But i leave all of that behind and go one block over

But I leave all of that behind and go one block over.
I meet Lilly and Welf inside a bar that’s lined with all kinds of animal masks,
from birds to lions. The three of us sit around the table and clink our mugs
together.
“Cheers!”
Smiles overflow around the table like the bubbly foam on the top of our mugs
of ale. We aren’t the only ones having a good time. Clink, clink! Other groups of
adventurers at tables around us are starting to enjoy a drink after a hard day’s
work.
There’s a big red sign that looks a lot like a Familia ’s emblem on the wall
that has some kind of insect design. It’s the symbol of this bar: Hibachitei, the
Flaming Wasp.
Located in a back alley of the business district, this tavern is popular among
different groups of adventurers and smiths, Welf being one of them. The bar’s
claim to fame is a deep red mead. It’s apparently good enough that people
commute here just to drink it.
Compared to The Benevolent Mistress, this place is rather cramped. I
suppose that’s because it’s on a back street instead of the main road. There are

enough tables, chairs, and other obstacles in here to make it difficult to get
around. The inside is a little bit dirty and filled with dwarves and men laughing
together in loud voices. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something
different about the atmosphere in here. Syr’s place is bright and modern, but the
Flaming Wasp feels more like an adventurer’s bar.
Some prum girls work their way past us as I share a laugh with Lilly and
Welf.
“Congrats on leveling up, Welf!”
“Mr. Welf is now officially a High Smith, yes?”
“That I am…Thanks.”
He bobs his head, looking a bit more bashful than usual. But that smile on his
lips is all the proof I need to know that he’s attained both his goal as well as the
pride that goes with it.
Welf had gained enough excelia through our journey into the middle levels
and the many battles on the eighteenth floor to level up—going from Level 1 to
Level 2. At the same time he acquired the “Forge” Advanced Ability.
Lady Hephaistos updated his status, and the announcement of his rank-up
was made this morning. He came straight to my goddess’s home to tell us as
soon as he found out, a massive grin on his face. From there he went to tell Lilly,
and now the three of us are here celebrating it.
Welf is now a High Smith—we can’t let this special day pass by without
commemorating it.
“Mr. Welf, are you now free to mark your work with your Familia ’s brand
whenever you want?”
“Whenever I want might be pushing it. I’ll need Lady Hephaistos’s approval
along with several of the other leaders before I can use that brand. A weak-ass
weapon getting stamped would just sully her name.”
Now that Welf has joined the ranks of the High Smiths, he’s allowed to
engrave the Ἥφαιστος insignia on his weapons and armor.