When my vision returned to normal, much to my surprise, I found myself back in the familiar laboratory. It seemed like I was the last to arrive, perhaps because I had been engrossed in conversation with Lady Yifa.
“Isam, well done on test work,” Iris exclaimed.
“Ah, well done to everyone as well,”
After acknowledging Iris, I took a seat on a nearby chair. The events that had transpired were plentiful, making it quite an intriguing experience.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the other three heartless individuals, who remained silent even after their comrade arrived. Jigoro appeared to be caressing an unfamiliar gauntlet, Genjuro was engrossed in rubbing an equally unfamiliar bracelet, and Ruby held up a colorless gem of unfamiliar origin. It seemed they were evaluating their rewards.
“Ahaha, they’ve been like that since everyone came back…” Iris said.
“I understand how they feel, so let’s leave them as they are. By the way, what did Iris receive?”
“Oh, yes. I received the blessings of Lady Peesha, the ‘Goddess of Production and Technology’, and the ‘Divine all-purpose workbench!’” Iris said.
Saying that, she showed me the reward she had already set up behind her. It seemed that the ‘Divine all-purpose workbench’ was a workbench capable of all kinds of production. If you wanted to do blacksmithing, it would turn into an anvil and furnace, and if you wanted to sew, needles and thread would appear. Truly a versatile tool.
And the performance is outstanding… or so it seems. Apparently, it grows in accordance with Iris’s skill level. It was similar to my equipment. According to her, obtaining a workbench that matched her skills was more than sufficient as a reward. Production would now be even more efficient!
As for the blessing from the ‘Goddess of Production and Technology’ Peesha, it enhances the quality of crafted items and improves the ability to level up production-related skills. It was similar to my own blessing.
“What did you receive, Isam?”
“Ah, I got these two,”
Saying that, I took out the mysterious egg and a large scythe from my inventory. For now, let’s try appraising them.
――――――――――
- Monster Egg: Quality: ? , Rarity: ?
An egg with an uncertain result, as it is impossible to determine what will hatch from it. bound to its owner.
It absorbs the owner’s magic power and grows, determining the type of monster that will hatch from it.
Once hatched, the creature becomes a familiar to the owner, even without any formal training.
- Old Scythe: Quality: Inferior, Rarity: G (God Class)
A scythe covered in rust and worn edges. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
The source of its durability, contrasting with its appearance, remains unknown.
Enhancement Materials: 5x Black Iron, Black Ember
Equipment Effects:
- [Dark Element Enhancement]
- [Sealed]
- [Sealed]
- [Sealed]
- [Sealed]
――――――――――
The egg was quite intriguing. I knew that it was impossible to predict what would hatch from it. However, it was fascinating that the type of creature born from it would be determined by my magic power and elements. Considering that I mastered all elements except for [Light Magic] and even delved into Abyssal Magic, it would be interesting to see what would emerge based on my magic power. It was something to look forward to.
On another note, it was delightful that I wouldn’t need anything like [Taming] skill to control the born creature. According to the information on the bulletin board, obtaining the skill of [Taming] required becoming a specialized job such as a Familiar Tamer. As someone focused on mastering magic, I preferred not to deviate into other specialized jobs. Hence, this feature was truly convenient for me.
On the other hand, the scythe was rather underwhelming for now. It only had one element enhancement, after all. Well, once I strengthen it and restore its true form, things might be different. However, there were some materials that I wasn’t sure how to obtain, despite their specific requirements being stated.
According to Iris, Black Iron could be crafted using iron and a magic stone from a Dark-attribute creature. Since the undead monsters in the “Cursed Tomb Tower” I created dropped similar magic stones, defeating similar undead monsters should yield the desired material. However, Iris had never even heard of the “Black Ember”. It seemed that the prospect of enhancement was still uncertain.
But then again, it was true that the goddess mentioned that I should use it. Well, it could be useful for dealing with nearby small fry, so I’ll just swing it around casually for now.
Now then, let’s acquire the skill [Scythe Mastery] so that I can wield it properly. The required skill points are… 12?! That’s quite the amount! Are they trying to say, “What’s a mage doing with a melee weapon?” Well, luckily, I earned plenty of skill points from this event, so it should be fine. Alright, let’s just acquire it.
――――――――――
You have acquired the [Scythe Mastery] skill by consuming SP.
Newly learned martial technique of “Slashing” through the [Scythe Mastery].
――――――――――
Oh, a martial technique, huh? It’s been a while since I’ve had one since my [Staff Mastery’s] meditation. I used to use meditation during breaks, but this one seems more suitable for combat. It seems that it provides adjustments to power and motion when attacking with a scythe. So, it allows me to perform attacks that don’t look amateurish.
However, players like Jigoro and Genjuro hardly use martial techniques because they find the adjusted motion uncomfortable. martial techniques are unpopular among those real-life cheat players, but as an ordinary person, I have no choice but to use them. It’s not like regular people are well-versed in scythe attacks, right?
“Hmm…”
With my newly acquired skill, I held the scythe with one of my extra arms and assume a stance, practicing a few swings. Since the weight was concentrated at the tip, it should be quite difficult to use, but I somehow understood how to swing it. It felt similar to when I fought the boss. So, this was the effect of a melee skill.
“Oh, wow! You look quite impressive!”
“With the black hood and the scythe, you…. are you a grim reaper?”
Ruby, who somehow approached me without my notice, seems to be impressed (?) by it. Well, since I have the opportunity, I’m starting to feel like giving it a test swing, but I have work tomorrow, so I should go to bed soon. Let’s wrap it up around here today.
When I mentioned that, the two of them finally realized how late it was. They hastily started preparing to log out. With a wry smile at the two girls in a rush, I returned to my private room and logged out.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
――――――――――
Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.
Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.
The level of [Staff Mastery] level has increased.
The level of [Scythe Mastery] level has increased.
Newly learned the martial technique of “Scythe Mastery” Flying Slash.
The level of [Magic Control] level has increased.
The level of [Earthen Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Water and Ice Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Flame Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Storm Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Forest Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Lava Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Sand Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Mist Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Lightning Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Explosion Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Black Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Void Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Summoning Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Enchantment] level has increased.
The level of [Magic Circle] level has increased.
The level of [Necromancy] level has increased.
The level of [Curse] level has increased.
The level of [Trap Magic] level has increased.
The level of [Spirit Channeling] level has increased.
You have learned the “Hungry Ghost Summoning” spell.
The level of [Witchcraft] level has increased.
Newly learned illusionary pain and Dazzling spells.
The level of [Archaeology] level has increased.
The level of [Linguistics] level has increased.
The level of [Pharmacology] level has increased.
The level of [Alchemy] level has increased.
The level of [Appraisal] level has increased.
The level of [Assassination] level has increased.
The level of [Light Weakness] skill has been decreased.
――――――――――
Yes, this is the progress from Monday to Thursday. I used the short time between returning home and going to sleep to frequently visit the Catacombs. Well, it was tough.
On Monday, we celebrated the success of the event and checked each other’s rewards. If we classify the rewards, there are four types. The first type is the blessings given to the members other than me and Jigoro, who were blessed a long time ago. The effects of the blessings are not clearly visible, but they definitely gave out an enhancement. In my opinion, they seem to be related to future evolutions and available job paths. It wouldn’t hurt to receive them.
The second type was items that, like my scythe, would demonstrate their true value through enhancements. This included Genjuro’s bracelet and Jigoro’s gauntlets. Unlike me, the two’s weapons already had decent abilities from the beginning, and they were happily discussing it. Ugh, it’s frustrating!
The third type was the gem that Ruby received. It seemed to have two uses. Either turn it into an accessory or absorb it. The former will become a powerful one-of-a-kind item, while the latter will apparently allow for a guaranteed special evolution.
After much deliberation, she ultimately chose to absorb it. I was quite excited to see what kind of race she would become. Incidentally, Jigoro apparently received an item called the “Soul Gem of the Divine Beast (Ox)”, which was in the same category as the “Soul Gem of the Divine Beast (Tiger)” he obtained from the “Trial of the Azure Moon”. He seemed to have swallowed it right on the spot.
Lastly, there were special items that didn’t fit into any of the previous categories. It was my egg and Iris’s workbench. There was a significant difference between an item that had no value until it hatched and a versatile item that all production jobs would covet.
Now, let me explain about the new martial technique and magic spells. The first one is the martial technique called “Flying Slash” of the [Scythe Mastery]. It was a typical slashing attack that could travel through the air. Its power was lower compared to a regular slash, but since I was a rear guard, it was quite convenient for me. Actually, what’s more amusing is that I’ve been swinging my scythe against Ratman monsters for the past few days. Let’s celebrate the fact that I can now perform long-range physical attacks.
Next was the [Spirit Channeling] spell called “Hungry Ghost Summoning” It summons a large number of palm-sized creatures called “Hungry Ghosts”. These grotesque creatures have murky, bulging eyes and thin chests with protruding ribs, and they are known for their insatiable appetite, devouring anything in sight. However, the most disturbing aspect of this technique was not the appearance of the Hungry Ghosts but rather their method of attack.
Believe it or not, they attempt to eat the enemy until their own stomachs burst. Even I, with a high tolerance for the grotesque, felt nauseous to a level that made me want to vomit. With their high attack power and repulsive appearance, they seem to excel in PvP battles.
Lastly, there was the [Witchcraft] spell called “Illusory Pain” and “Dazzling” The former directly stimulates the opponent’s pain receptors. Initially, I thought this technique would be useful in PvP battles, but I was greatly mistaken. That’s because in this game, pain is replaced with reduced mobility. As a result, there are countless players who can counterattack while taking damage. So, this technique seems to be more suitable against monsters and NPCs.
As for “Dazzling” it was a spell that disorients the opponent’s sense of direction. It confuses their perception of front, back, left, right, up, and down. So, this one can be used in both PvP and PvE situations.
“Oh! You finally arrived, Isam. We were about to leave you behind, you know?”
“Give me a break, Jigoro.”
When I logged in, the other four were already fully prepared and waiting. It wasn’t that I was late; they were just exceptionally early. They must have been eager and excited. After all, our goal from today onwards was to conquer the “Forgotten Catacombs”.
During last week’s event, all of us, including myself, thoroughly enjoyed acting as the boss of the dungeon. However, at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel envious when I saw other players successfully conquering dungeons. We also wanted to venture into uncharted areas! So, we decided to put the discussions related to the event on hold and head to the “Forgotten Catacombs”.
We had previously cleared only the first floor, and I had been repeatedly going through it to level up. Apparently, there were no other monsters on the first floor besides the ones we encountered, so it lacked variety. I was really looking forward to seeing what kind of monsters would appear next and what kind of loot we could obtain. It’s truly exciting.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
“What are you talking about!”
This was the divine sanctuary, a space where all the major deities gathered. Among the released PVs(promotional videos), Earle, the “Goddess of Light and Order”, let out a high-pitched scream upon witnessing the segment handled by Neurey, the “Goddess of Earth and Weather” She was always so noisy.
“Is there a problem?”
“A big problem! Why is there a scene where my hero was being defeated?” Earle exclaimed.
Did this woman even understand what she was saying? Even we, who favored specific players, tried to hide that fact as much as possible, yet she was being too open about it.
“Well, it’s because it was an exciting scene, right, Neurey?”
“Yes, exactly. It was a high-level battle, and I thought it could captivate new players,” Neurey said.
“Who would even want to see those creepy monsters winning?”
Her hatred for monsters remained as strong as ever. As the guardian goddess of humans, forest dwellers, and other beings considered “humanity” it was understandable that she prioritized them. However, her recent statement could be a bit problematic.
“Are you saying that the Earth’s kin, the Insecter race, is creepy…?”
Neurey wore her usual gentle smile, but her slightly widened eyes showed no trace of amusement. She seemed quite upset. It couldn’t be helped. I had to step in and address the situation.
“Neurey, I apologize, but the defeat of the player named Luke was shown in “The Cursed Tomb Tower. Can you change it to another player?”
“Hmm, well, I understand. They are the only ones who have reached the boss there though. I will do that,” Neurey replied.
It seemed like Neurey was satisfied with the explanation. However, Earle frowned even more when she heard the name ‘Cursed Tomb Tower’. After all, it was the place where her hero had been slain. But perhaps it was time to pierce her nails.
“Earle, as goddesses, we have a duty to cherish and appreciate the races we have created and designed. We do not have the right to disparage the kin of other goddesses. Correct your behavior.”
“You’re being annoying! Those monsters are nothing but pests that hinder the progress of humanity!” Earle retorted.
Oh my. I’ve always thought this, but this woman has been poisoned too much by her kin.
The system responsible for constructing the world of FSW was called the “World Simulate System”, commonly known as WSS. It was introduced almost simultaneously with pseudo-personality AIs like us. WSS was a tool that allowed us to observe the creation of a world from scratch and predict potential disasters in the future by inputting detailed conditions.
We repurposed this system for the game. By doing so, we could create a realistic world that was nearly indistinguishable from reality.
The setting of FSW involved a planet with a diameter about four times that of Earth, where an energy called magic, which did not exist in reality, existed. Furthermore, it allowed us goddesses to intervene to some extent as we pleased. That was the rough outline of the basic setting.
As general management AIs, we have been overseeing this world since its inception. Since the time when the surface was just a barren wilderness, to be exact. We accelerated time, and according to our subjective perception, the service began approximately 1,000 years after the world’s birth. In other words, most of the past events recorded in books and other materials within the game actually occurred in the world prior to the service.
During that time, this idiot of a goddess became increasingly obsessed with the notion of “human supremacy” that her kin arbitrarily came up with. It was a belief that her kin, above all others, were superior, so it must have been comforting for her to hear. It might also be related to an incident that took place several hundred years ago.
However, due to this, the world became an unfair place where monster-type players couldn’t enter the towns created by humans at the start of the service. In other words, it’s because of this foolish individual that Isam and others are struggling.
“Both humans and monsters are our kin, aren’t they?”
“Don’t compare mindless monsters with humans!”
No, come on, most monsters were designed to have minimal intelligence to eliminate the balance-breaking factor of highly intelligent and physically robust races. And for beings that possess qualities from both sides, we adjusted them to have weaknesses that take a considerable amount of time to overcome.
The only beings that are close to perfection are the demigods, including the dragon gods, who possess immense power that brings them closer to divinity. Have you forgotten about that as well?
“Enough! If you all have that attitude, then I have my own thoughts as well!”
“What are your thoughts?”
“…Hmph!”
She left without answering. Truly, she is a troublesome woman. Well then, I don’t know what she’s planning, but I am somewhat looking forward to the chaos that her rampage might bring. Let’s observe and make a move accordingly.
AN: Now, as for what each of them received:
Isam: Weapon (Scythe) and Egg.
Jigoro: Weapon (Gauntlets) and Special Evolution gem.
Iris: Blessing and Workbench.
Genjuro: Blessing and accessory (Bracelet)
Ruby: Blessing and Special Evolution gem
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