Chapter 171 - What is a Level Cap Breakthrough?
“Aren’t you going to check the other paths?”
"Yeah, not today. There are a few things I want to get done before that..."
Since real-world dinner was pork, in-game dinner was chicken, Parpigeon.
Negima skewers with Kitopukusa in between, I could eat these endlessly.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Woof-woof."
Now, I need to do it while the thought is fresh.
"Lupi, could you lend me your mother's keepsake for a bit?"
"Woof."
She sat down and offered me the pouch around her neck.
“Ah, so you’re making a necklace for Lupi-chan first.”
"Yeah. Since we're here, I was thinking of using that Mithril."
“I see!”
Mithril is rare, but if I'm using it for an accessory, I won't need much, and more importantly, lighter is better.
"~~~♪"
"Woof!"
Sweee and the fairies arrived just then, probably heading to the southwest forest to play.
"Alright, let's go."
...
..
.
“Are you making gloves too?”
"Yeah. Today, I shot down over a dozen Crimson Apes, but my fingers were sore..."
“Ah, you’re right.”
Honestly, it was beyond sore; it hurt.
It wasn't enough to stop me from shooting, but if there were twice as many, I'd probably feel quite miserable.
"Natto was properly wearing gloves too, and I just realized now that they must be standard equipment."
Holding things barehanded feels better, but when fighting monsters, hand protection is essential, so I should make them sooner rather than later.
“What materials will you use?”
"I still have a bit of Red Armor Bear leather, so probably that."
“But you’re making them in the blacksmithing area?”
"Yeah. I want to make Lupi's and my pendants first, and I have a sample glove here."
Entering the blacksmithing area, the first thing I picked up was the blacksmithing heat-resistant glove.
“I see!”
"Well, I don't plan to make such bulky gloves, but having something to reference will probably make things more efficient."
I also want to change the design slightly for my left hand, which holds the shield and bow, and my right hand, which holds the ken-nata and nocks arrows.
Making some nice gloves and perhaps starting a trend doesn't sound bad, does it?
...
..
.
"Eh... is this another 'screw-up'?"
[Magic Wolf Fang Pendant]
A pendant made of Mithril and the fang of the phantom beast Managarm. Excellent at retaining mana. Max MP +183.
“It’s amazing, you know.”
"Ah, yeah..."
Max MP +183, was that about one Magic Crystal Stone (Medium)? To have that much from just one pendant...
If this is in line with the island's story, then there must be enemies that require this level of equipment, right?
“If Lupi-chan’s MP also increases, her Mana Aid will probably be incredible too.”
"Alright, I'll make one more and give the better one to Lupi."
There's no point in worrying about brokenly powerful items now. It's much better than making something useless.
I measured the other fang and created a similar holder.
[Blacksmithing Skill level has increased!]
After that, I precisely fitted the fang, welded a guard to prevent it from falling out, and braided a Ranziboa leather strap to complete it.
[Crafting Skill level has increased!]
How is it?
[Magic Wolf Fang Pendant]
A pendant made of Mithril and the fang of the phantom beast Managarm. Excellent at retaining mana. Max MP +187.
"Yeah. As expected, the combination of the fang and Mithril is amazing."
“I think it’s also because Shou-kun’s Blacksmithing Skill and Crafting Skill are amazing.”
"Hmm, I think there are probably people with higher skill levels than me in Silver Manor, though."
My master, for example, apparently reached Pottery Skill level 9 and is rumored to be the first to max out a production skill. As expected of my master.
"Woof!"
"Welcome back, Lupi. Perfect timing."
She probably dropped off Sweee and the fairies, then came dashing back.
Seeing me working, she wisely stopped right before me and sat down.
"Here, this is a matching one for us."
I took off her pouch and put the Magic Wolf Fang Pendant around her neck.
I also put on mine, which had the Light, Tree, and Water Spirit Stones dangling from it, making them matching.
"Woof~"
"Haha, that tickles."
Seeing Lupi happily playing, I truly felt glad I made it.
“Don’t forget about our matching one either, okay?”
"Yes."
I should go through the procedure so I don't forget...
...
..
.
"Alright, this one's finished too."
[Red Armor Bear Quality Gloves]
Gloves made from Red Armor Bear leather. Good quality with suppleness and flexibility. Defense +8. Presence Concealment +1.
Yeah, it's that feeling again.
“Amazing. I think it was already at max, but what happens when you equip it?”
"Oh, right. Equip it right away... but first, let me check."
When not doing MP-consuming tasks, I take off my mantle and put it in my inventory.
So, right now, only the boots are providing a bonus.
"With just the boots, my Presence Concealment Skill level is 8. My base is 7, so it's +1, right?"
“And with the mantle, it’s +2, right?”
"Yeah. When I put on the mantle... it went up. My Presence Concealment Skill level is now displayed as MAX."
“Yes.”
"And now, when I put on the gloves..."
[The world's first Skill Level Cap Breakthrough has appeared!]
[World's First Skill Level Cap Breakthrough (ALL): Acquired 5 SP]
[World's First Skill Level Cap Breakthrough (Presence Concealment): Acquired 3 SP]
[Stealth Skill is now acquirable!]
"Ah..."
“Congratulations!”
"Haha... Mion, I'm sorry, could you check the forum for me?"
“Yes!”
So, MAX skill level 10 isn't a breakthrough, but 11 is considered a breakthrough?!
I was completely caught off guard because nothing happened when it reached MAX...
"Woof?"
"Lupi is a good girl, isn't she?"
For now, I'll pet Lupi and let myself be soothed.
Also, I'm curious about the Stealth Skill.
Which one is it...? Oh, right, my character level went up, but I haven't allocated my BP yet. No, that's fine...
"Found it. Stealth Skill, requires 9 SP, so it's a rare skill."
My remaining SP increased to 14 with the previous reward, but spending 9 here to get it is a delicate decision.
From the image of the word 'stealth' itself, it seems like it would be useful in crowded places, so I wonder if there's any point in me getting it here.
I'll think about it if Sweee ever takes me to a populated area again...