DanMachi Fanfic - Chapter 3: In the Goddess's Lair
Folkvangr towered before Kira—a magnificent castle-like building even more impressive than he had imagined. Statues and luxurious ornaments adorned its facade, reflecting the wealth and prestige of the Freya Familia.
"So this is Folkvangr," Kira murmured, admiring the magnificent structure. "Truly deserving of its reputation as one of the strongest Familias in Orario."
"Are you nervous?" asked Syr, walking gracefully beside him.
Kira grinned. "Why should I be nervous? This isn't the first time I've met a beautiful being."
Syr smiled slightly. "You're too confident. Freya-sama is not like other goddesses you might know."
"Oh, I know." Kira looked directly into Syr's eyes. "I know exactly who Freya-sama is."
They stared at each other for a moment. There was a flash of understanding in Syr's eyes, as if she realized that Kira knew more than he should. But she only smiled and continued walking.
Security at Folkvangr was tight, but Syr seemed well-known there. The guards—high-level adventurers with luxurious equipment—bowed respectfully as Syr passed, allowing them through without question.
Everyone knows who she really is, thought Kira. This masquerade game is quite interesting.
They traversed opulent hallways with red carpets and gold-plated walls. Expensive paintings and valuable artifacts were displayed along the way. It was quite a contrast to the ruined church where the Hestia Familia resided, which he had visited this morning.
"Seeing what you wanted to see?" Syr suddenly asked, catching Kira's curious gaze.
"Just admiring the fine taste in art," Kira replied casually. "But the most admirable view is my guide."
Syr didn't respond to the flirtation, but Kira could see the corner of her mouth slightly lift.
Finally, they arrived at large double doors with intricate carvings. Syr stopped and turned to face Kira.
"Behind these doors is Freya-sama's private chamber," she explained. "I hope you can maintain proper behavior. Goddess Freya may seem kind, but she doesn't hesitate to punish those who disrespect her."
"I understand," Kira nodded. "I'll be a well-behaved child."
Syr studied him for a long time, as if evaluating. "Very well, wait here for a moment."
Syr entered the room, leaving Kira alone in the hallway. Once the door closed, the smile on Kira's face faded, replaced by a serious expression.
This is it. The defining moment.
Freya was a dangerous goddess. In the original story, her obsession with Bell nearly destroyed many things. But with his knowledge of the future, Kira was confident he could use this situation to his advantage.
I need to be careful. Don't show too much that I know her true identity. And don't get caught in her game.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. Syr appeared and gestured for Kira to enter.
"Freya-sama will see you now."
Kira took a deep breath and stepped in with full confidence.
---
The room was spacious and luxurious, with a white and silver interior. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, creating dramatic effects in every corner. In the center of the room, on a plush red velvet sofa, sat a figure that instantly captivated Kira.
Freya, goddess of beauty, was more stunning than could be imagined. Her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, her pale skin glowed like pearl, and her silvery eyes seemed to pierce the soul. She wore a simple yet elegant white dress that perfectly outlined her figure.
"So this is the new adventurer you spoke of, Syr?" Freya's voice was soft yet contained an undeniable authority.
"Yes, Freya-sama," Syr—who now stood beside the sofa—nodded. "His name is Kira."
Kira bowed respectfully, though he did not kneel as might have been expected. "Pleased to meet you, Freya-sama."
Freya examined Kira from head to toe. Her gaze was intense, like a predator assessing its prey—or perhaps a collector evaluating a valuable item.
"Come closer," Freya commanded.
Kira obeyed, stepping closer until he stood a few meters from the sofa.
"Closer."
Kira complied again, now standing directly before the goddess. From this distance, Freya's beauty felt almost painful—too perfect by human standards.
Freya rose with graceful movement, circling Kira like a wolf circling its prey. She was so close that Kira could smell her intoxicating perfume.
"Your physique is indeed impressive," Freya commented, her finger gently tracing Kira's shoulder. "You said you've trained since childhood?"
"Fifteen years without stop," Kira answered, trying to keep his voice steady despite his racing heart. "In the village where I was raised, fighting was the only way to survive."
"Mm-hmm." Freya now stood before him, her purple eyes looking directly into Kira's. "And why did you come to Orario?"
"To become stronger," Kira answered in a tone he hoped sounded sincere. "And to find a place where I can truly use my abilities."
"Is that so?" Freya smiled thinly. "Not to meet the beautiful women of Orario?"
Kira was slightly startled. How did she know?
"You need not hide your thoughts from me," Freya laughed softly. "I can see your soul, Kira. And souls cannot lie."
Damn. I forgot Freya can see souls.
"Alright," Kira surrendered, deciding to be partially honest. "I am indeed interested in the women of Orario. But that's not my only reason for coming here."
"Honest," Freya nodded with satisfaction. "I like that."
She returned to her sofa and sat gracefully. Syr—or more precisely, Freya's projection disguised as Syr—had disappeared somewhere.
"So, you want to join my Familia?" Freya asked directly. "Why?"
"Because Freya Familia is the strongest," Kira answered without hesitation. "And if I want to become strong, I need to join the strongest."
"Hmm," Freya tapped her chin with a slender finger. "But we are very selective. Not everyone can join just because they want to."
"Of course," Kira nodded. "I am ready to be tested in any way."
"Test?" Freya chuckled. "I don't need to test you. I can already see your potential. But the question is: are you ready to give your loyalty completely to me?"
Kira paused momentarily. This was the crucial question. In the original story, Freya demanded absolute loyalty. Members of her Familia were more like a cult that worshipped their goddess.
"I will be loyal to the Familia," Kira answered carefully. "And to you as the protective goddess of this Familia."
Freya raised an eyebrow. "But?"
"There is no but," Kira smiled slightly. "It's just that I see loyalty as something that must be built together, not demanded unilaterally."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed. The air pressure felt heavier, and Freya's gaze sharpened. Some might have knelt in fear under that gaze, but Kira remained standing tall.
"How bold," Freya finally said, her tone a mixture of offended and... amused? "You refuse to give me your absolute loyalty?"
"I offer loyalty that grows from respect and trust," Kira replied. "Isn't that more valuable than blind obedience?"
Freya was silent, regarding Kira with an unreadable expression. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed—a melodious laugh like silver bells.
"How interesting," she said. "It's been a long time since anyone has spoken to me like that."
She stood again and stepped closer to Kira. Her slender finger touched Kira's chin, lifting it slightly.
"I will give you a chance, Kira. Not many receive this honor."
"Thank you, Freya-sama," Kira bowed respectfully.
"But remember," Freya's voice turned cold, "if you betray me, the consequences will be... unpleasant."
"I understand," Kira nodded, trying to hide the cold sweat beginning to dampen his forehead.
"Good." Freya smiled again, her beauty dazzling. "Now, let's see what kind of soul you possess."
---
The induction ceremony for new Freya Familia members was simpler than Kira had imagined. There were no strange rituals or blood oaths. Just Freya, Kira, and a large man named Ottar—Freya's right-hand and the renowned level 7 adventurer—in Freya's private chamber.
"Lie down there," Freya pointed to a long sofa.
Kira obeyed, lying on his back. Freya asked him to open the upper part of his clothing, revealing his perfectly muscled back.
"Mm, truly perfect like a work of art," murmured Freya, her fingers tracing Kira's back muscles.
Then, she dropped a drop of her blood onto Kira's back and began reciting a blessing chant. Kira felt a strange warm sensation spreading across his back, as if someone was drawing with hot ink on his skin.
This is the Falna—the divine blessing that will give me the status and abilities of an adventurer.
After a moment, the sensation subsided. Freya took a thin piece of paper and pressed it against Kira's back. When lifted, Kira's status was reflected on the paper.
"Hmm," Freya murmured, reading his status.
"What is it, Freya-sama?" asked Ottar, who had been standing still as a statue.
"His base status is... unusual," Freya replied. "For someone who has never received a Falna before."
"Is that good or bad?" asked Kira, trying to sound innocent.
"Just... interesting," Freya smiled mysteriously. She handed the paper to Kira. "See for yourself."
Kira took the paper and read it:
Kira
Level 1
Strength: I 15
Endurance: I 30
Dexterity: I 11
Agility: I 17
Magic: I 0
Magic:
[None]
Skills:
[?????] - This skill appears blurry, not clearly readable.
"An impressive initial status," Ottar commented flatly. "Especially for a beginner."
"Yes, very impressive," Freya murmured, her gaze intense on Kira. "And there's a hidden skill that even I can't see clearly. Very... unusual."
Hidden skill? Kira was surprised. He hadn't expected this. Could it be due to my reincarnation?
"With a status like this, you can start directly in the middle floors of the dungeon," said Ottar. "Around floor 3 or 4."
"You will stay here, at Folkvangr," added Freya. "Ottar will show you to your room and explain the Familia rules."
"Thank you, Freya-sama," Kira bowed respectfully, trying to hide his excitement and surprise.
"Oh, and Kira..." Freya called as Kira was about to follow Ottar out. "I expect great things from you."
There was something in her tone—between hope and a veiled threat—that made Kira nod stiffly.
---
That night, Kira lay on the luxurious bed in his new room at Folkvangr. His room was spacious and comfortable, far better than the cheap inn where he had stayed before.
"I did it," he murmured to himself. "I'm in the Freya Familia."
He examined his status paper once more. His base stats were indeed impressive, far above the average novice adventurer. And that mysterious skill... what could it be?
On the other hand, Kira knew he was now in a dangerous situation. Freya was no ordinary goddess. She was obsessive and possessive of what she desired. And for reasons not yet clear, she seemed to desire Kira.
"Bell Cranel hasn't even arrived in Orario yet," Kira murmured. "There are still a few months before the original story begins. Enough time to become strong enough."
He gazed out the window, toward the Babel Tower looming in the distance—the entrance to the dungeon that would become his arena of struggle.
"Tomorrow, the real adventure begins."
With new determination and the adventurer's status on his back, Kira closed his eyes. In the darkness, he could feel the fate of this world beginning to shift, changing course from the storyline that should have been.
And it was all because of his presence.