The reason for casting enchantments with a time delay is to avoid consuming all MP at once and to eliminate the significant gap that occurs when the effect wears off.
It’s a small technique, but it slightly increases our chances of survival.
“Mind!”
A new green light spills forth from our bodies, in addition to the usual commercial hue. This bolsters our defenses, but we are still far from being in a comfortable position.
For about two minutes, we evade the onslaught of fiery attacks, the flames from the pillars ceasing momentarily. I once again measure the time until the next wave begins, my mind racing.
One, two, three, four…
I focus on the pillar of fire before me, the voices of Miu and the others fading into the background. Now is the time to switch to a complete combat-oriented Sense configuration, including Crafting Sense within it.
I synchronize my heartbeat with the passing seconds, concentrating on not missing the initial movement when it resumes.
I cannot see the current state of the Young Beast lurking beyond the roaring flames. To avoid a premature end, I cannot directly observe it either.
The sword… it moves.
I dodge the calamity that erupts from the ground, and once again, a two-minute test of endurance begins.
Though my body is a mere temporary vessel, the tension causes the air to tremble slightly as it escapes my lips.
“Haha, today’s a long one, isn’t it? Between Maguro and these fire pillars, what a day it’s been!”
I continue to evade alongside my comrades.
The flames are shot at me, but their rhythm is monotonous, making it easier to time my dodges.
The second two-minute endurance test begins. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Miu and the others poised to leap from the earthen wall, but I suppress them with a sharp gaze.
If they come out now, it would be a disaster, I convey with just my eyes.
I don’t possess the full capabilities to protect everyone or the skill to assist them stylishly. I’m barely managing to look after myself. As I think this, two minutes pass, and the flames cease. Seizing the moment, I pull a Magic Gem from my Inventory.
“Bomb!”
I throw two Magic Gems, one from each side, at the next wall, scattering the flames with the blast.
The impact of the fire and earth magic creates a void at the epicenter.
The Young Beast emerges from the fire pillar, cloaked in a robe of flames, displaying its fury at the sudden counterattack.
However, I do not respond to its glare; instead, I assess the exposed limbs emerging from its fiery attire for something specific.
It’s the Crafting Sense related to Accessories. Additionally, I combine it with the targeting ability of the tome to check the equipment’s status.
Death Soldier’s Bracelet
[Accessory]
Weight: 5
ATK +10
INT +5
DEF +5
MIND +5
Additional Effects: [HP/MP Direct Recovery]
[Release of Death] [Rampage] [Curse Level 3] [Resistance to Disenchantment]
I am left dumbfounded by the completely broken performance of this accessory.
The increase and decrease effects are extreme, and the additional effects are abnormal.
It’s an accessory that sacrifices defense for overwhelming offensive capabilities, yet it comes with uncontrollable effects and is difficult to remove.
HP and MP recovery… which means the thirty seconds during which this attack ceases is a recovery period.
The Release of Death likely means that the equipment will come off the moment the wearer dies. Otherwise, they would remain in this rampaging state forever.
And then there’s Rampage and Curse Level 3. I take them at face value.
Finally, the resistance to Disenchantment—if it’s just the name, it probably means a decreased success rate for Disenchantment…
“I expected as much, but seeing it in person is the worst. The developers really have a knack for player extermination.”
While I ponder this, the Young Beast’s flames intensify, and the fire pillar regenerates.
The interval is about five seconds.
The plan is set. During the two minutes of evasion and the thirty seconds of stillness, I will use the Bomb Magic Gems to tear away the next layer, and within those five seconds, I will use the Curse Lifting Potion I have on hand to dispel the curse.
[There are eight Bomb Magic Gems left. There won’t be many chances.]
I once again focus on evasion. Ritti seems to be managing his stamina just fine.
In the third round of endurance, Ritti is at an advantage, dodging the flames with ease. I occasionally feel the flames licking at the edges of my clothing, causing minor damage to my HP, but nothing life-threatening.
By reapplying enchantments and using Potions generously for my diminished HP and MP, I somehow manage to endure the third round. The flames cease, revealing an opening for counterattack. I throw the gems I have on hand while rushing toward the fire pillar.
“Pobom!”
I get too close and am slightly damaged by the blast of the Bomb, but compared to the multiple explosions at such close range, it’s hardly a concern.
Now that I can close in on the Young Beast, I quickly pull out a Curse Lifting Potion and apply it to its arm.
“Got it!”
The bottle shatters, spilling its contents. Without a moment to confirm the effect, I pivot and escape the fiery domain. Behind me, I hear a roaring inferno. In an instant, I feel the heat and pain of a near-miss, but there’s no time to scream as I flee.
“Did that hit my back?”
I glance back just enough to see the charred edges of my clothing. A searing pain slices through my back, and I grimace slightly. The exposed skin, scorched by the flames, darkens under the open air.
In this brief interval, I pull out a Potion to attempt recovery, but it doesn’t heal completely. The effect on my HP is weak, and my MP continues to dwindle. The effects of the [Curse] linger heavily on my status.
“Just as I thought… I can’t believe I’m in a state of abnormality chicken race here. I don’t have enough Potions.”
I can’t use the Curse Lifting Potion on myself. What even caused this [Curse]? Was it the curse from the accessory, or the Young Beast’s traits?
As I ponder this, Rui rushes over, summoning water from his body, and the water sphere gently envelops my back.
The throbbing pain dissipates as if washed away, leaving behind a pristine back without any wounds. The status abnormality has also vanished.
“Besides the healing arts, you can use healing magic too. Thanks! You saved me!”
With twenty seconds left in the interval, I stand alongside Rui, gazing at the fire pillar.
Within the flames, a black flame emerges, displaying a countdown of [2]. In other words, when it reaches zero, that equipment will be removed.
The initial crimson of the fire pillar intensifies, shifting to blue as its temperature rises.
“Truly, with the state of abnormality and resistance to Disenchantment… I see, the additional effect increases every time Disenchantment succeeds. This is troublesome.”
Next, it will grow one more level stronger. It would be best for Miu and the others to retreat; I have no idea how intense the next wave will be.
“You all! Get out of here while you can! We don’t know what’s coming next!”
[What are you saying! We can’t leave you behind, Yun-san!]
As the voices rise, the Young Beast resumes its attacks. I continue to evade the enhanced flames while persuading Rukato and the others.
“Get out while you still have MP! If we hunker down here, we’ll be ground down!”
[Yun-san can fight alone, so we can too!]
“Then let me ask you! Can any of you cast [Disenchant] on its equipment? If you can’t, then stay back!”
I can see Rukato’s serious expression. But I’m sorry. If it’s just about attacking, overwhelming magical barrages or strikes from the autumn rifts would finish it off. This battle is entirely between Ritti and me.
“I can do it! There’s a Dispel spell among the healing magic!”
Miu raises her voice. The others chime in, stating they can also draw the flames and provide support.
“Seriously… I’m not trying to control that thing; I’m trying to remove its equipment. This is going to be a hassle.”
“It’s fine. We want to help you, Yun-san.”
Rukato responds with a bright smile. Looking around, I see Toutobi using movement-type Skills, possibly a Sense, to confuse the Young Beast with afterimages and teleportation. Meanwhile, Rukato, Hino, Kohaku, and Rirei are coordinating their magic to defend and repel the Young Beast.
With Miu at the center, the intensity of the flames increases, and the number of distractions grows, significantly reducing my burden.
It’s time to make a final push.
“Towu Topi Bi, left!”
“I got it!”
“Side Step!”
Toutobi and I weave through the flames, utilizing our high movement speed and the crisis detection abilities derived from our Skills.
Miu patiently waits for her turn, while Rui conjures a water shield beside her, absorbing the incoming flames.
“I can’t hold this wall of magic alone for long!”
“It’s fine. Just time it right and dispel it!”
Rirei and Rukato, along with Kohaku and Hino, are moving to evade everything. However, even in the face of the intensified flames, we have means to defend ourselves.
“Here we go! …3, 2, 1!”
As Rukato began her countdown, a magical barrier formed on the surface. Following the countdown’s instructions, it vanished, revealing a sphere gradually tracing its path before us.
“Shock Impact!”
Rukato swung her sword in sync with the pursuing flames. The yellow light of her Arts manifested, intercepting the attack and producing a dull metallic sound, “gakin,” as it rebounded back into the sky.
“I’m coming too! Magic Strike!”
Hino similarly swung her sword, deflecting the flames with a flourish. With a defensive maneuver, they endured the onslaught until the barrier’s durability was depleted, then countered with an anti-magic Arts. They created a gap behind the magical barrier until the cooldown for their Arts was over. Although they executed their teamwork effortlessly, the timing required for the Arts that countered the flames was strict and demanded high player skill.
Moreover, due to the extreme strain on their weapons, they couldn’t use their skills excessively. In this survival environment over the past week, that would be considered folly. Recovering durability and acquiring new weapons were both challenging. Yet, everyone was helping me out of their goodwill. I had to respond to their efforts.
“Is it time yet? Is it?”
Avoiding the rising flames, I anxiously awaited the moment.
“Toto! Shock Impact!”
At the moment of yet another clash between the flames and Rukato’s Arts, her spell shattered. In that instant, Rukato lost her means of defense. As I thought urgently for her to come faster, an opportunity for counterattack presented itself.
“Miu! Get ready!”
“Got it!”
I had no idea how many Magic Gems would be needed to break through the thickening azure flames. Therefore, I threw four Magic Gems into the inferno. At the same time, I charged into the fiery domain.
The violent gusts of wind buffeted my body, threatening to topple me, but I crouched low and dashed into the eye of the storm.
Behind me, Miu, protected by Rui, unleashed a dazzling white magic.
“Dispel!”
As I entered the fiery realm, Miu’s dispel struck the Young Beast’s bracelet, causing the countdown above us to reach [1]. In response, the blue flames intensified, beginning to transform into a dark crimson blaze.
A torrent of black light surged into the empty space I had created, sealing my wounds.
—In the distance, I could hear a scream, a voice fleeing in terror, but there was no escape now.
If there was a need to flee, I wouldn’t have jumped in in the first place. Once Rukato’s sword broke, we had no choice but to end this battle quickly.
It was only fitting that I, the one who proposed this plan, bore the greatest risk in bringing a swift conclusion to the flames that grew stronger with each dispel.
“Bomb!”
I activated my special skill, “Bomb.” Unlike the Magic Gems that required a moment to charge, this skill detonated instantly at close range.
The shockwave and explosion tore through me, drastically reducing my HP. The blast momentarily pushed back the pursuing black flames, clearing a path toward the Young Beast.
Due to the repeated flames and explosions, I was nearly at my limit. Before I could recover with a Potion, the Young Beast tackled me, clinging tightly.
“End this already!”
With a final strained shout, I hurled the Curse Lifting Potion. Just after, the black flames surged upward. In that moment, I thought, “Ah, I’m done for,” as I helplessly observed the situation.
The flames erupted, transforming into a pure white explosion. I didn’t understand why my body moved, but I instinctively shielded the Young Beast, holding it close and freezing in place.
I tightly shut my eyes, waiting for the end amidst the deafening roar. When I finally opened them, I expected to find myself in the town square of District One.
As I thought this, ten seconds, then twenty seconds passed, but there was no sign of the town, not even a sound. Cautiously, I opened my eyes, and the Young Beast was still there.
“…I’m alive. Thank goodness.”
As the tension drained from my body, I felt the unnecessary strength leave me. The flames in the hall had all extinguished, leaving a serene silence as if the inferno had never existed. However, the charred ground and remnants of what had burned told a different story.
I was no exception to this. I had been caught in the flames multiple times, swept up in my own explosion, and while my HP could be restored, my fabric Armor was completely tattered.
The inner layer had a large hole in the back, the belt was torn, and my pants were frayed at the edges, resembling slits. Though my gear absorbed MP to auto-repair, it would be faster to have it repaired manually.
“Ah, at least it’s a relief that the damage isn’t too severe.”
A sigh escaped me. To get it repaired, I would need to remove the gear first. That meant I had no spare clothes.
“Sister! Are you okay!!”
Miu and the others rushed over. Ah, I made them worry by diving into the flames.
“I can’t say I’m fine… I’m pretty much falling apart. Mostly my Armor.”
“W-what?! I don’t know where to look!”
Rukato averted her gaze, flustered. No, please don’t look away. It just makes me feel more embarrassed.
“I made everyone do something reckless. I’m sorry. And breaking Rukato’s sword was mostly my fault.”
“That’s true. That was our only weapon, and it’s a problem. You’ll have to compensate for it.”
“Rukato, you don’t have to worry about it. That’s just the standard response, right?”
Kohaku shot me a pointed look, but I genuinely wanted to compensate. Goodwill alone wouldn’t help us survive this Event.
“Kohaku and Rirei don’t use direct melee weapons, so it’s fine for them, but I’m stuck with a weapon that took that flame head-on. Its durability has dropped significantly. I still have my spear, so I’m okay for now…”
“Well, worst case, I could equip the rusty sword I found in the Dungeon, but that might take a while,” Hino added, her voice trailing off. I truly felt sorry.
“Yeah, well, what’s done is done. By the way, what about the accessory that caused the rampage?”
“Oh, this.”
I manifested the accessory that had somehow ended up in my Inventory and rolled it in my hand.
“This is insane. If it didn’t have the negative effects, it would be a perfect broken piece of gear.”
What I revealed was a black metal bracelet, intricately engraved with the visage of a grim reaper and a man in agony. Honestly, I had no desire to use such a grotesque piece of equipment.
“Wow, that’s some constricting gear. Sister, this is amazing!”
“Indeed. It’s a splendid work of art.”
A collective gasp of admiration escaped the girls. For this kind of gear?
“Isn’t it just bad taste? Absolutely!”
“Eh?”
I couldn’t believe my sisters had such a twisted sense of aesthetics… or maybe I was just imagining it.
“Hey, how does it look to you?”
“Um… it looks like a white bracelet with angels and women offering something… not that kind of bracelet, right?”
“Ugh, that’s just awful.”
If it remained unidentified, would I even know what I was looking at? This was likely a case of being deceived by its divine design, but what kind of pattern was it really intended to represent?
However, it seemed that those who used the horse gear had some semblance of intelligence, as they conducted experiments on the young beast. Well, whether it was due to the young beast’s high abilities or the compatibility with the equipment, it ended in a disastrous outcome.
“This accessory, after thorough examination, turns out to have a rather gaudy design. Everyone, I strongly recommend that you identify any unidentified items you may have collected.”
“Um… thank you for the warning,” I replied somewhat dismissively, noticing that Rukato and the others looked slightly bewildered. I hoped they would overlook my tired demeanor.
After that, we made our way to the base camp where Magi-san and the others were waiting. However, our journey took longer than expected as we took the time to gather herbs and edible plants along the way. Rirei, unusually quiet, was sending me heated glances that made my stomach churn. Every time I heard her mutter things like, “Ahh, that pure white back, that beautiful nape, those white thighs peeking from torn pants,” Kohaku would chime in with a sharp retort. I felt that if I joined in, I would lose, so I did my best to ignore it.
We arrived at our base camp just as dusk began to settle. As we returned, I let out a sigh of relief. The young fox beast was still peacefully sleeping in my arms.
“I’m back, Magi-san,” I announced.
“Welcome back, Yun-kun. You got caught up in trouble again, just like yesterday. Don’t worry me like that,” Magi-san greeted me with a slightly weary expression, wrapping her arms around me, though I couldn’t pull away immediately. I could feel Miu and the others watching us with knowing smiles.
“Magi, that’s enough of that. Still, I can’t believe you managed to damage your armor so badly in such a short time. How on earth did you use it to get to this point? I’ll upgrade the grade and repair it so that this never happens again. Here, take these spare clothes.”
Claude pulled Magi-san away from me, and then he opened the trade screen to hand me new equipment, which I accepted.
It seemed that both Magi-san and I needed a moment to calm down, so I stepped into the log cabin. I wondered why Lily wasn’t here. While I was pondering this, I exchanged my gear—
“…Alright, I’ve changed! Wait, what is this?!”
I found myself in a white dress with a vest that barely covered half my back. To top it off, there were shorts that seemed to be a concession to my dislike of skirts, but the length of the dress completely overshadowed them.
“Hey, Claude! What’s the meaning of this?!”
“Wow! Yun-kun, you look amazing!”
Magi-san’s worried expression brightened, and Miu’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Indeed, it suits you well, Yun.”
That’s not the point! I didn’t examine the clothes closely when they were traded to me, and changing outfits took no time at all, like a hero’s transformation. But still!
“I don’t want to wear such frilly clothes!”
“What are you saying? With your slender figure, beautiful black hair, and dark eyes, I cannot let such a shining gem go to waste!”
Claude passionately defended his choice! I covered my ears to block out his continued speech, crouching down in embarrassment.
“The white dress enhances the beauty of a pure maiden running through the summer plains. Your hair is black. While black and white are often contrasted, both evoke a sense of purity. There is nothing that pairs better than this. I know you tend to dislike skirts, which is why I included shorts. This way, there’s no risk of any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. Just imagine, a dress fluttering in the wind, maintaining purity while exuding a subtle allure without excessive eroticism! The pursuit of beauty is not solely about eroticism!”
What is this guy going on about in front of the girls? My sister is right here! And why does he look like he just accomplished something? The atmosphere was so awkward that I felt like I was going to die.
With a chorus of applause, Rirei directed a mysterious look of admiration toward Claude.
“That’s it! A beautiful woman should be just so. I want to protect the purity before me, while at the same time, I want to taint it. Such a wonderful thought, and that mindset is worthy of calling you my comrade.”
“I’m glad to have someone who understands. Now then…”
“Hehehe. Yes, indeed. Next time, let’s go for a Gothic Lolita theme!”
This is getting interesting.
What are these two getting so excited about? Kohaku, you need to step up as the voice of reason. Please, do your job!
[Oh, I almost forgot.]
“What is it?”
I glared at Claude while crossing my arms.
“Hand over the armor. I’ll upgrade the grade while I’m at it. And this too.”
- I traded the armor, and in return, I materialized the item he sent back.
“When cooking, make sure to wear this.”
It was a simple apron, adorned with a cute chick made of felt at the edge.
“Enough already!”
With my shout, I jabbed Claude in the stomach.
- He received my body blow and collapsed to the ground.
Claude, who had just stood up as if nothing happened, seemed to have put a lot of effort into it, but now he was back on his feet. Should I apply even more force next time?
“Of course. I have no need to be considerate of someone who goes wild in front of my sister.”
Kutsushita, his partner, skillfully climbed up Claude’s shoulder, reaching his neck. Everyone was wide-eyed at the sight of the small, adorable young beast and their introductions.
“Next is Lily, the woodworker. But, Magi-san, where is Lily?”
“She received a message from Yun-kun and returned, but she still hasn’t gathered the materials. I asked Lily to do it, and she just got back.”
Lily, with her red furball of a companion, returned from the opposite side of the forest.
“Magi, Claude, Lily… I’ve never seen the three top production class members together like this.”
“Well, we’re not always together, and we each have our own shops. Rukato-chan, you should know my name.”
Magi-san smiled mischievously at Rukato, who looked surprised.
“Well, our regular customers tend to remember us, even if it’s a bit hazy. Especially since Miu-chan has been talking about you.”
Magi-san’s words seemed so natural that Miu, who was lightly poking Rukato, looked a bit flustered.
“W-Well, girls have all sorts of conversations, right? You understand, don’t you, Rukato-chan?”
“I want the best custom-made items, but I just don’t have enough money. I know that.”
With such embarrassing topics being revealed, even the usually shy Rukato turned beet red and strongly protested against Miu. Seeing this, Magi-san hurriedly changed the subject.
“So… Yun-kun, who got caught up in trouble, could you introduce the young beasts you brought with you?”
Magi-san’s expression was smiling, but her tone had an edge that hinted at her irritation. As I felt my expression tighten, the young unicorn stepped forward.
“Um, this is a young unicorn named Ritti. Actually, I arrived here yesterday, but… I hadn’t decided on a name and couldn’t reveal myself in front of others.”
“And this is the black fox young beast we rescued from the trouble. I’m really sorry about everything.”
I showed them the young wolf I was carrying, still deep in slumber with no signs of waking.
“Then, let’s take a break and share our stories.”
We sat down at a makeshift table, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Miu and the others, not participating in the conversation, were struggling to set up tents to secure their sleeping spaces for the night. Our previous tents had burned down in the flames today, but Rukato mentioned that we had some spare tents from a unique monster’s drop.
Not knowing what to say, I started to speak hesitantly, recounting everything from yesterday to this moment, sharing everything I hadn’t mentioned before, mixing in my own perspective. There were still things I hadn’t fully sorted out in my mind.
Claude and Lily listened intently as they prepared bedding for the little fox, despite the effort it required. Once the conversation concluded, a brief silence enveloped the group. Magi let out a long sigh, her expression softening as she spoke.
“In such a short time, Yun-kun, you’ve had quite the intense experiences. The cursed accessory is intriguing, but first and foremost, please don’t take unnecessary risks.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“Exactly. I can’t believe a thread titled ‘Fire Incident’ popped up on the bulletin board, and you actually got involved in that. Yun-chi, you seem so sensible, yet you take such reckless actions. But… I’m really glad you’re safe.”
Magi and Lily relaxed, their relief evident, though their faces still bore traces of worry.
With a party that cares so much, I felt a twinge of guilt for putting them through this.
“Yun. It seems the young beast has awakened.”
Claude informed me, noting the slight movement from the little wolf cub, which had been responding to our voices. The black fox cub, who had suffered abuse, was now stirring.
Awake, the little fox appeared tense, its small body rigid with fear in this unfamiliar place, its instincts on high alert.
Cautiously, it stood on its trembling limbs, raising its dull-furred tail high. It was hard not to feel pity for the poor creature, as it looked like it had only known suffering.
“Oh, look? That little one is awake. Hey, big sis, it seems to be on high alert.”
“I know. Everyone, try not to startle it too much. We need to communicate gently.”
Miu, who had finished setting up the tent, called out to me, causing the little fox to instinctively back away.
The treatment it received from those who had kidnapped it must have been terrible, leading it to distrust humans… I couldn’t help but marvel at how advanced AI has become. It’s almost too realistic.
With each step I took closer, the little fox’s fear deepened. I felt a pang of shock, but I gently patted Ritti’s head as he nestled against my waist, reminding myself,
“Let’s just observe for now. Watching is enough.”
It would take some time to approach this little one, given our very different circumstances of meeting compared to Rikuru and the others, but I decided to take it slow.
Even Miu, who had tried to forcefully hug Ritti, refrained from touching the little fox, which seemed to mix intimidation with its caution. Perhaps she was the most bewildered by its behavior.
“Well, there’s no point in just watching the fox cub. It’s time to decide on the rewards for the party that helped Yun.”
With Claude’s words, everyone’s attention shifted away from the little fox. As their gazes faded, the little wolf, sensing the shift, burrowed back into its makeshift bedding. Confirming this, I returned my focus to the discussion.
“Alright then, I think we’ll need to recover the durability of our weapons and armor, find a replacement for Rukato’s broken weapon, gather some potions, and prepare meals. Does that sound good?”
I called out to Rukato, who was eagerly setting up the tent.
“Yes, that works for me. Though it feels a bit excessive…”
“Don’t worry about it. We’re doing this because we want to.”
Rukato persisted, but I felt it was a fair request. After all, there was a chance we could have been burned to a crisp and forced to retire. It almost felt like a bargain. However, Rukato and the others seemed unconvinced.
“Hmm, how about this? Instead of calling it a replacement for Rukato’s weapon, I’ll craft a custom-made one for you, complete with future care. For now, I can make a steel katana, which should be fine.”
“What? That’s too generous!”
“In exchange, how about we trade for some items? Give and take.”
“…That sounds reasonable. Is everyone okay with that?”
When Rukato asked the other members, they all responded positively.
“Then let’s go with that.”
“Alright, I’ll get started right away!”
“Magi, we’re not done talking yet. We still need to appraise the rare weapons Yun found.”
“Right, I almost forgot.”
I pulled out a pair of daggers, a magic staff, and a longbow from my inventory. Miu and the others seemed interested, leaning in to take a look, but they didn’t have the necessary Sense to appraise them.
“Wow, these have quite a divine appearance. That bright red bow is definitely my style.”
“Is this dagger mine? Magi-chi, could you appraise it? I’ll handle the staff and longbow.”
As they began their appraisals, their expressions shifted from casual to tense, filled with a strong sense of excitement rather than anxiety.
“Hey… Magi-chi, what’s the verdict on yours?”
“Well, they all have the same performance. Seriously, the developers have great taste.”
With that, they each took their respective weapons.
Wolf Commander’s Longbow [Weapon]
The longbow used by Wolf, the commander and master archer.
ATK + ???
Is that all? I thought, noticing it had nearly the same performance as Magi’s kitchen knife and was completely inferior to the weapon Lily had crafted.
But then, a message flowed in, surprising me.
“This weapon can have up to four additional effects applied. Furthermore, as a unique item, it cannot be stolen or broken. You can freely remove additional effects, but if you wish to apply new ones, you must go through the same process again.”
“Heh… handing over materials for customizable weapons to the Production Class shows good taste on the developers’ part.”
Claude chuckled, a mix of amusement and something unsettling in his tone. I understood what he meant, but the atmosphere was a bit off.
Magi chimed in, “As expected, they’ve given us the chance to create one-of-a-kind weapons. I’m so excited to see what we can come up with.”
Lily added, “If they hand out cheat weapons like this, it would undermine the existence of the Production Class.”
Indeed, it would be disheartening for those who can craft their own weapons to receive something with superior performance or mediocre high-performance weapons. In that sense, it was the best outcome.
“…For now, I don’t have a clear vision for customization. What should I do with this?”
I held the bow, contemplating its potential.
As I glanced around, I noticed Miu’s eyes sparkling with excitement. I had a feeling it was something extraordinary, but seeing her gaze filled with desire made me uneasy in a different way.
“That’s so cool! It’s a super rare item! We could create a dream weapon with it! If I could, I’d want to snatch it away!”
“That’s a bit alarming. I don’t want to get PK’d.”
“Oh, right, there’s a chance of PK. Well, even if it’s not stolen, someone might try to buy it off you.”
“Magi-san, what are you saying?”
When I shot her a glare, she waved her hands dismissively, “Ahaha, I’m just joking!” But it didn’t sound like a joke to me.
“Thank you for the amazing weapon, Yun-chi.”
“Yeah, as someone who’s focused on enhancing my gear for the game, I’m thrilled.”
Hearing Claude and Lily say that made me feel both happy and a bit uneasy.
“Don’t worry about it. Now, let’s wrap this up. I’ll send Claude a screenshot of the riverbed later. And Rukato, let me know the types and quantities of potions you need. I’ll prepare them by tomorrow.”
“I’ll take care of Rukato’s sword. I found some ore materials during today’s exploration, so that should be enough. You’ll be using the room stone, right?”
We each began to move toward our tasks. Magi handed over some of the gems we gathered today before starting on Rukato’s sword. Rukato discussed the repairs for my damaged armor and the status of others’ gear, occasionally glancing at the bulletin board. He was quite skilled at multitasking.
Lily was similarly busy, recovering durability, but since the staff was for both Kohaku and Rirei, she took on the task of appraising the unappraised items.
“Now, as for me…”
“Yun-san, here’s one of the items as a reward for today.”
“What is this… Sweets Factory?”
“Yes, it’s a drop item from the Sweets Tree. Also, here’s the book dropped by the Hima Tsubu Tsubu Scissors. We can’t read it.”
“Well, I can’t read it either… but I’d like to try. So, where’s that book?”
“Um, Claude-san has it. He plans to read it later.”
Hearing that, I glanced over to see Claude waving lightly at us. I envied him for casually reading a book. Seeing a complete collection of books lined up would be quite impressive. Even though I couldn’t read them, I found myself wanting them a little.
Lost in my thoughts, I was pulled back to reality by Rukato.
“…So, Yun-san?”
“Yes?”
“I’m counting on you. For the sweets!”
With bright smiles, the cheerful girls looked at me, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. Yes, for the sake of the sweets, for the sake of the treats.
Unable to engage in activities at night, I busied myself with cooking, baking sweets, and crafting Potions from the materials I had gathered. The fruit jelly I made would likely be served for breakfast tomorrow.
After finishing a mountain of tasks, I glanced over at the young fox curled up nearby.
“Hmm? What’s wrong, big sister?”
“Nothing in particular. I’m going to sleep now, so don’t stay up too late.”
“Oh, okay. Good night!”
“Good night.”
I called out to everyone present, then gently scooped up the sleeping young fox and headed toward the log house. Yesterday, Lily had been the first to fall asleep, but now, the moment I decided to rest, a wave of drowsiness washed over me.
Carefully avoiding snagging the hem of my unfamiliar dress, I lay down on the bed. I placed the young fox softly beside Rikuru, Kutsushita, and Nesias, making sure not to wake it.
As I closed my eyes, exhaustion enveloped me, and I slipped into the depths of slumber.
The last thought that crossed my mind was a simple realization: Ah, I was quite tired after all. I had successfully completed the third day.
Chapter Six: Revenge and the Sorcerer
I awoke at what I assumed was the same time as yesterday. My blurry vision caught the light spilling through the cracks of the log house door.
“…Morning. I need to get up.”
I had to prepare breakfast. As the only one with Cooking Sense, I stretched lightly and rose quickly. Looking around, I noticed Claude was missing. Had he pulled another all-nighter? I thought, as I carefully opened the door, trying not to wake anyone else or the young beasts.
“Good morning, Claude.”
“Yeah, good morning. And good night.”
With that, Claude let out a soft grunt and immediately began to snore. I couldn’t help but wonder if he found it uncomfortable to sleep in his armor.
“If the watch is too tough, he could always switch with someone else, but I suppose it’s nice that he can rest easy.”