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Chapter 306 Part 1

《You have received (3) message(s) from your friend(s).》

I’ve logged in.
The time is 6:10 AM.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to make any progress in creating the mold for the new staff last night.
And the effects of last night are now visible.
The Cintamani Stone…
It hasn’t created any Magic Stones.
It’s a minor thing, but it’s still sad.

Let’s summon Bunraku first and have him prepare our meal.
So, who are these messages from?
I thought the first one was from Irina, but it turned out to be from Adele.

『Summoners will have a day off today as well! We can help with logistics!』

There’s some kind of report attached to her message.
The creator of this report is… Guren?

『The full-scale interception here may be as early as tomorrow morning. So keep that in mind!』

I see.
Today’s probably the last day we can take it easy, huh?
So what should I do?
Should I aim for another area portal for Bonus Points?
I guess I won’t be doing more than one in a single day after all.

Should I go for N1W5, then?
N1W4 is fine, but I feel like someone else has already released it.
No, there seems to be a party that looks very energetic about targeting that area themselves.
I should probably settle for N1W5, huh?

What about the other two messages?
One is from Margrid, and the other is from Saki.

『I have some jewelry that I can give you in advance. I’ll be at the Production Job base under the tower of Twilight Castle during the morning.』

Ah, I’ll go.
I’ll go check this out.

So, what about Saki’s message?

『I’m currently working exclusively on remodeling your gear. I’ll be ready to deliver it to you tomorrow morning.』

Oh.
This is also great news.
Even under these circumstances, neither of them will stop their Production activities.

After working a little in making the mold, the meal was ready.
I was a little worried as I had my breakfast.
Our gear is getting better, isn’t it?
The same goes for our fighting strength.
And yet, the possible reasons for me getting hit with that big stat penalty yesterday is still in my mind.

That couldn’t be helped.
It couldn’t be helped, right?
It was the price I paid for a chance at breaking through the enemy’s defenses.
But I’m still not satisfied with that.
Wasn’t there a better way?
It makes me want to redo that fight.

I’ve finished my breakfast.
I gotta stay positive.
First, let’s go pick up the jewelry.

「I’m sorry. I’m in a bit of a hurry, so let’s get this over with quickly.」

「Sure.」

In front of me are Rubies and Sapphires.
Just in case, I asked Rick to calculate the price of my Heavy Armored Rhino’s Horns.
But it’s probably not enough to cover the processing costs.
I have a feeling that that’s the case.

【Material】 Sapphire　Grade C+　Rarity 6　Weight 0+
　A variety of corundum. Also called blue gem. There are various colors.
　Its hardness is second only to diamond.
　It has a different color than Rubies due to a difference in impurities in their composition.
　[Custom]
　The pedestal is engraved with the charm pattern『Seigaiha』.

【Material】 Ruby　Grade C+　Rarity 6　Weight 0+
　A variety of corundum. Also called red gem.
　Rubies are red, while Sapphires can be found in various colors.
　Its hardness is second only to diamond.
　[Custom]
　The pedestal is engraved with the charm pattern『Kagome』.

Nine pieces of each…
Huh?
Were there these many?

「I think it’s pretty good considering I was working at full speed.」

「At full speed?」

「I wasn’t just working on these, you know? I’ve been making some for Adele and Irina as well.」

I see.
So there were some jewels for them as well.
And what’s going on with her having finished and all that?
That’s what I thought, but it seems she’s also borrowing the help of Lapidary Leaders who have come from other places.

「Are you done checking them?」

「Yeah」

「Then I’m sorry, but I’ll have to go. I still have work to do.」

Margrid leaves in a hurry, leaving Rick in charge.
It seems that there are still other requests for her to take care of.
Hmm.
I’ll try rearranging the necklace myself.

【Equipment: Necklace】 Silver Necklace+　Grade C+　Rarity 3
　M・AP+29　Weight 1　Durability 120
　A necklace made with a silver ball chain. Its silver chain is quite durable.
　Reinforced with magic.
　[Custom]
　Empowered by an attached silver base inlaid with Aquamarine.
　Empowered by an attached silver base inlaid with Alexandrite.
　Empowered by an attached silver base inlaid with Sapphire.
　Empowered by an attached silver base inlaid with Ruby.
　Empowered by an attached silver base inlaid with Topaz
　※ Increases Recovery Spell effects, reduces MP consumption, strengthens the attached jewel’s special effects.
　　 Medium increase in Spell range, medium increase in Spell effect, strengthens Skill compensation.

This is the result of that.
Is it enough to raise its level?
It should be enough.
It’s a plus 5.
I have high hopes for this necklace.
Still, there’s that.
It has a pretty flashy appearance.
And yet, it’s usually tucked away into my leather armor, so there are very few opportunities for me to display it.
You could say that’s a little wasteful.

I also have 7 Rubies and 7 Sapphires left over.
Let’s give these to my Summoned Monsters.
Sapphires increase range.
Rubies increase effect.
Let’s remember that.

The Production bill was paid with Magic Crystals, and I got three Magic Stones as change.
Well then.
I get ready to leave after parting ways with Rick.
Shall we get going?

What about today’s lineup?
Obsidian, Rig, Nias, Aotsuki, and Sputter.
Let’s upgrade the jewels on Obsidian, Nias, and Sputter’s gear.

What’s the theme for today?
I’m taking Rig and Nias for a ride on Aotsuki into the sky.
This seems to be a frequent combination.
It’s best to try it while it’s still early.

Today we will head northwest.
There are lots of players around.
There are unions hunting monsters everywhere.
Well, that makes moving on the ground easier.
Ten minutes have passed since we left.
And the players in the area are now far behind me.

Well then.
Time to fly?

We gain altitude.
However, we will not be going above the clouds.
That’s our one standard.
We should avoid going above the clouds.
Well, maybe we can fly as high as the lower clouds?
Let’s at least avoid getting as high as the middle and upper clouds.
The temperature at an altitude as high as that of the higher clouds might be cold enough to kill me!

Aotsuki flies with me, with Rig and Nias on board as well.
Any problems?
There are basically none.
Our flying speed is unaffected.
However, our acceleration seems to be reduced.
I think it’s safe to assume that our maneuverability in the air is also impaired to some extent.

We easily deal with any Minor Gryphons we encounter in the sky.
Are they enough?
Well, any stronger opponents may end up giving us some trouble.

Using my magnetic compass, we are supposedly heading exactly northwest.
The wide area map also tells me we’re already in N1W5.
Is the terrain here barren?

Well then.
From here, let’s move on the ground.
I have to consider the possibility of troublesome monsters in the sky.
Shall I change the lineup as well?

Let’s make it Volff, Obsidian, Kyokuya, Oma, and Aotsuki.
Volff, Kyokuya, and Oma, I’ll ask you to please wait for your jewels to be updated.
I have other Summoned Monsters, like Telomere, which I want to prioritize in that regard.
Please understand.

What happens when I try using Call Monster?
Nothing comes up.
Then there’s someone I’ve never met before.
Well, come at us!

　Three-eyed Demon　Lv.5
　Yokai　Enemy Target　Active
　???　???

　Bald Demon　Lv.5
　Yokai　Enemy Target　Active
　???　???

　Demoness　Lv.5
　Yokai　Enemy Target　Active
　???　???

　Strong Arm Demon　Lv.5
　Yokai　Enemy Target　Active
　???　???

　Strong Leg Demon　Lv.5
　Yokai　Enemy Target　Active
　???　???

Hey, wait a minute.
Don’t come all at once.

There are 30 of these guys in total?
Or should I say 30 demons?
Either is fine.
The problem is that I have no idea how strong they are.
What do we do in such a case?
We give it our all.

「Rider-Horse Union!」

Alright.
Come!

These demons are using a wide array of weapons.
The weapon type I see the most is the spear, right?
I see a lot of swords and daggers as well.
Some of them are wielding the very oni-like clubs.
The best thing about this is that I don’t see any of them using bow and arrows.
With Aotsuki’s mobility, we should be at an advantage.

Turns out that we aren’t.
Those Strong Leg Demons…
They’re fast!

Let’s take a look at these monsters.
As the name suggests, the Strong Leg Demons are monsters with extremely strong legs.
And as the name suggests, the Strong Arm Demons are monsters with extremely strong arms.
The other demons also live up to their names.

The Three-eyed Demons…
They have a third eye on their foreheads.
These guys can evade our attacks and even parry them using their weapons.

The Bald Demons…
Well…
They have no hair on their heads.
Do they need wigs?
Well, that’s not the issue.
These guys sometimes disappear as if turning into mist.
Are they phasing out?
No, I’ve checked this with Sense Magic, but it doesn’t feel like that’s the case.
It doesn’t happen that often, so we can still hunt them reliably.