Freya's A comin'. Also, I own no deeds or shares in the ownership of 'Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon'. None what so ever

"How curious?" I hear her voice get close as the sound of her shoes clicks on the cobbled pavement.

"If someone is there," The Goddess Freya began. That was already there to get my mind working to appear before her, almost as if I wanted her to find me.

"Why don't you show yourself, I promise I won't hurt you."

I knew it was a lie but my body wouldn't listen. It wanted, no, needed to obey her.

'Lady Penia, Brant... Mother. Anyone, please help me,' I pray in my head, begging for any help that could help me escape as I remove my hand from my mouth and place it on the floor, ready to move.

I can't help it.

I can't stop it.

I know if I step out, it's over. The king's presence is still there, overwhelming to exhaustion. But whatever she was doing, I felt like a puppet as she pulled my strings, my free will being stripped from my soul.

The heavens themselves heard my prayers, and the sounds of some older kids running down the street were heard.

"I'm sure it was nothing Ottar dear. If someone like you can't even detect anyone and my charm didn't detect anyone either, then it probably wasn't anyone. Must've been some animal running about."

"As you say, my lady," Ottar muttered back and he quickly scooped up his Goddess and with a gust of wind, vanished. Just as if they were never here.

I sat there.

1 minute

5 minutes

10 minutes

I didn't dare move an inch. I was terrified of being spotted but even more terrified of the fact that just by only her voice, the Goddess Freya had made me want to jump out and expose myself to death. That haunted me. The feeling of having no control over my movements sent shivers down my spine. Never have I felt so afraid.

I was still breathing as quietly as possible when the kids that saved my life ran past.

I was still hiding when the sun went overhead and began to descend behind the buildings.

It wasn't until I realised the moon was overhead and there was a warm liquid in my pants that I finally decided to move.

I had forgotten about meeting with Maria that day. I had forgotten everything, only that I needed to get back home.

The building was only a couple of streets away but with every sound I heard my mind imagined, I spent another 5 minutes hiding in fear.

A journey that should've been two minutes ended up being almost half an hour. By the time I got home, I had no appetite. I had emptied my satchel of water long ago, trying to quench the dessert in my mouth but my lips were still dry as I licked them, all my saliva had dried up.

I couldn't even manage to remove my clothes as my body was still shaking at the experience. I managed to crawl onto my flat mattress but I couldn't sleep.

Every shadow movement, every patter on the floor from the rats. Even the small gusts of wind made me jump out of bed, anticipating seeing the hulking form of the Freya Familia Captain ready to seize me.

I had been excited about my level up and the newfound strength but now I hated the increase to my senses. Each noise was amplified. Each flicker from the faint moonlight was enhanced.

I curled up under my thin blanket and hugged my knees to my chest, begging for the embrace of sleep to whisk me away from this nightmare. Unlike earlier, this prayer would not be answered and I wouldn't sleep a minute throughout the night. Only two thoughts occupied my head.

'So that's the Goddess that helped kick out my family.'

'That's the pinnacle of strength. That is what I need to beat.'

It had been a whole day and night since then and I had managed to get some sleep. I had spent the whole of yesterday cooped up in my room, terrified to even take a look but when I realised they weren't coming, I was able to finally feel safe and for the first time in a while, I slept through the night peacefully.

I woke up early the next morning, deciding to carry on the mission that I assigned myself before the Goddess Freya interrupted any of those plans. I'm kind of annoyed as I've yet to go into the dungeon but Lady Astrea said that I was forbidden to enter without her seal of approval, whatever that means.

All I know is that I can't go in the dungeon and if I do... well I'm happy to spare a few days of getting stronger than facing the wrath of the Goddess of Justice. Apparently, it was bad enough that I hadn't let my injuries fully recover but also with my new level up, I wasn't fully ready to deal with the immense increase in power and having a guide there would be helpful. Even though I managed before, having someone to rely on doesn't feel too bad.

I make my way past the statue of the mermaid fountain as it spurts out water. Maria used to cover my eyes whenever we walked past it. I still don't understand why, it's just a statue. Why does it matter that it's got no clothes on?

As I make my way down the final street, I feel my palms begin to get sweaty. For most of my journey here, my mind was too preoccupied with thoughts of Freya, Astrea and my level-up. But now that I was only a couple of steps away from the door that housed my old room where my book was and my old mattress. Where my younger sister and brother were probably playing right now as Maria was making breakfast.

I began thinking of what it would've been like if I hadn't chosen this path. Something that I always thought about whenever I wasn't focused on getting stronger. I'd like to believe that I would've been a good older brother. Maybe I could've found a different way to earn some money, maybe by helping Frieda gather firewood or any of the other market stands.

No, instead I chose to run away and pursue a selfish dream, camouflaged by the pretence that I was also helping out my Mother as well.

'Was she even still my mother?'

It was the same question I grappled with after thinking of what could have been. I had abandoned her, turned my back on her and left her on the floor crying.

Even though I know she accepted my money weekly, it was probably out of necessity more than her love for me. That could be long gone now. If she doesn't love me anymore, does that make me even her son? And if so, is she my mother?

This thought crossed my mind just before I raised my hand to knock on the splintered brown door. A door I had opened so many times. A door that if opened could lead to my family and happiness. But what if it led to pain and hate?

My heart began to beat faster as I argued back and forth on what the outcome would be.

Would she be proud of my level up? Or would she reject me even further, as I've proven to her that I'm now an adventurer, something she hated.

Did I want to take that risk? I mean, I am an adventurer, taking risks is part of the package. But this was different. When fighting a monster, it was kill or be killed. It was simple, it was easy to grasp in my mind.

This wasn't simple. This wasn't something I could just win with my newfound strength. And it scared me.

I gulped heavily as I began to clench and unclench my fingers rapidly, not knowing what to do.

'Maybe I can start earning even more money? Then I could really prove my value to her, that would make it easier for her to accept me, wouldn't it?'

Yeah, that was it. I just haven't proved my worth properly yet. But with my level-up then I can go deeper and earn even more money for her. That would ease her burden and maybe she could move to a safer spot and we could get a better house and live together outside Daedalus Street and be a proper family again.

I retracted my hand that was inches away from the door and began to turn around.

"Percy?"

I froze.

'Oh no. Oh no no no no nononononononononono!'

I slowly turned around and to my horror, stood behind me was Maria. In one hand was a paper bag filled with groceries. In the other was the small hand of the cat girl, Carla. In Carla's other hand was an even smaller hand belonging to the Prum, Jacob.

There, standing right in front of me, was the family that I desired. The family that I had left. The family I knew would reject me.

"Mama, who that?" I heard Jacob say. I choked up at that. He didn't know me but how would he, he only saw me when he was 2 years old, how would he know me? He isn't cursed like me to remember loved ones who leave you.

"Big brother?" I heard Carla whisper.

I couldn't move. I had been caught red-handed trying to knock on their door. It was over, there was no hiding it now. I was pathetic.

I was looking at the ground still, not daring to look up at the three. I clench my fists tightly, feeling my nails dig into my skin.

"Percy... wh-"

I cut Maria off quickly, not wanting to hear what she was going to say.

"I've come here to say that I've levelled up and that I can bring more money. I'm sorry!" I manage to blurt out before sprinting away. Tears sting my eyes as I dart through the maze of buildings.

What was Maria going to say?

'What are you doing here?'

'What do you think you are doing?'

'What do you want now?'

I cried more as I picked up speed. I didn't know where I was running to, only that it was far away from there.

I wasn't good enough yet, I needed to get stronger. I needed to show her that everything would turn out right. I just need more time to prove that.

I ran so fast, I didn't even hear what Maria said as she watched me run away, again.

"Percy wait!" Maria shouted out after her son.

She stretched her arm out, dropping the paper bag as the contents spilt out over the floor. The young woman didn't bother about them though as she began chasing after the boy but after a couple of metres, she stopped as she processed what the boy said.

"Levelled up? Bring more money?"

Maria began to tear up.

'Why does he think that he needs to do this? I just want him to come home, to come back to me.'

"Momma?"

Maria quickly wiped the water from her eyes as Carla called for her, the cat girl's voice was timid and quiet, almost as if she was scared to ask what was wrong. Maria wouldn't let her daughter feel scared, she needed to stay strong so that Percy could see she was fine and that it was alright to come back.

"Sorry about that Carla."

"No, it's fine... I get it," Carla said, the last part in barely a whisper. The cat girl turned around and grabbed her brother's hand.

"Come on Jacob, let's help Mother Maria with the food."

"But what about Percy?" Jacob asked. He was a very bright child for his age and after hearing the name called out, the name that corresponded with the one his Mother had talked about along with vague memories, the prum had pieced together that the person who ran away was his older brother.

"We don't need to worry about him," Carla said.

Maria heard sadness and bitterness in the girl's voice. While Maria had not taken Percy's decision well, she still tried to stay positive. Carla meanwhile felt like Percy had abandoned them and was only giving them money because he felt bad, like when she gave Jacob some of her food when she pushed him a bit too hard during playtime.

Maria had tried to explain to the young girl a few times but Carla wasn't having it. Maria had heard a few times Carla crying in Percy's old bedroom, especially just after he had left. The two had grown very close over the cold winter months when they kept each other warm at night. It was clear she missed her big brother dearly.

'Levelled up?'

Maria couldn't help but smile. It had only been 9 months since he got a Falna and he had already levelled up. That smashed the old record, not to mention the age at which he did it. Maria couldn't help but feel pride swell up inside of her. She knew her son could do it; he had been special from the start.

"He truly is the child of those two Familia's," She couldn't help but think out loud.

'And he will always be my son.'

She picked up the rest of the food she had dropped and followed her two younger children back inside where she began to prepare dinner, where she would explain to the pair how amazing their old brother was and that he would come back to them soon. She believed every word she said. Even Carla couldn't help but listen in awe at the accomplishments, though she wouldn't admit it.

That night, the young cat girl prayed to the heavens that her older brother would return and they would be together again. But the cat girl's prayers would not be answered and she would go to bed crying, as she felt lonely once more.

*CLANG CLANG CLANG*

Reg strengthened his focus as he restarted his smithing work, bringing his hammer onto the metal, the sound ringing around the hut. The Dwarf was forging the metal into the image in his mind. He would make sure it'd work.

For the past couple of years, he had barely made anything commissioned by a customer. He still sent in a piece every month or so to the Hephaestus Familia's workshop, as he still felt indebted to the Goddess Hephaestus for blessing him after he lost his old Deity. Even though she said it was out of duty to her friend, the veteran dwarf would still pay it forward with gratitude.

Reg spent most of his time smithing just to pass the time. It helped dull the memories of the past as it kept him occupied. He had always wanted to become a proper blacksmith, he couldn't remember how he had turned out to be an adventurer, it just sort of happened.

The captain of the Hephaestus Familia, that cheeky young upstart with the eye patch, Tsubaki, said he was just a retired adventurer passing the time until he died.

Reg had chuckled when he had heard that. She wasn't wrong, he really had been just waiting to die now for a long time. But for some reason, he kept getting a reason to continue forced upon him.

He remembered what he had heard the day before.

"Yo old man, I've brought the brat along. We've got somethin' to tell ya."

Reg heard Brant yell from behind the ragged red curtain. He wiped his brow, having been working all day, and unravelled his durag, letting his dark urban hair fall just above his shoulders. He scratched at his thin ginger beard and sat up with a grunt.

"Oi, Reg! Where are ya!"

"I'm 'ere, ya don't have to yell. Remember, the youngin don't like the noise."

Reg stepped out from behind the curtain and gazed at the only two people who had been occupying his mind lately.

Brant stood there, in rugged leather clothes and tattered brown boots. His collar was open as the summer heat was coming in full swing now but he still wore a brown tunic above the white shirt.

Percy fidgeted slightly in his black shorts, black zip-up, sleeveless hoodie and black boots.

"Ya feelin' good lad? All that black won't do ya much good in this heat."

"Huh?" The black-haired boy said as he tilted his head to one side.

"What, ya mother never tell ya 'bout black bakin' ya in the heat?"

A quick shake of the head made the dwarf let out a chuckle. Even though the lad was hitting the 11th and 12th floor, he was still an ignorant child in so many ways, it was kind of cute, if it wasn't for the fact he was still killing daily.

"So, spit it out. What's the news and don't babble on. Ya know I like simplicity," Reg stated as he reached behind the counter to pick up something to drink. A satchel for Percy filled with water and a healthy bottle of wine for him and Brant.

He handed Percy the satchel who quietly said his thanks before taking a large sip while Reg began to pour his and Brant's drink into two wooden mugs. The pair in front exchanged a quick glance before Brant sighed and shrugged.

" Suit ya'self. The brat's levelled up."

"..."

Only the sound of the wine pouring into the mug filled the room. Brant sighed again while shaking his head, knowing this would be the reaction. Meanwhile, Percy noticed something while he was drinking and quickly stood up.

"Reg, you're spilling it, careful!" Percy hurriedly said as he motioned to the dwarf's stationary hand allowing the mug to overflow.

"Oi old man, ya wasting good drink!" Brant remarked.

"Huh, oh my bad," Reg mumbled as he rescued the wine bottle from emptying. "I must've blacked out there for a second. I imagined you sayin' something ridiculous like the lad's levelled up."

"I did."

"Hahahaha, good one Brant, now enough mess-"

"It's true. Why doesn't anyone believe me?" Percy mumbled, annoyed at everyone not believing he levelled up.

"... by the gods, ya are serious, ain't ya?"

"As serious as we can be."

"So it's real?"

"I was there when his Goddess updated his falna. I was just as astonished as you."

Reg sank into his chair. This was not how he expected his day was going to go.

"It's been how long?"

"9 months."

"How old again?"

"5."

"huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

Reg slowly turned his head towards the boy who had performed what should be a miracle.

"Are you going to freak out? Please don't freak out," Percy said as he looked at the old dwarf.

"9 months, 5... BUHAHAHAHAHA!" Reg suddenly laughed as he slapped his knee.

"I knew ya were somethin' special lad; I could just tell. Levelling up in under a year, no, even quicker than that. And at such a young age while also solo diving. Ya are incredible," Reg beamed as he stood up and hoisted Percy onto his shoulder, parading him around the room.

While the boy giggled, Brant filled him in on what happened, with Percy filling in the blank spaces.

A pass parade.

Rescuing people.

Fighting an irregular on floor 12.

The Astrea Familia.

By the end of it, Reg had sat back down, placing the boy in his lap as they finished off the story.

"So... you're not upset with me?"

"Upset! Why on Terra would I be upset? It's time to celebrate."

That had been the conversation two days before. Now, today was the planned celebration and Reg had pondered what to do. He couldn't remember the last time he had hosted a celebration.

"Right now I need to finish on this for the boy," Reg muttered under his breath as he continued on the second of two items he was hoping to surprise the boy with during the party.

Just as Reg had finished and polished the pair, he heard the wooden door to his shop open. He picked his finished projects off the table, slithered them into a leather stringed bag and flicked it over his shoulder, the metal clanging slightly together as the bag rested on his shoulder.

He walked out of the smithy and up to the counter where only one of the two people he was expecting stood there.

"You alright lad?" Reg asked Perseus who was looking more glum than usual, a far cry from the smiling boy from two days ago, but Reg had realised the boy wasn't much of a smiler to begin with.

Perseus wanted to say he was but knew he wouldn't get anywhere with Reg. He gathered Reg was an adult closer to Frieda and Maria instead of Brant.

"...Maria" The boy whispered as he thought out loud.

"Hmm, Maria? Who's that?"

Perseus quickly shot up and waved his arms in front of his face.

"N-No one! Don't worry about it, I'm fine...please."

Reg examined the newly anointed level 2 as he read the boy's body language.

'Brant's told me about some family issues the boys apparently dealt with but the bugger doesn't even know much himself.'

"Hey, Percy? I know we ain't known each other for that long but ya know ya can trust me, even if I am an old bugger," Reg said as he dropped the bag behind the counter and softly moved from behind and knelt in front of the boy.

Shiny green eyes were fighting back tears as they looked up at the dwarf.

Without saying another word, Reg pulled the boy into a hug, lending him his shoulder. The boy clearly didn't enjoy showing much emotion towards people, or maybe he struggled to even show emotion in the first place.

Reg didn't know which one was which nor did he know why. It couldn't be in his past as he hasn't even lived long enough to have a past. But Reg wouldn't delve any deeper than the boy wanted. For now, Reg assigned himself the role of being there for the boy, something he knew Brant was also trying, and struggling, to do as well.

If the boy, in time, decided to open up to the old dwarf, then he would listen, but the amber-eyed veteran wouldn't force it. He knew what it was like to be a young boy who felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"He's using that money for something. It ain't clothes, food or any luxuries I can tell ya that. What he is doing with it, I don't know?"

That was what Brant had said during their talk. He wasn't sure what Brant concluded, but Reg could put two and two together.

By the time Brant arrived, Reg's shoulder was already wet.

"Oi Reg, ya seen the Brat any-, oh there ya are," Brant remarked as he barged into the workshop. Just before Brant had entered, both Reg and Percy heard the man approach. He wasn't exactly quiet for a level 2 adventurer.

Percy had wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up while Reg had already begun walking behind the counter.

"Oi, old man? Ya ready?"

"Yeah, yeah. Slow down a bit would ya, not like we're in a rush," Reg said back as he bent down behind the counter and picked up the leather bag.

"What's that?" Percy asked, doing his best to keep his voice smooth. Reg noticed Brant give the boy a quick side glance and a raised eyebrow before turning his attention back to the dwarf.

Reg was slightly impressed but Brant had been the one who had spent the most time with the boy since becoming an adventurer, he had no choice but to pick up on a few things.

"Don't worry ya lil head 'bout it. Now, let's go. I've been wanting to go to this place for a while but never had the proper excuse to go."

"Ya've heard of it before, I ain't," Brant said as he followed the dwarf outside and into the street.

"It's a fairly new establishment but I know the owner, somewhat hahaha."

Reg had managed to bring a calm, joyous atmosphere to the group, something that had been sorely missing for the partners for the past 9 months.

He made easy conversation while being able to include both of them fluently. He cracked jokes, listened without interrupting and never left them behind or went too slow.

Perseus couldn't help but marvel at the dwarf's social expertise. He struggled just holding eye contact for longer than 5 seconds, let alone making casual talk for more than 30 minutes. And he had forgotten about this morning's events, though they would be forever stored in his memory.

By the time they arrived at their destination, Brant's face was flushed with embarrassment as Reg was laughing at an anecdote Reg was reminiscing about where Brant had fallen into something called the Water Capital in the Dungeon and had almost died.

Percy wasn't sure what was funny about almost dying but he couldn't help but giggle slightly at the way Reg told it and his infectious laugh.

They stood outside their destination as Brant went to read the sign.

"Oi Brant, how 'bout you allow the boy to read it, I wanna see," Reg said before Brant read out the sign out loud.

"Oi Reg, ya wanna bring a 5-year-old to a place like this," Brant whispered into the dwarf's ear. In response, Reg gave Brant a hearty pat on the back.

"Hahaha, I get where ya comin' from, but don't worry, it ain't like that,"

"But you said ya had never been 'ere before,"

"Who knows then, maybe it is. And I ain' takin' lessons from a guy chuckin' said child in the dungeon."

Brant couldn't argue back with that as Percy walked up to the sign.

"The Hostess of Fertility," the boy said calmly, impressing the two behind.

"Oh, surprised ya know that" Brant said with a mild expression of impression.

"Well 'The' and 'Of' appear a lot of times in the book I read. Hostess is a word I saw a few times; I think it's something like a woman owner."

"Close but go on," Reg said. He would be lying if he said he wasn't curious about whether Percy knew what the final word meant. Brant was the same as they stared at the boy, holding back a snigger.

"Fer-tili-ty? I saw that word in the book as well. Isn't their Goddess' of fertility?"

"What book we talkin' about 'ere?" Brant asked.

"The Dungeon Oratorio. Why?"

"Oh, a hero book. I s'pose the Gods would be mentioned in that."

"I don't know what it means though. When I asked my Mother, she quickly moved on, saying it wasn't important." Percy said with a confused expression as he tilted his head as he remembered the moment.

"Hehe, ya have a good mother then. Don't worry ya head about it, we are 'ere to celebrate." Reg chuckled.

"As long as it does good drink, I ain't bothered," Brant said bluntly.

With that, Reg walked on up the stairs and into the pub, the pair following in closely.

"Welcome Nya!" A brown-haired cat girl came up to the group. She looked about 14-15 years old as her tail swayed behind her.

"Ah, table for 3 youngin', if ya wouldn't mind. Also, would it be alright if I spoke to Mia?" Reg asked.

"You knyow Mama?" The cat-girl said with a tilt of her head. It was adorable.

"Aye, ya could call us acquaintances,"

"Aquan...?" The cat-girl said, puzzled at the long word. Perseus couldn't judge as he too had no idea what the word meant. However, his mind wasn't thinking much about that. He was too focused on something else.

As the cat-girl turned around and proclaimed she would show them where to sit, Percy just numbly stood there and stared at the green uniform with white frills and a white, thin hat in her brown hair. The exact same one he had seen two days ago in the back alley of Daedalus Street. The same one the Goddess Freya was wearing.

Immediately, Perseus was on edge. He scanned the room in a full 360 turn, trying to spot the grey hair or hear the voice he had heard. Neither appeared but that didn't mean she wasn't here.

"Oi Brat, what ya pissin' about at. Hurry up or I'll drag ya!" Brant shouted at Percy, earning a few snickers from the other patrons. Percy dashed over to Brant, not because of the order but because of safety.

'The same clothes. That means it's the same place she would be at. But why would the Goddess Freya be here? Is she even here? Maybe she just wanted to play dress-up? Maria said gods were weird and Penia is a clear example of that.'

Perseus' mind was racing at lightning speed, trying to focus and stay aware but also not appear panicked all at once. He couldn't spot the Goddess or that girl she had been before that weird glow.

"What's up with ya lad?" Reg asked.

"Probably the loud atmosphere. Honestly, It's 'bout time ya overcame this stupid thing of ya bein' scared of normal situations. Ya can brave the dungeon but not this?"

Percy paid the adults no mind as he scampered to the table the cat-girl stopped at.

'Wait, what if she works for Freya? What if she is gonna tell her about me? Wait, does Freya even know about me? If she did, surely she would've come for me by now.'

"What can Nya get for nya?"

"Mug of ale,"

"Make that two and a cup of juice for the lad," Brant finished the order.

"Oh, if nya wanna speak to Mama, Nya. Follow me Nya up to the counter."

'She likes to say Nya a lot,' Percy thought as he lost track for a second.

Percy decided to stay calm for now. He didn't see the woman anywhere nor the Goddess Freya or even Ottar. Maybe it really was just dress-up and the clothes were just a similar coincidence.

Perseus watched Reg walk with the cat-girl as she directed him towards the large wooden counter where a couple of people sat on high thin chairs. Percy wasn't sure what exactly they were. Not really chairs but they were still able to be sat on.

'FOCUS!' Percy shouted in his mind. He got distracted then, he needed to stay hyper-vigilant. He did not want, at any cost, to be spotted by the Goddess Freya.

"Was wonderin' when you were gonna show up ya old nut!"

Percy winced at the booming voice that encompassed the large room. While distinctly female, it was gruff and hard like Reg's but it also reminded him of Frieda and Maria in a way.

"Yo Mia, been a while ain't it? The place seems decent enough." Reg replied with his own loud voice.

"What do you mean by it seems?" Mia said with a tone that made it seem she had been offended.

"Well I ain't tried the beer yet so I can't make a proper assessment yet, ya get me?" Reg stated, earning a quick, gruff snort of laughter from the woman. And what a woman she was.

Percy's eyes widened when he looked over to see the person Reg was talking/shouting to. He thought Frieda was big. Mia easily stood head and shoulders above everyone else in the room, which included adult male adventurers. Her arms were like tree trunks and bulging with muscle. Her eyes held a vicious stare that would not tolerate any backchat or insults. The only normal thing about her was he average brown hair tied up in a ponytail.

She wore a similar design to the uniform Freya and the cat-girl wore with the white apron but her uniform was grey and she had no headpiece.

If it wasn't for seeing Ottar only a few days ago, Perseus would admit she was the most intimidating figure he had seen, and that included the irregular ape monster.

"What brings you here anyway?" Mia said as she glanced over at our table. The look she gave me was a clear reading of my body and she didn't even try to hide it, though she did soften her gaze, presumably recognising me as a child. That surpassed Reg and Brant who first took me for a prum.

She turned her focus to Brant, who gave her a nod of his head, earning a quick puff of air out of the towering woman's nose.

"Just thought I'd come check it out while I had company for the first time in a while is all," Reg said, making up an excuse. He wasn't about to go and say they were celebrating a 5-year-old levelling up. Wisdom did come with age after all and he wasn't going to waste that.

"And you brought a child here?"

"Any problem with that?" Reg said as Percy got slightly anxious at that, wondering if he was going to get kicked out.

Mia gave the boy a quick look again, assessing him before shrugging her shoulders.

"As long as you've brought money, I don't care who've brought as long as they don't cause trouble."

"I'd be more worried about my other companion for that," Reg said with a chuckle as Mia gave Brant a quick death glare that sent a cold shiver up his spine.

"Anya, get that table's drinks sorted. I'm going to be talking for a while. Alert me if anything happens," Mia stated quickly to the cat-girl.

" K Mama, nya," The girl said absent-mindedly as she began preparing the drinks.

"Where's that bloody girl anyway, her shift started 10 minutes ago," Mia grumbled.

"Staff issues?" Reg inquired with Mia shrugging it off before the pair delved into a quick catch-up session.

That left Brant and Percy alone at the table. For the most part, Perseus didn't mind the noise of the place but that was down to his senses focusing on trying to find the Goddess of beauty or her followers, not realising they would stand out like a sore thumb here.

Brant didn't mind the atmosphere, enjoying the warm feeling that he rarely experienced as he was already half drunk by now. The man looked down at the young boy, seeing him still on high alert. Rather than ask, Brant decided to distract the boy's mind.

"So... what are ya planning on doing now?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant. He wasn't as good as Reg at small talk.

"Huh? Oh, erm, what do you mean?" Percy questioned, not understanding what the man was saying. Brant shook his head. The boy was smart in most ways, especially for his age, but when it came to people, by the gods was he dense.

"The dungeon?" Brant spoke in a hushed voice, not wanting to have others hear.

"Ohhhh. Well, the Astrea Familia said I have to take my first dungeon dive as level 2 with them, as apparently it's dangerous. Also, it's a showing of our alliance or something."

Brant's heart sank slightly at hearing that. He wasn't sure why but hearing Percy relying on other people other than him made him feel weird. Yes, Reg was helping him but it was Brant who introduced the boy to the smith. This was different, Brant had no part to play in it. If he did, it was the argument that pushed Percy further away from him and closer to the Astrea Familia.

'What the hell am I thinking? So what, he's getting a bit of help from others, not like he's gonna join their Familia and just stick with them... is he?'

The boy used the word alliance and that wasn't something he used so it meant the Astrea Familia used it and it's not a word just thrown about between two different Familia's. Brant knew the Astrea Familia believed they were the good guys and wanted to try and help people any way they could and a young child in an unfortunate circumstance was their bread and butter. They would want to take care of Percy in every way and would most likely try and control his adventuring career. That would make Brant... obsolete.

Brant scowled at that. He didn't like that. Not one bit. He was about to say something to the boy but was unsure what to say. What if he came off as pathetic or clingy? To a 5-year-old at that. That would be a new low for the man and he had experienced enough of them over the past 5 years to last a lifetime.

"I don't get it," Percy mumbled, grabbing Brant's attention.

"I mean, I've been solo diving for 9 months now and it has mainly been fine. Yeah, there have been a few times where things have gotten messy but I just ask you and you explain and then I never make that mistake again."

Brant's eyes widened as the boy continued.

"While I appreciate their offer and help, I don't really want to rely on them. I'm doing this to prove something and if I joined them, I feel like they would control me too much. That's why I like Goddess Penia, she lets me do what I want to do. I know most people wouldn't think that is a good thing and that she is a rude and unking Goddess but I like the freedom, besides she gives me advice now and then as well."

Brant just continued to listen, his thoughts from before all but disappearing.

"I mean I know I need help. But that's where Reg and mainly you come in. You do your thing; I do my thing with Reg helping with my tools and not much else."

Percy reflected on earlier when the dwarf comforted him as he cried. He smiled slightly.

"I like it that way and besides, we've managed fine... haven't we?" Percy finished, looking up at Brant. The man stayed silent for a few seconds, processing what the boy had said before giving a smile and ruffling the boy's head.

"Yeah, S'pose we have."

That was all Brant said as the two laid back in their chairs.

"There you are, what time do you call this?"

"Sorry Mama!"

The two heard Mia shout at a girl, with a meek voice responding in a shaky and tired voice.

"Are you going to take them up on the offer though, the Astrea Familia I mean?" Brant asked, feeling more comfortable.

"I don't know, should I?"

"I would. They ain't wrong when talking about the level-up being a different thing. I'm sure you've already experienced some of it just by walking around and picking things up and stuff."

Percy nodded, motioning Brant to continue.

"Well having people around when you have to get used to that new strength is useful as you need to allow your mind and body to sync."

Perseus remembered when he had gotten his falna, feeling a slight unease as he ran to the dungeon.

"It would also be a way for you to show that you accept their help and possible friendship but I warn ya, no matter how nice they might look, be careful when accepting an alliance with any Familia cause before you know it, they'll drag ya into their own conflict that you have nothing to do with."

Brant tried not to sound angry at the end, his own experience with alliances rearing their ugly heads in his mind.

"Since you are late, you can take this order over to table 12, got it!"

"Yes, Mama!"

Perseus heard Mama and that girl talk again as hurried footsteps made their way over to them.

"Ah, the drinks are coming. Imma take a quick leak, always best to release before ya start to drink. I'm sure Reg, wherever that old geezer is, will be back over shortly anyway."

With that Brant stood up off the chair and asked the girl walking towards them where the toilet was, the waitress directing him.

Percy paid it no mind, however, as he was thinking of what Brant said.

'Be careful of an alliance... dragged into their conflict'.

"Oh, these must've been his."

Percy heard the girl's voice again. They must be table 12 as the late waitress was forced to bring their drinks.

"Excuse me, but do you know if these are your father's drinks."

Perseus recognised that tone. It was the one adult strangers spoke to him in when they pretended to be nice. He just went along with it. Another reason he liked Brant and Reg who didn't bother with it.

'Wait... father?'

Percy looked up, ready to correct her and accept the drinks but froze when Green met grey.

A green uniform, with a white apron, a frilly white headpiece and brown boots. Grey eyes and grey hair wrapped in a small ponytail, holding the tray of drinks in two hands.

"Oh sorry did I startle you? My name's Syr, what's yours?"

Perseus went white as he was now face to face with the girl who he had seen a few days prior, just before she began to glow and turn into the Goddess Freya.

Chap 13 done and done. Percy has offically encountered Freya and Freya has met Percy, but does she know it.

Reg has made something for our hero as well, wonder what it is. Plus... Mama Mia, and Anya, hooray!

I was planning on having Percy use his magic this chapter as a show/explanation on how it works but we are gonna have to wait. It probably won't be next chapter either as we need to resolve the Freya thing at the moment. But it will be shown very soon.

Reviews:

cloudman3011 - Yeah he needs to talk to people a bit more but as Percy's said in this chapter, he is still going to be a solo diver for the most part, but there's not harm in a bit of help... is there?

Roland Tepes - Love the way you've explained the trio's characters, couldn't agree me and glad to see some people coming around on Penia. This is not going to be a nice showing of the dungeon and Orario and Astrea will not fit in as the main deity for that. But she will still be present, almost like a second Goddess if you will in some ways.

Muhammad Ibrahim Faisal - You sure were!

korakovroman9 - Imma quick fire your questions: Freya Arc? Kind of but not really, she's just going to be an ever presence in the story and I want to introduce her now. As for the magic, it will be explained in due time. As for the skill, I'm not putting a limit on how many skills Percy can get, though I won't go overboard. Right now his skills aren't overpowered because they don't need to be for where he is at. But don't worry, there are some sitting on the bench waiting. As for the Fate idea, not to knowledgable about Fate but I'll give it a look and see.

DDDXXX - You review is on an earlier chapter where I was jsut getting to grips with first person, hope the P. are easier to grasp now.

Sora Stream - Bro, thank you so much. Comments like yours are why I love writing because I'm experiencing the story at the same pace you are. Yes I have the major moments planned but the bits inbetween are something I explore real time. And trust me, those moments are gonna be worth, there the ones I spend loads of time just thinking about. And with the realistic thing, I've tried to plan a timeline so I keep consistent and also not go op right off the bat and make it seem like he's earnt it through the life he has lived. Thank you though.

And that's it. See ya next time, Peace!