Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented

[Holy Sword of the Ancient Temple]

[Elite Grade]

[Attack Power 320]

[‘Moonlight Slash’ skill damage increased by 50%]

[Socket1: EMPTY]

[Socket2: EMPTY]

[Socket3: EMPTY]

(Ownership upon equipping)

“Indeed.”

This dungeon’s weapon had three sockets. A total of three Echo Stones could be equipped.

“First, the attack power and the vampiric Echo Stone. Hmm, which stat should I add?”

I was immersed in a happy dilemma.

I was planning to buy an extra ‘Red Echo Stone’ with vampiric ability as a coin for the elite+ grade Echo Stone combination, but it looked like it would be more beneficial to embed another stat-specific Echo Stone that I wanted.

For now, I removed the attack power and vampiric Echo Stones from my current weapon and equipped them. I decided to think about the last slot later.

And for other rewards, there were some higher-grade Magic Stones and a few minor items.

“Wow.”

I covered my flushed face with my small palm and gazed at the dungeon outfit I had obtained this time.

[Archangel Dominion Outfit]

[Upper and Lower Item]

A pure white outfit that seemed just right for an angel. The deep V-neck fabric was thin and airy. Wearing this dress-like outfit would leave my bare thighs exposed.

Is it okay to walk around in such revealing clothes?

Still, it’s a rare new dungeon outfit. It would be a shame not to try it on.

“Wh-What’s with the surface area?”

Whoosh.

“Hah…!”

I was startled by the chilly sensation creeping between the fabric covering my chest and into my thighs, quickly undressing and switching to the ‘Desert Admiral Outfit.’

I definitely shouldn’t wear this outside.

I licked my lips, cramming the new outfit into the dressing room.

Then, on the altar that appeared after taking down all the bosses, a foreign object glowed with blue light.

I needed to confirm this last thing.

Fwoosh.

[Quest Item]

[Blacksmith’s Eternal Flame]

“This is.”

The flame that ancient dwarves, from a millennium ago, had protected by making powerful golems.

Why did the ancient dwarves store this flame in such a place?

Had there been a disaster that necessitated such measures in Astria before my arrival?

And the Level 3 Named Enemies; their forms are…

“Angels.”

I hadn’t heard of angels existing in this world even a thousand years ago.

The goddess who summoned my soul and formed my body.

During that time, the goddess wasn’t able to intervene actively in this world.

Only the Saintess could exhibit strong divine power. Other priests were essentially of no help.

The hero selection process was also clumsy. “Here’s a soul to summon, here’s a body, here’s a Holy Sword, go figure things out.” That was the extent of it.

A fragile girl named Rain, who was confused about her identity due to the memories engraved in her soul.

Hero Rain, who merely borrowed the power of the Holy Sword to gain extraordinary strength.

In the end, the hero, mentally and physically incomplete, achieved an imperfect victory.

If there had been strong angels following the goddess’s command, could we not have defeated the ‘Demon’ more splendidly?

Archangel and Fallen Angel.

Beings that the ancient dwarves modeled into golems.

Surely, they must have existed in this world.

“Hmm….”

The ‘Eternal Flame’ that had been slumbering in the temple returned to the dwarves.

Dwarf Village Chief Drugel shed tears of joy and danced happily.

At his age, that’s quite impressive.

I smiled brightly, watching him dance.

Even if it wasn’t me, this flame would have surely been delivered to the dwarves by a party achieving the first clear.

Thanks to the activities of ‘adventurers from the stars,’ the Users, this continent was gradually regaining its strength.

An incredibly natural flow and dungeon arrangement. It would be amazing if it was intentional.

“Hahaha, Rain! I can personally do the emotional first forging with this flame! Can I entrust it to you?”

“Wow, thank you.”

“What’s that? You’re a friend and benefactor of the dwarves!”

I took out the ‘Holy Sword of the Ancient Temple,’ which had undergone regular Magic Stone enhancement.

The ‘High-Grade Magic Stone’ is very limited in supply as a reward for arena ranking, but it can now also be obtained through daily quests for clearing the temple.

Using a ‘High-Grade Magic Stone’ allows weapon enhancements that surpass the limits of regular Magic Stones; however, even with the help of a user who has maxed blacksmithing level, the success rate was only about 10%.

It’s fortunate that even if it fails, the weapon won’t break, and only materials and gold get lost.

It’s expensive to enter, and the success rate for high-grade Magic Stone enhancements is low. But if successful, the gap in specs compared to other users would widen significantly.

With the ‘Eternal Flame’ and Chief Drugel’s help, what would the success rate be?

“80%…!”

I jumped up and down.

This is a guaranteed success.

Clang, clang!

“Oh dear, my hand slipped! I’m so sorry! Ah, I haven’t moved around in a while, so I’m feeling exhausted. Come back after a few days, and I’ll do it again.”

“Eek, eek.”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

*

The capsule opened, and I slowly rose from my stiff body.

“Uh-huh.”

I shivered slightly, wrapping my shoulders.

Rain had been quite ill today. Naturally, I was feeling the pain too.

Still, perhaps because I had been taking my medicine well and recuperating, unlike before, my heart wasn’t pounding forcefully or nosebleeds running down my face.

One or two times should be okay. But if it accumulates like last time, it could be quite damaging to my real body.

My muscles must have been quite shocked. My frail body was protesting in pain.

It’s okay. Rain had fun, so this level of pain is nothing.

All I can do is take good care of my body here.

Zzzz.

As soon as I logged out, I heard the sound of the housekeeping robot’s wheels rolling.

Since the dungeon was cleared, I needed to eat and continue my farming.

Clunk.

The door opened, and what caught my eye was…

The housekeeping robot bringing in food and, behind it, a person smiling brightly.

“Sister Chris…?”

“Ray~in! You worked hard today! Did I lose again?”

“Haha….”

I was sweating profusely, avoiding Chris’s gaze.

Excited Rain had blatantly shown her entering the dungeon alone to her.

I wouldn’t ask first, but there were surely many curiosities bubbling inside her.

“Pl-Please come in.”

Beaming.

Sweating.

Feeling like I was sitting on pins and needles, I had my meal while looking at Chris’s expression.

Chris merely looked at me eating with a subtle smile.

“Sigh.”

Clink.

I sighed, put my chopsticks down, and looked directly at Chris’s face.

At this point, I had no choice but to clear up her curiosities.

“Sister Chris, I’m going to keep farming the temple after this meal. Could you join me for just one round?”

“Uh, uh-huh! Great! I actually really wanted to ask you too!”

Chris nodded vigorously, clenching her fists.

“Really? Then, in exchange….”

“In exchange?”

I slightly embraced my shoulder.

Not only my shoulders but my body ached in multiple places.

I felt a necessity to alleviate the agony of my shocked muscles.

However, it would be too much to go alone. I needed Chris’s help.

It’s part of taking care of my body.

If my body is healthy, I can play without any burden on Rain.

“Um, I’m feeling sore, could you massage me just a bit?”

Chris’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open as if they would pop out.

What’s with the reaction?

Is asking for a massage that shocking?

“Is it, shouldn’t I? Really? You’re okay with it? It’s alright for me to touch?”

“…What’s with that?”

“Ah, it’s nothing! So, are we really doing this? Touching?”

“Y-Yes.”

I comfortably laid down on the bed and closed my eyes.

“…Chris, calm down. Take a deep breath. It’s a massage. Just a simple massage. This is what Rain wants, right? You learned this at the hospital. Caregivers should do this for those who are unwell. Murmuring….”

“……?”

I slightly squinted to peek at Chris, who was murmuring something while trembling with both hands as she climbed onto the bed above me.

“Sister, your face is red. Hehe.”

Chris’s face, blushing red like her fiery hair, was very amusing.

“Is-is it? Is it hot?! Should I turn down the heating a bit!?”

Chris whipped her face with her hand fan a few times, then shook her head vigorously and raised her hands toward my shoulders.

Finally, her trembling hands landed on my shoulders, pressing gently and kindly, but firmly enough to loosen my muscles.

Push.

“Huuh.”

A thin sound escaped my lips, a goofy moan.

This was the first real massage of my life; it felt great.

“Hah…!”

Suddenly swallowing a breath, Chris hurriedly dashed out of my room.

Thud, thud!

I heard a strong thud against the wall from outside the door.

Chris, with slightly red cheeks, came back into the room.

“Huff, huff. Th-This time it should be okay!”

“……?”

Chris, with bloodshot eyes, placed her hands back on my body.

Starting from my shoulders, her massage gradually extended down my arms with her hands.

I shut my eyes tight, basking in her touch and the pleasant sensations of the massage.

Push.

Flinch.

“Heek…!”

Chris seemed to flee every time I let out a pleasurable sound, coming back as if crashing into the wall each time.

I twisted my upper body slightly as she massaged every nook and cranny.

“Oh.”

After the massage ended, I sat up and moved my upper body a few times.

Chris’s massage skill was excellent. My muscles felt thoroughly relaxed.

Perhaps I should get a massage from Chris regularly.

I sent Chris a grateful smile.

“Thank you so much, Sister! I felt great! Shall we head to the dungeon now?”

Chris sat down on the floor, gasping for breath, with glazed eyes murmuring.

“…At this point, it’s all good… Whether solo or whatever… I feel like I could die at any moment….”

Chris looked extremely worn out.

I felt a pang of guilt and lowered my head.

“I’m so, so sorry. I won’t ask for a massage next time.”

“Ah, no! I-I’m always okay with it! Just ask me anytime! I love massages!”

Chris flailed her arms vigorously in surprise.

Stumbling through Chris’s mixed reactions, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

Was she saying it was hard, or was she okay?

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