The Negotiator

Best craftsmen are often single-minded and eccentric. That's what Hephaestus would want to believe if she wasn't already one of the best yet relatively 'normal' Deity by mortal's and the divine's standard. So, she feels most mortal and divine incredibly good at something, simply doesn't interest themselves with other things—Soma, for instance, or many top blacksmiths in her Familia.

It is almost disheartening.

She descended upon Gekai, not with some belief in an errand prophecy, but the joy of exchanging ideas, or what some mortals are starting to call—an excellent geek-out session, free of any responsibilities.

A session where the wildest ideas can bear fruit!

But the blacksmiths of every race in her Familia only want to craft their passion, and the administration solely fell upon Hephaestus.

So much for descending into this realm for fun! She is stuck with the almighty paperwork!

Tsubaki's help is minimal, the half-dwarven captain using her superb strength to carry towering stacks of parchments to and fro! But the rest?

All her!

"Who should I send to collect the materials?" Hephaestus leans back on her chair, her left hand massaging her right shoulder as she stares at the ceiling. Her main operation is in her Familia's base and the exclusive Hephaestus Store on the North-West Main Street—Her preference being the latter due to the lack of tempting noise of hammer clashing with metal.

"I've personally tested the creation of alloys with all the current samples he has," She narrows her lone crimson-red eye while staring at the sheet of specs she drew yesterday.

"War Shadow's Alloy has magical properties, but it's better to be used on throwing weapons that can phase past walls. However, further testing reveals that while it phases past humans and other materials, it cannot live up to its expectations against the Dungeon's walls. The elven race is equipped better to construct staves out of this."

She mentally crosses this item to be considered worthwhile in the long run. Magical weapons don't have the best reputation amongst the low-leveled Familias, and the use of this item isn't too great for the other side since alloy makes a weapon that does not hit the target. It is more novelty trinkets than anything.

"Rabbit Needle's Horn can work well, but the price is a tad high even after discounts from bulk purchases. I'll have to see if we can work the price out again, but I'll have to be present for negotiations."

"Wing of Bad Bat can be used to cover the grips of the weapon, but its use is most suitable for armor-making in the profession of adventurers."

"And finally, his Infant Dragon's Core," Her eyes flicker briefly. She looks at the drafted specs sheet.

She tested parts of the alloys with many things, from weapons to the armory. She even sampled the item with fundamental daily-use items like Magic Lamps.

Granted, this business is mainly occupied by magically driven species like elves and scant 'mortal' spirits, like gnomes, who understand, speak, and apply hieroglyphs, but Hephaestus saw this item's use for architectural purposes, too.

Dragons have always been one of the most 'quality' species in this realm and the divine.

Infant Dragons are the Boss-level monster of the upper floors, something a group of Level 2 adventurers contends with, leaving simple monster drops—Infant Hide, claws, tooth, and the kind. The Hide of Infant Dragon is later processed and lined with armor and chainmail to increase its durability. Such armors are rare, even for moderately successful level 2 adventurers.

But the Infant Core is a whole different beast.

"I could hire elves or item makers to craft better furnaces for my Level 2 and 3 Blacksmiths. I hear Hermes' Perseus is in the city. I can ask her. Besides furnaces, this core can be used to power the heating system in large baths more efficiently than magic stones."

But all this hinges on Jackal's supply.

Only he has produced this core thus far, his products being entirely new, garnering a lot of attention from the Guild and other Deities.

"If he had a moderate nature, he would have been swallowed by one of the more impatient peers of mine. But his disregard for us Deities works in his favor quite well."

"But the price of the core is too high to be used for mundane items," she sighs while tapping her desk with her index finger.

"I should take this visit and renegotiate the prices," Hephaestus makes up her mind. Recalling Jackal's current dilemma, she sighs, "And take Tsubaki with me if someone tries anything funny. OIal's nature is no worse than Jackal's actions."

It doesn't take long for Tsubaki to arrive at the store's office with the sweet, smoky smell of the furnace lingering over her as Hephaestus fights her urge to dive into her personal smithing area. The duo leaves for Daedalus, well aware of the location of [Humble Jackal's]. Their steps soon stop once they hear loud calls and the sharp noises of weapons slicing through the air.

"That looks cool," Tsubaki grins toothily, "The children look so cute~! I want to hug all of them! May I?" Tsubaki looks at Hephaestus pleadingly, making the Goddess shake her head in exasperation before nodding, "Don't forget to introduce yourself lest you cause some misunderstanding."

"Yep!" Tsubaki grins and skips away, her heavenly, bouncing breast soon becoming a smothering nightmare for the orphans, who earnestly train to vanquish their mental enemies!

*Knock-Knock*

*Knock-Knock*

*Knock-Knock*

Hephaestus calmly knocks on the door, noting her Familia's work on the external furnishing of the store with an assessing gaze as she soon nods in satisfaction.

She cannot hold others to her standards, but the work done in Jackal's shop is undoubtedly pleasing to the eye.

She hears the surprised cries of the children and one odd pallum commanding: "Charge!" accompanied by Tsubaki's snickers. But the lack of reply from Jackal makes her frown.

'Strange, the door is locked from the inside. Is he sleeping?'

*Knock-Knock*

*Knock-Knock*

"Damn!" She finally hears his voice loud enough to travel outside as he answers, "I'm gonna c-cum, alright? Just give me a second!"

While Hephaestus can feel the strange fluster in Jackal's voice, she notes no falsity in his words and waits calmly.

*Click*

The door finally clicks open as Hephaestus regards a flushed Jackal answering the door with unfocused eyes. Her crimson eye looks past him to see a grinning Loki waving at her with a spoon in her hand as she gets back to a Bento with a pleasing hum.

"Yo, Fei-Fei~! Nice to see ya!" Greets Loki without looking away from her Bento.

A little suspicious, Hephaestus' sharp nose twitches but—

She smells nothing.

"I didn't think you'd come by yourself," Jackal regains his bearing while gulping against his parched throat as Hephaestus points toward the Orphanage with her thumb, "I came here with Tsubaki. I hope you don't mind her interacting with the children."

"Nah, come in," Jackal makes way, letting her in, before closing the door as he returns behind the corner.

"I was hoping to discuss business with you," Hephaestus looks at Loki, who smirks. "So cold, Fei-Fei. You can discuss anything here. Jackal and I are inseparable~!"

"We're not," Jackal half-shrugs. But Loki's smile grows prominent as Hephaestus narrows her eye. Goddesses always hear the truth behind the words, and Jackal's answer rang a few bells in Hephaestus' head as Loki's smugness knew no bounds!

She is going to bury Jackal with all the teasing later on—and maybe something more!

"Don't worry, the bastard here only makes one contract with an organization. I've got no hopes of doing business with him since he's my tenant, so it's all pleasure for me~!"

"Just zip it and eat your bento," Jackal scoffs, his gaze briefly lingering on the creamish sauce on the chicken within her bento as Loki puts it in her mouth with a devious smirk. Many parts of him throb at this sight, but he focused on Hephaestus with a strained smile. "What's up?"

"Well, I wanted to renegotiate the prices of Needle Rabbit's Horn and the Infant Core."

Jackal furrows his brows, "15% is a good discount for bulk purchases."

"It is," Hephaestus nods, "But the cost of business and production increases the more items we produce. Most of the blacksmiths in my and Goibniu Familia work individually to improve their crafts. But the production of uniform alloy will take more than just that. It needs proper infrastructure."

"Uniform products?" Loki blinks, setting the questionable Bento on the counter before mulling, "You're thinking of getting a contract with the Guild for the beginner's item Goibniu's kid produces for newbies, right?"

Hephaestus huffs, seeing Loki hit the nail on the head on her first try!

"Indeed," she answers plainly.

The guild earns more than enough money by controlling the Magic Stones—simply contracting other Familias for various other issues.

"You won't be making too much unless you divide the horn into two or three weapons," Jackal points out.

"Still making them sharper than the items created from War Shadow's Claws and Needles Rabbit's Tusks," Hephaestus explains. "The Horn you provide is magical in nature, too. But its only existence is to be as sharp as possible. Even if we divide the horn's alloy to create three weapons, say, daggers—it will be sharp enough to deal with dungeon lizards. Making it quite the suitable weapon for newbies as they learn their ropes around the Dungeon."

Loki picks her Bento again, quietly eating with a thoughtful look, licking away the slightest of white on her lips without care as Jackal's body reacts as honestly as ever—with another fucking boner under the counter, something Loki is quick to observe since they sit on the same side of the counter.

"How much do you want to buy?" Jackal questions after taking a deep breath. Hephaestus frowns as she observes his unfocused gaze and returning flush.

"Are you alright?" She questions.

Loki scoffs a snicker, her leg under the counter easily extending to his knees as he nods.

"Dandy," he thins his lips. "So? How much do you want to buy?"

"Orario sees more than 10000 immigrants every month, almost all of them entering the Dungeon without Falna only to never return. Things can change with the new weapons slightly."

"Slightly is good," Loki hums, attracting Jackal's and Fei-Fei's attention.

"Well, Orario is stable because of the immigration rate canceling out with the mortality rate. If their survival rate skews for the worse, the large resentful population will easily turn to crime. Why do you think it was so easy to radicalize a bunch of idiots, causing the nightmare of Orario? Simple, things were too good to be true for the low-leveled adventurers, and many of them wanted more without waiting."

Jackal scoffs, "Didn't think you were smart enough for all that."

Her foot presses against his erection as Loki snorts in return, "Says the moron in deep shit!"

Both of them snarl at each other like mortal enemies while Hephaestus clears her throat.

"So?"

Jackal shakes his head.

"15% is generous enough, I'm afraid. There is a reason why the Guild sells those newbie weapons so cheaply. But I've used them till the lower depths of the Upper Floor. Granted, I used too many axes, but they work just fine. Chances are that the Guild won't see your way."

Hephaestus nods.

"What if I get the contract?" She questions.

"Sorry, wouldn't change a thing. You get the horns for 11900 Valis each after the discount. This is the best price."

"The only price," Counters the Goddess.

"The only price," Jackal nods, "From the only supplier to the only Smithing Familia."

"Hah!" Loki snickers from the sidelines, her foot surreptitiously rubbing his crotch as he works his jaw silently.

"You know," Loki drawls, "This guy here is a sucker for anyone who praises his cooking. How about you have a bite from my Bento and see if it's to your liking? Maybe he'll see your way then."

Hephaestus notes how quickly Jackal snaps his gaze in Loki's direction with shock in his eyes.

'If simple praises can do that…'

Her throat vibrates into a hum as Loki already has a spoon with rice, veggies, and creamed chicken on the top ready to be devoured.

"Wait," Jackal cries hurriedly, "I'll just get you an uneaten Bento."

"This one is fine," Hephaestus looks at Jackal and smiles slightly. "And I won't praise your food just to get a discount. I hear from Tsubaki that Gareth has tried your meals. And even if not suited to his taste, he did not have anything bad to say."

She doesn't take another second to bite Loki's spoon.

Loki's narrow eyes widen slightly, impishly observing Hephaestus, while Jackal stares at Loki as if she'd lost her mind!

"Hmm, not bad."

Hephaestus looks at Jackal with an impressed look, "I especially enjoyed the flavor of the rice. Hmm, that cream had a watery texture, but its taste wasn't bad at all. Like…"

"Mayo, but more subtle, right?" Loki grins.

"Exactly," Hephaestus nods.

'What the fuck?' Jackal's lips part slightly as he leans on his chair, flabbergasted!

"Again, this isn't a ploy to get a discount," Hephaestus' lone eye gleams, her honest expression suggesting it was just that—a ploy!

But, Jackal did not even know whether to laugh or cry.

His cum tastes like fucking mayo?!

The fuck!

And Hephaestus just had it?

Just like that?

"Ah!" Hephaestus blinks as Loki flinches.

The horni duo instantly feels the jig is up.

"About that proposal, I reject it."

Jackal looks at Hephaestus.

"What proposal?"

"THE proposal," she huffs. "If you were serious as you say, I reject it."

"Okay," he shrugs.

"Ooh, another rejection? How many is that now?" Loki laughs as the corner of his lips twitches.

He is simply uncomfortable with the energy Loki created in his store, from having Hephaestus taste his cum to working on his erection even now!

"No more discounts!" He snorts and sighs softly.

"You know, Fei-Fei, if you show him your right eye, he'll give you a 50% discount~!" Loki continues to muddle things without issues as Hephaestus stares at the chaotic Deity.

"That's not funny."

"Hoh? I don't know what's wrong with it," Loki shrugs. "I didn't even wuss out of that night after seeing it, remember?"

"Okay, I'll give you a 100% discount if I get to see the same scene," Jackal regains his grin and snickers.

"It's not that kind of night!" Loki and Hephaestus stare at Jackal and speak simultaneously.

"How about this?" Jackal taps his counter. "I'll give you a 20% discount on bulk purchases only for the Needle Rabbit's Horn if you help me develop a program of sorts for the children in the Orphanage."

"Program?"

Jackal nods.

"I don't want them entering the Dungeon to their deaths. If they can learn other crafts, their value increases, and they maybe realize there are different ways to live in the future. All I'm asking is a chance for those kids."

Hephaestus stares at Jackal before punctuating his request.

"So, you are willing to lose money for the orphans?"

"I don't lose out much, so it's no issue."

Hephaestus furrows her brows before nodding, "My Familia teaches basic courses free of charge, and the prospects are tested as a rite to entry in my Familia. But the children must already know how to read and write. And this year's batch is full."

Jackal sighs slightly, "The discount based on such duration won't work."

"How about this?" Loki mediates with a bored tone. "You send over the written material they must learn to their caretaker, Maria. She will report the results to you directly. There aren't many kids, so seeing their results will take you no time, and you'll know if the results are true once you test them after a year?"

Jackal and Hephaestus look at each other as he nods, "I think Maria won't have any issues dividing their syllabus."

"Then let's discuss it with her before finalizing the deal."

"You should go on ahead," Jackal forces a smirk. "I'll be right behind you, or you know what? Have Lili preside over the deal. She's just as good as me."

Hephaestus frowns at the seeming disrespect when she notices Loki winking at her.

"Really?" Hephaestus deadpans. "You are coming with me."

"Not a great idea," Jackal shakes his idea.

"More like: not a small idea," Loki retracts her foot, leaving Jackal with a tent pitched in his trousers.

"Let me repeat myself," Hephaestus stares at the duo. "I am not going to interact with your subordinate just because you want to mingle with Loki."

"There's really nothing to mingle with, really," Jackal shrugs, standing up as Hephaestus's eye widens briefly.

"It's just a sock in my trousers," Jackal grunts and accepts the situation. He never should have allowed Loki to violate the sanctity of his store—this is Karma, something he must accept.

"A hard sock," Loki grins without shame.

Hephaestus stares at the duo before taking a deep breath and locking her gaze on Loki.

"What was that sauce on the chicken?"

"Mayo."

"Loki!"

"Woman, it's a new type of Mayo! You'd think I'd eat something like THAT?" Loki lies as easily as she breathes.

Hephaestus turns to look at Jackal.

"If it's Mayo, why don't you try some?"

"There is a simple solution to all of this," Jackal musters and looks at Hephaestus seriously.

"What?" Hephaestus controls her rage toward Loki. Truly, nothing is beneath Loki!

"Wanna marry me?" Jackal inclines his head. It won't be weird if they're married, after all.

"Pfft! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Loki loses her shit, sensing not an ounce of falsity in his words.

Indeed.

Jackal would rather marry Hephaestus than eat premium Mayo Cum.

It is right to say Hephaestus rejecting Jackal's earlier proposal did not mean shit as she, too, feels uncomfortable by the energy created by Loki in Jackal's store, as her gaze moves from his serious expression to an even more earnest erection, while Loki sets her exposed legs on the counter to laugh loudly, revealing a hint of familiar robe under her baggy shirt.

'HER Eagle Feather Robe?'

She grows more shocked for different reasons as pair of lurid silver eyes resurfaces in Hephaestus' memories.

Now comes her response.

"Huh?"

As apt as any.

***

Alternate Title: Hephaestus—The Hottest Geek; When Your Children Are Eccentric Only Against the Paperwork; Is It Wrong To Descend to Gekai Without Wanting a Beloved Prophecy?; Orphan's New Mortal Enemy—Big Titty Hugger; Jackal's Coming!; Jackal Came; The Sus Bento; Loki—More Devious Than Down Bad Freya; Is It Wrong To Eat Cum?; Jackal: Loki Means Shit to Me *Divine Sensors in Loki and Fei-Fei*: That N* Lying; Hephaestus Tastes That Mayo!; Wait, Mayo?!; The Jig is Truly Up; Making Way for the Kids; Rejected Proposal! Jackal: Another One; The Aptest Response; Jackal's Divine Bitches; When A String of 'Lucky' Coincidence Brings Harem Together United in Mayo!; Is It Wrong to See Cum Dressing My Bento?—Jackal, Probably; Honest Proposals Back-to-Back; Hephaestus and Loki's Wild Night?

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