Chapter 714: In Search of Gold
Human rights.
I'm not talking about the real-world kind. In this day and age, there's practically no one who doesn't have human rights. We live in an era where Wi-Fi with full bars can reach even the deepest parts of Africa, you know?
The human rights I'm talking about here is related to gaming. In gaming, "Human Rights" is a term referring to content so powerful—or so incredibly convenient—that "if you don't have it, don't even bother showing up to multiplayer, you trash."
Since ancient times, as online gaming evolved to connect not just two people, but four, and then an even larger, unspecified number of people, content deemed absolutely mandatory for leaving behind better results has continuously been created. You still hear stories like that in gacha games today, even if it's not as bad as its golden age, but consumer games are no exception either.
Eh? You don't have ○○?
You can substitute it with ××? But ○○ is more efficient, isn't it?
Ah, sorry, I'm kicking anyone who doesn't have ○○.
Not having ○○ just means you're slacking.
Let me ask you this instead: why did you even join if you don't have ○○?
○○ oryu? [*1]
Oh, how wonderful Human Rights content is. It teaches us in an extremely simple manner that the true nature of humanity does not scale proportionally with the development of civilization. In the end, the monkey holding the stronger club gets to hold the initiative.
"I've... obtained Human Rights......!!"
In that regard, the monkey weeping tears of joy right in front of me while holding up a Divine Age Magical Energy Operation Unit can be said to have reached a step further than every single blacksmith player currently playing ShanFro.
"Oh, you finally got it?"
"Yes! ......Ah, yeah!"
Her disguise is still way too flimsy as always. Wouldn't it be better if she just glued it to her flesh with superglue or something?
"It was a long journey...! I just kept grinding score endlessly, and when I bought every single thing I wanted, they all fused together into a monster that looked like a dragonfly......!"
"Mine was a scorpion."
"......Do you like scorpions?"
Well, we're sworn bros, but it's not like I have a particularly outstanding love for them......... Although I absolutely love them for their material value.
"But the score grinding is over now. I've finally stood on the side where I can make things without buying them!!"
"Roleplay, remember the roleplay."
"I have stood upon it!"
I think what you need to fix is your pigeon-toed posture, not your tone.
That being said, if you're aiming for "Ancient Craftsman" via the Leviathan route, even though it requires a complete conquest, you get your hands on both the Magical Energy Operation Unit and a functioning Legacy Weapon at the same time. As long as you figure out the mystery of that ridiculously unhelpful shopping basket...... No, the hellish money-farming grind in the Third Layer is probably a higher difficulty wall.
"I can't just stand around here. What do you say, Sunraku? If you help me turn my private room into an Ancient Craftsman workshop, I'll make something for you, yeah?"
Honestly, I could just ask Bilac...... is what I'd like to say, but Bilac has been showing a tendency to craft nothing but high-risk, high-return gear lately, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to sell a favor to a blacksmith with a completely different style.
"What exactly does helping you turn it into a workshop involve?"
"......Umm, well, money-farming, you know?"
"......Wait right there for a sec."
......
............
Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you, Peatz-kun...... Hahaha, why are you running away? What, you can't afford to pay hundreds of millions of Mani? No, no, it's not like I'm taking all your money every single time...... So, how much do you have on you right now? Everything, hand over everything, come on, jump for me.
............
......
"Is 90,000,000 Mani enough?"
"I'll make sure not to ask where that came from."
It's clean, proper money earned by selling materials, you know. It might be damp with someone's tears, but once it dries, it's just regular money.
I handed the world's richest sack of coins over to Imron. I obviously can't give it to her as a free gift, but anything under a hundred million is basically pocket money for me, so an indefinite repayment period isn't an issue at all.
"Ah, speaking of which, about the Orchestra..."
Suh (Retracts the sack of gold coins that was halfway handed over).
"Sorry, I just got localized amnesia."
"I see, take care of yourself."
I conveniently got amnesia too, so I'll pretend that didn't just happen. And with that, this topic is closed.
"Ah, that's right, Imron."
"What is it?"
"I'm heading over to the Dwarves' place to fetch some golden magma, but it seems to be related to the Hero Weapons. Wanna tag along?"
".........Wait, don't just suddenly hit me with heavy info like that. And why the heck do you know the contents of the Hero-exclusive Unique Scenario!!?"
Heh. Well, I figured there'd be something, but there really is a job-exclusive Unique Scenario, huh. I had a faint suspicion based on Pencilgon's reaction, but...... I'm absolutely not telling her, I'll keep my mouth shut.
"By the way, according to Bilac, it's a material for Hero Equipment and also an absolutely supreme crafting material."
"What are you standing around looking spaced out for? Even if it's at the ends of the earth, I'm getting there!"
Hmm, what a simpleton.
"U-Umm!"
"Hm? Ah, Rei-shi."
Turning around, I saw Rei-shi standing there, clad in her usual splatter-leaning armor. Well, there are currently only four players here, so the only other person she could be talking to is Akitsu Akane.
"Um, excuse me...... I ended up overhearing your conversation...... and um, if it's alright with you......"
"Hm? No, you're more than welcome. I'm relying on you."
"......Yes! Um, I look forward to working with you too, Imron-san."
"........."
"Umm......?"
It's no use; she's already completely lost in thought about what to make with the new material. If we were just flying straight there at critical speed, it might be one thing, but as a party conquering it together, we definitely aren't going to reach it in a single night! I have the items I bought and hoarded when I had money stuffed into my Inventoria, but maybe I should stock up a bit more just to be safe......
"Ah, that's right, Sunraku, Psyger-0. I have a little favor to ask."
"Hm?"
......
............
..................
And so, because of that.
Let me introduce the crazy members!
First up is me, bungee jumping with my back to the wall! Sunraku!! (Optional Part: Saina)
Next, the strongest violence machine among all ShanFro players, Rei-shi!!
And then, the greatest blacksmith among all ShanFro players, Imron!!
Additional member! Owner of a Holy Staff, the hardcore healer Strong LiquorSummer!!
Finally, an NPC! Tagging along because he wants to meet an acquaintance, the Dragon Folk, Ladder-shi!!
"......Didn't the numbers increase even more?"
"I don't know anything about a Dragon Folk either, you know?"
"Well... you see, it's more like I had just received a request from Ladder-san at exactly the right timing. Ah, I look forward to working with you, Tsuchi... Sunraku-san."
Excluding the NPC, I'm the only guy here... Ah, wait, I haven't died since Orchestra, so my skin is still female right now. Then there's no problem...... None? Whatever, performance matters more than gender, and I don't have the luxury to play the princess anyway!
Well then, is everyone ready? Let's sortie out!!
Author's Afterword
Emul got summoned by her dad, so she's staying behind to watch the house.
Translator's Notes
- [1] ○○ oryu?: A famous Japanese gaming slang that translates to "Do you have ○○?" or "Are there still people without ○○?". It's used to mock people who failed to pull a strong character or get a necessary item.
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