Hephaestus's eyes widened the moment she read Shin Akira's Status Board.

…Was this really a beginner's status?

The first word that came to her mind was—absurd.

— — —

[Shin Akira]

Level: 1

Strength: I · 0

Vitality: I · 0

Dexterity: I · 0

Agility: I · 0

Magic: I · 0

Magic Slots: (None)

— — —

Skills:

[King of All Shadowkhan]

・Sovereign of Shadows

・Spiritual Amplification

・Can summon Shadowkhan warriors

— — —

[Greed]

・Insatiable hunger for all things

・Drastically boosts growth rate

・Greatly increases Excelia gained from monsters

— — —

Two skills.

Hephaestus had updated the Falna of countless adventurers over the years—but this was something else entirely.

A new adventurer—someone who had literally just received their Falna—already had two skills?

That was insane.

The first one, [King of All Shadowkhan], was at least understandable. It was clearly linked to his inheritance template. A summoner-type ability, most likely inherited from the entity he called "Tarakudo."

But the second skill—[Greed]—was something far more dangerous.

Accelerated growth?

Boosted Excelia from monsters?

That was practically a cheat skill.

Hephaestus knew all too well how broken that was. As one of the top goddesses in Orario, she had a deep understanding of how adventurers normally grew.

They gained Excelia—experience—by fighting monsters in the Dungeon, gradually strengthening their abilities and potential.

But the higher the level, the harder it became to grow.

With a skill like this… Akira was essentially holding the roadmap to a fast track toward the top.

And the name—Greed. One of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Skills were born from the innermost desires of the soul. Which meant…

This man was insatiably greedy.

"…Is something wrong, Hephaestus-sama?"

"…No. You can read it yourself."

Hephaestus took a breath and composed herself. She handed over the freshly printed status sheet to him.

Akira accepted the paper and examined it carefully.

The first skill, [King of All Shadowkhan], didn't surprise him at all. That had to be from the Tarakudo inheritance—the core of his new powers. He expected it.

But the second one...

"…Greed, huh. So even my desires got turned into a skill."

He couldn't help but laugh at himself. Still, it was useful.

Faster growth, more Excelia—it was the perfect combo for climbing ranks in Orario.

"I didn't expect it… You really are a greedy man," Hephaestus said dryly, though there was a strange glint in her eyes.

Skills reflected the soul. And Akira's soul was unapologetically ambitious.

But that was precisely what made him interesting.

Desires. Sins. Cravings.

Such things colored the lives of gods.

And Hephaestus… was no exception.

Now, she wanted to see just how far his greed would take him.

"Well, what choice do I have?" Akira replied with a half-smirk. "I came here to steal Hephaestus-sama's heart. If I'm not greedy enough, how else can I pull it off?"

"…You realize that's borderline blasphemy, right?"

Her voice was flat. But the faint upward curl at the corner of her lips betrayed her amusement.

In Orario, relationships between gods and mortals weren't unheard of. Many deities formed bonds with their children—sometimes out of affection, sometimes just for fun.

But there was a massive difference between playing and loving.

The former was fleeting.

The latter… was eternal.

When a god falls in love, it's not gentle. It's not soft. It's an obsession—deep and everlasting.

Even if you die. Even if you're reborn.

They will wait for you. Through time. Through fate. Until the promise is fulfilled.

It isn't love that lasts a hundred years.

It's love that endures forever.

"If we're talking disrespect, I've already crossed that line a while ago," Akira replied casually. "My greed knows no limit—including my desire to claim Hephaestus-sama for myself."

"…You—mmph!"

Hephaestus couldn't finish her protest.

Because Akira… kissed her.

Their lips met—sudden and unexpected.

Her mind went blank. The warmth of his breath. The way his hand rested on her shoulder. The closeness of his body…

As a goddess with sealed divinity, her physical strength was no greater than a human's. And Akira, empowered by even 10% of Tarakudo's legacy, was already above her.

She couldn't push him away.

But more importantly… she didn't want to.

As his hand began to slide—upward, boldly—toward her—

Her eyes widened. Then, just before he reached—

Hephaestus shoved him away with a burst of strength.

She stepped back, chest heaving, face burning as bright as a forge.

Anger. Shame. Fluster. Frustration. And worst of all—desire.

"You…! You know exactly what you're doing, don't you!?"

"Of course I do. I just wanted to mark you as mine, Hephaestus-sama."

Akira's voice was maddeningly calm. As if all of this had gone just as he planned.

And truthfully—he wasn't wrong.

He knew she wouldn't truly get angry.

Because he was the first.

The first man to truly see her.

And still love her.

"You…!"

Her finger trembled, pointing at his face—but the words wouldn't come out.

She wanted to yell. She wanted to curse him.

But she couldn't.

She wanted to punish him.

But her heart wouldn't allow it.

Still… she had to do something.

If she didn't, her pride as a goddess would shatter into a million pieces.

She couldn't let him get away without some kind of retribution.

"…If I had the chance, I'd still do it again," Akira added. "Because you belong to me, Hephaestus."

"...Get out. GET OUT!!"

Her scream echoed through the halls of Babel Tower's upper floors.

— — —

Seconds later, a loud thud sounded down the hallway.

Akira was sprawled out in the corridor, shirtless, still wearing only his soaked pants and half-dry shoes.

He winced and stood up, brushing himself off, then stared at the now-shut door.

"…Hephaestus-sama, please let me back in. I'm not properly dressed. This is embarrassing."

He knocked weakly on the door.

In Orario, sure—there were Amazons who walked around half-naked like it was no big deal.

But he wasn't an Amazon. Walking around like this? Not the brightest idea.

Especially with his Falna now fully exposed on his back.

If anyone got a good look, they'd be able to read everything.

Then, the door creaked open.

Standing behind it was Hephaestus—expression flat, cheeks still tinted red, but eyes sharp once more.

"…Come in."

Akira bowed slightly and stepped inside, wordless.

The door shut again with a heavy thud.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

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