When I opened my eyes again, I could see that I was in my room, on my bed. I sat up in my bed and looked around. I saw Lady Amaterasu seated in a chair at my bedside, she was looking at me, and I could see that she was struggling to hold back those tears.

"How long have I been asleep?" I ask her.

"I guess it's been about 16 hours, the sun should be up in about two hours. I'm glad you're finally waking up, Ashborn." I see her stand up saying that, and she comes closer to hug me. So I took her in my arms. And I heard her whisper in my ear. "Thank you for keeping your word."

"You know very well that I make it a point to always keep my promises. Lady Amaterasu." I answer her then and we spend a few minutes in this position, enjoying the presence of the other. After that she walks away and I ask another question.

"Where are the others ?" I ask.

"They're all in the living room. He wanted to wait for you to wake up. But your room is too small to accommodate all of us. So I told them to wait in the living room and that we would join them when you woke up. But considering what time it is, I wouldn't be surprised if they fell asleep." She answers me and I start to get out of bed. But she puts her hand on my shoulder.

"You don't want me to update your status. We can check that you have leveled up and see if you have obtained new Skill and perhaps magic. And we can show everyone when they wake up." She tells me. I quickly thought about it and I settled on my stomach with a bare chest. I could feel my goddess land on my back and she started.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" She asked me, and I could only smile at the thought of that memory.

"How could I forget. I think without a doubt. May it be the best and most important day of my life. Before that day, my life had only brought me one thing, boredom. And then I met you, my goddess." I answer, and I couldn't help but think about my old life, for a few moments. And it might be weird to say that. But dying is maybe the best thing that has happened to me.

"I too can say it was a wonderful day. I find it hard to tell myself that it's been almost four months since we met. And with each passing day, I can only think of my luck, that you were outside my door that evening." I smile and answer in a low voice, more to myself than to her.

"I wonder if it was you, or rather me, who got lucky that day." While we were talking. She had finished the update. She put a paper on my back and made a copy of my status.

"My congratulations Ashborn. For having passed level two." I turn to her and see her smile at me. She really has a beautiful smile. She then hands me the paper. I took it and I could see my status.

Ashborn

LV 2

STR: I0

VIT: I0

DEX: I0

AGI: I0

MAG: I0

Magic:

Shadow Monarch

Skill:

Familia Monarch

Development Abilities:

Hunter I

The first thing I noticed was that I finally got some magic. And what magic it was, if it was what I thought it would be. I had obtained a powerful asset for my goal. I didn't get any Skill other than the basic one, but that's okay. I also obtained the Hunter development abilities. If I remember correctly, you have to kill a lot of monsters in a short period of time.

Come to think of it. Since I got here. I spent all my days in the dungeon hunting monsters. Only stopping for training with my Familia and for sleeping. I guess getting this ability makes sense.

"Lady Amaterasu, I did it, I made it. Thanks to this, we are getting closer to our goal. I even got some magic. Do you have an idea of its use?" I ask smiling at her.

"From what I understand, this magic allows you to summon the shadows of monsters or dead people. To make them fight alongside the user. It can also keep shadows in the user's shadow. I have never heard of such magic before. Its chant is, Arise." She tells me. I couldn't help but smile at those words. This confirmed my doubts, I got the magic from Sung Jin-Woo. Specifically, extracting shadows and saving shadows.

I still wondered how it worked, to resuscitate the monsters. Sung Jin-Woo used corpses, except monsters in this world did not have corpses. All he left behind were their magic stones. Maybe I had to use the stones. A theory I had to study.

Speaking of magic stone, we hadn't sold the Infant Dragon stone yet. "Lady Amaterasu, where is the magic stone we brought back?" I ask my goddess.

"She must be in the living room, I remember Guts putting her on the table." I smile and get up from my bed. I walk towards the living room, Lady Amaterasu following me. Once in the living room, I saw Guts sleeping on his usual sofa. In the other slept Emilia, Yuuki and Rory. As I glanced at them, I couldn't help but think the view was magnificent.

But I focused on what I had come to see in the first place. I had a huge smile when I saw black smoke escaping from the magic stone. My theory is quickly confirmed. Fortunately, the only thing I had in mind when we got home yesterday was to sleep.

I will not attempt to invoke it here. There is not enough room. I walked over to the table and took the stone. If it's like with Sung Jin-Woo, the longer I wait, the lower the chances of success. I turned to my goddess. "Lady Amaterasu, I need to go test my magic. I will be back soon." I say, but I wait for her to answer me before I start to leave. I hears her sigh.

"Very good, but be quick. I will wake up the others while waiting for your return." She tells me and immediately I head outside. No need to go to the dungeon. I'll go to our training location. It's the middle of the night, there should be no one around.

When I got there, I hadn't actually seen anyone on the road. I put the stone on the ground at the foot of the tree. I walked away a few steps. Then I tried my magic.

"Arise" I said the first time, I could see the shadow on the stone moving a bit. But my magic failed, so I tried again.

"Arise" It seems that my second try has worked. The shadow is developed from stone. It grew visibly and started to take on a shape that I recognized. In front of me stood the monster I had faced earlier, but it was in shadow form. It still had the same red color, but it was brighter in the form of shadow.

After he appeared in front of me. He bowed his head in submission. I stroked his head, then he stepped into my shadow. I was ecstatic, this magic that I got was amazing. But I could already notice that there was a difference. Extracting a shadow was using my magic. It wasn't a big deal, but it was important to note it.

I don't know how, but I could also feel the limit of shadow I could store. Right now, I might have 20. I'll have to do more research on my magic. I feel that there is more difference, than the one I have already discovered. But it will be for another time.

I returned home, overwhelmed by the fact that I had finally obtained some magic. And the fact that it would be of great use to me. My request to the Superior Being at my death was that twelve people from different worlds come to this world so that I can recruit them into my Familia.

I did not expect to have other members for my Familia. But there would have been a staffing problem to compete with the larger Familias. But thanks to this magic, it fixes the problem. And while I was thinking about all of that, I found myself outside my house.

I opened the door, but I didn't expect Emilia and Yuuki to jump on me. I took a step back, taken by surprise. But I managed to avoid falling to the ground. I smile then, hugging them.

"I worried you apparently. Sorry but it was something I had to do." I say, but I feel Rory lightly hit my shoulder. I turned to look at her, I could see she was sulking, but I didn't know why. "Well Rory. What's happening. Are you not happy that I managed to beat that monster and get to level 2." I said bringing her into the embrace too. She resisted a bit, but she quickly let it go.

After a few seconds, we separated and immediately afterwards Yuuki spoke. "You were amazing, at one point I thought you couldn't win anymore, then you got on top of the monster and managed to defeat it. It was an incredible fight." She tells me. Emilia followed.

"You were amazing, Ashborn." I smile a little at the praise.

"It's true that it was a tough fight. But it will have been worth it." I answer and walk over to the sofa. And as I took my seat, Lady Amaterasu asked me a question.

"So you had test your magic Ashborn." Everyone's eyes then turned to me. Then Guts asked.

"Did you get magic?" I smile and put the magic stone on the table.

"I did indeed obtain magic when I leveled up. And yes, I was able to test Lady Amaterasu. She's as impressive as I thought she would be." I answer and have piqued everyone's curiosity.

"What kind of magic is this?" Emilia asks me.

"I will keep the surprise, until our next trip to the dungeon. Besides, I suggest a day off for today. After all we've done, I think we deserve it." I say and see everyone nodding their heads.

"Well, tomorrow I should go to the guild to announce my leveling up. I should also buy myself some new weapons, one of my two swords being broken and the other half melted. But I suggest that tonight we will all meet at the Hostess of Fertility to celebrate this event." I say and everyone nodded. Then they decided to know what they would do with their day.

The sun was starting to rise, and I saw Lady Amaterasu getting ready to leave. "I'm sorry to leave you my childrens. But I promised Demeter that I would be at his store today. But we meet again this evening for the party." She said, we all wished her a good day. Then she left for her job.

"Well, I'm going to head to the guild. I think I'll use the money I got from the stone to pay for my new weapons. Anyone have an objection?" I ask, but everyone tells me, they don't mind. "Alright, so I'm leaving. See you later." I say and I leave for the guild.

The trip went well. I got there quickly. Once there, I found my advisor. She saw me arrived so she greeted me.

"Ashborn, it's been a while since you came to see me. Do you need advice on the dungeon?" She asks me, and I nod no with my head.

"So you are there, because you managed to recruit another member for your Familia." She tried to guess again. But I still shook my head no. Not wanting to let her wait any longer, I told her the reason for my coming.

"No, I am here for you announced that during the last update of my status. I went to level two." She looked at me for a few seconds, completely shocked at what I had just said. Then shouted in surprise.

"You went to level 2, in less than four months!" I looked around and saw that everyone was looking at us. I sighed before giving my advisor a displeased look. When she too on sight, when everyone was looking at us, she's excused.

"Sorry Ashborn. But how did you achieve this feat?" She asks me. And I give her a sheepish smile.

"Well, I had the basic skills to level up, and yesterday I managed to beat an Infant Dragon on my own." I told her, she looked at me in disbelief again. Looking at me like I'm crazy. I can understand her, from her point of view. Someone who's been an adventurer for four months, tells her that he just beat the most feared monster in the upper floors. But to prove my act to her, I showed her the magic stone.

She looked at her for a few seconds before answering me. "It's really unbelievable. Even now, I can't believe it." She sighed before starting to speak again. "Good, you are now recognized by the guild as a level 2 adventurer. My congratulations on leveling up Ashborn." She smiles at me.

"I guess now you're going to head to the middle floors. If I can give you some advice. Buy Salamander Wool, it will come in handy against the Hellhounds." She tells me and I smile at her.

"Thanks for your advices. See you later." I say and walk over to the counter to exchange the magic stones. I handed him the Infant Dragon Stone. I managed to get 55,000 Valis. Level 2 monster magic stones are worth a lot more. I wonder how much is the stone of a level 5 monster. I guess I will find out one day. I smile at this thought.

POV Amaterasu

I still couldn't believe Ashborn had done it. Upgrade to level two in less than four months. From what I've heard, the previous record was around one year. And if my memory serves, it was owned by a child of Loki, I believe.

It was then that I arrived at my workplace. Once there, I got down to my post. And my thoughts returned to Ashborn. What he had done was an achievement, and an achievement like this would attract attention. Surely gods or goddesses would be interested in recruiting Ashborn for their Familia. I can, in my mind, think to one who had already shown interest in him, and with the recent events. I wouldn't be surprised if she made a move.

And while I was in my thoughts. Demeter came up behind me and called me.

"Hello Amaterasu, how are you today?" I jumped in surprise.

"Demeter doesn't scare me like that anymore." I told her, and she just smiled at me.

"It's just that you looked like you were somewhere else, I wanted to surprise you. Otherwise what's going on, for you to be so thoughtful?" She asks me, I looked at her and told her, putting pride in my tone. Because even though it worries me, I can't help but be proud that he's in my Familia.

"Ashborn has moved to level 2." I told her and she looked at me in surprise.

"But, he's only been an adventurer for about four months, hasn't he?" She asks me and I smile.

"It's true, he managed to get to level 2 in less than four months. Ashborn is truly an incredible person." I said with great affection in my tone.

"It's true that it's extraordinary, he broke Ais Wallenstein's record. Loki's child. Looks like you got lucky with him Amaterasu." She says and I can't disagree with her.

"It is true. Ashborn is an exceptional person. Since he joined my Familia, we can say that I am swimming in happiness." I say and when I look up. Demeter looks at me with a teasing expression.

"I've wanted to ask you for a while, but don't you think you see Ashborn, as being something other than your child?" She said, and as I pondered those words. I understood that she was surely right.

My feelings for Ashborn are different, they are different from the feelings I have for my other children. I see all the other members of my Familia as my children, except him. I thought it was because Ashborn was the first member of my Familia. But now I realize that's not it.

And if Demeter is right. And that my feelings for Ashborn are what she is implying. It is true that when I see him with Emilia, Yuuki or Rory. I can't help but have a pang in my heart. He's also the only one who's ever made me blush. He's the only one to make my heart beat so fast, with his very presence. I think I'm in love.

POV Ashborn

After leaving the guild. I went up the floors of the Tower of Babel, floors 4 to 8 of the tower were stores for adventurers. I headed into the area, where novice blacksmiths were selling their creations. So that I can get a weapon within my means.

So I scoured the stores, looking for a pair of weapons that might match my style. I walked into a store and then saw something that I liked. A pair of scythes, they looked like the one Death had in Darksiders. I approached to observe them. Yeah, it even looks like copies. I looked at their prices, I saw that the pair was at 30,000 Valis. It's within my means.

Once I bought my new weapons. I wanted to train with them, to be able to test them. So I headed for the usual training place of our Familia. I arrived at the end of the morning. I didn't expect to see anyone there, because other than us, nobody came here. Usually the area was quiet.

I was surprised to find my whole Familia, they were doing training fights. I sighed as I moved closer to them. "Is that what you do when we have a day off?" I ask them as I approach. They all looked at me in surprise, they didn't expect me to happen. I smile at them.

"Ashborn, you've already finished your business at the guild." Guts asks me. I nod but ask them again. "So what are you doing here? We had decided to rest today." It was Yuuki who answered me.

"We couldn't help it. When we talked about your fight earlier, we wanted a fight too. But we didn't want to go to the dungeon on a day off. So we came to do training fights here." She answers me and now I understand better their reason for being here.

"What are you doing here Ashborn?" Rory asked me. And I smile before pulling my new weapons from my back. "I came here to test my new weapons." I answer her before approaching them.

After that we spent the rest of the morning fighting. And frankly, neither of them succeeded in challenging me. The difference in strength, speed, power has become too great. It was then that I really realized the difference in power, between people of different levels.

I knew she was important, but this is the first time I see it with my own eyes. In the end, we ended up doing a four-on-one, trying to balance it out. It was a tougher fight, but I still managed to win easily.

But these fights were mainly for me to learn to use my new weapons. I have noticed that the similarities to Death's scythes don't end with appearance. I could put them together to make a big scythe, I wasn't used to wielding a two-handed weapon. But it could be useful to me, it gave me more range and I could put more force into my punches.

Using a scythe is different from using a sword. But I think I should get used to it quickly. And so we finished this training session, it must have been around 1pm. So we headed to our house to eat.

What I didn't know was that at that time. The guild had posted an ad saying that an adventurer had successfully upgraded to level 2 within four months. And that before the end of the day, this news would have spread through Orario.

POV Freya

I knew he was special just seeing his soul. But really it exceeded all my expectations. To accomplish such a feat. I wanted to watch his progress from afar, and see how he would adapt to the dungeon. But I want it now for my Familia.

But what amazed me was the people he managed to gather around him. All the people of his Familia have an interesting soul. I might come to think that he too can see people's souls.

From the information I got, Ashborn is not interested in joining a big Familia. He spoke to his advisor and she in turn spoke to these colleagues. It was not difficult information to obtain. But the fact that he doesn't want to join a big Familia could pose a problem. There is also his great affection for his goddess.

I'll have to meet him in person, if I want him in my Familia. If I can get him to join my Familia. There is a chance the others will follow him. After all, he was the one who recruited them.

"I am really intrigued and interested in you Ashborn. Your exceptional growth, and of course, your unique soul." I speak out loud, before giving my order.

"Ottar, I'll let you bring it to me" I say to Ottar, and he nods in my direction.

"Very well, Lady Freya. "

I look forward to meeting you in person Ashborn and being able to enjoy observing your soul so closely once again.

Twilight Manor

The executives of the Loki Familia were gathered in a room to talk about their next expedition into the dungeon. There were also Ais and Loki. And as they continued their discussion, they were interrupted by someone knocking on the door.

"You can come in." Finn said. The one who entered is Roul.

"Sorry to bother you captain, but I saw something at the guild this morning that might interest you." He then said that all the attention in the room was now focused on him. Seeing that he had their attention, he continued.

"The guild just announced that an adventurer has just passed level 2." No one understood why this was interesting until he continued. "While he received his Falna less than four months ago." Everyone was surprised by the information.

"He got past level two in just four months." Riveria said surprised.

"What's his name? and which Familia is he in?" Finn asked curious.

"His name is Ashborn, he's the captain of the Amaterasu Familia." Roul answers.

"Amaterasu?" Loki said with a hint of surprise in his tone. Then Finn ask her.

"You know her?" And Loki nods.

"Yeah, I met her a few times in the upper world. But she annoyed me for always having that innocent and impassive look on her face." She pouted, thinking of Amaterasu before continuing. "From what I've heard, she descended to the lower world less than five months ago. But I haven't seen her yet."

"But it looks like someone broke your record, Ais" Gareth said, his hand rubbing his beard. Ais looked at him, an impassive gaze. But she had a question.

"How is it possible, to get strong so quickly." She asks. But it's Finn who answers.

"It's a good question." Then Roul spoke again.

"I remember his name being known among level one adventurers. He and his group stand out for their appearance and speed of progress." He says and then that brings up a new question.

"Why this?" Riveria asks.

"Well, everyone in his Familia is progressing quickly. They are already on the twelfth floors in the dungeon. And we can assume that with the recent promotion of their captain, they will go down to the middle floors." He says and Finn thinks about it.

"If the whole Familia is growing high, we can assume that there is a reason. They must surely be hiding something." Finn said, in thought.

"Amaterasu is not the type to break the law, or to cheat. So even if there is something, it is something authorized." Loki said giving these thoughts to Finn. But no one had an idea. Then Gareth remembered Roul's words earlier.

"You said they grabbed attention with their looks too, for what's reason?" He asks.

"Well, it is more of a member who gets a lot of attention with her looks. She is a half-elf, she has silver hair and amethyst eyes." He says and immediately everyone understands why.

"She looks like Stella." Riveria said. After a few moments of reflection. Finn decided to end the conversation here.

"Good, thanks Roul for letting us know." Finn says, and he understands he has to leave and so heads for the door.

"It's nothing captain." He said before leaving.

"What do you think Finn?" Gareth asks.

"I don't know why, but I don't think it will be the last time we will hear about Ashborn or the Amaterasu Familia." He said, and everyone in this room knew, that Finn's instincts were often right.

POV Ashborn

Rory and I were out so we could buy some supplies. In particular salamander wool. A salamander wool costs 87,000 Valis. It's a big expense to buy 5, but it's something that could save our lives in the dungeon. So we took them.

I also took the opportunity to buy myself more clothes, because the ones I wore during my fight are in tatters. But while we were all doing this, the day progressed, so we decided to go back to our house. To prepare us for our outing tonight.

So we were on the way home. I was chatting with Rory about the dangers of middle floors.

"From what I've heard, the monsters are stronger. But also, their occurrence rate is also higher. You will have to be careful not to be surrounded." I say and Rory nods.

"But to tell the truth, I'm not too worried, with you by my side, I feel like we can go through anything." I told her, giving her a smile. She looks a little uncomfortable with the compliment. And she answers me too.

"I wanted to thank you, Ashborn." Not seeing what she was talking about. I turned to her.

"I don't think I've done anything that deserves to be thanked." I tell her. And so she spoke again.

"I wanted to thank you for letting me into your Familia. I was not used to having companions, I was the only one in the Familia of my God before. It's less lonely than when I wandered the roads. And Lady Amaterasu is a good goddess, although she is very different from my old god." She says and I can't help but smile. Then I talk to her seriously.

"It is I who should thank you for joining our Familia. We are a little Familia, we didn't have much to offer you. I am happy that such interesting people as you have decided to join our Familia." I answer her, but after repeating the sentence in my head, I feel like I made a mistake.

"Oh, so I'm interesting" She says as she takes my arm and sticks to me. She pulls me down, so she can whisper in my ear. "Know that I find you interesting too." She whispers to me, and I can't help but shiver, and blush.

I manage to slip out of her grip before I say. "We have to hurry, or we'll be late." I said but I could hear her chuckle behind me. Before she answers me.

"Alright, let's do that, Ashborn." She said and we finally got to our house. I saw that everyone was there. "We are back." I announced and saw everyone turn to us.

But I could see Lady Amaterasu looking at me before blushing and lowering her head. I tilted my head in curiosity. "Are you okay, Lady Amaterasu?" I asked her. And she quickly nodded, she turned to me again. And this time did not lower her head afterwards.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking Ashborn." She smiles at me. After that, we all left for the Hostess of Fertility. We took a table, and then we enjoyed the evening. I noticed that Syr was not present this evening. It had to be one of those days off.

I also noticed that our group was getting a lot of attention. And for once, it wasn't Emilia but me. I could see people looking at me and pointing fingers at me. I could also hear their whisper.

"Hey look, it wouldn't be him, the guy who broke the record. "

"He went to level two in just four months. "

"He must have cheated somehow. "

"That's right, otherwise he couldn't have beaten the Sword Princess."

I sigh upon hearing these comments. To be honest, I don't care what other people think of me. The evening continued, but in a second, the silence fell in the room. It was really disturbing, one moment the pub was filled with festive sound then absolute silence.

The cause of this silence was the entry of someone in the room. The one called the King, the only level 7 adventurer in Orario. Ottar, captain of the Freya Familia. The silence was broken by Mama Mia.

"What are you doing here, Ottar. I doubt you came for a courtesy call, do you?" She speaks, and it's true that Mia was once captain of the Freya Familia. She must therefore know Ottar well.

"No" He respond, and then walks over to us. Immediately, I felt that my evening was not going past as I hoped. When he was close to us, he pointed his finger at me. "Ashborn. Follow me." He tells me. I saw Guts start to get up from his chair quickly followed by the others. But I raise my hand and speak, preventing them from doing something stupid and pointless.

"Stop! It's useless, we don't stand a chance." I say and get up. I turn to see Lady Amaterasu. I can see she is very worried. But I can also see the determination in those eyes as she stands up as well.

"If you want Ashborn to follow you somewhere. I'm coming with you." She speaks and I can see Ottar thinking before answering. "Whatever" He says and starts to walk away, expecting me to follow him. I turn to the others. "Go home, I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Emilia asked me. I told her then.

"I will do all to get home as quickly as possible." I say as I start to leave. Leaving a purse with Valis.

"Take care." Yuuki said, I can see great concern in those eyes. I nod my head. "We will do our best." I say, then we left after Ottar. We followed him, for quite a while at night. I can see that everyone was moving away in front of us, or rather in front of Ottar.

We were completely silent. I suspected where we were heading. And the more we advanced, the more my doubts transformed into certainty. We finally arrived at the foot of the Tower of Babel.

There is only one reason why Ottar would bring us here. And I can say that I am not reassured at the idea of meeting her in person. I have to find a way out of this situation. I will meet the goddess of the most powerful Familia d'Orario. Freya.

AN: Here is the new chapter, sorry if I made you wait. I first want to apologize for a mistake I made in the last chapter. Emroy having returned to Heaven, Rory shouldn't have had his Falna and therefore shouldn't be in the dungeon. So there you go, I'm sorry. I was also interested in Danmachi memoria Freese, more particularly Astrea record, I do not count it integrated into the story, because as you can have understood. Ottar is already at level 7, these events are a thing of the past. But at least I would have extended my knowledge on Danmachi.

I think the updates will be every 6-7 days. More if I have any concerns. But I would be surprised if I exceed the 10 days, or I will warn you before.