Chapter 27

In WLO, SP is a crucial factor.

It can be said to be the Achilles' heel of frontline combat roles.

While SP is not consumed by the act of walking, it is used in many situations during combat, such as attacks, dodges, and the use of Arts.

One difference from MP is that it does not take much time to recover.

While you need to stand still for a while to recover, if you manage your actions well during combat, you are unlikely to run out of SP, and if you are in a party, you can also recover through role distribution.

However, the situation changes in battles where you are forced to use Arts repeatedly, such as against large bosses.

If the attack range is wide, dodging alone can significantly drain SP, and there are also situations where the use of Arts cannot be avoided.

In particular, Arts consume a lot of SP, so if you want to unleash high-damage special moves, you might even have to go all out as if you were in a do-or-die situation.

When Sukuna fought the Red Wolf, what troubled her the most was not its speed but the relentless continuous attacks it could unleash due to its inexhaustible stamina.

Indeed, the reason why the purely physical Red Wolf Aria is considered so powerful is because it leaves no time for rest, causing SP to run out when you go on the offensive.

Except for a few exceptional players who can counter-attack in response to attacks, the basic strategy against the Red Wolf Aria is to dodge attacks and close the distance to attack during the openings.

However, this strategy also drains SP in three ways: dodging the Red Wolf as it moves around, using SP to get close for an attack, and then using SP for the attack itself.

As a result, SP runs out, and you end up losing. This is the fate that most players who have been defeated by the Red Wolf have faced.

If a magic user player challenges it, they die without being able to dodge the physical attacks.

Therefore, the counter strategy that Sukuna used against the Red Wolf can be considered the best choice if it can be done.

Incidentally, the Red Wolf Aria, which seems invincible when explained this way, has a fatal weakness as a boss: low HP.

It is designed to be defeatable if you level up, improve your stats, and prepare your equipment to counter its attack patterns.

☆

"Th-this is..."

Toka-chan tilts her head in confusion at my sudden silence, while Koneko-maru smiles as if he expected this.

"What kind of performance is it?"

"Th-this."

Concerned by my reaction, I visualize the menu for Toka-chan to see.

After slowly scanning the contents, she, too, stiffens.

"Hahaha, both of you are reacting well. Don't worry, this isn't a dream."

"No, no, no."

"But you understand, right? This isn't something that should be shown in a stream. It's a different kind of power from the three named weapons that have been created so far, one that brings equal benefits to all players."

With the serious look in Koneko-maru's eyes, we couldn't help but agree.

A 50% reduction in all SP-consuming actions. In simple terms, this means that players equipped with this can use Arts twice as much.

In reality, there are post-technique rigidities and other factors, but in essence, this is what it means.

"…This equipment might have been limited to a defensive effect like reducing Arts SP consumption by half if it were an armor. However, the equipment is now complete. Fortunately, players' SP and equipment details are not visible to others, so I would like you to keep this skill hidden for a while. At least until an equivalent piece of equipment appears in the game."

At his words, Toka-chan and I nodded.

Eventually, a player will defeat the Red Wolf Aria and obtain the rare drop, the "Soul."

Or, as a result of defeating other named bosses, someone will create an equivalent performance—such as reducing MP by half—equipment.

Four types of named boss monsters have been defeated in two weeks. According to Rin-chan, one of them has been defeated again after the first defeat, so it's not impossible.

"Of course, I'm not saying you shouldn't use it. Just be vague about it. If you say it's an equipment that reduces SP consumption, others should understand."

"That's true… I don't want to be called a cheater or be harassed, so I'll do that."

I gratefully accepted Koneko-maru's suggestion.

Considering the above, other players might eventually obtain the same equipment, but for now, it's still in the realm of "eventually."

This game has just started, and it's true that giving too much benefit to the first players can lead to jealousy and envy in online games.

I also wanted to avoid adding fuel to the fire.

"Thank you. As an apology, my wife wants me to give you this accessory."

"An accessory?"

Smiling in response to my question, Koneko-maru manipulated the menu and transferred an item to me.

Responding "Yes" to the prompt to receive it, I opened the detailed screen of the obtained item.

---

Dark Wolf Choker

Rarity: High Common - PM

Dexterity: +5

A jet-black choker made from Dark Wolf materials.

It has the effect of sharpening the wearer's senses.

---

"My wife wanted to give this to you as a gift. It's made from the Dark Wolf materials I had left over. It doesn't have a significant effect, but I would be happy if you would accept it."

"Thank you, I'll gladly accept it."

"Is it a choker…? It has a wolf pattern carved into it."

Putting on the accessory immediately, Toka-chan keenly checked the design.

Tracing it with my hand, I could indeed feel some pattern carved into it.

The attention to detail in such small designs shows the player's craftsmanship.

"Well, that's all I needed to do."

"Then, let's decide which materials to transfer."

"From my perspective…"

After exchanging a meaningless grin, we resumed the interrupted negotiation.

After about five minutes, without much argument, we transferred most of the remaining materials to Koneko-maru and parted ways with him.