Chapter 104: Chapter 104
[Energy Perception: Active Skill. Allows the user to sense the location and strength of energy bodies carrying magic, chakra, or similar forms of energy within a one-kilometer radius. The detection range expands as mental power grows.]
[Mirror Calm: When struck by a powerful mental-type attack, this Skill may activate automatically, placing the user in a state of absolute calm for 10 seconds. During this state, the user is immune to charm, genjutsu, and other mental-domain attacks. Cooldown: 12 hours.]
Looking at the descriptions on the parchment, Kiriya’s heart surged with excitement.
He wanted nothing more than to grab Hestia and kiss her several times.
Oh.
He had already done it!
"Hahaha, Hestia, you really are my lucky goddess! Come here, give me a kiss."
"Mwah—!"
"Wha-What are you doing?!"
Hestia was completely caught off guard by Kiriya’s sudden attack.
Her face instantly flushed bright red, like a ripe tomato, and faint steam seemed to rise from her head.
Kiriya was not sure if it was his imagination, but he could almost hear a "whoosh, whoosh" sound like steam venting.
"Kiriya-kun, you idiot! Big idiot!"
Hestia squeezed her eyes shut and swung her little fists against Kiriya’s chest, only for him to pull her into his arms and kiss her on the lips.
Soft, smooth, and sweet.
Like the finest chewy candy.
Kiriya could not help lingering for a little longer.
"Mmph—"
This time, Hestia completely shut down. Her eyes turned into spirals, and she did not even have the strength to speak.
Kiriya chuckled, wrapped one arm around Hestia’s slender waist, and used his other hand to hold the parchment, reading it over and over with a silly grin.
One of the new Skills was a wide-range detection ability, essentially the DanMachi version of the Byakugan.
From now on, as long as he remained careful, if enemies wanted to ambush him...
Heh.
That would be fun.
As for Mirror Calm...
The ability to enter a state of absolute rationality for 10 seconds was basically a 10-second invincibility trial card.
Even with the activation condition of a "powerful attack" and a 12-hour cooldown, it was still priceless.
What kind of enemy did Kiriya least want to face?
Not the kind of overwhelmingly powerful opponent who could crush everything head-on, because he had Flying Thunder God and could run away.
What he feared most were experts in mental abilities—those who specialized in charm, hypnosis, genjutsu, or similar powers.
Against those kinds of enemies, he might die without even knowing how it happened.
He might even be sold off and happily help count the money afterward.
Yes, he was talking about a certain Goddess of Beauty whose name he would rather not mention.
Previously, he had always avoided meeting those beauty goddesses, precisely because of their all-pervasive charm authority.
Freya, in particular, possessed charm so powerful that even many gods in Heaven could not resist it.
Only the three virgin goddesses could face it calmly.
If Kiriya ran into her, one look might turn him into the ultimate devoted follower, the kind who would worship her from head to toe without missing a single strand of hair.
Kiriya did not mind admiring a goddess.
But he refused to lose himself completely.
The former was a wonderful kind of enjoyment. That smooth, soft feeling was enough to leave a deep impression.
The latter meant surrendering his entire self.
Especially when he imagined that kind of humble, bottomless devotion, giving his whole body and mind for someone else to trample on, he felt chills run through him.
But now he did not need to worry.
Even if Freya herself stood in front of him, he could face her with a smile.
Skills awakened in the DanMachi world never exaggerated. If it said he was immune, then he was immune.
"I won big this time. Seriously, this is a huge win!"
Kiriya was overjoyed.
Compared with this gain, his Development Ability Mage breaking through to H rank did not feel quite as surprising, though it was still very valuable.
"But since we’ve reached this point, it’s time to level up."
Kiriya nudged Hestia.
"Hey, wake up! Stop grinning like that. It’s time for the important part."
"The important part? Who’s the important part?"
The dazed Hestia suddenly said something like that, leaving Kiriya stunned.
Was this still the virgin goddess?
Why did the first thing out of her mouth sound so dangerous?
Unbelievable.
Who had corrupted such an innocent goddess?
’Oh... It was me.’
’Then that was fine.’
Kiriya coughed lightly and smiled.
"Of course I mean the level-up."
"Oh, right."
Hestia finally regained a little clarity. She got up, moved behind Kiriya, and completed his level-up.
[Kiriya]
[Lv. 3]
[Strength: SSS (1743) → I (0)]
[Endurance: SSS (1701) → I (0)]
[Dexterity: SSS (1722) → I (0)]
[Agility: SSS (1731) → I (0)]
[Magic: SSSS (1765) → I (0)]
[Magic: Forest of All Things, Yang Power: Everflowing Vitality, Blade Storm]
[Skills: Wish of the Strong, Demon Slayer, Energy Perception, Mirror Calm]
[Development Abilities: Mage (H)]
"Although I expected this, actually seeing the day come still feels incredible."
Hestia’s eyes were full of pride.
"Kiriya-kun, after leveling up, you gained three new Development Ability options: Abnormal Resistance, Healing, and Luck. Which one do you want to choose? I’ll say this first, I recommend Luck! It’s... how should I put it? It sounds pretty rare."
"Then... I’ll choose Luck."
After thinking for a moment, Kiriya made his decision.
He already had Yang Power: Everflowing Vitality, a magic with powerful healing effects, so his need for Abnormal Resistance and Healing was not that urgent.
On the other hand, according to Hestia, the Development Ability called Luck might bring him different kinds of unexpected gains.
For example, when looting or opening chests, it might increase the chance of obtaining good items.
Or when encountering danger or desperate situations, it might increase the chance of finding a way out.
Or when he needed to make a decision, some unseen guidance might lead him toward the most favorable choice.
[Kiriya]
[Lv. 3]
[Strength: SSS (1743) → I (0)]
[Endurance: SSS (1701) → I (0)]
[Dexterity: SSS (1722) → I (0)]
[Agility: SSS (1731) → I (0)]
[Magic: SSSS (1765) → I (0)]
[Magic: Forest of All Things, Yang Power: Everflowing Vitality, Blade Storm]
[Skills: Wish of the Strong, Demon Slayer, Energy Perception, Mirror Calm]
[Development Abilities: Mage (H), Luck (I)]
With Hestia’s work complete, Kiriya gained another new Development Ability.
"Mm, that’s finally settled."
Kiriya lay on the bed and stretched lazily, letting out an extremely comfortable sigh.
"Ah, the bed here really is the most comfortable."
During the month he spent in the Naruto world, every day had been either training or battle.
It was not that he had constantly been walking the line between life and death, but his mind had undeniably remained tense the entire time.
Now that he was back in this small villa and finally relaxed, exhaustion began to rise within him.
"What are you talking about? It’s only been one day here."
Sitting beside him, Hestia could not help commenting when she saw Kiriya yawning repeatedly.
Was this really the same energetic Kiriya she knew?
As soon as Hestia finished speaking, she felt a weight settle on her lap.
Looking down, she saw Kiriya resting his head there, his warm breath brushing against her skin and making her cheeks heat up.
"W-What are you doing all of a sudden?"
Hestia stammered.
"Hestia-sama, this humble Familia member humbly requests a lap pillow service. I beg for your divine permission."
Kiriya shifted his head slightly.
The soft, delicate feeling beneath the back of his head and neck made him reluctant to move.
"Honestly... I don’t know what to do with you! What kind of goddess gives this kind of service to her Familia?"
Hestia complained, but she did not push Kiriya away. Instead, her small hand had already begun gently stroking his cheek.
"You worked hard, Kiriya-kun."
"Mm, that tickles."
Kiriya shrank his neck slightly, his head moving restlessly.
Then he turned over, face upward, and the first thing that filled his view was a pair of majestic peaks blocking the goddess’s beautiful face.
"Praise the heavens. Praise Goddess Hestia!"
Kiriya spoke with complete seriousness.
"What?"
At first, Hestia did not understand what he meant.
Once she realized it, her face turned bright red, and she slapped Kiriya’s arm.
"Turn your face the other way."
Kiriya obediently turned his face toward her stomach.
Unfortunately, that only made Hestia feel even more uncomfortable.
His breath was far too close, making her whole body tremble slightly.
"Uh..."
Kiriya’s throat moved.
"Hestia, when did you buy these?"
"What? Do they not look good?"
Hestia’s heart tightened, and her petite toes curled shyly beneath the white stockings.
This had been Hephaestus’s suggestion. She had said they could increase attack speed.
"No. They suit you."
Kiriya licked the corner of his lips.
The view alone was enough to increase his appetite!
Hestia felt her small foot being held by a warm, steady hand. Heat seeped through the silky fabric and into her skin like an electric current, making her heart tremble.
"W-What are you doing?"
Hestia thought of the descriptions in the book Hephaestus had sent her.
Her small hands clutched the bedsheet tightly, and it was hard to tell whether the expression on her face was nervousness or anticipation.
"Hm? Nothing much. I just wanted to discuss a new way of appreciating beauty with Hestia-sama."
Kiriya spoke with a perfectly serious expression.
...
After some time, Kiriya wiped the corner of his mouth and pressed his hands together with great sincerity.
"Thank you for the treat."
"P-Pervert... You big bully..."
Hestia curled her toes, her eyes misty, and her shy, flustered appearance almost made Kiriya act up again.
"Hey, now that’s a serious accusation."
Kiriya’s expression changed as he leaned closer again.
"If you’re going to call me that, I might as well earn it."
"N-Nooo..."
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