“Well, under normal circumstances, it would be impossible. But you can do it! No, you’re the only one who can!”
While there was something uplifting about his words, the underlying meaning was clear: if you don’t take on this role, the damage will be greater than expected. It felt like a threat.
“By the way, what’s the method?”
“Utilize the Knee Method Blast for a massive jump in mid-air.”
“Huh?”
“That’s right, a massive jump in mid-air. You hit yourself with the residual magic while moving to accelerate.”
“No way, that’s impossible. It’s just not feasible.”
“Using knockback as a movement technique is a common trick. There’s also the style of no-damage acceleration using the residual magic, which is effective in PvP, utilizing limbs without damage detection.”
“…Don’t make me do something I don’t know about just because you and Miu are familiar with it.”
“It’s impossible to move with mirror equipment. Besides, activating that single magic multiple times is an item, right? We don’t know how to use it, and right now, you’re the only one who can handle it properly.”
“We have the item, but let someone else do it. I really don’t want to.”
“The issue isn’t whether you can use it. To ensure the supporting roles can execute their tasks safely, we need you. You.”
He was confident that I would succeed! How reassuring!
Saying that, I nodded again and lowered my head. Many people around us were watching our exchange from a distance, and their gazes were unsettling.
“I-I get it, so lift your head. The stares from everyone…”
“Thanks. By the way, get ready.”
“Honestly, I’m so weak when asked like this.”
As I grumbled and shot resentful glances at the surroundings, I heard whispers about how I was a tsundere. A perfect tsundere. Hey, whoever said that, come out! Let’s do this together.
When I glared at the crowd, everyone averted their eyes.
“Stop slacking off and get ready, everyone!”
Mikazuchi’s single command calmed everyone down. Looking over, I saw that Sei-nee had already created a water ramp right at the boundary with the Great Beast Devourer.
“Yun-chan, I’m ready to go at any time. The goal is to gather the gaze of its eyes. And to distract it. Let’s do this.”
“Got it. Just give me a moment to prepare.”
I checked my status. I had plenty of Bomb Magic Gems. Since I wasn’t going directly for the sleep attack, I kept my hands free. Without the corresponding Sense, I was effectively unarmed.
I focused my mind and simulated in my head when to detonate the bombs and calculated when to chant the keywords.
“(Enhancement) | Defense, Mind, Speed”
In the end, all I could do was use minor tricks to boost my abilities.
Magi-san approached me, having discarded most of her weapons, leaving only her beloved great sword.
“Yun-kun, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I replied, but I still felt a twinge of fear. It was dangerous… I had a strangely calculating thought, but I quickly shook it off and steeled my resolve.
“Then I’ll lead the way and be your shield, Yun-kun. So, just close your eyes and relax.”
“Okay. Thank you for worrying about me…”
Wait? Did Magi-san just say something strange? Just as that thought crossed my mind, she dashed up the ice ramp created by the spirits.
“Yun! Follow Magi-san!”
I took off after her, gripping two Magic Gems in each hand, sprinting up the water slope with all my might. I maintained my footing on the frozen path, accelerating as I climbed higher.
“Bomb Pet!”
Just before my leap, I chanted the keyword and left the gem behind. Five seconds until the magic activated. I envisioned the phenomena that would occur in my mind.
As I leaped, I felt a gentle buoyancy and forward momentum in the air. With the aid of the enchantment, I caught up to Magi-san, who was positioned in front of me, her great sword raised like a shield. I noticed the glaring eyes of the Great Beast Devourer turning towards me, emitting a pale blue light.
Before the blinding light erupted, I felt the force of the Knee Method Blast hit my back, propelling me forward alongside Magi-san. As I soared through the air, I felt the effects of the spell and the absence of damage… I found comfort in the fact that I was unharmed.
However, I realized that trying something unfamiliar was risky. I glanced at the predicted landing spot and saw I wouldn’t have enough distance, landing right at the feet of the Great Beast Devourer. I could foresee a future where I would crash to the ground alongside Magi-san.
“Don’t worry. I’m here for you, Yun-kun! Go ahead!”
With that, she grabbed my hand mid-air and threw me into the void.
“Magi-san!”
I was propelled further into the air, while Magi-san’s throw reduced her distance.
But obstacles continued to arise. A laser was being prepared, aimed directly at me. The blinding light…
In that instant, I heard the sound of slicing wind behind me as it rushed past, intercepting the laser.
As I witnessed the shattering water spears and scattering light, I realized Sei-nee was providing support. In the empty space, I pulled out a Magic Gem with my free hand.
From my current position, I scattered the gems above the Great Beast Devourer’s head. I thought it was amusing how well I could see the spot I had targeted with my bow and arrows.
Below, the creature’s tentacles stretched out, trying to grasp me but failing to reach as they flailed wildly. The players surged forward, cutting through the tentacles and clearing a path to the main body.
“Take this and ascend to the heavens, you glutton! [Bomb]!”
With the keyword, the black gems scattered above the six eyes began to glow. Riding the momentum, I leaped onto the back of the Great Beast Devourer, eager to witness the results of my actions.
The falling gems detonated simultaneously, creating a series of explosions that amplified their power. The yellow explosions not only obscured my vision but surged towards the creature.
Even as the retaliatory lasers were affected by the blast, they continued to advance with sheer force.
“Damn it, even I’m getting caught up in this! I need to get out of here!”
The increase in power from the chain reaction seemed to elevate the blast’s strength and range. Though I felt no damage, I was startled by the wind that slammed against me.
As the explosions subsided and the yellow smoke spread, I took a moment to assess the situation, ready to leave it to others. Just as I stood up, a sudden shockwave resonated nearby.
A blue-white light erupted from behind me, striking my chest. The impact lifted me off the ground, and I heard a cracking sound echo in my ears as I was thrown back by the blast, losing control and drifting away.
In my swirling vision, I saw the high position of the creature’s eyes locking onto me, but I quickly confirmed that Sei-nee’s water spear had crushed them, and I was swept away, falling into the abyss.
(…I’m dead. Or maybe not, since I didn’t take any damage.)
Suddenly, I was plunged into the lake, hitting the water with my back, and I felt myself sinking slowly. My fingers, reflected in the water, provided clarity to my confusion.
“The Substitute Jewel Ring… the gem is gone?”
In other words, it absorbed the damage for me just this once.
With that question resolved, I no longer needed to sink in the lake. I quickly switched to my Swimming Sense and surfaced.
“Ha!”
As I broke the surface, I saw a massive creature resembling a black mountain buried in the sand. At the same time, a message reached all players.
“Confirmation of the defeat of the first Great Beast Devourer. Four remaining.”
A loud cheer echoed through the area, and shortly after, the second defeat was reported, prompting everyone to stand and look north.
Amidst it all, I trudged toward the shore of the lake, slowly making my way back to the others.
“Yun-chan! Are you okay?”
Sei-nee rushed over and caught me, causing me to collapse in relief.
The adrenaline from the battle faded as I entered the water, and I was suddenly overwhelmed by mental fatigue.
“I’m back. I’m exhausted. I need to restock my potions and I’m sleepy. So tired.”
“Just hold on until we get back! You can’t give up now!”
As Taku, Miu, and other familiar players approached, they expressed concern for me, who had fallen into the lake.
“That’s true, but… I might not make it.”
With Sei-nee supporting me, I felt my strength drain away, completely leaning on her. Given Sei-nee’s low ATK as a magic user, she struggled to support my weight, but Magi-san reached out from the side to help.
“Yun-kun, you did great. You can rest now.”
I responded faintly to her voice, feeling the weight of exhaustion wash over me.
The sun rose, casting its light upon a new morning. The next moment I awoke was after everything had concluded.
Final Chapter: Rewards and Visitors
“Commencing score tally. Points from subsequent actions will not be added. Results will be announced after the tally. I repeat.”
I stirred awake to the quiet around me, feeling a light hunger and the lingering sensation of having slept too long. My Satiety Level had decreased. Checking the time, it was six in the morning on the final day. I must have slept for nearly twenty hours.
Looking around, I noticed a thin cloth draped over me. Zakuro, whom I had been holding, and Rui, who had been leaning against me, were already awake, seemingly waiting for me to rise.
“Good morning, Rui and Zakuro.”
“You’re finally awake, Yun.”
“Claude, huh? Today’s the final day. It felt both long and short.”
“Indeed. There’s still time until the results are announced, and Magi and the others are waiting.”
“Yeah.”
“And here, this is the reward you missed out on yesterday.”
With that, Claude handed over the items he had been holding for me. These items were my rewards, seemingly enhanced a bit due to my efforts and achievements. Among them were slightly rare equipment, unique items, cursed gear, and the book I had long desired.
“Now I have all the books.”
“You looked so eager for them. I went ahead and farmed the MOBs that dropped them just for you.”
That was a rather heavy truth to bear.
“Did you read them while I was asleep?”
“I had no intention of stealing your enjoyment. Besides, I’ve completed the collection myself.”
I imagined he must have exchanged items or something similar to gather them more efficiently than I could.
“Hey, Yun-kun! Over here!”
Magi and the others were gathered around a fire. As I looked around, everyone appeared to be sleepy.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning! You were completely out of it, sleeping the whole time. I was worried because no matter how much I called out, you wouldn’t wake up, Yun-chi.”
“Sorry about that.”
I felt a bit guilty for causing unnecessary worry, managing a wry smile.
“By the way, everyone seems to be in a post-all-nighter mood. Did something happen?”
“Well, we had a celebration for defeating the boss and continued hunting through the night since we didn’t want to waste any time.”
Magi poured my homemade herb tea into a wooden cup and handed it to me. The refreshing aroma of the tea gradually lifted the heaviness from my mind. I took a sip, savoring the taste.
[Score Submission]
As the information came through, the reactions around me varied from excitement to frustration, laughter, and disappointment, but in the end, everyone shared bright smiles as they exchanged glances with their comrades.
“Now, let me check my results…”
The first thing I noticed in the results sent to me was a large message at the top.
(Score: 4th out of 2396 participants. Congratulations on your placement!)
I was taken aback, not expecting to place at all, and my movements froze in surprise. Seeing my reaction, Claude chuckled, and I shot him a resentful glare.
“There are detailed results as well. You can see the various efforts made to ensure fairness.”
I skimmed through the details, and indeed, there were various measures taken to maintain fairness.
Unobtained Sense: 4000P
Empty Party Member Slot: 40000P
As I continued reading, I noticed the points for crafting weapons, armor, and recovery potions were significantly higher.
There were also points for defeating monsters and unique bosses.
“Bonus Treasure Flute: 3000P? I get items and points too?”
“That must mean the content was highly summonable. Your diving skill: 500P isn’t worth much. Diving itself isn’t that important; it’s the results that matter.”
“Hmm. And this cooking production: 21000P? Isn’t that a bit off?”
“No, it’s just that the quantity you made was substantial. The rate per item is lower than weapons and armor, but you made a lot of them.”
As I continued to scroll down, I saw points for team negotiations, cooperation between players, participation in event boss battles, and points kept piling up.
Then, towards the end of the results, I found an astonishing entry.
“Friendly Young Beast: 100000P? Isn’t that a whole digit off?”
“That must refer to the young beast you partnered with. Two thousand per beast. It seems they’re pushing for relationships with young beasts in the future.”
“I really don’t want to know about such delayed grass matters.”
“Well, this is the result of everyone’s hard work. One week, and we’ve achieved this.”
“Yeah! It’s all thanks to this team! Building a home, hunting, cooking…”
“It was fun!”
Magi and Lily’s words made me feel a warmth in my heart, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“But you haven’t forgotten, right, Yun-kun?”
“What is it?!”
Magi’s sudden laughter caught me off guard. Was there something I had forgotten?
“The prize for the winners is a limited item! I wonder what it could be?”
“Something that won’t break the game balance, I suppose?”
That was all I could respond with. In reality, they wouldn’t give out items that would disrupt the game balance to top players. Even the contents of the bonus treasure chest were materials for weapon modifications. I figured there wouldn’t be any direct balance-breaking items.
“Maybe it’s a special home? That would be convenient!”
“Well, shops and guild buildings are considered homes too… so I don’t really need one.”
I was momentarily at a loss for words at Lily’s reasonable opinion.
“So, what could it be?” While I pondered this, another email arrived. Seriously, was it from the management again? I thought they could just convey everything in one go; it was tedious to deal with their formalities.
“Congratulations on your placement. As a prize, please choose one item from the following list. The selected item will be immediately added to your Inventory.”
“Seems like… a selection system for the prize items.”
“Well, at least they’re not deciding it for us. It would be troublesome for production classes like us to be handed weapons.”
Claude said that, but soon his expression turned serious.
As I glanced through the options, I saw choices for weapons like Legendary Weapon with Usage Limit, Semi-Legendary Weapon for Long-Term Use, and Weapon Modification Materials along with similar options for armor.
There were also field-related items like Special Home Expansion Rights, Personal Field Ownership, and Personal Dungeon Creation Rights.
And then, there was the item that caught my interest: Making Box for Production Classes.
This item allowed for the random delivery of one type of production material from the selected category each day. It also had a setting change function and a feature that allowed for the duplication of materials stored in the box once a day.
In other words, if I set it to herbs, I would randomly receive herbs, and if I wanted metals, I would randomly get metal ores. The appearance rate varied based on the rank, and the duplication function wasn’t perfect; while the original item wouldn’t disappear, higher ranks had a greater chance of failure. I could change the delivery settings, but unlike unique items like weapons and armor, potions could be mass-produced. Additionally, potion materials weren’t limited to herbs; they could include monster parts, making immediate profits less likely and the usability not very good.
“Usability isn’t great, but… it’s incredibly intriguing.”
“That sounds good. I might choose that too!”
It seemed Magi had also set her sights on the Making Box. I felt a bit happy about us choosing the same item.
“What did you choose, Lily?”
“Me? I picked Personal Field Ownership.”
“Huh? Didn’t you just say you didn’t need a home?”
“That’s different! A field means I can have a vast area all to myself. I need a spacious place to create various things with woodworking. I wonder what I’ll make when I get back? First, I need to gather materials.”
“Make sure to have Shia help you too!”
Lily spoke with a bright smile, and I felt a sense of joy. In contrast, Claude said,
“I see. What about you, Claude?”
“Yeah. I chose Personal Dungeon Creation Rights. It’s a three-month public dungeon.”
“Claude as a Dungeon Master? That sounds a bit villainous, doesn’t it?”
As Magi looked at him with narrowed eyes, Claude snorted and chuckled.
“Even if it’s for a limited time, I can manipulate the dungeon freely. That means I can decide what special items will be in the dungeon. If I focus on gathering materials or drops…”
“Ah, Claude, that’s unfair! Make sure to distribute the materials evenly!”
With Claude’s handsome face, we all considered our choices, but Lily’s innocent smile was heartwarming.
We sent back our requests, and I confirmed the receipt of the Making Box. Then, it was time for the grand finale of the results announcement.
【|| We will now proceed with the contract between the Young Beasts and the players.】
The final event quietly begins—the contract with the Young Beasts. With this announcement, the Young Beasts confront their most trusted humans one after another.
Those facing each other found themselves momentarily speechless. They had not been informed of the necessary procedures or words for the contract, but in truth, such procedures were unnecessary; the situation unfolded automatically.
The Young Beasts began to emit soft lights in succession. It seemed the time for the contract had arrived.
The first voice that broke the silence was directed toward the Young Beast enveloped in light. Lily, wrapped in a gentle white glow, and Zakuro, surrounded by a dark crimson aura. Other colors were also present, such as Rikuru, cloaked in a sky blue light, and Kutsushita, adorned in a black and white striped pattern. There was also the striking orange hue mixed with gold that enveloped Nesias.
After about thirty seconds, the lights settled, revealing Rui and the others. Their appearances showed slight differences.
“…Ritti’s horn has grown longer, and Zakuro now has two tails.”
Ritti’s horn, which had previously been short and nestled in his fur, now spiraled upward, while Zakuro’s fluffy black tails swayed gracefully.
Ritti was known to be a unicorn famed for its elegance, but Zakuro appeared to be a wolf spirit with multiple tails.
As I scanned the surroundings, Rikuru and Kutsushita, who were small enough to be cradled, showed no significant physical differences. Meanwhile, Nesias had transformed from the nostalgic form of a furry king into a beautiful bird with a stunning tail.
“—[The changes are quite drastic depending on the individual.]”
It was undeniably a rare sight.
“Oh no… that adorable Rikuru…”
“What’s wrong, Magi-san?”
“His fangs and claws have grown! It’s like he’s radiating both cuteness and coolness!”
Rikuru, cradled in someone’s arms, stuck his tongue out playfully, revealing slightly larger canine teeth than usual.
As everyone watched, Rikuru let out a short howl, and in a burst of soft light, he transformed into a sky blue stone that fit perfectly in Magi-san’s hand.
“Whoa, is that it? Contract complete?”
“Then it’s my turn. My name is Kutsushita. As my guide, support me.”
Kutsushita skillfully scratched the back of his neck with his hind foot. Claude’s awkward line fell flat, and I watched with half-closed eyes. Lily chuckled, while Magi-san stifled a laugh behind her hand.
“Phew~. Come here, Kutsushita.”
Kutsushita, who had been playfully grooming himself, leaped toward Claude with a surprising agility for his small size, transforming into a black and white stone.
“Now the contract is complete.”
“But Claude, what was with that cringeworthy line? Were you trying to make me laugh myself to death?”
Magi-san pointed at him, and Claude, with a somewhat bitter expression, held his head down, not bothering to argue. It seemed he was aware of how embarrassing his actions were.
Meanwhile, Lily said, “Shall we contract too? Right, Shia?”
The beautiful bird that was once Nesias vanished without a fuss, transforming into a mid-tone stone.
“Then it’s our turn. Well, let’s get along from here on out.”
Yun bent down, beckoning the two Young Beasts closer. Ritti approached with a calm demeanor, while Zakuro playfully licked his lips, teasingly sticking out his tongue.
He licked me gently.
“Ugh, wait! That tickles!”
“Yun-kun is being licked! Oh no, I’m getting excited for no reason. I might just nosebleed.”
“I’m getting inspiration for new armor!”
“Nice! Shia just nibbles my fingers, and I want to join in.”
No, help me! I thought, but this situation didn’t last long. In a moment that made me gasp, the two Young Beasts transformed into particles, leaving me with two stones—one as white as fresh snow and the other a deep crimson with black streaks.
“Successfully completed, right, Yun-kun?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I want to know what kind of MOB everyone has contracted.”
“Well, my Shia is from the Isle of Immortality. It’s completely the name of a legendary mythical creature. But it’s fine since it’s still a Young Beast.”
“Lily, avoiding reality like that doesn’t help. It’s bound to become a powerful presence in the future.”
“The Isle of Immortality, huh? If it can replace a rare item, everyone will want it.”
“What should I do? Shia might get used up.”
Lily was visibly shaken by Claude’s words. My concern was whether Riwari would follow some bad humans and get used up.
“Don’t worry. If that happens, we’ll protect you with our bodies.”
“Exactly. I’ll help you when you’re in trouble too.”
“Yeah, that’s how it is. For now, just be happy.”
Claude, Magi-san, and I all reassured Lily with those words.
“Now, instead of worrying about what might happen, let’s announce the species of our respective partners. Next up is Claude, followed by Yun-kun.”
“Got it. Mine is a type called ‘Fortune Hunter.’ It seems to be a knee beast that influences luck.”
“A cat that brings both fortune and misfortune… it really does sound like a support-type Young Beast.”
“Fufufu, interesting. The black wolf is known to bring luck to its owner in certain places. In other words, it absorbs luck from others and brings it to its master. It’s strong yet amusing. I like it.”
Claude wore a mischievous grin, which made me feel a bit uneasy, but Magi-san urged the next person to go.
“Next is Yun-kun. What about you?”
“Well, Ritti is exactly as he looks—a unicorn. As for Zakuro…”
And then, my other partner was…
“Sky Heavenly Wolf.”
Both the unicorn and the wolf spirit are characters that often take center stage in fantasy and games.
I recalled that they usually play a supportive or versatile role, stepping back from the spotlight.
“Yeah, both seem to be late bloomers, huh? Well, they’re still Young Beasts, so they have a long way to go.”
“What about you, Magi-san?”
“Eh, in my case…?”
She burst out laughing. What could be so surprising? She placed a hand on her forehead and gazed skyward.
“Hmm, it’s a mythical beast called ‘Shuisui Doku.’ It’s a name familiar from myths and games.”
“If trained, it seems like it could become the strongest.”
“Will it grow huge and have a monster showdown someday?”
The three of us were left speechless by Lily’s bold claim.
Indeed, even though they are Young Beasts, they are still monsters. They would eventually be discovered in some field.
When that time comes, how strong will the Fenrir standing before the players have grown?
In that sense, the monsters we could contract during this event were of considerable potential, and it seemed we could contract them relatively easily as long as we met the conditions.
On the other hand, the limited physical form of the Young Beasts suggested that the developers were always considering balance.
“…Let’s not think about such terrifying things. We are in the Production Class, after all.”
“Right. Let’s pray for the souls of those hardworking material gatherers in the not-so-distant future.”
“Hey, they’re not dead yet. Besides, it’s uncertain if they’ll even appear.”
I couldn’t help but make a natural retort to Claude, who made a cross gesture in front of his chest.
Well, if we were to think about crafting something from the rare items that dropped, we might request a hunt from them. In that sense, they would be the future hardworking individuals.
That said, there were still a few Young Beasts in this safety area, but only half of them successfully contracted. The rest returned to the forest with a sense of longing.
A bittersweet farewell echoed as the Young Beasts disappeared. Though it was a sad parting, it seemed that at least some of them had been salvaged as a minimum form of relief. Some individuals gazed at the horns and fur in their hands, placing them into their Inventory as mementos.
“Not everyone involved can contract, huh?”
“Well, they were Young Beasts that jumped into the safety area.”
I replied somewhat absentmindedly to Magi-san’s comment, gazing at the back of the bean-sized creature, thinking how fortunate I was.
“All event processes have concluded. You will be transferred to the normal server in ten minutes. Various functions used during this event will disappear, and the system will revert to its usual specifications.”
Was this the final announcement? As the winners gathered, it felt like a celebratory atmosphere, but it wouldn’t be that extravagant in a game. The results would be announced individually, and items would be presented in a rather straightforward manner.
Later, it might only circulate quietly as mere whispers.
“Hmm. It’s over, but it feels like only a few hours have passed in reality. When you say that, it raises some questions, doesn’t it?
What if I wake up and find that several months have actually gone by?”
This was a conversation between Magi and Lily. Well, if time can be shortened, then it stands to reason that it can also be stretched.
Thinking about it, the idea of being like Urashima Taro after playing a game doesn’t seem so amusing anymore.
“Well then, it’s about time. Shall we head over there?”
“Magi, it’s not something to mention now, but I really enjoyed it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Summer is ending, but we’ll gather again often.”
“That sounds good. After this, we’ll all disperse. Let’s meet again.”
As they finished their farewells, I felt the same sensation as when the event began, the familiar feeling of being transported.
In the Atelier after the event, small changes began to emerge.
“I’ll take three sandwiches and potions up to the purchase limit.”
“I’ll have five of Yun-chan’s love sandwiches and the same potions.”
“You… are you really saying that in front of the person themselves? And I’ll take the same as well.”
Players, including Mikazuchi from Yaoyorozu, whom I met during that event, started to visit this shop, albeit in small numbers.
While the NPC Kyoko handled the customers, I simply sat in a corner of the shop with the young beasts. I was merely a customer-attracting panda.
“Alright, I’ll come again. Yun-chan!”
“Thank you for your purchase! And please don’t call me Yun-chan!”
I called out to the player who waved goodbye as they left, but I sighed softly, feeling a bit exasperated.
“Yun-san, are you tired?”
“I wonder. Well, I’d like a change of pace in a different sense.”
“In that case, please gather some materials. There are still some that we need to restock.”
“Got it. Then let’s give it our all for the shop. Let’s go, Ryuui, Zakuro!”
The two young beasts that had been sitting with me stood up nimbly, looking up at me.
I smiled at them with satisfaction and slung my bow over my shoulder.
Alright then, let’s go for a light and easy hunt.
Hearing their responses, I left the Atelier and set out to find enemies at the appropriate level to gather materials.
We would take our time, enjoying our pace in this world.
-
Status
NAME: Yun
Weapon: Black Maiden’s Longbow
Sub Weapon: Magi’s Knife
Armor: Ocher Creator (Outerwear, Innerwear, Lower Body, Waist) -
Accessory Capacity: 2/0
・Rugged Iron Ring (1)
・Substitute Jewel Ring (1)
Sense Points
SP: 2
- Magic
【Bow Lv8】
【Hawk’s Eye Lv】
【Speed Increase Lv2】
【Discovery Lv2】
【Magic Talent Lv7】
【Magic Power Lv④】 【Addition Technique Lv6】 【Pharmacy Lv】 【Training Lv2】 【Cooking Lv2】
Reserve
【Alchemy Lv2】 【Synthesis Lv8】 【Earth Attribute Talent Lv】 【Crafting Lv2】 【Swimming Lv】
【Production Knowledge Lv有】
Event Acquired Accessories
・Death Soldier’s Bracelet x1
・Various Status Effect Inducing Accessories (Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, Curse, Charm, Confusion, Stun, Rage) x8
・Set x1
・Joke Accessories x2
・Cursed Accessories x0
・Bright Accessories x1
Afterword
To put it simply,
Hello to those meeting me for the first time, and to those I haven’t seen in a while, aloha. I am Aloha, the author.
To everyone who picked up this book, to my editor Masaru who helped with the publication, to both of my editors, and to Yuki who provided the wonderful illustrations for this work. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported my work online even before publication. Thanks to the many readers who picked up Volume 1, I was able to release Volume 2 as well. This is a small step for me as a light novel author, but it’s a step I’ve taken. I want to express my gratitude once again. Thank you very much.
To share my feelings, I still can’t quite grasp it. Writing a novel, revising the manuscript multiple times with my editor until it’s complete, and the busy yet fulfilling days leading up to publication. Once the preparations were over and the work was completely out of my hands, I felt a blankness in my mind. It was like finishing a midterm exam, leaving me in a daze, and even when I saw my work in bookstores, it felt somewhat like it belonged to someone else. I hope that one day I can truly feel that this is my work, and I will continue to strive for that.
Since I’ve gotten a bit serious, let me share a light-hearted episode from Aloha’s life. The protagonist of the story, Yun, possesses cooking Sense, and while I omitted many cooking scenes in Volume 2, his skills are showcased in the web version. It seems I’m a bit of a foodie, pouring effort into the descriptions related to cooking.
If I were to name this episode, I might call it the “Maguro Taste Test Incident.”
A friend of my father enjoys fishing as a hobby, and our family received freshly caught tuna (though not the hundreds of kilograms that go to market, but rather a decent-sized one of several dozen centimeters). Since my family lives in an area without access to the sea, fresh fish packed in a cooler was a rare treat. The sashimi was beautifully presented, sliced with a deba knife. My younger brother and I devoured it eagerly. Looking back, it was an incredibly luxurious experience.
Tuna is delicious. I must have memorized the taste at that time. After we enjoyed the tuna, our neighbor went to a fresh fish specialty supermarket and brought back tuna sashimi for us. Apparently, I blurted out something outrageous after eating it.
“This isn’t tuna!”
“No, it is tuna. But the difference between good tuna and supermarket frozen tuna isn’t something a child should say!” Thus, I grew up with my taste buds stimulated, grateful to my parents for introducing me to delicious food, and I became a source of laughter for my family. The tuna that Yun fought against in the story must have been delicious as well.
Despite my love for cooking, I somehow ended up writing a VRMMO story instead of a cooking manga or novel. I don’t know why. I’m still figuring it out.
I hope you will continue to support me, Aloha. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude once again to all the readers who picked up this book. I look forward to the day we can meet again.
May 2014
Aloha