Seeing Genichi’s ability values gave Demeter the sudden urge to keep him in this world forever.
The thought came without warning and struck with overwhelming force, like a stone thrown into a peaceful lake.
Ripples spread endlessly through her heart, refusing to fade.
Demeter believed Genichi might be the person capable of saving this world.
Only a few years remained until the final promised day, yet Orario still hadn’t produced anyone who could genuinely threaten the Black Dragon.
The so-called top adventurers might be famous throughout the world, but before the Black Dragon, they would probably remain as insignificant as ants.
However, if it were Genichi…
Demeter studied the young man before her, complicated thoughts swirling within her amber eyes.
His abnormal growth rate, endless cheat-like skills, and [Transmigration Gate], which allowed him to cross between worlds, might truly give him the power to defeat the Black Dragon and save this world.
How many days had passed since Genichi awakened his abilities?
At most, it had been three or four days.
In that brief time, he had grown from a worthless newcomer with I0 in every attribute into a monstrous adventurer with S999 across the board, several powerful kinds of magic, and numerous skills.
Such growth was unprecedented throughout Orario’s history and would probably never be repeated.
If Genichi continued growing at this insane rate for several months or even an entire year, what heights could he reach?
Level 7?
Level 8?
Or perhaps something even greater?
Demeter didn’t dare imagine the answer.
It was so astonishing that even a knowledgeable goddess like her found it difficult to believe.
However, she soon abandoned the idea.
Demeter clearly understood that she couldn’t keep Genichi here against his will.
If she tried to force him to remain and accept responsibility for saving this world, she could already imagine his expression.
Besides, with his lustful and cowardly personality, how could she possibly convince him to challenge the Black Dragon?
That ultimate calamity might be more powerful than every Familia in Orario combined.
Asking a lazy coward who treasured his life to face certain death was impossible.
Before Demeter finished explaining, Genichi would probably have packed his belongings and prepared to flee.
“Goddess, were you just thinking about something terrible?”
Genichi noticed the complicated expression that briefly crossed her face.
Suspicion and caution entered his voice.
He understood Demeter far too well.
Whenever she wore such a thoughtful expression, she was usually devising a way to trick him or preparing another pit for him to fall into.
“Hm?
What terrible thing could I possibly be considering?”
Genichi’s voice pulled Demeter back to reality.
She instinctively tried to hide her thoughts before deciding there was no reason to bother.
Given his personality, Genichi wouldn’t take her seriously even if he knew the truth.
Demeter rolled her eyes and decided to test him.
“Yes, I was wondering whether I should keep you in Orario forever, make you a hero, and have you defeat the Black Dragon to save this world.”
The moment she said it, Demeter couldn’t help sighing internally.
“Forget it!”
Genichi rolled his eyes.
His expression made it obvious that he considered the idea an absurd joke.
He waved dismissively, speaking with complete confidence.
“Me, a hero?
Have you ever seen a hero like me?”
“Aren’t heroes supposed to be courageous, fearless, and willing to face death?”
“I may not have many good qualities, but at least I understand myself.
I can handle Goblins, but the Black Dragon?
No, thank you.”
“My legs would probably give out before I even reached it.”
Demeter sighed again, though her face showed that she had expected his response.
She had known this would happen.
“That’s true.”
Demeter pouted, her voice carrying helpless amusement.
“How could someone lustful and cowardly like you ever become a hero?”
“Every legendary hero willingly faced death and sacrificed themselves for what they believed was right.”
“Then there’s you.
Every day, you think about having sex inside dreams, becoming stronger without danger, and living as comfortably as possible.”
“Calling you a hero?
Even you wouldn’t believe it.”
“That’s a harsh way to put it.”
Rather than becoming angry, Genichi proudly puffed out his chest and spread his hands.
“Aren’t most ordinary people like me?
We love money and sex, and we’re afraid of dying.
Isn’t that perfectly normal?”
“I’m neither a saint nor some chosen savior.
I’m merely an ordinary person who happens to be slightly luckier than most.”
Demeter opened her mouth to argue but discovered that Genichi’s reasoning had left her without a response.
After considering it carefully, she realized that most ordinary people truly were as Genichi described.
They desired wealth and pleasure and feared death.
Others were selfish, greedy, or willing to abandon morality for profit.
Most people possessed at least one or two such flaws.
Those without desires—or capable of completely restraining them—were the true minority.
People who controlled their desires, upheld their convictions, and willingly sacrificed themselves for others were even rarer.
Genichi’s willingness to openly admit that he was lustful, lazy, and afraid of death made him seem remarkably honest and genuine.
At the very least, he wasn’t a hypocrite.
He wouldn’t speak righteously in public while committing disgusting acts in secret.
He wouldn’t pretend to reject pleasure while secretly craving it, nor would he act fearless while hiding his terror of death.
Genichi was simply himself—an ordinary person with normal desires, fears, and selfishness.
Perhaps that honesty was why Demeter had unconsciously developed a strange sense of trust in him.
“Fine.
Forget it.”
Demeter waved her hand and temporarily dismissed her thoughts about the promised day and the Black Dragon.
Her expression became relaxed again.
“If you refuse to become a hero, I won’t force you.”
“Saving this world isn’t solely your responsibility.
The adventurers standing at the top haven’t given up yet, so a Level 1 novice like you has no reason to worry.”
Genichi relaxed as though he had received a pardon and nodded cheerfully.
“Exactly!
If the sky falls, the tall people can hold it up.
Someone short like me should obediently hide behind them.”
“Such a smooth talker.”
Demeter smiled and shook her head, though a complicated depth remained hidden within her eyes.
What would happen if all those tall people fell one day?
What if this world eventually reached the brink of destruction?
Would this cowardly young man still turn around and flee?
Or would he make a different choice?
Demeter didn’t know the answer.
However, she faintly suspected that even Genichi might not understand the possibilities hidden deep within his own heart.