"Haha, the kids in Orario are all so cute especially in bed. You could even have them as gods if you wanted!"
"Oh right, remember not to tell Asfi."
The god he's talking about isn't Ishtar, is it…? Then I don't need to worry.
Shaka thought of the dark-skinned goddess who ran the entertainment district.
But… join the Hermes Familia?
Shaka froze. Ever since he realized he was in the DanMachi world, he'd already considered finding a familia to join.
Sure, DanMachi was known as the "low-power floor of the two-dimensional world," but its "Falna" which turned all experience into stat gains for steady growth was one of the best starting systems in most isekai novels. Plus, it let users awaken magic and skills based on their personality, basically a custom cheat system.
Only… Hermes was, at his core, a master manipulator. He claimed to be neutral, but he was obsessive about certain goals and would do anything to achieve them. He wasn't evil, but compared to gods like Hestia who treated their followers like family he was in a completely different league.
I wonder if Hestia has descended to the mortal realm yet, or found her first familia?
"Lord Hermes!"
"What can't you tell me…?"
A clear, cold voice cut through his thoughts from behind them:
"What dirty ideas are you having now? Or are you with another woman again?!"
The speaker's anger was barely contained. Shaka shook his head frantically, but he couldn't see who it was until Hermes froze mid-laugh. Before Shaka could react, a massive impact slammed into the god's abdomen, sending him crashing into the ground.
A huge crater opened up beside Shaka, and he swallowed hard. He'd been wrong.
Watching Hermes twitch in the pit still alive Shaka realized two things: first, even a power-sealed god had physical abilities far beyond his own. Second, high-level adventurers were nowhere near as weak as he'd thought.
The sudden surge of killing intent made Shaka straighten up and bow deeply:
"Heroine, spare me! I don't even know this god!"
Just then, the air in front of him rippled. A sharp, capable young woman with short blue hair and silver-rimmed glasses removed her mask, revealing herself.
Asfi Al Andromeda.
She held the title of "Omnipotent" and was a rare user of the "Mystery" ability rumored to be a princess from a maritime nation. And, most importantly, she was secretly in love with her god.
From her heavy dark circles, it was obvious she was already the Hermes Familia's leader a proud member of the "chosen workers" club.
Hermes got up as if nothing had happened, stood beside Shaka, and tried again:
"So, Shaka, you wanna join my familia?"
Join and become a worker like Asfi…?
Shaka backed away slightly, choosing his words carefully. "I want to learn more about this world before I decide."
"Fair enough."
Hermes didn't know Shaka already had a "god's-eye view" of the world, so the answer made perfect sense. He shrugged. "We're heading to Swordcraft City next. You sure you can handle things here on your own?"
Not Orario?
Shaka hesitated, then nodded. "No problem."
Most people didn't know much about Swordsmith City, DanMachi's core setting was Labyrinth City Orario, and outer cities got little focus. But Shaka happened to know about it: as the name suggested, it was the world's best sword-forging city. In the original story, Welf Crozzo, the "Demon Swordsmith" who left the Kingdom of Rakia, first settled there.
Asfi stroked her chin, studying Shaka closely. "Red hair and blue eyes… you look familiar. Have we met before?"
"Haha, must be your imagination," Shaka laughed it off.
"Is it?" Asfi's eyes still held doubt, but she changed the subject. "You're hurt, come here."
She pulled a vial of medicine from her cloak, dabbed some on Shaka's forehead, and the abrasion healed instantly.
"Whoa…"
"Just a regular potion. You haven't collected your loot yet, right? Surface monsters are weak, but they sometimes drop magic stones."
She held out her hand. In her palm lay a few rice-grain-sized magic stones so small they were almost dust and a shrunken finger bone. Shaka took them with a wry smile.
The three packed up and headed to a nearby caravan. Shaka asked about recent major events, but most of the answers were just Hermes boasting.
Night fell. By noon the next day, Shaka had followed the caravan to Swordsmith City. As they entered through the towering gates, he watched demi-humans and elves roam the streets and clenched his fists.
My otherworldly adventure starts now!
Once inside, Asfi approached him with a bag of gold coins. "Lord Hermes has other business. This is for your instant noodles about 50,000 falies. It'll last you half a month if you're careful."
Shaka tucked the bag into his backpack without looking.
"You can explore the city for the next three days," she continued. "If you decide to join the familia, meet us here then, and we'll head out."
It was clear Asfi was conflicted: she didn't want Shaka to join, yet she didn't dare go against Hermes worried he'd drag another person into his trouble.
Before Shaka could respond, a short-haired black dog-person named Lulu spoke up, hands on her head:
"Look, it's Lord Hermes's idea, but honestly? You're not a good fit for our familia."
"Properly speaking, you'd need to pass a test first."
She was referring to the thief's test: the examiner hides a coin in one hand, and the applicant has to guess which. In short, Hermes only recruited people who could be "thieves" and Shaka, who looked so straightforward, didn't fit the bill.
"So… you'd be better off picking another familia," Lulu added.
Asfi pushed up her glasses. "Mud Dog, you're meddling too much."
"Yeah, yeah." Lulu shrugged and fell silent.
Turning back to Shaka, Asfi said seriously: "Don't mind her. To be honest, I didn't want you to join either especially not after hearing that talk about the pleasure district… but I won't oppose Lord Hermes."
Shaka's face twisted. "Are you talking about seducing people there? Hey, your god was the one corrupting me I'm the victim here, don't blame me!"
There was no reasoning with a woman this protective of her god. Shaka just nodded politely. "Thanks, I get it."
He waved goodbye as the Hermes Familia left to sell their goods, then set off down the street his eyes shining with purpose.
Shaka had a reason for coming to Swordcraft City. He was looking for someone.
No something. A god.
"From what Asfi told me, this is about three years before the main story. According to the plot, they should be here by now."
Muttering to himself, he asked around about the city's gods. After paying 10,000 falies at a tavern for information, he headed straight for a weapon shop in a quiet corner.
Just as he reached for the door, he froze. The person standing there made his pupils contract.
"Uh… Asfi? What are you doing here?"
"Delivering a letter to an acquaintance, Mr. Shaka. But what about you? Why are you here?"
Asfi's expression was blank. Sunlight glinted off her glasses, hiding her eyes.
Shaka suddenly felt like he'd been caught cheating on his wife with a mistress.