Chapter 6

"Shadow, can we create a skill right here?"

Immediately, I summoned Shadow to create the [Bouncing Bullet] skill, and it appeared almost instantly with a polygon.

"Yes, it's possible. Currently, you have four skill creation rights. Would you like to use one of them to create a skill?"

"I'll leave it to you. What do I need to do?"

"You just need to think about the skill you want to create. I'll scan your thoughts and automatically form the skill."

This must be the skill creation system. I see, so Shadow is here to assist with skill creation?

"Alright, I'll leave it to you, Shadow."

"Understood. Please visualize it strongly."

With that, Shadow began to float rapidly near me, starting the scan.

I visualized the bouncing bullets from Aims, my reliable partner that can bounce off walls and floors in any direction, making me who I am.

"Analyzing target... Analyzing... Activating automatic skill creation system... Forming... Formation complete."

In just a few seconds, Shadow finished the analysis and came down to me.

"Scanning complete. Please confirm the skill."

Shadow then turned into a polygon and disappeared, replaced by a window.

――――――――

[Skill Creation System]

As a result of the scan, the [Bouncing Bullet] skill has been created.

Do you want to confirm this result?

[YES] [NO]

――――――――

Great, perfect. However, I can't see the details. While the name is correct, not being able to check the details is a bit inconvenient, but if I allowed it, the game balance would be ruined...

After a moment, I tapped [YES], and another window appeared.

――――――――

[Bouncing Bullet] Required Skill Points: 5pt

A skill that makes thrown items and ranged weapons like bows and crossbows bounce off walls and the ground.

――――――――

"Yes, I did it!!"

"Wow, awesome!!"

I raised my fist high, confident that I had gained even more than I hoped for. Honestly, I was fine with just the bow, but including thrown items is really a great skill...! It seems to have a wide range of applications.

"How about it, did you get the Bouncing Bullet skill?"

"Perfect, perfect. I'll try it out."

I immediately used skill points to acquire the [Bouncing Bullet] skill. Then, I picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at a tree. The stone bounced off the tree twice and hit Raijin's head.

"Ouch!? Villager, you aimed at me, didn't you!?"

"No way, I didn't. ...The test shot was perfect, though. Well, anyone can do two bounces, so my goal for now is 25 bounces..."

"Are you really aiming for that? Even two bounces are pretty hard... And 25 bounces? You'll be more than a cheater, you'll be a cheat!"

That's a bit harsh. It gets really difficult to calculate once it goes beyond that.

"Let's see what my current limit is."

I drew my bow and released an arrow. The arrow, which should have broken at a sharp angle, bounced off in an interesting way. After three bounces, it stuck into the tree on the fourth bounce.

"At my current skill level, three bounces is the limit..."

"You can force it with skill points, but since you use it regularly, I think you'll max it out quickly."

Hmm. [Bouncing Bullet] is definitely a skill I'll use a lot, so it's not a waste to level it up, but if it levels up with use, it might waste valuable skill points...

"Since bullets and arrows behave differently, I need to verify their behavior... This is getting exciting!!"

The range and distance are completely different from the bullets of Aims' anti-material rifle. I'll have to recalculate everything to make them bounce. Hehe, the verification will be fun!!

"Here comes the verification freak."

"Shut up, analysis freak. Self-improvement is a good thing."

I collected the valuable arrows and put them back in my quiver. After using them on the ground and for the test, all eight arrows were left with only one use left. It would be a waste to use them carelessly...

"So, I'll level up the [Bouncing Bullet] skill with pebbles, and Raijin, you go ahead and hunt."

"Sure, sure. Make sure to follow, Pon."

"Ha! I thought I was being ignored!"

I collected the pebbles and put them in my pocket. Raijin gripped his twin daggers, and Pon held a mini bomb.

"Put away the mini bomb, Pon."

"Okay..."

Despite Pon's dejected look, we resumed our exploration of the Felio Tree Sea.

◇

"Ah, sorry, both of you. I have something to do, so I'll log out for now."

"Already? You're logging out?"

After an hour of hunting, we had killed goblins, slimes, and occasionally red boars, raising my level to 8 and the [Bouncing Bullet] skill to level 3. I had also earned a decent amount of money, enough to buy a replacement bow. After returning to Faust temporarily, Pon said this.

"Yes, I have some errands to run... I'll log in again tonight."

"Okay. Send me a message when you log in."

"Hey, before that, do you want to add me as a friend in the game?"

"Sure. Hey, Raijin, you should too."

"I already added Pon as a friend. While you were struggling in the tutorial area."

"You always have to add that, don't you?"

While saying this, I sent a friend request to Pon, who accepted it with a very happy expression. Huh? Why is he so happy? It's a bit embarrassing.

"Hey, Raijin, me?"

Seeing Raijin's pouting face, the devil in my heart whispered.

"Do you really want to be friends with someone who constantly trolls you?"

"Hey, stop making that serious face. And you troll back, don't you?"

"Hehe."

"Hehe is not funny. Don't make me anxious."

Despite our usual banter, we are good friends. Hey, Raijin, don't read the anti-SBO thread out loud. I'm a victim too, you know.

"See you tonight! Bye!"

"Bye-bye."

Pon operated the menu, and his figure disappeared in a cloud of yellow particles, leaving me and Raijin. I waved goodbye to Pon, then turned to Raijin with my broken bow in hand.

"I want to go to the weapon shop. Where is it?"

"It's southwest from here."

"Lead the way, Shadow."

"Sure thing."

"Why not me!?"

Following Shadow's guidance, we headed to the weapon shop Raijin mentioned.

◇

Apparently, the prices in SBO's shops, including weapon shops, are not fixed. They fluctuate based on the supplier's situation and the buying and selling activities of players. So, popular jobs and high-demand items can become expensive, and their resale value increases. However, to avoid player disputes due to stockouts, there are no stockouts, and prices don't exceed a certain threshold. (According to Raijin)

"So, the weapons of popular dual-wielders, who have high DPS and are easy to handle, are generally expensive."

"Your tone is a bit sharp, isn't it?"

I received a glare from Raijin. I'm a good boy, so I'll ignore it.

"So, since I'm the least popular job, the purchase price is low, right?"

"Not necessarily."

"Huh? You're joking, right?"

"I already told you, the prices can fluctuate based on the supplier's situation. If they don't sell, the supply decreases, and the price goes up. You should check it yourself."

"Ugh..."

I thought unpopular jobs would have some system advantages, but there are none. With my bow not hitting, there's no way I'd get any special treatment. This is so bad, I'm starting to suspect the developers have a grudge against bow users.

I approached the weapon shop owner with a slight tremble.

"Excuse me, I want to buy a weapon."

"You're a bow user, huh? Sorry, but the stock is low, so the price is a bit high. Can you bear with it?"

Sigh, how high is it? I don't want to see it. My budget is around 2300 maney, and I don't want to spend too much...

"Wooden bow, wooden bow..."

I scrolled through the window displaying a large number of weapons. I remember Raijin saying it was 800 maney, right? Even that's expensive...!?

"1500... maney...!?"

It's nearly double the price when Raijin bought it. Ugh, this is tough (rolling eyes).

"Hey, Raijin. I've decided. I'm retiring! I can't play this crap game!"

"Hey, don't give up now. It was just getting fun."

As I was about to press the logout button, Raijin stopped me.

"Why are the developers so harsh on hunters..."

"There's a patch coming soon, so just hang in there..."

I bought the wooden bow with tears in my eyes. Oh, what a waste of money! Is it really okay to spend this much? (Just bought a wooden bow)

"Alright, every time... Ah, by the way, from now on, I'll sell to you at a discount, okay? Don't look so sad..."

Seeing my face, the weapon shop owner felt sorry for me. Hmm, interesting. AI with independent thought is impressive. It can even read and care for players' emotions. This could be useful in other ways (evil smile).

Seeing me with evil thoughts, Raijin sighed.

"What's with that sympathy sales pitch..."

"Ah, everything is 20% off now..."

Is this a special event? It could be valuable information to sell at a high price. I don't know the cause, but...

Raijin, who peeked at my window, blinked.

"Wow, I should have made the same face when I bought my twin daggers."

"I don't think it's an event that depends on facial expressions..."

The AI can't be that stupid, right? ...Right?

Just then,

"Oops."

"What is it?"

A bell rang, inaudible to others. This is a feature of the VR device, which connects the home intercom to the VR device to alert you of visitors since it completely shuts out real-world sensations.

"A visitor. Hmm, I don't remember ordering anything from Amazon recently."

"If it's a salesperson, that would be the worst."

"I'll check it out. Raijin, keep shopping."

"Got it."

I quickly pressed the logout button and left the SBO world.

◇

"Ugh..."

The scene changed from the RPG world to my apartment room.

I got up from the reclining VR chair, which is made of comfortable material to reduce the burden on the body during long use, stretched, and cracked my neck.

"Ah, I'll eat some instant noodles."

I placed the instant noodles I bought from the convenience store on the table, and the intercom rang again.

"Coming, coming, I'm coming."

Phew, I almost forgot.

I hurried to the living room, turned on the monitor, and checked the front door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Konno, your new neighbor. I came to say hello."

Ah, right, someone moved in next door. Of course, it's important to get along with the neighbors. I need to make a good first impression. The first words are crucial.

Konno, the woman who introduced herself, was a beautiful girl with a slightly childish but charming appearance... Oops, I almost started narrating.

Wait, hold on. This person looks familiar.

Where have I seen her...? I can't have seen such a beautiful girl before...

Ah, could it be?

"......Pon?"

After struggling to think, I said something that would be embarrassing if I was wrong and would make a bad first impression.

By the way, the condition to receive a discount at the item shop is to spend more than half of your total money in one purchase, show a sad face (role-play), and appeal to the shopkeeper's conscience to gain sympathy.

Thank you so much for the bookmarks! Being 9th on the VR daily ranking...! Thank you very much!

Your reviews and feedback are greatly appreciated as they boost my motivation to write!