Everyone Else is a Regressor - Chapter 55

◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (55)

Chapter 11. You want to become my partner? (5)

Before embarking on an expedition, KiJun had several things to prepare.

Equipment, camping tools, food, and potions for emergencies.

Among these, the most important was a shield.

His signature technique, Moonlight Blood Fangs, required two shields to be complete. He couldn’t keep relying only on the King of the Well forever.

Naturally, when thinking about shields, there was something he had to consider…

―How can we modify this skull into a shield?

“This thing…”

[Purified Head of the Knight of Extremes (Unique)]

[Durability – 8,123/10,000]

[Attack (U) / Defense (U) – 75/99]

Matching the grade of the King of the Well, its maximum durability was four times that of the King of the Well.

An item type that’s rare to see, with both attack and defense stats, and high levels at that.

It was a perfect piece of equipment for KiJun, who used shields for both offense and defense.

“If only it wasn’t a skull…”

―Indeed…

After contemplating, KiJun decided to take it to a famous artisan in Turris.

The lord had even broken off his horns for him, so he wondered if he could combine them to make a good shield.

“While I’m at it, I should ask where to go… Now, onto the next thing.”

Next in importance to the shield was armor.

KiJun, who had jumped into the Turris Civil War in essentially his starting gear, ended up returning as a single-suit gentleman after the battle, protecting his lower body with leather pants during his dungeon expedition with Tolchi, but without proper equipment.

If it weren’t for the Shock Absorber (R) he had from the beginning, he would’ve had numerous minor injuries.

―Here, Contractor. I cuddled it last night, and it seems to be purified.

“Something kept hitting my back… Oh!”

KiJun admired the chestplate, which, unlike its previous dark and ominous appearance, now shone with a refined black luster.

Originally, the armor had grotesque embossings, giving it a rough and bizarre look. But Lucy must have done something, as they were all gone, leaving the surface smooth.

The spots where the embossings had been were marked by white burn marks, adding an unexpectedly cool touch.

[Purified Grim Reaper’s Cuirass (Unique)]

[Durability – 5,500/5,500]

[Defense (U) – 70]

[Option – When an attack is allowed, there is a low chance of inflicting ‘Death Sentence (U)’ on the enemy.]

[Restriction – Strength, Endurance, Mana Power Rare grade or above]

[Armor containing the power of a fairy that takes the dead to the afterlife. Initially cursed and unusable, it was enhanced with more sinister power but then purified with the pure power of a light spirit, removing the curse and reviving the armor’s essence.]

“Lucy, you’re the best.”

―Of course, I am your spirit, after all!

Lucy boasted, and KiJun was more than willing to indulge her this time.

A cursed item, now reborn as a precious Unique mid-tier artifact!

Though it seems the original abilities were reduced, along with durability and defense, it was still outstanding.

KiJun transferred the Shock Absorber to the inside of the armor and tried it on.

Perhaps due to its high grade, even without underarmor, it fit comfortably over his regular clothes.

It must have an automatic size adjustment feature; the fit was excellent.

“It feels like… being in a warm hot spring.”

―Hehe, that’s because it’s basked in and filled with my light.

―Kii, Kiiit!

Ur, fluttering its tail and crying happily at the sight of KiJun in the armor, seemed to find him impressive.

KiJun smiled, feeling secure with just this one piece of armor.

Although it couldn’t compare to a full plate, in both the tutorial and Reta, plate armor components were often treated as a single entity.

For example, the cuirass KiJun obtained also included the fauld and tasset, protecting the chest, back, abdomen, waist, and upper thighs.

That’s why in Reta, this was collectively referred to as upper body armor, or “upper armor”.

Similarly, other armor parts were grouped together, so acquiring a full plate wasn’t too far-fetched.

‘With the reward money, maybe I can custom-order the rest of the pieces to at least Rare grade?’

While wearing just the upper armor felt sufficient, there was an irresistible desire to complete the full plate once he started wearing armor.

Should he rush to a good forge if the lord recommends one?

But having obtained one piece at Unique grade, he naturally wanted the rest to match. However, even with plenty of money, crafting Unique grade would require him to find materials himself…

―Knock knock

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Hastily donning his mask, KiJun opened it to find Única.

“What’s up?”

“I heard you were looking for an artisan. Let me guide you to the best forge in Turris.”

Of course, he had asked the lord to recommend a forge.

Specifically, he had contacted the information soldier (summon) – the lord’s communication channel with summons, since he couldn’t possess a RetaPhone himself being a non-summon. But why had Única come directly instead of just informing him about a forge?

“It’s only been a few minutes.”

“Don’t you know my race? I’m a Unicorn, particularly from the fast Currus clan.”

“I guessed as much when the lord mentioned Monoceros.”

Monoceros, meaning ‘one horn’ in Greek, aligns with Unicorn in meaning. The word Currus, meaning ‘horse’ in Latin, made it plausible that she was a humanized form of a unicorn.

He restrained his gaze from drifting towards her legs.

Although curious about her potential speed and strength due to a horse-like muscular structure, it would be rude to stare at a woman’s legs.

“Normally, I am training for battle, but father said an overlord only steps onto the battlefield when the territory or the country is in grave danger.”

Seems like she understood his thoughts.

“Please forget what I just said about father. As a butler, I should refer to him as the lord…”

“No need to worry. It was a slip of the tongue as an heir.”

Gratefully bowing to him, Única muttered to herself, then straightened up.

“Then, let me guide you to the forge.”

I thought it might be the lord’s contracted forge, but it wasn’t.

Although the lord-contracted forge guaranteed quality, it was specialized in mass-producing supplies rather than crafting a few masterpieces.

“There’s a forge in Turris that you can’t enter without a certain level of contribution. Of course, it’s accessible to the hero of Turris, Jun.”

“Entry conditions, huh?”

He had hoped for a secretive forge hidden in an alley, run by a mysterious old man with a hidden past, quietly hammering away.

But realistically, a forge with a skilled blacksmith wouldn’t remain unknown.

A known-only-to-some forge is just an ordinary one.

“Welcome, Única. Welcome, Jun. We’ve been expecting you.”

Indeed, the scene defied KiJun’s imagination.

A stylish exterior, neatly dressed staff welcoming customers, and a spotlessly clean interior!

The store displayed various weapons for sale, separate from the workshop, where the distant sound of hammering added an appropriate touch of sentimentality.

Entering the stylish store, which was more like a department store than a forge, KiJun felt momentarily disoriented.

“Just let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll bring it right away. Custom orders are also possible.”

“I’d like to have a shield made…”

KiJun hesitated to continue. He had brought a Dullahan’s skull of exceptional quality as material but found it difficult to ask if it could be used.

“If the order is complex, feel free to write it down.”

“I’ll take your order, Jun.”

KiJun nodded and awkwardly described the type of shield he wanted and the materials he had brought.

Única’s hand, writing the order, stopped several times.

“A shield for the right hand… You use two shields?”

“A Du-Dullahan’s skull.”

“The lord broke off his horn to… combine with the Dullahan’s skull…”

Writing the order, Única looked as if she was transcribing the Necronomicon.

However, the employee, taking the completed order from her trembling hands, looked it over with a serious expression and nodded.

“I heard that you often use shields to strike or pierce enemies. I wondered if you might use a shield in each hand. It must have been rigorous training. Impressive.”

KiJun’s dual-shielding technique was indeed exceptional, but understanding it without seeing it was not easy. This forge’s staff truly had a different level of comprehension.

Satisfied and smiling, KiJun heard Lucy sighing.

―Our contractor is too easygoing… It’s so worrying.

―Kiiee…

The employee, seriously examining the order, nodded several times and said,

“In my opinion, it seems possible to craft it. The purified Dullahan’s head, the Monoceros’ horn… both are top-grade materials. They might surprisingly harmonize well.”

“Really? With a Dullahan’s skull?”

Única instinctively protested, receiving looks from both KiJun and the employee.

The employee kindly smiled and nodded.

“Of course. Although preserving a whole Dullahan’s head is difficult, if it can be purified and conserved, it becomes an excellent material. The fire of the Flame Human is said to burn away the vile, and it seems true in this case.”

The employee added another statement that mercilessly pricked KiJun’s conscience.

“However, before crafting the shield, a magical catalyst is needed to change the properties of the materials… I’ll need to consult with the Meister for details, but it would be faster to obtain them yourself.”

“I’ll find them.”

It was indeed joyful news, more than he had expected.

Sorry for underestimating this neat forge!

And for lowering my expectations due to the absence of a silently hammering old man… I apologize!

“Dullahan’s head has arrived?”

“Meister?!”

Just then, a raspy male voice echoed from below.

Instinctively looking down, KiJun saw a dwarf about 130 centimeters tall, resembling a downscaled human, covered in muscles like stone!

“Meister of this Glitter Forge, Dwarf Glittertos Temorda. Did you bring and preserve the Dullahan’s head?”

After betraying his expectations until the last moment, a traditional dwarf appeared!

A dwarf he couldn’t find even with washed eyes in the tutorial!

Overwhelmed, KiJun nodded.

“Yes, I’d like to request its processing.”

“Ha, an interesting fellow. Funny mask too.”

The dwarf, sharply remarking, didn’t press further but extended his hand.

KiJun, sweating internally, obediently took out the Dullahan’s head and Monoceros’ horn from his inventory and handed them over.

The dwarf, taking them, sent away the employee, who was flustered in the presence of the Meister, and sat down to meticulously examine the materials.

Then he muttered,

“A spirit…”

KiJun felt his heart drop.

“It’s no wonder they match so well. The primary processing is excellently done.”

Chuckling, Dwarf Glittertos opened a void and inserted the Dullahan’s head and Monoceros’ horn.

Upon seeing KiJun’s startled expression, he exclaimed,

“Don’t worry, just leave it to me. Before I start the main work, I need to adjust some things.”

“Wait, is that an inventory? Are you a summon?”

“I was a summon. Now, what you call an NPC.”

Glittertos explained with a bitter smile.

“A summon who joins the system as an NPC retains some privileges, like the inventory or RetaPhone. Not much, but handy.”

Indeed, Bice, also an NPC, used the inventory and RetaPhone naturally. Even Viv was an NPC.

KiJun grimaced, reproaching himself.

“Sorry. I’m still ignorant of many things.”

“A warrior just needs to be good at fighting. Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Dwarf Glittertos patted KiJun’s shoulder lightly, adding,

“I’ll sort out the other materials needed and inform you later. But it’s impossible for now. Even if everything goes fast, it will take months.”

“So, it’s not feasible for this expedition.”

“If you want a shield that looks similar, I can lend you one for now.”

He produced a Heater Shield resembling the King of the Well, a Rare grade, lacking offensive power but normal for a shield.

“Next, armor? Full plate? Unique is impossible. Even with all the materials, it would take months. Instead, I can provide the remaining parts in black iron, Rare grade…”

The Meister finished calculating and fitted KiJun with the remaining armor parts.

A helmet covering even his mask, pauldrons with couter and vambrace, ‘upper armor.’

Cuisse with poleyn and greave, ‘lower armor.’

Gauntlets and battle boots with leather interiors for easy movement.

Finally, an under armor made of cloth and leather.

All of them were Rare grade.

“Altogether, that’ll be… 2,500 gold coins.”

“Got it.”

“What?!”

KiJun was willing to pay most of his reward from the lord for Rare grade items, and Única was shocked – not by the price, but the opposite.

“Full plate Rare grade for 2,500 is an enormous loss!”

“It’s not full plate. A damaged and returned chest piece was left unused. It’s just convenient someone needed it now.”

Glittertos smiled at Única’s astonishment and admired KiJun in the black armor, a stunning black knight straight from a fantasy.

If only he wasn’t wielding two shields. But maybe KiJun’s reputation with them would make it accepted someday.

‘Or not. How does one fight with two shields? I’m dying of curiosity.’

That day, KiJun paid an extra 500 gold coins for camping gear, provisions, and potions, fully preparing for the expedition.

The Jahil Party left for the expedition the next day.

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): A ruin? Expedition?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): …You’re taking a rogue this time, right?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): That’s fine, but wait. How many women are in the party?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): You’re joking. That’s all an act. Admiration disguised as sticky, filthy feelings…!]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): The ones pretending innocence and clinging are the most dangerous. Remember, if you don’t know!]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Nervous? You won’t be easily defeated in an ordinary ruin. Who do you think you are?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): A memorable ruin? Apart from the one we explored together for 4 years? Hmm, there was a peculiar case.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): You know, sometimes NPCs are involved in ruins? It can be extremely troublesome.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Not just that, some actually settle inside, creating a village-like environment. That’s right, just like a village.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): But you never know when they’ll turn into enemies. Remember, if suspicious, crack their skulls first.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Good luck on the expedition! And be careful with women!]