3

"What is it, sister?" Cainu asks.

"He already possesses two Skills," Xuannu replies.

"What!" Cainu shouts.

Sunu's eyes widen. "That's nearly unheard of. One in a million- no, ten million."

"Is it really that rare?" Ziggy asks.

Xuannu nods. "Most aren't born with Skills unless it is tied to their bloodline, and even then, it's not guaranteed to manifest immediately and never more than one," she says. "Yours... Aren't anything I've ever seen. Perhaps they're bloodline related, but if that is the case, you must have one impressive bloodline."

"Who knows, maybe I do," Ziggy says.

"These Skills... Are far beyond what is normal," Xuannu says, focusing on the divine blessing before her. "I'm going to Lock your Falna. I don't want anyone outside this room to see it."

Cainu and Sunu are already looking over her shoulder at the Falna with expressions of shock and awe.

"Can I see it?" Ziggy asks.

"Of course," Xuannu says, picking up a sheet of parchment and laying it on Ziggy's back. Tracing a finger over it quickly, she removes the sheet. Sliding off his hips, she turns, stands up, and backs away to let Ziggy stand.

He slides his shirt back on and smiles at Xuannu. She hands him the parchment, and he sits down on the edge of the bed to examine it. There is a symbol that looks like a stylized fiery bird with long feathers. Under that is the results of Ziggy's Falna ceremony.

Siegfried Solomon

Lv 1

STR I-0

VIT I-0

DEX I-0

AGI I-0

MAG I-0

MAGIC:

SKILL:

**Wisdom of Solomon

**Heart's Blood of the Dragon

"Well, they sound impressive, but what do they do?" Ziggy asks. All the while thinking, 'Is this one of the Soul Crystals? It has to be. Solomon? As in King Solomon? Kind of a coincidence, isn't it?'

Xuannu smiles brightly. "The first one appears to be a massive improvement to your magical growth and recovery, comprehension, and awareness. It also mentions understanding the languages of beast and man."

"Well, that sounds pretty good. The magical growth and recovery alone sound good. The rest sounds amazing," Ziggy says.

"Indeed," Xuannu says with a solemn nod. "The other is just as impressive. Heart's Blood of the Dragon increases the growth and recovery of physical abilities, improves the senses, grants Abnormal Resistance, enhances longevity, and... confers the ability to converse with birds."

Ziggy and the other goddesses blink. "Converse with birds?" they all ask incredulously?

"Yes," Xuannu says. "It also alludes to being able to improve these abilities even more through consumption of dragon essence, most likely blood considering the name."

'Ew. Well, it better not be spooge,' Ziggy thinks.

"So, are you going to go running off to the guild to register and dive into the dungeon to be a hero?" Xuannu asks with one raised eyebrow.

"Pfft," Ziggy snorts. "Honestly, I was hoping someone could show me how to use my sword before I did something stupid. Really, all that I know is that the sharp pointy end goes in the soft squishy thing that screams and bleeds. I'm pretty new to this warrior gimmick."

"Good," Xuannu says with a smile. "I would be disappointed if my child would foolishly run into the unknown without the slightest idea of how to protect himself. I may be a goddess of warfare, but I am a strategist and wielder of the arcane secrets, not a battle maniac.

Hmm. Huangdi could teach you, but I have other tasks for him. Cainu, Sunu, is Takemikizuchi around?"

"I believe I saw him arrive a short while ago, sister," Sunu says. "He should be in the courtyard."

"Well, then, let us greet Takemi then," Xuannu says, taking the parchment from Siegfried's hand and tossing it on a brazier, burning it to ashes.

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Leaving the section of the manor with the oddly Western styling, the trio of goddesses leads the way down the hall where workers are renovating the old tenement-style housing project into something that's a blend of Eastern aesthetics with certain Western amenities.

The workers practically come to a halt as the goddesses pass by; some even begin to drool before they realize and correct their behavior. Ziggy follows a few steps behind the three enjoying the view of swaying hips and heavenly curves. One of the three will occasionally peek over their shoulder to make sure he is still following with slightly different expressions.

Cainu looks back with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in her eye. Ziggy isn't sure if she's thinking naughty things or naauughty things. Perhaps some trickster is present in this artist goddess. Sunu's backward glance is brief and filled with rosy cheeks and widening eyes when she sees she's been caught looking, followed by her rapid retreat to face front. When Xuannu looks back, her gaze is filled with bedroom overtones and flirtatious smirks. She throws a little more wiggle in her hips when she turns around, holding Ziggy's attention.

It is at one of those times when Ziggy's attention is focused firmly on the divine derriere of the delightfully delectable deity that they pass a crossing hallway. The pitter-patter of rapidly approaching feet did escape the notice of the one who most recently received unparalleled awareness. The result of inattention is a collision with and squeak from a soft and petite brown and yellow mouse of a girl.

Reacting quickly, Ziggy manages to wrap one arm around the waist of the dazed damsel and pull her close as they spin. Ziggy drops to one knee and cradles the girl's head to his chest, so she doesn't overbalance him. Once stable, he draws back slightly to see the girl, her hands clutching his shirt and her headwrap half fallen off and covering her eyes.

Ziggy slides the wrap off, brushing the soft locks of cinnamon hair from her face. Her eyes are closed tight, still half-expecting an impact that hasn't come. "Are you alright, miss?" Ziggy asks.

Releasing her tension, comprehending that the jarring stop at the end of a fall isn't coming, the girl opens her eyes and receives a different impact. Her honey brown eyes catch on the rich cobalt of Ziggy's, and words die on her tongue.

Ziggy smirks. He can't help feeling a little smug seeing the cute girl's reaction. "You didn't break the poor thing, did you, child of mine?" Xuannu asks.

Ziggy's smirk grows to a full grin. "I'm not sure. Let me ask," he says before returning his attention to the girl still in his arms. "Miss? Are you hurt anywhere? Should we call for a healer?"

Realizing he's speaking to her, the girl's face heats to red, and she splutters out, "N-no. No. I-I'm fine. I... was..." she trails off.

"Then let me help you up," Ziggy says and stands up, lifting the girl to her feet. He holds on to her until her feet are stable under her and then lets go. She does not. She still maintains her grip on his shirt, looking up at his face regretting how much further away it is now.

"W-who are you?" she asks with a soft, far-away voice.

"My name is Siegfried, but my friends call me Ziggy," he says with a smile.

"Siegfried," she says softly.

"Oh," Ziggy says with a forlorn look. "You don't want to be my friend?"

"Wh-what!?" she says, panic manifesting in her widening eyes as her fingers grip tighter on his shirt. "O-of course I do!"

His smile returns. "Then, please, call me Ziggy."

"Z-Ziggy," she says, her cheeks flaming.

"May I have your name, miss?" Ziggy asks softly.

"Hm? Oh!" she says, releasing his shirt and jumping back a step. "U-um. I-I'm Asuka. I-it's-um- nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Asuka," Ziggy says. "May I ask where you are going in such a hurry?"

She fidgets a little. "Oh, I-I was running late for practice with Lord Takemikazuchi."

"What a coincidence," Xuannu says. "We were just on our way to see Takemi."

Asuka, noticing for the first time that there are other people in the hallway, sees the three goddesses and jumps to a bow. "Oh, goddess Sunu, goddess Cainu, I did not see you there. I apologize for my behavior."

Cainu is smirking like a fox that found an open henhouse, but it is Sunu that answers Asuka. "That's quite alright, child," she says and then indicates the goddess next to her. "This is our sister, Xuannu, and of course, you have already met her new child, Ziggy."

Asuka looks up to see Zuannu and then bows once more. "Greetings, goddess Xuannu," she says.

Xuannu smiles. "Hello, child. We were on our way to see your god. Would you walk with us?"

"Of course, goddess," Asuka says.

Ziggy holds out an arm to Asuka. She looks confused at first, and then her face turns red in understanding. Tentatively she reaches out to take his arm. Ziggy could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. He smiles, and Xuannu rolls her divine eyes at him.

They make their way out to the courtyard where the Takemikazuchi Familia is practicing their techniques and sparring. A large dark-haired man with green eyes around Ziggy's size spars with a dark-haired girl with a ponytail, who is slightly shorter than Asuka. As the three goddesses and two mortals enter the courtyard, the larger man's eyes flicker to them and land on Asuka and where her arm is in particular.

A moment of cognitive dissonance strikes the big man, and he freezes, missing the attack the petite woman throws at him, her bokken landing with an audible THWACK; he is struck once more on his head.

"ACK!" he shouts, dropping to the ground and covering his head.

"What was that, Ouka!?" the big man's assailant. "You should have been able to block that easily."

Ouka, still crouched down with tears in his eyes, holds out one hand and points to the new arrivals.

The woman glances over to newcomers. "Oh, we have guests," she says. "Still, you can't become distrac-"

She pauses mid-word and slowly turns back to the five people, four of whom are highly amused. "W-w-wh-what are you doing, ASUKA!?" she shouts, her face reddening as she points to the scandalous sight. Asuka's already blushing face turns pure crimson. "Wh-who is this man?"

A handsome man in what Ziggy would associate with traditional Japanese garb quickly approaches, stops in front of the three goddesses, and bows slightly in greeting. "Jiutian Zhanxie Huzheng Xuannü, it has been too long."

Xuannu rolls her eyes. "Do you have to be so formal, Takemi? We're old friends. We should be on a given-name basis, at least. Call me Xuannu."

"Of course, Lady Xuannu," Takemikazuchi says with a small smile.

She huffs. "Drop the Lady. We aren't in the Queen Mother's or Amaterasu's court, and formalities are a bore. I refuse to call you Lord Takemikazuchi. You're Takemi, or I won't talk to you at all."

"Very well, Xuannu," he says. Resetting the conversation with a pleasant voice, he inquires, "How was your journey?"

She sighs. "Long. Uneventful. At least until the last few hours," she says with a sideways glance to Ziggy, who is leaning down to talk to the nearly catatonic with embarrassment, Asuka.

"Miss Asuka, we've arrived," he says. "I enjoyed our walk. Perhaps we can go for another sometime?"

"Eh?" she says, slight panic in her voice.

"Eh?" the girl sparring with Ouka says, still in shock.

Takemikazuchi lets out a sigh and presses a couple of fingers to his forehead. "Mikoto," he says, getting Ouka's sparring partner's attention. "Perhaps you and Chigusa could help Asuka to clear her head?"

"Eh?" Mikoto says before shaking herself and delivering a crisp bow. "At once, Lord Takemikazuchi."

She and an even more petite girl, Chigusa, rush over and help pry Asuka's hand off Ziggy's arm and lead her away.

"As I was saying," Xuannu says, waving Ziggy forward. "I quite recently had the pleasure of meeting a rather interesting individual. Takemi, meet Siegfried. Siegfried dear, meet Lord Takemikazuchi. I know it's a mouthful."

Ziggy bows. "A pleasure to meet you, sir," he says.

"Ah, likewise. So, what brings you to Orario, Siegfried?" Takemikazuchi asks.

"Please, call me Ziggy, and I'm sure I'm here for the same reason most people are. Adventure, riches, the chance to grow in strength, and all that. But you know, the one thing that stood out to me was when I overheard an old man say that the dungeon was the best place for a man to find love."

"Huh?" three of the four gods say. Xuannu chuckles.

Ziggy smiles. "What do you think? Is it wrong to try to pick up girls in a dungeon?"

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Two days later, in the courtyard of the former Temporary Residence Townhouse, rechristened The Peachblossom Palace, Ziggy is engaged in a four-way melee with some of the junior members of the Takemikazuchi Familia. At the same time, Ouka watches and points out where they all can improve.

Ziggy blocks an attack and steps in to grab the attacker's wrist, spinning he stops another attack from behind while shoving the first attacker into the second. Rolling to the side, he avoids an overhead strike from Mikoto and kicks out to force her back or lose her footing.

"Katori, I know you're used to the bow, but you still need to have solid melee skills if you want to survive in the middle levels," Ouka says. "And Suwa, you must be more aware of your surrounding. Ziggy took you both out with barely any effort, and he hasn't even made it into the dungeon yet."

The two men struggle to free themselves from their tangle of limbs. Meanwhile, Mikoto advances on Ziggy with a diagonal slash which Ziggy steps into, parrying the blow while kicking at Mikoto's base, forcing her to move to an unfavorable position. Ziggy counters by slashing down, knocking Mikoto's blade wide, leaving her open as he steps in, grabbing her around the neck and hip tossing her hard onto her back.

Suwa and Katori, having struggled to their feet, charge at Ziggy. "Stop," Ouka says, and the two drop to the ground, exhausted. Ziggy reaches out a hand to Mikoto and helps her up. "Everyone grab a drink."

Ouka approaches Mikoto and Ziggy. "Are you sure you've never practiced martial arts before?" he asks Ziggy.

"Watched a few demonstrations," Ziggy says. 'i.e., Movies,' he thinks. "Nothing you'd call training, though."

"You move like a seasoned veteran," Mikoto says after taking a sip from a waterskin.

"Well, that probably has to do with my Skill. It improves my awareness and comprehension. Excellent for understanding the flow of a battle."

"I'm shocked you have a Skill already," Ouka says.

"You aren't the only one," Ziggy says with a smile. Looking past the big man, Ziggy spies Asuka and Chigusa peeking around the edge of a doorway and smiles. "How's your awareness, Ouka?"

"Hmm?" Ouka says with a slight frown. Ziggy nods towards the doorway, and Ouka turns to see the two girls, who immediately duck inside once they realize they've been caught.

Ouka turns back to Ziggy. "What do you mean?"

Mikoto tsks. "Men," she says, walking away.

"W-what did I do?" Ouka asks.

Ziggy shakes his head. "It's what you didn't do, man," he says. Ouka cocks his head in confusion. "How long have you and Chigusa known each other?"

"W-well, most of our lives. We grew up in the orphanage together. She's like my sister," he says, and Ziggy cringes.

"Okay, you may want to reexamine that. Maybe at one point in time, when you were kids, Chigusa felt the same way, but now it's different," Ziggy says. "You're not kids anymore. You're teammates, and she doesn't see you as just her brother anymore. Her feelings have evolved. You may want to examine yours and make them clear to each other."

Chigusa and Asuka poke their heads back out around the doorframe, and Ouka frowns. "I see what you mean," Ouka says. "What about you and Asuka?"

Ziggy smiles. "I'm fond of her. However, I want her to understand how unusual being with me may end up being before I approach her further."

"What do you mean, unusual?" Ouka asks, his brow furrowed.

"Have you seen my three goddesses? Do you really think that they will ever permit me a normal relationship with the way they watch me? They will insist on being involved, and if I'm being candid, I want that too. I'm a bit greedy that way."

"I see what you mean," Ouka says, worried.

"If, however, she can accept that, I would not be opposed to pursuing a relationship with her. I just want her to walk into it with both eyes open. I'm not a fan of secrets in relationships," Ziggy says. "There is too much potential for too much heartache, and a girl as sweet as Asuka doesn't deserve that."

Ouka nods. "So, when do you think you'll enter the dungeon?"

"I'm thinking tomorrow if you think I can hack it," Ziggy says.

"Hmm, you should spend some time at the guild studying up on the first few floors. It can be the difference between returning home and not."

Ziggy nods.

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The following day Ziggy takes a suit of hardened leather armor complete with vambraces and greeves, a small pack with some dungeon essentials and room enough for monster drops, a few kunai, and a long dirk from the armory. He suits up and makes his way to the guild to officially register as an adventurer.

At the door of the Peachblossom Palace, Xuannu looks him over and, like a worried mother sending her child off to the first day of school, fixes his collar and touches his face. "Use your head. You WILL come back to me. I will accept nothing less from a child of mine," she says.

"Yes, mom," Ziggy says with a smirk.

Tzzt. "Don't sass me," she says, pointing her finger at him.

He smiles and takes her hand in his. "I will come back. I will survive. I will thrive. I will see your beautiful smile again. I will accept nothing less from a goddess of mine," he says and leans in to kiss her cheek.

Tsk. "Shameless," she says as Ziggy walks away.

"Of course, that's what you love about me," he calls back over his shoulder. Xuannu shakes her head but doesn't argue further. As he glances around, he notices Asuka and Mikoto in a window above, watching him leave.

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The guild isn't very crowded at this time of the morning, and a receptionist frees up quickly. She's a gorgeous woman of medium height with long red hair and golden eyes, but it's the fuzzy wolf ears standing up from her head that really captures Ziggy's attention.

He walks up to the counter with a pleasant and calm expression. "Hello, I would like to register as an adventurer."

She looks at him with a cool expression. "I advise against it," she says.

He nods. "I'm sure you would. I'm sure you see people come through this line one day and are never seen again. That probably takes a pretty big toll on you."

Another receptionist with shoulder-length brown hair, slightly pointed ears, and wearing glasses is listening in, watching for the redhead's reaction. "If you'd like, I can go to a different receptionist," Ziggy says, indicating the other woman.

The redheaded werewolf looks at him for a moment with dull eyes. "No," she says. "I'll register you. It's my job, after all."

She turns away for a moment and gathers some paperwork—"Name?" she says, letting out a tired sigh.

"Siegfried Solomon, but my friends call me Ziggy," he says with a smile.

"Mr. Solomon, I'll need you to fill out these forms and return them to me," she says without the slightest hint of warmth.

He sighs. "Certainly, missss...?"

"Fannett," she answers blandly.

"Fannett?" Ziggy says with a nod. "Just to be clear, that's a surname, not a given name, correct?"

Miss Fannett just stares at the man. The receptionist in glasses, still watching our interaction, interjects. "Rose? Did you need any help over there?"

Flashing an annoyed look Miss Fannett responds, "No, Eina. I'm fine."

Ziggy smiles and mouths a 'thank you' over to Eina. Turning back to Rose, he says, "Well then, Miss Fannett, I'll just fill these out and bring them right back."

Rose turns away to fiddle with some other paperwork.

Ziggy fills out the paperwork, and after a couple of minutes, the other receptionist Eina comes over to him while Rose steps into the back of the Guild offices. "I'm sorry about her," she says. "She can come off a little standoffish."

Ziggy smiles. "It's alright. I can understand where she's coming from. She's probably the type of person to form connections easily, and seeing so many adventurers not come back has placed a great deal of strain on her. What's worse is that the stronger the adventurers get, the more likely it becomes that they won't come back."

Eina wilts a little. "That's unfortunately very accurate."

Ziggy nods. "I figured as much. Most people walk in thinking they're going to become rich and famous with a harem of beauties around them without ever considering just how dangerous the dungeon can be."

"What about you?" Eina says.

"Oh me?" Ziggy says. "I'm going to become rich and famous with a harem of beauties around me."

"Hah!" Eina laughs. "Oh, really?"

Ziggy nods. "The difference is, I'm not forgetting the dangerous part," he says seriously.

She nods with a more severe expression and, after a moment, holds out her hand. "I'm Eina Tulle. It's nice to meet you, Mister Solomon."

Ziggy takes her hand. "Please, call me Ziggy."

"Alright, Ziggy," she says with a smile. "I should get back to the desk. I'm sure I'll see you around. It was nice meeting you."

"Likewise."

Eina returns to the reception desk, and Ziggy finishes the paperwork required for registration. He waits for Rose to return and then goes up to the counter.

Rose looks over the paperwork and sighs. "Everything seems to be in order. You are part of the Xuannu Familia. They just arrived a few days ago. I thought all of them had already registered," she says.

"I'm a new addition to their roster, and I wanted to register in person. Besides, I know the guild has a lot of resources and information about the dungeon that I don't. I was hoping to build up my knowledge base a little before diving in there. The fewer surprises, the less likely I'll be to bite off more than I can chew."

"Well, at least you seem smarter than some of the others," Rose says. "Here. This is your registration. Don't lose it. I'll help you with those resources you mentioned. Come with me."

They walk to a room in the back with a table and chairs. "Which floors do you want information on?" Rose asks.

"For now, let's just look over the first four floors. Even if I feel comfortable, I won't go below there the first day," Ziggy says.

She raises an eyebrow. "Surprising."

"Really? Why?" Ziggy asks.

"Usually, those rare souls that don't just run headlong into the dungeon and actually want to learn about it, grab the first twelve floors, and spend an entire day studying them," she says. "Eina's pretty good about forcing those types to slow down and learn the floors individually instead of trying to cram all the knowledge in."

"I could understand wanting a general overview, but trying to cram all that in, just seems like it would confuse most people. I tell you what. If you think of something that I'm neglecting, please let me know. I'm more than happy to listen to someone more knowledgeable than I am."

Pfft. "Then you should quit before you start. Being an adventurer is hazardous to your health," she says.

Ziggy smiles. "True, but so is life. Any moment could be our last. A powerful monster could appear and level half the city. One of those addicts from the Soma Familia could lose his shit and unleash some sort of magic that blows up the building. On a more personal level, a strong adventurer could kill me for some perceived slight. Tomorrow isn't promised, so live today to the fullest.

I can't promise you that I won't die in that dungeon, Rose, but I can tell you that I won't stop fighting to survive it," Ziggy says and then holds up one of the books she gave him. "Starting with learning everything I can to make survival more likely."

Rose looks at him, studying the material she brought him for a moment before turning away and leaving the room.