Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 17: The new member of the clan might be a gentle and lovely girl~

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After the ceremony was completed, Izzy gradually noticed that his mind had become much clearer, his thoughts faster, and he could sense the newfound power coursing through his body.

To be honest, he now felt as though he could take on ten upper-level monsters—earth spirits, lizards, or goblins—all at once.

However, this newfound strength wasn't from an increase in physical attributes like strength, endurance, or agility. Instead, it stemmed from his magic and skills.

Izzy possessed three types of magic and two skills.

Both skills seemed akin to passive abilities. The mental clarity he now experienced was likely the effect of Starry Night, which doubled his mental strength.

As for Heart of the Earth, its benefits might only reveal themselves during combat. Since Izzy wasn't currently tired or injured, the skill hadn't yet shown its full potential.

Regarding his magic, two of the systems required further development. However, there was one additional magic already available for immediate use.

If he wanted, Izzy could cast that spell right now.

The idea was simple—cast the spell, strike down the target in one hit, and move on. What else was there to say?

With one ready-to-use magic and two bug-tier skills,Izzy believed he could wreak havoc on the first few floors of the dungeon with ease.

But deep down, Izzy knew he hadn't yet earned the right to be overly confident.

"Oh? Are you so sure of yourself?" Loki teased, looking both amused and skeptical before adopting a more serious tone.

"Listen, kid, having power is one thing, but using it effectively in real combat is something entirely different.

Don't make the mistake of underestimating the dungeon. Even the most powerful adventurers can find themselves in life-or-death situations down there.

Take that reckless idiot in my Familia, for example. He's a Level 3 advanced adventurer, but when he faced a powerful monster, he botched his magic chant because of the pressure!"

"Yeah, I get it," Izzy responded earnestly, nodding as Loki spoke.

"You're saying I need to keep a steady mind and not let my confidence make me careless, right?"

Loki smiled approvingly.

"Exactly. Overconfidence leads to carelessness, and carelessness can cost you dearly. In this line of work, losing your focus even for a moment can be the difference between life and death."

"I understand," Izzy assured her, nodding once more.

Seeing his genuine understanding, Loki gave him a satisfied pat on the shoulder.

"Good. You're teachable, at least."

But then, Loki's expression shifted back to her usual mischievous grin.

"Anyway, don't stress about all of that today! Let's focus on something more important. I'll introduce you to the other members of the Familia.

As a promising newcomer, it's crucial to start building good relationships with your seniors right away!"

"Eh?!"

Izzy, caught completely off guard, was suddenly dragged away by Loki. Still dazed and confused, he didn't even have time to process what was happening.

---

In the courtyard of the Twilight Manor, a quiet area with a few trees and patches of grass, a blonde girl sat on a bench. Beside her, a Yamabuki-colored elf handed her a towel and asked how she was feeling.

"A new member joined the familia?"

Having just finished her morning exercise, Ais turned her attention toward the elf beside her.

"Yes! I heard from my companions that someone new joined our familia this morning, and there's even going to be a welcome banquet tonight," Riveria, the excitable elf that Loki had mentioned earlier, replied with an eager nod.

Her enthusiasm only grew as she continued.

"By the way, Ais, I also heard that Loki seems to like this new member very much. Doesn't that mean she must have a great personality?"

Riveria clasped her hands over her chest, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

It wasn't surprising for her to think that way.

Loki was a goddess, after all—a peculiar one with an undeniable fondness for women. If Loki had taken such a liking to the newcomer, Riveria could only imagine one possibility: the new member had to be a kind and gentle girl.

The thought thrilled her, and she couldn't wait to meet this mysterious addition.

"...I see."

Ais stared at the sky, her soft response betraying no emotion. Her calm, expressionless demeanor made it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

---

On one of the upper floors of the central tower:

"These ability values... aren't they a bit absurd?"

Gareth leaned over next to Finn, his bearded face filled with disbelief as he looked down at the paper spread out before them.

"Unbelievable, yes," Finn agreed, nodding.

"But not impossible. Acquired magic and skills are, in essence, personal miracles. It's not unusual for extraordinary abilities to manifest."

Riveria, standing nearby, shared her own opinion. The three of them—key leaders of the Loki Familia—were always informed about the abilities of their members. After all, knowing each member's skills was critical for navigating expeditions and commanding during dungeon challenges.

Izzy didn't object to this transparency, and since Loki trusted them deeply, he was willing to reveal his abilities to the three of them.

"Right? This kid is amazing!" Loki chimed in, her tone brimming with excitement. "Judging from my experience, his potential rivals that of ancient human heroes—no, maybe even greater."

She threw an arm around Izzy's shoulders, practically glowing with pride. Her childlike enthusiasm made her gaze feel almost piercing, leaving Izzy slightly uncomfortable under her intense attention.

The three giants of the familia were no longer surprised by their goddess's careless behavior, which was anything but divine.

Although she exuded an aura of otherworldly power and carried a unique divine presence, her actions often resembled those of a middle-aged man, carelessly shattering the image of grace and mystique expected of a deity.

Her flawless face, one that many in the divine realm and the underworld envied, was often overshadowed by her crude mannerisms. Yet, Loki seemed to revel in it, completely unfazed by the disconnect between her appearance and her behavior.

For Izzy, however, it quickly became clear that the casual attitudes of the three giants toward their goddess weren't born of admiration. Their lack of reverence was apparent, and they didn't treat her like a sacred being to be worshiped.

But this very dynamic gave the familia its charm. It fostered a sense of intimacy and security among its members, the kind of camaraderie one might feel in a close-knit family.

"Can I call you Izzy, Alyward-kun?" Finn asked, ignoring Loki's usual antics and turning his attention to Izzy.

"Yes, of course," Izzy replied without hesitation.

"Then, Izzy, welcome to the Loki Familia. Your talent won't go unnoticed here," Finn said warmly.

"Thanks."

Izzy acknowledged the welcome politely but refrained from making any grand statements about his determination to grow stronger. Actions, in his mind, would always speak louder than words.

"By the way, Finn," Loki chimed in after the introductions, "see if there's an LV3 or higher member available tomorrow to take Izzy through the dungeon."

Her casual request carried a hint of genuine concern. Even if it was only for a day, Loki wanted someone experienced to guide Izzy through the dangers of the dungeon, sharing advice and teaching him the ropes.

Sending him in with nothing more than the Adventurer's Manual issued by the Guild wasn't something Loki was willing to risk.

Many first-day adventurers underestimated the dungeon's perils and met with disaster before they truly understood its dangers.

While Izzy had assured Loki earlier that his combat experience was sufficient, she chose not to place her full trust in those words.

Finn paused briefly, taken slightly off guard by Loki's unusual thoughtfulness, but he quickly understood her intent. With a small smile, the dwarf leader nodded.

"No problem."

The three giants of the Loki Familia were known for being approachable and fostering a friendly atmosphere among their members. Whatever their past might have been, this was the way they carried themselves now.

With Loki's relaxed demeanor setting the tone, Izzy quickly became comfortable around the trio.

[Braver] Finn Deimne, [Elgarm] Gareth Landrock, and [Nine Hell] Riveria Ljos Alf—these were the titles of the familia's most formidable adventurers.

Each of them had reached Level 6, their legendary reputations echoing across Orario. Together, they formed the backbone of the Loki Familia's strength.

But to Izzy, they were simply The Big Three.

It was a name he found fitting, and one he liked to use in his mind.