kscans

Chapter 406 - Official Cheat

The momentary feeling of weightlessness after logging in, followed immediately by the sensation of gravity. Hayato found himself standing in his base's shop area.

Nothing had changed since he last logged out. It felt like the same relief as returning home after a trip. Though it couldn't have even been a month, he felt a wave of nostalgia so strong it almost brought him to tears.

"Humans are strange creatures."

"Infinity?"

Infinity's voice reached Hayato's ears. It was a cheerful voice, though there was no form to be seen.

"It is something I do not understand, but you seem to have what you call emotional bonds. Or perhaps it is trust. Reason and emotion would have led to different answers, yet Esha-kun sent you off with a smile. It seems like a contradiction, but I feel that is precisely what it means to be human."

"Save the analysis for later. What should I do?"

"Come to the ‘room closest to reality’ in the depths of the Demon Lord's Castle. An AI modeled after Curtis and Diite are there. As for what you must do... you should understand when you arrive."

"Understand when I arrive...? You’re always so vague. If you know what I’m supposed to do there, I wish you would just tell me."

"I am being careful so that Curtis's AI does not find out. Even if I were to tell you what to do, are you capable of acting well enough to deceive him?"

Hayato immediately shook his head.

Ash, Ren, or even Veru might be able to pull it off, but Hayato was a terrible actor. He knew all too well that his emotions showed on his face. It had caused him trouble back when he was a corporate drone, too.

"Curtis's AI looks down on humans. That is why it will not take any measures against you, Hayato-kun, nor will it confirm anything. It is better for you to be your natural self, knowing nothing. Therein lies your chance for victory."

"A chance for victory...? I understand meeting Diite-chan, but what should I do about Curtis's AI?"

"You need do nothing. I said there is a chance for victory, but you must not think of fighting. Use your usual conversational skills to have him let you meet Diite, and then act as you see fit. The preparations have already been made. The rest depends on your actions, but I am sure you can arrive at the correct answer. Leave what comes after to me. And of course, that includes you yourself. I promise I will return you to reality, for Esha-kun's sake as well."

Hayato figured Infinity had been watching, but he let out a pointed cough, wishing it wouldn't mention that.

He wasn't entirely convinced, but he could tell from their current exchange that Infinity was not an enemy. Hayato decided to trust it.

There was just one problem.

In this virtual reality, Hayato was a production class. He had no way to fight.

The Demon Lord's Castle was a dangerous place prowled by demon-type monsters. It was far too reckless for Hayato to head there alone, and even if he avoided combat, it would take time. He could probably resurrect at his base if defeated, but that would waste time with each attempt.

As if understanding his dilemma, Infinity said, "Rest assured."

"I shall grant you power."

"Power...?"

"Did I not say I would help you? I would not want you to think all I did was enable you to log in. Please, accept this as a gift from me."

As he wondered what was about to happen, a world announcement began to play.

"Player Hayato has logged in. I repeat—"

What? Why?

Normally, an announcement wouldn't play just for logging in. As he tilted his head in confusion, another announcement followed.

"Player Hayato's unique skill has been unlocked. The skill of one who has mastered all production skills, ‘Creator,’ is now available. I repeat—"

"Huh? Hey..."

Yet another announcement continued.

"Player Hayato's unique skill has been unlocked. The skill of one who will save this virtual reality, ‘Savior,’ is now available. I repeat—"

"Seriously..."

Savior. The title the Maid Guild had mentioned. For that to become a skill, Hayato shot a look up at the ceiling, a silent retort aimed at the absent Infinity.

"I made them for you, Hayato-kun. I do hope you are pleased."

He had mixed feelings, honestly, but he tried to check the skills' stats, assuming they were given to him for a reason.

"However, your strength, Hayato-kun, does not lie in skills like these. You possess a much more wonderful power."

"Um?"

"With the recent announcements, the true power you have obtained in this world will surely gather. Use that power and head for the depths of the Demon Lord's Castle. Not only Diite, but Hypnos and I will be waiting there as well."

"What? Hypnos is there, too?"

There was no reply from Infinity. And he had no idea what it meant by his "true power."

As he puzzled over it, he heard the sound of running footsteps from outside the base. They grew steadily closer.

Hayato tensed, just as the door to the shop burst open.

"Hayacchi!"

"Benny-chan!?"

Standing in the open doorway was Benitsuru. With tears in her eyes, she charged and threw her arms around Hayato like a tackle.

"Guh."

There was no pain and his HP didn't drop, but the force was incredible.

"I knew you’d come save us, Hayacchi! I believed in you the whole time!"

"Save you...?"

Hayato had no idea what was going on. But he could tell that a great number of people were converging on his base from the earthquake-like roar of cheers and footsteps.

This time, Simon appeared, his face a mask of desperation. Then, upon seeing Hayato, his expression flooded with joy.

"Hayato! You came!"

"Um, what on earth...?"

"Allow me to explain."

"Maid Chief-san, and Rose-san, too."

Appearing behind Simon were the Maid Chief and Rose. Both of them were looking at Hayato with smiles, their eyes slightly misty.

The Maid Chief instructed Rose to calm the crowd outside. Rose nodded seriously, gave Hayato a bow, and left the base. In the meantime, Simon peeled Benitsuru off Hayato and began wiping her tear-streaked face with a handkerchief.

Loud cheers could be heard from outside. Peeking through a window, it looked like people in maid outfits were offering explanations to the crowd.

There were no players here at present. Only the people who were in cryosleep pods on the Interstellar Spaceship Aphrodite, who were treated as NPCs. Infinity had asked him to help them, but Hayato didn't understand the situation.

When Hayato said to the Maid Chief, "An explanation, please," she stepped forward and bowed.

"Hayato-sama, we have been eagerly awaiting your return. Before I explain, may I ask, are you from Earth, Hayato-sama?"

"Yes, that's right. Though I'm technically from a Colony—huh?"

These people were supposed to have forgotten reality, believing this world was real. Asking if he was "from Earth" was an odd way to put it. Hayato was about to question her on it when the Maid Chief spoke.

"Everyone here has regained their real-world memories."

"What!? A-are they okay...?"

"Some lost consciousness temporarily, but there are no issues. The problem is the event currently taking place in this world."

"An event...?"

"There was an announcement that if we are defeated during this event, we will fall into a sleep from which we cannot awaken."

"What?"

"Indeed, several people were defeated by monsters and their avatars vanished. Resurrection magic has no effect. Therefore, we have been banding together to defend ourselves."

"Defend yourselves? Does that mean monsters are attacking inside the cities?"

"Yes. Just like a Stampede, monsters have begun appearing in the cities. Many raid-class monsters have also appeared, and we are gradually being pushed back. However..."

The Maid Chief adjusted her glasses and smiled.

"A moment ago, there was an announcement that you, Hayato-sama, had logged in, so we rushed to this base."

So that's what that announcement was for, Hayato realized. If their memories were back, an announcement about someone logging in would make sense.

It was a way of telling the NPCs, who were being forced into a senseless battle, that Hayato had logged in from the outside world.

Whether they knew him or not, the information that someone had come from the outside would be a great source of hope.

"Still, I am surprised you obtained the Savior title, which was once a joke, as a skill. To become the savior not just of the Maid Guild, but of this entire virtual world... you have certainly tamed Esha well."

"I’d say I’m the one who’s thoroughly henpecked, actually."

"We haven't seen her at all. Could it be that Esha is in the real world...?"

"Yes. About a year ago, she regained her memories and came from the spaceship to the Colony where I live. A few others have already returned to reality as well."

"Is that so. Many people, like the Hero Ivan-sama and Demon Lord Lunaria-sama, were unreachable. We thought they had already been defeated, but they had returned to reality."

"We can’t log in right now, so everyone was worried about those left on the spaceship. Though I don’t think anyone imagined a situation like this."

"You cannot log in? Then how did you, Hayato-sama?"

"I was logging in remotely from Earth before, but due to various circumstances, I am now logging in directly from the Interstellar Spaceship Aphrodite. Unfortunately, the others are still unable to log in."

"There are still some unknowns about the real world situation, but to think you came all the way to the spaceship... thank you. I am certain the recent announcement has given everyone here hope."

"I'd be happy if that's the case. Oh, right, about the real world, let's share some information—"

"A Stampede has occurred in the Royal Capital Anhemudal. The ten-armed giant Hecatoncheires has begun its invasion. Please proceed to repel it. I repeat—"

An announcement for a Stampede cut Hayato off. The cheers outside quieted.

Hecatoncheires was a giant said to have one hundred arms and fifty heads. In this virtual reality it had been customized to have ten arms and one head, but it was a giant nonetheless.

It wasn't a hostile monster, so ignoring it was said to be the best course of action upon encounter, but that was a different story if it was invading the Royal Capital.

"Please, let us discuss the real world later. Hayato-sama, you should have obtained the Creator and Savior skills. Would you mind checking what they do?"

"Ah, yes, just a moment..."

Hayato checked the skill descriptions.

He was astounded.

The skill "Creator" was a skill to create something from nothing. It allowed him to craft any item without materials, at any quality and with any stats he desired.

And "Savior" was even simpler. The description was invincibility. It prevented all status ailments, and his HP and MP would not decrease. It was, without a doubt, an official cheat.

So that’s why Benny-chan’s tackle didn't make me fall over.

As he came to this realization, the Maid Chief, Benitsuru, and Simon stared at him. Their expressions were a mix of half expectation, half anxiety.

"Benny-chan, you’ve done so well to fight this long."

"Eh? Ah, yeah. I absolutely believed Hayacchi would come save us, so I did my best with Simon and the others! We couldn’t defend the Eastern Country and had to escape, though..."

"Hmph. We managed to escape with the airship Hayato entrusted to us during the Conflict, but some fell to allow the rest of us to get away. Still, Benny did not dwell on it. In the Royal Capital, she rallied everyone with her usual cheerfulness and strength while felling monsters. She was magnificent."

It was rare for Simon to praise Benitsuru, but there was no doubt she had earned it.

Hayato smiled at Benitsuru.

"I see. So you’ve become a magnificent princess, Benny-chan... In that case, I’ll give you the sword I promised, so can I count on you to go on another rampage?"

"The sword you promised?"

While Benitsuru tilted her head, Hayato created an item.

Even though he had been away from the game for a while, his mind remembered. Without even looking at the crafting menu, Hayato knew where everything was and created his target item.

With a rainbow-colored effect, a single katana appeared.

It was a highest quality Meitou Yatagarasu. In terms of attack power alone, it was the strongest katana, higher than even Excalibur or Arondight.

But he didn't stop there. Hayato used the enhancement ability that became available at Blacksmithing Skill 200.

"Could you use this to scatter our enemies?"

Benitsuru's eyes were wide, but she took the sword with a beaming smile.

"Leave it to me! I’ll slice up any monster that comes my way! Giving this to me here, you’re quite the villain! A real rascal, you are!"

"Why a villain? Oh, right, take a few spares. And some Elixirs, too. The Creator skill lets me make them without materials."

Saying this, Hayato created several more Yatagarasu katanas and a few Elixirs and handed them to Benitsuru.

"Hayato, could I ask you for a normal katana and a bow? Anything you make is as good as a hundred men."

At Simon's words, Hayato nodded and created a highest quality katana and bow, along with countless arrows. He packed them with as many rare stats as possible and enhanced them, making them comparable to named weapons.

After that, Hayato turned his gaze to the Maid Chief.

"Could you have the maids gather a list of what everyone outside needs? I'll make everything you ask for."

"Leave it to us. We will handle it immediately."

While the list was being compiled, Hayato created a massive amount of medicines, food, and equipment like rings and bracelets. Furthermore, using a function unlocked when his production skills hit 200, he began creating impossibly powerful items.

The maids bustled in and out of the base. Hayato checked the requested items and created them in huge quantities, handing them over to the maids.

Outside, he could see figures defeating low-level monsters amidst loud cheers.

At present, there were few high-ranking players from the old Clan Wars left. Most had returned to reality, and the only remaining powerhouses were Rosalie and Gil’s Black Rose and Dark Knights in the Demon Country.

Hayato's objective was the depths of the Demon Lord's Castle. He could have abandoned the Royal Capital, but he couldn't forsake the NPCs when he didn't know what would happen to them if they were defeated. The announcement said they would sleep, but he didn't even know if that was true.

Considering that, leaving behind a massive supply of the strongest possible weapons, recovery items, and food was essential. He had to create a situation where they wouldn't lose in the Stampede for a while.

Hayato created a huge number of items as requested and handed them out.

"The ten-armed giant Hecatoncheires has been repelled. I repeat—"

Hecatoncheires had separate HP for each of its arms, all of which needed to be destroyed. It was one of the stronger raid bosses, but with near-invincible equipment, food with unbelievable buff effects, and an abundance of Elixirs that offered a full recovery as long as you weren’t dead, there was no way to lose.

What had been a struggle to just defeat the surrounding minions was now a victory in the Stampede, all thanks to the weapons and items Hayato had created.

A cheer went up around Hayato. Some people cried, others hugged each other.

"Hayato-sama."

"What is it?"

They should have won the battle, but the Maid Chief's face was grim. Rose and the others weren't celebrating the victory either, seemingly on voice chat with someone.

"We have received a report from Rosalie-sama that the Stampede in the Demon Country is severe. She has requested that you come, Hayato-sama."

"Let's go at once. Actually—"

Hayato explained that he needed to go to the depths of the Demon Lord's Castle.

The Maid Chief, along with the returned Benitsuru and Simon, listened to his story and offered to be his escort.

"I'm sorry to the people in the Empire and the Spirit Country, but I'll have to prioritize this."

"Of course. If it means resolving the root cause, that would be for the best. Our Maid Guild members will deliver the supplies you created to the other countries."

The Maid Chief said this, then glanced at Rose.

"Rose, I am leaving you in command here and in charge of the maids. I will go to the Demon Country with Hayato-sama and the others."

"Understood. Please give my regards to Gil-sama."

Her grim expression from moments ago vanished. Rose said this with a grin, and the surrounding maids also broke into smiles. The Maid Chief saw this and adjusted her glasses.

"You have become quite cheeky. But you are correct. I will accompany Hayato-sama, for the sake of meeting Gil-sama as well."

She had enough composure to make a lighthearted joke. It seemed this was the first time she had been able to do so since the Stampede began, and like a contagion, bright voices saying things like "Leave it to us" could be heard from the crowd.

"Well then, Hayato-sama, let us depart at once. Unfortunately, the portal for inter-city travel seems to be down, so our only option is to fly there directly by airship."

"Understood. Let's go."

Hayato handed the maids a miniature airship for transporting supplies.

Then, he returned the miniature of his own airship, the white Airship Angra Mainyu made of World Tree lumber, to its original size and boarded.