Chapter 85

In the second half, there are undoubtedly cruel descriptions.

Please be cautious if you are not comfortable with such content.

The time I logged in was around 5:30 AM.

My HP and MP were fully recovered.

Alright.

Everything is fine as usual.

Maybe I'm just overthinking it because I came back from death.

I put on my usual equipment.

The broken rod on the desk caught my eye.

Should I take this too?

Somehow, I feel it might be useful.

No, I had an image in mind.

Wouldn't it be good for making that?

But there aren't enough materials.

No, no.

It seems I can manage with the equipment I have now.

Good.

I had an idea.

Exploration is the priority, but if I have time, I'll make it.

Today, I'll start by summoning a formation for movement.

Crescent, Helix, Obsidian, and Voluf.

Yesterday, they showed an overly cautious reaction.

Today, they seem to be back to normal.

The magpie perched at the gate is also acting as usual.

No, what was really going on yesterday?

It remains a mystery.

I picked up some obsidian stones as I headed towards the village of Legias.

The monsters were shifting to their daytime state, and I no longer saw any ants.

Instead, I immediately encountered a stray horse on the road.

It ended rather anticlimactically.

While Voluf was keeping the horse at bay, Obsidian and Helix launched consecutive surprise attacks.

Crescent knocked the monster over with a body slam.

I grabbed the horse's neck and twisted it, breaking the bones and ending it.

It was anticlimactic.

I didn't even use any spells.

I can feel how much stronger I've become.

I wonder how it would go if I fought a wild horse with this formation.

I would struggle, of course, but not as much as before.

The horse dropped meat and hide.

Thanks to the [Disassemble] skill.

It might have been a coincidence, though.

I arrived at the village of Legias.

It was too early, and the food stalls were still preparing.

Yuka wasn't there to help.

It must be quite a challenge.

I don't cook, so I can't fully understand.

"Good morning, Keith."

"Good morning."

Helga was negotiating with players at her stall.

Rick was organizing inventory at the back of the stall.

We exchanged brief greetings and I sat down at the table, placing the wild horse hide I had just obtained.

This is the only thing I can sell right now.

I'll keep the horse meat for cooking on my journey.

"Good morning, everyone."

Margrid arrived shortly after.

That's a relief.

I'd like her to look at the raw stones.

I didn't expect to get so many.

"Here's the item. Please check it."

She took out the necklace I received via message, which was correct.

The clasp was definitely over 20 inches long.

Oh.

It must be over 50 cm.

It's quite long.

"Let me explain a bit."

"Yes."

The clasp is a simple one, so that's fine.

The chain and the gemstone-embedded base can be detached.

The base has a mechanism to fix it in place.

Margrid demonstrated by removing the base from the chain and reattaching it.

There's also a part for adjusting the length at the clasp.

"It might feel a bit long, but consider it for future gemstone additions."

"Yes. About those gemstones..."

"The ones you mentioned."

I laid out all the gemstones I had on the table.

Two iolites, a tsavorite, a blue spinel, and a morganite.

I also added some magic stones.

"I want to enhance it. What combination would be best?"

"Eh? You have more raw stones?"

"I obtained them yesterday."

She immediately started appraising the raw stones with [Appraisal].

Her expression became a bit serious.

"It will take a while, is that okay?"

"Yes."

The explanation was indeed long.

To summarize what was confirmed in the explanation:

It's recommended to place the best stone in the center and maintain symmetry.

That is, the tsavorite in the center, with blue spinel and iolite on either side.

The morganite is unnecessary in this case.

The blue spinel should be cut to match the size of the already polished stone.

That's the general idea.

There was another point to note.

Even if multiple items are enhanced, the M·AP won't stack unless a specific process is applied.

For example, if I wear this necklace and Kay's rod, the M·AP from the rod won't be added.

However, special effects like resistances on items will still work.

Hmm.

I should remember that only the highest M·AP from the equipped items is prioritized.

"What about this blue spinel? If we match the size, it will be a larger cut, which seems wasteful."

"If it's more beneficial overall, it's fine to cut it down."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

I understand the importance of symmetry.

There shouldn't be any hesitation.

The additional magic stones should be enough, considering the ones I have left over from before.

"I don't recommend adding the morganite as it won't provide any additional benefits."

"Is it because of its rarity?"

"Yes, that's correct."

In that case, I'll sell it.

Rick, who was organizing inventory, joined the conversation.

"We have a guild member waiting for a staff enhancement. Can I ask you?"

"Of course."

"Then I'll buy the raw stones and discuss the processing fee."

"Sure."

"Understood."

"Then let me wait a moment. I'll include the wild horse hide in the calculation."

Rick interrupted his inventory organization to settle the payment.

The wild horse hide was a good addition.

It was a close call.

I had to dip into my pocket a little.

It was a close call.

My funds have significantly decreased compared to before.

I temporarily removed my armor and equipped the silver necklace.

I put the armor back on to check if it interfered.

It seems to be fine.

By the time I did this, Yuka had brought the prepared breakfast to the table.

I had breakfast while chatting with Rick and the others.

For some reason, there was raw beef on the side.

No.

Yuka was feeding Voluf.

It seems the raw meat is for Helix and Obsidian.

Will they eat it?

When I offered it, it was gone in an instant.

Summoned monsters don't need to eat, but it's fine occasionally.

I bought two meals from Yuka.

I plan to stay at the area portal today.

I decided to leave early as the NPC customers were increasing.

I left the village of Legias and headed towards the forest dungeon.

As usual, I prioritized movement.

But something was off.

Except for Crescent, Voluf and the others were all tense.

Again.

I sent Obsidian to scout the surroundings.

I dismounted Crescent and tried to hold back the growling Voluf.

Is something there?

Yes.

There is something.

Obsidian detected a faint, unnatural sound.

From the 5 o'clock direction.

That area alone was unnaturally quiet.

Voluf and Obsidian were waiting for the signal to attack that spot.

What should I do?

Obsidian circled around to secure the opposite side of the unnatural position.

I approached with my rod in hand.

There was only a patch of grass.

What's there?

A monster?

A player killer?

"I'm sorry, really sorry."

A man with his hands up emerged from the grass.

Who is he?

The marker in my vision showed gray.

An ordinary warrior?

But he seems lightly equipped.

I used [Identify].

Lambda, Level 7

Fighter, On Guard

"Sorry, but can I move a little?"

"Wait."

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry."

He suddenly sprinted.

Not towards me.

He was trying to run past me.

And he threw something into the grass.

Obsidian flew after the man.

But Obsidian's attack was too late.

The man had already dived into the grass.

The man reappeared from the grass.

But it was a different person.

Taro, Level 8

Black Sorcerer, In Combat, Retaliation Allowed

Is this one a PK too?

But his HP bar disappeared quickly.

A knife was still stuck in his chest.

"Growl!"

Voluf roared loudly and pulled on my sleeve.

Something passed by where my head was.

Probably an arrow.

Damn.

Is there still someone around?

"Going straight ahead is dangerous! It's a trap!"

Lambda, the man who shouted, ran to the right.

Then.

I'll go left.

I sent Obsidian ahead to scout.

There must be someone around.

A shadow.

I saw it!

At the same time, I saw a spear flying towards me.

I easily dodged, and Voluf charged forward.

The man, who had switched to a dagger, was too slow.

Voluf tore into his throat, and he died instantly.

Obsidian found another one.

Helix flew through the forest, which is not his strong point.

Crescent also came closer to protect me.

A direct hit from an arrow struck Crescent.

Actually, it hit the saddle.

More accurately, it was an arrow aimed at me that missed.

Voluf charged towards the source of the arrow.

I followed.

I could see a bowman hiding behind a tree root.

"Forest Walk!"

I finally managed to cast a spell.

The spell's effect increased my speed through the forest.

I went to intercept the man trying to escape from Voluf.

He was trying to aim an arrow at Voluf.

I threw my rod at him.

It hit the bowman but didn't do much damage.

But it drew his attention.

Voluf was biting the bowman's ankle.

He endured the pain without making a sound.

Impressive.

But his movement was clearly hindered.

I approached the man.

I wouldn't give him time to shoot an arrow.

As he tried to shoot, Helix attacked the man.

The arrow went wide.

I grabbed the man's side.

I grabbed his right elbow and applied a joint lock.

He didn't make a sound.

I spun my body and threw him over my shoulder.

I continued to apply the joint lock to his arm.

I could feel the bone breaking through the arm.

I saw a knife in his hand, but it wasn't a threat.

Voluf was already biting his wrist.

I aimed for his only uninjured right leg.

I grabbed his heel and applied a heel hold.

I immediately twisted, breaking his hip and knee.

He still didn't make a sound.

Impressive.

Or maybe he adjusted his pain settings.

He tried to bite his tongue, so I punched the back of his ear.

I pressed his head down and struck his jaw with the palm of my hand.

I felt it break.

Was he completely incapacitated now?

Another shadow attacked me.

He was wielding a sword.

But he fell to the ground.

A knife was stuck in his back.

Did I have time to use [Identify]?

Baird, Level 8

Thief, Dead, Retaliation Allowed

It seems he was also part of the PK group.

There were five of them in total.

I couldn't identify one of them, though.

Right, I should identify this one too.

Jacob, Level 8

Assassin, In Combat, Retaliation Allowed

His HP bar was still nearly half full.

Despite his injuries, he had a faint smile.

What a guy.

Should I finish him off quickly?

"Quite impressive."

It was the man named Lambda.

This man had killed two people with just a knife.

He didn't have impressive equipment.

Who is he?

"Who are you?"

"Look and you'll know."

He touched the smiling assassin.

"Ah!"

"Shut up."

He covered the assassin's mouth.

The assassin struggled for a moment but soon stopped.

"Ugh! Why?"

"Are you used to pain now?"

"You bastards, I'll remember your faces! You'll regret it!"

"Cliché. But fine. I can change my appearance. And I won't let this guy hurt you."

"Shut up!"

"Is that so?"

Lambda stepped on the assassin's broken arm.

The assassin was trying hard not to scream.

His face was pale, and sweat was pouring down.

Nice torture.

"How did you tamper with my settings?"

"Knowing won't change the pain."

He kicked the assassin's head.

Wait.

He'll die.

I was hoping to get some information.

"Hey, can you stop torturing him a bit?"

"Is it okay? He was a PK targeting you."

"No, it's not often you get a chance to talk to a PK."

I selected and cast a spell.

"Dark Heal!"

"Huh?"

I cast a healing spell on the assassin.

The assassin's HP bar recovered to about 40%.

I kicked his crotch, making him writhe in pain, and applied a joint lock to his left elbow.

I broke it.

He tried to scream, so I punched his jaw, knocking him out.

His HP bar was still over 20%.

Is that enough?

"Can you still talk?"

"...Shut up."

He seems fine.

Just to be safe, I'll cast it one more time.

"Dark Heal!"

This time, his HP bar recovered to about 50%.

That's good.

I'm using his MP, so it's easy.

I stepped on his right knee.

He didn't make a sound but was clearly in pain.

"Don't say that. Can we chat a bit?"

"Shut up!"

"You're still energetic."

I lightly pressed the back of his ear with my fist.

His body trembled.

He wanted to scream, but it would only cause more pain.

That's how I tortured him.

"I have a question. Why do you enjoy targeting players?"

"Huh?"

"Is this something that needs to be taught?"

I took the angry crane's beak from my [Item Box] and inserted it into his nostril.

He struggled a lot.

His HP bar dropped to 20% just from that.

I used Dark Heal to heal him.

This assassin's MP bar still had more than half left.

"Can you answer my questions now?"

I tried asking in a gentle voice.

It's not coercion!

It's a request.

A request, that's all.

"Because it's fun, obviously."

"Is that so?"

I asked the standing Lambda.

"Well, I don't know. Probably because they get a thrill from dominating others."

"Is that it?"

No, no.

You and I have been dominating this assassin too, right?

"Is that it?"

I asked the assassin.

"You can't understand, can you, you weakling?"

I understood the insult.

I'll heal him twice with Dark Heal.

I took a chisel and hammer from my [Item Box].

I had Crescent step on the assassin's left hand.

I placed the chisel at the base of his fingernail and struck it with the hammer.

The sound of the chisel being hit echoed around.

"No, I understand, but I can't accept it."

I continued striking the chisel.

The bone broke on the third strike, but I didn't care.

I could do the same to the other fingers.

The assassin started screaming and crying.

It's strange how he was so tough earlier.

I finished crushing all five of his fingertips.

The assassin was only sobbing.

His HP bar was still about