Chapter 12: Taking a Break

"Well. . . What can I do today?" I ask myself as I walk down one of the streets of Orario.

After Spending so long in the dungeon and making Finn's weapon as soon as I got out, I wanted to take some time to myself. No working or fighting, just having a bit of fun. It also helped that Hephaestus pretty much insisted that I do so.

I could go to the Hostess of Fertility for something to eat but I don't really want to go there without Hephaestus for obvious reasons. I could also go check out the shops to see if there is anything I want to buy. Maybe not for myself since I would probably buy stuff like ores or potions and Hephaestus would get mad at me if I did that since I'm supposed to be relaxing right now.

Speaking of shops though, apparently mine is doing very well. Hephaestus had me make another 500 swords this time. . . each! It's kind of weird seeing a bunch of people sporting swords that I made but it feels kind of good too. Either way, my name is now getting known around Orario. Well, not my name but rather the nickname that seems to have become what people call me by.

'Little Hammer'. . .

It's really embarrassing but I guess I have to deal with it since everyone is already using it. It's the end of the month now and time for the first Denatus of the year so Hephaestus is busy for today but after today, everyone will know who I am. If anyone isn't interested in knowing more about me because of the swords, they will be after hearing the new record for leveling to level 2.

I can already see all of the attention and problems it's going to bring, but I'm not going to try and slow my growth down just because of the opinions of others. I have Hephaestus protecting me so I'm not worried about any unsavory individuals trying to do anything bad to me.

"Hey ~!"

If I didn't have her, I'd be worried about what someone like Ishtar could do. From what I remember, she prefers to take what she wants with no questions asked.

"Hey ~!!!"

Maybe I should bring Tsubaki with me into the dungeon from now on whenever she has time. I'm not overly worried about the dungeon itself since it seems it can't really do much too often but what if Freya decides to have Ottar train a special monster for me like she did with Bell? I don't want to have to deal with that too much.

"Hey!!!"

Perhaps I should also get started on actually scouting out potential new members for the Familia to join my party when I'm going into the dungeon. I find myself relying a lot on the shockwave since I always encounter large groups so maybe a mage would be good to find so I don't have to do that. I could also find a spearman like Finn to provide more overall damage but a tank would be nice too. I could do that role with my skills and Gideon but my armor isn't really designed for taking hits, I'm more of an all-rounder.

"Damn it Heine! I'm calling out to you!!" I hear someone say behind me and I finally realize that I was the one being called out to. I turn around and am met face to face with Anya from the hostess of Fertility.

"Hey Anya, what's up?" I ask and she lets out a growl.

"That's what you have to say after ignoring me for so long!?" she says angrily.

"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't know I was the one being called." I say while raising my hands up and she lets out a pout as she looks away and crosses her arms.

""Whatever. . . I just wanted to know where you've been. I didn't see you at Monster Feria so I'm really just curious." she says.

"Monster Feria? . . That passed already!?" I ask in shock. It's one of the events I wanted to see since coming to this world but did it happen while I was in the dungeon?

"You. . . Now I really want to know where you've been. How could you not know it passed? It's kind of impossible to miss!!" she says and I can't help but shake my head.

"I was in the dungeon. . . for about a month. . ." I say and she freezes in shock.

"A whole month! You must have a pretty good party then huh?" she asks and I look away in embarrassment.

". . . You do have a party. . . right?" She asks worriedly.

"No, I don't. I was kind of thinking of finding some members soon." I say and I see her look down as her fists ball up and she starts shaking.

"You were alone in the dungeon for a whole month!! Are you insane!? It's a miracle your alive! I was able to see how much Goddess Hephaestus cares about you, are you trying to have her be alone again by getting yourself killed!?" she asks in anger and shock.

"Woah woah, Anya. I know it was pretty reckless but I have my reasons for wanting to get strong fast. Hephaestus is fine, we already talked. I don't plan on leaving her alone anytime soon okay?" I say and she calms down.

"Sorry. . . I . . . I lost my parents when I was young and I still remember how it felt to lose them. I still had my . . .brother, but . . ." she trails off and I stop her from continuing.

"You don't have to say anymore Anya. I can tell it hurts you to remember so you don't have to push yourself." I say and she gives me a small smile.

"Thanks, if you didn't already belong to lady Hephaestus I might fall for you." she says with a grin and a wink making me laugh.

"Very funny Anya." I say while laughing.

"Enough about the past then. Let's focus on the future, you need party members and I just so happen to know a few people who are in need of a Familia." she says and I look at her with a raised brow.

"Really no, there wouldn't happen to be any catches would there. Cause I'm fairly certain if you're recommending them they cant be level 1 adventurers. Why haven't they joined a new Familia?" I ask and she gives me a grin.

"You're right, there are two level 2 adventurers and one level 3. They haven't joined a new Familia because they want to remain together. The only Familia who accepted this condition was Apollo Familia but the way the looked at them was. . . unsavory." she says and I shudder in response.

"Yeah, Apollo swings both ways. I almost forgot." I say and she laughs.

"You're not wrong but the three I'm talking about are all female." she says and I pause.

"Really? You sure you want to recommend them to me?" I ask and she pats me on the back.

"The fact that you asked that just proves I'm right to trust you. Besides, the level 3 is a dwarf. She'll pummel you into the ground if you try anything." she says while laughing hard.

"Don't worry, I have Hephaestus. I'm not interested in anyone else." I say and Anya smirks.

"Pretty loyal heh ~? Anyways, I can introduce you to them but you'll still need to talk to your Goddess about them joining your Familia." she says and I shake my head.

"Don't worry about that, she gave me permission to recruit whoever I want." I say and Anya looks at me weirdly.

"That's nice and all but she'll still need to give them their Falna." She says and I smile at her in response.

"What am I?" I ask her and she tilts her head in thought.

"A Demi-God. . . Oh . . . Oh!! Are you serious!? You can. . . actually do that!?" She asks and I nod my head.

"Yeah, I won't go into details on how, but I can grant Falna in Hephaestus's place. So don't worry about it. She taught me how to do it once I got back from the dungeon. She really wanted me to not go in alone next time." I say with a chuckle.

"I'm not surprised, I'd do my best to keep you safe too if I was in her position. Well then, since you're all set lets go to the Hostess of Fertility!!" she says and I look at her in shock and worry.

"They're at the Hostess?" I ask and she shakes her head.

"No ~ but I'll be bringing them there to meet you in my room. It's a safe place to meet. They don't really want to bring strangers to the home they're living in, just in case." she says and I nod nervously in understanding.

"Okay. . . I get it. I'll just wait in your room then while you get them." I say and she nods.

"Alright, I'll bring you something to eat while you wait. You'll have to pay of course ~" she says with a sly grin and I shake my head in exasperation.

"Yeah yeah, I'll pay." I say and smile as we head off to the Hostess of Fertility.

I wonder how Hephaestus is doing at the Denatus right now. . .

'I'm fine, my Little Hammer.' she says and I groan.

'I'm stuck with that name now, Aren't I?' I ask and I hear her laughing in my head,

'Yes you are my dear, yes you are.'

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- A/N: Sorry for the long break, between tests and my mom going in and out of the hospital, I'm not really finding much time to write. I'll try not to make you all wait to long but I probably won't be able to post anywhere close to as often as before for a while. Once everything clears up though, I'll start getting to work on catching up. Hope you enjoy the chapter :)