A cross-dressing anime, starting with Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.

Expensive items have their advantages, but for themselves and Chunji at the moment, it's completely an overperformance.

Chunji clearly shared the same thought.

She asked softly, "Lord Lynn, these are all... all too expensive. Should we go back to the lower floors?"

Lynn agreed;

"Hmm, let's go check out the fifth or sixth floor."

"The equipment there should be enough for us."

Just as Lynn turned around, preparing to lead Chunji back to the elevator, two figures slowly emerged from the depths of the shop, talking as they walked.

One of them, tall and slender with striking long red hair and a black eyepatch over her right eye, was the owner of the shop, the God of Forging—Hephaestus.

Walking alongside her was a handsome man with short brown hair, a bare upper body, well-defined muscles, and a gentle demeanor.

"Nyod, I still don't understand."

Hephaestus's voice carried a hint of teasing as she turned her head to look at the handsome man beside her.

"What kind of talent does this little cat-woman possess that would make you, the God of the Ocean, personally come to me to beg me to forge a weapon for her?"

"She may be the future leader of our clan, so of course I have to take her seriously."

The god known as Njord smiled gently, his voice as calm as the sea.

“The future leader isn’t worth your personal intervention.” Hephaestus clearly didn’t believe her; her single eye, hidden behind her eyepatch, gleamed with gossip. “Tell me, is there something else you’re hiding from me?”

Njord shook his head helplessly.

"Don't ask anymore."

He stopped and his expression became serious.

"One hundred million Fali, I will pay the full price. In addition, I will give all members of your Hephaestus family a permanent 20% discount at the outdoor swimming pool in Port Helen."

"However, you must personally wield this short sword."

Hephaestus's smile widened.

"make a deal."

The two of them happened to arrive near the area where Lynn and the others were.

Hephaestus spotted Eina as she was about to leave.

"Eina, what brings you here today?"

She took the initiative to greet him, her voice cheerful.

Eina immediately stopped and bowed respectfully.

"Hephaestus, the goddess; Nyord, the god."

She turned to the side and began to explain.

"I'm here with two newly registered adventurers to buy equipment."

Nyod the God?

Port Helen?

Relevant information flashed through Lynn's mind instantly. Wasn't this the god who controlled fishing? It could be said that he and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, together guaranteed the food safety of the entire Yulari.

Before Lynn and Chunji could react, they went up to greet them.

Hephaestus's gaze had already bypassed Eina, and like the most precise probe, it locked onto Lynn directly.

Her eyes were filled with undisguised curiosity and inquiry.

"Oh?"

She drew out her words, a playful smile curving her lips.

"You're the boy who just joined the Astrea Familia, right?"

???

Lin Enman was full of question marks.

How did she know? Did this even reach the ears of the gods?

Nyord, who was standing next to him, also looked over in surprise, his gaze lingering on Lynn for a moment.

"Astraea's familia is now recruiting male members?"

Hephaestus scrutinized Lynn from head to toe with great interest, her single eye seemingly able to see right through him.

"Are you wondering how I know?"

She smiled. "It happened down there, I'll definitely know."

Njord's gaze swept over Lynn and Chunji, finally settling on Lynn.

"Astraea's decisions are always unexpected, yet perfectly reasonable."

“I’m more curious,” Hephaestus stepped forward, getting closer to Lynn; “What is it about you that made the Goddess of Justice take you into her kin?”

Lynn's eyes didn't dodge, and he said humbly, "I'm just a new adventurer who has just received the favor, nothing special."

"Oh? Is that so?" Hephaestus's smile deepened.

"I've heard that a 'nothing special' newbie used an amazing swordsmanship move in the guild hall to terrify a Level 2 adventurer of the Soma Familia."

“That’s just a rumor, and it’s a bit exaggerated,” Lynn replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Really?"

Hephaestus remained noncommittal; she turned to look at Njord.

"Nyod, what do you think?"

Njord smiled gently. "What do I think? I'm not as gossipy as you!"

Hephaestus crossed her arms and looked Lynn up and down with great interest.

She chuckled softly, took another step forward, almost touching Lynn's face.

"Kid, you're quite amusing."

"So? Are you interested in transferring to my clan?"

"If you nod your head, I will personally craft a piece of equipment for you, either a weapon or armor."

...

The image shows Hephaestus.

32. Acceptable

Upon hearing this, not only Chun-hime and Eina, but even Nyod, who was watching the scene from the sidelines, showed a surprised expression.

A weapon crafted by Hephaestus himself!

What does that mean?

Its value is at least in the hundreds of millions.

Sometimes, even if you have the money, you may not be able to buy something that Hephaestus made himself.

And now, this god of creation has made such an astonishing promise to a newbie at LV1.

Eina's mind nearly shut down; she opened her mouth, but found she couldn't utter a single word.

This is completely beyond her understanding as a guild advisor.

Lynn was also somewhat surprised!

He wouldn't doubt its authenticity.

After all, a god would not break his promise in public; that would be a disgrace to himself.

Could it be that I'm truly destined to be a protagonist, possessing some kind of domineering aura? Or perhaps succubus power?

What am I thinking! I've already transmigrated, so of course I'm the protagonist.

Lynn raised his head and met Hephaestus's gaze.

"Thank you very much for your kindness, Goddess Hephaestus."

"But I cannot agree."

It's very tempting.

But it's not that tempting.

At least the Hephaestus Familia didn't have those lovely girls.

Upon hearing the answer, Hephaestus's playful smile faltered slightly.

She seemed surprised to be rejected, and rejected so decisively.

"Oh? Do you know what you rejected?"

A dangerous glint appeared in her voice, "The weapon I crafted myself is priceless and will make you invincible in the dungeon. Are you sure you want to refuse?"

“I’m sure,” Lynn replied without the slightest hesitation.

Hephaestus fell silent.

This is an absolutely huge benefit, and this kid actually refused it?

"Hahaha!"

Hephaestus suddenly burst into laughter, a hearty and cheerful laugh.

"Interesting! Very interesting!"

She patted Lynn on the shoulder with considerable force, "That Astraea really struck gold this time."

"Alright, since you're not willing to switch sects, I can't force you."

"However, since you're so to my liking, I'll give you a 10% discount on everything you spend here today."

Eina was stunned.

A 10% discount is already an incredible favor.

“However, I have one request.” Hephaestus held up one finger.

"From now on, all the weapons and armor you need to buy must be selected from my shop, Hephaestus."

"Can you agree?"

This may seem like a requirement, but it is actually a long-term investment.

Lynn had no reason to refuse.

“I agree.” He nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Goddess Hephaestus.”

"That's good." Hephaestus nodded in satisfaction, the sharp light in her single eye gradually softening.

She waved her hand. "Alright, you guys go ahead and shop."

After saying that, she ignored everyone and, together with Njord, turned and walked towards the private forging room deeper inside the shop.

Only after the two gods' figures had completely disappeared did Eina finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Although Hephaestus was not infamous, she was afraid that Lynn's refusal would anger her.

After bidding farewell to the two gods, the three of them, led by Eina, took the elevator again and arrived at the fifth floor of the Tower of Babel.

Most of the adventurers coming and going here are around level 2. They have a clear purpose when choosing equipment, and they look for good quality at a low price.

I glanced at the price,

Hmm, not bad.

You can start shopping now.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lynn headed straight for the armor section.

"Miss Eina, could you please help Haruhime choose the most suitable set of armor?"

He left the choice to a more professional guild advisor.

Soon, at Eina's suggestion, a set of equipment tailored for Haruhime was selected.