"Sir Kenji, after deducting the 5% handling fee, your total exchange amount is 4.12 million valis."
Eina's voice was calm, but her eyes couldn't hide the shock.
A rookie adventurer, still at Level 1, bringing in this much money in a single day?
It was unbelievable.
Still, Eina was professional. She swiftly processed the transaction, then lifted a heavy pouch filled with gold coins and placed it on the counter.
"Here you go."
---
(T/N: Currency in Danmachi)
1 gold coin = 100 silver coins
1 silver coin = 100 copper coins
1 copper coin = 1 valis
The purchasing power of valis was similar to yen.
Although 412 gold coins seemed like a fortune to normal citizens, it was merely pocket change for top adventurers.
Armor, potions, weapons—everything an adventurer needed was ridiculously expensive.
For a Level 1 adventurer, though—
This was an insane amount.
---
Eina smiled. "You're quite impressive, Kenji."
Kenji accepted the pouch, feeling the weight of his first true earnings in this world.
"Thanks, Eina."
With that, he turned and walked out of the guild.
---
As Kenji headed back to Hephaestus' mansion, something caught his eye.
A luxurious cake sat in the window of a high-end bakery.
It was a three-tiered masterpiece, decorated with fresh cream, chocolate, and fruit.
Kenji paused.
Hestia.
The image of the tiny goddess, worried sick about him, flashed in his mind.
He sighed. "She's going to scold me, huh?"
With a chuckle, he stepped inside the shop.
---
"Welcome, adventurer. How may I assist you?"
A man in a black butler uniform greeted Kenji politely.
His eyes, sharp and intelligent, studied Kenji carefully.
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know I was an adventurer?"
The butler smiled.
"Only adventurers return from the Tower of Babel at this hour."
"And your presence—it's something only a few high-level warriors possess."
Kenji nodded in amusement. "Smart guy."
Then, he pointed to the three-tiered cake.
"Wrap this one up."
---
Cake in hand, Kenji walked through the city's evening glow.
By the time he reached the mansion, the sky had darkened.
And at the front gate—
Two figures stood waiting.
One tall and serious.
The other small and anxious.
Hestia.
Even from a distance, Kenji could see the worry in her eyes.
Her small hands clenched, her brows furrowed.
Next to her, Hephaestus watched silently, arms crossed.
Kenji smiled, lifted the cake, and was about to call out to them—
But then—
"Kenji!!!"
Before he could react—
Hestia rushed forward.
She jumped straight into his chest, clinging tightly to him.
"Oof—!"
Kenji barely kept his balance.
His arms instinctively wrapped around her tiny frame.
But then, he felt it.
The trembling.
Her small body shaking, muffled sobs escaping her lips.
His smile faded.
She was crying.
Kenji sighed.
With one hand, he gently stroked her soft, twin-tailed hair.
With the other, he patted her back lightly.
"I'm fine, Hestia."
"I just went to the dungeon… and got you a cake."
"See?" He lifted the box slightly.
"Not even a scratch on me. You know me—I treasure my life."
"Besides…"
He chuckled softly, resting his chin on her head.
"I promised to earn enough valis for a big familia house, right?"
"How could I die before that?"
For a moment—
Hestia stayed silent.
Then—
She nodded weakly and pulled back, wiping her teary eyes with her sleeve.
---
With the cake in hand, the three of them walked inside the mansion.
As they passed, Hephaestus glanced at Kenji.
She said nothing, but the way she nodded spoke volumes.
Kenji simply nodded back.
The doors closed behind them.
---
The living room was filled with the warm glow of candlelight.
On the table, the cake sat half-eaten.
Hestia, happily munching on her slice, had a huge smile on her face.
"Ahh~ It's soooo good~!"
She swayed happily, eyes closed in pure bliss.
Kenji and Hephaestus watched with amused smiles.
It was hard to believe—
A goddess who had lived for millions of years could still act so innocent.
Yet—
That was what made Hestia special.
Her genuine heart.
Her pure emotions.
Even gods who had lived forever—
Could still be so human.
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