Chapter 26

I strode into the Hostess of Fertility, the familiar warmth of the tavern enveloping me. As I stepped through the threshold, a bright voice called out, "Welcome back, David-kun!"

Anya, the energetic cat-person waitress, beamed at me, her fluffy orange hair bouncing with excitement. "I knew it was you! Come on in, Mama Mia's been expecting you."

Before I could respond, Anya hooked her arm through mine, ushering me further inside. The tavern bustled with adventurers, their laughter and chatter creating a lively atmosphere. Anya guided me to a cozy table near the back, her tail swishing playfully.

I grinned as Anya led me to the back, where Mia, the formidable owner of the Hostess of Fertility, stood behind the counter. Her eyes widened as she recognized me, a rare smile gracing her gruff features.

"Well, well, if it isn't our young adventurer," Mia said, her deep voice carrying across the tavern. "I've been hearing some interesting things about you, boy."

I felt a surge of pride as I approached the counter. "Mama Mia, it's good to see you again."

"Hmph, the feeling's mutual," she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. "I hear you've been making quite a name for yourself out there in the Dungeon."

Mia leaned forward, her sharp eyes scrutinizing me. "Beating the Goliath at level 1, and reaching level 2 faster than anyone else. That's no small feat, kid."

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling self-conscious under her intense gaze. "Well, I had a lot of help from my partner, Lunamon. And Hestia's been incredibly supportive too."

Mia let out a gruff chuckle. "Aye, that little goddess of yours must be bursting with pride. You're making waves, David, and that's no easy task, especially for a newcomer."

She reached out and gave my shoulder a firm squeeze, the corners of her mouth quirking up in a rare display of warmth. "Keep it up, boy. You're doing good work, and you've got a good head on your shoulders. Just don't go getting too cocky, you hear?"

I nodded, my chest swelling with a sense of accomplishment. "I'll do my best, Mama Mia. This is just the beginning."

I settled onto the counter, my gaze sweeping across the bustling tavern. Anya hovered nearby, her cat-like eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"So, David-kun, what'll it be?" Mia asked, wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm guessing you're in the mood for something hearty after all that Dungeon diving, eh?"

I flashed her a grin. "You know me too well, Mama Mia. I'll have the Minotaur Steak, if you don't mind."

Mia let out a gruff chuckle. "Minotaur Steak, coming right up." She turned and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me to bask in the lively atmosphere of the Hostess of Fertility.

I could feel the curious gazes of the adventurers in the Hostess of Fertility, their hushed whispers piquing my interest. Sipping my drink, I strained to hear their conversation.

"Did you hear about that new guy, the one who beat the Goliath?" a gruff-looking man said, leaning in closer to his companion.

"Yeah, I heard he's some kind of monster tamer, like the Ganesha Familia," his friend replied, shaking his head in disbelief. "But I've never seen a monster like the one he's got with him."

I suppressed a smile, knowing full well that Lunamon, my Digimon partner, was far from a typical monster. The adventurers had no idea what a Digimon was, and I had no intention of enlightening them.

"Monster tamer, huh?" the first man scoffed. "I've never heard of a level 1 adventurer taking down the Goliath. Must be some kind of trick."

"I don't know, man," the other man said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The Loki Familia was there, and they vouched for him. And you know Aiz Wallenstein doesn't lie."

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride at the mention of the Sword Princess. Perhaps my reputation was spreading further than I had anticipated.

"Still, a monster tamer?" the first man muttered, shaking his head. "That profession is rare outside of the Ganesha Familia. You sure he's not just some kind of magician or something?"

The second man shrugged. "Beats me. All I know is, I wouldn't want to be the one to piss that guy off. He must be tougher than he looks."

I chuckled to myself, savoring the last bite of my stew. The adventurers had no idea what they were talking about, but I couldn't blame them. Digimon were a foreign concept in this world, and I had no intention of revealing my true abilities to anyone just yet.

I felt Anya's curious gaze on me. Her fluffy orange tail twitched with interest, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she approached me.

Sure enough, the energetic Cait Sith waitress sauntered over, her large eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Ne, David-kun," she purred, leaning in closer. "I heard you took down the Goliath all by yourself. That's gotta be some kind of record, nya!"

I chuckled, setting down my empty bowl. "Well, I wouldn't say I did it all by myself. I had a little help from my partner, Lunamon."

Anya's ears perked up at the mention of Lunamon. "A partner, huh? So you're some kind of monster tamer, like the Ganesha Familia, nya?"

I shook my head, a sly grin spreading across my face. "Not exactly. Lunamon is...a bit different from your average monster."

Anya tilted her head, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Different how, nya?"

Before I could elaborate, Mama Mia's gruff voice cut through the air.

"Oi, Anya! Stop pestering the customers and get back to work!"

Anya pouted, her ears drooping slightly. "But Mama Mia, I was just asking David-kun how he beat the Goliath, nya!"

Mia's stern gaze settled on me, and I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my brow. "Well, boy? You gonna tell the girl, or are you just gonna sit there and make her wonder?"

I cleared my throat, suddenly aware of the eyes of the other patrons on me. "Uh, well, you see, Anya...it's because of my unique abilities and Lunamon's power that I was able to defeat the Goliath."

Anya's eyes widened, and she leaned in even closer, her tail swishing back and forth. "Unique abilities, nya? What kind of abilities are we talking about here?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the sound of a slamming table interrupted me.

I turned to see the commotion, and my eyes landed on a disheveled-looking adventurer who had slammed his fist on the table, glaring in my direction. His words were slurred as he spat, "I don't believe your bullshit about taking down the Goliath! You're just a lyin' little punk tryin' to make a name for yourself!"

I blinked, taken aback by the sheer hostility radiating from this man. Anya leaned in, her whiskers twitching as she spoke in a hushed tone. "That's Krist Landrock. He's been stuck at level 2 for years, nya. Guess he's a little jealous of your achievement, David-kun."

Ah, so this Krist character was a low-ranking adventurer, frustrated by his own lack of progress. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him, even as he continued to rant and rave in my direction.

"You think you're so special, don't ya?" Gareth slurred, his eyes narrowed to slits. "Well, let me tell ya somethin', kid. Some people can believe your lies, but I, Krist Landrock, won't believe your lies!"

I raised my hands in a placating gesture, hoping to defuse the situation. "Look, I don't want any trouble. I was just—"

"Shut up!" Gareth roared, slamming his fist on the table once more. "I'm callin' you out, punk! If you're half the adventurer you claim to be, then prove it!"

The other patrons in the Hostess of Fertility had fallen silent, all eyes turning to watch the confrontation unfold. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my brow as I considered my options. On one hand, I could easily overpower this drunken fool with my ghostly abilities. But on the other hand, I didn't want to cause a scene or draw any unwanted attention to myself and Hestia's Familia.

Krist thought that because I didn't say anything, he was right. "What?! Cat got your tongue?!"

Krist staggered towards me with unbalanced footsteps and was about to punch me. But Lunamon suddenly materialized out of my Digivice and swiftly kicked Krist in the shin, causing him to yelp in pain and stumble backwards.

"Ow! What the—?" Krist exclaimed, clutching his leg as he glared at Lunamon.

I held up my hand, silently signaling Lunamon to stand down. As much as I wanted to put this drunken fool in his place, I didn't want to cause a scene or draw any unwanted attention.

"Look, Krist, I don't want any trouble," I said calmly. "I was just trying to enjoy a meal with my partner here. Let's not make a big deal out of this, alright?"

Krist scowled at me, his face flushed with anger and alcohol. "Not a big deal? You think you can just waltz in here and act all high and mighty, after claiming you took down the Goliath?" He pointed an accusatory finger at me. "I call bullshit! You're nothin' but a liar tryin' to—"

I had enough of Krist's drunken tirade. With a flick of my wrist, I shot a concentrated blast of ice energy at his mouth, effectively freezing it shut. Krist's eyes went wide with panic as he clawed at the ice, unable to speak.

Taking advantage of his distraction, I then unleashed a Ghost Ray, the ectoplasmic energy slamming into Krist's chest and sending him crashing back into a nearby table. The force of the impact left him unconscious, sprawled amidst the broken wood and spilled drinks.

A hush fell over the Hostess of Fertility as the other patrons stared at the scene in stunned silence. I glanced at Lunamon, who met my gaze with a subtle nod, understanding that I had handled the situation as best I could.

Suddenly, Mia's booming voice cut through the quiet. "Oi, you lot! Get this drunk idiot out of my establishment before I ban the lot of ya and give ya a proper beatin'!"

Krist's friends scrambled to their feet, hurriedly dragging the unconscious man out of the tavern. Mia watched them leave with a stern expression, her arms crossed over her ample chest.

I let out a small sigh of relief, grateful that the confrontation had been resolved without too much of a spectacle. Anya sidled up to me, her tail swishing back and forth.

"Nicely done, David-kun," she purred. "Mama Mia sure doesn't like it when people cause trouble in her place, nya."

I nodded, offering Anya a small smile. "I just wanted to avoid making a scene, that's all. I'm not looking for any trouble."

Anya's eyes shifted to Lunamon, her tail swishing curiously. "So, is this the partner you were talkin' about, David-kun?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her gaze.

I nodded, placing a hand on Lunamon's shoulder. "Yes, this is Lunamon, my Digimon companion. Lunamon, this is Anya, one of the waitresses here at the Hostess of Fertility."

Lunamon stepped forward, her large blue eyes shining. "It's nice to meet you, Anya-san," she said in her soft, melodic voice. "I'm honored to be part of David's Familia."

Anya's face lit up with a bright smile. "Nyaa, aren't you just the cutest thing!" she exclaimed, leaning down to get a closer look at Lunamon. "I'm so happy to meet another member of David-kun's family. Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility!"

I watched as Lunamon turned to Mia, the formidable tavern owner, and greeted her politely. "Excuse me, Mia-san. I apologize for the commotion earlier. I hope it did not cause you too much trouble."

Mia's stern expression softened slightly as she regarded Lunamon. "Nah, don't worry about it, kid. That idiot Krist had it comin' to him. You and your partner didn't do nothin' wrong."

Relieved, Lunamon nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. David, we didn't mean to stir up any trouble."

Mia let out a gruff chuckle. "Well, you're welcome here anytime. Say, you hungry? I can whip up a nice salad for ya if you'd like."

Lunamon's eyes lit up at the offer. "Oh, that would be wonderful, Mia-san. I would greatly appreciate a salad, if it's not too much trouble."

Mia waved a hand dismissively. "Pfft, no trouble at all. Just sit tight, and I'll have it out for ya in a jiffy."

As Mia turned to head back to the kitchen, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her understanding. She may have a tough exterior, but it was clear she had a soft spot for Lunamon.

The mouthwatering scent of Minotaur steak wafted up to my nose as Mia placed the steaming plate in front of me. Beside it, Lunamon's vibrant salad looked equally appetizing.

"Itadakimasu!" Lunamon and I said in unison before digging in. The tender meat practically melted in my mouth, the savory flavors bursting with each bite. Lunamon's eyes widened in delight as she sampled the fresh greens and vegetables.

As I savored my meal, Mia approached our table, wiping her hands on her apron. "So, kid," she began, her gruff voice tinged with curiosity. "That Lunamon of yours - I ain't never seen a talkin' monster before. What's the deal with her?"

I swallowed my mouthful of steak and looked up at Mia. "Lunamon isn't a monster, Mia-san. She's a Digimon - a digital monster, if you will. She's my partner, not a contracted beast."

Mia's brows furrowed as she processed my explanation. "A digital monster, huh? Well, I'll be damned. Never heard of such a thing." She turned her gaze to Lunamon, who had paused mid-bite, her large eyes fixed on Mia. "So, you're some kinda special critter, eh? Well, you're welcome here at the Hostess, just like your partner."

Lunamon's face lit up with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mia-san. I'm honored to be welcomed into your establishment. David has told me so much about the Hostess of Fertility and its kind proprietor."

Mia let out a gruff chuckle. "Heh, well, I ain't one for fancy words, but you seem like a good kid. Now, you two enjoy your meal, and let me know if you need anythin' else."

I glanced over at Anya, the bubbly cat-eared waitress, as she approached our table with a curious expression. "Nyaa, what did you do to Krist earlier? It looked like magic, but I didn't hear any chant!"

Ah, so she had witnessed my little display earlier. I couldn't help but feel a sly grin creep across my face. "Well, Anya, it's a bit of a unique ability of mine."

Anya's eyes went wide with amazement as I explained my unique abilities. "Nyaa, you can do magic without chanting? That's so cool!" She leaned in closer, her tail twitching with curiosity.

"Well, Anya, I have a few tricks up my sleeve." I flashed her a mischievous grin. "Would you like to see something really special?"

Before she could respond, I focused my energy and felt the familiar tingle of invisibility wash over me. Anya let out a surprised gasp, her head darting left and right as she tried to locate me.

"Wh-where did you go? Nyaa, this isn't fair!" she cried, her tail puffing up in alarm.

Suppressing a chuckle, I quietly stepped around behind her. Reaching out, I tapped her shoulder, causing her to whirl around in shock. Her tail stood straight up, the fur bristling, as she stared in my direction with wide eyes.

"Boo," I said, allowing the invisibility to fade as I came back into view.

Anya let out a startled squeak, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. "Nyaa! You scared me, David-kun!" She pouted, her tail swishing back and forth in a mixture of surprise and irritation.

I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "Sorry, Anya. I couldn't resist." I winked at her, enjoying the playful banter.

"Nyaa, David-kun! You better not use that invisible trick of yours to sneak into the women's toilet, you pervert!" Anya exclaimed, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

I quickly held up my hands in defense. "What? No way! I would never do something like that!" I exclaimed, my cheeks burning with indignation. "That's the last thing on my mind, I swear!"

Letting out a huff, I sat back in my chair and picked up my fork, determined to finish my delicious steak. The meat was perfectly cooked, and I savored each bite, trying to ignore Anya's suspicious glare.

"Hmph, well, you better keep those powers of yours in check, David-kun," Anya warned, her tail swishing back and forth. "We don't want any trouble around here, you hear?"

I nodded, my mouth full of food. "Mmhmm, you have my word. No funny business, I promise."

Anya seemed satisfied with my response and flashed me a playful grin before sauntering off to attend to her other tables. I let out a relieved sigh, glad to have smoothed things over. The last thing I needed was to be on the bad side of the Hostess of Fertility's staff.

...

I stood in the bustling lobby of the Tower of Babel, my gaze fixed on the entrance, eagerly awaiting Hestia's return. After a few minutes, I finally caught sight of her familiar petite frame, a radiant smile adorning her face.

"David-kun!" she called out, hurrying towards me. "You'll never guess what happened at the Denatus!"

I couldn't help but match her enthusiasm. "Well, don't keep me in suspense, Hestia. How did it go?"

Hestia beamed up at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "They've given you an amazing new alias! From now on, you shall be known as the Goliath Slayer!"

I blinked in surprise, the weight of her words sinking in. "The Goliath Slayer? Seriously?" A grin spread across my face as I let out a disbelieving chuckle.

Hestia clasped her hands together, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I know! I was so proud when they announced it. All the other gods were in awe of your feat." She reached out and squeezed my arm affectionately. "You've really made a name for yourself, David-kun."

I felt a swell of pride at her words, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Hestia. I couldn't have done it without you and Lunamon by my side." I paused, my expression turning thoughtful. "But I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised they chose such a grandiose title. I'm still just a novice adventurer, after all."

Hestia waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense! You defeated the Goliath, a feat that even seasoned adventurers struggle with. You've more than earned this honor." She beamed up at me, her affection shining through.

I turned to Hestia, a grin still playing on my lips. "And what about Lunamon? Did they give her an alias as well?"

Hestia's expression immediately shifted, her brow furrowing into a bitter scowl. "Well, that's the thing, David-kun. They said that since Lunamon is a monster, they wouldn't be giving her an alias." She let out an indignant huff, her hands clenching into small fists at her sides.

I glanced down at the Digivice where Lunamon's form was concealed, sensing her presence. "Lunamon, did you hear that?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

Lunamon's voice resonated from the device, soft and reassuring. "It's alright, David. I don't mind not having an alias. I'm just glad to be a part of your Familia."

Hestia's expression softened at Lunamon's words, but I could still see the frustration lingering in her eyes. "That's not right, Lunamon," she said, reaching out to gently touch the Digivice. "You're just as much a member of this Familia as David or I. Those gods have no right to dismiss you like that."

I placed a comforting hand on Hestia's shoulder, offering her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure they didn't mean any disrespect, Hestia. Lunamon's right – the important thing is that she's here with us."

Hestia let out a small sigh, some of the tension leaving her frame. "I suppose you're right," she conceded. "I just wish they would have recognized Lunamon's accomplishments as well."

I gently squeezed Hestia's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Hestia. Lunamon may not have an official alias, but we both know how incredible she is. Someday, the other gods will see that too."

Hestia's expression softened, and she nodded slowly. "You're right, David-kun. Lunamon is an invaluable member of our Familia, and we'll make sure everyone knows it." She reached out and gave Lunamon's Digivice a gentle pat.

"That's the spirit, Kami-sama," I said, my voice filled with encouragement. "Together, the three of us are going to keep making waves in Orario. Just wait and see."

Hestia's face lit up with a bright smile, and she threw her arms around me in a tight hug. "Thank you, David-kun. I'm so glad you're a part of our Familia."

I returned the embrace, feeling a warm sense of belonging wash over me. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be," I murmured, glancing down at Lunamon's Digivice with a fond smile.

As we pulled apart, Hestia's expression had regained its usual cheerfulness. "Alright, let's head home and celebrate your new alias!" she declared, already starting to lead the way.

I chuckled and followed closely behind, my heart swelling with pride and gratitude for the family I had found in this extraordinary world.

///

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