Last night
At Hephaestus Familia headquarters.
''Please, please Hephaestus make this sword.''
Goddess Hestia begged while kneeling with her head bowed in dogeza.
''Honestly Hestia, I told you already. No''
Inside a blacksmith's workspace, or smithy, A goddess was holding a hammer and consistently striking it on a hot iron ingot.
She has short, neck-length red hair and sharp crimson eyes.
Practical black trousers paired with tall, dark brown leather boots that reach near her mid-thigh.
A black eyepatch covers her right eye,
Her frame is slender but strong.
However, unlike other Goddesses, due to her professional and cool-headed nature, she possesses an aura of handsomeness and masculinity.
Goddess Hephaestus.
Hestia who was on the ground raised her head:
''Please Hephaestus, aren't we friends? My Kael sword could not keep up with his growth speed. Only you can help me.''
She once again lowered her head.
''I told you, I can't help you with this. This is going against my principles as a blacksmith to forge a sword that can grow. Besides, didn't I give him a sword before? That can be used by even senior level 1 adventurer''
Hephaestus stepped back from her forging table She pressed her palm to her forehead in frustration.
''I know, but. But, only you can create a sword that can grow alongside him. Otherwise, he has to change his sword every week or maybe even in days''
She hugged Hephaestus's legs and started to cry loudly.
''Week or days? What did he even do with his sword? The sword that you have taken from me last time is completely fine surviving floors 4 to 5. How can he break it in his first week!''
Hephaestus asked in exasperation while looking at Hestia making a mess on her legs.
''That sword broke because it couldn't handle Kael's power. My child is growing too fast even—''
'Maybe he will even grow faster in the future '
Hestia doesn't say her thoughts out loud and manages to swallow them back to her throat.
''If you don't make him a new sword I will not leave your room today!''
Hestia hugged her legs while sitting on the corner of the room. It looks like she won't leave before she gets what she needs from her.
She then, said in quite voice:
''I don't want my Kael to die in the dungeon one day because his sword broke in the middle of the battle''
Hephaestus listened to her threats and whispers, sighing deeply once again with a mixture of frustration and tiredness.
'I heard what happened on floor 3 from the Guild from guild. But still, being able to grow to that level in a week is pretty impressive. At this rate, his growth will surpass that of the sword princess'
"…Fine."
She replied, her eyes meeting with Hestia's.
"I'll forge him a sword that grows with him. But it will take a full week. And he has to come here 7 days later, when the sword is about to be completed.''
Hestia bowed so hard her forehead hit the floor.
"Thank you! Hephaestus"
Hephaestus smiled faintly.
"…Just don't let him die before I finish it."
———
The next day.
Hestia Familia base
In front of the abandoned church.
''So that's what you mean by new sword''
Kael, wearing casual clothing. Replied to Hestia who is also wearing her usual clothes.
'She risks her friendship with Hephaestus to help me?'
Kael looked at Hestia as morning sunlight shone on her.
''Lady hes— no, Hestia! I promise. One day I will make the name of Hestia Familia resound throughout the world in glory''
He said to her, Kael's eyes burned with determination for the first time in a long while.
After going so much he finally found his goals in life again.
To make goddess Hestia proud, so that one day when he dies.
She will be filled with pride and glory when she talks about him.
''I want to say, your safety comes first in the dungeon— but looking at your eyes, I will tell you. My child, let's one day make Hestia Familia the greatest Familia together''
While holding his hand. She smiled warmly as she replied.
'Promised' x2
———
In the city filled with smoke, dust and debris of fallen houses.
A child walked in the street full of blood, fallen walls and screams coming from all directions as smoke blurs his surroundings.
He looked like a 3–5 years old.
''Mom! Dad! Where are you? I want to go home!''
He asked loudly in every direction, yet no matter how many times he called, no one answered him.
''Mom 'sobs' dad 'sobs' come out, I am scared 'sobs' 'sobs'.''
That day no matter how many times I called on top of my lungs, they wouldn't come out and take me home.
But deep down, deep down I already realised they would never come back.
That's why I make a promise to myself. I won't lose again, I won't lose everything again.
Even if I have to face death head-on.
Even if the chance of my survival is zero,
I won't give up. I will not lose anything again.