After all the gear and potions were ready, Genichi still didn't head into the Dungeon right away.
He chose something else first.
Practice Apparition.
This spatial magic from the Harry Potter world had saved his life in a moment of mortal danger. The price, however, had been Splinching, tearing a gash across his body that had come terrifyingly close to killing him.
Even so, there was no denying it. Without that spell, he'd already be rotting on the fifth floor of the Dungeon.
Genichi understood its value better than anyone.
In the world of DanMachi, this was his greatest lifesaving trump card.
If he could master Apparition, if he could rip himself out of any battlefield in an instant whenever things went bad, then no matter how powerful the enemy was, he'd always have a chance to live.
So until he had Apparition completely under control, he had no intention of entering the Dungeon.
Demeter, of course, supported the decision with both hands raised. If she had her way, Genichi would never go into the Dungeon at all, even though she knew that was impossible.
So for the next two days, Genichi locked himself in his room and practiced Apparition again and again.
The first attempt failed.
A long wound tore open along the left side of his body, blood spraying out.
Gritting his teeth, Genichi cast Healing on himself.
The second attempt failed.
During the transfer, spatial turbulence shaved off a huge chunk of flesh from his right leg, so deep he nearly exposed bone.
Genichi clenched his jaw and kept going, healing himself again.
Third. Fourth. Fifth…
Every failure came with torn flesh and searing pain.
Those spatial currents were like invisible blades, carving one horrific wound after another into him.
In just two days, Genichi had nearly turned himself into a walking bloodstain.
If he didn't have DIA FLATEL, the strongest healing magic in Orario, he would have died of blood loss long ago. Even if he survived, he would have been forced to lie in bed and wait for the wounds to slowly close.
But he didn't.
Every time he got hurt, he cast healing magic immediately, sealing the injuries at a visible pace.
Then he rested for a moment and went right back to practicing.
In two days, he experienced Splinching seven or eight times.
Seven or eight times returning to that twisted void.
Seven or eight times crawling back from the edge of death.
Demeter watched from the side, terrified. More than once she tried to rush over and stop him, only to be driven back by the calm, unquestionable look in Genichi's eyes.
She didn't understand.
Why was he pushing himself this hard?
Why would he rather get hurt again and again than let this spell go?
All she knew was that every time his body was torn open, it felt like her heart was being torn open with it.
But she couldn't stop him.
The only thing she could do was stay beside him while he practiced. Hand him clean cloth when he bled. Prepare food and water when exhaustion hollowed his face.
Finally…
Two days later.
Genichi stood in the center of the room, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
Then his figure vanished.
The next second, he reappeared on the other end of the room.
Perfect.
No tearing. No injury. No mistake at all.
Genichi opened his eyes and looked down at his unbroken body, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
He'd done it.
He had finally mastered Apparition completely.
From now on, no matter how dangerous the situation became, he had a thread of survival.
Demeter rushed forward and threw her arms around him.
Those amber eyes were brimming with both pain and joy.
"Thank goodness… thank goodness…"
Her voice caught.
Genichi gently patted her back without speaking.
But he knew his reason for practicing Apparition went beyond survival.
Dionysus.
That mad god had already set his sights on him for reasons Genichi still didn't understand.
The grimoire was proof enough.
Genichi didn't know how much Dionysus had learned. He didn't know what Dionysus wanted from him. He didn't know when Dionysus would make his move.
But he did know one thing.
As long as he had Apparition, as long as he could use it reliably…
He could run with Demeter when the moment came.
Yes. With Demeter.
As for the rest of Demeter's Familia…
Genichi had no obligation.
He knew exactly what kind of person he was.
Selfish. Cold. Only caring about the people he chose to care about.
Demeter was his sun and moon in this world.
She'd taken him in and given him a place to stay.
She'd spent money, spent effort, helped him again and again.
She'd worried for him and hurt for him, without caring about her dignity as a goddess.
So he was willing to protect her.
Willing to take her and run when danger came.
Willing to pay any price to keep her safe.
But the others?
What did Demeter's familia members have to do with him?
They were strangers thrown together under the same patron deity.
No bonds. No history. No shared or feelings to hold them together.
If they died in Dionysus's scheme…
Genichi would regret it, because it would make Demeter sad.
But he wouldn't feel guilty. And he wouldn't risk himself for them.
That was his line.
Protect the people he wanted to protect.
As for everyone else…
Let fate decide.
And even with Demeter, if it came down to it, he would still abandon her for.
Demeter was a goddess.
Even if she truly "died," it wouldn't be real death.
She would return to the heavens and keep being a goddess.
But if Genichi died, that would be the end. He'd be dead for real.
So in a sense, Demeter was safe.
As long as she could accept returning to Heaven as the outcome.
But Genichi didn't want that.
He wanted her to stay here.
To remain in the Lower World.
Besides, Demeter was genuinely alluring. Was it possible he had no thoughts about her at all?
Genichi wasn't a saint.
So he practiced Apparition.
To make sure that in the worst case, he could take her and escape.
It was the best thing he could do for her.
"What are you thinking about?"
Demeter's voice pulled Genichi back from his thoughts.
He lifted his head and met her deep, pale eyes.
"Nothing."
He shook his head and gently pushed her back.
"I've mastered the spell. Tomorrow I'm going to the Dungeon."
Demeter opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end she only sighed.
"Fine. But this time you have to be careful. You can't do what you did last time—"
"I know." Genichi cut her off, calm as ever. "It won't happen again."
He turned and walked to the window, staring out at the sky dyed red by the setting sun.
Dionysus.
No matter what you're planning…
I won't let you have your way.
(End of Chapter)
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