Chapter 351
The mysterious item called the 'Transforming Weapon Exchange Ticket R' emerged from the last capsule. Since it gave off golden light, I figured it was a prize, but I had absolutely no idea how to use it. What is this? Seriously, what am I supposed to do with it?
"Ah! So that's what it was!"
When I was confused, Eiji clapped his hands and pointed toward a certain spot. The three of us all looked in that direction at once and saw something resembling a large vending machine. Its large display read 'Ticket Exchange Machine' in a bright, playful font.
"I noticed it while I was playing. I've been wondering what it was."
"So if I put this ticket into that machine, it'll give me some kind of item? Let's go take a look."
The four of us walked up to the 'Ticket Exchange Machine.' Mustering my courage, I inserted the 'Transforming Weapon Exchange Ticket R' into the place labeled 'Insertion Slot.' The ticket was sucked inside like a banknote disappearing into a vending machine.
Once the ticket was inserted, the words on the display vanished. After a pleasant little chime, the display changed into something resembling a catalog. Every entry was a weapon, such as a sword or spear, and they all had some sort of mechanism built into the blade or hilt.
"A transforming weapon... I see. So that's what it means."
"Weapons you can fight with by switching between two modes? That's pretty damn cool."
Just as Shichiko said, transforming weapons were weapons that could literally be transformed into two or more modes while fighting. The catalog displayed both modes for each weapon. There was no denying that they were extremely interesting weapons.
However, as the name 'Transforming Weapon Exchange Ticket R' suggested, all transforming weapons had a rarity of 'R (Rare Class).' Transforming weapons seemed to be rare simply by virtue of being transforming weapons, but every one of them was made from ordinary metal or wood. To be honest, with their performance at this level, they would be useless at my current level. They seemed suitable only for swinging around as toys.
Still, I could probably investigate how the mechanism worked. We had Iris, an exceptionally skilled artisan. If I gave it to her as a sample, she might be able to make a transforming weapon good enough for actual combat.
"What are you going to do?"
"I probably won't be able to use it regularly, but since I have the chance, I was wondering if there was a weapon here that I could wield."
"If the boss can use it, then..."
"A staff and a scythe."
"Exactly... Oh, there it is."
When I operated the display, I found the transforming weapons that combined a staff and a scythe. Sadly, there was only one type. The combination had low demand because staffs were rarely used as weapons and scythes were minor weapons with few wielders.
There were more than twenty types of major combinations like swords and spears, with clear differences in both performance and design. I suppose being neglected was the fate of minor weapons. Feeling a pang of sadness, I chose the weapon that was effectively my only option.
A confirmation appeared on the display: 'Is this prize okay? YES/NO.' I touched the 'YES' portion. The exchange machine began to shake violently. After about ten seconds, the shaking stopped, and a staff emerged from the top with a soft pop.
"So this is the transforming weapon, the 'Steel Scythe Staff.'"
I immediately used 【Appraisal】 on the transforming weapon I had obtained. The result was as follows.
――――――――――
Steel Scythe Staff Quality: Good Rarity: R (Rare Class)
A great scythe and staff made by combining steel and oak.
Equipped with a transformation function, allowing you to use the weapon techniques of both weapons.
The transformation mechanism is relatively fragile. If it is destroyed, the weapon can no longer be used in either form. Use caution.
Equipment Effect: 【Dexterity Enhancement】 Lv1
――――――――――
I had known its performance would be mediocre before exchanging for it, but its design was interesting. In staff mode, its straight shaft had beautiful wood grain and was slightly thinner at the center, making it easy to grip.
Countless thin metal plates were attached to the tip in a spiral. The metal parts looked like a small steel snake wrapped around the shaft. Apparently, twisting the thin section caused it to transform, so I immediately tried it out.
"Whoa!?"
"Hah! This is great!"
"That's so cool!"
"That was fast!"
The instant I twisted the shaft, there was a clattering sound, and the metal section at the tip separated from the shaft and assembled itself into a single curved blade. Apparently, some kind of cord ran through the metal pieces, and its tension formed them into a blade. The blade had several lines running through it like a utility knife and looked sharp enough to have a decent cutting edge.
It wasn't bad as a weapon, but all four of us were even more excited by the transformation itself. Why? Because it was incredibly cool! It felt like we had gotten our hands on the ultimate toy. A player who happened to be nearby was watching it intently as well.
"Transforming weapons... Yeah, I'm sold! I want one!"
"Its performance is low, but depending on the machine, there may be more powerful ones inside. Why don't you go for one of those tomorrow?"
"That's what I'll do! Tomorrow, I'm going for a rare transforming weapon!"
"But you might not be able to get one again, though."
"Shh! They'll hear you!"
Wool calmly called out to Shichiko, who had completely recovered, and Eiji hurriedly covered Wool's mouth. I couldn't bear seeing Shichiko get depressed again like before. Eiji had made the right call.
"Excuse me. May I have a moment?"
"Hm?"
As we were having that exchange in front of the 'Ticket Exchange Machine,' one of the players who had been watching us from a short distance away approached. He was dressed in a deep-blue robe and carried a staff adorned with a design resembling an arm holding a purple orb. Apparently, he was a mage player.
His robe had a hood, but he wasn't wearing it, so his face was clearly visible. He was a slender male Elf with long ears and blond hair, and silver-rimmed glasses that suited him perfectly. I wondered what he wanted.
"I'm Fink. I belong to the information-oriented clan 'FSW News.' Would you mind telling me about what you were doing just now and about that weapon? Naturally, I'll compensate you for the information."
"Oh! 'FSW News'? That's the clan that posts verification results and stuff on the forums, right?"
"Hmm... All right. It isn't anything major, but I'll tell you everything I know. You may use 【Appraisal】 on this weapon as well."
With that, I handed him the 'Steel Scythe Staff.' There was no point in hiding the information. The fact that they didn't know about it meant I might be the first person to use a ticket. If that was the case, I was a little pleased.
However, someone else would surely obtain one later today. Once that happened, there would be no point in keeping the ticket information to myself. I might as well share it generously and collect the information fee.
And if I was going to tell them about the ticket, I might as well generously share the weapon's information too. It wasn't a weapon that could serve as my trump card, and I wanted as many people as possible to know that such an interesting weapon existed.
"I see, so it was a prize from the 'Mystery Catcher'? We played it too, but we didn't get a ticket. It must be a reasonably rare item."
"Yes, the effect that appeared when I opened the capsule confirms that much. However, I don't know whether a golden effect guarantees that a ticket will appear."
"There seem to be several types of tickets, but without a ticket to examine, we can't say for certain. That gives us plenty to investigate."
"Still, I honestly think the transforming weapons are duds. There's no denying that they're cool, but their performance is a step below the others."
Fink moved his fingers as he spoke with me. He was probably writing in some sort of notepad. Writing with brain waves was becoming mainstream these days, but I had heard that a certain number of people still preferred typing on keyboards. He was probably one of them.
After observing the 'Steel Scythe Staff' from various angles for a while, Fink returned it to me courteously. Then he took two items from his inventory. One was a bag containing cash, and the other was a jewel box adorned with several lavish decorations.
"Now, let's discuss your compensation. This bag contains 150,000 zel in cash. This jewel box contains gems with a market value of around 150,000 zel. Please choose whichever one you prefer."
"I've never bought or sold information before, so I don't know the going rate, but... isn't this rather generous?"
At my question, Fink opened his eyes wide in surprise. Had I said something that strange? He pushed up his glasses with his fingertip and gave an awkward, troubled smile.
"I can confidently say that this is a fair price for the information. However... I've had information providers try to negotiate for a higher fee, but you're the first person who's ever said it was too much."
"The boss gets serious about the strangest things, huh?"
"Ugh... All right. Then I'd like to see the gems."
Teased by Shichiko, I chose the gems and accepted the box to dispel my embarrassment. When I opened the lid, it was packed tightly with colorful gemstones. However, they were all rough stones, so none of them shone like the one Wool had won. They would probably reveal their true beauty only after being cut and polished.
I picked up the rough stones one by one and used 【Appraisal】 on them. Some were gems that also existed in the real world, such as rubies and sapphires, while others were stones I had never heard of. Among them, one gem particularly caught my eye.
"Blue amber...? Is there really such a thing as blue amber?"
"You have a discerning eye. It's smaller than the others, but that makes it an especially rare gemstone."
The gem I had found was called blue amber. As Fink said, it was smaller than the others, but its clear blue color was extremely beautiful. There were no insects or anything else trapped inside it, but perhaps it was precisely because it contained nothing unnecessary that it looked so beautiful.
"I like it. I'll take this one."
"Understood. If you obtain any more information, please contact 'FSW News.'"
Fink and I exchanged a firm handshake before he left. We might have reason to use his services again someday. With that thought in mind, we headed deeper into the arcade to play some of the other games.