DanMachi: Starting with a Sword Soul Template

Chapter 116: An Arena Battle with No Fairness! Status Update

When Ganesha announced that the War Game between the Apollo and Hestia Familias would be decided by an arena battle.

The originally quiet atmosphere was instantly ignited.

There were many types of combat, but the one he had chosen was undoubtedly the War Game format that most favored the Apollo Familia!

An Arena Battle.

Only when the strength and number of dependants on both sides were roughly equal could there be any fairness.

Even if there was a gap in overall strength, one could use troop arrangements and formations to give the weaker Familia a chance to win.

And now.

The Hestia Familia participating in this War Game, setting aside the supporter Lili, had only two combat members.

Liam Moon, and the newly transferred Lv2 adventurer, Yamato Mikoto.

"...An... an arena battle?"

"If Apollo didn't pull some strings behind the scenes, then their luck is truly at rock bottom. Such a huge disparity in numbers."

"Even if Liam Moon can really deal with many adventurers of the same level."

"They can just use a wheel battle to exhaust his stamina, and then let Hyakinthos finish him off. I can't see any possibility of them losing..."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Among the many gods attending the Denatus, there were some who didn't manage a Familia and were purely in Orario for fun.

They didn't need to care about their relationship with Apollo.

When Ganesha announced the format of the War Game, looking at Apollo, whose attire was... slightly exaggerated, they directly began to discuss.

And the facts were just so.

The disparity in the number of adventurer members had already decided the victor of this War Game.

And holding the slip of paper in his hand, amidst the surrounding gods' discussions, Ganesha emphasized in a serious tone, "I am Ganesha!"

"I swear on my divine name, the drawing process was absolutely not false!"

"."

A Familia with a huge disparity in strength deciding the winner of a War Game through an "arena battle" – in the history of Orario.

This was something that had never happened before.

As for drawing again?

It didn't conform to the rules of a War Game. This precedent absolutely could not be set today!

Directly swearing on his divine name made the on-site discussion stop for a moment. It was just that Ganesha's gaze towards Hestia.

He couldn't help but shake his head lightly.

He was relatively familiar with Liam. After all, the "Soma Familia Destruction Incident" was a mess his own Familia had helped clean up.

He had obtained information regarding his ability scores.

Truly unprecedented, all his ability scores had reached the theoretical limit. And his combat ability was extremely strong.

After the compulsory Familia expedition, even if his ability scores had improved.

Wanting to defeat all members of the Apollo Familia in a "wheel battle" format was completely impossible…

However.

Compared to the down-and-out Hestia Familia, the Apollo Familia had a much stronger foundation and strength.

Perhaps…

Liam, with his higher starting point, could continue to write this epic tale of a hero that belonged solely to him in the future?

He had no intention of redrawing.

Ganesha's gaze first swept over Hestia, finally looking at... Apollo, who was completely unconcerned with the surrounding discussions, his face flushed.

He cleared his throat lightly and finally announced:

"The combat format has been chosen. As for the time and place, it will be at noon tomorrow, at the circular arena on East Main Street!"

"Do you have any other opinions?"

"."

"Wheel Battle."

The final decisive method of the War Game completely exceeded Hestia's expectations. Of course, she could understand its meaning.

In a situation of evenly matched strength.

This was the fairest and most strategic form of warfare!

For her own Familia, with its scarce members, unable to cope with a wheel battle, the ending was already doomed before it even began!

Most critically…

At this point, as a goddess, she could no longer forcibly stop this War Game!

The real solution was to seek out stronger adventurers and have them temporarily transfer to the Hestia Familia to participate in the battle.

But was that even a possibility?

While Hestia's expression was grave and she chose silence, Apollo, who had learned the combat format, had already seen the fruits of victory.

"The undisputed strongest rookie in Orario joins my Familia."

Facing the gazes of the gods…

His face was unusually flushed, yet his tone remained arrogant.

"Of course, I have no objections."

"After all these years of hard work developing my Familia, do you expect me to give up my advantage and have a fair fight with the Hestia Familia?"

"Is it possible that that itself is a form of unfairness!"

The disparity in the number and strength of their Familia members, without any need for planning, allowed him to easily win the War Game.

Apollo had absolutely no intention of going easy.

The most stable method was to use a wheel battle to exhaust Liam's stamina, and then let Hyakinthos deliver the final blow!

This would both preserve Liam's face as the strongest rookie.

And also, as much as possible, grasp the strength he now possessed!

"Hestia, and you?"

"."

She had already prepared for the worst outcome. It would be nothing more than losing the War Game, being expelled from Orario, and returning to the heavens alone.

Wait for ten thousand years, then return to Orario again.

Find Liam's reincarnation, disregard everything else, and just have a ten-thousand-year-long romance with him.

Facing Apollo's provocative gaze, Hestia wasn't annoyed at all. Just with the sweetest smile, her tone was melodious.

"No objections, I believe in Liam!"

"."

Also attending the Denatus, Hephaestus crossed her arms. She could feel her close friend's complex mood at this moment.

It was definitely not as relaxed as it appeared on the surface.

Her brow furrowed slightly. The War Game couldn't have "supporters." If she really wanted to find a loophole, it would probably have to be before tomorrow.

Having another Familia's members complete a transfer…

"This is really tricky!"

Choose to believe in Liam.

Or, as a close friend, provide help to Hestia to the best of her ability?

Hephaestus's mood was somewhat complicated. Just as she made a decision, she recalled her conversation with Liam yesterday.

His completely confident demeanor.

He had even considered how to spend the money won from the casino.

"I probably don't need to worry, right?" Although that was a completely restless personality, her intuition as a goddess told her.

Things were definitely not as simple as they seemed!

Although she felt very sorry for Hestia for having this thought, Hephaestus was really curious about the War Game starting tomorrow!

Without continuing the Dungeon exploration, after all, he had to leave enough time to rest, and for various preparations before the War Game.

He dealt with the Minotaurs that had been attracted.

After all the dropped items were collected, with his stamina still in a decent state, Liam decisively led the adventurer team back to Orario.

During this, the overall atmosphere was a bit subdued.

With the War Game approaching tomorrow, as a supporter, Lili had no way to provide help.

Even if she really fought.

Using the magic sword she carried, wanting to deal with a Lv1 adventurer was an extravagant hope.

Especially after knowing what the Apollo Familia had done, Lili only felt repulsion towards such a group. If one had to make an analogy.

It was probably a slightly better environment than the Soma Familia.

Following beside Liam, Lili looked up and asked, "The Denatus should be over. Are there any things you need me to prepare?"

"Nothing at all."

Just after saying this, Liam glanced at the grave-faced supporter girl, knowing her realistic personality.

He hesitated for a moment, but still added, "Well, actually there is one thing."

"Hmm?"

The young woman looked up, her gaze not dodging in the slightest. It was just that Liam's next words made her lose control of her expression, "Count all of the Apollo Familia's assets."

"And then get the funds from the casino back."

"?"

And this conversation, packed with information, undoubtedly eased the grave atmosphere of the team, and even made Mikoto look up in a daze.

Her clear eyes were full of curiosity.

But more than that, it was the confidence brought by Liam's strength!

Leaving the Dungeon and returning to Orario, Kashima and Chigusa, who had participated in the exploration as supporters, chose to return to their Familia.

Leaving only Liam and Mikoto to return to their Familia home.

Still the abandoned church. And Hestia, having finished the Denatus, had been waiting for Liam in the basement for a long time.

Footsteps gradually approached.

She looked at that familiar figure, the unconcealable fatigue between his brows.

Hestia's heart was filled with even more guilt. Not only had she not provided a good Familia environment for his growth, but even the upcoming War Game.

Was drawn as the worst-case "Arena Battle"!

"You're back, Liam…"

"Mm."

"Just finished the Dungeon exploration. I wanted to come back and have Lady Hestia update my status."

Noticing that somewhat reserved figure, Liam smiled faintly. He had already guessed the result regarding the "War Game."

It was probably somewhat unsatisfactory?

He didn't mind, saying in a relaxed tone, "Regarding the decisive method for the War Game, is there a specific result now?"

"There is."

The matter ultimately couldn't be concealed. Hestia's smile was forced, her tone filled with a deep exhaustion that couldn't be hidden.

"It's... it's a result drawn objectively."

"A wheel battle."

"The disparity in the number of Familia members is a problem we and the Apollo Familia cannot ignore, so as for the result…"

Speaking to the end, the young woman's voice trailed off.

"Please don't have so much psychological pressure, Liam-kun. No matter what the result is, I will face it with you."

He knew the biggest disadvantage of a wheel battle.

Was probably the stamina consumption from non-stop fighting. For an ordinary adventurer, it was absolutely insurmountable.

But for Liam, it could be completely ignored.

Even, looking at the guilt-ridden young woman, his expression wasn't grave. On the contrary, his tone was relaxed, "This is a good draw!"

"Why do you say it's a good draw?"

Hestia looked up.

And Liam didn't keep her in suspense, just said in a relaxed tone, "As long as I can quickly deal with the adventurers at the beginning."

"And make the ones after realize the strength gap, I can seize the initiative."

"."

"As long as I quickly deal with the adventurers and make the ones after feel fear."

She already knew Liam's character, but when Lili heard these words, the corners of her mouth still couldn't help but twitch wildly.

If she weren't in front of Hestia.

She really wanted to ask Liam: Are you even speaking human?

"I will try my best to control my stamina consumption. As for the Apollo Familia's Lv3 adventurer, there shouldn't be any threat."

This was the vast numerical value accumulated at his current level.

And the special mechanics brought by the "Sword Soul Template," gave Liam his confidence.

His gaze swept over the women, finally saying with a relaxed smile, "The Familia's paper strength is indeed there, but it can't be that…"

"Before the battle has even begun."

"We're already considering how to retreat unscathed from a defeat, right?"

And Hestia, whose mood had been down because of the drawing, looked at the young man's high-spirited appearance, her gaze somewhat dazed.

A smile from the bottom of her heart unconsciously appeared on her face.

"Liam-kun."

"I believe you can absolutely do it!"

She had to give the Apollo Familia a piece of her mind. This was Hestia's unquestioning trust in Liam.

As for the matter of updating his status at the beginning.

The large stone hanging in her heart fell to the ground. Her gaze briefly swept over everyone, especially Lili and the newly transferred Mikoto.

"Let me help you update your ability scores?"

"Okay."

"."

Knowing that updating ability scores was a very private matter, Lili and Mikoto had no intention of continuing to linger in the basement.

But without any exception.

Liam's words could be said to have determined the strategy for the War Game.

He didn't need their help at all, wanting to use pure strength to crush them, to break the Apollo Familia's wheel battle in the War Game!

Even though they didn't need to participate in the battle.

Mikoto's mood was still uncontrollably expectant.

"Facing the huge strength gap of the Apollo Familia, yet still maintaining a posture of forging straight ahead."

This was the swordsman she had always yearned for in the depths of her heart!

Perhaps…

This was the origin of Liam's title, "Sword Soul"?

The process of updating ability scores, Hestia was already incredibly familiar with it. It was nothing more than erasing the past ability scores.

And replacing them with the changes from this period of Dungeon training.

As a gentle light rose from his back, she took out the pre-prepared cowhide paper and made a rubbing of the updated ability scores.

Liam Moon

Lv2

Strength: A860 → SS1013 丨 Endurance: A801 → SS1048 丨 Dexterity: A880 → SS1001 丨 Agility: A844 → SS1050 丨 Magic: B745 → S930

Development Ability: Sword Soul

Magic: Warlord's Fervor

Skills: Sword Soul Power, Homicidal Intent Perception

When Hestia's gaze swept over the cowhide scroll, capturing the ability score improvement brought by these two days of Dungeon training.

Her expression was inexplicably stiff.

Logically speaking, after completing a level sublimation, the speed of ability score improvement would decrease.

And now.

This commonly acknowledged knowledge seemed completely inapplicable to describe Liam!

"?! "

"This speed of ability score improvement, isn't it a bit too exaggerated?"

He hadn't reached the theoretical limit of his ability scores yet, but it was still a distant goal that countless adventurers could never reach.

Relying on the great feat of "killing the floor lord Goliath."

Hestia's mood couldn't be calmed. If Liam was willing, with the vast ability scores he had currently accumulated.

He could completely break through to Lv3!

Handing the cowhide paper with the rubbed status to Liam, she didn't continue to sit on his back, but rolled over to the side of the bed.

The young woman's eyes were filled with an unconcealable joy.

And, an uncontrollable, deep pride for Liam, "Liam-kun, just with those who don't think highly of you."

"Show the Apollo Familia fiercely, the potential you possess!!"

(End of this chapter)

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