The next day came as the three Hestians were seen leaving their home, heading toward their destination. They said their goodbyes to their goddess, her figure slowly fading from view as they distanced themselves from their base.
While walking, the duo beside the towering figure of their captain began to speak. Bell took the initiative.
"Mister?" Bell called out, addressing Aurelius with a respectful tone. "We actually have a favor to ask."
Aurelius turned toward the rabbit upon hearing his name, curious about the request. "What is it?" he asked, his voice calm but attentive. "Is there something you needed to do?"
"Yeah, actually," Lili chimed in, answering in place of Bell. She sounded a bit hesitant, perhaps still feeling guilty for missing the dungeon dive the previous day. "The guy we bought our equipment from... he asked if he could join us on our next trip to the Dungeon."
Bell nodded in agreement. "We thought maybe we could pay him a visit before we head out, to see if he's really interested."
Aurelius paused for a moment, contemplating the favor. He weighed the pros and cons in his head, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. After a brief silence, he gave his answer.
"Sure, why not," Aurelius said at last, and the two younger adventurers lit up at his words. "So, where is this guy?"
"He's near the tower, by the fountain," Bell said, his face bright with a smile. "We promised to meet him there this morning."
"Alright then," Aurelius replied, motioning for them to pick up the pace. "What are we waiting for? We wouldn't want to keep our potential ally waiting, now would we?" he added, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
With that, the trio quickened their steps, heading toward the promised location where the person who helped them with their equipment, awaited them. As they arrived, their eyes landed on a man clad in a red outfit with matching crimson hair, an unmistakable figure who stood out like a sore thumb by the fountain.
There he was, Welf Crozzo, waiting with arms folded and a subtle grin, as though he had expected them all along.
"Took you guys long enough," said the blacksmith, a grin planted on his face. "For a moment, I thought you ditched me."
"We would never do that, Mr. Welf," Bell replied to the red-headed blacksmith, shaking his head. "Besides, we brought our captain with us this time."
Welf glanced past the two, his gaze landing on the towering figure standing behind them. The titan adventurer gave him a haughty, almost mischievous smile.
Aurelius, intrigued by finally meeting the famed love child of Hephaestus, stepped forward. "The name's Aurelius, Captain of the Hestia Familia," he said with pride, crossing his arms. "Or you can call me Titanborn, whichever suits your taste."
Welf's eyes widened as he took in the full scale of the man before him. "I heard rumors about you being inhumanly big," he muttered, half in awe. "But I didn't think you'd be… colossally big."
Aurelius threw his head back and let out a booming laugh that echoed through the room. "HAHAHAHAHA! I get that a lot, red-head."
Welf smirked, still trying to process the size of the man. "You sure you're not part giant or something?"
Aurelius shrugged with a grin. "Who knows? Maybe I've got some ancient monster blood mixed in."
Lili chuckled, watching the two size each other up. "Well, looks like you two are going to get along just fine."
Aurelius then proceeded to bring forth the subject that had been lingering between them. "So, I heard that you wanted to join our party," he said. His facial expression and tone of voice shifted, becoming stern and unwavering, as though weighing the worth of the man before him. "May I know the reason why? Considering you're from the best smithing Familia in Orario, it's hard to believe that someone like you would need us for a team."
Welf, catching the weight of the question, became serious. The casual air around him faded, replaced by a sincerity that settled in his posture. "Well... I can't really say it here," Welf replied with quiet honesty. "Would you allow yourselves to follow me back to my place? I can explain everything there, in private."
Aurelius narrowed his eyes, gaze hardening like forged steel. "And what if I, as the Captain, choose not to follow you?" he asked, his voice sharp. "What if this is a trap you've prepared for us?"
Bell and Lili, hearing their captain's suspicion, tensed. Their bodies instinctively shifted, Bell's hand twitching near his waist, and Lili stepping slightly to the side, her eyes focused, ready to act.
But Welf didn't flinch beneath the titan's intimidating glare. His footing remained firm. With unwavering resolve, he met Aurelius's gaze and spoke, "I promise you that no harm will come to any of you. I swear it." His eyes, open and earnest, reflected the truth of his words, clear and without deception.
A brief silence fell over the group. It wasn't an awkward pause, but a weighted moment, one where decisions hung in the air like dust in a still room.
Then, after a few seconds, Aurelius gave his answer. "Alright," he said slowly, nodding once. "Take us to your place, Welf Crozzo."
"You got it!" Welf replied with a relieved grin. "Follow me. It's not too far from here."
Without another word, the three members of Hestia Familia began following the red-haired blacksmith through the streets of Orario, headed toward a place where secrets, perhaps long buried, were waiting to be shared.
Once they had arrived, the three of them saw that the structure resembled an old, worn-out shed from the outside, aged wood, rusted hinges, and a weathered roof giving it the look of something long forgotten. However, the moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a surprising sight. A plethora of tools neatly arranged across the walls and workbenches, all designed specifically to aid blacksmiths in the intricate process of forging weapons. From hammers of various sizes to tongs, chisels, grinding wheels, and molds, it was clear this place was more than just a shed, it was a fully functional forge, hidden behind an unassuming exterior.
"Sorry for the mess, you guys," Welf said as he went ahead and rested his greatsword against the wall of the shed. "You three just have to deal with it."
"Not at all," Aurelius replied, unfazed by the cluttered state of the red-headed smith's workspace. "It's only natural for a smith's place to be a little unorganized."
"Hah! Well said, big guy!" Welf chuckled, clearly amused by the titan's words. "Go on, the three of you. Take a look around. See if anything catches your eye."
The trio nodded and began wandering through the shed, taking in the rough yet lively atmosphere of the forge. Tools lay scattered across tables, racks were cluttered with various weapons, and metal pieces lined the corners like discarded bones of beasts long since slain.
Lili's eyes lit up as she combed through the selection of spear weapons, her hands dancing over blades of varying lengths and forms. Some with curved heads, others with intricate engravings. There was something about the variety, the craftsmanship, that genuinely excited her.
Bell, on the other hand, was drawn to the armors. He moved slowly, running his fingers across leather and metal pieces, trying to imagine which ones would suit his agile, close-combat fighting style. He paused more than once, thoughtful, inspecting details in stitching and fit.
Aurelius stood near the center of the shed, his eyes calmly scanning the room. He didn't move much, didn't reach for anything. Despite the abundance of tools and weapons around him, there was a clear air of disinterest, more like he was observing the smith's artistry than seeking to own any of it. He crossed his arms, quietly contemplating.
"Not interested in any big guy?" Welf asked, a bit confused by the titan's choice to ignore the heavy weaponry laid out before them.
"No, not at all," Aurelius replied with a nonchalant tone, barely glancing at the weapons rack. "I prefer my fists more than anything, really."
"I see..." Welf murmured, his face twisting into a complicated expression. "I've heard rumors about you not using weapons during hunts. I guess those weren't just exaggerations."
"Well," Aurelius said, gesturing toward the shield strapped to his back. "I do carry this shield around. Though, to be honest, I rarely even use it."
"Why's that?" Welf asked, genuinely confused by the answer. "You look like a vanguard through and through. Shouldn't vanguards use shields more often than not? It's kind of the whole point, right?"
"Nah, not for me," Aurelius answered with a shrug. "I only bring it out when I'm really in a dire situation. If things aren't that bad, I can handle most monsters with just my fists."
"Your fists alone?" Welf repeated in disbelief. "That's... hard to believe, honestly."
"It's true, Mr. Welf," Bell chimed in, correcting the blacksmith's skepticism with an earnest nod. "He usually defeats monsters with a single punch. I've seen it happen, he's incredible."
"Yeah," Lili added, stepping in with a firm nod to back up the rabbit's claim. "He's so strong, Sir Aurelius once took on five Minotaurs bare-handed. Didn't even break a sweat."
"HAHAHA! You three are flattering me," Aurelius laughed heartily, clearly enjoying the praise from his companions. His grin widened as he crossed his arms. "Still, I appreciate it. Nice to know my efforts aren't going unnoticed."
Welf shook his head with a small chuckle, though his expression still held a trace of disbelief. "Well, now I really want to see you in action. A level 2, bare-knuckle brawler taking on Minotaurs... Sounds like something out of a story."
"Then stick around," Aurelius said with a confident smirk. "You just might witness it firsthand."
The two of them continued chatting with each other, enjoying the stories shared between them, while the other two wandered around the forge, browsing for more interesting items to admire.
After a while, Bell brought up a topic that had been lingering in his mind about the smith he was talking to.
"Isn't the surname 'Crozzo' from a family that made magic swords, Mr. Welf?" Bell asked, his tone curious but completely unaware of the discomfort it stirred in the red-haired smith.
Welf, hearing the name, hesitated for a moment. His cheerful expression slightly faltered before he answered.
"Yeah..." Welf replied quietly, his voice laced with something more solemn. "Though, I don't really like to bring it up."
Lili, catching the change in Welf's tone, blinked in confusion. She tilted her head slightly before speaking up.
"Why though? Is it because you don't know how to make one? Which is totally fine, by the way! Sorry if I asked something too personal."
Welf looked at the small prum and forced a chuckle, his lips curling into a smile despite the tension.
"Haha! It's fine, Pip Lili," Welf said, trying to lift the mood as he teased the little prum.
"Again, my name is not Pip Lili! It's Liliruca Arde!" Lili snapped with a pout, puffing her cheeks in mild irritation.
"HAHA! I'm sorry, Pip Lili, just messing with ya," Welf replied, laughing a bit louder this time. A visible tick mark could almost be seen pulsing on Lili's forehead from annoyance.
"I can make a magic sword myself," Welf added, his tone dropping into something more serious. "It's just that... I don't really want to."
"Why is that?" Aurelius asked, even though he already knew the answer. Still, he wanted to hear it from the smith himself.
Welf was silent for a brief moment. His gaze drifted toward the glowing embers in the nearby forge before he finally spoke.
"I guess... I could tell you why I don't like making magic swords. It's a long story, but maybe it's time I share a little bit of it."
"Look, I'll be honest with you. The reason I don't want to make magic swords… it's not because I can't. It's because I won't. Every time I see one, all I see is the greed behind it, the hunger for power, for fame, for recognition. People don't care about the craft or the meaning behind a weapon anymore. They just want something flashy that makes them feel strong. And magic swords? They feed that obsession.
I've seen adventurers throw away their pride, their comrades, even their lives, all for a blade that does the work for them. It disgusts me. I don't want to create something that only adds to that madness. I want to forge weapons that mean something, that a person can truly grow with, not ones that make them forget what it means to fight."
"That's why, I stopped making them. It's not worth the morality behind it."
The three, hearing his words, were in awe. They respected his conviction, choosing not to forge magic swords, all for the sake of preserving the humanity and dignity of adventurers.
"Well, I wouldn't say that was the wisest decision you've made, red-head," Aurelius spoke, his tone light but sincere. "But even so, I offer my respect for the conviction behind your choice."
"What Sir Aurelius said, Sir Welf," Lili chimed in right after, her voice carrying a gentle warmth. "It's truly admirable. To see someone willingly set aside their own talents, all for the sake of their noble ideals. That kind of resolve is rare."
Bell gave a quiet nod in agreement, his expression calm but filled with appreciation. "Yeah. I think what you're doing is… really amazing, Mr. Welf."
Welf, hearing the praise from the three, felt a warmth rise in his chest. The smile he gave was small but full of gratitude, one that reflected the sincerity of his heart. "Thanks, you three. I really appreciate the encouragement. Honestly, hearing that from you guys… it means a lot."
A moment of silence then settled among the three. The tension hung in the air briefly, but Aurelius took the initiative to break the ice.
"Well, you wanted to join our roster for a while now, right, red-head?" Aurelius said, bringing up the topic that had previously been discussed. "Then we accept your offer."
"Oh yeah! That's nice to hear!" Welf responded, clearly happy to receive the good news.
"So, may I ask the reason behind your desire to join us, Mr. Welf Crozzo?" Aurelius asked, his choice of words akin to that of a consultant considering an applicant for hire.
"I wanted to go ahead and get myself better materials than the ones I already had," Welf replied, explaining his reasoning. "Mainly because I want to further enhance my smithing abilities. I figured teaming up with a solid party would give me more access to quality drops."
Aurelius, hearing his reasoning, flashed a grin toward the red-haired smith.
"Well, you're in luck," said Aurelius, tone shifting slightly as he brought up some good news. "We're planning to head down to the 17th floor tomorrow. You can get way better materials from the Middle Floors compared to what you'll find up here in the Upper Floors."
"That's awesome!" Welf exclaimed, his expression lighting up with enthusiasm. "But, isn't the 17th floor where the floor boss of the Middle Floors is?"
"Yeah," Aurelius nodded, voice calm but with a clear edge of anticipation. "I intend to get my level-up by defeating the Goliath tomorrow."
Welf blinked, surprised. "Wait, you're serious? You're gonna solo the Goliath?"
Aurelius shrugged casually, his tone unwavering. "Yes. I'm soloing the floor boss. I've got a team if anything has gone wrong. But I'll be the one doing all the fighting. I need the feat to level up. If I'm going to break past my current limits, that thing's the wall I've got to break."
"Isn't it impossible to beat the Goliath as a level 2?" Welf said, a bit worried on the sanity of the titan.
"Trust me when I said that I can solo that giant." Aurelius said as he flashes a prideful smile towards the blacksmith. "Besides, I can guarantee you even a bunch of level 3's wont even make me budge."
Welf stared for a moment, then let out a short laugh, impressed. "Damn, you're something else, man. Alright then, I guess I better hold my own too if I'm tagging along."
"Exactly," Aurelius said, rising from his seat. "This ain't just a stroll through the dungeon. We're pushing deeper, and I'm expecting all of us to walk out stronger."
All three of them nodded at the Titan's words, fueled by the prospect of becoming stronger.
"Alright, that settles it," Aurelius said, turning to the red-haired blacksmith. "Make sure you're at the fountain first thing in the morning. If you're late, we're leaving you behind."
"Got it!" Welf replied, his voice firm as he cemented his resolve before the towering presence of the Titan.
With their plans made, the day continued with the trio spending a bit more time together, talking, laughing, and casually roaming the streets of Orario. Though their conversations drifted from mundane topics to dreams of power and glory, the underlying current of determination remained unshaken in each of them.
Eventually, the time came for them to part ways, and they each returned to their respective homes, minds already racing with thoughts of tomorrow. The night sky stretched high above, stars flickering faintly over a city that never truly slept, watching silently as three adventurers prepared to take their next step forward.
________________________
The next day arrived. Morning sunlight streamed into the modest home of the Hestia Familia. We see that Hestia was updating the status of both Bell and Lili. Considering that their goddess hadn't returned home until well past midnight the night before, due to being caught up in overtime at her part-time job, the two adventurers decided it would be best to postpone their status updates to the following morning. And so, today, the familiar ritual resumed.
Their stats are as follows.
________________________
BELL CRANEL
LVL 2
STR > C 672 ---> B 735
END > E 457 ---> D 523
DEX > B 772 ---> A 849
AGI > A 812 ---> S 907
MAG > B 701 ---> B 782
MAGIC:
- FIRE BOLT
SKILLS:
- LIARIS FREESE
- ARGONAUT
DEVELOPMENT ABILITIES:
- SWORDSMAN > H
- LUCK > I
________________________
________________________
LILIRUCA ARDE
LVL 2
STR > A 821 ---> S 912
END > E 401 ---> E 478
DEX > D 572 ---> C 632
AGI > D 558 ---> C 609
MAG > A 832 ---> S 924
MAGIC:
- TEMPEST [LVL 2][1876/3000]
SKILLS:
- ARTEL ASSIST
- ARS ASCENDENCE
DEVELOPMENT ABILITIES:
- SPEARMEN > H
- PIERCING > H
________________________
After they were done, they went ahead and made their way toward the Dungeon, all four of them. That's right, even Hestia joined them in the walk toward Babel, her presence a rare sight in such a setting. Although she wouldn't be descending into the Dungeon itself, she chose to accompany them this far, wanting to see them off with her own eyes. She planned to stay behind and watch as the three of them, possibly four, including the blacksmith, ventured down into the depths in pursuit of their goal. Or rather, in pursuit of his goal, the captain's goal.
The 17th floor.
The place where Aurelius would face off against the Goliath in what would surely be a fierce and brutal battle.
When they finally arrived at the Dungeon's entrance, they found Welf already there, leaning casually against the edge of the fountain, waiting patiently. His expression was calm, yet there was a spark in his eyes. Perhaps anticipation, perhaps concern. Either way, the group had now gathered, and the journey downward was about to begin.
"Oi! Red-head!" Aurelius called out, catching the attention of the blacksmith nearby.
Welf turned toward the voice that called his name. There, he saw the three Hestians, Bell, Lili, and the towering Aurelius, as well as a petite girl who, at first glance, wasn't much bigger than a prum.
Recognizing them, Welf raised his arm and waved with a grin. "Hey! Took you guys long enough!"
The four approached the blacksmith, exchanging proper greetings as they closed the distance. Despite the casual setting, there was a sense of anticipation in the air.
Hestia, seeing the blacksmith her children had mentioned for the first time, stepped forward with a curious yet welcoming smile. "So, you must be Welf Crozzo, Hephaestus's child, yes?"
Upon hearing his name spoken by a voice unfamiliar yet commanding, Welf immediately realized the identity of the petite woman before him. Without hesitation, he bowed respectfully. "Indeed I am, Goddess Hestia."
He then stood up straight, planting his feet firmly as he offered a formal introduction. "My name is Welf Crozzo, of the Hephaestus Familia!"
There was pride in his voice, not arrogance, but a grounded confidence that spoke of someone determined to be known for more than just his bloodline. His eyes met Hestia's with a respectful glint, acknowledging not only her divinity, but also the bond she shared with the people standing beside him.
"Well, I've heard good things about you from my children and Hephaestus herself," Hestia said, her voice calm yet serene.
"You know of my goddess?" Welf asked, a hint of surprise lacing his words upon hearing the unexpected revelation.
"Why, of course! Me and her are basically best friends, you know!" Hestia replied proudly, flashing a confident smile toward the blacksmith.
"Is that so?" Welf said, a breath of relief slipping from his lips. "That's good to hear. It's comforting to know that you both are close—even up in Tenkai."
They shared a brief chuckle, and with that, the atmosphere eased slightly. The formal tension faded away as they proceeded with a more relaxed introduction between Welf and the goddess Hestia. Small pleasantries and short exchanges followed, solidifying a budding sense of camaraderie between them.
After a moment, Aurelius stepped forward, his expression shifting into something more serious. The four quieted as all eyes turned to him.
"Alright, listen up," Aurelius began, his voice firm and commanding. "For today's dive, we will not be stopping on any upper floors for casual hunting or detours. Our objective is to descend directly to the sixteenth floor without delay."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.
"Bell. Lili. The two of you will move ahead and make sure to properly experience everything the sixteenth floor has to offer. Learn its terrain, understand the enemies, immerse yourselves in it. Welf, your role is to provide support when needed, but more importantly, this dive will serve as an opportunity for you to collect valuable materials to sharpen your smithing skills. Use this chance to gather what you need for future work."
The group listened intently, each taking their assigned roles to heart.
"Once we complete our objective on the sixteenth floor," Aurelius continued, his gaze sharpening, "we'll descend further. Our final destination will be the seventeenth floor. That is where I will face the Goliath."
His words echoed with quiet determination, and a heavy silence followed. Then, as one, Bell, Lili, and Welf nodded, each acknowledging the challenge ahead and the trust Aurelius placed in them.
"After we're done with our goals for today, we'll head down toward the 18th floor to rest and recover," Aurelius said, casting a firm gaze at Bell, Lili, and Welf. "What comes next will depend entirely on how well we handle ourselves while traversing the floors beforehand. Our progress, and safety, will reflect our capabilities."
He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Captain!" Bell and Lili replied in unison, voices sharp and full of energy, while Welf gave a firm nod of acknowledgment, arms crossed and expression resolute.
"Alright, good! That's what I want to hear," Aurelius said, his expression softening into a proud smile. "Stick to the plan, trust each other, and we'll come out stronger than ever."
As they were about to head out, Aurelius turned toward his goddess. "We'll be going now, Goddess. Wish us luck on our expedition."
Hestia, seeing the unwavering resolve in these four mortals, smiled confidently, her eyes full of pride. "Of course. Be safe in the dungeon below. May fortune be with you, always."
All four of them gave a respectful nod before turning around, their footsteps echoing as they departed, leaving behind the goddess of the hearth, who stood quietly at the fountain, watching them disappear into the distance.
"Be careful now, Aurelius," Hestia whispered under her breath, a faint tremble in her voice. Though worry lingered in her heart, her faith in them, especially in him, remained unshaken.