My Goddess is a Tsundere

[Bank Unlocked]

"Huh?" The two of them looked at Bane's hand. Silence. Bane turned his attention to the notification that appeared before him as the money disappeared.

"Bank?" muttered an understandably confused Bane. Hearing him mutter something unintelligible under his breath, Eir spoke up.

"What? Where did the money go?" Eir asked, bombarding Bane with questions. Seeing their only hope of improving their living conditions vanish before them only made Eir more panicked.

Bane ignored Eir's pleas and focused on understanding what had just happened. He closed the first notification and checked his status. In the top right corner of the status window, a number now displayed: 1000. Without saying a word, a box opened up explaining what had just happened.

Systems Bank:

An ability specific to this system, it converts physical Shills into virtual currency for ease of access and storage. If you want to withdraw, just think of the amount, and it will appear in your hand. This can be toggled on and off.

Current Status: ON

Bane's mouth hung agape. The gift he had been given—the system—was no longer just an ability for an adventurer. It was affecting the world around him. The idea of converting money into non-physical currency made Bane's head spin.

Withdraw 1000 Shill, Bane thought, and just like that, a 1000 Shill coin appeared in his hand, causing another exclamation from Eir.

"What is happening?" she shouted. With his newfound understanding, Bane decided to share what was going on.

"I got a new ability, if you can call it that. It lets me convert physical Shills into non-physical ones and back, so I don't have to worry about banks or carrying money around." Eir paused, mimicking Bane with her mouth slightly open as she tried to comprehend such an ability.

"Wow. That's incredibly convenient. Did you get anything else while you were in the dungeon?" Eir asked, slightly more relaxed now that their funds were secure.

So, Bane filled her in on the title and the new skill, Threat Analysis.

"That's great, Bane. I know you'll become very strong," Eir said, smiling, though her face started to flush. She quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, how much money did you make?" The two of them kept their hopes low; the last thing they needed was to be disappointed by the spoils.

"1200 Shill. If we're frugal, it'll be enough for a while," Bane said.

"I see. When are you planning on going back to the dungeon?" Eir asked.

"Tomorrow."

"Really? That soon? You look really tired," Eir said, concerned for her adventurer. She'd noticed his fatigue when he first returned. Compared to this morning, he was a shell of himself.

"Yeah, I think getting some food in me and some rest will do the trick," he said, patting his stomach. "And I want to get back into the dungeon. I want to become stronger so we can live comfortably." It was a vow to his goddess.

"Okay. Then how about I go get you some food while you rest?" Eir asked.

"N-No, I couldn't. I'll go and get some food."

"Do you know where to get food in this part of the city?"

Bane paused. He was in a new area, and they had walked through back alleys to Old Grey's. He'd only seen one or two street stands. "No, I don't."

Eir nodded. "Then it's settled. I'll go get us some food. I've explored around and have come to know some good places in the weeks I've been here." Bane was hesitant. It was natural for the recruits of a faction to do all the work, but Eir was actively wanting to help.

"Okay, if you insist," Bane said, accepting her offer. He handed her the money he had obtained.

"I'll be back soon," said an uncharacteristically happy Eir.

This better not be a trick to make me owe her something, Bane thought as he waved goodbye to Eir. When she disappeared from view, he returned to the shoddy building. We need to get a door.

Home renovations were on Bane's mind. There were many things he hoped and planned to do, but without the funds, their life would never improve. "Tomorrow, I'll be back at the dungeon," he muttered, his thoughts escaping his mouth.

With no bed to speak of, Bane laid down on the hard floor next to the fireplace and closed his eyes.

"Hot. Hot. Hot," Eir muttered under her breath as she carried the food she had just purchased in both hands. Two steaming disposable bowls—she had bought a noodle dish from a local stand.

I'm sure Bane will love it! Eir's thoughts screamed as she quickly shuffled down the slum's dirt path. Soon enough, she made it back to the faction building and walked through the open doorframe.

Inside, she carefully maneuvered around the rubble strewn about the house and made it to the back room where she and Bane usually stayed.

"Bane?" she said, peering into the room to find the young adventurer lying face-up on the ground. Thinking the worst, she rushed over.

"Bane!" she said louder, her eyes laser-focused on the unconscious Bane before her. She knelt beside him, setting the two bowls down. Seeing that his breathing was normal, she concluded he was sleeping.

She debated whether to let him sleep or wake him as she stared down at his peaceful, relaxed expression. He's so calm, Eir thought. She'd never seen him like this. She wanted to see more of him this way. She couldn't help but think the happiness he exuded was some kind of front.

She sat, lost in thought, and soon enough, Bane's eyes opened.

What filled his vision was pleasing to him. A concerned Eir peered down at him; her large obsidian eyes met his.

"Is everything okay, Eir?" he said, his face growing hotter. They were so close. Eir, processing what was happening, quickly moved back and stood up, now a few feet away from Bane.

"I was just making sure you were okay. It's not like I was worried or anything!" Eir said, blushing. Her black hair fell into her face from the sudden movement. She fixed her hair and composed herself.

"I got us some noodles from down the road. Is that okay?" she said, a hint of redness still on her face.

"Yes, that's great. Thank you, Eir," Bane said, still practically asleep. He looked to his side and saw a bowl of noodles. They smell so good, Bane thought. It was rare for him to get a nice, warm meal. He would savor this.

And so, the two of them ate next to the fireplace, which Eir had ignited. They finished their meals and sat in an awkward silence for a moment. While Eir felt the pressure of the silence, Bane simply lay there, looking at the ceiling. Part of it had fallen through over time, and he could see a few stars in the night sky above.

With the calming silence and the warmth of the fireplace, Bane drifted back into a deep, well-deserved slumber.

Eir continued sitting in her chair long after Bane fell asleep. She was freezing. The chair was too far from the fire to feel its warmth. Usually, she would sleep next to it, but now Bane was there.

Eir sighed, thinking of the dilemma in her head: freeze to death or join Bane next to the fire. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and tiptoed over to the fireplace, quietly sitting down next to it.

The ground's warmth was alluring to the icy goddess. She let her pride melt away as she sat next to the fire and lay down beside Bane, falling asleep in the warmth.

Bane awoke the next morning to a shocking scene: his goddess, Eir, was within arm's reach, lying on the floor. A peaceful expression was visible on her face, her black hair creating a void against the stone ground.

She's beautiful, Bane admitted. It was unheard of to form a relationship between a human and a god. Though Bane couldn't help but notice her body's features. Until now, Bane had seen Eir only as his goddess and nothing more. He wasn't a lustful creature and would never dare do anything to hurt anyone—he'd experienced too much of that pain while in the slums.

Nonetheless, Bane gazed up and down at the woman across from him. She usually wore an overcoat, but now she no longer did, revealing tight clothes that accentuated her figure. Bane swallowed, feeling guilty for seeing such a display.

He quietly sat up and rubbed his head. He was dirty—everywhere was dirty. In the slums, communal baths existed, but he had heard stories of the elite having warm baths and running water. He envied them now. He just wanted to feel clean. That was a luxury for later, though.

Back to the dungeon, he thought, quietly standing up and making sure Eir didn't wake from her slumber. He walked out of the faction building and joined the rest of the adventurers on their way to the dungeon early in the morning. He was officially one of them—no longer watching from the sidelines.