Chapter 10: Orario & Falna
The wheels of the carriage clattered rhythmically against the winding dirt road as Trellis gradually disappeared behind them. Trees gave way to open fields and rolling hills, the air crisp with the scent of morning grass and dust. Inside the covered carriage, Chico sat across from Demeter, watching the world drift by through the curtain-drawn window.
Demeter, ever radiant in her traveling cloak of soft greens and golds, reclined comfortably, her warm gaze fixed on him. "Sol-san," she said, voice mellow, "we never really had time to speak properly after you accepted my offer. I've been curious…what have you been doing all this time in Trellis?"
Chico looked at her for a moment before shifting his posture, resting his forearms on his knees.
"It's been a ride," he admitted. "When I first got there, I was a wreck. Didn't know a soul, didn't know how anything worked. So I just grabbed the first job I could find."
Demeter tilted her head slightly. "And what was it?"
He smiled, almost sheepish. "You'll laugh. It was a Guild quest posted from the Demeter Familia."
"Oh?" Her eyes lit up, delighted. "Do tell."
"I spent a couple days working the summer harvest. First day, they had me out in the fields pulling up vegetables under the sun. I thought I could handle it, but I was way out of shape. Sweating like mad, my back was killing me. Second day they stuck me on sorting duty, and even that had me dragging my feet by the end."
Demeter chuckled. "Poor Sol-san. Defeated by eggplants and cabbages."
"Pretty much." He grinned. "But that was the moment something in me clicked. I realized if I wanted to live in this world, I had to change. So I started training. Morning to dusk. Seven days straight."
Demeter's smile softened. "All by yourself?"
"Yeah," he said, his gaze drifting to the window again. "It was hell. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, running uphill, downhill, lifting logs and crates—until failure. Then again the next day. And the next."
"And yet you sit here now, clearly stronger for it."
"I lost twenty pounds in that first week," he said. "My muscles were constantly sore. But after I slept, I felt… better. Faster recovery. It was like the pain just pushed me forward. So I kept going."
Her eyes narrowed with interest. "You…awakened, didn't you?"
He nodded slowly. "Something like that."
Demeter didn't press the topic, sensing there was more to it than he let on, but she seemed pleased all the same.
Afterwards, the day passed by very fast, the group decided to pull over for the night, preparing a meal, eating, then going to sleep.
Then the next day began.
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The sky was pale and overcast, but the weather remained pleasant as the carriage rolled steadily along a long stretch of countryside. Birds chirped in the trees overhead, and the grass swayed lazily in the breeze. Chico sat with one arm resting on the window ledge, watching the world pass by while Demeter sat across from him, cross-legged and curious.
"So, Sol-san," Demeter said, tilting her head with a gentle smile, "we left off on your first 7 days of training. What did you do after that?"
Chico let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah. After that I decided to take on a monster quest. I didn't want to wait until I got to Orario to learn how to use my blades—or to know what monsters were like. I needed to get my hands dirty."
"Alone?"
He smiled at that. "No. One of the town guards—Cole Landen—came with me, he was the first person I met at Trellis. We became fast friends, he shared a meal with me on my first day, when all I had were the clothes on my back and the small things I owned. He's dependable. Our party for the quest was split into pairs, and I went with Cole, he was kind and patient."
Demeter gave a knowing nod. "It helps, having someone experienced beside you."
"Yeah. I needed it." Chico sighed through his nose. "My first fight was rough. I mean really rough. I went in thinking I'd be able, but the second the lone goblin rushed me, all those thoughts went out the window. I started swinging my sword like I was a child. All wide and unbalanced. I looked ridiculous."
She smiled softly. "But you won, right?"
"Barely. The first goblin I killed, it was all thanks to my blades. My second one was a bit cleaner, but after I still fumbled pulling the magic stone. I cracked it." He gave a quiet, self-deprecating laugh. "Cole had to show me how to do it properly."
"But you kept going," Demeter said, her voice filled with approval.
Chico nodded. "That's the thing. Even with all the mistakes, even knowing I was green…I didn't quit. I couldn't quit. I needed that wake-up call."
He paused, then added with a hint of pride, "When I got back, I went right back into training. Didn't rest for more than a day. I added sword drills with Cole every other day. Bodyweight stuff stayed the same—hundred pushups, sit-ups, squats, ten-kilometer run. It wasn't as punishing as the first week, but I could feel the difference."
Demeter's eyes drifted across his figure once again, taking in the lean definition in his arms and shoulders. "It shows." She said a little sultry.
He smiled faintly, almost bashfully. "Thanks. I'm still not where I want to be, but…looking at where I started? It's night and day."
There was a pause, the silence between them carried comfortably by the soft creaking of the carriage.
Demeter's eyes softened. "You've shaped yourself, Sol-san. Not just your body—but your heart, your will. That's more than most can claim before even reaching Orario."
Chico didn't say anything right away, but the look he gave her—steady, grateful—spoke volumes.
The wheels rolled on, and Orario loomed ever closer.
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The third day arrived under a cloudless sky. The land began to change—fields turning to cobbled roads, the forest thinning as civilization crept closer. And then, rising like a dream above the skyline, they saw it.
The Tower of Babel.
Even at this distance, it dominated the landscape, impossibly tall, gleaming ivory in the sunlight. It stood at the heart of Orario, the city built atop the Dungeon.
Chico leaned forward in the carriage, eyes wide, breath catching at the sight. "It's real," he whispered.
Demeter watched him with quiet pride. "It is. And now, it's apart of your future."
He looked back at her, and for a moment, all the doubts, the trials, the scraped knees and strained muscles—everything—felt like they had led to this.
"I'm ready," he said.
Her hand reached out, resting gently atop his. "Then let's go home, Sol-san."
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Getting through the gates of Orario was surprisingly painless.
Chico, despite having no Familia affiliation, was quickly admitted with only his Trellis Guild-issued ID. The gate guard barely raised an eyebrow, taking one look at the company he kept—Demeter herself and her attendant, Milos—and waving them through with a respectful nod.
They returned their rented carriage at a nearby depot, and then began the long walk north through the sprawling streets of Orario. And Chico—new to it all—couldn't help but stare in wide-eyed awe.
Everywhere he looked, life thrived.
Adventurers of all levels strode down the main avenue, some proudly displaying their gear and Familia emblems, others looking like they'd just come from a dungeon crawl, armor stained and eyes sunken with fatigue. Dozens of market stalls lined both sides of the road, their colorful tarps fluttering in the breeze. Merchants hawked their wares—fresh produce, grilled skewers, monster trinkets, alchemical ingredients, even maps and monster repellent kits. The air buzzed with overlapping voices, laughter, bartering, and the clanging of distant forges.
Above it all, the tower rose, impossibly vast and looming. The Tower of Babel watched over them all like a divine spire. Even as he walked, Chico kept glancing up at it.
"This place," he murmured, "really is something else."
Demeter smiled, clearly amused by his wonder, while Milos—stoic as always—walked just a step behind.
After a long but scenic walk through the city's wealthier residential districts, they finally arrived.
The Wheat Manor.
A large, three-story estate surrounded by tall hedges and elegant stonework fencing. The manor itself was made of warm sandstone and polished timber, its windows decorated with climbing vines and golden drapery. The roof sloped in graceful arcs, with ivy-laced balconies and sun-catching stained glass motifs of wheat, grain, and fertile fields.
It didn't just look noble—it looked alive.
Chico exhaled slowly, eyes scanning the breadth of it. "So this is…home now."
Demeter gently placed a hand on his back. "If you want it to be."
With a contemplative look, he followed Lady Demeter and Milos through the wrought-iron gate and into the heart of the manor.
The tour was extensive. Chico was shown the sunlit dining hall where Familia meals were often shared, the large kitchen bustling with warmth and the scent of baking bread, the open-air training grounds with worn dummies and wooden weapons, the carefully tended gardens bursting with color and vitality, and finally—Demeter's pride—the solarium. A wide glass room filled with natural light, blooming flowers, and carefully arranged scrolls and records. It was where she did most of her paperwork, and where her divine presence seemed strongest.
And then, the time came.
The ritual.
Demeter thanked Milos softly for his service and company, and with a slight bow, the man excused himself.
Chico expected to be led into the solarium, or maybe a shrine of some kind. But instead, Demeter turned down a private corridor and gestured toward a pair of grand wooden doors.
He blinked. "This is…?"
"My private quarters," she said warmly. "It's tradition to perform the ritual here, in a space that belongs to the goddess. Intimate, sacred."
He swallowed his nerves and nodded. "Alright."
Without preamble, she pushed the doors open and beckoned him in.
The room was lavish but inviting—soft fabrics, delicate floral motifs, and a huge bed with golden-threaded blankets. The air smelled faintly of wildflowers and something sweeter, almost like honey and sun-warmed wheat.
Then Demeter turned, hands on her hips, and smiled playfully.
"Alright, Sol-san…now strip."
Chico froze for half a second, a blush creeping up his neck. "Wha—?"
She grinned, clearly amused. "You do need to remove your top. No falna through fabric, I'm afraid."
With a light chuckle, Chico easily complied, tugging off his shirt and folding it neatly on the nightstand. His upper body—trim, toned, carrying the marks of his training—caught Demeter's eye, though she said nothing aloud.
She did pout, though. "You're no fun," she muttered.
She pointed to the bed. Chico got the message and laid down, stomach-first, his arms resting at his sides. He heard soft footsteps, and then—a shift.
A soft weight settled over the backs of his thighs. Demeter straddled him comfortably, her skirts arranged modestly as she leaned forward.
Her hands hovered above his back.
"I'm going to drop a single bead of my ichor onto your back," she said quietly, voice smoother than silk. "Once it touches you, I'll trace your falna into place, and it will bond to your soul. You'll officially be part of my Familia. Are you ready, Sol-san?"
He nodded, his voice steady. "I'm ready."
A heartbeat later, he felt a warm drop land between his shoulder blades—and then her fingers began to move.
She traced gentle, intricate patterns across his skin, her divine energy flowing through each stroke. The sensation wasn't painful—far from it. It sent pleasant, almost tingling shivers down his spine, as if his soul was being rewritten in a language of warmth and growth. His breathing slowed, and for a few moments, he let himself feel it all.
And just like that, it was over.
She rose off him, and he heard parchment being unfurled. Then she returned, placing the sheet on his back and pressing her palm over it. A cooling sensation swept over his spine—calm and final.
And then, silence.
He could hear her reading. But she wasn't saying anything.
"Demeter-sama?" he asked, turning his head slightly. "Is everything okay?"
At first, no response.
Then—giggles.
Soft at first, then full, unabashed laughter. Demeter cackled, falling forward and pressing her cheek to his bare back, shaking with mirth. Her softness made Chico's heart skip a beat, but that was quickly overridden by dread.
"What—?" he began, but then it hit him.
His slotted ability.
Masochist Soul.
He covered his face with both hands, groaning in embarrassment.
Demeter, eyes sparkling with mischief, leaned in close and whispered against his ear.
"So…you're a masochist."
Chico groaned louder.
"Welcome to the Familia, Sol-san," she added, still laughing.
And with his face burning, Chico couldn't help but let out a small, resigned laugh of his own.
Of course. Of all the things to show up on his falna status—his most lewdly named ability.
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Demeter finally stopped laughing, though every few seconds a small giggle would still escape her. She peeled herself off of Chico, brushing her auburn hair back over her shoulder, and gently placed the parchment into his hands.
"Here you are, Sol-san. Your official status. Freshly inscribed."
Chico sat up, drawing in a calming breath, and read it over:
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Francisco "Chico" Sol
Demeter Familia
Race: Human
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Skills:
Habilidad Activa:
•Masochist Soul
•Conditioning
Magic:
•Four Arms
•Lightning Spear
•Light Shield
•Weather
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He blinked. It was surreal seeing it in print. His name. His Familia. His gifts—acknowledged in this world's divine language.
Demeter sat across from him on the edge of the bed, hands neatly folded in her lap. Her tone shifted back to curiosity, her expression gentle.
Chico exhaled, folding the parchment and placing it beside him. "You must have questions." She nodded firmly. "Alright. Let me explain."
Demeter nodded once, silently giving him the floor.
"These abilities…they come from something inside me. It's like I'm being judged, rewarded. Whenever I achieve something—a feat—I get…gifts. I don't control what I receive, and I'm still figuring out how it all works. But so far, the more impressive the feat, the more powerful the gift."
Demeter's brows furrowed slightly, intrigued. "So… after harvesting in Trellis, you received a gift?"
He coughed into his fist, nodding with a faint grimace. "Yes. Apparently, completing a Guild quest was worthy of a reward."
"And after slaying your first monster?"
"I received Intermediate hand to hand combat. It's a skill that enhances my ability to fight hand-to-hand. Turns out I've got a natural instinct for it, now."
Demeter leaned in, eyes shining with interest. "How fascinating. So, say hypothetically…you slew a Level 2 monster while being level 1, all on your own. That would likely grant you a stronger boon?"
"I believe so," Chico said. "And not just abilities. I've received items, skills, traits, even…"
He paused, smiling.
Demeter tilted her head. "Even what?"
"Familiars."
She blinked and tilted her head cutely. "What's a familiar?"
With a light grin, Chico raised a hand. "I'll show you."
With a silent mental command, a soft white glow shimmered beside him—and with a tiny pop, a round, fluffy creature with spiraling horns and beady eyes appeared on the bed, its wool puffed up like a cloud.
Wooloo.
The tiny sheep blinked, then let out a soft, delighted baaa.
Demeter gasped, her eyes widening, and then she squealed.
Without a shred of dignity, the goddess of Agriculture lunged forward and hugged the creature tight, giggling as Wooloo nuzzled into her arms with a happy bounce.
"Oh my heavens, look at you! You precious, fluffy—eee!"
Wooloo seemed to bask in the affection, its tail gently wagging.
Chico couldn't stop the smile spreading across his face. It was wholesome, disarming, and surreal, all at once.
After several moments, Demeter glanced back at him, still cradling the sheep. "So…would something like gaining your falna count as a…'feat'?"
Chico opened his mouth to reply—only to freeze as a familiar ding echoed in his head.
A glowing message hovered in his mind, as clear as day:
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Gatcha Quest Completed: Join a Familia!
Reward: 1x Random Gold Advantage Gatcha Ticket
——————————————————————
He blinked. Then laughed softly.
Demeter raised a brow. "Let me guess…?"
"Yeah," he said, eyes twinkling. "That counted."
Demeter leaned in, squinting at it with interest. "So what now?"
Chico smiled. "Think of it like a divine lottery. I use it…and something random comes out. Could be a new spell, a magic item, a companion…anything. In this instance..."
'Roll Gatcha.'
Rolling…
Master Shooting (5.3 Rarity, 0.15% odds)-Epic Skill-
Your marksmanship is on the level of legends like Orion or Arash, or it might be if you train enough. Few mortals can dodge your projectiles, in the old times you would have been hailed as a legendary archer.
Or
Adept Shooting (3.5 Rarity, 1.86% odds)-Rare Skill-
You are a natural crack shot, being able to wield most projectile-based weaponry with great familiarity and accuracy, rarely missing your shots unless you are against an opponent of similar skill.
Chico just let out an incredulous laugh.
"Wow…what a pull." What are the odds of that happening.
'Now that I think about, this is now the third time I've pulled a skill that involves firearms.'
Indeed! Due to having obtained an upgraded skill - Novice Shooting has been refunded!
Received: 1x Random Bronze Gatcha Ticket
Rolling…
Intermediate Blacksmithing (2 Rarity, 1.25% odds)-Uncommon Skill-
You are experienced enough in blacksmithing to be called a real blacksmith. You know how to forge weapons, armour and various tools that are of decent quality, enough that a warrior would use them without apprehension.
Congratulations! Your Intermediate Blacksmithing skill has upgraded to Adept Blacksmithing!
You are as skilled as a veteran blacksmith. You can create fine weapons and armour without problem, with practice you can even make rare weapons that are sought after. In addition, your understanding of metallurgy and forging are far beyond the average person.
'A refund system?' That was actually amazing!
"What gift have you received?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Let's just say that my knowledge of the forge has increased…and I am now a master of marksmanship. And with training, I could become someone even the Goddess of the Hunt would acknowledge."
Demeter's eyes sparkled. "I like this system of yours."
"Yeah," Chico said. "Me too."
And Wooloo, nestled in Demeter's arms, gave a soft baaa, as if in agreement.
Chico was incredibly happy with how this day was going. But the Gatcha just kept making it better.
Feat Achieved! You have pulled over 20 Gatcha rewards.
Reward: The ability to temporarily combine abilities that reach a certain threshold of synergy.
'Oh yeah…it's all really coming together.'
Chapter 10 End