Hitting back five stones at the same time? This isn't even basic training for tennis players, just high school league level. For genius players, the standard is to handle 10 tennis balls simultaneously during a match.
This is far harder than landing a counterattack. If Echizen were here, he'd definitely say, "Ma da ma da da nei" (You're still far from good enough).
The five rocks reversed their original trajectory and flew backward at high speed. Bang, bang, bang, bang four muffled blasts, and the goblin throwers in the distance instantly turned to black mist and exploded.
One goblin escaped due to the stone's irregular shape, but at the sight of its companions' demise, it showed fear and fled.
Pfft
A throwing knife shot out from a gap in the forest, easily piercing the escaping goblin thrower's head. Black mist burst forth.
Clap clap clap
Applause rang out from the abyss-like darkness ahead.
Shaka clutched his bruised arm, his gaze fixed on the sound's source. Sweat mixed with blood from his wound trickled down his forehead.
"Although these are surface monsters are weaker and slower than they once were, they're smarter than the dungeon's 'newborns.' It's truly eye-opening to see someone take down a dozen all by themselves."
A figure stepped forward, clapping, as darkness receded from him. He was a man in a feather-adorned traveler's hat, with handsome features and short, unruly golden hair. His golden eyes held a playful glint.
The newcomer didn't seem strong, and a smile played on his lips but Shaka grew increasingly terrified. No matter how he looked at it, the man was utterly unremarkable except for his appearance…
Shaka felt an oppression he'd never experienced before nothing like facing beasts on the tennis court. It was as if the man existed in a different dimension, transcending the world itself.
He even forgot to wonder how they shared a common language.
What are you?!
Shaka's eyes flashed red, and every muscle tensed as he retreated three to five steps in an instant. For the first time, he entered the "Zone"—a state reserved for only the most gifted athletes, boosting strength, speed, vision, and reaction to 100%.
Even then, the man felt unattainably far away.
"Now, now, don't be nervous, kid."
The man lowered his hat, smiling as he introduced himself:
"My name is Hermes I'm a traveler at heart. Hmm… as you might guess, I'm a god. Nice to meet you, child from another world."
A god…
Shaka never expected to meet one on his first day after transmigrating. The sheer weight of that revelation froze his brain.
The introduction made him realize exactly which world he was in: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (also known as Familia Myth). The story centered on the Underground City, where gods seal their power, grant "blessings" to mortals, and lead their families to conquer the dungeon,a classic and popular light novel from his past life.
Shaka had been a loyal fan, and he knew every detail especially the RPG-style power system, which he'd always admired for its logic.
And of course…
The main point was the girls, they were beautiful, and they gave things away for free! For free! Take notes that's going to be important!
Understanding his situation made Shaka's mind wander. After all, the gods of DanMachi were far safer than those in Haruhi Suzumiya or Jashin-chan Dropkick. With their divine power sealed, they theoretically couldn't threaten him. So even when Hermes implied he knew Shaka was a transmigrator, Shaka didn't feel afraid.
This world was full of quirks, and transmigrators from other worlds were common even gods themselves were a type of transmigrator. Some lucky gods even made cameo appearances in other "settings," helping to make popular works like Dragon Ball a success.
But Shaka underestimated how much gods loved meeting transmigrators.
"Young man, would you like to chat with me?" Hermes asked, pointing to a campfire with a smile.
Transmigrators might be common, but they still sparked the gods' curiosity. The gods were just bored beings who sealed their power to live among mortals and experience the unknown. To Hermes, Shaka was like finding a limited-time gacha pool,too interesting to pass up, and full of potential profit.
Shaka nodded. "Sure, that's fine."
Soon, they sat down and exchanged names. Hermes immediately grabbed Shaka's lunchbox and a bag of instant noodles.
"Wow, that aroma is incredible! Tsk tsk this is such a clever way to prepare food. Can I buy some?"
The travel god skillfully unpacked the noodles, poured in hot water, and slurped them down greedily. Why is he so good at this? Shaka wondered, then spoke politely:
"Take whatever you want. In return, take me to the nearest city and trade me some other food."
Shaka knew instant noodles' value: most expedition supplies were tasteless and hard to carry, but noodles solved both problems. He didn't plan to overcharge,drying food for portability was a simple idea once explained, and the gods, though knowledgeable, followed rules that kept them from sharing outside information with their families. Shaka just lacked the means to produce noodles himself.
But by giving Hermes physical samples, the god of commerce would naturally find a way to profit from them.
"Thank you so much!"
After finishing the noodles in a few bites, Hermes pulled his hat down, his smile fading into a serious expression. "Shaka, what are your plans for the future? Or rather, what ambitions do you have in this world?"
Shaka was startled and tried to shake his head but an irresistible force wrapped around him. You can't lie to a god.
The thought popped into his head, and the words spilled out before he could stop them:
"I want to build a harem… so everyone can become my wings…"
Shaka's face froze. It was true that every man harbored this ambition, but he'd never said it out loud before. Eek! How could a normal person admit that? The awkwardness made his face burn, and he curled his toes in embarrassment. "I'm so stupid," he mumbled, twisting his body like a jittery mosaic.
Before he could wallow in shame, hearty laughter filled his ears.
"Hahahaha! Interesting,so interesting! That's right! A man's romance is a harem! Shaka, how about joining my familia? When we get back to Orario, I'll show you some real fun you'll never forget it!"
Hermes slung an arm around Shaka's shoulder, like a long-lost brother, and their laughter echoed through the forest.