// More chapters later
In the corridors of the Hephaestus Familia.
"Yaaawn"
An utterly unrefined yawn echoed down the hall.
At the far end, a figure leaned against the wall, idly flipping a gold coin in her hand.
She was a fully grown woman with wheat-colored skin. An eyepatch covered her left eye, and her long hair fell over her shoulders, a conspicuous cowlick sticking up from the top. She wore practical work clothes, a fitted chest wrap and a workshop skirt suited for movement, leaving her shoulders bare and revealing firm, explosive muscle lines.
Captain of the Hephaestus Familia, Level 5.
"The One-Eyed Master Smith," Tsubaki Collbrand.
Though she carried dwarven blood, her figure was tall and well-proportioned, lacking the short-limbed traits typical of her race. Her height alone had earned her no small amount of jealousy from other dwarves.
...
Catching the falling coin, Tsubaki glanced at the tightly shut guestroom door and scratched her head.
"Honestly…"
"Lady Hephaestus too…"
"Locking herself in the private forge first thing in the morning and specifically telling me to bring this group of rookies to pick weapons."
"And telling them to choose freely, completely free of charge?"
She grumbled, yet there was little real dissatisfaction in her eyes. If anything, there was curiosity.
After all, as the longest-serving member of Hephaestus's Familia, she understood her goddess better than most.
The same Hephaestus who treated every weapon like her own child… would really be this generous?
This wasn't just giving away weapons. It was practically throwing open the treasury and telling people to help themselves.
...
"Click."
The guestroom door opened.
Haimer stepped out first.
Behind him followed the girls, refreshed after a full night's rest and brimming with energy.
And of course, the two black bears who still looked just as goofy as ever, even after being washed.
"Morning," Haimer greeted with a smile when he saw Tsubaki. "Looks like Hephaestus already briefed you."
"She did. Very thoroughly," Tsubaki replied, straightening up with her hands on her hips. Her single eye sized Haimer up before sweeping across the girls behind him.
They were still Level 1 beginners.
Even so, as a Level 5 adventurer, Tsubaki could keenly sense something unusual about them.
"As expected…"
"Lady Hephaestus's eye for talent has always been sharp."
She grinned, flashing a row of white teeth.
"If it's the goddess's order, I won't waste words."
"Lord Haimer, follow me."
"I'll show you what Orario's strongest armory looks like."
...
After passing through several corridors, Tsubaki pushed open a heavy pair of double doors.
"Hiss"
A synchronized gasp rose from behind her.
Even Amou, who had seen her share of scenes, couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly.
Before them stretched a vast space.
Calling it a warehouse would be an understatement, it was closer to a museum.
Thousands upon thousands of weapons were arranged neatly on racks, stretching from floor to ceiling.
Greatswords, spears, battle axes, crossbows…
Under the glow of magic stone lamps, each weapon shimmered with a cold, lethal gleam. A faint ripple of magical energy even lingered in the air.
"These are all masterpieces forged by our Familia over the years," Tsubaki said as she strode inside. She casually picked up a dagger and spun it in a clean flourish.
"Whether it's beginner gear for fresh adventurers or high-grade weapons only Level 4 and above can properly wield, we've got everything."
"Lady Hephaestus said it herself."
"As long as you can lift it and it feels right in your hands, take it."
The moment those words fell, several Hephaestus Familia members who had been organizing the shelves froze mid-motion.
"Cap- Captain?!"
A young smith holding a bundle of spears widened his eyes, nearly dropping them onto his own foot.
"We're really letting outsiders just take whatever they want?"
"For free?!"
He wasn't alone. The others exchanged bewildered glances, confusion written across their faces.
"Enough chatter!" Tsubaki shouted, turning to silence them.
"It's Lady Hephaestus's order."
Then she faced the girls again, who were already eager.
"Alright, don't hold back."
"Choosing a weapon is about affinity."
"Though…"
Her gaze landed on Onigawara Rin.
"You, the masked girl."
"You've been staring at that blade since we walked in, haven't you?"
Rin stiffened.
Her eyes had indeed been glued to the crystal display case in the center of the hall.
Inside it rested the very blade she had noticed the night before,
The famed katana, Black Crow.
"Good eye."
Tsubaki walked over, opened the case without hesitation, and lifted out the several-million-valis weapon.
"Catch!"
"Eh?!"
Rin fumbled but managed to grab the thrown sword.
Its weight pressed solidly into her palms.
She drew it.
"Shing... "
A clear metallic ring echoed.
Dark steel shimmered beneath flowing cloud-like patterns, cold and razor sharp.
"So this is… how it feels…"
Her hands trembled from exhilaration.
"It's forged from mid-level Black Obsidian Steel," Tsubaki explained calmly, arms folded. "Extremely hard, and it enhances cutting power."
"For a swordsman who favors a direct, forceful style, it's a fine blade."
"This is the one."
Rin sheathed it decisively, eyes firm.
"And you…" Tsubaki turned to Tsukuyo.
The girl stood quietly with her eyes closed.
"You're blind?"
The question was blunt and even borderline rude.
But there was no malice in Tsubaki's tone, only straightforward inquiry.
Tsukuyo nodded.
"Then skip the heavy stuff."
Tsubaki retrieved a sheathed blade from another rack. It was slimmer and slightly longer than a standard katana, with a pure white scabbard.
"This one's called White Egret."
"Light, fast, and nearly silent when swung."
"For someone who fights by hearing, it won't disrupt your judgment."
Tsukuyo accepted the blade, fingers brushing lightly across the hilt.
"Thank you."
Her voice was soft, yet her grip was firm.
"And me? Me?!" Mary pushed forward impatiently, pointing at herself.
"You…" Tsubaki tilted her head. "What type are you looking for?"
"Rapiers!"
"A rapier, huh? Not common."
She stroked her chin and pointed toward another section.
"Third rack on the right."
"There's one called Rose Thorn. It inflicts a bleeding effect. Stabbing someone with it really hurts."
"Really hurts?!" Mary's eyes sparkled.
"I'll take that one!"
It was practically tailor-made for her Noble Verdict skill.
...
The selections continued under Tsubaki's guidance.
"You, the green-haired girl."
"What do you want?"
"Mmm~ Satori wants something that can turn the tables unexpectedly!"
"In that case…"
Tsubaki pointed to a rack in the corner.
"Those over there are better suited for the sneaky types."
Satori's eyes curved into crescent moons at once.
She skipped over, fingers trailing across blade after blade until she stopped at an unassuming, dull gray katana.
"That one's called Gray Serpent," Tsubaki said casually.
"The blade's treated to reduce shine, barely reflects light in the dark."
"And there are extremely fine flow channels along the edge."
"If you smear something on it…"
She didn't finish the sentence, merely shrugged.
"Oh my~ how thoughtful~" Satori giggled, lifting the blade lovingly, her smile innocent as ever.
...
Meanwhile, Amou ignored the dazzling array of weapons entirely.
She headed straight for the armor section.
Having the skill Incarnation Blade, treating her own body as a weapon, didn't mean she enjoyed getting beaten half-naked.
"I'll take that set."
She pointed at a light armor displayed on a mannequin.
It was crafted from black layered leather interwoven with metal plates, maintaining joint flexibility while reinforcing vital areas.
"Good choice," Tsubaki said, patting the armor.
"Made from mid-level Shadow Panther hide and refined steel threads. Light and durable."
"Even if you roll around on the ground, it won't tear your skin."
Amou removed it efficiently and fitted it onto herself.
She moved her limbs once.
"Perfect."
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