Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

I asked Mr. Welf if I could pick it up and look at it, and he slowly nodded after hesitating for a moment.

I pulled hard, levitating the greatsword, and grabbed the hilt. I spun the blade, which was pointing towards the floor, around once, then gently raised it towards the ceiling, the blade gleaming with a silvery sheen. I couldn't help but smile.

I swung it around a bit. Just as I expected, it was heavy and I still couldn't use it as nimbly as a dagger.

"..."

"...? What's wrong?"

I tried waving it twice, and then I noticed that Mr. Welf stopped.

I asked him what was wrong, and he stared at me with a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.

"You didn't even say you wanted the Demon Sword."

He raised the corners of his mouth and gave me a sincere smile.

"what?"

"No, I just really didn't expect that you would not only not mention the Demon Sword at all, but also ask me for the swords that were left over from the sale."

Seeing that Mr. Welf looked somewhat pleased, I muttered an "Ah" to myself.

Oh right, "Krozo's Demon Sword"... I was so focused on the workshop and the weapons that I completely forgot about it. I suddenly became restless.

Just as I was wondering how to react, Mr. Welf smiled mischievously.

"So, what did they say to you? What did your goddess Hestia say about me?"

"!"

"It was an employee who worked at Babel Tower who told me. They said the 'little goddess' they hired was asking around about me."

As Mr. Welf began to explain in detail, my face turned ashen.

He found out that I was secretly digging into people's privacy!

"I'm so sorry! The fairy didn't mean any harm. She was just worried about me, that's why she asked about Mr. Welf... So it's all my fault!"

"It's alright. After all, our own members will be teaming up with other [Familia]. Of course we'll care."

"I think she's a very good goddess," Mr. Welf said nonchalantly.

Only then did I feel relieved.

"I was just wondering if you'd change your attitude after learning about my background... I'm sorry, it sounds like I'm testing you."

Mr. Welf gave a wry smile, somewhat apologetically.

...So, he wanted to see if I would mention the "Demon Sword"?

Could they be planning to use Mr. Welf, a blacksmith by trade, to obtain the "Demon Sword"?

After all, the surname "Crozzo" seems quite famous, so it's inevitable that he might become neurotic.

As I tried to decipher the meaning behind Mr. Welf's words, I found it somewhat unbelievable.

"We've digressed. Let's get back to the point. Besides the greatsword, is there anything else you want?"

"Ah, yes... uh—"

His question made me reconsider. I figured it was a rare opportunity, so I asked him to make me a short sword. I wanted to take another look at Mr. Welf's work, so I looked at the cabinet again.

At that moment, I had my back to Mr. Welf.

"...Hey, Bell. I've always been curious, is that a dropped item?"

"Huh? Ah."

Mr. Welf pointed to my waist, where the "Goddess's Blade" and the "Dagger" hung, along with the "Horn of the Minotaur."

"This... yes, it's a Minotaur loot... I don't know why I'm reluctant to part with it."

Everywhere it was stained with sharp, bright red horns. I didn't intend to use it as a talisman, but I also felt I shouldn't sell it so easily.

...Perhaps I didn't want to underestimate that monster, or that incident.

At least, I would want to leave a memento like this.

Although having such a thing wouldn't be of any use...

"...How about we use it instead?"

"what?"

"Use that horn as material to make equipment. Because any item dropped by the Minotaur can be made into weapons."

I opened my eyes wide.

I see! Now I have a personal contract—a dedicated blacksmith. I can give him any dropped items and ask him to craft weapons for me!

Mr. Welf's suggestion sounded like a revelation. This way, we wouldn't have to sell it, and we wouldn't waste the rare drop item. I bowed deeply in thanks.

"Thank you so much!"

"Then it's decided."

Having decided on a policy regarding materials, I handed over "The Horn of the Minotaur" to him.

After examining the fallen item closely for a while, Mr. Welf began to inspect it with both hands.

"...Were the 'Horns of the Minotaur' originally red?"

"what?"

"No, it's nothing... Let me see. The damage is minor, and the hardness is higher than usual. Judging from this, I think it'll be enough to use it as a weapon after some refining..."

Mr. Welf was observing the "Horn of the Minotaur" with great interest.

He frowned and muttered to himself, then looked up at me shortly afterward.

"Bell, can you let me decide on the processing? I'd like to put in a little more effort."

"Please, please go ahead. I'm not a blacksmith, and I can't offer any advice..."

"Sorry, thanks. But then again, if I only use this dropped item to craft weapons, the things I can make are limited..."

One short sword, or two short knives.

This is the menu that Mr. Welf judged could be made with the "Horn of the Minotaur".

If it were a short sword, the blade would be quite thin, so Mr. Welf suggested that I choose the latter.

Putting aside the "Goddess's Blade," I personally feel that this "Short Sword" provided by the guild really needs replacing. It's probably one of the lowest-grade weapons, and it's highly questionable whether it will be useful in future battles, especially against mid-level monsters.

Perhaps this is a good opportunity. I've decided to gracefully retire using the weapons I've been accustomed to for the past two months.

I asked Mr. Welf to make me a short knife.

"Okay, I understand. In short, I'll just make one short sword for now. As for the remaining materials, well, please look forward to using them properly after I gain the 'Forging' ability."

“Ahahaha…”

Seeing Mr. Welf's smug expression, I smiled with my eyebrows lowered.

Next, we started taking measurements. Mr. Welf used several tools from the metal bucket to measure my body dimensions.

The step of taking off their shoes and measuring the shape of their feet was particularly impressive to me.

"Once this is done, you can go back."

"Um, Mr. Welf, about this matter..."

"Um?"

"May I stay and watch Mr. Welf work...?"

I asked cautiously as Mr. Welf examined my hand holding the weapon.

I wanted to observe the forging process firsthand; that was my honest feeling. He brought me to this workshop, which completely ignited my childlike curiosity. My shoulder was still itchy, and I was eager to see what would happen next.

I frankly told Mr. Welf what I was thinking. He listened, smiled with a hint of annoyance, and said, "What a strange man." He then agreed to let me stay and visit.

I swore to him that I would never interfere with his work, and perhaps because of excitement, my cheeks couldn't help but feel hot.

"It's going to get really hot inside soon, so it'll be better to take off your protective gear."

"Huh? Oh, okay."

I didn't quite understand what he meant, but I did as he said anyway.

I placed my light clothing in the corner of the room, leaving me with only a shirt, and Mr. Welf then went to the fireplace set up in the room... and began to prepare to start a fire.

"W-What are you doing?"

"I need to heat up the dropped items."

"Should we roast the monster's horns with fire?!"

I just said I wouldn't interfere with their work, but now I can't help but yell.

Animal horns are pretty much like bones, aren't they? No, I don't really know... Anyway, wouldn't they turn into charcoal if you burned them with fire...?

"Some of the monster's claws or horns have metallic properties."

"Metal……?"

"Yes. Have you ever heard of 'Jiangang'?"

"Steel"... I think I've heard of it before, but I don't think I have.

I only have a vague impression, it seems to be some kind of rare metal...

"Durable steel is a mineral that can only be mined in dungeons; it's a high-grade material for weapons. It's extremely hard."

"Can...can we find it in the dungeon?"

"Yeah, it's the wall that spawns monsters that 'banged' down. It's really rare. I've heard that it's been seen in the upper levels as well, but what's usually brought back is the steel from the lower or deeper levels."

It can only be obtained in dungeons, in other words, it can only be obtained in Orario.

I've heard that solid steel is a specialty of this labyrinthine city, and this mineral is not easy to find, so its value is incomparable to that of magic stones.

"...Could it be that the monsters born in the dungeon also possess this steel-like property...?"

"Oh, that's a pretty quick reaction. That's right. But compared to a whole piece of raw ore, the steel on the monster's body is much weaker."

Since they both originate in underground cities, it's not surprising that the monsters' structures would possess metallic properties.

Mr. Welf told me that only a small percentage of monsters exhibit metallic properties (adamant) in their teeth, claws, and other organs that can be used as weapons.

...This reminds me of how that heavy sword was broken by this very corner.

"The 'Horn of the Minotaur' also possesses metallic properties. It can be directly processed after being heated."

I see, now I understand. In short, it's about heating and processing the "horn of the Minotaur," which has the same properties as metal, to prepare for forging.

The image that flashed through my mind was of steel heated to the point of resembling red syrup.

Just like blacksmithing, Mr. Welf should also practice dropping items in this way.

"Excuse me, Bell. Could you please open all the blinds and doors for me?"

"Okay, okay."

Mr. Welf, with a handkerchief wrapped around his head, said this to me.

I did as he said and opened all the blinds and doors.

Looking back, I saw Mr. Welf putting a tinder into the furnace. It was an ignition source made from the Flame Stone (a dropped item) of the monster "Flame Demon Rock"... I remember it was too powerful to be sold to the general public.

"Like steel, this guy's horns cannot be processed using ordinary high temperatures."

Mr. Welf said, his eyes fixed on the stove.

In the blink of an eye, the large furnace was roaring to life, causing the overall temperature in the room to rise sharply. Even I, who was some distance away from the furnace, was sweating profusely. No wonder he told me to take off my protective gear.

Later, Mr. Welf focused on adjusting the stove. I sat in a chair and watched him work.

There's still a long time until noon. It shouldn't have been more than an hour since we said goodbye to Miss Seele and the others, so the Tower of Babel should be gradually filling up with adventurers heading to explore the dungeons by now.

The interior and the view outside the blinds were shrouded in the dimness characteristic of the back alley.

In contrast, the furnace opening, gradually turning a deep red, gives the scene a sense of mystery.

Mr. Welf's serious profile was quietly illuminated by the burning firelight.

Judging from your expression, it seems like you want to ask me something.