"From today onward, you are officially a member of the 'Hephaestus Familia'."
In the workshop filled with the heat of the forge, the goddess with long red hair smiled kindly at the bare-backed boy.
"You've grown quite a bit, Kevin."
The black-haired boy, Kevin, scratched his head.
"Have I received 'God's Grace'? My body doesn't feel much different."
"That's because you've just begun your adventure, you're only at the lowest level, Lv1."
The goddess of the forge, Hephaestus, patted Kevin on the shoulder, encouraging him.
"Don't be too impatient. Even the finest metals need to be forged thousands of times before they take their true shape."
Kevin nodded thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
More than a decade had passed since he journeyed to the world of Danmachi.
Today, he had finally received "God's Grace."
As long as he could accumulate great achievements and enhance his ability values, he could continue to level up and become stronger!
"However, for our Familia, achieving 'great deeds' isn't solely about combat."
As she spoke, Hephaestus picked up her forge hammer once more and began hammering the mold on the anvil.
"The situation within the Dungeon is complex, and accidents can easily occur."
"You can first accumulate achievements through 'Forging' and raise your level to Lv2. Venturing into the Dungeon won't be too late then."
"A blacksmith with exceptional craftsmanship is also highly sought after by adventurers."
As the goddess of the forge, Hephaestus' Familia was renowned throughout the labyrinth city of Orario.
The work of the senior blacksmiths belonging to the Hephaestus Familia commanded the highest quality reputation in the market.
Even first-rate adventurers or Familia members seeking to purchase their wares had to carefully consider their finances.
Due to this, the Hephaestus Familia was one of the few in Orario that didn't rely on tributes from adventurers for their operation.
Although Kevin had only recently become a member of Hephaestus' Familia,
he had already spent several years under the goddess's tutelage, honing his blacksmithing skills.
He could also repair armor and weapons for novice adventurers, earning himself some pocket Valis.
"I understand, but I still want to visit the Adventurer's Guild to familiarize myself with it first."
Observing Kevin's eager expression, the red-haired goddess offered a helpless smile.
"Alright, I'll treat these next few days as your break. Just don't forget to bring food to that 'freeloader'."
"Left to his own devices, that guy would probably become the first god to starve to death and have to return to Tenkai."
The "freeloader" Hephaestus referred to was, of course, her closest friend.
She was also the iconic figure of Danmachi, the blue-ribboned goddess of the hearth, Hestia.
At this time, Hestia had only recently descended from Tenkai and was remarkably lazy and gluttonous.
She spent her days eating, drinking, playing, sleeping, and lazing around.
It was no wonder Hephaestus used the term "freeloader" to describe her.
However, as a dear friend, she couldn't simply ignore her.
Thus, she entrusted Kevin, a member of her Familia, to look after her.
"Come to think of it, it's almost time to feed the guest... I mean, it's time to bring food."
Kevin glanced at the clock hanging on the wall of the blacksmith shop.
Strangely, despite being constantly exposed to smoke and fire throughout the year,
the clock still looked as smooth and bright as if it had just been purchased.
Perhaps it was the goddess's power that unintentionally protected it.
"Well then... Goddess, I'll be going now."
As Kevin was about to leave the room, something suddenly occurred to him, and he turned back to Hephaestus, who was swinging her hammer.
"Even if I become an adventurer, I won't abandon my training as a blacksmith."
"One day, I will forge something that will astound even the goddess!"
"When that time comes, Goddess, please don't forget the promise we made..."
"I know, I know."
The red-haired goddess muttered without even turning her head.
"Let's wait until that day arrives. Your current level is still leagues behind mine."
After the boy's footsteps gradually faded and disappeared completely,
Hephaestus ceased her work and touched her flushed cheek.
"After all these years, you still remember that."
"Is this kid serious about me?"
"If he truly can forge something that surpasses mine..."
After a moment, the goddess shook her head, clearing the distracting thoughts from her mind.
She refocused her attention on the hammer in her hand.
"Two tater tots, please."
On his way out of Babel, Kevin purchased two fried potato balls from a street food stall.
This crispy, delicious, and filling snack cost a mere 30 Valis per serving and was a favorite among many adventurers.
Were it not for the fact that it lost its optimal flavor after cooling,
many adventurers would likely buy some as rations for exploring the Dungeon.
"Should I delve into the Dungeon first, or accumulate knowledge before attempting a breakthrough..."
En route, Kevin couldn't help but contemplate the questions forming in his mind.
Having officially received "God's Grace," leveling up required accumulating great deeds.
Great deeds were akin to the experience points needed to advance.
As Hephaestus had mentioned, achieving greatness wasn't necessarily confined to combat.
It could also be attained through other significant achievements and merits.
For instance, forging a powerful weapon, researching new magic, or creating useful tools.
However, combat achievements, such as defeating formidable enemies, were the most straightforward and direct means of obtaining them.
Moreover, through battle, one could also improve their fundamental abilities and increase their ability values.
Conversely, leveling up through forging was a relatively safe endeavor.
However, due to its limited impact on ability values, blacksmiths weren't typically as powerful as combat-oriented adventurers.
Just as Kevin was deep in thought, a sudden notification materialized before his eyes.
[Detected: The host has obtained "God's Grace." The Myriad Worlds Crossing System has been activated!]
[Currently traversable world: 1]
"Huh?"
"A system?!"
Kevin was initially stunned.
Then, a wave of exhilaration washed over him!
After so many years, his traveler's gift had finally arrived!
"The Myriad Worlds Crossing System sounds incredibly powerful."
"And I can already travel to another world right away?"
"Let's see what kind of world it is..."
As information flooded his mind upon activating the system,
Kevin opened the system panel and discovered a new world awaiting his exploration.
However, upon seeing the name of the world, his entire body froze in shock!
[Traversable World: Terraria - Calamity].