I Got Reincarnated in Danmachi But Got No Cheats?!

Chapter 2 - The Path Nobody Sees

I never thought signing up for a Familia would be as painful as job hunting.

I mean, I know this world's harsh, full of monsters and politics between gods.

But with all the training and hard work I've been doing for years, I thought at least one god would give me a look and go, "Well, 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 a list of Familias in hand.

The streets were busy with merchants, adventurers, and a group of kids who seemed to be debating whether the rock they found was treasure or just... a rock.

Spoiler: probably just a regular rock, but their enthusiasm deserves a thumbs up.

I had a plan.

Simple but logical.

Step one: prioritize big, established Familias.

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

Step three: get accepted, sleep on soft bed, get nice clothes, then die... uh, I mean go on adventures with epic bravery.

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 that radiated authority like some exclusive jewelry store that doesn't want you touching anything.

The sound of hammers, sparks flying, and the smell of hot metal greeted me like an industrial orchestra that was super serious about their work.

When I walked in, I was greeted by a receptionist who... looked like she could break my neck with just her eyebrows.

"I want to sign up," I said, giving her my standard 'I'm not a beggar, I'm a potential investment' smile.

She scanned my body like she was evaluating raw material that might be defective.

"You got forging experience?"

"I've... held a hammer? Once? To hit a bent nail?"

"...Get out."

Hearing that dismissal I was a bit shocked, wasn't straightening nails with a hammer still hammering?

I was super professional at straightening nails!

But I still got rejected.

That's how it goes.

Short, sweet, and heart-crushing.

Second target: Ganesha Familia.

Because who wouldn't want to be led by a god with an ego the size of a festival and a voice that could be heard in the next country?

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 could watch the neighbor's chickens for three months without losing a single one, but they didn't seem to think that was relevant to handling minotaurs.

"Sorry, we're not currently accepting new members without specialization," they said in a very professional tone.

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

They didn't laugh. Again.

I'm starting to worry about my sense of humor or maybe it's just bad timing.

I tried Takemikazuchi, Miach, Demeter, and even Hermes Familia. Some were too small.

Some weren't interested.

Some... didn't even open the door.

At Hermes Familia, the door opened a crack, someone peeked like they were checking if I was a debt collector, then closed it again while whispering, "not my type."

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

Considering this is Hermes, could be both.

The day kept going, and every rejection felt like a punch to the chest wrapped in a polite smile.

Even though I could smile and joke in my head, the frustration was still piling up like dirty laundry.

It's not because I think I'm amazing. The opposite, actually—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 a guy trying his hardest because... well, there's no other choice.

"If you're not great, at least be stubborn," I once told myself.

But even stubbornness starts to crack when you're hit with rejection after rejection with impressive efficiency.

As evening approached, I sat on a wooden bench near the big fountain, with my body aching and my head slightly dizzy 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 who come to them?" I muttered while staring at the sky that was starting to change colors.

"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, 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 take the risk of dying because of ego.

Not because I'm a coward.

But because I'm human.

Maybe it's because this is my second life that I value life so much.

The sky was turning red when my steps randomly brought me to the outskirts of town.

For some reason, these feet kept walking even though my brain wanted to give up.

Like something was pulling me... or maybe I just didn't want to go home empty-handed with an embarrassing failure story.

And that's where I'm 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 looks like a retirement home going through an existential crisis.

The roof's tilted to the left.

The paint's peeling like sunburned skin.

The cross at the top is even leaning like it's drunk.

But somehow... this place feels warm.

Not because of the atmosphere, but because of something I can't explain.

Maybe it's because this is the home of the goddess of hearth and family? So it feels warm.

I know this place.

The old church.

Hestia's home.

My hand reflexively crumpled the Familia list paper.

I know the story.

At least, the story from my original world.

Hestia Familia, which only had one member: Bell Cranel. A god with no followers, sleeping in a rundown church, eating whatever, but full of spirit.

The classic story about a young guy and a goddess struggling together from zero.

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

I don't know if Bell's already in Orario now.

No signs of his existence.

No news about some newbie 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 through 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 is the only place that didn't kick me out before I even tried. Or maybe, because in this rundown place... my destiny is actually waiting.

And that's where I'm standing.

Me, a young guy with a Familia list in hand, standing in front of a church that's about to collapse, with a smile that's getting tired.

Me, wondering if I have a choice, or if the choice has already chosen me.