The note Liang Yue had left on the kraft paper was the first thing Hestia saw when she woke up, and it had deeply warmed her heart.
From the bottom of her heart, she felt that meeting him—and bringing Liang Yue into her Familia—had been the best decision she'd ever made.
More than anything, though, she worried about his safety. A rookie adventurer heading into the Dungeon alone, without a party to watch his back…
Even while she was working her part-time jobs, her mind had been elsewhere. Only after Liang Yue returned safely from his Dungeon dive did the tension in her heart finally ease.
Looking at the earnest expression in his pure eyes,
Even though it wasn't yet the end of her shift, she still nodded. "This is Liang Yue‑kun's first adventure celebration—we have to go!"
"But you'll have to wait for me a bit."
"No problem."
She was probably planning to ask Hephaestus for leave, and Liang Yue didn't mind. It gave him a chance to browse Orario's best weapon shop.
As a Sword Soul, he was something of a weapon master.
Katanas, greatswords, shortswords, blunt weapons, even lightsabers—paired with his Inner Ghost Swordsmanship, each weapon type could produce a different combat effect.
He'd already tested this in the Dungeon.
Once his finances allowed, if he could use Hestia's connections to have Tsubaki of the Hephaestus Familia craft him a few weapons…
A custom weapon case would allow him to adapt to different monsters with a variety of strategies.
The only issue was the price—every weapon in the display window was over a million valis.
Even those hanging on the walls were going for several hundred thousand.
"Pretty expensive…"
"But if I'm right, some of these were probably forged by Tsubaki or another member of the Familia, Welf."
Browsing the dazzling array, Liang Yue didn't think any of them were made personally by Hephaestus. His gaze finally settled on a short sword hanging inconspicuously on the wall.
It was the same type as the one he currently used.
Being handmade, the blade's pattern was slightly different upon closer inspection. The nameplate beside it read:
Price: 130,000 valis
"What if…
"I dual‑wielded short swords, and every slash of my Inner Ghost Swordsmanship carried a sword aura?"
It was a tempting thought—the price wasn't impossibly far from reach—but reality didn't follow game logic.
Otherwise, there were plenty of things he couldn't reasonably explain.
Like, why using one katana with Inner Ghost Swordsmanship could produce a dual‑wield effect.
In the end, the Sword Soul Template only provided a path.
How far he took it depended on his own development—who knew, maybe he really could pull off some unexpected results.
Normally, Hephaestus spent her time in the main store, but today was different—because of Hestia.
Her old friend from the heavens had recently changed quite a bit.
Half a year ago, she had come down to the lower world and lived in Hephaestus's home. Back then, her behavior could be summed up as lazy and indulgent.
She hadn't developed her Familia, and she certainly hadn't worked.
Three months ago, Hephaestus had finally had enough and kicked her out.
Though she still occasionally came by to freeload meals, Hephaestus hadn't made a fuss about those little things.
Later, when Hestia finally recruited a child, she even came to tell her—clearly pleased with the talent her new Familia member had.
Sometimes, passing through North Main Street, Hephaestus would see her working at the fried potato stall.
Then, just last night, Hestia had come to her with a request—
She wanted to buy a weapon on credit, as a gift for her child.
The payment plan was that she would work for three months at the short‑staffed branch store to pay off the debt.
"Hestia," Hephaestus asked, eyeing her standing there nervously in front of the desk, her crimson hair framing the eyepatch over her right eye, a hint of doubt in her visible left.
"What is it this time?"
"Uh… I'd like to take tonight off."
Asking for leave right after starting a job—considering how she had promised so confidently to work hard to repay the debt—was a little embarrassing.
But when she explained the reason, her voice couldn't hide the warmth in it. "Liang Yue‑kun had a completely successful Dungeon run today.
"And he wants to take me out for dinner to celebrate."
"He's here?"
"That's right."
Hearing that, Hephaestus felt a bit curious about this "Liang Yue" Hestia spoke of.
Anyone who could change her behavior so quickly… she wanted to see for herself.
Rising from the sofa, she stood beside Hestia, her tall frame clad in a white blouse, black trousers, and black over‑the‑knee heeled boots.
"Let's go."
Stretching lazily, her voice carried the mature allure of an older sister. "Let me see just what kind of outstanding child could make you willingly work here."
Leaving the branch office, her gaze soon landed on the boy standing at the counter, examining a weapon—the very same one Hestia had bought on credit.
Following close behind, Hestia waved a hand to introduce them before Liang Yue could be confused.
"Liang Yue‑kun, this is Hephaestus, the goddess of the Hephaestus Familia. The weapon you're using now was made by her child."
…
Of course, Liang Yue knew exactly who she was—the Greek god of fire and forging.
He just hadn't expected their first meeting to be under these circumstances.
He put away his smile and greeted her seriously. "Lady Hephaestus."
…
Hephaestus gave a small nod in reply, studying him closely. His black hair and refined Far Eastern features were striking—but what caught her attention most were his unsettling crimson eyes.
She didn't ask about them—it was his private matter—and instead said casually, "I hear this one mention you all the time.
"Even the weapon you're using now—Hestia insisted on buying it, even if it meant going into debt."
"That's not something you have to tell him!" Hestia's cheeks flushed. She didn't want Liang Yue knowing that.
Hephaestus's expression remained neutral, waiting for Liang Yue's response.
"Lady Hephaestus, I'll save up the money for this weapon as soon as I can, and repay the debt for it."
Even if she was a goddess, a weapon shop wouldn't normally allow purchases on credit.
He saw the weapon as an angel investment in his Dungeon career, not as a gift.
After covering living costs, he would save enough valis to pay Hestia's debt.
That was a satisfactory answer—at least it showed Liang Yue had a sense of responsibility. If he had just accepted a god's favor as a matter of course, no matter how talented he was, Hephaestus would have had no interest in him.
"The weapon isn't expensive, but paying for it is a way of respecting the smith's work."
"Understood."
Deciding to at least offer a bit of help, she added casually, "If the weapon ever suffers minor damage, go to the main store and find Welf.
"He'll fix it for you."
Then she looked back at Hestia standing beside her, feeling that their fates were oddly intertwined—she always ended up taking care of this one without meaning to.
With a small wave of her hand, she said helplessly, "Hestia, your work is done for today."
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