(Riven POV – Orario Alleyway)
'Did I scare her that much?' I muse, watching Lili tremble on the rough ground.
Her eyes are wide, filled with fear. It almost looks like she expects me to give her similar, or worse treatment than I did the other adventurers.
'That's so unreasonable.' I sigh inwardly. 'I'm a very gentle person.'
I carefully ignore the three bodies behind me, all silent and barely clinging to life.
"S-Sir… is there anything you need from Lili?" She asks in a small, restrained voice. Her hands are folded neatly in front of her, her posture cowardly and submissive, trying to project an air of harmlessness and insignificance, on the small hope that I'd just ignore her.
I tilt my head, giving her a small smile. "Not even a 'thank you'?"
She flinches, forcing a brittle smile before bowing again.
"T-thank you very much for saving Lili!" She blurts, immediately dropping into a dogeza bow so deep her forehead touches the floor.
"Why so serious?" I say jokingly, waving my hand gently. She peeks up at me, but makes no move to undo the dogeza.
I sigh.
"As for what I want from you, Lili…" I draw her name out slowly, presenting her my most innocent smile.
Her smile cracks, and I watch her try to hide the shaking in her hands.
'Knowing her, she's probably categorised me as an evil adventurer, who's about to exploit her.' I groan. 'If I'm being blamed for the crime, might as well be guilty too, right?'
"If there's anything Lili can do for you, sir… Lili is be happy to help." She says softly, her voice seemingly resigned and compliant, but I can see she's waiting for an opportunity to run.
I study her for a moment in silence, enjoying her nervousness.
"There is, actually. Can you stand?" I say at last, stepping toward her. Every instinct in her body is screaming at her to run, but she stays put, which is wise, considering she wouldn't be able to escape.
'Damn… she's short.' Standing now, she barely reaches my waist. At 110 cm, she's wrapped in a tattered adventurer's outfit. Chestnut brown curls spill out from under her hood, framing her brown eyes, which dart up at me vigilantly searching for an opportune moment to flee.
The red-and-white hooded top that exposes her midriff, a red skirt deliberately left unbuttoned, long hand gloves, slightly torn black tights, and brown boots. It's her normal canon getup.
'Yeah… Pallums really are adorable.' I sigh mentally. 'It's a shame she isn't didn't use her magic to transform, otherwise GS could've copied it.'
I reach forward, and she immediately squeezes her eyes shut, bracing for a blow.
Instead, I rest my palm gently on her head. More specifically, her hair.
'Soft… and curly. Just as I imagined.' I let my fingers slide through the strands, more to satisfy my own curiosity than anything else. 'I've always wanted to do this. Curly hair is just so interesting.'
Her eyes widen, and she lowers her head further, her cheeks turning red with… shame? Maybe embarrassment?
'Huh?' I frown inwardly, but don't stop. Something suddenly feels… off.
Then it clicks.
Oh.
It was at this moment, I knew…
'Yeah… I fucked up.'
"Riven!"
Hestia's voice snaps through the air like a whip. She's storming toward me, her tiny frame radiating righteous fury.
"What do you think you're doing?!" She demands, glaring up at me with divine rage, ready to unleash divine punishment for my sins.
A sensible person would let go of Lili, apologise to Hestia, and maybe try to explain themselves.
Me? I turn to her with my most guileless smile.
"Goddess?" I blink innocently. "I'm comforting Lili. She's been through a lot, emotionally speaking. I thought she could use a little kindness." My tone is soft, almost mournful.
Lili's looks at me baffled, trying to work out if I'm mocking her or just insane.
Hestia's glare bounces between my face, Lili's flustered expression, and—most damningly—my hand still resting on the Pallum's head.
I meet her eyes and lean slightly toward her. "Do you want to be comforted, Goddess?" I ask warmly.
She blinks, caught off guard.
"It must've been hard to watch that fight." I continue gently, extending my free hand toward her. "You were worried, weren't you? I'd be happy to lend you the same emotional support."
Lili looks like she wants to disappear, while Hestia seems unsure of whether to slap me or… accept my offer.
Her hesitation lasts long enough that I start thinking, just maybe, she's going to take me up on my offer.
But alas, not all dreams are destined to come true.
"Don't think you can distract me!" She snaps, marching forward until she's between Lili and I. Then she turns to Lili, spreading her arms into a make-shift barricade as she separates us. "Stay away from my Riven!"
The dramatic declaration is punctuated by the bounce of her chest—which ends up right at Lili's eye level. Lili jerks back so fast she almost trips over one of the unconscious adventurers.
"Okay, see? She's away. You can relax." I chuckle and, without missing a beat, place my hand gently atop Hestia's head, fingers sinking into her silky hair.
She stiffens, then tilts her chin toward me as her cheeks turn red. "What do you think you're doing?" She mutters, her voice halfway between a scold and a flustered mumble.
"Should I stop?" I ask, watching her pretending to actually hesitate and think about it.
"I never said that…" She grumbles, crossing her arms but somehow leaning in closer, until her shoulder brushes my side and slowly, her arms sneakily snake around my waist, as though moving slowly would elide my perception.
I notice.
Her pout is muffled against my chest, but I can feel the warmth of her breath.
"…Why were you so nice to that girl?" She murmurs. "Do you like her?"
I arch a brow. Lili, wisely, had slipped away while I was busy pacifying my goddess, but she'd been staring at our bracelets with a calculating and scheming gaze as she departed.
'She might've realised they're valuable, and will probably be back in disguise… perfect.'
Still, I keep my attention on Hestia, stroking her hair with an unhurried rhythm.
"I have a positive impression of her." I say casually. "And I was just being kind."
Hestia's eyes narrow. "You're not kind to just anyone. Why her? You even… patted her head." She says that last part like I had committed a heinous crime.
I let the corner of my mouth tilt upward. "Indeed… I'm not kind to most people. I'm kind when I choose to be."
She blinks, frowning. "What does that even mean?"
I glance briefly at the three motionless adventurers sprawled nearby. "It means I wasn't kind because she earned it, or because I wanted something from her. I did it because I decided to."
Her frown deepens, eyes sharpening with protectiveness and jealousy. "But I don't trust her. She's hiding something, I can feel it. She might take advantage of you."
"I know." I say, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "And if she does, that's her nature. My kindness is mine. I can be generous by choice… or cruel by choice. So if she uses me, I won't be hurt because I never expected anything in return."
'Although, that doesn't mean I'd forgive.'
Silence settles between us for a few seconds. Then, quietly, she asks:
"What about me?"
I glance down. "What about you?"
"Why are you nice to me?" Her voice is soft and hesitant, as though she's afraid of the answer.
I pinch her cheek before I can stop myself.
"Ow! What was that for?!" She squeaks, rubbing the spot.
"For thinking nonsense." I lean down, meeting her gaze. "You're my goddess. I'm kind to you because I like you. Even if you'd done nothing to deserve it. Even if you had nothing to offer. I'd be kind because you're you. And that's enough."
Her eyes glisten, tears welling at the corners, and I groan softly. "If you cry, people will think I'm bullying you."
"They're happy tears." She insists, smiling through them—only to suddenly tighten her arms around me with a burst of determination. "Then I'll be even kinder to you, because you're you!"
'You're plenty kind.' I think.
I can't help but smile. "Alright, alright… let's go home. It's already quite late."
"No. I want to do something for you first." Hestia's brows knit together, her eyes darting around as she digs through a mental list of things she could do for me. "Is there anything you want? I'll make sure to get it." Her voice rings with so much confidence it's actually… alarming.
"Ah… there's no need." I wave it off, trying to keep it casual. "I'll manage on my own."
What I don't say is that I'm worried she'd plunge headfirst into some ridiculous, inescapable debt just to make it happen.
Her eyes suddenly light up. "Oh! What about weapons? You didn't use any in the fight earlier, but you mentioned wanting to look at some."
'Oh no. Please don't start camping outside Hephaestus' workshop for three days straight just to convince her.'
"Yeah… I was planning to check out a few blacksmith shops tomorrow."
"Why leave for tomorrow what can be done today?" She chirps, breaking our hug and latching onto my arm with a vice-like grip. "I'm friends with an amazing blacksmith. She could probably give you pointers and advice."
'That'd be great… as long as it ends there.'
"Sure…" I sigh, already resigned to my fate as she drags me along. "But wouldn't it be better not to disturb your friend this late at night?" I try one last, desperate plea.
"Don't worry, she won't mind… too much. I doubt she's asleep yet." The way she says it doesn't fill me with confidence. "Besides, I still need to ask her about locking your Falna. She shooed me away last time before I could ask."
And just like that, the final shred of hope I had evaporates. 'It's definitely Hephaestus. What were the chances of her having some other female blacksmith as a friend?'
(Hephaestus POV – Valka's Crimson Chamber)
I drop onto my bed, stretching the stiffness from my shoulders. My hands are sore, my head heavy, but there's a small satisfaction in knowing another day's worth of commissions is almost behind me.
'I still have a few orders to finish tomorrow.' I think, letting the distant, steady rhythm of hammer on metal echo through the halls.
Sleep is just about to claim me—
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I groan. "Enter." I call, sitting up, already bracing myself for whatever Tsubaki deems urgent.
The door swings open so hard it rattles against the wall and I barely flinch. I've seen her enter like this far too many times.
'She's in a hurry.'
"Lady Hephaestus! Lady Hestia is here to see you." Tsubaki's eye is practically sparkling, her grin stretched ear to ear.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. "What does she want this time?"
Tsubaki pauses for a moment, then laughs awkwardly. "Uh… I forgot to ask."
My eyebrow arches. "That's not like you. You wouldn't come charging in unless it was something important."
"It is important!" She insists, suddenly serious. "Come, you'll understand when you see it."
Her tone piques my curiosity. "…Alright. Let me change first."
She nods and surprisingly doesn't linger to rush me. "Sure thing, Lady Hephaestus. I'll see you downstairs." And she's gone in a heartbeat.
'What's gotten into her?' I wonder, changing out of my sleepwear into a crisp white shirt, black pants, and sturdy boots before heading to the lounge.
When I open the door, I find Hestia exactly as expected—halfway through the snack, crumbs on her cheeks. Tsubaki is here too, chatting animatedly with…
'Who is that?' My gaze settles on the boy, who is looking increasingly exasperated under Tsubaki's barrage.
"Come on, tell me where you got it?" She prods, leaning forward with predatory curiosity.
"It's nothing special." He replies evenly. "Just something I found at a stall."
"You expect me to believe that?" She shoots back undeterred.
I step closer, already suspecting. 'Hestia's new dependent?'
Then my eyes land on the bracelet around Hestia's wrist. It's made of Pure Adamantite. Not a rare material for my Familia, but the craftsmanship… it's flawless.
'The metal is connected as one continuous piece, and there's not even the faintest traces that it was forged. It's as if it was shaped directly on her wrist… but how?'
I stare at it longer than I mean to, but the puzzle gnaws at me.
Hestia notices me at last and lights up. "Hephaestus!" She bounds over and throws her arms around me, all warmth and easy familiarity.
"It's good to see you too, Hestia." I return the hug, then glance past her toward the boy. "So… you brought your new Familia?"
"Yep. That's Riven, my first member." She says it with such pride you'd think he was destined to be a hero.
"Before we get into why you're here…" I nod at her wrist. "Where did you get that bracelet? Its craftsmanship is amazing."
"Oh, this?" She lifts her arm, turning it so I can see the metal catch the light. "Riven made it for me." Her voice softens into a girlish giggle, and my gaze shifts back to the boy under Tsubaki's scrutiny.
'Interesting…'
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A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you all today? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book of.
So, to immediately jump into the chapter, yes... Lili was scared🤣. I mean, I'd be scared too after his entrance. But somehow she's still brave enough to potentially want to steal the Adamantite bracelet? That will have to wait.
Secondly, The whole kindness thing was a bit unnatural, I just wanted to put it in (Fang Yuan quotes I've been seeing these past few days have gotten to me). And it works out in reassuring Hestia that Riven just chooses her because she's her. Puts her worries at ease, especially after Lili.
Patting Lili was unnecessary, but wasn't it cute?😂
And this was my way of getting Hephy interested in Riven. A mortal 'forged' something she can't even understand how. Then he looks at stuff and produces perfect replicas. What I'm not sure of is whether she'd be impressed or disappointed it's just a skill, not actual skill, which wouldn't matter anyway, since Riven can learn super quick with GS (GS best girl).
Moving on from that, I uploaded a poll (at least I should've, since I'm writing this first), about Bell. Currently (there's still another vote to be held) Bell is a girl. And someone on discord suggested turning her into a Gyaru (assuming her gender isn't changed back) in personality. The idea being she'd be cocky, sassy and bold on the outside, but a paper tiger inside. So still shy timid Bell inside, but acts tough regardless. Well, the options will be there in the vote.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
And yeah... That's all from me. Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day (or night)😁.