NOVEL NEXT Chapter 167: Death Notes and Potato Chips
Alex, Tereza, and Menchi stare at the items Rishi has laid out before them.
[Death Note (Weakened)]
World: Death Note
Quality: Light Gold
Type: Tome (Notebook)
Effect: After writing the full name of your target and associating it with their face, the target will suffer 100 true damage 40 seconds later. (This damage cannot be reduced or negated by normal means.) You may specify a time for the damage to occur, up to 23 hours in the future. This ability can only be used once per target (per world).
Effect: The note contains only 5 pages. Writing a name causes the page to burn immediately. Pages are replenished after each world.
Effect: You can use up to 5 Soul Crystals (medium) to permanently add extra pages to the note.
Note: On worlds with different time systems, the timing of the effect may vary.
Note: No shinigami oversees this note. It has been removed from its original realm, significantly diminishing its power and potential. Despite this, it remains a lethal tool capable of instantly killing weaker targets.
Note: This item is under strict observation by the system and may not function under certain circumstances.
"I see what you mean," Alex says, examining the [Death Note (Weakened)] closely. "It's no longer instant death, and you can't even control the target's actions. It's just five uses, each dealing 100 true damage. Also, the effect doesn't last for up to 23 days anymore—just 23 hours. Still, it seems really useful. True damage means it completely ignores defenses, right? There are players running around with less than 10 PHY. They'd die instantly! But the real downside is your lack of access to the Shinigami eyes… that means you can't always figure out full names. Still, against most plot characters, this thing is devastating." Alex's voice rises with excitement as he analyzes the item. "Who knows what happens if you feed it enough Soul Crystals…"
Rishi listens in silence as Alex continues.
[Light's Watch]
World: Death Note
Quality: Light Purple
Type: Trinket (Wristwatch)
Effect: Always displays the correct time.
Effect: Increases CHA by 1 (Flat boost, not increased by skills)
Effect: Can be activated once per mission to obtain a single use of the Death Note (Weakened). The timing of the damage cannot be specified. After writing the full name of your target and associating it with their face, the target will suffer 100 true damage 40 seconds later. (This damage cannot be reduced or negated by normal means.)
Note: A modified wristwatch with a hidden compartment containing a torn piece of the Death Note. Includes a small needle for writing the target's name in your own blood.
Note: This item is under strict observation by the system and may not function under certain circumstances.
"Damn, I remember this watch," Alex says, turning his attention to the [Light's Watch]. "It's kinda iconic. Its effect is almost identical to the Death Note, except you can't specify the time of death. Still, it's useful since you can eliminate your target right in front of them without leaving any evidence. But one thing really worries me—both items mention that their effects may not work. I guess that depends on the mission context? It seems like their use could be 'broken,' depending on the circumstances."
"You're pretty hyped about these items, Alex," Menchi comments, raising an eyebrow as she watches his enthusiasm.
"I guess it's hard to explain, but these are such cool items," Alex replies, his face lighting up. "Even with their effects nerfed, they're treasures most people would kill for… but you know what's really terrifying, Rishi? There's nothing here that says the Death Note can't be used in the Realm or the real world. At least the watch specifies that it's mission-only, but the Death Note? If it works in the real world, you could throw everything into chaos in just 40 seconds! If someone survives the Realm and keeps this item… nothing can stop them. You could become a real-life Kira!"
"True," Rishi says, his tone calm and detached. "For now, these charges will be saved. I don't intend to imitate what Light did, nor do I need to use it for financial gain."
"Then why did you even go to that world?" Tereza interjects, curious but unimpressed by Alex's enthusiasm.
"Because I had a vision," Rishi answers. "It showed me an incredible outcome. While I didn't recognize much, there's one detail I'm absolutely certain about—it involves witches and wizards. I saw a bunch of wands similar to the one you use, Tereza. I know for a fact that these are from the wizarding world. That's why I took the first chance to enter a random world in the first place, I didn't particularly want to join the world of Death Note."
"Witches and wizards… Harry Potter?" Alex says, the realization dawning on him. "Wait a minute… I got an invitation from a certain someone to join that exact world at level 4. Roja."
"Exactly," Rishi confirms. "By the way, I heard that her group recently split up. Two of her members went with you on your last mission, didn't they? When I left, rumors were that they weren't even on speaking terms anymore. I also heard you teamed up with them despite all the warnings we gave you."
"No, not really," Alex clarifies. "I did some minor trading with them—and let's be honest, it was to my advantage. For the cooking part, I asked for their help. I had friggin' Shalnark in my group, so fighting wasn't an issue. Everything worked out perfectly."
"Fine. It seems like you did more than just fine." Rishi nods, clearly impressed. "Anyway, I can assure you that inviting Roja to team up won't hurt us. Any possible issues can be solved with a good contract."
"Does it have to be Harry Potter…" Alex sighs, his tone heavy with reluctance. While he doesn't outright dislike the world, he clearly prefers simpler ones.
"Didn't expect you to dislike Harry Potter," Tereza says, her tone lighthearted. "I personally love it. I enjoy worlds that blend realism with magic. Plus, I'd really prefer to go there. Actually, I need to go there. My current skill only gives me a handful of spells, and that's far from satisfactory. I need more charms, transfiguration spells, and defense against the dark arts spells. Do you have some specific reason for avoiding that world?"
Alex doesn't hesitate. "Yes, I do," he says, his voice firm. "Even some of the dumbest, most incompetent idiots in that world have access to spells like Fiendfyre and Avada Kedavra. There are hundreds of them who could kill us with just a single spell. Sure, they'd probably go down just as easily in return, but I'd prefer slower fights, ones where a single bad decision doesn't mean instant death! And then there's… that guy. I could go on…"
"A magical world of sorcery. I'm interested! Are there beasts and special ingredients around?" Menchi asks curiously, ignoring Alex's rant.
"Yeah, a lot! It's probably not a bad world to obtain some specific ingredients. Harry Potter is known for its variety of special herbs and magical beasts," Tereza explains.
"...I know I'm outvoted. Fine, I agree, under one condition. Tell me more about your vision, Rishi," Alex says, clearly a bit unhappy about this particular world.
Rishi takes a deep breath and tries to explain his vision to Alex: "I sadly can't tell you much more. The only thing I saw was a bit of information about this particular world, just enough to identify it. I also saw a bunch of positive outcomes, but also a few negative ones. It's pretty vague, but I have a strong feeling that this world, in particular, offers great rewards.
"Anyway, here, Alex—I just remembered something I had left. Take it as a small consolation prize, and thanks for giving me that shirt. I'll also think about what to gift you in return for [Kyubei's Deception]."
You received Potato Chips
[Potato Chips]
World: Death Note
Quality: Gray
Effect: Slowly restores 15 HP over the course of 15 minutes
Note: Typically useless junk food with no real value, but this particular bag of potato chips is imbued with a mysterious force.
Note: "I'll take a potato chip… and EAT IT!"
"..."
Heh. The Realm is funny sometimes, I guess. Empowered by memes, Alex thinks, amused by the item.
"I don't get it," Tereza says. Menchi nods in agreement. "Me neither."
"..."
Alex, unwilling to waste time explaining memes to casuals, just ignores them and focuses on the next step.
"So… I guess the next step would be making sure our ticket to the wizarding world actually agrees. Roja can be a snake; I doubt she'd just accept being suddenly outnumbered two to three. Plus, she'd have to agree with our timeline since Tereza doesn't have quite as much time left as we do. We have four to eight weeks left, depending on the system's mood, while Tereza only has around two weeks left if she's unlucky," Alex says, already strategizing.
"True. Better contact her now and see if she'll agree to our terms," Rishi adds, nodding in agreement.
"Me?!" Alex questions, raising an eyebrow.
"Who else? We don't really know her. Just do it already, dummy," Tereza replies, reprimanding him with a smirk.
"..."
"Fine! I am not a social guy; I hate these kinds of things…" Alex complains as he starts composing a message to Roja. He doesn't send it right away, instead rereading it several times, tweaking phrasing here and there, trying to avoid anything that might come across as awkward or aggressive.
"SEND IT ALREADY!" Tereza barks impatiently.
"Shut up! If I get on her bad side now, she might not take us! It's better to proofread these kinds of messages a few times!" Alex snaps back, his voice filled with the frustration of countless past regrets—emails, texts, and messages sent too hastily, leading to inevitable embarrassment.
"Alex, you're fine. Cautiousness is warranted, but have some more self-confidence. You're above average in nearly everything, and your message reads fine to me; being too cautious can be a huge chain," Rishi reassures him in a calm, measured tone.
"Fine!" Alex huffs before finally hitting send. Just a few minutes later, Roja's response arrives, and the group huddles eagerly around Alex to read the message displayed on his screen.
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