[12] Wisdom in the Water

The men's section of the bath house was eerily quiet as I entered. No chatter, no splashing, just the soft trickle of water. Odd. I'd expected it to be bustling at this hour. 

I shrugged off my robe, the white fabric pooling at my feet. A quick glance at the cubbies—empty, save for a few forgotten towels. The silence amplified the subtle creaks of the wooden floorboards under my bare feet. I selected a cubby, placed my clothes inside, and grabbed a towel.

The bath's steam curled around me as I grabbed one of the wooden buckets. Perfect temperature. I filled it, dumped it over my head, and started scrubbing away the day's grime. Blood, sweat, and dungeon dust swirled down the drain.

『Your performance today was suboptimal,』 Minerva chimed in as I worked the soap through my hair.

"Here we go," I muttered, rinsing off. "Let me guess - I was too reckless?"

『Precisely. You relied heavily on brute force rather than tactical advantage. The goblin pack on floor three-』

"Could've been handled more efficiently, yes." I slid into the large bath, the hot water a blessing on my aching muscles. "But they're dead, I'm not. I'd call that a win."

『A win achieved through unnecessary risk. Your status may have increased, but your technique-』

"Needs work. Got it." I leaned back, resting my head against the smooth stone edge. "Any other critiques while I'm trying to relax?"

『Your mapping was inadequate. Several promising side passages went unexplored.』

I closed my eyes. "They'll still be there tomorrow."

『And your resource management-』

"Minerva." I sank deeper into the water. "Can we save the lecture for when I'm not trying to enjoy this suspiciously empty bath house?"

『Very well. But we will discuss this later.』

"Looking forward to it," I drawled.

The water lapped against the sides in gentle waves. Between the heat and the silence, I felt my muscles unwinding one by one. No monsters, no lectures, no-

Footsteps. Heavy ones, approaching from the entrance. I kept my eyes closed.

"Good evening," I called out, eyes still closed.

A splash, followed by the water level rising slightly. I cracked one eye open, finding myself face-to-face with a mountain of a man. No, not quite a man—a Boaz. Tall, dark-skinned, with rust-colored hair and eyes. A pair of boar ears twitched atop his head as he regarded me with a pensive expression.

"You're in my spot," he rumbled, voice deep as a bass drum.

"I wasn't aware baths had assigned seating."

His brow furrowed, creating deep furrows in his forehead. "They don't. But I always sit here."

"Well," I drawled, "there's plenty of room. I'm sure we can share."

The Boaz's nostrils flared, but he made no move to leave. Instead, he settled back, his massive frame causing small waves to lap against the bath's edge.

An uncomfortable silence stretched between us. I cleared my throat. "I'm Dante. You come here often?"

He grunted. "Ottar. And yes."

『Ottar,』 Minerva's voice rang. 『Captain of the Freya Familia. Level 7. Strongest adventurer in Orario.』

I fought to keep my expression neutral as I processed this information. Of all the people to run into...

"So, Ottar," I ventured, "tough day at work?"

He fixed me with an inscrutable stare. "Every day is tough when you're striving for greatness."

I nodded, choosing my next words carefully. "And what does greatness look like to you?"

Ottar's eyes narrowed slightly. "Serving my goddess to the best of my abilities. Pushing the limits of what's possible." He paused, studying me. "What about you, Dante? What are you striving for?"

The question caught me off guard. What was I striving for? Survival? Power? Understanding this strange new world I'd found myself in?

"I'm... still figuring that out," I admitted, surprised by my own honesty.

Ottar grunted again, but this time it sounded almost approving. "At least you're honest about it. Too many people claim to have all the answers."

I chuckled softly. "Oh, I definitely don't have all the answers. But I'm working on getting a few."

A comfortable silence fell between us as we both relaxed into the warm water. I found myself stealing glances at Ottar, marveling at the sheer size of him. His body was a road map of scars, each one telling a story of battles fought and won.

"So, what's it like?" I asked, breaking the silence. "Being at the top?"

Ottar's eyes shifted to me, his expression unchanging. "There is no top. Only the next challenge."

"Philosophical." I traced a finger through the water's surface. "But surely Level 7 comes with some perks? Besides making everyone else look like children playing with wooden swords."

His mouth twitched – not quite a smile, but close. "You're fishing."

"Guilty as charged." I grinned. "Can you blame me? It's not every day I get to share a bath with living legend."

"Flattery won't work."

"Worth a shot." I shrugged. "How about a trade then? Information for information?"

Ottar raised an eyebrow. "What could you possibly offer me?"

"A fresh perspective? Entertainment? The pleasure of my charming company?" I leaned back. "Or maybe just the satisfaction of helping a rookie not get himself killed in spectacular fashion."

『Careful,』 Minerva warned. 『He's more perceptive than you think.』

"You talk too much," Ottar said, but there was no malice in his tone. "And you're too clever for your own good."

"I get that a lot."

"It'll get you killed in the dungeon."

I tilted my head. "Speaking from experience?"

"I've seen many clever adventurers die." He closed his eyes. "The dungeon doesn't care about wit or charm. It only respects strength and preparation."

"And what's the best way to prepare?"

Ottar opened one eye. "Now that's a better question."

"I'm full of them."

"Clearly." He shifted, causing more ripples. "What level are you?"

"One."

He nodded. "Upper floors?"

"For now."

"Your first mistake is rushing." Ottar's voice took on a teaching tone. "Every floor has something to teach. Most adventurers are too eager to dive deeper, chase bigger prizes. They miss the fundamentals."

"Such as?"

"Movement patterns. Monster behaviors. Resource management." He counted off on massive fingers. "The upper floors are perfect for mastering basics. Low risk, time to experiment."

I absorbed this, thinking of my earlier goblin encounter. "And what about when the basics become boring?"

"They never do." Ottar's voice hardened. "The moment you think you're above the basics is the moment you die."

"Noted." I paused. "Any other pearls of wisdom?"

"Find a routine. Stick to it. Too many adventurers treat the dungeon like a game, changing tactics daily. Consistency breeds mastery."

"Even if it means doing the same thing over and over?"

"Especially then." Ottar's eyes met mine. "You learn to see patterns. Details others miss. The dungeon becomes predictable."

"Nothing's predictable," I countered.

"Everything is. You just haven't learned to see it yet." He stood up, water cascading off his scarred form. "Remember that, Dante of the Hestia Familia."

I blinked. "I never mentioned my familia."

"You didn't have to." He stepped out of the bath. "Your goddess's scent is... distinctive."

As he wrapped a towel around his waist, I called out. "Same time tomorrow?"

Ottar paused. "This is my spot."

"I'll take that as a yes."

Ottar grunted in acknowledgment, then walked towards the exit. "It was... interesting meeting you, Dante."

He left without another word, leaving me alone with my thoughts and one very smug AI.

『Well played,』 Minerva said. 『Though he gave you more than you gave him.』

"Sometimes the best way to get information is to let people think they're teaching you."

『And what did you learn, besides the obvious?』

I sank deeper into the water. "That even the strongest adventurer in Orario sticks to a routine. That he values consistency over flash. And that he probably reports everything to Freya."

『The scent comment?』

"Too deliberate. He wanted me to know he knew." I closed my eyes. "Question is, why?"

『Perhaps a warning?』

"Or an invitation." I smiled. "Either way, I think I just found my new evening routine."

『You're playing a dangerous game.』

"Aren't I always?" I stood up, reaching for my towel. "Besides, you heard the man – consistency breeds mastery."

『That's not what he meant and you know it.』

"Details, details." I dried off. "What matters is that the strongest adventurer in Orario just gave me a standing appointment."

『To sit in silence and possibly get murdered.』

"You say murder, I say networking opportunity." I grabbed my clothes. "Same difference in this city."

I slipped my clothes back on, grimacing at their worn state. The fabric had seen better days, and the dungeon hadn't been kind to them. Tomorrow's earnings would need to go towards a new wardrobe. 

My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since morning. The Hostess of Fertility wasn't far, and a cold beer sounded perfect right about now.

『Going back so soon?』 Minerva asked as I stepped out into the cool evening air.

"What can I say? I'm a creature of habit." I patted my coin pouch. "Besides, Mia's cooking beats dried rations any day."

The pub's warmth hit me as I pushed through the doors. Half the tables were filled, mostly with adventurers fresh from the dungeon. Their loud voices and laughter created a comfortable backdrop of white noise.

"Welcome back," a soft voice said beside me. The gray-haired waitress from before stood there, notepad in hand. "I'm Syr. I'll be serving you tonight."

"Dante Valac," I said, studying her. Up close, that strange presence was even stronger. "Nice to meet you properly."

She led me to a corner table, her movements graceful and deliberate. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Beer. And whatever you'd recommend for dinner. I trust your judgment."

Syr tapped her pen against the notepad. "Hungry adventurer who's not picky? The meat stew's fresh."

"Perfect."

Syr lingered at my table, her pen tapping a quiet rhythm against her notepad. "So, did you find her?"

"Find who?"

"Lady Hestia." She tilted her head. "You were looking for her yesterday, weren't you?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Ah. Yeah, I did. Got the blessing and everything."

"That was fast." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Most gods take their time choosing new familia members."

"What can I say? I'm charming."

"Mhm." She jotted something down. "And how's that working out for you?"

"Well, I haven't died in the dungeon yet."

"Low bar."

"I'm a simple man with simple goals."

She tucked a strand of gray hair behind her ear. "Somehow I doubt that."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Just an observation. Your beer will be right out."

As she walked away, Minerva spoke up. 『She's probing.』

"Everyone in this city probes," I muttered into my empty cup. "It's like a hobby."

『True. But she's better at it than most.』

Before I could respond, Syr returned with my beer. She set it down carefully, then paused. "Lady Hestia's familia is small."

"That's one way to put it."

"But growing." She glanced around the pub. "Bell's made quite a name for himself."

"So I've heard."

"And now you."

I took a sip of beer. "Now me."

"Any particular reason you chose Hestia?"

"Any particular reason you're asking?"

Syr slid into the seat across from me. "Is it a crime to be curious?"

"Most waitresses don't interrogate their customers," I said, setting down my mug.

"Most customers don't show up out of nowhere and join a goddess's familia in less than a day." 

"Maybe I just have good timing."

"Maybe." She leaned forward slightly. "Or maybe there's more to it."

I studied her for a moment. The dim pub light caught the gray of her hair, making it almost silver. "You seem awfully invested in Lady Hestia's recruitment practices."

"I look after Bell," she said simply. "He's... important to me."

"Ah." I grinned. "And you're worried I might be a bad influence?"

"Are you?"

"Probably."

That got a genuine laugh out of her. "At least you're honest about it."

"Only when it suits me." I gestured to the empty seat beside her. "Shouldn't you be working?"

"Mia won't mind. It's a slow night." She glanced toward the kitchen. "Your stew will be ready soon."

"And you thought you'd fill the time by grilling me about my life choices?"

"Would you prefer small talk about the weather?"

"Fair point." I drummed my fingers on the table. "Alright, what do you want to know?"

"Where are you from?"

"Pass."

Her eyebrows rose. "That's not how this works."

"Sure it is. Ask another question."

She pursed her lips. "Why Orario?"

"Why not Orario? Big city, lots of opportunities, excellent bath houses."

"And the dungeon?"

I spread my arms. "What adventurer doesn't dream of the dungeon?"

"You're not like most adventurers."

"You've known me for all of fifteen minutes."

"Long enough." She tilted her head. "You don't move like a novice."

I kept my expression neutral. "Maybe I trained elsewhere."

"Maybe." She didn't sound convinced. "But that brings us back to where you're from."

"Which I passed on."

"Yes." Her fingers traced patterns on the wooden table. "Very convenient."

The stew arrived, carried by one of the other waitresses. Syr didn't move from her seat.

"Not going to let me eat in peace?" I asked, picking up my spoon.

"You can eat and talk."

"I could." I took a bite of stew. It was good - rich and hearty. "But I won't."

"Because?"

"Because you haven't earned those answers yet."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Earned them?"

"Information has value," I said between bites. "You're asking for mine, but offering nothing in return."

"I brought you stew."

"Which I'm paying for."

She sat back, considering. "What would make it a fair trade?"

"Now that's a better question." I pointed my spoon at her. "But you'll have to figure that out yourself."

"You're very difficult."

"You're very nosy."

We stared at each other for a moment before she broke into a small smile. "This isn't how these conversations usually go."

"Let me guess - most people just tell you what you want to know?"

"More or less."

I shrugged. "I'm not most people."

"Clearly." She stood up, smoothing her apron. "Enjoy your stew, Dante Valac."

"Always do."

She paused. "I'll figure you out eventually."

"You can try." I raised my mug. "It'll be fun watching you fail."