Chapter 401 - From the Atelier to the Workshop
After changing locations two or three times, I found myself in the familiar streets of Istia.
On my way to my next destination, I was shamelessly enjoying some window shopping as I walked, ignoring the occasional stares directed my way.
It might not be on the level of the analog games Ashe talks about, but Arcadia is still a game. The population of female gamers has apparently grown immensely compared to the old days, but the ratio is still skewed towards men.
On top of that, Istia has by far the smallest female population of the four factions. It’s probably inevitable that the male players on the street would turn their gazes towards a girlish avatar out of sheer novelty (or so I’ll tell myself).
If I had ventured into town without my convenient—or rather, reliable—junior partner and without any precautions, my new avatar’s appearance would have surely drawn much more than this level of attention.
But that’s Nia-chan quality for you.
Apparently, she was in the middle of preparing some wonderfully romantic and stylish items for Sora and me called Hide Cloaks. Her timing was almost too perfect; it was a godsend.
Saying, ‘That will just make it harder for you to walk around outside,’ she rushed to finish one of them for me. Thanks to her, while people may notice my figure, I can walk through the city with my face hidden. That’s why, all in all, I’m completely indebted to her.
After her complete victory with the rabbit jewelry, her excitement never cooled down, so I made a swift escape from the atelier and ended up here. That’s the kind of person she is.
Anyway, putting that aside, I have absolutely no complaints about the reborn [Crimson Rabbit Brooch]—or rather, the masterpiece that is now truly Nia’s work, the [Aquamarine Rabbit Heart].
The hundreds of millions of Luna that vanished for the magi-crafting catalyst fee were, frankly, a small price to pay.
The [Spiral Crimson Tower (My Cash Cow)] is still going strong, the rabbit horns are selling well, and my wallet will likely remain invincible for a while longer.
I wonder how the players who buy the defective [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horns] from Kagura-san are using them. I hear the capture of its lair is also progressing slowly. Maybe the next person to clear it will appear soon.
In any case, besides the list of broken effects in the special effects section, the absurd stat bonus of MID+200 from a single accessory is simply the best.
Equipping it together with the rings and bracelets from the El-Eme series—
――――――――――――――――――
◇Status / Trance◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 100
STR (Strength): 0
AGI (Agility): 0
DEX (Dexterity): 0
VIT (Vitality): 0
MID (Mind): 1150 (+300)
LUC (Luck): 0
――――――――――――――――――
And this is the result. With this transformed body, my LUC has vanished, so I can’t use my main title, ‘Embracing Wings of Brilliance’, but the special effects more than make up for it.
The way it glitters at the base of the side-tail Kagura-san styled is completely a ‘girl’s fashion statement’, but… I’ll stomach it.
Performance over aesthetics. Sure, I’d like to care about my appearance if possible, but deep down, I’m a min-maxer. If it’s a piece of gear with god-like specs, I’d swallow my pride and even wear a skirt—no, that’s impossible, please spare me.
The [Series Lounge No.6] that Nia pushed on me with some talk of it being a ‘stopgap’—it’s culottes… right? Anyway, these frilly pseudo-pants that are on the borderline of what I can tolerate are honestly my limit.
It's a black, one-piece dress with a jacket docked to it. Even from a man’s perspective, I have to admit it’s a wonderful design that balances coolness and cuteness.
But when it comes to me wearing it, that’s a different story. Seriously.
For the record, I threw the knee-high socks she handed me with a beaming face back with all my might. That’s legendary equipment only girls are allowed to wear, have some self-control.
I was saved by the fact that the black underlayer I wore beneath my El-Gran set had an auto-fitting function. Thanks to that, this eighteen-year-old man was spared from exposing his bare legs. What a relief.
And on top of that, I threw on a stylish, mouse-gray coat called the [Hidden Rat's Cloak] and pulled up the hood, making my defense against stares perfect. It has the same perception-inhibiting effect as the El-Gran hood, so no one should realize it’s me inside.
Well, it’s not like they’d know it was ‘me’ even if they saw my face right now, but… oh.
While idly checking my status and skills, I walked and walked until I arrived at a rugged, brick-built house. As usual, smoke was billowing from its impressive chimney, but thinking about it calmly, is that really necessary?
I can hear the usual sound of a hammer… I guess magitechnicians come in all shapes and sizes. As far as I know, even among artisans who specialize in ‘iron,’ someone like Kagura-san has a one-hundred-percent magic-based creation style.
“Well then… coming in!”
I’m used to visiting this place by now. Pushing open the door with its ‘OPEN’ sign, I announced my arrival with a rather unapologetically loud voice.
If I were to get shy and lower my voice here, I’d be flat-out ignored and left waiting, so a cheerful greeting is a mandatory ritual for using this shop. See, as always, a gruff face appeared from behind the counter.
“Hey there, it’s been a while. You helped me out the other day, but again—”
“Who are you?”
And there it is, the blunt, straight-to-the-point choice of words… Well, I guess it’s my fault this time. There’s no way he’d recognize me.
“Ah, my bad—Here, it’s me, it’s me.”
[Construction] is—well, it’s currently unequippable, so it won’t work. Instead, I pull it out directly from my inventory. Plucked from the window connected to my dimensional pocket was… a white ring emitting a faint light.
“…It’s you. You’re early this time.”
“Well, of course. I just settled things with my arch-nemesis.”
The pulse beating from the [Everquartz, the Soaring White Crystal Sword] in my palm was proof of its desire to evolve to the next stage.
Perhaps seeing that—or perhaps hearing my words.
“…I see.”
For once, Halzen wore a complex expression on his face.
“—I understand.”
He gazed at the remnant of ‘White’ and gave a firm nod.
Tragic News: The Acrobat is buried in tasks and can't rest at all.