10 Chapter 10

I made my way out of the dungeon and briefly considered heading toward the guild building. I dismissed that thought when I considered that I didn't have a pressing need for money right now, and I was sure that I wouldn't get too much from my meager drops from the first floor. I decided to save stuff for now and sell it all in bulk later. I couldn't deny that I like seeing big numbers, especially when it comes to money, so I figured I would be selling in bulk regularly. For now, I made my way to the goddess's office to talk to her. As I walked, I thought about everything I had learned today and how to maximize my growth and power.

The main two things to increase my power beyond what I could gain from just heading into the dungeon would be rituals and the weapon that Hephaestus said she would make for me. Since I learned that my inventory could store a group of items that were already set up, that made rituals a much easier prospect since I could set them up here and just deploy and use them when needed in the dungeon. I had already thought about what weapon to ask for, and I wanted a sword. I could have gone the full wizard route and gotten a staff that I could use to focus my power better, but I wanted to keep my options open. Plus, I was planning to carve plenty of arcane sigils and runes on the blade to amplify my psychic power. 

I was still lost in thought when I reached the door to the office. I nodded at the guard at the door, who let me in easily, then shut the door once I was inside. At the desk in the center of the office, I found Hephaestus sitting with a large stack of papers next to her. She seemed to be working through the pile one by one by either stamping them or scribbling some notes on them. She didn't look up or say anything when I entered, so I took that as an invitation to sit down on one of the plump chairs in front of her desk. After a few moments, she looked up from her work at me.

"You survived," she said, turning back to her work.

"As promised," I confirmed

"And..." she sighed, making a circular 'continue' gesture with her free hand.

"I feel that I won't need a team for now. Level 1 and the Upper Floors, in general, shouldn't pose too much of a threat to me, and my powers are extremely versatile and potent. In fact, they are a perfect counter to monsters with tough skin or shells since I can pretty much directly bypass them." I said, explaining my point as clearly as I could since I wasn't arrogant or trying to brag.

"I will respect your opinion and allow you to go it alone, just for the time being." She said although it didn't seem that she liked that prospect too much, "However, don't think that I will go easy with you when it comes to missions and assignments. Your inventory skill is too valuable not to be put to work."

I nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Hephaestus," I said with a small but exaggerated bow.

The corners of her mouth twitched slightly as she rolled her eyes at my antics, "Switching topics, I am wondering when you will give me the details for the weapon that you want built. The sooner I get that made, the sooner I will feel more comfortable with you going alone in the dungeon."

"I was planning to do that today," I said, instinctually catching the pen that Hephaestus tossed to me, followed by the sheet of paper.

While she worked, I spent about an hour sketching the sword that I wanted forged on the piece of paper. I worked off of memory from a simple yet elegant sword I had liked from a show in my previous life. I made sure to specify that the surface of the blade had to be kept blank since that would be room for me to add my own additions. Once the paper was done, I handed it back to Hephestus, who glanced at it and raised an eyebrow.

(A/N: I'll show an image of the sword when he gets the real version of it)

"Interesting design and specifications," she commented.

"I thought of it and like the design," I said with a shrug, then I began to move back toward the door.

"Augustus," Hephaestus called to me as I was about to exit, so I turned back, "I heard that you are new to the city. There is a restaurant/bar called the Hostess of Fertility, and I have heard it is pretty good. This is just a recommendation from what I have heard, though. I would recommend bathing first if you do decide to go."

I thanked her and knocked on the door, causing the guard on the other side to open it. I walked out and made my way back to my apartment. I considered the Hostess of Fertility, it was practically tradition for any reincarnator to head there after their first dungeon run. Plus, the goddess had personally recommended it. I couldn't see the future or read the strands of fate yet, but this felt like an important event for some reason. In the end, I decided to go and get some good food since I had no food to cook myself anyway. 

So, I went to my bathroom and took a bath, enjoying the feeling of soaking in the warm water of the tub. I relaxed for a little while in the tub before finally emerging and drying myself off with a spare bedsheet since I didn't have any towels or other home amenities yet. I decided that I needed to do some serious shopping tomorrow for home goods. Sure, I didn't need too much, but I didn't want to live the minimalist lifestyle fully. I got dressed in one of my more casual sets of clothes, storing my armor and sword in my inventory as I walked out of my apartment and back down the many sets of stairs in Babel.

The sun had just set by the time I emerged out of Babel and into the main plaza around it. I smiled as a cool breeze caressed my skin and damp hair. The breeze contrasted nicely with the lingering warmth in the air. It was like a summer in Italy, where the days are hot, but the nights are the perfect temperature. My already good mood was boosted even higher, so I put my worries and plans for the future out of my mind as I made my way to the Hostess of Fertility.

I could hear the patrons and smell the food of the bar well down the block from where its entrance was. The aroma was incredible, which reminded my stomach that I had not eaten lunch today. My stomach growled as I walked into the bar and found a small table toward the edge of the room, close to the entrance. I watched as the other patrons ate, drank, and sometimes even sang at each of the tables. I wasn't sure if Freya was here in her disguise right now, so I braced myself and activated my Whichsight, scanning the entire building. Luckily, I was blinded by no divine souls when peering into the Empyrean, which relieved me, but a different soul caught my eye.

It was different from the rest, it was powerful, but not the most powerful by far. I turned to look at where the most powerful soul blazed like an inferno from within the area that I presumed was the kitchen. This soul was one of the waitresses. I was sure of it. The soul itself shone a greyish color, a mix of pure white and deep black, but there were crack-like patterns running along it that blazed with pure white, like a slab of marble. It was a unique soul, but I saw other interesting ones too, but hers was the most interesting. 

I blinked away my Whichsight and found myself only gazing at the material universe once more. I looked up just in time to find the owner of that soul standing in front of me. I looked up into the impassive face of Ryuu Lion. I looked up at her pointed ears, sky-blue eyes, and green hair. Her skin was as white as snow, making me understand why some people said that she looked like a fairy in the original story. She looked down at me and waited for me to give her my order. I might have hesitated due to being surprised by her getting so close without me realizing it before or due to her obvious beauty, but I responded easily and told her what I wanted to eat and drink.

I watched her go contemplative, considering the feasibility of getting her to join my team or group that I would undoubtedly have in the future.