I Defeated the Guide Angel and I Became a Necromancer ~ I Feel Like I'm Playing a Different Game from Everyone Else, but I'm Doing Fine ~ - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Rising After Seven Falls: A Leap Forward

◆ Underground of the Demon God’s Palace: Forbidden Laboratory ◆

It’s really tough. It was a mistake to do a quick-draw shot at the relentless shark out of habit. I thought it would definitely flinch if I hit its weak spot, but then I got a nasty log message: “Relentless Shark (Lv. 111) shows its grit!” The relentless shark’s Crimson Blaster didn’t stop and hit me directly. Naturally, I got incinerated. I feel bad for my sleepy companions, but I ended up getting knocked out early on the first floor. Oh, well…

There’s nothing to do. It’s my own fault, but still… Now I’m sulking, hanging out in Magna’s lab and staring at the blueprints for an automaton. This is really well-made and fascinating, making my professional instincts tingle. I love designs, schematics, and interesting mechanisms like these. Even if the theory is fudged with fantasy elements, it feels like I could build something impossible in the real world, and that excites me.

‘You’ve got mail from Perseus’

Huh…? Mail…? Oh, I joined much later than Pers-chan and Rinne-chan, so maybe they’re already done and in the appraisal phase. Something’s been sent via mail with an attached item, but what is it?

‘Perseus: I’m sure Rena-san can make good use of this! No payment needed, feel free to use it!’

‘You received: ★★ Artificial Intelligence Unit Creation Manual’

‘You received: Weapon Maker’

‘You received: Mail Maker’

‘You received: Weapon Maker’

‘You received: ★★ Dress Changer’

The Artificial Intelligence Unit Creation Manual… I see. Even with a high-performance body — heart, memory medium, mana converter, mana tank, and metallic materials — without this artificial intelligence unit, the automaton won’t work. And these are the devices to make weapons and armor for the automaton. Wow… It’s like one of those monthly issues where you have to complete something with the parts they send each week. I hate those. When there’s a delay and it arrives, I end up calling them saying, “Uh… I stepped on it last time and broke it. I don’t need it anymore” I’ve lost the enthusiasm to repair and reassemble it.

Hmm… What’s this Dress Changer? Does it just change clothes…? Can it put cute avatars on the automaton?

“—Hey, I told you not to come in here without permission.”

“Sorry for intruding~”

“Yeah, you’re in the way. Get out—hey, is that a Dress Changer?”

“You know about it?”

Ah, Magna’s here. She speaks bluntly, but she’s a girl. Tall and slender with messy reddish-black hair and glasses. She looks lazy, but she moves quickly and efficiently. The type who finishes things fast because it’s a hassle. She’s my current mentor. Seems like she knows about the Dress Changer?

“Know about it? This is it.”

“…That arm growing out from your waist?”

“Yes. It’s a device that converts automata into clothing. A Dress Unit. These two arms are controlled by brainwaves, assisted by artificial intelligence. As the miniaturized parts are set, it learns my movements the more I use it. At first, it can only handle rough tasks, but gradually, it’ll even be able to easily pick up a single hair.”

“Wow…”

It’s an amazing device, but if those arms come out from my waist, that’s just uncool… No way…

“You don’t seem interested.”

“If those came out of this outfit, it’d be uncool.”

“Uncool!? Efficiency is more important! Appearance is secondary!”

“I prioritize appearance! It’s important to pursue functions that match the look!”

“No, functionality is the top priority! You’re wrong, you foolish apprentice!”

“Hmmph!”

Fine, I’ll make a super-functional Dress Unit that also looks amazing! Bleh! But, what should I do…? A high-functioning Dress Unit… It needs to be cute or cool. I want to keep the gothic lolita outfit as it is. I need functions that make up for what I lack…

Speaking of what I’m lacking, it’s definitely defense functions. Getting blown away by the Crimson Blaster in one hit really hurt. This is probably what I need the most right now… Oh, and I lack mobility too. The beam’s speed was something I could’ve dodged if my body moved properly, allowing me to keep attacking without needing to defend. So, instead of defense, I should focus on mobility… Hmm…

That’s it. Lia-chan was able to dodge the Crimson Blaster by flying on a broom. Since it’s about mobility, should I fly? Would flying be good? I’ll make a Dress Unit with wings.

“Activating Mail Maker. Please set the design.”

“Hey, I understand what you want to do. But that’ll make it too heavy. The materials can’t handle it and it’ll snap.”

“Gloom…”

“I’ve dreamed of that too. Everyone wants to try it. But the metals required for the Mana Converter’s material aren’t easy to find to support conversion efficiency. Even Orichalcum wouldn’t work. Since you’re small, you might fly for a bit, but it’d be more of a gentle float.”

“Gloooooooooom…”

“Don’t get so down, foolish apprentice. Having dreams is important, and big goals are good. But start with something achievable.”

“Mmmmmm~!!”

I can do it. I’ll make it. I’ll make a flight Dress Unit!! I just need to eliminate the unnecessary parts… unnecessary… Oh, maybe this is a player privilege. I can use materials other than metal… Well, I can’t just throw them in. I should check the simulation results with the Dress Changer first… Hmm…

“If you add [★Dragon Enamel Long Boots +10] as additional material to the Dress Changer, it will be converted to [★Boost Unit: AGI +40].”

“If you add [★★Breaking the Silence: Freedom and Responsibility +10] as additional material to the Dress Changer, it will be converted to [Anti-Bind Unit: Anti-Silence].”

Hmm… Not quite… Seems like I need to take a gamble and use the equipment I added to the Mail Maker and Weapon Maker, and create a dress that can be made with three types of equipment and additional materials, otherwise, it doesn’t look like I can make wings that can fly… I want to fly too…

“You have a message from Perseus.”

Ugh…? Again…? What is it this time?

“Perseus: Feel free to use this as well!”

“You received [★★Babylonium Super Alloy].”

“You received [★★Babylonium Super Alloy].”

“You received [★★Hihiirokane].”

“You received [★★Hihiirokane].”

Aaaaaaaah!!!!!

“If you insert [★★Babylonium Super Alloy], [★★Hihiirokane], and [★★Misericorde +10] into the Weapon Maker, there is a possibility of creating [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon / Sub-Weapon)]. Success rate is 5%.”

“If you insert [★★★Merciless Blade], [★★Breaking the Silence: Freedom and Responsibility +10], and [★Dragon Enamel Long Boots +10] into the Mail Maker, [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind] can be produced. Success rate is 5%.”

“Stored information about [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind].”

Good. Good. With this… and this…?

“Configure the automaton with [★★Metal Heart], [★★Butterfly Memory], [For Mana Converter / Artificial Intelligence Unit: ★★Hihiirokane], and [For Mana Tank / Armor: ★★Babylonium Super Alloy]. Successfully connected.”

“[Tentative Name: Wing Unit] can be produced.”

“Warning! The automaton is missing arms and legs! It might not start up properly!”

“If you insert [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind] and [Tentative Name: Wing Unit] into the Dress Changer, [★★★Mechanical Wing of Lolita Special] will be completed.”

“Warning! Due to excess weight or insufficient output, it might not start up properly!”

If I add this, I’ll have my ideal Dress Unit~!! One more item can be added to the Dress Changer… I need something here that reduces weight or increases output…

“Rinne: Rena-san! A cute backpack has come out! Want to come see it?”

“Perseus: Rena-san! A very cute backpack has come out! Please come see it when you return from the dungeon!”

… A change of pace by looking at a cute backpack sounds good. Let’s go.

“Bye, Magna.”

“You always leave so suddenly… Come back again. Did you take the key?”

“Yeah!!”

“You passed the automaton assembly test on the first try, you have potential. Come back.”

“I’ll come again.”

Magna’s blunt, but she’s a good person. And pretty. And she smells nice, probably likes baking cookies or something. That’s the kind of smell she has. She might have a hidden cute hobby, hehe… I like her.

◆ Demon Shrine – Guild Room [Lobby] ◆

For the first time, I saw something beyond a deep bow—the dogeza*.

“After getting so much, I’m, um, sorry. But, um, I want that too.”

“I didn’t expect Rena-san to want something this much…”

“And I’m surprised you revived from death…”

“I want it sooo baaaad!!! 100 avatar tickets! How about that…? Even 100 enhancement item gacha tickets, I’ll take it!!!”

After seeing the performance of the Slaughter Taily Whaley backpack, Rena-san started looking through something and then went into a dogeza mode, flailing and repeatedly begging for it. It’s cute enough to watch for a while, but… does she want it that badly…? Well, sure, its performance is one of a kind…

“Real-money items and in-game items are allowed for trade, so if Rinne-san and Rena-san are okay with it, that content is fine!”

Since it’s 300 yen per ticket, that’s 30,000 yen. For Pers-chan, 100 avatar or enhancement item tickets might not be a big deal, but to me, this doesn’t feel like it’s worth 30,000 yen in real money…!? Isn’t it supposed to be, like, 10 tickets!?

“Um…”

“200 tickets!?”

“No, no, not more! I just can’t see how it’s worth that much… It’s just a backpack!”

“Rinne-san, you’re too naïve. Among the top players, high-value items are already being traded for gold instead of silver. Users set a gold price for their in-game items, and other users buy them. A fee from this goes to the administrators. There’s an officially recognized cash auction system! And the highest price so far was for the female avatar set, [Goddess Meltis Cosplay Set]! It sold for a shocking 200,000 yen!!”

“Whaaaat!?”

“So, 30,000 yen is probably cheap… I’d pay more!! I want it!!”

No way…!? 200,000 yen for an avatar set…? And it’s an officially recognized trading system… Oh, it’s true, there’s a “Gold Trade” page on the official auction tab. Whaaaaa…!!!! This is terrifying!!!!!! Let’s pretend I didn’t see it.

“I can’t accept this…! I’d feel like there’s something off inside me if I did! Rena-chan, it’s a gift, okay!!”

“I’m okay with that too. Besides, it’s rare for Rena-san to beg for something like this, so please, take it. I’ll give it to you!”

“Really…? Next time, I’ll definitely get even rarer items and give you lots of gifts…!”

“You gave [★★Slaughter Taily Whaley Backpack] to 07XB785Y.”

“Thank you, thank you!!!!! Yay~~~~~!!!!! I’m going to, um, I’ll be right back! Well, it might take a while… Um, um…!”

“There’s something you want to do, right? Have a good time!”

“Show us what you can do later! See you soon!”

“Alright!!! I’m going!!”

Rena-chan, clutching the orca backpack, dashed off at full speed… To think she could get that excited, it was like watching a little kid who was given permission after pleading so hard… It was adorable.

“Are you sure about giving away tickets worth 30,000 yen for free?”

“It’s fine. This is more wholesome.”

“Indeed! Knowing Rena-san, she’ll probably give us something amazing next time!”

“Yeah, let’s look forward to it!”

Yes, I think this was the right decision. Rather than selling this backpack to Rena-chan now for 30,000 yen or even more, it’s better to play together in the future and get some rare items or gear that Rena-chan might find tricky to handle. This feels like a healthier relationship.

◆ Forbidden Laboratory, Underneath the Demon Temple ◆

“I’m baaack, Magna~~~~!!!”

“You’ve got guts to mix my name with a greeting. Welcome ba-Rena.”

“Alright!! Time for a gacha pull!”

“Ga-cha…!? I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard it’s a special summoning ritual from another world. The catalysts must be expensive, right? Take it easy.”

“Yep, thanks!”

If I keep spinning the enhancement item gacha, the item I’m aiming for should come out! It’s come out before with those few tries! Item Craft Protection Tickets, Item Craft Protection Tickets, come on out…!! My current skill level as a demon technician is still too low, so the success rate for making powerful items is too low! 5% chance, then another 5% chance after that; I need lots of protection tickets!! Anyway, I just put all the 30,000 yen I saved thanks to Rinne-chan and Pers-chan into this… I guess I’ll take on more work this month, and do my job properly…

Okay, let’s give this a shot for now…! I’ll just have it show the results, no more suspense.

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

Failing lightly five times in a row… So about 5,000 yen went flying? I can’t calculate… H-haha…!

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Failed to create [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]”

“Successfully created [★★★Merciless Blade (Weapon – Auxiliary Weapon)]! Congratulations!!”

“The Weapon Maker has fulfilled its role and turned into scraps”

“Promoted from [Apprentice Demon Technician] to [Big Shot Demon Technician]!”

“Nngh!!! Ooo…!!”

“You make quite a noise… Not very refined, you should watch out.”

“Ooh…”

“…Well, handle it well.”

At 9,000 yen, finally passed the 5% barrier, passed it, a tremendous surge! Amazing, amazing brain juices overflowing, whoaaaa… That feels goooood… Ah, skyrocketed straight to Big Shot Demon Technician, so next up, there’s a 9% success rate! It’s 9%! Awesome! Let’s gooo!

“Failed to create [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind]”

“Failed to create [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind]”

“Failed to create [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind]”

………………

………

……

I feel like throwing up…… Nearly 30,000 yen has flown away already…

“Failed to create [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind]”

“Failed to create [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind]”

“Successfully created [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind] ! Congratulations!”

“The Mail Maker has fulfilled its role and turned into scraps”

“Promoted from [Big Shot Demon Technician] to [Super Big Shot Demon Technician]!”

Ooohhh… Nngh…!!

“You… You’re not exactly shouting, but still…”

“It’s… unbearable…”

“Silence and continue…”

Next up, crafting the main body of the automaton… A lineup of precious materials, sending design data into the machine here, and occasionally doing a simple timed puzzle game for metal processing, wiring, and assembly. This part has no success rate; if the puzzle finishes within the time, it’s a win, so it should be easy.

“Completed [★★★Imperfect Automaton]”

“Cannot start due to lack of limbs…”

“In Dress Changer, inputting [★★★Dragoon Wing – Anti-Bind] , [★★★Imperfect Automaton] , [★★Whale-san Rucksack] , loading design data… [★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing of Loreleitas Special] will be created. Success rate is 5%.”

I only have 2 protection tickets left… Even though I got plenty of enhancement protection tickets at times like this… My materialistic desires are acting up~~

“[★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special] ‘s production has failed”

“[★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special] ‘s production has failed”

Alright, time for some more spending~… Let’s start with ten thousand… I’ll put all these tickets in, whoa~! Got eight enhancement protection tickets too~! Alright, let’s succeed with these eight!

“[★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special] ‘s production has succeeded! Congratulations!!!”

“Promoted from [Miracle Magitech Engineer] to [Miracle Magitech Engineer]! Congratulations!”

“The Dress Changer has fulfilled its role and has become scrap”

Didn’t need that ten thousand after all. Can I get a refund…? But it worked out, so it’s okay! Yayyy…!!! Yayyyyy…!!!

I’ll just use these enhancement tickets to get it to +10. I have plenty of tickets, so tickets… go, go, go, go!!!

“Equipped [★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special +10]. Uses multiple equipment slots”

“Relieved…”

“Oh, something turned out, huh.”

“Displaying Equipment Tab”

[Equipment]

Main: ★Demon Cannon Zamiel

Sub: ★★★Demon God Gun Machine Gun

Head: ★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special

Body 1: ★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special

Body 2: ★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special

Legs: ★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special

Accessory [Finger]: ★Dragon Scale Ring [VIT+5] [Fire/Water/Wind/Earth Damage Reduction]

Accessory [Arm]: ★★Chrono Reversal Pointer [Cool Reset] [Crit Damage +50%]

Accessory [Neck]: ★Red Small Dragon Eye [AGI+40]

Accessory [Other]: ★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special

[★★★Powerful Mechanical Wing Obliterator Special] (Ultimate – Ultimate – Full Body+α – No Empty Slots [●●●●●]

[Caution] Requires skills of Miracle Magitek Engineer or higher to handle

[Arms] Can use Demon God Gun Machine Gun. Consumes 2% MP per shot

HP – MP Banish Nullification

MP x3

MP Recovery Speed +666%

When enhancement level is +10 or higher, nullifies all immobilization status ailments

Damage Reduction Rate 20% +20%

Automatically activates [Barrier – HPMAX] every 30 seconds

Nullifies reflected damage from all attacks

AGI +40

Equipment Weight -100kg condition

Skill [Jet Flight] usable

[Chatty Conch Shell Card] Prevents silence status

[Assassin – Grim Reaper Card] When critical occurs, has a 5% chance to instantly kill the opponent

[Little Red Dragon Card] Additional reduction of Fire/Water/Wind/Earth attribute damage by half

[Luteola Liberation Army Leader – ◆◆◆◆◆◆ Card] When HP reaches 0, withstands with 1 HP once every 10 minutes, and activates [Barrier – HPMAX*2]

[True Slayer Card] Slash attribute attack +100% – Pierce attribute attack +100%

Enhanceable – Equipment Certified – Bearer [07XB785Y] – Equipment Weight 6.0kg

“Wow, they’ve written out all the equipment effects in a long list, but it’s for all six parts, huh… It might look like it’s overkill because it’s all-in-one, but actually… well, it’s strong after all. But more importantly for me is this.”

“Look, Magna.”

“Can you move in that? Seems pretty heavy.”

“It’s light. I used materials that reduce weight by 100 kilograms.”

“…And the weight of the material itself?”

“6 kilograms.”

There! What do you think, Magna? What do you think?

“…Excuse me.”

Magna, lifting me up like this… you’re getting a bit carried away. But being effortlessly lifted by a tall lady, I might not mind that. No, that’s not it.

“I thought making an automaton would be enough, but a dress unit, and that too… The flying unit I once gave up on…”

“Not that.”

“It’s an all-in-one equipment, huh? You might see it as a disadvantage to use everything, but it covers everything with this. Oh? This isn’t fabric but metal? Could it be Babylonium alloy…? Even the clothing worn by Lord Babylon is made from Babylonium alloy fibers. This is similar to that. I’ve heard about how absorbing otherworldly technology is incredible, and it truly is.”

“Not that.”

“The unit’s response speed… judging by the real-time reflection, you must have used some rare ore. What did you use? Mithril? No, that’s impossible. Orichalcum? Adamantite? Something even beyond that?”

“Tell me if it’s cute!”

“…Huh?”

“I’m asking if this equipment is cute!!!”

Didn’t you just forget what I said earlier? Looks matter more, no question about it. I’m all about aesthetics! Functionality that matches the appearance, remember?

“C-Cute…?”

“Hehe, then I win this round, right? See you later! Bye-bye!”

“W-Wait, what?”

“Hehehe… I won. Today’s victory is mine, I suppose. Magna was about to protest vehemently, but he’s the type who doesn’t make a fuss once he’s out. Sneaky victory! Though, to be fair, most of the items aren’t really mine; they’re gifts from Rinne-chan and Pers-chan. So, it’s three against one and I barely won. It’s like a draw in reality, isn’t it?”

“…?”

Am I being watched…? Everyone, do you think it’s cute? It is cute, isn’t it? Hehehe… ♪ Let’s head back to the guild room! Has nap time returned? I need to thank Rinne-chan and the others too. La la la… ♪

*Dogeza (土下座) is an element of traditional Japanese etiquette which involves kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself while touching one’s head to the floor.