I placed the three new Magic Guns on the table and examined them.
Theyre shaped like handguns.
Since the sa three Magic Core were used, all three pieces took on the sa 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 sa design, so Ive nad them Cerberus."
"The three-headed hound of hell, huh? Thats a good na."
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 weve made so far are used by one person."
Thats right. Theyre all for Damien to use.
"And that includes the Magic Gun you initially showed us, so isnt 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 so long-range firepower, but they should be effective at dium 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 equipnt setting like this.
There would be various combinations to try out.
For testing, I fired a handgun in the prepared shooting range next to .
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 childs play.
Those rifles were enough to make fly backward every ti I shot them.
I packed the handguns in a box and wrapped them nicely. Ill give them to Damien as a gift.
"Youve worked hard, Blacksmith."
"Its nothing."
"And sorry, but Ill have to ask you to make the next piece of equipnt right away."
"Why apologize! Its our job."
I placed the materials I had prepared on the table.
One Golden Gargoyle Magic Core (SR).
And five pieces of Golden Armor fragnts.
"The next thing Ill commission is..."
I drew in a deep breath before letting it out.
"Its 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 equipnt, or artifacts, or even make money by selling them.
Even when creating equipnt, all you had to do was invest Magic Core in the equipnt needed at the ti.
If you needed a shield, make a shield; if you needed shoes, make shoes.
It was all up to the players discretion, customizable according to the players taste.
However.
The equipnt that a certain boss monster used.
To create a boss equipnt modeled after it, you needed the bosss Magic Core and materials.
Because the performance was pretty decent, it was good to make it if the conditions and situations allowed.
Its not that I didnt know how to make it. Until now, the categories just didnt overlap.
For example, the Stage 1 boss was the Phantom Knight.
His boss equipnt was The Phantom Knights Greatsword. But since none of us used a greatsword, I didnt make it.
Afterwards, elite monsters ca out instead of the boss, or even if the boss monster ca out, it didnt drop its exclusive Magic Core.
Anyway, in the midst of all this, I had picked up the Magic Core and armor fragnts of the Golden Gargoyle this ti.
I was now able to create the Golden Gargoyles boss equipnt- Golden Armor.
"I request it to be as thin and light as possible."
I specially ordered.
"Not heavy and not uncomfortable in my movents."
"Then, the defensive power seems to be reduced..."
"I dont mind. Just make it comfortable for ."
"Understood."
The option I ordered looked like armor, but the actual performance was closer to that of mage wear.
"When will you asure the size?"
"Well asure it next ti. For now, make the size... slightly smaller, please."
After completing the order and paying in advance, I left the blacksmiths shop.
Lucas nodded behind .
"Are you going to wear it, my lord? In that case, its definitely better to be light. You wont be on the front line."
"Well, um..."
I trailed off my words.
I guess I could wear it. Ill decide after seeing the options.
***
Alchemists Workshop.
The major artifacts were being repaired without trouble. But thats not why I ca today.
"Lilly."
Since Jupiter had logged out of the stage, I ca 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 with sullen eyes.
"Do I have to step forward this ti too...?"
"Well... thats how it turned out."
No, rather, have you ever not been on the front lines? It seems like youre always called up for defensive battles.
Lilly sighed heavily and dusted off her hands.
"What can I do? Its my sin for being born a magician."
"Right, right. Bla your over-achieving self."
"Ugh..."
I joked, but Lillys face beca gloomy. No, shes crying! Shes really crying!
"Hey, dont cry! It was my mistake! But you still have to be deployed for battle!"
"Im not crying... its 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 co in later..."
"Mmhm."
"Even if I step back from the front lines, make sure they co and greet each ti they co in."
"Huh?"
It was an unexpected demand.
Lilly explained the reason to , blinking her eyes.
"I, I may act important as a mage, but my talent is just so-so. I couldnt 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, shes a second-tier rcenary who has trickled into the poor front line like Monsters Frontline.
Its not like she has extraordinary talent or high achievents as a mage. She herself knows it well.
"In the future, arent many great, outstanding, talented mages going to join the front line? Then I can finally settle into a desk job."
"I, I see."
"I dont want to be ignored by those smarty-pants genius juniors."
Lilly hastily spat out what she seed to have been harboring deep inside for a long ti.
"I, please treat properly as a senior mage. Even if I cant walk, even if Im a desk job, even if Im just so-so as a mage."
"..."
I nodded vigorously.
"There wont be anyone who will disrespect you, and if there is, Ill 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 achievent as a mage matter?
Even if there are hundreds or thousands of great mages in the world, the comrade who has journeyed with from Stage 0 is Lilly.
"Cant I do at least that much for our most senior mage, Lilly? Put those worries away, Lilly."
I can grant anything, except retirent, Lilly!
"Then its okay..."
Lilly, who let out a deep sigh, turned her gaze back to the artifacts.
"Dont worry, I wont run away. If you call , Ill join imdiately."
"Alright. Thank you, Lilly."
There are two mages in the Aegis Special Forces Team right now, I should get her to et 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 Rebels Necklace I was wearing around my neck emitted light. It was enough to illuminate the inside of the carriage.
I felt my neck curiously.
Whats 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 soone intentionally laid out to ruin this ga for .
It had been activated three tis during the previous stage, and as expected, it was activated again.
Alright, whats it this ti? Lets 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 ans 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, its 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. Lets think positively, positively!
I switched my thought process to hopeful thinking mode.
It ans I get to take twice the drop items from the bosses! Twice the experience points! Its a double event, a double event!
Its 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 , makes stronger.
Theres 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 ga.
Tactical combinations began to form in my head in no ti.
As long as I know beforehand, clearing the conditions isnt hard.
Ill 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.
Ill chew them all up, level up like crazy, draw fantastic items, and storm their base.
And then, Ill make them regret making stronger by leaving 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 sll of rain, STAGE 4 was looming closer and closer.
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