Danmachi: Goliath

Four days had passed since the Ishtar Familia had been attacked by Evilus. Belit Babili, once the proud heart of Ishtar's empire, was destroyed by an explosion comparable to the magic used by a Level 5 with a mage development ability.

The night it happened, half the city had been shaken awake. The light alone had illuminated the sky, and the crumbling of the second-tallest tower had felt like an earthquake, its collapse rumbling through the ground. Ishtar's empire, reduced to ash and rubble in a moment.

And yet, that wasn't the worst of it. 

In the aftermath, as the Guild combed through the debris looking for survivors, they found proof of large-scale tax evasion spanning over two decades, amounting to more than two-hundred billion Valis. Her land, the once-famous Pleasure Quarter, was confiscated, though it was now in ruins. 

Even destroyed, the value of the land in such a business-centric area was immense—worth close to 800 billion valis on the market. But that wasn't all they found. Evidence of human trafficking and an unregistered second Level 5, a half-elf named Elred Iarnan, surfaced. Her remaining assets were stripped away by the Guild, leaving her with nothing.

Her familia, already decimated by the attack, didn't need to be officially disbanded. More than seventy percent of her blessed children were dead, including thirty percent of her famed Berbera. In the days that followed, nearly every surviving member fled. Some retired; most joined a new familia. The Berbera, mostly Level 3, were quickly recruited elsewhere. After all, who would pass on the opportunity to enlist such skilled warriors?

Ishtar, now left with nothing, had been forced to retreat to the last property she owned—a crumbling, abandoned basilica she'd bought on a whim fourteen years ago. She hadn't remembered it, but Elred could remember every single one of her impulsive purchases, so he led them here. It seems like the guild had pitted her and left it for her, after all, what was stopping them from taking it.

Over the hundred of years it had been abandoned, the once-grand piazza outside the basilica was buried under wild grass and creeping vines. Fallen pillars lay strewn across the ground, cracked and broken. The immense facade of the basilica still stood, but much of it had crumbled. 

Statues and carvings were worn away, reduced to faceless stone. Massive chunks of the roof had collapsed, leaving gaping holes that opened to the sky. Ivy and moss clung to the remaining walls, intertwining with shattered stained-glass windows that no longer glowed with vibrant color. 

Inside, the main altar still stood, but its grandeur had long since faded into ruin. The massive golden throne-like chair, once resplendent, was dulled and blackened by time. The arches of the basilica were jagged, exposed, and hollow, echoing with silence. The marble floor was cracked and uneven, with fallen stones scattered across it. Sunlight pierced through the missing sections of the dome, casting shafts of light onto the remnants of the once-great familia.

Sitting atop the dulled throne was a 243 cm, muscular giant. Dressed in all-black attire, his shirt strained against his broad chest, the dark fabric clinging to his torso and arms. Black cargo pants, with numerous pockets, tucked neatly into ankle-length boots reinforced at the toes. 

He lounged leisurely, his legs spread wide, one elbow resting on the arm of the throne, his chin supported by his fist. His mirror-like bald head reflected the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the ceiling, and his dull crimson eyes stared into space, as if the world beyond was not his concern.

At his feet, lying on a mattress and draped in a red bedsheet, was Ishtar herself. Her back was turned to the remaining members of her familia, her posture suggesting defeat.

"Do you mean to say you will all stay?" A young androgynous and beautiful boy who could pass as female asked. He looked no older than eight despite his century-old age, with his radiant golden eyes scanning the ten remaining people gathered before him. "Three of you cannot find refuge in another Familia, for reasons known to us…"

His golden eyes landed on Phryne, sprawled carelessly upon one of the front pews. It then moved to a middle-aged elf, silently leaning against a distant wall, arms crossed and eyes brooding. Finally, a naked man sitting cross-legged on the ground, a spear lying across his legs, his member erect and twitching.

"But you others…" he turned his unflinching gaze upon the remaining seven, eyes ablaze with a light that seemed almost divine. "What is it that binds you to stay?"

Before they could answer, Phryne shifted on her pew, her eyes narrowing. "I could have joined any familia I wanted!" she bellowed, her deep voice echoing through the chamber. "But I decided to stay loyal to Lady Ishtar."

"Please, Phryne," came a smooth voice from deeper within the hall. Amal, sitting many rows back and some columns to the side, smiled faintly, her tone dripping with mockery. "We all know you tried to join other familias. They rejected you despite your Level 5 status."

Phryne clicked her tongue in irritation, sitting up with a grunt. "I wasn't rejected!" she shouted. "I changed my mind!"

Her stubby finger pointed accusingly at Amal. "What about you, bitch? Why didn't you leave?"

Amal shrugged, still smiling. "Unlike you, I don't betray people so easily."

The five other girls sitting near Amal nodded in agreement. But off in the far back, Tammuz Belili, a recently bought slave, remained silent, his eyes fixed on Ishtar, as if waiting for something.

Phryne growled, her temper flaring as she realized all eyes were on her. She rose to her feet, pointing at the naked man on the ground. "What about him?" she yelled. "Unlike that pervert, I'm sure I was rejected because I was too beautiful for them."

The naked man, unfazed, simply smirked. "My thrusting ability was recognized," he said, his member twitching. "I will never leave those who appreciate it."

Phryne recoiled, disgusted. "No one would accept someone as disgusting as you!" she spat. Her finger then swung toward the middle-aged elf leaning against the wall. "And what about you, elf?"

The elf barely glanced at her, yawning as if her words were nothing more than the whisper of a breeze, his expression one of utter disinterest. It was as though Phryne didn't exist.

Phryne's growl rumbled through the basilica. "How dare you ignore me, elf bastard!"

Without even looking at her, he uttered, "Daot kaeps t'nod I." His words flowed in reverse, bizarre and unintelligible, but for some reason, Phryne felt as though she had just been cursed. Her other hand, which had been gripping the headrest of the pew, clenched with fury, the wood cracking and splintering under her grasp.

"I'll teach you a lesson!" she hissed, her face morphing into a hideous, toad-like visage as her bulging eyes turned toward the other girls. "And you too!" she snarled, causing the youngest of the group, a girl who looked barely eleven, to flinch in terror.

Aisha, seated beside the girl, patted her head comfortingly. "Are you sure you can take on the six of us, Mrs. Toad?" Aisha said, her voice sharp. "You've made a habit of only fighting those weaker than you."

Phryne's teeth ground together audibly, her knuckles turning white. Before she could retort, the elf spoke again, his words once again reversed. "Thgif eht no ni gninooj dnom t'nod I." 

His once-handsome middle-aged face twisted into something grotesque and monstrous, his transformation far uglier than Phryne's, his eyes gleaming with malice. 

"Ytsat kool lla uoy." he added as he unfolded his arms and stood straight, licking his lips. Noticing he was on her side, Phryne grinned, cracking her knuckles.

The tension in the air thickened as the duo, a level 5 and a level 4, stared at the group with only one level 4, but before violence could erupt, Elred spoke, his words a gentle blade parting the storm. "So, it is decided then? You will remain?"

Phryne growled in frustration but slammed back down onto the pew with enough force to make it creak under her weight. Her arms folded defiantly, but for now, the fight had been quelled. The elf's face returned to its normal, eerily calm expression, though his eyes still lingered on the girls, with Amal giving him a sly smile before looking away.

He sighed as his gaze turned upward, and there above him, the heavens seemed to respond—clouds shifting as if pulled by unseen strings, permitting a golden shaft of sunlight to illuminate him alone. His hair, flowing like liquid sunlight, burned in the heavenly glow, a second sun caught amidst them. 

Tears welled within his eyes as if touched by some unseen sorrow. "Why, my friends… why do you stay?" He just wanted to retire.

Ishtar's voice, laced with a calm superiority, interrupted the air. "Oh, spare me the theatrics."

She rolled over on the mattress, still draped in the red silk, her eyes gleaming with playful malice as she finally faced the remaining members of her Familia. A sly smile played on her lips. "I see it's you all that lingered. Tell me, how was my little performance?"

The group exchanged confused looks, even the elf seemed stunned, his mouth slightly open. Acting? they all thought in unison.

Elred wiped the tears from his cheeks, his eyes glistening with tears. "There was no recovering from what was done... Thus, we chose to thin ourselves," his voice paused. "I ensured they found the evidence of our goddess'… brutality."

"Brutality?" Ishtar raised a brow.

"Indeed," the half-elf continued, each word spoken as if reciting from a script crafted by fate itself, "With so much lost, and our goddess cloaked in sorrow, we believed it best she wear that mask a while longer… The Familia, our strength, needed to be pared down… so we could rise anew."

"What?" Samira, the younger sister of Amal, spoke up. 

She was about seventeen years old with light colored hair like her sister, though more silver than gray and spiky, tanned skin, bright brown eyes, and she was growing into an hourglass figure and a well-developed bust. 

Ishtar stretched, languidly rising from the bed with a graceful arch of her body, her grin widening. "It's quite simple," she purred, "After my Familia was… broken, I decided a little pruning was in order. Why waste time nurturing hundreds of ants into slightly better ants, when I can mold fifty into lions?"

Amal brows furrowed. "I mean, it makes sense, but…" She trailed off before finishing her thought. "You did all that just to reduce our number to ten?"

"I was expecting more," Ishtar replied coolly, rising to her feet as the sheet fell away, revealing her minimal attire. 

A thin, red cloth hung loosely around her neck, draping over her shoulders and barely covering her breasts. Around her waist, she wore a matching red pareo, tied casually, leaving her legs mostly exposed. Despite their current poverty, the opulence of her accessories stood out: a pendant of pure gold rested against her chest, and a golden ankle bracelet adorned her right leg, its chains wrapping up to her thigh in a delicate, fishnet pattern. A golden pin secured her hair, adding a final touch of extravagance.

Elred, still brooding, muttered under his breath, "I only anticipated three." Clearly referencing the few he'd mentioned earlier.

"No matter," Ishtar continued, her tone dismissive. "Freya's most powerful only numbers around ten, so this works perfectly."

Phryne groaned loudly, slumping back with exaggerated exasperation. Ishtar's amethyst eyes locked onto her instantly, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Is there something you wish to say, Phryne?"

"She assumed your grief would stretch on, long enough for her to seize control," Elred calm words came before Phryne could muster a defense. 

Phryne clenched her teeth and said nothing as Ishtar's eyes narrowed, her voice suddenly icy. "You should be grateful my bull had a use for you. Otherwise, you'd be long gone." Phryne flinched under Ishtar's gaze, turning away sullenly. Ishtar, unbothered, shifted her attention toward the hulking figure seated on the throne.

"Miquella," she sighed, her tone exasperated, noticing his distant expression.

The boy shook his head. "If I remember correctly, I was named Elred," he said, his eyes glowing briefly. 

As he said this, the giant man's eyes seemed to flicker with life, and color returned to his gaze. He blinked slowly before glancing around at the group, his movements sluggish as if waking from a long dream. 

"Afternoon." he looked at the others. 

Ignoring his greeting, Ishtar asked. "What were you watching?"

"The Dian Cecht Familia was attacked." The man shrugged, massaging his jaw that had been leaning on his fist. "This time, their target was a fourteen-year-old girl named Airmid Teasanare. The attempt failed—Finn and Goldilocks were there, waiting."

"Ah, yes." Ishtar mumbled. "I recall hearing whispers that she unlocked a Mystery development ability, and her healing magic would certainly pose a problem for Evilus. No surprise they'd aim to eliminate her."

"It begs the question, why did they target us first?" Elred mused, his voice calmer now. "It seems as though they were in haste."

Ishtar cast him a sidelong glance, "Oh?"

"Their previous attacks—the one on the guild factory and the strike on Hephaestus Familia's weapon storage—those had clear objectives," Elred explained, his tone more certain now. "But then, they abruptly turned on us. Yes, we're among the top Familia in Orario, but wouldn't it have made more sense to go after Dian Cecht before we caught wind of their plan?"

"Let's get back on topic." Amal rose abruptly, drawing the attention of everyone. "What do you mean by 'Freya's executives are only ten?' Are you seriously still planning to challenge Freya? With only us?"

"It's possible." Spear guy said, getting to his feet as he started walking towards the altar. "Have you ever heard of a god updating your status without using their blood? Have you ever heard of a magic weapon that never breaks? A giant that can fly?" He got on his knees in front of the altar, "Your spear, my goddess."

Elred, who stood nearby, took the spear from the man's hand and stepped forward to offer it to Ishtar. Her lips curled in a satisfied smile. "Thank you, Felix."

At the mention of his name, Felix's eyes widened in shock, as though hearing it from her lips was a blessing beyond comprehension. "Thank you… for knowing this humble servant's name," he stammered, almost on the verge of tears.

Ishtar didn't bother with a reply, her focus shifting to the spear in her hands. "The boy is right." she said, her tone confident. "It is possible to reach Freya's level with just us."

"I don't believe that." The second oldest in the group of six females spoke. 

She is 21 and a Doberman Chienthrope that stood at 175 cm, her build lean and muscular with light skin stretched over her athletic frame. Her face was angular, sharp with high cheekbones, a strong jawline, slightly slanted, and fierce hazel eyes. Tall and pointed black ears sat atop her head, jotting up from her jet-black hair was cut short, barely reaching her neck. The tips of her hair were a lighter brown, and she wore a tight black spandex top with a single white stripe on each side, tight blue track shorts, and had no shoes.

"Two Level Fives, two Level Fours, three Level Threes, three Level Twos, one Level One, and whatever level he is," she pointed at Noah. "Even with all of us combined, King would crush us."

The mention of 'King,' Orario's strongest mortal man, elicited an immediate reaction from Ishtar. Her amethyst eyes fixed on the Chienthrope, her voice dripping with disdain. "Don't call Freya's pet 'King.' It's revolting."

The woman flinched at the sharpness in Ishtar's tone and returned to her seat as the goddess gaze swept over the gathered ten. "To be perfectly honest, I don't need any of you. The only reason I've tolerated your presence is because I require workers. Foot soldiers."

Silence descended for a moment, then Phryne growled through gritted teeth, "Foot soldiers?"

"Yes," came Noah's voice. "If this group represents all of our power, I alone am 95%, and the remaining 5% belongs to Miquella." The blond boy was too drained to correct him on the name.

"What gives you such confidence?" Amal frowned, her gray eyes narrowing. "If I recall, you only just received your Falna." 

"Have eyes but can't see mount Tai," He looked down at her, literally and figuratively, his eyes unimpressed. "I will forgive you if you kowtow to me ten times."

Amal's teeth clenched in anger, but before she could retort, Aisha rose to her defense. "So what level are you?" Her purple eyes scanning him, "A level 2?" He was, after all, Fist of Atlas who people claimed fought a level 2 without having a Falna. 

Was that a lie?

"A leaf questions the strength of the storm." He tilted his head, his eyes moving to the young girl, "Do you even realize how close you are to being blown away?"

"He is, indeed, a Level 4," Elred spoke softly, "He attained that rank beyond the walls of this city." His golden eyes slowly drifted toward Amal, "And yes, the two of us alone would bring you all to your knees, with scarcely any effort."

Phryne's lazy laugh echoed through the room. "Oh, really? Shall we put that to the test? I could use a new husband," she added with a lustful grin, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth as she eyed Elred.

"Enough. There's no need for fights… not yet." She waved a hand dismissively. "Your existence might be pitiful now, but it won't remain so for long." Her eyes shifted to Noah, cold and calculating. "My bull will turn all of you into warriors worthy of my name." She regarded him for a moment longer, her expression unreadable. "Now, tell me, what's your plan?"

~~~~~1st Person POV — Noah~~~~~

Three days of living in an abandoned Basilica that once belonged to Aine, the Celtic goddess of love, before she left this city, according to Miquella. And in those three days, I only went into the dungeon once to complete my seven-day mission.

What was my reward? 5 Forced Level Up Stone, 3 Grimoire (Random Magic), 3 Grimoire (Written Magic), Rank 3 Uncommon Weapon Selector, Rank 3 Uncommon Armor Selector, and 999,999,999 Valis.

Their forced level up stone is self-explanatory, a stone that will help me get 1200 in all stats. In my game, getting strength to 1200 would permanently increase your strength-based damage by 20% each time, and 240% at rank 12. It also grants 5% ignore defense each time, 60% at rank 12.

Endurance reduces physical skill stamina costs by 80% and reduces item ability cooldown by 25% at rank 12. Dexterity increases damage dealt with weapons by almost 300%, can really remember, at rank 12. Agility grants a 90% absolute dodge at rank 12. While magic increases magic damage by 240% and ignores magic defense by 60% at rank 12, much like strength.

I doubt they will have these effects when I get them to 1200 in this world. I mean, just imagine agility granting absolute dodge. I would be dodging arrows and attacks with my eyes closed. No, while sleeping.

Like some kind of Ultra Instinct.

Even an AOE attack would either miss me completely and fly off course, or I would just 'teleport' out of its range. Seems kind of overpowered. Well, the things the game gives me is already 'overpowered,' so maybe?

And no, I wouldn't be using them right now. Going to keep and save them for when I'm smurfing as a true hero. I mean, I am going to have to reset my level one day, so it will be an absolute waste to use them on this current 'champion' build.

The six grimoire, well thirteen if you count the ones already in my inventory, are all useless to me. I've already used up all my magic slots, so I decided to use them to build my 'army of cannon folders.' 

And seeing as all the weapons in this world are ass compared to the one the game grants, I would say these grimoires are all superior to the ones made by the people of this world. No, they are superior.

I mean, one written magic even grants the ability to 'Shepherd' monsters. Not tame, just guide or direct them in a particular direction. This could cause serious damage in the dungeon, as the one with this magic immediately causes a massive monster wave.

A monster tsunami.

Yeah, I kept it for myself. My PP can learn it.

Personal Pendant, I mean. My day seven item, which I can't use right now because I am 'upgrading' it to become an uncommon item.

As for the weapon and armor selector, I used them earlier to get an item for my consort Miquella and Ishtar. 

Miquella's item was a 'Sling Ring.' 

No, not the overpowered one from marvel that can jump dimensions and universes at a whim. This one uses his magic to open portals to where he can see, with a three-second cooldown after max upgrading it. Its second ability lets him to a single location he has been to, no matter where it is.

Ishtar's own was the pendant of pure gold she wore around her neck, which allowed her to make a 'contract' with 21 beings, and she can summon them all at once for a 21-hour cooldown or once at a time for a 1-hour cooldown between them. 

The perfect item for a week ass goddess as herself.

Aren't I a good guy?

Yeah, I'm a good boy~

"Now, tell me, what's your plan?" Ishtar's voice drew my attention.

"Split them into two groups," I decided, "The seven virtues and trinity." 

"Seven virtues?" Miquella blinked. "They are hardly deserving of such a name."

"Irony," Ishtar nodded in approval, "I love it."

If there were more people, I was thinking of forming the 12 zodiacs, 10 commandments, 7 virtues, the Trinity—

"Chess pieces," Miquella's voice came, casting a glance my way. "I have pondered upon this, and it seems appropriate we should regard ourselves as such—easier to place and train according to our roles."

"I like virtues better." Ishtar shook her head, "We're going with that."

"Hollup..." I raised my hand to the goddess, "Let him cook."

She glared at me and then folded her arm, looking away. '... She's more submissive now.' I guess she now knows I am her only hope in reaching Freya. If she even tries to charm me, the game will say by-bye to her.

Know your place, Thoth!

No, it's thot, not Thoth. That's an Egyptian god.

"At present, there are thirteen of sixteen entities within the Familia, and it should not be difficult to secure the remaining three," he continued, "Ishtar shall serve as the king, the heart of this game of ours. Should she fall, the game is over—her value beyond measure, her life worth infinity itself."

She smirked slightly at this.

He turned his golden gaze upon me. "And you… you are the queen."

"Nah, I am the rook." 

"Hollup..." Ishtar turned to me, her smirk widening. "Let him cook."

[BLOOD!]

'...'

There was a long silence and then Ishtar turned to Miquella, smiling, "Continue, dear."

"He's the queen, for he's the most powerful among us." Miquella paid Phryne no heed as she murmured something. "Most formidable, most versatile. Able to adapt to any role, any position upon the board."

Yeah, but I main fighter, so I should be a rook. 'Ah, whatever.'

Guess I am Queen Noah from now on.

"Oberon and I, we are the bishops—my reasoning, I trust, needs no further explanation," he said, Oberon being the elf that talks backwards.

He is the second level 4 in this familia and 94 years old. From what Miquella told me, he was once part of the Loki Familia, however he was kicked out and almost killed because of his attempted rape of a young girl.

He was taken in by Ishtar and has been a wandering rapist around the Pleasure Quarter. He doesn't do prostitution since he finds consensual sex boring, so he just goes around grabbing people and forcing himself on them.

There aren't many that can beat a level 4, even if he is a 'mage.'

This group is really wild. Whore of Babylon; a toad that rapes men; an elf that rapes women; a man that was a slave his whole life until he was forced to be freed from Ishtar but still decided to stay in the familia; a naked man that has an everlasting boner; and Miquella.

The only normal people are myself and those girls. 

"The knights will be Amal and Felix" The ash haired level 4 who seems to want to fight me and the spear guy. 

They honestly fit the role as a knight and though I haven't seen Amal fight, I know she is a swordsman who taught most of the younger Berbera how to fight. Her skills are also good for a knight, and Felix really needs no explanation, especially with his two 'spear' skills.

"Phryne and Tammuz shall be the rooks," It was the toad's turn to smirk at me. I guess she is taunting me that she took the piece I wanted. 

As for Tammuz, bro only nodded. 'A quiet guy?' I mean, he was born into slavery, so this might be how he was trained to act.

"The rest of you, alas, are but pawns." Miquella brutally finished.

"Pawn?" Julius, the level 3 Doberman, spoke up. "I think I am more of a rook than Tammuz." She looked back at the slave, who showed no reaction.

Her confidence against the man isn't out of nowhere. She was physically the strongest person in the Ishtar familia beside Phryne and Amal, and her stats show it.

_____________________

Julius

Level 3

Strength: D 543 | Endurance: D 501 | Dexterity: E 403 | Agility: E 498 | Magic: I 3

Fist Strike: I 

Crush: I

Magic: None

Skill: None

_____________________

Yeah, the no skill and no magic make it look bad, but Ishtar and I can see their previous rank stats, and she had managed to reach C in strength each level before leaving up, so her strength is much more than the average level 3.

But then there is Tammuz.

_____________________

Tammuz

Level 3

Strength: C 666 | Endurance: C 693 | Dexterity: C 609 | Agility: C 614 | Magic: I 19

Strong Body: I 

Healing Power: I

Magic: None

Skill 

Shield of Subjugation: The user's strength and endurance are greatly increased when in close proximity to their master. When positioned between their master and a threat, both agility and dexterity are significantly boosted. If both conditions are met—fighting near their master while directly facing danger—their overall stats receive an additional boost.

_____________________

I guess he was more of a slave for protection than a sex slave. That skill is 100% fitted for someone with the Rook name. She can't compete at all. And if we look at their last stats before leveling up,

Tammuz reached B in all stats but magic before leveling up every single time.

Bro was trained for protection, even his development ability says it. He is even more of a rook than Phryne.

"You can challenge him for the position if you want," Ishtar smiled, "No, you too fight." I guess she is getting bored.

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

College is a wild place man. My roommate got laced. I wasn't too close with the guy, so I hope I don't get questioned by the police or something.

As for the chess idea, I got it from Highschool DXD. Nice, isn't it? And for the last three pieces, I was thinking Tione and Tiona as this would be around the time they enter the city and start challenging people before getting beaten by Gareth and Finn and join Loki. As Amazoness and their 'bloody' personality before the character development they got in Loki, they will fit right in with Ishtar, but not really sure.

Then the third person, I don't know. Give me your ideas.