Chapter 129 - With an Artisan
"Ugh…"
"Well, what did you expect?"
In the official field known as the [Garden of Divine Creation], I found myself in a forest south of the player city, the [Safe Area].
I gazed from a distance at the crimson majesty that had become an all-too-familiar sight, my eyes scanning the surrounding area as a bitter sound escaped my lips.
Nia, hiding beside me in the bushes, spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but… come on. The thought that I was the reason for that was enough to make anyone hesitate.
"It's insanely crowded…"
"I told you, what did you expect?"
Okay, I get it… so stop poking me in the side. How many times do I have to tell you that with VIT: 0, I have absolutely zero impact resistance?
Even her weak elbow jabs sent my vision wobbling. Within my sight, a crowd of players easily numbering in the triple digits moved about restlessly.
Some were checking their equipment, others were glaring at their system windows, and groups of all sizes were engaged in serious discussion. In short, they were all here to attempt the dungeon again after hearing the news of the first clear.
"Well, after being talked about so much on the news…"
"Don't say it."
I’ve been desperately trying to avoid the topic… Every time I overhear someone talking about it, I break out in the worst kind of cold sweat.
"Doesn't look like we can get in without being noticed…"
"Does it matter if they notice? If you just say something like, 'We're in a hurry!' I doubt anyone will bother you."
…I guess she has a point. The players in [Arcadia] are generally a decent bunch, thanks to the personality screening during registration.
There are exceptions, like that ridiculously over-the-top welcome party, but I hear that some people who looked into it beforehand actually enjoyed it…
"Alright then, let's just go normally."
"…Are you sure? I can't really do anything, you know?"
Nia shrank back anxiously, but I had no intention of making her work.
It wasn't that I thought an artisan build was useless; I brought her here as a 'thank you' from me to her.
"Don't worry. Come on, let's go."
"I wonder if it'll really be okay…"
Half-doubting me the entire time we'd been talking, Nia followed as I stepped out from the bushes and walked confidently toward the entrance of the [Spiral Crimson Tower]—
◇◆◇◆◇
"…'No one will bother us,' huh???"
"I-I didn't know! At least, it wasn't about you, so I wasn't lying!!"
She had a point. Thanks to my ongoing cheap disguise, the one who got mobbed wasn't me, but Nia.
Though, I did get caught up in it all…
—Hey, isn't that Milmarinus, the Aquamarine Fairy?
—Nia-chan is outside the city…?
—With a… guy…???
The pandemonium began with introductions like that. What followed was a sudden storm of interrogations and agonizing cries, all centered around the aquamarine-haired girl.
With the disgusted glares of the few female players I saw at my back, the excited mob of guys closed in on us with an intensity that was genuinely off-putting—lamenting to Nia and fuming at me.
As we tried to awkwardly answer their questions, their eyes started to gleam with a dangerous light. We ended up fleeing into the [Spiral Crimson Tower] to escape…
No doubt about it, my hate meter with that crowd must have skyrocketed. On impulse, I had grabbed Nia’s hand and leaped into the portal as if I were kidnapping her, after all.
Dungeon interiors are generally instance-based spaces. Since others aren't in our party, they can't enter the same area, so we don't have to worry about being pursued… but the future repercussions are infinitely terrifying.
"You're… pretty popular, huh."
Popular with the guys, I mean. Their frenzy was like they were in front of some famous idol.
"………………I-I didn't know…"
When I asked, the aquamarine-haired girl stuck to that one answer.
Hmm… well, the thing is—this girl, her voice is ridiculously beautiful.
Sora's voice is adorable, and Kagura-san's is dignified and lovely… but honestly, Nia's is in a league of its own.
In Arcadia, where handsome and beautiful avatars are the norm thanks to character creation, I seem to remember reading somewhere that 'voice' is a more important factor for popularity than looks…
On top of that, her assertive energy and easygoing personality…—well, I can kind of see how that would appeal to a wide range of people.
And when you add the fact that she's a top-class, multi-talented artisan, it's no wonder she gets that kind of treatment in Arcadia… or is it…?
I mean, I get it. As a guy, I understand that she's plenty charming in her own way. It's just that my first impression of her—the body press—is still burned into my memory, along with the bazooka-like bursts of energy that sometimes assault me…
"…A-Anyway! Let's just forget about Nia-chan!"
As if to say 'please forget,' she waved her hand dismissively, looked up at the spiraling tower, and tried to change the subject. "So what are we going to do now!"
…Well, if she doesn't want to talk about it, I won't press the issue. I'll push her surprising popularity to the back of my mind and switch to the main topic.
"You don't have to do anything. I'll just carry you through."
I used [Blink Switch]—the all-powerful, god-tier skill affects more than just weapons. As I instantly swapped out my entire set of equipment, including the [El-Gran Series], Nia laughed with exasperation. "That's convenient."
The [Crimson Rabbit Hair Ornament] even has a handy feature that automatically styles my hair into a preset look, but the fact that it's ridiculously ticklish is a bit of a problem.
"You say you'll carry me through… I was made to understand just how insane you are in the most direct way possible, but I've still never seen you fight before."
I know you're amazing, but I don't have a clue what makes you so amazing. Nia's unease was perfectly understandable.
"How should I put it… just think of it as a super-amazing version of that thing from this morning."
"What's that? Are you telling Nia-chan to go die?"
"It's okay. I'll protect you."
"Could you say it a little more seriously? Otherwise, it doesn't really hit home, you know!!"
Oh, whatever. She's going to complain no matter how carefully I treat her. I might as well just get on with it and let her experience it—
"Hey, don't run away."
"Of course I'd run! Just like this morning, what are you trying to do, picking me up so casually!?"
"I told you it's fine. I have the right skill for transport."
"That's not what I'm talking about!!"
Even with her pathetic AGI, Nia managed to escape my reach and struck a strange, intimidating pose with her hands thrust out in front of her.
"What's with you being so weirdly used to women!? I get the feeling it's not just because of Sora-chan!!"
You're one to talk, coming on so strong to a guy you just met??
"What, you really don't want me to?"
I let out a sigh and opened my arms. The aquamarine-haired girl faltered, her words catching in her throat. "Mmph…"
"I-it's not that I don't want you to… but."
Ah, then that's an okay. I've got your testimony. Catching a single artisan who wasn't used to combat and had an avatar with specs no different from a real person was child's play.
Without even needing a skill, I leaped behind Nia in a single step and, as she stood frozen, unable to react, I scooped her up into my arms. Hyoi.
"Hyaaah!? Wha, wai—Mooooooohhh!!!"
"Are you a cow?"
"I'm Nia-chan!!"
I'm really starting to enjoy this kind of banter. Let's keep getting along.
She seemed to have her complaints, but since she'd said she didn't mind, she quieted down and curled up once I picked her up.
This girl's kind of like a cat.
"Alright, let's go."
"…Just do whatever you want."
Don't pout like that—this is a special occasion. I'll show you a brand new, Ver 2.0 carry that's a cut above what you've seen before.
They're flirting so endlessly the plot isn't moving, so I felt I had no choice but to post consecutive chapters.