Chapter 1109 - 懐事情
────So, in the end, it turned into about an hour of interaction.
"Well then. ...Regarding the schedule (・・), I'll contact you again."
"Alright. Anytime."
After giving me a fulfilling time by conveying the business, presenting the request, giving the reward, and kindly looking after me, Yura left with a crisp greeting.
As usual, no lingering presence, just a gallant exit.
Whether to see it as curt or as a refreshing behavior... personally, it's the latter; I think it's cool, including the fact that it suits them.
Somehow, they must be my type. No matter how harshly I'm treated, even subtracting my own fault, I don't feel bad at all. I'd like to be on good terms with them for a long time.
"...Now then."
What should I do? I crossed my arms and thought in the middle of the training ground where I was left alone.
Again, the piled-up tasks are diverse. As a duty from always being an East Camp rank holder, I should acclimate my body, which has been thrown into new elements like growth, evolution, and pioneering, to maintain the best condition. I should go see those who gave me messages during my hospitalization and whom I couldn't meet yesterday. In conjunction with that, the various things for the upcoming starry sky event, I'll need to consult and share with Nono-san and other involved parties. And personally, I want to do some investigation into NPCs, even if it's just a little bit. Speaking of NPCs, I'm also curious about Key Tree City, which apparently changed after the second act of 'Green Connect' was conquered, and along with that, I want to take a quick look inside (・・) the Key Tree, which also apparently changed... ────Really, there's no end to it if I list them.
So. If I'm going to be lost, for now, I'll just go with the flow (・・).
"That person also has a mysterious activity rhythm, I wonder what kind of real life they have..."
In the friend list I was scrolling through appropriately.
After confirming that a familiar player name was displayed as logged in, I activated the transfer system to exit the training ground.
◇◆◇◆◇
"────Oh, you've gained some poise (・・・・・・・)."
As the first words to greet me when I barged in.
The crimson-haired Mako smith, who shines like the sun whether it's morning, noon, or night, immediately threw a tease at me with a face that didn't even try to hide her grin.
"Everyone thinks making a toy out of me is a case that won't be prosecuted, don't they?"
What she was talking about must be nothing other than the magic-related things I just gained control over. It's a dramatic before-and-after from a tornado flood to a resting state; of course it would be interesting.
When I turned half-lidded eyes toward her, the copper-colored eyes parried it with a single smile.
"I'm tossed around by you on a daily basis, so don't get all worked up over a little prank in return."
"Even so, I think I'm also on the side that gets tossed around quite frequently..."
Thus, the virtual world is full of people with strong quirks. My exclusive Mako smith-dono, [遊火人 (Playful Fire Person)]-sama, is no exception... ────But Kagura-san is relatively decent.
"So? Coming here the day after yesterday means you picked up something interesting again?"
As always, this person is a hardcore enjoyer who prioritizes entertainment (work). Her stance of not needing small talk or gossip, just give her a request, is something I don't hate at all.
Then, I took out the "pebble" from my pocket and...
"It's this."
"Hoh...? A 'Lost Echoes', huh."
The moment I placed it on the table with a kotori. She saw through its identity and muttered playfully without even touching it to know. I, a fledgling Mako smith, was just terrified by how fast her understanding was.
No, seriously────
"Um, how did you see through it? It was a second, or rather an instant just now, right? A Mako smith's passive appraisal eye should have a lag of a few seconds from when you focus (・・) on the material to when the result comes out, and since you haven't touched it, no brain installation has occurred..."
"I can tell just by looking with my own eyes without relying on the system. Don't underestimate me."
────It should have been... and so, I see. It seems I was an idiot for asking.
"I don't think I'll ever reach that height in my life..."
"You don't have to come. You just have to wield our works."
"I don't think I'll reach that handsome (your) height either..."
My exclusive Mako smith-dono (Kagura-san) is cool again today.
"So, what's your wish?"
At that point, Kagura-san, who picked up the pebble────the [Visitor from Outer Stars] I received from Yura—asked for the 'request' while re-examining the item.
Then, as for me who was asked...
"U────────…………m."
I couldn't return an answer.
"By the way, regarding the details of that thing."
"I mostly get it, so that's fine."
Even the explanation to secure time for thought was said to be unnecessary.
"Sister, your kimono is looking sharp today too."
"If you weren't in that beautiful girl (that) form, I'd have knocked you down."
The painful nonsense to buy time was also crushed by a low voice and a smile.
".............................................."
"...If nothing comes to mind, you should just honestly say nothing comes to mind."
In the end, finally. I was made to admit the rudeness of bringing a 'request' but not being able to state the 'request' to the chuckling Kagura-san.
"No, well, um, I think it's an interesting thing..."
"Yeah."
"I think an interesting thing could be made..."
"Yeah."
"The more I think about various ideas..."
"Yeah. ────Well, I understand."
So, as for what I was troubled about.
"You, you can already do (・・) anything (・・), can't you?"
"............Well, I don't know about 'anything'."
In short, that was it.
After achieving various growths, repeating evolutions, advancing pioneering, and being blessed with various armaments. At this point, I'm in a state where it's honestly harder to find 'what I can't do.' Not as conceit, but as a fact seen objectively.
Speed is needless to say the current fastest in the virtual world, and regarding power, if I work really hard, I can output a blow comparable to the 'sword' of the [Sword Queen]. Near, medium, and long range, I can handle anything. I can respond to basically any situation with various cards like contact, indirect, and remote.
I can do all of them, both physical and magic. If that's the case────well, yes.
"You're almost complete, aren't you? You."
"...I still acknowledge that I haven't caught up to the old-timers in terms of depth (・・), though."
"That's true (・・・・・). But your style is complete."
That's what it was. Honestly, if I add more (・・・・・) from here, there's a very high possibility it will be 'superfluous' rather than 'strengthening.' In other words...
"Even in the current situation, the dagger you got from Kokoro is just gathering dust, isn't it?"
"No, that's different, it's that thing, that's because its performance is completely a 'trump card (・・・)', so the timing to use it is difficult, or rather, I'm just saving it as a proper 'trump card' for emergencies, it's not like it's just gathering dust────"
"I've always thought this, but you're bad (・・) at (・・) playing (・・) your (・・) trump (・・) cards (・・), aren't you? You seem weak at cards."
"Fuoguu..."
...Again and again, that's how it was.
Any more than this... or rather, even with my current weapon pool, I'm completely over capacity. I actually have about a dozen card armaments from the Key Tree tucked away, but the only one I'm properly using is the Giant's Greatsword (Elvado) for the Regalta manifestation form, the Twin Arms (Traums). I really can't handle any more than this.
Since it's a game, the feeling of wanting new armaments one after another never stops, but the reality is that I've been blessed with craftsmen from the start. Since most of my hand is high-end items, basically there is no concept of 'updating.'
New armament = 'accumulation', so of course it would puncture.
"Well, I agree that this guy (・・・) looks interesting. I'm also certain it will turn out to be an item that suits you and is to your liking... so, what will you do? Replacing (・・・・) it would be one way, wouldn't it?"
"Replac... no, u──────────…………m."
Therefore, Kagura-san's proposal was also the best, or rather, a process of elimination with no other choices. If only I were more of a [Clown]... I also thought that, so I couldn't make up my mind.
And also,
"The hand axe (・・) and such, isn't it about time for it to retire?"
"No, I'm using it..."
"You say you're using it, but you can substitute it with that ridiculously huge sword or the Regalta's circling sword (Rigalta) as much as you want..."
"The [Giant's Hand Axe (that)] has its own ease of handling or a certain knack to it...!"
It's like, that.
I've become completely attached to it, so it's hard to part with any of them.
"Where in the [Giant's Hand Axe (that)] is there ease (・・・・・・・) of (・・) handling (・・)............ No, well, yeah. It's a craftsman's pride that you like it. That's for sure."
"........................"
"...Good grief. ────...You're cute in these ways, Haru-kun."
"...Yes? I couldn't hear the last part very well..."
"It's nothing."
However, I can't worry forever, and since I brought it as a 'request', I've ultimately decided on the direction of my will. ...So,
"E-h, well... Kagura-san."
"Hmm?"
Judging from her reaction, I figured I wouldn't be scolded even if I spoke the idea I brought... here goes.
"Instead of a new one, using this (・・) to arrange (・・) that (・・)... or something............"
When I asked for such an unreasonable (・・) thing.
"..., ............, ............, ............................"
Maybe she had read it in advance. Kagura-san wasn't surprised, but she closed her eyes troubledly and looked up at the ceiling for a few seconds, a dozen seconds.
────After being silent,
"............You're telling me to incorporate a 'Lost Echoes' into an existing item, halfway through."
"..................If... if you can..."
"It's like telling me to put a cake inside a cookie that's already finished."
"Is it... is it impossible..."
"..............................................────Tch."
After Kagura-san laughed through her nose at either my unreasonableness or the impossibility that common sense preaches.
"Even if everything shatters and nothing remains, I won't listen to any complaints."
She shook her crimson hair vigorously, and with a face that didn't look at all like someone facing a losing battle, she picked up the "pebble" on the table────and gallantly stood up from her chair.
Seriously cool. I'll follow you for life, Sister.
It is a very famous fact that a certain percentage of the protagonist's achievements are due to Kagura-san. Rather, since she enticed him into his Four Pillars debut, it's 100% Kagura-san's achievement.