kscans

Chapter 682 - The Flame is Always Higher

Ashe—I conquered the [Shadow-Infested Arena] with the [Sword Queen].

The day I released the footage of that event to the world two months ago was undoubtedly the 'final blow' that cemented the scale of my, the 'Acrobat's', fame and all that.

I'm fine with that… or rather, I made the decision to just give up and go for it, so I have no regrets. I still feel hesitant, and it doesn't quite feel real, but I'm slowly coming to accept the 'now' that I've chosen and arrived at.

So, my situation is fine. Well, if I'm being honest, I haven't completely come to terms with everything, but my sentiment of not having any regrets is genuine.

…However. Even so,

"This place is packed day in and day out…"

"Is 'packed' the right word for this…?"

When I see the reality of how my actions are affecting 'others,' I can't help but feel a sense of guilt.

This is a district in a certain city. The Safe Area branch of the [Mirage Workshop], a place I'm so familiar with it's practically a second home.

It was always a lively place with a constant stream of people, but since a certain someone's rise to prominence, its popularity has been steadily growing. The 'final blow' from two months ago also had an effect here, resulting in the current situation where it's overflowing with players.

The name value that has seen an explosive resurgence. At its foundation, of course, shines the name of—

"…I don't really mind what happens to her, since it's the result of her answering orders, but I feel bad for the office staff who are overwhelmed and foaming at the mouth every day…"

"Haha… She seems to be having a hard time herself, though."

None other than my exclusive magic artisan.

Alongside Nia… no, not alongside, I suppose. The prestige of Kagura-san, the sub-master also known as the 'Firecrafter,' who returned to the second seat in the latest ranking update.

This is the workshop of the developer of the 'Alpha Timart,' the first concept of its kind in Arcadia's history, a joint creation with the immovable first seat, the [Crimson Arm].

That's more than enough of a huge topic and achievement to draw a crowd.

Not everyone who comes here can get an audience with her, but the visitors know that. However, even if not directly, their hope to at least touch a piece of the new technology is perfectly normal.

Because this is a craftsman's workshop for players. It's a place that has never turned away those who seek it, so visiting is not a nuisance in any way.

It's just that the hype has gone a bit too far, and the place has plunged both feet into chaos.

"I don't have any particular hobbies like that, but… as a guy, as a human, if I were to just yank off my hood right now, I can't help but imagine what kind of hell would break loose, and it makes me… well, it gives me shivers. Is this what they call a sense of immorality?"

"I don't think that's it…"

And so, I stood with my junior (Kanata) in the shadow of the crowd. With my stealth cloak pulled down low, I muttered some nonsense as if to escape reality and slipped through the clamor towards a certain room.

At the 'checkpoint' separating the lobby and the corridor, which wasn't there before, I briefly lifted my hood, and a familiar female staff member gave me a smile and a pass—

""…………"

—or rather, she did.

But I couldn't help but feel a hint of 'You've done it now, haven't you, fufu' in the depths of her eyes, which couldn't hide their deep fatigue. I couldn't help but bow my head deeply in reflex.

◇◆◇◆◇

"Are you sure? Are the people at the workshop not holding a grudge against me?"

"Who knows. You probably have more fans than you can count."

And so I arrived at a private workshop, cut off from the clamor of the lobby. Facing me was Kagura-san, the beautiful woman in a kimono with hair as radiant as flames.

It wasn't as familiar as Nia's atelier, where I've been holed up on countless occasions, but I've grown quite used to this space as well. It's as sparse and tidy as ever.

"We can chat later. Just hand over what you've got."

"Yes, yes, as you wish."

And this, as always.

Despite her textbook bluntness, she doesn't give off an ounce of an unfriendly or cold vibe. It's a rare and wonderful talent.

In any case, I complied with her request and handed over the data listing the various materials I'd acquired on my recent adventures. The main items were from the four water spirit hunts, plus a large amount of materials from the dungeons I'd cleared over the weekend.

Well, that was to be expected. I was supposed to have gone through some 'high-difficulty' dungeons, but our combat power was so ridiculous that we ended up steamrolling everything…

"…………What is this, a receipt from a wholesale supermarket?"

"Well, everywhere we went, our progress was so fast it was like an express train, so we never stopped…"

Her muttered comment, a mix of exasperation and something else, was probably directed at the endlessly long scrollbar, which was proportional to the number of materials. I scratched my cheek and glanced to the side.

Hmm. He doesn't seem nervous, but he hasn't completely opened up yet.

The puppy-dog face that Kanata-kun frequently shows in front of his family… or rather, in front of me and Sora, with whom he trained, was nowhere to be seen. He had a crisp, composed expression. I still can't say that we've come to a complete mutual understanding with this junior of mine—

"Right, Kanata."

"Ah, yes!"

Just as I was thinking that, Kagura-san called out to Kanata while her eyes scanned the list. In response, the boy didn't seem nervous in front of the 'Firecrafter.' His reply was natural and unforced.

"I saw the video, and it looked fine, but how's the knife? Your hands are a different size from Haru's, so without any adjustments, it must be—"

"No! Not at all! It's perfectly fine!"

"…I mean, adjusting the grip would take a second—"

"It's fine!!!"

"…………I-I see."

Well, even if you look at me like that, Kagura-san. If he says it's fine, then it's fine, isn't it? Yeah.

As a perfectionist, she probably has some thoughts about the hand-me-down [Panga Fool] that I gave to Kanata without any adjustments… but you should just give up.

Even I can't control Kanata-kun when he's in Acrobat-fan-mode.

"Ahem…—Alright, I think I've got the gist of it."

After that slightly awkward exchange, Kagura-san, who had finished checking the list, nodded once or twice and began to speak as she moved her hands.

"First of all, for you, I have no new weapon ideas."

"Aww."

"Don't 'aww' me. You have too many options, and lately, you haven't been able to handle them all. I know you sometimes play your cards carelessly and then regret it later."

"Aww… you know…"

My initial proposal was shot down, and I was completely refuted and silenced in seconds. As expected of the person who sends me into battle, she seems to see right through me.

"For a while, you'll have to bear with what you have until you're completely used to your current hand. …What's with that gloomy face? I may not have any new ideas, but I do have some improvement ideas. We'll talk about them later, so just wait."

"Yes! As expected of my dear sis—thwack!"

She made good on her promise from six months ago. As I spouted some lighthearted nonsense, she knocked me down with a chair thrown from across the desk. Ignoring the fool lying on the floor—

"Kanata, show me that."

"Y-Yes…"

Without a moment's hesitation, she made her request to the other, less cheeky customer.

While intimidated by the 'Firecrafter' who had just decked the 'Acrobat,' the cheeky one looked up from the floor to see Kanata unbuckling his sword belt.

And then, Kagura-san, who had taken it, drew the dagger from its sheath without hesitation.

"Hmm… I had a general idea from watching the Four Pillar archives, but this is indeed Jazz's work. He's the same as ever."

"Wow… you can tell?"

"Despite its simple, rugged, and practical design, it has a stylish inscription. At this grade, any of us craftsmen in the workshop would know. Well, it's not a bad piece."

"Wow…"

Above my head, a somewhat stylish 'craftsman and customer' conversation was unfolding. How unfair. I want to join in too.

"Anyway, since you brought this to me, I assume you're not an exclusive client of Jazz—so, it's fine, right?"

"Then…!"

Rising to my feet along with my chair, I sat down beside them with a grunt. I glanced over and saw my junior's face light up at Kagura-san's words.

Well, that was to be expected.

It's an incredibly luxurious thing to say, but for me, she's still the 'first craftsman I met,' so I feel a sense of familiarity with her first and foremost… but the correct public perception should be one of respect.

In reality,

"You're not quite on someone's level yet, but you're pretty interesting yourself. So, alright—I'll forge a piece for you… no, two pieces."

"…! Yes, please, I'd be honored!"

Just how much her words could make any player's heart tremble.

"Now… if you call me 'sis' again, there will be no improvement ideas for you either."

"I'm really sorry, I got carried away, please forgive me."

Well, something like that. In terms of the pecking order, it's been set in stone from the beginning to the present.