Two hours later, In the Hephaestus familia.
Under the arrangement of Tsubaki, Akira officially entered Hephaestus familia, and now standing in front of Hephaestus room at this moment.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Knock knock..."
"Goddess Hephaestus."
As soon as the words fell, Hephaestus' voice came from the room.
"The door is unlocked, come in."
With the permission of the Hephaestus, Akira opened the door and entered.
His eyes swept across the entire room, it should be a three-bedroom suite, and Hephaestus was sitting in the bed and sorting some files.
"Akira, take off your shirt and lie on the bed, wait for me for a while."
Knowing the process of bestowing God's favor, Akira unbuttoned his clothes, took off his shirt and lay down on the bed.
It seems nothing important with it, so he asked.
"Goddess, what are you looking at?"
Presumably, He is already part of her familia and Hephaestus did not regard Akira as an outsider at all, and replied very simply: "The large batch of weapons forging sent by Loki Familia is too large, so I need to personally examine it. "
"The Loki Familia?" Akira was slightly surprised.
Hearing the doubt in his words, Hephaestus explained: "It should be the preparations for the next expedition."
"Expedition... Then our family, which floor of the maze have we been to the furthest time?"
"Our family members are quite special. Familia like Loki will seek our cooperation every time they go on an expedition. After all, expeditions consume a lot of equipment."
"So the expedition progress of our family is basically the same as that of Orario Top familia."
Hearing Hephaestus' explanation, Akira seemed to understand.
In the anime series, the follow-up expedition, the Hephaestus family was indeed sought to cooperate.
After chatting for a while, Hephaestus finally finished the work at hand, and then she walked to Akira's side.
"When I give you falna, your body may feel a little strange, so don't have any resistance."
"Understood"
The forewarning ended, and Hephaestus bit her fingertips.
The blood flowed out from the wound, condensed into a drop of blood and dripped on Akira's back, and then the faint blue fluorescent light formed a volcano with double hammer-shaped emblem on the back, which gradually illuminating the whole room with bright light.
When the light reached its brightest moment, Hephaestus picked up the special paper prepared in advance for printing status values and spread it on the back, and then gently pressed the paper surface with jade hands.
Afterwards, the blue fluorescence disappeared, and when the paper was peeled off again, Akira's status had already been printed on it.
Hephaestus, who can understand the sacred text, can actually read the status value directly, but she prefers to read it after rubbing it down.
However.
"this...!"
After seeing Akira's initial state, even Hephaestus, who had been in this lower realm for a long time, couldn't help but widen her beautiful eyes, and was shocked on the spot.
——
(Stats)
Name: Akira Nagumo
Level: 1
STR: I-0 ~> I-0
VIT: I-0 ~> I-0
DEX: I-0 ~> I-0
AGI: I-0 ~> I-0
MAG: I-0 ~> I-0
Luck: S
Healing: S
Swordman: S
(Magic)
[Breathing Style]
•Style: Sun Breathing, Fire Breathing, Wind Breathing.
•Users can automatically visualize themselves manipulating the
elements behind their style which makes controlling magic easier and
are able to instantly cast without any chant.
(Skill)
[Transcend]
•Remove the limit of any aspect of the user's abilities and skills. Greatly
increase excelia gain from all actions. immunity toward Debuff.
[Unknown Cursed]
•Continuously weakening the vitality of the body and acquiring
Numerous disease over time
[World's Blessing]
•Gaining the a fragment of world's luck, continuously rejuvenate the
vitality of the body, Higher aptitude toward nature related thing.
——
The five basic attributes did not surprise him. All Adventurer will always start with I-0 as the falna will makes your previous physique as foundation.
When Akira saw the "Unknown Cursed", Akira's heart skipped a beat.
Because he knew very well what that thing do, but he didn't know that even the blessing of the gods can't recognized it and was displayed as "unknown Cursed".
While feeling uneasy, Akira frantically thought about how to explain these skills.
Skills manifested through Falna are often related to a person's nature, mastery and conditions.
Like Breathing Style were included because of numerous practice and mastery of the ability.
In addition to this skill, the other three skills are obviously related to Akira's nature.
Not to mention the skill "Transcend".
A complete overpowered skill, even Hephaestus was subconsciously surprised after seeing it.
But compared to this skill, what Hephaestus cares about now is Akira's other skill.
Looking at Akira, whose expression did not change at all after reading the attributes, Hephaestus frowned and replied.
"Akira, do you really understand what that skill means?"
"Continuously weakening the vitality of the body."
"This skill 'Unknown Cursed' is essentially a debuff and curse which shouldn't appear in the skill column."
"If you don't find a way to remove it, once that thing accumulate disease, you will die sooner or later."
"If my judgment is correct, the number of diseases in your body has just exceeded four digits."
"Goddess Hephaestus, you should calm down a bit."
After putting on his upper body clothes, Akira, who knew his physical condition very well, replied calmly.
"Although the growth rate will be faster in the future, I will not die in a short time."
"And before that time comes, I'm going to find a way to clean it up."
"Really, why are you so calm?"
Hephaestus sighed helplessly.
"Who are you provoking? You will make them..."
Halfway through, Hephaestus suddenly stopped as she thought of something.
"its not right!"
"With this level of curse, there is no one from the lower world have that ability
"Isn't there some shameless old guy who secretly uses his divine power to do evil things to you?"
"Don't worry, it's not as complicated as you think."
Akira replied.
"You'll understand later
It is precisely because of this that Akira anticipated this outcome before Hephaestus granted the falna, and spoke to ease the mood.
"Your reaction is different from what I expected."
Putting down the paper in his hand, Akira looked at Hephaestus who fell silent.
"Why do I feel that you are in a dull mood?"
"Shouldn't you be happy to see your dependents being so powerful?"
"Normally this is true, but..."
Feeling the power in his body that was still and motionless, even when she bestowed Falna, Hephaestus couldn't do anything.
It can only be said that his luck is pretty good.
One disease has mortality rate close to 10% in one go.
Just imagine how terrifying a four digit disease in his body.
Even with the rejuvenation and luck which act as divine protection, it can only heal and slow down the growth rate of the disease but it can't suppressed or eliminate the main curse.
This makes a strange balance between them.
"There is one thing that bothers me, Goddess Hephaestus, Can I see your eye underneath your eyepatch"
Surprised, Hephaestus touch her eyepatch with her hand while asking.
"Why is that?"
"I'm just curious, beside I also want to comprehend and understand if I can do anything about it."
"Ehh? Although I don't want to say it but you should know that even gods can't heal this"
"Let me try..."
Hephaestus was resisting but Akira kept pestering her while getting closer and closer to her, not letting the matter go until she finally snapped.
"Fine! Since you want to see it so much.." She slowly took off the eyepatch..
Her eyes was pitch black including the sclera, there is also black marking around the eyes which indicate that the cursed is slowly spreading.
Hephaestus wanted to see Akira's reaction and just as she started fearing the worst, she heard a word.
"Here, Goddess Hephaestus, try it." In Hephaestus' complicated mood, Akira handed over a green liquid-like ball in his hand.
Taking a deep breath and forcing herself to calm down, Although many question popping in her head, Hephaestus still choose to trust him and eat it in one gulp.
The next moment, as soon as the ball entered her stomach, Hephaestus' body changed. Emerald green light emerged from her body, especially the right eye which was even more dazzling.
Akira knew at a glance that the effect of that thing was taking effect, and they were trying to remove the curse on Hephaestos' face.
He didn't know if it will work.
Akira watched this scene with anticipation, and Hephaestus herself was also looking forward to what is it.
Hephaestus felt warm all over her body and it's very comfortable.
However, the next moment, she felt an extremely hot feeling coming from her right eye, which made her unconsciously close both eye in pain.
'problem occurs?'
However, the next moment, he saw Hephaestus open her eyes, revealing the situation inside.
Suddenly, Hephaestus, strode forward, and hugged Akira directly.
Being suddenly hugged by Hephaestus, Akira didn't dare to move for a moment, his hands was just raised with nowhere to put them.
At this time, Hephaestus's voice sounded in Akira's ears.
"It's such a blessing accepting you"
"Hephaestus, understanding your curse is also beneficial to me and beside your curse is a bit special as it only eats divine energy, this also why i can eliminate it since I'm using nature energy"
"Beside your curse is not fully healed and I only healed the outer appearance which is one-tenth of the whole curse, with this you don't need to hide to wear that eyepatch"
After saying this, Akira immediately bowed his head slightly then turned around and left the room, naturally he did not forget to close the door before parting.
The mood inside is a bit ambiguous, staying there will not do anything good specially Hephaestus' weird gaze at him.
Hephaestus waited inside alone, and after a while, the door was pushed open again, and Tsubaki, who had left earlier, returned to the room.
"My lord, how do you feel?"
"Not bad, he is indeed a talented man as you said. Tsubaki, I will leave Akira to you for training, sooner or later he will surpass you in the future!"
Hephaestus didn't said anything more and just instructed, even her right eye was still covered by eyepatch since if this is discovered it will definitely attract all gods and investigate which is unfavorable to Akira.
To hear such a high evaluation from her own goddess,Tsubaki was a little surprised but she is not a jealous person, and it would be great if a newcomer with great potential joins.
If the other party can grow quickly and share the pressure for herself, she will have more time to spend on forging.
"Leave it to me, Lord Hephaestus, I will train him well.
...
"So you really joined the Hephaestus Familia?"
Looking at the man in front of her, Eina was dumbfounded.
"I thought you would consider it."
The reason why she handed over the recruitment order from the Hephaestus Familia to Akira was actually because she noticed Hephaestus strictness during their brief contact yesterday.
According to her thoughts, Akira, who seemed to be relatively rational, should have noticed how strict and hard it was to join Hephaestus Familia, specially he didnt know forging.
Then after inner struggle, the other party will have the idea of retreating from the difficulties, and finally choose another suitable familia.
result...
The other party actually joined in like that!
Thinking of this, Eina couldn't help but feel guilty.
In her opinion, she had tricked the other party.
"Don't blame yourself."
As if he had read through Eina's thoughts, Akira, who had just filled out the adventurer registration form, replied.
"I did exactly what I wanted."
"You didn't trick me. On the contrary, you did me a big favor."
"That's what I say..."
Eina was still a little confused.
Adventurers go to dungeons to risk their lives.
Joining a familia that is industrial type is completely different from joining a exploration type.
Exploration type focus on dungeon dive which can make him develop quickly.
"If you really feel sorry for me, then help me get the guild supplies."
Seeing that her persuasion was ineffective, Akira didn't care.
After spreading his hands to show that there is no gear in his hand, he reminded her.
"As you can see, I don't even have a weapon."
"If I go to the dungeon, my freshly washed body will be covered in blood again."
Eina: "..."
Is there something wrong with this person's focus?
...
A full body black clothing made from an unknown fabric.
Breastplate, gauntlets and leg armor that protect key parts of the body.
Boots that are convenient for various terrain in the dungeon.
And a fairly sharp long sword.
These were the guild supplies that Eina brought to Akira after returning from the warehouse.
Actually, Akira only needs a long sword.
He could also acquire a sharper sword in Hephaestus familia but he is in hurry to dive in the dungeon, it's too much of a hassle to be fully prepared
After all, it was his first time to go to the dungeon, he only plans wandering around a few floors above.
The monsters produced in that kind of place are monsters like goblins, kobolds and lizards.
With his strength, he can pass the level without any damage with just one weapon.
Unfortunately, Eina, who still has an inexplicable sense of guilt and responsibility, firmly opposed this opinion.
"An unexpected disaster creates an additional liability."
"Life safety is more important than debt."
Eina replied with a serious look.
"And the supplies provided by the guild are of high quality and low price. They only cost 30,000 mana in total."
"As long as nothing happens to you, Akira, you will be able to pay back the money soon."
"I don't deny that."
"But compared to this kind of armor, the beautiful girl's blessing can actually lift my spirits more."
"what?"
"Well~ let's do this for now anyway."
After waving the sword in his hand and tapping the protective gear on his body, Akira finally confirmed that he had not bought a defective product and turned around and walked out the door.
"I'm going to the dungeon, see you tonight."
...
"Akira~"
As soon as he left the guild gate, a familiar heroic voice came from not far away.
"Didn't you go to discuss the commission?"
Looking at the woman in front of him, whose upper body was now covered in button placket t-shirt and wearing bright red hakama trousers t the bottom, Akira had a flash of doubt in his eyes.
"Why did you come here?"
"The commission has been completed earlier than expected."
"As for why I am here."
Patting the long knife on his waist, Tsubaki replied with a smile on her face.
"This is a order from the goddess."
"She said it was your first time going to the dungeon and she hoped I could keep an eye on you."
Of course, the most important reason is that she also wants to take a look.
...
If a first-class adventurer request to accompany him, Akira will naturally not refuse.
Needless to say, there is no need to talk about safety issues.
More importantly, with the other person beside him, he at least didn't have to worry about getting lost.
"This is the first level of the dungeon."
Tsubaki, who was walking side by side with Akira in the passageway that exuded light blue light, introduced.
"According to the guild, all areas above the eighteenth floor of the dungeon are called [Cave Maze]."
"If you have seen the reason, the walls here are all like rocks, and the layout is nothing new."
"Of course, in the dungeon, the cave maze can be said to be the most friendly area for new adventurers."
"What's the reason?"
Akira who had only seen the information on the upper floors of the dungeon, asked.
"The more adventurers there are, the more likely they are to be rescued when in danger."
"The environment is clear at a glance. There is no place for monsters to hide, and there is no natural weapons for the opponent to use."
"Of course, the most important thing is that the monsters here don't have much intelligence, and their ability values are also low."
Tsubaki raised her right hand and pointed at the goblin staggering over not far away.
"People who just received falna have slightly improved physical fitness."
"Facing a weak monster like Goblin, as long as you watch the opponent's movements and swing your weapon, even a child can win."
"Those two premises of yours cannot be accomplished by ordinary children."
Akira casually pulled out the long sword from his waist and slashed it across the goblin's neck, ending the first battle.
"Well~ this is Orario."
"The most important thing is extraordinary children."
"But there are not many people like you who have just become adventurers and can calmly fight monsters."
Looking at Akira who directly picked up the magic stone from the ground, a flash of curiosity flashed in her eyes.
"What did you do before?"
"Training."
"If you don't want to say anything, you can actually refuse directly."
"No, what I said is the truth."
Looking at the place where the goblin turned into ashes, Akira continued to walk deeper into the passage.
...
The sixth floor of the dungeon.
Ais, who had just finished a new round of dungeon training and returned from the lower level, was walking alone here.
As a level 5 adventurer, the monsters on this floor pose no threat to her.
but...
After killing all the monsters on the road as easily as chopping melons and vegetables, the girl who usually returned to the Loki Familia immediately for repairs rarely stopped this time.
Looking at an acquaintance standing in front not far away, Ais walked over curiously.
"Hey~! Isn't this Ais!"
Hearing the footstep coming from the side, Tsubaki turned around and greeted Ais.
"Are you alone? Where are the others?"
"They didn't follow"
Ais briefly replied.
She was bored staying in the family, so she sneaked out and ran into the dungeon for training.
"It's really hard work."
Seeing Ais slightly messy appearance, Tsubaki understood instantly.
"How many floors did you go to practice this time?"
"36."
"Is it that deep?"
According to the guild classification, the dungeon is considered deep starting from the 37th floor.
A person who fights to the 36th floor, stays there for who knows how many days, and then fights back from the lower floor is something that only a top adventurer like them can try.
If someone else did this, I'm afraid their body wouldn't be recovered.
"You are?"
"I'm here to take care of the newcomer."
Hearing Ais' confusing question, Tsubaki understood and replied.
"This man had just received the favor not long ago and dived the dungeon for the first time."
"Our lord was worried that something was wrong with him, so he entrusted me to come over and take care of him."
"First time?"
Ais suddenly froze on the spot