Chapter 75

Before heading to the production facility, I stopped by the Adventurer's Guild.

The receptionist fan club is at work again today. When I approach the counter, all of them start tracking my movements with their eyes—cut it out.

"Sorry, I need to confirm something."

"Yes, what is it?"

It's Nana with the ponytail. Last time, Emer's button flew off, but Nana seems fine, showing no signs of distress, though I won't specify where.

"I heard that there are special requests for registered clans. Are they posted on the bulletin board?"

"No, clan-specific requests are notified via email. They are not posted on the bulletin board. We are currently preparing them, and the first notification is expected to arrive soon. Whether to accept them is up to you, but the rewards are better than regular requests, so please make use of them."

"Got it, thanks."

Just as I was about to say thank you, something flew over from the side, and one of them almost hit my forehead, but I caught it in a panic. Looking in the direction it came from, I saw a surprised Emer.

—Was that a button? I see. Pink today, I see.

"Oooh!?"

A loud cheer rises from the audience. The female character's voice is drowned out in such moments, it seems.

"Sorry, are you okay?"

"! I'm fine."

When Emer bowed, another one flew over, and I caught it.

"Kyaa! Sorry!"

She leans in hastily, which only makes her cleavage more visible. I can see it, I can see it.

( ) not (Y).

"I'm fine."

I slightly shift to block the gazes of the regular visitors, place the buttons on the counter, and hand over a bath towel. It would be cool to give her a stylish scarf or jacket, but unfortunately, I don't have one, and my jacket is also armor, so I can't just hand it over. It's okay since they're unused.

"Thank you."

Emer is wearing the guild's jacket over her shirt, but it doesn't completely cover her chest.

"Emer, it's fine here, go change your shirt. Thanks, Homura."

Nana, shaking her ponytail, hurriedly adds her voice.

—I was so flustered that I started using polite speech without thinking. I confirm that Emer is covering her chest with the towel before leaving the counter as if nothing happened.

The audience is making a lot of noise, but I'll ignore it!

I was thinking of stopping by the archive room, but the gazes are too intense, so I decide to leave. That was the main reason I came, but there's nothing I can do.

From the men, I hear standard phrases like "So envious!! Damn!!" and a young girl's voice mixed in, wondering what she really wants.

From the few female adventurers, I hear comments about Emer's chest shape and how they wish they had grown more, or that chest size has racial limits like height. I learned a new fact...

Both men and women see dreams and hopes in Emer's chest.

After that, I quickly finished the production and consignment processes and planned to head to Ail to look for a riding beast, but I got more engrossed than expected.

When you reach level 30 in alchemy, you might be able to handle four materials, so I diligently produced dexterity rings +3. Every time my inventory filled up, I consigned them, but they sold quickly due to the high traffic.

It's good that my level is rising, but the convenient dexterity rings are no longer available on the sales list, so I shifted to making magic stones.

For low-rank gems, enchantments like resistance and enhancement can be applied if they are compatible with the gem, but the percentage is low, like 3% fire resistance. Combining two 3% magic stones can result in 4%, and further combining can exceed 5%, but the failure rate increases significantly. Higher-rank gems can start with 5% and are more efficient and cost-effective.

For the same rank and gem, the larger the stone, the higher the percentage, but too large can make it difficult to use in accessories. Resistance is easier to apply, but enhancement is harder.

The higher the stone's rank, the more magic it can contain, which is predictable.

Additionally, using two or more magic stones or combining magic stones with magic arrays might be possible. I managed to create two magic stones, but the total rank of magic stones that can be attached to a base material seems to be limited. Sometimes, even if attached, they don't activate.

I don't have the skill points to learn magic arrays, so that's a dead end.

Ideally, I want to add effects like a luck charm to accessories using the "Nether Boundary Stone" that can be worn at all times.

The tea-steeped group came out of the dungeon, and for some reason, I got a message from Petros.

Tea-steeped: Good evening~

Shin: Good

Leo: Haha! Good evening!

Kikuhime: Good evening~

Petros: Good good

Homura: Good evening

While responding, I read the message.

The content was a confirmation of whether it's okay to tell this group about the teleportation stone.

Homura: Petros, you can tell them, but with a non-disclosure agreement.

Petros: Got it, thanks.

Shin: What's up?

Tea-steeped: Two people are broke and can't use the temple's teleportation.

Leo: What's that about?

Kikuhime: Why?

I produced some leftover materials, left the private room, confirmed no one was around, and teleported. The exit is at the Dears temple. Since I'm coming out of the teleportation gate, I don't need to be careful.

"Good evening"

"Ah, you're here"

"Good good"

"Hey, I'll send a party request, join"

I joined the party at Tea-steeped's invitation.

"Clan chat, I was worried about accidentally sending a message to Roy's group"

Everyone switched to party chat.

"Thanks for your concern. Please keep this a secret from others."

"Sure thing"

"Of course!"

"Will do! Will do!"

Tea-steeped and Petros had already explained the teleportation, so I didn't have to explain or enforce the non-disclosure myself.

"To make a teleportation stone, you need to combine one light and one dark attribute stone. Bring them over."

"Got it"

"Let's do it, Petros, return the ones you owe"

"I need a break from the dungeon and will gather light and dark attribute stones."

"Me too, is there a good spot?"

"Are you serious?"

"Not only that, but since they're not a weakness attribute, the demand is high. I wish they would become a weakness attribute soon."

"If they become a weakness attribute, it means the enemies have the corresponding attribute, so light and dark might appear more often."

"Prices will drop sharply, I understand."

"Do we need all 'Teleportation Stones'?"

"Is there anything else?"

"There are 'Return Stones.' Simply put, 'Return Stones' are for returning from dungeons, while 'Teleportation Stones' are for moving between cities and can't be used in areas with enemies."

"Half and half!"

"Same here!"

"Me too~"

While Tea-steeped and Petros were talking, I exchanged items for three people. I'll refine the attribute stones I received later. I also completed the trades of potions I was asked for, feeling a bit relieved.

The 'Return' spell, when used in the field, returns you to the last teleportation gate you entered, and when used inside a structure, it returns you to the entrance. There are exceptions, but if the enemy's line of sight is gone, you can use it in the field or dungeon.

For example, the bonus effect for first-time users allows me to use 'Return' as long as I'm not in combat, even if the enemy is in sight. I haven't used it in such a situation because I usually eliminate approaching enemies, but it's quite unfair.

The 'Return Stone' also returns you to the last teleportation gate or the entrance of a structure. There's a chance of failure and random silver loss based on your evaluation. If it fails, the 'Return Stone' breaks.

For those who dislike gambling, try the Rank 10 evaluation from Renguard, which has no risk. It's not on sale yet.

If you use either without a teleportation gate, you'll return to the entrance of the last dungeon you entered.

The 'Teleport' spell allows you to choose a destination from open teleportation gates in non-combat areas. You can also teleport to marked locations, but you need a marking item and a magic array. The item is called 'Blessing of the Air Spirit,' but I haven't seen it. I don't have the skill points to learn the magic array. The bonus for first-time users is the ability to use it in the field without enemy sight.

The 'Teleportation Stone' teleports you to an open teleportation gate in non-combat areas. With a Rank 10 evaluation, you can cross borders, but with a Rank 9 evaluation, there's a 10% failure rate for international travel. The failure rate is higher than 'Return Stones' up to Rank 8.

In detail, it looks like this, but as I told Kikuhime, 'Return' is for dungeons, and 'Teleport' is for cities. At first, I thought 'Return' was a weaker version of 'Teleport,' but they have different uses.

"Announcement"

"Hmm?"

Tea-steeped suddenly spoke with a smile.

" My niece is here. "

"!!!!"

"Hahaha"

"I'm fine"

"What's up?"

Petros asked curiously.

"Whoa! Petros, let your hair down!!"

Shin hurriedly told Petros.

"Homura, lend him a robe"

"What?"

"What's going on?"

Petros put on a robe and let down his hair as Shin requested, though he was confused.

Tea-steeped's niece, the daughter of his older sister, recently had her coming-of-age ceremony, but I didn't know she played this game.

"In real life, she's so pure, with straight black hair, delicate, and reserved, like a character from a manga."

Shin sighed. Tea-steeped's hometown is a tourist spot, and everyone except Petros has visited the homes of the solo dwellers. His niece, who is close in age to Tea-steeped, once came to deliver something, and I met her in real life. She turned bright red and retreated after a brief greeting, so we didn't talk much.

Shin, who lived near Tea-steeped before moving for work, is familiar with his niece.

"She's so beautiful and slender, she could pass for fifteen or sixteen."

"So what?"

"Ah, in the digital world, it's the complete opposite, or something like that."

"If you're not careful, she becomes the target of homoerotic fantasies. I can't stop it, so please handle it responsibly."

Just as I was hesitating, a family member bluntly revealed it.

"You called her here on purpose, didn't you?"

"I don't have the confidence to handle the online crowd alone, sorry."

"Is she that strong?"

"Moderately muscular, medium height, short black hair, and a tan character is seriously dangerous."

"None of us fit that description, right?"

That's one reason I chose long hair.

"Recently, I've been into period dramas, and long hair is in, so I've been tying it up, which has been a headache!"

Shin shouted at Tea-steeped, adding more unsettling information.

"I see, that's why"

Petros understood his appearance.

"Apparently, this time, they made characters they like, so they're not causing trouble for others, which is a bit reassuring?"

"Can't do it!"

Why do shy people become so forward online? It's like a flood of fantasies. In previous games, I could ignore unwanted conversations by adjusting the sound settings, but how does it work in this world?

"Let's use the teleportation gate and run away."

Petros casually suggested.

"Good idea!"

"Speaking of which, let's leave Tea-steeped behind."

"Thinking calmly, we didn't need to meet."

"I'm tired of dark places! I want to go fishing!"

"Sure, sure, let's go to Sekan."

"Wait, don't leave me alone."

So, we left Tea-steeped behind and teleported to Sekan.

I can ignore the cries of complaint in the party chat. Sekan has a clear sky, not as starry as the Hill of Falling Stars, but it's a beautiful night. It feels very refreshing.

"Night fishing!!!!"

Leo shouted and ran off.

Shin, who has the [Fishing] skill, also headed to the sea, while Kikuhime started producing the clothes Petros requested. Leo and Shin suggested a feast with the fish they caught, so Petros and I wandered the market.

"Fishing, but I caught sea urchins!!!"

"Hahaha, I got some mussels!"

"Hey, the market has a good selection of meat and cheese. We'll use the dropped items for meat. There's wheat, but no vegetables."

"Oranges and lemons are available, probably imported by ship, along with olives."

"Maybe from Fagato. I found some bottled tomatoes."

"I want Japanese food."

"It's a bit difficult, but we'll grill some meat for now."

Shin, who loves meat, rice, and natto, hasn't decided to provide rice yet, fearing it will be eaten up.

"You guys are having fun without me!"

"Tea-steeped, just listen to your niece's enthusiastic talk."

"Great catch!!!"

"Hey, hey!"

"Why is Leo in his underwear?"

"This way, I catch more!!!"

When Leo and Shin returned, I ignored Leo's attire and started preparing the feast on the beach.

"Beach, but with a cat-foot table"

"Let me know if you see any iron furniture."

Petros pointed out, but I ignored it. I had forgotten to look for an iron table that wouldn't feel out of place outdoors, but even if I remembered, I don't recall seeing any in the places I've been.

First, a T-bone steak for Shin, with both sirloin and filet, perfectly cooked here even if it's difficult in the real world. Tea-steeped, who couldn't resist, joined the feast, bringing vegetables as a contribution.

Cream gratin in sea urchin shells.

Crab tart with bisque.

Octopus carpaccio.

Raw oysters with lemon.

Tomato and onion salad.

Butter rolls and small hotel bread.

Breaded and crispy-fried sheep meat cutlets.

Pork cutlets from an orc pig.

We have tartar sauce and Worcestershire sauce. I want to try oyster sauce, but the oysters are Kikuhime's favorite, so they won't last.

Ha ha ha! Enjoy the orc pork!!

"Damn, it's delicious."

"The crab is great! So good!!!"

"The pork cutlet stands out."

"You still don't care about making it Western, do you?"

Petros is sharp.

"It's orc pork."

I revealed it early to avoid trouble later.

"Ugh!"

"But the coating is crispy, and it's juicy and delicious, right?"

Kikuhime had already eaten it, a brave one.

"Ah, it's surprisingly good meat, orc pork."

I hid my inner turmoil and recommended the pork cutlet.

"Everything goes well with beer!!"

One bold person.

"Ah, bliss!"

Petros also joined in, influenced by Shin.

"Ah, right. We have this too."

I remembered the sake and brought it out.

"Ah! Sake!"

"Wow!"

"We only have one bottle, and we can't make more, so drink it carefully."

The feast continued.

I'll add that Leo was in his underwear the whole time he was eating.

I wonder if there's no such thing as a cold in this world...

Someone suggested adding a subtitle to the title for clarity, but I lack the talent for catchy phrases.

What would be a good one?

Ah, it's difficult to keep track of the word count, so I'll post my status when my level rises or I learn new skills.