The forge's heat wasn't anything new to Hestia. She had spent enough time here to grow used to the scent of smelting metal, the rhythmic clang of hammers, and the soft glow of embers. Normally, her visits to Hephaestus' workshop were casual—an excuse to chat, complain about life, or simply enjoy her friend's company.
But today was different.
She had arrived early in the morning, just after the Guild report came out, and settled in without much fuss. Felis had told her to stay out of sight for a while, just in case any foolhardy adventurers got strange ideas about joining her Familia in search of a shortcut to power. She hadn't argued. If nothing else, Hephaestus' workshop was as secure a place as any.
Her red-haired friend had barely reacted when she showed up, only giving her a questioning glance before going back to her work. It wasn't uncommon for Hestia to drop in unannounced, and Hephaestus was used to it by now.
But when Tsubaki returned from an errand in town, everything changed.
"Oi, Boss! You hear the news?" Tsubaki's voice rang out as she stepped into the workshop, tossing a folded parchment onto Hephaestus' desk. "Orario's going nuts over that kid of Hestia's."
Hephaestus barely spared the parchment a glance at first, but when she caught the words "Felis Veltheris – Level Up", she frowned. "Huh. So that's why you're here."
Hestia froze mid-bite into a piece of bread. "...What do you mean?"
Hephaestus turned to her fully now, arms crossed. "You didn't just come over to visit, did you? You're hiding."
Hestia gulped. She had been found out.
Hephaestus blinked at the parchment again, then let out a low chuckle. "Heh. So, your little Familia finally did it." She leaned back in her chair, a rare, genuine smile tugging at her lips. "Congratulations, Hestia. Really."
Hestia felt her cheeks warm. She knew Hephaestus was fond of her, but hearing it so plainly—without teasing or sarcasm—made her chest tighten. "T-Thanks…"
But just as she was about to bask in the moment, Hephaestus' smile faded, replaced by an exasperated sigh.
"And you didn't think to tell me?" She shot Hestia a look, half-scolding, half-amused. "You just waltz in here like it's any other day, knowing full well your Familia's made history, and you don't say a word? Hestia, seriously?"
Hestia shrank under her gaze, stuffing another bite of bread into her mouth to avoid answering. "Mmf. Felis told me to lay low for a bit. Y'know, to avoid idiots looking for an easy rank-up."
"Right. So instead of telling your best friend, you just hide here like some lost kitten?" Hephaestus shook her head, but there was no real anger in her voice—just warmth, amusement, and something close to pride. "Unbelievable."
Hestia swallowed, then gave a sheepish smile. "...You're not mad?"
Hephaestus sighed again, then reached out, placing a hand on Hestia's head. "Mad? Hestia, if there's anyone in Orario who's happier about this than you, it's me." She ruffled Hestia's hair lightly. "I always told you—you just needed time. And now look at you. Your Familia's making waves."
Hestia's throat tightened. She felt her eyes sting a little, but she quickly wiped them and grinned. "Yeah… I guess we are, huh?"
Hephaestus smirked. "Damn right you are."
---
---
Tsubaki leaned in, curiosity gleaming in her eye. "So, how'd he do it? The rumors say he killed some unusual Goliath. That true?"
Hestia beamed with pride. "Yep! Felis fought a Variant Goliath and completely crushed it! But that's not all—he wiped out most of the monsters on the 19th floor, and the Dungeon retaliated! It kept throwing more and more monsters at him, even spawning extra Variants! In the end, he had to retreat."
Hephaestus, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke. "...You do understand what that implies, right, Hestia?"
Hestia's smile faltered. Her fingers clenched around the fabric of her dress. "Yes... I do."
Her voice lacked its usual cheer, her expression turning uncharacteristically somber. "But what can I do, Hephaestus? Tell him to stop going into the Dungeon? Forbid him from fighting? I can't." She shook her head, frustration laced in her tone. "This is his path... and I don't have the right to take that from him."
Tsubaki, who had been listening from the side, raised an eyebrow. "Alright, what's with the heavy mood all of a sudden? What exactly are you two talking about?"
Hephaestus let out a slow sigh, folding her arms. "The Dungeon retaliating at that level isn't normal, Tsubaki. When it starts reacting like this, it means it sees him as a serious threat."
Tsubaki frowned. "...And? Ain't that just proof he's getting stronger?"
Hephaestus met her gaze, her crimson eye dark with concern. "If he keeps provoking the Dungeon like this, it might not stop at throwing stronger monsters at him. At worst..."
Her voice lowered.
"A Juggernaut could appear."
Tsubaki stiffened. Her fingers subconsciously curled into a fist as the weight of the words sank in. "Tch... That's not something even a veteran wants to face, let alone a lone adventurer."
Silence hung between them.
Hestia gritted her teeth, her heart twisting in unease. She knew what the Juggernaut was. Every god did. It was the Dungeon's ultimate executioner, summoned only when it deemed a force too dangerous to ignore. No matter how strong Felis was... if that thing appeared—
Her hands clenched tighter.
"...And yet, he'll keep going."
Because that's just the kind of person he was.
And that's what scared her most of all.
Hephaestus sighed, watching her friend sulk. Hestia's worry was understandable, but letting her drown in it wouldn't help anyone. If she couldn't stop Felis from throwing himself into danger, then at least she could make sure he was better equipped for it.
Leaning against her desk, arms crossed, she asked, "Well, if he fought that many Variants—including a Goliath—he should've gotten some decent monster drops, right? Maybe I can help him craft something, so at least he'll have stronger gear to protect himself."
Hestia's gloom vanished as fast as a politician taking back their word. Her eyes lit up, and a wide smile spread across her face. "That's a great idea, Hephaestus! Felis always takes good care of his gear, but if you—"
And then, just as quickly, her expression twisted in embarrassment. A faint flush crept onto her cheeks as she looked away. "Ah… um… actually… I didn't ask."
Tsubaki blinked. "What?"
Hestia squirmed under their stares. "I was too worried about whether he was injured or not! I completely forgot to ask what he got!"
Silence. Then—
Tsubaki threw her head back, laughing. "Hah! That's so like you, Lady Hestia."
Even Hephaestus smirked. "You really are hopeless."
Hestia pouted, cheeks puffed out, but the warmth in her eyes betrayed her fondness. "I was just being a responsible goddess!"
"Sure, sure." Hephaestus chuckled. "Then be responsible and ask him later. If he's sitting on good materials, it'd be a waste not to make something out of them."
Hestia nodded eagerly, her worry momentarily forgotten.
Tsubaki leaned back with a chuckle, arms crossed as she recalled something. "Ah, right. I saw Boris dragging Welf off for drinks after the news about your boy spread. That old drunk was bragging up a storm, claiming the sword he made was the one Felis used to cut down that Goliath variant. And Welf? He just grumbled that his armor was what kept Felis from getting squashed."
Hephaestus smirked. "Well, at least Welf is finally starting to mingle."
Hestia, remembering her own encounter with the red-haired blacksmith, giggled. "He's a good kid. But Felis loves teasing him."
Tsubaki laughed at that, nodding. "Yeah, I can see that. But you know—" She snapped her fingers as another memory clicked into place. "Boris also said Felis got something unusual from that Goliath. Something real special. But only the Boss can process it."
That caught Hephaestus' attention. Her single eye gleamed with curiosity as she turned to Hestia. "Oh? Now that's interesting. Just what did he bring back…?"
----
The bell chimed softly as Felis and Narissa stepped into Hephaestus' luxury storefront, the door gliding shut behind them with an effortless hush. Unlike the rugged forges of lower-tier smithies, the air here carried no trace of oil or smoke—only the faintest hint of polished metal and treated leather, blending with the warm glow of enchanted lamps. Rows of exquisite weapons and armor gleamed within glass cases, their craftsmanship so immaculate they seemed almost untouched by mortal hands.
A well-dressed shopkeeper, his uniform crisp and precise, greeted them with a practiced smile. "Welcome to Hephaestus-sama's shop. How may I assist you?"
Felis returned the smile, tilting his head slightly. "Felis Veltheris and Narissa Valein, of Hestia Familia. We're here to pick up our goddess—she's currently a guest of Hephaestus-sama."
The shopkeeper gave a small nod, professionalism unwavering. "Understood. Please wait a moment." With that, he turned and disappeared through a discreet door at the back, leading toward the legendary smith's private workshop.
Left in the waiting area, Felis and Narissa took a moment to absorb the grandeur around them. The furniture here was just as refined—velvet-upholstered chairs, dark wood tables, and a single glass display case showcasing a breathtaking rapier, its silver filigree catching the light like frozen moonlight.
The door at the back eased open once more, and the shopkeeper returned, inclining his head respectfully. "Hephaestus-sama has called for you. Please, follow me."
Felis and Narissa exchanged glances before stepping forward, thanking the shopkeeper as they followed him beyond the storefront—where the scent of molten metal and fire awaited.
---
The moment Felis and Narissa stepped into the workshop, they barely had time to take in their surroundings before a familiar voice rang out.
"Felis! Narissa!" Hestia's face lit up with pure joy as she rushed toward them, her blue twin tails bouncing with each hurried step. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Felis, squeezing tightly. "You're back!"
Narissa chuckled softly at their goddess' enthusiasm, while Felis, though caught off guard, returned the hug with an easy smile. "We're back, Hestia-sama."
Pulling away just enough to look at them, Hestia's expression shifted to concern. "You two didn't get hurt, did you? No accidents? No unexpected encounters?"
Felis placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his golden eyes warm. "Nothing serious, I promise. We made it through just fine."
Hestia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Nothing serious? That means something happened, doesn't it?"
Felis sighed in amusement before offering a more detailed response. "There was a bit of an unexpected encounter with a new monster variant on the fifth floor. But nothing we couldn't handle."
At that, another voice entered the conversation. "New variant?" Hephaestus, who had been silently observing the reunion, now turned her keen gaze toward Felis. "Tell me more."
Felis finally turned his attention to her and the other presence in the room—Tsubaki Collbrande, her battle-scarred lieutenant, who leaned casually against a workbench, arms crossed in interest. Realizing he had yet to make a proper introduction, he offered a respectful nod. "Felis Veltheris, and this is Narissa Valein. Thank you for hosting Hestia-sama, Hephaestus-sama."
Hephaestus waved off the formality. "Hestia's always welcome here. But back to the monsters—what exactly did you run into?"
Felis nodded and began explaining. "There have been several new monster variants appearing in the upper floors, at least from what I've encountered so far. The Guild has officially named them Goblin Striker, Kobold Packmaster, Goblin Hunter, Dungeon Lizard Stalker, and Fanged Rat Broodmother, covering floors one to five respectively."
Tsubaki let out a low whistle. "So that's why the rookies have been saying the upper floors are getting more dangerous. Thought they were just exaggerating."
Felis shook his head, expression turning more serious. "They weren't. There have already been a lot of casualties. But because most of the victims are rookie adventurers, no one's making a fuss. People just assume they were reckless and got themselves killed."
A brief silence settled over the room. Hestia's grip on Felis' sleeve tightened slightly, her brows furrowing in worry. Hephaestus remained thoughtful, while Tsubaki sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.
"That's troubling," Hephaestus finally said. "If this continues, it could be a real problem."
Felis nodded. "That's why I wanted to bring it up. At the very least, it's something experienced adventurers should be aware of."
Hestia's worry hadn't faded, but for now, she took comfort in the fact that Felis and Narissa had returned safely. "Just… make sure you both stay careful, alright?"
Felis smiled, placing a hand over hers. "Always."
Hephaestus adjusted her glasses slightly, her crimson eye sharpening with interest. "Speaking of variants, I heard you've had several encounters with them, Felis."
Before Felis could respond, Tsubaki leaned in with a teasing grin. "And I heard you've got some unusual monster byproducts. Show us, will you?" Her single eye gleamed with curiosity.
Hephaestus let out a long-suffering sigh at the interruption but didn't bother reprimanding her. This wasn't the first time, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
Felis chuckled, his tail flicking lazily behind him. "Well, I do have some rare monster byproducts from that Variant Goliath I fought. Boris told me that only Hephaestus-sama would be able to process the material properly. And as for the monster byproducts from the 19th-floor variants... well, at the very least, it would take someone at Captain Tsubaki's level to handle them."
Tsubaki's grin widened, and she crossed her arms. "Oh-ho? Flattery will get you everywhere, Felis."
Hephaestus rolled her eye, a hint of amusement tugging at her lips. "Do you have them with you now?"
Felis shook his head. "Not today. But I can bring them first thing tomorrow."
Tsubaki mock-pouted. "Aw, and here I was hoping to take a peek at something interesting."
Felis smirked. "Patience, Captain. Good things come to those who wait."
Hephaestus let out a small chuckle. "Fine. Bring them by tomorrow. I'll take a look then."
Tsubaki stretched, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Guess I'll just have to contain my curiosity till then."
Felis and Narissa exchanged amused glances before nodding. "Then it's settled. We'll see you tomorrow, Hephaestus-sama, Captain Tsubaki."
---
The first day of Bloom Moon arrived with the crisp scent of fresh air drifting through the open windows of Hearth Manor. A new month marked the start of changing weather, bringing with it the opportunity for Hestia to plant flowers and trees that had been impossible before. She had been looking forward to this—excitedly talking about the seeds she had stored away, waiting for just the right time.
Felis stirred awake to the familiar, but troublesome sensation of warmth wrapped around him. He sighed softly, glancing down at the small goddess clinging onto him like an affectionate octopus, her soft breathing steady and peaceful. Carefully, he pried himself free, working around her arms and legs with practiced ease before adjusting the blanket back over her. Hestia shifted slightly, her lips forming a small pout, but she didn't wake.
With a quiet chuckle, Felis slipped out of the room and headed for a quick bath. The cool water chased away the last remnants of sleep, and by the time he was dressed and stepping into the kitchen, he was fully alert. Breakfast was a simple affair—something hearty but not too heavy. The scent of freshly made bread, eggs, and grilled meat filled the air as he set the plates on the dining table. He made sure to portion out a little extra for Narissa.
Today, she would rest. Going into the dungeon four days in a row was no small feat, and while her determination was admirable, pushing too hard without balance would only lead to exhaustion and costly mistakes. The dungeon was an unforgiving place; a single misstep could mean death. Rest was just as important as training.
Once the food was prepared, Felis moved on to reorganizing his backpack, carefully packing the monster byproducts he intended to show Hephaestus and Tsubaki. He had already heard from Hestia why Hephaestus wanted to craft gear for him—it was out of concern for Hestia as much as for himself. It was a kindness he didn't take lightly.
Stepping outside, sword in hand, Felis fell into the rhythmic motion of his usual routine. The steady swing of his blade, the feel of its weight, and the controlled flow of his movements were second nature to him now. Even on days when he wasn't diving into the dungeon, this was a habit he never neglected.
When he was done, sweat clung lightly to his skin, prompting another quick bath before heading to Hephaestus Familia's domain. As he passed by the office room, he noticed the soft glow of light spilling from within. If the light was on, that meant Hestia was updating Narissa's Falna. He made a mental note to check on them afterward—after all, they needed to decide their next steps before returning to the dungeon.
---
After finishing his bath and changing into fresh clothes, Felis grabbed his prepared backpack and returned to the living room. Hestia and Narissa were already there, with Hestia animatedly speaking while Narissa listened with a small smile.
"It's amazing how much you've grown already!" Hestia beamed, squeezing Narissa's hands with pride. "But don't push yourself too hard, okay? Rest is just as important as training!"
Felis set his backpack down by the sofa and took a seat across from them. Hestia, still brimming with excitement, handed him a parchment—Narissa's updated status. He took a glance, reading over the numbers carefully.
---
Narissa Valein
Level 1
Strength: F 397
Endurance: E 421
Agility: F 351
Dexterity: E 414
Magic: B 736
---
It was an impressive growth rate. A very good one, in fact. From the moment Felis had read about her Fulgor Familiae skill, he'd already decided that despite being a mage, Narissa shouldn't neglect her other stats. That's why he'd given her one of the unicorn daggers—forcing her to engage in close combat and not just rely on spellcasting. Thanks to that, her physical abilities had grown at a steady pace alongside her magic.
Before she ranked up, he wanted her to push her stats even further. Ideally, every stat should reach S-rank before advancing. Magic alone wouldn't be enough in the dungeon—monsters wouldn't politely line up and wait for her to complete her chants before attacking. The dungeon was a chaotic, merciless battlefield.
Felis recalled watching Ryuu in action—how she weaved through enemies with blinding speed, dealing damage before finishing them off with magic. It was both beautiful and deadly. That was the kind of mage he envisioned Narissa becoming. His standards were high, but he wouldn't force them on her. If she could reach that level, great. If not, as long as she could protect herself until her magic was fully cast, that would be enough.
As he finished his thoughts, he glanced at Narissa. She was watching him closely, anticipation clear in her violet eyes, though a faint nervousness lingered beneath the surface.
Felis set the parchment down and gave her a nod. "You're doing great," he said. "At this rate, it won't be long before you rank up. But if possible, I'd like you to push all your stats to S before that happens. It'd be a waste of your skill to rank up too early."
Narissa clenched her fists and nodded with conviction. "I want to grow stronger—to protect what's precious to me. Even if it's hard, even if it takes time, I'll do everything I can to reach that point."
Felis blinked, then gave her a playful smirk. 'She really got carried away by the mood, huh?'
Realizing what she'd just blurted out, Narissa's face turned a deep shade of red. It wasn't that her words were embarrassing—on the contrary, they were admirable. But saying them so passionately, out loud like that… that was what made her flustered.
Hestia, ever the doting goddess, pulled Narissa into a comforting embrace, shielding her from further embarrassment.
Felis chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, we'll talk about the dungeon later. For now, just take it easy. Rest, or do something with Hestia—it's your choice. I'm heading to Hephaestus-sama's place."
With that, he grabbed his backpack and stepped out of the Heart Manor, leaving behind the warmth of home as he set off for his next destination.
---
Felis didn't head straight to Hephaestus' workshop. Instead, he made a detour to the Guild, his thoughts preoccupied with the recent reports of new variants appearing on the upper floors. The increasing number of casualties among rookies was a problem that couldn't be ignored.
As he entered the Guild, he immediately spotted Eina behind the counter, focused on her work. Not wanting to startle her, he approached at a relaxed pace before offering a casual greeting. "Good morning, Eina-san."
Eina looked up and, upon seeing him, her lips curved into a small smile—only for her expression to quickly shift into mild exasperation. "Felis-san, don't tell me you're here to report another reckless venture into the Dungeon?"
Felis chuckled. "Nope. Actually, Narissa and I are taking a break today."
That earned a visible sigh of relief from Eina. "Good. I was worried she might be pushing herself too hard."
"I thought the same," he admitted. "That's why I made her take the day off."
Eina nodded approvingly. "So then, what brings you here?"
His expression turned serious. "I have something to discuss with you."
Recognizing the shift in tone, Eina's demeanor became more professional. "Let's talk in the consultation room."
She led him down the familiar hallway, opening the door to the small, neatly arranged room where they often discussed dungeon strategies. Once they were seated, Felis got straight to the point.
"The new variants on the upper floors," he began. "They've already claimed too many lives, and there's still no clear countermeasure for rookies. It's dangerous, and unless something is done soon, more people will die."
Eina's expression darkened. "I know. The Guild has been discussing solutions, but without concrete information on these variants, there's only so much we can do."
"That's why I want to volunteer," Felis stated. "For the next three days, I'll go to the first through fifth floors—twice a day, morning and evening—to check for any variants and eliminate them before they can harm rookies."
Eina blinked, taken aback. "Felis… that's not your responsibility. This is the Guild's problem to handle."
"I know," he said evenly. "But the Guild hasn't found a working solution yet, and people are still dying. I can handle upper-floor variants without much trouble, and it's only for three days. I still have my Familia to take care of, so I won't overcommit."
Eina looked down, fingers tightening slightly on the edge of the table. It was clear she didn't like the idea of placing this burden on him. But at the same time, she knew he wasn't wrong. If a single adventurer with Felis' skill could buy the Guild time to develop proper countermeasures, it was an opportunity they couldn't afford to dismiss.
After a long pause, she exhaled and stood. "I need to take this proposal to the upper management. Give me some time."
Felis nodded, leaning back slightly. "Take your time. I'll wait for your answer."
As she left the room, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. Now, all that was left was to see if the Guild would accept his offer.