Inside the forge, the craftsmen worked with unrestrained enthusiasm.
A brand-new environment, flexible and finely tuned furnaces, and perfectly balanced tools—conditions like these filled them with an irrepressible urge to hammer away. Just as a new weapon tempts an Adventurer to test it, new tools made their hands itch to work.
Even within the Hephaestus Familia, not every member owned their own personal workshop. Without fame or recognition, few could afford such luxury. But this—this was practically the same thing. It wasn't individually owned, but every other condition was perfect, perhaps even better.
All of this only heightened their excitement. The rhythmic sound of hammering never stopped ringing through the forge.
Watching them, Tsubaki couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
"In Orario, having no name means having no work. No matter how good your craft is, if no one recognizes your skill, your finest blades will still gather dust. What matters most is honing your craft and seizing a chance to show it. For new craftsmen, Expeditions like this are their best opportunities."
The Familia's craftsmen were all shut-ins at heart, spending nearly all their free time polishing their craft at home. But no matter how skilled they were, forging required a massive amount of materials to practice with. The path of a blacksmith was no easier than that of an Adventurer.
Tsubaki's voice carried across the forge, and every craftsman within earshot burned with motivation. It wasn't just the fine workspace or the brand-new tools—they wanted to prove their skill.
Repairing weapons was the final stage of forging, a refinement every true craftsman had to master. It was an essential skill.
A craftsman's true level could always be seen in the smallest details. Skill, like pregnancy—either you have it or you don't, and anyone can see the difference at a glance. Especially when these weapons were being used by front-line Adventurers—who would understand better than them how a blade performed in battle?
Adventurers knew instantly whether a weapon was well-balanced, sharp, and responsive—their lives depended on it. That was why working on a Joint Expedition with front-line Adventurers was a golden opportunity. A single repair could be the first step in gaining their trust, even for low-level Adventurers who had to balance between craftsmanship and cost. Right now, these smiths were at their most competitive moment.
Their greatest fear wasn't low pay—it was being overlooked entirely. So this time, every one of them worked with everything they had.
Meanwhile, the living area built around the great treehouse was equally lively. After a long day of battle, the Adventurers could finally relax with a hot bath.
Past Expeditions never offered such luxury—clean water in the Dungeon was precious, too valuable to waste on bathing. But now, things were different.
Steam rose, and the warm water melted away exhaustion. For those who had spent the day fighting, it was pure bliss.
"Mmm~~~"
In the women's bath, Tiona stretched her arms and legs, letting the hot water soak her from shoulders to toes. The feeling of being submerged completely was the most relaxing thing in the world.
"So refreshing~ All my fatigue is gone."
"What fatigue? You didn't even fight today."
"Hehe~ Hearing that somehow makes this bath feel even better."
Tione sighed, rolling her eyes at her sister before turning away to enjoy her own soak.
When Tione ignored her, Tiona's gaze shifted to Riveria, who was quietly bathing nearby.
"Riveria, are we heading toward the 50th floor tomorrow?"
"No. As we go deeper, our pace will inevitably slow. The progress won't be as smooth as before. For the Level 2 Adventurers, the next few floors will be where the real pressure begins. Today was just an adjustment."
Riveria opened her eyes and noticed the growing attention around her. She spoke calmly, addressing everyone's unspoken concern. After all, moving beyond the middle floors marked a critical challenge for all Level 2s.
The deeper they went, the more numerous and powerful the monsters became. The lower floors were no longer suited for Level 2 Adventurers to survive easily—but that was precisely what made them the greatest test.
If they could hold their ground, even triumph against stronger foes, they would earn tremendous Excellia. That was the key to their Level Up.
"You all need to remember this as challengers," Riveria continued. "The monsters in the deep floors are no joke. One careless move could leave you gravely injured. When you realize your strength alone isn't enough, that's when you must rely on what you've learned—and on your companions. Finding the path forward together is the key to gaining Excellia and achieving a Level Up."
Her gaze swept across the Adventurers relaxing in the bath. Crossing the barrier of Level 2 depended on surviving those deeper floors. Knowing when to fight and when to cooperate was the difference between growth and ruin.
All Riveria could do was remind them—the rest depended on their choices.
Though the deep floors brought danger, they also promised opportunity. The stronger and more numerous the monsters, the greater the reward for those who endured. For those ready to face the challenge, Excellia was already within reach.
"After you finish bathing, make sure to rest properly. Don't let comfort dull your edge. Remember why we're here. What we seek isn't pride or satisfaction—but the strength to keep moving forward."