Chapter 1044 - ....................
And so, the long journey began.
We didn't underestimate or neglect anything as we properly began the second act of the Green Connect raid, endorsed by the local who seemed to know everything. We began our challenge to the four-pillar maze forced-scroll escape game.
We really didn't. I could swear it to a Goddess whose face I didn't even know.
First, when we left the barrier of the Wedge we had reached. We asked Kendy-dono more questions about what was needed for the conquest, and we started by thoroughly hammering the information into our heads.
What specifically did it mean that the Goddess's blessing was gone? We confirmed exactly how far the loss of power extended from our avatars.
To put it simply, it was the same as the initial ceremony everyone experienced.
In the starting area... after waking up from the blue crystal, walking the dark path, meeting the Chosen Stone Doll, and eventually reaching the camp selection.
Everything received there through the Blessing of the War God was gone. Level, Status, and Skills were all disabled.
We already knew about the Status. We also knew that all skills were unusable, and equipment crafted through Mako (Magic Craft) had lost its function. Magic also wouldn't respond to any incantations.
As for the Level, I had foolishly thought it was the same as the linked Status.
But that was a big mistake.
I had forgotten, but there are other benefits to leveling up besides points for Status... specifically, the increase in inventory capacity.
Yeah, that was also affected.
So the contents were all sealed.
Honestly, I felt like Tora-kichi. I wanted to scream in Kansai-ben about how ridiculous it was and what we were supposed to do. Everything was so thoroughly tied up it was laughable.
However, it seemed our blessings weren't only from the Goddess.
We still had a few things we could rely on.
Most importantly, our Animas.
We wondered if those were also related to NPC Mako skills, but Kendy-dono said that NPC Mako was a technique (Skill) and not a miracle (Skill).
I didn't understand the logic, but since I could easily summon Stella as a sword, I had to accept it.
Next, with certain limitations, Terror Armaments.
We also thought those were player-made, but the knight said they had two roots, and only the Goddess's root was sealed, so they were usable though incomplete. What was he even talking about?
Naturally, it made no sense. We completely gave up on serious thought about it.
Following that, other equipment that wasn't created by a player craftsman.
Basically, dungeon rewards. Like my Ninefold Shadow-Woven Gauntlet, Ashe's [One's Gift], or Sora's [Red Rabbit Necklace].
Nia's [Blue Jade Heart] was silent because she had crafted it herself... but honestly, it wasn't a big loss right now.
Finally, titles.
Normal and special titles both seemed to work fine. I thought those would be the first thing related to the Goddess, but apparently not.
So who names them? It's a mystery.
... ... ...
And so on.
Ultimately, none of it was particularly helpful.
No matter what we had, the fact that the fundamental Status system was dead was fatal. Equipment that still worked didn't provide its extra Status because that seemed to act on the Goddess's blessing.
Since MP was also gone, Sora's Cradle couldn't do anything even if it was active. Everything was so thoroughly neutralized it was funny.
In short, there were no easy shortcuts.
Even if we had swords, they were useless against monsters when our physical ability was within the realm of common sense. Even if we had ways to supplement our power, if our base power was low, doubling it was still a drop in the ocean.
Ultimately, we had to use our bodies, which had been sealed in a realistic way, and outrun the Black while crossing this massive maze district.
That was it.
... And so began the long, long, and arduous journey.
We didn't underestimate or neglect anything as we properly began the second act of the Green Connect raid, endorsed by the local who seemed to know everything.
Because of that...
"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Hey, Kendy-dono."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry, we were totally underestimating this. How many more days do you think it will take before we can leave?"
I finally let out the question on everyone's behalf, but the knight only smiled. I didn't know if his silence was due to trust or mercy. I didn't know, but...
Only one fact was certain.
It had been eight hours since we started walking, according to Ashe's sense of time.
Like the system clock that hadn't moved a single second at the edge of my vision, we still hadn't reached anywhere.
Good job with the explanation, protagonist.