Several months had passed since we signed the exclusive contract.
Aiz had started visiting the workshop even more frequently than I had expected.
"Aren't the executives trying to stop you?"
"No."
With her insane level of diligence—showing up nearly six times a week—you would think the Loki Familia executives would have stepped in by now.
"They actually said it was fine."
"...Right. That figures."
The Hephaistos Familia and Loki Familia weren't exactly rivals, and the executives couldn't spend every waking moment babysitting Aiz, who was still emotionally stunted. I suspected they had simply outsourced her care to me, since she was already comfortable around me, without bothering to give me a heads-up.
"Planning on heading to the Dungeon again today?"
"Yes."
"Then wait a moment. There's something I've been working on."
I was quite excited about this new creation.
My status had risen enough that I could now easily descend to the 20th floor.
Normally, the 19th through 24th floors—known as the Great Tree Labyrinth—are difficult to navigate without a resistance ability, but...
"That's exactly why magic tools exist."
By crafting a magic tool with resistance effects, I was able to enter the area with ease.
"What is that?"
"A new magic tool."
I pulled a decorative dagger from my bag, crafted from what looked like a shimmering pink crystal.
"Aiz. Could you lure a strong monster over here for me?"
"Yes. I can do that."
Aiz activated [Aerial], blurring through the landscape at high speed as she leaped through the brush.
About three minutes later, she returned, leading a Mammoth Grass monster. It was roughly seven meters tall, covered in reddish-brown fur, with two long, gently curved tusks.
"Are you going to use it now?"
"Yeah. Stand back a bit."
I hurled a magic sword at the Mammoth Grass.
The fire-attribute blade sent the monster into a blind rage, and it charged straight for me.
The beast barreled forward at an incredible speed, tusks lowered and ready to gore.
It was the perfect test subject.
I leveled the tip of the crystal magic sword toward the oncoming monster.
"Rho Aias."
I released its True Name.
"Pwoooohhh!!!"
The sword shattered, and in its place, a protective barrier resembling pink flower petals bloomed.
This shield, born from the fusion of my Mystery ability and my skill in crafting magic swords, halted the Mammoth Grass's charge without taking a single scratch.