Chapter 14

"PK, you don't know what it is...?"

Mio, who had been silent all along, grunted.

For some reason, she seemed angry.

No, I do have an idea of what PK might be, but it doesn't seem to be related to this game.

"I really don't know! PK, PK!"

"In soccer, when the goalkeeper and the kicker face off one-on-one."

"That's the penalty kick PK."

"Like when psychics move objects without touching them."

"That's psychokinesis PK."

"Or the additional scenarios and feature enhancements for games that are sold as add-ons?"

"That's the power-up kit PK from a certain company."

"I think PK is an outdated term for underwear."

"Don't say that! "

Reina restrained the excited Mio in a headlock.

No, really, I don't understand what it means.

"Fiena, is this guy really okay?"

"Keith seems to be a complete beginner at this kind of game. How about we ask Jildre to explain?"

"I refuse. You've been with him longer, haven't you?"

"It's only been one day."

Fiena sighed deeply and began to explain.

"PK stands for Player Killer. It refers to the act of a player killing another player."

"Is that even possible?"

"Some games prevent it by design, but in Another Link Saga, it is possible."

Wow, really?

Even in a game, there's quite a bit of freedom.

It could be called a microcosm of society, where criminal acts are also possible.

"Player Killer behavior, regardless of the degree, tends to lead to what is commonly known as a 'fall from grace.'"

"Players are forced to change their jobs to criminal professions like thieves, bandits, fraudsters, or assassins. This is collectively known as a 'fall from grace.'"

"There are also skills that can only be obtained in such professions, so some people intentionally aim for a 'fall from grace.'"

"The disguise and transformation skills of players who have fallen from grace are troublesome! I had a bad experience with them during the beta test!"

"I support PK behavior in small groups. I think a game needs a moderate level of tension."

Kaya joined the conversation.

"That's why we should take preemptive action. I suggest we set up another line of defense to protect Keith."

"Kaya, specifically?"

"Jildre, Fiena, and I will post the situation on the item information thread of the bulletin board and spread it to the main threads."

"What will the content be?"

"Basically, another warning. I'll also send a message or a letter to the blacksmiths I know personally."

"Is that okay with you, Fiena?"

"Is that okay with you, Jildre? Your Players' Guild, where everyone is a blacksmith, will be significantly affected."

"I'll accept it. After all, there's only one item in existence."

It seems like a serious situation.

I'm being treated as if I'm involved, but I don't really feel it.

Troublesome.

Bones.

I didn't have a chance to bring it up, but I'll talk about it now.

"By the way, about the bones. I have a few snow monkey bones."

The atmosphere in the room froze again.

It definitely froze.

Why is it, the gaze piercing me is painful.

"Let's take a break and have some tea before continuing the discussion."

"Ah, the previous discussion seems to have lost half its meaning."

Everyone had tea after temporarily lifting the whisper.

Mio looks extremely deflated.

I wish she wouldn't complain in a way that I can hear.

"Ah, I'm so tired..."

"Mio, you were just pointing out the issues!"

In front of Fiena, the items I took out were lined up.

Three snow monkey bones, one snow monkey skin, and a stone axe made from snow monkey bones.

Fiena, silent and deep in thought, was being watched by Jildre and Kaya.

Unlike Mio and the others, there was a strange tension.

"This is a proposal. Two bones to Jildre, one to Kaya, and the stone axe will be disassembled and brought to me."

"What form will it take? Even if we negotiate directly with Keith, it would be safer to have Fiena mediate."

"Considering risk avoidance, that's a bit grand, but I've thought about that point. No, it's not acceptable."

"Are you that afraid of karma?"

"Of course. I won't exchange it for experience points. But it's better if I set the price."

"I agree. What about you, Kaya?"

"That's fine. It's more relaxed that way. But it's meaningless if Keith doesn't intend to sell."

Everyone's gaze turned to me.

No, it's scary, everyone.

"I'll sell them. I have no objections to the price."

"Ah, and let's get the bulletin board issue done as soon as possible. It's just that a super rare item has become rare."

"Out of the question for a rental of usage rights. But I think I'll make one of the two we divide up available for rental."

"Jildre, is that okay?"

"It's fine. I was the one who suggested it."

"You can be honest, can't you? You want to attract more blacksmith players, right?"

"Fiena, our guild doesn't aim to monopolize blacksmithing. It's necessary for more efficient support."

"It's a noble belief, and that's fine."

There's a lot of underlying meaning in the conversation between Fiena and Jildre.

Did they have some past grievances?

I hope they can get along.

"I also want to rent out usage rights."

"Indeed. We should resolve any complaints as much as possible."

Even though they seem to have a bad relationship, there is a certain level of agreement between them.

It's quite business-like and favorable.

"Keith, from here on, it's business talk. The price I set is 1,200 dines per bone and 1,300 dines for the stone axe."

"Hey, isn't that too low?"

"Even so, it's a barely higher number calculated based on the provisional rarity standard."

"Hey, are you trying to create a structure where we unfairly profit?"

Jildre and Kaya's expressions are tense.

Is there a problem?

"Let me make it clear. If you intend to make Keith bear the karma alone, I'll set a different price. Don't underestimate me."

Both of them fell silent at those words.

Is karma some kind of karma?

I've never seen such a status.

"Do you agree?"

"Understood."

"Okay."

Finally, the long discussion seems to be over.

And 37 silver coins of 100 dines each were added to my money.

I put them in the small bag with the rewards I received from the Adventurers' Guild.

Jildre and Kaya disappeared quickly after their business was done.

"Hey, Keith, it took a bit longer, but I've finished the armor. Can I have you try it on for size adjustments?"

Saki said this as soon as she arrived at the stall, but she noticed that something was off with me and asked cautiously.

"Hey, everyone, are you mad that I'm late? If so, I'm sorry."

"Aah, Saki, it's not like that."

"Saki, let's finish the delivery to Keith first, and we can talk afterward."

The armor Saki took out was practical, unlike the cute design Mio was wearing.

The armor seemed to have some extra room around the shoulders, so I had to adjust it.

However, it could be adjusted with leather straps, so it was done quickly.

When looking at the upper body, the design was asymmetrical on the left and right sides.

The material was basically processed from hare skin.

The chest plate prioritized movement by keeping the skin soft.

About 60% of the upper body was covered.

The heart area was reinforced with the carapace of an evil ant.

A distinctive feature was the use of snow monkey skin on the left shoulder cover, providing enough thickness for Helix to perch.

Similarly, the left arm cover was made of snow monkey skin, allowing Helix to perch there as well.

Helix no longer goes to the tip of the rod, which was its usual spot.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

The elbow and knee pads were also made of hare skin, with the carapace of an evil ant used as requested.

The open-fingered gloves were also made of hare skin and were processed to be quite soft.

When making a fist, the knuckle part had four sections of the evil ant's carapace attached to the leather.

The back of the hand had similar modifications.

The workmanship was impeccable.

When I used [Appraisal], it looked like this.

[Armor Item: Chest Plate] Hare Chest Plate+ Quality C Rarity 2

Def+5 Weight 4 Durability 100

A chest plate made from hare skin. The skin is processed to remain soft, prioritizing ease of movement.

[Custom]

Snow monkey skin is used on the left shoulder.

The heart area is covered with the carapace of an evil ant, providing a slight increase in defense and durability.

The carapace of the evil ant can be replaced by simply inserting it.

[Armor Item: Arm Cover] Snow Monkey Arm Cover Quality C+ Rarity 3

Def+2 Weight 1 Durability 80

An arm cover made from snow monkey skin.

The skin is processed to be very soft, allowing protrusions to fit comfortably.

[Armor Item: Elbow Pad] Hare Elbow Pad+ Quality C Rarity 2

AP+2 Def+2 Weight 1 Durability 80

An elbow pad made from hare skin. The skin is processed to remain soft, prioritizing ease of movement.

[Custom]

The carapace of an evil ant is used on the striking part, providing a bonus to elbow strike attacks.

[Armor Item: Knee Pad] Hare Knee Pad+ Quality C Rarity 2

AP+2 Def+2 Weight 1 Durability 80

A knee pad made from hare skin. The skin is processed to remain soft, prioritizing ease of movement.

[Custom]

The carapace of an evil ant is used on the striking part, providing a bonus to knee strike attacks.

[Armor Item: Gloves] Hare Gloves+ Quality C Rarity 3

AP+2 Def+1 Weight 1 Durability 90

Open-fingered gloves made from hare skin. The skin is processed to remain soft, prioritizing ease of movement.

There is no penalty for actions requiring the use of fingers, making them easy to use.

[Custom]

The carap