I placed the three new Magic Guns on the table and examined them.
'They're shaped like handguns.'
Since the same three Magic Core were used, all three pieces took on the same shape. I picked up one of the Magic Guns to check its stats.
[Cerberus Lv.25]
- Category: Magic Gun
- Attack Power: 11-66
- Durability: 6/6
- Magazine Capacity: 6/6
- The last round in the magazine always hits critically.
"All three turned out with the same design, so I've named them Cerberus."
"The three-headed hound of hell, huh? That's a good name."
After inspecting all three handguns, I put them back on the table. They were noticeably smaller than a typical Magic Gun.
"But why did they turn out to be so small?"
"I heard that all the Magic Guns we've made so far are used by one person."
That's right. They're all for Damien to use.
"And that includes the Magic Gun you initially showed us, so isn't that six pieces in total?"
"And so?"
"Even if he is a warrior, carrying six large weapons will tire him out. Plus, Magic Guns have heavy recoil which puts strain on the body."
Certainly, during a defensive battle, they could just be set up on the walls and fired. But when going outside for free exploration, the weight of the Magic Guns would be a significant burden for Damien.
"So I tried to make them as compact as possible. They might lose some long-range firepower, but they should be effective at medium to close range."
"Rather, being light and small, it would have an advantage when the distance is close."
I nodded in satisfaction.
This way, during defensive battles, he could use the rifles, and for free exploration, he could use the handguns. He could switch the equipment setting like this.
There would be various combinations to try out.
For testing, I fired a handgun in the prepared shooting range next to me.
Bang!
Despite being a handgun, the recoil was enormous. Even when holding it with both hands, it was enough to make my wrists sore.
But compared to the previous rifle-shaped Magic Guns, this was child's play.
Those rifles were enough to make me fly backward every time I shot them.
I packed the handguns in a box and wrapped them nicely. I'll give them to Damien as a gift.
"You've worked hard, Blacksmith."
"It's nothing."
"And sorry, but I'll have to ask you to make the next piece of equipment right away."
"Why apologize! It's our job."
I placed the materials I had prepared on the table.
One Golden Gargoyle Magic Core (SR).
And five pieces of Golden Armor fragments.
"The next thing I'll commission is..."
I drew in a deep breath before letting it out.
"It's a 'Boss Gear'."
Tension flashed across the face of the Blacksmith.
***
So, what is a Boss Gear?
Boss monsters, when defeated, have a high probability of dropping exclusive Magic Core.
Players can use these Magic Core as they please.
You could create equipment, or artifacts, or even make money by selling them.
Even when creating equipment, all you had to do was invest Magic Core in the equipment needed at the time.
If you needed a shield, make a shield; if you needed shoes, make shoes.
It was all up to the player's discretion, customizable according to the player's taste.
However.
The equipment that a certain boss monster used.
To create a 'boss equipment' modeled after it, you needed the boss's Magic Core and materials.
Because the performance was pretty decent, it was good to make it if the conditions and situations allowed.
'It's not that I didn't know how to make it. Until now, the categories just didn't overlap.'
For example, the Stage 1 boss was the Phantom Knight.
His boss equipment was 'The Phantom Knight's Greatsword.' But since none of us used a greatsword, I didn't make it.
'Afterwards, elite monsters came out instead of the boss, or even if the boss monster came out, it didn't drop its exclusive Magic Core.'
Anyway, in the midst of all this, I had picked up the Magic Core and armor fragments of the Golden Gargoyle this time.
I was now able to create the Golden Gargoyle's boss equipment- 'Golden Armor.'
"I request it to be as thin and light as possible."
I specially ordered.
"Not heavy and not uncomfortable in my movements."
"Then, the defensive power seems to be reduced..."
"I don't mind. Just make it comfortable for me."
"Understood."
The option I ordered looked like armor, but the actual performance was closer to that of mage wear.
"When will you measure the size?"
"We'll measure it next time. For now, make the size... slightly smaller, please."
After completing the order and paying in advance, I left the blacksmith's shop.
Lucas nodded behind me.
"Are you going to wear it, my lord? In that case, it's definitely better to be light. You won't be on the front line."
"Well, um..."
I trailed off my words.
I guess I could wear it. I'll decide after seeing the options.
***
Alchemist's Workshop.
The major artifacts were being repaired without trouble. But that's not why I came today.
"Lilly."
Since Jupiter had logged out of the stage, I came to notify that we were putting our Fire Magician back into the party.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived~!"
"..."
While diligently repairing the artifact, Lilly looked at me with sullen eyes.
"Do I have to step forward this time too...?"
"Well... that's how it turned out."
No, rather, have you ever not been on the front lines? It seems like you're always called up for defensive battles.
Lilly sighed heavily and dusted off her hands.
"What can I do? It's my sin for being born a magician."
"Right, right. Blame your over-achieving self."
"Ugh..."
I joked, but Lilly's face became gloomy. No, she's crying! She's really crying!
"Hey, don't cry! It was my mistake! But you still have to be deployed for battle!"
"I'm not crying... it's just artifact dust in my eyes..."
Lilly, who was dabbing her eyes, said with clarity.
"Your Majesty. I have a request."
"Go, go on. Speak."
"When a lot of junior mages come in later..."
"Mmhm."
"Even if I step back from the front lines, make sure they come and greet me each time they come in."
"Huh?"
It was an unexpected demand.
Lilly explained the reason to me, blinking her eyes.
"I, I may act important as a mage, but my talent is just so-so. I couldn't even train under a proper master in the Ivory Tower, let alone receive education."
"Hmm."
If you were to evaluate objectively, Lilly is an R-grade character.
Moreover, she's a second-tier mercenary who has trickled into the poor front line like Monster's Frontline.
It's not like she has extraordinary talent or high achievements as a mage. She herself knows it well.
"In the future, aren't many great, outstanding, talented mages going to join the front line? Then I can finally settle into a desk job."
"I, I see."
"I don't want to be ignored by those smarty-pants genius juniors."
Lilly hastily spat out what she seemed to have been harboring deep inside for a long time.
"I, please treat me properly as a senior mage. Even if I can't walk, even if I'm a desk job, even if I'm just so-so as a mage."
"..."
I nodded vigorously.
"There won't be anyone who will disrespect you, and if there is, I'll take responsibility and beat them up."
She ended up unable to walk because she was protecting all of us.
And so, she was forcibly switched to a desk job.
What does achievement as a mage matter?
Even if there are hundreds or thousands of great mages in the world, the comrade who has journeyed with me from Stage 0 is Lilly.
"Can't I do at least that much for our most senior mage, Lilly? Put those worries away, Lilly."
I can grant anything, except retirement, Lilly!
"Then it's okay..."
Lilly, who let out a deep sigh, turned her gaze back to the artifacts.
"Don't worry, I won't run away. If you call me, I'll join immediately."
"Alright. Thank you, Lilly."
There are two mages in the Aegis Special Forces Team right now, I should get her to meet and greet them as soon as tomorrow.
After looking at the artifact that was nearing completion and the silent workers, I left the workshop.
***
In the carriage on the way back to the mansion.
I was contemplating while spreading out the status of the current characters before my eyes.
Although Jupiter, a key attacker with wide-area attacks, was out of the stage, we had gained a sub-party.
The cultivation status of the main party is not bad either.
'How can I fight to maximize efficiency in this stage...'
As I was thinking of various combinations and strategies in my mind.
Flash.
The Rebel's Necklace I was wearing around my neck emitted light. It was enough to illuminate the inside of the carriage.
I felt my neck curiously.
'What's this?'
The Add-on feature was already attached to my necklace.
The [Dark Event Tracker] was in operation. A system window popped up before my eyes.
[Warning of a Dark Event at STAGE 4!]
The Dark Event.
A damn ordeal 'someone' intentionally laid out to ruin this game for me.
It had been activated three times during the previous stage, and as expected, it was activated again.
'Alright, what's it this time? Let's find out and face it.'
Then, what appeared before my eyes was...
[Activated Dark Event: Addition of Boss Monster]
> One more Boss Monster will appear.
What?
I was taken aback. So, this means two Boss Monsters are going to appear?
Quickly, I opened the enemy information window,
[Enemy Information - STAGE 4]
- Lv.? ??? : 2
- Lv.15 Stone Gargoyle : 360
- Lv.20 Steel Gargoyle : 242
Damn it, it's real! There really are two!
"A duplicated boss monster?!"
My head was throbbing, so I rubbed my forehead with my hand.
The boss monster of the gargoyle legion was tough enough, and now there were two of them...
'Ah, no. Let's think positively, positively!'
I switched my thought process to hopeful thinking mode.
'It means I get to take twice the drop items from the bosses! Twice the experience points! It's a double event, a double event!'
It's not just empty talk.
The boss battle will be incredibly tough, but the rewards will also be doubled.
Was it Nietzsche who said? What does not kill me, makes me stronger.
There's nothing more accurate than that in an RPG.
'Yeah, bring on more terrifying Dark Events! Send more boss monsters, stronger enemies!'
Coming up with tactics to deal with two boss monsters is part of the routine in the middle and later stages of the game.
Tactical combinations began to form in my head in no time.
As long as I know beforehand, clearing the conditions isn't hard.
'I'll chew you all up. Damn monster bastards.'
Already, I was pondering on what kind of item I could create from the materials of the two gargoyle boss monsters.
I'll chew them all up, level up like crazy, draw fantastic items, and storm their base.
And then, I'll make them regret making me stronger by leaving me alive through these trials.
The carriage swiftly approached the mansion. The weather was gloomy as if a storm was brewing in the distance.
Accompanied by the chilly smell of rain, STAGE 4 was looming closer and closer.