.
I didn't take offense. I'd gotten used to her minimalistic responses over the last few days and knew not to take them personally.
Turning back to Miach, I replied with a slight grin.
"Yeah. Since I'm only working a half-day today, I figured I should come in early and help out a little more. Sorry again for the short notice. I only found out two nights ago from my Goddess."
"Oh, no need to worry."
Miach replied, his voice as kind and calming as ever.
-x-
The morning passed in a blur of clinks, aromas, and concentrated effort. Working at the Pharmacy had started to grow somewhat familiar—crushing ingredients with precision, measuring exact amounts of solvents, and heating them over steady flames. It was often repetitive work, sure, but it was oddly calming. There was a rhythm to potion-making that I found meditative, even satisfying. I had never known this about myself but I quite enjoying making potions, and alchemy in general. I had a feeling that was due to the good guidance I was receiving. Doing it on my own or with a lesser teacher than Miach and Naaza might have had completely different results.
Naaza still handled most of the brewing work with me delegated as the watcher, but she let me prep the ingredients and occasionally stir under her supervision while she explained how things were done. Her curt nods of approval were few and far between, but when they came, they felt like small achievements. There was something about getting even a semblance of positive feedback from an otherwise strict or quiet teacher. I'd taken them as a win.
And Miach offered guidance when needed but mostly he would leave the workspace to Naaza (and I), occasionally stepping in to tend to customers or organize supplies. The two had a well-established routine and communicated well. Perhaps thanks to the years they'd been together.
I wondered if Hestia and I could have such a bond. To be able to understand each other with minimal verbal communication and physical gestures. But that led me to realize that it'd need me to be stuck in this world for that long… and my mood went downhill from there. I usually tried not to think about it lest I get depressed, but such thoughts of longing and homesickness often crept in without my notice, catching me off-guard. And every time it happened, I had to calm my aching heart and feed myself empty platitudes—that I'd figure things out soon. That I just needed to be proactive to not get swept up in the current.
Throughout the morning, I kept my pace steady, not wanting to wear myself out before the main event of the day.
And when noon came, I finally excused myself.
Miach, in his usual generous spirit, tried to hand me a small pouch of potions before I left.
"Take these. These will come in handy."
He said, pushing them into my hands before I could protest.
"A token to mark the start of your journey."
I frowned, feeling hesitant.
I knew by now that their situation wasn't that great. Based on the conversations they sometimes had related to budgeting, I knew they barely made profits from the pharmacy and were also in a tight spot financially. So, taking stuff for free felt wrong.
"I… I appreciate it, Lord Miach. But I really shouldn't—"
But he gently cut me off, smiling.
"Consider it a gift from your local pharmacist and friend. Not as your employer. Besides, you'll need every bit of help in the Dungeon, especially on your first day."
I glanced at Naaza. She gave me a flat look, arms crossed, but didn't say anything. That was her silent approval, I finally decided. Or, at least, permission to accept the gift without destroying my growing rapport with her.
"…Alright. Thank you. Truly."
I slipped the pouch containing potions and my today's earnings—the full amount, even though I had done a half day—into my satchel, checked the belt on my new gear, and headed off with a quiet mixture of nerves and anticipation buzzing under my skin.
"Good luck, child. May you return live and healthy."
With that final blessing(?) from Miach, I was out on my way towards my destination, making a short stop to the church to deposit my earnings. I wouldn't need it in the dungeon after all.
-x-
The Guild-issued adventurer gear was… basic, but functional. A lightly padded chest plate that only covered its namesake, a durable-looking set of boots and gloves, and finally, a leather belt to hold essentials—my few potions snug in the slots, and a small pouch meant for collecting Monster Crystals that was included in the kit itself. A short sword also rested against my hip—a simple, unremarkable weapon, but honestly, it was good enough for me right now.
Wearing all this felt... weird. Like I was cosplaying at a convention rather than genuinely preparing to fight monsters in an IRL dungeon. But still, it helped me blend in with the general crowd of Orario a little better. Ever since I'd arrived in this world, my clothes had made me stick out a bit. Not many cared to look, but I had noticed some occasional curious and thoughtful stares directed towards me. Now, I looked like any other rookie adventurer hoping to make it big in the dungeon.
Really, there was nothing special about me. And I preferred it that way.
With that thought lingering heavily in my mind, I made my way toward the Plaza where Hestia said I'd find my escort. The sun was at its zenith, making shadows short and the city bright. Occasional adventurers, merchants, and townsfolk moved about their business.
I had reached the place I was directed to.
Upon scanning the crowd, it didn't take me long to spot the person whose description I was given by my Goddess and one that I had foreknowledge of from the anime.
Standing a bit apart from the busiest clusters, a girl with an air of calmness and poise waited, her posture straight and composed like a soldier on duty. She had long black hair tied neatly into a side ponytail, which swayed slightly with the breeze. Her bluish-purple eyes were sharp and focused, giving off an unmistakable sense of discipline. She wore a deep purple kimono, fastened with a dark red sash around her waist, and upon close inspection, I noticed she had bandage-like white clothing wrapping her chest, underneath it, visible due to the large cleavage the kimono showed. She had a strange asymmetric red armor pad around her shoulder, leaning towards her left side. At her waist, secured in her sash, was her sword, which I had already deduced from the curved shape was a katana.
Yamato Mikoto.
I recognized her instantly. Even without my fuzzy metaknowledge, she was one of the characters I remembered quite well, at least in terms of appearance. It was hard to miss the pseudo-traditional Japanese-style she had going.
Ignoring the obvious cleavage, I looked up at her face as I reached closer.
She noticed me and offered a short, polite bow.
"You must be Cole-san."
She said, her voice calm but carrying an underlying firmness.
"I am Yamato Mikoto of Takemikazuchi Familia. Lord Takemikazuchi instructed me to accompany you into the Dungeon for your first venture."
I nodded back, feeling strange with the unfamiliar custom. Seeing her from up close, I noticed the difference in our heights. She looked around Naza's age, but it was hard to guess her exact age. She seemed both young and mature at the same time. Her body was most definitely developed, while her sharp eyebrows gave her a more stoic and mature look.
"Hello. Uh, correct me if I'm wrong but Mikoto is your first name, yes?"
I greeted then promptly asked to confirm the thing I was slightly uncertain of. I knew the eastern people in this world, which she and the rest of the Takemikazuchi familia were from, were equivalent to Japanese and followed their conventions, including the naming ones.
"Correct. You can feel free to call me Mikoto, Cole-san."
"Ah, got it. Thank you for helping me out today, Mikoto. You can call me Ethan, if you want. I'm not big on formalities."
"Understood, Mr. Ethan. And there is no need for thanks."
She said, shaking her head slightly.
"It is only natural to help newcomers where possible, especially those under the care of my lord's acquaintance. I may be young but I have plenty of experience diving into the dungeon. I will make sure you don't get harmed in your first dive to the dungeon."
I nodded. There was a moment of slightly awkward silence before she gave a small nod. Somehow, from her words, it felt like she was trying to imply I was going to need to be looked after. And well, she wasn't wrong. I definitely needed the protection, thus the escort help.
"Are you prepared? Do you have your essentials?"
I adjusted my belt where my potions were held snugly, the same belt also holding my sword's scabbard.
"Yep. Got the basics covered."
She nodded, then turned on her heel smoothly.
"Follow me. We will head toward the Dungeon's entrance."
I nodded quickly and hurried after her, feeling the weight of my sword bouncing lightly at my side with each step. My first step into the Dungeon awaited… and despite the fear gnawing at my gut, a tiny, stubborn part of me was excited.
I was about to find out whether my blessing was a gift… or a burden.
-x-