Orario, the basement of the abandoned church.
As soon as Lynn's consciousness returned from the Mist Space, he felt an unusual sensation on his body.
Looking down, he saw Hestia straddling his waist, touching his eight-pack abs with a look of confusion.
"Hestia, what are you doing?"
"Observing the workout results of my child."
Hestia's small hand followed Lynn's abdomen, slowly moving upward all the way.
"Lynn, have you gotten buff again?"
"A little."
"Strange, the blessing shouldn't have the effect of muscle building and body shaping when excavating human potential.
Why does your physique look different every day?"
"I have good talent."
"Liar!"
Hestia didn't believe it at all.
Two days ago, when Lynn first asked her to help update the blessing, he had said something similar.
But compared to that time when it was half-true, Lynn's reply this time was full of the scent of lies.
"Tell the truth! Did you secretly buy steroid potions! And do extra training behind my back!"
"No."
"Then what's with this physique? It changes every day. Even taking hormones wouldn't give results as fast as yours."
"I found my true self."
"?"
Hestia's questioning came to an abrupt halt.
After staring blankly at Lynn for a moment, she then asked again somewhat hesitantly.
"You mean... you got buff because you found your true self?"
"Yeah."
Lynn nodded.
As a successor of Ripple, JoJo Lynn's physical fitness was far higher than that of ordinary people.
Having shared the other's power, his physical fitness was strengthened, and some changes occurred.
However, unlike JoJo Lynn, who was a muscle-bound giant in the truest sense.
After his physical fitness improved, DanMachi Lynn's physique did not expand significantly; in fact, one couldn't even see a change when he was wearing clothes.
But once he took his clothes off, one would find that his muscles were well-defined, and his overall build was fuller, exuding a masculine aura.
Since Hestia slept in the same bed as him every day, Lynn expected her to notice this change.
To prevent being questioned every few days, Lynn decided to reveal a bit of his hand: "Hestia, do you still remember the effect of Unity?"
Hestia nodded: "Of course I remember. The greater the number, the stronger the effect, right? Actually, I still don't understand what 'number' refers to."
"The number refers to my 'selves'."
Lynn tapped his head: "Every time I find a self, the effect of Unity is strengthened, and my strength also increases to a certain extent."
"..."
Are you sure that thing you're talking about is a "self"?
Hestia tilted her head, feeling that something was very strange.
When a normal person finds their "self," at most they achieve clarity of mind and a firmer will to become stronger.
Those with extreme personalities might awaken a skill with the help of a blessing.
But to have it actually reflect on the physical body and improve physical fitness... that doesn't sound like a "self" at all.
Instead of finding a self, Lynn's explanation sounded more like reclaiming power that had been sent out.
"Hestia, help me update my blessing."
Lynn's voice rang out again.
"Didn't we just update it?"
A look of confusion appeared on Hestia's face.
"I found a self while resting after the last update, so I need to update it again."
"..."
I mean, why would you find a "self" just by taking a nap! Your "selves" are way too cheap!
After complaining silently in her heart, Hestia took a needle from a nearby drawer.
Although she couldn't quite understand what the "self" Lynn spoke of was, the work still had to be done.
Squeezing out a drop of blood onto Lynn's back, Hestia updated the blessing with practiced ease.
[Yukimura Lynn—LV.1]
[Strength: G201→D578]
[Endurance: H157→C633]
[Dexterity: G230→D553]
[Agility: G224→D548]
[Magic: I0]
[Magic: None]
[Skills: Unity, Hymn of Courage. ]
[Hymn of Courage: Allows one to remain calm while in battle; the brain enters an active state, making it easier to capture the enemy's weaknesses and openings. ]
Hestia transcribed the newly updated blessing onto a piece of paper and handed it to Lynn.
"You awakened a new skill, and your four basic stats increased by a total of 1500 points. Do you have any idea why?"
"I worked so hard sleeping to find a self, so it's only reasonable to get a bit stronger."
"Reasonable my foot!"
Hestia was now completely certain.
Although Lynn repeatedly mentioned "self" and there was no hint of a lie in his words.
The "self" he knew and the "self" Hestia knew were definitely two different things.
"Lord Lynn, Goddess Hestia, the dishes are all washed."
Just then, Lili pushed the door open and walked in.
However, after seeing the scene in the room, her body stiffened and she instinctively stopped in her tracks.
A blessing's attributes are an Adventurer's greatest secret.
Entering a room while someone else's abilities are being updated is, to some extent, equivalent to a declaration of war.
Realizing what she had done, Lili quickly lowered her head and apologized.
"I'm sorry, perhaps I didn't come at a good time."
"No, you came at just the right time."
Lynn stood up and threw the paper recording his stats into the brazier to burn.
"Come here, Lili."
"While we have time, it's time to talk about you leaving the Soma Familia."
!!!
Lili's eyes widened instantly.
Seemingly not expecting the surprise to come so suddenly, she froze for a moment before running to Lynn's side.
"Lord Lynn, please speak."
"As long as I can leave the Sumo Familia, Lili is willing to do anything."
"Then can you get me a magic book?"
"..."
"That's why I say, don't easily say things you can't do. What if a blue octopus pops up wanting to take over your life? Wouldn't you explode?"
"What is a blue octopus?"
Lili didn't quite understand the second half of the sentence.
"It's a god."
Lynn replied with a firm tone.
"Eh? There's a god like that?"
This time it was Hestia's turn to be confused.
"Yes, the Blue Octopus is a Goddess of Beauty. She has a charm ability called the Hypnosis App, and she often charms people she takes an interest in to form a band together."
"That does sound like something a Goddess of Beauty would do. Lynn, do you know what her name is?"
"Togawa Sakiko."
"Togawa Sakiko?"
Hestia tried hard to remember.
To some extent, a virgin goddess can be seen as a restrainer for the Goddess of Beauty.
As a virgin goddess of Olympus, Hestia knew more or less about the Goddesses of Beauty in the heavens.
But the name Togawa Sakiko was something she was hearing for the first time.
"Um... aren't we getting off track?"
Lili cautiously raised her hand: "Aren't we supposed to be discussing how to leave the Sumo Familia?"
"Oh, right. I almost forgot about that."
Lynn turned and walked to a nearby cabinet, taking out a blanket.
"Lord Lynn, this is?"
"This is your quilt."
Lynn handed the blanket to Lili: "The next thing you need to do is go sleep on the sofa."
"Wait! What does this have to do with Lili leaving the Sumo Familia!"
"It has nothing to do with it."
Lynn took out the treasury key he had gotten from Lili not long ago and waved it at her.
"As I said before, I'm a bit short on money."
"Helping you leave the Soma Familia is the reward for you providing me with this money."
"Once I deal with the Soma Familia later, I will personally arrange your retirement ceremony."
"This... this isn't right!"
Lili stood there in a daze, looking bewildered.
"Since I don't need to do anything, then why did you bring Lili back to the Familia, Lord Lynn?"
"I took your savings, so you wouldn't have money to stay at an inn. I had to provide a place to stay."
Lynn shrugged: "After all, I'm not some kind of demon. I can't just watch you sleep on the streets."
...Then why did you say before that you wanted me to be obedient and cooperate?"
"You're really slow, needing me to explain everything before you can react."
Lynn pointed to the large backpack in the corner of the room that Lili had been carrying, which was almost as tall as she was.
"Didn't I tell you before? I've been saving money to buy a magic book recently."
"I wanted you to be obedient and cooperate because I plan to hire you as a Supporter to help me pick up loot."
"Alright, anything else to ask?"
"No... nothing."
"Then go to sleep. We'll head to the Dungeon first thing tomorrow morning."
"Oh..."
Lili held the blanket, walking out of the room in a daze.
At this moment, her mind was filled with one question.
Could she have... hit the jackpot?
…