Danmachi- The Heroic Legend of Emiya!

Chapter 6: Shirou's Part-Time Job

After Shirou had gotten up early to train his projection magic for about one or two hours, Hestia and Bell finally woke up.

Their waking time wasn't actually late—in fact, it was quite early, just after dawn.

This highlighted just how excessively early Shirou had gotten up.

It was a habit Shirou had long maintained. Back when he lived in the Emiya residence, he would train his magic in the shed before sunrise.

Sometimes, he even practiced strengthening magic through the entire night and forgot to sleep.

Now, he simply kept up that same routine.

"Well then, Lady Hestia, Emiya-nii, I'm heading to the dungeon first!"

Bell, having finished preparing his equipment, excitedly headed off to the dungeon.

Calling it "equipment" was generous—he only had a visibly worn-out dagger.

The boy didn't have any quality weapon, nor did he wear proper armor.

This was because the Hestia Familia was currently in dire straits and couldn't afford any spare funds to buy Bell better gear.

Despite such terrible conditions, Bell didn't complain at all. Instead, he looked full of spirit and headed toward the dungeon with strong conviction.

His goal was to earn money to pay for Shirou's medical treatment.

To Bell, that objective was more important than any powerful item.

Watching the boy's retreating figure, Shirou couldn't help but sigh.

If he could, he genuinely wanted to go with Bell to the dungeon. At the very least, monsters like the Minotaur would be no problem for him.

Unfortunately, Shirou was well aware of his injuries. If they encountered a stronger monster he might become a burden to Bell instead.

"Don't worry. That child is really amazing!"

Seeing Shirou's concern, Hestia offered words of comfort.

"Indeed. He's quite skilled… at running away."

Shirou recalled how Bell had run from the Minotaur across more than ten blocks. If he hadn't hit a dead end, he might really have escaped.

"Well, he has been called 'Rabbit' since he was a child."

Hestia chuckled awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed that her Familia's most notable talent was evasion.

Shirou quickly changed the subject, asking Hestia, "Is there anything I can do? I really can't just rely on you and Bell."

"This…"

In the dungeon city of Orario, a god's follower typically had only one duty: enter the dungeon, defeat monsters, and earn money.

But such a vast city naturally had more professions than just dungeon adventurers.

There were also many other roles—blacksmiths who made equipment, healers who treated injuries, cooks who prepared meals...

Hestia herself was currently working at a food stall, selling snacks to adventurers.

"How about working with me at the food stall?" Hestia suggested after thinking for a moment. Given Shirou's current condition, working at a food stall seemed like one of the few jobs he could manage.

Shirou had no objections and nodded in agreement.

.

.

.

Shirou followed Hestia to a bustling shopping street. The street was full of Orario's residents: bright-eyed adventurers heading to the dungeon, early-rising merchants preparing their goods, and even some travelers from other lands…

Among them were not just humans, but also beastmen, elves, dwarves, and all sorts of unusual demi-humans with strange traits.

Seeing all this, Shirou became even more certain that he was truly in a world completely different from his own.

"Hey, Takemikazuchi, I'm here!"

As Shirou marveled at the unfamiliar world, Hestia approached a food stall and called out.

The owner of the stall was a young-looking man in white clothes, his hair tied into two odd braids, giving him a calm and gentle aura.

"You're here, Hestia. Hm? And this is?"

The man, named Takemikazuchi, looked curiously at Shirou.

Hestia immediately introduced them and explained the situation, allowing Shirou and Takemikazuchi to get to know each other.

Shirou was surprised to learn that this unassuming man was also a god from the heavens and a friend of Hestia's, as well as the owner of the food stall.

Currently, Hestia was working under him as a part-time employee.

"So this young man, Emiya, is your newly recruited follower? And he wants to work here too?"

"That's right."

After Hestia confirmed it, Takemikazuchi looked over Shirou and murmured, "Judging by your name, you seem to be from the Far East? But I've never seen you there."

"The Far East?"

Shirou was puzzled by the comment.

After Hestia explained, he learned that Genkai had a region called the Far East—an island nation with customs and culture very different from the rest of the world, quite similar to Japan where he used to live.

Since Shirou had already accepted that he was in another world, he didn't pay much attention to this "Far East." To him, it was simply a place that resembled his homeland but was fundamentally different.

Takemikazuchi didn't press him about it either, assuming Shirou was just someone from the Far East he'd never encountered before.

After giving Shirou a brief evaluation, he agreed to let him work at the stall.

"Is this really okay?"

Shirou hadn't expected Takemikazuchi to accept him so easily—especially since the stall didn't look very popular and hardly seemed in need of a second helper.

"Haha, Hestia and I are old friends. Of course I'll help her out," Takemikazuchi laughed warmly. "And besides, you're injured, aren't you? Taking care of someone unwell is only natural."

"…I see."

Surprised that Takemikazuchi saw through his injuries immediately, Shirou realized this god was not to be underestimated. He was also very grateful for the man's kindness.

And so, Shirou officially joined Takemikazuchi's food stall and began working earnestly.

However, just as Shirou had suspected earlier, the stall didn't get much business.

There were simply too many similar food stalls on the street, and Takemikazuchi's snacks had no standout features—the menu and flavors were too plain. Even though adventurers

constantly passed by on their way to the dungeon, only a small number would stop at the stall to buy food.

Despite this situation, Takemikazuchi seemed unbothered. He simply continued to make his modest dishes with care and had Hestia and Shirou sell them.

Seeing all this, Shirou felt a desire to help improve the situation—but he also knew he couldn't rush. He'd wait for the right opportunity to offer his ideas.