Danmachi: The Quiet Reincarnate

Cael walked through the bustling streets, the low hum of the city lights beginning to glow as dusk settled over Orario. The Valis in his pouch clinked with every step, a foreign sound compared to the Dungeon's silence.

His body, while reshaped and stronger, still carried the memory of its recent torment. The Crimson Rebirth had done its work, knitting bone and muscle, and pulling the ragged edges of deep wounds together into clean, faded lines. He no longer bled from the irregular's attacks, but a network of dull aches and throbbing bruises still persisted beneath his skin, especially on his shoulder and side.

He found a relatively secluded alleyway, away from the main thoroughfare. Pulling out the small, amber vial Misha had given him, he uncorked it. The low-grade healing potion smelled faintly of herbs and something metallic.

He poured a small amount onto his hand, the liquid feeling cool against his skin, then carefully applied it to the worst of his bruises and the minor cuts. As the potion absorbed, a gentle warmth spread, soothing the tender areas.

The deeper cuts, already mostly closed by his curse, simply felt less irritated. In moments, the bruising began to fade, and the smaller scrapes seemed to vanish, leaving his skin surprisingly clear beneath his tattered clothes.

He looked at his hands, clenching and unclenching his fists. The transformation was profound. His movements felt more efficient, his senses sharper, his very presence imbued with a subtle, new power.

He had started as an unknown, a mere Level 1. Now, he was something else entirely. The thought brought a faint, almost imperceptible smile to his lips—a rare moment of satisfaction in his solitary journey. He was still Cael, but a stronger, more refined version, the essence of the boy matured by the trials of the Dungeon.

As he continued, the sky deepened to a rich indigo, stars beginning to prick through. The streetlights flickered to life, casting long shadows. He felt a quiet anticipation building within him. He was close to home.

Finally, he reached the familiar, modest hearth of the Hestia Familia. The small building, nestled amongst larger structures, looked peaceful and welcoming against the twilight.

He pushed open the wooden door, its familiar creak echoing softly in the quiet interior.

Hestia was there, exactly as he had left her, perched on a stool by the small, crackling fireplace. She looked up as the door opened, her blue eyes widening as she saw him. Her lips parted, a small gasp escaping them.

"Cael!" she exclaimed, scrambling off the stool, her initial relief swiftly replaced by concern as her gaze darted over his scuffed and torn armor. "You're back! And… oh, you're a mess!"

She rushed towards him, her small hands reaching out, but then she paused, her eyes widening further as she took in his overall appearance.

Gone was the haggard look of someone who had just survived an ordeal. Despite the visible damage to his clothing, his skin beneath the tears looked remarkably clear where moments before there had been bruises.

His posture was straighter, more defined. His face, usually a mask of calm, held a subtle, newfound sharpness around his jawline and eyes, yet his gaze was incredibly clear, almost innocent, holding a mature depth that seemed far beyond his fourteen years.

It was a charming, kind face, softened by a faint, almost imperceptible smile that lingered at the corners of his lips.

"I'm fine, Goddess," Cael replied, his voice a low, steady rumble, surprisingly clear despite the long hours in the Dungeon. "Just finished my first delve."

He reached into his pouch and pulled out the heavy bag of Valis, placing it gently onto the small table. "And this. From the Dungeon."

Hestia stared at the bulging bag, then back at Cael, her eyes widening in disbelief. The sheer volume was obvious.

She picked it up, her hands almost giving way under the unexpected weight. Her small gasp turned into a choked sound of awe. "This… Cael, where did all this come from?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Her gaze then fell back to Cael, a sudden, terrifying realization dawning. His presence in the room felt different, too powerful for a mere Level 1.

His aura seemed to radiate raw, untamed strength, an energy that resonated with her own divine essence.

"You… you need a Status Update. Now," she finally breathed, her voice filled with a mixture of immense pride and a terrifying understanding of the power he had just accumulated.

The sheer potential radiating from him was unlike anything she had ever felt from an adventurer.

Cael simply nodded, his quiet determination now tinged with a hint of fatigue, but his eyes held steady on her, ready for the next step on his accelerating path.

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