Chapter 9: The Smithing God, Hephaestus
Hestia saw the words Liam had left on the cowhide paper after she woke up, and at that moment, she felt particularly gratified.
She genuinely felt that meeting him and bringing Liam back to the Familia was the most correct decision she had ever made!
Besides that, she was more worried about his safety. A new adventurer exploring the Dungeon alone, with no teammates to look out for him.
Even while working.
Hestia's thoughts were completely elsewhere. It wasn't until Liam safely and smoothly finished his Dungeon adventure that the tightly wound string in her heart finally loosened.
Looking at the seriousness in the young man's pure eyes.
Even though it wasn't time to get off work yet, she still nodded, "This is a celebratory banquet for Liam-kun's first adventure. I must attend!"
"But you have to wait for me first."
"No problem."
She probably wanted to ask Hephaestus for leave. Liam, of course, had no objections. It was a good opportunity to browse Orario's best weapon shop.
The Sword Soul class was, in a sense, a weapon master.
Tachi, greatsword, short sword, blunt weapon, and even lightsaber – all could produce different combat effects when paired with Secret Sword Art.
He had already verified this in the Dungeon.
Once his financial situation allowed, if he could use Hestia's connections to find Tsubaki of the Hephaestus Familia to forge a few weapons.
And customize a weapon case, he would have more combat options when facing different types of monsters!
It was just that he felt a slight pain when he saw the prices. None of the weapons displayed in the window were priced below a million Valis.
Even the weapons hanging on the wall were priced in the hundreds of thousands.
"A bit expensive..."
"But if I'm not mistaken, some of these should have been forged by Tsubaki, and another Familia member, Welf, right?"
Looking at the dazzling array of weapons before him, Liam didn't think they were all forged by Hephaestus. His gaze finally locked onto an inconspicuous short sword on the wall.
It was the same style as the weapon he was currently using.
After all, they were all hand-forged. Upon closer inspection, he could see the difference in the pattern on the blade. The nameplate hanging next to it displayed the price.
Price: 130,000 Valis.
"Assuming..."
"If I use two short swords in a dual-wielding style, will every slash of Secret Sword Art carry sword aura?"
Looking at the weapon whose price wasn't particularly out of reach, this thought sprouted in Liam's mind. Reality didn't operate according to game rules.
Otherwise, there would be many things that couldn't be reasonably explained.
For example, why could using one tachi achieve a dual-wielding effect with Secret Sword Art? In the end.
The "Sword Soul Template" only provided a path.
How to specifically use it still depended on his own development. Maybe there would indeed be unexpected effects?
Normally, Hephaestus would usually stay at the main store, but today was different, mainly because of Hestia.
This close friend from the heavens had changed a lot recently.
The stereotype was that she had descended to the lower world half a year ago and freeloaded at her place. This fellow's behavior could be considered lazing around and sponging off others.
She didn't develop her Familia, let alone go to work.
Just three months ago.
Unable to bear it any longer, Hephaestus had kicked her out. Although she still came over to scrounge food and drinks occasionally.
She didn't fuss over such minor details.
Later, Hestia recruited a dependant and even came specifically to explain the situation to her. Was she perhaps very satisfied with the dependant's talent?
Occasionally, when passing by North Main Street.
Hephaestus could still see her working at the fried potato stall. Then, just last night, she had run over to beg her.
Hoping to buy a weapon on credit, as a gift for her dependant.
As for the method of repayment, it was to work at the understaffed weapon shop branch, using three months to pay off this debt.
"Hestia."
"What are you up to again?"
Looking at the reserved figure standing before her desk, Hephaestus, with her crimson hair and an eyepatch over her right eye.
A hint of suspicion flashed in her left eye.
"Um... I'd like to request leave for tonight." Asking for leave right after starting work, thinking of the solemn promise she had made to work hard to repay the debt, Hestia's face flushed with a bit of shame.
But when she mentioned the reason for her leave, her tone was filled with unconcealable gratification, "Liam-kun completed his Dungeon exploration perfectly smoothly today."
"And he wants to take me out for a celebratory meal."
"He's here?"
"That's right."
After receiving an affirmative answer, Hephaestus also felt a bit curious about the "Liam" Hestia spoke of.
To be able to change this fellow's way of doing things in such a short time.
She was really curious about this dependant, Liam. Slowly rising from the sofa, she was much taller than Hestia when she walked beside her.
She wore a white shirt paired with black trousers, and black over-the-knee high-heeled boots.
"Let's go."
Hephaestus stretched lazily, her tone carrying a magnetism unique to an older sister figure, "Let me see just how outstanding this child is."
"To make you willingly work here."
Stepping out of the branch office.
Her gaze fell on the young man's figure not far away, lingering at the weapon counter. The weapon before him was the one Hestia had bought on credit.
Hestia, following closely behind, worried that Liam wouldn't recognize Hephaestus. She waved her hand and proactively introduced, "Liam-kun."
"This is Hephaestus, also the goddess of the Hephaestus Familia. The weapon you have was forged by her dependant."
"."
Regarding the woman standing next to Hestia, Liam, of course, knew her identity – the god of fire and smithing in ancient Greek mythology.
Mainly, he hadn't expected their first meeting to be under such circumstances.
He put away his smile, his expression serious as he greeted, "Lady Hephaestus."
"."
Hephaestus nodded lightly in response, simultaneously observing Liam closely. A handsome Far Eastern face with black hair.
What made her a little concerned was that Liam's crimson eyes were somewhat eerie.
As it involved the other party's privacy, Hephaestus didn't ask, speaking casually, "I often hear this one talk about you."
"Even the weapon you're using now, Hestia bought it even by going into debt."
"There's no need to tell Liam-kun about this." Hestia's cheeks burned; she didn't want Liam to know about this.
Hephaestus's expression remained unchanged, waiting for Liam's reply.
"Lady Hephaestus, I will save up enough money to buy the weapon as soon as possible during this period and repay the debt for this weapon."
Even for a god, normal weapon shops couldn't offer credit.
The weapon Hephaestus provided was an angel investment in his Dungeon adventure. Liam didn't see it as a gift.
After deducting living expenses, once he saved enough Valis, he could help Hestia repay the debt.
It was a relatively satisfactory answer. At the very least, Liam had a responsible personality. If he were to take the god's efforts for granted.
No matter how talented he was, Hephaestus wouldn't give him a second glance. "The price of the weapon isn't high, but paying for it."
"Is a sign of respect for the smith's labor."
"Mm."
Considering it as offering help, she said casually, "If the weapon sustains minor damage, you can go to the main store and find Welf."
"He will help you."
"As for you," Hephaestus finished, then looked at Hestia standing beside her, feeling as if there was an unbreakable ill-fated bond.
She often found herself unconsciously taking care of this fellow.
She waved her hand helplessly, "Hestia, that's all for work today."
(End of this chapter)