Summary: Hey guys, Haruto Soma here! I'm the first member and captain of the Loki Familia. I was supposed to be playing Elder Tale at home with my online gaming friends, but I got isekai'd into a new world without the internet… Wish me luck!
A Simple Enchanter in Danmachi (Log Horizon x Danmachi)
Chapter 1
I glared at the flat-chested, red-haired woman beside me. "Loki, I think we are lost."
Loki glared back. "Nonsense! How could a goddess like me get lost? We will be there soon, so trust me!" She fearlessly ran head-first deeper inside the forest.
I sighed and reluctantly followed behind the overly enthusiastic Loki. I honestly don't remember what we were doing in the wild. There have been many occasions when I thought back to the moment I jumped into this sinking pirate ship.
If I were to return to the past, I would likely beat myself for getting myself fooled by this goddess of mine.
Still, who would have thought that playing a PC MMO would lead me to an Isekai adventure? I wonder which random omnipotent being cursed me on this trip. Also, I'm glad that I created a male character when playing Elder Tale because my current appearance in this new world is the same as the character I used when playing the game. I would have a severe meltdown if I were a girl.
Moreover, they were kind enough to let me transfer into this new world with everything my game character had. Everything included my inventory, storage box, skills, money conversion, equipment, little pet, and additional memories. I had received memories of my game character, and those memories were everything that he experienced in Elder Tale. So yeah, I am familiar with my magic now.
I was also an infinitely handsome man, and I was relieved. In Elder Tale, I was a whale, but mostly on cosmetics. I was really drippy even though my appearance attracted the attention of various people. It was worth it in my book.
I'm currently a tall man with crimson-coloured ear-length hair. I wear dark-framed glasses and a formal suit. I also wear luxurious bronze armour with a red cape attached behind and wielding a magical staff.
Moreover, why me? I was just a simple man playing Elder Tale with some online friends then I got dragged into this world where the same gods that I was familiar with came down because Tenkai sucked hard. Then again, as a modern man, I don't think the lower world is better either, with its numerous surfaces and hidden dangers. Moreover, I landed in a world far from the era I was used to!
There is no internet or games! What a tragedy for a city boy like me! Heck, I wouldn't mind playing those retro game consoles produced by Mintendo back in the day, like the Mintendo Switch. I had a lot of fun playing with this retro console when I found a cheap one sold online. Alas, fate decided to fuck me over.
I stared at Loki's back as she looked back warily at me. "What are you looking at me for?"
"I...never mind. What are we here for?" I asked, feeling a little irritated since we left the carriage driver. We have been trekking this damned forest for a while now.
Loki pouted. "Did you already forget? This is not good as a captain, you know? We are here to recruit a new family member!"
"Are you going to scam someone else?" I said, pitying the next victim.
When Loki sees you, you might never escape from it.
Loki pouted yet again as she approached me and poked my cheek." Mouhh, that's mean, Haruto!"
"Stop that," I slapped her hand away. Since I'm already on this damned sinking ship, I might as well enjoy it and drag people too. I can't be the only one to suffer such a fate.
"So? What do we know about this new member?" I asked, feeling a little curious about this new prospective member of the Loki Familia. Having someone share the burden of Loki's whims would be great.
"Wow! Look at you! You're finally taking your role as a captain of the Familia! I'm really proud of you, Haruto!" exclaimed Loki as she hugged me, which only irritated me further.
"Just say it already, or I'm whacking your head with my staff." I threatened Loki maliciously.
Loki immediately jumped away from me in fright. She knew I took my promise seriously, as she had already experienced my wrath.
"You are not fun! Anyway, the boy we are looking for is Finn Deimne. The local told me he is a powerful Pallum training in a monastery."
"Interesting... So how are you going to fool him into our camp?"
Loki glared at me. "Oh, please! I don't have to fool him to join us like I did with you!"
My face darkened a little as I gripped my staff hard in silence. I should really teach this arrogant god a lesson whenever I have the time.
"I heard from the other disciples of the monastery that Finn Deimne was interested in exploring the outside world and, more precisely, Orario! I can easily swoop him in with my charm!" said Loki excitedly.
Loki had been pleased ever since she came down to play in the lower world. She felt like luck had been with her since she met Haruto Soma by chance. Loki also knew damn well to enjoy this period of luck whenever she could.
Loki heard many horrible stories about how some gods were hit by reality when they descended to the lower world and expected to be treated with respect because of their status as gods. Unfortunately, it didn't work like that, as all gods were forced to seal their divinity or be kicked out of the lower world.
So, she was grateful that Haruto was willing to stick with her even though she had fooled him into joining her Familia. Moreover, she didn't doubt he would be a very popular piece of meat for other gods since Haruto already knew magic before her blessing.
It was scarce, and even downright impossible, for a human to know magic before being blessed by a god. That's also why Loki did her best to fool him into joining her even though she knew she might face this young man's resentment. However, she was willing to gamble and felt like his personality matched her vibes. 'Haruto was also what she was looking for in a captain of her Familia.
Haruto might act like he didn't care, but he was a big softie inside. That's what Loki got of him with their short time together. She knew she had lucked out with her first family member. That's why Loki was willing to do her best as their patron deity for Haruto and the future member of their family. That was her oath as she looked forward to their future together.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Loki? What are you planning to do." Haruto asked, really suspicious of the Chesire smile plastered on her face.
Loki blinked rapidly as she touched her face, then shrugged. "Oh, don't worry about it!"
Haruto suddenly panicked immensely. "No, please. What are you planning, Loki? Don't cause trouble, will you?"
"Oi! Stop ignoring me, Loki!" shouted Haruto as he ran after Loki.
"Hahahaha"
My great ancestor, who did I offend to make me experience such a situation? I was even considering kneeling to get some answer. I can only reluctantly face my new reality... Well, it's not like Loki was a bad person, and from the short time I met Loki, I knew she was a free-spirited god.
You couldn't chain someone like Loki down. I had to bail her out of the various trouble she caused because of her simple god whims. Let me tell you, it wasn't the best experience ever. It was downright embarrassing in multiple cases when I had to apologize for a goddamn goddess.
Of course, I also vented my dissatisfaction by whacking this trouble goddess on the head.
I honestly hope we can get someone who can handle Loki in the future. Preferably, a cute girl. And maybe an elf. I was downright curious about them as I knew their existence and hadn't yet met one in this new life.
Somewhere around the world
"Achoo!" sneezed an elf girl as she took out her handkerchief.
"Are you feeling fine, Riv?" asked Aina in concern.
"Ah, don't worry, Aina. It was just a sneeze," said Riveria.
"So? Are we close to Orario?" Riveria asked curiously. They had been travelling from their native home for a very long time.
"Hmm, it should take us a few more days! Also, Riv!"
"Hmm?"
"Which Familia will you join? I heard that the Hera and Zeus Familia are the strongest in Orario," asked Aina curiously.
Riveria's nose wrinkled at the mention of the two strongest Familia in Orario. When some of their members visited her home forest, she didn't have the best impressions of them, especially the men from the Zeus Familia, who were downright uncultivated, rude, lazy bastards.
It still made Riveria shudder in disgust at how most of them looked at her like a piece of meat ready to be devoured. Moreover, it was not like she could join the Zeus Familia since it was exclusively for men.
As for the Hera Familia, they were fine and definitively better than the Zeus Familia. Then again, the bar was pretty fucking low to start with. She wanted to build her own legacy. Riveria dreamed big and didn't think joining the best Familia of this era would help her achieve her goal. She wanted to make a name by herself and not piggyback on the already big success of both Familia, and she heard both Familia usually worked together.
She naturally also had her own ambitions and wanted to be the core of a Familia. She didn't think her talent was worse than the most famous 'Silence.'
She would rather not if she could spend more time with the male of the Zeus Familia.
"Let's talk about it until we reach Orario. Maybe we'll find something interesting along our journey," Riveria said with a smile as she looked forward to the future.
I raised an eyebrow at the rather tall monastery. I also didn't expect such numerous people in this place. I wonder if it was famous or something. I became more curious about the new member that Loki would ensnare.
"So… Which one is he?" I asked and observed every single disciple training on the training grounds. They were currently duelling each other.
Loki hummed as she also observed around. "Well, he is a Pallum, so look for the shortest guy around. " I glanced at Loki's hurtful and careless comment that could hurt many men.
"What? "asked the confused Loki as she didn't understand my glance. I shook my head and refused to elaborate.
It took me a few minutes, but I think I managed to find Finn from the various people in the training ground. He was short, alright, but definitely handsome. I won't be surprised if he gets girls in the future.
I also took note of his great skill with the spear, like how fluidly he maneuvered his spear in his fight against the other disciple. He definitely had the skill to fight against someone, but now we had to test his character, and please don't let him be an asshole. There are already too many of them roaming this world.
I'm only asking for a good guy who won't backstab you in the back when you are not looking. I looked at Loki and saw her looking at Finn with appreciation.
"So? How are you going to recruit him? "I asked, feeling curious about the process.
Loki smirked at me. "Look at how the pro does it! "Loki then swaggered into the middle of the training ground, her appearance stopping everyone's actions.
I shook my head as I sensed an otherwordly aura emanating from Loki.
Heh, she purposely leaked a bit of her divine aura. What a sly goddess… Honestly, there are times when I almost forgot Loki was a natural and proper god because of how she usually behaves around me.
So, it was indeed refreshing to see a serious Loki occasionally. I sighed as I sat on a nearby, mostly clean rock. Holding my staff all day long was starting to tire me out.
I took a bite of an apple I brought from a town we passed by as I lazily waited for Loki to scam the guy. We needed more people in this sinking ship, after all.
After eating my apple, I saw Loki returning with the little boy trailing behind her. However, the Cheshire smile on Loki's face gave me a bad feeling.
I suddenly stood up from my resting place and looked at Loki suspiciously. I feel like she purposely dug a pit for me. "Heyo~ Haru! Finn decided to join our little family! Isn't that great? "said Loki as her grin became more apparent.
"Indeed, nice to meet you, Finn. I'm Haruto Soma, captain of the Loki Familia. "I said as I kept my vigilance against Loki. I don't know what she prepared for me, but I'm sure it won't be fun for me.
I also didn't forget to stretch my hand for a handshake, which Finn returned politely. "Nice to meet you, Haruto. I'm Finn Deimne, and I guess I'm the vice-captain now. I hope we get along. "
What a great guy! Finally, Loki did something good and recruited a sensible and kind person—
"However, I hope I can spar against the captain and see the distance between us. I hope you can accept my foolish request! "said Finn, his ambition clearly hidden behind his kind eyes. My smiling face immediately dropped as I stared blankly at Finn.
Then I spared a look at the grinning Loki. I gave her the 'what the fuck are you cooking' look.
What infuriated me even more was the innocent behaviour she displayed. "Finn was really looking forward to the position of captain, but unfortunately for him, I already have a reliable captain. I promise I didn't know he would challenge you! "
"…"
"Huh… pinky promise?" said Loki as she tilted her head.
I immediately whacked my dear goddess with my staff and ignored the look of horror of those around us. I gripped my staff and looked at this fake-ass kid. I thought I could get a gentle and kind junior, but no. This little shit was clearly full of ambitions and wanted to my place as the captain.
Usually, I would simply give him the captain position since fighting would be a drag, but my pride didn't allow it this time, and I had to teach this junior of mine the prestige of a senior. So I had to tame this little lion into submission and let him see my greatness.
I also wanted to curb-stomp Loki's fun since she knew my fighting style as an enchanter. I then looked at Finn with a smile full of malice that startled the short guy.
"Brat, I'll entertain you since you want to fight me this badly. I'll show you the greatness as your senior and captain! "
Finn's eyes widened but soon glinted with excitement and a grin. "Sorry for offending you, captain. "
