Chapter Twenty-Five

Muichiro's steps led him to the towering structure of Babel, a work made by the gods themselves to plug up the dungeon and keep the surface world safe from the monsters that lurk beneath its depths.

The entrance to the tower was bustling with activity as adventurers of various familia were going about their business.

Muichiro entered the tower and found himself in a vast lobby area, surrounded by other adventurers discussing their plans and strategies.

What they were going to buy, what they wanted to sell, he saw transport carts carrying all types of weird materials, and others carrying either Ingots or rocks.

As he entered, he noticed the intricate details of the lobby. The walls were adorned with ornate designs depicting various mythical creatures and scenes from epic battles.

The ceiling stretched high above, with a magical illusion of the sky that seemed almost real.

The entire place had an air of both excitement and caution, as adventurers prepared for their dungeon dive by buying equipment or potions.

He moved further inside and found himself in a vast atrium that extended upwards, showcasing the grandeur of Babel Tower.

Various familia businesses and facilities occupied the first twenty floors. Muichiro observed the comings and goings of adventurers, the shops, and the exchange of valis.

The Hephaestus Familia's shops caught his attention, specializing in weapons and equipment. He marvelled at the range and craftsmanship of the items on display.

The tower had a total of fifty floors, each level presenting its own facilities and rooms.

The upper floors were reserved for the prominent Gods in Orario, their private rooms overlooking the city below. Muichiro's curiosity was piqued, wondering what kind of beings inhabited these upper echelons of the tower.

As he was walking he suddenly noticed a pair of eyes on his being, but just as quickly as they appeared they also disappeared.

'How strange..." Muichiro couldn't quite pinpoint the one peeping on him, but he could tell they were above him.

In any case, since they had no malicious intentions he ignored it and continued on his way.

As he explored the tower, he couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity. This place was a hub of activity and ambition, a testament to humanity's resilience and determination.

After spending some time familiarizing himself with the tower's layout, he went to the shop where Demeter needed him to send the letter.

And after finding them, he gave them the letter and left without any hiccups.

.....

( 8th Floor - Pandora's Box)

Muichiro's focus within the Hephaestus shop was entirely on the array of weapons and armour on display.

His eyes scanned over the meticulously crafted items, each one a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Hephaestus Familia.

The glint of polished metal and the intricate details of the armours fascinated him.

However, his fascination quickly shifted to astonishment as his gaze shifted to the price tags attached to each piece.

The figures were staggering, even for someone like Muichiro who had never been too concerned with wealth.

The silence of the shop was broken by a sudden rush of footsteps approaching from behind.

Muichiro's senses heightened, and he felt the presence of another person nearing him. The subtle change in the air and the sound of hurried breathing alerted him to an incoming threat.

He felt a hand reaching for his sword, the one possession he held and that was gifted to him by Moon.

His grip on his katana tightened, his instincts kicking in with precision. In a swift, fluid motion, he spun around, his hand wrapping around the intruder's wrist with a grip like steel.

With practised efficiency, Muichiro used his opponent's momentum against them, using their own force to flip them onto the floor. The assailant let out a grunt as they collided with the ground, the impact knocking the wind out of them.

Muichiro didn't relent, his actions were decisive and unhesitating. He mounted the person's stomach, immobilizing them, while his hand moved with lightning speed to their chest.

His fingers dug into a pressure point, ensuring they couldn't retaliate.

In the blink of an eye, Muichiro drew his katana and positioned it mere inches from the intruder's throat. His stance was unwavering, his dead eyes locking onto the wide-eyed gaze of the person beneath him.

The assailant's expression was a mixture of surprise, shock, and perhaps even a hint of fear.

Their cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as they lay pinned beneath the sword's blade.

However, Muichiro's attention was not solely focused on the immediate threat. His heightened senses allowed him to pick up on subtle cues, including the person's aura. And as he analyzed their energy, he realized that this intruder was not a threat.

Despite the tense situation, Muichiro's grip on his katana remained firm. He maintained his stance, holding the person at bay. Their eyes locked in a momentary silence, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Gradually, Muichiro's grip on his sword loosened. With calculated precision, he retracted his blade and stood up, allowing the intruder to rise. He remained vigilant, his posture prepared for any sudden movements.

The person slowly got to their feet, their chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. The tension in the air lingered, the aftermath of the encounter enveloping them both.

Finally, Muichiro broke the silence. "Explain yourself."

The person took a deep breath, regaining composure. "I apologize for my actions," they began, their voice steady despite the circumstances. "I was curious and… a bit reckless. My intention was not to harm or steal."

Muichiro regarded them silently, his expression inscrutable. He assessed their words, the sincerity in their gaze, and the absence of any hostile intent.

As his senses confirmed their honesty, Muichiro's grip on his sword relaxed further. His katana remained by his side, but the tension in the atmosphere began to ease.

The person took a step forward, keeping a respectful distance. "I should introduce myself properly," they said, their tone sincere. "I am Hephaestus, the Goddess of the Hephaestus Familia."

Muichiro's brows furrowed slightly. The identity of the intruder surprised him, yet he didn't let it show on his face. Instead, he nodded in acknowledgement. "Muichiro. Demeter Familia."

Hephaestus smiled gently, the tension dissipating further. "A pleasure to meet you, Muichiro of the Demeter Familia."

The two shared a moment of mutual understanding, the intensity of their initial encounter giving way...

As the atmosphere shifted, Hephaestus looked around the shop. "I must say, you have a keen eye for weapons."

Muichiro's gaze returned to the array of armour and weapons, his expression unchanging. "Merely observation."

Hephaestus chuckled, her gaze returning to him. "Well, if you're ever interested, feel free to ask about anything. And my apologies again for the intrusion."

"But if I may ask, is that sword..."Hephaestus trailed but Muichiro answered her question before she even asked it.

"This sword was given to me by my previous goddess, her name was Moon. She is the goddess of the Moon, and the katana's name is Shīsureiyā( Sea slayer) or Umi no supurittā( Ocean splitter)."

"I see, those are wonderful names for a sword such as yours," Hephaestus said before her mind went to a certain blue-haired virgin.

'Could he be referring to Artemis? Did she perhaps use a fake name?'

Muichiro nodded once more, his acknowledgement clear.

"If I may, could I possibly look at the blade, I promise you that I'll not steal or do anything, I'm a Smith and a goddess so I was just curious."

Muichiro looked at Hephaestus and as he looked into her eye, his face reflected into them. Muichiro then took out his blade and respectively handed it to her with two hands.

"Thank you Muichiro-Kun." Hephaestus said before grabbing the blade.' As expected I wasn't wrong in my observation, this weapon is...'

"Thank you Muichiro-Kun, here you go," Hephaestus said handing the sword back to Muichiro.

"Mhhh, I apologise for my rough handling earlier." Muichiro apologised as he put the katana back in its sheath.

"Don't sweat it, it was partly my fault as well," Hephaestus said nonchalantly, and after a few more pleasantries, Muichiro bid farewell to the goddess of the forge.

With a final glance around the shop, he turned to leave, his thoughts resuming their usual detachment.

As he walked away from the Hephaestus shop, Hephaestus couldn't help but stare at Muichiro as he left, a hint of a side tugged at her pristine lips.

'Muichiro huh, What an interesting child Demeter has adopted...but that little brat wasn't gentle at all, he even groped my chest.'

Thinking about it a light blush tainted her cheeks before she walked back into her office.

.....

(Hephaestus Pictures)