Danmachi: Goliath

The Belit Babili is the second-tallest building in the entire city, standing at an impressive height of about 403.77 meters, based on the map. In other words, it is taller than the Empire State Building. I think that building was around 380 meters without its antenna? Not sure.

Though, it is still dwarfed by babel. Yeah, Babel is about six times taller than this building, standing at the height of 2484 m or 2.484 km or 8150 ft or 1.6 miles high. Nah, I don't think that would be enough to visualize it.

That's about thirty-five thousand five hundred sixty-two big mac. 

Despite being one thousand three hundred ninety-six Diddys tall, that tower only has 50 floors, without counting the ground floor, meaning either each floor is almost forty-eight meters tall or the gap between each floor is fucking massive. As for the Belit Babili, it has 43 floors without counting the roof, which is rather impressive. 

I mean, Babel was built by the gods but this was built by one goddess. The amount of money you will need to build that building must have cost billions to make. Unless, of course, you had slaves build it. I know there are slaves in this world, but I remember that there are no slaves in Orario so, I guess Ishtar is fucking loaded.

It was currently in the middle of the night—earlier in the morning if you want technicality—so the entertainment district was pretty busy. Women were dragging their male—and female—clients into the Belit Babili to fuck them silly, with most of these women being Amazonesses. No, all the women I have seen are Amazonesses.

I guess these all women race are a species of sluts.

"Oh~I like this one~" A woman walked up to me, her large breast threatening to pop out the 'shirt' she had on. I would have definitely called it a fake if not for the fact that plastic surgery doesn't exist in this world. Either natural or magic. "Come with me, big guy~" She touched my forearm, her finger trailing the muscles visible on my shirt's sleeve. "I can make you feel better than that little girl can."

'...' I am not even hard, bro. I got hard from seeing a naked orc but not this woman? I know she is a prostitute that has probably taken a mile length of dick, but still. At least show some reaction.

"Maybe after my meeting with your goddess." That's cap. I am leaving once I am done here. Why does Ishtar even want to see me? To thank me for protecting the city? Doubt.

"Oh, you're with Ishtar..." The woman sighed, "I will let you go then, but don't forget me~"

"I won't." Yeah, once she disappeared into the crowds of people, even with me towering over everyone, I lost sight of her. I probably won't recognize her the next time she comes up to me. 'Maybe her breast will help.'

"What?" I asked the staring little girl. 

"Nothing," She shrugged, "I just can't see what she saw in you." She shook her head, "You have no character."

[Blood]

The fuck you mean burn? I don't even understand what she meant by that. "Explain."

"Why didn't you just say no?" She asked. 

I am sure she understood what I meant by that. "It's called being polite." She shook her head. 

"Haah." She then sighed and turned to walk away, "I thought you would be different from the stories I heard."

What did she expect? "You wanted a handsome man?"

"No," She shook her head, "Someone with character."

So she wants a headstrong personality? A self-motivated man that doesn't care about the opinion of others? "I am sure you will meet the man you are looking for in five years." By then she should be 21, so I hope this man she goes after wouldn't be 14 or some shit. Knowing this world, it's entirely possible.

"I hope it will be sooner," She said, "I am getting tired of all these weak-willed men."

I said nothing as I glanced around. '...' They don't look weak willed. It just seems like they came here to enjoy themselves before the return to the dungeon. It gets quite scary down there, especially when there is a crimson Rakshasa running around and killing people.

[Blood]

She led me through the lobby and then to a private elevator only by the 'Berbera,' basically the main fighting force of the familia. But an elevator? It amazes me how advanced this world is. Maybe I should look more into it when I have time. 

We arrived at the 33rd floor, and then she stepped out just as a rather 'tall' woman was walking towards the elevator. "Amal!" The little girl smiled brightly as she rushed to the woman, "I miss you."

"You just saw me." The woman smiled, patting Aisha's head affectionately.

'Sisters?' I looked between them. 'Nope, not sisters.' They have different last names based on her status, besides, the woman was about 190 cm tall, while Aisha looks like she will barely grow for the rest of her life. 

Though they had a similar lean and toned build, she had a more 'curvy' body like that of a dancer and unlike the women downstairs, her breasts weren't disproportionately large. Modest, for her body shape. Her skin is a bronze like the others of her race, with her well-toned abdomen exposed, showcasing a slender waist and a slight V-line.

She was 'beautiful,' with a soft face, almond-shaped, gray eyes that matched the color of her arched brows and gray hair which fell past her shoulders, and full lips that looked a natural pink. She wore those kinds of clothes the Arabs belly dancer will wear, with mostly turquoise and gold coloring, and she had multiple jewels, including a golden choker, a golden headpiece, large gold earrings, golden anklets and bracelets, which all look more expensive.

Rich tall Sugar mommy? 

Nah, I am richer than she is.

"And you are?" She smiled at me, which made me nod. This woman has nice blood. Would like to cut her open.

Wait, what the fuck? 'Rob, stop it.'

[Blood?]

"Fist of Atlas." I extended my hand, "Nice to meet you." I gave her a polite smile.

"I will tell the goddess." She did not return my shake, but kept her smile. Fake, but whatever. "Wait here," She turned and walked away, and I lowered my hand.

"That's Amal." The little girl smiled as she watched the bare-foot woman walk away. "She is the vice-captain of the Familia..." She paused, "For now."

'Ominous,' And as if realizing what she said, she explained, "She is also my teacher, and I am going to beat her one day and take that position from her, but not anytime soon." She sighed, "She is going to fight Amphisbaena alone tomorrow for a level up achievement to become a level five." 

"I see," Yeah, she's cooked.

She ain't coming back alive. 

Earlier, when I had taken a glance at her stats, she showed no reaction. Either she can control her emotions to the maximum, or she doesn't have any sense. I doubt it's the former. Even Finn and Loki showed reaction when I looked at them. So, for her to not have as much 'instinct' as an eleven years old Goldilocks of the same level is concerning. If she goes down there tomorrow, she is not returning to the surface.

"I guess you will soon become the vice-captain, Aisha." She blinked up at me and then smiled.

"Thanks," Yeah, don't thank me. Thank your vice-captain for going on a suicide mission.

"The goddess is waiting," Amal returned, turning around, "Follow me."

Let's go see your goddess, but really. 'I want to see Zeus, man.' I sound like a simp, but I like the guy. He fucks everything that moves. I aspire to be like him.

[Blood]

I am no slut. 'I have been hearing you a lot, why is that?' Normally before I just hear your intent but now all I hear is 'blood' and then your intent follows. Can you say something else instead of only 'blood?' It's kind of getting annoying.

[Nig—]

Let's stick with blood, bro.

Following them both, I entered a massive love room and then immediately thought, 'Pain Breaker,' My mind was clear, but the next instant I felt it coming back so I looked down and greeted, "Good morning, goddess Ishtar.'

Charm. 

Fucking charm!

I mean, why the FUCK is she sitting naked on her bed.

I barely got a glance and I was charmed. Fuck no. Way worse than that gray haired little girl.

"You look exactly like I imagined," Her voice came, carrying the tone of a ruler. Like someone high and mighty, so different from Loki. He seemed down to earth. Literally. "Where have you been?" I heard movement as she got off the bed.

"In the dungeon." I replied. 

"Without Falna?" She asked, but before I could reply, she continued, "Though I shouldn't be surprised. You did kill multiple level ones and fought a level 2 without Falna." Again, before I could confirm it, she said, "Boy,"

'???' 

"Look up." She said? Nah, she commanded me. 'Haa,' I miss Loki. 

I held pain breaker's trigger and looked up. The woman standing before me was strikingly beautiful, surpassing the High-Elf of Loki, and that isn't the charm talking as I just used Pain Breaker. She stood 170 cm tall with a rich brown skin like the Amazons, and a well-endowed and exceptionally curvaceous build that is instantly noticeable.

Thankfully she had donned something, a luxurious red bathrobe loosely tied at her waist, yet with a notable contrast between her full chest and narrow middle. The neckline plunges deeply, revealing a clear view of her ample cleavage, where her breasts almost press together and barely contained by the fabric. The edges of the robe were short from the line of her areola, but I guess she wouldn't care, seeing as she stayed naked when I got in. 

The robe flows down but barely reaches her mid-thighs, leaving most of her thighs and long, slightly toned legs on full display. As she moved towards one of the couches, each step highlighted the curves of her hips, and she sat on the couch, forcing my eyes to her face.

Her facial features are finely sculpted, with a straight nose, unblemished skin, pink lips, sharp brown eyes like that of a predator, purple eyeliner, and dark purple hair that fell over her shoulders and down her back in silky yet messy waves. 

"I want to see you defeat a level two," She smiled as her slender fingers took a golden kiseru from one of the girl, a pipe that looked more expensive than most second class weapons I have seen, "Show me,"

Before I could ask how, an attack came from my right, and crossing my left arm over my torso, I caught the punch Aisha threw. I glanced down at her surprised face as she pulled her hand away from mine and took two steps back. The vice-captain now held her massive sword, which I hadn't noticed her taking due to me being captivated by the goddess body.

'Pain Breaker,' 

Aisha dashed at me once more, leaping for a roundhouse kick to my left temple, but I caught it with my left hand. While in the air, she moved, pulling her left leg's from my hand and her right foot coming to my face for a stomp.

I caught it effortlessly, realizing something. 'No force,' She put no force in the attack, which made sense. If we both decided to go all out, this room would be destroyed along with the goddess and those two level one servants. 'She's just trying to win with skill?'

Sadly, that's impossible. One hand was all I needed to block and deflect all of her attacks. I never took a step, never dodged, only blocked and deflected. With one fucking hand. But this was only possible because she wasn't going for my legs. It looks like she only goes for lethality in attacks and when that don't work, she doesn't know what the fuck to do.

Basically punch. If it doesn't work. Punch again but this time harder. 'Who the fuck was your teacher?' I glanced at the smiling vice-captain. 'Yeah, she's mad.'

Lol, didn't want to shake my hand, right?

*Yawn* I yawned, massaging the bridge of my nose as I redirected a punch from the little girl. "Excuse me, but I haven't slept for days," For five fucking days. 

I HAVE SLEPT SINCE I CAME TO THIS WORLD!

I just fucking realized that! 

Ishtar smiled, "Do you wish to sleep?"

Can't lie, she can sense that. "I am not tired."

One of her eyebrows perked up, "After not sleeping for days?" Before I could reply, she spoke, "How many?"

"Five." She blinked in surprise, giving me a predatory smile.

"You have a lot of stamina." Na, just too many drugs. Way too many fucking drugs, bro. "Why don't you swat that fly."

'Fly?' I looked around. 'Where?'

"The girl." Ishtar explained. 

'Ah,' I deflected her punch, outstretching my left arm to grab her face, but she moved it to the side, out of the way. 'Haah,' I backhanded her, sending her flying to the side. 'Always catch them.' 

She managed to stick the landing, rubbing her jaw with no visible damage. '... High level 2?' In endurance? I hit her to draw some blood because it seems Ishtar wanted it, but nothing? 'Impressive.

Much better than Mulan, but I doubt this girl can win against the Chinese. She knows how to fight, but it looks like she has been trained just to kill monsters and people weaker than her and not equal strength. Mulan will dog walk her, especially if she decides to use 'Cypher Space.'

"She got potential." I smiled at Ishtar, "A better teacher would do her good." I can hear clenching jaws. I wonder who they are from.

"Really?" Ishtar asked, taking a puff from her pipe. "Would you take her in?" That was a statement, not a question. 

I will treat it as a question, "I can't," I shook my head, "My schedule is full."

"What's more important than a fellow Familia member?" She stared me right in the eyes.

'You say what now? "I plan on joining the Loki Familia." Even a fool can see what she really meant by that. 'Pain Breaker.'

"Why not me?" She stood, her robs parting slightly as a bit of her right areola, a shade darker than her surrounding skin, winked at me. "What can that girl offer that I can't?"

'I mean, you don't want me to spell it out, do you?' Instead, I said, "I was invited, and I promised her that I will come to her after I reach my limit."

"Promises are meant to be broken." No, there are not. The fuck? "What's so special about Freya and Loki?" Where did Freya come from? We weren't talking about her. "So, I will ask you again, won't you join my familia?" She gestured at the Vice-Captain with her pipe. "Amal over there is still a virgin." The woman gave a slight nod. "I can give her to you."

'Birds of a feather flock together.' A man once said. I don't believe a person surrounded by dirt will stay clean. "I like elves," Not a lie. Everyone likes elves.

"I can get you an elf slave." Oh, for real. I would greatly apprec—

Wait, Slave!? I though Orario—'Ah,'

There is no war in Ba Sing Se. 

"It's less fun when they obey." That isn't true love, is it?

"Oh~You're one of them." She smiled, stopping in front of me, her pipe tapped the middle of my chest, "I want you." She tapped it again, "And I am giving you a choice." Yeah, charm is the other way.

Haah. Why is it only prostitutes and guys that one me? First Loki and then that woman downstairs and now Heaven's Hole? 'I guess,' I guess I will just pick the hero path. 

Would rather not associate with them, but... Let's just see the guild system first.

Rule Breaker is always with me, 'Rob.' It didn't respond, 'I give you permission to use rule breaker.' Since we are connected by 'soul,' it should be able to use the weapon. 'You can, right?' It didn't respond, 'It will cancel out the fact you took over my body today.' It sighed.

"Ok," I nodded, "I wanted to join her because she asked me first, but eh."

Ishtar handed her pipe to one of the women, "Remove your shirt and sit." A stool was promptly brought my way as I removed my shirt. Thank god this combat top can stretch because if it couldn't, it would have been stuck, and I would look like a dumbass.

'Come to think of it,' This is the first time in this world I am removing my clothes like a normal human. Un-equipping is easier and quicker, after all. I did not sit on the stool, it would break under my weight, and simply squatted low, my ass hovering inches above the stool.

Then I felt her cold nails on my back, tracing the muscles. "Demon back," She said, her palm resting on my mid back. I was popping a boner, but I am a sage. I have long learned to control my Limbo. 

So the boner sighed and went to sleep.

"You are the most muscular mortal I have seen," She continued feeling my back, causing my dick to start fighting me.

But I am no simp. 'No horny.' I slapped it mentally.

"Now," I felt something wet touch my back, "Surprise me, boy." A light shone and then time seemed to freeze.

[The goddess (Ishtar) has infused you with Falan.]

[You have become Ishtar's Champion]

[You have ranked up]

[A magic slot has been consumed for the Game]

[You have gained the racial magics Dia Gin]

[You have gained the racial magics Dia Ample]

[You...]

More screens kept coming, and I just swiped them away while waiting for Ishtar to finish whatever she was still doing.

"What the fuck?" She mumbled, and I nodded. That's the reaction I was waiting for. I know for a FACT that I am much, MUCH above the people of this world.

"Goddess, what's wrong?" Amal asked as I heard her walk closer, trying to get a peek. 

"Get out." Ishtar spoke.

"Eh?"

"Everyone!" She shouted, "GET OUT!"

No one spoke, and they got out, and then there was silence. She just kept staring at my back, so I decided to look at my status.

_____________________

Status

Rank: 1

Level: 0 (+178) [0]

Level Exp held: 0

Strength: I 0 (+42) [I 0] Endurance: I 0 (+26) [I 0] Dexterity: I 0 (+42) [I 0] Agility: I 0 (+42) [I 0] Magic: I 0 (+26) [I 0]

[Development Ability]

None

[Magic]

—The Gamer: This world is but a game.

—Dia Gin: Manipulate the world's gravity with mind.

—Dia Ample: Manipulate the size and mass of touched inanimate objects using mind.

[Skill]

—Virgin Sage: Magic is always two ranks above its ranks. Allows for accelerated thought and comprehension boost while consuming stamina.

—Monster Hunter: A hunter eats what they kill. Gain EXP from eating magic stones, with a very small chance of gaining its skill or magic. Magic gained won't consume magic slots but will fall under this skill. Lose the ability to gain nutrients from normal food and they lose all taste.

—Loner: Negative charm and increased effect of all charm based skills on you

_____________________

Damn.

Gravity manipulation? If Dia Gin is like this, then would Gin just allow me to manipulate gravity with my 'will' alone? 'Damn.' And I guess Ample would also allow me to manipulate my size and sizes of inanimate objects not just through touch. I would have been able to grow and maybe use the ballistic weapon known as Kilometer Great Bow. Well, it's not yet out of the question. 

Then there are the skills. Sage? This game is really trying to diss me, and I guess great sage will make my magic three ranks above my rank? Yeah, I won't doubt it's worth, but damn. 

At least remove the 'virgin' in front of it.

Monster hunter is kind of cool until you realize I have to eat stones that come out from the brain, heart, and stomach of monsters. Yes, I can wash it and Pain Breaker will rid all the infections I might get, but why lose my taste for food? Should have just left it at the fact I don't receive nutrients from normal food.

And then the last skill. What is the advantage of that skill?

That is just a joke at this point. 

That shit is a curse.

'Haah,' I should get an item that would remove charm effect altogether. It seems like all goddesses of 'beauty' or 'sex' can charm.

Apart from all those, the thing that probably caught her eyes was the gamer magic, so let's see this Guild function. If it isn't what I think it is, then I guess I will just go to get milk and never return like most people fathers did.

[Menu:

Profile

Status

Inventory

Summon

Shop

Guild *Locked: Become the Captain of the Familia and have it resisted in the guild to unlock

Map *New Function Unlocked

Mail]

'Hmm...' Too bad. I guess I will leave this familia and find a god with no member or something...

"You're not leaving," I felt Ishtar's finger dig deep into my back. It wouldn't pierce my skin no matter how hard she tries, but I still feel it. "You are mine, Noah."

Charm?

"I won't charm you," She wrapped her arm around my neck, "Your gamer magic will only work when you are in your right mind, so charming you will make that magic useless" Her head rested on my shoulder, "And that magic is something I need."

Yeah, I guess I do need to be in my right mind to 'play the game.' "For what?" I decided to ask as it seems like the right course of this conversation.

"To crush Freya." She whispered in my ears, then busted out in laughter, her voice like a crackling demon. "Falna is truly mysterious!" She laughed, "A game inside a game? HAHAHA!" She leaned back as she laughed, her slender fingers. 

"I will be at the top of the city in no time!" She laughed then fell forward on my back. 

The softness of her breasts, full and plump, molded against the curve of my spine. There was a comforting weight to them and her skin was warm against mine, the heat of her chest seeping into my own. Her areolas, slightly rougher than the smooth expanse of her skin, grazed my back, and her firm nipples, hardened from excitement, pressed onto my bare back. They instantly drew my attention due to their contrast to the surrounding softness.

Ishtar's arm snaked around my neck, her slender fingers rested lightly on my collarbone, anchoring him to her. "You are the one." She whispered. "You will help me get rid of that bitch." I felt myself coming into her charm, and then it was gone. 

Not from the use of Pain Breaker. She removed it herself.

"But to get the full function of this game, one thing needs to be done, do you know what it is?" She asked, moving slightly on my back, her hard nipples shifting on my bare skin.

"I need to be the captain." I guess she saw it in the gamer magic. I wonder what she sees.

"You are the captain, now."

"I'm the Captain Now."

I looked down at my dick. Of course I can't control little Johnny. "But it needs to be registered in the guild." 

"That is not a problem," She said as she stood straight. "Robe me."

'Am I a slave?' I stood, towering over her and moved to stand behind the goddess. Then I picked up the robe that had fallen to the ground around her feet without its rope going undone and placed it lightly on her shoulder. 

She adjusted it slightly and said, "Follow me,"

Picking up my Rhapso shirt, I sent it to my inventory and then equipped it. Only one second. See how convenient? Ishtar was already at the door and pushed it open to the two Berbera standing in attention, with the maids to the side.

"Be a dear and head to the guild," She looked at Amal, "Tell them he is the new captain." She gestured at me.

The Amazoness' eyes widened in confusion as she glanced between me and the goddess. "But—"

"Final decision, Amal." Ishtar cut her off with a look. "What was the name you registered in the guild?" She asked, her words directed to me.

"Noah,"

"Tell them Noah is my new captain." She turned to walk down the hall, "Phryne will be moved down to the Vice-Captain and you will be an Executive."

I just jumped rank like that. From nobody to the one that commands them all. Look at their faces, lol. "Now, hurry along," Ishtar waved as Amal gritted her teeth then turned to leave with Aisha's sword.

"You two," She turned to the two maids, "Cancel all my appointments today and for the rest of the week."

"Yes, goddess." They bowed and walked away.

Ishtar's eyes then landed on the little girl, and she paused, "You go do whatever." She finally said as Aisha quickly ran away. "Follow me, darling."

That 'darling' don't have any intimate feel to it. Sound like she is my mother or something. I know god's call their Familia member their children, but I only have one mother. 

And that mother is my father.

Haah. I miss that man. What a shame I can't meet him. 

Following Ishtar, we entered another elevator that took us up, with Ishtar saying, "You will be the third person to enter my private quarter. The other two were the two captains before you." She explained, "Be hornord."

'Nice,' It was on the very highest floor, the entire 43 floors being her room. I guess she sleeps with others on the floors below. Make sense. Even the goddess of whores know how to separate where you sleep from where you fuck. 'Wonder where I will live.'

"You will live there from today onwards."

Run that shit by me again? "With you?"

She glanced back, her purple eyes meeting mine, "Yes," Aha haha. I must be trippin. "In the same bed."

"Hahahahaa~" I shook my head, "You are so funny, goddess." It's been a while since I laughed. I guess she does have humor.

She simply smiled, and then the elevator opened into a clean, quiet and vacant hallway. Stepping out, she led me through the top floor, a massive floor that would be considered a penthouse. And it was clean. Sparkling clean.

If no one enters here, who cleans it, 'The captain?' Hope not. I'd rather not have cleaning duty.

Like I said, the floor itself was basically a penthouse, with multiple bedrooms that were unused, bathrooms, kitchens, dining areas, and rooms filled with collections of 'toys,' jewelry, clothes, weapons—surprisingly—and there was even an entire room dedicated to paintings of herself and… 

'Is that Freya!?' 

The fuck? 

In all the paintings with the other goddess, she was overpowering Freya in some way or another: in bed, in battle, in a throne room with the other goddess at her feet, a leash around Freya's neck, you name it. 

'Does she love Freya?' No. She despises Freya to the point it has become an obsession, and as they say: Love and obsession are two sides of the same coin. Don't know who the fuck said that or if it's even a saying, but this defiantly bring that saying to life.

I mean, holy shit. I could see multiple sides of these paintings. Hate, love, obsession, possession, desire, rivalry, even some fetish in there.

'I wonder how Freya would react if she saw this room.' Does she even care about Ishtar? 

Is this a one-sided obsession?

If it is one-sided then I feel sorry for this woman.

She didn't even seem to care that I saw it as we continued walking before she opened a door that led into a massive room twice the size of mine.

This shit was massive but just cluttered. There was one of everything in this room: paintings, books in and out of shelves, clothes, jewelry, sex toys, more paintings, and a massive painting of herself on the wall above her bed that was almost twice the size of a king-size bed. 

An organized chaos, one would say.

I closed the door behind her as I entered while looking at everything. 'A sword is just laying on top of a table?' It was an Ornamental Longsword made out of gold, diamonds, rubies, and many other 'shiny' materials, so I guess this is some kind of decoration I don't understand. 

I followed her as she walked past her bed and entered the enclosed balcony covered by glass on all three sides. She stood on the balcony and pointed, "That is what we are aiming for."

I followed her finger to the massive structure I immediately recognized. "Babel?"

"No, follow my finger." She waved with her other hand while she kept pointing.

I squatted beside her and followed her finger more precisely. "Ah, the sky!" It makes sense! "We are aiming for the sky!" What a nice goal.

Her other hand's slender fingers suddenly grabbed my jaw, and I allowed her to position my head. "... A bird?"

"The top of babel," She finally said. "That is what we are aiming for."

I nodded. I heard the top god of the city lives there, so I guess any god will aim for that.

She clenched her pointing hand. "I will rip Freya from that throne and throw her down." She grinned. "That creature will kneel by my feet and I will show this city true beauty. KEHEHEHEH~" She laughed. 

Ah... This woman is mentally ill. 

I should...

I should leave before I get into something I can't get myself out of.

~~~~~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the height of babel, I have seen multiple sources saying its 800 meters, other saying its a kilometer tall, so I just took the height of Babel from the Book of Jubilees which said it was about 2,484 meters and slapped it on this babel. Seems about right. As for Belit Babili height, it looked rather tall in the show and all the maps I have seen, being the second tallest building, so I just took the tallest building gave it something reasonable.

And I know, not going solo? That's crazy. But I want to try this path. Like I said, I am making things as I go and if it don't work out, solo it is. Besides, I was thinking of Ishtar since the beginning, hance the book image, so... As for this chapter, was it good? I think it was, and it was actually one of the chapter that took me the longest to write because I was conflicted of whether to go solo or not. Haah~~