Chapter 38

To address the seed shortage that was causing only half of the field to be operational, I used the portal to go to the third town and bought additional Yaku-Reisho and Ma-Reisho.

The field is roughly divided into Yaku-Reisho with 50 plants, Ma-Reisho with 50 plants, and 50 plants of Detox and Paralysis herbs. The remaining space is used for cultivating Vitality Trees and new items, but for now, Ma-Reisho is temporarily occupying that space.

I know my money has decreased, but I think I can recover it by selling Hypo and MP potions, so it's probably fine. I can make seeds through alchemy and give them to the NPC's daughter with instructions, and she will take care of the optimal management from there.

"Ah, Yun-san?"

"Yeah? What is it?"

When the NPC has something to discuss about the field, they will come and talk to me. It seems that talking to AI all day doesn't get boring. It's quite impressive.

"The Vitality Tree has taken root and started bearing fruit."

"Thanks. I'll go take a look."

When I replied, she gave me a charming smile. Hmm, what a detailed expression. I can't help but wonder if there's really no one inside.

The Vitality Tree, which was about as tall as my stomach, had three fruits. The shape of the fruit was like a huge garlic clove. It's quite surreal to see garlic growing on a tree.

"Hey, how do you use the Vitality Tree?"

"Well? I'll ask you the same thing, why did you plant it, Yun-san?"

"…I planted it because I had the seeds."

"…"

There's no need to create such an awkward atmosphere. If someone were operating it right now, I would definitely believe it.

To escape the awkward atmosphere, I started talking rapidly.

"Hey, I'm going out for a bit, so please take care of the harvest for me."

"Sure, have a good trip."

I ran away, but I had a proper reason. I contacted Magi and the others in advance to pick up weapons and armor. It seems we are supposed to gather at Reiri's shop today.

I ran through the town and headed to Reiri's shop on the east side. Claude's shop was also open, and there were people coming and going, but surprisingly, there were more female customers.

"No, it's just a coincidence. Just a coincidence. It's just that more women wear leather or cloth armor, right?"

I convinced myself and entered Reiri's shop. There were already customers inside, including a lightly armored mage and someone holding a staff. The shop displayed various weapons, such as gem-encrusted staffs, bows, and rare weapons like the flail, which is a striking weapon made of two sticks connected by a chain. The variety of weapons was different from Magi's shop and provided a different kind of enjoyment.

"Wow, interesting... There's even something like a pachinko machine."

A tool made of Y-shaped wood with elastic material and leather.

"Welcome, Yun. Your bow is ready."

I moved through the customers admiring the displayed equipment and faced Reiri across the counter. The shop had a slender NPC clerk who seemed to be running the shop smoothly. When Reiri and I moved to the back, the NPC clerk gave us a slight bow.

"They're here. Where are the other two?"

"Claude is still at the shop. Magi is waiting in the back."

"Can I go to the back too? I have something to show, and I don't want others to see it."

"What is it? Did you do something again?"

"Don't say it like that. I didn't do anything."

I complained, but the cute girl in front of me just laughed it off, making me feel a bit flustered.

"Hey, Yun. Hello."

"Magi, hello."

"Hmm, I don't think I need to be here, but there seems to be something."

"That's for later. Let's see."

Reiri said, and placed a longbow in the center of the table.

"This is the bow made according to your request. It's big, so it might be hard to handle, but try it out."

The bow, with its graceful curve, was black, reminiscent of ebony. The string was taut, and the bow felt heavy but manageable. It felt strangely comfortable in my hands.

Longbow of the Black Maiden [Equipment]

ATK +40 Additional Effect: ATK Bonus

Why is it called the Black Maiden?

"This is similar to Claude's armor. You can rank it up and add more effects with enhancement materials. If you like it, bring it back. You'll need to occasionally restore its durability... Can you handle it, Yun?"

"Yeah, it's heavy, but easy to handle. It might be hard to use while walking, but I think I can aim far with it."

I pulled the string without an arrow and let it go, producing a clear sound like a string instrument.

"...Wow, Yun."

"Really?"

"Some weapons and armor have negative penalties if they don't fit your size. For example, if you don't have enough ATK and wear metal armor, your SPEED will drop significantly, or if you try to lift a greatsword, you won't be able to. Bows also have this. You weren't rejected by the bow, which is impressive."

Magi explained the negative penalties of ill-fitting equipment and the concept of rejection, which was quite clever.

"The negative penalty for bows is damage reflection. In real life, archers get blisters and injuries on their hands. The same phenomenon happens here. If your DEX is low, you'll take damage every time you shoot an arrow. But it seems my worries were unfounded. I thought it might be manageable, but your DEX is more than enough."

When Reiri handed me the bow, she hesitated, probably because of this.

I didn't know that bows had such hidden challenges. And it seems that ill-fitting equipment is impossible to use. Come to think of it, Tak didn't wear full metal armor, only metal on his head and arms. The reason most players in town don't wear full metal armor might be due to a lack of funds, but it could also be because of these penalties. Hmm, it's quite deep.

"It seems Claude is here. Come in."

Reiri was chatting with Claude. Soon, Claude was led in by the NPC clerk.

"I'm the last one. Sorry for being late."

"Don't worry, we weren't waiting. Besides, Claude, you were doing that thing again, right?"

Magi waved her hand and said it with a sigh. "That thing?"

"What were you doing?"

"Taking screenshots for my blog. Of players wearing my clothes."

"...Creepy?"

"Rude. I gave them a detailed explanation. Their faces are hidden, and it's a blog introducing the clothes. And you are one of my models."

"Why me?"

"Your outfit is one of my masterpieces, the CS series. How can I not record it?"

"No, I didn't know. Just give me the armor."

Magi sighed, "You're so impatient. I'm mentally exhausted."

"Here, the inner and waist armor."

"Ah, thanks...?"

The inner armor was fine, with a black base and brownish-yellow embroidery, which looked like a cool emblem. However, the waist armor was problematic.

"Hey, this is underwear, isn't it?"

"This is a swimsuit, not underwear, so there's no need to be embarrassed!"

"I told you to stop with the skirts, and now it's a swimsuit? Even more embarrassing!"

"Relax, with the abdominal armor and loincloth, it will look like a skirt... Sorry, I went too far."

Magi raised her fist and smiled at Claude, with several rings on her fingers, including my Triun Ring. It must be an ATK enhancement ring.

"The real one is this."

Instead of the swimsuit, she took out hot pants. They were a dark green color, with a texture similar to jeans, making them easy to move in. The design was well-thought-out to hide the back with the coat's hem.

"CS No. 6 Oak Creator. How does that sound?"

"The series and number are a bit embarrassing."

"I won't budge on this. Look at the equipment stats."

Inner Armor: CS No. 6 Oak Creator

DEF +10 MIND +10 Additional Effect: DEX Bonus

Waist Armor: CS No. 6 Oak Creator

DEF +10 SPEED +10 Additional Effect: DEX Bonus

"Physical defense total is 36, magic defense is 10, and speed is 10. Just these three stats are better than a poorly made full metal armor."

I don't know. I think comparing it to my enchantment ring is not the right comparison, so I'll ask an expert.

"Is that true, Magi?"

"Really. In fact, the increased speed makes you more agile than in metal armor."

Really? It looks good, I guess.

"I have designs for the other three parts. I want to see the full Oak Creator outfit when you have the funds."

"Can't I just see the clothes?"

"The best model makes the clothes! I have no interest in clothes without a wearer!"

Wow, the lines are cool, but it means you want me to wear the clothes. I feel goosebumps.

"Reiri, can I change somewhere?"

"Sure, there's a private room over there. Please go ahead."

I changed into the Oak Creator in the designated room. The fit was better than the initial equipment, and I felt lighter. The speed boost was noticeable.

"I'm done changing."

Hmm, everyone is staring at me. Is my quiver on my shoulder okay? My hair is fine. Well, it's a bit odd to care about clothes in a VR world.

"It suits you. You look light, Yun."

"Wow, Yun, you look like a model."

"Indeed. My judgment was correct. Click."

The three of them gave positive comments, which was nice but a bit embarrassing. Reiri seemed to notice and came closer, leading me by the hand.

"Come over here and try shooting with the new equipment."

Reiri led us to the back of the shop, where there was a shooting range with a ten-meter width and a fifteen-meter depth, and a metal dummy.

"I made this for testing magic and bows. Try it, Yun."

"Sure, let me give it a shot."

I focused on the dummy fifteen meters away. I nocked an arrow on the new longbow and pulled the string. With the DEX bonus from the new armor, it felt easier to handle.

First shot. The arrow flew straight and hit the center of the metal dummy, leaving a small dent. Next, I moved to the right and shot. It hit the same spot. The third shot was from the left, and this time, the dent was larger. Fourth, fifth... I shot from both sides, stepping and moving intensely, but my body remained stable.

On the eighteenth arrow, the metal was pierced. I lowered the bow, sighed, and muttered to myself.

"I think it's a good shot. Before, I couldn't pierce metal."

"Wow, piercing metal with an arrow. That's a high-level skill for a ranged class, especially while moving, Yun."

"Before that, hitting the same spot every time means your DEX is very high. I want to see your stats soon."

That's a bit embarrassing to hear.

Claude, who was standing aside, was