Chapter 13
I logged in. Lately, 【Light Attribute Vulnerability】 hasn't been eased at all. Does that mean I need to take even more damage?
Putting that aside, it's time for the fun part. Time to unveil the rewards for clearing my first boss battle, 'Trial of the Azure Moon.' This excitement is similar to how I felt as a child waiting for a Christmas present from Santa Claus. The difference is that this is a reward for my own hard work, so it's a little different.
Enough with the pointless preamble. Let's open it!
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Hourai Staff Quality: Divine Rarity: G (God-Tier)
A staff made from the sacred tree of Mount Hourai. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
Its true power will be unlocked as its wielder grows.
Initial Effects: 【Magic Effect Increase】 Lv1, 【Magic Power Enhancement】 Lv1
Moon's Hagoromo Quality: Divine Rarity: G (God-Tier)
A hagoromo worn by the gods and their servants who dwell on the moon. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
Its true power will be unlocked as its wielder grows.
Initial Effects: 【Color/Shape Change】, 【Magic Resistance】 Lv1
Skull Mask Quality: Divine Rarity: G (God-Tier)
A mask that amplifies the power of death. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
Its true power will be unlocked as its wielder grows.
Initial Effects: 【Necromancy Enhancement】 Lv1, 【Curse Magic Enhancement】 Lv1
Dragon Orb Quality: Divine Rarity: G (God-Tier)
An orb said to be possessed by the Dragon God. Using it grants immense power. Indestructible.
In exchange, you will be subjected to the Dragon God's hatred and curse.
Equipment Effects: 【Dragonkin Transformation】, 【Dragon God's Curse】
※ The effects persist even after the equipment is removed, so be careful!
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"W-whoaaaaaaaah!?"
W-wait, am I really allowed to have this!? I let out a bizarre shriek and even tripped over myself!
The quality and rarity are both the highest possible! I have no frame of reference for its performance, but I like that it will grow stronger along with me. Knowing one's place is important, after all, and more than anything, I will grow attached to it. Now, let's look at them in order.
First up is the Hourai Staff. The body of the staff is made from a golden tree, with silver-white roots wrapped around it as ornamentation. A jewel whose color changes depending on the viewing angle is set into the tip, making it a truly magnificent staff. And yet it isn't pointlessly sparkly, which is perfect.
Next is the Moon's Hagoromo. As the name suggests, it's that thing worn by celestial maidens and the like. When I picked it up, it felt light as a feather, yet had a smoother texture than silk. It can even change its color and shape. If possible, I'd like it to become a black hooded robe... Can it? Let's equip it right away.
The third is the Skull Mask. Its color is a tasteful silver, and its design is a skull, just as the item name suggests. It has the same face as mine, but this one gives off an overwhelmingly more evil aura. Its effects are good, but more than that, the first player to see it might be scared stiff.
As for the Dragon Orb... this is the thing 'Obsession with the Moon' held in his left hand. As expected, its effect is 【Dragonkin Transformation】. It certainly was powerful. To be honest, I do want to see what happens if I use it as a skeleton.
But the other effect, 【Dragon God's Curse】, is far too awful. It was because of this that 'Obsession with the Moon's' health was constantly being whittled away. Wouldn't I die in a few seconds?
That warning is deceptively ominous. If I use it, I'll be forced to acquire 【Dragonkin Transformation】 and 【Dragon God's Curse】 as a set, right? It really doesn't want me to use it, does it?
Well, this belongs to the Dragon God in the first place. I suppose it won't allow someone else to take an easy shortcut to power by using another person's treasure. Thinking about it that way, did 'Obsession with the Moon' steal it to present to someone playing Kaguya-hime's role? ...Even if I say so myself, that was recklessly daring.
I've gone off on a tangent. In any case, I should take responsibility for returning it to the Dragon God. Naturally, I do have a little ulterior motive. Regardless, I now have a new goal to pursue in the game.
That's enough checking the rewards. Now, I'll equip the three items...
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Weapon: Hourai Staff
Head: Skull Mask
Torso: Tattered Cloth Shirt
Arms: None
Waist: Tattered Cloth Trousers
Legs: None
Accessory: Moon's Hagoromo (Black, Robe)
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This is my current equipment. Seriously, it's a miracle I cleared the trial dressed like this. Everything I had was starter equipment. Yesterday's me was far too reckless. I swear never to do anything that insane again.
All my visible equipment—the staff, mask, and hagoromo—is first-rate, but underneath I'm practically naked. I'm essentially a façade. If I grow overconfident, I'll die in no time. I'll proceed cautiously, just as before.
Now for magic. In yesterday's battle, I finally became able to evolve 【Fire Magic】 and 【Null Magic】. I have bonus SP too, so there's no reason to hesitate. Let's evolve them already.
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By consuming 6 SP, 【Fire Magic】 evolved into 【Flame Magic】.
You have learned the Flamethrower spell.
By consuming 6 SP, 【Null Magic】 evolved into 【Void Magic】.
You have learned the Disassembly spell.
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Now, let's look at an overview of the new magic. The four spells I got when each Skill leveled up are Fire Pillar, Fire Wave, Magic Lance, and Magic Wave, while the two I learned upon evolution are Flamethrower and Disassembly, for six in total.
○ The Wave-type spells need no explanation. They're area attacks just like before. For the same reason, I'll skip Magic Lance. That leaves Fire Pillar, Flamethrower, and Disassembly as the three worth examining in detail.
Fire Pillar is literally a spell that raises a pillar of fire. It doesn't seem very easy to use, but I've already thought of a way to abuse it. I'll try it when I get a chance.
Flamethrower, another fire-element spell, continuously projects flames, just as its name suggests. Its range is short, but its damage efficiency is extremely good. Used properly, it should be useful for clearing out weak monsters.
Lastly, Disassembly... This is dangerous. Its effect is dangerous, but its difficulty of use is off the charts too. First, as for how to use it, it only works when activated by contact with my body or staff. Activating the magic circle remotely has no effect.
At this point I thought, 'Huh?', but after reading its effect I went, 'What?' It breaks down all matter within a fist-sized area centered on the first point of contact, except indestructible objects, at the molecular level.
What a game-breaking spell! That was what I thought for only a moment. You may be wondering why, so please read the explanation above carefully. It is centered 'on the first point of contact.' If I touch it with my fingertip, the center is the point where my fingertip first touches it; if I touch it with my palm, the center is the point where my palm first touches it.
Do you see the problem? The caster's hand is inevitably caught in the effect. You might say, 'Then just touch it with the staff.' But any staff damaged by this will be destroyed, so you need the courage to treat your staff as disposable.
My Hourai Staff would be fine, but I don't like fighting while relying entirely on my weapon's performance. I'll experiment with various ways to use it.
That finishes checking my magic. Finally, it's time to check the Title and Unique Skill. Let's look at the details.
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'The One Who Overcame the Trial'
Proof of overcoming a trial imposed by the gods.
All abilities slightly increased; NPC affinity increased.
Acquisition Condition: Clear the trial of ○○
Iifa's Blessing
Bestowed upon those who receive the favor of Iifa, the 'Goddess of Death and Chaos.'
The effects of ??-type Magic are greatly increased.
The EXP required to level ??-type Magic and the SP required to acquire it are reduced.
PS: This is your reward for working hard. Please continue to rampage to your heart's content♪
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"O-oh, right. I've got more and more things to say, but first I should thank her. Iifa-sama, thank you!"
So, again, starting with the Title. It strengthens my stats with no drawbacks or conditions? As the description says, this must be a reward for clearing a task set by a god.
Since it says 'of ○○,' there must be other trials as well. If people learn what Titles do, they'll probably search high and low for trials, even turning over every blade of grass. They're worth that much, yes.
And then there's the problematic Blessing... So Iifa-sama was the 'Goddess of Death and Chaos.' I had no idea. I stole a book about the gods... Ahem! I bought one, but I've been putting it off. I'll read it when I have time.
And again, what's with ??-type Magic? What in the world is it? I think it's the same thing as when I acquired 'The Heretic' as a Title, but... Hmm, I don't know!
Unfortunately, the sun will set soon. I'll put what I don't understand aside; from now on, it's hunting time. I don't have time to read a book carefully.
So, what should I do? Books are out, and 【Alchemy】 consumes magic power, so that's a nonstarter. I have about five minutes or so left—a very awkward amount of time.
Oh, in that case, I'll take this opportunity to look at that bulletin board. I've never used it before, but apparently you can access the in-game bulletin board from the menu. Apparently you can even read it from a mobile device by entering your game ID and password. If the content is interesting, maybe I'll read it during my commute.
There are also bulletin boards just for chatting, but apparently you can ask about strategy information and trivia too. Of course, not all the information is accurate, and excessive verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and strategy spoilers are subject to deletion. Still, it's best to take it as a reference only.
Oh, there are all sorts of things. General chat, strategy, and even a place to show off crafted goods. Fars City Walk... not relevant to me! And what's this about an Epithet Thread? Players even discuss things like that? Interesting.
Oh, a Trial of the Azure Moon thread. That's a timely topic for me. I'll read it when I get the chance.
What else... Hmm? A Monster-Only Thread? This is great! If I can interact with other players who chose monster-type characters, I'm all for it.
Hm? It's locked. The only condition is being a monster-type PC (Player Character). Then I qualify. Let's see...
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Monster-Only Thread 1
1. Administration
This is a thread viewable only by players with monster-type PCs (Player Characters). Feel free to chat.
>>980 Please create the next thread.
2. Iris
Sorry for the sudden request, but could someone please help me?
I can't move because my initial spawn point was halfway up the mountain north of Fars.
Please, I'm begging you.
3. Iris
Is anyone there? I'm the one asking for help above.
Whenever you have the time is fine, so please.
4. Iris
Is anyone there? I'm the one asking for help above.
Please. I can't play properly like this.
5. Iris
Is anyone there?
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Th-this is awful. It's painful to read. What's painful is that no one besides this player named Iris has posted anything.
There aren't many players who chose nonhuman races, which is understandable because their initial Skills restrict their freedom and some even have weakness-type abilities. But what made her unlucky was that all the nonhuman players were people who, unlike me, didn't use the bulletin board regularly. That's why her SOS never reached anyone.
The thread continues with 'Is anyone there?' It feels a little creepy, like I'm reading the diary of someone who's gone mentally ill. Oh, it just updated. She's here now. All right, I'll post. I feel too bad leaving her like this.
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117. Iris
Is anyone there?
118. Izam
Nice to meet you.
119. Iris
Ju fxbjklg da'gb!?
120. Izam
Calm down. Your brainwaves are all over the place, you know?
121. Iris
I-I'm sorry!
122. Izam
So, you said you wanted help?
123. Iris
Y-yes. Um, I want to get somewhere I can safely log out.
It seems field safe areas can't be used by monster-type players...
124. Izam
I see. Then I'll go there for now. The middle of the Northern Mountain, right?
125. Iris
Whaaat!? Um, you're really coming?
I can't give you anything in return because I haven't been able to play properly.
126. Izam
No, we're both monster-type players, aren't we? Let's help each other out.
127. Iris
Th-thank youuuuu!
128. Izam
A-ahaha. Then I'll set out now.
It should take about two hours from here.
By the way, I'm a walking Skeleton, but what are you, Iris-san?
129. Iris
W-well, I, um, I'm a Lesser Roper.
130. Izam
A Lesser Roper, got it.
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There, that should do it. She seems like a pretty entertaining person. Well then, shall I go help a fellow nonhuman? If she doesn't seem like a bad person, I'll bring her here. I've been alone ever since I started playing, so I'd like some companions by now. It's safe here, and if I behave like a gentleman, she'll join me... I think.
Oh, I forgot to ask what a Lesser Roper looks like. Judging by the name, I have a feeling it will be quite stimulating, though. Well, I can just open the bulletin board again once I get there. No need to rush.