Chapter 3 of 100

Chapter 3

8 min read2,005 words

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I opened my eyes, which had been closed.

However, a few moments before that, I had already sensed that the place where I was standing had changed.

It seems that the login to the game world was successfully completed.

What I could see was a large square paved with stone. It appears that this is the starting point of the game.

Behind me stood a large black stone monument, around which the square seemed to be formed.

Bazaars were being held all over the square, with mats and stalls set up, and the place was brimming with vitality.

And—right then, a system window appeared in front of my eyes.

"Welcome to the world of Magica Technica! Would you like to start the tutorial? Yes/No"

It seems that this game offers a tutorial for gameplay.

But, I can probably get a general idea from Asuka.

She said to look for her immediately after logging in, so I'll skip this.

I chose No to close the window and turned my gaze to the sword on my waist.

It seems to be equipped by being held in place by a belt, but... curious about the quality of the sword, I pulled it out and examined a part of the blade.

"Hmm... it's pretty ordinary. Just a mass-produced sword, I guess."

There was no sense of discomfort with the weight or balance of the sword, so I should be able to handle it as a regular sword.

I was wondering what to do if the balance was completely off, but this should be fine.

No issues with the weapon. Next is—ah, the random skill I chose earlier.

"Ah... was it 'Menu Open'?"

I declared the menu call word that Asuka had told me.

Instantly, a menu screen appeared in front of my eyes.

On the left side of the screen was a full-body image of myself, and on the right side were several menu options.

Information, Items, Status, Skills, Friends, Config, Logout... I can ask Asuka about the functions later.

There were a few things that caught my attention, but I decided to put them off for now and selected the Skills menu.

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.1》

Magic Skill: 《Enhancement Magic: Lv.1》

Set Skill: 《Dead Point Strike: Lv.1》

《HP Auto Recovery: Lv.1》

《MP Auto Recovery: Lv.1》

《Plundering Sword: Lv.1》

《Mining: Lv.1》

Sub Skill: None

■Current SP: 0

"Huh? It's properly displayed. 《Plundering Sword》 and 《Mining》?"

I'm pretty sure 《Mining》 was one of the skills listed in the skill selection. So, it's a regular skill.

But, 《Plundering Sword》. This skill wasn't listed in the skill selection, as far as I can recall.

I might have skimmed through it, but I don't remember seeing this name.

Feeling a bit excited, I checked the details of the skill.

■《Plundering Sword》: Attack Active Skill

Absorbs a portion of the damage dealt to enemies and restores HP.

Consumes MP to activate, and the effect applies only to the next attack action.

The absorption efficiency depends on the skill level.

■《Mining》: Support Passive Skill

Highlights mining points and adds bonuses to items obtained through mining.

Bonuses include increased item quality and quantity.

The increase rate depends on the skill level.

"Hmm, this is... interesting."

While 《Mining》 is fine, 《Plundering Sword》 has an interesting effect.

If I can use attacks as a means to recover HP, my sustained combat ability should improve.

As for the MP consumption, as long as I avoid taking too much damage, 《MP Auto Recovery》 should restore it.

And 《Mining》 isn't useless either.

If I can get ores, I might be able to make swords, and there are definitely uses for it.

Even though I only got one big hit, I can say that this is a satisfactory result.

"Next... should I fiddle with the config?"

I pressed it out of boredom, but to be honest, I don't really understand the options.

What caught my attention were the pain setting and the grotesque content filter.

Come to think of it, I've heard that in VR games, pain is partially blocked for safety reasons... the pain setting is probably that.

While it's generally necessary, it's just a hindrance to me.

Pain is a sensor. If it's dulled, it could delay my reaction in combat.

So, I set the pain setting to 100%. I ignored the warning and self-responsibility windows that appeared during the setup. I also turned off the gore filter.

"Alright, this should be fine. Now, where is that idiotic disciple?"

Asuka said she would wait at the login point, but... I don't see her anywhere.

Did I just not notice her? But, I've seen her movements before. If she was nearby, I would have noticed.

While I was scanning the surroundings, I noticed two figures approaching me.

Hmm, it seems she was just a bit late—

"---So, I already declined that offer."

"But, Mr. Hizuru! For a player of your caliber to leave the front lines—"

"First of all, I'm not a member of your party. There's no reason for you to restrict my actions... I'm sorry."

It seems she was being hassled by some troublesome people.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched my disciple, who had noticed me and hurriedly ran over.

Asuka, who had reached me in a hurry, pushing away the man who had been talking to her, looked up at me with an apologetic expression and spoke.

"I'm sorry, Master! I didn't expect you to be logged in already."

"Don't apologize. I didn't set a specific time either. Besides, you were being hassled by some troublesome people, right? If it's not your fault, you should defend yourself. Got it?"

"...Yes, thank you, Master."

She whispered and looked up.

Basically, she looks the same as usual.

But, her red-themed outfit and deep crimson hair gave her a different impression from her usual self.

While it's a bold color, it suits her surprisingly well.

Is this the effect of the game?

"Um... is your character name Quon, Master?"

"Seems easy enough, right? And you... Hizuru? Another subtle reading... you still like the six coins, I see."

"It's fine, isn't it, to that extent?"

Asuka—no, Hizuru, blushed slightly and frowned.

While her gesture is familiar to me, the surroundings are a bit strange.

Many people are looking at us and murmuring. The center of attention seems to be Hizuru, but some impolite gazes are also directed at me.

It's not a pleasant situation to be in. I might as well leave this place quickly to calm down.

"Alright, Hizuru. Show me around. After all, I skipped the tutorial."

"I expected you to do that, Master. So, first—"

"Wait, Hizuru-san!"

Hizuru, sensing my intention, turned to leave.

But, it might have been a mistake to pull my hand—suddenly, a man's voice rang out.

It was the man who had been hassling Hizuru earlier.

A blue-haired man with an overly elaborate design of armor and a long sword, looking like a warrior.

To be honest, it doesn't seem very functional, but can he really fight with such weapons and armor?

Ignoring my doubts, the man spoke to Hizuru with a voice tinged with anger.

"Hizuru-san, are you saying you'll leave the front lines to guide this man!"

"So what if I am?"

That's an unusually cold voice for her.

It seems he's quite disliked.

Well, given his behavior, it's not surprising.

"You are the strongest player in MT! Your leaving the front lines is a loss to the entire game! As someone who has partied with you—"

"We only partied during a past event, and we haven't adventured together since. There's no reason for you to restrict my playstyle, and it's unpleasant to be approached like this."

The blue-haired man was speechless at her blunt response—and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Oh well, there are always people like this.

In the game world, where people are less restrained, there might be even more of them.

I couldn't hide my smile, but it seems this man didn't like it.

He turned his attention from Hizuru to me.

"---What's so funny, you newbie!"

"Everyone starts as a newbie, right? You're not much different, are you?"

"Ha... really a newbie, I see. I am 《Blue Sword Shadow》! One of the top players, Fried!"

"Is that so?"

I was implying that the game hasn't been running long enough for there to be many top players... but it doesn't matter if he's delusional.

More importantly—

"Hey, Hizuru. Didn't you say there are plenty of strong opponents in this world?"

"Huh? Yes, but—"

"If he calls himself a top player, where are the opponents I should be looking forward to?"

"Wha—"

His movement, weight shift, everything is off.

Just by looking at his movements, it's clear he's a complete novice, someone who has never even dabbled in martial arts.

If someone like this can be a top player, the others must be pretty weak.

"Um, Master... most players are like this. The opponents I mentioned are the enemies that appear in the fields and dungeons."

"Oh, I see... I was about to be disappointed after logging in for a few minutes. Alright, then show me around quickly."

"Yes, that's fine, but—"

Just as Hizuru whispered, a flying object came from the side.

I immediately caught it. It was a white glove, judging from the sound.

It seems the one who threw it was that Fried guy. Was this an attack?

As I thought this, a window appeared in front of my eyes.

---I couldn't help but smile at the display.

"【Fried】 has challenged you to a duel. Do you accept? Yes/No"

"Hmm? You're challenging me, kid?"

"Stop mocking me, you newbie! I'm here to teach you your place!"

"Teach me my place, huh... alright then."

"Wait, Master!?"

I chuckled and pressed Yes on the window, which had various conditions listed.

Hizuru tried to stop me, but a hemispherical area expanded, and everyone except Fried and me was removed from the scene.

So, this is the duel arena. It's not very large, but it's enough for combat.

I smiled and drew my sword, holding it in a ready stance.

"I'll make you pay for insulting me... come at me!"

"Hey, hey, what are you talking about? I'm not the type to let a novice take the first move."

"Wha—!"

Fried looked down and trembled.

What I said was true. It's only right to let a novice take the first move.

---Besides, I'm better at reacting to attacks.

"Enough, already!"

Unable to bear the repeated provocations, Fried shouted and charged.

He held a blue-tinted long sword. Indeed, his running speed is quite good.

But, his center of gravity is off, and his stride is wrong. There's no feint, and his attack is completely predictable.

He swung his sword in a diagonal slash. Therefore—I caught his blade with the edge of my sword.

Sword technique—soft form, flowing water.

"---!"

I deflected Fried's attack to the side, causing him to lose his balance.

If he were properly trained, he would have noticed his attack being deflected—but he probably doesn't even understand why his body is stretched out.

Without waiting for him to realize, I struck the exposed neck with a reverse slash from below.

The well-aimed slash cleanly severed Fried's neck, and his head flew off.

His body fell, and a moment later, his head hit the ground, both disappearing in a spray of blood.

After witnessing this—I sighed.

"Indeed, just as I expected."

■Avatar Name: Quon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 2

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 2)

STR: 10

VIT: 10

INT: 10

MND: 10

AGI: 10

DEX: 10