Kapitel 3: WORD Count [Damachi: A Despicable Stranger]
Chapter 1: Prologue: Encounter with the Goddess
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Rustle... rustle... rustle...
In the heart of a lush forest, the loud rustling of bushes mingled with hurried footsteps echoed through the trees.
The commotion wasn't just from a human but also from animals, their claws scraping against the ground as they ran swiftly.
"Oooooohhhhhh!"
"Ooooooh, ooooooh!!"
"Stop chasing me! Even if you catch me, I'm not giving you anything, hehehe♂! The road is wide open—why don't we just go our separate ways?"
In this remote mountain forest, a game of cat and mouse was unfolding.
To be precise, it was a pack of gray wolves in pursuit of a blond boy—Izzy Aylward—who had made the unfortunate decision to treat one of their lone companions as lunch.
Izzy, for reasons that would likely sound absurd in retrospect, was on a journey toward the westernmost part of the continent.
Now, his journey had hit a major snag. He was being relentlessly pursued by a large pack of gray wolves.
Forced to navigate the jungle's uneven terrain at high speed, his once-impressive stamina was beginning to waver. His breath came in ragged pants, and every step felt heavier.
It didn't help that he was carrying a leather backpack on his back and gripping a two-meter-long black iron spear.
The sheer physical toll made Izzy increasingly anxious.
In life-or-death situations, who could possibly stay calm? Especially when your pursuers—a pack of unsportsmanlike wolves—were looking to tear you apart.
Calmness? That was a luxury Izzy couldn't afford.
The only reason he still had the energy to throw taunts over his shoulder was to distract himself from the misery of his predicament.
Not that the wolves understood a word of his sarcasm, but oddly enough, every time he shouted something, their pace seemed to quicken as though offended by his insolence.
"It's pretty obvious this can't go on much longer. If I keep running, I'll be the first to collapse!"
Izzy leaped over a massive tree root, the spear in his hand moving as if it were an extension of his arm.
Although the spear added extra weight, making it a burden while running, it was also an indispensable companion on his journey. After months of traveling through monster-infested wilderness, the weapon was practically an extension of his own body.
He knew all too well how essential it was to be armed. Out here, where monsters lurked at every turn, fighting empty-handed wasn't an option.
What was he supposed to do—take on a pack of wolves with his bare fists? He wasn't some legendary monster-slaying hero.
Even worse, monsters in this forest didn't play fair—they attacked in groups. Just like the pack of wolves currently nipping at his heels.
"I've got to find a way to shake these mutts," Izzy muttered to himself, zigzagging through the undergrowth. "If I don't, I'm going to run out of steam. Fast."
His eyes scanned the forest for anything that might give him an edge.
The best scenario? Luring this pack of overzealous huskies into the territory of another monster species. If chaos broke out between rival predators, Izzy might have the opening he needed to escape.
As he dashed through the bushes, his mind raced to formulate a plan.
Thanks to his grandfather—a seasoned hunter—Izzy had grown up learning how to both track and evade. He'd been chased by wolves before, but back then, he'd always managed to outsmart them with his stamina and his grandfather's hard-earned lessons.
This time, though, the situation was far more dire.
The reason? This time, Izzy wasn't just the clever prey.
This time, he was the one who had upset the natural order—and the wolves were hell-bent on making him pay for it.
The Grey Wolf Pack!
This was not a creature you would find in your hometown. No, the Grey Wolf Pack existed only in the adventure notes penned by wandering bards.
Their speed far surpassed that of ordinary wolves, making them a terror beyond the reach of normal beasts.
And now, Izzy was truly caught in a life-or-death game of cat and mouse with them.
The kind where losing meant dying.
"Monsters."
That's what they were. Brutal creatures that had roamed in and out of the world-famous underground labyrinth since ancient times. Over time, they began to spread across the surface, terrorizing travelers and adventurers alike.
It was said that the closer you ventured to the underground labyrinth, the greater your chances of encountering monsters, as all of them originated from the labyrinth's depths.
For ordinary people, even the weakest of monsters—be it a goblin or an earth spirit—could pose a fatal threat. Stronger monsters, like the Grey Wolf Pack chasing Izzy, were on a completely different level.
Only adventurers blessed by the gods, empowered with divine grace, could stand a chance against them.
For most, even the sight of a Grey Wolf Pack would send chills down their spine. Wolves always hunted in packs, and their sheer numbers made them an overwhelming threat. Even some low-ranking adventurers would be hard-pressed to face them, let alone ordinary folk.
Izzy hadn't wanted to provoke them.
But when hunger struck, and he stumbled upon a lone gray wolf, the temptation had been too great.
It's said that when a friend visits and brings you food, it's polite to reciprocate. With that spirit in mind, Izzy had used his stash of spices to prepare a remarkably delicious lunch out of the wolf.
And at first, nothing happened.
But wolves were vengeful creatures, fiercely loyal to their pack.
When one of their own was harmed, they would stop at nothing to hunt down the culprit.
And so, here Izzy was, running for his life as the vengeful pack bore down on him.
The chase continued relentlessly until an unexpected event shifted the tide.
"ROAR…"
A thunderous roar echoed across the forest, loud enough to reach Izzy's ears.
His eyes lit up with renewed hope.
That was it!
This was the opportunity he needed to escape.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Izzy surged forward with newfound speed. Despite his slim build, he moved through the woods with astonishing agility, accelerating rapidly.
It was obvious to anyone that the roar belonged to a powerful creature—exactly the kind of distraction Izzy needed.
Unlike the monsters in the labyrinth, the ones lurking in the wild were fiercely territorial. They rarely coexisted peacefully. In fact, when monsters of different species crossed paths, conflict was almost inevitable.
If Izzy could lure the Grey Wolf Pack into the territory of this roaring creature, chaos would break out. And amidst the confusion, he might finally escape.
Afterward, he'd need to find a safe place to clean himself and mask his scent to prevent the wolves from tracking him again.
But in his exhilaration, Izzy failed to notice one crucial detail.
The roar reverberating through the forest wasn't just aggressive—it carried a note of grief, the sound of a creature wounded and on the brink of death.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest...
"Roar, roar, roar!!!"
"Salvo! Cut it off on the ground! Don't let it escape into the air!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The orders came from a commanding voice, one belonging to the goddess of the Hunting Clan.
Around her, a group of warriors—all women—responded in unison, their discipline unshakable.
In the seemingly endless forest, arrows rained down like a deadly storm upon a flying dragon that roared in pain and defiance.
This was no ordinary hunt. This was a dragon hunt.
The hunting party, twenty strong, consisted primarily of elves and other sub-human women.
They wore light clothing designed for ease of movement, and their primary weapons were bows and arrows. Each piece of equipment bore the emblem of a crescent moon entwined with a bow and arrow, a symbol of their clan.
The huntresses fixed their sharp, hawk-like gazes on the flying dragon. With uncanny precision, their arrows pierced the delicate membranes of its wings, stripping it of its ability to fly.
Grounded and staggering, the dragon could no longer soar into the sky it once ruled. But this injury only made the creature more ferocious.
It roared, a bone-chilling sound that reverberated through the dense forest. Like a wounded beast cornered by hunters, it thrashed with rage and stumbled deeper into the thick underbrush, desperate and dangerous.
At that very moment, Izzy burst through the bushes—bushes nearly as tall as a man—and found himself face-to-face with the charging dragon.
The creature's massive form loomed before him, its eyes alight with fury.
"Human?!"
The huntresses, still in hot pursuit of their prey, froze at the sight of him.
It was utterly incomprehensible. What was a human doing in this part of the forest—a place teeming with monsters?
And why, of all moments, had he appeared now?
It was as if someone had stepped out into the middle of a battlefield, completely unbidden and absurdly out of place.
"Young man, get out of the way!"
The goddess leading the hunt, her radiant blue hair gleaming beneath the dappled forest sunlight, called out sharply.
Almost in the same breath, she drew an arrow from the quiver at her waist, nocked it to her bow, and let it fly with blinding speed.
As the arrow streaked toward its target, her mind raced with a silent prayer that it would strike true. She needed to kill the dragon before it could bring harm to the boy.
No matter the reason behind this bizarre situation, she would not allow someone to be harmed if she could help it.
The goddess's compassion was pure and unyielding—a guiding force as steady as her aim.
---
For Izzy, time seemed to freeze.
His breath caught as he stared at the massive creature barreling toward him, its bloody maw stretched wide and filled with razor-sharp teeth.
He had come here to escape! So why did it feel like he had stumbled into a death trap instead?
Was this fate's way of punishing him for trying to outwit the wolves?
The dragon locked its furious gaze onto him. Unable to lash out at the huntresses raining arrows from behind, it decided to vent its wrath on this lone human.
The creature lunged forward, its hot, foul breath washing over Izzy like the very essence of death.
The world around him seemed to slow. Colors dulled, sounds muffled, and even his thoughts faded into a strange, muted clarity.
It lasted only a fleeting moment.
But when time resumed, the survival instincts honed through countless hardships kicked in.
"Aaaaaaaaah!"
Izzy roared as he swung the black iron spear he had carried through his harrowing escape. The weapon whistled through the air in a deadly arc before slamming into the dragon's neck and throat.
The beast jerked violently, stunned by the sudden and devastating blow.
The goddess's arrow followed an instant later, flying with perfect precision.
It struck the dragon's head, and a burst of black steam erupted from the wound. The creature gave one final, agonized roar before its massive body froze in place.
A heartbeat later, the dragon collapsed, its body dissipating into black crystalline shards that scattered across the forest floor.
Izzy, having thrown his full weight behind his spear, stumbled forward as the dragon vanished.
With nothing to brace against, he fell uncontrollably, his vision spinning.
The last thing he saw was the rough bark of a tree trunk rushing toward him.
And just before he lost consciousness, a dazzling blue shimmer appeared faintly at the edge of his vision.
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Chapter 2: Artemis Familia
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In the heart of the woods, a small, clear waterfall cascaded gracefully from the rocky heights, resembling a shimmering ribbon of white silk. The falling water splashed into a fine spray, scattering beads of foam that filled the air, creating a misty veil over the mountain stream and forest.
Below the waterfall lay a tranquil lake, its surface tinted green by the reflection of the surrounding trees. The mist rising from the water wrapped the area in an ethereal haze. The gentle sound of the waterfall mingled with the rhythmic lapping of the water against the lake's edge.
Adding to this serene scene were the cheerful voices of girls playing in the water.
Ripples spread across the lake's blue surface, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. It was a breathtaking tableau, but there was no one here to admire its beauty.
After a grueling battle, it was tradition for the huntresses to gather at this spot, washing away the grime and exhaustion with the cool, clear water. For them, this ritual was a welcome reprieve, a time of both relaxation and camaraderie.
Often, they would mix the practical task of cleaning themselves with lighthearted chatter, gossiping about the day's events or musing over what to prepare for dinner.
But today was different.
There was a new topic on everyone's mind.
"Ugh, my whole body's sticky and gross! I can't stand it!"
A half-elf girl with light blue hair and pointed ears groaned dramatically, her face scrunched up in discomfort.
Around her, several other elven girls voiced their agreement.
For elves, who held cleanliness in high regard, being drenched in sweat and grime after prolonged combat was intolerable.
"Lante, don't phrase it like that. If the goddess hears you, she'll scold you," a red-haired human girl in the center of the group admonished sharply.
"Ehehe~"
The half-elf, Lante, stuck out her tongue and gave an awkward grin, scratching the back of her head as if to deflect the reprimand.
At just thirteen years old, Lante was the youngest member of the clan. She had been an abandoned child, left to fend for herself in a desolate mountain, until the goddess found her and brought her into their fold.
Years of care and nurturing under the goddess's guidance had shaped her into a lively, cheerful girl. Lante's playful nature often added levity to the group, though lately, her antics had grown bolder, likely a result of adolescence or a budding rebellious streak.
"It's all that human's fault!" Lante pouted, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "We were doing fine with the dragon hunt, and then he had to show up out of nowhere, scare everyone, and bring a whole pack of Grey Wolves with him! Unbelievable!"
She punched the water with her small fists, sending droplets splashing into the air. In her mind, if Izzy were standing before her now, she wouldn't hesitate to give him a piece of her mind—and maybe her fists, too.
Of course, knowing Lante, after venting her frustration, she'd probably end up kneeling down and begging Izzy not to die from the scolding.
Despite her youthful appearance, Lante was no ordinary girl. As a recipient of divine Falna and a seasoned adventurer who had reached the lofty heights of LV2, her physical capabilities far exceeded those of normal humans.
Even though Izzy's strength was exceptional for someone without divine Falna, he was still no match for Lante.
In this world, Falna acted as a gift from the gods, empowering its bearers to grow stronger by defeating monsters and unlocking their latent potential.
It was, in every sense, a cheat code bestowed by the divine.
Still, Lante's annoyance with Izzy wasn't truly born from his accidental disruption of their hunt or the chaos he'd caused with the wolves.
What frustrated her most was his sheer recklessness.
He had no real strength or preparation, yet he had the audacity to venture aimlessly into the deep forest.
When Izzy had fallen unconscious earlier, the goddess had confirmed that he bore no trace of Falna, meaning he had never joined a clan. He was just an ordinary person.
For someone like that to be wandering in a dense forest teeming with monsters was no different from an old man hanging himself out of sheer boredom with life.
"Maybe the boy simply got lost in the forest and had the bad luck of being hunted by a pack of gray wolves. Besides, didn't Vivan's wyvern hunt end successfully in the end? Lante, stop complaining already," Rethusa , the red-haired human woman, said with a sigh as she tried to console the half-elf girl.
As the leader and most senior member of the clan, Rethusa often took on a maternal role alongside the goddess.
After all, the other girls were younger than her, with many still being minors.
"That may be true, but it still feels like I went through that monster attack for no reason. I can't help feeling a little annoyed…" Lante pouted, her face tinged with lingering resentment.
At thirteen, Lante was still too young to see things from other people's perspectives or to take their feelings into account the way Rethusa did.
It wasn't a matter of strength but rather one of experience and maturity.
The other girls in the clan understood this and wisely chose not to involve themselves in the conversation. Instead, they turned to chatting quietly among themselves.
"Speaking of which, that boy is so handsome! He's totally my type!"
"Oh, I thought the same! He looked so dashing when he charged at the flying dragon with all he had!"
"Like one of those heroes in adventure stories, right? I completely get it~"
Around the lake, the girls blushed and giggled as they shared their thoughts, each more enthusiastic than the last.
When it came to love and romance, their excitement was almost uncontrollable.
This was particularly true because their goddess, Artemis, was one of the three most famous virgin goddesses in the world and the divine symbol of chastity.
Under her strict rule, the clan had strict prohibitions against dating or showing interest in men—even something as simple as shaking hands was forbidden.
The natural romantic inclinations of these girls, all in the bloom of youth, had been forcibly suppressed for so long that they couldn't help but indulge in their fantasies whenever the opportunity arose.
If Artemis ever relented and allowed them to pursue love, they would probably throw themselves into romance like birds released from their cages.
When that day came, some of them joked that the first thing they'd do would be to parade their boyfriends in front of the goddess just to bask in the "sour aroma of love" under her watchful eye.
As the girls' chatter grew increasingly animated, Rethusa found herself stepping in once again, this time with a note of exasperation.
"Enough, all of you. The goddess isn't far away. Do you want her to scold the whole group?"
It was the second time in quick succession that she had invoked the name of their goddess, and for good reason.
The mere mention of Artemis carried more weight than any authority she could wield as the team leader. When love became the topic of discussion, only the specter of divine rebuke could rein in their enthusiasm.
"What's the big deal…? The goddess is far away. There's no way she can hear us~" one of the girls, a brown-haired elf, murmured with faint defiance.
"Unfortunately for you," a clear, melodic voice interrupted, "while I may be farther than usual, I did hear everything."
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Chapter 3: A goddess beside me~
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"Although I may be a little far from you, I'm afraid the truth will disappoint you—I heard everything."
At that moment, a cold, clear female voice rang out from the other side of the lake. The voice, though pleasant to the ears, carried a tone of seriousness and an unmistakable air of authority.
Emerging from the mist at the lake's edge, a goddess with aqua-blue hair approached the group. Draped in a white bathrobe, she interrupted their chatter with her mere presence.
Her flawless figure was accentuated by the simplicity of her robe, and her emerald-green eyes, sharp and radiant like gemstones, exuded calmness and dignity.
A goddess with an uncompromising demeanor.
One glance was enough to recognize her divine nature. There was an innate distinction between gods and mortals. Even stripped of any indicators of divinity—no adornments, no aura—her presence alone announced, "This is a god!" Awe and reverence were instinctive responses.
The brown-haired girl who had weakly complained earlier froze as the goddess's voice resonated. Her face fell immediately, paling like a child caught red-handed by a strict parent.
With a nervous smile, she raised her hands to frame her cheeks in a mockingly cute gesture, as though trying to plead innocence.
"I'm sorry, Lady Artemis... I was wrong~"
"It's too late! Chloe, come to my tent before you sleep tonight."
Artemis's expression remained stern, her lips parting just enough to deliver her decree in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Yes… I understand."
Chloe's reply was soft and laden with resignation. Her fate was sealed, and she mentally prepared for the long night ahead.
The goddess's lectures were legendary within the Familia, not because of their intensity, but because of their sheer persistence.
Even if Chloe managed to lie down in her tent later, she'd still hear Artemis's voice ringing in her ears, driving every lesson home. It was not merely a possibility—it was a well-established fact among her companions.
Once Chloe's punishment was declared, Artemis's stern gaze swept over the rest of the girls. Her sharp, watchful eyes were a silent warning, cataloging every potential offender.
Her stare was akin to that of a teacher marking her students for future mischief. The girls shifted uncomfortably, feeling as though her eyes pierced through them, and soon none of them dared even to breathe too loudly.
Who knew who might be next to face judgment? It was far better to tread carefully and remain unnoticed.
After a tense moment, Artemis finally withdrew her gaze.
Rethusa, standing nearby, seemed hesitant, as though she wanted to say something but thought better of it. With a soft sigh, she quietly stepped away.
Once the goddess had left, the girls exchanged furtive glances, checking the surroundings like thieves assessing their safety.
Their eyes lingered on the path Artemis had taken, ensuring no signs of her imminent return. Only when they were absolutely certain she was gone did their whispered chatter resume.
Though subdued for a while, the bubbling enthusiasm of youth was not something that could be stifled for long.
---
After finishing her bath and donning fresh clothes, Artemis strolled back to the camp, still clad in her bathrobe. She rubbed her temples wearily with her free hand.
"Just let time pass…" she murmured softly to herself.
As the goddess and leader of the Familia, she was acutely aware of the thoughts and feelings of her charges.
Did they truly believe that by pretending to behave, they could hide their intentions from her?
What a joke! More than half of the girls in this Familia grew up under her care—how could Artemis not know what they were thinking?
She simply chose not to say it.
Of course, part of the reason was that she wouldn't know how to put it into words even if she tried.
After all, Artemis was a virgin goddess who had never even been in a romantic relationship herself.
At times like this, Artemis would chalk the girls' behavior up to the restlessness of adolescence. Her approach was always to suppress it gently and wait patiently for this phase to pass.
Initially, Artemis had intended to ask Rethusa to check on the boy they rescued earlier.
But now, seeing how doting Rethusa was with the girls in the Familia, Artemis realized that sending her might lead to more trouble. Rethusa rarely refused their requests, no matter how minor—something as simple as "Can I come too?" would likely result in the entire group tagging along.
Would it be better for me to go alone?
The thought flickered across Artemis's mind.
Surprisingly, she felt no resistance to this idea. In fact, she didn't even notice her own acceptance of it.
---
The makeshift tent camp wasn't far from the lake, so it didn't take Artemis long to return.
After dropping off her bathrobe in her own tent, she approached a small tent at the camp's edge. With a mix of curiosity and complicated thoughts, she lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
There wasn't much to describe about the interior—plain and utilitarian, as expected of a temporary shelter meant only for nighttime use. Everything would be dismantled and packed up come morning.
The blond boy they had rescued earlier was still lying on the beige cotton sheet, a small piece of white gauze covering his forehead. He was tucked under a simple quilt and showed no signs of waking.
"…Hmm?"
Artemis moved closer, quietly squatting beside him. Her emerald-green eyes studied his face, a faint frown forming as an odd feeling resurfaced.
There was something about him that didn't sit right, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
This strange sensation had first stirred when she saw him during the battle. But with her attention focused on the fight, she had dismissed it as unimportant.
Now, in the quiet stillness of the tent, the feeling grew stronger.
Very strange…
Lost in thought, Artemis's mind drifted as she mulled over her vague unease.
---
Meanwhile, Izzy teetered on the edge of consciousness, caught in that lazy, half-dreaming state where one hovers between waking and sleeping.
But the pull of wakefulness grew stronger, and soon his senses began to sharpen.
The darkness behind his eyelids receded, replaced by dim light, and his mind slowly cleared. He blinked two or three times, his vision adjusting to the surroundings.
A cloth ceiling… Am I in a tent?
Izzy assessed his situation, the pieces falling into place.
Was I rescued?
Though his memory was hazy, he recalled vague shapes and voices before he lost consciousness. Someone had been near him.
Wait—not just then. Someone's near me now.
A flash of blue caught the edge of his vision, compelling Izzy to turn his head. From his position lying on his back, a slight tilt was enough to bring the figure into view.
What he saw left him momentarily breathless.
An ethereal beauty sat beside him, lost in her thoughts. Her aqua-blue hair framed a face that seemed otherworldly, exuding both elegance and authority.
She didn't seem to notice him yet, her focus distant.
"…Hiss."
Izzy inhaled sharply, his body tensing instinctively. He leaned back slightly, as if trying to create space between them—or perhaps as a reflexive retreat from the sheer weight of her presence.
…Leaning back? That didn't feel quite right.
Could someone please explain why, upon waking from unconscious, he was greeted by the sight of a goddess sitting at his side?
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Chapter 4: listening is not impossible~
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The spacious field of vision encompassed the simple white cloth walls of the tent and the elegant figure of the blue-haired goddess sitting quietly beside him.
At that moment, fragments of Izzy's memories before he fainted began to resurface, especially the radiant blue light that overlapped with the image of the goddess before him.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Back then... he was saved by the goddess Artemis? And now, he'd been brought back to her camp?
Although "picked up and taken home" might not be the most appropriate way to describe it, there wasn't much wrong with the sentiment either.
Izzy knew the goddess sitting before him. In fact, he knew her quite well, even though they had never met.
More than ten years ago, during a meteor shower in a remote village, Izzy had been reborn into this world as an infant, retaining the memories of his past life.
Before his reincarnation, Izzy had been an ordinary person with no particularly outstanding traits—unless having the same name as a popular character in a well-known game counted. His hobbies had been limited to watching anime and reading light novels.
Thanks to this, when Izzy was a child and heard stories about labyrinths, gods, and adventurers from a traveling bard, he quickly realized where he had ended up.
This world could only be Orario—the land of underground labyrinths, gods descended to earth, and adventurers seeking glory.
From that day forward, Izzy had dreamed of becoming an adventurer and experiencing the vibrant world he had loved so much.
Sixteen years had since passed, and the boy who had longed for Orario since childhood had finally persuaded his parents to let him embark on this journey.
At sixteen, he was considered an adult in this world, old enough to be independent. Moreover, his parents had always been reassured by his responsible nature, which made them confident he could take care of himself.
But the journey to Orario wasn't without its dangers. It wasn't long before Izzy found himself exchanging "gifts" with a pack of gray wolves—an encounter that quickly turned into a life-or-death chase.
And now, as fate would have it, he had been rescued by a goddess and brought to her camp, where he found himself… alone with Artemis?
To be honest, this wasn't just Izzy's fantasy.
It was his reality.
Sure, the goddess appeared lost in her own thoughts for now, but that didn't change the fact that they were alone together.
Not for long, though. As Izzy cautiously sat up, Artemis snapped out of her daze and noticed he was awake.
"Hmm? You're awake. How are you feeling? Do you feel unwell?"
Her soft, melodic voice carried a calm yet concerned tone. A faint smile graced her lips, but perhaps realizing the situation, she quickly tempered it.
"Thank you. I don't feel unwell, and I appreciate your help," Izzy replied sincerely.
Well, aside from the dull ache in his forehead...
Izzy wasn't too bothered by the pain—it was, after all, the area where he had been injured. His main concern was whether it would leave a scar. He cared quite a bit about maintaining his handsome appearance.
"You're welcome," Artemis replied with a nod. "But you should be more careful next time. It's very dangerous for ordinary people to venture into the forest alone. Where is your home? If it's along our path, we can escort you back."
Her tone was serious, her words well-meaning.
Izzy, however, froze at her suggestion.
Home?
He had spent the last three or four months traveling far from home, all for the sole purpose of reaching Orario. He wasn't about to turn back now—not when his dream was so close.
After all, he hadn't traveled this far just to give up. He had come to find a god, sign a contract, and become… well, not a monkey spirit, but an adventurer.
"You're actually going to send me back?"
For a moment, Izzy didn't know what to say. His brain had automatically dismissed the possibility that the goddess's camp might be along the way.
"What's wrong? Did I say something inappropriate?"
Noticing Izzy's reaction, Artemis tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
"No, it's not your fault," Yize replied after a brief pause. "It's just… I left home because I wanted to become an adventurer, and now I'm heading to—"
"The labyrinth city of Orario?"
Before he could finish, the goddess had already guessed his destination.
"At the westernmost edge of the continent lies the center of the world, blessed by the gods…"
The phrase was nearly a cliché, heard countless times in bardic tales and adventure stories. While it held a grain of truth, reality was far harsher.
Many aspiring adventurers arrived in Orario only to find themselves stuck, unable to take their first steps without Falna.
But still… Artemis studied the boy before her more closely, her gaze thoughtful.
Are teenagers still so captivated by the idealized tales in books?
Probably.
"Um… Goddess, I think you might have misunderstood something," Izzy interjected, noticing her expression.
"Misunderstood?"
"Well, the way you were looking at me just now… it felt, uh, subtle."
"Ahem. You must be imagining things."
"..."
Izzy sighed inwardly. He was confident he hadn't imagined it, but what could he do? If a goddess denied something outright, there wasn't much room to argue.
"You're heading to Orario…" Artemis murmured, lifting a slender finger to rest against her chin in thought.
After a brief moment of contemplation, she turned her gaze back to Izzy. This time, her emerald eyes glimmered faintly, though her expression remained composed.
"Should I call this a coincidence, or just plain luck? My familia recently completed a dragon-hunting commission, and we're on our way back to Orario for repairs."
Izzy blinked, stunned. A small part of him already guessed where this was leading.
As expected, Artemis continued, "If you're willing to follow my instructions, I can take you with us."
"Really? Thank you so much, Goddess!"
Izzy straightened up, his face lighting up with excitement.
Traveling with a powerful familia would not only reduce the dangers of the journey but also solve one of his biggest problems: he didn't know the way!
To be fair, according to his father, Izzy's village wasn't as far from Orario as he had initially thought. Many bards had said that, if one followed a merchant caravan, it typically took about two months to reach the labyrinth city.
Yet somehow, Izzy had managed to nearly double that time.
He had begun his journey with a caravan, but about two weeks into the trip, a sudden monster attack had separated him from the group.
Since then, he had been traveling alone, stopping and starting intermittently.
Perhaps he had an uncanny grudge against forest-dwelling monsters, as he seemed to encounter them almost every time he passed through wooded areas. Goblins, earth spirits, stone golems—Izzy had faced them all.
Before even setting foot in Orario's dungeon, he had already experienced a fair share of fights.
His guiding principle had been simple: if he couldn't win, he'd run. But running blindly often meant losing his sense of direction entirely.
Looking back, his journey had been nothing short of chaotic.
'Ah… Just recounting it brings tears to my eyes!'
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Chapter 5: Overwhelming…
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After agreeing to travel with Artemis' familia, Izzy and Artemis began to converse casually during their journey.
During this time, Izzy also introduced himself—a bit belatedly, considering how long they had already been talking.
As they spoke, Rethusa returned to the camp with the other girls from the familia, who had just finished cleaning up and were now preparing dinner.
Not long after, when the girls saw Artemis and Izzy emerging from a tent at the edge of the camp, their expressions shifted into something that could only be described as… extraordinary.
Wait… what?
The goddess Artemis—who governed chastity and was famously oblivious to the concept of love—had just walked out of a tent with a man?
Oh. My. Goddess.
The world had clearly gone mad.
They had only stepped away to take a quick bath. What on earth had happened during that time?
"Eh? Eh, eh, EH!!! Lady Artemis! Have you finally come to your senses? You actually spent time alone with a man at night… Does this mean we're finally free!?"
Artemis barely had time to take a step outside the tent before this sudden exclamation rang out, echoing through the camp for all to hear.
The voice carried a lively, almost mischievous tone, laced with a teasing joy that somehow managed to toe the line of impudence.
There was only one person in the familia who would dare to speak like this.
"Lante! You and Chloe come to my tent tonight as well!"
Artemis' cheeks flushed a deep red, and her furious shout seemed to reverberate like a thunderclap. Her expression was so fierce she looked like Medusa herself, ready to turn someone to stone.
For a brief moment, Izzy could have sworn he saw her hair ripple unnaturally, but the image was gone in an instant.
Lante, who had been gleeful just a moment ago, suddenly froze in place, her joy draining away.
"S-Sorry…"
'Oh no… I got too carried away…'
Lante cursed her loose tongue. This wasn't something she should have said in public. If she wanted to gossip about Lady Artemis' private matters, she should have done it behind closed doors!
The other girls in the familia exchanged looks. Most were exasperated with Lante's antics, though a few shot her glances filled with admiration. To them, she was a true warrior—bold enough to challenge the goddess herself.
Chloe, meanwhile, seemed positively gleeful at the thought of having company for her lecture tonight.
"Hehehe~"
Seeing Lante bow her head in apology, Artemis finally let out a frustrated sigh. Her sharp gaze swept over the other girls, all of whom were staring at her and Izzy with curiosity.
What's with those suspicious, gossipy looks?
Surely, they didn't actually believe Lante's nonsense? Did they really think that just because she was alone with a man, something had happened?
Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose. This was going to be a long night.
"Rethusa."
"I'm here, Lady Artemis."
The captain of the familia stepped forward immediately, her face calm and professional. But deep inside, even Rethusa couldn't suppress her growing curiosity.
"Izzy will be traveling with us until we reach Orario," Artemis stated firmly. "Inform everyone about this arrangement, and make sure they don't get any strange ideas!"
Her tone was resolute, but her warning seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Rethusa gave a polite nod, her expression betraying nothing. "Understood, goddess."
However, internally, her thoughts were anything but composed.
'Oh, my goddess… You even called him by name! And you still expect us to believe nothing's going on?'
Although Artemis was a goddess, there was nothing unusual about her calling a mortal by his name.
But that didn't stop Rethusa from quietly indulging in her own gossip, did it?
Unaware that even her trusted captain was speculating about her affairs, Artemis gave Rethusa a few simple instructions before retreating to her tent alone.
She needed some time to calm down.
Whether her frustration stemmed from her clan's antics or some other reason, she wasn't entirely sure.
---
As soon as Artemis left, the girls—who had been on their best behavior moments ago—suddenly erupted into a flurry of chatter. In the blink of an eye, they surrounded Rethusa and Izzy like a pack of curious children.
Their barrage of questions was relentless.
Why had he been chased by the gray wolf pack? What was it like to be alone with the goddess? How far had his relationship with Artemis progressed?
They even asked about his age, preferences, height, and family background.
This feels more thorough than a census…
By the way, wasn't it a bit much to ask what stage their relationship had reached?
Izzy didn't mind chatting with girls. He genuinely enjoyed their company; after all, they were soft-spoken and kind.
But judging by the overwhelming energy of the group, he was starting to feel like he might be in over his head.
Fortunately, as the team leader, Rethusa held considerable authority among the girls. After patiently explaining the situation, their clamor gradually died down, and the camp grew quiet.
Well… relatively quiet.
There was still dinner to prepare, and if they kept up their excitement, they might not even get around to cooking.
Adventurers needed to eat, after all!
And it wasn't just them—Artemis needed to eat too. After sealing their divine powers, gods were no different from mortals in this regard.
---
When dinner was ready, Artemis emerged from her tent to join the group at the campfire, as she always did.
However, tonight there was a new addition to the familia—Izzy. Even though he deliberately sat in a corner to avoid drawing attention, many of the girls still flocked to him, eager to chat.
Artemis couldn't stand it any longer.
She issued a warning to the group, but her words did little to deter them.
The goddess refrained from being too harsh—dinner was not the time for strict reprimands.
Finally, she made up her mind and sat directly next to Izzy.
Whenever someone tried to approach him, Artemis would meet them with a glare so sharp it sent them scurrying away.
---
After dinner, the camp gradually settled into the quiet of the night. The girls huddled in their tents, whispering among themselves. Outside, only the sound of the campfire crackling softly broke the silence.
Given the unique circumstances, Izzy had been assigned his own tent. However, since he'd already slept for much of the afternoon while recovering, he found himself unable to fall asleep now.
Restless, he decided to slip out of his tent and sat down on a large rock at the edge of the camp.
It wasn't yet time for the night watch to begin. Usually, the person assigned to keep watch would take a light nap and start their shift later in the night.
Besides, the surrounding monsters had already been cleared during the day. Unless something unusual occurred, an attack at night was unlikely.
With nothing else to do, he gazed quietly at the stars, letting the stillness of the night wash over him.
_______
Chapter 1: Prologue: Encounter with the Goddess
____
Rustle... rustle... rustle...
In the heart of a lush forest, the loud rustling of bushes mingled with hurried footsteps echoed through the trees.
The commotion wasn't just from a human but also from animals, their claws scraping against the ground as they ran swiftly.
"Oooooohhhhhh!"
"Ooooooh, ooooooh!!"
"Stop chasing me! Even if you catch me, I'm not giving you anything, hehehe♂! The road is wide open—why don't we just go our separate ways?"
In this remote mountain forest, a game of cat and mouse was unfolding.
To be precise, it was a pack of gray wolves in pursuit of a blond boy—Izzy Aylward—who had made the unfortunate decision to treat one of their lone companions as lunch.
Izzy, for reasons that would likely sound absurd in retrospect, was on a journey toward the westernmost part of the continent.
Now, his journey had hit a major snag. He was being relentlessly pursued by a large pack of gray wolves.
Forced to navigate the jungle's uneven terrain at high speed, his once-impressive stamina was beginning to waver. His breath came in ragged pants, and every step felt heavier.
It didn't help that he was carrying a leather backpack on his back and gripping a two-meter-long black iron spear.
The sheer physical toll made Izzy increasingly anxious.
In life-or-death situations, who could possibly stay calm? Especially when your pursuers—a pack of unsportsmanlike wolves—were looking to tear you apart.
Calmness? That was a luxury Izzy couldn't afford.
The only reason he still had the energy to throw taunts over his shoulder was to distract himself from the misery of his predicament.
Not that the wolves understood a word of his sarcasm, but oddly enough, every time he shouted something, their pace seemed to quicken as though offended by his insolence.
"It's pretty obvious this can't go on much longer. If I keep running, I'll be the first to collapse!"
Izzy leaped over a massive tree root, the spear in his hand moving as if it were an extension of his arm.
Although the spear added extra weight, making it a burden while running, it was also an indispensable companion on his journey. After months of traveling through monster-infested wilderness, the weapon was practically an extension of his own body.
He knew all too well how essential it was to be armed. Out here, where monsters lurked at every turn, fighting empty-handed wasn't an option.
What was he supposed to do—take on a pack of wolves with his bare fists? He wasn't some legendary monster-slaying hero.
Even worse, monsters in this forest didn't play fair—they attacked in groups. Just like the pack of wolves currently nipping at his heels.
"I've got to find a way to shake these mutts," Izzy muttered to himself, zigzagging through the undergrowth. "If I don't, I'm going to run out of steam. Fast."
His eyes scanned the forest for anything that might give him an edge.
The best scenario? Luring this pack of overzealous huskies into the territory of another monster species. If chaos broke out between rival predators, Izzy might have the opening he needed to escape.
As he dashed through the bushes, his mind raced to formulate a plan.
Thanks to his grandfather—a seasoned hunter—Izzy had grown up learning how to both track and evade. He'd been chased by wolves before, but back then, he'd always managed to outsmart them with his stamina and his grandfather's hard-earned lessons.
This time, though, the situation was far more dire.
The reason? This time, Izzy wasn't just the clever prey.
This time, he was the one who had upset the natural order—and the wolves were hell-bent on making him pay for it.
The Grey Wolf Pack!
This was not a creature you would find in your hometown. No, the Grey Wolf Pack existed only in the adventure notes penned by wandering bards.
Their speed far surpassed that of ordinary wolves, making them a terror beyond the reach of normal beasts.
And now, Izzy was truly caught in a life-or-death game of cat and mouse with them.
The kind where losing meant dying.
"Monsters."
That's what they were. Brutal creatures that had roamed in and out of the world-famous underground labyrinth since ancient times. Over time, they began to spread across the surface, terrorizing travelers and adventurers alike.
It was said that the closer you ventured to the underground labyrinth, the greater your chances of encountering monsters, as all of them originated from the labyrinth's depths.
For ordinary people, even the weakest of monsters—be it a goblin or an earth spirit—could pose a fatal threat. Stronger monsters, like the Grey Wolf Pack chasing Izzy, were on a completely different level.
Only adventurers blessed by the gods, empowered with divine grace, could stand a chance against them.
For most, even the sight of a Grey Wolf Pack would send chills down their spine. Wolves always hunted in packs, and their sheer numbers made them an overwhelming threat. Even some low-ranking adventurers would be hard-pressed to face them, let alone ordinary folk.
Izzy hadn't wanted to provoke them.
But when hunger struck, and he stumbled upon a lone gray wolf, the temptation had been too great.
It's said that when a friend visits and brings you food, it's polite to reciprocate. With that spirit in mind, Izzy had used his stash of spices to prepare a remarkably delicious lunch out of the wolf.
And at first, nothing happened.
But wolves were vengeful creatures, fiercely loyal to their pack.
When one of their own was harmed, they would stop at nothing to hunt down the culprit.
And so, here Izzy was, running for his life as the vengeful pack bore down on him.
The chase continued relentlessly until an unexpected event shifted the tide.
"ROAR…"
A thunderous roar echoed across the forest, loud enough to reach Izzy's ears.
His eyes lit up with renewed hope.
That was it!
This was the opportunity he needed to escape.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Izzy surged forward with newfound speed. Despite his slim build, he moved through the woods with astonishing agility, accelerating rapidly.
It was obvious to anyone that the roar belonged to a powerful creature—exactly the kind of distraction Izzy needed.
Unlike the monsters in the labyrinth, the ones lurking in the wild were fiercely territorial. They rarely coexisted peacefully. In fact, when monsters of different species crossed paths, conflict was almost inevitable.
If Izzy could lure the Grey Wolf Pack into the territory of this roaring creature, chaos would break out. And amidst the confusion, he might finally escape.
Afterward, he'd need to find a safe place to clean himself and mask his scent to prevent the wolves from tracking him again.
But in his exhilaration, Izzy failed to notice one crucial detail.
The roar reverberating through the forest wasn't just aggressive—it carried a note of grief, the sound of a creature wounded and on the brink of death.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest...
"Roar, roar, roar!!!"
"Salvo! Cut it off on the ground! Don't let it escape into the air!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The orders came from a commanding voice, one belonging to the goddess of the Hunting Clan.
Around her, a group of warriors—all women—responded in unison, their discipline unshakable.
In the seemingly endless forest, arrows rained down like a deadly storm upon a flying dragon that roared in pain and defiance.
This was no ordinary hunt. This was a dragon hunt.
The hunting party, twenty strong, consisted primarily of elves and other sub-human women.
They wore light clothing designed for ease of movement, and their primary weapons were bows and arrows. Each piece of equipment bore the emblem of a crescent moon entwined with a bow and arrow, a symbol of their clan.
The huntresses fixed their sharp, hawk-like gazes on the flying dragon. With uncanny precision, their arrows pierced the delicate membranes of its wings, stripping it of its ability to fly.
Grounded and staggering, the dragon could no longer soar into the sky it once ruled. But this injury only made the creature more ferocious.
It roared, a bone-chilling sound that reverberated through the dense forest. Like a wounded beast cornered by hunters, it thrashed with rage and stumbled deeper into the thick underbrush, desperate and dangerous.
At that very moment, Izzy burst through the bushes—bushes nearly as tall as a man—and found himself face-to-face with the charging dragon.
The creature's massive form loomed before him, its eyes alight with fury.
"Human?!"
The huntresses, still in hot pursuit of their prey, froze at the sight of him.
It was utterly incomprehensible. What was a human doing in this part of the forest—a place teeming with monsters?
And why, of all moments, had he appeared now?
It was as if someone had stepped out into the middle of a battlefield, completely unbidden and absurdly out of place.
"Young man, get out of the way!"
The goddess leading the hunt, her radiant blue hair gleaming beneath the dappled forest sunlight, called out sharply.
Almost in the same breath, she drew an arrow from the quiver at her waist, nocked it to her bow, and let it fly with blinding speed.
As the arrow streaked toward its target, her mind raced with a silent prayer that it would strike true. She needed to kill the dragon before it could bring harm to the boy.
No matter the reason behind this bizarre situation, she would not allow someone to be harmed if she could help it.
The goddess's compassion was pure and unyielding—a guiding force as steady as her aim.
---
For Izzy, time seemed to freeze.
His breath caught as he stared at the massive creature barreling toward him, its bloody maw stretched wide and filled with razor-sharp teeth.
He had come here to escape! So why did it feel like he had stumbled into a death trap instead?
Was this fate's way of punishing him for trying to outwit the wolves?
The dragon locked its furious gaze onto him. Unable to lash out at the huntresses raining arrows from behind, it decided to vent its wrath on this lone human.
The creature lunged forward, its hot, foul breath washing over Izzy like the very essence of death.
The world around him seemed to slow. Colors dulled, sounds muffled, and even his thoughts faded into a strange, muted clarity.
It lasted only a fleeting moment.
But when time resumed, the survival instincts honed through countless hardships kicked in.
"Aaaaaaaaah!"
Izzy roared as he swung the black iron spear he had carried through his harrowing escape. The weapon whistled through the air in a deadly arc before slamming into the dragon's neck and throat.
The beast jerked violently, stunned by the sudden and devastating blow.
The goddess's arrow followed an instant later, flying with perfect precision.
It struck the dragon's head, and a burst of black steam erupted from the wound. The creature gave one final, agonized roar before its massive body froze in place.
A heartbeat later, the dragon collapsed, its body dissipating into black crystalline shards that scattered across the forest floor.
Izzy, having thrown his full weight behind his spear, stumbled forward as the dragon vanished.
With nothing to brace against, he fell uncontrollably, his vision spinning.
The last thing he saw was the rough bark of a tree trunk rushing toward him.
And just before he lost consciousness, a dazzling blue shimmer appeared faintly at the edge of his vision.
__________
Chapter 2: Artemis Familia
____
In the heart of the woods, a small, clear waterfall cascaded gracefully from the rocky heights, resembling a shimmering ribbon of white silk. The falling water splashed into a fine spray, scattering beads of foam that filled the air, creating a misty veil over the mountain stream and forest.
Below the waterfall lay a tranquil lake, its surface tinted green by the reflection of the surrounding trees. The mist rising from the water wrapped the area in an ethereal haze. The gentle sound of the waterfall mingled with the rhythmic lapping of the water against the lake's edge.
Adding to this serene scene were the cheerful voices of girls playing in the water.
Ripples spread across the lake's blue surface, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. It was a breathtaking tableau, but there was no one here to admire its beauty.
After a grueling battle, it was tradition for the huntresses to gather at this spot, washing away the grime and exhaustion with the cool, clear water. For them, this ritual was a welcome reprieve, a time of both relaxation and camaraderie.
Often, they would mix the practical task of cleaning themselves with lighthearted chatter, gossiping about the day's events or musing over what to prepare for dinner.
But today was different.
There was a new topic on everyone's mind.
"Ugh, my whole body's sticky and gross! I can't stand it!"
A half-elf girl with light blue hair and pointed ears groaned dramatically, her face scrunched up in discomfort.
Around her, several other elven girls voiced their agreement.
For elves, who held cleanliness in high regard, being drenched in sweat and grime after prolonged combat was intolerable.
"Lante, don't phrase it like that. If the goddess hears you, she'll scold you," a red-haired human girl in the center of the group admonished sharply.
"Ehehe~"
The half-elf, Lante, stuck out her tongue and gave an awkward grin, scratching the back of her head as if to deflect the reprimand.
At just thirteen years old, Lante was the youngest member of the clan. She had been an abandoned child, left to fend for herself in a desolate mountain, until the goddess found her and brought her into their fold.
Years of care and nurturing under the goddess's guidance had shaped her into a lively, cheerful girl. Lante's playful nature often added levity to the group, though lately, her antics had grown bolder, likely a result of adolescence or a budding rebellious streak.
"It's all that human's fault!" Lante pouted, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "We were doing fine with the dragon hunt, and then he had to show up out of nowhere, scare everyone, and bring a whole pack of Grey Wolves with him! Unbelievable!"
She punched the water with her small fists, sending droplets splashing into the air. In her mind, if Izzy were standing before her now, she wouldn't hesitate to give him a piece of her mind—and maybe her fists, too.
Of course, knowing Lante, after venting her frustration, she'd probably end up kneeling down and begging Izzy not to die from the scolding.
Despite her youthful appearance, Lante was no ordinary girl. As a recipient of divine Falna and a seasoned adventurer who had reached the lofty heights of LV2, her physical capabilities far exceeded those of normal humans.
Even though Izzy's strength was exceptional for someone without divine Falna, he was still no match for Lante.
In this world, Falna acted as a gift from the gods, empowering its bearers to grow stronger by defeating monsters and unlocking their latent potential.
It was, in every sense, a cheat code bestowed by the divine.
Still, Lante's annoyance with Izzy wasn't truly born from his accidental disruption of their hunt or the chaos he'd caused with the wolves.
What frustrated her most was his sheer recklessness.
He had no real strength or preparation, yet he had the audacity to venture aimlessly into the deep forest.
When Izzy had fallen unconscious earlier, the goddess had confirmed that he bore no trace of Falna, meaning he had never joined a clan. He was just an ordinary person.
For someone like that to be wandering in a dense forest teeming with monsters was no different from an old man hanging himself out of sheer boredom with life.
"Maybe the boy simply got lost in the forest and had the bad luck of being hunted by a pack of gray wolves. Besides, didn't Vivan's wyvern hunt end successfully in the end? Lante, stop complaining already," Rethusa , the red-haired human woman, said with a sigh as she tried to console the half-elf girl.
As the leader and most senior member of the clan, Rethusa often took on a maternal role alongside the goddess.
After all, the other girls were younger than her, with many still being minors.
"That may be true, but it still feels like I went through that monster attack for no reason. I can't help feeling a little annoyed…" Lante pouted, her face tinged with lingering resentment.
At thirteen, Lante was still too young to see things from other people's perspectives or to take their feelings into account the way Rethusa did.
It wasn't a matter of strength but rather one of experience and maturity.
The other girls in the clan understood this and wisely chose not to involve themselves in the conversation. Instead, they turned to chatting quietly among themselves.
"Speaking of which, that boy is so handsome! He's totally my type!"
"Oh, I thought the same! He looked so dashing when he charged at the flying dragon with all he had!"
"Like one of those heroes in adventure stories, right? I completely get it~"
Around the lake, the girls blushed and giggled as they shared their thoughts, each more enthusiastic than the last.
When it came to love and romance, their excitement was almost uncontrollable.
This was particularly true because their goddess, Artemis, was one of the three most famous virgin goddesses in the world and the divine symbol of chastity.
Under her strict rule, the clan had strict prohibitions against dating or showing interest in men—even something as simple as shaking hands was forbidden.
The natural romantic inclinations of these girls, all in the bloom of youth, had been forcibly suppressed for so long that they couldn't help but indulge in their fantasies whenever the opportunity arose.
If Artemis ever relented and allowed them to pursue love, they would probably throw themselves into romance like birds released from their cages.
When that day came, some of them joked that the first thing they'd do would be to parade their boyfriends in front of the goddess just to bask in the "sour aroma of love" under her watchful eye.
As the girls' chatter grew increasingly animated, Rethusa found herself stepping in once again, this time with a note of exasperation.
"Enough, all of you. The goddess isn't far away. Do you want her to scold the whole group?"
It was the second time in quick succession that she had invoked the name of their goddess, and for good reason.
The mere mention of Artemis carried more weight than any authority she could wield as the team leader. When love became the topic of discussion, only the specter of divine rebuke could rein in their enthusiasm.
"What's the big deal…? The goddess is far away. There's no way she can hear us~" one of the girls, a brown-haired elf, murmured with faint defiance.
"Unfortunately for you," a clear, melodic voice interrupted, "while I may be farther than usual, I did hear everything."
__________
Chapter 3: A goddess beside me~
____
"Although I may be a little far from you, I'm afraid the truth will disappoint you—I heard everything."
At that moment, a cold, clear female voice rang out from the other side of the lake. The voice, though pleasant to the ears, carried a tone of seriousness and an unmistakable air of authority.
Emerging from the mist at the lake's edge, a goddess with aqua-blue hair approached the group. Draped in a white bathrobe, she interrupted their chatter with her mere presence.
Her flawless figure was accentuated by the simplicity of her robe, and her emerald-green eyes, sharp and radiant like gemstones, exuded calmness and dignity.
A goddess with an uncompromising demeanor.
One glance was enough to recognize her divine nature. There was an innate distinction between gods and mortals. Even stripped of any indicators of divinity—no adornments, no aura—her presence alone announced, "This is a god!" Awe and reverence were instinctive responses.
The brown-haired girl who had weakly complained earlier froze as the goddess's voice resonated. Her face fell immediately, paling like a child caught red-handed by a strict parent.
With a nervous smile, she raised her hands to frame her cheeks in a mockingly cute gesture, as though trying to plead innocence.
"I'm sorry, Lady Artemis... I was wrong~"
"It's too late! Chloe, come to my tent before you sleep tonight."
Artemis's expression remained stern, her lips parting just enough to deliver her decree in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Yes… I understand."
Chloe's reply was soft and laden with resignation. Her fate was sealed, and she mentally prepared for the long night ahead.
The goddess's lectures were legendary within the Familia, not because of their intensity, but because of their sheer persistence.
Even if Chloe managed to lie down in her tent later, she'd still hear Artemis's voice ringing in her ears, driving every lesson home. It was not merely a possibility—it was a well-established fact among her companions.
Once Chloe's punishment was declared, Artemis's stern gaze swept over the rest of the girls. Her sharp, watchful eyes were a silent warning, cataloging every potential offender.
Her stare was akin to that of a teacher marking her students for future mischief. The girls shifted uncomfortably, feeling as though her eyes pierced through them, and soon none of them dared even to breathe too loudly.
Who knew who might be next to face judgment? It was far better to tread carefully and remain unnoticed.
After a tense moment, Artemis finally withdrew her gaze.
Rethusa, standing nearby, seemed hesitant, as though she wanted to say something but thought better of it. With a soft sigh, she quietly stepped away.
Once the goddess had left, the girls exchanged furtive glances, checking the surroundings like thieves assessing their safety.
Their eyes lingered on the path Artemis had taken, ensuring no signs of her imminent return. Only when they were absolutely certain she was gone did their whispered chatter resume.
Though subdued for a while, the bubbling enthusiasm of youth was not something that could be stifled for long.
---
After finishing her bath and donning fresh clothes, Artemis strolled back to the camp, still clad in her bathrobe. She rubbed her temples wearily with her free hand.
"Just let time pass…" she murmured softly to herself.
As the goddess and leader of the Familia, she was acutely aware of the thoughts and feelings of her charges.
Did they truly believe that by pretending to behave, they could hide their intentions from her?
What a joke! More than half of the girls in this Familia grew up under her care—how could Artemis not know what they were thinking?
She simply chose not to say it.
Of course, part of the reason was that she wouldn't know how to put it into words even if she tried.
After all, Artemis was a virgin goddess who had never even been in a romantic relationship herself.
At times like this, Artemis would chalk the girls' behavior up to the restlessness of adolescence. Her approach was always to suppress it gently and wait patiently for this phase to pass.
Initially, Artemis had intended to ask Rethusa to check on the boy they rescued earlier.
But now, seeing how doting Rethusa was with the girls in the Familia, Artemis realized that sending her might lead to more trouble. Rethusa rarely refused their requests, no matter how minor—something as simple as "Can I come too?" would likely result in the entire group tagging along.
Would it be better for me to go alone?
The thought flickered across Artemis's mind.
Surprisingly, she felt no resistance to this idea. In fact, she didn't even notice her own acceptance of it.
---
The makeshift tent camp wasn't far from the lake, so it didn't take Artemis long to return.
After dropping off her bathrobe in her own tent, she approached a small tent at the camp's edge. With a mix of curiosity and complicated thoughts, she lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
There wasn't much to describe about the interior—plain and utilitarian, as expected of a temporary shelter meant only for nighttime use. Everything would be dismantled and packed up come morning.
The blond boy they had rescued earlier was still lying on the beige cotton sheet, a small piece of white gauze covering his forehead. He was tucked under a simple quilt and showed no signs of waking.
"…Hmm?"
Artemis moved closer, quietly squatting beside him. Her emerald-green eyes studied his face, a faint frown forming as an odd feeling resurfaced.
There was something about him that didn't sit right, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
This strange sensation had first stirred when she saw him during the battle. But with her attention focused on the fight, she had dismissed it as unimportant.
Now, in the quiet stillness of the tent, the feeling grew stronger.
Very strange…
Lost in thought, Artemis's mind drifted as she mulled over her vague unease.
---
Meanwhile, Izzy teetered on the edge of consciousness, caught in that lazy, half-dreaming state where one hovers between waking and sleeping.
But the pull of wakefulness grew stronger, and soon his senses began to sharpen.
The darkness behind his eyelids receded, replaced by dim light, and his mind slowly cleared. He blinked two or three times, his vision adjusting to the surroundings.
A cloth ceiling… Am I in a tent?
Izzy assessed his situation, the pieces falling into place.
Was I rescued?
Though his memory was hazy, he recalled vague shapes and voices before he lost consciousness. Someone had been near him.
Wait—not just then. Someone's near me now.
A flash of blue caught the edge of his vision, compelling Izzy to turn his head. From his position lying on his back, a slight tilt was enough to bring the figure into view.
What he saw left him momentarily breathless.
An ethereal beauty sat beside him, lost in her thoughts. Her aqua-blue hair framed a face that seemed otherworldly, exuding both elegance and authority.
She didn't seem to notice him yet, her focus distant.
"…Hiss."
Izzy inhaled sharply, his body tensing instinctively. He leaned back slightly, as if trying to create space between them—or perhaps as a reflexive retreat from the sheer weight of her presence.
…Leaning back? That didn't feel quite right.
Could someone please explain why, upon waking from unconscious, he was greeted by the sight of a goddess sitting at his side?
________
Chapter 4: listening is not impossible~
____
The spacious field of vision encompassed the simple white cloth walls of the tent and the elegant figure of the blue-haired goddess sitting quietly beside him.
At that moment, fragments of Izzy's memories before he fainted began to resurface, especially the radiant blue light that overlapped with the image of the goddess before him.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Back then... he was saved by the goddess Artemis? And now, he'd been brought back to her camp?
Although "picked up and taken home" might not be the most appropriate way to describe it, there wasn't much wrong with the sentiment either.
Izzy knew the goddess sitting before him. In fact, he knew her quite well, even though they had never met.
More than ten years ago, during a meteor shower in a remote village, Izzy had been reborn into this world as an infant, retaining the memories of his past life.
Before his reincarnation, Izzy had been an ordinary person with no particularly outstanding traits—unless having the same name as a popular character in a well-known game counted. His hobbies had been limited to watching anime and reading light novels.
Thanks to this, when Izzy was a child and heard stories about labyrinths, gods, and adventurers from a traveling bard, he quickly realized where he had ended up.
This world could only be Orario—the land of underground labyrinths, gods descended to earth, and adventurers seeking glory.
From that day forward, Izzy had dreamed of becoming an adventurer and experiencing the vibrant world he had loved so much.
Sixteen years had since passed, and the boy who had longed for Orario since childhood had finally persuaded his parents to let him embark on this journey.
At sixteen, he was considered an adult in this world, old enough to be independent. Moreover, his parents had always been reassured by his responsible nature, which made them confident he could take care of himself.
But the journey to Orario wasn't without its dangers. It wasn't long before Izzy found himself exchanging "gifts" with a pack of gray wolves—an encounter that quickly turned into a life-or-death chase.
And now, as fate would have it, he had been rescued by a goddess and brought to her camp, where he found himself… alone with Artemis?
To be honest, this wasn't just Izzy's fantasy.
It was his reality.
Sure, the goddess appeared lost in her own thoughts for now, but that didn't change the fact that they were alone together.
Not for long, though. As Izzy cautiously sat up, Artemis snapped out of her daze and noticed he was awake.
"Hmm? You're awake. How are you feeling? Do you feel unwell?"
Her soft, melodic voice carried a calm yet concerned tone. A faint smile graced her lips, but perhaps realizing the situation, she quickly tempered it.
"Thank you. I don't feel unwell, and I appreciate your help," Izzy replied sincerely.
Well, aside from the dull ache in his forehead...
Izzy wasn't too bothered by the pain—it was, after all, the area where he had been injured. His main concern was whether it would leave a scar. He cared quite a bit about maintaining his handsome appearance.
"You're welcome," Artemis replied with a nod. "But you should be more careful next time. It's very dangerous for ordinary people to venture into the forest alone. Where is your home? If it's along our path, we can escort you back."
Her tone was serious, her words well-meaning.
Izzy, however, froze at her suggestion.
Home?
He had spent the last three or four months traveling far from home, all for the sole purpose of reaching Orario. He wasn't about to turn back now—not when his dream was so close.
After all, he hadn't traveled this far just to give up. He had come to find a god, sign a contract, and become… well, not a monkey spirit, but an adventurer.
"You're actually going to send me back?"
For a moment, Izzy didn't know what to say. His brain had automatically dismissed the possibility that the goddess's camp might be along the way.
"What's wrong? Did I say something inappropriate?"
Noticing Izzy's reaction, Artemis tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
"No, it's not your fault," Yize replied after a brief pause. "It's just… I left home because I wanted to become an adventurer, and now I'm heading to—"
"The labyrinth city of Orario?"
Before he could finish, the goddess had already guessed his destination.
"At the westernmost edge of the continent lies the center of the world, blessed by the gods…"
The phrase was nearly a cliché, heard countless times in bardic tales and adventure stories. While it held a grain of truth, reality was far harsher.
Many aspiring adventurers arrived in Orario only to find themselves stuck, unable to take their first steps without Falna.
But still… Artemis studied the boy before her more closely, her gaze thoughtful.
Are teenagers still so captivated by the idealized tales in books?
Probably.
"Um… Goddess, I think you might have misunderstood something," Izzy interjected, noticing her expression.
"Misunderstood?"
"Well, the way you were looking at me just now… it felt, uh, subtle."
"Ahem. You must be imagining things."
"..."
Izzy sighed inwardly. He was confident he hadn't imagined it, but what could he do? If a goddess denied something outright, there wasn't much room to argue.
"You're heading to Orario…" Artemis murmured, lifting a slender finger to rest against her chin in thought.
After a brief moment of contemplation, she turned her gaze back to Izzy. This time, her emerald eyes glimmered faintly, though her expression remained composed.
"Should I call this a coincidence, or just plain luck? My familia recently completed a dragon-hunting commission, and we're on our way back to Orario for repairs."
Izzy blinked, stunned. A small part of him already guessed where this was leading.
As expected, Artemis continued, "If you're willing to follow my instructions, I can take you with us."
"Really? Thank you so much, Goddess!"
Izzy straightened up, his face lighting up with excitement.
Traveling with a powerful familia would not only reduce the dangers of the journey but also solve one of his biggest problems: he didn't know the way!
To be fair, according to his father, Izzy's village wasn't as far from Orario as he had initially thought. Many bards had said that, if one followed a merchant caravan, it typically took about two months to reach the labyrinth city.
Yet somehow, Izzy had managed to nearly double that time.
He had begun his journey with a caravan, but about two weeks into the trip, a sudden monster attack had separated him from the group.
Since then, he had been traveling alone, stopping and starting intermittently.
Perhaps he had an uncanny grudge against forest-dwelling monsters, as he seemed to encounter them almost every time he passed through wooded areas. Goblins, earth spirits, stone golems—Izzy had faced them all.
Before even setting foot in Orario's dungeon, he had already experienced a fair share of fights.
His guiding principle had been simple: if he couldn't win, he'd run. But running blindly often meant losing his sense of direction entirely.
Looking back, his journey had been nothing short of chaotic.
'Ah… Just recounting it brings tears to my eyes!'
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Chapter 5: Overwhelming…
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After agreeing to travel with Artemis' familia, Izzy and Artemis began to converse casually during their journey.
During this time, Izzy also introduced himself—a bit belatedly, considering how long they had already been talking.
As they spoke, Rethusa returned to the camp with the other girls from the familia, who had just finished cleaning up and were now preparing dinner.
Not long after, when the girls saw Artemis and Izzy emerging from a tent at the edge of the camp, their expressions shifted into something that could only be described as… extraordinary.
Wait… what?
The goddess Artemis—who governed chastity and was famously oblivious to the concept of love—had just walked out of a tent with a man?
Oh. My. Goddess.
The world had clearly gone mad.
They had only stepped away to take a quick bath. What on earth had happened during that time?
"Eh? Eh, eh, EH!!! Lady Artemis! Have you finally come to your senses? You actually spent time alone with a man at night… Does this mean we're finally free!?"
Artemis barely had time to take a step outside the tent before this sudden exclamation rang out, echoing through the camp for all to hear.
The voice carried a lively, almost mischievous tone, laced with a teasing joy that somehow managed to toe the line of impudence.
There was only one person in the familia who would dare to speak like this.
"Lante! You and Chloe come to my tent tonight as well!"
Artemis' cheeks flushed a deep red, and her furious shout seemed to reverberate like a thunderclap. Her expression was so fierce she looked like Medusa herself, ready to turn someone to stone.
For a brief moment, Izzy could have sworn he saw her hair ripple unnaturally, but the image was gone in an instant.
Lante, who had been gleeful just a moment ago, suddenly froze in place, her joy draining away.
"S-Sorry…"
'Oh no… I got too carried away…'
Lante cursed her loose tongue. This wasn't something she should have said in public. If she wanted to gossip about Lady Artemis' private matters, she should have done it behind closed doors!
The other girls in the familia exchanged looks. Most were exasperated with Lante's antics, though a few shot her glances filled with admiration. To them, she was a true warrior—bold enough to challenge the goddess herself.
Chloe, meanwhile, seemed positively gleeful at the thought of having company for her lecture tonight.
"Hehehe~"
Seeing Lante bow her head in apology, Artemis finally let out a frustrated sigh. Her sharp gaze swept over the other girls, all of whom were staring at her and Izzy with curiosity.
What's with those suspicious, gossipy looks?
Surely, they didn't actually believe Lante's nonsense? Did they really think that just because she was alone with a man, something had happened?
Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose. This was going to be a long night.
"Rethusa."
"I'm here, Lady Artemis."
The captain of the familia stepped forward immediately, her face calm and professional. But deep inside, even Rethusa couldn't suppress her growing curiosity.
"Izzy will be traveling with us until we reach Orario," Artemis stated firmly. "Inform everyone about this arrangement, and make sure they don't get any strange ideas!"
Her tone was resolute, but her warning seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Rethusa gave a polite nod, her expression betraying nothing. "Understood, goddess."
However, internally, her thoughts were anything but composed.
'Oh, my goddess… You even called him by name! And you still expect us to believe nothing's going on?'
Although Artemis was a goddess, there was nothing unusual about her calling a mortal by his name.
But that didn't stop Rethusa from quietly indulging in her own gossip, did it?
Unaware that even her trusted captain was speculating about her affairs, Artemis gave Rethusa a few simple instructions before retreating to her tent alone.
She needed some time to calm down.
Whether her frustration stemmed from her clan's antics or some other reason, she wasn't entirely sure.
---
As soon as Artemis left, the girls—who had been on their best behavior moments ago—suddenly erupted into a flurry of chatter. In the blink of an eye, they surrounded Rethusa and Izzy like a pack of curious children.
Their barrage of questions was relentless.
Why had he been chased by the gray wolf pack? What was it like to be alone with the goddess? How far had his relationship with Artemis progressed?
They even asked about his age, preferences, height, and family background.
This feels more thorough than a census…
By the way, wasn't it a bit much to ask what stage their relationship had reached?
Izzy didn't mind chatting with girls. He genuinely enjoyed their company; after all, they were soft-spoken and kind.
But judging by the overwhelming energy of the group, he was starting to feel like he might be in over his head.
Fortunately, as the team leader, Rethusa held considerable authority among the girls. After patiently explaining the situation, their clamor gradually died down, and the camp grew quiet.
Well… relatively quiet.
There was still dinner to prepare, and if they kept up their excitement, they might not even get around to cooking.
Adventurers needed to eat, after all!
And it wasn't just them—Artemis needed to eat too. After sealing their divine powers, gods were no different from mortals in this regard.
---
When dinner was ready, Artemis emerged from her tent to join the group at the campfire, as she always did.
However, tonight there was a new addition to the familia—Izzy. Even though he deliberately sat in a corner to avoid drawing attention, many of the girls still flocked to him, eager to chat.
Artemis couldn't stand it any longer.
She issued a warning to the group, but her words did little to deter them.
The goddess refrained from being too harsh—dinner was not the time for strict reprimands.
Finally, she made up her mind and sat directly next to Izzy.
Whenever someone tried to approach him, Artemis would meet them with a glare so sharp it sent them scurrying away.
---
After dinner, the camp gradually settled into the quiet of the night. The girls huddled in their tents, whispering among themselves. Outside, only the sound of the campfire crackling softly broke the silence.
Given the unique circumstances, Izzy had been assigned his own tent. However, since he'd already slept for much of the afternoon while recovering, he found himself unable to fall asleep now.
Restless, he decided to slip out of his tent and sat down on a large rock at the edge of the camp.
It wasn't yet time for the night watch to begin. Usually, the person assigned to keep watch would take a light nap and start their shift later in the night.
Besides, the surrounding monsters had already been cleared during the day. Unless something unusual occurred, an attack at night was unlikely.
With nothing else to do, he gazed quietly at the stars, letting the stillness of the night wash over him.
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein