Evening fell over Orario like a soft curtain of orange haze. The city was settling into its familiar rhythm of night—lamps flickering to life, shops beginning to close, and taverns growing loud with returning adventurers.
Inside the dim light of the ruined church, Noah sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at the twin pistols lying in front of him.
Sleek, dark, and etched with faint golden lines, the weapons didn't just look powerful—they radiated it. A constant hum, like distant fire waiting to be unleashed.
He picked one up slowly.
[Weapon Unlocked: Heaven's Judgement – Twin Pistols (Sealed State)]
Type: Fire-elemental Dual Guns
Status: Sealed – Partial power unlocked
Trait: Converts internal energy into firepower
Passive Skill: Flame Core Resonance Lv1
When he held them, he could feel a slight warmth crawling up his arms. Not painful. Just... intense. Like holding a sun that was barely asleep.
He exhaled. "Alright, let's test you out."
---
Out on the church's back lot—half collapsed and abandoned—Noah set up a few rotting barrels and planks he'd scavenged from nearby.
He loaded the pistols, each click like a heartbeat.
Then he raised his arms, narrowed his eyes, and pulled both triggers.
BOOM.
Twin jets of flame exploded from the barrels.
The planks shattered instantly. One barrel burst into flames, splinters raining down like fireflies.
"Damn," he muttered. "They've got kick."
He grinned.
And he fired again.
Each shot felt smoother than the last, the flames sharpening, the recoil softening as if the guns were syncing with his body. The more he moved, the more they responded—not just tools, but extensions of him.
[Flame Core Resonance increased to Lv2.]
[Passive: Reduces stamina drain. Flame burst radius +10%.]
He holstered them and looked at the devastation he'd caused in less than a minute.
"I could get used to this."
---
Meanwhile, across the city, deep in the upper floors of a luxurious tower, someone else had taken notice.
Within Freya Familia's stronghold, the goddess of beauty herself stood on a balcony overlooking the city.
Her silver eyes shimmered with interest.
Far below, her vision narrowed to one lone figure walking confidently down a crowded street—Noah.
She smiled.
"So that's him…"
Behind her, a handsome man with long silver hair stepped forward. Ottarl, her first.
"You've been watching him for two days," he said. "What's special about him?"
"He's beautiful," Freya whispered.
"Aesthetically?"
"No," she said, eyes glowing faintly. "On the inside. His soul shines like a rising sun… tempered, focused, hungry. Not just strength. Purpose."
Ottarl frowned. "He's only level one."
"And yet he felled a Minotaur on the fifth floor." Her voice was calm, but laced with excitement. "With only a beginner sword."
She turned, her long dress sweeping behind her.
"I want him."
Ottarl's frown deepened. "Understood."
---
Back at the Guild, Eina stared at the report in front of her, brow furrowed.
"Noah… just what kind of monster are you?" she murmured.
She had pulled his stats from the Guild log. They were already far past normal for a level one. The fact that he'd soloed a level two monster was unbelievable. That he had new, unknown weapons wasn't even recorded yet.
Her fingers hovered over the parchment.
"I need to warn him," she muttered.
But of what? That his name was spreading? That powerful people might take an interest?
He probably already knew.
And that made her nervous.
---
Noah returned home after another short training session in the Dungeon—this time just to test out his pistols on moving targets. He was bruised, a little scuffed up, but grinning.
When he walked into the church, Hestia was waiting.
Hands on her hips.
Eyes like thunder.
"Noah."
"Hi."
"You've been gone all day. Again."
"I left a note."
"You drew a smiley face on a rock."
"Details."
She stormed up to him. "You said you'd take it easy today!"
"I did. I only went down to floor three."
"With your new god-tier weapons? That's easy?"
He raised his hands. "Hey, they need to stretch their legs."
She fumed, pacing in circles.
"You are impossible! Completely reckless and—"
He stepped in front of her, leaned close, and said, "—and safe. I'm home, aren't I?"
Her mouth opened… but nothing came out.
"…Just. Don't scare me like that," she mumbled, eyes softening.
Noah chuckled, then held up a small bag of coins. "I also brought dinner."
"…I forgive you."
They shared a quiet meal that night—just bread, meat, and tea—but to Hestia, it felt like a royal banquet.
Afterward, she helped him update his status again.
Her eyes widened as she read the results.
> [Noah – Level 1]
Strength: D
Agility: E
Endurance: E
Dexterity: E
Magic: H
Skills: Fusion Warrior, Human Chimera, Flame Core Resonance, Strength Boost, Rapid Step
Magic: None (Yet)
Equipment: Heaven's Judgement (Sealed)
"Noah…" she whispered. "Your stats… they're already reaching D-rank."
"I told you. I don't like wasting time."
"You're going to break every record in Orario."
He looked at her, his voice soft.
"No. We are."
She blinked.
He added, "You're my goddess. My Familia. If I rise, it's because you believed in me first."
Hestia's heart clenched. She threw her arms around him again.
"Just don't leave me behind," she whispered.
"I'd carry you if I had to."
They stayed like that for a while—no gods, no adventurers, just two people clinging to the only bond they had.
Neither of them noticed the shadows outside shifting.
Because already, others were watching.
And Noah's name… had begun to spread.