“Hmm. It’s over. Oh, a message.”
The sound resonated like magic, and the name of the friend who registered was Tak.
“What’s up?”
“Hey, are you bored? If you’re free, let’s go hunting. In a party.”
“Sure, but where?”
“We’re heading to the eastern Big Boar hunt. Yun, feel free to join us for leveling up.”
“Wait, you’re assuming I’m coming?”
“Why not? Honestly, I’m stuck because I’m low on potions.”
“Got it. Let’s meet in front of the gate.”
“Understood.”
Hmm, a Big Boar hunt, huh? That means we might be dealing with Sandman-level monsters in the western mining area. I’m a bit intrigued. I quickly checked my gear. With about three hundred arrows of enhanced strength, I shouldn’t run out during combat. However, relying solely on stone and wooden arrows feels a bit shaky. I should buy iron arrows next time and enhance them through Alchemy. But I’m low on gold right now.
Upon arriving at the eastern gate, I searched for Tak. His gear looked better than on the first day. It’s a bit frustrating since I’m still in my starting equipment.
“Hey, Yun.”
“Yeah. Are you sure it’s okay for someone like me to join?”
Honestly, I’m filled with anxiety. Well, the gender ratio of the other members is two to two. Since we’re both guys, it feels a bit skewed, but it should be fine.
I casually chatted with Tak’s party members.
“An ‘ore girl’ has arrived! Aaaah!”
“Wow, she’s beautiful!”
“But she’s not holding a bow. Is she going to be okay? Plus, she’s in starting gear.”
“Who cares? It’s a game; just have fun!”
“Ah, yeah. I’m worried too. Being a bow user in starting gear is a bit concerning. And about the ‘ore girl’ and how beautiful she is, I’m a guy, you know.”
“I heard Tak was bringing his real-life friends, but their appearance levels are high. Plus, she’s the feisty type, a classic kuudere. This is going to be great!”
“She’s a beauty.”
“Please, don’t talk about appearances anymore! I’m begging you.”
Two figures, a lightly armored man and a blonde-haired wizard in a white-themed robe with a staff, chimed in.
“Um, this is Yun. As you can see, he’s a bow user, but he should be somewhat useful. Even if he’s not, he can serve as a reference for changing his Sense during this battle.”
“Hey, don’t decide I’m useless right from the start. I’m a production class. Our battlefields are different.”
The surrounding members looked surprised. Yeah, I get it. A bow user in starting gear does sound ridiculous. But the truth is, I’m broke and can’t do anything about it.
“Then you might be useful after all. By the way, what do you craft?”
The man who reacted to the bow and starting gear looked rugged yet cool. His armor had a grayish hue, reminiscent of a seasoned warrior. He looked impressive but also a bit annoying.
[Just a Potion]
I took out one of the potions I crafted from my inventory and showed it to him. He began to ask questions.
“Is that a Beginner Potion?”
“No, it’s a regular one, one level up. It should be useful for healing.”
“Ah, I sold mine because I was broke. Everything else is… just one.”
Tak burst into laughter. He must have been holding back his laughter since I was being mistaken for a girl. This guy is going to get it later.
“Are you an idiot? Why would you sell all your potions?”
“Well, I can manage with Beginner Potions and Pills.”
“You’re a fool. Once your total SP exceeds zero, the effects of Beginner Potions diminish!”
“Really? So that means all my Senses are probably over zero. I’m still fine.”
The gray warrior seemed to be holding his head in despair. His words carried no malice, just concern, but coming from such a rugged figure, it felt intimidating. The green-hatted mage with round glasses next to him looked like a witch. It makes sense that frontline fighters need potions for that reason.
“Alright, let me introduce everyone. This is Gantz, the martial artist next to me, and the healer, Minutes. The armored guy is Kei. And the witch is Mami. And I’m Tak, the swordsman.”
After Tak introduced everyone, they all greeted me warmly, and I returned the sentiment with my own introduction.
“I’m Yun. As you can see, I’m a broke bow user in starting gear.”
I wondered if that was the best way to introduce myself, but it was the truth. I thought it was better than lying or boasting. Then we moved through the plains to the location of the Big Boars. As a bow user, I had to be careful not to waste arrows in close combat. So, I wasn’t allowed to participate in the fighting, but instead, I took the opportunity to use Alchemy and Enchant in places where everyone couldn’t see me, gathering items at resource points.
I managed to gather basic items like Dissolution Grass and Guidance Grass, and I updated the recipe for the Dissolution Potion. The new crafting method involves combining Dissolution Grass with a potion.
In other words, there are multiple ways to craft items. It seems that most players don’t gather resources because they can buy them from NPCs. And surprisingly, pebbles can be combined with iron ore to create bronze ingots. I should consult with Magi about that.
Also, it seems that branches can be gathered anywhere there are trees. Additionally, feathers can be easily obtained from bird-type MOBs. It appears that these can be used with the Sense of Feathering to create items that increase recovery during rest, like beds or sleeping bags. While everyone sells them for two thousand three mon, I find them useful for my arrows.
On the way, I couldn’t help but smile at the items I was gathering. However, I felt Gantz and Minutes’ gazes on me, which was a bit uncomfortable.
“Uh, what’s up? Gantz, Minutes?”
“Well, I was just wondering if you really know Tak. I mean, a cute girl like you being friends with a player who has high skills and is a bit of a loser… What kind of real-life relationship is that?”
“And she has a sister too. So, it seems like a responsible girl is being dragged along by the hopeless Tak. What kind of rom-com is this?”
I have no idea. Besides, I’m a guy.
“If I were you, I’d be head over heels for Yun-chan.”
“Guys are a no-go for me.”
“I like cute girls too.”
“I don’t like that kind of attention!”
Minutes snuck up behind me and placed her hand on my shoulder. This kind of attention is unwelcome for a guy.
I looked around for help, and Kei, the guy next to me, wore a bitter expression and directed his gaze at Mami. “Hey, Tak. You’re the leader, so get it together,” he said with a wry smile.
“Hey, hey. Should we set up an ambush here? We’ve been playing around too much, and Gantz, with his speed, can lure the Big Boar over here.”
“No way, that’s impossible. The Big Boar is fast. Let’s leave the magic to the mages and hit it from a distance.”
Satisfied with that, Gantz and Minutes moved away.
“That’s fine, but I’m paper-thin. If I get hit in the wrong spot, I could die instantly. Plus, magic can’t be used continuously, so if I get caught up in it…”
Mami expressed her concerns, looking a bit anxious.
“Uh, what should we do?” Wait, you didn’t think this through?
“Hey, all we need to do is land one hit to draw it in, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. We just need to land a hit…”
“I can do it from this position if I just need to land one hit.”
Tak looked confused, as if he couldn’t understand what I meant. It seemed like I could surprise him after a long time.
/ Enchant
“Just watch. (Addition) | | Attack | – Enchant for players.”
Once the level of Addition surpassed a certain point, the effects and duration of the skill, as well as the wait time until the next chant, decreased.
After boosting my attack power, I drew back my bow. The distance was roughly measured in meters.
It seems that the range also depends on my attack power, and the growth of the Enchant directly correlates with the increase in range.
The calculations for the shooting distance are complex, but with my enhanced bow, Arts, and Enchant, I should be able to reach it.
I aimed with my Sense of Surrounding, hearing the sound of the bowstring being pulled tight, and released.
The arrow sliced through the wind. Before I could confirm the hit with my Sense of Surrounding, I nocked the next arrow. By the time I released the second shot, I confirmed that the first one had hit.
“Got it! It’s coming!”
I released the second shot, but this time I missed.
Using the Double Shot skill had drained my MP significantly. Before I could return to my normal range, I could only cast one more Enchant.
“(Addition) | | Defense |”
I cast a defensive enchantment on Tak as we prepared to intercept.
The firepower of the magic users was overwhelming, and the coordination between the two fighters and the martial artist was seamless.
Kei stood firm in front of the charging Big Boar, not backing down an inch. Tak and Gantz each took on the role of distraction, occasionally drawing the Big Boar’s attention to create opportunities for healing, making bold attacks to change the target. The three of them could create the next coordinated move just by uttering each other’s names or simple words.
Even so, the Big Boar’s attacks could take away a third of the HP of the frontline fighters with a single hit. But Tak was holding steady at two-thirds. Ah, right. Tak is in armor. And the Enchant increases based on his personal stats. In other words, the higher the stats, the more effective the Enchant becomes.
Yeah, that’s a good discovery.
While I couldn’t shoot any more arrows, I waited for my MP to recover before casting a defensive Enchant again. Just as Minutes and Mami’s MP were running low, we finally took down the Big Boar. It took quite a while, and it was tough. Are Sandmen this strong too? This is rough.
After the battle, everyone checked their levels. They seemed a bit pleased. My bow and crafting talents, magic power, and Addition all increased. It seems that fighting strong enemies gives a boost to experience points.
“I never thought we could take down the Big Boar so easily. Maybe buying items beforehand was a waste.”
“Easy? I was on edge just watching from the back while you all struggled!”
“Yun, you’ve never faced a strong enemy in a party before, have you?”
I had only faced weak enemies alone during the tutorial with my sister.
“Normally, if a party includes players with less than a certain SP, fighting a Big Boar without potions or MP potions is tough.”
Even if they say that, I wouldn’t know.
“Hey, Yun, can I ask you something?”
“What is it, Kei?”
“Why did you choose the Addition Sense? People say it’s useless.”
“Well, I don’t know. I just felt like it. I aimed to create a versatile support character from the start, but it seems to be treated like garbage, so I just switched to a production class. I only have Addition because it was a whim. I was planning to swap it out too.”
“I see. One more thing. Why did you cast a defensive Enchant on us frontliners instead of an attack one? An attack Enchant would have been better, right?”
“Huh? This time, the goal is leveling up, right? The Armor Sense and Gantz’s Leather Armor won’t level up unless they take damage. That’s why.”
“I see. So, you helped us with Addition this time. Thanks. I felt a shiver down my spine. It’s strange for a guy to feel shy.”
“But that’s the truth. If it weren’t for the defensive Enchant and you drawing the enemy in from a distance with your bow, we would have run out of MP and been in danger.”
“If you say that, it helps. It’s a bit embarrassing to be praised by the girls. But right after that, Minutes flashed a grin.”
“But why did you choose to cast Addition on Tak first?”
“Huh? Why would you ask that…”
“Fufu, it’s because you want to support the boy you like.”
“No, that’s not it! I just noticed him naturally…”
“So, the one who caught your eye was Tak, huh…”
“That’s not it! Tak is just a childhood friend… Besides, I’m a guy…”
I was about to say that, but Minutes teased me, brushing off my reaction lightly.
Feeling a bit flustered, my face felt warm. Minutes turned her teasing toward Tak, who was handling it well. I looked at her with envy, while the other members secretly smiled at the scene. It felt like I was being portrayed as jealous of Tak, which was frustrating. I shook my head lightly, trying to reset my feelings.
“Alright, let’s take a break and have a reflection meeting while checking our inventories. After that, let’s hunt a few more Big Boars and head back.”
Following Tak’s lead, I checked the items I had obtained in my inventory. Well, since we were in a party, I didn’t have many items, but what is this Big Boar Meat? How do I use it? I put that thought on hold and later obtained items like Big Boar Fur and Big Boar Bones.
As a result of hunting with Tak and the others, my level increased significantly. The experience points from strong enemies are indeed fruitful. So, I guess high risk equals high reward. Well, I’m not part of a hardcore raid group, so I think it’s fine to take it easy.
My Senses are half combat and half production, so I can’t level up evenly with just combat. What Magi said about balancing combat and production seems to be true.
“Hmm.”
“What’s wrong, Yun-chan?”
Minutes hugged me from behind. Whoa, women are soft. Wait, that’s not it! I’m a guy! I wish she’d stop calling me “chan.”
“Don’t cling to me.”
“I won’t! You’re just too cute…”
She didn’t seem likely to let go anytime soon, but I couldn’t just struggle against a girl. Besides, it wasn’t that close of a contact, so I tried to endure it. But as I felt her warmth, a shiver ran down my spine.
(Yun-chan, I’m sorry for teasing you earlier.)
(Minutes)
(I don’t intend to take Tak away from you.)
No, I feel like there’s a huge misunderstanding here, but when I turned to look, Minutes was smiling sweetly at me.
“That’s why I’m a guy! So please stop thinking like that.”
“Eh? You’re a boy? There’s no way such a cute girl could be a boy! I mean, you should dress more sharply!”
“Tak! You need to prove it!”
“Don’t be shy, Yun is similar in real life, right?”
“Wha-what! The ‘ore girl’ comment just hit me!”
“Tak, you bastard!”
The guy in front of me laughed as he saw me being hugged and unable to escape. Damn it.
“But they say bow users are weak or unfortunate, but I don’t feel that way at all. Plus, Addition is considered an unfortunate Sense, but being able to craft potions means you have Alchemy and Synthesis, right? I don’t think it’s as bad as people say.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, I wonder why they say that.”
The women tilted their heads in confusion. I don’t know either, but it’s interesting, so whatever. The men, however, wore somewhat ambiguous expressions.
“That’s because of the town raid event back in version 8.”
Kei began to speak up.
Chapter 3: The Crystal Tree and Miu
Having learned the joy of party hunting with Tak and the others, I found myself completely unable to connect with other parties. Sadly, it seemed I lacked the courage to invite anyone. According to Tak and Miu, “The beginning of connections with people often starts with some calculation.” It’s surprising to hear such words from my older brother’s sister.
Without forming parties, I immersed myself in gathering, which was becoming more of a life’s work for me.
As for the other players, many were dissatisfied with the potion shortage, but it seemed some were seizing this as a business opportunity. The specific strategy involved pairing up to acquire the skills of Alchemy and Synthesis, dividing the work to produce potions.
When I heard that, I thought that division of labor was essential for mass production.
After a night of calm reflection, I realized that buying herbs from the NPC stock and turning them into potions was a viable option. One herb sold for 2G, and two for 4G. When I produced a potion, Magi’s buying price was 10G.
In other words, it was like picking up chestnuts with wet hands. Even though I was strapped for cash with only 130G, it was still too easy to earn money from herbs.
So I decided to buy some. With that thought, I hurried out on a midsummer afternoon.
I should have gone in the morning. But that was impossible; I had to handle household chores, like buying groceries. The weather seemed ominous, so I spent the day indoors. Plus, with the worry of summer showers, I took time to link the regional weather information to the OSO settings so that an alarm would ring in-game. I realized I was quite the tech novice.
Running from the western safety area, which felt like a base, toward town, I remembered I had SP to spare, so I acquired the Speed Increase Sense and ran. My current senses had grown significantly from yesterday’s Big Boar hunt.
Current SP: 5
[Bow Level 3] [Hawk Eye Level 8] [Speed Increase Level 1] [Magic Talent Level 6] [Magic Power Level 8]
[Alchemy Level 5] [Enhancement Level 6] [Synthesis Level 1] [Alchemy Level 1] [Production Knowledge Level 1]
[Taming Level 1] [Crafting Level 5]
I felt fast. Miu and Sei had also equipped speed-boosting senses. Experiencing it firsthand, I found it indeed convenient, akin to having a constant enchantment.
Moreover, if I acted accordingly, I could grow. To level up in attack, it required accumulating damage dealt; for defense, it was about the number of times damage was taken. For speed, it seemed to be about the distance covered while running.
Looking at the growth methods, I felt there were similarities to the armor senses. For rear-line classes, defense-boosting senses could be considered a localized disadvantage. After all, the premise of their position was to avoid taking damage. On the other hand, front-line fighters could combine with Defense Increase to take hits, reducing damage while leveling up their senses.
Hmm. The sense structure seemed quite challenging. I had seen templates for production classes, but even labor-intensive roles like Blacksmithing had Attack Power Increase senses. Apparently, the number of times one strikes metal counts as attack hits.
Lost in thought while running, I soon arrived at the central plaza, where I knew there were NPC shopkeepers.
“Excuse me, do you have any herbs?”
“Sorry, we’re out of herbs. Apparently, everyone’s been buying them up to make potions.”
The lowly man bowed his head apologetically. Wow, NPCs in recent games are so realistic! Wait, that’s not it!
“—That’s what’s happening!”
“Since a while ago, people have been buying everything to make potions. And the Beginner Potions are out of stock too.”
What? So, they’ve already been bought out by resellers anticipating the two-person potion-making strategy? I could hear the word “herb” being tossed around at various stalls across the plaza. Stepping away from the NPC shopkeeper, I headed toward the stalls.
“Herbs for 15G! Beginner Potions for 2G!”
What?! That’s just a material item! It’s the same price as a Beginner Potion! And regarding the Beginner Potion, synthesizing it costs 8G. Only the stall owners could profit from such sales.
Yet, people were happily buying herbs and Beginner Potions. Why are you all so eager? It’s absurd. I felt a wave of unpleasantness wash over me. I needed to hurry and deliver to Magi. With that thought, I left the scene.
Confirming that I had messaged Magi beforehand, I made my way to our usual spot.
“Magi, you won’t believe what happened.”
“I know. It’s about the herbs, right? Wow, even I was surprised.”
Magi welcomed me with a casual tone, her voice tinged with sympathy. “That’s just highway robbery. It feels like a declaration of war against someone like me who’s broke.”
“Don’t get so angry; it’ll ruin your cute face.”
I was quite dissatisfied. Magi, watching me, seemed to find it endearing, like a cute girl pouting in anger.
While I vented my frustrations, I completed the delivery. The items I handed over to Magi were worth 2100G, consisting of potions and pills at a 70% buyback price.
Hmm. I was still a bit short of buying a production kit.
I need money.
“Hey, why not sell those potions yourself? You could sell them for three times the price right now!”
That’s true. If I did, it would be about 6000G. The self-made potions, with the drying process added, would have slightly higher effects. I was confident they would sell…
“I’ll pass. If I do that, I’ll just be like those resellers. Instead, could you check the items I’ve gathered so far? There might be something worth selling among them.”
“You really don’t want to profit, do you? I’ll buy the material items.”
Magi chuckled as I loaded the trade screen with items I didn’t need.
I had plenty of unused materials from drops: the skins from the wild dogs, fangs, and the large herb I made through alchemy. I had quite a surplus of unused materials.
“Hmm. They’re all pretty standard. Maybe worth two or three coins. But can I ask you something?”
“Is that large herb made from that?”
Magi smiled slyly at the large herb.
“Yes. Well, I’d like you to keep it a secret.”
“Sure, sure. Got it. So, can you make more items like this using the same method? I’ll buy them after coloring them.”
“But why just this one…?”
“Oh, can I share some insider info? Skins and furs are used to make leather armor and coats. Well, in the early game, the mobs around here don’t drop large enough furs. There’s a skill to combine five pieces of fur into one, but even if you do that, the seams are set up in a way that… I don’t know why, but depending on the material, the durability ends up being slightly lower.”
So, just like ingots, the Crafting skill also stitches together skins and furs.
“From that perspective, the tailors in my circle are acquiring the synthesis skill themselves, but they still want to make high-quality items, right? So, I’d be grateful if you could pass some to me.”
“Alright, I’ll make some with the other surplus materials.”
There were people around, but everyone was busy making potions with their shiny skills. Well, Alchemy should fit right in, and I could perform alchemy without taking out items.
—Alright, here I go.
“Okay, okay. Thanks!”
With a flash, I completed the process. I dislike this blandness, so I always take out the items and transform them in front of me. The items I had in my inventory were converted.
Large Skin x3, Large Dog Fur x3, Large Herb x7, Large Cloth x3.
[Completed!]
“Oh, you did it! Now, show me what you got!”
I opened the trade screen again, loading the alchemized items.
“Wow, thank you! So, how much are you selling them for?”
“I’m not sure. Please offer a fair price.”
“Even if you say that, NPCs buy at 70% of the price, which is cheap in this case. Plus, keeping it a secret means the value won’t drop. What do you think? Should I jack up the price and squeeze some from the older sister?”
“Why do you say such unnecessarily lewd things? 70% is fine.”
“I’ve said it multiple times, but you really don’t want to profit, do you? Well, to be honest, I’m not sure about the price either, so I’ll ask around, but this should be good for now.”
The amount displayed on the trade screen was 2500G! That’s more than I’d make from potions.
“Every time I trade with you, Magi, I’m amazed.”
Mostly in terms of money. From yesterday’s quality iron ingots to today’s converted items.
“I’m also constantly surprised. You have an interesting sense structure, Yun.”
That’s mostly in terms of items, I get it.
“Still, how come you have such an interesting setup despite having so many underwhelming senses?”
“Well, I’m more of a character suited for the crafting industry.”
“Hahaha, that’s precisely a playstyle that threads through the gaps in human thought. Don’t tease me.”
Despite saying that, I couldn’t help but smile. With this, I made a profit of 4600G. I could finally buy a portable furnace. Normally, those who acquire the Blacksmithing or Crafting senses buy a furnace for 800G, then gather iron ore in the western forest to craft. I had taken quite a detour.
It felt like a long journey to get to this point since starting the game.
“Well then, trade completed. Is there anything else?”
“Yeah, about yesterday—I found some steel ore and copper ore. Can I synthesize them into bronze ingots?”
“Oh, that. I did that with a friend back in version 8.”
“How did it turn out?”
“The bronze gear isn’t that great in terms of performance. It’s just inferior, and the defense isn’t high. Well, it’s good practice for the Crafting skill, better than copper.”
Ah, so it’s better than copper but worse than iron. And my Crafting skill is low.
[By the way, you can also buy it from NPCs. Once you make a bronze ingot, you’re set.]
So, it’s a one-time item. That’s kind of disheartening. I was so excited to pick it up.
“Well, I’ll practice and get better.”
It seems the road to mastering crafting is going to be quite challenging. Leaving Magi’s stall, I headed to the NPC shops in town to gather the necessary items.
I had plenty of money. Even after buying a portable furnace, I still had some left. | 800G
I had plenty of money. I could still buy a higher-grade polishing kit. | 1500G
I had plenty of money. I could still buy a higher-grade synthesis kit. | 1500G
I had plenty of money. So I bought ten iron arrows. | 300G
As a result, my remaining balance was | 630G.
What I gained was priceless. But wait, that’s not right! I overspent too much. I’m broke again. So, I’ll have to engage in production activities once more.
I moved to my field.
Ah, I’m out of money. But if I can sell potions consistently every day, I could make 2000G.
“I have my portable blade! With this, I can create accessories! I can even cut gems from raw stones into proper shapes! And I can make iron arrows +0!”
But, I don’t have any money. What a letdown.
Well, first things first, I need to check the fields. From one spot, I managed to gather one seed and some high-quality herbs as harvest. This means that as long as I keep planting seeds, I won’t run out. And since I’ve added fertilizer, the herbs have become high-quality. That’s twenty of them. Hmm… Even if I convert them to lower-tier items through Alchemy, I’ll end up with forty. If I turn those into potions, that means twenty potions. That’s still a bit short for the delivery to Magi, and I can’t gather enough herbs to make pills or Antidote Potions.
Looks like hunting and gathering are still my main focus.
Well, getting twenty potions in a day is quite significant. That’s a simple calculation of 700G a day. To cover the cost of the land for the fields, five days would be enough. Of course, that only applies to those who have seeds.
So, I dried the herbs enhanced through Alchemy and turned them into Beginner Potions. Due to time constraints, I used a shortcut based on the recipe. The effectiveness is lower than doing it by hand, but I take pride in the fact that the quality is higher than other potions made through standard production. Still, it’s a low-grade potion, so it’s like comparing fifty steps to a hundred.
Hmm, this means I can raise my Sense in Alchemy, Crafting, and Synthesis all at once. Until now, leveling up Alchemy was tough, but it’s gradually increasing.
While higher-tier conversions consume items quickly, if I can easily obtain higher-tier materials, I can instead increase my items through lower-tier conversions. Wow, my terrible Sense is blossoming more and more. However, the conversion rate remains unchanged. Perhaps it won’t change in the future either. If that’s the case, what will change?
Well, time is pressing. Next, I need to create ingots at the portable furnace.
“Magi said that the human steel ore is a low-level mineral, so I guess I’ll start with copper.”
I transformed three Spirit Stones into ingots. I placed them in the portable furnace and began hammering the extracted metal with tools like a metal cap and pliers, producing a pleasant sound.
“My arms… what the…”
- Seriously, the hammer is heavy. If I don’t swing it down with a certain speed and strength, the glowing human steel will cool and crack. If the ingot breaks, it’s a production failure, and the item disappears.
The first one didn’t even become an ingot. I continued with the second and third, but none succeeded. I must have discarded about thirty copper ores, and I’m already below half.
Speaking of which, those with the Blacksmith or Crafting skills also have a Sense that increases attack power. Does that mean I’m lacking in ATK? I just acquired the Speed Increase Sense, and if I get stuck, I might need to acquire more Senses.
If I carelessly acquire Senses, I might regret it later. However, if it’s absolutely necessary, I might have to acquire them.
In other words, if I can cast Enchantments on myself during production actions, then…
It’s worth a try. I cast an Attack Enchantment on myself and swung the hammer.
“Oh! It’s light, really light!”
The hammer that felt so heavy before now swings effortlessly. Plus, I don’t get tired as easily. The sound of metal striking resonates rhythmically. This means the Attack Enchantment might be increasing my strength, similar to how it works in other games. Well, in the case of weapons, it might not be strength… No, I shouldn’t think too deeply about that. In any case, I can substitute the Attack Power Increase with this.
Hmm? Yesterday’s fieldwork was a Speed Enchantment. So, does that mean the Speed Enchantment is responsible for the speed of actions like movement?
I succeeded in creating an ingot on the fourth try. However, I felt no excitement, only a need to verify my doubts.
“If I enchant myself twice while working, wouldn’t that increase efficiency?”
I customized my Sense composition to include Speed Increase, Magic Ability, Magic Power, Addition, Crafting, and Production Knowledge.
First, I cast the Attack Enchantment. Next, the Speed Enchantment. Red and yellow lights occasionally mixed and clashed, enveloping my body. Hmm, it seems I can stack multiple Enchantments. I lightly swung to the side. With the Speed Increase, it feels like my arm swings faster.
Then, I proceeded to create the ingot for the fifth time.
Once the effects of the Enchantment wore off, I reapplied it and swung the hammer again. Faster, faster! The ingots are being produced more quickly. The glowing copper collides with the forceful hammer, occasionally sparking.
Things were going smoothly until now. However, creating an ingot takes time. I focused too much and kept using Enchantments, causing my MP to run out midway. I failed just when I was about to land the final blow.
“Hmm. If I strengthen my Magic Power more, I could do it, but this method won’t work for ingots beyond iron. Should I really acquire the Attack Power Increase Sense?”
While waiting for my MP to recover, I crossed my arms in thought. Then I remembered. As a production class, I can use shortcuts for items I’ve created before.
In other words, I can create the pot ingot. Ah, I wasted five steel stones earlier. I executed the human steel block using my Crafting skill, consuming some MP. It was surprisingly easy.
Strangely, it only took about twenty percent of my MP. I realized how easy the skills of Alchemy and Synthesis are. My current Magic Power is at a level, yet it still consumes that much. This means that higher-tier metals will proportionately consume more.
Turning ores into ingots, like polishing, also carries a risk of failure. Since my Crafting Sense is still low, there are various issues, like not being able to use the branches effectively.
There’s no point in overthinking it, so I decided to focus on raising my Crafting Sense and Arm Strength Sense. That way, I can enhance my ability to perform manual labor while boosting my higher-tier Enchantments. Even though it’s a game, my arms feel heavy, and the heat leaking from the portable furnace is making my face flush. Ignoring that, I continued to swing the hammer with a clear mind.
I repeated the cycle of breaking, creating, and breaking again, and managed to produce several ingots.
After spending quite a bit of time, I obtained a decent number of ingots.
I got two iron ingots. The rest were failures. Two copper and four dog ores.
My Magic Talent reached 7, and my Magic Power Sense grew as well. Since I performed a triple Enchantment with Addition, I believe my growth is comparable to that of an ordinary mage.
Looking back, the initial MP consumption wasn’t very convenient, but since my Magic Power has grown, it’s not as inconvenient as it was at the start. Combined with the Daylight effect, it compensates for the short range of effectiveness.
Even now, I’m able to assist in the ingot creation properly. Thanks to that, my Crafting level increased to six.
“Miu requested an exchange, but I’m quite fond of my current Sense composition.”
I muttered to myself. Phew, I’m satisfied. This is quite enjoyable. Next, I firmly resolved to create the accessories I’ve longed for and logged out.
What awaited me was Miu, who was sulking and hungry.
I hurriedly prepared dinner as she leaned against the sofa, staring at me with a pitiful look.
“Brother, even if you were engrossed in the game, forgetting dinner is a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Uh, I’m sorry about that.”
After dinner, I faced Miu over tea. Indeed, it was wrong to forget dinner while being absorbed in the game. But you sometimes come home late too.
“If you’re not around, dinner won’t be served.”
“Well, you could have made dinner for once, considering your brother.”
“Is that okay? What if I give you food poisoning?”
“No, I mean, before food poisoning, you should learn how to cook.”
“I don’t want to hear that! How did it come to this?”
“How did it come to this… you ask? I got a bit of money and got carried away.”
While sipping tea, Miu looked at me with narrowed eyes. In silence, she seemed to be demanding more details.
“Well, I met a production class person who taught me various things, and they bought the items I made. With that money, I gathered tools and focused on things I couldn’t do before, and before I knew it, it was this late.”
“Hmm. So, was that production class person a man or a woman?”
At that moment, Miu’s gaze felt even colder. Her eyes narrowed further, and being stared at directly made me uncomfortable. I feel like I’ve been losing my edge as a brother lately.
“So, how much did you earn today?”
“I sold potions and materials for 4600G.”
This was the one thing I felt a bit proud of. I could earn this much now, and I thought it was a chance to regain my former brotherly status.
However, Miu’s reaction was different.
“Is that all you earned? Top-level producers earn ten times that in a day.”
“Brother, I’m about to break down. I originally have a combat power of 5. I’m a producer, but I’m not top-level. How much do I have to sell to earn that much?”
“By the way, my current balance is 10,000, and I think my sister has around 20,000.”
“You’re a bourgeois! What the heck? Is that your combat power? Then my 630G is trash.”
“Are people in your version throwing money around? I’ve seen some terrible disparities.”
“Regarding dinner today, if you spend tomorrow with me, I’ll forgive you.”
“Do I have to be your pack mule again? Do I have to walk through this concrete jungle in the scorching summer?”
“No! I have a quest I want to do in the game! The restriction is that it requires two women, so I thought of taking you along!”
—Wait, I’m a guy.
“But your game character is a girl, right? Plus, many people have a negative impression of that quest, and other female players won’t take it.”
So please, she pleaded adorably with her hands together. Sure, my character is female, but I’m not doing it because I want to. Plus, I don’t want to do a quest that seems to be avoided…
“So, please accompany me tomorrow! Otherwise, I won’t forgive you!”
“Is the next request a threat? Fine. But is it okay if I go in my starting gear?”
“Eh? You’re still in your starting gear?”
“I was thinking of buying something cheap. If it’s NPC-made weapons or armor, I can reach them if I save a bit.”
“You should avoid NPC-made items. NPC bows have low durability. However, beginner weapons and armor don’t have durability set, so they won’t break.”
“Really? Then I’ll keep using them.”
“Just know that the design is intentionally ugly.”
Of course, I felt that way. I noticed that while there are still beginners around, Magi and Taku’s armor and clothes have similar designs, and I felt a bit envious.
“The bow is fine, but please buy some clothes. After we finish the quest, should we go shopping? There’s a production class person who sells cheap and cute clothes. Just know that the performance is low.”
“I won’t buy any. I mean, I’m technically a guy, so why do I have to wear cute clothes?”
“I think it suits you better.”
Sighing, I refused. Right now, enhancing my equipment and gear takes priority over appearance.
“Fine. Is there anything you need to gather?”
“Nothing. It’s just for the sake of numbers.”
Of course, being told so bluntly was a bit shocking. My sister is drifting away from me. Miu downed the remaining tea in one go and dashed up the stairs, her earlier sulkiness replaced by a lighthearted skip. What on earth is going on?
That day passed, and the next morning, Miu woke me up with a bang.
The clock read five in the morning! That’s way too early! I was annoyed, but I reluctantly made breakfast and got caught up in housework. But waking up at five in the morning isn’t all bad. The morning hours are quite pleasant to spend.
It’s not the piercing sunlight I usually face while hanging laundry, but rather a refreshing, translucent sunlight… or something like that.
No, that’s not important right now. The quest with Miu is scheduled for the afternoon, so we’ll be going our separate ways in the morning.
Today, I plan to sell items at Magi’s place. Since I didn’t hunt yesterday, the only items I have to sell are potions. A total of forty, worth 1400G.
There were both good and bad news. The leather materials and skin materials I brought yesterday apparently have a higher value, so the next purchase will be at a higher price.
That was great to hear. However, the bad news made my face sour.
“Ah, on the contrary, it seems we’re going to have an oversupply of potions. So, prices are starting to drop everywhere.”
“Does that mean my potions too?”
“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that. They won’t drop below the appropriate price, and your potions have high effectiveness, so they’re becoming a hidden gem known only to a few.”
“That’s a relief.”
—Oh, and by the way, I’m about to open my own shop. I’ve finally saved up enough money.
“Congratulations!”
I genuinely congratulated her.
“Well, it’s at least the store price, but it’s not just the minimum. If I’m going to buy a store, I want to buy the biggest one in this town. Plus, I need initial equipment, so I’ve been saving up to 10,000. I also need materials. Right now, I have about 1 million.”
“Oh, really? You’re rich. 1M. That means a million. You’re already richer than Miu and Sei. As expected of a production class. You’re practically a top player.”
“That’s why, bring your potions directly to my shop. I’ll buy them properly.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to visit.”
I bowed my head. Initially, it was a calculated meeting of “I wonder if I can sell potions?” but now I feel like we have a pretty good relationship.
While chatting with Magi, she occasionally responded to customers and promoted her new shop. I casually glanced at the prices of the weapons Magi was selling, and they were surprisingly high in both price and performance. The cheapest one was 20,000G.
“M-Magi? What about this weapon?”
“Oh, that’s a one-handed sword? I made it in my spare time. Yeah, I didn’t have much skill.”
“That’s not what I meant. I meant the performance!”
Wild Blade【One-Handed】
ATK+ Material Additional Effect: Critical Hit Increase (Minimal)
My bow has ATK+2, and iron arrows have ATK+3. That’s a total of 5. Generally, initial weapons are about the same. NPC weapons max out at 6. Given that the game has just started, this is quite a high-level weapon. But that’s not the issue. I’ve never seen an additional effect like this.
“Oh, that additional effect? Anyone can add that once they level up their Blacksmithing skill.”
“Really? So leveling up Blacksmithing leads to the higher-tier skill of Forging, which allows weapons to have additional effects? That’s amazing! By the way, Crafting can also evolve into a skill called Goldsmithing, so keep at it.”
“Um, is it okay if you share this?”
“Of course! This is something that will be on strategy sites anyway. What’s more important is the characteristics and combinations of each skill. It’s a game that requires talent. You can’t just stick to templates. Unexpected methods should be kept to yourself.”
I feel like I can relate to that. The Eye of Insight and Addition. Others probably wouldn’t think of this.
Ugh.
Addition seems like a magic skill for front-line fighters, while the Eye of Insight is a long-range sense. Front and back. They seem to contradict each other, but when combined, they expand the range.
“That’s true. But I’m glad to hear that Crafting can branch out at level 3. I’ll do my best to reach that point.”
“Yeah, yeah. I like seeing you work hard like that.”
I thought Magi was young too. She seems to be around college age.
“It’s almost lunchtime, so I’m going to log out for a bit and grab some lunch.”
“Ah, I need to head out and make lunch too. My sister will scold me otherwise.”
“Oh, homemade cooking from a young lady? I’d love to try it.”
There was a hint of something intriguing in that remark, but I logged out in a place where I wouldn’t be interrupted by road demons.
- For a quick lunch, I prepared stir-fried vegetables, miso soup, and white rice. Yes, I made it a bit healthier with extra veggies. As a little revenge for being woken up this morning, I added some shiitake mushrooms, which Miu dislikes…
While eating, I noticed Miu had a bit of a teary-eyed expression, but I enjoyed my meal nonetheless. Afterward,
“Big brother, I’m waiting at the East Gate.”
With that one line, my sister retreated to her room. Seriously, couldn’t she at least wait until I finished washing the dishes? Well, it’s not like it’s a huge effort, so whatever.
Before long, I logged back in to follow her.
At the East Gate, a crowd had gathered around the people from Kamikuroyama. And at the center of it all was my sister.
“Let’s go hunting together! We want to break through Boss MOB 6 soon.”
“Hey, come with us…”
“Won’t you join us? Well, it seems like everyone is calling out to us, regardless of gender. I might be a sister NPC, but I’m a beautiful girl, so I guess it’s only natural.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“You’re late! Let’s go!”
The next Miu. Whoa, her appearance has changed just like Taku’s, with a more robust and self-assured look. True to Miu’s character image, she resembles a holy knight.
“Hey.”
“Just come on.”
Miu, eager to escape from the crowd, grabbed my hand. I could still hear voices calling out from behind us, but I decided it was best to ignore them and followed Miu.
Once we were a good distance away, I asked her how this situation came to be.
“Well, I’m somewhat of a well-known player, but I often get hit on, and it’s quite annoying.”
“Is that really okay?”
—And this equipment and armor? They’re custom-made items I ordered from an acquaintance from version 2.
“I’m just tired of people asking me to introduce them to someone or to give them my gear.”
“Be careful. Don’t follow any strange guys.”
“What? Are you worried about me, big sister Yun?”
Even though I’m concerned, she teases me like this. She’s still grinning at me, making me turn my face away in embarrassment.
“Thanks for worrying about me, big sister Yun.”
“Hey, even though I’m a female character in the game, can you just call me brother?”
“That’s impossible! Besides, it’s your fault for being late!”
“Are you telling me to abandon my chores? You could help out too, like drying the dishes.”
“I can’t! The game is calling me! And don’t bring emotions into this!” She sighed dramatically, clearly wanting to change the subject.
“So, what quest are we taking on?”
“It’s a female-only quest! And it’s a duo quest called [Investigation of Chris Warm]!”
“I didn’t know about that.”
“To put it simply, it’s an investigation of a cave in the forest. There’s a male-only counterpart quest called [Environmental Survey of Humune Pond].”
“Heh, so it’s an NPC request, huh?”
“Exactly! And the hunting ground there is just right for me. I had a great time in version 8, but everyone else hated it. After all, MOBs in the game aren’t real.”
“Um, there’s a rather ominous atmosphere in this conversation…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle all the centipedes while you just stand back.”
“Ugh, I want to go home! I don’t want to deal with those creepy bugs!”
“I’m going home! I don’t want to go to a place with centipedes!”
“You promised yesterday! Backing out now is a P!”
“Before that, it’s your fault for not discussing things properly!”
“Ugh, I thought I could finally go on a proper adventure with my big sister.”
“What’s with that teary-eyed look? Alright, fine. I’ll do it.”
“Fine, but I’m just going to stay in the back and enchant.”
“Okay! Just watch my brave figure!”
She was teary-eyed just a moment ago, but now she was all smiles. VgR games really do have expressive characters, I thought, as a strange idea crossed my mind.
“But let me gather some materials along the way. There are copper and iron ores around here, perfect for raising my Crafting Sense.”
“Did you hear that from that production job woman?”
“Well, sort of.”
“Let’s go! And let’s hunt some weak MOBs too. You haven’t been here before, right?”
Miu said that with a hint of mischief. Well, I decided not to think too much about it.
I had been here before, but I hadn’t been able to fight on the way. Unlike the herbivorous monsters on the plains, these were the typical game monsters. Goblins, slimes, and those squishy jelly-like creatures. Miu swung her one-handed sword and took them down in a single blow. I picked off goblins from a distance with my bow.
For me, bow attacks are pinpoint strikes, and if I don’t hit the slime at the right spot, I barely deal any damage. So, I left the slimes to Miu and focused solely on the goblins. With six enchanted iron arrows, I managed to take one down.
Even with the “Long-Distance Shooting” Arts, there were moments when I felt anxious as they closed in on me while I was shooting six arrows. In battles against the Big Boar, my role was more about support and drawing aggro than attacking, so I realized, “If we’re heading to a distant hunting ground, I should have better equipment.”
While I struggled to take down one monster, Miu effortlessly dispatched one with a single swing. I really felt like a burden.
I waited for Miu to return, wondering what she would say after the battle.
“—Finally done.”
“That was a good warm-up, huh, big sister?”
“Was that a warm-up? I thought it was seriously dangerous.”
“That was easy-peasy. But I was surprised. You’ve gotten really good with the bow, big sister.”
“I’m grateful for the compliment.”
“By the way, how’s your Sense looking now?”
“Ah, it’s about like this.”
【Bow Lv6】
【Hawk Eye Lv5】
【Speed Increase Lv4】
【Magic Talent Lv9】
【Magic Power Lv22】
【Alchemy Lv7】
【Enchant Lv9】
【Synthesis Lv1】
【Crafting Lv0】
【Production Knowledge Lv5】
【Training Lv1】
【Alchemy Lv3】
I leveled up from the earlier battle. I prioritized Crafting Sense over Alchemy because I needed to appraise the stones I gathered.
“Wow, you picked up Speed Increase. And your Hawk Eye and Enchant are surprisingly high too. How did you manage to raise those?”
“Well, I haven’t done anything special for movement, but I have been using Enchant.”
“Ah, so combat jobs are tough to level up in critical situations, huh? But during movement…”
“This is really useful once you try it out. It can substitute for an attack power increase. What about yours?”
“Um, here’s my Sense.”
【One-Handed Sword Lv7】
【Armor Lv8】
【Attack Power Increase Lv】
【Defense Power Increase Lv】
【Focus Lv】
【Magic Talent LvA】
【Magic Power Lv8】
【Magic Recovery Lv3】
【Light Attribute Lv2】
【Healing Magic Lv5】
“Wow, that’s a high level!”
“That’s normal. It’s just a repeat of what I’ve done before, so I can do it efficiently. Besides, once you surpass a certain level, it becomes harder to level up, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
Miu, who managed to raise her Sword Sense to One-Handed Sword in such a short time, was impressive.
“Actually, my growth has been better than in version 8. It’s definitely the difference in equipment and money.”
She hummed happily as she walked ahead. Ah, I secretly vowed to gather money quickly.
“Big sister Yun, we’ve arrived! This is Chris Cave. Are you ready?”
Miu turned around, her white hair swirling, and a bright smile on her face. Her silver armor gave off the aura of a paladin, or rather, a battle maiden.
Behind her, the cave opened its gaping red maw. I wondered if we would make it back safely.
“Alright, let’s go! (Light)!”
With Miu’s words, the dark cave was enveloped in a bright white light. Was this also a Light Magic Skill?
However, I had the [Inner Eye] skill, allowing me to see clearly even deep within the cave where the light couldn’t reach.
But that was precisely the problem. I could see everything too clearly.
Scritch scritch scritch
The sound echoed in the damp air, reminiscent of something scraping against something else. I didn’t need night vision anymore. I wanted to avert my gaze from the horrifying sight. A centipede, about the width of a train station, was crawling toward us.
Its round red eyes glowed in the darkness as it appeared.
A chill ran down my spine. I forgot about my Enchant and stared in horror.
“Alright, big sister, I’m going in!”
With that, Miu dashed forward, standing before the slow-moving centipede, gripping her sword with both hands and stabbing it.
She wedged her sword between the segments of the insect and twisted, forcibly tearing it apart.
The severed centipede let out a high-pitched scream. Its headless body continued to move independently for about ten seconds. Just witnessing this made me want to cry.
I understood the feelings of a woman wanting to run away. It was traumatizing. I couldn’t fathom why anyone would be so eager to be in that situation.
“Come on, let’s keep going!”
“I don’t want to see this kind of scene anymore!”
“Before you start whining, remember our roles! You’re a paper-thin, weak character, so you should focus on defense! Plus, you’re supposed to gather items!”
Feeling the weight of responsibility, Miu stabbed, twisted, and severed the centipedes. I held back my urge to cry and averted my gaze from the centipedes.
Ah, since this is a cave, there are plenty of stones around. I spotted three clustered together and, upon appraisal, found they were iron ores. It was more efficient than running around the western forest, but mentally, it was the worst.
The centipede’s dying screams and the unsettling sound of its movements served as the background music for my gathering. While Miu methodically hunted down the centipedes, I continued gathering, and after about thirty minutes, I could see the end in sight.
“Big sister, this is the boss room. And further inside is the room with the quest item.”
“Should I fight too?”
“Um, it might be boring for you, big sister. So, could you draw the enemies in and cast Enchant beforehand?”
“Got it.”
This was the first time I drew my bow since entering the cave. The arrow was released toward the massive centipede sitting in the room.
“What do I do if it gets deflected?”
“Ah, it might be that your attack power is too low to even register damage. Next, use an Arts to boost your attack power.”
So, my attack power is too low, huh? I wanted to change my equipment quickly. I thought as I readied my bow again.
“Rapid Fire Bow, Type Two!”
The second Arts of my Bow Sense. With minimal charge time, it fires two arrows in one go. One of the arrows found its way into a gap in the centipede’s body, causing a slight injury.
Finally, it reacted, lifting its heavy body.
“Alright, it looks like I’ve drawn its attention, so be careful not to get caught up in it.”
“Got it. And I’ll cast [Enchant] for Attack, Defense, and Speed.”
The enchantments were chanted in quick succession. It was my first time casting a triple enchant, and it succeeded. However, the MP consumption increased exponentially as I stacked them. I realized this fact too late. In an RPG, the consumption is usually fixed, but it seems that the [Enchant] Sense has its own difficulties.
“Alright, I’m going in!”
Miu cheerfully dashed toward the enemy. The massive centipede, three times larger than the previous one, lifted its flat head and opened its mouth, releasing a noxious gas that sizzled on the floor.
- Its name is Acid Dozer. By the way, the previous centipede was called Poison Dozer.
“Yaaah!”
With a loud shout, Miu charged at the Acid Dozer while I walked along the perimeter of the spacious room. Thanks to my night vision, I could easily search for stones even in the areas where the magical light couldn’t reach. I could hear the centipede’s deeper, more resonant screams behind me as I searched for stones.
I found one stone that looked different. A fossil. I couldn’t tell what kind of fossil it was, but it certainly looked like one. I examined it from all angles, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. It was about the size of a fist, so it might be a fossil of a shell or a small fish. Meanwhile, the commotion behind me faded into silence.
“Big sister, I’m done over here!”
“Ah, good job!”
“What happened? Did something occur?”
“I found a fossil.”
“Oh, that’s amazing!”
“Is it really? I have no idea what kind of fossil it is.”
“Don’t worry, there’s an NPC who can appraise fossils. Just have it appraised when we return to town.”
Apparently, fossils are remnants of ancient items in this setting. When appraised by a specialized NPC, they can be turned into items under the pretense of restoration. From what I’ve heard, various weapon and armor materials, as well as items of unknown use, can come from them, and it all seems to be a matter of luck.
“I wonder what it will turn into?”
“Um, I don’t know. Well, I won’t get my hopes up too much.”
“But fossils are like a lottery, so there’s a chance it could be a rare weapon material or equipment, or even something useless like dragon dung.”
“That’s why there’s a possibility of getting a truly rare item.”
“Really? So, how much does the appraisal cost?”
“Um, it’s a flat rate of 5000G per appraisal.”
“I only have 2030G.”
“Don’t worry! The quest reward is 3000G, plus the quest item!”
That would make it 5030G. My equipment enhancement plans just got pushed further away.
“Come on, cheer up! The quest will be over soon.”
Miu pulled my hand, leading me deeper into the cave. Light streamed in from the depths of the cave, and the backlight interfered with my [Flower’s Eye] night vision, making it hard to see further.
“The final part of the quest is a flower field of the [Crystal Tree] at the very end of Chris Cave.”
Wow, it’s beautiful.
The fragrant scent of flowers wafted through the air, and the cave ceiling was almost open, allowing light to pour in. Flowers of various colors bloomed brilliantly, gathering around a central spring of water. In the middle stood a massive crystal.
“This Crystal Tree is the symbol of this quest. The view here is beautiful, and I really like it.”
“Yeah, it’s a nice place.”
“At first, I thought about taking a screenshot to show you, but since you became a girl, I wanted you to see it in person. But since your combat Sense wasn’t growing quickly, I waited until I could safely bring you here by myself.”
“Wait, does that mean your friends turned you down or that you were leveling up?”
“My friends were a lie, but leveling up is true! But thanks to you casting Enchant for me, I was able to finish those long battles with the giant centipedes quickly! You’ve been a big help!”
I couldn’t help but ruffle her hair, thinking how grateful I was to my brother.
“Thanks for showing me such a nice place.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Miu smiled shyly. It had been a while since I saw that expression. She’s usually so energetic and wild, but sometimes she can be quite demure.
“I want this scenery too. How do I take a screenshot?”
“Oh, right. Let me show you how.”
After a bit of awkwardness, Miu taught me how to take a screenshot. The beautifully captured Crystal Tree looked stunning.
We sat down in the flower field and chatted a bit, and I felt like the awkwardness melted away, allowing us to relax. Recently, we had been so engrossed in the game that we hadn’t had such a leisurely conversation. Well, being a teenage girl, I suppose I had been holding back a bit too.
“Yeah. It was quite a refreshing change of pace.”
“Are you heading back already?”
“I need to finish the quest quickly. It’s going to be evening soon. But first…”
Miu ignored the water she was standing in and approached the Crystal Tree.
“Here goes!”
Snap!
“Yep, I broke it.”
“Right. The quest item this time is a branch from this Crystal Tree. Here you go, big brother.”
She handed me a sparkling branch from the Crystal Tree.
Crystal Tree Branch [Important Item]
A tree resembling crystal. It only grows about one centimeter a year, so a tree that exceeds a person’s height is likely over 150 years old. It is said that there are Crystal Trees that are over 10,000 years old in this world. However…
No, no, this is only the length of my pinky finger. Is it really okay to break it?
“Don’t worry. Big brother, the part that was broken will grow back from here.”
“Just as expected, game quality. It’s fantasy. Also, Miu, you’ve been calling me ‘big brother’ since earlier.”
“Hehe, you noticed after all.”
As the sky turned red, Miu wrapped her arms around me affectionately, nuzzling against my neck. Damn it, even if she’s family, she’s too cute. Seeing her in such a sweet state makes me feel like I’ve been deceived.
The journey there was terrible, but she prepared quite the surprise for me.
On the way back, no enemies appeared in the cave, and we gathered materials together as we returned to the plains.
As we were heading back, I spoke to Miu.
“I’m sorry for dragging you along today.”
“No, it was fun. I didn’t know there was a place like that.”
Seeing me poke my finger at my nose, Miu chuckled softly, but then her expression faded.
“I’m sorry about one more thing. Big brother, I got irritated seeing you talk so happily about other people when you didn’t want to go on an adventure with me. So I forced you to come along.”
“Don’t worry about it. I had fun.”
Miu nodded.
I gently placed my hand on her head to soothe her. She responded softly without any resistance.
After that, we received our reward from the NPC geologist who had requested the quest.
I was tired today, so I decided to log out, thinking I could continue tomorrow. I also wanted to treat Miu to a slightly lavish dinner as an apology for yesterday.
I had a growing list of things to do: earning money, equipping gear, leveling up, and appraising fossils. However, aside from that, I felt like I had seen another side of this OSO today.
Chapter 4: Golems and the Third Town
For the past three days, I had only logged into OSO for an hour starting at ten in the evening. I had other things to do and places to go, so honestly, I couldn’t just indulge in the game all the time.
My family had both parents working, making summer extremely busy. Additionally, during breaks, Miu was home all day, so I had to prepare three meals and handle household chores like cleaning and laundry.
The tasks weren’t just limited to home; at our integrated middle and high school, high school students had designated school days. It was a tedious day where high school students gathered to clean the school that hadn’t been cleaned during the summer, and I couldn’t skip it… Moreover, I was unlucky enough to be spotted by a teacher who said, “You’re diligent, so I can count on you for this task,” which meant I was stuck at school longer than others. The only compensation for this labor was a single juice box, which felt like a rather realistic reward for work.
In that regard, Miu and Takumi had a knack for avoiding such troublesome situations. They managed to evade these scenarios skillfully, which meant I ended up shouldering the burden for both of them.
Returning home, drenched in sweat from school, I was greeted by Miu in a cool room, holding ice cream, which made me feel a bit lighter.
With that in mind, I couldn’t find a substantial amount of time during the day, so I logged in briefly to finish potion alchemy and deliver items to Magi’s shop. Feeling like I had delivered too few items, I decided to boldly purchase another rough item.
Since moving to a remote area was a hassle, I asked if I could acquire adjacent land, and the NPC replied, “If that’s the case, it’ll cost an additional 2000G as a handling fee, totaling 5000G.”
I hesitated but reluctantly made the purchase.
My remaining funds dropped to 3000G. Once again, I was broke, and since I couldn’t find time to prepare the fields, it wouldn’t become a source of income.
In the end, I delivered a small number of potions to Magi. Since she wasn’t always around, the NPC shopkeeper bought them from me. Thanks to the pre-set conditions, they were purchased at Magi’s price rather than the NPC price.
With the potion supply starting to flow smoothly and resellers beginning to lower their prices, I was able to obtain a small amount of herb materials as well.
Still, I wanted more money. I needed to upgrade my weapons and armor, appraise fossils, and the list went on. There were also many tasks to do, like turning metal into ingots, crafting accessories, creating antidote herbs, and making Light Dispelling Chapters, which felt overwhelming.
I seemed to have expanded my sense of skills too broadly, making it hard to manage. If I couldn’t manage the fields, I might have to hire an NPC. But that was only if I had the money.
Today, I found myself in front of Gantz’s house during a disaster.
“Hey, Takumi! Hurry up and open the door! I’m going to bake to death out here!”
“I’m coming in. Here, Takumi. Ice cream.”
“Thanks.”
We sat facing each other, enjoying the ice cream I brought.
“How’s the homework?”
“Perfectly copied. Thanks.”
“That’s fine since it’s an annual thing. So, what brings you here today?”
“I’m here because you called me, Takumi. Well, when you call me, it’s almost always about the game. Even if it’s not, it usually turns to the game in the second sentence.”
“Within a week of the service starting, potion supplies have stabilized, and I’ve already reached the second town!”
“Oh really?”
“What’s with that uninterested response?”
“I don’t really care. Is that why you called me?”
—No, that’s not it. Players who reach the next town can use the Popo Portal to teleport between towns. So, I plan to progress towards the west to reach the Third Town. For that, I want you to join our party for the quest.”
“Why me? I’m a production class.”
Takumi answered my invitation calmly. “You have the skills in Alchemy and Synthesis, so I expect you can handle healing roles with some preparation. Plus, we learned in the last battle that Enchanting is effective. Since Miu, our healer, will also be learning magic to contribute to attacks, and the members are the same as last time, there’s no worry about revealing Nika’s identity.”
“Still, I…”
“Is there a problem?”
“There are too many problems to count. I’m stuck with beginner gear, I’m broke, and I lack potion materials. And then there’s the field…”
“Why are you spending money on a field?”
“Why are you so negative about the field?”
“Anyone who knows the history of the eighth version wouldn’t farm. To put it simply, Takumi’s explanation is this.”
“In the second version, the southern area didn’t exist, and it was just Kamahoko Town, which was added in the last two weeks of updates. The seeds that were added then were apparently hard to obtain.”
“So, there are hardly any farmers. Even if you’re lucky enough to find seeds, there are twenty slots for fields, so you need to gather twenty seeds to be efficient.”
“Wow! Then I should buy more and become a potion tycoon! Hahaha!”
“In the second version, Alchemy was also underwhelming, and when seeds were added, most people probably didn’t try the lower-tier transformations of herbs. Since no one tried, there’s little information about farming in the official version. Takumi, who fights on the front lines, says that more than half of the players probably think farming is useless.”
“Eventually, there might be some farming adjustments in future updates. So? Will you help me?”
“Hmm. Lately, I’ve only been doing short tasks, so my combat skills haven’t leveled up. But those drops from Sandmen and Golems are tempting.”
“Got it. But is that all you want?”
“I want the enemy drops. I don’t know what will be useful, and I want to prioritize plant-based items, at least one of each.”
“You’re being quite specific. Alright, I understand. I’ll let the others know. So, my request is for fifty potions and twenty pills.”
“That’s impossible! I don’t have enough gallstones from the herbivores!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover the materials. Generally, the drops from the English are just inventory fodder.”
“That’s fine, then. When are we hunting?”
“Tomorrow and the day after. I’ll contact you later with the time. Tomorrow, we’ll practice with the Sandmen, and the day after, we’ll go for the Golems. If it seems impossible level-wise, we can try again next time.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m just a garbage sense holder anyway.”
“Don’t say that. I trust you.”
Takumi said that lightly, but I was half-joking when I said it. Besides, as long as I have the items, I can produce them with a recipe. Ah, and if I lack the materials, I can gather them in the western forest along the way.
“Alright then. I’ll head home and prepare. I’ll try making some accessories. Even if their defense is paper-thin, it’s better than nothing.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
Takumi’s party was off to defeat the boss MOB. I was a bit excited.
When I logged in, I used the ingots I had to make accessories. I placed copper and blue steel ingots synthesized in the valley into the portable furnace, watching as they heated up. When making ingots, I just had to hit them hard, but for making accessories…
That approach didn’t seem to work. I had to follow the steps that popped into my head one after another, and if I failed any of the steps, the quality of the accessory would drop.
It was like a rhythm game, requiring instant reactions, memory, and repetition. Honestly, I ruined my first blue steel ingot.
“Hmm. Enchanting should be the same as ingot-making, right? Then I just need to select what I want to create on the system screen…”
From that moment, the rhythm game of processing began. I hammered with a spear, returned it to the furnace. Hammer, return to the furnace. Sometimes, I bent it with pliers, made a ring, and then back into the furnace again.
Without a single break, I continued processing in the heat of the furnace. Even the simplest accessory took time now. I had to concentrate on this unfamiliar task, which was quite exhausting.
As a result, I made several mistakes, causing the quality to drop, but I managed to create my first accessory without any catastrophic failures.
Bronze Ring [Equipment]
DEF +1
Nice. I managed to make a minimum-level piece of equipment.
“There’s a certain depth to this. But is this even sellable?”
It took quite a while, and I was out of blue steel ingots. All I had left was iron. My crafting level had gone up, but I didn’t feel like I could make anything with iron.
“Well, I guess it’s okay to fail a bit.”
Thinking too hard about it was pointless, so I placed the iron ingot into the furnace. Hammer, return, bend, connect, heat…
Even though it’s a game, I wiped the sweat from my forehead. Gradually, the heat was overwhelming, and my thinking ability was diminishing. Still, I kept hammering away. Like some mindless polishing, even when I failed, I immediately put in the next ingot without a break.
As my MP recovery and the balance with enchanting gradually decreased, I focused solely on the ingot in front of me. Mindlessly, unconsciously, it became a flow of work. My arms felt heavy. My throat was parched, but I didn’t stop swinging, and with the fourth ingot, I stared at the accessory I had just finished for a few minutes.
“I finally did it,” I exhaled a long breath.
[Ring Equipment]
DEF +2
Still, I knew I had a long way to go. Moreover, there was a world of difference between my rough ring and the accessories that Magi could make effortlessly. My ring had no engravings or designs, while Magi’s were intricately crafted, with gemstones cut into beautiful shapes embedded in the base.
“Seriously, there are so many types of accessories like bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. I really shouldn’t be satisfied with just this.”
After rolling the two rings in my hand, I equipped them on my fingers. I wore the iron ring on my left middle finger and the bronze ring on my left ring finger.
I gazed at my left hand thoughtfully. Unlike Alchemy or Synthesis, actually creating something to equip gave me a sense of accomplishment. And looking at my slender, pale fingers—described as resembling white fish—felt oddly out of place.
“Ahh, well, for a first attempt, it’s not bad. I have more time than I thought.”
I didn’t have time to make more ingots or go hunting, but somehow I found myself with extra time. At that moment, a chat from Takumi came in.
“What’s up?”
“Just letting you know about tomorrow. We’ll gather at noon, and then we’ll hunt Sandmen for leveling. Are you ready?”
“I made two rings. The total defense is the same as the initial gear.”
“Good for you. Double the defense. Isn’t that cheating?”
“Double the defense of the initial gear isn’t cheating. By the way, do you know the general market price for accessories?”
“Prices vary widely. A good bracelet with DEF +8 was over 10,000G the other day.”
“Wow, then how much for a ring with gemstones?”
“For rings, the abilities increase with the gemstones, but they’re quite popular among women.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, they’re shiny. There are even guys who give them as gifts.”
“Oh, shiny things. Now I’m craving seafood.”
“Not the food kind! You really are laid-back.”
“I think there’s no point in rushing.”
“Well, that’s fine. Just don’t be late tomorrow.”
“You too.”
After that, I chatted with Takumi about trivial matters, and before I knew it, time had passed. I realized that this was how it usually went at school, but since the break started, we had been spending more time apart than usual.
The next day, I arrived early at the meeting spot at the west gate for the Sandman hunt with Takumi and the others. I had a tendency to feel anxious if I didn’t arrive at least ten minutes early.
“Takumi, I’m here.”
“You’re as early as ever. You’re the third one here.”
Takumi greeted me as I arrived. At the meeting spot were Takumi and Kei. They seemed to have been engrossed in conversation, likely discussing something they both found interesting.
“Long time no see, Yun.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while. What were you and Takumi talking about?”
“Huh? We were discussing the effective use of skills and their effects.”
“Oh, sounds interesting. Takumi, pass me the materials. I’ll make some potions and pills while I can.”
As I watched Takumi load items onto the trade screen, I listened to one of their conversation.
“Sharing information is important. Yun, since you have the Crafting skill, do you know about the color schemes for equipment?”
“This one is made of iron, but there’s a production team EX Skill called Coloring that can change the color scheme. Most production players have that skill, but you’ll need dye items.”
“Seriously? Wait a moment.”
I checked. In my Crafting skill list, I saw Ring Making, Coloring, and Crafting.
They had been added. So, by making the ring, these three skills had appeared.
And this Crafting skill allows you to change the default patterns and shapes of accessories. So, my ring is just default! How embarrassing for a production player to have a default item.
“Ah, then I’ll try that next time. By the way, what kind of combat skills are there?”
“Well, Yun, you have the Combat Sense for Bows, but there are many other skills. Takumi and I have Combat Skills for Synthesis… but there are also magic classes like wands and books, and for melee, there are swords, daggers, shields, clubs, and even body parts like Gantz’s.”
“Didn’t you check all of them?”
“Ah, I think I’ve seen this before, but I just skimmed through it. I picked it from the bottom of the strategy site’s Sense rankings.”
“What an idiot! But well, I got to see something interesting, so it’s fine. There are other fun Senses too, like [Cooking] and [Fishing], which are called hobby Senses.”
“That sounds interesting. Since it’s a game, the ingredients won’t go to waste. Maybe I’ll give it a try.”
“Idiot! Stop it! That’s also one of those garbage Senses. Taku teaches things halfway… I don’t know why, but Kei seems to be getting angry for my sake. Well, in the meantime, I’m shining brightly with my Potion Skill Alchemy, so it must look surreal.”
“In my opinion, considering the range and bonuses, Yun’s combat style will be stealthy… Stealthy seems to be a colloquial term.”
Kei recommended mainly combat support Senses like [Stealth], which prevents the light generated by Skills from being detected, [Discovery], which helps find hidden objects, [Critical Strike], which increases critical hit rates when attacking vital points, and [Preemptive Strike], which grants a bonus to damage during a surprise attack.
By the way, when incorporating these Senses, combat Senses are said to pair well with dagger professions like [Throwing], [Dagger], or [Dual Dagger], which have vital point Skills.
“Kei, don’t recommend such advanced Senses to Yun. That’s a setup focused on PVP, right?”
“Geez… I might have rushed things. Sorry about that. Forget it.”
“No, it was helpful. Well, [Discovery] seems interesting.”
“Yikes!?”
“Also, the healing potion is ready.”
I forcibly shoved the item onto Taku and began searching for new Senses.
“Oh, [Discovery]. Found it! Now, to acquire it.”
Inventory:
[Bow Lv6] [Focus Lv2] [Speed Increase Lv5] [Discovery Lv1] [Magic Talent Lv2]
[Magic Power Lv2] [Alchemy Lv9] [Bonus Lv] [Crafting Lv3] [Production Knowledge Lv]
“Whoa! Now I can see gathering points that I couldn’t see before! This is a wonderful discovery for an item gatherer!”
“Taku! I can see items!”
“Well, that’s the kind of Sense it is. I didn’t expect you to acquire that Sense.”
“[Discovery] is usually held by Scouts or high-ranking individuals, and even if a box has it, it wouldn’t be very useful.”
“What are you saying? Being able to see is a wonderful thing! Ah, it’s amazing that I can pick up items I couldn’t before!”
“Hey, what’s at the top of this [Discovery] Sense?”
“Ah, if I remember correctly, it becomes the combat support Sense [Insight]. [Insight] is a Sense that allows you to detect an opponent’s preparatory actions in advance. There are other detection methods like [Sense] and its higher version, [Sixth Sense], among others.”
“Why are there so many variations?”
“That’s due to Sense derivation. The most famous ones are the Senses that increase [Attack Power] and [Defense Power].”
When each grows to a certain level, they transform into the Sense [Physical Enhancement]. Since two or more Senses can merge into one, they are quite valuable.”
So that’s why Miu had those two. In other words, it opens up space for equipment Senses. She must be well-versed in Sense derivation since she’s been playing since version 2.
“However, the downside is that the Senses before derivation disappear and are categorized into a different Sense tree.”
“Sense tree? Categorization? Those are unfamiliar terms. I had a question arise, but I couldn’t resolve it immediately.”
“Hey, I’m here!”
“Long time no see, Yun-chan!”
Suddenly being hugged, I let out a small scream. What the heck, what kind of voice just came out of my mouth? In response, Miu said it was cute and snuggled closer. Before I knew it, Mami-san was standing next to Kei. Together, they made quite the picture—a silent warrior and a gentle sorceress.
“Oh, isn’t this a yuri moment? To see yuri right from the start is delightful.”
Gantz grinned widely, but he shouldn’t be looking over here. By the way, Gantz’s armor has evolved from regular leather armor to scale mail. I wonder if that still counts as leather armor. He’s wearing some nice gear.
While I was sulking alone, I noticed Mami-san quietly staring at my hand.
“Look, look, Yun-san. That hand, hehehe.”
“W-What is it, Mami-san? What do you mean?”
Mami-san suddenly mentioned my “hand.” It’s just a normal hand, but as I pondered, a loud voice rang in my head.
“Yun-chan! Where did you get that ring?!”
That loud voice was painful to my ears!
“S-Sorry! But, hehehe, you’re such a girl! Who gave it to you?”
“Because there’s a ring in the engagement ring spot. Who is it from? Tell me!”
“What the heck? What’s going on?” I glanced at Taku and Kei, and Taku was trying to hold back laughter while Kei had a knowing expression. Hey, if you know that much, you should explain!
“W-Why did you look at Taku-kun?!”
“Yun-chan has unexpectedly become a boy suspect.”
Gantz suddenly shouted. No, I’m a boy! I’m a boy, but not like that! What am I even trying to say? And Mami-san is quietly showing her left hand. On her finger is a delicate ring.
“…No, no, that’s not it! Listen to me!”
“Just tell the lady already!”
As I desperately tried to clear up the misunderstanding, it only made me seem more embarrassed, and I fell deeper into the hole.
If Taku hadn’t stopped me after ten minutes, who knows what would have happened? No, he should have helped me sooner.
—That’s why I said it’s not like that!
“I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions.”
“Thank goodness. If such a cute girl had a boyfriend, I’d be tempted to snap my neck like this.”
Gantz, who was the most undressed, and Miu were made to sit in seiza in front of me, and I stood with my arms crossed, looking intimidating. I readjusted the ring on my right hand to avoid further misunderstandings.
“Seriously. I told you before. I’m a production class. This is a ring I made.”
“—I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
“Oh dear, how unfortunate.”
Miu bowed her head, and Mami-san placed her hand on her chest, looking amused.
“Hey, hey, time is passing quickly. First, let’s check the potion expert book and confirm our positions.”
Taku distributed the potions I had just made to everyone, giving more to the front line. This time, the battle against the Sandman isn’t as fierce as against the Big Boar, but it’s still not something to be taken lightly. The Sandman is characterized by its slow speed and lower attack power compared to the Big Boar. However, it has high physical defense. If we charge in without a plan, it will definitely turn into a war of attrition. With my bow, I won’t be able to deal significant damage, so I won’t be the one to draw aggro this time.
“So, the plan is simple. The men will hold them down, and the women will shoot with magic. E-Yun, can you cast attack enchantments on us?”
“Isn’t defense more important?”
“Keeping HP around fifty percent is the safe zone. As long as we don’t break the front line like with the Big Boar, the backline won’t be attacked, so this time, it’s a short-term battle focused on increasing attack power.”
If Taku says so, then it must be true. But still, not being able to enhance magical attack power feels like a significant drawback.
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to try.”
“Yeah, let’s keep it relaxed.”
“Minuts, don’t let your guard down too much. Plus, you’ve been focused on healing, so your magic hasn’t leveled up, right?”
“Even so, I have a light level of 0, so it’s not a problem.”
That was the conversation between Kei and Minuts. Meanwhile, what was I doing? Of course, I was running around casting speed enchantments. There were plenty of items in the forest—gemstones, iron ore, and lots of herbs and branches. I also gathered leaf mold since it’s needed for farming. I picked up stones too, even though I’ve upgraded my arrows to iron, just in case.
I ventured deeper than I had before, through the western forest, to an open area that looked like a quarry. There were plenty of stones that seemed just right for sitting on.
These are also MOBs. The Stone Armadillo and Rock Crab are the enemies here. They have high defense and slow movement. They aren’t favored by warrior classes, but they’re a tasty target for magic users.
Minuts and Mami-san were blasting magic as they advanced. The front line of men seemed to be doing their job as wall protectors. I also cast attack enchantments on the three of them.
From what I could see, physical attacks, especially slashing, didn’t seem very effective against the Sandman. However, when Gantz bent one of the Sandman’s sandy fingers in the opposite direction, it clearly showed a look of agony.
Even though it’s made of sand, bending its joints… Even with the ATK enchantment, there wasn’t much increase in damage, and it felt like we were relying on luck to win.
Minuts and Mami-san were bombarding it with attack magic, but at one point, they ran out of MP, and the actual challenges became apparent.
“MP running out is a real issue. Compared to the short-term battles against the Big Boar and Blade Lizard, this is more suited for a long-term fight. If the magic users aren’t attacking, then the minimum level for [Magic Power] should be…”
“Yeah, it seems we’ll have to prepare for a long battle and switch Minuts back to healer.”
“That sounds good. Well, we’ll just have to grind levels. If it seems impossible, we can always try again later.”
“Hey, Taku? Don’t we have any other helpers? I think it would be fine to take on more people.”
“Ah, about that…” Taku’s voice trailed off, and the warm gazes from everyone around me made me wonder why.
“The party limit is six people, and if we hunt a single MOB with more than that, we’ll incur penalties.”
He explained that unlike the Death Penalty incurred upon death, the penalties for fighting with too many people are called combat penalties. The penalties include a decrease in Sense level-up rates, a drop in item drop rates, a decrease in stats, an increase in enemy MOB stats, and random bad status effects… it’s a chaotic mess.
If you gather MOBs and push them onto others, the one who PKs will receive the penalty, but the one who gets caught in it won’t. It’s a strange balance. The recent AI is impressive.
“There’s no merit in calling for help. So let’s just take it slow and steady.”
“What the heck? You always do this. You only reveal important things later. I only heard about [OSO] when I went to your house. At that time, you just handed me the VR gear lightly… Are you even listening, Taku?”
“I get it! So stop getting so close to my face.”
“You don’t understand!”
I thought he should be more responsible in these matters. And I felt the gazes on my back.
“Back to the Sandman hunt! I can’t attack, so I’ll just keep enchanting!”
Seeing me in that pose, Minuts and Gantz seemed to get even more pumped up, but they’re players. Once combat begins, they switch into focus mode.
I contributed to the battle by devising enchantments.
- Most of the party leveled up, and with efficient Sandman hunting and enchantment support, we managed to grow strong enough to defeat them before running out of MP.
We stopped at a good point to prepare for the Golem battle tomorrow. Defeating the boss MOB would open the path to the third town. Well, for me, it’s just the second town.
And so, the day of the boss MOB Golem hunt arrived.
Taku and the others headed out to defeat the Golem, but I was feeling uneasy about the stock of healing items.
When I told Magi-san that I couldn’t deliver the potions, she replied,
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Yun-kun has started hunting too. Just bring them when you can. Right now, the potions are stable.”
Her words were reassuring. After the hunt, I put my all into preparing potions, but I felt like I had prepared too many, with fifty being excessive. Well, it shouldn’t go to waste.
And then, it was time for alchemy after a long while. I tried boiling the Blue Jelly I obtained from the slime in an iron container. The blue, gooey substance separated into liquid and solid, settling down. When I further dried the solid, it turned into a blue powder. The name was simply “Blue Powder.”
When I added water again, it became Blue Jelly. What is this even?
Then, I mixed the Blue Jelly with herbs. What I ended up with was a Blue Potion. The effectiveness is about the same as a synthesis potion, right? Don’t you think so? But it’s different.
The potion itself has a different effect. This one, after turning into blue powder, was combined with a special herb and extracted like coffee, enhancing its potency.
Using high-quality herbs further increases its effectiveness. The large recovery amount is delightful.
Now, for extraction. The production quantity is small, but I also tried “synthesis” for experimental purposes.
“How did it come to this? In synthesis, Blue Gelatin. And the description is of a food item.”
“Does this make any sense?!”
Turning a material into a healing potion only to drop it as a food item at the end—what a ridiculous gag! I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Alright, I’m fine now. I’ll just store this in my inventory.
I tucked away the Blue Gelatin and pulled out the Blue Jelly once more. Grinding it into powder, mixing it for extraction. Surprisingly, it takes quite a bit of strength to mix, so I relied on my stable enchantment. Lately, I feel like I can’t survive in this game without enchantments.
In the morning, I prepared potions like this, and in the afternoon, I headed west just like yesterday. I avoided battles as much as possible and made my way toward the Golem.
At first, everyone was joking around, but gradually the chatter died down. It seems that fighting a boss MOB makes everyone tense.
And then, the moment arrived.
“Everyone, are you ready?!”
With Taku’s shout, everyone lined up. Before us stood the Golem—a massive rock giant towering over three meters. Its movements were slow, but one could easily imagine the immense power behind its colossal fists.
“Alright, let’s start with a (buff) attack!”
I enchanted the three front-line fighters, and then I cast defensive enchantments on Taku and Kei, while Gantz received a speed enchantment as well. This was the most efficient way to hunt Sandmen. Taku and Kei would act as the wall, while Gantz would apply joint locks, and when the Golem was immobilized, our backline mages would unleash their spells. It was the same strategy as yesterday.
“Come on over here!”
“We’ll take you on!”
Taku, wielding a one-handed weapon, and Kei, with a two-handed weapon, shouted as they faced the Golem head-on. They blocked and deflected its attacks, and when the Golem lost its balance, Gantz seized its arm and executed a flowing throw, taking it down. Then, he locked it in a cross hold. What a beautifully fluid motion! Oh, the Golem seems to be struggling—this is like professional wrestling!
As a martial artist, Gantz was a walking weapon. I had never seen someone throw such a massive creature so effortlessly; it must be a game mechanic, but he might have some real martial arts training. Oh, the Golem is completely down!
“Magic team! Now’s your chance!”
At Taku’s command, spells were unleashed in rapid succession, striking the Golem. Gantz returned to the backline, presenting his blade and ensuring he had a good view of the entire battlefield.
“Yun, please heal!”
“Sure, I’ll also reapply the enchantments.”
The combat style of the martial artist-type players was close-quarters combat. The nature of close-quarters combat meant they would take a small amount of damage when attacking, using their bodies as weapons. They seemed to be considering various protective gear like gloves and gauntlets for their hands, and boots and sandals for their feet, but even so, they were still taking damage. Thus, I gradually took on the role of healer.
I thought to myself, what a resourceful guy he is, watching his back.
Gantz dashed forward, leaving behind trails of red and yellow light from his attack and speed buffs. The Golem, having risen, targeted the darting Gantz, but it was blocked by Taku and Kei, forcing it to change targets.
And when it lost its footing, boom! A spell struck! With each magical hit, the Golem’s HP visibly dropped.
Could we actually do this? I thought, but after all, it was a boss. It wouldn’t go down so easily.
“We’re out of MP here! Frontliners, hold on!”
The backline mages ran out of MP when the Golem still had about forty percent of its HP left. The two mages ran out of MP faster than my double enchantment could hold.
From here on, it would be up to us men to hold the front line until the mages could recover their MP. However, my own MP was running low. I focused on maintaining the minimum necessary. I switched the enchantments on the three frontliners to defensive buffs. Unlike the previous heavy attack, this was aimed at holding the line. Even if they took a critical hit, the frontliners would still have a sliver of health left.
Additionally, I tried to maintain the front line with a heavy use of potions.
“Hey! Trip again!”
“Stop it, Gantz. This isn’t the same as before!”
Amidst Kei’s voice, Gantz bravely leaped in front of the Golem.
He seized its arm, executed a throw, and attempted to lock it down. However, this time he failed. He had only maintained the bare minimum of enchantments, and while he could have escaped immediately with the speed buff, he was now limited to just the defensive enchantment. He lacked the speed to evade.
Gantz was caught by the Golem’s arm, which slammed into his abdomen. He was lifted and flung through the air in a parabolic arc. It seemed he avoided a critical hit, as he still had a bit of HP left. But—
“Dodge!”
Miu’s voice rang out from her vantage point. The Golem, having risen, swung down at Gantz, who was trying to recover in mid-air. Gantz’s HP plunged into the red zone as he was slammed into the hard ground.
Taku and Kei rushed to change targets in a panic.
“Get back and heal quickly!”
“Hey, move! This is bad timing!”
Gantz remained motionless, his HP still in the red zone.
He was in a dangerous state but couldn’t move—no, he couldn’t move because of the bad status “Stun.”
“Stun” occurs when a player loses a certain percentage of HP at once, resulting in a low probability status ailment. I couldn’t believe this was happening now. The two frontliners couldn’t cover for Gantz, and the two mages couldn’t move forward.
It was up to me to act.
As the healer, I pulled out the most potent healing item, the Blue Potion, and dashed forward.
With a speed enchantment boosting my pace, I leaped closer. I splashed the potion on Gantz and literally slapped him awake.
“That hurts!”
“Get up already! Here, have another one!”
I broke open another Blue Potion and poured it over him. With two potions, he would be fully healed.
“What is this healing amount?!”
“Just get back! You’re becoming a target for the two mages!”
I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him back.
“My MP is recovering! I can cast again!”
“Then just cast! No more waiting for a downed state!”
As we shouted, light and wind magic surged past us.
The sound of grinding rock and explosive blasts echoed. The intense light made it hard to keep my eyes open.
As the magic paused during the cooldown, the Golem emerged from the swirling dust.
“Is it done yet?! Damn it!”
—No, it’s already over.
Amidst the curses, Taku declared triumphantly.
The Golem let out a heavy groan and began to crumble.
As it collapsed from the top down, it gave off an aura reminiscent of the gatekeeper of the Third Town, evoking a sense of sorrow for its failure to protect.
Once everything had fallen and nothing moved, I finally exhaled.
“Ahh… finally done. That was seriously nerve-wracking.”
“Thanks for the help. Yun, I appreciate it.”
“I’m perfectly fine,” Gantz said, lightly jumping to demonstrate.
“Honestly, if the mages could attack right away, I wouldn’t have had to help.”
“That’s just how it is. Even if I die and respawn during a boss fight, it wouldn’t count as a defeat for me. That would be lonely.”
“And if you hadn’t pulled Gantz back, I would have been caught in my own magic.”
“Kaede!”
“Ah, right, sacrificing the small for the big. Miu understands. But yeah, we don’t have any resurrection items right now, so if we fall, we’d have to respawn.”
“Just kidding. Gantz did well.”
“Everyone, good work. Now we can head to the Third Town. Yun, you too.”
“Yeah, good work. So, shall we go?”
“Before that, let’s do the usual drop check. Someone might have a rare drop.”
Ah, I see. Well, rare drops aside, I’m pretty sure it dropped some High-Quality Iron Ore. If I can alchemize the Iron Ore I have, I can gather enough High-Quality Iron Ore for leveling up and make some ingots.
With that thought, I opened my inventory, but instead of High-Quality Iron Ore, I found a different item.
“Hey, I got a [Earth Spirit Stone].”
I muttered casually.
“Rare drop, it’s here!”
I jumped in surprise at the loud shout. That sudden loudness scared me.
“Sorry, sorry. Boss drops come in two types: normal and rare, but to get one so suddenly, Yun must be lucky.”
“The Earth Spirit Stone is a rare item that can grant additional effects when used in crafting gear. Gantz’s armor was enhanced with Blade Lizard scales, which gives it a reflective damage effect when hit.”
Hmm. How does that work?
Earth Spirit Stone [Material]
A stone imbued with the power of the Earth Spirit.
Is that all the description says? It doesn’t specify what additional effects it has, but oh well.
Hmm. I don’t quite grasp its value. Maybe I’ll ask someone next time.
“Don’t mention it. The rule of [OSO] is to avoid revealing the composition of your sense, and don’t hint at possessing rare items. The former is a countermeasure for PVP, and the latter makes you a target for trades.”
Oh, I see. That makes sense. But I trust Miu and Magi, so I could ask them about it. But my armor is still basic, and I don’t have the money, so I probably won’t have any use for it yet.
“Well, for now, it’s just clutter in my inventory.”
“That’s a waste. But taking it at your own pace is so like you, Yun. You’ve recovered quite a bit, so let’s head to town.”
We all pulled together and made our way to town. We arrived at the mining town. The buildings were two-story wooden structures, a bit lacking in greenery. The NPCs had tanned skin and wore somewhat dirty clothes, looking every bit like miners.
“You’ve made it to another town.”
As the old man trembled with emotion, everyone responded.
“Good work. We’ll see you again.”
“This time, Yun helped us out a lot.”
“See you. Next time, let’s look for enemies that can help level up the [Long Bow].”
—So, goodbye.”
“See you, Yun. Until next time.”
One by one, they touched the blue-white orbs and vanished. I was left standing alone.
Everyone’s surprisingly nonchalant. Seriously, don’t leave me behind like this.
Chapter 5: The Pursuer and Equipment
It seemed that not many players had reached the Third Town yet, giving it a somewhat deserted feel. While taking a stroll, I talked to the town’s NPCs and searched for item shops.
“Welcome! What can I show you?”
The man looked utterly unmotivated. His pale skin didn’t quite match the town’s atmosphere, but I decided not to dwell on it.
I scanned the NPC’s sales list. My goal was material items. Scanning down the list, I spotted something new.
- Medicine Spirit Grass | Clearly an upgraded version of herbs.
- Magic Sphere Grass | There seemed to be some relation to mana. Perhaps I could finally create that long-desired MP Potion. But it’s expensive.
Both were priced at 500G each. That’s a total of 1000G. My earnings over the past few days were about 2800G, and now they would vanish. However, since I could multiply the items as long as I bought at least one, I decided to make the purchase.
Afterward, I asked the NPC about anything else and was recommended a certain place.
That place turned out to be the tavern in the town center. I thought it would be safe since it was in the middle of town, but there were quite a few ruffians and muscular types, giving off a strong sense of being out of place.
“Hey, girl. This ain’t a place for kids.”
“Don’t call me girl. I’m a guy.”
I looked up at the short-haired man in a sleeveless shirt, examining his muscular arms. Was this an event NPC? Well, I decided to play along.
“Huh? What’s that ring on your finger?”
“It’s a ring.”
Suddenly, the drunken crowd quieted down, which felt eerie. The man’s expression turned serious.
“Did you make that ring?”
“Yeah, I crafted it.”
“Don’t think you can handle metal with those skinny arms.”
I was yelled at.
“Of course I can! Look!”
“You’re satisfied with such scrap metal and trinkets? Your standards are pretty low.”
Clang! This guy was really getting on my nerves. Even though I knew he was an NPC, it still annoyed me. I wanted to create more intricate accessories, but I just didn’t have the time.
What’s this? You wanna fight? Then come at me. If you can move me even a step, I’ll acknowledge you.
“A man’s word is his bond.”
“Of course.”
I crouched down, gathering my strength, and aimed a powerful strike at his abdomen. But the man didn’t budge. His abs were as hard as iron. My hand hurt from the impact, almost like hitting Taku’s armor.
“Hey, you’re kidding, right?”
“That’s how it is with a girl’s skinny arms. Come back when you’re stronger.”
“Wait a minute!”
I tried to call the man back, but a dandy-looking older gentleman, presumably the shopkeeper, tossed me out of the tavern. As I stepped outside, I could hear the voices of the tavern’s patrons leaking out. It felt like I had ruined the atmosphere, and I was in a bad mood. Ah, I should just go back and vent to Magi.
The sun was still high. Instead of using the portal (the blue-white orbs for transportation), I decided to gather items while running. The mining area was slow, after all.
With that decided, I activated the “Speed Up” enchantment and dashed away. Ignoring the inactive Golems and Sandmen, I gathered items while making my way back to the First Town. My inventory was now filled with an abundance of Iron Ore from the mining area.
“Hey, Yun! You took down the boss today, right? Did you fail?”
When I reached Magi’s shop, I spoke with her over the counter.
I pulled out a nearby chair and began to vent my frustrations.
“We successfully defeated the Golem and made it to the Third Town.”
“Oh, that place. We’re planning to go there soon since we need high-level metals for our group.”
“Magi, you’re a crafting class, right? Can you fight?”
“No way. That’s why we’re going in a six-party group. A total of 36 people. But half of them are crafting classes. Our goal is just to reach the town, so the co-op penalty doesn’t apply to us. Besides, we’re in different leveling fields.”
“Ahh, I see. The difference between combat and crafting.”
“It’s all about overwhelming numbers. But you weren’t just talking about the Golem defeat, were you?”
Finally, I could get to the main topic.
“Earlier, I went to the tavern in the Third Town, and I got into a fight with an NPC, but I couldn’t win.”
I summarized it too simply, but Magi seemed to understand something.
“Hmm. That tavern near the center, huh? Ah, that brings back memories.”
“What do you mean?”
“Every crafting class goes through that path. What’s your crafting level, Yun?”
“Um, I haven’t leveled it up…”
“Then it’s impossible. You need at least a minimum level to progress that event.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“We crafters don’t just handle metal.”
“Well, yeah. Right now, I can only use metal and gems.”
“Exactly. That’s the thing. If you don’t level up your crafting skills, you’ll be thrown into a solo event where you’ll have to prove your worth.”
“What’s the point of that event? Are they trying to anger players?”
“Well, you can gain special skills from it. Generally called EX Skills, they are event-acquired skills.”
“Oh, really? What kind of skills are we talking about?”
“While it hasn’t changed, certain designs have become popular among some people as novelty gear.”
For instance, using animal fur for hairbands to create dog ears, cat ears, and even tails. It seems these were traded among a niche group of enthusiasts.
“Well, I was the first to start it, though.”
“Is that you, Magi?”
“Right now, I’m crafting sturdy metal weapons and armor, but I can make those if there’s a request. By the way, I made a fortune doing that in the eighth version.”
“That’s quite interesting. But I imagine there are requests for creating character images.”
“Oh, definitely. My friend, the carpenter, once asked me to make branches into grotesque bones and decorations to fit a necromancer theme. And for some seamstresses, they wanted to strip the fabric’s surface to create something like a vampire’s cloak. There’s quite a bit of freedom in it. In the end, both of them were happy to make what I asked. Those two work with fabric and wood, but there’s a matching event in the Second Town. I think they’re going as a group now.”
I see. It’s fascinating to hear such stories. So, character-themed accessories, huh? There’s a lot of freedom in that.
“Well, that’s about it. By the way, if you have any leftover potions, could you sell them to me?”
“Oh, sure! Is it alright if I sell you the new ones I made?”
“Sure, let’s check them out.”
These are my prized Blue Potions and some extra potions. Fifty of them should be enough to challenge a Golem.
I made too many. I only used about half of them.
“Ah, Blue Potions. And the recovery amount is substantial. This is on par with a degraded High Potion.”
“Are they that effective?”
“Yep. Ten Blue Potions and twenty-two regular potions. The Blue Potions sell cheap to NPCs, but with this recovery amount, it’s like a High Potion, and at half the price… so, 500G for a total of 5770G, I guess?”
“Wow, even cheap materials like Blue Jelly have become valuable.”
“I don’t know how to make them, but I’m glad they’re effective. I hope to keep getting deliveries from you.”
I could vent a bit, and those Blue Potions turned out to be quite a profitable venture.
Inside the packaging, the evaluation of Blue Jelly skyrocketed. Later, I bought some from KPC’s shop, but I lacked planning, spending 700G on a hundred of them at 7G each.
With about 6000G left, I found myself short on cash again, focusing more on expanding my fields than equipping myself.
That evening, during dinner after logging out, we had a lively conversation about our recent activities.
“Oh! Big brother, you went to the Third Town!”
“I was invited by Takumi, acting as a pseudo-healer.”
“Yeah, well, Takumi seems to be thinking ahead. People in production jobs tend to want to get to the Third Town early.”
Miu seemed to understand this well. Takumi might have had similar thoughts. When I think about it…
It doesn’t feel like I’m being fooled all the time.
“By the way, big brother. Today, I got the ‘Defense Increase’ skill and also acquired the new ‘Physical Increase’ Sense. I also added ‘Action Restriction Release’ to my available skills.”
“‘Physical Increase’? I heard something about a Sense Tree. What’s that about?”
“The Sense Tree is like a family tree for skills. For example, it branches out from ‘Sword’ to ‘One-Handed Sword’ and ‘Two-Handed Sword.’ But it can change to a different type of branch.”
“Is there something specific about that?”
“For instance, if you train Sense A and Sense B, you can acquire Sense C from a different tree. Once you get C, A and B will revert to an unacquired state.”
“So, I have to start over again?”
“But starting from level 1 is a bit harsh, so only extreme power fighters might do that. Some people choose not to switch trees and just focus on leveling up their current skills.”
“Hmm. So what about ‘Action Restriction Release’? I don’t recall seeing it as an available skill.”
“Come on, big brother, you should know a bit more. Efficiency is good, but I want a mindset of enjoying tea on the green side, you know?”
“When your total acquired SP exceeds a certain amount, the number of obtainable skills increases. When it was 2, the number of people increased, so it probably grows from there. So, when it reaches a certain point, some people completely swap their skills to fit their image.”
“Does that mean the skills that appeared in version 2 are stronger?”
“Yeah, definitely. In terms of performance, there’s not much difference. However, skills that exploit enemy weaknesses or provide resistance to abnormalities stand out more. Also, there are some skills that seem like they could evolve into something amazing if leveled up.”
“The ‘Eye of the Province’ stands out too.”
“For example, there’s the ‘Eye of the Serpent’ skill, which inflicts paralysis on the target when activated, and you can only acquire that from version 2. It’s way more combat-oriented than ‘Eye of Loyalty.'”
“You’re being harsh. Sorry, ‘Eye of Conflict.’ But I won’t abandon you.”
“‘Eye of the Throat’ could become the strongest if leveled up.”
“Indeed, the growth and evolution of ‘Eye of Sound’ are unknown to anyone. But those who have acquired it seem to have figured it out with just a sword.”
“Alright, I’ll try to level up all the skills. But thinking about it, there might be people who acquire many skills just to gain more SP.”
“Actually, there were people who took everything they could and ended up at level 0, then acquired new skills. But doing it thoughtlessly can be tough. To acquire higher-level skills, the SP cost is 2, sometimes even 5. If you do that, you’ll need to level up to get those higher skills. Balancing everything is quite challenging.”
“You’re quite the expert. You can see the shortest route.”
“I think it will still take some time to reach that level. What about you, big brother?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean exactly that. How are you leveling up?”
“Ah, I’m making potions and accessories. I want to turn material items into money. It’s a good way to level up, even if it’s just production.”
“Still struggling with money, huh?”
Miu giggled like a bell. Well, it’s fine. Even with this, I can still hold my own in combat at my current level. I swear it.
“Well, I’ll keep an eye on you, big brother.”
“Yeah, please do.”
“Uh-huh. It’s my job to make sure no bad bugs get to my big brother.”
“Can you please stop teasing me with that? Sometimes it makes me want to scream.”
“Got it. Well then, I’m off to wash up with Shizune-nee.”
“Alright, say hi to Shizune for me.”
“Big brother, aren’t you going to wash up together?”
“Not today. I did a lot today, and the boss MOB was nerve-wracking. VR has an incredible sense of presence, but the tension during combat was overwhelming. I never thought it would drain my nerves like that. I might end up fighting a dragon someday.”
Just thinking about it sends a shiver down my spine. Ah, I should stop thinking about it.
“Then, big brother, make sure you don’t get overtaken.”
With that, she entered her room. Reflecting on her words and today’s party hunt with Takumi, I realized that it would be better to enhance my weapons and armor.
A few days later, with the goal of improving my equipment, I focused on farming, making accessories, and polishing to level up my Crafting skill, saving up 40,000G. With the money I saved, I wore a satisfied smile. I hoped someone would sell me a bow, and as I walked through town──.
“I’m being stalked!”
Wait, no. This must be a mistake. A tall, model-like man in his twenties and a loli-shota boy are following me. Seriously, why am I being stalked instead of hit on?
I hurriedly made my way through the town, but they kept chasing me. They must be pretty high-level players.
When I looked back, I could see the tall man’s head and the edge of his coat far behind, making it obvious. Yet, even though they must know I noticed them, they didn’t stop tailing me.
“Should I send out an SOS? But… no, if it’s PK, it’s faster to escape than to call for help.”
I’m confident in my legs. They probably can’t keep up until the Third Town. With that decided, I sprinted west with all my might.
“(《Enhance》|Speed)”
I cast an enchantment and dashed forward. I had memorized the geography of the forest I had been gathering in. I cut through to the quarry in the shortest distance possible. However, the two behind me stayed close.
They really are above my level! But why are they targeting someone like me?
I can only think it’s because of the Earth Spirit Stone. Or maybe my funds. If they’ve figured out I’m carrying enhancement materials, it’s bad news. Even if not, if I get PK’d, half of my hard-earned 40,000G will go to them.
The advantage of the PK system is that you gain the victim’s funds. There’s no way I can handle two players with just my starting gear!
Being stalked by men, and on top of that, facing a life-threatening situation. It’s just a game, but still.
I need to make it to the Third Town, use the portal, and ask someone for help.
At the quarry, I avoided the Armadillo Mackerel and completely ignored the Sandman and Golem. The two behind me got caught by the Sandman. Yes! This gives me a chance to retreat, and I took a breath at the town entrance.
“Haah, haah, finally made it. What was up with those guys? Ugh, that was scary.”
I turned to look behind me, and thankfully, they seemed to be gone. Now, I need to return to the First Town and find someone to sell me a bow. And armor. Fabric armor. Ah, speaking of which, that tall man’s outfit looked pretty cool. I wonder where it’s sold as I activated the portal.
“Finally, I found you! You bastard!”
For some reason, the people from earlier were at the portal. How did they get back here so quickly?
“I thought I could make it to the Third Town in beginner gear. I didn’t expect to die and respawn.”
They’re back. I hardly have any business in that town, and if I’m using the portal to return, I just need to keep an eye on them.
“Hey, wait! Let’s talk!”
I ran again, this time to a place where those guys wouldn’t follow. No, I should hide somewhere until I can call for help. Magi’s shop would be a good place. With that thought, I started running.
Glancing back, I saw the two were sprinting after me, but they seemed slower than before. Oh, right, it must be the Death Penalty causing a drop in their stats.
Now’s my chance to rush into Magi’s shop.
“Magi… can I talk for a moment?”
Those men are coming. I can hear the footsteps of two people. My heart raced even faster, and though I couldn’t see them, I kept glancing around to figure out where they were. Even if PK isn’t possible in town, I don’t want to be around those kinds of people.
“What’s wrong? How’s the speed bonus accessory from before?”
Magi spoke in a rather casual tone. The two seemed to be regulars at Magi’s shop, Open Sesame.
“My speed is quite impressive. With five pieces of gear enhancing it, I could match speed-type players.”
“You were fast. If you could acquire speed-related skills with your leftover SP, you could aim for the fastest.”
The two spoke calmly about our dead chase.
“Just understanding that performance differences can be bridged with better gear is enough.”
Magi, you’re really something.
I looked up at Magi from behind the counter. Seeing her shake her head, she smiled and gave me an OK sign with her finger.
“What are you talking about? Recently, various blacksmiths have been coming to me for advice, but our rule is to sell at a fair price.”
“The fair price isn’t the issue. I know your skill composition pretty well.”
“What we want to know is about the ‘Mysterious Blue Potion Seller.’ We’ve heard about the effects of the potions you’re selling on consignment, Magi.”
Blue Potion? Is that referring to my Blue Potions? Why would anyone care about something anyone can make?
“Ah, I see. So you’re trying to forcefully extract the recipe for those high-effect potions from the Blue Potion seller to teach those with Alchemy or Synthesis skills, huh? Claude.”
Magi’s tone dropped a notch. I could see Claude, the man called out, flinch at her words.
“N-No, Magi! That’s not it! Claude is just curious. Besides, I’m interested in the beginner players you’ve been helping lately. Takumi’s Claude has also been wanting to know the sources of large furs and skins.”
“Listen, Lily. I don’t know what you two did, but the fact that that girl came to me for help is enough for me. And how is it okay to forcefully extract techniques? That girl’s efforts and advantages would be lost.”
This time, the loli-shota fell silent. Thank you, Magi. You’re reliable.
“So, what happened?”
“I wanted to hear the story from the beginning…”
“And?”
Magi looked down at me, her smile still present as she cornered the other party.
“At first, I thought I’d call out to her, but… I was waiting for the right moment… and then she ran away.”
When I finally called out to her as she exited the portal, she panicked and fled here… so this person is just a coward?
When I was called a bastard, I thought she was really angry.
“Seriously, what kind of foolishness are the top seamstresses engaging in? And you, Lily, should think about how a girl feels when chased by two men. Even if it’s a game, expressions and emotions are conveyed realistically. Just because it’s a game doesn’t mean ordinary ethics don’t apply, and it’s understandable if she feels threatened.”
—Magi, you’ve said everything I wanted to say. But I’m a guy. Different ethics mean that being a man isn’t a crime.
“Claude has a scary face, so of course, she would run away.”
She delivered the final blow with a smirk.
“I-I get it! I’m sorry! How about I prepare some goods as an apology?”
“Please, I’m asking you too, Magi.”
Magi let out a grand sigh.
“So, what will it be? Will you forgive them, Yun-kun?”
Her voice came from behind the counter. From what I heard earlier, it didn’t seem like they intended to do anything to me, so I guess it’s fine to show my face. Claude seems a bit intimidating.
He really is tall.
“Um, thank you, Magi.”
“…You were here?”
Claude looked uncomfortable.
“So, will you forgive them, Yun-kun?”
“I’ll forgive them. Since Magi said everything she wanted to say, it’s fine now.”
“I see, I see. Yun-kun, you’re a kind boy. I’m happy, big sister.”
“Stop calling me a girl. I’m a guy.”
“There’s no way such a cute boy could be a guy!”
Claude suddenly raised his voice.
Ah, I think I understand Claude a bit now. He’s like Gantz in that regard.
Receiving my cold stare, Claude cleared his throat, and Lily smiled wryly.
“So, can you introduce us?”
“Hmm. You’re the mysterious Blue Potion-selling Bow User, right?”
“I’m Yun.”
“Then you’re Yun, huh? Nice to meet you. I’m Lily, a carpenter, so come to me for bow-making requests. I’m getting tired of requests for staves.”
“I’m Claude. I mainly handle leather and fabric as a seamster.”
Ah, both of them are in production. That explains why they don’t seem to have any weapons. I was surprised because I thought they might be magic users.
“So, I want to ask, what’s this mysterious Blue Potion?”
Hmm. Everyone seems to have a subtle expression. I tried to ask, but it feels a bit out of place.
“The mysterious Blue Potion.”
That’s the potion sold on consignment at the metal weapons and armor specialty shop, Open Sesame.
The Blue Potion is equivalent to a potion when crafted, and it was valued in version 2 for being cheap to make, but the crafting difficulty requires Alchemy level 5 or higher, making it a high hurdle for players starting in the official version. This, combined with the fact that no one was making Blue Potions in the early potion rush, caused its price to skyrocket.
Currently, the prices of Potions have stabilized, but there are concerns that High Potions will soon skyrocket. Just then, a new healing item, the Blue Potion, has emerged.
While it may not match the effectiveness of a High Potion, its affordability and practicality have made it a sought-after item among players charging into battle, eager for the Blue Potion that opens the door to recovery. This has led to whispers of a mysterious Alchemist—or rather, a mysterious Blue Potion seller.
“We were looking for you… and, well, I apologize for scaring you.”
“No, it’s fine. So, I’m the Blue Potion seller…”
What a surprise. It’s simply a mixture of Blue Jelly and dried Herbs that has been extracted.
“That’s right, it’s Yun. The moment I noticed players entering without metal armor or weapons, it felt out of place.”
Indeed, neither the Bow nor the cloth armor are items that Magi sells in her shop.
[Well, as a broke crafter, I’m just selling Potions like this.]
“But I don’t like it. Do you even look at yourself?”
—”Um, yes…”
Claude’s face is scrunched up in a way that’s honestly a bit frightening. Magi seems to be enjoying herself, while Lily is nervously glancing back and forth.
“Why do we crafters care so much about our equipment?”
“Well, maybe for the stat boosts?”
- Claude’s eyes widen in surprise as I tilt my head slightly.
“Wrong! It’s because there’s romance in it!”
“Yes!”
“Certainly, having solid stats is essential in a game! However, if that’s the case, the system…”
The generic equipment created by the system is more than sufficient. We crafters seek what the system or the game doesn’t provide. For instance, if someone requests revealing clothing, I’ll make it. But simply creating a lewd outfit that shows too much skin would be tasteless. Additionally, it’s crucial to craft it beautifully and attractively. Yes, that’s where the romance lies! Just like the cat ear gear that Magi makes! Or the equipment that Lily crafts! Or my own romantic attire!”
I’m listening to this in Japanese, yet I can’t quite grasp what this man is saying.
“I’ll say this: you’re wasting good materials by sticking with your initial gear.”
“Are you… a pervert?”
“Well, Claude is a bit odd, but I can relate to some of what he’s saying. It’s fun to imagine how to make something user-friendly, how to tailor it to a person. I wonder how they’ll use it…”
Magi articulates this, and somehow, it feels like I’m beginning to understand.
“I don’t think that deeply when I make Potions. I just try to figure out how to sell them for a higher price.”
“I’m the same. I create what I want to create. Everyone is different, so that’s perfectly fine.”
Lily beams a carefree smile in my direction. It seems there are all sorts of people in the crafting profession.
“Now, here’s a proposal. No, not a proposal. If you pay, I’ll craft the best armor as a measured item.”
“Claude, you’re sounding quite condescending.”
“Yeah, um… please let me make the armor.”
“Claude, you’re being quite humble.”
“Huh? Who was it that chased after me? Lily?”
“Eh, I’m also P.”
“Of course, you two should apologize. Use your skills to do so. By the way, I’ll make it for 40,000.”
“Wait, the Magi who just lectured me on what it means to be a crafter suddenly shifts to a much stronger tone.”
“…That’s way too cheap! Cloth armor costs at least 40,000 for one piece. Six pieces total would be around 240,000 at the current market rate!”
“Who said it was just for Claude? It’s 40,000 for both of you combined.”
“Yikes! Magi, that’s ridiculous.”
“Magi, you’re going too far.”
“Honestly, Yun, you’re too kind. If you didn’t entrust me with your Potions, you’d be making money much faster.”
“Well, I’m not too concerned about money. But if I dig too deep, my sister’s complaints will increase, and I’m not in a rush. Magi, you said you’d sell at a fair price, right? That’s what I’m talking about.”