"Do not think of the game as just a simple game. Everything here works the same in the real world. So think of the game like it was an extension to the real world that was just being digitized. Don't think... feel it!"
Those words rang true. It was the words of Dolly in the past timeline before she died. She was the one who helped me from the slump when I was being enslaved by my so-called "guildmates" in the game to pay for the usage of the Reality Verse cabin that I used to get into the game in the past timeline. Who would have thought that a friend of mine would be more willing to help me get back up rather than milk me for my unfortunate life?
That's when I know that the game is not just a normal game that is being used as a way to earn quick money just by gaming. Now that Goro reminded me of these things, I will make sure that he is not just going to be a goblin that has no future other than being fodder to the players for experience. I will make sure that he is going to be a good follower and will make sure he will become indispensable for later.
I pressed accepted Goro's plead to become my follower. Now, just like Lina, he will be capable of receiving the blessing from me and become stronger compared to the time he was not my follower.
"Thank you for accepting me, my lord. Although I am just a lowly goblin, I will do my best to become strong and be useful to you."
"I don't need a useful subordinate. Even if you are not strong, as long as you are my subordinate, nothing will change. As long as you got my back, then I have nothing more to say."
After accepting Goro as my subordinate, I glance at the quest panel that Almira gave to me. It was a sub-quest to the main quest due to the connection of the two quests' objectives, the main quest about delivering the baby priestess of the stars to the elf folks while Almira's quest is about the help needed by the elf folk to create the Ballista.
From what I remember, the ballista that Almira mentioned is one of the holy artifacts that were used in the past war. If I remember correctly, there are 5 ballistae in the elf village that have been erected on their walls. It was so big that you cannot miss it. I even remembered that they fired off a player from the ballista during the demon attack to unleash an AOE attack. It was a big event and it was live-streamed so it is the scene that is stuck in my head once the ballista is mentioned. Due to how long it has been and the people who do the maintenance to the weapon are long gone already, it became a heritage weapon and was only honored time and time again. Now that the demon attacks are looming, the ballistae are back to the main spotlight and it was not a wonder they wanted to repair it before the demons arrive.
I looked at Goro and saw that he lacks proper equipment. Most of his equipment which I guess to be from when he was still in the demon army is quite shabby that even a level 10 player can easily break and penetrate. It was very outdated.
"First, let's get you geared up Goro. I have seen you use a crossbow but is that your main weapon? I can make any kind of weapon so tell me anything so that I can create something that is suitable for you during the fight."
"Although I use a crossbow, I am not a Hunter class. I was forced to become a hunter to make sure I will be able to survive and retreat in battle. I don't want to be killed as fodder as I am not even that loyal to the demon lord for me to lay down my life to protect his life. My original class is Magic Knight."
"Wait what? Magic Knight? A goblin can be a magic knight too?" I was surprised. There are no magic knight goblins in the past so I don't even know about this.
"It's natural you don't know. I hid it since this was abnormal to goblins too. Once they are born, they are either gifted the class of a warrior, berserker, or shaman. There are also rare cases of Cleric like my wife do but it was in extremely rare cases. As for me, I am born with this class. It was so unique that my parents told me to keep it quiet and become a warrior instead. I will be discriminated against due to my ability so I have to do it."
I see. An abnormal case. If he managed to become really strong and managed to at least fight like a normal goblin using his class, he would be really strong and I would guess he would be either an elite monster or maybe a miniboss if he ever got developed. Thank goodness that he became my companion. As a former Magic Knight player, I can finally impart some of my knowledge to someone.
Knowing that he is a magic knight, I have a perfect weapon that I have already forged before. It was inside my inventory and I plan to sell it along with some of the weapons to gain a few more gold but I guess it won't be happening anymore as I will be giving this to him.
"Here, take this sword. It is a sword I made specialized for the Magic Knight class and they will surely pack a punch once your magic knight capabilities will be unleashed."
"But my abilities as a Magic Knight is limited as I am mostly using a crossbow that my growth as a Magic Knight has declined."
"It is not a problem. We can just grind that for later. You will basically start a clean slate. If you want to help your family, then use this chance to gain an understanding of your abilities. Later, we will depart to the elf folks to check out the situation of the ballistae and also to find the parents of the baby."
"...I will do as you command."
Pulling out in my inventory, the sword I made appeared in my hands. NPCs can equip weapons regardless of level so even if this weapon is restricted to be wielded to level 90 players, I give it to Goro as he can unleash the potential with it as he is a Magic Knight. It is a shame if his abilities won't be utilized due to how poor the weapons he has, that is why I made sure that I will be giving him an item that will become one of his signature weapons in the future.
1. Blade of Unwavering Flames - allows the user to imbue the blade with fire elemental power. Enemies being attacked with imbued fire elemental will receive continuous burn damage that lasts for 2 seconds.
2. Sharpness Enhancement: For a limited amount of time, critical rate, critical damage, and attack damage will increase. The effect lasts for 1 minute and has a cooldown of 2 minutes.
Info: A blade made from monsters made of fire and magma. Its flames are too hot that a specialized scabbard must be made just to contain its undying flame.
Note: Portable Lighter. Number 1 survival tool in the wild. Can also be used as a grill to cook meat. However, why does this looks like a barbecue stick only in a form of a sword?
Durability: 2000/2000
...
The family of Goro finally moved into my mansion. Since they are still trying to cope up, I decided to let them stay here for a bit. Dolly also wanted to rest for a bit so she logged out for now. I messaged Hagane that I will also be logging out in the meantime to eat dinner. He didn't mind me logging out, he only told me to be sure that I will be leaving food for him later on.
Logging out of the game, I immediately went to the kitchen to cook food for everyone. I saw Suhei in the living room with Pandora but it seems he was busy since he was on his laptop and doing something. He didn't even realize that I went out of my room to cook. Pandora smiled when she saw me and went back to playing games on her phone.
Since the siblings and Janus are currently playing the game and Suhei and Pandora are not eating yet, I ate my dinner alone.
After eating, I check on my father about my mother. The situation is still the same though my mother's condition is getting better as her complexion has finally returned to color compared to before. Once I get to develop [Heal], I will go to Nagoya and heal Mother and also deal with the problem of those f*ckers who are trying to ruin my parents.
Eating dinner is done and there's nothing left to do so I immediately returned to the game. Honestly, the events at home are so uneventful I only follow certain routines. But I am sure this routine will be broken once the school year starts.