Chapter 95 - Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum
"—What did you just say?"
I know I let out a pretty dumbfounded sound, but judging by Nia's wry smile next to me, my reaction wasn't wrong.
Of the three of us sitting side-by-side at the counter, only one of them… how should I put it… the magitech artisan, was wearing a full-body smug expression. On the counter before her now lay a single crimson dagger.
It was a scene reminiscent of a week ago—but the 'crimson' thing glittering in the light had now transformed from a material into a weapon.
"—[Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum]. In terms of how interesting it is, this is without a doubt a masterpiece that surpasses even [Angalta (Prologue: The Wedge-Fragment that Sings of Eternity)]."
"Rabbit... Parabellum."
Heeeeeey… Let's look at Nia-chan one more time.
The aquamarine-haired girl slowly shakes her head.
…I see.
"That's an… interesting name, isn't it?"
"Not bad, right? A Rabbit Dagger."
Hey, who's supposed to get a joke that subtle?
She's so enthusiastically and confidently proud of her exquisite naming sense. What kind of face am I even supposed to make?
"B-by the way, Kagura-san, you also named [Angalta], right?"
Personally, I thought that one was a pretty good name, from a chuuni perspective—
"Hm? Nah, the names of Terror Armaments are, as a rule, assigned automatically by the system."
But it wasn't you!!
It's not that I dislike it, I really don't, but…!
"…For the record, this isn't her usual style, you know."
Nia whispered quietly from the other side of the high-spirited Kagura-san.
"Kagura-san is surprisingly easy to influence, so her naming conventions tend to change depending on what she's into at the moment… get it?"
This information is useful for my 'mental preparation' for our future association, but why are you using such an emotionally charged whisper-voice right now?
Pick a side, are you messing with me or supporting me?
"W-well… yeah."
Carelessly pushing away the far-too-close Nia, I decided to just drop the subject and turned back to Kagura-san.
"May I have a look?"
"Why so formal all of a sudden? Here, take it."
With a soft click, she picked up what would be my first sheathed dagger.
Since my style is to summon weapons directly from my inventory with a skill, I've always used my swords, whether long or short, without a scabbard or sword belt.
Needless to say, this was to free up even the tiniest bit of inventory capacity.
She should be aware of my circumstances, given that she once gifted me the god-tier item, the Crystal Feather Lightness Charm… but still.
As I took the proffered dagger with both hands, the first thing that surprised me was its lightness.
The source material, the [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horn], was already unnaturally light for its size, but… honestly, for a weapon, it's light enough to be a little concerning.
"I know what you're thinking—but just take a look. That should blow away any of your worries."
"Hmm, in that case…"
Urged on by the magitech artisan, who didn't seem to harbor a single shred of doubt, I tapped the dagger with my fingertip.
[Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum] Custom Weapon: Dagger
A crimson dagger carved from the demon horn of a Ruby Rabbit, guardian of the crimson spiral.
Hidden within the demonic brilliance that governs the immortality of 'Red' is a peculiar authority—
Worship and revere it, fear and kneel. For the pillar is yet immortal, and the gaze of the 'Red Circle' will never fade.
"Hold on a sec???"
Hey, stop hitting me with an info dump.
Both the flavor text and the performance specs, damn it!!!
"Uh, this… wait, huh—What is this???"
"W-what? Hey, what's wrong?"
Sorry, but I don't have time to deal with the freaked-out aquamarine girl behind me.
"What's with this flavor text that's just oozing ominous vibes… and more importantly than anything else—are you serious?"
My confused gaze and words were directed at Kagura-san, who seemed quite pleased to have gotten the reaction she was hoping for.
"Do you really think I can handle this?"
"Conversely, who else but you could handle this?"
"Hey, can you two stop getting into your own little world? Nia-chan is lone—"
"Let's be quiet for a bit, okay? Be a good girl."
"Yes, ma'am."
A quick pro-tip: Nia-chan will listen obediently if you admonish her in a serious tone.
Anyway—man, this is… She's placing what feels like unconditional trust in me, but this time, I'm not so sure I can live up to her expectations.
What is this insane weapon, like some kind of ultimate Swiss Army knife? Each function isn't just a can opener or scissors, it's a bundle of fantasy gimmicks. I could do so many bad things with just this one dagger.
Well, not could, but… if I can master it, that is.
"…My schedule for the rest of the week just filled up."
Every last second will be spent training with this thing.
"Isn't that great? Once you master this, you'll be unstoppable."
"Look at that grin on your face…"
I suppose I have no choice but to accept that I'm just as bad for smiling back at her.
—No, there's no doubt about it. Kagura-san has more than fulfilled her promise to "make something interesting."
In that case, it's only right that I follow her lead and live up to her expectations.
"—Okay. I'll get this thing properly tamed, so you just wait and see."
"I don't dislike that side of you."
I don't dislike that mischievous smile of yours eith—
"Here I come!!!"
"Wha—Guh…!?"
A sudden impact slammed into both my shoulders, sending me flying forward. My forehead smashed into the counter as my chair screeched in protest.
It wasn't a metaphor; I saw stars. An intense numbness shot from my forehead all the way down my back. And in the corner of my vision, a stun debuff icon flashed.
—I know who the culprit is.
—I have a pretty good idea of what just happened.
Then the verdict is decided, isn't it? Alright, until the stun wears off, three… two… one…
"Fumugyu—Hey, wai—! Stop it stooop iiit I'm sorry I'm sorry so sorrryyyyyy!!"
An iron claw as I turned around, with STR:300 (muscles).
The moron, caught in a merciless face-grip, started crying and screaming without a shred of shame.
To top it off, Kagura's laughter echoed, as she apparently finds my back-and-forth with Nia hilarious for some reason.
And the nice gentleman bartender, who continued to polish a glass in silence, not even glancing at us as we instantly shattered the somewhat serious atmosphere and descended into chaos.
This level of chaos—honestly, the fact that I was enjoying it was what really ticked me off.
A gold star for anyone who could read the title on the first try.