Danmachi: Hephaestus is my Wife

I kept forging swords, and after forging two more common-rank swords, I checked the system to get an idea of how many points I needed to level up.

[321]

'It's slower than I expected. How long would it take if I didn't have the "Accelerated Growth" skill?'

Well... It makes sense that it would be difficult to increase my rank. The system would be utterly unbalanced if I could rank up too quickly.

Based on my calculations, I'll rank up to G in about a week—if I forge several swords daily.

"These swords are good, but they're not comparable to the first one," Mikari said while analyzing the two swords I had forged. We were now eating lunch together, as it was midday.

Nina brought my lunch.

"That sword is an exception. Sometimes I manage to create something like it, but most of my swords are common swords. At least for now."

"How long do you think it will take to reach a level where every sword you make is strong like that one?" Mikari asked.

"Maybe a month? I have no idea."

"A month is a very short time. Isn't that an exaggeration? If, in a month, you're making multiple swords like that, you could have your own workshop."

"That's my goal for now. To have my own workshop and start selling my swords."

"You need to work hard!" Mikari said enthusiastically. "I'll keep watching you over the next few days—I'm so excited about your progress!"

"Are you sure you need to do that? You said I don't need a trainer. You could go back to your work and leave me."

"What? Don't you like my company?" Mikari pouted.

"Honestly, having you here is better than those two idiots. Speaking of them, I wonder what happened to them."

"Who?"

"Balnan and Luck. You don't know them?"

"I think I know someone named Luck. I saw him this morning. He looked pretty sad. But as for this Balnan guy, I don't recall him."

"He's an arrogant jerk who thinks he's better than he actually is."

####

Nightfall.

By the time night came, I had managed to forge four more swords, all of them of common rank. Mikari seemed pleased, even though they weren't refined-rank swords.

"They may not be as good as that one, but these are high-quality swords. Good work."

"Thank you."

"Are you going to forge one more, or are you done for the day?"

"Hephaestus is about to arrive. Besides, I'm exhausted." I was utterly drenched in sweat, and my hands were trembling. All I wanted was to return to my room and sleep. I'd think about forging more swords tomorrow.

But, thinking back, ever since I arrived here, all I've done is forge swords.

I hadn't interacted with other characters in the story, gone to the dungeon, or even left the house.

'Well, I want to evolve quickly, so I need to work hard.'

After training for a month, I'll think about other things.

I can reach a satisfactory rank in a month—high enough to get my workshop and start forging weapons to sell. Doing so will help build my reputation within Familia and Orario.

Then, Hephaestus entered the training room.

As she stepped through the door, Mikari grabbed the refined-rank sword I had forged and ran toward her.

"Goddess, look at this!" Mikari's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"What is it?"

"It's one of the swords your boyfriend forged! It's incredible! I've never seen a sword like this—you need to try it!"

"Stop calling him 'your boyfriend.' Call him by his name."

"Oh, right. Eryk forged this sword. Take a look."

"I've never seen you this excited before. Is it really that amazing?"

"I don't know how he forged a sword like this. It has an ability you can activate by saying 'Quick Slash.' Try it!"

"..." Hephaestus looked at the sword, then at me.

"It's true. Try it out. But be careful."

"Careful?"

"Yes. The ability makes your attack much faster—it could be dangerous. My arm still hurts from earlier," Mikari said, rubbing her arm.

"The attack increased my speed by 200% or more. My arm moved so fast that my body couldn't keep up," Mikari said with a bitter smile. "But if it's you, you should be fine."

"Let's see."

Unlike Mikari and me, Hephaestus didn't use a training dummy. She decided to swing the sword in the air instead. "Should I say 'Quick Slash'?" Hephaestus asked again, and I nodded.

She prepared herself. Her stance was as perfect as Mikari's.

Hephaestus looked straight ahead with a serious expression and said, "Quick Slash." Then, she swung the sword.

Her strike was even faster than Mikari's, producing a stronger shockwave. Hephaestus widened her eyes and then examined the blade. "What kind of terrifying ability is this? No one can react to an attack like this."

Hearing Hephaestus, I concluded:

This system is truly overpowered.

This is a refined-rank sword, and its ability is only at level one. Yet, it's incredibly powerful in the eyes of Hephaestus and Mikari.

I do have the power to change this world entirely.

'I'm getting excited.'

"How did you create something like this?"

Knowing I couldn't lie to a god, I didn't know how to respond.

Should I tell her about the system?

"I'll explain everything later," I said.

I didn't want to discuss it here since Mikari would hear about it. When we were alone, I'd clarify everything.

I hope it isn't a foolish decision.

####

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Next chapters: Chapter 18 - Capacity to evolve infinitely. / Chapter 19 - Rare Rank Sword. / Chapter 20 - It consumes a lot of magic. / Chapter 21 - Babel. / Chapter 22 - Adaptation. / Chapter 23 - It's frustrating. / Chapter 24 - Rank G. New probabilities. / Chapter 25 - Excited to explore the dungeon. / Chapter 26 - A mission?