Danmachi : The Strongest Adventurer

City of Orario

At a quiet intersection, Rein and Syr came to a stop. Their destinations were different, and it was time to part ways.

Syr turned with a gentle smile, her eyes still holding a curiosity that had yet to be fully answered.

"Alright... In that case, see you later, Rein." Her tone remained the same as always.

Rein simply raised his hand slightly in farewell, his expression calm as ever.

"Hm." A short response before he resumed walking. Moments later, his thoughts drifted—not to the farewell but to someone far more interesting. Ye Tian.

Syr stood still for a moment, her eyes following Rein's retreating figure. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something—but no words came out. Finally, she took a quiet breath and continued on her way.

————

The sun hung high in the Orario sky, casting its light upon the cobbled streets bustling with adventurers, merchants, and townsfolk.

Rein strolled leisurely through the crowd, his hands tucked into his pockets, his mind fixated on one thing—or rather, one person.

Ye Tian.

If that man was truly someone who had reincarnated, then this could be interesting.

Orario was filled with powerful individuals—heroes, gods, and even top-tier monsters.

Other than his goddess, few had ever truly caught Rein's attention.

Even the One-Eyed Black Dragon, a creature deemed the world's greatest threat, failed to excite him.

"In the end, that dragon is only strong because of its race," Rein murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly.

What he truly sought wasn't a being powerful by birthright. Nor was it a fighter who relied solely on raw strength without technique.

What he desired was a battle against someone who was truly skilled in the art of combat. Someone with experience, technique—more than just brute power.

If Ye Tian was that kind of person… then their encounter would be something worth looking forward to.

"Ye Tian... I hope you won't disappoint me."

With a faint smile at the corner of his lips, Rein continued walking, letting the sun's heat warm his back. His destination was clear—the old church where Hestia resided.

After a few minutes, he arrived in front of the modest, yet warm-looking, old church.

Though the building appeared aged, to Rein, it was a place where he could relax after long days in the Dungeon.

As he stepped inside, he was greeted by a room far cleaner and tidier than when he had first arrived.

The church had once been dusty and worn-down, almost like an abandoned place.

But now, the walls were clean, the floors free of dust, and the simple furnishings neatly arranged.

This was the result of his and Hestia's efforts. They had spent time cleaning and organizing the place, agreeing to make it more comfortable as a home.

Rein calmly removed the beginner's armor given to him by the Adventurers' Guild. It had served him for a while, but in the end, it was merely a temporary tool.

He changed into more comfortable clothing—a dark, long-sleeved shirt and lightweight trousers that still allowed for ease of movement. Once he finished dressing, his aura shifted.

In adventurer's gear, Rein exuded a hardened, vigilant presence—a warrior.

Now, in casual clothing, he appeared more relaxed, softer even, yet still carried an undeniable masculinity.

Rein adjusted his collar with one hand while his sharp violet eyes scanned the room, searching for someone.

His goddess.

Hestia should be inside the church, perhaps in the small kitchen or the main hall where they usually talked. His eyes swept the room, looking for the petite deity.

Before he could move any further, the sound of small footsteps echoed from the other side of the room. Moments later, a figure with long black hair appeared from behind the door—Hestia.

The moment she saw Rein, her blue eyes sparkled. Her smile widened as she hurried toward him, throwing her arms around him in an eager embrace.

"Rein! You're back!" Hestia's voice was filled with happiness, a hint of relief in her tone.

Rein looked at her for a moment, his expression calm. Without saying a word, he raised his hand and gently patted her head, his fingers running through her long, silky black hair.

"Hmph… why are you always like this?" Hestia muttered softly, her voice muffled against his chest.

She let herself sink into the embrace for a moment, savoring the warmth that made her feel at ease. But after a while, she suddenly pulled away, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Wait a minute!" Hestia stood on her tiptoes, her gaze sharp like a doctor about to diagnose a patient. Without warning, her hands started inspecting his arms, then his shoulders, before finally pressing against his chest with deep focus.

"Hmmm… no wounds… no bruises… But you must be exhausted, right? Did everything go well in the Dungeon today?" she asked, her voice still gentle, yet tinged with concern.

Rein let out a light sigh. This was a common occurrence, and he knew that refusing her attention would only make Hestia worry more.

"I'm fine," Rein replied briefly, allowing Hestia to finish her inspection.

After what felt like an eternity for her, she finally exhaled in relief. Yet, instead of stepping away, she threw herself into his arms again, this time holding him even tighter.

"Thank goodness… I always worry when you leave, you know?" she whispered softly, her voice slightly trembling.

Rein could feel her small frame trembling slightly, as if there was something she wanted to say but chose to hold back. Yet, he didn't ask. Instead, his hand rose once more, gently stroking her back.

Hestia was still Hestia—cheerful, full of energy, and a bit spoiled. But when they were alone like this, she showed a softer, more honest side. She didn't hide her feelings, didn't pretend to be strong.

And Rein? He wasn't the type to reject this kind of affection.

Rein let out a light sigh but made no effort to pull away. His hand remained on her back, letting the girl cling to him without resistance.

"How long do you plan to keep hugging me like this?" His tone was relaxed, even carrying a hint of amusement.

Still pressed against his chest, Hestia shifted slightly, her cheek brushing against his shirt. She had no intention of letting go—instead, she clung even tighter.

"Hm? Do you not like it when I hug you?" she asked softly, a little playfully, but with genuine curiosity.

Rein's violet eyes gleamed faintly. The corners of his lips curled into a small smile before he suddenly leaned in slightly, bringing his lips close to her ear.

"Not really… But if you keep this up, I might start thinking about doing something more than just hugging."

His voice was lower, almost a whisper, but the effect was clear. His warm breath brushed against her ear, making her body tense slightly.

Rein waited for her reaction—a flushed face, maybe a small punch to his chest while shouting, "Pervert!" But it didn't come.

Hestia remained silent, her body still pressed against him.

She tensed briefly before letting out a small huff, playfully punching his chest. "You're such a…!" Yet, instead of pulling away, she only clung to him tighter.

Hestia sighed deeply and murmured while resting her head against his chest, "Can't we just enjoy this moment without your weird teasing?"

Rein chuckled softly, enjoying how Hestia was still clinging to him, her cheeks slightly flushed. His hand occasionally stroked his goddess's long black hair.

"I was only joking," he said lightly, though there was still a teasing tone in his voice. "But if you keep clinging like this, I might start reconsidering."