The journey from the small town to Orario took ten full days.
Kitahara spent that time getting to know the caravan. He wasn't much of a talker. Despite his silence, he earned the respect and friendship of everyone in the group.
It was simple...
They had encountered several monster attacks along the way. The caravan had hired mercenaries, but they were far from invincible. Several times, the situation turned dire. Kitahara was the one who stepped in and ended the threats.
The caravan members realized the truth after seeing him fight. This teenager, who had paid to travel with them, was terrifyingly strong. He was far more capable than the professional mercenaries they had employed.
The caravan leader immediately returned Kitahara's travel fee. He even offered several valuable gifts as a token of gratitude. After that, the leader frequently tried to strike up conversations.
Strength earned respect in this world. The others followed suit, and by the end of the trip, Kitahara was well-integrated into the group.
Helping the caravan wasn't just a charity act. Kitahara gained a significant amount of [๐๐ ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ] from the skirmishes. His progress had jumped from forty-five percent to fifty percent.
Killing monsters provided far more growth than hunting mountain animals.
'I killed about twenty monsters over the last few days and gained five percent,' he noted. 'Once I reach Orario and enter the Dungeon, there will be an endless supply of them.'
'A single day might be enough to fill the bar and trigger a new [๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป].'
'The [๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐น] only truly shines in a place like this.'
He looked out the window at the passing scenery.
'Still, I don't regret spending fifteen years in that village.'
The remaining half-day of travel passed in a blur. By the time Kitahara snapped out of his thoughts, the caravan had reached the gates of Orario.
Security checks were mandatory. The caravan members were regulars and had their papers in order. Kitahara was different. He was an independent adventurer traveling with them, so he had to register his identity.
It was a simple process... he just had to sign his name.
Once inside the city, he parted ways with the caravan and began wandering the streets.
'It doesn't feel like the Dark Age... it seems like the period before the main story starts.'
'The title Little Rookie hasn't appeared yet.'
'I wonder if Hestia has descended to the Lower World yet.'
He walked through the bustling crowds, taking in the sights. Hestia was his primary target. There was a specific reason why he wanted to join her Familia.
Kitahara needed to kill massive amounts of monsters to grow. Joining a large group would limit his kills and restrict his freedom. He needed to act alone.
A goddess who had just descended and had no followers was the perfect choice.
Of course, there was a chance she hadn't arrived yet. Or perhaps she had already found Bell and started her Familia. If that were the case, he would have to reconsider his options.
He wasn't worried about being rejected. If he showed even a fraction of his power, any Familia would beg him to join.
With his current physical stats and the [๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ], he could match a Level 2 adventurer.
A fifteen-year-old boy who could fight at that level without a Falna was a miracle. Any god would see him and their eyes would light up with greed. However, that fame came with a price.
No sane god would let a talent like him wander the Dungeon alone. They would treat him like a precious treasure, forcing him to train under seniors for safety.
'Well, I'll see how it goes before making a final decision.'
Kitahara spent the entire afternoon exploring the eight main streets of Orario. The city was massive. A normal person couldn't possibly cover that much ground in a few hours.
Kitahara's speed was different. He finished his tour just as the sun began to set. He found a nearby inn and checked in for the night.
After a quick meal in the common room, he retired to his room on the second floor.
The next morning, Kitahara headed straight for the Guild. He needed information. He didn't want to be too obvious, so he asked about gods who had recently descended.
The clerk confirmed his suspicions. Hestia had arrived a few months ago and registered her presence. Whether she had started a Familia was still unclear.
Kitahara left the Guild and headed toward the North Street. He knew her likely haunts.
The Hephaestus Familia headquarters... the Abandoned Church near the old ruins... the potato puff stalls.
He decided to start his search there.