kscans

Chapter 98 - Skip This Scene?

Yes ◁ No

Let me make one thing clear: I have absolutely no intention of neglecting my new life as a university student just because of Arcadia.

When I think about my high school years, which were dedicated to part-time jobs and studying, I too feel the desire to reclaim even a little of the youth that was spent saving up for a VR headset.

That's why, no matter how much I'm preparing for my debut match, that's that, and this is this. For my part, I went into this week with the sincere intention of enjoying the rest of my student life to the fullest.

What? Did that sound like the past tense?

Well, just wait. I'm about to unveil the dazzling future of my prologue, the one that goes, "My fun university life starts now!"—in three lines.

The crowds were insane—I was crushed.

The atmosphere was insane—I was annihilated.

The energy was insane—I was instantly killed.

I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from nitpicking about that being three phrases, not three lines.

No, seriously, it was tough. I've somehow managed to get a foothold in getting used to it this past week, but honestly, as someone whose natural disposition leans toward being an introvert, it's all I can do to keep up and not get left behind.

Huh? What am I talking about, when I'm so hyper in the virtual world?

Are there really people who live their daily lives with the same kind of unrestrained excitement as a day at an amusement park?

"At any rate, I survived... I survived...!!"

For now, the preliminary briefings, entrance ceremony, and orientations are all done, and I'm currently in a near-death state, having collapsed onto my bed right after getting home and showering.

Mercifully, today is Friday. It seems university students also get Saturdays and Sundays off, so I should be able to approach the selection matches tomorrow with plenty of time to spare.

I grabbed a bite to eat on the way home, so my preparations to return to the virtual world are complete.

Huh? Don't I need a break? A dive is basically like sleeping all the time, so playing Arcadia is practically the same as resting, right? (Flawed logic)

—Besides, I can't wait any longer. The new equipment I just got from Kagura-san this morning is waiting for me to get back!!

After trying to leap out of bed with the agility of my inhuman avatar and failing spectacularly, I rolled onto the floor next to my Arcadia machine and, with a racing heart, spoke the activation key.

"Drive On."

...This activation key is so on-the-nose that it's a little embarrassing. Maybe I should change it to something less conspicuous—with that final, trivial thought, my consciousness was drawn into the virtual world.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—Hmm, overall..."

The finish is so good there's nothing to complain about. Having finished testing out all my new equipment, I looked down at my newly outfitted avatar and nodded.

First, the armor. The [Desert Serpent Leather Gloves] and [Desert Serpent Leather Boots], which had protected my hands and feet for a long... well, for about a month, were now retired.

New gloves and boots, crafted from a special ore called [Floating Meteor Fragment] and material from a rare monster, the [Misty Snake], were now equipped on my hands and feet.

They were named the [Meteor Serpent Gauntlets] and [Meteor Serpent Boots] respectively—both are items I'm quite fond of for their excellent visuals.

Seriously, it was worth the trouble of gathering the materials.

The [Floating Meteor Fragments], which were just floating in the sky, were no problem for me, but that snake... it would turn invisible, vanish its presence, make clones, and then use those clones as decoys to escape...

Anyway, their performance was also quite impressive, befitting the rarity of the materials.

Each piece provided a VIT+20 stat bonus, with an additional +10 for the two-piece set effect. A total of +50, equivalent to five levels, which, according to the standard Nia taught me the other day, could be called a 'first-class' item without reservation.

As for their appearance, they both had a deep blue base sprinkled with white-dotted accents like stardust—a calm color scheme reminiscent of the night sky.

The [Meteor Serpent Gauntlets], despite the name, had a sleek design, with plate reinforcement from the ore material only on the back of the hand.

As usual, the fingerless design satisfied both practicality and my inner chuuni, which was excellent.

They were shorter than the [Desert Serpent Leather Gloves], which had covered my arms up to the elbows, reaching about halfway between my wrist and elbow. I was so used to the former that they still felt a little strange, but I'm sure I'd get used to them soon.

The [Meteor Serpent Boots] were a very simple boot style. The toe area was reinforced with the ore material, which apparently provides a very slight bonus to kicking actions.

There might be some synergy with a new skill I acquired. It's a minor effect, but it's not like it hurts to have it.

What was remarkable was their lightness. Despite using metal, they were slightly lighter than my previous equipment made from [Desert Serpent] material.

Well, that stuff was floating...

Speaking of clashing, unlike the serpent leather which blended in well, these currently stood out a bit from the rest of my outfit... but apparently Kagura-san and Nia coordinated on that, so I was told not to worry.

I'm grateful for that. I'll look forward to the outfit Nia is making for me.

—Now then. As for my weapons, a total of three new types have been added. The great axe I requested, as well as a spear and a shield.

Well, a shield... a shield? Is that really a shield?

There's one problem child that's a bit hard to explain simply, but I'll set that aside and start with the great axe and spear.

First, the great axe—the [Giant's Hand Axe].

The store-bought [Iron Great Axe] I used in the past was a double-bitted axe with a long handle. In contrast, the [Giant's Hand Axe] is a single-bitted hatchet type with a short handle.

However, while 'hatchet' usually refers to a lightweight, small axe used for camping... this is a Giant's Hand Axe, after all.

Its size easily surpasses my former [Iron Great Axe], and in terms of volume, it's probably more than twice as large as the [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (Angalta)].

What's most notable is the absurd scale of its blade. If held sideways, the surface area of the blade alone could cover my entire body, and it spreads out to be about as long as the handle itself, almost serving as a knuckle guard like on a sword.

The material it was made from was a special rock called [Black Dragon Scale Rock]. This great axe, which was crafted to maximize the material's properties of being 'just plain heavy and ridiculously sturdy,' boasts a ridiculous weight befitting its ridiculous scale.

Its weight is several times that of the [Distorted Iron Lump Hammer], which had once been my de facto main weapon. It even surpasses the [Angalta], which also boasts an extraordinary weight, and apparently, its single-hit power probably exceeds that of the Terror Armament.

As if by right, this one weapon consumed several percent of my and Sora's shared inventory capacity. I'll have to offer her my sincerest apologies later.

By the way, it has no special effects.

Apparently, all of those resources were poured into its durability. I don't mind that kind of muscle-brained design at all.

Next up is the spear. Apart from the very early days in the 'Mushroom Forest,' I haven't really used this weapon type properly, but it has now joined the ranks of my main armaments.

Its name is [Demon Horn Spear: Crimson Valor]—... I guess she couldn't think of any cool kanji readings for it?

I was told to just call it 'Gurenburu,' but as you can probably guess from the name, it's a long spear that uses the aforementioned [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horn].

The shaft is a simple, deep red. The blade, or 'ho,' makes full use of the raw material's majestic appearance, its spiraling, crimson glow dazzling to the eye.

At the boundary between the blade and the shaft, something like a red cloth flutters, but this isn't a decorative cloth; it's a proper effect.

It's not just a visual flair with no substance, either; it serves as an indicator for one of the weapon's special abilities.

That special ability is related to a fragment of the demon horn used on the butt of the spear, opposite the blade—and man, I'm looking forward to using this in a real fight.

Finally, the problem child, the shield... a shield, but, I don't know.

I don't even know if this really is a shield. Due to a specification issue where I can't even test it without an opponent, I don't yet have the understanding to talk about this thing—this [Revolving Shield].

Visually, it looks like a straightforward buckler. The materials used were [Moonlight Turtle's Hexagonal Shell], a monster material, and [Resonant Blue Crystal], a rare mineral.

It has a great look, with a blue crystal that holds a flickering, blue flame-like light set in the center of a polished, blue-silver turtle shell.

When I grip the handle, it covers the back of one hand, and it seems to be designed for parrying and deflecting rather than blocking—but...

Well, I'm looking forward to using this in a real fight... I guess? Can I really use a shield with my durability...?

Its catalog specs seem to be fine... but for this, I guess I have no choice but to trust in the skill of my personal mako artisan.

—And so, with all that.

"Now that I've come to an understanding with you... my preparations are complete."

I nudged the sheathed crimson dagger hanging from the new sword belt at my waist and looked up at the sky.

The day would come tomorrow—I couldn't suppress the smile that spread across my lips, and I found the rhythm of my racing heart to be strangely comforting.