"Come back when you're stronger."
The man said as he slammed the door shut in front of me. With a sigh, I gripped the strap of my backpack closer to me as I left the place. This is the twentieth time that an exploration Familia rejected me on the spot. Of course, for someone who wanted to become an Adventurer joining strong exploration Familias like Freya Familia, Loki Familia, and several others were the first and preferable choices for a newcomer like me.
But it seems that they wanted members that they deemed worthy within a first glance and I sadly didn't fit the bill, stating that I don't look "particularly strong and handsome" or I look "dull, uninteresting, and plain" for them.
Those were their opinions about me and frankly, this didn't deter me from my goal of becoming an adventurer and explore the Dungeon that the city of Orario was famous for. A city where most gods and goddesses resided after having descended from Heaven and where the structure called Dungeon where monsters spawned and adventurers made a living off hunting them and gathering magic stones...
I heard many things about this place from my grandfather back at home. He would also regale me with tales about this place when I was a child back then and it really got me intrigued ever since. I mean, for someone who had retained memories of his past lives after being reincarnated into this world it really piqued my interest.
So after helping to manage the farm back at home for almost fifteen years, I decided to take my chances but...
It seems that luck wasn't on my side.
Having spent my entire day in the city without any progress, I sat on one of the benches placed around Armor Square while looking at the remaining money I have in my bean bag. I only have 10 valis remaining, an amount which can't afford any lodgings for tonight. Glancing at the reddish sky, the sun was almost retreating behind the horizon.
*RRRRGGGG*
I rubbed my tummy as it concocted an audible sound.
"I guess I have no choice then, huh?"
Standing up, I immediately purchased several small rye bread worth of 10 valid from a bakeshop. Picking up the paper bag, I started munching some into my mouth as I exited the square. If I remember it correctly, there was supposed to be an abandoned church somewhere around here. Maybe I could spend the night there.
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After a quick trip, I arrived at the abandoned church. My brown eyes roamed around the entire structure of the building, noticing the chipped off parts of each segment and the discoloration of the layered paint. I slowly entered the building and I can see nothing but broken church chairs scattered all over the place as if it was hit by a storm inside.
Now glancing at the entire chamber, this place doesn't look bad. I could literally make this place my home for the time being despite it being somewhat rugged using my "magic". Yes, this can do.
" Ehem!"
Hearing a cough, I slowly turned towards the church's entrance. There stood a woman with a petite figure, her hair which was dyed in black was tied into two twin tails which reach down to her mid thighs, adorned with blue and white petals along with bell-shaped ornaments accessories. Her attire is consist of a white mini dress with a blue ribbon around her neck and one tied under her breasts around her arms, a pair of white gloves encased her hands and arms, and a pair of white flip-flops adorned her feet.
She was looking at me with her bluish eyes, both of her arms folded in front of her making her already busty assets to be more pronounced. If I have to be honest to myself, she's a very attractive woman with a killer body considering that her small frame really does compliment her buxom figure in a way that it looks appealing yet disturbing at the same time.
"What are you doing in my home?"
She asked as she slowly walked into the room. So this place is already taken, huh? I could only scratch my cheek as I try to absorb what she said. Hmm... I guess I would need to find some other place to wait out the oncoming night.
"Ah, I'm sorry if I intrude your abode without warning. I was thinking of resting here for the night but I didn't expect that someone already owned this abandoned church. I'm really sorry."
To emphasize my sincerity, I bowed my head.
"You don't have a place to stay?"
Hearing her words of inquisition, I raised my head and began to spoke.
"Yes. I am Kishinami Hakuno, an aspiring Adventurer hailing from the Far East. I traveled all the way the here to become an Adventurer but I still haven't joined any Familia. Well, I mean, all the Familia I tried to enter didn't want me so- eh?"
An audible sound of bewilderment escaped from my lips as I find my hands immediately held by the woman who was now in front of me all of a sudden. Her blue eyes were glimmering as she portrayed an excited expression all over her face.
"You don't have a Familia?!"
While still confused on her actions, I nodded my head as a response to her question.
"And you want to be an Adventurer, right?!"
I nodded again once more.
"Fufufu, then you don't have to worry anymore because I will give you one!"
She cheerfully exclaimed to me as she spread her arms in the open air, acting very giddy like a child who had just found her lost toy or candy...
Wait a minute, what did she just say?
"Welcome to my abode, Kishinami Hakuno of the Far East. I am the Goddess Hestia and you will be the first member of Hestia Familia!"
For the lack of better word, I could only blink at the woman who identifies herself as the goddess of the hearth owlishly with a mixture of confusion and surprise.