DanMachi: Dungeon X Chaos

Chapter 12: Gatcha, Update, Training, Studying

Morning sunlight spilled gently through the tall, arching windows. Pale beams danced across the room in soft stripes, brushing over the edge of the bed, the long folds of a white nightgown, and my face.

I stirred slowly. Warm sheets. A familiar scent. The faint memory of collapsing here last night after eating like a man possessed.

But what pulled me out of sleep wasn't the sun.

It was the Gatcha notification.

Feat Achieved! Register with the Guild of Orario!

Reward: Silver Ability Gatcha Ticket

My eyes opened instantly.

Again?

This was the second time the Gatcha system had done this—hours after completing a feat, I'd wake to find a new ticket had magically appeared. The first had been after I first registered to the Trellis guild. Now registering with the Orario Guild had triggered another.

I sat up in bed slowly, trying not to disturb the stillness in the room. Demeter was still asleep beside me, her breathing calm, posture relaxed. A gentle smile rested on her lips, like she was dreaming of something pleasant. It seems this time I didn't grab her in my sleep. 

I quietly pulled myself out of bed, padded across the smooth floor to where I'd stashed my belongings, and crouched beside them. As I thumbed through my ticket storage mentally, a question rose unbidden.

"Hey…if I achieve any feat from now on, can I make it so the tickets just appear sooner? No delay, maybe?"

I didn't expect a response.

But the system actually responded.

Confirmed.

I blinked.

So that was an option. Figures. I'd just never asked.

With that out of the way, I focused on the silver ticket now shimmering in my mental inventory. It pulsed faintly—clean and cold like moonlight on steel.

'Roll Gatcha.'

Rolling…

Summon Item (1.4 Rarity, 0.16% Odds)

- Common Ability -

You are able to mark up to 10 items weighing less than your lifting strength that you can summon to your location at will and send back to where you last summoned them from.

I froze.

Then grinned.

Hard.

This was good. Actually, no—this was fantastic.

My first thought immediately went to my Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring. That thing was unique, powerful, and absolutely not something I ever wanted to lose. Same with the Demon King's Daggers—The strongest weapon in my possession. Now?

I could mark both items. Keep them tethered. If I ever dropped them, had them stolen, or got disarmed in a fight—they'd snap right back to my hand. That alone made this ability worth its weight in gold.

But that wasn't even the end of it.

Tactics started forming in my head. What if I marked a handful of throwing knives? I could create my own infinite loop—throw, summon, throw again. Or mark a spare shield for emergencies. Maybe even items with effects. Potions. Hell, even food, if I really wanted to.

The applications weren't endless, but they were deep.

This is one of my only utility abilities. And I'll make sure to utilize it.

I let out a quiet breath, eyes scanning the morning light as it crept higher across the floor.

This day had barely started, and already I felt like I'd hit my luck quota for the day.

I'll be adding this to my training. I'll have to practice my aim, but this could be an incredible boon.

But for right now, I'm going to rest a little more, and also wait for my goddess to wake up.

"Hmmm…"

Guess I didn't have to wait long. I turned my head over to the other side of the bed, I was about to greet her, but then I looked at her…and I mean looked at her. She was in a very…appealing nightgown, and it only seemed to enhance her beauty. When she lifted herself from the bed, her hair remained perfect, not a single hair out of place, she looked…ethereal.

She turned her neck over her shoulder, and caught me in her peripheral view. She then fully faced me, and with a bright smile she greeted me.

"Ara~Ara~ good morning Chico," she finished that sentence with a yawn and a stretch. "It seems I missed you yesterday." 

I tried with all my might to keep his gaze forward…I may or may not have stumbled a few times. Though I don't think she minded.

"*Ahem,* yes, I spent most of the day yesterday training. When I came up here I was hoping to catch you, but I fell asleep. I apologize Demeter-sama." 

"Oh none of that Chico. You said you were training yesterday? How'd it go?"

"Hmmm…it was definitely something. Did you know that the distance from Babel tower to the walls of Orario is around 50 kilometers? It was a long run. Though thanks to my abilities I was able to persevere. After that it was my normal routine, though I did multiply the usual number. Hundreds of Push ups, sit-ups, and squats. When I came home I went straight to the bath, then straight to the dining hall. Though I did get quite a few odd stares, couldn't tell you why though."

"Fufufu…I did hear some talk among the manor, about a new face that eats in the dining hall with nothing but a bathrobe and bare feet."

"Ah…I forgot about that. I guess those looks may have been warranted…Anyway! Could I possibly get my status updated? I want to see any possible gains."

"Of course…Now strip."

This time he didn't blush, though he did chuckle.

Now rid of his top, Chico laid down on the bed, awaiting his update. He wasn't prepared for the sensation that hit him next.

If he thought when she first straddled him was impossibly soft…this was even more so. The nightgown she wore somehow multiplied her softness. She caressed his back with her fingers, and that sent shivers down his spine. Then with a prick to her finger a single drop of her divine ichor fell onto his back. She moved her fingers across his back in a certain pattern, then a bright, blue glow appeared that he could see even from his lying position. 

Her movements stopped, and she stilled…Chico began to worry that something went wrong.

"…Demeter-sama?" No response.

He turned his head and saw that she had a faraway look in her eyes. He was starting to gradually panic. Chico used his right arm and gave Demeter's thigh a little pinch, hoping that would get her out of her stupor. And it did, thankfully.

"Eek!" Life returned into her eyes and Chico laid his worries to rest.

"You scared me Demeter-sama. You had a far off look and you didn't respond when I called your name."

Demeter held a very healthy blush, from embarrassment he presumed. 

"A-Ah…I apologize Chico, we Gods can peer into certain m-memories, and I was caught up on your…training." 

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't know that."

"*Ahem,* i-it's quite alright. Now let's get you your status."

Without further prompting, Demeter began to copy his status onto a piece of parchment paper. 

"This is quite the impressive status update, especially without the dungeon."

She handed over the parchment, though she still remained straddled on his legs, hiding her face from him. His status read…

Francisco 'Chico' Sol

Demeter Familia

Race: Human

Strength: I0-I35

Endurance: I0-I60

Dexterity: I0-I0

Agility: I0-I70

Magic: I0-I0

Skills:

-Habilidad Activa:

-Relentless Vessel

Magic:

-Four Arms

-Lightning Spear

-Light Shield

-Weather

-Summon Item

She was right, even if early during the first level is the easiest to level stats, this was an impressive gain nonetheless. 

"Thank you Demeter-sama. I should probably begin to prepare for the day."

Demeter finally slid off his legs, letting Chico rise and stretch his limbs. She gave him a warm smile and stood gracefully, smoothing her nightgown with a casual flick of her fingers.

"I'd actually like you to join me for breakfast today, Chico," she said as she turned toward her wardrobe. "There's someone important I'd like you to meet."

"Oh. I don't mind at all," Chico replied easily, already moving toward his belongings. "Let me just get dressed first."

As he began pulling on a clean shirt and fastening his gear, he asked, "By the way, is my room ready yet? I feel like I've been squatting in your chambers long enough."

Demeter let out a musical hum as she pulled on a robe. "Yes, actually. The room second closest to mine is yours now. It was originally prepared for someone else, but I don't doubt they would mind you using it."

Chico paused briefly, turning his head toward her. "Oh? Who was it for, if you don't mind me asking?"

Demeter's expression grew thoughtful. "One of my children. She's here in Orario, but…she's chosen to remain separate from the Familia for now. She's doing her own thing, and I respect her choice. I do hope that when she retires from her current position, she'll want to return home."

Chico nodded slowly. He could tell there was more to the story, but Demeter didn't seem inclined to elaborate further. "Then I'll take good care of the room. Thank you."

After a few minutes, the two left her quarters together, stepping into the now-bustling halls of the manor. The morning was alive with activity—chatter, laughter, the scent of fresh bread and sizzling meat wafting down from the dining hall.

——————————————————————

The dining hall was beginning to stir with activity. Familiar scents of fresh bread, herbs, and roasted vegetables lingered in the air, blending with the low murmur of voices and clinking tableware. Chico moved beside Demeter, a step behind her as she led him toward a quieter table near the hall's large windows.

There, seated alone with a cup of dark tea, was a woman who immediately stood out—not through glamour, but presence. She was smaller in stature than Demeter, with skin kissed by the sun and amber-orange eyes that held the calm depth of a seasoned adventurer. Her honey-blonde hair was gathered loosely at the nape of her neck, and though her expression was composed, it was her posture that spoke volumes. Still. Grounded.

As they approached, her gaze lifted to meet Chico's. Not hostile. Not entirely open either. Appraising.

"Persephone, my dear," Demeter greeted with a gentle smile. "I want you to meet someone special."

The woman's eyes briefly flicked from Demeter to Chico again, and she set down her cup with a muted clink. She didn't stand, but her attention sharpened.

"This here is our newest recruit," Demeter continued warmly. "He's joined our family. And he has quite the potential."

Persephone studied him for another breath before nodding once. "So you're the one she's been talking about."

Chico offered a respectful bow. "Francisco Sol, Captain, but most people call me Chico. It's an honor."

"Just Persephone is fine," she replied evenly. Her voice was steady and low, like the calm before a storm—not aggressive, but firm. 

"Of course, Persephone-san." He straightened, meeting her gaze without challenge, only attention.

She gave the faintest tilt of her head, acknowledging his composure. "You carry yourself well. A bit raw, but focused."

Demeter's hand touched Chico's back gently. "He's been training hard since before he arrived. He's not one to coast on potential."

Persephone glanced at her goddess, and in that moment, something in her posture eased. "It seems my mother believes in your potential, should you request, I shall offer assistance."

There was no smile, but the words weren't cold. She gestured subtly to the bench across from her. But also…

"Mother?" There was a slight pause after I asked that question

Chico slid into the bench directly across from the Familia Captain.

Demeter took the seat beside him, relaxed and content. There was a quiet confidence between the three—one still forming, still untested—but not unfriendly.

Demeter broke the pause with a smile. "Persephone has been with me since she was a young child. I adopted her nearly three decades ago. She's my daughter, and I am her mother. She's led this familia longer than most adventurers stay alive."

Persephone's eyes didn't shift, but her tone softened slightly. "And I intend to keep leading. Especially now."

"It seems you've raised a wonderful daughter, I look forward to doing my part for this familia." 

As Chico began to eat, Persephone watched him with quiet curiosity. Not probing, but attentive.

"I wish to discuss you, like your experiences," she said after a moment. "Mother hasn't told me much."

Chico met her gaze again. "My experience isn't vast...I've only started training my body just over 2 weeks now. I slayed my first monster over a week ago, I have some training with the blade, but not much. I have marksmanship skills, a bit of hand to hand combat skills, and I know my way around a forge."

She gave a single, short nod. "Good. You seem very well rounded, with more experience and time, you'll make a fine adventurer."

Chico inclined his head. "Then I'll do my best, I'll be studying the first floors of the dungeon today, after some training of course"

That earned him a small nod of approval.

Demeter's smile deepened. "Well then. It seems this will work out just fine."

And for the first time, Persephone offered something subtle—a near-smile, not quite there, but close.

"Im very happy the two of you seem to be getting along fine." Demeter happily chimed in. 

That brought a chuckle out of me. I'm glad this meeting went well. Though I feel I'm forgetting something minor…

Oh yeah.

"Hey, Demeter-sama, where's Wooloo?" 

"Hmm? Oh she's out near the gardens, she's such a polite girl. And she's quite the glutton."

"Thank you for taking care of her, I'm glad she's out and having fun."

"I'm sorry…who's Wooloo?" Persephone cut in, showing some curiosity.

"She's a new species of sheep, absolutely adorable, basically a cloud with legs. She's pretty much harmless, and very friendly." I explained.

"Hmm." She just gave a basic hum of understanding.

Demeter and myself quickly finished our breakfast, while Persephone finished her tea. We all then parted ways, I would be heading for the top of the wall to train, I'll be doing my normal routine, with a bit of sword drills that Cole taught me. After that I'll be trying my idea with Summon Item, i'll be tossing a simple dagger that I borrowed from the Familia's armory, much like a throwing knife, I'll be trying different techniques to see which one will work best for me. After that, a bath, (thankfully I brought a backpack with me, Demeter actually prepared it, it held water, some snacks, and an extra pair of clothes.) and finally he would head back to the guild, hopefully Fannett-san would be able to provide information on the first floor of the dungeon. 

I exited the Manor, did a little stretch, and ran off towards the wall. 

——————————————————————

Chico knelt atop the wall, exhaling a long breath as he completed his final set. Sweat clung to his brow, soaking through his tunic, and his muscles burned in that now-familiar, welcome way.

One hundred push-ups. One hundred sit-ups. One hundred squats. Another day checked off.

Just as he stood and stretched his back, the familiar shimmer of a notification danced before his mind.

——————————————————————

Daily Workout Complete

Reward: Random Bronze Gatcha Ticket

Without missing a beat, Chico opened the ticket.

Novice Savoir Faire (1.8 Rarity, 1.87% odds)

-Common Skill-

You know how to move with some relative grace and finesse. You are light on your feet, you know how to dance and how to place your feet so that you don't trip and fall. And if you do fall, you can do so with some semblance of grace.

Chico smiled. "Nice."

It wasn't flashy, but he didn't need flashy. Footwork was important—could be especially important if he intended to master the blade. Stance, rhythm, and movement could determine life or death in a real fight. Even basic grace would be advantageous. 

With the reward logged, he exhaled slowly and brought his hand up.

Time to experiment.

He unequipped Relentless Vessel, letting the synergy fade. Then, with a breath of focus, he slotted in Summon Item in for M. Soul.

He felt a shift—not unpleasant, but different. A faint tickle at the edge of his awareness, like a tether stretched between him and…nothing, for now.

He had ten markers to start with. He placed two—one on each of his Demon King blades. The system didn't group them together, but that was fine. Individual control might even be better. A third marker went on his ring, it was extremely valuable. That left seven in reserve.

"Alright," he murmured, drawing his right blade. He crouched and placed it gently on the stone beneath him.

Chico took a few steps back. Then he closed his eyes.

He envisioned the blade in his hand—its weight, shape, the edge of its power. He focused on that image, and mentally reached out—

With a slight pull of his mind, the weapon vanished from the floor in a streak of blue lightning.

And with a flicker, it reappeared in his palm.

He blinked in satisfaction. "Nice…" he muttered with a grin.

This time, he tried it with his eyes open. The process was nearly instantaneous: the marked item dematerialized, dissolved into crackling blue, and then solidified in his hand again.

"Looks pretty flashy." Chico noted with a smirk.

Efficient. Fast. Just enough of a mind cost to keep him alert, but not enough to hinder combat from use.

He could already see a few ways to use this in a fight.

Drawing a plain dagger from his belt—the one he borrowed from the Demeter Familia's armory—he placed a marker on it too. This time, he wanted to train his throwing technique.

No targets, but he didn't need them yet. This was all about mechanics. Technique. Experience.

He cycled through grips. Standard overhand. Underhand spins. Side throws. Half-spins. Reverse grips. Nothing felt quite right yet, but that was expected. This was day one.

The blade clattered across the stone more than once—but each time, he reclaimed it instantly, testing and refining with each toss.

After an hour, he finally sheathed the blade and stretched his arms. He had built the foundation. He could refine the art of throwing later.

Climbing down from the wall, Chico flagged a passing carriage and headed toward the Guild. 

——————————————————————

The Guild was packed.

Dozens of adventurers crowded the main floor—muddy, bloodied, many with dungeon grime still clinging to their gear. Chico weaved his way through them, eyes scanning for familiar faces.

He caught sight of red hair and twitching wolf ears behind one of the reception counters. Rose Fannett. Her line was shorter than the others—still long, but manageable.

Chico stepped into queue and waited.

A few minutes later, it was his turn.

"Fannett-san," he greeted with a polite nod. "Do you know if the Guild provides resources on the early floors of the Dungeon? Maps, monster data, that kind of thing?"

Her amber eyes lifted, a faint flicker of interest lighting behind them. "…Yes, we do. "

She quickly jotted down a short list of references, directions to the adjacent library building, and a few recommendations.

Chico took the note with a grateful smile. "Thanks. I'll head over now."

But just as he turned to go, she called out, "Are you sure you don't want a Dungeon advisor?"

He stopped, hesitating. "Ah…no, thank you."

Rose raised an eyebrow. "There are quite a few benefits—They help adventurers plan routes through the Dungeon based on strength, party size, and known dangers. Offer advice, provide detailed information on monsters encountered in the dungeon: their strengths, weaknesses, behavior, and ecology. Share maps, floor layouts, and records of irregular monster appearances. They are very valuable for newer adventurers."

"I understand," Chico admitted. "I might have sounded arrogant, for which I apologize if it was interpreted as, I really didn't mean it. But I asked someone. A friend from the Trellis Guild. I…asked her to transfer to Orario. Selfishly."

His voice softened. "She accepted. I'm hoping her request goes through."

Fannett blinked, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Ariel Pendred? Trellis?"

Chico nodded. A bit surprised, since she never actually told him her family name.

"I saw their request recently," she said with a small nod. "Honestly, I hope it gets approved too. Would help with the workload."

That last part was more of a mutter, but Chico heard it.

He grinned, heart lifting a little. "Thanks."

With a final goodbye, he left the crowd and made his way to the neighboring building—the Guild's official archive. Though once he stepped out of the guild, he was surprised to see a Gatcha notification.

——————————————————————

Feat Achieved! Impress the cold Rose Fannett with your initiative!

Description: Rose Fannett has been associated with the guild for nearly a decade. And the amount of adventurers who have shown the same kind of initiative as you have…are a percentage of a percentage. 

Reward: Bronze Ability Gatcha

With a command, Chico rolled…

Strength (3.2 Rarity, 0.1% odds)-Rare Ability-

Grants you super strength, you can lift cars overhead, punch through reinforced concrete walls, and bend metal like rubber. Scales with base strength, consume energy to remain active, you can further augment your strength with more energy.

'Holy shit…from a bronze ticket?' This is an incredible ability. This could be invaluable for my current situation. Not only would this be an excellent trump card, the potential synergies…just thinking about the potential synergies nearly made me grin like a mad man. 

Thoughts for later. Let's go study.

The guild's public archive was fairly vast, it was sectioned by every floor variation, floors 1-4 were titled the 'Beginning Road' and would be where I would start my studies.

Dungeon floor maps. Monster biology and abilities. Basic ecology of the upper levels. 

I settled into one of the wooden chairs, pulled the first book into my lap, and began to study.

I would prepare, the dungeon is not a place to be unprepared for. Soon I'll make my dungeon visit. Perhaps the day after tomorrow. I would need to be ready.

——————————————————————

After purchasing the dungeon maps and a monster encyclopedia from the Guild's records division, Chico found a quiet corner in the library and began to study. The materials covered the upper floors—levels 1 through 12—but Chico narrowed his focus to the first five. He committed to learning everything he could about the monsters that dwelled there: goblins, kobolds, dungeon lizards, and the elusive Jack Bird.

The goblin entry surprised him the most—not in their strength, but in their adaptability. Many goblins wielded natural weapons like claws or fangs, but others used crude gear forged by the Dungeon itself—clubs made of bone, sharpened stones, jagged pieces of iron. Kobolds, in contrast, were much more aggressive. They moved in sudden bursts of speed, making them dangerous for the unprepared. Dungeon lizards were ambushers. Most of the time, they clung to ceilings or walls, waiting for prey to pass beneath them before striking.

And then there was the Jack Bird. Rare to the point of myth, it was considered a walking treasure chest. A single confirmed drop from a Jack Bird was worth no less than one million valis—guaranteed. But catching one? That was another matter entirely.

Determined to learn the first floor's layout by heart, Chico spent the next few hours practicing. He began sketching the map from memory, repeatedly correcting mistakes and redrawing sections until the details stuck. Long corridors. Natural choke points. Monster spawn zones. Safe alcoves. His hand ached by the fifth revision, but the foundation was there—and solid.

Time slipped by unnoticed until his stomach made itself known. With a grumble and a stretch, Chico packed his materials and began the long walk back to the Demeter manor. The streets were quieter now, lit by soft lamps and pale moonlight. An hour passed before he reached the front gates.

He cleaned himself quickly in the manor baths, letting the hot water wash away the fatigue. After changing into his spare clothes, he made his way to the dining hall. It was late enough that only a few others were eating, but to his relief, one of them was a familiar face—Persephone, seated alone near the back.

Chico grabbed a tray and filled it with whatever was left: roasted root vegetables, seasoned rice, and a slab of grilled meat. He crossed the hall and took the seat opposite her, offering a polite greeting.

Persephone returned the greeting with her usual calm poise. Chico remembered her offer from earlier—if he ever needed help, he only had to ask.

"I was wondering," he began, "do you have any advice about the first floors of the Dungeon?"

She studied him for a moment, then asked plainly, "Do you believe you're ready?"

Chico shook his head. "Not yet. I want to fully memorize the map of the first floor and train at least one more day."

A small nod. "Good. The Dungeon rewards patience…and punishes haste."

She leaned forward slightly, speaking in a measured tone. "Be aware, the Dungeon can sometimes spawn monsters in small groups—even on the upper floors. Never assume you're safe. Avoid most adventurers unless absolutely necessary—some can be reckless, or worse. And never lose focus. You should be ready to fight at a moment's notice."

Chico took in every word, storing it all away.

"There's one more thing," he asked, tilting his head, "Is it acceptable to remain near adventurers while exploring?"

Persephone considered that. "That depends on the adventurer. Some won't care. Others might see you as a nuisance or competition. But in general, as long as you're respectful, it shouldn't be an issue."

"Got it," Chico nodded. Then, after a moment's hesitation, "Would you be willing to train me…with my blades?"

Her brows rose faintly, clearly surprised by the request. "I can. But if we're going to do this, we start early. Very early."

"I'll be up," he promised without hesitation.They would meet at the training grounds. Before first light.

The conversation wound down soon after. Chico finished his meal, thanked his captain sincerely, and made his way toward the living quarters.

His room was easy to find—one of the last down the hall, second closest to Demeter's room. He knocked gently, just in case someone had made a mistake assigning it. No response. He opened the door and stepped into a simple but comfortable space.

It reminded him of Demeter's room in layout, but with none of the personal touches. A bed, a built-in closet, a side table. No desk. Still, it was his. And he was glad for that.

Exploring further, he found his own private bathroom—something he hadn't expected at all. There was even a proper shower. He'd missed those more than he realized. 

Already dressed for the night, he spent a few minutes organizing his things. Clothes into the closet, travel items into a corner pile. He made a mental note to request a desk. Then he flopped onto the bed.

The mattress was firm, the blanket warm, and the sheets soft enough to make him sigh aloud. It wasn't just comfortable—it was luxurious compared to everything he'd known since arriving.

He considered stopping by to thank Demeter, but it was late. She was probably asleep.

So instead, he let sleep claim him.

The door creaked open sometime later.

Demeter stood silently in the doorway, the soft light behind her casting a faint glow on the floor. She wore her nightwear, and her long hair was loose around her shoulders. Her gaze settled on the sleeping figure sprawled comfortably across the bed.

She said nothing. 

Her expression was unreadable. She just watched.

After a few minutes, she quietly shut the door and returned to her room.

Only 6 days remain…

Chapter 12 End