Chapter 31

Next is production, then combat.

It's now past 11:00 PM in-game, and just before midnight in the real world.

Since it's too much trouble to go out and come back, I'll log out for a break and then head to the southern forest. My level is higher than when I used a shield as a swordsman, so I'm hopeful that I can manage on my own. If it doesn't work out, I'll just run away.

On the way, I fought a snake.

To be prepared in case I got bitten, I took an antidote and a life activation potion, and with my nerves on edge, I swung Ruba's sword at the snake.

It was one hit.

What was I so nervous about!

Well, even in a party, it took three attacks to take it down, so maybe I was just too nervous for my first solo combat. The gap between my worries and the result left me standing there for a moment, but I moved on when other players came by.

It was one hit.

What, the poison frog.

It's probably thanks to Ruba's sword, the Gale Boots, and the Skillful Gloves, rather than my level. I'm not sure whether the sword's attack power or speed and dexterity are the factors.

Now I'm on a killing spree with wolves.

The spawn rate of black wolves during the day is the opposite of gray wolves. The accompanying gray wolves seem much stronger during the day, but it's not a problem. The effect of [Beast Slayer] is also in play.

[HP Natural Recovery] didn't work during combat, but [Lone Adventurer] recovers 5% of my total HP and MP at regular intervals, about once every ten seconds. With the life activation potion, I recover as soon as I take damage, so my HP barely decreases, and I almost feel like I should apologize to the wolves.

However, if I take a hit all at once, it's not good, so I took the [Evasion] skill. If my HP recovery is zero, it's not a conversation, and I'm aware that my defense is low.

[Evasion] and [Body Techniques] don't have levels. It seems that when you buy a book, your knowledge increases, and when you experience something, you remember the pattern and gradually smooth out your movements with each experience. If [Evasion] activated just by standing still, it would look like a comedy sketch. It's more like a skill to improve your motor skills.

When I summon Kurohoshi, he uses a defensive skill called [Wings of Darkness], which makes my body and equipment glow a faint purple. It costs 200 MP, and the highest-level magic I can use now is a level 5 enchantment, which costs 20 MP. Once summoned, it takes twenty minutes to summon again, and I've heard that the time decreases as the spirit's intimacy increases.

While [Wings of Darkness] is active, I hardly take any damage, which is what you'd expect from a high-level spirit. But I got so absorbed in slaughtering wolves that I didn't notice when the recast ended.

Then I realized.

If you stab the joints, the soft parts of the body, you deal more damage. Depending on the location, you can also hinder the enemy's movement. Regardless of hindering movement, I remember that Galahad dealt the most damage when he swung his two-handed sword down like he was smashing it. The way you attack and the damage you deal may depend on the characteristics of each weapon.

After the battle, I cast [Shadow] and look for wolves.

This time, there are six, the maximum number. It might be a matter of mood, but I approach them from downwind and attack. During the battle, I noticed that the higher the damage, the more likely it is to be a critical hit. For wolves, it's the throat, which is a weakness. I aim for it and swing my blade upward from below.

The accompanying gray wolves can be taken down with one hit without aiming for their weaknesses, but I aim for them to get used to it.

First, one, and while the first one disappears in a flash of light, I take down the second. By the time the wolves notice me and start to counterattack, I've already taken down three.

Enemies try to protect their weak points. At first, it was difficult to aim for the throat of a wolf that had turned to face me, but now I'm used to it. Just before the wolf pounces, I lower my stance, and when its head rises and its throat is exposed, I strike. If I miss, my attack won't land, and I'll take a hit, but thanks to the recovery effect, it's not a problem. If I don't get hit by other wolves and my attack doesn't deviate, I can almost always land it.

If it's a physical attack, a critical hit can take down a black wolf in one hit!

...I wonder which boss drops the magic equipment for solo rewards.

I'm pretty used to aiming for weak points, so I was going to try to take down the gray wolves with magic, but I end up slashing them. I use [Slash] without thinking and just keep slashing.

How to connect the next move without wasting time.

Positioning.

Direction of evasion.

The trajectory of the sword.

It's quite fun.

I saw a few players fighting snakes, but the southern forest is still empty. Is the west more efficient? I've only fought bosses in the west. Taking advantage of the emptiness, I continue to fight wolves. Since there are more spawns at night, there's no shortage of targets. I just have to be careful not to let multiple packs merge.

When I used the shops in town, I realized that if you don't worry about the details, you can progress with the same feeling as a normal RPG. However, by finding hidden shops, interacting with residents, and observing and devising strategies in battles like this, you can gain levels, skills, or something else to become stronger. Most of all, it makes you feel like you're really in this different world.

[Your sword skill has leveled up.]

[By defeating 500 enemies by targeting their weak points, you have obtained the skill [Keen Eye].]

[By defeating 500 enemies in a row with minimal movement using a sword, you have obtained the skill [Footwork].]

[By defeating 500 enemies in a row without using attack skills and with a sword at a level higher than your own, you have obtained the title [Sword King].]

[You have obtained the title reward item [Master Ring "Sword"].]

Wait.

That title is too early!!

No matter what, isn't that title too early?! Personally, I thought it would appear near the end! Well, it might be difficult to defeat higher-level enemies in a row near the end!

...

For a while, I fought the urge to scream or grab someone by the collar and shake them.

And the Master Ring is overpowered.

The basic stats are STR x2, DEX x1.5, AGI x1.5, and LUK x1.5. According to the description, there are five types of Master Rings: "Sword," "Fist," "Magic," "Holy," and "Skill," and each has five more, appearing on the fingers of the top five qualified individuals.

The title is not permanent; after the ring is transferred to someone else, it changes to [Former Sword King].

What does "top" mean? It turns out to be the record of defeating higher-level monsters with a sword. No skills allowed, and the greater the level difference, the better. It doesn't have to be consecutive. I still only have the [Slash] skill.

I'm relieved it's not for player vs. player battles. It would be a hassle if someone interfered with what I'm trying to do.

It would be a problem if [Former Sword King] was mass-produced in a fixed match, and with the ring's performance, the winner would be clear in a sword battle unless there's a significant equipment difference. ...Yeah, I'm glad I have the Gale Boots and Skillful Gloves!

The ring has a concealment function, so I turned off the equipment display.

The effect of the [Sword King] title is to ignore physical defense when attacking with a sword. The damage is entirely dependent on the player's stats and weapon. You can cut golems and slimes too!

It's a title that lives up to its name!

Even if it's not permanent, I still think it should appear near the end!

Well, I guess it might end up in someone else's hands soon enough!!!!

What are the conditions for the other Master Rings? For now, I'll hold back on using my sword in front of others.

Before I knew it, it was almost morning.

The yellow moon had set, and the white moon was still visible as the sky turned a light purple. I must have been quite absorbed. If I go back now and have a meal at the restaurant, I'll be just in time for the workshop to open.

[Keen Eye] is a skill that sees through weaknesses and concealments, depending on the [Animal Monster Appraisal] level.

[Footwork] is a skill that is not affected by terrain, allowing you to move without negative penalties even in muddy areas.

I'm happy about the title, but it's so overpowered that I can only say "Wow." Maybe it's not that rare, though?

For now, I'll cast [Shadow] to avoid being bothered on the way back to town and take it easy.

As I could see the town, I took off the [Yaggyakuru Mantle], [Circle Moss Chestplate], and [Gale Boots] and changed into a robe and staff. I'll ask the boy to make me a long staff.

I dispelled [Shadow] and went through the gate.

Incidentally, if you enter with [Shadow] active, the gatekeeper will stop you. There's a magic removal stone next to the gate, and if you get close, any temporary effects from magic will be dispelled. You can dispel it yourself, but to avoid startling others, it's recommended to do so around the stone.

My weapons didn't wear out as much as I thought, but my armor was in bad shape. I went to the repair shop to have the durability restored.

As I was about to leave after the repairs, I saw a group of people excitedly holding up a glove.

I remembered that you can enhance equipment with magic stones.

I stopped heading for the exit and went to the counter that accepts enhancements.

"Sorry, can you tell me about enhancements?"

"Yes, both weapons and armor can be enhanced, and there are several types."

"First, there's the enhancement to increase weapon attack power. This consumes magic stones and can be enhanced up to ten times, with a +5 attack power increase per enhancement."

"Armor can be enhanced in the same way to increase physical and magical defense, depending on the type of magic stone. You can either increase one by +10 or both by +5."

"If you fail, the base durability of the equipment will decrease by -10, and if you fail ten times, the durability will be 0, and the equipment will be lost. The consumed magic stones will not be returned."

"By using attribute magic stones during production, you can add various effects to weapons and armor. You can also add additional processing later. The number of effects you can add depends on the rank and material, and if you fail, the durability will decrease, and you may receive negative penalties or become weaker."

"There are various types of magic stones, such as those that increase attributes and those with special effects, so it's good to try different ones."

"Sometimes you can use magic stones as they are, but refining related to magic stones is handled by alchemists, so if you want higher precision, I recommend finding a skilled craftsman to request it."

"Can you introduce me to one?"

"If our facility is too busy, we can introduce you to one."

The dog-eared receptionist smiled. She's telling me to spend money here first.

"Thank you."

I thanked her and went outside. There seems to be an alchemist in this town, so I'll look for one later.

I ate a gratin and dessert at the restaurant and moved to the crafts district, summoning Shiro.

"Well, Shiro, my budget is 200,000 sil."

"A full set of equipment, then."

"What color do you think would look good?"

"Are you asking me? Don't you have a woman around?"

"Nope."

I've heard of online dating, but it always sounded like a different game to me. Quest-solving and combat are more fun, so I doubt this game will have online dating.

"If I choose, it will be white or black."

"White, by the way, I found something that looks like tableware."

Shiro chose a white coat with green patterns on the hem and sleeves, which reminded me of a teacup.

"Tableware?"

"I found it in Fos. How about we have some tea later?"

After being urged by Shiro, I chose and bought a white coat with green patterns and a purple robe with a white hem.

I ended up sitting on a nearby bench and pouring tea into a teacup. I want a room where I can relax, but I should have shown it at the inn.

"Indeed, that's the cup he made."

"I couldn't find a matching saucer, but I don't think it would look odd if we combine them."

I showed the engraving on the back of the extra saucer.

"It seems he valued Shiro a lot."

I poured fragrant black tea into the teacup while Shiro was silent, looking at the engraving. I placed the cup next to Shiro and drank my tea while watching people pass by.

"People's lives are short."

"Yeah."

After finishing the tea, Shiro returned.

I got a bit sentimental, but I pulled myself together and continued shopping.

Not as good as the [Gale Boots], but I got a pair of boots that increase speed and a pair of gauntlets that increase defense, both in a similar design with a dark green color and silver trim. I also bought white gloves that increase magic power.

When will the players' craftsmanship surpass the residents of this town? I thought about that while visiting the workshop where the boy Julius is.

"Excuse me, are you open yet?"

I spoke to an elderly woman who was sweeping in front of the shop.

"Just opened."

"I want to buy a staff from Julius."

"Julius, we have a customer~"

She called out to the back, looking surprised but happy. With his soft, blonde hair, he might be the boy's mother.

"Ah, Homura-san!"

"Hey."

Julius, who looked sixteen, came over with a light, quick step.

"Can you show me your new staff?"

"Yes!"

He ran back and came out with three staffs.

"The staff I gave you before was rank 10, so I made three at rank 20."

He explained the features of each one.

A brown staff that is straight at the bottom and twists as it goes up, of normal length. Rank 23, evaluation 8.

A simple, matte green staff with a metallic texture, slightly shorter. Rank 25, evaluation 6.

A staff that turns redder as it goes up, with a flame-like head. Rank 27, evaluation 6.

"...The evaluation has gone up?"

Ruba's sword had an evaluation of 10, so I thought it was a 'special individual.' But since the residents' creations were uniformly evaluated at 4, it seems Julius has become a 'special individual.'

"Yes, I couldn't get past evaluation 4, but while trying different things to make Homura-san's staff, I managed to. But I said I prepared rank 20s, but in reality, they become evaluation 3 or lower at rank 30, and this is the best I can do now."

I think it's amazing that he can produce anything other than evaluation 4, but he's blushing and being modest.

"That's impressive."

I held one and looked at it, smiling naturally. It's nice to see an acquaintance grow.

I chose the dark green staff at rank 25. The rank 27 one had higher stats, but the head was too big, and the balance felt off when I held it. The dark green staff felt comfortable in my hand.

"Can I add a magic stone from rank 20?"

"Do you handle magic stones here?"

"Yes, but we only have basic ones that slightly increase magic power or vitality."

"Do you get them from alchemists?"

"No, from the commercial guild. I've heard that skilled alchemists are in the capital, but many of them are reclusive and don't like socializing, so it's difficult to contract with each workshop."

The capital, huh. I should register for the transfer to Sekan and the capital.

According to Julius, with his current skill, he can add one magic stone to a staff of this rank with a 90% success rate, and the second one with a 30% success rate.

"I'll ask for one."

I had him add a magic stone that increases magic power and left the workshop.

I asked for one in the 30s to 40s and handed over a patka.

When I asked what materials he would use, he said mainly wood, metal, and gems that are compatible with magic, and magic stones, so I also gave him a ruby that dropped from Circle Moss.

The price was