Chapter 34

"Wow, it's like a game, but that's amazing!"

"Yeah, until now, the only way was to switch to new weapons and armor, but with this enhancement, we might be able to create better equipment than new ones!"

"The problem is the materials, right?"

"I'll tell you later what materials are needed, but for now, we just have to gather them."

*Hmm... So this means we can make our current equipment stronger. There are also weapons that we can't equip because our levels are too low, so this could be a good way to connect them. Besides, Mochizuki is learning more and more skills that are like a blacksmith's. I'm kind of the same, but...*

"So? What about Hagizawa?"

Looking at him, Hagizawa is looking down and trembling. *What's wrong? Did he draw a terrible ability? Like turning into a bomb or self-destructing? Or maybe an ability with a concept of a spectacular explosion?*

"U... Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

Hagizawa makes a very excited pose and then looks at us.

"That attitude means you got something good, right?"

"Yeah!"

"Come on, don't keep us in suspense, tell us!"

"Sure, sure!"

It seems Meguru is also curious.

*What kind of ability could Hagizawa have gotten in this situation? Based on the trend so far, it's probably something related to item creation. Cost reduction? Or a combat-oriented ability? Like generating bombs with magic power?*

"Trading."

"Trading?"

*Trading... What? Maybe he can now buy materials? But he seems too happy for that.*

"Yeah, apparently, it seems we can convert obtained materials into points!"

"So, that means we can convert materials that we've been struggling to store, like the Metal Turtle's materials, into points!"

*That's amazing!*

"Moreover, we can use points to generate materials we've obtained before, up to a certain extent!"

*Wow! What an incredible ability! The point consumption will increase, but being able to get necessary materials without fighting is a big deal.*

"With this, we can get better items from Habashiro... Japanese luxury items... Hehe..."

*No way, he's more interested in food than in making good equipment. So typical of Hagizawa.*

"With this, it should be easier to get Mochizuki to make good weapons, right?"

"Yeah. If points are easier to get, we can make even better equipment!"

*This is going well.*

"Besides, if we use the ores we've collected, we can also deal with the Eightbird problem to some extent."

"Yeah, I think we're about to enter an area where dangerous monsters will appear. Be careful."

"Getting too excited and overdoing it can be dangerous. But either way, it's a good ability."

"Right, shouldn't we go back and get Itto before she gets angry?"

We nod at Meguru's words.

*We have some minor injuries and our magic power is also decreasing due to the repeated use of the transfer. It seems like a good time to take a break.*

"Let's go back, then."

"Yeah. While we wait for Itto to prepare, Hagizawa, convert the materials we don't need into points."

"Of course, I've been dying to do that!"

So, we quickly returned via the transfer.

"I'm getting hungry from the night battle."

"Well... It's usually sleeping time, isn't it?"

Meguru wakes up Itto, who had been taking a nap, and starts preparing. During this time, Mochizuki hands over the materials he no longer needs to Hagizawa, who uses his expanded trading ability to convert them into points. It's quite a surprising sight to see the materials disappear in front of our eyes, turning into light.

"Can you sell other people's items too?"

*Hmm, a thought just crossed my mind.*

"Huh? Then, Habashiro, hold this Bone Sword for me."

"Sure."

Hagizawa uses his ability as instructed.

*Do you want to sell the item you're holding? Yes / No*

"Something like a confirmation message appeared in my vision..."

"Then, let's do the next experiment. Sakachi."

"Huh?"

Mochizuki points to a mineral he often uses.

"Huh? A confirmation message appeared in my vision too?"

"It seems this ability requires the owner's consent to appear."

*I see. So, the materials we've been converting into points so far were ones Mochizuki had given to Hagizawa, meaning the ownership had been transferred.*

"How many points did you get in total?"

"Disposing of the junk... about 87,000 points."

*Wow... Considering we used to get around 4,000 points in two hours with everyone, this is a huge improvement in efficiency.*

"The Metal Turtle's shell can be converted into a high value. Habashiro, we might want to focus on that."

"How much exactly?"

"One shell can be sold for over 5,000 points. It seems we can also sell organs and even the corpses of monsters!"

*Perfect! While the others are wasting time, we might be able to earn even more.*

"Apparently, the points for the combat group are personal assets. They can get me to make weapons within their personal budget."

*We have to contribute a bit to the others, though. The combat group has it tough too.*

"Should we make a second Metal Turtle sword, or enhance our weapons, or make new ones..."

While everyone is pondering Mochizuki's words, Itto and Meguru come over. Of course, Meguru has already explained the situation to Itto.

"I heard. Daisuke, that's amazing!"

"Yeah! The point efficiency has improved even more, so we have to decide what to do next."

"Right, what should we do?"

"First, we need materials, whether we're making something or enhancing. How about we enhance the armor of Kousuke and Meguru, who are in the front line?"

Following Mochizuki's instructions, Meguru and I take off our armor made from Mini Dragon skin and hand it to Mochizuki.

"Let's see, with the materials I have, I can enhance it..."

Mochizuki lights the forge and uses his expanded ability. It seems he's going to enhance the armor using Mini Dragon skin and minerals. He brings out a lot of hidden materials and places his hand over them. The armor floats up, glowing, and combines with the fire in front of Mochizuki, forming a round membrane.

"Itto."

"Sure."

Itto provides magic power to the hammer Mochizuki bought from Japan, and Mochizuki repeatedly strikes the light membrane. During this time, we receive healing from Itto. Finally, Mochizuki strikes the light membrane with a particularly strong blow, and it bursts, being absorbed into the armor.

"Done! I've enhanced it as much as I can with the materials I have."

Mochizuki hands the two pieces of armor to Meguru and me.

*Mini Dragon Skin Armor +5, Effects: Shock Resistance, Wind Resistance*

*Wow... +5. When I equip it, the defense is about twice as strong as before. The Mini Dragon skin armor has decent defense, so this is really solid.*

"I used a lot of points, but I think it's much stronger now."

"Yeah... How does it compare to the combat group's armor?"

"Only in terms of defense, it's on par. Compared to the equipment we made last time. We can still enhance it, so it's just a matter of time before we surpass them."

"Does that mean the day of the final battle is approaching?"

"No..."

Mochizuki mutters slightly regretfully.

"Even with the better equipment, I don't think we can win with our current levels and abilities. The granted effects are also a concern. No matter how good the equipment gets, it's still hard to say we're on par."

"...Yeah. I also think we're still within the range of being exploited."

Meguru puts on the armor and responds. *That's true.*

"Can we make armor or shields from Metal Turtle materials? If we can use their weapons effectively..."

"It's difficult. It requires three times the points and materials of a sword."

"Even if we hunt them, they're rare..."

"I already converted them into points!"

"We have to sell to earn points, so it can't be helped. At least we have a goal."

I notice Hagizawa, who is feeling guilty, grabbing his head and looking down.

"We can look for other materials and minerals that can be sold at high prices. Hagizawa, you're our main earner, so do your best."

"Sure! Habashiro! I'll do it!"

*However, I feel like we've managed to get some really strong equipment. I have a feeling that the areas where we've been struggling will become much easier.*