Inside the forge, the smiths threw themselves into their work with reckless joy.
A brand-new workspace, responsive furnaces they could fine-tune on a whim, tools that fit hand and habit—under such conditions, every craftsman felt the itch to hammer something now. New toys begged to be used.
Even in the Hephaestus Familia, not everyone had a private workshop. Until you earned a name, that level of independence was out of reach. This place wasn't "private," strictly speaking—but in every other way it was a personal forge, and in some respects even better.
The whole set-up sent spirits soaring. The ringing of steel on steel never stopped.
Watching her people buzz, Tsubaki couldn't help the satisfied curve at her lips.
"In Orario, no name means no work," she called over the din. "You can be brilliant, but if no one knows it, your blades gather dust. Hone your craft. Seize chances to show it. Early on, the best chances come on expedition."
Hephaestus's children were homebodies by nature—if they had free time, they buried it in practice. But skill cost materials, and materials weren't cheap. The smith's road was as hard as any adventurer's.
Her voice traveled across the hall. Eyes burned brighter. Yes, this environment and these tools thrilled them—but more than that, this was a stage to prove themselves.
Repairing weapons was the finishing school of forging—a discipline every smith had to master. Who was truly good showed in the "small" places. Front-line adventurers felt everything through the hilt; they knew in a heartbeat whether a weapon was "right."
Expeditions were perfect for pairing with those front-liners—and for planting seeds. A relationship could start with a careful tune-up. Low-level adventurers would balance craft against coin; right now was the best cost-performance moment for hungry smiths. More than low fees, they feared not even being chosen—so everyone pushed harder.
Beyond the forge, the great-tree lodgings thrummed with life. After a full day of pushing forward, there was only one thing on most minds: a proper bath.
In past expeditions, that was fantasy. Clean water in the Dungeon was precious, especially water you could trust. No one squandered it on soaking away grime.
Now? They could indulge in luxuries that used to sound absurd.
Warm water loosened knots you didn't know you had. For those who'd been neck-deep in combat since morning, it was bliss.
"Mmm—"
In the women's bath, Tiona spread her arms and legs, letting heat swallow her shoulders and below. Full immersion was the best kind of melting.
"Relax, relax—my whole day's fatigue just evaporated."
"What fatigue?" Tione shot back. "You barely lifted a finger today."
"Heehee. Saying it out loud somehow makes this soak feel even better."
Tione rolled her eyes and sank deeper, letting the steam do its work.
Tiona's attention slid to Riveria across the pool. "Riveria, we're not… sprinting for the fifties tomorrow, are we?"
"No." Riveria opened her eyes to a sudden cluster of curious looks and obliged with an explanation. "The deeper we go, the less 'smooth' it becomes. Our pace won't increase—if anything, it will slow. For the Level 2s, the floors to come are where pressure truly begins. Today was acclimation."
Past the middle levels, numbers climbed—and so did raw monster strength. The environment started to turn hostile to Level 2 survival. But that was exactly why it mattered.
"For challengers like you," she continued, "remember: deeper monsters are not forgiving. A small mistake can become a serious injury. When your own power can't shake an enemy, use your head—and your allies. Finding a way together is how you earn great deeds and your promotion."
She let her gaze circle the pool. Crossing the Level 2 threshold hinged on the deep floors; when you couldn't win straight up, you had to lean on training, tactics, and each other.
Risk came with reward. If they endured the swarms and the strength spikes, "great deeds" would start to reach back.
"When you're done, reset yourselves properly," Riveria finished. "Don't let better living make you sloppy. Remember why you're here. We need conditions to keep going—not pride, not complacency."
(End of Chapter)
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