Akiyama Ren smiled, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from Maki's cheek. "Okay!"
They had just returned to the villa nestled on the outskirts of Orario. The moment they stepped inside, Ren updated Maki Zen'in's Falna in the living room without hesitation. Considering that everyone present was female, there was no need for modesty or shyness.
Goddess Hestia leaned forward with curiosity practically sparkling in her eyes. Maki-san had been leveling up at an absurd pace, far beyond Orario's fastest recorded adventurer growth. If this were announced publicly, it would undoubtedly send shockwaves throughout the city.
Ren pricked his fingertip and let a droplet of divine ichor fall onto Maki's back, activating the status update.
[Status Update Complete]
[Basic Abilities]:
Strength: SS1099 | Endurance: SS1099 | Dexterity: SS1099 | Agility: SS1099 | Magic: SSS1999
An audible gasp escaped Hestia.
"Wha—?! SSS in Magic?!"
Even Bell-kun didn't hit that until way later!
Indeed, all of Maki's physical attributes had now reached the peak SS rank. Her magic stat, already having shattered its upper cap once, had broken through again into the elusive SSS tier — a realm only a few heroes ever glimpsed.
Ren chuckled to himself. "That Yami no Tengoku: Shinra Kekkai really is something else."
It wasn't just about strength. Maki's use of Heavenly Restriction — the cursed technique from her original world that eliminated her ability to see curses in exchange for overwhelming physical prowess — synergized absurdly well with Orario's Falna system.
Next came the development ability upgrade.
To Ren's surprise, the option for "Mystery" appeared. It was rare, deeply coveted by any adventurer who sought arcane potential. But Maki, true to her grounded nature, ignored it.
"I'll take 'Hard Body'," she said calmly.
"Huh? Are you sure?" Ren blinked. "Mystery can open up a lot of unique possibilities. Even among gods, it's a coveted trait."
Maki folded her arms. "Mystery feels... too vague. I prefer something I can feel. If Hard Body improves my defense, even a little, it matters more to me than some nebulous 'mystical potential'."
Ren sighed, scratching his head. "You're such a musclehead sometimes, Maki-san."
"Baka," she replied with a smirk.
Still, he respected her decision. As far as she was concerned, her fists and weapons were all she needed to carve her path.
[Name]: Maki Zen'in
[Level]: Lv4
[Stats]: Strength: I0 | Endurance: I0 | Dexterity: I0 | Agility: I0 | Magic: I0
[Development Abilities]: Hunter G, Abnormal Resistance H, Hard Body I04
[Magic]: —
[Skill]: Heavenly Restriction
The only downside? Her magic section remained frustratingly empty.
"Three magic slots, and all blank..." Maki muttered, staring at her Falna.
Ren, ever the optimist, patted her shoulder. "This is the trade-off of ascending so quickly. Magic and unique skills often awaken through personal experience and reflection. You haven't had time to cultivate either."
Maki gave him a slight smile. "It's fine. I already have the spells you taught me from your world."
Ren nodded, satisfied. But then, Hestia spoke up, bouncing with energy.
"Actually! If you're in a rush to learn Magic, there's another way. You can use a magic book!"
"Magic book?" Maki tilted her head, clearly unfamiliar.
Hestia, ever the enthusiastic sensei, clapped her hands. "Yup! Magic books are rare magical tomes crafted with divine techniques tied to the Falna system. When read by someone with an empty slot, they guarantee the awakening of a Magic spell!"
Maki's eyes gleamed. "That sounds amazing! Where can I get one?!"
Hestia's face fell slightly. "That's the catch. They're created in the Magic Kingdom and are incredibly rare. One magic book is worth as much as an upper-tier artifact. They're practically priceless."
Ren, however, had a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
According to his memories from his past life, back when Akiyama Ren had binged the anime like any true otaku, he vividly recalled that both the Freya Familia and the Hermes Familia possessed magic books. Freya had gifted one to Bell-kun, the story's OG protagonist, while the Hermes Familia's magic book had been swiped by Aisha-san and ultimately used by Haruhime-san.
The Hermes Familia wasn't particularly huge—both in size and strength, they were mid-to-upper tier at best. So if even they could hold onto something as rare as a magic book, then the more powerful Familias—like the Ganesha Familia, Hephaestus Familia, or even the notorious Ishtar Familia—had to have some tucked away too.
If Akiyama Ren could just get his hands on one, the rest would be a breeze. Thanks to his Raphael ability, he could analyze it and mass-produce the magic books like it was an anime merch factory!
Grinning to himself, Ren patted Maki Zen'in's shoulder. "Don't worry, Maki-san. I'll grab a magic book for you. For now, go take a bath. You reek of sweat and monster guts."
At first, Maki-san beamed with joy, but the moment the words registered, her expression twisted. "Baka Ren! You're saying I stink?!" She punched his shoulder—not too hard, but with just enough force to make her point.
"Yare yare daze…" Ren muttered, brushing her off. "I'm heading out."
Hestia-sama, who had been watching the two bicker from the couch, narrowed her eyes slightly, deep in thought.
As soon as he stepped outside, Akiyama Ren's divine sense unfurled like a spiritual radar, sweeping across Orario. With his current god-slaying, planet-busting-level strength, the sealed divinities of the local deities were like background noise. None of them could sense his surveillance.
Sure enough, just as he suspected, several major Familias were hiding magic books in their vaults. Freya Familia had five. Loki Familia, three. Ganesha Familia—two. And surprisingly, Ishtar Familia had two as well.
In the original DanMachi timeline, Freya had crushed the Ishtar Familia and sent Ishtar back to the heavens. Did Freya-sama end up inheriting their resources too? If so, Freya's total stash might be seven magic books!
Without wasting time, Akiyama Ren teleported straight into the Ishtar Familia's now-abandoned treasure vault. The hidden room still glittered with heaps of gold coins, high-rank magic items, and exquisite weapons that would make any adventurer drool.
"Man, the entertainment district really is stacked…" Ren muttered.
But he wasn't here for trinkets. Valis? He could conjure that with a snap of his fingers. Legendary gear? Meh. He could make better.
He reached for the two magic books nestled within the treasure shelves, pocketed them, and warped back to the villa without touching anything else. Let the remnants rot. A Familia destined to be wiped from existence didn't deserve to hoard such treasures.
Back home, he handed one of the books to Raphael for analysis. The other was reserved for Maki-san.
Maki Zen'in had just finished her bath, wearing only a towel that clung snugly to her frame. Her damp hair draped over her shoulders like an elegant black waterfall.
She entered the room, blinking in surprise. "Didn't you say you were going out?"
"I already did," Ren replied casually, closing the cover of the book in his hand.
Her sharp eyes narrowed as she spotted the tome. "Wait… is that…?"
"A magic book," Ren said, flashing a smug grin.
"Yatta!" Maki exclaimed as she practically leaped onto him. "But wait—Hestia-sama said these are super rare! How did you find one so fast?"
"I'm awesome, obviously," Ren said, handing it to her. "Now go on, give it a try. Let's see what kind of magic your soul calls forth."
Maki-san accepted the book, but her brows furrowed. "Didn't you just read this? Hestia-sama said that once it's opened, the magic is gone…"
"I sealed its effects with divine power. No worries—it's still fresh," Ren said with a wink.
"I see…" Maki nodded, but instead of opening it right away, she placed it gently on the nightstand. Then, without warning, she straddled Ren with a mischievous smirk.
"We can read it tomorrow, Ren-kun. It's late… Let's 'rest' first~"
"Oi, Maki…" Ren started.
As Ren reclined on the bed, Maki straddled his lap without warning, her towel riding up to reveal the curves of her ass. She leaned in close, her hair tickling his face as she whispered sultrily, "Mmm, it's late... let's take this slow, shall we?"
She ground her hips against his, feeling him stiffen beneath her. Ren's hands instinctively reached for her hips, fingers digging into her plush flesh through the thin towel. Maki let out a breathy moan, eyes fluttering closed as she continued undulating her hips.
"Ohh Ren-kun... I've been thinking about this all day," she purred, reaching down to palm the growing bulge in his pants. "Waking up next to you, feeling your big strong body press against mine... it makes me so hot..."
Ren groaned, head tilting back as she stroked him through the fabric. His cock throbbed in her hand, straining against its confines. Maki bit her lip, desire burning through her veins. In one swift motion, she yanked down his pants, freeing his rock hard erection.
"Mmm, looks like someone's happy to see me," she cooed, wrapping her fingers around his thick shaft and pumping slowly. "I bet you want to be inside me, don't you Ren? Want to stretch out my tight little pussy with this big fat cock of yours?"
Ren couldn't help but nod, panting heavily as she worked him with both hands. Pre-cum leaked from the tip, smearing over her soft palm. Maki lapped at it with her tongue, savoring the salty-sweet taste.
"I want you so bad Ren-kun... want you to fill me up and fuck me senseless. Pound me until I can't walk straight," she breathed, voice dripping with need. "Can you do that for me? Can you fuck your little maid like the dirty slut I am?"
She punctuated her words by leaning down and dragging her tongue along the underside of his cock from base to tip. Ren shuddered, hips bucking involuntarily. The heat of her breath on his sensitive flesh made him throb with anticipation.
"Please Ren-kun..." Maki whimpered, looking up at him with lust-hazed eyes. "I need you... need you inside me... stretching me open and claiming me as yours. Fuck me, please!"
With a guttural groan, Ren surged forward, pinning Maki against the bed as he thrust into her slick heat. Her inner walls stretched deliciously around his thick shaft, welcoming him in as he hilted inside her. They both cried out at the exquisite sensation, lost in the pleasure of their joining.
"Fuuuck, you feel amazing..." Ren growled, gripping her hips hard enough to bruise as he began to move. He pulled almost all the way out before slamming back in, setting a brutal pace as he took his pleasure from her willing body. The obscene sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, mingling with their wanton moans.
Maki met each of Ren's powerful thrusts eagerly, rolling and writhing beneath him. Her nails raked down his sweat-slicked back as she urged him deeper, higher. She could feel herself rapidly approaching the edge, teetering on the brink of ecstasy.
"Yes, yes, fuck me harder!" she keened, head thrown back in bliss. "Wreck my tight cunt with your big fat cock! Ruin me for anyone else!"
Roughly, Ren complied, pistoning into her faster and harder. His heavy balls slapped against her ass with every thrust, the lewd sound spurring him on. He could feel his climax building, balls drawing up tight as he neared his peak.
"Nnnghh, I'm gonna cum!" he grunted, hips stuttering. "Gonna fill this sweet pussy with my seed... breed you full of my babies, fuck!"
Maki wailed at his filthy words, clenching down on him like a vice as she came undone beneath him. Her inner muscles rippled and spasmed, milking Ren's throbbing cock as her orgasm crashed over her in waves.
The feel of Maki's velvet walls gripping him so tightly was too much to bear. With a roar of release, Ren slammed home one last time and erupted deep inside her, painting her womb with thick ropes of his hot seed. He continued to grind into her, working himself through the aftershocks until he was completely spent.
"Holy shit..." he panted, collapsing onto his side with Maki sprawled across his chest. They were both covered in a sheen of sweat, bodies still intimately joined as their racing hearts gradually slowed.
.....
The next morning, Maki Zen'in woke bright and early. After a quick wash, she picked up the magic book and sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes gleaming with determination.
Akiyama Ren stirred lazily and called out mentally, "System, sign in."
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations, Host! You've obtained: Wooden Treasure Chest!]
Today marked the 100th day since his arrival in the DanMachi world. Time to return to the Main World.
Over that time, Ren had signed in daily—both in the Dungeon World and the Main World—amassing a total of 108 Wooden Treasure Chests. Initially, he'd thought to save more, maybe a thousand or even ten thousand, but the grind didn't seem worth it.
"System, synthesize into Black Iron Treasure Chests."
[Ding! Synthesis complete. Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Black Iron Treasure Chest ×10!]
"Keep going. Synthesize Bronze Treasure Chest."
[Ding! Synthesis complete. Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Bronze Treasure Chest ×1!]
"Open the Bronze Treasure Chest."
[Ding! Chest opened. Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Genshin Treasure Trove!]
Ren blinked. "Genshin Treasure Trove? What's that supposed to be?"
He scanned the system description, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
It was essentially a dimensional arsenal—like Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon from the Type-Moon Universe—but themed after the world of Teyvat from "Genshin Impact." Instead of Noble Phantasms, it stored every known weapon from one-star to five-star rarity within the Genshin universe. Even the Seven Archons' signature weapons were included!
Not only could he retrieve these weapons at will, but he could also launch them by generating spatial ripples—just like Gilgamesh's technique. Plus, the weapons had auto-retrieval, meaning he wouldn't need to worry about losing them mid-battle.
Ren grinned. "Holy crap, this is the Genshin version of Gate of Babylon!"
Still, he was powerful enough now that most of these weapons wouldn't significantly boost his fighting capabilities. But the flair? Oh, the flair would be unmatched.
Beyond weapons, the treasure trove was a virtual hoard of Teyvat's finest goods—ranging from foods like Teyvat Fried Egg, Skewered Mushroom Chicken, and Fisherman's Toast from Shimura's in Inazuma City, to outfits, drinks, and regional specialties. There were even character skins.
With a mere thought, the Vermillion Hereafter outfit from the Genshin-like treasure trove shimmered, resizing itself perfectly to fit Akiyama Ren. Black pants, sleek boots, and a crimson trench coat flowed over his frame — he looked like he'd just walked out of a high-budget anime OP.
Ren twirled once in front of the full-length mirror. He didn't smile, but his golden eyes glinted with obvious satisfaction. With another subtle command, a massive, ornate greatsword materialized in his hand — the Wolf's Gravestone, its red hue pulsing with power.
"Yosh…" he muttered, admiring his reflection. Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he returned the blade to his treasure inventory. The outfit, however, was staying. Vermillion Hereafter would now be his signature look — no doubt.
Ren stepped out into the hallway, his boots clicking softly against the polished wood. Downstairs, Hestia and the rest of the girls were chatting over breakfast. The moment they saw him, all conversation stopped.
"Ren-kun?! Why are you dressed like you're about to fight a final boss?!" Hestia blinked rapidly, clearly taken aback.
"I'm heading out on a long journey today," Ren replied, his voice calm but resolute. "Maki, Schwi, Azril, and Jibril will be accompanying me. I'll leave the villa in your care, Hestia-san."
"Ehh?! You're all leaving?!" Hestia pouted, a hint of loneliness creeping into her usually bubbly tone.
Ren gave a small smile. "We'll be back before you know it. I promise."
"Fine… but you better bring souvenirs!" she huffed, crossing her arms.
"Of course," he chuckled. "By the way, where's Maki? I didn't see her around."
"She's in the training room," Hestia answered. "Apparently, she got her hands on some magic book and went to awaken magic. I have no idea where she even found that thing."
Ren nodded, then headed to freshen up.
After his quick shower, he walked out just in time to see Maki Zen'in exiting the gym area, her aura sharp — almost dangerous. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a glimmer in her eyes.
"How'd it go?" Ren asked, towel around his neck. "Did you manage to awaken anything?"
Maki smirked, and without a word, brought her hands together — the symbol she formed unmistakably resembled the Jujutsu sorcerers' "Wu" hand sign.
Ren's eyes narrowed. Wait… that's—
"Domain Expansion: Myriad Blades of Transient Life!"
Before Ren could even react, his surroundings shifted. The air turned heavy, and in the blink of an eye, he and the others — Schwi, Azril, Jibril, and even Hestia — were pulled into the newly formed domain.
Their feet landed on cold steel.
A vast, towering mountain stretched before them, composed not of rock or earth, but of solid iron. It sparkled menacingly under an eerie red sky. Blades of every shape — swords, spears, axes, and halberds — jutted out from every angle, forming a chaotic metal forest.
And beneath the mountain? A seething sea of flames.
It was like being thrown into the seventh layer of a hell realm. The infamous Mountain of Blades and Fire. Akiyama Ren had seen many things in his travels, but this domain was something else.
He whistled, low and impressed. "You really did it. You awakened domain magic — and not just any domain. This is practically a replica of Domain Expansion from Jujutsu Kaisen."
Maki turned to face him, her scarred lips curling into a devious grin. "Without cursed energy, I could never touch Jujutsu… let alone reach the pinnacle of it. But with this world's magic system, I've done it. I've achieved my own Domain Expansion."
She lifted a hand and gestured around her.
"Can you imagine the faces of the Zen'in clan if they saw this now? If they knew the girl they discarded could pull this off?"
Ren chuckled. "They'd probably choke on their pride. Maybe even beg for a second chance."
Maki's grin widened. "But I'm not giving them one."
The domain pulsed again, the blades resonating with her will.
Ren crossed his arms and smiled. "You've come a long way, Maki-chan."
She tilted her head, mockingly smug. "Baka. I was always this strong. You're just finally seeing it."
He laughed. "Fair enough. Let's wrap this up. We've got a world to explore."