The Walk of Faith (or Desperation)
The street narrowed as I walked. The noise of Main Street dulled behind me, replaced by something warmer, older. The stone here was darker—worn smooth by decades of boots, spilled drinks, and bad decisions.
Lantern light replaced the bright magic lamps of Main. Softer. More intimate.
My heart started pounding.
Oh.
This felt right.
I walked a little faster—and then I heard it.
Laughter.
Real laughter. Not polite. Not fake. The kind that came from full stomachs and temporary peace. The kind people only managed when they forgot the Dungeon existed for half a second.
The glow hit next. Warm light spilling through wide windows like liquid gold. Wooden doors scarred and dented from years of abuse. A sign swinging gently overhead in the evening breeze.
I stopped walking.
My breath caught.
The letters were burned deep into the wood, unmistakable, perfect:
Hostess of Fertility
I stared at it like I'd found the Holy Grail.
"I made it," I whispered.
Somewhere in my soul, a choir of angels sang the opening credits theme.
I reached for the door handle—
—and hesitated.
What if they kicked me out?
What if I said something stupid?
What if Mama Mia took one look at me and decided I was too broke to exist?
"...No." I shook my head. "I didn't get isekai'd into DanMachi just to chicken out at the best location in the entire series."
I squared my shoulders.
Took a breath.
And pushed the door open.
The Tavern That Broke My Brain
Heat and noise crashed into me like a wave.
The smell of grilled meat, alcohol, sweat, and comfort wrapped around my face instantly. Tables packed tight with adventurers—some armored, some bandaged, all alive. Mugs clinked. Conversations roared. Someone was singing off-key in the corner.
It was perfect.
And then—
Movement.
Behind the counter.
Green hair tied back in a neat ponytail. Calm posture. Sharp, intelligent eyes that scanned the room like a predator tracking prey.
Lyu Lion.
I stopped dead.
"Oh gods," I breathed. "She's real."
Not anime-real. Not distant or two-dimensional. Here. Close enough to see the faint tension in her shoulders. Close enough to feel the way the room's pressure subtly bent around her presence like she was a gravity well.
Behind her, darting between tables like a hyperactive missile—
"Welcome nya~! Sit anywhere, nya~!"
Anya Fromel zoomed past me, cat tail flicking, tray balanced effortlessly with three mugs and a plate of fries. I nearly tripped over my own feet just watching her move.
At another table, leaning against a chair with lazy confidence—
Sharp green eyes. Sly smile. Posture that screamed 'I could steal your wallet and you'd thank me.'
Chloe Lolo.
And there—leaning against the counter, soft expression, kind eyes that somehow felt too knowing—
Syr Flova.
I swallowed hard.
I was not built for this.
"Oi."
The room shifted.
Conversations dipped half a note. Muscles tensed. Even the drunk guy in the corner stopped singing.
Behind the counter stood a mountain of a woman. Arms crossed. Shoulders like boulders. Gaze heavy enough to pin me to the floor and make me reconsider every life choice that led me here.
The goddess of giants.
Mama Mia.
I straightened so fast my spine cracked.
"S-Sorry!" I blurted. "First time! I mean—first time here! I mean—first time alive today! Which is—good! Very good! I'm very grateful!"
She stared.
The entire tavern stared.
I could feel my soul trying to evacuate my body.
Then—
She snorted.
"Sit. Eat. Pay. Don't cause trouble."
Relief flooded through me so hard I nearly collapsed.
"Yes ma'am! Absolutely ma'am! Thank you, ma'am!"
I practically sprinted to the nearest empty seat and sat down so fast the chair scraped loudly across the floor.
Silence.
Then the tavern went back to normal like nothing happened.
I exhaled.
Holy shit.
I survived Mama Mia.
The Realization
As I sat there, heart still racing, warmth settling into my bones, the smell of food making my stomach scream with joy—
I realized something important.
Something fundamental.
I wasn't a viewer anymore.
I wasn't a fan theorizing from behind a screen, shouting at characters to make better choices, crying over spoilers at 3 AM.
I was here.
In Orario.
In the Hostess of Fertility.
Alive, about to be fed, and one wrong sentence away from getting thrown through a wall by the most terrifying restaurant owner in anime history.
And honestly?
Best isekai landing ever.