Orario, Underground of the Abandoned Church
As Cain's consciousness returned from the Mist Space, he felt a strange sensation on his body.
Looking down, he saw Hestia draped over his waist, her small hands touching his eight pack abs while wearing a puzzled expression.
"Hestia, what are you doing?"
"Observing the results of my child's training, of course."
Hestia's small hand slowly moved upward from Cain's abdomen.
"Cain, have you gotten bigger again?"
"A little bit, yes."
"That's strange. The Falna shouldn't have the effect of increasing muscle mass or shaping the body, right? Why does your physique change every day?"
"I just have good talent."
"Liar!"
Hestia clearly did not believe him.
When Cain first asked her to update his Falna a few days ago, he had said something similar.
However, compared to that time, when his explanation was half truth and half lie, Cain's answer now was completely fabricated.
"Tell me honestly. Did you secretly buy steroid potions? Are you training extra behind my back?"
"No."
"Then what is going on with your physique? It changes every single day. Even injecting hormones would not produce results this fast."
"I found myself."
"?"
Hestia's questioning suddenly stopped.
She stared blankly at Cain for a moment before hesitantly asking again.
"You mean... you got bigger because you found yourself?"
"Mhm."
Cain nodded.
As the successor of Hamon, JOJO Cain possessed physical fitness far beyond that of an ordinary person.
After sharing his power, Cain's own physical capabilities were enhanced and underwent certain changes.
However, unlike JOJO Cain, who was practically a walking mountain of muscle.
Cain's physique did not expand drastically even after his physical abilities improved. When he wore clothes, there was hardly any visible difference.
But once he took his clothes off, the changes became obvious. His muscles were sharply defined and his body had become fuller and more balanced, giving off a strong masculine presence.
Hestia slept in the same bed with him every day, so naturally she noticed these changes.
To avoid being questioned again every few days, Cain decided to reveal part of the truth.
"Hestia, do you remember the effect of 'Unity'?"
Hestia nodded.
"Of course I remember. The more there are, the stronger the effect becomes, right? Honestly, I still do not understand what that 'quantity' actually refers to."
"Quantity refers to my 'selves'."
Cain tapped his head.
"Every time I find another 'self', the effect of Unity becomes stronger, and my strength improves as well."
"..."
Are you really sure you are talking about a 'self'?
Hestia tilted her head, feeling that something was not quite right.
When an ordinary person finds their 'self', at most they gain clarity of mind and a firm determination to grow stronger.
Some people with particularly intense personalities might even awaken a Skill through the blessing of a god.
But a physical manifestation that directly improves one's physical abilities?
That does not sound like finding a 'self' at all.
Compared to self realization, Cain's explanation sounded more like reclaiming pieces of power that had once been scattered.
"Hestia, please update my Falna."
Cain's voice sounded again.
"Didn't we just update it?"
Confusion appeared on Hestia's face.
"I found a 'self' while resting after the last update, so I need another one."
"..."
So why would finding a 'self' happen just by sleeping?! Your 'self' is ridiculously cheap!
Complaining silently in her mind, Hestia took out a needle from the drawer beside the bed.
Although she could not fully understand what Cain meant by 'self', she still had to do what was necessary.
Squeezing a drop of blood onto Cain's back, Hestia skillfully began updating his Falna.
[Cain LV.1]
[Strength: G201 → D578]
[Endurance: H157 → C633]
[Dexterity: G230 → D553]
[Agility: G224 → D548]
[Magic: I0]
[Spells: None]
[Skills: Unity, Hymn of Courage]
[Hymn of Courage: Maintains calmness during combat and places the mind in an active state, making it easier to detect enemy weaknesses and openings.]
Hestia copied the newly updated Falna onto a sheet of paper and handed it to Cain.
"You awakened a new Skill, and your four basic abilities increased by a total of 1500 points. Do you have any idea why?"
"I worked very hard sleeping and finding my 'self'. It is only reasonable that I got a little stronger."
"Reasonable my foot!"
Hestia was now completely certain.
Although Cain kept mentioning 'self', and his words did not carry the scent of a lie.
The 'self' he was talking about and the 'self' Hestia understood were clearly two completely different things.
"Lord Cain, Goddess Hestia, all the dishes are washed."
At that moment, Lili pushed open the door and walked into the room.
However, the moment she saw the scene inside, she froze and instinctively stopped.
An adventurer's Falna and ability values are their greatest secret.
Entering a room while someone is updating their Falna is, in a way, equivalent to declaring hostility.
Realizing what she had done, Lili quickly lowered her head in apology.
"I am sorry. Perhaps I came at a bad time."
"No. You came at just the right time."
Cain stood up and tossed the paper recording his ability values into a brazier, letting it burn.
"Come here, Lili."
"Since we have time, it is about time we discuss your departure from the Soma Familia."
"!!!"
Lili's eyes widened instantly.
Apparently surprised that such good news had come so suddenly, she paused briefly before running over to Cain's side.
"Lord Cain, please tell me."
"As long as I can leave the Soma Familia, Lili is willing to do anything."
"Then can you get me a magic book?"
"..."
"See? This is why you should not promise things you cannot do. What if a blue octopus shows up and demands responsibility for your life? Wouldn't that put you in a difficult situation?"
"What is a blue octopus?"
Lili did not understand the latter half of his statement.
"It is a god."
Cain answered with absolute confidence.
"Huh? There is a god like that?"
Now it was Hestia's turn to look confused.
"Yes. The blue octopus is a Goddess of Beauty who possesses a charming ability called 'Hypnosis APP'. She often charms the people she likes and forms a band with them."
"That does sound like something a Goddess of Beauty would do. Cain, do you know her name?"
"Sakiko Togawa."
"Sakiko Togawa?"
Hestia tried hard to recall the name.
In a sense, virgin goddesses could be considered natural restraints against the Goddesses of Beauty.
As a virgin goddess of Olympus, Hestia had some knowledge about the Goddesses of Beauty in heaven.
However, the name Sakiko Togawa was completely unfamiliar to her.
"Um... have we gone off topic?"
Lili cautiously raised her hand.
"Weren't we supposed to discuss how I can leave the Soma Familia?"
"Oh right. I almost forgot."
Cain turned and walked to a nearby cabinet, pulling out a blanket.
"Lord Cain, what is that?"
"This is your bedding."
Cain handed the blanket to Lili.
"What you need to do now is go sleep on the sofa."
"Wait a minute! What does this have to do with Lili leaving the Soma Familia?!"
"Absolutely nothing."
Cain took out the treasury key he had received from Lili earlier and waved it in front of her.
"As I said before, I am a bit short on money."
"Helping you leave the Soma Familia will be my repayment for the money you provided."
"Later, after I deal with the Soma Familia, I will personally arrange your retirement ceremony."
"This... this is not right!"
Lili stood there with a bewildered expression.
"If there is nothing Lili needs to do, then why did you bring Lili into your Familia, Lord Cain?"
"I took your savings. That means you would not have money for an inn, right? I had to provide you with a place to stay."
Cain shrugged.
"I am not some kind of demon. I could not just watch you sleep on the streets."
"...Then Lord Cain, why did you say earlier that I should obey and cooperate?"
"You really are slow. Do I have to explain everything in detail?"
Cain pointed toward the corner of the room, where the huge backpack Lili had been carrying earlier was placed. The bag was almost as tall as she was.
"Didn't I tell you before? I have been saving money recently to buy a magic book."
"I told you to obey and cooperate because I plan to hire you as my supporter to help me collect drops and loot."
"Alright. Any more questions?"
"N-no... that is all."
"Then go to sleep. We are entering the Dungeon first thing tomorrow morning."
"Oh..."
Lili hugged the blanket and walked out of the room in a daze.
At that moment, only one question filled her mind.
What just happened?
...
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