kscans

Chapter 95 - Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum

"—Come again?"

I admit I let out a rather dumbfounded sound, but judging by Nia's wry smile next to me, my reaction wasn't off the mark.

Among the three of us sitting side-by-side at the counter, only one... how should I put it... was wearing a triumphant, smug expression. On the counter before my personal mako artisan now lay a single crimson object.

It was a scene much like a week ago—but the 'crimson' thing, gleaming under the lights, had now transformed from a material into a weapon.

"—The [Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum]. In terms of being interesting, it's a masterpiece that undoubtedly surpasses the [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (Angalta)]."

"Rabbit... Parabellum..."

Hssssssssssssss—... One more time, look at Nia-chan.

The indigo-haired girl slowly shook her head.

...I see.

"Th-That's an interesting name, isn't it?"

"Not bad, right? A 'Rabbit Dagger,' you see."

Hey, who would ever get a pun like that?

She was so enthusiastically and confidently proud of her exquisite naming sense, and I had no idea what kind of face I was supposed to make.

"B-By the way, you were the one who named the [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (Angalta)], right, Kagura-san?"

Personally, I thought that one was a pretty good name, from a chuuni perspective—

"Hm? No, the names of Terror Armaments are, as a rule, assigned automatically by the system."

It was, wasn't it!!

Not that I dislike it, I don't dislike it, but...!

"...By the way, she's not always in this style, you know."

Nia whispered quietly into my ear from the other side of the very pleased Kagura-san.

"Kagura-san is surprisingly impressionable, so the direction of her naming sense depends on whatever her current craze is... you know?"

This information is helpful for my 'mental preparation' in our future dealings, but why are you using such an emotionally charged whisper-voice just for this?

Make up your mind whether you're joking or trying to help.

"W-Well... yeah."

Casually pushing away the overly close Nia, I decided not to dwell on the matter and turned back to Kagura-san.

"May I have a look?"

"Why so formal—here, take it."

With a clatter, she picked up what would be my first sheathed dagger.

Since my style involves pulling weapons directly from my inventory with my switching skill, I've always used straight swords and daggers without a sheath or sword belt.

Needless to say, this was to free up even a little bit of my maximum carry capacity.

She, who once gave me the god-tier item [Crystal Feather Lightness Charm], should be aware of that fact... so then.

As I took the proffered dagger with both hands, the first thing that surprised me was its lightness.

The [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horn] it was made from was also unnaturally light for its size... but honestly, as a weapon, it was light to a slightly worrying degree.

"I know what you're thinking—but just take a look. That should blow away any concerns."

"Hmm, then..."

Urged on by the mako artisan, who showed not a shred of doubt, I tapped the dagger I'd received with my fingertip.

[Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum]
Crafted Weapon: Dagger
A crimson dagger carved from the demon horn of the Ruby Rabbit, guardian of the crimson spiral.
Within the demonic gleam that governs the immortality of 'Red' lies a strange authority—
Worship and revere it, fear and kneel. For the pillar is yet immortal, and the gaze of the 'Red Circle' never ceases.

"Hold on a sec???"

Hey, stop hitting me with an information overload.

Yeah, both the flavor text and the performance specs!!!

"Uh, this... huh, wha—this, what is this???"

"Wh-What? Hey, what's wrong?"

Sorry, but I don't have time to deal with the panicked indigo-haired girl behind me.

"What is this flavor text that's spreading all this ominousness... but more than that—are you serious?"

My confused gaze and words were directed at Kagura-san, who seemed quite pleased to have gotten the reaction she was hoping for.

"Do you think I can handle this?"

"Conversely, who besides you could possibly master this?"

"Hey, can you two stop getting into your own little world? Nia-chan is lone—"

"Let's be quiet for a bit, okay? Be a good girl."

"Yes, ma'am."

Nia-chan listens obediently if you admonish her in a serious tone; that's a good tip to remember.

Anyway—man, this is... It's like she has unconditional faith in me, but this time, I'm not sure I can live up to her expectations.

What is this ultimate Swiss Army knife of a weapon? Each of its functions is a chunk of fantasy gimmick far beyond a can opener or scissors. You could do countless 'bad things' with just this one weapon.

Well, you could... if you could master it, that is.

"...My schedule for the rest of the week is completely booked."

Every last second will be spent training with this thing.

"Isn't that great? Once you've mastered this, you'll be unbeatable, right?"

"You look like you're having fun..."

I suppose I'm no better, a smile spreading across my face in response. There's nothing to do but accept it.

—No, without a doubt, Kagura-san has more than fulfilled her promise to 'make something interesting.'

In that case, it's my turn to follow her lead and meet her expectations.

"—Okay. I'll tame this thing completely, so you can look forward to it."

"I don't dislike that side of you."

I don't dislike that mischievous smile of yours eith—

"And BOOM!!!"

"Wha—Guh...!!?"

A sudden impact slammed into both my shoulders, sending me flying forward and my forehead crashing into the counter. The chair protested with a creak.

Stars literally scattered across my vision, and an intense numbness ran from my forehead down to my back. In the corner of my vision, a stun debuff icon flashed.

—I know who the culprit is.

—I have a pretty good idea of what happened.

Then the verdict is decided, right? Okay, until the stun wears off, three... two... one—

"Fmgyuh—hey, wai-!? Nonononono-nononononono I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm so sooorryyyy!!!"

An iron claw as I turned around, with STR: 300 (all muscle).

A merciless grip on her face, and the idiot crying out with no regard for shame or honor.

To top it off, Kagura-san's laughter, who for some reason seems to find my interactions with Nia hilarious.

And the nice gentleman bartender, who, without a second glance at us for instantly shattering the somewhat serious atmosphere, just kept silently polishing a glass.

This level of chaos—honestly, the fact that it was fun was what was so irritating.