AT THE SAME EVENING
VESTA
I stuffed the last of the glowing stones into my satchel and took a deep breath. First floor cleared, monsters down, adventurers mostly healed, and a handful of magical stones in my possession. Not bad for an afternoon's work. The dungeon exit was just a short walk ahead. I passed a few adventurers still chatting about how 'easy the first floor was', smirking quietly to myself. Yes, your ease is courtesy of me, your friendly forgotten goddess. You're welcome.
Outside, sunlight hit my light bluish hair and made my purple eyes glint faintly. Tall, visible, and completely ignored. Perfect. The city didn't care that I just cleared a dungeon or that I held magical treasures in my satchel. I strode through the streets toward the Adventurer's guild, thinking about the stones. They were minor mana stones, but guilds loved this kind of thing. Exchange them for cash, maybe pick up a few new ingredients for cooking, and then maybe just maybe, find a quiet spot to rest before tackling the second floor.
The guild hall was as noisy as ever. Adventurers barged in, shouted out orders, and waved around their spoils like they were trophies. I pushed through the crowd, satchel hidden behind my back.
"Can I help you?" The clerk asked, barely glancing up at me.
"Yes." I said, setting the satchel on the counter. "I have… some magical stones to sell."
His eyes flicked down at the satchel.
"Oh… sure. Let me see."He said.
I carefully laid out the stones. Each glimmered faintly, pulsing with mana. The clerk's eyes widened slightly. Slightly. Not enough to register who I really was. As usual.
"Hmm… not bad." He muttered, tallying the value on a scrap of parchment. "This will cover your dungeon expenses and then some."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Dungeon expenses… sure." I didn't bother mentioning I hadn't spent a single coin from my own pocket and that I had healed half the adventurers on the first floor without anyone noticing.
He handed me a small pouch of coins. I counted quietly: enough to stock up on herbs, flour, and a few rare ingredients I'd been keeping an eye out for. Perfect. I stuffed the pouch into my satchel and stood.
"Thanks." I said lightly.
"Good luck in the dungeon." He muttered. "And… try not to die."
I smirked.
"No promises."I said softly.
Stepping out of the guild, I let the sun warm my shoulders. Forgotten? Yes. Invisible Absolutely. But resourceful? Definitely. With magical stones in hand, coins in my satchel, and a knife ready for action, I felt a flicker of excitement. The dungeon was far from done, and I had a feeling the next floor wouldn't be quite as quiet. But that was fine. I liked quiet… when it came with a little chaos on the side.
The first floor cleared, my magical stones safely stashed, coins jingling in my satchel, and stomach growling like it had its own magic… it was time. Time to find something good to eat. I spotted a small, warm building tucked between a potion shop and a smithy. The sign read: 'Hostess of Fertility.' The smell hit me immediately fresh bread, savory stews, herbs, and something faintly magical. I inhaled deeply. Perfect.
I stepped inside, letting my light bluish hair fall naturally over my shoulders and purple eyes scan the cozy hall. Adventurers were laughing, arguing, and shoving plates around. Perfect chaos. I slid into a corner booth, hoping for a quiet meal. A cheerful voice called out.
"Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility! What can I get for you today?"A woman asked. "I am Mia, the chef of this tavern."
I looked up. The woman in front of me was short, round faced, and radiated warmth. A kitchen apron covered her clothes, flour dusted her hair… and her eyes locked on me like lightning. She froze for a split second. And then… her face lit up.
"You… you're-!"She begun.
I raised an eyebrow. Don't tell me she recognized me?
"Yes? I'd like… your best meal." I tried to keep my voice casual, but there was a faint amusement curling at the edges.
She dropped the rag she'd been holding and stepped closer, eyes wide, voice trembling slightly.
"You… you're Vesta. The goddess of cooking…!"She said happily.
I blinked. Finally. Centuries of being ignored, forgotten, and overlooked by mortals. And here she was… recognizing me instantly.
"I… uh… thank you, I guess." I muttered, trying not to let my amusement show too much.
"I, I can feel your aura." She said, stepping around the counter like she couldn't believe it. "It's… magical! You're really here!"
I chuckled softly, settling back into my seat.
"Yep. Still me. Still hungry. Still invisible to everyone else, apparently."I said sadly.
She laughed nervously, flustered but radiant.
"I… I'll prepare something special for you. Something worthy of… of a goddess!"She said.
I smirked faintly. Finally, someone sees me for who I am. About time. As she bustled into the kitchen, the scent of bread, herbs, and simmering stew filled the room. My stomach growled again, and I realized something: being recognized was nice. I leaned back and let the aroma wash over me. Forgotten? Maybe. Ignored by most mortals? Absolutely. But here… here, in this small tavern, I was Vesta, the goddess of cooking and Mia Grand, the first mortal to truly notice me, was about to make sure I got a meal I would never forget.
Mia bustled back to the counter carrying a steaming bowl of stew and a slice of bread, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Here! Just for you, Vesta!" She said proudly.
I took the bowl, inhaling deeply. The aroma was intoxicating herbs, tender meat, and that faint magical warmth that immediately made me salivate. I took a careful bite, and my eyes widened.
"This… this is incredible." I murmured between bites.
The flavors danced perfectly, balanced and alive. Mia beamed, clearly pleased with herself. I leaned back, savoring the meal, letting the warmth fill me. Forgotten? Ignored? Not here. Not tonight.
Then I noticed him. A young adventurer, probably fresh off the first floor, hunched at a nearby table. His arm was wrapped in a crude bandage, bruises dark and angry across his skin. He was trying to eat, but winced with every bite. I set my spoon down and reached into my satchel, fishing out a small batch of cookies I had baked earlier, lightly infused with healing herbs and a whisper of divine magic. I approached him quietly.
"Here." I said, setting the cookies on the table. "Eat these. They'll… help."
He looked up at me, startled.
"Uh… th-thank you?"He whispered.
I gave him a small smile.
"Don't mention it."I nodded.
He bit into the first cookie, and I felt the faint glow of divine energy radiate from the morsel. His bruises softened, cuts sealed, and his posture straightened. His eyes went wide in disbelief.
"What… what… how?!" He gasped.
I shrugged casually.
"Just… cookies."I said.
Heads turned. Adventurers murmured. Staff froze, jaws dropping. Mia herself blinked, then gasped.
"You… you healed him… with… cookies?!" She whispered.
I gave a faint shrug, returning to my seat.
"It's just… good ingredients and a little seasoning. Nothing magical, really." I said softly.
But everyone in the tavern had clearly seen it, whispers and shocked glances spreading like wildfire. The young adventurer's expression shifted from shock to awe.
"I… I feel… amazing! How… how is this possible?"He asked.
I smirked, taking another bite of Mia's bread.
"Maybe you just needed better food."I smirked.
Mia laughed nervously, shaking her head.
"Vesta… you really are… extraordinary!"Mia said proudly.
I leaned back in my chair, letting the hum of amazement wash over me. Forgotten by most, invisible to the city, but here… here, my skills could speak for themselves. And apparently, sometimes a simple cookie was enough to remind everyone why a goddess should never be ignored. I glanced at Mia, who was grinning ear to ear. Finally, someone recognizes me for who I really am. And maybe… just maybe, this little tavern would be the start of something more.