Chapter 268

Chapter 268: Chapter 268

"Kiriya

Level 5

STR: SSS 1376 → I 0

END: SSS 1334 → I 0

DEX: SSS 1343 → I 0

AGI: SSS 1387 → I 0

MAG: SSS 1413 → I 0

Magic: Forest of All Things, Yang Power: Everflowing Vitality, Blade Storm.

Skills: Strong One’s Wish, Demonbane, Mirror Calm, Divine Will Sharingan.

Development Abilities: Mage (G), Luck (H), Spirit Healing (G)."

After Hestia completed the level-up process, all of Kiriya’s basic ability values returned to zero, while his Level officially rose to Level 5.

"So the day finally came."

Hestia looked at the Status on his back with a mixture of emotion and satisfaction.

"I always knew you’d become a first-class adventurer eventually, Kiriya. I just never imagined it would happen this quickly."

"Hahaha, neither did I."

Kiriya slowly clenched one hand into a fist, feeling an unprecedented level of power gathering throughout his body.

It was no exaggeration to say that once he fully adapted to and mastered the strength brought by this level-up, he could probably fight at least two versions of his former self at once.

And that was only one aspect of his improvement.

More importantly, his sage body had awakened further, causing his chakra reserves to undergo another explosive increase.

Combined with the enhancement brought by his previous evolution into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, his chakra reserves had now surpassed 350 Kakashi and were rapidly approaching the 400-Kakashi mark.

At this point, if Kiriya went all out, he could even wrap a complete Susanoo around his giant wooden Buddha and have some fun with it.

"Without even realizing it, I’ve become a man with chakra measured in tons."

Kiriya sighed with a deep sense of accomplishment.

"Hey, come back to reality."

Hestia waved one small hand in front of his face.

"You still have a Development Ability to choose."

She checked the available options again.

"You can pick Swordsman, Abnormal Resistance, or Fist Fighter. Which one do you want?"

"Abnormal Resistance."

Kiriya answered after only a moment of thought.

His battle against the Queen of Assyria had convinced him that improving his resistance to abnormal conditions was necessary.

He already possessed Yang Power: Everflowing Vitality as a healing spell, but if his resistance to poison and similar effects was insufficient, those conditions could still severely weaken his combat effectiveness before he had a chance to recover.

At the highest level, victory or defeat could be decided by the smallest opening.

The fewer weaknesses he left himself, the better.

"Okay."

Hestia made the necessary adjustment, and Kiriya’s Status changed once again.

"Kiriya

Level 5

STR: SSS 1376 → I 0

END: SSS 1334 → I 0

DEX: SSS 1343 → I 0

AGI: SSS 1387 → I 0

MAG: SSS 1413 → I 0

Magic: Forest of All Things, Yang Power: Everflowing Vitality, Blade Storm.

Skills: Strong One’s Wish, Demonbane, Mirror Calm, Divine Will Sharingan.

Development Abilities: Mage (G), Luck (H), Spirit Healing (G), Abnormal Resistance (I)."

Once everything was finished, Hestia patted Kiriya three times on the shoulder.

"All right, you’re done. Go sit over there. Now I’m going to give little Jeanne her Falna."

"Mm-hm."

Kiriya nodded obediently and walked over to the sofa, where he sat down with perfect good behavior.

His eyes, however, remained fixed on Jeanne without blinking.

There was no ulterior motive, of course.

He simply wanted to broaden his horizons.

Smack!

Several veins bulged visibly on Hestia’s forehead as she clenched a fist.

"Kiriya."

"Yes?"

"Do you seriously not know what you’re supposed to be doing right now?"

"Don’t worry."

Kiriya nodded with an extremely solemn expression.

"I’ll guard the area properly. Absolutely no one will be allowed to disturb you."

"You’re the biggest disturbance here!"

Hestia grabbed Jeanne by the hand and marched toward the bedroom.

"Come on, Jeanne. Ignore this pervert."

Bang!

The door slammed shut, completely cutting off Kiriya’s line of sight.

Kiriya rubbed his nose and was just about to sit back down when his unusually sharp hearing caught Hestia’s startled exclamation from inside.

"Whoa, they’re huge! Behold my Dragon Claw!"

"Eek! Goddess Hestia, what are you doing?!"

Jeanne’s embarrassed cry immediately followed.

Kiriya suddenly felt that the situation inside was becoming dangerously promising.

For no apparent reason, his throat went dry, while images began forming uncontrollably in his mind.

Startled by the direction of his own thoughts, he hurriedly poured himself a cup of tea and drank it to calm down.

The two women played around for a while before things finally quieted down.

A little later, Hestia suddenly exclaimed again.

"Wow, Jeanne, this is impressive. You awakened both a Skill and Magic the very first time you received a Falna."

"New Magic and a Skill?"

Kiriya immediately became restless.

He desperately wanted to go over and take a look, but after imagining Hestia greeting him with a mouthful of sharp teeth, he forced himself to remain where he was.

If Hestia could have heard his thoughts, she probably would have rolled her eyes.

’You really think I believe the Magic and Skill are what you want to look at?’

Before long, the rustling sounds of clothes being put back on came from the bedroom.

The door opened shortly afterward, and Jeanne walked out beside Hestia while holding a sheet of parchment.

Kiriya immediately hurried over.

"So? What Magic and Skill did you awaken?"

"See for yourself."

Hestia waved a hand dismissively and went off to drink her tea.

Kiriya ignored her and leaned closer to Jeanne, reading the information written on the parchment.

"Flame of Salvation: Long-chant Magic. Summons sacred white flames capable of purifying curses, poison, and other abnormal conditions over a wide area while simultaneously healing allies. Because of its purification attribute, it possesses exceptionally strong effectiveness against beings composed of negative energy, dealing greatly increased damage."

"Oathbound Holy Banner: Defensive enhancement Skill. Activates automatically when using defensive abilities. The stronger the user’s conviction to protect others, the greater the defensive effect and the longer it can be maintained."

Kiriya finished reading and smiled.

"A purification and healing spell, plus a Skill that strengthens your defensive abilities. They suit you perfectly, Jeanne."

"Mm. I think so too."

Jeanne looked equally satisfied.

When they had been dealing with Bashmu’s poison earlier, she had felt a powerful desire for a better way to handle threats like that.

Unexpectedly, receiving Hestia’s Falna had turned that wish into an actual ability.

"Kiriya once told me that Falna reflects both a person’s potential and the shape of their heart. It really is true."

"All right, enough chatting."

Hestia clapped her hands firmly, drawing both of their attention.

"To celebrate the addition of a new member to our Familia, and also Kiriya officially becoming a first-class adventurer, I’ve decided—"

She raised one hand dramatically.

"We’re having a feast!"

"Oh, that’s a good idea."

Kiriya immediately smiled.

Jeanne nodded as well and started toward the kitchen.

"Then I’ll help prepare—"

"Silly girl."

Hestia immediately grabbed her before she could get any farther.

"On a day this important, who cooks at home?"

She lifted her chin proudly.

"Obviously, we’re going to a restaurant and eating until we’re stuffed."

Then she turned toward Kiriya.

"No problem with that, right?"

"Of course not."

Kiriya pulled a heavy pouch of money from his clothes.

"I made a pretty good profit today. Eat as much as you want."

"Excellent."

Hestia nodded with the commanding air of a general issuing marching orders.

"Then our destination is the Hostess of Fertility! Forward!"

With that, she marched out first with her head held high and her steps full of confidence.

Kiriya and Jeanne exchanged a glance, shook their heads with matching smiles, and followed after her.

...

Before long, the three arrived at the Hostess of Fertility.

The moment Hestia stepped through the door, she called out loudly,

"Syr! Ryuu! I’m here! Hurry up and bring us the menu. We’re eating big today!"

"Okay, okay! Coming right away!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Syr hurried over.

The instant she saw Kiriya, her face brightened.

Then she noticed Jeanne standing beside him.

The color abruptly drained from Syr’s face.

She stopped dead in her tracks.