kscans

Chapter 269 - To the Next Tier

"—...and that's pretty much what happened."

""— — — — — — — — — —""

After an explanation that lasted nearly an hour, I finished.

Averting my gaze from the utterly dumbfounded faces of my parents on the other side of the screen, I took a gulp of barley tea to moisten my parched throat.

The time was just past six in the evening. After getting word from both of them that they were home, I had started a video call and explained everything that had happened from the time I started playing [Arcadia] until 'now'.

My mother had asked, 'Are you really Haru?' more than a dozen times.

I had heard my father mutter, 'Is this real?' an uncountable number of times.

They had figured out that I was Haru during the Four Pillar War two days ago, but things had been hectic and the situation was still up in the air, so I'd had to put them on hold for nearly two days.

When they finally got to hear the story, they were bombarded with one otherworldly development after another, leaving them, as a result, perfectly speechless and stunned.

Well, of course they would be.

"Sorry for telling you everything after the fact, but I hope you can understand that it wasn't exactly a situation where I had a lot of choices…"

"Yeah, this… this isn't something consulting us would have helped with, is it?"

With an indescribable expression, my father said, 'We're out of our league,' as he rubbed the bridge of his nose and slumped back into his chair, utterly drained.

"…In any case, Yotsuya-san promised to protect you, right?"

"That's for sure. He's the father of someone I trust more than anyone, so for now, I think we can trust Togo-san."

Incidentally, I didn't mention the part about being her fiancé.

Considering it was a ruse to ward off those bothering Sora, I figured there was no need to needlessly increase the amount of information they had to process.

If I were to tell them, it would be proper to get Togo-shi's permission to share that information with my parents first.

"What are you going to do about university?"

"It's not decided yet. Kunori-san… um, the chairman, he told me to 'prioritize getting the situation settled first'."

For now, I have to start by getting used to my new environment.

This apartment building apparently contains not only a convenience store but also a restaurant and even a fitness gym. Ostensibly, it's a regular (?) luxury apartment building, but in reality, it's a VIP-exclusive security building under the influence of Yotsuya Development.

They've set up an environment where one can live healthily without ever needing to step outside… In other words, as long as I stay cooped up, my immediate safety is guaranteed.

By the way, there are only four residents, including myself and Chitose-san. That's beyond extravagant.

"For my part, I'd like to continue attending if possible, without quitting or anything. …But honestly, I can't really predict what's going to happen from here on out."

"Well, that's true…"

Seeing their anxious faces on the screen filled me with an indescribable guilt—but as Togo-shi had said, this was a development that ordinary people were powerless against.

Me, desperately trying not to be swallowed by the torrent, and my parents, who can only watch from the sidelines… It might be an exaggeration, but we were probably both on pins and needles.

"Anyway, next, Togo-san… Yotsuya will be contacting you to introduce himself, so please handle it then."

""…Which one of us?""

A smile unconsciously escaped my lips as I watched the two of them ask in unison, their voices filled with trepidation.

"Mom, of course."

"…Well, I suppose so."

"…I'll leave it to you."

My father's 'flea-sized heart' was common knowledge in the Kasuga household. And that's fine. Our family has always operated on the principle of 'strong mother, gentle father'.

"Well then… I'll be in touch again soon."

The existence of family, whom I could trust unconditionally, was truly a salvation.

'I'm sorry for making you worry,' I apologized in my heart—and continued to talk with my parents for a little while longer, the first time in a while.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—And so it's 'work' time, let's go."

Drive on—and welcome to the virtual world of Arcadia.

The chaos isn't limited to the real world. As someone who's gained a mission and aims to push even further in my conquests, I'm resolved to tackle this world with more effort than ever before.

Therefore, I can't neglect the tasks on this side either. From fixing the imbalances in my skill build to resolving issues with my armaments, I have a mountain of things to do.

…I called it 'work,' but it seems I don't really need to think of it that way. Even without being told, even without being asked—my stance of simply 'having as much fun as I can' has never wavered and likely never will.

As part of my login routine, I check for messages… Okay, looks like I'm free to move around for a while.

Other than my plan to meet up with Sora at night, I have no other appointments. In that case, the task I should tackle immediately is—

"Wonder how you're doing, boss."

One of the armaments that's developed a problem—my [Anima], which is on the verge of 'evolution.' I think I'll go have him take a look at it.

"—It hates you."

"Not again…!!"

At the workshop of Halzen, the NPC craftsman I hadn't seen in a while.

After receiving his frank assessment just five seconds after handing over my [Anima], I sank to my knees, utterly crushed.

"Incidentally, why? It can't be because I threw it this time, right…?"

It seems the store-bought straight sword I used before acquiring my [Anima] came to hate me, probably because I carelessly tossed it around so much.

However, my current beloved sword, the [White-Flawed Straight Sword], is a weapon designed for throwing in the first place. If it hates me again, there must be a different reason—

"…I don't know what you've been up to, but it's saying that it was used more as a tool than as a weapon. That's what it's telling me."

"I am so sorry."

Indeed, I might have used it more as a tool, or rather, a foothold.

It's all because I got my hands on super-spec weapons like [An-ri Galta (Prologue: The Wedge-Fragment that Sings of Eternity)] and [Parabellum Bullet] so quickly—that's my excuse, but if that's what it's saying, I can't really argue.

To be constantly kicked around without ever getting a chance to shine… yeah, even a weapon would get pissed off. …Or rather, can he really understand all that? This buff old man is amazing.

Smithing is about reading the iron—was that it? If possible, I'd appreciate it if he could communicate as smoothly with humans (me) as he does with iron.

"Well, aside from its feelings toward me… for it to be like that means it's met the conditions for evolution, right?"

The [White-Flawed Straight Sword] I pointed at—resting in the craftsman's large hand—was emitting a light that seemed to seep out from within.

It wasn't just a visual abnormality; system-wise, it was also marked as 'Unequippable'—and as far as I knew, this without exception meant it was in a 'standby state for evolution to the next tier'.

"Yeah, that's right. This one can move forward."

"Yes…!"

And so—the [White-Flawed Straight Sword], whose lack of specs had me worried about its role, was finally taking its next step.

The 'tier,' an index of an [Anima]'s enhancement level, changes its upgrade content depending on whether the level is odd or even. Odd numbers mean 'acquisition of new abilities,' while even numbers mean 'enhancement of existing abilities.'

In that case, this time it would probably be a simple spec enhancement. I might not be able to expect a dramatic improvement… but well, it's one step at a time. Let's aim for the top, step by step, partner.

"Someday, we'll get strong enough to get revenge on his 'katana'… right? So, um… what should I do with this?"

Enhancing an [Anima] sometimes requires materials, and sometimes it doesn't.

In the former case, you bring the [Anima] in its evolution standby state to the designated NPC craftsman to receive a quest to obtain the required materials.

In the latter case, it is simply reforged using the 'experience' accumulated in the [Anima].

This also seems to be skewed based on whether the tier is even or odd. It seems that materials are usually required for odd-numbered tiers, where new abilities are acquired…

"If you need any materials, I'll dash off and get them right now."

With a full-throttle dash of over five hundred kilometers per hour—

"Not necessary."

—but, as expected, it seemed a pure enhancement was likely this time. The craftsman shook his head as if it were obvious, then placed the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] he had been examining on the counter with a gentleness that belied his appearance.

"Give me that."

Then, just as matter-of-factly—he pointed to my right hand and spoke.

"…………Huh?"

I checked where the craftsman's gaze and forefinger were pointing several times, but he was undoubtedly indicating my right hand. I wasn't holding anything; it was just equipped with the [Meteor Serpent Gauntlet] and the [Spiral Crimson Ring]—

"— — — — — — — — — —"

A bad, feeling crept over me.

"……………………Here you go."

I gently removed the gauntlet from my right hand and placed it on the counter.

As I averted my eyes from his unmoving, massive frame and was about to offer the gauntlet from my left hand,

"The ring. Give it to me."

—a merciless demand was issued.

"…………You've got to be kidding me."

I looked at him with pleading eyes, begging for mercy… but the one making this 'unreasonable' demand wasn't the craftsman, but none other than the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] itself.

In short, the unpredictable and unavoidable reality was this:

—Sad news: My [Anima] is about to eat my reward for solo-clearing an ultra-high-difficulty dungeon.

You have got to be kidding me.