Since Loki had already spoken to this extent, and considering his current financial situation, Zephyr really didn't have many choices, so he didn't refuse the goodwill Loki was actively offering.
What weapon to choose?
He didn't have a specific idea yet, but it definitely had to be functional enough to quickly pierce through defenses.
Thinking of this, he replied, "It needs to be sharp enough, and then, it would be best if it could serve as cutlery for processing ingredients. Is that okay?"
It felt a bit strange. Loki couldn't quite imagine the specific type of weapon, but she still nodded and said, "No problem. Do you have any plans for later?"
Zephyr thought about it.
The Dungeon exploration for this period was over, and returning to the surface meant he was heading to rest, plus he had to have a meal with Charles and the others in the evening.
He shook his head and said, "No, I might have a farewell meal with some friends in the evening, and then it's just rest. Tomorrow, I'll continue exploring the Dungeon."
"Alright. Then let's go deal with your weapon issue first. Come with me. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"Thank you, Loki-sama."
"Mm."
As a goddess, Loki naturally had the right to use small amounts of Familia funds. But if she wanted to get a better weapon, the price would definitely increase. She would have to discuss it with Finn.
Loki decided to take her hard-earned private savings and go see Hephaestus. Of course, it also included the idea of showing off. Anyone who could hold back from that would be a god among gods.
She looked at Zephyr and said with a relaxed smile, "Let's go."
— — —
Hephaestus Weapon Shop.
Zephyr certainly knew of this shop. After all, when finishing a Dungeon exploration and heading to the Pantheon, he had to pass by this street every time.
Every time he passed by, he basically just took a hurried glance and left immediately.
The equipment inside, just from the level of refinement he could feel from the outside, were definitely not something he could afford.
'Ordinary weapons must cost at least 1-2 million valis, right?' Zephyr thought to himself.
"Here. This is it."
Loki walked in front and pushed open the door. Immediately after, the hustle and bustle of the shop sounded. There were quite a few Adventurers picking out equipment.
She said, "It's just a transitional weapon. After Finn and the others return from their expedition, we'll have you go and specifically customize a suitable weapon."
"Thank you, Loki-sama."
Zephyr's gaze quickly swept over the weapons displayed in the shop.
The overall atmosphere was very impressive. Swords, spears, and katanas were hung on wooden shelves according to category, and every weapon emitted a distinct metallic sheen. Even just a rough glance was enough to feel the level of craftsmanship during their forging.
He noticed the Adventurers who were picking out equipment and said, "This shop's business is quite good."
Loki nodded. "Of course it is. The only ones in all of Orario that can compare with the quality of the Hephaestus Familia's equipment are the Goibniu Familia."
"Let's go. The boss is in the office deep inside. Let's head over and see her."
Zephyr followed behind Loki.
Beside them stood Lili. Her eyes kept scanning the displayed weapons, her gaze landing on the price tags on the shelves.
Daggers, longswords, and axes—the average price for these started at 500,000 valis, and the more unique the material of the weapon, the more outrageous the price.
For some weapons displayed individually with the note "Second-Class Equipment," the selling price was as high as several million valis.
She thought about the Valis she had saved up and quickly dismissed the idea.
"I'll wait for you outside."
"No problem."
Loki wove through the crowd in the shop and soon arrived in front of an office. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open.
Hephaestus.
She had crimson hair tied into a side ponytail that rested on her right shoulder and an eyepatch covering her right eye.
Just from a simple encounter, Zephyr could feel that she had a personality and style of conduct completely different from Loki's.
Hmm... The same could be said for her figure.
"You're here?" Hephaestus raised her head, her gaze filled with scrutiny.
So, this is the child Loki personally admitted had talent surpassing Alfia?
He looked a bit thin on the outside but in those eyes, there was not a hint of timidity. He possessed a calmness beyond his current age. One could only say—his personality was quite suitable for becoming an Adventurer.
Hephaestus shifted her gaze away from Zephyr and looked at Loki, saying, "Come in and sit down. Drink whatever you like."
"Sorry for the trouble." Loki waved her hand.
She sat on the sofa, and finished the simple introductions.
Hephaestus's gaze fell on Zephyr once again. "Shall we get straight to the point? Zephyr, right? Tell me, what kind of weapon do you want? Do you have a preferred style, or do you have specific requirements?"
She reached out and pulled a weapon catalog from the wooden cabinet beside her, handing it over.
"If you have no ideas, take a look. The ones marked are all standard models. If you have special requirements, you can mention those too."
Zephyr reached out and took the catalog, flipping through it roughly.
The weapon designs inside were rich—from lightweight daggers to heavy two-handed axes, and even longbows suitable for ranged combat.
Every page detailed the weapon's material, weight, and applicable scenarios, and the pricing was also marked quite clearly.
This feeling was quite strange to Zephyr. The way the goods were categorized by specifications and price was very similar to modern society in his past life, it was very commercialized.
He hadn't imagined he would see operation methods close to modern times in a place like Orario with its medieval setting. But it wasn't completely modern.
After browsing through all the weapon styles, he looked at Hephaestus and said with a serious expression, "Hephaestus-sama, I might have a rather special requirement."
"Hmm?" A hint of surprise appeared in her pupils. "Tell me specifically."
"It's just..." Zephyr deliberated his wording.
He knew the weapon he wanted didn't exist in the catalog. It was the type of tool from the modern world before he transmigrated.
Multi-functional Entrenching Tool.
A masterpiece of military equipment: the shovel head is sharp enough to hack and slash, the handle is retractable, and it includes serrations for cutting and convenience for camping.
Most importantly, the shovel head could even temporarily serve as a cooking tool. It could cover all the needs of daily Dungeon exploration.
Combat, food preparation, weight optimization, campsite setup...
From the perspective of functionality alone, it was absolutely flawless.
But the problem was, this thing was a crystallization of modern industry from before his transmigration, and he was describing a weapon type not in the catalog to Hephaestus.
Zephyr deliberated his words and decided to approach it from a functional angle, asking, "I hope the weapon can possess combat capabilities. At the same time, it would be best if it could be used for digging, cutting, processing food, and is convenient for me to carry various supplies to use inside the Dungeon."
"Durability is the top priority. It would be best if it could integrate multiple functions and be easy to carry."
Hearing Zephyr's requirements, Hephaestus's pupils surged with undisguised bewilderment. Even as the Goddess in charge of Forging, she couldn't imagine what kind of weapon could satisfy such strange requirements from Zephyr.
Wanting this, and wanting that!
If it were any other Adventurer, she would feel like they were here to pick a fight, but this was, after all, a child brought by Loki.
Turning her head, she looked at Loki with an extremely complex gaze.
Seemingly understanding her thoughts, Loki squinted her eyes and shook her head with a smile, finding this scene quite interesting.
She waved her hand and said with a relaxed attitude, "Just follow Zephyr's requirements. The price is definitely not a problem."
"..."
These two are definitely working together to make things difficult for me!
However, since things had developed to this point, refusing would surely lead to being mocked by her, so Hephaestus looked at Zephyr again.
She had come to Orario to seek Unknown and fresh weapons. She wanted to see if this was just a weapon Zephyr made up on the spot, or if he already had a clear idea in his head.