"Are we really going?" Phoebe asked, astonished, as I checked my equipment.
My armor, a jacket that fluctuates in performance based on current MP, boasts high efficiency at maximum MP. My weapon, a modified Archie, consumes MP with each attack but delivers high damage. Phoebe's armor, a coat with consistent defense reliant on maximum MP, is reliable. Her weapon is a staff resembling the one used by a player named Yuki, capable of casting various spells.
As a trump card, she can use the fairy ice gate, which I have yet to see in action but will undoubtedly aid her.
"I've heard from Lily. Are we heading to Phoebe's homeland? It seems a bit premature for me, considering levels…"
"I understand what you mean, but if we go quickly, there's a chance Phoebe's acquaintances might still be alive. Sure, taking time to get stronger would reduce the dangers Phoebe faces, but..."
I know my level is low. Now that I've advanced to an intermediate class, there must be a higher class. I could head to Phoebe's homeland after becoming an advanced class, but I have no idea how long that would take.
Additionally, leaving the third quest unresolved feels risky; without details on the reward of guaranteeing Phoebe's acquaintances' survival, excessive delay could lead to irreparable consequences.
Frankly, it feels like a gamble. Sure, getting stronger might lower the chance of Phoebe dying, but if I take too long and her homeland is nearly destroyed, she would regret it... Ugh! The weight of this decision is heavy!
"I see Lena's perspective... In that case, I want to give you this."
'You received a zero-order summoning token from Lydia.'
The token, handed directly to me, was a simple card inscribed with a sparkling zero. It looked remarkably similar to the sword deity summoning charm I received from Natalie.
"This summons an illusion for aid, right? I already have the sword deity version from Natalie."
"Ah... that thing over there? I made that too... Quite generous of me, isn't it?"
You made that too...? So, the Zero Order summoning token was crafted by the leader? That's impressive...
"That's a special support item. Use it during tight spots like boss battles. Unlike the sword god, you can use this anywhere. And don't ask for another one; I don't want to mass-produce them due to the crafting costs…"
"Oh, thank you... but why give this to me?"
"I told you, right? I heard the situation from Lily. If something were to happen and Lena retires, Lily would be devastated, and we might feel the backlash. So, I wanted to give you a lifeline... I don't want my friends to suffer."
Something unexpected happens... like if I were defeated back in Phoebe's hometown... I'd rather not imagine that worst-case scenario.
"I understand. I'll use this lifeline wisely."
"Just be careful not to fall into 'Elixir Syndrome,' okay?"
"Elixir Syndrome?"
"It's when you hold onto powerful consumables for too long and miss the right moment to use them. That's what we call 'Elixir Syndrome,' Phoebe."
Phoebe furrowed her brow, pondering this concept, as the leader explained further.
"Well, we're off to explore the Soulstone Ruins now, Leader."
"Hey, can I come along to the very heart of the Soulstone Ruins? I want to see how that magic circle activates."
"Ah, that's alright, but…"
"Um, can't you lend your strength all the way to my hometown? With you, the leader, who fought so brilliantly alongside Natalie, we'd be unstoppable!"
Phoebe posed her question to the leader, who hesitated for a moment before responding.
"I'm sorry, but it's not possible right now… However, when the time comes, I will definitely lend my support, so please don't worry about that."
Since he had heard the situation from Lily, he must also know about the failure conditions and rewards of the number quest. The leader seemed to be struggling to find a valid reason for his refusal, and I felt a pang of guilt.
"Phoebe, the leader has his own circumstances. We're already borrowing equipment and receiving powerful support items for free; we can't ask for more…"
I stepped in to back him up. Honestly, I would love to rely on Lily and the leader too, but due to the failure conditions of the number quest…
I suspect there are fail criteria in place to prevent players like me from leaning too heavily on numbers or powerful allies, forcing us to go with other players instead.
"I, I see… It's disappointing. I thought having the leader with us would greatly reduce the chances of Lena getting seriously hurt…"
"Phoebe, you should trust Lena's abilities... Lena, if you need any supplies, I can sell them to you at a low price, just let me know."
Supplies... I've stocked up on healing potions before... But considering Archie's skill, Earth Connection, I should probably buy some MP potions too. I have money from TT, who gave me some along with snacks!
"I'd like to buy MP potions! Leader!"
"Sure thing, as always... Just remember to come back alive after you buy them, alright?"
We bought 15 high-quality MP potions from the leader for 250,000, each restoring 200 MP, and then set off to the Earth Spirit Ruins with him.
On the way, the leader turned to Phoebe.
"By the way, Phoebe, are you really okay with entering your hometown in Lena's current condition?"
"Huh!? ... I'm not sure."
Not sure? What does that mean?
"True, Lena's equipment has improved, and I've got a strong staff now... but Lena isn't a fighting specialist... I don't know if we can take on the All-Mosquito, whatever it is."
"All-Mosquito? Is that the boss's name?"
"Yes, Leader... But Lena mentioned that if we get to her hometown quickly, there may still be a chance to save those who are alive. I think that risk is worth it... but both my friends and Lena are invaluable to me, and I don't want to lose either of them..."
Phoebe seems to be struggling... But I think I won't lose anything since I can come back to life, right? Maybe the situation with Yuki has made her more cautious.
"Hey, I know how to get from the earth spirit ruins to Phoebe's hometown, but is it possible to travel back from her hometown to the ruins?"
"I've heard from Caleb that theoretically it's possible, but when I tried to go there alone, I ended up in a forest... so I can't really say. Plus, it drains a lot of my magic, so I can't use it multiple times in a day."
I see, it consumes a significant amount of magic. It seems like the coordinates have to be spot on to make it safe... That sounds complicated.
"Hmm, then for the trip to Phoebe's hometown, I'll provide the magic. It wouldn't be good if we arrived and were attacked while I was out of MP, and Lena and the others got killed."
"Can you really do that, Leader? If so, that would be great, but are you sure?"
"Yeah, I've done it before, so I'll manage. Besides, I have plenty of MP recovery potions, so consider it a service."
That's a relief. The more my magic decreases, the weaker my defenses become, so preserving my MP is the best option.
But why haven't we encountered any enemies on the way…?
"Hey, Leader… not only are the enemies not attacking, but they're actually running away. Did you do something?"
"I'm using a monster-repelling spell to ensure no enemies below my level come near. We were chatting, so I thought it might be necessary, but was it really?"
"It's not unnecessary, but I'd like to test the Neige Flower, so could you turn the spell off for a bit?"
The leader's level is likely capped at 45, the same as Natalie's... That means every enemy in the area will flee, and I won't be able to test the Neige Flower.
"Understood. Good luck, Phoebe!"
"Thanks! I'll give it a try right away!"
As soon as the leader's monster-repelling spell was deactivated, a wolf charged towards us!
"Ice Needle!"
At Phoebe's command, ice needles shot out rapidly from the staff she raised, but the wolf dodged them!
"Ice Chain! Holy Ball!"
The wolf was ensnared by the ice chain and struck down by the holy orb, collapsing in defeat.
"Impressive… The Holy Ball, which I couldn't use before, worked so easily…"
"It can actually restrain enemies… This is powerful, Phoebe."
"Yes, with this, I think I can also use Chain Lightning, so even if we're swarmed by bugs, we'll be fine!"
"Lena, are you really okay with swarms of bugs?"
"I-I'll manage! So it'll be fine, leader!"
A swarm of insects, huh? I remember when I experienced it firsthand—I was desperate. But it seems that in Phoebe's hometown, battling swarms is just a part of life. With heavy steps, I forced myself to move toward the Soul of the Earth ruins.
After a test shot, we entered the ruins, and thanks to the leader casting a repelling spell, we managed to reach the innermost area with the teleportation magic circle without encountering any enemies.
"It's incredible how the mere presence of the leader makes enemies flee," I remarked.
"Well, I don't use it often," he replied. "It doesn't work on anything stronger than mere underlings. It's mainly a spell for quickly passing through areas we've already cleared. Plus, with how things are for Lena and the others now, defeating enemies doesn't yield much experience, so it's best to avoid fights altogether."
As I listened to him, I scanned the surroundings. Large magic circles were inscribed on the ground and walls, and a broken catalyst lay against the wall marked with the magic circle.
"Phoebe, how do we use this teleportation magic circle? Can we just leave the broken catalyst on the wall?"
"You can ignore the wall catalyst. Just pierce the center of the ground magic circle with a flame, and if you channel magical power into it, it'll activate," she explained.
"I'll pour my MP into it," I said. "If I channel my mana outside the magic circle, we won't be transported together."
Following her instructions, I stood at the center of the magic circle, and a system screen appeared before me.
"Currently, you can teleport to the Fairy Garden using the combination of the Fairy Key and the Fairy Gate. Would you like to set this as your destination? At the moment, this field cannot be set as a restart point. If so, please insert the key into the ground."
The Fairy Garden... is that where Phoebe is from? I remember in Phoebe's memories, before the bug monsters appeared, there were flower fields everywhere. Maybe the term "garden" comes from those flower fields?
"Alright, Phoebe, I'm going now."
"...…Yes!"
Hearing Phoebe's response, I plunged the key into the ground. There were already plenty of holes suitable for inserting the blade, so it was easy to do.
"Then off you go!"
With the leader's voice, the magical circles on the ground and wall began to glow! The light became so bright that my vision faded, and then everything went dark.
'Third Quest
The failure condition for lies, fairies, and the Fairy Key is at 11%, and the success condition is at 100%.'
'Reflecting quest results.
Lena has obtained the title "One Who Steps into the Fairy Garden."
Lena has obtained the title "The Hasty Runner."
Lena has gained experience points.'
'Title: One Who Steps into the Fairy Garden
A title awarded to those who reach the Fairy Garden, granting a slight boost to MP and intelligence. Welcome to the paradise filled with flower fields!'
**Title: The Hasty Runner**
This title is awarded to those who clear a number quest with no time limit under certain conditions within a week. It grants a bonus to agility but imposes a slight penalty to luck. While rushing is commendable, be wary of falling behind due to lack of training...