[email protected]/jelopy_jelopy for 100+ more chapters
The air in the middle floors was hot and heavy.
Bell dodged a large monster. He breathed heavily.
"Watch its feet, Bell,"
Elias called out.
"Don't just look at the horns. The feet tell you where the body will move."
Bell nodded.
He focused on the monster's legs.
When the beast shifted its weight, Bell stepped to the side.
He swung his black knife and turned the monster to ash.
"Good,"
Elias said. He turned to the small supporter.
"Now you, Lili. Keep your balance. Don't let the bag pull you backward."
Lili held a small dagger. She blocked a leaping goblin and pushed it away.
She felt very proud. Elias was a great teacher.
Dee walked slowly behind them.
She was humming a happy song.
Suddenly, a huge lizard dropped from the ceiling right above her.
Dee didn't stop walking.
She didn't even look up. She casually pulled out a rusty, old sword.
It was her proclaimed +99 dull blade.
She swung it once in the air.
*Whoosh.*
The lizard instantly exploded into dust.
"Nice hit!"
Bell cheered.
"It was nothing!"
Dee laughed, putting the rusty blade away.
"Keep practicing, Bell-kun!"
After a few hours, Lili's bag was completely full.
"We have everything Welf asked for,"
Lili said brightly.
They left the dark dungeon and walked back into the city.
They headed straight for the blacksmith shop.
When they got close, they heard loud voices.
Three large adventurers stood in front of Welf's shop.
They looked very angry.
"I already told you,"
Welf said firmly.
"I don't make magic swords anymore. Leave me alone."
The biggest man grabbed Welf by the collar.
He pushed the blacksmith hard against the brick wall.
"You are a Crozzo,"
The man yelled.
"You will make what we tell you to make. If you refuse, we will smash your tools and burn your shop down."
Welf gritted his teeth. He did not back down, but he was trapped.
Elias stopped walking. His eyes turned very cold.
He hated people who used their strength to bully others.
Elias stepped forward.
"Let him go,"
Elias said.
His voice was quiet, but it carried across the street.
The three men turned around. They glared at the tall man.
"Who are you?"
The big man sneered.
"Mind your own business, stranger."
Elias didn't raise his voice. He just kept walking forward until he was right in front of them.
"He is our blacksmith,"
Elias said evenly.
"Take your hands off him. Now."
The big man let go of Welf. He pulled out his iron sword and pointed it at Elias.
"You want to die?"
The man threatened.
But as the man looked closer, his anger vanished.
He saw Elias's posture. He saw his calm, empty eyes.
He remembered the terrifying rumors about the Soma Familia.
The man dropped his sword.
It hit the ground with a loud clatter.
His face turned completely white.
"Wait,"
The man stuttered. He took a step back.
"You... you are him. The Gods just held a meeting yesterday."
The other two men realized who he was.
They started to shake with pure fear.
"The Twilight Reaper,"
One of them whispered.
"I am so sorry!"
The big man cried out.
"We did not know he worked for you! We are leaving!"
The three bullies turned around and ran down the street as fast as they could.
Welf brushed off his leather apron.
He looked at Elias in pure shock.
"Twilight Reaper?"
Welf asked.
Elias just sighed. He did not care about titles.
He reached out and handed Welf the heavy bag of monster drops.
"I guess I have a new name,"
Elias said.
Welf took the bag of materials.
He looked inside and let out a relieved breath.
"Thank you,"
Welf said.
"You saved my shop today."
Elias didn't smile. He looked up and down the empty street.
"Where is your Familia?"
Elias asked.
"Why are you standing out here alone? They should protect you."
Welf closed the bag tightly.
He looked away. He clearly did not want to talk about it.
But Elias had just chased away three armed men. Welf knew he owed him the truth.
"I belong to the Hephaestus Familia,"
Welf explained slowly.
"The Goddess is very kind to me. But the other members don't like me."
"Why?"
Bell asked, stepping closer.
"Because of my name,"
Welf said.
"Everyone knows a Crozzo can make the best magic swords in the world. The other smiths tell me to make them. They say I could be rich and famous."
Welf gripped his hammer.
"But I refuse,"
Welf said.
His voice was hard.
"I hate magic swords. They break. They leave the user helpless. I want to make weapons that stay with their master to the very end."
Elias listened quietly.
"So your Familia leaves you alone,"
Elias guessed.
"Yes,"
Welf nodded.
"They think I am just a stubborn fool. They say if I get into trouble for refusing to make magic swords, it is my own fault. If I ask them for help, they will just tell me to forge the weapons and make the bullies happy."
Welf looked down at his boots.
"I left my real family to escape that life,"
Welf whispered.
"I will not go back to it. Even if I have to fight the whole city by myself."
Elias stepped forward. He placed a hand on Welf's shoulder.
"You are protecting your pride,"
Elias told him.
"It takes a strong man to walk away from easy money."
Welf looked up.
His eyes were wide.
No one had ever praised him for refusing his bloodline before.
"You aren't fighting alone anymore,"
Elias said firmly.
"You are our blacksmith now. If anyone tries to force you to make something you hate, they will have to deal with the Twilight Reaper."
Welf felt a lump in his throat.
He wiped his eyes and smiled.
"I will start the armor right now,"
Welf promised.
"I will make it perfect."
They walked back to the old church as the sun went down.
Hestia was waiting by the door. She was jumping up and down.
She looked very excited.
"Welcome home!"
Hestia cheered.
"Hurry up and come inside! I have the best news!"
They followed her into the main room.
"What is it, Goddess?"
Bell asked.
"The Gods finished their meeting,"
Hestia said proudly. She put her hands on her hips.
"I have your new names!"
Elias smiled gently.
He already knew his name from the bullies in the street.
But he looked at Hestia's bright, happy face. He decided to keep quiet.
He did not want to ruin her fun.
"Please tell us,"
Elias said.
Hestia pointed right at him.
"The Gods call you the Twilight Reaper,"
Hestia announced.
"They picked it because of your dark weapon and your terrifying strength."
Elias nodded, acting surprised.
"Thank you, Goddess."
Hestia beamed with pride. Then she turned to Dee.
"And for you, Dee,"
Hestia said.
"They had a hard time deciding. But they finally chose the Pale Phantom. They gave you that name because you move without a single sound, and no one can track you."
Dee clapped her hands together.
"Pale Phantom!"
Dee laughed cheerfully.
"I love it. It makes me sound like a secret ghost."
"You both earned those titles,"
Hestia said.
"The whole city knows you now. You are making our family famous."
Elias reached out and patted Hestia's head.
"We only fight for our family,"
Elias told her.
"The names do not change who we are."
"I know,"
Hestia smiled warmly.
"But we are still going to celebrate tonight! We have two Level 2 adventurers in the house!"