Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 27: I can feel the strong ribs~

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Hearing Izzy's question, Loki's grin grew even brighter.

Perhaps his words had amused her or struck a chord, but the broad-minded goddess chose not to tease him further—at least not verbally.

Lowering the arm she had rested on Izzy's head, Loki casually slung it around his neck, pulling him closer. The faint smell of alcohol lingered on her breath as she spoke.

"I heard that little Izzy spent his whole day in the dungeon today and made quite the haul for his first time. How about we update his ability values later? Let's see if there's been any change!"

Though Loki phrased it like a suggestion, her actions revealed her playful yet willful nature. She tightened her grip around Izzy's neck, clearly indicating she wouldn't let him go until he agreed.

Typically, a new adventurer's first update after receiving Falna doesn't happen immediately. It takes time—sometimes days, weeks, or even months of consistent training and fighting.

After all, Falna doesn't grant power outright; it awakens and amplifies one's latent potential. Without effort or experience, there's no growth.

Even with regular activity, progress was usually slow. Increasing one's ability values by a few dozen points in total after an update was considered excellent.

That's how it had always been.

Loki knew this, yet she still had high expectations for Izzy. To be precise, her anticipation stemmed from his skill, Starry Sky.

It was an unprecedented, rare skill that accelerated growth—a feature that had piqued the goddess's curiosity.

---

"Um… Loki, updating his ability values after just one day? Isn't that a bit… too soon?"

Anakitty, who had a reasonable grasp of how quickly Falna typically improved, couldn't help voicing her confusion at Loki's suggestion.

How much could someone possibly achieve or learn in a single day? She suspected the increase would barely register—perhaps only a few single digits.

Loki's comment wasn't quiet, so it drew the attention of the remaining members in the restaurant. Their expressions mirrored Anakitty's puzzlement.

The scarlet-haired goddess, however, only chuckled, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"Don't overthink it, Anna-chan. This kid is just… a special case~"

"Who's Anna-chan?!"

Anakitty's fur bristled in annoyance, her tail puffing up at Loki's teasing.

"Perhaps you're just too curious, Loki," Gareth remarked, observing the scene from nearby.

"Well, with a skill like that, her curiosity is understandable," Finn added, nodding thoughtfully.

---

"Huh? What skill? What are you talking about?"

Tiona, the younger of the Amazon sisters, perked up at their cryptic exchange. Her curiosity piqued, she leaned forward eagerly, waiting for someone to explain.

Her interest was shared by others at the table, including several of the Familia's top adventurers.

If Izzy's table had been filled with second-tier members of Loki Familia, this table was reserved for the first-tier elite: the three giants, Ais the Sword Princess, the Amazon sisters, Bete the werewolf, and a certain elven girl who had somehow blended in with the heavyweights.

Finn, ever the composed leader, offered a kind smile as he answered Tiona's question.

"It's a rare skill. One unlike anything we've ever seen. Naturally, Loki is curious about its potential."

"A rare skill? Is it really that strong?" Tiona asked excitedly, leaning even closer.

Finn's explanation had completely captivated her, and she wasn't alone—other adventurers also glanced at him expectantly, eager for more details.

"Yes, it's very powerful," Finn replied with calm confidence. "One day, Izzy will undoubtedly carve out a name for himself in Orario."

Since Finn only knew about Izzy's skills from the written description, he refrained from saying too much, offering only his personal judgment.

Even so, his words were enough to astonish those listening.

"The captain actually thinks so highly of that boy?"

Tione glanced at Izzy, her skepticism evident.

Initially, after hearing Loki and the three leaders speak optimistically about Izzy's potential, she had dismissed him as just another promising newcomer to the Familia.

But now, after Finn's declaration, her impression of him shifted entirely.

The same went for Ais and Riveria.

Both turned their attention to Izzy, who was visibly struggling under Loki's teasing not far away. His expression of silent suffering prompted them to take their first serious look at the newcomer who had joined just yesterday.

"Tch! Boring. I'm done eating—later."

The werewolf Bete, who had been unusually quiet, spared Izzy a few glances. Whatever was on his mind, he kept to himself as he snorted and left with his plate.

Everyone else, long accustomed to his attitude, continued their discussion.

"Hey, Captain, what kind of rare skill does he have?"

"Well… you'll have to ask him yourself when the chance arises. It's not my place to share the details, you know?"

"Aw, Captain, you're no fun~~!"

"Tiona! Don't speak ill of the captain!"

The lively chatter around the table didn't seem to disrupt the exchange between Izzy and Loki.

After holding out for a while, Izzy finally surrendered under Loki's relentless teasing and grip.

Though it didn't hurt, his pride felt a little bruised.

Strong ribs, though…

---

After finishing his meal, Izzy left the restaurant and strolled along the unassuming skywalk overlooking the atrium.

The Twilight Manor, home to Loki Familia, consisted of several interconnected towers.

The lower sections of these towers were joined together, while their upper levels extended into a network of stone corridors connecting one to another in a maze of interwoven paths. The architecture was complex, rising and falling without any discernible order.

By now, the fiery hues of the sunset had vanished, replaced by the cool blue of night. The sky glittered with countless stars, and a golden moon hung brightly above.

From his vantage point, Izzy could see the city bathed in dazzling lights spilling through the gaps between buildings. Faint sounds of joyous laughter and string instruments drifted through the air, adding life to the night.

After taking in the scene for a moment, Izzy turned and headed toward Loki's shrine, relying on his memory to guide him.

Loki had mentioned updating his ability values after dinner, but the "unreliable goddess" had promptly disappeared to drink somewhere.

Still, Izzy figured she would return to her shrine eventually.

The shrine, essentially Loki's private quarters, was situated at the very top of the central tower, which was surrounded by the others.

---

After ascending the spiral staircase that wound through the tower, Izzy arrived at the shrine.

As he'd expected, Loki was already there—but she appeared to be tidying up?

Standing in the doorway, Izzy surveyed the room. It was cluttered with an assortment of miscellaneous items, and in one corner, bottles of wine in various shapes and colors were stacked like a small cellar.

He froze for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Didn't this room look neat and orderly when I came here yesterday?

What had happened since then?

"Oh, sorry about this mess. I'm looking for something," Loki said casually, noticing Izzy's surprise. "After Riveria tidied up yesterday, a few things… mysteriously disappeared."

She offered him a sheepish smile as if her explanation made everything perfectly reasonable.