Chapter 23: Kobayashi: I'll Make RyuZU into My Own Special Build!
"It's not just basic Lich skills like [Drain Touch] and [Summon Undead]. I can even learn the [Grudge Crystal Prison] that's been fused with ice-attribute magic?"
[Grudge Crystal Prison] was an advanced magic spell. Its power could instantly freeze an enemy, immobilizing them while they suffered twofold from the freezing damage.
Kobayashi was surprised and delighted.
Before becoming a Lich, Wiz's greatest strength was her ice magic; the title "Ice Witch" referred to her. After becoming a Lich, her ice magic changed in conjunction with her new attributes.
"Wiz, can you go again?"
"No, no more. I don't have a single drop left."
Her mana completely squeezed dry, Wiz shook her head repeatedly. Kobayashi's desire was too strong; even someone as powerful as her was completely emptied. If this continued, she would ascend to heaven.
"Is that so... what a pity."
A bucket of cold water was poured on the enthusiastic Kobayashi. He still had some skill points left on his adventurer card and had thought of using this opportunity to spend them all and increase his strength. He never expected Wiz to be the first one to be unable to withstand his... immensity (in terms of skill points).
But he also knew that the future was long. If he had a need, he could just come find Wiz again. After all, the weak-willed Lich couldn't refuse him anyway.
Kobayashi put away his adventurer card and said, "Let's put the skills aside for now. There's one last thing I need to ask of you."
"What is it? If I can help, I'll do my best."
For the benefactor who helped her reverse her shop's deficit, Wiz would certainly spare no effort to help.
Kobayashi said, "I want you to help me find some powerful magic items. Not single-use consumables, but reusable ones... or magical equipment. Price is not an issue. The more, and the stronger, the better."
He had said the same thing to Bill. This wasn't for him to use, but to strengthen RyuZU.
It was undeniable that RyuZU was currently very strong. Time-stoppingly strong. Ridiculously strong.
But this was not absolute. The more precise something is, the easier it is to break. Ordinary gears would always need to be replaced one day, and they couldn't withstand powerful attacks like Explosion magic.
He had discussed this with RyuZU, and she had agreed. However, she looked down on the equipment in Bill's weapon shop. When Kobayashi let her choose, she didn't hold back her sharp tongue against Bill, verbally abusing the middle-aged man who took pride in his craft to the point where he almost cried.
High-tech versus cold weapons. It would be strange if she were impressed.
But magic items and magic weapons were different. Even RyuZU felt they could be useful at times.
Her original words were: "I am the highest-class automaton of the Y-series, the most outstanding and greatest of all. Although I believe that none of my own parts need to be strengthened or replaced, as mere tools for me to use, they are barely worthy of me."
Her sharp-tongued attribute was maxed out. After all, if the master wanted the automaton to use tools, didn't that imply from a certain perspective that she wasn't strong enough? For RyuZU, who often had "I am a Y-series automaton" on the tip of her tongue, it was quite a blow to her pride.
But this was for her own good. Even if she was unwilling, he had to forcibly upgrade her.
Kobayashi expressed that, although it would be difficult, he was determined to make RyuZU into his own special build, branding her with his mark, inside and out!
—A statement from a newbie who has just set foot on the path of a modeler.
Although Wiz had strange taste and was a huge spendthrift, she could still fulfill a client's request according to their standards. So, she took out a notebook and began to ask for and record the requirements for the items and equipment Kobayashi needed.
"The specific type, function, and material? The price range? Or are there any other requirements?"
"Hmm... I haven't really considered the details yet. Money is not an issue, but the only standard is that the ore used must be of high hardness and good quality!"
"High hardness and good quality?"
"Yes, preferably made from adamantite ore."
"Items made from adamantite ore are generally very expensive. Are you sure?"
Adamantite was the hardest ore in the world. Darkness's armor only contained a very small amount of it, and the price was already as high as 200,000 Eris. If it were a magic weapon or item made entirely of adamantite, the price would be ridiculously high.
"It's fine. As long as it's suitable, I'll pay for it."
He was willing to spend money for RyuZU. He finally understood those people who were willing to spend money on their 2D waifus. Perhaps this was love.
"If you insist."
Wiz scribbled in her notebook, taking down Kobayashi's requirements.
"By the way, speaking of high quality. Why don't you take those Crystal Bombs..."
"No thanks."
"But they're very good, and very powerful."
"No thanks."
"If you buy them now, you can get them at a low price with just an extra 20,000 Eris for each!"
"No thanks."
Even if Wiz was offering a special price and praising them to the high heavens, Kobayashi gave her three consecutive rejections.
You've got to be kidding me.
This thing was a complete hot potato.
Leaving aside the fact that RyuZU had no mana and couldn't activate the Crystal Bombs, with a power equivalent to Explosion magic, even she couldn't withstand it. How could she possibly use it... them...
Wait, that's not right!
Kobayashi had found the crucial point. A flash of inspiration revealed their correct use!
Just because others couldn't use them didn't mean he couldn't!
The only thing to consider when using a Crystal Bomb was, after activating it with mana, how to throw it 100 meters away within one second so as not to be caught in the massive blast equivalent to Explosion magic.
For others, this was simply impossible.
But Kobayashi was different.
He had a helper who could accelerate herself to the point of time stopping—RyuZU!
All he needed to do was activate the Crystal Bomb, hand it to RyuZU, and she would stop time, place it at the enemy's feet, and when time resumed, the enemy would be hit by an unknown explosion.
—BOOM!
They would be blown sky high!
Or, another method.
He could set a trap with the Crystal Bombs, and after activating them, have RyuZU carry him away from the battlefield.
The next second, it would be a carpet bombing of nukes!
A truly great weapon of mass destruction!
Oh no, it seems there are all sorts of ways to use them waiting to be discovered. Kobayashi was already itching to try.
He decided to give it a shot and be a sucker for once.
"I'll buy all of these Crystal Bombs!"
"Eh? Th-thank you for your patronage...?"
Wiz was a little confused as to why Kobayashi, who had been so resistant before, had changed his mind after a brief moment of thought.
"U-um... it might be strange for me to ask, but will you be able to use these things, Kobayashi?"
"Rest assured, I don't buy things I can't use."
"O-okay... if you can use them."
Being able to sell a product was a good thing. This month, she had finally reversed the deficit and made a profit! At the same time, she no longer had to go to the market to pick up vegetable leaves to survive!
Satisfied smiles appeared on both Wiz's and Kobayashi's faces.
(End of Chapter)