Nyt stood at the center of a specialized hexagonal platform. Around him, three mechanical arms from his first "Level 2" Artificer project were suspended from the ceiling, holding various components of the Goliath’s Greatskin.
"Administrator," Minerva announced. "The Greatskin’s cellular structure has been successfully decrystallized. The tensile strength has increased by 150% after the Vitreous Cobalt infusion. We are ready to begin the integration of the Aegis-Module."
"Good," Nyt replied. He wiped a streak of grease from his forehead. His new Level 2 status was apparent in his movement; the sluggishness of his human frame was gone, replaced by a sleek, efficient power. "Let’s start the 'Spatial Expansion' sequence. This isn't just a backpack, Minerva. I want a portable workspace that exists in the fold between the 3rd and 4th dimensions."
For the next twelve hours, Nyt was a blur of activity. The Artificer development ability was already paying dividends. He could feel the "intent" of the materials. When he touched the Goliath’s skin, he didn't just feel leather; he felt the residual spatial memory of the Great Wall of Grief.
"Tsubaki, I need the stabilization rods!" Nyt called out.
The half-dwarf Captain walked into the room, carrying four rods of high-purity Adamantite. She stopped, staring at the floating mass of black leather and blue-glowing wires in the center of the room. "I’ve seen a lot of things in this Familia, Nyt, but you’re literally sewing a pocket dimension into a rucksack. Are you sure this won't implode and take the Northwest District with it?"
"The probability of a catastrophic spatial collapse is 0.004%, Tsubaki," Nyt said, taking the rods. "I’ve accounted for the pressure differentials."
Nyt began to hammer the Adamantite rods into the four corners of the Greatskin. With every strike, he channeled his expanded Level 2 mana, using the Aetheric Blueprint skill to "write" the laws of physics into the item.
"This is the Third Paradigm," Nyt explained as the skin began to fold in on itself, defying the laws of volume. "The Aegis-Module. Externally, it’s a reinforced tactical rig. Internally, it houses a six-cubic-meter laboratory, a mana-recharger, and a bio-metric healing vat. It’s my mobile base of operations for the Deep Floors."
"A six-meter room... inside a bag," Tsubaki whispered, reaching out to touch the shimmering edges of the "opening." Her hand disappeared into the darkness before she pulled it back, eyes wide. "You’re a freak, Nyt. A brilliant, terrifying freak."
As the Aegis-Module underwent its final "curing" process—a three-hour stabilization period—Nyt sat on his workbench, nursing a cup of black coffee. His workshop door creaked open, and Hephaestus stepped in. Her expression was unreadable, a mixture of amusement and genuine shock.
"You’re not the only one breaking records this week, Nyt," she said, leaning against his desk.
Nyt looked up, his monocle flickering. "The data suggests you're referring to the Hestia Familia."
"Exactly," Hephaestus smiled. "Bell Cranel. He did it. He reached Level 2 in a month and a half. The Guild is in a complete panic. They’re calling him 'Little Rookie' the fastest Level Up in the history of Orario."
Nyt paused, his cup halfway to his lips. "A month and a half. My internal projections had him at two months. His 'Liaris Freese' is accelerating. He must have had a significant emotional catalyst."
"He fought a Minotaur," Hephaestus said, her voice softening. "A mutated one. Solo. On the 9th Floor. The Loki Familia watched the whole thing."
Nyt leaned back, a small smirk playing on his lips. "So the Rabbit has finally entered the same tier as the Artificer. Statistically, this is beneficial. If he continues this trajectory, he will become the ultimate 'Chaos Variable' I need to test my high-tier gear."
"You really are a cold one, aren't you?" Tsubaki asked, leaning over the table. "The kid just made history, and you're treating him like a test subject."
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"Observation is the highest form of respect, Tsubaki," Nyt replied. "But his success means the Dungeon will respond. The 'system' hates anomalies. If Bell and I are both Level 2 now, the floor difficulty will likely spike to compensate for our combined efficiency."
The news of Bell’s Level Up seemed to spark a new fire in Nyt. For the next few days, his "daily life" became a frantic push to finalize the Mobile Lab.
His routine was a masterclass in optimization.
- 06:00 - 08:00: Physical calibration. Nyt would use the Hermes Module to sprint to the top of the Tower of Babel and back, testing the internal stabilization of the Aegis-Module while it was strapped to his back.
- 08:00 - 12:00: Synthesis. He would spend his mornings inside the Aegis-Module’s internal space, setting up his miniature forge and chemical analyzers.
- 12:00 - 15:00: Knowledge Exchange. Nyt began a series of "Engineering Seminars" for the Hephaestus smiths. He taught them about the "Atomic Structure of Steel" and "Thermal Conductivity Vectors." Half of them were confused, but the other half—the geniuses began to forge blades that stayed sharp 20% longer.
One afternoon, while Nyt was calibrating a new "Mana-Scanner" for the Aegis-Module, Eina Tulle from the Guild paid him a visit at the Familia base.
"Nyt!" she cried, looking at him with a mixture of relief and frustration. "I heard about the 17th Floor! And the Loki Familia! Do you have any idea how much paperwork you've caused me? A Level 1 soloing a Goliath?!"
"I believe I provided a detailed report on the efficiency of the spatial-collapse," Nyt said, not looking up from his wires. "Paperwork is just a record of progress, Eina."
"It's a record of my heart attacks!" she sighed, sitting down on a crate. She looked at his new gear the sleek, black tactical rig of the Aegis-Module. "And now Bell has reached Level 2. Both of my 'problem children' are now officially recognized adventurers. Please, tell me you aren't planning to go to the 30th floor tomorrow."
"The 30th floor requires a different atmospheric filter," Nyt said seriously. "I won't be ready for that until Tuesday."
Eina stared at him, realized he wasn't joking, and put her head in her hands. "Just... stay alive, Nyt. Orario is changing. People are starting to talk about a 'New Era.' Between you and Bell, the Gods are getting very excited. And excited Gods are dangerous."
On the final night of the week, Nyt stood alone in his workshop. The Aegis-Module was complete. It was a masterpiece of black Goliath-hide and Phase-Steel plating, designed to look like a high-tech tactical backpack but functioning as so much more.
"Minerva, final system check."
“Aegis-Module Status: Green. Internal Volume: 6.2 Cubic Meters. Mana-Recharger: 100% capacity. Spatial Shielding: Active. Administrator, the 'Mobile Lab' is now fully operational. We can survive in the Dungeon indefinitely.”
Nyt picked up the rig and swung it onto his back. It didn't feel heavy; the Hermes Module and the Aegis-Module were now 'Sync-Linked', distributing the weight through a localized gravity field.
He walked over to a mirror in the corner of the forge. He looked at himself a Level 2 Artificer, clad in black, reinforced gear, his monocle glowing with a soft blue light, and the "Logic" of a world-shaper in his eyes.
"The Rabbit has his speed," Nyt whispered to the empty room. "The Sword Princess has her wind. And I... I have the Lab."
He felt a strange sensation in his chest not a calculation, but an emotion. Anticipation. For the first time, he wasn't just observing the story of Orario; he was the one driving the plot forward.
"Minerva," Nyt said, heading for the door. "Set a waypoint for the 18th Floor. We’re going to congratulate Bell Cranel on his Level Up... and then we’re going to show him what the Middle Floors really look like when you have a scientist on your team."
As Nyt walked through the moonlit streets toward the Babel tower, he ran into a small group. In the center was the boy of the hour—Bell Cranel, looking both proud and terrified of his new fame. Beside him were his supporters, Liliruca Arde and Welf Crozzo.
Bell spotted Nyt and his eyes widened. "Nyt-san! I heard! You reached Level 2 too! And you beat the Goliath!"
Nyt stopped, his new gear hissing as it vented a puff of mana. "The Goliath was a necessary data-point, Bell. Congratulations on your 'Little Rookie' title. Your growth rate is... fascinating."
Welf Crozzo, the smith of the group, stared at Nyt’s gear. His eyes went wide as he saw the craftsmanship of the Aegis-Module. "Wait... Hephaestus-style? No, this is something else. Kid, who made that rig? The mana-circuitry is... it's insane!"
"I did," Nyt said simply. "I am Nyt, the Artificer. And if you're planning to head into the Middle Floors as a new Level 2 party, I suggest you rethink your equipment. You're still using Level 1 logic."
Bell smiled, rubbing the back of his head. "We were actually just talking about a quest! Maybe... maybe we could go together sometime? I’d love to see how you fight again!"
Nyt looked at the "Rabbit," then at the massive tower behind him. "The probability of our paths crossing is 100%, Bell. But be warned: when I dive, I don't just 'adventure.' I conduct research. And research can be... explosive."
"I'll take that as a yes!" Bell laughed.
Nyt watched them walk away, his mind already calculating the synergies between Bell’s speed and his own spatial manipulation.
"Minerva," Nyt thought, stepping into the shadow of the Tower. "Update the mission profile. We aren't just soloing anymore. We're going to build a 'Raid Team' that Orario won't forget."
“Acknowledged, Administrator. Beginning simulation of 'The Hestia-Hephaestus Joint Venture'.”