Hanyu Genichi stared at Demeter in silence for a moment before finally speaking.
“Goddess, you must promise to keep this secret for me!”
Demeter looked back at him.
“Of course, but what do I get in return?”
Genichi pulled a smartphone from his backpack and handed it to her.
He then taught Demeter how to use it.
Naturally, the phone had no internet connection in this world.
However, Genichi had stored several television series and manga on it.
He had originally brought the phone to relieve his boredom.
Now that it had found a better purpose, using it to bribe Demeter wasn’t a bad idea.
After learning how to watch shows and read manga on the phone, Demeter nodded in satisfaction.
“No problem.
I’ll make sure your secret stays safe!”
“Now, I’ll take you to the Guild to register as an adventurer.
After that, you’ll be able to enter the Dungeon.”
Genichi immediately shook his head.
“If possible, Goddess Demeter, I don’t want to register as an adventurer.”
“Hm?”
Demeter tilted her head and gave him a puzzled look.
“If I don’t register, no one will suspect that I’m an adventurer.
No one will pay attention to an unknown nobody like me either.
Could you let me find some work within the Familia instead?”
Demeter studied Genichi before giving him a knowing smile.
“I know exactly what you’re planning.
You want to use [Dreamwalking] and [Slaanesh] to grind your ability values, then leave this world when the time comes.”
Cold sweat instantly soaked Genichi’s back.
He never imagined Demeter would see through his plan at a glance.
The gentle and kind goddess before him was far sharper than he had expected.
Genichi stood frozen as his mind raced to find an excuse.
His mouth opened, but no words came out because everything Demeter had said was perfectly accurate.
That was precisely what he had planned.
Registering as an adventurer meant entering the Dungeon, risking his life against monsters, and exposing himself to the public.
If he accidentally revealed [Dreamwalking] or [Slaanesh during a battle, his life would be over.
More accurately, he could become the laughingstock of Orario—or even a collectible in the eyes of certain perverted gods.
Just imagining the ravenous women of Ishtar Familia sent a shiver down Genichi’s spine.
His original plan had been simple.
He would hide within Demeter Familia and work honestly as a member of the support staff, spending his days farming and tending flowers.
At night, he would use [Dreamwalking] to grind his ability values inside his dreams.
Once the Transmigration Gate finished cooling down, he would find an opportunity to leave this world.
It was a perfect, airtight plan.
Unfortunately, Demeter had uncovered it before it could even begin.
“What is it?
Did I hit the mark so perfectly that you don’t know how to answer?”
Demeter crossed her legs and folded her arms, watching Genichi’s cold sweat with great interest.
Genichi took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
Panicking would only cause him to reveal even more.
Besides, Demeter seeing through his plan didn’t necessarily mean she would oppose it.
He was now a member of her Familia, and his growth would only benefit her.
“Nothing escapes your discerning eyes, Goddess.”
Genichi forced an awkward smile.
“I admit that was part of my plan, but my reasons aren’t entirely what you think.”
“Oh?”
Demeter raised an eyebrow.
“Then tell me what else you have in mind.”
Genichi paused to organize his explanation.
“First, I’m not trying to be lazy or avoid responsibility.
You’ve seen that my body is naturally weaker than the people of this world.”
“I’ve only just received a Falna, and every one of my ability values is I0.
Even an ordinary citizen of Orario is probably stronger than me.”
“If I entered the Dungeon like this, fighting monsters would be the least of my concerns.
I probably wouldn’t make it through the first floor before a Kobold clubbed me to death.”
Demeter nodded in agreement.
It was the truth.
Even those who weren’t adventurers possessed considerably stronger bodies than Genichi.
Sending a blank-slate novice with I0 in every ability into the Dungeon would be no different from sending him to his death.
“That’s why I want to find work within the Familia first.
I can learn about this world while gradually improving my abilities.”
“Besides, I still don’t know exactly how [Dreamwalking] and [Slaanesh] work.
What if having sex in a dream doesn’t increase my ability values?”
“What if [Dreamwalking] only lets me enter other people’s dreams and doesn’t allow me to weave my own?
I need to test these abilities before I can make any further plans.”
“That makes sense.”
Demeter nodded thoughtfully.
“How do you intend to test them?”
“That’s where I need your help.”
Genichi drew a deep breath.
“Goddess, could you lend me some money?”
“…”
Demeter’s expression instantly became complicated.
She examined Genichi from head to toe, her gaze carrying a hint of suspicion and caution.
“You aren’t planning to visit the Entertainment District to test [Slaanesh], are you?”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Genichi nearly choked on his own saliva.
“Of course not!”
He waved his hands repeatedly, wearing an expression of absolute righteousness.
“I may not be a perfect gentleman, but I’m not the kind of person who would visit somewhere like the Entertainment District!”
“Then why do you need the money?”
“To buy basic necessities!”
Genichi answered with complete confidence.
“I just arrived in this world without a single coin to my name.
I can’t even afford food, and I can’t expect you to support me for free.”
“I want to borrow enough money to start a small business.
Once I’m capable of supporting myself, I’ll repay you.”
Demeter stared at him for a long time, seemingly judging whether he was telling the truth.
Eventually, she sighed.
“Very well.
I can lend you some money, but I have one condition.”
“What condition?”
Genichi looked at Demeter.
“When you leave this world, take me with you!”
Genichi’s pupils contracted.
He stared at Demeter in astonishment.