Becoming Homeless

Luckily, Akema got me some cheap clothes as most of my old ones were ruined. So, I was now sporting a cheap black and white striped cotton dress shirt and black pants. My hat and boots were still viable though.

When I finally arrived at home, all saw was ash and cinder. Looks like this was Elijah's second stop after our get together.

When I finally took it all in, I dropped to my knees in the ash. Without me realizing my hat gained two huge splotches of a depressing blue and despairing black.

<Regalia Strengthened: Painter's Hat>

After several hours of stewing in my grief and despair I got a visitor.

She was a beautiful woman with shining silver hair wearing a tight red and black dress.

"You've seen better days." (Mysterious Woman)

"Hello Freya. Or would you prefer Syr?" (Nemo)

"Let's go with Freya." (Freya)

"Freya I'll admit I'm conflicted about you. I owe you my life, but I'm not sure that's a good thing." (Nemo)

"Where there's life there's hope." (Freya)

"Not seeing much hope around here." (Nemo)

"You do have a point." (Freya)

"Not that I don't enjoy this little chat, but why are you here Freya?" (Nemo)

"I'm here with an offer. How would you feel about joining my family?" (Freya)

"I'll tell you what I told the last person to have that offer, I've lived as a Hestia Familia member; I'll die a Hestia Familia member." (Nemo)

"I can appreciate that. Are you sure you won't reconsider." (Freya)

"Something tells me you are offering protection; I'm looking for revenge." (Nemo)

"Very well, can't say I'm particularly surprised. Taking our friendship into account, I got you a day of peace. Whatever you're gonna do, you have a day to prep." (Freya)

"Thank you. I know that you are doing this solely for your own amusement, but I will not forget this." (Nemo)

After she walked away, I gained my resolve. Something tells me this was intentional on Freya's part. As I gained my resolve several things happened at once.

My hat gained a splotch of angry red.

<Regalia Strengthened: Painter's Hat>

My scrapped swords dissolved into particles of light along with my hands. The particles of light then coalesced into two new hands.

My right hand was a shade darker than the rest of my skin with a scarred wrist. My fingernails turned crimson red with a hint of black. I also gained a ring on my middle finger; the stylized band was jet black and the simple heart shaped gem matched my other hand's fingernails.

My left hand was a shade lighter than the rest of my skin with a scarred wrist. My fingernails turned light blue with a hint of white. I also gained a ring on my middle finger; the stylized band was a soft white and the anatomical heart shaped gem matched my other hand's fingernails.

<Regalia Evolution: The Devil's Right Hand has transformed into The Ring of The Butcher>

"What once was a simple sword has now become an integral part of its user"

Provides an increase corresponding to bloodshed in melee damage, strength stat, endurance stat, but also bloodlust. Allows the creation of energy weaponry formed by an energy fed by bloodshed.

<Regalia Evolution: The Angel's Left Hand has transformed into The Ring of The Surgeon>

"What once was a simple sword has now become an integral part of its user"

Provides an increase corresponding to various weapons skill levels in melee damage, dexterity stat, agility stat, precision, bodily control, and focus. Allows the creation of energy weaponry formed by an energy fed by personal skill and experience.

The last thing that happened was that two brilliant blue ribbons flew out of the rubble and ash. I recognized the ribbons as the ribbons I gave Hestia as a gift to celebrate when I started making more money.

<Acquired Regalia: The Ribbons of the Hearth>

"What once was a simple ribbon has now ascended by familial love and a family member's resolve"

Provides a safe space to rest and satiety as long as the user is not in a combat state.

I proceeded to tie the ribbons around my wrists to cover my scars and so that I could always see them.

I knew that the only way I could get my revenge is if I can get stronger. While I could no longer level up or increase my stats, my magic allowed me to gain the stats of monsters and if I can get the form of even the floor seventy boss, I could have my revenge against the familia. If I could get the floor one hundred boss, I get my shot at the god. Fortunately, my new ribbons allowed me to never leave the dungeon. This was killing two birds with one stone, I could both get stronger via my magic and be protected as only those at a similar level could come at me.