NOVEL WEB Chapter 206
Chapter 206. Preparation
Next, we will exchange the A-rank monster cores. I snap my fingers, and it feels like forever since I last summoned the Equivalent Exchange Store. Meanwhile, Shizuku goes to the kitchen to get drinks as she’s feeling thirsty.
Appearing suddenly from the void, the semi-transparent monolith floats in the air. Serika, who had been arguing, approaches it with sparkling eyes and reaches out her hand to the Equivalent Exchange Store. However, her hand slips right through the monolith.
“Only Sakimori can touch it, huh? I see, so this is the Equivalent Exchange Store… I was surprised when you told me about it, but it looks a lot like the core store.”
Selrika’s eyes sparkle as she tries to touch the Equivalent Exchange Store again, showing the eyes of a researcher who has found something of interest. Since there are also skill crystals, I explained the Equivalent Exchange Store to her before she could do anything unnecessary, but this is the first time I’m showing it to her in person.
“Well, the core store is a branch or chain store of this Equivalent Exchange Store, so it’s only natural they look similar. Now, let’s use the A-rank monster cores we got the other day.”
We obtained ten A-rank monster cores from Takauji in exchange for the right to sell skill crystals. I summon the item box, which takes five minutes to appear and retrieve them.
They are beautiful crystals, mostly red with some black mixed in. Being A-rank, it’s no wonder. Although the Ancient Treant was a rare A-rank, this time, we can use ten A-rank monster cores, even if they are normal ones. Feeling a bit excited, I put them in. As usual, they slip smoothly into the Equivalent Exchange Store without any resistance.
The list that appears is lined with various items. From general skills to 100% boost potions for D-rank skills, status boost potions, and starting with magic tools, and various weapons.
“This is amazing! Hmm, can you turn the pages for me? How many hundreds of pages are there? I won’t be able to finish looking at it all today…”
Scientist Serika tries to sit on my lap but is shooed away by a little girl punch saying this is her spot, so she clings to my back instead. Shizuku-san also clings to my back in response, making it a heartwarming scene.
“Aren’t you supposed to feel embarrassed or annoyed by this, Master? You seem to be enjoying it quite a bit.”
Yukihana says, looking at me with half-closed eyes. I understand what she’s trying to say.
This kind of scene is often found in manga or novels. In harem stories, the protagonist either blushes and distances himself or gets annoyed because he’s oblivious. But I’m just a regular guy, so I’m simply happy. Getting annoyed when a beautiful girl clings to you… I might feel that way occasionally, but usually, I don’t, right? If you’re a guy.
“Well, I don’t mind having a beautiful girl clinging to me. And unexpectedly, the A-rank cores offer a wide variety of items compared to B-rank ones. There are skills you can’t get without rare monster cores. Although there are no unique skills.”
“That’s true. A-rank must be that valuable. It seems we can get general skills of D-rank and below.”
Even though we won’t exchange A-rank cores for low-rank skills, just having them listed is impressive. I’m quite impressed.
“It’s typical in games. The highest-rank items are so versatile that they make all the materials you struggled to collect seem trivial.”
“Like the neutralizing agents or Philosopher’s Stones we looped to cultivate, they were incredibly versatile. Alchemy became much easier.”
Shizuku and Serika get excited over topics I don’t understand, but I get what they mean. From A-rank onwards, even normal cores can give you skills equivalent to low-level rare cores.
Now, what should we exchange for this time? There are so many options. But first, let’s filter. Let’s see what can only be exchanged with A-rank cores.
Skills are mostly general low-level skills, so exclude those. Without being rare, the skill boost potions and status boost potions are only D-rank or lower, so exclude those too.
So, it’s either items or materials…
[Advanced Healing Potion: 1 A-rank Monster Core]
[Advanced Mana Potion: 1 A-rank Monster Core]
[World Tree Fruit: 1 A-rank Monster Core]
[Spirit Water: 1 A-rank Monster Core]
“Potions, huh… They’re the most desirable items, but there are side effects, right? If they’re from the dungeon.”
“They heal even lost limbs, but the consumption rate of mana and fighting spirit increases gradually with the amount recovered. To fix the increased consumption rate, you need a status ailment recovery potion or magic. Or natural healing, which takes a month. Also, advanced potions can only be used once every 24 hours. If you use them more often, they won’t have any effect, so be careful. Even if you use it when your mana is only down by 5, it counts as one use.”
Shizuku tells me as she brings apple juice and cups for everyone from the kitchen. Does it lower your stats?
“With low-level potions, the effect is weak, so the consumption rate returns quickly, making the side effects negligible. But with advanced potions, the higher the effect, the harsher the side effects. By the way, Shizuku’s ‘little by little’ is an understatement. The actual side effects are at least double. Oh, and making potions takes time. For advanced ones, it takes about a month per bottle.”
Serika sits next to me, takes a cup, and pours juice while speaking. Double the amount…? While crafted potions have no drawbacks, I want something immediately, so I’ll pass on them.
“These would be effective debuff items against enemies.”
Using them in a boss fight could be a clever trick. The side effects aren’t that concerning either.
“Too bad. Potion side effects don’t affect monsters. It’s believed that monsters don’t suffer from the disadvantages of equipment or skills.”
Serika explains with a smug look, making me sigh in disappointment. Well, it’s a standard unfair rule of the dungeon.
“Moreover, dungeon-produced A-rank potions are rare, Master. You have to find them in treasure chests.”
“Yummy juice! I want some!”
The little girl on my lap waves her hand at the Equivalent Exchange Store, so I exchange the potions for her.
“Here you go. I’ll take three bottles for myself.”
Mana is my lifeline. Having mana potions makes a significant difference. With a clinking sound, golden potions in crystal glass bottles appear. I hand one to the little girl, who takes it with a blooming smile, thanking me and stashing it in her new pocket. I hope she doesn’t lose it.
I put mine in the item box I had left open. …These don’t have an expiration date, do they?
“Since Sakimori-san has status ailment resistance, you can drink potions without worry. By the way, there is no expiration date.”
“It’s a bit unsettling, but it’s convenient. Thanks to Shizuku’s skill set, I don’t have to worry about potion side effects.”
That means I can drink as many as I need…
“To be honest, I’d recommend my crafted potions. It seems you can exchange for materials too. I’d like you to use the equipment and items I craft. They have no drawbacks, and my— my…”
“The item names always end up being something like ‘aaa’, right? Serika-chan always gives her items such names.”
With a red face, Serika stutters shyly, while Shizuku mercilessly points it out. Serika looks at me with frustration, but if she wants to say it’s filled with love, she should say it to the end. Being shy invites no mercy from the fierce Shizuku.
“You really don’t follow the typical templates, do you, Master?”
Yukihana says with a sigh, folding her hands behind her back. I shrug and move on to the next item.
“A substitute ring. Including one for Sei who isn’t here, we need six. That’ll use up the cores. And no jokes about the rings.”
The substitute rings might be useful in case of an emergency, even though they only activate in case of instant death. There could be enemies with instant-kill attacks ahead.
“Wearing it on the left ring finger is the classic template for heroines, isn’t it?”
“We’ve had this conversation before. There’s no point if it’s not sincere.”
With a pout and puffed cheeks, Shizuku puts it on her left index finger. The other girls also put theirs on randomly.
“With this, we’re done with the item exchange. Now, Sakimori, we need to talk seriously.”
Serika straightens up and looks at me with a serious expression. Hmm? What is it? Serika’s eyes are extremely serious, more so than I’ve ever seen.
“Sakimori, Shizuku has been trying to remove the setting restrictions using the knowledge shared with Sei. It’s a very dangerous method.”
“Setting restrictions… removal?”
“Hey! Why are you saying that?! We agreed to keep it a secret and remove the restrictions quietly!”
Shizuku lunges at Serika, shaking her, but setting restrictions? Removing them?
“Were you planning this without telling me? Even Yukihana didn’t know?”
Yukihana looked surprised, so she didn’t know either.
“We were planning to secretly share knowledge with Sei at the next inner town night meeting.”
“You said it would be a secret! Why are you telling everything?”
Shizuku protests, but Serika raises her hand to stop her, maintaining her serious expression.
“We’re unconsciously restricted, causing critical information gaps with Sakimori. Shizuku said so. I reviewed my memories and found no discrepancies, but if Shizuku says so, then something’s wrong. She’s not wrong about these things. She’s different from those who didn’t believe in the baby attacks in the dream world.”
The albino girl’s serious expression shows her trust in Shizuku. Though I don’t understand the last part about baby attacks in the dream world, if it’s a baby, it shouldn’t be that scary.
“I found it odd that Shizuku was acting secretly, avoiding her usual habit of constant reporting. Her emotions were clouding her actions, leading to a potentially disastrous outcome. So I decided to intervene.”
“That’s logical, Serika. You must have foreseen a frightening result, Shizuku.”
I expected she was up to something, but I never thought it was this… Removing the restrictions, huh? What will happen?
I look seriously at Shizuku, who groans and averts her eyes.
“Is it love that clouded your judgment, Shizuku?”
I sigh, then smirk and tease her in a hard-boiled manner.
“You’re cruel to say such things with a straight face, Master.”
“Her love for Sakimori-san was too deep, clouding her judgment.”
Ignoring Yukihana’s astonishment, Shizuku puffs out her chest, having decided to brazen it out.
“Your conversations always leave Yukihana-chan astonished.”
Serika blushes listening to our exchange. But this is how our relationship is. It feels good to have a silly conversation after a long time.
“So, by telling me, does that mean I can be there for it?”
Serika nods seriously after clearing her throat.
“I want to be thorough. I’ve easily made the machine to share the fairy mechanism’s knowledge. I’d like to do it somewhere a bit away from the city.”
“Serika-chan’s suggestions are always right, so let’s go with that.”
I nod. We should be thorough…
“Where will we do it?”
“Somewhere around Gunma should be fine. I was thinking of testing it in an abandoned building there.”
Gunma, huh… Indeed, that should be safe.