"The Blue Ribbon"
After crafting his first short sword, which he named Dragonscale, Drake seemed to find joy in forging and spent several days secluded in Hephaestus's forge.
Perhaps it was because the sound of a hammer striking metal resembled the sound of coins dropping.
Besides Dragonscale I (the short sword), Drake also crafted Dragonscale II (a longsword), III (a scimitar), and IV (a straight sword) over those few days.
After experimenting with different weapon types, Hephaestus informed Drake that he could move on to the next stage of his training: working with and forging various special materials.
Perhaps because monsters originate from the Dungeon, their material drops, while biological in origin, possess metallic properties.
Besides monsters, the Dungeon occasionally yields minerals, which are the best forging materials.
The most common is a material called "Strong Steel," and even monster drops contain a certain amount of it.
This explains why monsters are so difficult to defeat; they are truly tough.
Learning to process these materials is a crucial skill for blacksmiths. This stage requires significant Valis to purchase various materials, making it the most expensive phase of forging training.
Drake's 300,000 Valis, after deducting living expenses, was only enough for lower-grade materials; higher-grade materials were out of the question.
Furthermore, Drake couldn't indefinitely occupy Hephaestus's forge; it was time to renovate his own assigned workshop.
Drake, having been acknowledged by Hephaestus as a blacksmith worthy of marking his creations with the Ηφαιστο symbol, was entitled to his own workspace.
Fortunately, Hephaestus had already sold the four items Drake had crafted, and he expected to receive sufficient funds soon.
Before receiving the payment, Drake had some free time and decided to return to the Dungeon to acquire more materials.
Drake packed lightly; while planning to delve deeper this time, he still traveled light, only bringing a few more recovery potions than last time.
While Drake was confident, Hephaestus had repeatedly warned him that "confidence is the most dangerous thing in the Dungeon."
Therefore, it was better to be prepared, so Drake purchased recovery potions.
Incidentally, Drake bought the potions from the Dian Cecht Familia's shop. He'd hoped to encounter the battlefield saintess who possessed the Mystery skill, but he was disappointed.
He later learned that the Dian Cecht Familia also operated a hospital, where the battlefield saintess was stationed.
Considering her almost cheating-level magic, she was indeed more skilled than any physician.
This also explained the Dian Cecht Familia's wealth; even the most basic recovery potions cost 1,000 Valis each.
These potions only restored physical stamina, not wounds. High-level recovery potions, capable of healing wounds, cost 10,000 Valis each.
Potions restoring magical power cost 20,000 Valis each. The even rarer Panacea cost 500,000 Valis and was frequently unavailable.
Compared to the Dian Cecht Familia, the Miach Familia, which also possessed potion-making techniques, uniquely produced Dual Recovery Potions, restoring both stamina and magic. Miach is known for its poverty, highlighting the goddess's extravagant spending habits.
Drake couldn't afford the Panacea, only purchasing five recovery potions: two high-level recovery potions and two magical recovery potions. His wallet was significantly lighter.
Having packed, Drake was about to leave when he witnessed an amusing scene at the entrance.
Hephaestus was struggling to shake off something clinging to her leg.
Drake saw a girl in a white dress and twintails clinging to Hephaestus's leg.
Most striking was the unusually long "blue ribbon." Drake's initial exposure to this world's story was due to this blue ribbon.
Hephaestus looked furious. "Hestia, how long will you continue this? Since arriving in the lower world, you've been mooching off me; you'll become a complete failure!
So whether you get a job or find Familia members and start your own Familia, you need to become self-sufficient!"
The girl clinging to Hephaestus's leg was another goddess: Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, who had taken Bell into her Familia in the original story.
Hestia and Hephaestus were close friends in the heavens; Hestia had been relying on Hephaestus since coming to the lower world.
The Hephaestus Familia was wealthy enough to support a goddess, but Hephaestus didn't want to see her friend become completely reliant on others, so she decided to evict her.
"No! Hephaestus, I don't want to work! For old times' sake, even if it's just fried potato balls every day, please let me stay!"
"Is that what it's come to? Hestia, you've become a complete parasite!" Hephaestus was furious at her friend's shameless behavior.
Drake hesitated to approach; he'd known this goddess, but he hadn't expected this side of her.
As Bell's guide, Hestia in the original story was somewhat obtuse but also displayed moments of wisdom.
Her divine authority was quite high. Hestia's other name, "Vesta," signifies the eternal, inextinguishable sacred flame, reflecting her power over "invincibility."
Even Uranus, who suppresses the Dungeon, held Hestia in high regard. Later, Freya, seeking Bell, used charm magic to hypnotize all of Orario; Hestia was one of the few who remained unaffected.
It was unbelievable that such a goddess was clinging to Hephaestus's leg, begging her not to be evicted.
After failing to shake Hestia off, Hephaestus, out of breath, said, "Aren't you feuding with Loki, aiming to build a Familia that surpasses hers?
If you continue to slack off, I won't be responsible for Loki's mockery!"
Hestia paused, remembering this.
Being mocked by Loki was unacceptable.
Faced with the choice between Loki's mockery and comfortable living, Hestia hesitated.
Seizing the opportunity, Hephaestus quickly pulled her leg free and kicked Hestia out before she could react.
"Ouch!"
Hestia finally regained her senses; before she could plead, she saw the door open again.
Thinking Hephaestus had changed her mind, she happily approached, only to see Hephaestus throw her luggage out, clearly determined to evict her.
Hephaestus wiped the sweat from her brow and turned to see Drake standing in the distance.
"Sorry, you saw that."
Drake shook his head. "No, I only saw My Lady's kindness."
"Kindness?" Hephaestus chuckled; in the heavens, she was known for her stubbornness, not kindness.
Looking at Drake's bag, Hephaestus said, "Going to the Dungeon?"
Drake nodded. "To acquire some materials."
Hephaestus said, "I won't say anything else; may you return safely."
"Indeed, My Lady is very kind!"
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