[D.C] Ch 6: To The Dungeon

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The next morning

Klaus blinked his sleepy eyes open, still dizzy. He rubbed them gently and glanced at the magic stone clock hanging on the wall.

"...5:30?"

"It's still early. I can sleep a bit more."

Goddess Hestia was still asleep, curled up on his chest.

She was incredibly light, and honestly, sharing a bed with her like this—warm, soft, and cozy—felt pretty amazing.

Unlike Bell from the original story, Klaus had no intention of giving up the bed to sleep on some rock-hard, busted-up couch.

Only an idiot would do that.

Just then, Hestia shifted slightly in her sleep, and a wave of soft warmth pressed against him. A faint, comforting scent lingered on her.

Her expression was completely relaxed, like a sleeping baby as she nuzzled her face into his chest.

Her overwhelmingly full chest had already squashed against him, flattened by her position.

She was just… too cute.

Klaus felt his heart melt a little at the sight.

...

Later that morning.

Klaus woke again.

This time, the moment he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a pair of deep blue eyes—Hestia's gaze staring straight into his.

"Klaussy~~"

She blinked a few times, calling his name sweetly. "Good morning~~ Klaussy~"

"Morning, Lady Goddess," Klaus replied with a soft smile.

"So… I need to get up now."

Hestia still refused to budge. She clung to him like a lazy kitten, snuggling close, not wanting to let go.

"You're heading out?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Yeah," Klaus said after a pause. "I'm heading into the Dungeon."

"Gonna hunt a few monsters, earn some valis at the Guild."

"Then tonight, we can celebrate with a feast!"

Hestia let out a quiet sigh, her eyes clouded slightly with worry. "You're going adventuring already?"

After all…

Klaus was still a complete newbie. Fresh off the starting line, no experience, and no one to guide him.

She didn't want to say goodbye in the morning… only to lose him forever by nightfall.

Geniuses like him—especially a rare magic-user—were hard to come by in the lower world.

Her heart just couldn't rest easy.

It's not about being paranoid—it's just reality!

The Dungeon, located beneath Orario, was the source of nearly all the dangerous monsters on the continent.

It was no exaggeration to call it deadly.

Currently, the only public entrance to the Dungeon was beneath the Tower of Babel.

One wrong step in there, and even experienced adventurers could die. But to adventurers, it was also the land of dreams—danger and opportunity in equal measure.

Most of them didn't want to live their lives in obscurity. They sought fame, fortune, and the thrill of the unknown.

According to the Guild, countless adventurers entered the Dungeon every day… and many never came back.

Some vanished. Others died heroically.

Especially first-timers—rookies with zero experience were often the first to fall.

"Sigh~ If only I could use my Arcanum," Hestia mumbled with guilt as she looked at him.

Arcanum was a god's power. But here in the lower world, unless under extraordinary circumstances, gods were strictly forbidden from using it.

If caught using Arcanum, they'd be sent straight back to the heavens.

"Don't worry, Lady Goddess," Klaus said with a gentle chuckle, patting her head.

"I'll be extra careful in the Dungeon."

"If I don't go through some real training… then what's the point of having talent at all?"

"So please trust me—I'll be fine."

Klaus wasn't some fragile flower in a greenhouse. How could he grow strong without facing some wind and rain?

Hestia thought back to his three incredible magics and his unique skills.

She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

"Klaussy~" she said with a teasing smile, her eyes twinkling. "How about this?"

"I'll ask a friend of mine—a fellow god."

"I'll see if someone from his Familia can escort you, show you the ropes a bit."

"That way, I won't worry as much."

A god friend, huh?

Klaus guessed she meant someone like Miach, Takemikazuchi, or Hephaestus.

He imagined Hestia bowing and begging them with all her pride set aside. Just thinking about that made him quickly shake his head.

"No, no, that won't be necessary."

"I can handle it myself."

"…"

They went back and forth for a while, but in the end, Hestia gave in with a dramatic huff.

"Klaussy… you're seriously so stubborn!!"

Left with no choice, she reluctantly agreed to let him go experience the Dungeon himself.

But not without a long list of strict instructions—

Things like: 'Only go to the first floor. Don't even think about exploring deeper.'

'If things go south, run. Just run. Don't try to be a hero.'

Klaus nodded seriously, promising he'd come back in one piece.

Only then did Hestia finally, though reluctantly, release her arms from around him.

After getting up and quickly washing up, Klaus waved goodbye and left their little home base.

Hestia watched his back as he walked away—empty-handed.

And quietly, deep down… she made a decision.

"Sigh…"

"What a sweet kid," she murmured, resting her chin in her palm.

"Looks like I need to do something for him, too."

With that, she headed off toward her part-time job.

---

After saying goodbye to his goddess, Klaus walked into the bustling city streets.

Lining both sides of the road were stone-built shops, packed with customers. Many demi-human adventurers were checking out the various magical items made from monster cores.

Klaus didn't stop to look at any of the dazzling displays, though.

Sure, he wanted to buy a watch or something—but unfortunately, he was dead broke.

Suddenly—

He felt a scorching-hot gaze pierce through him from above.

His expression froze.

He spun around quickly, scanning his surroundings.

But no matter where he looked, he couldn't find who was watching him.

Still, the feeling lingered—like his body and soul had just been lit on fire.

It was the kind of look someone gives when they're appraising an object.

Cold, entitled, and completely domineering.

Klaus had a pretty good idea who it was.

No doubt about it—

The goddess of beauty… Freya.

He shook his head and brushed it off.

No point in thinking too hard about it.

He continued toward The Guild.

"Um… excuse me."

A soft, slightly sweet voice called out behind him.

Klaus turned and saw a girl standing just a few steps away.

She wore a pale green vest-style uniform, the kind Guild employees wore.

Her ash-gray hair was tied up in a cute little bun, sort of like a high ponytail.

She was about 168cm tall, with smooth, fair skin that looked incredibly soft. Her face was clean and delicate—pure and gentle, like milk-white porcelain.

There was something naturally charming and adorable about her.

This girl was…

—Syr Flova.

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