kscans

Chapter 94 - The Appointed Day Arrives

—Since the day we formed our contract, Sora's logins, just as she'd said, had become few and far between.

In fact, over the past week, she had visited the virtual world only twice, including the day we climbed the [Spiral Crimson Tower] together.

Even that second time, she didn't have much time, so we spent about an hour just chatting leisurely. Come to think of it, it might have been the first time I'd ever just done nothing in Arcadia—we both laughed about it at the time...

"Hmm."

On a desolate hill stood a single, giant tree.

A colossal, fantasy tree, like a skyscraper. Balancing on a branch at its very top, I was reflecting on the past week and savoring the solitude of playing solo.

In a vast field that could only be described as another world, I was all alone, free to do as I pleased.

I don't dislike this kind of thing—in fact, I thought I was the type who preferred it, but—

"I've gotten spoiled, haven't I?"

I had to laugh at myself for how clearly my excitement was being suppressed by Sora's absence. It's not that my motivation had dropped, but... it felt like there was a ceiling on things when I was alone.

My one and only partner, with whom I adventure.

That existence I had yearned for countless times back when I dreamed of adventuring in this world.

A month ago, I couldn't have imagined that I'd meet such a person on my very first day in a virtual world, and that now, her 'not being by my side' would feel so unnatural.

And as a bonus—though it was far more than a bonus—she was a cute girl like Sora. If I told my past self, he'd probably just laugh and say, "Nice fantasy, bro."

...And so, as I indulged in this twilight game of soaking in my solitude out of boredom, a distinct, high-pitched cry reached my ears.

That sound, like a wind instrument echoing through the sky, was proof that the target of my hunt, which had been going on for two hours now, had respawned.

—Well then, time to get back to work.

Hanging from my left hand was a newcomer to my weapon list, a knife I'd acquired a few days ago.

The hilt itself was shaped like a trigger, and the black blade was only about half its length—a strange-looking weapon that didn't seem capable of fully performing its function.

However, that was just as ordered; its primary role was not to defeat enemies.

I gripped the knife—the [Panga Fool]—in a reverse grip. The moment I squeezed the trigger, a crimson flash of lightning, BZZT!, shot through my body.

This new weapon, a creation of my personal mako artisan, had a very simple effect.

By pulling the trigger, it siphoned exactly ten percent of my HP and, for a short time, applied a buff to my stats—

"—`Ignition`."

Well, in short, this was the reason for it.

Maximum speed without the acceleration process. With the additional minor buff from the [Panga Fool], I instantly became a bullet aimed at the sky.

The massive white bird (a rare monster) that had just respawned—the [White-Shining Bird of Fortune]—let out a terrified cry at the sight of this incarnation of spawn-camping rocketing straight towards it, and—

"`Blink Switch`!"

—that was all it could do before its massive form of [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (Angalta)] smashed its head, scattering its HP.

Poor thing, dead in nine seconds. I recommend it pray to be born as something other than a rare monster that drops useful items in its next life.

Confirming from the results display in the corner of my vision that I had collected the target number of materials, I muttered to myself as I absorbed the now-familiar sensation of falling.

"And with that, mission complete."

Having run through one of the densest weeks of my life, I was wrapped in a rather pleasant sense of satisfaction and fatigue—I stretched out as if to catch the roaring wind and let out a deep breath.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—How'd it go?"

"—Couldn't be better!"

At the now-familiar tavern, five days later—no, I had to request and pick up the [Panga Fool] after that, so it was four days ago.

While feasting my eyes on her glamorous kimono, which felt like a long-missed sight, I answered the toast from her raised wooden cup.

"I managed to collect most of the promising materials you told me about, and my skills have grown a ton. I'm sure I'm still a far cry from the veteran players, but..."

I looked down at the hand of my avatar, which had grown incredibly strong compared to a week ago, and nodded.

"Well, I guess I've gained a little confidence?"

I tried to say it with a bit of feigned conceit—or at least, I meant to. Why was she giving me a look that said, "About time"?

"A rookie running around the Garden solo, and you're saying that now? Let me remind you, combat in this game is generally party-recommended, even against small fry. Don't you forget it."

"S-Sorry...?"

"Why are you apologizing? Go on, be even more reckless."

I thought I was being scolded, but it seems I was being praised. I honestly quite like this side of her, this hedonist—

"—H-o-w l-o-n-g are you two going to be chatting all by yourselves???"

Hey, don't just pop up from below like that.

I almost smacked you out of reflex.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any jewel materials on me."

"What is this, so cold! Nia-chan wanted to do the 'How'd it go?' 'Couldn't be better!' thing too!!"

"How'd it go?"

"Couldn't be better! —That's not it! Nothing is 'couldn't be better' for me!"

This noisiness... I'm not getting used to it, nor does it give me a strange sense of comfort.

It's just plain loud. Visually and audibly.

"Nia-chan."

"What is it!"

"You're bothering the establishment. Please be quiet."

When I replied in an extremely calm voice, the indigo-haired girl dutifully zipped her lips and poked me in the back. It seems she hadn't put any points into STR, as the pokes were utterly feeble.

"You two really get along well."

"Can we stop trying to tag us as 'good friends'?"

"What's your problem with the adorable Nia-chan!!"

"That, right there."

The mysterious creature who zipped her lips again and resumed her poking was put aside for now, and I opened the usual trade window. I sent the bundle of materials I'd collected over the past week to Kagura-san.

"So, that's about it."

"...Mm, more than enough. I've worked out a few ideas on my end, but if there's anything you need, I'll prioritize that."

"Hmm... Even the [Panga Fool], which you whipped up for me, was of such high quality. I feel like I could just leave everything to you."

This woman finished that knife in less than twenty minutes after I came up with the idea and asked her for it.

It seems the production time was only long before because of the materials I'd given her, like the [Withered Fragment of the God-Wedge Armor] and the [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horn]. According to Nia, this lady is basically lightning-fast at her job.

"Do you have any ideas for a big weapon?"

"Ah, you used to use a great axe, right? I thought it might be unnecessary since you have the [Angalta], but... that thing ended up being a blunt weapon in its base form, so I figured you might want a slashing weapon too. I've got something in mind."

"Oh, in that case, I'll leave it entirely to you."

"You got it. Consider it done."

My personal artisan, who perfectly understands my needs, is a godsend.

Skilled, fast, and perceptive... customer satisfaction is one hundred percent.

—Hey, you, indigo girl. How long are you going to keep poking me?

"Fmgyuh!?"

It was starting to get really annoying, so I gave her an iron claw as I turned around. Nia, who had started tapping out a strange rhythm, let out a shriek.

"What is wrong with you? Are you bored?"

"Ppah! 'What's wrong with you' is my line!!"

I shot her a look of exasperation, and Nia, released from my grip, protested with teary eyes while pressing her temples.

Her small avatar using its entire body for dramatic gestures was, I admit, somewhat cute... but her personality, you see.

"I came all this way to see you, and this is the shoddy treatment I get! Pay more attention to me! Be nicer!"

"What do you even want from me...?"

Seriously, I don't get where all this goodwill is coming from.

"Hmph...! What's with you, hmph! Nia-chan isn't bored, you know."

"Even if you sulk, I still haven't heard what you want."

It's not that I'm intentionally treating her poorly. I really wish she'd reflect on her own consistently baffling behavior.

"Well, don't be so hard on her."

As I was thinking that, an unexpected word of support came from Kagura-san. I turned to look at her... and she, who had been watching us with the same amused expression, was opening the trade screen again for some reason.

Then, another trade screen opened in front of me. I tilted my head and accepted the trade as it came, and a portion of the materials I had just given her was returned.

Looking at the contents... it was the material from the [White-Shining Bird of Fortune], for which I'd received an additional request via message just this morning.

"My bad, I took the whole batch. Give that to her."

"Hmm???"

I tilted my head in confusion as Kagura-san pointed to Nia.

The [True White Feather of the Lucky Bird] and the [Azure Sky Feather of the Lucky Bird]—they're feathers. What would a jewel artisan do with them?

"...It's Nia-chan's side job."

At that, a familiar pouting face faded in from the side.

"Side job?"

"Besides being an artisan, Nia is also a tailor who makes clothes. That thing you've been wearing this whole time was originally a gift from her to me."

Excuse me?

This set of a flaxen tunic and black leather trousers, which had practically become a part of my avatar... this high-fashion fantasy costume was made by this indigo-haired girl...?

"Ah... —Nia-san."

"Eh... s-san?"

I straightened my posture and looked at her with a serious face, and Nia showed a perplexed expression.

"Thank you for this wonderful outfit; I'm using it with great care. I look forward to your continued patronage..."

"It's too late to be all formal now!?"

The indignant artisan-slash-tailor started poking me again.