Chapter 157

Chapter 157

"Ha, it depends on the nightmares mood. It might lend you its power quietly or... devour its user."

"...!"

I quickly opened the system window in surprise and checked Damiens equipped gear. No way!

[Black Queen(SSR) Lv.55]

- Type: Magic Gun

- Attack Power: 225-250

- Durability: 7/7ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

- Ammo Capacity: 7/7

- Shoots cursed bullets, killing enemies instantly at a certain probability. The likelihood increases proportionally with weapon proficiency.

- ??? (Unlocked depending on the number of enemies killed with this weapon) <3 more required>

- ??? (Unlocked depending on the number of enemies killed with this weapon) <3 more required>

"Whew..."

These question mark options seem to be related to the nightmare, but fortunately, they hadnt unlocked yet due to insufficient kill counts.

I just thought these were additional options, but they meant this!

Ill have to stop using the Black Queen after using it three more times.

I should decide on how to use it after seeing the option unlocks.

I almost caused a big problem for Damien without knowing.

As Ive said repeatedly, there was no such equipment group as Nightmare Slayer in the game.

I never thought it would be a weapon with such risk.

I was wondering why it felt overpowered for the current stage, but it has such a drawback...

Kelleybei chuckled as I sat lost in thought.

"So, youre not going to make it?"

"Huh?"

"Celendions magic core. Are you going to leave it as it is without making it into equipment?"

"..."

No.

I cant.

"Please make it."

Black Queen is a powerful balance breaker that can turn the tide of battle.

If theres a weapon on par with this, I should have it made first and think later.

Even if I only use it until those question mark options are unlocked, itll certainly be worth it.

"Thats a good decision."

Kelleybei tapped Celendions magic core with her hand, smiling brightly.

"You cant be dominated by a weapon. You should be able to dominate the weapon. If you cant, you shouldnt even be able to handle a Nightmare Slayer in the first place."

"What do you mean...?"

"If youve been handling a Nightmare Slayer well so far, you can still handle it well even after feeding it enough blood and waking up the nightmare."

"..."

"Kid, weapons are originally dangerous. They have blades and spit fire to take lives, so how could they not be dangerous? Nightmare Slayer is just a little more dangerous because its stronger. Its like having one more blade?"

So, waking up the nightmare isnt necessarily a disadvantage.

With increased risk, the power might also increase... Maybe I can expect such a case.

"Ive rambled on for too long. So... what kind of weapon should I make with this magic core?"

That had been decided from the beginning.

I gave the weapon made from the Black Spider Queens magic core to Damien who killed her.

Then the weapon made from Celendions magic core should naturally go to the major who killed Celendion.

Junior.

As I muttered the name of the magician who made the greatest contribution in the Celendion battle, I told Kelleybei,

"We need a magicians equipment."

***

I only asked Kelleybei to make one piece of equipment for now, and decided to keep the rest of the magic cores for the time being.

Since the weapon is being made from Celendions magic core, Kelleybei said she had a lot to think about and was holed up in the blacksmith shop alone.

Please just make it well.

Late at night on the same day. My room.

I was sitting quietly on the bed, having changed into my pajama gown.

In front of me were 15 boxes lined up in a row.

5 R-grade. 7 SR-grade. And 3 SSR-grade.

In the game, its considered a lot if you get 10 of the SSR-grade boxes in a single run, but I got 3 in one go.

But even though three days had passed since the stage ended, I hadnt opened these boxes yet.

Theres no particularly great reason why.

These boxes didnt just feel like spoils from killing monsters.

They felt like the relics left by the dead comrades. Each and every one of the boxes seemed to flicker with the faces of the deceased.

In the end, it was an artifact that merely bought some time instead of killing the enemy, and the astronomical production cost was hard to bear.

"Damn, this game is harsh enough when youre on the hellish grind."

But thats if Im the one paying to make it. If its free, Im eternally grateful. It can be put to good use.

Thank you, thank you...

Bowing towards thin air, I carefully set aside this water artifact.

Next, the last three SSR grade boxes. The main event of todays box cracking, as it were.

I was quietly opening it, but it felt like I was lacking respect for the treasure box. So I exclaimed as I opened it.

"Did a completed piece appear?!"

Flash!

A dazzling golden light burst out from inside the box. What appeared?!

And what came out of the box was... a large piece of cloth.

"Huh? Whats this?"

[Great Commanders Flag Piece] (1/5)

- One of five pieces of the exclusive equipment [Great Commanders Flag(EX)] for the character Ash.

- When all five pieces are gathered, a flag is completed.

"...?"

I blinked slowly as I didnt quite understand the situation. What does this mean?

So... its my exclusive equipment. But its now in five pieces, and one of those pieces came out...?

Ding!

A system window appeared before my eyes.

[Exclusive Equipment Production Quest: Character Ash]

- Collect the pieces of the Great Commanders Flag. (1/5)

"..."

Hold on, damn it, hold on.

Its good that I found out I have exclusive equipment.

Its not bad that a production quest has appeared. But what? Pieces? Farming for pieces?

"Are you saying I have to rely on luck to get these from reward boxes?!"

Four more times? You want me to get something that only comes out of treasure boxes four more times? Are you kidding me, you bastards? How am I supposed to collect all these relying on luck?!

Most exclusive equipment is tied to the characters storyline, so theres usually a clear place to farm them.

But this dimwitted character Ash has to rely on luck to get his.

I guess there might be some system adjustment like when set items appeared...

I gritted my teeth and tucked the flag piece into my inventory. Damn it, lets open the remaining boxes and then think about it.

I quickly opened the second SSR-grade box.

"Did a completed piece appear?!"

Flash!

What came out of the box with the gold light was... an elegant black cloak flowing with a high-class sheen.

"Oh?!"

It looks useful! Whats this?

[Invisible Cloak(SSR) Lv.1]

- Category: Accessory

- Defense: 0

- Durability: 3/3

- When worn undetected by enemies, you enter Lv.3 stealth state.

- Stealth can be broken by higher-level detection magic, instincts, etc.

- When stealth is broken, all enemies within a 15m radius will focus on you.

"What the hell is this...?"

Ive never seen this equipment before. I know about the invisible cloak that appears once in all sorts of famous fantasies... but.

Reading the description, it seems like its not for use in combat situations. Did they give it to me for more general use?

After pondering, I decided to take it.

I could give it to Damien along with the [Covert Dawn] set and make him a complete stealth character, but it seems better for me to try out this item with high variability first.

"Alright, the last one!"

Having neatly folded the invisible cloak and stored it in my inventory,

I opened the last box. God of treasures! Please give me something really good this time!

"Please-!"

Flash!

And with the golden light, what came out of the box was... a sleek, beautiful, and large longsword.

[Karma Eater(SSR)]

I let out a shriek before I knew it.

"I got itttttttttt?!"