Seeing Alex accept the offer, Hephaestus finally released a deep breath, as though a boulder had been lifted off his chest.

He rose from his kneeling position with dignity, though his shoulders remained heavy with the burden of mortality that even gods feared.

Meanwhile, Lina stood rooted in place, her entire form frozen. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and utter confusion.

A god—her god—had just knelt before a human.

That image alone shattered every fragment of reverence she had for divine hierarchy.

Snapping out of her daze, Lina rushed forward.

"My Lord! What are you doing?!" she cried out, voice nearly trembling. "Why are you kneeling in front of this human?"

Then, turning sharply to Alex, she added with narrowed eyes, "I get that he's strong—too strong for a mortal, honestly. It's hard to believe a human could wield such power… but that's exactly why we shouldn't trust him so easily."

Hephaestus turned to her, calm but tired. "It doesn't matter anymore. I don't have much choice, Lina."

His voice carried the weight of an immortal teetering at the edge of extinction.

"One way or another, I'm going to perish… along with the last of my believers, if things continue like this. I can't sit by and watch them get slaughtered—slaughtered for still believing in me."

Lina's stern face softened as she noticed the sadness behind Hephaestus' words. His eyes—those blazing molten orbs—were misty, and on the verge of breaking.

Hephaestus looked toward Alex and said, "Even if he's a devil in disguise… as long as he saves them, I'll forge him whatever he wants. Anything."

Lina clenched her fists, then looked Alex dead in the eyes.

"Will you really help them?"

Alex gave her a lopsided smirk. "I'm a man of my word," he said, then tilted his head slightly. "But let me make something clear. I won't promise you success. If it becomes clear I can't save them, even after giving it everything… I'll walk away to save my own life. Simple as that."

Lina recoiled, stunned. Her jaw clenched. "Did you hear that, my Lord? This guy can't be trusted!"

But Hephaestus raised a hand, gently silencing her.

"I won't blame him, Lina," he said. "He's risking his life for people he doesn't even know. That alone is more than we have the right to ask."

He turned to Alex. "I understand where you're coming from. And don't worry about the weapon… I'll make it either way. Whether you succeed or not—it's a promise."

Alex looked him square in the eye. "Don't worry. Like I said before—I'll give it everything I've got."

Then he turned his gaze toward Lina. His voice was colder now. "Whether you trust me or not doesn't matter. Hell, I don't even have business with you. My deal is with him," he nodded toward Hephaestus. "If he trusts me, that's all that matters."

Hephaestus gave a faint, proud smile. "I trust you because… from what I've seen, if you can't save them, then no one in this world can."

He looked down at his calloused palms, once radiant with divine purpose. "And that weapon… it'll be my greatest legacy. Whether I perish or not, if you return alive—even if you fail—then my legacy lives on through you."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. Don't get all emotional on me. Just get to work."

"But I'll also need tools and a lot of information.

I'll need everything ready—crafted, enchanted, prepared—for when the time comes."

Hephaestus lifted his head, voice resolute again. "You only have to say the word. I'll prepare the best of the best. Nothing less."

Alex nodded, satisfied. "That's what I wanted to hear."

Lina let out a long, dramatic sigh. "...Fine," she muttered. "I'll put my trust in you too. But I'm coming with you."

Alex immediately shook his head. "Nope. You may trust me, but I don't trust you. I'm going alone."

Lina's jaw dropped. "Do you understand what you're walking into?! Fallen Angels are some of the strongest beings in this world!"

She pointed a finger at him. "And you plan to go alone? You—a mortal?!"

Alex's reply was short and sharp. "That's my problem to deal with. And like I said—I don't trust you."

Lina growled in frustration, then turned away. "Fine. Do whatever you want!"

-------

Haphataetus watched Alex thoughtfully. After a long silence, he muttered, "She's not a bad person... so don't hate her."

Alex tilted his head. "Why would I? I barely even know her."

Haphataetus chuckled under his breath, eyes narrowing slightly. "Kid, you may try to act tough, but you've got a really kind heart, you know that?"

With a smug grin spreading across his face, Alex folded his arms. "Of course I do. I'm the kindest and most benevolent person alive you will find—you should even feel honored to meet me."

Haphataetus' eye twitched. "Maybe I was wrong," he grumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

Then Haphataetus turned serious. "Are you really going there alone?"

Alex shrugged. "That's the plan for now."

The god nodded slowly. "I respect your decision."

Alex's expression turned grim as he looked directly at Haphataetus. "How much time do we have until the next barrier falls and those fallen angels guys strike again?"

The atmosphere turned heavy. Haphataetus let out a deep sigh. "Based on the time of the world you came from... we have about four months left."

"Four months, huh..." Alex whispered. 'That's not a lot of time. But it'll have to make do with that.'

"I'll have to train like hell," he muttered to himself.

Then he turned back to Haphataetus. "You should get to work too. I'm sure the weapon's going to take a while to forge."

Haphataetus gave a confident smile. "Don't worry about that. I'll do my best."

"That's what I expect from you," Alex replied with a smirk.

"I need to return to my world for now—there are some important things I need to handle."

Haphataetus nodded. "I understand."

The two continued talking for a while longer as Alex handed over a long list of requirements.

Taking the list in hand, Haphataetus scanned through the contents and said, "Don't worry. Everything will be ready on time."

Alex nodded, satisfied. "Alright. It's time for me to leave."

Haphataetus nodded back. "See you soon."

Alex didn't reply directly. He just gave a mischievous smirk.

Then, raising his gaze to the sky, he said, "Raon, I'm done here. Take me back."

As he spoke, his body began to dissolve into shimmering particles of light.

Haphataetus stared at the spot where Alex had just stood, deep in thought. 'That guy... he's not an ordinary mortal. Someone who can wield death energy and shatter weapons forged by my hands... he's hiding a lot.'

Then, he suddenly burst out laughing—maniacally. "He even had the balls to say I don't deserve the title of God of Blacksmiths!"

With a grin of madness, he turned to the shadows of the chamber. "Perfect. I'll forge something the cosmos has never seen before."

His gaze locked on a distant direction as he roared, "Lina!"

From the shadows, a woman emerged. "You knew I was still here?"

Haphataetus smirked. "I'll bet that kid knew too."

Lina blinked in surprise. "He did...?"

"Lina," Haphataetus said seriously, "I'm going to free her soul... and use it to craft his weapon."

Lina paled. "You can't! She's not meant to be released! You were the one who said she once killed a Primordial! That the gods had to unite to seal her away! Why would she willingly become a weapon? The first chance she gets—she'll escape!"

"Leave that to me," he said coldly. "If there's anyone who can control her... it's that kid. If he can't... then we're all dead anyway."

He turned away, eyes resolute. "Besides, my time is running out. If I'm going to fade into obscurity, I'll make sure my legacy survives... even if it costs me everything."

"I'm heading to the upper floors of the tower—where she's sealed."

Lina looked like she wanted to scream, but her voice failed her. 'Looks like he's gone mad... just like that damn Lucifer guy.'

Meanwhile…

Alex stood once again before Raon, who tilted his head with a curious smile. "Mr. Lucifer, you look happy. Did everything go the way you wanted?"

Alex exhaled, hands in his pockets. "Not a single thing went how I planned. But…" He smiled faintly. "I gained something very valuable."

Raon blinked. "Oh? And what's that, if I may ask?"

Alex shot him a sly glance. "That's a secret."

Raon pouted. "You're no fun."

Alex ignored him.

Just then, a voice echoed inside his mind.

[`You're planning to double-cross that poor god, aren't you?`]

'How dare you say that?!' Alex screamed in his head. 'Did you not hear him call me kind?!'

[`Please. I know you better than that. I'd sooner believe a chicken could fly.`]

Alex's mouth twitched. 'You're just jealous. Even gods now bow before me and acknowledge my greatness.'

[`If only he knew what kind of person you really are... he'd throw rocks at you instead, I swear.`]

'For a useless system. you talk too much.'

Raon's voice interrupted. "Are you ready to go home, Mr. Lucifer?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah. I've got a lot to figure out... and even more to prepare."

Raon smiled and flicked his finger. A shimmering portal opened before them.

"See you soon, Mr. Lucifer," he said warmly.

Alex didn't turn back. He just raised a hand lazily and stepped into the portal.

The swirling gateway closed behind him.

A moment later, Alex emerged back into the world he had just left—the rift he had cleared now silent around him.

But something very troublsome was waiting for him outside too.

----

A/N:

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