Chapter 124: 123

What came to light today was an undeniable fact.

Indeed, I had no connection with the God of Gacha after all.

"..."

In the midst of the mountains of boxes that exploded so brutally, I was collapsed, lying like a corpse.

"God of Gacha... you bastard..."

How much heart did I pour out to you... Could it be that I was the only one in love...?

With a pained expression, I dragged myself up from pretending to be the jilted lover. Though my heart was bitter, I had to tidy up the items I received.

The result of today's box opening was disastrous. Not a single completed item dropped. All I got were consumable items or crafting materials.

'Why was I saving them?'

Looking at the Stage 4 reward boxes rolling around, I gritted my teeth. I felt foolish for keeping and preserving them.

'From now on, if I save boxes to open all at once, I’m not human, I’m a dog.'

I had a feeling that I would soon need to bark, but for now, I gathered the items scattered on the ground.

[Rewards]

- Standard High-grade Magic Core (SR): 1

- Standard Advanced Magic Core (R): 2

- High-grade Stamina Potion: 3

- High-grade Magic Potion: 3

- Status Abnormality Removal Potion: 2

- Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll: 1

All magic cores and potions. And a single Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll.

'Wasn't this the same scroll that I received in the early stages?'

I threw the scroll casually into my inventory, pursing my lips.

A Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll was an item that let you escape from a dungeon in an emergency.

It sounded good in theory, but it had quite a few problems in reality.

The first problem was that using it meant giving up all the rewards.

As the name suggested, it was for escaping. You had to abandon all the rewards and just save your skin.

So unless the situation was utterly hopeless, it was better not to use it.

The second problem was that it took more than 10 seconds to cast when using the scroll.

In other words, it was unusable in a crisis.

Even though our party had faced many hardships so far, we never had the luxury of time to leisurely use this scroll.

'It might be useful if we're lost or stranded. Anyway, there's hardly any use for it.'

The potions and cores were fine, they could be used widely.

But they weren't the rewards I was hoping for from opening boxes. I sighed deeply after sweeping all the items into my inventory.

I was hoping for something that could help in this stage...

'Huh?'

Wait a minute. I felt like something was missing. I counted the items in the result window.

'... There are 12 in total.'

Weren't there 13 boxes?

When I looked around, huh, a SR grade reward box was left untouched in the corner of the bed.

"Why didn't it open?"

I was sure I opened them all at the same time. Did I make a mistake?

Suddenly, a glimmer of hope reignited. I put my hands together, praying to the God of Gacha once more.

"Hey, God of Gacha! We had good times, didn't we? Show me some of that old affection and give me one completed item!"

As I shouted and opened the box, I begged for just one item! Please!

And then.

Flash!

A purple light surged out from the box and gathered into one shape. I gaped in surprise.

A completed item really appeared?!

[Screaming Gauntlet (SR) Lv.30]

- Category: Auxiliary Equipment

- Defense: 5-10

- Durability: 5/5

- Intelligence+5 Magic Power+5

- For each enemy you consecutively defeat, your magic critical rate increases by 1%. This effect lasts for 30 seconds.

> Set Effect: Must Scream (1/3)

- If you equip all items in the set, you will inflict a mass fear status effect each time you defeat an enemy.

(The set requires 'Screaming Jewel' to activate) <Owned by Jupiter (SR)>

(The set requires 'Screaming Robe' to activate) <Owned by Jupiter (SR)>

"Huh? Is the Screaming Set completed here?"

Unexpectedly, the Screaming Set was completed. I furrowed my brow as I looked at the gauntlet in my hand.

Well, it's obviously good to get a set. It's nice, but...

'Out of all the set items, why is it that the Screaming Set just keeps conveniently falling into place?'

Well... did I get some sort of rate adjustment? Since I got the jewel first, the rest followed.

"Hmm..."

I eyed the item with a groan.

Something... seems suspicious.

'...Let's be thankful and use it for now.'

"Anyway, it was an SR grade set item. A 3-piece set at that. It fit perfectly for Jupiter, who was an area magician.

To clear Stage 5, we had to mobilize all the means at our disposal. There was no room for being picky.

'Come to think of it, I also had that item I had ordered at the blacksmith.'

I remembered another item I had ordered quite a while ago.

It was also made for Jupiter, but the rightful owner had been incapacitated by an injury. It's been left untouched.

'I'll have to give it to her all at once.'

I tucked the Scream Gloves into my bag.

I worried whether Jupiter would be able to properly use these items...

***

After resting until evening.

When it was time to eat, as expected, Evangeline hadn't come because she was sleeping. She'll make a fuss about being hungry again in the middle of the night.

Lucas served my meal with a heavy look on his face. You look like you're going to collapse just standing there, so loosen up.

I understand that you're worried, but my appetite is also becoming heavy.

After the meal, I ordered Lucas to forget about his escort duties for today and rest well (he surprisingly accepted), and told the chef that Evangeline would likely raid the kitchen in the middle of the night and to leave a portion aside for her.

And so came the nighttime.

I sought out Aider's room.

"Director, attend to your player guests."

"Oh, Lord! Why are you in my room..."

Aider, who was dealing with paperwork in a corner room of the mansion, was surprised when I visited.

"I came to talk to you."

Come to think of it, this was my first time in Aider's room. I slowly looked around the room.

It was an unimaginably bland space for someone to live in.

The room, painted with colorless wallpaper, only contained a desk, a chair, and a bed as furnishings.

There wasn't even a single book besides the documents he had to deal with as an aide, and it was completely empty. He managed to live in such a place.

'Huh?'

I spotted something in a corner of the desk and approached.

'Chess?'

An old chessboard was sitting there.

Maybe he was in the middle of reviewing a match; the black and white pieces were haphazardly scattered about.

While I was blankly looking at it, Aider carefully called out to me.

"My Lord?"

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"Ah, yeah."

I didn't come to look at this guy's room interior. I'd better get down to business quickly.

I quickly explained to Aider about what happened during this free exploration.

"Celendion visited you in person?"

Aider also seemed surprised by the news of the vampire king's intrusion.

"A boss monster personally seeking me out. This time, thanks to that screwball, we got through without a major issue, but it would be troublesome if such a thing happened again. How am I supposed to do dungeon exploration?"

I talked at length, but in the end, what I demanded was one thing.

Compensation, this guy. Give me compensation.

Spill the loot!

"It's a violation of the game rules for a legion's lord to come out of their domain and directly seek a player. But Lord, this place is reality."

Aider murmured thoughtfully.

"Whether it's monsters and humans, Lake Kingdom, and the Empire. Most things that happen within the framework of this great game (對局) are allowed. Don't you know that, my Lord?"

"Hmm."

I guess so.

I've also been using some tricks that would be impossible if this were a game. For instance, equipping Damian with six magic guns.

But if that's the case, there's no guarantee that I won't be ambushed again in the next free exploration. If things go wrong, it's game over.

"Hold on a moment, my Lord."

Aider opened a system window and swiftly manipulated something.

"I've added some simple features to the achievement store. If you purchase and apply them, they will help prevent situations like this one."

"Ho."

I quickly opened the system window too. What's this?

[Welcome to the achievement points exclusive store!]

[You can purchase various items and abilities that will help in the game with your accumulated achievement points.]

[Current achievement points: 900,000P]

New products... Let's see. Is this it?

[Boss Detection Radar] <For free exploration only>

- Sends a warning when a boss monster is nearby.

- Price: 5,000P

[Emergency Escape Bomb!] <For free exploration only>

- It enforces a stun on surrounding monsters, and the player party's movement speed increases by 100%.

- Price: 45,000P

- Uses up one 'Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll' when the function is activated.

"That sure would come in handy."

It doesn't block it systemically, but it detects it and asks to run away. Moreover, is it telling me to rush in and fight while fleeing?

"Isn't it better than nothing?"

"Uh-huh."

I guess it's better than nothing. Sigh. Grumbling, I spent my points to purchase the function.

My [Rebel's Necklace] that was tight around my neck flickered for a moment. The function must have been activated.

"And my Lord. While such an element may seem like a crisis right now..."

Aider pulled up the corners of his mouth faintly into a smile.

"Later on, you might be able to utilize it, don't you think?"

"..."

"The fact that the stage boss monster can come find you in the dungeon means, on the flip side... that you can go find the stage boss monster in the dungeon."

I blinked in surprise.

Wait a minute, that's true. In that case...

"It depends on how you, my Lord, choose to use it. So, I won't block this systemically."

"..."

"This stage will be a series of challenges as well, but I believe you will be able to overcome them."

Aider grinned broadly.

For once, he seemed like a real director, not a goofball.

"I wish you luck, my Lord."

***

The next day.

I sought out Jupiter in the morning. As expected, this old lady was lounging in the Mercenary Guild from the break of dawn.

"Get it together, you gold maniac! Shouldn't you be recuperating in the temple for your Magic Power to quickly recover and return to the front lines?"

As I entered, Jupiter looked awkward.

"There is no cure for the aftermath of a Magic Power outburst other than time, your Highness. That's why I'm just idling around like this."

"Even if you can't speak, you're not annoying... Alright, prepare to move out!"

"Huh? Where are we going, your Highness?"

I then loaded Jupiter into the carriage and headed to the blacksmith.

When we arrived at the blacksmith, the master who had been notified in advance was waiting.

The blacksmith took Jupiter and went inside.

"The equipment was already completed, and we were just waiting to measure your size. Once we measure your size, we'll adjust it for your comfort before giving it to you."

"Equipment? Size? Your Highness, what are you talking about?"

To the puzzled Jupiter, I merely clicked my tongue.

"It's a surprise, Granny. A surprise."

A moment later.

Jupiter, wearing a gold armor that shimmered, stood there with her mouth agape.

It was the boss equipment, the Gold Armor, which I had created after killing the Gold Gargoyle, the boss monster during the free exploration of Zone 3.

[Gold Armor Revamp(SR) Lv.35]

- Classification: Armor

- Defense: 35-40

- Durability: 15/15

- Intelligence+10 Magic Power+20

- The wearer's magic resistance increases by 25%.

- The chance of obtaining a gold item increases by 5%.

- The wearer gains the negative trait [Gold-Fever].

Originally, it's physical defense-oriented equipment. It's simply attached with strength and stamina stat bonuses.

However, after the blacksmith's modification, the bonuses were attached in the exact opposite direction of the original equipment's intent.

At this point, it could be considered a mage's armor.

'It's a decent piece of equipment, but the negative trait is forcibly granted.'

Furthermore, the trait granted is [Gold-Fever].

That's why it's a curse-like piece of equipment, but Jupiter already has Gold-Fever.

Since traits can't be stacked, it can nullify the equipment's negative option.

That's why I made it for Jupiter, but she passed out and it had been collecting dust ever since.

As she gazed down at the armor, drooling, Jupiter hastily wiped the corners of her mouth and looked at me.

"Can... Can I really enjoy such a luxury...?"

"Of course, who else would enjoy it but you?"

It's better for you to be restless than for the entire party to flip out every time we see money, right?

I also gave the [Screaming Gauntlet] that came out earlier to Jupiter. Here you go, magician. Enjoy.

"Thank you very much, Your Highness."

After donning the Gold Armor and the Screaming Gauntlet,

The smile slowly disappeared from Jupiter's face, who couldn't hide her joy and was grinning ear to ear.

"I can't go to the front line now."

Jupiter, who was watching my face, asked cautiously.

"May I give all these pieces of equipment to my granddaughter?"