366 - - Chapter 364 Equipment

Last night, we enjoyed the meat of the Light and Fire Dragons, yakiniku style. The spirit kings are coming tomorrow, and Mel and the others will be back soon. Let's get our gear ready by the end of the day. Also, I'd like to check out the magic tools, especially the test run of the magic carpet.

"So, today we will choose the equipment for Gina and the others.

I narrowed down the equipment and accessories that Nomos appraised for me yesterday to some extent this morning. All that remained was to consult with Gina and the others and decide on the equipment.

"Master, a sword!　Do you have a sword?"

Marco is biting at the word "new equipment. He's in high spirits after spending the morning going back and forth down the Spirit Tree slide on the sled he made yesterday.

"Unfortunately, we don't have any weapons. I'm going to choose my equipment again, this time focusing on armor.

Marco's expression changes to one of disappointment, but the weapons are all too powerful and scary for an amateur child to carry. I hope he gives up.

"I'll explain the capabilities of the equipment then, and you can choose the equipment while considering its role in the party."

Despite the careful selection of equipment, they spread out their gear so much that the living room feels small.

"Master, why did you call me too?"

Mel asks curiously. I'm feeling curious myself.

"Because Mel chooses his equipment, too. He's my apprentice, so why not?"

"I'm a blacksmith, remember?"

You know that, right? Mel tilts his head. I know because I've been to his workshop many times.

"Mel is a blacksmith but also a necromancer and a member of the Adventurer's Guild. He and Gina will have a chance to dive into the labyrinth, and being able to get materials on his own is an advantage as a blacksmith. You should be well equipped for a safe adventure."

Even though you are a dual-employed apprentice,...... no, it is because you are a dual-employed apprentice that you should be well-equipped and well-leveled. The development of paradise can often be managed with the help of the spirits of the soil, but it is reassuring to have a skilled craftsman who will listen to your recklessness.

Well, I feel a little contradiction in the word "safe adventure", but if you are protected by spirits and wear high quality armor, I would say that you are safe until about the 40th level.

"Is that so?"

He doesn't sound very convinced. Basically, Mel is a timid person and considers himself a blacksmith, so he doesn't have any sense of adventure other than going along with Gina and Yunis.

"As you adventure and level up, you gain strength and stamina. It's quite useful for blacksmithing, and for Meral, exploring the labyrinth is a nice change of pace. It seems that many fire spirits are quite active."

"I see. ......Mr. Meral, would you like to go exploring the labyrinth?"

Mel asks Meral a question as she floats next to him.

"Hmm?　Hmmm...yes. It would be fun to be with Mel, but it would also be interesting to have adventures together. I'll make sure he's safe!"

Mel's expression becomes a little more positive at Meral's words. Now we just need to push the equipment to him with vigor so he won't say he can't accept such an expensive piece of equipment.

** **

"Yeah, it looks pretty good ......?"

Although I feel a little uncomfortable with my own equipment, I think I managed to coordinate everyone's looks while listening to the opinions of Sylphy, Belle, and the others. Well, Belle and the others look cool no matter what they wear, but I think natural armor is better, don't you? I didn't find it very helpful, though. ...... I'm sure I'll be well-equipped, but I'll still wear my natural armor when it counts.

When I see Gina and the others in their chosen gear, they seem to be enjoying each other's company and complimenting each other. I chose a different concept from mine, a plain-looking one, but Gina is beautiful and Sarah and the others, including Mel, are small, so their presence itself stands out. ...... Well, it's a little late for that, I guess.

Yuta

Head: Helmet of a light dragon

Body: Light Dragon Armor　　

Feet: Boots of light dragons

Gina

Head: Circlet of the Dark Dragon　

Body: Robe of the Dark Dragon

Feet: Shoes of the Dark Dragon　　　　　

Necklace Necklace of fire (for Shiva)　

Sarah

Head: Circlet of Spirit Tree

Body: Robe of Life

Feet Wind Shoes

Necklace Necklace of wind (for Fuchu)

Ring Ring of life (for Pru)

Marco

Head Behemoth leather hat

Body Behemoth leather armor

Feet Behemoth shoes

Shield Magic shield　

Bracelet Bracelet of earth (for Uri)

Kicka

Head Fluffy hat

Body Robe of physical strength　

Feet Wind shoes

Bracelet Wind bracelet (for Mame)

Mel

Head: Adamantite helmet

Body Adamantite armor

Feet Adamantite greaves

Ring Ring of fire (for Meral)

My equipment is a series of light dragons, which looks appropriate for an adventurer of A rank. It is a little flashy, but it is not bad because it is the armor of an attribute dragon, and it does not have a vulgar shine. I usually keep my helmets in my room, but if I show my guild card with my helmets on, people will not suspect my rank.

Gina's equipment was unified with the dark dragon equipment since she had the shoes of the dark dragon. The robe with a s*xy slit is not so different from the previous ones since she wears it over the robe.

Sara's equipment is the wind shoes that she got additionally, and the robe of life that has a high affinity with Puru-chan. The Circlet of the Spirit Tree also has an effect on mental fatigue, so I think her overall defense and endurance have improved.

Marco's equipment is a set of behemoth equipment because he wanted to wear armor rather than a robe. At first, I was thinking of wearing this equipment, which is a first-class piece of leather dyed in deep navy blue. I gave up on it because it would make me look too plain, but I think it is not a bad piece of equipment for Marco, since it is not likely to be conspicuous and be targeted.

The concept of Kikka's equipment is almost the same as Sara's. It is a configuration designed to make up for her juvenile disadvantage as much as possible. However, only the fluffy hat was chosen by Kikka's passionate wish. Fluffy hat is wonderfully fluffy and fuzzy ...... and very cute. It seems to be surprisingly strong in defense.

Mel's equipment is a series of matte adamantite. I tried to recommend him a lighter one, but he desperately refused, saying that it was too much for him. I think he was probably reluctant because his other equipment was more expensive. I tried to tell him not to be hesitant because it was a life preserver, but he looked so desperate that I gave up.

I asked Gina and the others to equip themselves with the accessories, since I heard that they could use them as a familiar resting place for Fukuchan and the others.

I wondered if I should equip them with accessories, too, but I don't usually wear ornaments, and accessories for six attributes are too much for me. I just chose them in case I need them, but I hope I won't need them.

"Sylphy, Mel, I've decided on something like this ......, but aside from me, Gina and the others' equipment won't stand out that much, will it?"

I think it's OK because we selected modest equipment, but I think Gina and the others look strangely powerful in their ...... equipment.

"Well, I don't know about the human equipment, but I don't think they stand out any more than Yuta."

"Um. Master, it may be plain, but it is a magical piece of equipment, and I think people who see it will realize its value."

Sylphy's reaction is not bad, but judging from Mel's words, is it a bit risky to choose a modest piece of equipment?

"Mel, if Gina and the others were wearing this equipment, would they be targeted?"

"Considering its value, we can't rule out the possibility."

Well, it would be a total disaster if they are attacked with better equipment, but Gina and her friends will eventually step into the volcano layer. FUKU-chan and her friends are floating spirits, and considering assault dragons and wyverns, I'm afraid to use poor equipment.

I guess there is a downside to giving them expensive equipment, but I don't know what the right rank of equipment is. If I had experienced it myself, I would know, but I haven't had any trouble with equipment. But if you consider the possibility of dying from a single blow, it's better to be well equipped.

"Sara and Kikka should be able to hide to some extent by putting another robe on top of them like Gina did. The question is Marco's equipment?"

"Yes. I think most people would change the color of their eyes if they knew it was behemoth armor.

According to the details of the story, behemoths are rarer than dragons. It is historically confirmed that they exist, but it is unknown if they even exist now. That means it is a very rare equipment. Mel wouldn't have known what kind of leather it was if Nomos hadn't told him it was behemoth's leather.

"Should I change it to something else?"

"If it is an armor of the class of dragon, it is easy to be noticed. In the case of the behemoth's equipment, it is difficult to be noticed as a behemoth, but if it is noticed, there will be a big commotion."

That's subtle. If a child is equipped with a dragon, there will be quite a few adventurers who will be jealous. On the other hand, with the behemoth's equipment, a discerning person would recognize it as a good piece of equipment, but would not recognize it as a behemoth.

"Sylphy, do behemoths still exist?"

"There are a few of them, but they are here. They are good beings who rule over fertility, so don't try to defeat them.

"What?　Behemoths are not demons?"

In Japanese games, they often appear as demons, right?

"Well, it's hard to call them demons because they are mild-mannered and enrich the earth. But he has a magic stone in his body and goes on a rampage when he gets angry, so I guess you could call him a demon?"

It's a little confusing, but I guess we can think of it as a good demon. The mysterious position of the behemoth's armor ...... could cause a lot of trouble if it were discovered, so I'd like to take some precautions.

"I see...... Mel, can you make the behemoth's equipment inconspicuous?"

Mel started worrying about my throwing.

"...... For example, we could shave the leather of the assault dragon and put it over the leather of the behemoth to make it less obvious, but it would affect the auto-adjustment of size."

"Does that mean it won't be a problem if we make it exclusive to Marco?　If I remove the leather from the assault dragon, will it go back on?"

"Yes, if you use it exclusively, there is no change in size, and it will return to its original size once the leather is removed."

Then it's not a problem. Assault dragon leather is available to a certain extent, and considering that it's a child's armor, they won't bother to attack you.　

"Can Mel do that processing?"　

"What?　Is it me?　It's not something that can't be done back in the workshop, but I think it's better to leave it to a craftsman who handles leather in his own right."

"Well, I guess so, but it's behemoth leather. There may be a craftsman Mel trusts, but I'd rather ask Mel if possible, since he's going to make a fuss when I explain it to him."

"......Yes, that's true. I understand."

After a short pause, Mel agreed. It is a good thing to have an apprentice with skills at a time like this. All right, everyone's equipment is now up to date. Next time I go to the labyrinth city, will I stand out ...... with my light dragon gear?

I'm sure I didn't particularly want to ...... stand out, but I find myself a little excited. After some self-analysis, I have come to the conclusion that it is the flip side of my sadness at not being recognized as a grade-A adventurer on more than one occasion. Even though I was trying to be strong that I was fine, it seems that I was slightly hurt.

Well, you know, it's no longer a dangerous position to be conspicuous, and relying on your equipment for your dignity is akin to adorning yourself with brand-name goods. It's not a bad thing as long as you don't blatantly reek of money, so let's enjoy our new selves to heal the sadness of not being recognized.