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

I want to become a 'blacksmith' myself.

He created a weapon that surpassed "Krozo's Demon Sword," a supreme weapon, together with his father and grandfather.

At that time, Welf was convinced of this future.

☆

The fateful day was Welf's tenth birthday.

"Then, I'll have 'favor' engraved on it—!"

In a room in the House of Clozo, Welf is about to receive the "Grace of God" from Phoebus.

It was Galen's instruction to inscribe "God's Grace" on his tenth birthday. His policy was to understand the hardships of being a craftsman before acquiring [Ability Points]. Watched by Will, Galen, and their people, the goddess dripped divine blood onto the back of the half-naked boy sitting in the chair, inscribing [Divine Script].

"...Welf"

Looking at Welf's small back, which already bore the inscription of the sacred script—the same "Demon Sword Bloodline" discovered in the rest of his race—Phobos slowly spoke.

"The 'Demon Sword'...let's give it a try."

"Huh...? That's impossible, the whole clan is cursed by the 'Elves'—"

"Alright, I said I'd do it."

By now, his blacksmithing skills had been honed into his very being by his father and grandfather. A year had passed since he first picked up a hammer, and if he had acquired [ability points] now, he would surely be able to forge weapons on his own.

Galen and Will both showed expressions of surprise, while the black-haired goddess only gave a slight smile.

"...Then I'll give it a try."

Urged on by the gods, Welf reluctantly obeyed.

Then, everything changed.

☆

"incredible……"

The scorched, blackened earth, still smoldering, filled Will's field of vision.

This was the plains outside the royal capital, Balua. He held a red dagger in his hand—and just then, it shattered with a crack. Shards of the blade scattered at his feet, leaving his companions and Will stunned.

This is a test shot of the short sword "Demon Sword" made by Welf.

"Ugh—Wow! oh w ...

Countless sparks flew about, all of which turned to ashes in the fire-scorched plains.

Faced with the symbol of past glory—the resurrected "Clozzo's Demon Sword"—they cheered like madmen.

Welf, who was also present, was still in shock, staring at the shattered remains of the sword with eyes that looked like they were about to cry.

"Welf, go forge the magic sword!!"

Upon returning to the mansion, Welf was surrounded by the clan's followers.

Whether it was relatives they had never met, their mother, or even Will, all of them, with bloodshot eyes, shouted, "Make the magic sword!" Young Welf stood there, stunned.

"To fulfill Clozo's tragic wish, to revive our race once more!! I need nothing else, just your 'Demon Sword'!!"

Standing in front, Will grabbed Welf's shoulders, revealing a ferocious expression.

Completely ignoring the child's face contorted in pain, they forced him to produce the "Demon Sword".

"Wait a minute, wait a minute. Didn't we say we were going to make a weapon that could replace 'Krozo's Demon Sword'?"

"That's all unnecessary now!! As long as you're here, as long as the 'Demon Sword' is here, Clozo can be resurrected!!"

"Dad, no! A sword that leaves its user to die... a 'demon sword' that will definitely shatter, I don't want to see that!?"

"What nonsense are you talking about, you idiot son?!"

With his cheek slapped, Welf lay on the floor, bewildered and lost.

The man who had poured his heart and soul into creating a weapon to replace the "Clozo's Demon Sword" was no longer there. Standing there was the last descendant of the cursed demon swordsmith, possessed by the obsession and madness of his clan.

"This is to reclaim the glory of 'Klozó,' Welf! Go and forge a tool to please the royal family!!"

Welf's clenched fist trembled with maximum force.

Welf looked up at Galen, the only one among the tribe that was shouting with joy and ecstasy, as if grasping at a straw.

Faced with his grandson's wavering gaze, the grandfather, who had remained silent all along, told him this with a chillingly expressionless face.

"Go and forge the 'Magic Sword,' Welf."

Welf lost all his strength—and then a fiery red rage rose within him.

Disappointment, betrayal, and intense grief and anger.

On this day, Welf bid farewell to his father and grandfather, as well as the Crozzo family.

"Are you leaving home...and this country, Welf?"

Late at night, as Welf was quietly preparing to leave his room, Phobos appeared.

"Is there something you need...?"

Welf turned his head and looked at her with eyes as wild as a wild beast.

If we trace it back to its source, this goddess's instruction was the beginning of everything. Although no matter how well it was hidden, it would eventually be exposed and become a major event, young Welf couldn't help but resent her.

"I'm sorry, I took away your place... Please forgive me, Welf."

"..."

"However, if you remain ignorant of this power—no, if you cannot accept it—you will regret it someday... That's what I was thinking when I said this. Hehe, please forgive me."

The goddess looked at the severely traumatized child with pity, while simultaneously cracking her usual chuckle.

After a moment of silence, Welf, abandoning his accusations, continued preparing for departure, telling her, "It's no use trying to stop me."

"I won't stop you. In fact, I'll help you get outside the country."

"...What do you want to do?"

"This is my last act of meddling for the adorable child. You could also call it atonement. Besides, how could a little brat on his own possibly breach the entire outer wall of the capital?"

Approaching the silent boy, Phoebus laughed and said, "Leave it to me," before affectionately putting his arm around the boy's shoulders.

"Welf, take the 'Demon Sword' with you too."

"There's no need. To me, this kind of weapon is—"

"I don't know what might happen. Just in case, we should listen to the gods, okay?"

Two "Demon Swords" have been made. One is for testing, and the other is to be presented to the royal family.

Wouldn't you feel bad if your first creation was used without permission or simply shelved? That's what she said.

"I'll use my connections to get you through the checkpoint. Departure is tomorrow, how about that?"

"...Ah," Welf nodded as Forbus explained the plan.

☆

"Have you heard, Martinus?! The Crozzo family has produced someone capable of wielding the 'Demon Sword'!"

In the uppermost part of the palace, between the thrones.

Ares, the male god whom Will had met, let out a loud "Hahahahahahaha!" laugh.

"However, Lord Ares, the Klozo clan is still cursed by the 'Elves.' Even if they retain their original forms, there's still a possibility they'll shatter on the battlefield... They'll definitely be defective."

"Hmm, that makes sense. Okay, let's not get our hopes up too high!"

After the king, who was in his forties, gave this advice, Ares, in his armored form, shook his lion-like golden hair and simply nodded.

Prince Marios, who was secretly watching the two chatting and laughing so leisurely, felt disgusted and summoned his spy, who served as both "ears" and "eyes".

"How's the intelligence on Clozo?"

"Ha...it seems the creator of the 'Demon Sword' is the current head of the family's eldest son, Welf Crozzo."

"Wilf Crozzo...is that the guy?"

Upon hearing the report from his trusted subordinate, the wise prince recalled the night they had met a year ago. There was that red-haired boy with eyes that, though a different color, held a light similar to his own—eyes that questioned his own circumstances.

"...For now, let's open the internet cafe. Position the knights in front of it."

☆

"asshole!?"

In the dark night, with heavy clouds, the rain poured down relentlessly. Welf, dressed in a traveler's robe, ignored the sirens and raced through the main streets of the castle town.

The royal capital, Balua, was surrounded by exactly four outer walls. Through the goddess's intervention, Welf passed through two circular walls separating the royal, noble, military, and commoner residential areas, but was discovered by soldiers at the third outer wall gate. This was because an unprecedentedly thorough search was being conducted.

"You beast, how could you turn out like this...!"

The short sword hanging at his waist clanged loudly as he continued to flee, panting heavily.

Then, as we finally approached the outer wall, we saw the iron gate tightly shut there—

(--knight!!)

Welf's eyes widened as he faced the three men clad in full armor.

The Kingdom's proud Lv.2 knight is a weapon user of a rank above the current level, far surpassing any current Welf.

Faced with the knights who drew their swords and shouted "Halt!", the boy's brows furrowed as he placed his hand on the hilt of his short sword.

He charged towards the knights and the gate, drew his crimson sword, and launched it.

"Flame Blossom!!"

What was unleashed was a frenzied torrent of flames.

The fiery jaws engulfed the knight, who was frozen in place as if time had stopped, along with the door, and shattered it.

A deafening roar echoed through the castle town in the dead of night. Before the astonished Welf lay... crumbling outer walls, the outside world unfolding in the depths of darkness, and then the figures of dying knights buried under the rubble.

"...Ugh, ooa ...

Welf howled. Shattered fragments of the "Demon Sword" scattered from his hands.

"Is this... is this power?"

The rain lashed at his face, and several streams of water, like tears, flowed down Welf's cheeks.

Smoke billowed from the sturdy exterior walls, and crimson flames burned fiercely, undiminished even in the rain.

Normally, Welf would have been defeated in an instant by the knights.

What overturned all of this was the "Clozzo's Demon Sword." A sinister weapon capable of defeating even the strongest knights, even a child without any power. An incredibly powerful demon sword that could even corrupt the blacksmithing clan that created it.

Facing the charred swords of the knights, Welf finally let out a roar, tears streaming from his eyes.

"Does the blacksmith really have to produce something like this?!"

The chaotic soldiers' pursuers were closing in behind, and Welf rushed out of the breached outer wall.

It disappeared into the darkness, then continued to wail and roar at the rainy night sky.

—I will not forge the "Demon Sword".

Welf vowed to carry on his pride and stubbornness as a blacksmith to the very end.

☆

After escaping from the capital, Welf finally arrived at a mixed forest not too far from the capital.

The rain had stopped. Soaked to the bone, he pulled down his hood, and the black-haired goddess emerged from the shade of the tree.

"It seems to be going quite well, Welf."

"Forbus..."

Phobos, who had arrived at the agreed location beforehand, slowly walked in. Seeing the weary young man's appearance and the vanished 'Demon Sword' now only in its scabbard, she narrowed her eyes without saying a word.

"Welf, come here. I have some farewell gifts for you as you prepare to depart."

This is the first and last [ability value] update, Phoebus said, walking around behind him.

After a whole night of escape drama, Welf, whose body and mind were completely exhausted, accepted it.

The goddess's slender fingers caressed the back of the boy whose muscles were becoming increasingly toned through the forging process.