As the dazzling absolute center of the world, the dungeon city Orario naturally gathered countless talents.
For instance, the woman before him.
Most adventurers nearly died clawing their way to Level 2, many failing along the way. The gods themselves even used that milestone to separate lower-class from upper-class adventurers.
And yet,
"As a smith, I only sometimes went into the Dungeon to test out my weapons. Before I knew it, I was already Level 5. Hahaha~"
Is that even human speech?
Without question, for someone to casually scratch her head and brag like that, in public no less, with words that landed like a critical group taunt…
She's definitely maxed out her "big dummy" stat, Aether thought with certainty.
At that moment,
"So you're the friend Welf mentioned, huh? …Hmm?"
Tsubaki leaned right in toward Aether, unabashedly scrutinizing him for a long while.
"You look kinda familiar. Where have I seen you before…"
"Hey!"
Welf instantly jumped between them like a mother hen shielding her chick.
"Don't you ever get busy with anything else, Captain?"
At that, Tsubaki just shrugged, palms up, utterly unbothered.
"You're still as prickly as ever. But… can't deny it. Right now, I really am free."
Welf's expression all but screamed: I really can't deal with this woman.
Impatience was written across his face. Which only made Tsubaki enjoy herself more.
She had that mischievous air of: Heh, I'm teasing you and you can't fight back. Annoyed? Annoyed?
Of course, as captain of the Hephaestus Familia, entrusted by her goddess and her comrades alike, she wasn't some reckless troublemaker. But when she was bored… well, she tended to go looking for entertainment.
"Oh, now I remember."
Tsubaki clapped her hands and sidestepped Welf to peek at Aether again.
"You're that Star of Freya Familia, the one who leveled up to 2 in just a week."
She shot Welf a sly look.
"Didn't expect you of all people to befriend someone making such waves."
"Tch~"
Welf clicked his tongue, sounding thoroughly resigned.
"What exactly are you trying to pull?"
Seeing his bluntness,
"Nothing much. I just happened to see you two pass by, so I came over. By the way, where are you headed?"
Tsubaki's gaze flicked knowingly to Welf's lack of gear.
"No dungeon run, I see."
"Just teaching Aether how to pick out forging materials, that's all."
Welf sighed, surrendering.
Aether added casually,
"These past few days, Welf's been helping me a lot. Truth is, we do plan to dive the Dungeon together soon. But tomorrow, I want to try forging my first piece of high-grade equipment. So I asked Welf to keep an eye on my choices."
"Forging high-grade equipment, huh?"
Tsubaki's single red eye glinted with interest.
Aether nodded, openly stating a fact he had no reason to hide.
"Yes. My first Development Ability was—Forge."
"Oho."
Tsubaki stroked her chin again, as if confirming something she'd already suspected. Her lips curled as she threw Welf a knowing glance, the poor guy clearly ready to bolt.
"Well then, I'll stop teasing. You two seem busy."
She patted Welf's shoulder with a grin.
"Yesterday, Kilo's shop got a fresh batch of materials. If you're looking for good forging stock, head there."
"See you around~"
With that, she waved and strolled off, as casually as she'd arrived.
Watching her leave, Welf finally exhaled in relief, muttering,
"Seriously… what was she even trying to do just now?"
On the side, Aether had a good idea.
No doubt, Welf's an important member of her Familia, and maybe even has some unspoken connection with Hephaestus herself. So when a mysterious outsider shows up at his side, of course she'd keep an eye on things.
Plus, well… she really does enjoy teasing her "little brother."
Still, after getting her fill of Welf's helpless expression, she'd subtly helped them out by dropping useful information.
"…Kilo's shop, huh?"
Welf, being a smith, didn't overthink the source of the tip. He genuinely wanted to help Aether succeed, so he quickly turned to him.
"Wandering aimlessly is kind of a waste. Let's just head straight there."
Aether noticed his odd expression.
"Ahem. That woman may be a pain to deal with, but her forging skill and eye for materials are second to none."
"In fact, across all of Orario, I'd say only Hephaestus-sama and Goibniu himself could compare."
His defensive tone betrayed a bit of tsundere pride in his captain.
What kind of straight guy goes tsundere like this?
Aether mused silently, smiling wryly but letting it slide.
"Alright, we'll go with your plan."
He shrugged.
"You're right. If we spend too long picking materials, tomorrow's work might not get finished. And I've got other things to do tonight, I can't keep wasting your time."
"Eh, it's no trouble."
Welf waved it off.
"Honestly, reteaching the basics to a beginner has improved my own forging too. Like with that Damascus, "
"Stop, stop. Let's pick materials first. Keep this up and it'll be lunchtime already."
"Hah, true enough."
Welf chuckled, nodding.
"Then let's head to Kilo's. …Oh, by the way."
As they walked, he tilted his head toward Aether.
"Adamantite's pretty expensive. I forgot to ask earlier… did you bring enough money?"
Hah, underestimating me, are you?
"Thirty million sounds enough?"
Welf went silent for a long moment.
"…Forget I asked."
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