NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14
Chapter 14
It’s been a week since I defeated the Crystal Dragon…
During this time, I’ve been secluded in Gaga-san’s workshop, constantly forging swords.
According to Tatsu-san, it seems that in the town, instead of a witch hunt, a Yamamoto hunt has begun.
Apparently, among the monster players, there’s a group called the top tier, and these people are very free-spirited and not at all cooperative with the game’s progression.
Well, it’s not that they’re uncooperative, but more like their quirks are too strong to fit into any framework? …I think that’s something like what Tatsu-san said.
So, as someone who might cooperate with the game’s progression, the EOD-killer Yamamoto has suddenly come into the spotlight.
Although his identity is a mystery, he’s capable enough to defeat even a dragon. Depending on negotiations, the game’s progression might advance rapidly, so the monster players who are currently advancing the game are frantically searching for him.
The human side is also searching, but apparently not as desperately as the monster side.
That’s because the top players on the human side are already helping with the game’s progression.
Well, after hearing all this, I’m trying to stay away from the town as much as possible.
I feel bad that the damage from the Death Game is spreading, but I’m not a superhero, you know. I think that kind of attention-grabbing should be left to those hero-complex approval-seekers.
Also, I want to enjoy the game casually.
To be honest, I’m not the type of character who strives hard for someone else’s sake, and I’d rather decline such a role.
So, while I was living a relaxed life like Arrietty the Borrower, but with [Smithing]…
▶ Acquired [Engraving] Skill Lv1.
I did it! I really did it!
After a week of steadily engraving patterns on sword blades!
I finally got the [Engraving] skill!
▶ [Balance] has been activated.
Adjusting skill balance.
▶ Acquired [Sculpting] Skill Lv1.
▶ [Balance] has been activated.
Adjusting skill level balance.
▶ [Engraving] Skill has become Lv4.
▶ [Sculpting] Skill has become Lv4.
Well, setting aside the usual balance-breaking nature of [Balance]…
I got [Craftsmanship] quite quickly, but [Engraving] took a while to acquire.
It seems that [Craftsmanship] has a wide range of applications, and you can gain experience for it even while doing [Cooking] or [Smithing]. But for [Engraving], you only gain experience by actually engraving on metal, so it took a whole week…
At first, I was doing small engravings on sword guards or parts of the blade. But the experience gain was so slow that recently I’ve resorted to making large engravings on the entire blade.
Gaga-san said, “Won’t that catch on monster bones when you’re cutting, making it harder to use?” But it’s for gaining experience! Can’t be helped!
“Phew~ It’s done~”
As usual, I finish crafting an [Iron Longsword] and check my status while taking a break.
Name: Yamamoto
Race: Dullahan (Fairy)
Gender: ♀
Age: 0
LV: 17
HP: 1024/1350
MP: 982/1350
SP: 32
Physical Attack: 147 (+12)
Magical Attack: 135
Physical Defense: 150 (+15)
Magical Defense: 148 (+13)
Vitality: 135
Agility: 135
Intuition: 135
Spirit: 135
Fate: 135
Unique Skill: [Balance]
Race Skill: [Carriage Summon]
Common Skills: [Smithing] Lv4 / [Alchemy] Lv4 / [Compounding] Lv4 / [Appraisal] Lv4 / [Storage] Lv4 / [Fire Magic] Lv4 / [Water Magic] Lv4 / [Wind Magic] Lv4 / [Earth Magic] Lv4 / [Light Magic] Lv4 / [Dark Magic] Lv4 / [Cooking] Lv4 / [Yamamoto Style] Lv4 / [Mining] Lv4 / [Gathering] Lv4 / [Craftsmanship] Lv4 / [Leatherworking] Lv4 / [Woodworking] Lv4 / [Engraving] Lv4 / [Sculpting] Lv4
Yeah. The SP I had allocated has returned, and in just one week, I’ve gained seven more skills.
This is all [Balance]’s fault!
I was mining [Iron Ore], got [Mining], thought “Great!” and the next moment, [Gathering] was added…
I got [Craftsmanship]! Thought “Great!” and the next moment, [Leatherworking] and [Woodworking] were added…
It’s crazy how [Balance] adds any skill it thinks is related! Or rather, the management that allows this is crazy! And I’m not at fault!
“Oh, mind if I interrupt? …Huh? Are you making another longsword? Don’t you ever get tired of it?”
Gaga-san, who came in carrying charcoal, says this with a furrowed brow.
“I’m practicing to forge my own longsword. Plus, they’re selling quite well.”
I’m selling my practice pieces through the World Market.
Of course, I’m selling them anonymously, but the elaborate designs seem to be popular, and sales are surprisingly good.
Especially now, when I can’t go into town, being able to buy and sell through the World Market is really helpful.
There’s quite a lot of food items listed too, so I sometimes buy ingredients for cooking. They even sell freshly caught fish – I wonder if there are people diving in the sea or something…
“Speaking of which, Gaga-san, you haven’t made much progress with the magic sword, have you?”
“That’s not true! I’m making progress, little by little! I’m still exploring various possibilities!”
I’ve helped Gaga-san with the magic sword creation several times, but the production is struggling.
Well, it’s natural since we’re trying to create something from scratch without any established procedure. We need evidence. Evidence!
“So, have you had any breakthroughs?”
“I realized it was too optimistic to try making a magic sword entirely out of iron. So I’m thinking of using a little bit of mithril.”
“Won’t it fail if you only use a little? I think you need to use full mithril for it to succeed.”
“Mithril is brittle on its own! So we have to use it as an alloy! Also, it’s damn expensive, so we can’t use too much!”
⇒ Even without that, many monsters don’t use weapons.
⇒ In other words, Gaga-san’s financial situation is understandable.
⇒ And mithril is not kind to Gaga-san’s wallet.
“If Gaga-san goes bankrupt from making magic swords, I’ll buy your workshop, okay?”
“Shut up, be quiet!”
He gives me a light knock, but as usual, it doesn’t hurt.
I wonder if this is because my defense is too high? Gaga-san is even holding his fist in pain.
“Well, if you need any help with magic-related stuff, just let me know. I’ll help.”
“This guy, acting all cool…”
“In that case, shall I make another longsword?”
“Enough with the longswords already!”
Gaga-san scolded me.
Well, I guess he’s right.
Now that I’ve acquired [Engraving], there’s probably no need to stick to longswords anymore.
“Besides, shouldn’t you do something about that obvious weakness of yours?”
An obvious weakness? What could he mean?
“Why are you making a face like ‘What’s this guy talking about?’ It’s your head! Your head! Do something about that easily detachable head of yours!”
Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve been showing my wobbly head quite frequently in front of Gaga-san.
I mean, it’s not right for Gaga-san to hit me in the first place!
But I think Gaga-san has a point. It would be troublesome if my head suddenly came off during battle.
Hmm. Should I consider making a helmet then?
“I understand. Then, I’ll stop forging longswords and try making some head equipment instead.”
“That’s right, do that. Seeing you forge longswords every day like you’re possessed is creepy. This is definitely healthier.”
Treating me like some longsword-forging yokai!
Geez!
So, today I’ll be making head equipment. Wow, applause!
“Why are you clapping by yourself…?”
“I’m building up the mood. Please be quiet.”
“Is making a helmet such a depressing task…?”
It’s not so much depressing as it is a matter of mood!
Well, let’s start by listing out the necessary functions.
First, we need armor to protect the neck area, right? If I take a direct hit to the neck, my head might fly off. It’s necessary for protection.
Then, a structure like a helmet to protect the whole head? If we connect that to the neck part, I think it would prevent the head from coming off…
But design-wise, it’s not great.
Look, my outfit from the neck down is a bit of sexy-cute armor with exposed navel and thighs.
And then to cover the head with a full-face helmet like a bucket?
A sexy-cute knight with a bucket head!
— No, that looks uncool no matter how you look at it!
It’s terribly unbalanced, like hiding the head but exposing the rear! I’d understand if it was for laughs, but the armor is too serious for that kind of joke! This won’t do! I need to think this through more!
“Hmm…”
For the first time in a while, I’m really having to think hard about this.
Essentially, as long as the head and neck don’t separate, wouldn’t something like a collar work?
No, but how tight would a collar need to be to prevent the head from coming off? It might hurt my throat, which isn’t great.
After an hour of thinking about the design…
Finally, I’ve put together an idea, so I decide to consult with Gaga-san, who’s still struggling with making the magic sword.
“Gaga-san, do you know about mekugi?”
“Huh? Why are you suddenly asking me about knowledge? I do everything by feel, so I wouldn’t know.”
Well, Gaga-san is that type of person.
I’ve never seen him doing calculations or taking notes.
I sometimes call up the system memo and jot down things I’ve noticed. I’m not a genius like Gaga-san, after all.
So, I explain to Gaga-san about mekugi. Well, it’s basically a stopper to prevent the blade of a Japanese sword from flying off when swung.
“Hmm. So what about it?”
“I’m going to make head equipment, but I want you to attach a connection part near the back of the neck on my armor. I’d appreciate it if you could insert a vertical bar there and finally hammer in a mekugi.”
“I don’t understand at all…”
Since there’s no choice, I draw a diagram to explain it in a way Gaga-san can understand.
Here’s my idea:
First, we create a flat, square box with one side open at the back of the neck on the armor.
We position this square box with the open side facing up, and insert a long, thin board (something like a sotoba) into it.
A metal circlet is welded to this long, thin board, which surrounds and protects my head while floating slightly above it.
Even if the head comes off, it won’t fly away because it will catch on the circlet!
That’s the mechanism.
“I see, so you’re connecting it to the armor part.”
“Do you think it’s possible?”
“You want me to attach a connection part to the back of the neck and hammer in a mekugi, right? That’s easy. But…”
“But?”
“I won’t know until I make it, but won’t it end up looking pretty top-heavy?”
Ugh. Is… is that so?