Only Sense Online Volume 1.5, 3 - Toutobi and Fashion

Volume 1.5, Chapter 3 - Toutobi and Fashion

A few days have passed since Luka-chan officially joined our party.

Hino-chan, Luka-chan and I, the three of us actively did quests not just for leveling, but also focusing on collecting money.

"Hmm. We do quests to earn money during the day, but also brief high speed leveling in the evening so our levels are quite high."

While growling I glared at my Sense status.

【Myu】's Status

Possessed SP8

【One-Handed Sword Lv4】 【Armour Lv20】 【Physical Attack Increase Lv25】 【Physical Defence Increase Lv22】 【Speed Increase Lv7】 【Magic Talent Lv18】【Magic Power Lv18】 【Light Element Talent Lv15】 【Recovery Lv15】 【Magic Recovery Lv10】

Unequipped:

【Sword Lv30】 【Fighting Spirit Lv17】

Through repeated leveling, my 【Sword】 Sense reached level 30 and derivation Senses appeared, so I took 【One-Handed Sword】 Sense I used in the β era.

But, I still haven't reached my goal.

To be precise, it wasn't the level that was required to reach the goal, but total acquisition of SP.

Once the total acquired SP reaches 20, there will be new basic Senses I'll be able to pick up, so I'd like to get 8 more SP.

"Still, it can't be helped even if I hurry. First I need to receive the equipment I ordered."

I muttered to myself in the town and headed in the direction of a certain store.

I entered 【Open Sesame】, a store built at the intersection of the First Town's main streets and said a greeting at the same time.

"Hello! Is Magi-san in?"

"Myu-chan, welcome. Did you come for the equipment?"

A brown-skinned woman dripping with sweat holding a hammer in one hand——Magi-san the top smith appeared from the back of ths store.

"There's that too, but I came to congratulate you opening your store!"

"With that said, the store is still in middle of preparations for opening. To be precise, I guide acquaintances from the beta to the store and spend half of the time by the stall."

When I congratulated her, Magi-san smiled in a bashful manner. She's cute and has great style, this destructive power is amazing. I'm envious.

"The reason I was able to make a crafting base so early was thanks to regulars from the beta like Myu-chan."

"No such thing, it's all because Magi-san's weapons are great!"

After we relaxed ourselves with conversation, Magi-san said "now then" to go back to the topic.

"For the ordered equipment, you're fine with the same one you had in beta, right?"

"Yes! My goal is to be an armour-clad paladin who cuts down enemies with a sword!"

As I showed my biceps to her, Magi-san smiled broadly with elbows on the counter.

Somehow, I turned embarrassed, ehehe, I laughed to cover it up.

"As I thought, seeing an energetic girl like you makes me energetic too. Therefore, a little service from Onee-san."

She said so and took out silvery equipment my eyes were glued to.

"Ohhh?! The equipment's stats are quite high!"

"Fufufu, you sure know your stuff Myu-chan. That's right! It's not just iron! It's made from Fine Iron!"

"W-whaaat!"

Although I responded jokingly, it was quite amazing. The Iron Ingots and the 【Fine Iron Ingots】 that was treated as a different material for crafting had the same properties, but the equipment crafted from Fine Iron had better performance in every aspect. At the same time the difficulty to craft something from it also increased but…

"I-is it really okay?! But, eh?!! I mean…!"

I entered a slight state of panic and couldn't speak up properly.

Even though her service barely started, it seemed like she put a tremendous effort to make all of my equipment from Fine Iron.

One Fine Iron Ingot was made from five Fine Iron Ores. So, for a single one-handed sword and four pieces of body armour one would need to use thirty pieces of ore.

"I know what you want to say, Myu-chan. Something like 'how many Golems did you have to hunt to get enough of ore', right?"

Indeed, to get it early in the game one would need to defeat boss mob Golem we haven't been able to defeat yet and get it as a normal drop. For example, one would need to repeat the fight fifty times with a full party of six people.

"Just when, and just how many Golems did you beat?!"

"Unfortunately, the Fine Iron was obtained with a method different from hunting Golems. Well, a way to obtain it cheaply was found, think of it like that. Still, a lot more iron is used so I'm purchasing much more of it than usual."

Bring all the equipment to my place, she said and winked.

"Understood. I'll do my best and cut down the enemies to steal equipment from them!"

"Yup, please do. Well then, let's decide on the additional effect bonuses."

When I agreed, Magi-san started setting up the additional effects in the equipment.

For iron equipment there were only two types, but with Fine Iron there were more additional effects available. Since currently I didn't have any reinforcement materials of choice with me, the 【Smithing】's bonus would be the only one.

'Then, 【ATK Bonus】 in the sword and 【DEF Bonus】 in the armour pieces please."

"Same as it was before, eh? Roger."

She said and moved the equipment lined up on the table to the bench beside the counter and one by one added additional effects.

Meanwhile I had nothing to do, so I looked around the store.

On the shelves decorated with various weapons and accessories, lined up were mainly versatile equipment pieces. Specialized weapons with super high performance and unpopular pieces of equipment were Magi-san's own hobby.

There was also a small amount of consumables like potions and pills placed on the shelf.

"Magi-san, did you pick up 【Mixing】?"

"Ah, that. No, it's a corner with consignment. I'm purchasing them from an acquaintance crafter and re-selling them."

"This is quite cheap."

Just recently, the resale guilds have been very active with re-selling potions, so the price of the potions was temporarily inflated. Although the prices had settled down, these potions had very reasonable price when compared to their recovery amount.

"I'm selling in consignment so I still bumped the price a little."

"This is more than enough if you are purchasing some while coming for equipment maintenance."

Rather than go around several stalls to find potions, one could kill a few mobs during that time to get money back. In other words, that also combined into the cost.

"I'll buy some! Magi-san, give me 10 Potions and 5 Antidotes."

"Okay. Then I'll round down the price of the equipment and potions to 400kG."

"I'll pay all at once!"

I paid the money and received both equipment and potions from Magi-san. With high-speed leveling expanses and current equipment's price almost all the money I had from the β was exhausted. What's left is just enough for maintenance and few consumables.

It seems like I'll have to focus on securing money rather than leveling for a while.

"So Myu-chan, are you going to change?"

"Nope. Actually the girls from my party are going to buy equipment so we're gonna do an unveiling at the same time. Or so we thought of it!"

"I see. Then if you need something else, don't hesitate to come."

"Thank you very much!"

She returned to the back of the store and I could hear the sound of metal being hit with a hammer. While listening to the constant rhythm of the hammer I left the 【Open Sesame】."

●

"Hino-chan, did you wait?"

"Not at all, this time you were on time!"

"Grr, you're horrible!"

"Ahahaha, sorry."

After picking up equipment in Magi-san's store I headed to the place I decided to meet with Luka-chan and Hino-chan in."

Hino-chan who had come first had teased me about my being late before. When I puffed up my cheeks, she apologized lightly.

I wasn't angry in the first place, we were just getting along.

"And what about Luka-chan?"

"Just earlier she called me and said that she'll come after taking a look at the stalls."

"I wonder if she's looking for equipment then?"

Recently we've focused on hunting same specific mobs all the time getting a hourly rate of money so there wasn't much stimulation. But thanks to that we have gathered enough money for expensive weapon or armour.

"Hino-chan, did you buy equipment?'

"Yup! A moment ago I picked up the equipment I asked for. How about you, Myu-chan?"

"Same here."

The two of us thought of the same thing. Rather than putting on equipment in here, it's better to wait for Luka-chan to buy new equipment and change then, surprising her.

Since Hino-chan and I knew each other's appearance from the β, we consulted each other on the timing to change, preparing a surprise.

"Myu-san, Hino-san. Hello."

While we were speaking with each other, Luka-chan had come to the meeting spot. However, her expression was somewhat dark, there was a shadow on it.

"Hey, Luka-chan, what is it? Did something happen?"

"N-no! It's nothing! I'm fine?"

"If you'd like, we'll listen."

"A, uu… that's…"

As we peeked into Luka-chan's face, worried, she blushed slightly embarrassed and explained the reason for why does she look so discouraged.

"Um… there was a weapon I've had my eyes on for a long time. About the same size as the one-handed sword I'm using now."

According to Luka-chan the weapon's stats were slightly higher than those of iron-made ones, the sword with ATK bonus and critical hit correction was apparently set quite cheap.

She took the money she had for the armour price's initial deposit and thought she'll be able to buy it once she gathers just a little more, but once she headed to that stall…

"I couldn't find the stall anywhere."

"Oh my, but there'll be another chance!"

"I've had similar experiences. When I went to bargain items were sold out or the player and their stall wasn't there as they moved somewhere."

Downhearted Luka-chan was cute as she lowered her eyebrows, but to cheer her up I made a suggestion.

"Then today, how about we go look for temporary equipment for Luka-chan?"

"Equipment? How?"

"We'll aim for randomly generated weapons that drop from treasure boxes and enemy mobs. If we're lucky, we'll get equipment for Luka-chan and even if we don't get any, we can sell equipment to a 【Smithing】 crafter to get money."

Also, Magi-san would greatly appreciate any iron brought in. This was a good opportunity to go defeat enemies dropping iron equipment in order to earn money.

"Um, please don't worry about me. It's fine to do the usual efficient earning."

"I agree with Myu-chan's proposal. I also have my initial deposit for armour so I want to gather money as soon as possible."

"Is, that so. I understand."

"All right! Let's go to the dungeon with Living Armours!"

"Yeaahh!"

"Y-yeahh."

As Hino-chan and I raised our fists energetically, Luka-chan also raised hers, albeit embarrassedly.

We headed to one of small dungeons nearby.

"Full physical! Let's have a hunting spree for one of golem-type mobs, Living Armours!"

"Still, I don't see any enemies."

"I wonder if there will be any ahead of here."

Indeed. There was only one Living Armour on the first floor. Moreover, it was one that just respawned. It wasn't empty of just enemies, but also of treasure chests on the entire floor.

"What do we do? Go do some quest?"

"You're right. If there's someone who entered before us, it seems better to give it some time."

"This is——a competition! A fight deciding who will be the first one to recover the treasure chest in the deepest part!"

"My-Myu-san!"

We can't just go back dejected without any results! Also, the player who had annihilated all the mobs in the first level so fast must be really skilled. I want to see their face.

"Plan change! We're breaking through the shortest route to the deepest part!"

"Well, it's a shallow dungeon so let's go along with it."

"I'll go ahead then!"

Hino-chan considered the manoeuvrability in the dungeon, put her sledgehammer on her shoulder and rushed forward.

Matching her, I have followed with Luka-chan.

Since Hino-chan and I were in this dungeon together in the β era, we remembered the shortest route.

Before long we located the stairs to the second floor, once we went down them we didn't see any enemies in there either.

"There's no one here either, we'll be going to the deepest floor then!"

"Myu-san, what enemies are there in the lowest floor?!"

Luka-chan running beside me asked about information on the enemy.

"It's all Living Armours! Just, their weapons change from copper ones to iron so their attack power increases a little!"

"Other than that, when there are multiple ones at once, they cooperate with each other."

"Ah, I forgot about that!"

When Hino-chan supplemented information I recalled how I was surrounded by a group of Living Armours armed with spears. Back then they were configured in an unlucky manner and it was difficult to pierce through the gaps, I was able to escape by breaking out of the siege in a corner thanks to magic.

"Also, their movements are slow but they're gonna chase you endlessly on the floor, well, there's lots of stuff. Ah, I can see the stairs to the last floor!"

We ran through the second floor and arrived at the stairs leading to the lowest floor.

On the other side of the stairs we saw Living Armours crowding in the hallway.

"Prepare for combat! There's lots of them!"

I picked up the weapon I had put away and slashed the Living Armour intending to cut it apart.

Hino-chan smashed the armour in the head with her sledgehammer. The head was blown away and slammed into the dungeon's wall letting a dull, echoing sound in the dungeon.

Luka-chan held a short sword and thrust into the gaps in the armour's joints, while suppressing the weapon's durability consumption she slowly damaged the enemy.

"Myu-san! What is on earth is this?!"

"Probably a monster house or something?"

It seems like for some reason mobs have concentrated in one place. If we left them be they would scatter which wasn't time-efficient. While thinking positively——

"Saves us trouble looking for enemy! Let's wipe them out and add them to our experience! ——《Fifth Breaker》!"

I used the Art I obtained in the same manner as Luka-chan to slash the passage full of Living Armours.

Five continuous sword attacks have repelled one Living Armour each, opening distance between me and them.

"Gather them up and send them flying!"

That's where Hino-chan popped out, swung her sledgehammer low and gathering the nearby armours she defeated them.

"HAa, there!"

While the Living Armours could be defeated by dealing damage to certain specific parts such as limbs, Luka-chan aimed for joints between the legs and arms in order to decrease the mobility and attack power of the Living Armours.

"HAA——《Light Shot》!"

I fired a bullet of light by the side of their vanguard to strike an individual that tried to thrust with its spear, cancelling the attack.

At the same time, as grazes have accumulated damage dealt to Hino-chan and Luka-chan, I used recovery magic on them.

If Hino-chan and I knew it would turn out like this, we would have worn the equipment we received earlier and made it easier for ourselves. While thinking so I continued to annihilate Living Armours near the stairs.

After that, since wandering Living Armour appeared from the corner on the left side, the three of us focused our attacks to defeat it.

"Hey, I said earlier it's a 'monster house', it seems like they're overflowing from the room in the left."

"Does that mean the Living Armours have gathered on the left side?"

Just as Hino-chan said, the left side was a large, empty room. And if one would come straight to the deepest part to pick up the treasure chest, there was a possibility of it turning into a monster house but——

"How about we wait, and if there's nothing coming out, we'll just go to pick up treasure chest?"

"If there's a player in here, there's a high probability they are in trouble."

Hearing Luka-chan's words, "got it" Hino-chan answered with a smile and entered the passage on the left side.

The three of us cooperated quickly taking care of Living Armour in groups less dense than the one earlier. And, as we approached the large room we heard the sound of sword strikes.

"There's someone here after all. Should we up the pace a little?"

"Agreed! I'll open the way so let's rush in all at once!"

Hino-chan swung the hammer both left and right blowing away the Living Armours that blocked the path to the sides. In order to stop them from chasing after us Luka-chan cut the legs of the armours, destroying specific parts. On the other hand, I fired light bullets from behind the two.

"I can see them!"

When we have entered the large room, it was packed with Living Armours. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that all the enemies on the lowest layer were inside. And, in the back, there was a player who wore a cloak and light clothing and fought back standing with their back to the corner of the dungeon.

"We'll assist that person!"

"Let's go then!"

Luka-chan and Hino-chan aimed for the Living Armours that the player with their back against the wall didn't engage and took them down one after another.

While avoiding joint struggle penalty you get when attacking another party's mobs, we burned through this monster house.

I used rapid fire of light bullets to attack the armours the two weren't able to reach.

"——《Light Shot》!"

And, we approached the player clad in the cloak.

"Are okay?!"

The player was driven into the corner of the room, but continued to narrowly to avoid the attacks with minimum of movements. Because the player's weapon was a short dagger, they had no way to counter-attack.

Seeing the player's HP slowly decreasing, I used recovery magic.

"Hold out a little longer with this! ——《Heal》!"

"…!!"

When I cast a stray heal on the player with a cloak who wasn't in party, the player cut down the Living Armour in front of their eyes.

Surprised by my behaviour, the player with the hood low on her eyes tried to say something, but seemed to have gave up on that.

"HAa——《Shock Impact》! Ah!! It broke. However!"

Luka-chan hit the Living Armour in front of her with her weapon. The armour fell down backwards because of the impact, but the durability of the weapon purchased from NPC went over the limit and broke.

"If I don't have weapon, I just have to take away enemy's weapon and use it! HAa!"

She took out the biggest sword from the ones that dropped out of Living Armours and found their way to her inventory and wielded it with both hands.

"Ohh?! A power type weapon! I won't lose either! 《Impact》, 《Giant Swing》!"

Hino-chan who swung the sledgehammer before now held it in her right hand and a long spear in her left, then spun like a top.

The sledgehammer swung at the full force had dented the armour in and the long spear mowed enemies down.

In no time the amount of Living Armours that had dropped down to half as compared to when they first entered into the room.

And since the distance between the Living Armours opened, the player in a cloak started to move.

"OHH?! Fast!"

The cloak fluttered and the player rushed between the Living Armours attacking them both while passing by. Moreover, both attacks aimed for joints and clasps destroying the parts of armour. From time to time the player thrust at the enemy delivering critical damage and defeating the Living Armours.

"We can leave half of them to that person! Let's clean up the remaining half of the enemies!"

"All ri…?!! ——Myu-chan avoid it!"

"He?"

When I turned around in response to Hino-chan's voice, an axe had been throws at me from the front.

A Living Armour that had one arm cut off had picked it up and threw it at me.

I hurriedly tried parrying it with a sword, but I realized I can't avoid incoming axe and only prayed that the hit isn't critical.

"……?!!"

That moment, a dagger was swung right in front of me. The cloaked figure had received the axe. However, because of the difference in weapon's weight she couldn't deflect it and it struck the player deep in the shoulder.

Since the player's defence was weak in the first place, they lost majority of their HP and fell onto their knees.

"You took the hit for me?! ——《Heal》!"

I used recovery magic in a hurry. However, a single 《Heal》 wasn't enough to fully recover them and waiting for the skill's cooldown was frustrating.

"At times like this, a potion!'

I used the potion I purchased before we came to this dungeon, sprinkling it over the cloaked player.

With a single recovery magic usage and a single potion, I recovered her completely.

While I healed her, Luka-chan took down the Living Armour which threw the axe and Hino-chan delivered the last blow to remaining enemies.

"Are you okay?"

"……, ah."

The mouth visible from under the hood moved lightly, but soon enough the person's lips closed tightly, an they nodded instead.

The cloak-clad player facing down had moved away from me and headed to get rid of the remaining Living Armours.

Since the axe's blow when she received it for me had torn her cloak on the shoulder, I could see the clothe equipment inside.

And after a while we were able to defeat all the Living Armours gathered in the room.

"It was different from the original plan, but Living Armours' drops, get!"

"Uhee. There's a spear drop, but this sledgehammer is already done for. Next time I"ll use my usual large hammer."

Hino-chan put away the sledgehammer that started clattering. And, Luka-chan did practice swings with the great sword in silence, when she noticed my line of sight she panicked a little.

"What is it, Luka-chan?"

"Eh?! Ah, I was unexpectedly familiar with the great sword I used instead of the broken one and…"

While saying so, she exchanged the broken sword by her waist with a short sword by and put the great sword into the inventory.

"Does it really feel familiar?"

"Actually, I feel that if it was a little smaller it would be easier to manage. In the dungeon's passages it can't be used well, so I'll use this one instead."

She said and stroked the short sword by her waist.

"Then, a weapon that can be used with both two hands and one hand?"

Since Luka-chan was able to skilfully use swords in both ways, I looked through my drops for a surplus weapon that fitted the description and was able to find one.

Knight Sword 【Two-Handed／One-Handed Sword】

ATK 10 DEF 4 Additional Effect: DEF 3

It wasn't very good, but it wasn't a bad drop either. The sword status had an unusual additional effect for a drop, but because it only slightly increased defence, it's evaluation as equipment was lower.

Were it 【ATK 3】 the evaluation would be slightly higher. However, for a player who doesn't have money for equipment it had enough performance as a bridging equipment.

"Luka-chan, try holding this."

"This, it's slightly smaller than the great sword."

She poised the sword she received from me with both swords, did a practice swing, then a swing using one hand, confirming how it feels in her hands.

"Compared to the one I saw on the stall the stats are lower but… it's easy to handle."

Next time I'll look for a weapon based on this one, she said and put away the Knight Sword in the inventory.

Luka-chan was slightly happy to have a replacement equipment, on the other hand Hino-chan looked through her inventory for a replacement spear, but unable to find one she puffed her cheeks.

Meanwhile as the cloaked player tried to leave this large room, I called out to stop them.

"Wait!"

"……?!!"

Startled by me calling out, the player's shoulders twitched. The silent person without showing their real face, had turned in my direction.

"Um… thank you for helping me!"

After I said so, the player bowed and left the room.

"A strange person, wasn't it."

"You're right. And we weren't able to speak either."

Hino-chan spoke, Luka-chan nodded in agreement and watched the cloaked player disappear in a dark passage.

If it was a silent cool-type or role-playing player, we shouldn't force them to speak up.

It was by chance that we helped that person, possibly our only bond with that player in this world of OSO will be this event.

"Now! Since we've come to the deepest part we need to get some money from the treasure chest!"

I strongly emphasized on our original purpose and headed to the back of the dungeon.

"Ah, aaaAAAAAHHHH——! T-the treasureee!"

And in the deepest part we arrived in soon, I cried out.

"Not here, it's not here! There's nothing inside!"

"Um… probably that person from earlier beat us to a punch."

Luka-chan put on a troubled smile, "it can't be helped