I fihe breastpte and began f the other parts of the armor. Hephaestus didn't give me many tips this time—she just observed as I worked. It took lohan it did yesterday.

  Even though hours passed, Hephaestus didn't leave my side for even a sed. Unlike Mikari, who left a few times out of boredom, she didn't help.

  "It's almost done. Be careful with this part. Hammer here." Hephaestus poio a se of the leg guard. I hammered as she instructed, and finally, it was plete.

  I took the hot metal to the oil basin and sizzling filled my ears.

  After f everything, I worked on the joints for the arm guards and prepared the armor to try on.

  "It looks a lot like the one I made before, but the size fits better now."

  "That's because we took your measurements. You should've dohat the first time too."

  "That's true. I don't o heat-treat it like I do with a sword, right?"

  "No, that's not necessary," Hephaestus replied. "Armor is different from a sword."

  "I see. Then I guess I'm done."

  But the system message didn't appear.

  " you help me put the armor on?"

  "Of course. e here."

  Hephaestus pced the breastpte on me, followed by the neck guard. Then, she helped me put on the arm guards, leg guards, and knee prote. When she finished, she smiled in satisfa.

  "You look amazing. It suits you well. It need a little of polishing, but it's a good armor."

  As soon as she said that, a system message appeared.

  [ You have fed a Level 1 on Armor ]

  "Oh?"

  "What is it? Huh? The armor is ging!" Hephaestus sounded excited, her eyes sparkling. The arman to transform, its shine growing brighter as though it had not been polished.

  I also noticed its quality had improved.

  "What's happening? What is this!?" Mikari suddenly ran into the room, arriving just as the system altered the arm guards.

  "Ah…" Hephaestus, who had fotten about Mikari, quickly approached her. "It's nothing. Just fet what you saw, okay?"

  "But what was that? The armor was glowing! Did you do that, Goddess?"

  "Yes, it was me. I gave Eryk a little help," Hephaestus replied.

  "That's right. The Goddess made my work much easier while you were away. Look at this." I walked up to Mikari and showed her the armor.

  "It's det. It's not at the same level as the armor I fe, but it's good enough. If you offered this to an advehey'd buy it without hesitation. Umu."

  "You're exaggerating."

  "I'm telling the truth," Mikari said, cirg me to examihe armor. "This armor is ideal for a fighting style that relies on speed. It's light and doesn't hinder movement."

  "That was my goal from the beginning. I fed this armor for myself."

  "This armor is for you!?" Mikari excimed in surprise. "You're expl the dungeon? I thought you spent all day at home training!"

  "I've been to the duwice before."

  "You should've told me it was for you! I thought you used your measurements to train, I didn't know you'd be wearing this armor ihe dungeon!" Hephaestus, who also didn't know, pouted. "If I'd known, I would've used better materials and made something exclusively for you."

  "I didn't want to trouble you. Besides, I feel good using what I fe myself. Don't worry; this armor is good enough."

  "Are you sure? I fe one for you!"

  "It's fine." I smiled at Hephaestus and began removing the armor.

  "Ah! Let me help you." Mikari stepped forward, but Hephaestus blocked her path.

  "I'll help him."

  "Goddess…" Mikari clicked her tongue. "You're so possessive—it's annoying."

  "Did you say something?" Hephaestus shot a cold gre at Mikari, makiake a few steps back.

  "..." She stayed silent and didn't dare say another word.

  I removed the armor with Hephaestus's help and pced it oable.

  'I want to see how I look with the full set, along with my sword. I'll definitely look like a real adventurer now.'

  ####

  We went to the bedroom, and Hephaestus and I decided to bathe together before dinner. After finishing our bath, we went to the dining room, where Nina was waiting with a smile.

  "It's been a while since you've had diogether. That's why I prepared a special dish tonight."

  The special dish Niioned was a high-quality steak paired with something resembling mashed potatoes.

  "Thank you, Nina. Please vey my gratitude to the chefs for their hard work."

  "I will."

  "Shall we eat?" Hephaestus said enthusiastically. Nina served our ptes and then moved to the er of the room.

  "You don't have to stand—you sit down too," I said.

  "He's right, Nina. There's o stand," Hephaestus added, popping a pieeat into her mouth.

  Nina bowed at a 90-degree angle and replied, "I 't do that. It would be disrespectful."

  "..." Hephaestus was left speechless.

  "What did you do?" I asked.

  "I didn't do anything! I've always treated Nina well and told her not to act like this. Nina! You don't have to behave so formally. Please feel fortable."

  "I'm soddess, but I 't do that."

  "..." Hephaestus was silent, ready to say something, but I stopped her.

  "Don't say anything else. If she wants to act this way, let her. I'm sure she'll grow more fortable over time."

  "She always seems more rexed when she and I are alohough. Maybe it's because me and you are together."

  "And she acts friendly when I'm aloh her," I added.

  "Maybe she thinks she's intruding when we're both here," Hephaestus said, gng at Nina.

  "Let's drop the subject," I said.

  Nina probably heard everything but pretended not to.

  ####

  After dinner, we went to our room, brushed our teeth, and y down together. I was so tired that I almost fell asleep instantly.

  But Hephaestus didn't let me.

  "Hey, are you asleep?" Her sweet voice reached my ears, and I slowly opened my eyes. She was looking at me with a beautiful smile.

  "I'm awake," I said, smiling back.

  I gently touched her face, running my fihrough her hair. Hephaestus closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation.

  "It feels so good when you touch me."

  "You sound like a pervert saying that."

  "You're the pervert."

  "But I don't hate it when you act that way."

  "I see."

  Hephaestus opened her eyes and gazed at me, her eyes filled with passion. I noticed her excitement growing, so I kissed her lips.

  As I stroked her fiery red hair, my lips pressed against hers.

  They were soft and warm.

  Hephaestus parted her lips, and I slid my too her mouth. As I moved my tongue, she matched my rhythm.

  Before I k, my exhaustion vanished, and we shared a deep, passionate kiss.

  ParodyGirl