章 18: A new path
English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.
This book has been translated by me by various means to get the best result so you can find some simple or normal redactions.
Enjoy the chapter.
*****
"Anya, Who was it that came looking for me?"
"A member of the Loki Familia nya!" Anya paused for a moment before continuing "It's a Pallum nya"
"I see...thanks for letting me know Anya, I probably wouldn't have known you came to visit me"
"No problem nya!" Anya nodded and headed back to her work position leaving me halfway across the road.
I guess I have to do this alone.
There is nothing wrong with this, I just have to stand my ground and present myself boldly. Let's hope that the person who came to see me is kind compared to other people.
I think the Pallum who came is the blond-haired boy that Loki had introduced me to the first time I talked to her in the pub.
If I remember correctly he is an executive of the Loki Familia since not everyone has respect for a Pallum. I remember him because Loki showed him to me from afar while introducing me to her Familia.
I have heard about the racism in Orario directed at that specific race. People think that because of their short stature and size the Pallum are simply a nuisance and are useless in combat.
I have not seen many Pallum in Orario. They do not visit the pub regularly and several of them prefer to stay together in places hidden from the public.
People always find ways to get on with their lives even with the various problems that swirl in their lives.
As I reach the entrance to the pub I see a small figure sitting at a table with a jar of drink in one hand.
The first thing I focus on is his blond hair and the small stature he has, I still don't understand how a race of tiny people originated in the world.
The Pallum is not wearing his adventurer's clothes but still looks prepared in case of an emergency, he looks tough for a child.
"Excuse me, Were you sent by Loki-sama?"
"Hm" the boy looked at me then nodded with a welcoming smile "That's right"
He rose from his seat elegantly and concisely.
He is one of the best adventurers in the dungeon city and at this time he was sent to pick up me, a random person from Orario.
"I think Loki-sama mentioned it once a while back when you guys came to the pub with much of her Familia"
"Loki is a very curious Goddess. Allow me to introduce myself properly, Finn Deimne, nice to meet you..."
"Ah" I froze momentarily at the sight of it.
Can I just say that Finn has a dashing appearance and looks cute. Ugh, my feminine thoughts are affecting my way of thinking now.
Well... even if I were a man at this moment I would accept that Finn's appearance is better than other people. We should always accept others and not be envious of them because of who they are or what they have.
"I'm Riku" I gave him a friendly smile "Nice to meet you Finn-san. As you know at the moment I work at the Hostess of Fertility and recently Loki-sama accepted me into her Familia I just need her to put the falna on me"
"Right, Loki told me about her visit to the pub recently" Finn stated deep in thought "That day she arrived at the Familia headquarters quite cheerfully. She claimed to have eaten something new and bragged about a very 'cute' new Familia member"
It didn't escape me the way Finn mentioned 'cute'. The way he said it was not with annoyance, but rather as if he was already used to that kind of thing.
I think Loki has some preferences.
"It's true, Loki-sama tasted the food called pizza"
"Pizza?" Finn raised his eyebrow curiously at the strange name I had given the food.
People around here don't know about things and it is my duty to nurture them with knowledge.
Even if it leads to bringing out my inner chuunibyou I will nurture them with the knowledge of the culture if. I remember it of course.
There are necessary sacrifices I have to make.
"Yes, pizza" I affirmed for the avoidance of doubt "Pizza is a food consisting of a circular flat bread, made with wheat flour, yeast, water and salt that is covered with tomato sauce and cheese, baked at high temperature"
"...With what you just told me I would like to try it but I have some things to talk to you about" Finn said with some disappointment at not being able to try the pizza.
"It's about joining your Familia and heading to your headquarters, right?"
"Yes, my time is limited so today is my day off and I took it up with you" Finn nodded in response.
"Then there's no time to waste Finn-san, let's go to that perverted Goddess" I said to the Pallum excitedly.
"Eh, Are you sure about that?" Finn asked making me get confused "I thought I'd talk a few things over and see if you were available at some point for Loki to give you the Familia falna"
"Ah" I nodded as I understood what he meant "No problem. I'm free 'I think' " I kept the I think to myself.
"I understand" Finn said as he looked at me curiously "I can assume you have the correct attire to begin your journey as an adventurer"
"Oh!"
Hearing Finn's words I look down at my clothes and realize that I am wearing the Hostess of Fertility waitress outfit.
I think this is not a very good outfit to go to my future home and go into the dungeon.
"If you permit me I will dress in appropriate attire to go out"
"No problem, I'll wait. I could enjoy a drink" I smiled with amusement at Finn's words.
I started walking to my room and went through each of my drawers to pick out the clothes I was going to start wearing, I can't just wear anything, I need something nice and that looks great on me.
I still don't want to leave my job at the Hostess of Fertility. That is very clear since I still think my age is too low to fight in the dungeon, I also have things to do around here.
Like the golden-haired elf I rescued with Syr. I need to keep an eye on her situation, something tells me there's more to the elf than it seems and besides I want to be there to see what Mama Mia will do.
Leaving that woman aside I strip off my waitress attire leaving me only in my underwear and grab the clothes I'm going to wear.
First my underwear and all the details I need to know so I don't show discomfort and adapt to the best I can wear.
I refuse to wear panties and a normal bra into the dungeon. I have a boxer and a sports bra which I bought at different stores.
I recently bought men's underwear and men's clothing as well, I'm still not entirely fond of women's clothing but at some point I will have to use it.
The only reason I still wear women's underwear is because of Syr. She always finds out that I try to dress like a boy and always tells me that I should look pretty.
Syr is very strange... I like her.
I also don't understand how I have breasts, they are not an abnormal size for my age but I can notice small mounds on my chest which has led me to start wearing a bra to get used to it in the future.
My growth may be accelerated compared to others but I think my body will stay that way for a while and then hormones will do their thing with my body in a few years.
There are times when I prefer to go without a bra, Syr told me that after a while a girl gets used to wearing them. She told me to start wearing them so that in the future I won't have any problems.
Putting on my boxer shorts and sports bra I stretch my body to check if the clothes are perfect for the movement and also if they are pleasant to wear.
I put on a pair of black pants with a buckle belt, these things are common in the city and I liked the fire-surrounded campaign design on the belt.
The man who sold it to me told me it was the only one he had ever made, I bought it because I had money and because I could.
After that I returned another day to the store but the man had already closed it. When I asked him, he told me that he wanted to sell enough to go on a trip and with the sale of the belt and other things he had raised the money he wanted.
What a strange man.
I dressed in a long white sleeve shirt and over it I wore a black coat that reached my waist, the funny thing is that the coat had a patch style on the right side where my shoulder was and it was white.
For some reason when I wore the whole set I liked the way I looked and bought it. It's simple but comfortable, the dungeon doesn't matter much what it looks like you just need the strength and survive anything that comes your way.
Anya told me that my clothes were just right for the dungeon and I could begin my adventuring journey with no problem.
She had also told me that as time went by I could change my clothes with others that were made of a resistant material.
Very good.
I have my clothes ready and now I just have to take the items I consider useful.
I grabbed a decent sized fanny pack for someone my size and threw in various things like my money and some special gadgets.
I kept my knife in its sheath that was attached to my waistband on the right side. I planned to use a two-weapon style so I wouldn't look foolish if I hurt my hand that I use daily.
I bought common quality knife in town with the help of Anya and my high-quality chemical compound that I had created at the beginning of my pub days.
It still serves my component supposing that the alcoholics and perverts who approached me in the night cried enough for my sneak attack that I offered them for not respecting me.
Anyway Anya was or Syr was by my side in those tense moments, my mom did not raise a coward and I will prove that.
Let's start with this.
Leaving my room I headed for the stairs to go down to the floor where I would walk through a door to enter my new path.
Along the way I bump into the one person I thought I would meet before leaving the pub.
Mama Mia was watching me and I forgot to tell her I was going out.
Shit.
I stopped in front of her and maintained eye contact for a few seconds as the tension grew a little.
It was just me and her in the hallway.
"Something to say brat?"
"I'm leaving... but I'll be back"
"Oh?" Mia raised an eyebrow at my response "Are you sure about that? From what I've seen you've been preparing to go out on your own"
"N-no, how do you think that Mama Mia, I do follow through with what I say" I laughed nervously at being found out rather easily by her.
Obviously I did not hide any of my actions but now that I am an infant I thought back to my time when I believed that others did not realize what I was doing.
I grew up deceived.
"Are you carrying everything you need?"
"Huh?"
Mama Mia's question had left me dumbfounded with surprise. When I look into her eyes I see that she is showing... sympathy, excitement, how strange.
"Aren't you upset because I didn't tell you what I was going to do?"
"Of course I am brat" apparently nothing takes away the annoyance she has every day "But at the same time I'm proud of what you've been doing"
"What?"
"What gives me the most happiness is to see my daughters grow up and solve their problems without fear. You have proven it over time"
"It refers to..."
"Yes child" Mia approached me and placed her hand on my head patting me affectionately "You have overcome every obstacle that has crossed your path and managed to remember your origin Riku"
I blushed from the pat on my head and also from Mia's praise. I am very pleased that she is happy for me, I have never liked to be a burden and Mia has shown me that I never was.
I was accepted from the beginning in this place... this world.
I hugged Mama Mia around the waist with a big smile of happiness on my face. Mama Mia was surprised by my action but after a few moments she laughed and hugged me too.
We both stayed for a while in this embrace of a mother and daughter.
"Well child" we broke away from the embrace and Mama Mia said a few words "When I went to the entrance I saw the Pallum who came for you, I was impressed by how quickly Goddess Loki accepted your proposal"
"That woman only wants me for my beauty"
"Just that?" Mia asked me doubtfully as she raised her eyebrow, I froze momentarily before shaking my head.
"No, it definitely wasn't like that. As a trickster Goddess she enjoys games and deception. I could say I tricked her into something and she had fun with me"
"Oh, I see. Yet I'm still impressed by how lucky you were"
"Luck?"
"The Loki Familia is not a Familia that accepts people easily and you do not possess any falna. Usually the big Familias accept people with good skills or adventurers of a high level, they don't always accept newbies"
"Greed of the Gods"
"Exactly" Mia affirmed as she nodded in understanding with me.
"Well, Loki-sama is... something. If I remember correctly she has an enemy, right?"
"Yes, the Freya Familia"
Freya.
If this world is based on various things with mythologies Freya is someone very dangerous.
Freya is described as the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. People were said to look to her for various blessings to achieve their goals.
In most things people were looking for love, help in births and a good time of weather.
But among all that there was also more about Freya. She was associated with war, death, magic, prophecy, and wealth.
I haven't seen it on Orario yet and for some reason something tells me not to.
"Is there something special about the Freya Familia?" I ask Mia assuming her experience would be helpful at this point.
For a moment I saw how her lip trembled but quickly she showed seriousness with her words, Does she have something with that Familia?
"All I can tell you is that the members of that Familia are selected by Goddess Freya herself"
"In other words if she has an interest in someone she will simply take them on a whim"
"Yeah, just like that" Mia shrugged.
This shows how a high-level Familia has enough power to get what they want without getting into serious trouble. No one would try to mess with the strongest, you have to be an idiot to do that.
I can imagine what would happen if Freya found out that I come from another world. If I imagine the love of Gods it would be something strange, the love that she would have as well as the other Gods would be different and would have her 'style'.
It's not like she can see my soul. Since I merged with Riku I got more used to being a woman and let go of several things from my past.
I'm sure and Freya won't be able to do anything to me... I think.
I will tell Loki flat-chested if she can't take good care of me in her Familia.
I still remember how it happened after I explained in a way to Loki that I was from another world. The greed in her eyes was evident and I sincerely accepted her offer.
The Loki Familia is powerful and I was just a random person in this world, it is better to get protection from that woman and then I can improve myself in whatever I want while I am safe.
A few words though and we both came to an agreement about the secrets of both my life and Loki's life. I so want to ask her if she fucked a horse and knows someone named Sleipnir.
'Fufufu'
How great it is to have read about the Gods.
"Then brat, you better get a move on if you don't want to keep the guy waiting at the entrance" Mia gave me a cheeky grin and I just rolled my eyes.
"Of course. I will return Mama Mia, even if I receive the falna from Goddess Loki I prefer to stay a few days in the pub to get used to the power and then I will live in the Loki Familia headquarters"
"You are welcome anytime child. Hostess of Fertility will always be open to you"
"Thank you so much, Mama Mia" I blushed from the feeling of happiness that blossomed inside me and ran out to the entrance of the pub where Finn was.
The bad thing was that I didn't see Mama Mia's proud smile when I had left the place, I would have turned around at that moment.
Arriving at the entrance I see that the Pallum was served by a waitress, it had been Anya, he had a drink and the plate in front of him was empty. I can guess that he had in his hand could be considered a slice of pizza.
Finn had already finished eating and what he had in his hand was a piece of border that he was enjoying.
Apparently he couldn't resist the temptation of another meal at the pub and Anya gave him a slice left over from breakfast. It's nice to have pizza in the morning.
"Finn-san, I'm ready to go"
The Pallum dropped the drink he was drinking and looked at me with a satisfied face from the food as he stood up from the chair and set the glass aside.
"I guess you took me by surprise. One of your co-workers talked to me and I explained about you. She offered me a slice of pizza as a courtesy of the pub"
"How's the pizza?"
"It was a nice experience" I smiled at the taste of the food I had, it's good that they accept my ideas "Are you ready?"
"Of course" I placed my arm across my chest as I patted it to remark my change of clothes showing the pride that was brimming in me.
Finn looked me over from head to toe and then nodded with a smile. He had focused a little more on my fanny pack and the knife at my waist.
Apparently he was surprised that I was prepared for this, not everyone is aware of the dungeon situations so it is normal for people to be unprepared.
"Then let's go Riku. There's no time to waste"
"Yes! I'm right behind you"
We both left the pub to head to the Loki Familia headquarters.
I guess this is where the show starts.
*****
The walk to the Loki Familia headquarters was quiet but at the same time we had been the focus of multiple people. I felt like a celebrity.
I think people get excited to see a high-level adventurer in town, it is very rare to see them as most of the time they are busy with the duties of their Familia they belong to.
Likewise the other people enjoy the rumors and start saying anything that might be fun to comment on, in this case a high-level adventurer with an unknown girl.
How weird are the people around here.
Finn told me not to listen to them and just let go of the things people are saying. Although he told me that if they start saying things out of line that could affect our reputation that's when we should act.
Familia pride is at stake and we need to show that respect is something they need to learn. We do not insult or bother others but if we receive attacks from others then it is necessary to put an end to the problems.
The talk I had with Finn on the road was calm and wonderful.
There was nothing extravagant in his words and we just talked about each other's tastes or hobbies, the usual when getting to know someone else.
But something Finn told me puzzled me to the point that I thought he was playing a joke on me.
Finn is a little over 35 years old and looks like a damn kid.
A fucking kid!
What the fuck is up with that kind of thing!
When he told me that I stopped in mid-stride in surprise, Finn had to shake me as he grabbed my shoulder to snap me out of my stupor.
I read about the different races in the world but still seeing and reading it is different, I always forget that this is a fantasy world where there are creatures that I considered non-existent or fake.
Still there are things I want to do or see.
I want to see the elves and witness their beauty while they tell me about their life and how old they are, if the elf is older the stories they could tell me would be interesting.
"We arrived at our destination"
I almost stumbled as I looked at the Loki Familia headquarters.
A castle
A Fucking Castle!
What the fuck?!
"What do you think? Welcome to our humble abode" Finn let out an amused laugh.
What's so humble about it? I can smell the sarcasm coming out of your words Finn. He didn't do it to show off, it was more to joke with me.
"The Loki Familia for quite a few years now has grown and this place is the representation of all the hard work of the Familia in in the city of Orario" Finn said with pride in each of his words.
"Twilight Manor" I said to Finn and he nodded.
The Familias were created long after the Gods descended to the earthly world, the falna was the union between the Gods and mortals.
The members of the Familia were accepted by the God or Goddess and in return they granted the falna to mortals. A power with the ability to break the limits set on people.
Those who received the falna of a God are charged with protecting the God of the Familia and creating progress in the Familia so that over time it will continue to grow, increase in popularity, and establish its status in Orario or anywhere in the world.
Respect in the city can only be obtained if you show your abilities in the dungeon and level up. If you are level 1 then you are just one of the bunches, but as soon as you level up people start to know you.
The mansion could be described as a huge structure built on a large plot of land. There were several tall towers overlapping and supporting each other, with the central tower being the tallest.
How crazy things are around here.
"Captain, you're back!"
"Of course, Could you open the door?"
"Yes, just a moment" the guard hurried and moved a few things so that the grilled door would open and give us passage to the Familia headquarters.
"Come on Riku"
"Ah, y-yes" I started walking beside Finn and gave a nod as a 'thank you' to the guard at the gate.
He just gave me a thumbs up with a friendly smile and after that he went on with his work, apparently he takes his job as a guard seriously.
The nerves kept coming and I was starting to act like the first time I came into this world.
I thought I would use a somewhat serene style but open to other people, if a person was looking for me I would gladly talk to them but if I didn't want anything to do with anyone I would just stay in my room to rest or do something else.
I can no longer play video games in this world so I could only study and look for some other entertainment, magic could fill that taste but I still don't have a falna.
As we walked through the halls of 'Twilight Manor' Finn and I passed a few people. They would greet Finn with respect and when they turned to look at me I would just smile or wave at them.
It is good to make a good first impression on others.
"Right now Loki is in her office. She had told me that I had to take you to her first and then I could show you around"
"I understand" I nodded "Anything I should know before I go to Loki?"
"Just... be careful with her" I was confused by her words "She's been talking about you saying you'll be a great addition to the Familia and stuff like that"
"What?"
Does Loki have a thing for me? No, it would be better to say that she expects something from me in her Familia. She is a trickster Goddess with thousands of years of experience so she must have seen something in me.
The only thing I have in my head is the knowledge of technology from my previous world and a few ways to use different everyday things in this world.
Among all that I don't remember exactly how to recreate the things from my previous world, I just remember the utility and a bit of meaning as to why they were created.
Damn.
"Apparently Loki has been anxious to see you" I hummed in understanding "By the way..."
"Yes?"
"After you are fitted with the falna, Would you accept a request from me?" the Pallum asked me.
"Of course, What would it be?"
"Would you have a fight with me?"
"Huh?"
My eyes widened and I took a step back from the surprise that came out of me. The question Finn asked me was simple yet dangerous.
A fight?
With a level 6?
What the fuck?!
"Finn, stop scaring the girl"
A voice snapped me out of my stupor and when I looked at the source I noticed a green-haired elf walking towards our position with a graceful step.
Also behind her was a brown-haired dwarf with a beard of the same color. I have no idea if the dwarf's complexion is fat or muscular, I'm going more for the second option.
They were both wearing their adventurer's clothes, even if they are at their headquarters I think it could be considered work clothes or something like that.
"It's good to see you again Riku"
"Riveria-san" I greeted the beautiful woman and she gave me a warm smile.
"Oh, someone new" the dwarf spoke as he scratched his beard "I don't think I know you girl"
"I'm Riku" I introduced myself with a little bow "I remember you visiting the pub a long time ago. You used to order a lot of drinks"
"I plead guilty, the drink in that place is wonderful. Hahaha" the dwarf started to laugh, for their part Finn and Riveria made a smile.
"So that's him?" whispered Riveria.
"Don't worry, he is like a father to many in the Familia" she replied to which I nodded in understanding.
"Gareth Landrock, nice to meet you" the now known as Gareth stretched out his hand to me in greeting and I responded with the same.
With the handshake I felt Gareth's strength, although he was controlling his strength I could feel the force behind his hand and for my part I tried to accommodate the force with him.
Something I obviously could not achieve.
"By the way Finn I see you tried to ask the girl for a fight, why the intention?" Gareth asked.
"Remember there is a tradition that new members must have a match with the Familia Captain" Finn replied as I pondered the words.
Fighting with the Captain?
What kind of bullshit tradition is that?
"I see" I said to no one in particular but I could still hear the chuckles of the others.
"Haa! What the hell is a weakling doing around here?"
An arrogant voice was heard in the place making me shudder at the amount of venom with which someone's words could sound.
When I looked at the source of those words I blinked a little because of the person I was seeing.
He was a gray-haired werewolf. What struck me most about him was the blue tattoo on the left side of his face. It looked cool!
Comparing him to the other people and the impression he just showed me, he looks like a bully... but a powerful bully compared to the typical street thugs.
Besides...
Who is this asshole calling weak?
Of course I am! I don't have a falna like you idiot!
"Bete" Riveria spoke harshly causing the one now known as Bete to squint in my direction.
What is your problem with me?
"Say what you want old woman! She'll just get in the way in the dungeon!" Bete growled as he looked at me with disdain.
My eyes were wide with surprise and a feeling was growing inside me.
"Calm down a bit kid" Gareth said trying to lighten the mood.
"The weak should stay in their burrows. Just look at her, she is trembling with a few words"
I see.
I guess it's my time.
You want to fight then I will fight.
I'll show you what a wimp does.
"Shut up dog face!" I yelled at him making his eyes widen in surprise.
I also heard the gasps of the other people around me.
My mom didn't raise a scaredy-cat.
I don't mind if they insult me but if they mess with my path and my life the situation changes.
And now I'm going to break that mutt's face.
My journey as an adventurer begins.
And I have plenty of excitement to spare.
クリエイターの想い 
Lacrima_de_Sal
Lacrima_de_Sal Thanks for reading.
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
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