Chapter 105 - Iron Shield
Thursday
"What's the attack power of the greatsword Nat has?"
"Hmm? That one's +62. It's a quality item."
"Oh, it's really big, as expected."
School on the day before the long weekend.
When I remembered and asked him, it was indeed almost 20 points higher than the two-handed axe I made.
"Shou, are you making a new weapon?"
"I wasn't intending it to be a weapon. But I made a two-handed axe for logging, and it turned out to be +43."
"That's pretty good. If it's a proper two-handed battle axe, it might even surpass mine."
Hmm, so there's a difference between a logger's axe and a battle axe.
Well, it's probably better to just use that one purely for logging.
"Well, for combat I'll use the one-handed axe, and there are small shields, right?"
"They exist, but you don't really see them much."
"Huh, why?"
"If you're going to carry a shield, it becomes a conversation about carrying a greatshield and playing tank."
According to Nat, if you're going to carry a shield anyway, a greatshield that can block solidly is the current trend. And the cause of that trend is Miki ([Seth]).
"Seriously...?"
"Small characters using big weapons or shields looks cool, after all."
"I get that, but..."
Well, if it solves the tank shortage, I guess it's fine. I can't help but feel like it's all part of the developers' plan.
"So, why a small shield for Shou?"
"Greatshields are tank-specific, or rather, they assume you're in a party. Besides, if you're holding a shield in your hand, your left hand is occupied, making a bow difficult to use."
"Ah, so the type you wear on your arm. That's good, isn't it? If you do that, the people using bows might imitate you."
Even if he says imitate...
Bow users probably wouldn't go into melee, and if it's an [Iincho]-like [Elf], their main role would be support with [Spirit Magic] once a brawl starts.
In my case, I'm envisioning long-range combat with a bow, and then if approached, a one-handed axe and a small shield. There really aren't people with that style, are there...?
"Well, I guess I'll just have to try it."
"Yeah. Show it off in your next live stream."
"Don't ask the impossible."
*
"Is today the day to upload a video?"
"Yes. This is the video scheduled for upload."
So, I checked the video [Mion] handed me.
This time it was about [Blacksmithing] and [Sewing]. When I showed everything I made during the last live stream, I thought the same thing: I've made too many things...
"Good work. Finally, the long weekend."
"Hey."
"Hello."
[Bell-san], with a smiling face.
She immediately put on her [VR HMD] and checked the video I had just watched, which was scheduled for upload.
"You're so diligent, though. Normally, people don't make so many different things, you know?"
"I'm just making what's necessary, that's all."
"That's fine, isn't it? This covers up to before the last live stream, right?"
"Yes."
"Is there any new material we can use soon?"
New material... I don't think I've done anything significant since then.
No, wait, I defeated an [Area Boss], didn't I? I reported that, and uploaded a short video too.
Then there's that abandoned house? Ah...
"[Bell-san], do you know about this?"
What appeared in the video [Mion] brought out was that [Transfer Magic Circle].
"....Did you try using it?"
"No. I'm scared because I don't know where it goes."
"Also, this was yesterday."
She pulled out another video, and what played was the scene of [Lupi] taking down a [Greydeer].
And then, the moment [Lupi] acquired her Arts played.
"....What exactly is this creature?"
"I'd like to ask you that."
"Do other tamed animals not have Arts?"
[Bell-san] shook her head at [Mion]'s question.
"Of course, there are companions who acquire Arts. But I've never heard of this <[Mana Aid]> or <[Howling]> before, and to acquire three at once is just..."
It probably depends on the animal, but for dogs or wolves, it's usually just <[Vitals Attack]>.
"And there's this."
Was there something else? I thought, and then realized it was the basket trap for catching river fish.
I think anyone could make this if they knew how.
"How clever. When did you learn how to do this, Shou-kun?"
"Hmm, when I was in elementary school, I guess. My parents were often away back then, so I'd spend summer vacations at my dad's family home in the deep countryside, and my grandparents taught me there."
Those were peaceful times. [Mashiro]-nee couldn't even beat grandma...
Nat and Nat's sister would come to play too, I only have happy memories from then.
"I sometimes see baskets woven from bamboo like this, but those can be made here too, right?"
"Ah, that's right. Actually, if I had that, my room would be a bit tidier. Maybe I'll make some separate from the wooden boxes."
I remember Grandma storing clothes in the closet in something like that. I think she called them 'tsuzura' or 'kouri' (types of woven baskets/boxes)...
It depends on what I put inside, but I probably don't need to weave them too tightly, and there's likely skill assist for [Crafting Skill] or [Woodcraft].
"I'd love to see them!"
"Yeah. For now, it's going on the To-Do list. There are plenty of other things I need to do."
As we were talking, a somewhat tired [Yata-sensei] entered.
"Hah~, finally a long weekend~."
He placed his teaching materials? on the desk and sank deeply into the gaming chair. He looked too tired to even put on his [VR HMD].
"Sensei, there's something I'd like you to see."
"Yes, yes~, which one is it~?"
Hmm? Something she can't tell me or [Bell-san]? Well, it's fine.
Seeing that, [Yata-sensei] put on his [VR HMD] and made an "ah~" kind of face. And [Bell-san] gave him a look like, "You go ahead and ask."
"Um, what exactly is it?"
"When your channel subscribers surpass 100,000~, you get an [Iron Shield]~."
"Ah, that thing, right?"
[Bell-san] seemed convinced, but how do you get an [Iron Shield] in-game?
Getting one just when I was thinking of making a shield feels a bit awkward.
"Shou-kun seems to be misunderstanding~, an [Iron Shield] is something you display, like 'competition winner'~?"
"....Oh!"
My thoughts had completely gone to IRO...
Huh, so they send things like that.
I think it surpassed 100,000 much earlier, but maybe it's because today is the last weekday of the month?
Incidentally, [Mion]'s current channel has about 170,000 subscribers. It skyrocketed when [Lupi] and I appeared in the official promo video, but since then, it's been steadily increasing.
"Next year, Miki ([Seth])-chan will join us, so the [Cybernetics Club] will be secure."
"Um, that's good and all, but this..."
"Ah, yes, yes~, that's right~. Please have the two of you, the parties involved, think about it~."
[Yata-sensei] said, smiling pleasantly. The two parties involved are me and [Mion], right?
What exactly do we have to think about...?