Is It Wrong For Me To Start With Three Skills In Danmachi ?!

"This time, we absolutely cannot repeat the mistakes of the last. Not only smiths, but we've also asked Tsubaki and the others to forge eight new weapons with the 'Unbreakable/Durandal' property."

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As soon as this matter was brought up, Loki's forehead throbbed faintly.

"The familia is already deep in debt. This expedition absolutely has to succeed, otherwise… everyone really will have nothing to eat but fresh air."

When it came to the issue of the familia's finances, it wasn't just Loki, even the three leaders had a headache.

As everyone knew, exploration-type familias received considerable policy support in Orario, the labyrinth city.

Because of that, half the familias that established themselves here belonged to the exploration type.

No matter if they were small, medium, or large in scale, they all relied on conquering the dungeon to keep their familia running. Of course, there were some exceptions, such as the Ishtar Familia, who simultaneously ran other businesses, gray industries.

Their sideline income was several times greater than their main business (hah).

In Orario, the powerful familias, including the top three, all had intricate relationships to consider.

Although they weren't as financially abundant as commercial familias, exploration familias shared one common trait: their combat power was immense.

With great combat power came naturally high income. But that in turn brought up another issue: equipment and supplies.

Exploration had costs. Even an ordinary adventurer understood this. Once a familia sank into the quagmire of financial trouble, it meant decline had begun.

At present, the Loki Familia was stuck in just such a predicament.

"A little curious, tell us the conditions for inviting Hephaestus's smiths. No matter how good your relationship with that goddess is, that's personal. Smiths must be properly compensated, right?"

"Mmhm, it's nothing much. Next 'expedition,' as long as we hand over all the deep-level drop items to them, it'll be fine."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Once the intelligence was confirmed, the three leaders exchanged glances and secretly let out a sigh of relief.

As long as it wasn't a personal favor owed, anything else was manageable.

What they feared was a situation like with the Dian Cecht Familia, where troublesome adventurer requests were suddenly pushed on them. For the sake of face and friendship, refusing wasn't easy, and that kind of stuck-in-between awkwardness was unbearable.

"Since it's settled, the overall formation of the expedition party will change significantly. Whether it's combat positions or the categories of supplies and consumables, everything must be reorganized."

The new species' characteristics had already been figured out in the previous battle: they possessed corrosive venom inside their bodies, could spray it, their oral tentacles were tough enough that even Lv.5 adventurers couldn't break free easily, and if the magic stone wasn't shattered in one strike, they would self-destruct upon death.

Taking all these traits together led to one conclusion: they were the nemesis of close combat.

In that case, the solution was clear: use long-range attacks.

Mages, archers, and throwing weapons could all make up for insufficient firepower. Close combatants only needed to stall the enemy's movements, leaving the rest to the magic users.

But what if there weren't enough mages?

After all, only a few possessed magic, and those who could use wide-range annihilation magic were even fewer.

Then use magic swords.

Magic swords.

Anyone wielding one could unleash powerful area-of-effect magic attacks. The finer the craftsmanship of the smith, the stronger the sword's might.

For example, Tsubaki's two-handed battle-axe type magic sword, "Kaminari Ikazuchimaru", with one swing, even three Lv.6 adventurers struck only by the residual lightning couldn't help but stand frozen in place.

And that still wasn't the strongest class of magic sword.

Of course, great power always came with a price. Magic swords were consumables; once their magical energy was used up, they turned to ash. Even more daunting was their exorbitant cost.

If anyone could wield one and unleash magic, how could such things be cheap?

"With smiths accompanying us, no one will need to bring spare weapons. Everyone just carries their own weapon, which will greatly reduce the burden on the party. As for the rest of the load, we'll spend it all on buying magic swords."

"…"

"…."

"…"

Riveria, Gareth, and Loki looked at Finn with extremely complicated expressions.

Sitting on Finn's desk, Loki tilted her head, slowly opened her divine eyes, and spoke in a drawn-out tone:

"… All in, huh, Finn. You're sure about spending everything on magic swords?"

Finn responded firmly to the goddess.

"I'm sure. Absolutely. We've already failed two expeditions in a row. For the sake of our familia's reputation and honor, as well as for our ambition, we cannot fail a third time!"

"This expedition must succeed, failure is not an option!"

"Even if it empties out the familia's entire treasury?"

"Even if it empties out the entire treasury!"

"Heheheheh, "

Loki lightly hopped to the ground, clasped her hands behind her back, lowered her head, and laughed incessantly.

"Magic swords and Durandal-type special weapons… they really burn money, huh. Looks like I'll have to sell off some things to scrape together more. But this thick anticipation, this uncertainty! I haven't felt this excited in ages."

"Hey, restrain yourself a little."

"What, I'm just too fired up. This is how it should be, Finn. Since we're gambling, then bet it all! All-in is the only way to feel the thrill, isn't it?"

…

Because of his promise with Ais to train in the dungeon, Fron decided to update his status first; otherwise, this trip would be wasted.

With his new stats, upgraded equipment, and a newly gained quick-cast spell, his combat system had clearly changed and needed some adjustment.

"Here, this is your status sheet."

Knowing Fron could read divine script, Loki didn't bother converting it, simply handed him the parchment as it was.

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[Name]: Fron Argon

[Level]: Lv.4

[Stats]: Strength: A835 → SSS1466 | Endurance: A835 → SSS1466 | Dexterity: A835 → SSS1466 | Agility: A835 → SSS1466 | Magic: A835 → SSS1466

[Development Abilities]: "Mystery G," "Smithing E," "Magic Dominator G," "Healing H," "Escape I," "Abnormal Resistance H"

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"Your stats went up by over 600, not bad. I thought it'd only be around 500 at most. This really exceeded my expectations."

"Probably because of your fight with that red-haired beast tamer."

Fron thought back, it was true. Revis had pressured him like no one ever had before.

In that battle, he poured all his skills and strategies into one, but still fell short.

There was no helping it. Who knew how long that woman had lived? Add in her stats being two whole levels above his, and just holding his own, even managing to calculate against her at the end, could already be called an achievement.

"Most likely. Anyway, I'm off. I promised Ais I'd head into the dungeon with her today."

"Heh, take good care of Ais."

--???

Shouldn't she be blowing her top in rage? This… was weird.

Even until he saw Ais waiting for him in the courtyard, Fron still couldn't figure out why Loki suddenly changed her tune.

If he couldn't figure it out, then forget it. After all, wasn't the swordswoman in front of him charming enough?

"Sorry for the wait. I updated my stats just now, hope you didn't mind?"