Is It Wrong For Me To Start With Three Skills In Danmachi ?!

Fron was at a loss, should he send him back to the Hestia Familia's home, or drag him all the way to the Guild?

Just then, from the lower floors, the sound of light footsteps came closer and closer.

------------------------------------

He turned his head, wanting to confirm the other party's identity through the deep darkness, but very soon … two familiar figures entered his sight.

"Eh? Fron? Why are you here? At your speed, you should've been home long ago, how come you…"

As the pleasant voice came first, soon after, Riveria and Ais, covered in filth, with their clothes and light armor all in tatters, appeared one after another from the floor passage.

"….."

Fron helplessly jerked his chin toward the boy beside him, signaling Riveria for help.

Following his gesture, Riveria's gaze shifted over, landing on the unconscious boy on the ground. Her emerald eyes filled with doubt.

"This boy is?"

But before Fron could explain, Ais spoke first.

"I… remember. He's from the same hometown as Fron."

The blonde girl recalled the Minotaur incident on the 5th floor, replaying their brief conversation, and quickly recognized the white-haired boy's identity.

"How could he have fainted here? This is the dungeon."

Even Riveria, and Ais too, were surprised. To enter the dungeon alone, and then faint, wasn't this just courting death? Too reckless, too foolish.

Fron had no choice but to explain with a stiff smile.

"Ah, originally we had already returned to the surface early. I thought the night air was quite nice, so I wanted to drink alone and enjoy the breeze, so I let Finn and the others head back first."

"Then at the plaza I saw this kid sneaking into the dungeon in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. Since I knew him and we have a decent relationship, I couldn't just watch him do something this reckless. So I followed him in. And as you can see, this happened."

Riveria extended her hand under the boy's nose, checking his breath, then smiled faintly.

"[Mind Down]. Overusing magic until his mind is exhausted. Heh, isn't that your specialty, Fron?"

"…" Fron turned his head away awkwardly, rubbing his nose.

It was true. Since becoming a mage, how many times had he fainted from [Mind Down]? Not to mention the unspoken times, just the occasions when his comrades had to drag him home, already too many to count on one hand.

Fortunately, he had joined the Loki Familia, always having powerful comrades supporting him.

If he'd joined something like the [Soma Familia], he probably wouldn't even know how he died, the first to rob him after fainting would've been his own so-called comrades.

That was what the [Soma Familia] was like, backstabbing was daily routine.

"Ahem, anyway. I'll take him back. I've met his familia's god a few times, we're acquainted."

Riveria stood, nodded, and reminded him.

"I see, understood. Then we'll leave him to you."

"Mm."

Since he said so, Riveria naturally wouldn't add more.

But Ais, with her airheaded expression, seemed like she wanted to speak but held back.

Seeing her like that, Fron of course knew what she wanted to say. Smiling gently, he reached out and ruffled her golden hair, his gaze soft as he spoke with certainty.

"You succeeded, didn't you."

The girl froze at the sudden gesture, then… her cheeks flushed crimson as she lowered her head slightly, her shy eyes darting around, unable to meet his.

In the end, she endured the comfortable warmth from his hand on her head and barely managed a small nod, her eyes shining with joy.

'So warm, so comforting.'

Unaware of the ripples his casual act stirred in the girl's heart, Fron patted her head again, chuckling softly.

"Congratulations, on achieving the impossible feat!"

The heartfelt blessing reached her clearly. And then, her ears burned red, and with trembling lips she forced out a reply.

"Th-thank you."

"What thank you? Just buy me a drink."

"Mm!"

"?" She agreed that easily?

Moonlight spilled across the stone-paved road, the damp surface faintly glistening.

On Northwest Street, in the District's ruined, desolate street, a figure walked slowly, carrying something slung over his shoulder like a sack.

Streetlamps powered by magic stones were rare in this area. From the ruins of the buildings, one could tell this used to be a prosperous district, but for some reason had fallen into ruin.

Even after years of weathering, details in the ruins showed it had been destroyed by some force, or during a chaotic battle.

Carrying the boy, Fron observed his surroundings.

'Northwest Avenue, Seventh District reduced to ruins … If I recall, five years ago, the headquarters of the [Astraea Familia] was near here. Which means… this place was destroyed during the Orario Dark Period's battles, when the Evilus faction was annihilated.'

'Five years passed, yet the Guild still hasn't rebuilt this area, maybe they have other plans.'

So he thought, until a half-collapsed church appeared before him.

Destination reached.

The church's exterior was dilapidated, but within its basement was a hidden room.

This was a gift from the goddess Hephaestus, given to her close friend, the goddess Hestia, as a final kindness after kicking her out. It now served as the headquarters of the [Hestia Familia].

For a lone, shut-in goddess with a tiny familia, even having a place to stay in Orario was already fortunate.

He recalled how outrageous the inn prices had been when he first came to the city, Orario's housing market was beyond the reach of most.

The center of the world, the labyrinth city Orario, was worth its weight in gold.

Familia after familia, countless in number, all competing fiercely, far more brutal than even the greatest cities of his past life.

So for a goddess who came down without a familia or skills, Hephaestus's gift was already more than generous.

With that in mind, he politely knocked on the church door.

Knock, knock, knock…

"Excuse me, is this the residence of the Hestia Familia? Is Lady Hestia in?"

"…." A night breeze blew through. The slight drunkenness in his head quickly faded.

"Anyone there?"

After waiting a long while, there was no response.

Only after five minutes of knocking, came the sound of hurried footsteps inside.

"Who is it?"

As the voice arrived, the wooden door creaked open.

In the dim moonlight, Fron saw who had opened it.

Not the goddess Hestia as expected, but,

"Eh? You're… that, that, the Loki Familia's blacksmith from the shop, right? For… Fro something?"

"…."

Hearing this, and seeing Hestia's confused expression, Fron nearly broke down. If not for his willpower as an adventurer, he might have collapsed right there.

Forcing himself to stay calm, he introduced himself.

"Lady Hestia, it's Fron. Fron Argon."

"Ah! Right, right, that's you. So, what brings you here so late, "

But before she could finish, her eyes fell on the figure slung over his shoulder.

"This is… Bell!? Bell, what happened!? Wake up, Bell! You can't just leave me alone like this!"

Crying and panicking, she hurriedly pulled Bell from Fron's shoulder, holding him in her arms while bawling uncontrollably.

"…." This, this is a goddess???

Fron stood dumbfounded, sweat on his forehead, utterly speechless.

Though she bore the eternal flame symbolizing family and protection, right now she seemed completely unreliable.

"Um, Lady Hestia, please calm down. Cranel fainted in the dungeon from [Mind Down]. I just helped bring him back."

"So… my Bell is still alive?"

"Ahem, yes, you could say that."

"Th-that's great!"

"…."

...

Inside the ruined church, on the first floor.

After handing Cranel to Hestia, Fron exhaled.

"Boy, thank you. If not for you… my Bell…"

Seeing the little goddess tearing up again, Fron quickly waved his hand.

"It's nothing. Besides, we're even now. I've already received his repayment, though it was a coincidence."

"Mm? Repayment?"

At the mention of money, Hestia's face immediately became cautious.

"Well, I already received it. Please don't worry about it."

"…Fine. Then, Blacksmith-kun, I still need to take care of Bell, so I won't see you out."

"Alright, I'll take my leave."

Bowing slightly, Fron quickly left the small church of the [Hestia Familia].

...

Bathed in moonlight, Fron walked alone through the quiet alley.

Though it was late, taverns on both sides of the street still echoed with noise, full of life.

But he no longer felt like drinking. After returning from the dungeon, running into Bell, and dealing with that unreliable goddess, he was exhausted. All he wanted was a bath and his bed.

Tap, tap, tap…

The lonely alley was shrouded in shadow, dimly lit.

Just as Fron reached a corner, preparing to turn into a side street, a sharp tearing sound split the air, a violent wind whistling past his ear. His body instinctively reacted.

His toes pressed against the ground, lightly leaping back a step. His hand slipped from his cloak, unwrapping the staff strapped to his back, aiming it at the shadow hidden on the rooftop.

"[Fire Bolt]!"