Danmachi: Strongest Familia

Of all the heroes in Zaun, it seemed fortune had granted Janna the rogues of the bunch.

If there was any silver lining, it was that Zaun's two finest alchemists had been summoned as part of the new Familia. Renata Glasc, with her rare gift for business, might prove especially useful. And Sol won't have to worry about these guys.

Only a deity as unconventional as Janna could manage to keep the unruly residents of Zaun in line. If someone like Kayle were in charge, these heroes would receive a swift dose of justice rather than an invitation to join the Familia.

Janna now saw the necessity of a large Familia residence; with so many scientists and alchemists, a single research institute wouldn't suffice. Alchemists from Zaun often created unpredictable, even dangerous, concoctions—add to that the explosive personalities of Jinx and Mundo, and the need became even clearer.

Sol, meanwhile, had initially planned to add a couple of mild-mannered members to his Familia. But upon seeing Janna's new additions, he decided against it; no matter who he might recruit, Riveria would likely have them removed. Better to live peacefully and steer clear of any undue trouble.

In his mind's eye, he already saw the strain this group would bring to Janna.

"Are these the four?" she asked.

In the waiting room, four heroes with "troublemaker" practically written on their faces stood together.

Seeing them all, Janna's normally composed expression finally showed a flicker of emotion—a mix of resignation and helplessness. She had no dislike for them, but she did worry that managing these lively souls would be a challenge.

The formerly quiet lounge quickly came alive with their arrival. Renata and Singed, at least, maintained a cool demeanor, but Jinx and Mundo were full of boundless, chaotic energy. It was as if they could barely stand still, and she could easily imagine Jinx producing a grenade out of nowhere to "liven up" the room.

"Well, you have your Familia residence now, Janna. Why not take them back to get acquainted with it?" Sol suggested, eager to shift responsibility.

Seeing his reluctance, Janna made no effort to bestow her blessings on these newcomers just yet. "Before we part, I do need your assistance with one other matter," she said, picking up on Sol's urgency to be rid of them.

As Zaun's god, she was well aware of these "problem children" and their troubled histories. Resolving their issues would take time, but for now, she had a more immediate concern.

"Oh? What is it?"

She replied without hesitation. "I lack the funds and resources necessary to properly develop my Familia."

Sol's gaze turned wary. Had she learned these negotiation tactics from Morgana?

"So, Sol-sama, I hope to borrow some funds," she continued, "as I'll need to provide weapons or alchemical tools for my Familia."

"Small matters," Sol agreed with a reluctant nod. "I'll send Valis to you tomorrow. Ziggs should be able to supply Jinx's gear, and as for alchemical tools, they can find them at the market."

Mundo, with his raw physicality, hardly required specialized equipment; any weapon from the warehouse would suffice. But Jinx, as a gun expert, posed a different challenge—Orario wasn't exactly overflowing with firearms. Heimerdinger could theoretically create some, yet Sol had no intention of popularizing firearms, not when it would only empower other Familia.

Adding Jinx to the mix was already a wildcard. She was a walking arsenal, eccentric but undeniably gifted in weapon design—a kindred spirit to Ziggs. But now, with Heimerdinger involved, Jinx's arsenal might reach new heights, and her strength could grow considerably if her weaponry advanced.

Meanwhile, Singed and Renata, as alchemists, relied less on brute force. They were leaders in their fields, skilled enough to work independently. Different alchemists had unique preferences, after all; it was best they gathered supplies to suit their needs.

---

By the following day, Janna escorted her new Familia members to the Guild, hoping they'd make a smooth entrance.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—what's this? The Guild?" Jinx exclaimed, glancing around with wide-eyed curiosity.

"Keep it down, Jinx. Maybe Mundo can treat that hyperactivity of yours," Singed commented dryly.

"Sick? Mundo heals all!" Mundo chimed in enthusiastically.

"Enough, you're wasting my time," Renata muttered, clearly unamused.

The four of them stood out, each sporting distinct, unconventional appearances. Mundo's and Renata's faces alone would have drawn stares; neither looked like a typical human. Their animated conversation paid no heed to the adventurers and Guild staff around them, treating the crowd as if it didn't exist.

Singed's remark caught Mundo's attention, and he immediately turned to Jinx. She, in turn, raised her pistol without hesitation, pointed it at Mundo's head, and fired twice. The sharp gunshots startled the early-morning patrons, and though few had heard this sound before, an instinctual fear spread through the room.

When the gunfire ceased, two symmetrical bullet holes graced Mundo's cheeks, giving his rugged face an odd sort of balance.

"Attacking a comrade? Oh, I'm just playing!" Jinx smirked, twirling her gun.

Whispers spread through the Guild. "Are they really in the same Familia? And fighting here in the Guild?"

Amid the astonished murmurs, the scars on Mundo's face began healing, sealing themselves at a speed visible to the naked eye. In mere moments, his skin looked as if it had never been touched.