DanMachi: Cheat? What's a Cheat?

Chapter 2: The Path No One Sees

I never thought joining a Familia would be as painful as job hunting.

I mean, I knew this world was harsh, full of monsters and politics between gods, but—after all the training and hard work I'd done for years—I figured at least one god would glance at me and go, "Yeah, this one's interesting enough to use as a pawn."

Turns out, nope.

---

The first morning after meeting Eina, I started my little journey around Orario with the Familia list in hand. The streets were bustling with merchants, adventurers, and a group of kids who seemed to be debating whether the rock they found was treasure or just... a rock.

I had a plan. Simple but logical.

Step one: prioritize big, established Familias.

Step two: sell myself as "young man full of potential, dedicated, and doesn't ask too many questions."

Step three: get accepted, sleep on a soft bed, get nice clothes, then die... uh, I mean adventure with brave valor.

Step one went smoothly. Step two... well, let's see.

My first target: Hephaestus Familia.

I stood in front of their magnificent workshop, with stone buildings radiating authority like an exclusive jewelry store. The sound of hammers, sparks flying, and the aroma of hot metal greeted me like an industrial orchestra. When I walked in, I was met by a receptionist who... looked like she could snap my neck with just her eyebrows.

"I want to join," I said, flashing my standard 'I'm not a beggar' smile.

She scanned my body like she was evaluating raw materials.

"Got any forging experience?"

"I've... held a hammer? Once?"

"...Get out."

And that was that.

---

Second target: Ganesha Familia.

Because who wouldn't want to be led by a god with an ego the size of a festival?

But apparently, they're super selective. Full quota, they said. Plus, they prefer people who can be useful for monster management and public safety. I told them I managed to guard my neighbor's chickens for three months without losing a single one, but they didn't seem to consider that an achievement.

"Sorry, we're not currently accepting new members who don't have a specialization," they said.

"How about specializing in not giving up on life?"

They didn't laugh. Again.

I'm starting to worry about my sense of humor.

---

I tried Takemikazuchi, Miach, Demeter, and even Hermes Familia.

Some were too small. Some weren't interested. Some... didn't even open their doors.

At Hermes Familia, the door opened a crack, someone peeked out, then closed it again while whispering, "not my type."

I'm still not sure if they meant adventurer selection... or dating selection.

---

The day dragged on, and each rejection felt like a punch to the chest. Even though I could smile and joke in my head, the frustration was still piling up.

It's not because I think I'm amazing. Actually, it's the opposite—it's because I know how ordinary I am.

I don't have cheats. No system. No mysterious skills. I even doubt myself.

I'm just some guy trying his hardest because... well, there's no other choice.

"If you can't be great, at least be stubborn," I once told myself.

But even stubbornness starts to crack when you get hit with rejection after rejection.

---

As evening approached, I sat on a wooden bench near the big fountain, with an aching body and a slightly dizzy head from too much walking and too little eating.

The Familia list from Eina was covered in little scribbles. X marks next to the names I'd already tried. The more X's there were, the heavier my breathing got.

"Why do all protagonists have gods come to them?" I muttered while staring at the sky. "Why do I have to be the realistic one?"

I tried to calm my thoughts. Realistic doesn't mean pessimistic. I have goals. I know how this world works.

And I know that if I join a small Familia like Hestia's, without cheats and without guaranteed power, I might not last long. Not because I'm underestimating them, but... because I know who I am.

I can't risk dying because of ego.

Not because I'm a coward.

But because I'm human.

---

The sky was turning red when my steps randomly brought me to the outskirts of town. I don't know why, but my feet kept moving even though my brain already wanted to give up. Like something was pulling me... or maybe I just didn't want to go home empty-handed.

And there I was standing now.

In front of a building that... if we're talking architecturally, could be called a "church." But if we're being honest, this place looked like a retiree's house with cracked walls.

The roof was tilting to the left. The paint was peeling. Even the cross at the top was leaning like it was drunk. But somehow... this place felt warm. Not because of the atmosphere, but because of something I couldn't explain.

I knew this place.

The old church. Hestia's home.

My hand reflexively gripped the Familia list.

I knew its history. At least, the history from my original world.

Hestia Familia, which only had one member: Bell Cranel. A god with no followers, sleeping in a run-down church, eating whatever she could get, but full of spirit. The classic story about a young man and goddess struggling together from zero.

But here's where things get... confusing.

I didn't know if Bell was already in Orario now. There were no signs of his existence. No news about a rookie who almost died in the Dungeon and rose to become a hero.

Most likely... he hasn't come yet.

Or... maybe he'll never come.

This isn't a fictional world. This is the real world.

Maybe... I'm the one who has to choose that role now.

I stared at that church for a long time. The evening wind blew my hair gently. The sun was setting slowly, and the building's shadow fell on the ground like an open hand offering protection.

"Do I really want this?" I asked myself.

No answer, of course.

But my body didn't move away.

Maybe because, after all those rejections... this place was the only one that didn't kick me out.

Or maybe, because in this run-down place... my fate was actually waiting.

And there I stood. A young man with a Familia list in hand, standing in front of a church about to collapse, with a crooked smile.

Did he even have a choice.