The night quickly passed, and the morning sunlight illuminated Orario, a city full of wonders and adventures. After enjoying a simple breakfast at the inn, Noah stepped out of the inn's door, feeling the fresh air filled with the aroma of new life.
Since Noah hadn't had the chance to explore Orario's surroundings before, he decided to get to know the city today, starting his exploration in the Northern District. This district is known as the center of trade and commercial activity. The streets here are filled with various merchants selling goods from all over the world. He saw rows of shops offering weapons, adventure gear, and local delicacies. At a street corner, a fruit vendor carried a basket filled with colorful fresh fruits, adding to the cheerful atmosphere of the morning. Noah walked slowly, savoring the morning in a world themed around adventure.
After enjoying the atmosphere of the Northern District, Noah continued his journey to the Central District. The Tower of Babel stood majestically in the heart of the city; this tower was so tall that it seemed to touch the sky, made of shimmering stone. Around the tower, many adventurers gathered, ready to enter the dungeon.
Noah paused for a moment, observing the adventurers discussing and preparing. Some of them wore heavy armor, while others preferred lighter, more flexible clothing. They entered the Tower of Babel with their parties, ready to face the challenges inside the dungeon.
Once satisfied with gazing at the Tower of Babel, Noah continued his journey to the next district. He found a small café that looked cozy. The aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries invited him to come in. He sat in a corner of the café and ordered a cup of coffee. While enjoying his drink, he watched the people passing by.
After refreshing himself at the café, Noah continued his exploration to the next district. He spent a whole day briefly exploring various districts in Orario.
Orario is divided into several districts, each with its own characteristics and functions.
The Northern District is a bustling trade center. Here, there are many shops, markets, and residences for adventurers. The streets are filled with vendors and customers, creating a lively atmosphere.
The Central District is the heart of Orario, where the Tower of Babel stands grandly. This tower is the entrance to the famous dungeon, where adventurers fight monsters and seek treasure. This district also has many dining and lodging options.
The Southern District is a quieter area, where many residential homes and parks can be found. Here, people can find places to relax and enjoy entertainment, the most famous being the entertainment district, home to the Ishtar Familia.
The Western District is known as the residence of the gods and goddesses. Many Familia headquarters are located in this district, particularly in the northwest.
The Eastern District is the industrial area, where various workshops and factories operate. Here, craftsmen create weapons and equipment for adventurers.
After spending time in the Southern District, Noah felt it was time to return as the sun had set. However, even though night had arrived, activities in Orario never ceased; in fact, it became busier at night as adventurers returned from the dungeon, spending the money they earned risking their lives on various things like buying wine at taverns and visiting the entertainment district.
.....
In the middle of the bustling city of Orario, a bridge spanned over a shimmering river, creating a beautiful view. On the side of the bridge, a short woman sat curled up, hugging her knees. Despite her small stature, her figure was striking, especially her large breasts.
A neatly tied blue ribbon in front of her chest seemed to serve to support her soft curves, adding to the charm of her simple appearance. Her long black hair flowed beautifully but was tied in pigtails, creating a cheerful impression behind her seemingly listless demeanor.
She wore a simple white outfit, not made of luxurious materials, yet the aura she radiated made her appear far more valuable than anything an ordinary woman could wear. Her name was Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth and Sacred Fire in Tenkai. She was also one of the three virgin goddesses. Unlike in other worlds, in this world, there is no clear division of mythology. Various gods intermingle in Tenkai.
In Tenkai, she was a goddess whose presence always radiated elegance and tranquility. However, after arriving in Genkai, her appearance looked like that of a homeless person who had been left behind due to her late arrival compared to the other gods, making it difficult for her to find a Familia member. Hephaestus, Hestia's good friend, who saw Hestia's struggles, immediately offered her a place to stay in her home.
In Tenkai, Hephaestus was one of the few friends Hestia had. Hephaestus was one of the best goddesses of forging and fire in Tenkai.
But after a while, Hestia did not manage to find anyone willing to join her Familia, causing her to give up and live in Hephaestus's home without shame, spending her time eating, sleeping, and reading books.
Currently, Hestia had just been kicked out of her good friend's house, Hephaestus. Concerned that Hestia would continue to be lazy and become a freeloader, Hephaestus decided to expel her for Hestia's own good.
With hesitant and confused steps, Hestia walked aimlessly after being kicked out. Unbeknownst to her, the bridge became her resting place. In the silence, she lowered her head, hearing footsteps approaching. When she lifted her head, she saw a young man who looked unfamiliar, or more precisely, a god she did not recognize.
The god had bright red hair, as if it were a living flame. The simple black clothing he wore looked expensive, making him stand out in the crowd. Hestia observed his face, which appeared calm and full of confidence.
But Hestia thought that perhaps it was because she rarely left her Pantheon in Tenkai that she did not recognize this god.
.....
Noah walked slowly along the bridge, enjoying the cool breeze that brushed against his face. However, his steps came to a halt as his gaze fell upon a woman in a white dress who caught his attention. The woman appeared short but had striking curves, especially her breasts, which were larger than those of most women, not quite fitting her body size. In front of her breasts, there was a distinctive blue ribbon hanging, adding an elegant touch to her appearance. Her long black hair was tied in twin pigtails, contributing a childlike vibe that contrasted with her mature aura.
Noah couldn't help but think, 'Is she Hestia?'
In this world, no other goddess had similar characteristics to the woman before him, especially with the iconic blue ribbon that served as her trademark. He remembered clearly how Hestia was depicted in anime, and although the real world might be different, there was no denying that Hestia's appearance was a rare opportunity.
Regardless, Hestia's emergence was very helpful for Noah to learn how to write Falna. As a mysterious blessing that could only be inscribed in the divine text, it was impossible for Noah to write Falna just by looking at it.
Hestia's appearance was timely, and it would be easy for Noah to persuade her to teach him since he had not yet met Bell or formed his own Familia.
"Who are you?" Hestia asked, her voice soft yet curious as she noticed Noah approaching.
"Hestia, my name is Vermilion," Noah replied, trying to present himself confidently. "It seems like you're in trouble. Do you need my help?"
Hestia regarded him with a wary look. Although she seemed innocent, Noah knew that Hestia was a goddess who had lived for a long time. In this world, no one offered help without a strong reason.
Realizing Hestia's wariness, Noah decided to be straightforward. "Hestia, I want you to teach me how to write and grant Falna. I will find you a place to stay that can be used for two weeks."
Hestia's expression shifted to one of suspicion. "Huh?... Why can't you write Falna? Isn't it easy?"
Noah sighed, maintaining his calm demeanor. "You don't need to know. So, what do you say? Do you agree?"
After a moment of contemplation, Hestia nodded slowly. "Alright, but don't go back on your word."
"Agreed," Noah said as he extended his hand. Hestia shook it firmly, signaling that they had reached an agreement.
Noah took Hestia to an inn not far from his residence. After entering the room, Hestia began teaching him about Falna without hesitation. She patiently explained each step required to write the blessing, and Noah listened attentively.
"Falna is represented as something known as Status, which is the Falna itself defined by various parameters. Falna consists of basic abilities, development abilities, magic, skills, and overall level," Hestia explained.
"The Falna manifests physically in the form of something resembling a tattoo, as a collection of text detailing all its characteristics, along with the corresponding Familia emblem.
To protect its valuable contents, the gods have developed a method that allows them to conceal the statuses of their Familia members, revealing them only for updates. However, since everything is written in hieroglyphs, the language of the gods, very few humans can actually read it. Only the protective god in question can reveal..." Hestia continued.
Noah diligently noted every explanation Hestia provided.
Hestia went on, "To write Falna, you must understand the meaning behind every word. It's not just writing; it's a promise between the god and the adventurer."
For hours, Noah and Hestia engaged in an intense learning session. Hestia provided various examples and exercises while Noah did his best to absorb all the information given.
Noah smiled and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Hestia."
As morning approached, Noah returned to his residence after bidding farewell to Hestia. He had learned about Falna and felt he could write it after a few days.