Chapter 71

"Anyway, with this, everyone's equipment in the class should be well-supplied as long as they have the points, right?"

Despite the metal turtle weapons being a bit overpriced, I think if everyone gets a set, they won't die easily.

Thinking that, I took the Ryks gold coins and asked Moshin to turn them into points to get everyone's equipment.

"Yeah, I provided weapons and armor for the combat-oriented guys. They said they'd give me the points they earned later. I did a lot of enhancements, so they've become quite sturdy and can easily take down strong monsters."

Ito and the others are doing a lot of things, too.

"The country's knights told me. Everyone's levels are rising at an astonishing speed, to the point where they can't keep up."

"That's great."

"Everyone says they're using part of the points they earn to provide equipment for those who are lagging behind."

"Wow..."

"That's why I'm thinking of making even stronger weapons to become even stronger..."

Moshin frowned, looking troubled.

What's wrong?

"Everyone is fighting with the weapons that Kosei defeated the metal turtles with."

"Yeah."

"But when it comes to the Full Metal Turtle, the points required are off the charts."

"...Ah."

What are you trying to say?

Aren't they getting stronger and earning points?

"Kosei, you want to upgrade the Metal Turtle sword to the next level, right? Like the Full Metal Turtle sword?"

"It's Meguru's sword... Yeah."

I've decided to use it for a long time.

Of course, I want to do it.

"Then I'll tell you the points needed to upgrade the Metal Turtle sword to the Full Metal Turtle sword."

"It must be quite a lot, right?"

Moshin nodded.

Since it takes 100,000 points to make a Metal Turtle sword, it would be double that, 200,000, right?

In RPGs, that's how it usually works.

"The minimum is about 600,000 points."

...What?

600,000?

Six times the cost of a Metal Turtle sword... and that's the minimum.

At this rate, you could make six swords for the price of one.

"600,000 points just to upgrade to the Full Metal Turtle sword!? That's more than the reward for the Adamant Turtle?"

"That's the cost even with the lowest possible price. If you want to enhance it and move to the next level, it will easily cost over 1,000,000 points."

1,000,000... the same as the Return Crystal.

If the Full Metal Turtle sword costs this much, how much would the Adamant Turtle equipment cost...?

"Is it really that expensive to make just one sword? And if you include the armor..."

It might be quite tough.

We need to earn more points than ever before.

While I was thinking about this, Hagizawa grabbed Moshin's shoulder firmly.

"Maybe it's overkill? Instead of making such a bottomless money pit, why not make more practical weapons and focus on improving your skills?"

Relying on abilities can be expensive.

According to Hagizawa's logic, the better Moshin's blacksmithing skills become, the better the outcome.

I understand his point.

It's ridiculously expensive, and the armor would cost about three times as much, right?

The Full Metal Turtle armor would cost 3,000,000 points...

"But... we might need it in the future."

"It's as expensive as in online games."

Indeed... in the online games I've played, it would take that much to create specialized equipment for a certain monster.

No, some items cost even more.

In games, weapons that cost 10,000,000 points are not uncommon.

Considering that, 4,000,000 points for a full set might be relatively cheap.

"I've given out some equipment, but we don't have enough points to provide Full Metal Turtle equipment to everyone."

"Half of the Adamant Turtle materials are already on the market, so it's not the right time to sell."

The Adamant Turtle materials are flowing into the market at high prices.

According to Hagizawa, the country, nobles, and famous knights are all buying them.

We could sell them too, but Moshin doesn't want to be without them if we need them later.

He suggested selling half of the materials we have and using the money to improve Ito and the others' equipment.

Even then, it's difficult to provide Full Metal Turtle equipment to everyone in terms of points and money.

Moshin said the points consumed in making the equipment and the money from selling the materials don't balance out.

In any case, high-performance equipment is expensive in terms of both price and points.

"It's the points again..."

"Don't worry so much. Fortunately, we're not alone. Let's all work together. It seems we can earn a lot of points because the monsters are more active this year of calamity."

If... the monsters and events in this world are planned to be this challenging...

I want to strengthen our equipment in preparation for the future.

But we don't have a way to earn such a large amount of points right now...

Then Moshin put his hand on my shoulder as if to advise me.

"Don't push yourself too hard. Kosei, just focus on defeating monsters with the best equipment you can get now. Fortunately, Kosei has many ways to earn money. Right, Hagizawa?"

"Yeah. Ito and the others are leveling up first. They'll help us catch up later. So, we need to figure out how to earn money and points now. Given Hahashi's abilities, we should think of ways to earn money and points like we do."

"But... I want to get stronger. I want to level up and help everyone..."

"I understand. But for now, please bear with it. If Kosei earns enough money and points to complete amazing weapons, Ito and the others will be able to level up more efficiently, right?"

"..."

I understand what Moshin and Hagizawa are saying.

To get stronger, we need equipment, and I don't have combat-oriented abilities.

So, the best thing I can do now is earn money to help everyone.

It might seem like a detour, but it's true that earning money and points through quests and transporting goods is more efficient than hunting monsters.

It feels like we've created a proper environment with a clear goal, similar to when we were in the forest but different.

The ability to convert money into points through the point transfer is a strength.

Money... if only a large number of monsters like the Adamant Turtle, which are compatible with me, appeared, I could earn a lot.

However, the possibility of Adamant Turtles appearing frequently is low.

If there were too many dangerous monsters, it wouldn't be a good place to earn money.

Using the transfer for trade... the method we used with the merchant last time seems safe.

"Got it. I'll try to earn money and points through any means I can and explore ways to get stronger."

"Count on you. Kosei's abilities have the potential for a big payoff."

In any case, our goal is to earn money and points to fulfill everyone's wishes, including Moshin and Hagizawa.

To get stronger, we need to focus on earning money efficiently to keep everyone safe.

After a meeting with all the classmates, we decided:

Those with production abilities will earn money and points in the city and make equipment and tools.

Those with combat abilities will use the provided equipment and tools to defeat monsters and level up.

Once they level up, they will help the production group level up and increase their expansion abilities.

That's how we settled it.

With this goal set, what should I do... should I ask the merchant from last time to transport some goods?

While I was thinking about this, a classmate with cooking abilities came over.

In the forest, they were treated well, but now they are more subdued, serving food to everyone and running a restaurant.

Their cooking is quite popular because it's rare in this world.

"Is something wrong?"

We do buy things from Japan when classmates need them.

When I'm around, everyone gathers at Moshin's workshop for meals.

"Actually, can you get more salt, pepper, and spices? Our stock is running low."

The classmate with cooking abilities, who runs a restaurant, explained.

They serve food that feels like it's from another world, and many customers come, including adventurers who bring their own ingredients.

Recently, even nobles have been visiting, and they said business is good.

However, they admit they can't compete with professional chefs and that it's just a topic of conversation because it requires points.

"Got it."

"Huh? Spices...?"

Moshin and Hagizawa sounded surprised.

"Hey, wouldn't Japanese seasonings sell well?"

The classmate with cooking abilities nodded in agreement.

"It's possible. The seasonings in this world are quite different from Japan's, and salt can sell at a good price because the sea is a bit far."

The classmate with cooking abilities explained.

Salt, huh.

From what I know, salt is quite common in Japan.

"Why haven't we done this before?"

"We were focused on leveling up and didn't want to stay in Japan much."

"Yeah... it's tough to be forgotten. It's tough for us who are forgotten too."

"Why do we always gather? Every time Kumako performs, it becomes a routine to explain the situation with gestures."

"Growl."

"In that sense, it's a relief."

I petted Kumako.

Thanks to you, we've been saved.

You helped us during the Adamant Turtle incident too.

The restaurant often gets requests for salty and spicy dishes.

"...So, are the customers coming for the seasonings we provide? Do they feel it's a good deal even if it's a bit expensive?"

"Maybe! It's not like we're being cheated, but it's frustrating!"

The classmate with cooking abilities answered, sounding frustrated.

Well, if they've been using Japanese salt and spices all along and they turn out to be worth more than their price, it would be annoying.

Even if it's not a loss in points, it would feel like being cheated.

Even if you set the price yourself.

"Alright! Kosei, buy more spices in Japan. Let's try to connect with merchants who have ties to nobles and royalty."

A golden opportunity has come!

If we can make a big profit, that would be great...

"I'm off!"

I changed into casual clothes, activated the transfer, and returned to Japan.