章 25: Chapter 25
The stage reward boxes were arrayed before me.
Two R-grade boxes, and three N-grade boxes.
'Last time, all I got was a peculiar necklace from the EX-grade box.'
I touched my neck. The necklace I'd acquired then was dangling there.
What was it again? They mentioned it would be useful as the story unfolded.
'I wonder what kind of remarkable function it conceals...'
But for now, I craved something that could lend immediate help. It'd be ideal if it could be utilized effectively in the upcoming stage.
Firstly, I placed the three N-grade boxes on the bed.
The stage reward boxes typically contained consumable items and crafting materials, and occasionally a complete set of equipment.
However, even when complete gear was included, it was usually of a lower tier. In the case of N-grade boxes, 99 percent of the time, they held N-grade equipment.
'But there's still a non-zero chance, right?'
Could it possibly yield an SSR-grade piece of equipment?
I hastily opened the three N-grade boxes.
"Did any complete gear drop?!"
A blinding light spilled from the opened box. Just from the emitted radiance, you could roughly estimate the item grade. What was the hue!
Gray!
Gray.
And gray it was....
All three were gray. All three were N-grade items.
"Tch..."
Well, what more could I expect from N-grade boxes?
I grumbled as I examined the contents. Let's see.
[Rewards]
- High-level Stamina Potion
- High-level Stamina Potion
- Ice Enchant Scroll
Someway, all three were consumables. It would've been better if at least some crafting materials had dropped. They'd have come in handy while manufacturing something.
'But these items are still quite useful.'
High-level potions had a significantly superior restorative effect compared to regular ones. Stockpiling them for emergencies proved rather beneficial.
Enchant scrolls were also practical items. Once activated, they endowed an attribute to your weapon for that particular stage.
If I were to apply it to something like Damien's crossbow... the effects would be phenomenal.
'I'll hold on to these.'
Next, I shifted my focus to the two R-grade boxes. I decided to open them one after the other.
Firstly, I cracked open the initial box.
"Did any complete gear drop?!"
Flash!
A blue radiance seeped from the opened box.
Ah, it's an R-grade item!
[Standard Advanced Magic Core(R)]
"It's a crafting item..."
Though my enthusiasm had dwindled, the Magic Core was still one of the rarest items among the materials.
Magic Cores were a crucial component in high-level gear, typically employed in the construction of high-grade weaponry or the forging of artifacts.
'I've already gathered three Magic Cores.'
I scrutinized my inventory.
One 'Black Spider Queen Magic Core(SSR)' obtained from the tutorial stage.
One 'Phantom Knight Magic Core(SR)' obtained from today's stage 1.
And this 'Standard Advanced Magic Core(R)'.
'It'll be useful when I begin crafting earnestly...'
I pocketed it, then picked up the last R-grade box. Without any grand expectations, I unlatched the box.
Thud!
Immediately afterwards, a dazzling golden light erupted from the opened box.
"Huh?"
My eyes widened in shock.
Gold here? An SSR grade materializing?! Am I seeing things because I'm intoxicated?!
Boom boom boom-!
A triumphant fanfare followed, and a glove emerged from the box, radiating a dazzling golden light. It was a black leather glove adorned with a metal emblem.
"Holy shit!"
Taken aback, I leapt from the bed.
An SSR grade, and a complete set, at that?!
Startled, I quickly scooped up the gloves with both hands and inspected their details and attributes. What?!
[Lucky Strike (SSR) Lv.7]
- Category: Combat Gloves
- Attack Power: 0~777
- Durability: 7/7
- All probability determinations get a 1% bonus.
""Today's a lucky day." - A Gambler"
"No, you gotta be fucking joking!"
I slammed the gloves onto the ground.
Of all things! Of all the distinct weapons in the SSR grade!
"So it's the Lucky Strike, the prank item!"
This flashy glove has a straightforward effect, true to its stats.
Indeed. If you're fortunate, you hit the damage jackpot and can fell a boss in a single blow, but if you're unlucky, you register a big, fat zero.
The combatant class is already a gamble with its fundamental skills, and if you equip this weapon, you transform into a living, breathing wheel of fortune.
It might make for an amusing spectacle during broadcasts, but the character who sports it often meets their end during battles.
Because the so-called probability bonus frequently results in minimal damage and consequent death.
"Where am I supposed to use this piece of shit?!"
I choked back tears of frustration.
There's no combat hero, but this weapon is, to begin with, for amusement. It's worthless in actual battles!
I can't discard it, either. And who to give it to...
After some deliberation, I donned the gloves.
They're better than the flashy black decorations I was wearing anyway. Or so I thought.
Clank!
I clenched my gloved hands. They felt extremely comfortable. The SSR grade item had its merits.
"Ah, well... whatever it is, it is..."
There's no opportunity for me to wield a weapon on the frontline. I'm virtually combat-shy.
If something occurs, I can hope for a jackpot. Let's be optimistic.
"...Fuck."
How can I stay positive! Ahhhh! I yanked at my hair in exasperation.
There are so many superior SSR equipment items. There's 'Tear of the Seraph', 'Life Eater', 'Heaven's Sign'.
If only they had materialized, the game would have been a breeze.
Why! Of all things! Lucky Strike!
So, having scored the golden item, I was so disheartened that I grumbled until dawn before finally succumbing to sleep.
***
The following day.
"Oh, my head..."
I woke up nursing a hangover, and it was already noontime.
When I sluggishly emerged from my room, all the servants toiling in the mansion bore the dark circles of sleep deprivation. They all seemed to be nursing hangovers too.
"Your Majesty, have you stirred from slumber?"
Lucas, positioned at my chamber door, welcomed me with a haggard expression.
He seemed fairly hungover, his usually immaculate blonde hair looking noticeably disordered.
"Are you recovering? You should have rested until daylight."
"As your knight, charged with your safeguarding, how could I do such a thing?"
Immediately afterward, Lucas covered his mouth, stifling a retching noise.
"But... I am... somewhat spent..."
"If you admit to that, it must be truly challenging..."
I wondered if there was anything that could ease a hangover.
"Good day to you both!"
Aider emerged in the corridor, always so full of vim and vigor. Why?
On Aider's tray were two cups, steam curling upward from them.
"Here, this is hot honey water. Have a sip, each of you!"
Aider handed us each a cup. Such a considerate gesture.
Drinking the warm honey water, I felt some relief. Ah, I believe I'll survive.
Lucas and I drained our cups and handed them back to Aider, who grinned subtly.
"You're likely weary from the battle and suffering a hangover. It might be wise to rest today, don't you agree?"
"Can we afford to? We must ready ourselves for the next stage."
I slapped my still half-awake face with my hand, rousing myself further.
"Aider, what's the status of the magic stones we collected yesterday? Can we convert them to currency?"
"They're prepared for sale. However, they might not fetch as much as the Black Spider Legion magic stones did."
There would be a variance in the quality of the magic stones, and the merchants' demand might have waned after our previous large influx. It was unavoidable.
"Oversee the sale. Get us the best deal."
"Leave it to me!"
"Good. Let's handle the magic stones that way... Lucas, Aider, accompany me. We've work to do."
I ushered Lucas and Aider out of the mansion. Our first destination was the town's blacksmith.
As we approached the blacksmith, we could observe them busily pounding on iron and honing blades.
A discreet system window surfaced at the entrance.
[Facility - Blacksmith Lv.3]
The town's facility level could advance from 1 to 10. With each level increase, various benefits become accessible.
At the blacksmith, the array of equipment that can be created expands as the level climbs, and the chance of generating high-grade equipment increases.
At level 3, all fundamental functions are unlocked.
'I need to invest some funds here as well...'
Even though I'd been spending money liberally after earning some in the tutorial, there were endless outlets for it. I needed to devise a systematic financial strategy.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"
The head blacksmith darted out. Without any unnecessary pleasantries, I spoke.
"I wish to commission the crafting of equipment."
There was a heap of items to be made, but I chose to order the most urgently needed one first.
"We were concerned you might have forgotten about us, as we've only been working on fixing the walls and defensive weapons of late."
As I mentioned crafting equipment, the Guild Master's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I'll strive for excellence. What type of equipment are you seeking?"
"Armor."
I presented the 'Phantom Knight's Magic Core' that I'd procured in the last stage.
"Use this as the core for the equipment, and use the finest materials I possess."
Needless to say, this armor was destined for Lucas.
Lucas would persist as an SSR-grade Knight on the frontlines.
I needed to outfit him with the most robust armor feasible to send him forth with a sense of reassurance.
The Phantom Knight was the Legion Commander of the Living Armor Legion, and equipment crafted from his magic core naturally came with durability and stamina bonuses. It would make a suitable foundation.
"This is... a precious material."
The blacksmith, holding the magic core, swallowed audibly.
"This is the first piece of equipment I'm entrusting to you. I have lofty expectations."
"We won't let you down."
"Excellent, Lucas? Go and get your measurements taken."
In the game, once equipment was crafted, anyone could wear it. But this was raw reality.
The armor needed to be tailored to Lucas's physique.
Lucas, who'd stepped into the smithy to get measured, returned with a radiant smile.
"What's behind that grin?"
"I'm thrilled. You're gifting me armor, aren't you?"
"I'm presenting it to you because I'll be dispatching you to even more perilous locales, you know?"
"You trust me enough to assign me more tasks in the future, right?"
Was this lad always this adept with words?
Shaking my head, I departed the smithy.
"Next, we'll inspect the wall."
Together, we steered towards the southern wall.
"Wow."
I involuntarily emitted a sound as soon as we reached the wall.
The Phantom Knight's enormous black sword was still lodged in the wall.
The wall had uniformly crumbled around the point where the sword was embedded. The metal plates were fractured, the bricks had liquefied, or disintegrated into dust.
"At this rate, we won't even keep out wild beasts, let alone monsters... How long do you estimate the repairs will take?"
I asked the Stonemason Guild Master, who was assessing repair expenses from the top of the wall. The Guild Master shook his head.
"The damage is too extensive. To fully repair it, it will take over two weeks."
"Over two weeks?"
"That's merely for repairs. Removing that sword is a substantial task in itself..."
The Stonemason Guild Master's voice trailed off.
"Damn."
I briefly clicked my tongue.
In other words, it was uncertain how many days it would take to extract the sword, and only after that it would take two weeks for repair.
I sighed and opened the stage information window. The start time of the next stage was already listed.
[STAGE 2]
- Time until start: 9 days 20 hours
Not enough.
There's not enough time.
I felt a headache looming and smacked my forehead.
How should I address this?
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