Danmachi: The Focalors Familia — Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Tifa Lockhart

For today’s summoning ritual, Noah had specifically bathed and changed into fresh clothes, treating the impending moment with the utmost gravity.

Under the quiet, expectant gazes of Furina and Robin, Noah took a slow, deep breath to steady his racing heart and opened the System panel. He concentrated his entire focus on that single, brilliant Intertwined Fate resting in his inventory, mentally reaching out to select [Summon].

An interface identical to the one that had brought Robin into this world unfolded before his eyes. A solitary meteor streaked across the virtual expanse of a starry night sky. Its light burned a plain, modest blue at first, ascending higher and higher until the color shattered, blooming outward into a blinding, dazzling gold.

Another golden pull.

The radiant magic circle rapidly expanded across the wooden floor of their room. Complex, ancient runes circulated along its outer edge, emitting a sacred and heavy aura that pressed against the air itself. A soft yet intense light filled the entire space. Fortunately, they had taken the precaution of sealing the windows and drawing the heavy curtains beforehand, ensuring this unusual, otherworldly radiance would not bleed out into the streets of Orario and draw unwanted attention.

Amidst the swirling pillar of light, a slender, graceful figure slowly began to take shape.

When the glow of the magic circle finally dissipated into floating motes of dust, a stunning young woman stood quietly before the three of them. She possessed an angelic face paired with a devilish, perfectly sculpted figure, dressed in practical yet striking martial attire. A cascade of smooth, jet-black hair fell all the way down to her waist, catching the residual light like the finest spun silk. Deep, dark eyes took in her new surroundings with a calm clarity.

“Tifa Lockhart. It is a pleasure to meet you all.”

She offered a warm, gentle smile, her voice as clear and melodious as a hidden mountain spring.

“Welcome to the Focalors Familia.” Noah spoke first, his own smile reflecting a deep, sincere joy.

“Welcome, Tifa!” Furina was practically vibrating with excitement. The energetic goddess rushed forward, immediately grabbing Tifa’s hand and dragging the bewildered martial artist toward her own room. “Come, come, let me inscribe the Falna for you right now!”

The sheer thrill of gaining a brand new family member had completely wiped Furina’s mind of the fact that inscribing a Falna required drawing a drop of her own divine blood.

Watching the two of them disappear behind the heavy oak door, Robin took a slow step to Noah’s side. The Halovian singer tilted her head, her voice dropping to a soft, inquisitive murmur. “Do you know her?”

She was well aware that everyone Noah summoned was an existence pulled directly from his distant memories.

“Of course I do.” The corners of Noah’s mouth curved upward, entirely unable to suppress his grin. His eyes shimmered with a deep light, carrying the distinct warmth of a lifelong dream finally crossing over into reality. “She is my childhood goddess, Tifa.”

“Oh? Childhood goddess?”

Robin’s eyes narrowed just a fraction. Subtle ripples flowed through the depths of her lake-green irises, and her tone carried an unreadable, slightly teasing edge.

Noah’s survival instinct maxed out in a fraction of a second. He immediately turned to face her, taking her hand and performing a flawless, elegant hand-kissing gesture. Looking up through his lashes, he wore an incredibly sincere, devoted smile. “Of course, Miss Robin, you are my goddess as well.”

Robin pulled her hand back in feigned annoyance, yet she could not stop the bright, genuine smile from breaking across her face. Playfulness aside, she was truly happy about the addition of a new companion. A larger Familia meant that the supportive effects of her [Tonal Chorus] skill could be stretched further, accelerating the growth speed and combat efficiency of the entire team.

It did not take long for Furina and Tifa to emerge from the bedroom.

Tifa held out a fresh sheet of parchment, showing her newly inscribed abilities to Noah and Robin. The fresh status text was clearly visible, the ink still carrying a faint, magical sheen. She had no intention of keeping her parameters a secret, treating the disclosure as a simple matter of course. Within this room, there were no ulterior motives or hidden agendas. Even Tifa, who had only just opened her eyes in this world minutes ago, naturally integrated into this atmosphere of absolute trust.

[Name]: Tifa Lockhart

[Race]: Human

[Rank]: Lv.1

[Status]

Strength: I-0

Endurance: I-0

Dexterity: I-0

Agility: I-0

Magic: I-0

[Meteor Feather]

Type: Attachment Magic – Non-Attribute – Super Short Chant

Effect: Through a minimalist incantation, pure non-attribute magic is wrapped around the limbs like the tail flame of a meteor, significantly enhancing melee attacks.

Chant: [Shine]

[Skills]

[Aura Release]

Effect: Instantly releases the vital energy and magic hidden within the body, entering a state of total ability outburst.

[Battle Rhythm]

Effect: As the battle continues, one’s attack speed and dexterity will gradually increase.

One magic and two skills.

Such an initial configuration for a novice Adventurer who had just received their very first Falna could no longer be described as merely excellent. It was outright luxurious. The vast majority of Adventurers in Orario were entirely blank slates, possessing zero magic or skills when they first became Lv.1. Even the fabled child of destiny from the original timeline, Bell Cranel, had started with absolutely nothing. There were even veteran Adventurers who managed to grind their way into the high-level brackets while still possessing zero magic or skills.

That alone proved the sheer rarity of such innate talents. Tifa’s starting configuration was not only numerous but of terrifyingly high quality. Each ability perfectly complemented her positioning as a close-quarters martial artist, granting her an enormous ceiling for potential growth.

With a powerful new companion in their ranks, the atmosphere within the Focalors Familia grew incredibly lively.

The original plan for the day had been simple: take Tifa to the Guild to complete her official Adventurer registration, and then head straight down into the upper floors of the Dungeon so she could adapt to the kinetic combat rhythm of this world.

However, a sudden piece of news forced Noah to suspend that itinerary.

Early in the morning, a young female Hunter bearing the emblem of the Artemis Familia arrived at their doorstep. She brought word that their main deity was preparing to lead the entire Familia out of Orario.

The Artemis Familia lived true to their nature. They were like the wandering wind, spending the vast majority of their time patrolling and hunting in the untamed wilderness outside the city walls, guarding the forgotten corners of the world from monsters. Staying in Orario was only ever a brief respite to restock and repair. This time, their stay had not even lasted a full week.

Orario was divided into eight major districts radiating outward with the Tower of Babel at the absolute center. These districts corresponded to the eight grand city gates that led out into the wider world.

Beneath the shadow of one of these massive stone archways, Noah and his group arrived to see the Artemis Familia off.

Under the towering architecture of the gate, the members of the Artemis Familia were conducting their final gear checks. Their equipment was simple, rugged, and highly practical. They carried longbows strapped tightly to their backs, with heavy quivers and sharp daggers hanging at their waists. Every face bore the hardened, quiet determination that belonged solely to true Hunters of the wild.

Seeing the entire Focalors Familia arrive to bid them farewell, especially noting the presence of the newly joined Tifa, a deeply gratified smile graced Artemis’s face. It was clear proof that her dear friend Furina and her Familia had already gained a firm, steady foothold in this complex, dangerous city and were growing stronger by the day.

“Artemis, you must write to me often.” Furina held tightly to Artemis’s hands, her beautiful heterochromatic eyes shining with genuine reluctance to see her go.

Over the past few days, whenever Noah and Robin were busy fighting and mapping the Dungeon, the bored Furina would often slip away to visit this pure, strict goddess. Two deities with vastly different personalities and domains had unexpectedly found common ground, forging a surprisingly deep friendship. Then again, it was nearly impossible for anyone to truly dislike the innocent, dramatic, and lively Furina once they got to know her.

Artemis gently stroked Furina’s hair, her expression softening as she promised to write down all her experiences and hunting tales from the outside world and send them back to Orario.

The atmosphere of parting was always tinged with a heavy hint of sorrow. Yet, standing off to the side of the marching troop, the young half-elf Lenti from the Artemis Familia kept shooting frequent, exaggerated winks in Noah’s direction, her bright eyes full of teasing implications before she finally turned to follow her goddess out into the wild.