Patreon/Inkcore
Upon arriving at Hephaestus's Weapon Shop, Keare didn't forget his main quest: to order a bow weapon with a sufficiently high draw weight.
After explaining the origin of this valis, he looked at Hephaestus, whose expression was quite complex, and said, "Hephaestus, I came to your weapon shop today to purchase a weapon."
"Do you have bows?"
"Preferably one with a higher draw weight on the bowstring," Keare added, worried his description wasn't precise enough.
"Of course."
Hephaestus nodded slightly. Purchasing a weapon was merely preparation for Dungeon exploration, so she didn't inquire further about why Keare needed a bow.
The average standard for a war bow is 80 pounds.
However, this strength is absolutely insufficient in the Dungeon. Mainstream war bows need to reach 100-130 pounds to inflict damage on Dungeon monsters.
"What draw weight bow do you need? The largest one in the shop right now is 130 pounds."
"As for whether you can actually draw it..."
She didn't doubt Keare's ability, as an Adventurer's physical attributes rapidly improve in a short period after becoming one.
The key was whether he could master a high draw weight bow.
From the perspective of Hestia's friend, Hephaestus reminded him again, "There's no need to simply pursue higher draw weights for a bow."
"The one you can master is the most suitable for you."
"It can easily lead to muscle fatigue and injury, and the bow's accuracy is difficult to guarantee." But as soon as she finished speaking, she felt a little regretful.
The 'magic' he possessed could even heal severed limbs, let alone such minor injuries.
And this was exactly what Keare needed. Through high-intensity training, muscle strains were actually a good thing for him.
Double training through 'Imitation'!
He decisively made his decision: "I want this 130-pound bow, and also... Hestia's tab from your shop a while ago."
"How much valis is it in total?"
"Huh?"
Hestia was a bit stunned. She hadn't expected such a turn of events, but after feeling Keare's sincere emotions, warmth welled up in her heart.
Nothing was more joyful than having a Familia member care for her.
But regarding the outcome, she resolutely shook her head: "Keare, I appreciate your kindness, but think about it, if I don't find something to do..."
"I'll really be very bored here in Orario!"
...
A god is willing to take care of her Familia and actively shoulder the responsibility of developing her Familia.
And the Familia members also hold this idea, not wanting their god to work too hard, striving to earn money to help pay off debts. This was such a warm and harmonious scene.
Hephaestus couldn't help but smile.
Is talent really important when recruiting Familia members?
This matter is actually a false proposition. What she values, more than talent, is character, and Keare possessed these qualities.
Crucially...
In terms of talent, the effects he had shown so far already surpassed countless Adventurers in Orario!
"You two are really... quite similar." Recalling Hestia finding Keare, Hephaestus couldn't help but shake her head.
"Perhaps this is fate."
She smiled and suggested, "Regarding working, you should still listen to Hestia. With her here, at least... it won't be particularly boring."
"Okay."
Since Hestia had her own ideas, Keare certainly wouldn't force it. However, when he heard Hephaestus say "fate," a deeply ambiguous phrase inexplicably popped into his mind.
"Fate can be at the ends of the earth, but not at the corner of the sea (platform)."
"I'm in a good mood today."
She had a shop assistant fetch the bow Keare needed, which was also... a reward for Hestia's change. Hephaestus waved her hand casually.
"I'll sell you this bow at half its cost."
"If you can truly adapt to this draw weight, and later feel it's not enough, you can come to the weapon shop, and I'll find someone to help you replace the bowstring with a better one."
"Thank you, Hephaestus."
Keare expressed his sincere gratitude. He understood that not everyone's help was a given, and precisely because of this, it was even more precious.
After leaving Hephaestus's Weapon Shop with Hestia, he didn't return directly to the Familia's residence.
The bow, at half its cost, sold for 200,000 valis. With a massive sum of 3,000,000 valis in his pocket, how should he spend the money?
This was something he had to consider.
The original intention of earning money was to improve their lives. For now, they couldn't afford a good Familia residence, and renting could only mean considering a communal dormitory.
The most practical aspect of life was food.
"Hestia, how about... we go to The Benevolent Mistress for dinner tonight, as a celebration for the successful Dungeon exploration these past few days?"
According to the Freljord Law, as long as Hestia was brought to The Benevolent Mistress tavern, they would inevitably not encounter Shir.
Do the souls of adults in modern society truly shine?
Keare wasn't worried about this, but having the 'Recovery' magic that could heal all non-fatal injuries, he really needed to be more careful.
"Hmm... okay!"
Hestia had already eaten a few times at The Benevolent Mistress restaurant with her close friend when she hadn't been kicked out by Hephaestus.
The prices were definitely not something an ordinary Adventurer could afford.
But thinking about Keare's exaggerated money-making ability, she suddenly realized it didn't seem so difficult to accept?
"Then let's go!"
"Let's celebrate Keare's very successful Dungeon exploration during this period." The girl actively took Keare's hand, her voice filled with pride.
"From now on!"
"It will definitely continue to be smooth."
--- The Benevolent Mistress restaurant. In the evening, Adventurers with ample funds mostly chose to dine here. After a short wait, Keare was finally assigned a two-person table.
He had a particularly deep impression of this restaurant, which was a hidden gem.
The manager, Mia, was an Adventurer of "Lv6." There were also the useless elf, the energetic cat girl Ania, the shota-loving black cat Kelo Yi, and other Adventurers.
It was also, in the true sense, a refuge for retired beautiful girls.
"Finally, I can eat something good."
During his time in the Dungeon or Familia, Keare finally got what he wished for, and it was also a pilgrimage to the sacred land of "The Benevolent Mistress" restaurant.
He simply flipped through the menu, not even looking at the prices.
After deciding on a super-sized noodle set meal, tonkatsu, and other dishes for dinner, he handed the menu to Hestia and simultaneously waved to a waitress.
"Can I help you, meow?"
...
Noticing a customer's call, a short-haired girl in a leaf-colored maid's dress with a white apron over it approached, carrying a tray.
The white hairband, on the contrary, perfectly highlighted her fluffy cat ears.
Black full-length stockings perfectly outlined Kelo Yi's graceful leg lines. Wearing brown boots, her steps were light and elegant.
However, when Kelo Yi's light green eyes fell upon the brown-haired youth's delicate... even adorable, youthful face, her pupils gradually constricted.
Shota!
Without the initial perfunctory attitude, the girl held the tray with both hands and bowed slightly: "My name is Kelo Yi. How can I help you?"
...
"Of course, to order food."
Hestia smiled easily, but when she noticed the black-haired cat girl's naked gaze, completely undisguised, staring at her Keare, a sense of crisis gradually enveloped her heart.
"Bad!"
"She wouldn't be trying to poach him, would she?!"