kscans

Chapter 69 - Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity

"Ugh... I miss the countryside."

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve grumbled that lately.

Tokyo, the nation’s capital—a metropolis so urban that I can’t even begin to guess how many times, no, how many dozens of times more “city power” it holds compared to my hometown. It was the city of all cities. For someone like me, who had lived a modest eighteen years as a country bumpkin, three days was more than enough to be overwhelmed by the various culture shocks.

In fact, I was practically dead on the first day. I’d secured a room a fair distance from the city center, so I’d arrogantly thought, “It’s probably just semi-urban, right?” But the population density, so immense that “off the charts” feels like an understatement, completely crushed my spirit.

"I must pass hundreds of people just going to the convenience store... Is this the true power of the capital..."

It’s not that I hate people or that I’m bad with crowds. Thanks to my time as a part-time warrior, I didn’t think living among people would be a problem—or so I used to believe.

...Well, I'll probably get used to it. The various workplaces I’ve experienced over the last three years have taught me, much to my dismay, that humans are creatures with an insane level of adaptability.

"I've got to acclimate a bit before university starts..."

My university, which I'll start attending in about two weeks, is a little under twenty minutes away by train, including transfers. I managed to snag a pretty good place with decent access, but given the population situation here, the journey is bound to be fraught with hardship.

Putting that aside, though.

It’s been three days since I moved here from my parents’ place. In other words, three days since I entrusted that certain item to Kagura-san on moving day. If she’s finished it as promised, then today is the day I finally come face-to-face with my long-awaited Terror Armament.

I’ve been so busy with the move that I haven’t been able to log into Arcadia even once since then. I told Sora I might be gone for a few days, so there’s no problem there, but frankly, I’m starting to reach my limit.

Getting my bearings, dealing with paperwork, making the rounds to greet people—I’ve taken care of everything I needed to do these past three days. I’ve finished my shopping, and my first-ever personal refrigerator is packed to the brim, enough to let me be a shut-in for two weeks. Delivery services are a godsend. Are they a gift to those who live alone?

In any case, I can’t take it anymore. The flame of my motivation, which I’ve been forcibly suppressing since the battle against [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King], is on the verge of exploding from being held back too long.

"Food, check! Hands washed, check! Air conditioning, check! Alright, here I come, virtual world!"

Clad in my symbolic uniform of freedom—a t-shirt and shorts—I charged at the [Arcadia] console and activated the ark that would transport me from my old home to my new one in the virtual world.

Excellent cushioning. The components whirred into action with a quietness that was almost unsettling, and the word “Ready” faded onto the transparent lid.

"Drive on!"

I uttered the startup key I had longed for while dealing with all my real-world obligations. The “Ready” text shifted to “Standby”—and my consciousness shifted from the real world to the virtual one.

◇◆◇◆◇

"...Whoa."

The moment I saw it, that was the first thing to escape my lips, my voice trembling. I unconsciously took a step back. Before my eyes stood another player, and in her arms, a single greatsword.

"I can say with confidence—this is my greatest masterpiece."

Her smile was different from her usual cheerful one; it was a fearless grin that felt almost ferocious.

Kagura-san, who had contacted me in literally a split second after I logged in, held out the item in her arms as if to say, “How about that?”

Swallowing hard, I tapped the greatsword—no, the lump of iron—she offered me.

"—[Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (An=Re Galta)]...!"

A window opened, displaying the weapon's details along with its grandiose name.

[Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (An=Re Galta)]
Terror Armament: Greatsword
A fragment of an epic poem bestowed by Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King, one of the pillars enshrining a god.
Though its steel body has withered under a white divine might, turning it to scrap,
the pulsating martial prowess of the King's Sword will walk a new royal road with its wielder.

This game has a rare feature: equipment doesn’t have clearly defined stats like attack or defense power. Or rather, they aren't visualized.

This thing was no exception. Despite being called a details window, all it listed was the name, category, and an incredibly chuuni-esque flavor text. The abilities it held within—which should have been the most important information—

"...I see."

The moment I gripped its hilt, [Arcadia]'s trademark brain-installation feature told me everything... Wait, who am I kidding trying to be cool?! What is this thing?! This is insane!

"It’s not... broken, is it?"

"In two ways, yes," Kagura-san replied to my mutter with a knowing smile. It seemed she was also aware of its abilities.

When she said “in two ways,” she was likely referring to its appearance.

Although its official category was a greatsword, its appearance was hardly what you’d call a “sword.” To put it bluntly, it looked like an iron bar with a hilt attached. I couldn’t even see a part that would function as a blade.

It looked like a work in progress, or, as Kagura-san herself said, something that was damaged. I could do nothing but nod in agreement.

And yet, the gleam of the material, which still strongly retained the majesty of [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King], and an indescribable pressure of information radiating from it gave this thing—[Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (An=Re Galta)]—an air that set it apart from ordinary weapons, the dignity of a Terror Armament.

"Well, the current look is just for show. What path it takes from here is entirely up to you... Here, take it."

From the tip of the hilt to the pommel(?), it was a chunk of iron no less than two meters long. I could only imagine its weight. Even Kagura-san, a max-level player whose overall stats were likely higher than mine, held it out with a gesture that suggested she was struggling to support it.

My throat moved unconsciously as I accepted it with both hands. An unforgiving load, just as I'd imagined, pressed down on my avatar as if to crush it.

"This thing... there's no way I can swing it normally."

"I'd say even a pure STR build would barely manage it with both hands after dropping the weight of their other gear. For some reason, the moment it was completed as a weapon, it got heavier than its base materials."

"What in the laws of physics is that?"

Kagura-san laughed as if to say, “How would I know?”

"In any case, with this, the request... no, the contract is complete."

The wielder and the weaver of a Terror Armament are bound together for life. You can’t just switch to a different artisan halfway through, so just like with NPC craftsmen for an [Anima], a long-term relationship is set in stone.

Ironically, what had been a mere verbal agreement for her to be my exclusive artisan had now become an undeniable reality.

"Once again, I'm counting on you from now on, Sis."

I extended my hand in gratitude to my exclusive artisan, who had completed a job I had absolutely no complaints about. Looking satisfied and somewhat relieved, Kagura-san accepted my handshake without hesitation.

"Likewise, I'm counting on you for the long haul—and I'll knock you flat the next time you call me 'Sis'."

And so, the nickname I tried to casually make stick was met with a swift rejection.

Isn't refusing to be called 'Sis' when you act like one a bit out of character...?