This rare skill…
In short, Anna could borrow the ability values of other Familia members.
Whom she could borrow from had to be pre-selected in advance.
While the skill was active, the ability values of the borrowed members would temporarily decrease—
Until the effect ended.
When Anna and her chosen partners activated this skill together,
they would all experience extreme fatigue afterward.
The more people she borrowed from, the heavier the fatigue—especially for Anna.
To summarize:
Effect: Borrow others' ability stats.
Drawback: Their stats decrease during activation.
Aftermath: All parties suffer intense fatigue when it's over.
(Note: This is not an original ability. It's actually a canon skill mentioned by DanMachi's original author, Fujino Omori.)
(Also appears as a unique skill of "Emma Flores" in a DanMachi browser game.)
(Emma is a brown-haired girl who briefly appeared during the Artemis arc. Since her profile is vague, I've assigned the skill to Anna here.)
"This skill…"
"So she can stack up the combined stats of the entire Familia?"
Raven took a deep breath.
Even though it only worked with those who were emotionally in sync with her...
If the upper limit stacked enough—
It might even outclass [Argonaut's Hammer].
Just imagine carrying the collective stats of ten people. Totally busted.
"Anna, congratulations."
"This rare skill—don't go around telling outsiders, okay~~?"
Hestia gently reminded her with a warm smile.
"Mm-hmm, I know!"
"Thank you, Lady Hestia! And thank you, Raven-sama, for accepting me."
Anna smiled joyfully, her delicate face glowing with happiness.
Raven nodded in satisfaction.
A once-ordinary flower shop girl had just become a walking cheat code.
By now, the sky outside had darkened—nightfall was approaching.
Back in the first-floor living room—
The ticking clock on the wall marked sunset.
From the main dining hall came the rich aroma of cooking.
In the spacious kitchen connected to the dining room—
Mikoto, with her black hair tied back and apron on, expertly diced vegetables and pan-fried fish,
Stirring the pot with a wooden spoon in practiced motion.
Under her efficient instructions—
Cassandra, Anna, and Ryuu bustled about the dining hall,
Carrying dishes and tableware with the patter of light footsteps.
Meanwhile, Daphne handled Familia paperwork and managed the finances.
"Raven-kun~~"
"What's the deal with that elf girl?"
"Doesn't she need to go back to her café job?"
Hestia, sitting and sipping tea with Raven, looked puzzled.
Understandable.
Hestia didn't know much about Ryuu.
Raven took a sip of tea before replying:
"I plan to take Ryuu to Kenki City the day after tomorrow."
"We'll find her main deity to process the transfer ritual so she can officially join our Familia."
"And honestly— I intend to make her our Familia's Vice-Captain."
"By the time we return, she'll probably already be Level 6."
Yes.
The role of left-hand lieutenant would go to Ryuu.
And the right-hand?
That position was reserved for another elf—
The soon-to-arrive Riveria Ljos Alf, one of the Nine Hells.
Only those two were worthy to be his arms and pillars.
That was Raven's vision: two Vice-Captains—
One green-haired elf, and one golden-haired elf.
"She only took the afternoon off. After dinner, she'll head back to her job."
"Eeeeeeeeeeh?!"
"Level 6?!"
"She's a first-tier adventurer?!"
Hestia gasped, drawing a sharp breath.
"Nope, she's Level 4—same as me right now."
Raven shrugged and continued:
"Anyway, I need to tell everyone about the upcoming War Game later."
Though the Familia had grown in size, most members were still human.
Beastfolk like Haruhime and prum like Lili hadn't joined yet.
Same as Ryuu—they all needed Raven to personally recruit them.
Later that evening—
The night blanketed the streets in darkness.
Everyone gathered around the long table in the spacious dining hall.
Grilled chicken, juicy steaks, whole roasted fish—
Fried potato balls, pasta, beer, fruit juice… a feast of delicious dishes.
The table was overflowing with food, enough to spark anyone's appetite.
"Come on, everyone, let's have a toast!"
Hestia lifted her glass with a cheerful laugh.
Gulp gulp gulp—
After everyone downed their drinks, she spoke again:
"As your goddess, I wholeheartedly welcome you all to my Familia!"
"From now on, we're one big family—so let's get along, okay~~?"
"I will."
Mikoto gave a calm smile as she glanced around the room.
"Mm! I will too. Please take care of me, everyone."
Anna's eyes curved into little crescents of joy.
Cassandra and Daphne smiled as well.
Seeing the timing was right, Raven stood and spoke:
"As your Captain, there's something important I need to say first."
At those words—
The cheerful atmosphere immediately quieted.
Even Ryuu paused mid-movement and turned her gaze toward him.
"Freya Familia and Loki Familia are preparing for a War Game against us."
"But don't worry. We'll win this one."
"Once we do—we'll be the strongest Familia in Orario."
"Also, the day after tomorrow, I'll be heading to Kenki City with Ryuu."
Raven's ambitions weren't anything grand.
All he wanted was to build the ultimate harem Familia.
Once they crushed the War Game—
People like Alfia, Ais Wallenstein, and Meteria could finally live normal lives again.
They wouldn't have to hide in the shadows any longer.
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