NOVEL NEXT chapter 21
Chapter 21
My head was burning. My eyes were puffy…
Struggling to keep them open as they threatened to close, I fought against sleep—and lost spectacularly, waking up as the carriage crashed into a large tree.
“Ah, pulling an all-nighter after so long really takes its toll…”
As the massive tree, unable to withstand the impact, cracked at its base, I rubbed my bleary eyes while the silver glow on my chest jolted me awake.
The silver guild card gleamed dazzlingly in the morning sun…
“I need to hurry. The sooner we treat it, the better the chances of recovery…”
Shaking my dizzy head, I urged the carriage to move faster.
I wondered if I might be under some debuff for lack of sleep, even as I recklessly sped through the forest.
■□■
Let’s rewind about three hours—
An unprecedented event was unfolding at the Commerce Guild in Evil Grande.
“Okay. It seems there are no quality issues with any of them.”
Though I’d checked the quality beforehand, having Milene-san officially confirm it still made my heart race.
But it looks like everything’s finished safely.
What a relief…
“Still, completing all the D-rank requests in a day is unheard of.”
“Yeah, I’m exhausted!”
“I’m even more tired from having to check the quality of all the alchemy and compounding items you made by myself!”
“But Milene-san, you were drinking alcohol with the food I made as snacks halfway through, weren’t you?”
“The Commerce Guild isn’t usually open this late! I bent the rules to help you, so I deserve some perks, don’t I?”
By the way, how come Milene-san shows no signs of a hangover despite drinking heavily last night?
Is it because she’s a Nure-onna after all…?
“Anyway, congratulations. You’re now a C-rank guild member, Yamamoto-chan.”
Milene-san carefully handed me a silver guild card.
I accepted it, returning the copper guild card.
C-rank, huh…
Does this mean I’m finally a full-fledged member? I’m not sure, but…
Well, I’m tired enough to feel a bit sentimental about it…
But I need one more push.
I steeled myself.
“And here’s this. The materials and recipe for [Regeneration Potion].”
▶Received 15 Special Herbs from Milene.
▶Received 15 Holy Water from Milene.
▶Received 30 Slime Cores from Milene.
▶Received 3 Time Rabbit Tails from Milene.
▶Received 3 Empty Bottles from Milene.
“It was sudden, so I could only gather materials for three attempts, including a test run, but you should be fine, right?”
“Even the recipe… is this okay?”
“The recipe is free, but the materials aren’t. I’ll add it to your tribute payments in installments, so pay it off with your sales, okay?”
Seems like there was no discount there.
What a letdown…
“Well then, I’ll borrow the back room again.”
And so, I headed back to the alchemy room with the materials.
An hour later, I managed to make two [Regeneration Potions], so I was able to turn even the failed attempt into a success.
You might not understand what I’m saying, but I don’t understand it either.
It’s all [Balance]’s fault!
■□■
So that’s why I’m currently speeding through in the carriage, frantically trying to deliver the [Regeneration Potion] to Gaga-san.
I think I heard shouts of “Wait!” and “Stop!” from behind a while ago, but as I entered deeper into the forest, they faded away, so I guess it’s okay to ignore them?
Finally, this reckless drive was nearing its end.
As Gaga-san’s workshop, the stylish house, came into view, I quickly jumped off the carriage after running over and [Death Sentence]-ing some random monster.
“Gaga-sa—…n?”
I meant to land coolly with a “tic,” but my hips gave out and my knees buckled.
And just like that, I face-planted right there.
“Huh? Something feels off with my body…?”
Wobbling, I somehow managed to pull myself up and stand.
No, Gaga-san’s condition takes priority over my abnormal state.
At this time of day, he’s probably in the workshop?
“Gaga-san— Ah, Gaga-sa…n?”
Gaga-san was standing imposingly in the spacious front yard of the stylish house.
But his appearance wasn’t the usual bandana and grimy work clothes.
Covered head to toe in metal armor, he was holding a hammer so huge it made me wonder where he was planning to hunt, its head planted in the ground.
And he stood there like a guard, firm as a statue.
I couldn’t help but look around nervously.
“Eh? What? Is something about to attack?”
“Ah, you’re here. The idiot who was rapidly approaching while destroying the forest with a bang.”
“Such a dangerous opponent has come? Should I help you fight?”
“I’m talking about you! Why are you acting like you have no idea!? I got into full gear thinking it was a monster!”
It seems the consequences of my drowsy driving have caught up with me.
I got scolded by Gaga-san.
By the way, there are monster hordes in this game too?
The developers seem to be rubbing their hands in anticipation, so we should be careful.
If everyone stops progressing and starts holing up in towns, I’m sure they’ll use that to corner the players…
“Well, as long as it’s not a group rampage, it’s fine. I’ll brew some tea, want some?”
“Ah. Strong, please.”
Gaga-san’s tea is always bitter.
At first, I’d grimace with every sip, but gradually I got used to it, and now that bitterness has become addictive…
—Wait, that doesn’t matter right now!
“No, more importantly! Gaga-san, I want you to drink this!”
“Huh?”
I took out the [Regeneration Potion] I’d just made this morning from my [Storage] and handed it directly to Gaga-san.
I expected Gaga-san to down the potion in one go, but he started eyeing the [Regeneration Potion] suspiciously.
“What’s this purple liquid? Looks disgustingly bad.”
“It might taste awful, but come on, pretend it’s tea and gulp it down!”
“You think I’d gulp down something you just said might taste awful?”
“I want to see… Gaga-san’s… good side… —Please?”
“Stop with the upward glance and that voice! It’s giving me goosebumps!”
Isn’t that reaction a bit harsh after I went to the trouble of using upturned eyes and a sweet, pleading voice?
But perhaps worn down by my intense stare, Gaga-san steeled himself and downed the [Regeneration Potion] in one go.
What a man…
“Bleaurgh!”
Afterward, he went down on all fours on the lawn, retching, but they say good medicine tastes bitter, so it can’t be helped.
“Urgh… So gross… What is this… Eating the lawn grass would taste better…”
“Then, here you go.”
“Don’t actually offer me grass to eat!”
I thought it might help clear his palate, but he swatted my hand away.
But thanks to that, Gaga-san seemed to notice.
He stared intently at his right hand, which had been tightly bound with leather belts to allow him to hold the giant hammer…
“Hah!”
As he put strength into his right arm, all the leather belts snapped off!
My eyes widened at this performance straight out of a cartoon, like Pop*ye after eating spinach.
I didn’t know people could actually do things like that.
“You! What the hell did you make me drink!? The feeling in my right hand is completely restored!”
“It’s [Regeneration Potion], [Regeneration Potion]! I went through a lot of trouble [Compounding] and [Alchemizing] it just for you, Gaga-san. You should be grateful!”
“Shut up!”
He bonked me on the head.
Why!? After I worked so hard!?
“…Thanks.”
He’s hiding his embarrassment!?
And please don’t pat my head like that!
It’s messing up my hair!
“Geez! Gaga-san, stop it, you’re messing up my hair!”
“Oh, sorry, sorry.”
I escaped from Gaga-san’s hand, but wait, what’s this?
My vision is swaying?
What’s been going on since earlier!
▶Playing the game for more than twenty-four consecutive hours may be hazardous to your health.
▶Forcing game logout.
▶Forced logout rejected.
▶Currently unable to log out due to game progression.
▶Forcibly shutting down consciousness.
Ah, so the twenty-four-hour limit function built into the Virtual Gear kicked in…
This is a feature that was incorporated into the hardware at some point due to frequent health issues caused by excessive virtual gaming.
Apparently, when it detects continuous gameplay for over twenty-four hours, the hardware forcibly ends the game or switches the in-game consciousness to sleep mode.
It’s my first time experiencing this, but it was a pretty well-known thing online. That’s why I was able to recognize it.
But since LIA is currently in a state where logout is impossible, it seems I’ll be forcibly put to sleep.
Come to think of it, I’ve been awake for about two days in game time, haven’t I…?
No wonder it triggered.
By the way, the difference between real time and in-game perceived time is a common thing in VRMMORPGs, and it seems LIA has something similar.
Considering the time I’ve been active, it’s probably accelerated about twofold?
As I was thinking about this, my eyelids became unbearably heavy. This is no good.
“Sorry, Gaga-san. I’m tired, so I’m going to sleep.”
“Huh?”
“Carry me to bed. Good night~”
Saying that, I collapsed right there on the grass in the yard.
■□■
[Gaga’s Perspective]
“What’s with this girl…”
That’s all I could mutter as I watched the silver-haired girl suddenly collapse in front of me.
First she beats up the robbers I couldn’t handle and brings back the sword, then she brings medicine to heal my immobilized arm, and now she suddenly collapses in the yard.
“Her actions are too abrupt…”
That’s all I can say.
Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve seen glimpses of eccentric behavior before, like when she kept making longswords in her blacksmithing work.
But still.
“Tch, can’t be helped.”
I picked up the silver-haired girl who had fallen to the ground, showing a sloppy sleeping face, and slowly carried her back to the workshop, laying her body down on the guest room bed.
I tried to be careful not to wake her, but such consideration seemed unnecessary as the girl was sound asleep.
“Look at that completely relaxed face…”
As I looked at the girl’s sleeping face, I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my right fist, as if testing the sensation in my restored right hand.
It’s thanks to her that I’ve regained the feeling in my right hand, which I had once given up on.
At first, I thought of her as just a convenient helper, but thanks to her, the magic sword production has progressed rapidly, she’s been taking care of meals quite a bit, and she even taught me how to obtain [Crystal Steel]…
No, haven’t I just been on the receiving end since I met her…?
Ah, but I did forge a sword for her.
However, that was work I accepted as a proper job.
So, I haven’t repaid her even once yet.
“Damn, the name of a B-rank blacksmith weeps…”
This girl… Yamamoto seems to have fallen into a deep sleep, showing no signs of waking up.
This might be the perfect opportunity to repay her without her noticing.
“Come to think of it, there was something she was making. I’m not sure if it’ll count as repaying the debt, but I could add a little something to it…”
She might yell at me for meddling unnecessarily.
But well, gratitude isn’t about words, it’s about actions. Besides, it’s embarrassing to express it in words.
“Now, how should I modify it?”
Feeling like a kid planning a prank, I leisurely headed towards the workshop.