It was previously mentioned that most smiths in Orario wouldn't directly use materials dropped by floor bosses. Instead, they would forge them into alloys with other metals, then mass-produce slightly higher-grade equipment to maximize their profits. However, Levi's reason for personally crafting equipment was to gain the confidence to resist the allure of the goddess of beauty. From the start, he hadn't considered cost-effectiveness.
As for Hephaestus, who was observing from the side, she initially didn't grasp the boy's intentions as he hammered the dragon liver and scales. But she was, after all, the god of forging. As a pendant embedded with numerous dragon liver gems gradually took shape, exuding an aura related to 'mental anomaly,' 'trigger,' and 'auto-cast,' the red-haired, one-eyed goddess quickly understood the specific purpose of Levi's self-made equipment.
Over five hours later...
The sky outside began to darken, and the magic stone lamps lining the streets were all lit. Finally, with a cry of "Finished," Levi, who had been standing at the workbench for a long time, set down his chisel and hammer.
Hephaestus stepped forward, and with his permission, picked up the pendant named 'Strong Resistance to Allure,' examining it closely. After about half a minute, she let out a soft sigh. "A brand new script, and it carries 'power' on its own."
Wiping the sweat from his face with a towel, Levi chuckled as he explained, "This is a magical script called 'Runes,' from the same dimension as the Class Card you took to study yesterday, Lady Hephaestus."
Hephaestus nodded. "It seems you haven't fully learned this script?"
As a deity, she could easily see the inconsistency in the complexity of the runes carved into the pendant.
Levi didn't deny it. "I wouldn't say I haven't learned it fully. It's just that I've only mastered about a third of the more powerful versions, while I've learned all the weaker ones."
"No wonder," Hephaestus said, motioning for Levi to step back a few paces. She then picked up a hammer and began refining the pendant. "Though the two scripts share a common origin, they have compatibility issues. With your skills, you probably can't resolve them. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll lend you a hand."
Seeing the goddess of forging willing to personally assist, Levi immediately responded sweetly, "Thank you, Lady Hephaestus. If I come across anything novel in the future, I'll be sure to bring it to you first."
He thought his words were fine, but the next second, the goddess holding the hammer suddenly paused. She turned her head, casting a peculiar gaze at the young man beside her.
"Do you think I'm close to you because of your otherworldly items? Or because of Hestia?"
Cold sweat trickled down Levi's forehead. He swallowed hard, struggling to speak, "Lady Hephaestus..."
He barely got a few words out before being interrupted, "Hephaestus."
"What?"
"Call me Hephaestus!"
"Uh—"
"What, can't say it?" The goddess gave him a calm look.
Levi, not one to hesitate, took a deep breath and adjusted his mindset. "Hephaestus."
Seeing his compliance, Hephaestus's smile deepened. "Good boy."
She then reached out and patted his cheek. As if forgetting what had just transpired, she resumed hammering the pendant, steering the conversation towards Freya, the goddess of beauty whom Levi was vigilantly guarding against.
"If Freya knew you were so wary of her, she might hide away and shed some tears~"
Levi's gaze briefly flicked to the 'Hephaestus's Blessing (grants 'Forging g,' significantly increases fire resistance)' on his character panel, now at level III. He replied calmly, "Whether she cries or not has nothing to do with me."
"Oh?" Hephaestus arched an eyebrow. "You really dislike Freya that much? I've heard those she fancies have beautiful souls."
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : I'm Surrounded by Goddesses (153 Chapters, Ongoing)
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Levi corrected her, "It's not Freya I dislike, but all goddesses of beauty."
Hephaestus wasn't slow to catch on to his implication. "I see, it's 'allure' you detest. In that case, Freya really stands no chance."
Though she said this, she showed no sign of being upset for her divine friend, instead seeming a bit gleeful. After a few more taps on the workbench, she said, "Alright, try it on."
Levi raised his hands to take the pendant, only to hear the red-haired goddess command, "Turn around."
"..."
With no other choice, he complied.
"And take off your clothes."
Levi: "Huh?!"
"Oh, I misspoke. I meant just loosen your collar a bit."
Levi began to catch on. "...Hephaestus, are you teasing me?"
The red-haired, one-eyed goddess squinted her left eye and, after fastening the pendant around his neck, suddenly said, "You know, in the heavens, male gods are all lolicons, while female gods are into mature types."
A certain fair-skinned, golden-haired young man fell silent at her words. He felt that if the conversation continued, he might not leave the workshop today. So he decided to play the ostrich.
Hephaestus, too, knew when to stop. After all, gods had all the time in the world.
"It's getting late. Hestia might start worrying, so I won't tease you any longer."
...
Levi considered himself quite loyal to Hestia. Even though this world didn't prohibit powerful men from having multiple wives, he never thought of hiding anything from his goddess. So, as soon as he returned to their base, he reported Hephaestus's increased affection towards him.
He had braced himself for a scolding from Hestia.
But to his surprise...
"I knew it, Hephaestus was about to reach her limit." After hearing about his interactions with Hephaestus during the day, the twin-tailed goddess wasn't angry at all. Instead, she seemed to have expected it.
She then hugged the young man beside her, rubbing her cheek against his. "Hehehe Who wouldn't like my Levi, so full of mystery and charm"
Levi opened his mouth in surprise. "I got flirted with by Hephaestus, and you're not jealous?"
"Jealous? Maybe just a tiny bit," Hestia said, gesturing a minuscule amount with her fingers. "But if it's Hephaestus, I don't mind~"
"You're really easygoing. If it were me..." Levi's eyes darkened slightly. "You might be spending a long time in the basement."
"Eek~~~~~~~"