kscans

Chapter 272 - A Return to Form

"Hmm… So, things have settled down for now, then."

"Yeah. Though my mind hasn't caught up at all."

"Well, that's to be expected—oh, which would you prefer, emerald green or topaz yellow?"

"Same as always, I'll leave it to your sense of style."

It was a natural progression. Nia had been worried about my real-life troubles, so I spent some time explaining that I was 'safe,' for now.

Of course, I couldn't tell her the crazy details about 'Yotsuya Development' or the 'fake engagement,' but Nia was always understanding when it came to sensitive topics. She accepted it without a fuss and was now rummaging through her shelves for my 'request.'

"Mmm… It's not a bad feeling when you trust me, but…"

—After showing me that mystical sight and reviving the shattered [Agaphanthus Amulet].

For whatever reason, Nia had completely returned to her usual self… or rather, she was back to how she was when we first met.

Nia's 'strange behavior' wasn't limited to just today.

Every time we met, she had become increasingly and mysteriously demure, her mood unstable as she stumbled through self-destructive bouts of emotional whiplash—recently, I'd even speculated on her 'inner thoughts' and had been feeling a bit flustered myself…

"Mmm, mm, hmm—... I guess with the gems I have on hand, I can only make something temporary at best."

But for some reason, here she was. In a one-on-one situation with me, where she had usually been on edge, she was now completely at ease.

I didn't know whether to be confused or relieved—but,

"If you have a good lead on some materials, I can go get them."

"Hmm… That might be better. I mean, if I were to order something like a [Rusty Onyx], you seem like the type who'd just bring it back without any trouble."

"A Rusty… what?"

"It's a drop from a phantom unique monster called [Livramett Wolf]."

"…First of all, if it's called a 'phantom,' there's the problem of even encountering it."

"By the way, I think it only appeared once, about a year ago."

"Could you please suggest a more realistic 'lead'???"

One thing was certain—as expected, or rather, as it always was.

I didn't dislike this casual back-and-forth with Nia in the slightest.

My first impression of her was one hundred percent 'what's with this girl'… though, well, my assessment of that incident was something that could never be overturned, no matter what.

Thinking back, we started with her as an 'annoying body-preening woman,' and yet we've become quite close. Considering that, perhaps we were fundamentally compatible from the start.

"…Hey, you're making a face like you're thinking something rude."

"It's just your imagination."

Brushing off the sidelong glance from the artisan fiddling with her gems, I got to work on my own task.

In conjunction with my request for Nia to 're-evaluate my accessories,' I had decided to make a major change to my stats.

— — — — — — — — —- ◇Status◇ Title: Acrobat Name: Haru Lv: 100 STR (Strength): 300 AGI (Agility): 350 DEX (Dexterity): 100 VIT (Vitality): 0(+50) MID (Mind): 0(+250) LUC (Luck): 300 — — — — — — — — —-

In the end, I completely lost the MID bonus from the [Spiral Crimson Ring] that had been devoured by my evolved [Everquartz, Sky-Soaring White Crystal Sword]. Fortunately, the more important 'authority' it possessed was inherited by the [Anima], so I dodged a bullet—but still, it hurt.

Even considering the power boost from the [Anima] reaching its second tier, a stat reduction equivalent to 10 levels was not something I could just ignore.

To make matters worse, the [Everquartz] itself was a new MP guzzler, which was like salt in the wound. Like the [Parabellum Bullet] and [Fatal Leak]—every single one of them devours their master's magic.

Rabbit Dagger's cost mechanics were a bit special, so that was fine, but… if I were to use [Fatal Leak] and the White Crystal Sword at the same time, my 250 MID's worth of MP would be gone in seconds.

So, well, the conclusion was—

"I have no choice but to do this…"

— — — — — — — — —- ◇Status◇ Title: Acrobat Name: Haru Lv: 100 STR (Strength): 300⇒200 AGI (Agility): 350⇒250 DEX (Dexterity): 100⇒0 VIT (Vitality): 0(+50) MID (Mind): 0⇒300(+250) LUC (Luck): 300 — — — — — — — — —-

"……………………"

—I closed my eyes, swallowed a few choice words, and after a few seconds, took another glance.

— — — — — — — — —- ◇Status◇ Title: Acrobat Name: Haru Lv: 100 STR (Strength): 200 AGI (Agility): 250 DEX (Dexterity): 0 VIT (Vitality): 0(+50) MID (Mind): 300(+250) LUC (Luck): 300 — — — — — — — — —-

…What is with this lack of 'cohesion'? What is this person aiming for???

"…? What, what are you doing—whoaaaa."

A little over a month since my last stat reset, my second status remake had successfully made Nia, who was peeking over my shoulder, recoil in disgust.

As soon as I made the window visible, such a sound escaped her lips, and I, aware of my own abnormality, couldn't say a word in my defense.

This was a decision I had made after careful consideration, but…

"Th-there's so much to comment on… DEX: 0? What are you, in need of nursing care???"

"That's the least of my worries."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I'm starting to lose confidence in what I'm saying too."

Well, in all seriousness, DEX doesn't matter.

Thanks to the advanced Light Arts skill [Adamant Sky Dash], I effectively have 200 anyway… though the effect wears off in less than ten seconds at top speed.

And I get a small boost from [Hare Real], too… though that's the very thing that turns my avatar into an unstoppable runaway express.

—Looking back, what is with this avatar of mine? Is this a joke?

"You've dropped your agility quite a bit too… Are you sure about cutting back on your identity?"

"Well, with skills and 'Matoi' and all, I can still pull off the equivalent of AGI: 500."

"Would you please get serious?"

"Sthop ih, leh go."

Come to think of it, this kind of unreserved physical contact has also been a while.

As my cheek was being stretched… now that I've faced numerous skilled players, there was something I wanted to say loud and clear.

Namely—the retort that 'I'm not the only one who's weird'.

"In terms of speed, Irori and Iris are just as nuts. I know for a fact they don't even have 200 AGI."

"You should realize your basis for comparison has broken through the ceiling, you know? Comparing yourself to weirdos and calling yourself normal just means you're weird, too."

Even so, considering the range of their abilities, they're far more ridiculous. When Iris naturally surpassed my 'Shukuchi,' it was a genuinely terrifying experience.

Stop casually overturning a nearly twofold AGI difference.

"And you called Iris by her name… you called the 'Princess' by her name…!"

That's what you're commenting on?

Well, normally it might be presumptuous, but with her, we had a desperate life-or-death battle from our very first encounter, so… she feels more like a 'comrade in arms,' despite being an enemy.

…I wonder if calling her 'that girl' would get me convicted by some people.

"Well, whatever… Hey, you've raised your MID that much and you still need accessory boosts?"

Normally, Nia's question would be perfectly reasonable. After all, the top priority I've requested for my accessory review is 'boosting my MID stat'.

However, the red-and-white combo that has now happily become a double front is anything but a 'normal armament,' so I have no choice.

Honestly, even with this much—

"My MP has nearly doubled, but I probably still wouldn't last a minute if I went all out with everything."

"Since when did you become a mage?"

"I've always been and always will be a light warrior."

Hey, what's with that look? Acrobat and light warrior are practically the same thing.

"Well, if you're fine with it, then I guess it's okay… In that case, let's see."

Whether she was convinced or not, the fact that Nia could just brush it off suggests that she, too, has adapted to me as a player.

As a customer, there's nothing more reassuring than having the understanding of your personal craftsman—and so, the two of us continued to exchange ideas and iron out the details.

Without reservation, without mercy.

The scales that had tipped in my favor as Nia grew quieter had, before I knew it, tipped back once more—

"Oh, come on, you can do it, right? Compared to a one-on-one with the Princess, that should be…"

"You should realize your own standards are getting warped, too, you know???"

Words were exchanged, and an unguarded smile escaped my lips without my noticing.

The time spent with the artisan, who, like in the old days, often teased me with high spirits—was, for me right now, easy, comfortable, and appreciated.