Freya, the Goddess of Beauty, possessed a special divine power.
Charm.
It was an innate ability of the Goddess of Beauty, a gift granted by her very divinity.
To other gods, it was already a terrifying power, let alone to ordinary adventurers in the lower world.
For them, it was nearly impossible to resist.
No matter how strong their will, no matter how proud their soul, before Freya's charm they would melt away like snow.
There had already been countless examples. Adventurers who boasted of their iron will could not even last a second before Freya before they fell completely into her grasp.
That was why Demeter was worried now.
Very worried.
She sat at the edge of the bed, watching Genichi organize his equipment, her amber eyes filled with anxiety she could not hide.
"Genichi."
When she spoke, her voice trembled slightly.
"Freya's charm..."
Genichi paused in what he was doing and turned to look at her.
Those black eyes of his were still as calm as water.
"I know."
"You know, and you're still this calm?"
Demeter stood up and walked over to him.
"That's Freya. A goddess of beauty. Her charm is practically impossible for people in the lower world to resist."
She grabbed his arm.
"What if she uses it on you? What are you going to do?"
Genichi was silent for a moment.
Truthfully, he was not very certain whether he could resist Freya's charm.
No one knew better than he did what kind of person he really was.
Wrath, envy, greed, sloth, lust, gluttony, pride.
Not one of the Seven Deadly Sins was absent from him.
Every last one of them had taken root deep in his soul.
He just kept them suppressed with reason most of the time, never letting them show.
If death were not constantly hanging over his head, if he were not under all this pressure to grow stronger, if he did not have enemies who could kill him at any moment...
Then whether it was Rias or Demeter, how could he possibly have refused them?
He would have gone with the flow long ago, without ever looking back.
But right now, he did not dare.
And he could not.
Because he did not know when he might die in that damned Soul Coliseum. He did not know whether he would even live to see tomorrow's sun.
So he chose restraint.
He chose...
To avoid it.
But now he had run into her.
That goddess of beauty with her near-unanswerable charm. If she really used it on him...
Could he hold out?
Genichi did not know.
The only thing he did know was that his soul was probably no better than a sheet of ruined paper.
Killing, plunder, betrayal, selfishness, indifference...
That filth had long since dyed his soul black.
How could Freya possibly take an interest in a soul like that?
Unless she had gone blind.
Genichi took a deep breath and looked at Demeter.
"Don't worry."
His voice was calm, yet carried a certainty that soothed the heart.
"I think it's probably because of Ryu Lion."
Demeter blinked.
"Ryu Lion?"
"Yeah."
"Freya's always been interested in Ryu Lion. She often watches what Ryu's doing through Syr's eyes."
He paused.
"The day she saw me, it was probably just incidental. I have dealings with Ryu Lion, so it would be normal for her to get a little curious about me."
"As for charm..."
He shook his head.
"No way."
Demeter pressed him.
"Why not?"
Genichi looked at her, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a self-mocking smile.
"You think I don't know what kind of trash I am?"
He paused.
"My soul probably looks like a cesspit by now. Killing, plunder, selfishness, indifference... all that filth has already stained it black."
"Freya taking an interest in me?"
He gave a quiet laugh.
"She'd have to be blind."
Demeter looked at him, and anger flashed across her amber eyes.
"I won't let you talk about yourself like that."
Even if she knew that what he said was probably true.
So what?
In her eyes, he was still himself.
The boy who let his guard down in front of her.
The one who fought desperately to become stronger.
The one who named his sword Mitsukotoba.
That was enough.
More than enough.
"Anyway..."
Demeter's voice turned serious again.
"You have to be careful of Freya."
She looked him straight in the eye.
"No matter why she's taken notice of you, you can't let your guard down."
"That woman is dangerous."
Genichi looked at how serious she was and smiled helplessly.
He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"Don't worry."
His voice was gentle.
"I'll be careful."
Demeter flushed a little at the gesture.
But she did not pull away.
She only muttered softly,
"You better remember that..."
Genichi looked at her, the smile on his face deepening slightly.
Then he withdrew his hand and went back to organizing his equipment.
Demeter stood there watching his back, her thoughts churning.
Freya.
That name was like a thorn lodged in her heart.
She knew Genichi's reasoning made sense.
His soul really was filthy. Freya should not be interested in him.
But...
What if?
What if Freya really was blind?
What if she had genuinely become interested in Genichi?
What if she used her charm?
Demeter took a deep breath and forced down the unease inside her.
From this day on, she decided, she would be even more careful.
She could not let Freya find any opening at all.
Dungeon, Floor 37.
Genichi came here once again.
Udaeus's corpse was long gone, leaving behind only the battlefield ravaged by that fight.
He stood where he had once battled, staring at the dim corridor in the distance, thoughts swirling in his mind.
Freya.
That name circled through his head.
He knew Demeter's fears were not misplaced.
That woman really was dangerous.
But he had no time to think about that now.
He needed to get stronger.
He needed to fill out his status as quickly as possible.
He needed to prepare for the battles ahead.
Genichi took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the sword in his hand.
"Let's begin."
He muttered softly.
Then he headed deeper into the corridor and entered Floor 38.
Behind him, Alise followed along, radiating resentment.
"Hey. You're using me as a tool again?"
"Yeah."
"Couldn't you use someone else for once?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you're convenient."
Alise: "..."
She took a deep breath and decided she had no reason to keep arguing.
Fine. Whatever.
She was used to it by now.
With a sigh, she followed after him obediently.
Continuing her role as his tool.
From the far end of the corridor, the faint roars of monsters drifted over.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]