Chapter 3:

Marilda stood before the towering wall, its surface carved with the likeness of Andrius' head. The wolf's symbol glowed faintly as she pressed her palm against it, pale blue light spreading across the stone like veins of ice. Then, without warning, her hand passed straight through.

She tilted her head. A hidden passage?

Without hesitation, she stepped forward.

The world shifted.

Inside was an endless white expanse—featureless, sterile, and unnervingly empty. No sky, no ground, just boundless brightness stretching infinitely in every direction.

"So this is where Andrius once resided… the waiting room for challengers of his trial," Liam mused through Marilda's lips. The space lacked warmth, lacked life. It was too empty.

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Well… I guess it's mine now. Might as well make it home.

Her body shimmered and stretched, silver hair dissolving into a mane of frost and her frame growing vast until she once again stood as the wolf king himself. Liam exhaled through Andrius' jaws, a great yawn echoing in the empty chamber. His body wasn't tired, but his human mind insisted it was bedtime. Strange. Perhaps Andrius never truly needed sleep. At least I haven't lost that part of myself yet.

He lowered himself onto the featureless white "floor," but frowned. White upon white. Even with eyes closed, the brightness pressed against him.

"…Could use a little less light."

The space obeyed. As if the system had been listening all along, the sterile white melted into a calming black, like the night sky stripped of stars. Liam chuckled, his massive head dipping in approval.

"Good. That's better. Goodnight."

When he woke the next day, the world outside the chamber greeted him with familiar presences.

Padding out of the void, Liam leapt to the cliffside edge of the trial grounds. Below, the alpha wolf—the scarred one he had blessed days prior—sat at attention, guarding the ruins. Around him, the pack had grown. Twice, perhaps three times as many wolves as before prowled the arena's perimeter, their golden eyes fixed reverently on their king.

The alpha noticed him first. Rising, he padded forward and bowed low, radiating both loyalty and intent.

Through their unspoken bond, Liam caught the meaning clearly enough. Let us guard this place. Let us serve you.

The great wolf's voice rolled through the ruins like distant thunder. "Very well."

The pack howled their joy, tails raised, their devotion palpable. To them, serving him was not duty it was worship. And Liam, pragmatic as ever, saw no reason to refuse. It was better to leave guardians behind than return one day to find the ruin occupied by lesser monsters.

Still, he gave them rules. "This is no ordinary ruin. It is a trial. Some will come to challenge it. Do not kill unless they seek to kill you first. Do not drive them away needlessly. Allow only those worthy to step forward."

The alpha bowed deeply, and the wolves chorused their assent.

Satisfied, Liam turned away, leaping back toward the heart of his domain. Hunger did not touch him in this form, yet a peculiar craving gnawed at the back of his mind. Something sweet would be nice… maybe fruit. Surely this forest has something.

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Three days passed.

He tested Andrius' abilities relentlessly, learning to use it perfectly as if they were extensions of himself. At present, the massive wolf sat within the arena, gazing at a phantom replica of himself—a conjured illusion born from his own power.

It was Andrius. And yet not. A copy bound to his will, moving at his command.

He had experimented further, even allowing wolves to touch the Wolf's Gravestone. The system recognized the trial's activation, but no boss appeared automatically. The realization dawned on him, the trial wasn't self-running. For it to function, he had to step forward as the challenge.

A hassle, really. He wouldn't want fight every adventurer that came knocking. And so, he create the phantom.

"Clever, Liam," he murmured to himself, amused by his own ingenuity. "An autopilot version of me."

With a flicker of thought, the illusion dissolved into mist. He wouldn't rely on it just yet. Better to savor the thrill of combat himself at least until the novelty wore off.

When it did, the phantom would take his place.

Until then, the wolf king himself will waited.

But.

Boredom gnawed at Liam like an old, persistent ache.

For three days, he had lingered in the ruins, testing Andrius’s powers, conjuring phantoms, and commanding the wolves that now treated him as their lord. Yet nothing new stirred within the desolate lands.

He sighed heavily, the sound rumbling from his lupine chest like distant thunder. So much strength… and yet nothing to do with it.

In the modern world, he had always complained about laggy Wi-Fi or buffering videos. Now, he would have killed for even the worst internet connection. No TV, no phone, no streaming platforms—just endless wilderness. For the first time since arriving in this world, Liam felt the price of his transformation. The cost of power wasn’t blood or suffering—it was losing the simple comforts of the life he once knew.

He lay down, head resting on his forepaws, drifting through memories of his past life. The glow of screens. The hum of a city. The taste of sweets and the chatter of friends. Nostalgia… how cruel you are.

But his reverie shattered when an explosion boomed not far from the ruins.
Liam’s ears pricked instantly, his massive head turning toward the sound. His sharp eyes cut through the distance. A battle. Sparks of steel, bursts of magic—and at its heart, his wolves.

With a growl, Liam leapt, his body slicing through the air in a blur of fur and muscle.

The scene unfolded quickly: the Alpha wolf clashed against two women, one with fiery red hair—Alise Lovell and the other with a composed, guarded expression Gojouno Kaguya. Surrounding them, the rest of the Astraea Familia struggled as wolves pressed them back, their circle tightening.

The Alpha’s voice boomed like rolling stone.

“Humans. Why have you trespassed upon this sacred ground?”

Alise faltered mid-swing, eyes widening. “It… it can talk?”

Kaguya’s stance tightened, unease flickering across her face. This was no ordinary monster—its aura was suffocating, its intelligence undeniable.

“Answer me!” the Alpha snarled, patience thinning, his growl sending tremors across the ruins.

Around them, Astraea Familia’s adventurers shifted uneasily, weapons raised but hands trembling. Ryuu whispered under her breath, “This is… bad. Those wolves are at least Level Two or Three. And that one—” her gaze flicked to the towering Alpha, scarred and proud—“its strength rivals even Captain Alise’s… or more.”

The tension thickened, blades ready to meet fangs. Yet before violence could erupt, a calm, steady voice rang from the rear.

“That will be enough.”

The goddess Astraea stepped forward, her presence like a breeze in spring, soft yet commanding. The Alpha froze, his golden eyes locking on hers.

“The air around you…” His voice rumbled with reverence. “It carries a weight. Familiar… majestic. Are you a goddess, among these mortals?”

Astraea’s eyes widened, surprise flitting across her face. She hadn’t expected such awareness, much less reverence, from a beast. These creatures… could they truly be servants of another divine being?

“Yes,” she admitted softly, “I am.”

The Alpha bowed his head slightly, scarred muzzle lowering. “Then wait here, goddess. I shall call upon my lord.”

Before Astraea could respond, a voice deeper than mountains rolled through the ruins.

“There is no need.”

The wolves parted as shadows fell upon them. Liam descended, his titanic wolf form blotting out the light. Thirty-two feet tall, fifty feet from muzzle to tail, his body cast an overwhelming presence that made even seasoned adventurers stiffen where they stood.

The adventurers of Astraea Familia felt their blood run cold. The oppressive weight of presence crushed their hearts, leaving only awe and fear.

Liam’s gaze swept lazily across them before settling on Astraea herself. His thoughts stirred as recognition dawned. That face…Her name should be Astraea right?. Am I truly in the world of Danmachi? Gods walking among mortals, they adopt children fighting in dungeons?

By the composition of her familia, this must be years before the story he knew. Perhaps seven, perhaps more. But what did she want with him? Had he offense her unknowingly?

His voice rolled low, calm but resonant. “What does a goddess such as you seek from me?”

To the adventurers, it sounded arrogant an ancient beast mocking divinity itself. Yet Astraea only tilted her head, measuring him with quiet curiosity.

“Perhaps,” she said gently, “this conversation would be better held in a more suitable place.”

Liam considered, eyes sweeping across the wolves, the ruins, the adventurers trembling under his shadow. Then he nodded.

“Hm. Very well.”

He turned, each heavy step shaking the earth, and began leading the way back to his trial grounds. Astraea followed without hesitation, her familia hurrying to close ranks around her, their faces pale but resolute.

Only the Alpha remained near Liam’s flank, silent and vigilant, as the goddess of justice walked into the domain of the wolf lord.

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When they reached the trial grounds, Liam slowed to a halt. Turning toward Astraea, his massive lupine form radiated both weight and calm authority.

“This place should serve better than the ruins outside,” he rumbled, voice echoing softly against the white walls of the domain. “My apologies—I have little prepared to welcome a goddess to my dwelling. For now, we must speak here as it is.”

Astraea inclined her head, her voice warm with courtesy. “Then I must also apologize, for arriving without warning.”

Liam nodded once, satisfied. “Then tell me—what is it you wish to discuss?”

Instead of answering directly, Astraea’s lips curved in a gentle smile. “First, a small courtesy. Allow my children to prepare a table for us.”

Liam tilted his massive head, eyes narrowing with faint curiosity. He followed her gaze as Alise stepped forward at her goddess’s signal, quickly directing the adventurers to set out chairs and a table. Soon, the faint scent of steeped tea and baked goods drifted through the air. Liam blinked, surprised, then turned his eyes back toward Astraea.

“…Very well,” he murmured.

Within moments, the space held a modest arrangement: two chairs, a small table, cups of steaming tea, and a plate of simple biscuits and sweets. Though meant for mortals, the presentation carried an air of care that even Liam could appreciate.

Astraea seated herself gracefully, leaving the opposite chair empty, an unspoken invitation.

Liam’s blue eyes lingered on the tea and sweets, and for a moment his stomach tightened in longing. Fruits had been his only sustenance these past days. To see true delicacies again… he nearly drooled at the sight.

Astraea noticed, but her expression remained composed. “Would you care to join me for tea, before we discuss deeper matters?”

For several heartbeats, Liam said nothing. Then, with a low exhale, he inclined his head. “I would.”

His form shimmered, silver light rippling across his fur. The massive wolf shrank, limbs twisting until a tall figure emerged. Where once had stood a beast of legend now sat Marilda—silver-haired, dressed in a sleeveless white gown, her golden eyes bright and sharp.

The adventurers froze.

“Am I… dreaming?” whispered Lyra, her pink hair falling into her wide eyes.

“No dream,” muttered Kaguya, though her grip on her weapon slackened in awe.

Alise exhaled heavily. “This is why one must never judge by appearances,” she said, though her tone was softer than usual, as if reassuring herself.

Ryuu gave a short nod. “As expected of our captain.”

Kaguya’s lips quirked. “Strange… weren’t you the one who said this being must surely be some grumpy old man in disguise?”

Alise flushed and coughed loudly, averting her eyes. “A-hem.”

The tension eased into nervous laughter among the younger adventurers, though their eyes never left the silver-haired woman seated opposite their goddess.

Astraea lifted her cup, sipping with measured grace, studying Marilda across the rim. Yes—this presence, this otherworldly aura… this was the spirit her familia had been searching for these last three days.

Marilda, for her part, tried to maintain a composed expression. But beneath the surface, her thoughts screamed only one thing: Cookies! She bit into a biscuit, her lips pressing together as the buttery sweetness spread across her tongue. For the first time in days, her chest tightened with something dangerously close to happiness. Civilization… how I’ve missed you.

Setting the cup down carefully, she turned her gaze toward Astraea, expression sharpening. Enough distractions. Let’s hear what this goddess wants.

Astraea noticed the shift in her eyes and set her own cup aside.

“Allow me to introduce myself properly,” she said, her voice smooth as still water. “I am Astraea, goddess of justice. You may call me Astraea, if you wish.”

Marilda inclined her head politely. “And I am Marilda. You may call me so.”

There was a pause, filled only by the faint clink of porcelain as the wind stirred their table.

“Then,” Astraea continued, her expression turning earnest, “may I speak plainly?”

Marilda leaned back slightly, her golden eyes unwavering. “You may.”

The goddess held her gaze without flinching. “Would you consider joining my familia?”

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p.s i mistyped her name her name before it should be marilda not merilda huhuhu