Chapter 292

Chapter 292

The day after the festival ended, everyone returned to their daily routines. The hero characters who had come out to enjoy from the dungeons base camp were no exception.

Kellibey, Hannibal, the Holy Grail Seekers, and even the Penal Squad had all returned.

Late in the afternoon, following lunch, I visited the base camp. I was a bit tired from staying up all night organizing the plan for what came next, but there was work to be done.

"Heading to the base camp?"

"Lets go together, senior!"

Lucas and Evangeline naturally joined as my escorts. That worked out since I was planning on making equipment for them anyway.

As we passed through the teleport gate and arrived at the base camp, it was noticeably more lively than before.

NPCs moved about in the brightly lit area, thanks to the torches.

I didnt sense any hostility from the glances directed towards us. NPCs not yet familiar with me seemed wary, but after all, I was the one who had rescued many of them from captivity.

"Guys, unload everything over there."

"Yes, my lord."

I instructed Lucas and Evangeline to place the festival foods they were carrying in the center of the base camp.

They stacked the foods next to the biggest bonfire. It was a thoughtful gesture for those who hadnt attended the festival. They could eat or not; the choice was theirs. Hopefully, enjoying the food would build some goodwill towards our front.

"Grandma Coco, try some of this."

I offered some food to the NPC in charge of teleportation, Coco the Severer.

"Well, at least you remember this old lady."

Accepting the food without hesitation, Coco casually pointed to a corner of her workshop.

"I finished the teleport gate. Just install it."

To my surprise, there lay the familiar stone chunks haphazardly piled on the ground. Those were expensive items! They were tossed aside as if they were mere road-side rocks!

"I finished it a few days ago. You lot were too busy with the festival to come get it."

As she poured the foods I gave her into her witchs pot (?), Coco chuckled.

If it took about three days to complete... Does it take about a week to craft one teleport gate?

I examined the completed teleport gate, pondering. Even though Coco was quite impulsive, the gates crafting seemed to take some time. Ill need to place a lot of orders in advance so she can work non-stop.

"Ah, Your Highness! Youre here!"

Right then, Kuilan and the Penal Squad appeared.

After briefly acknowledging their enthusiastic greeting, I gestured towards the pile of teleport stones.

"Pick those up."

"What?"

"Pick them up. Those stones. We have to install them."

And so, the Penal Squad found themselves struggling under the weight of the teleport stone chunks, grumbling as they followed me.

They seemed quite heavy. Good. This would be a nice strength training for you, Kuilan!

Our next stop was Kellibeys workshop, where I found him busily crafting equipment. His assistant, Hannibal, was fervently aiding him.

"Looks like youre busy already, Kellibey. And the festival just ended yesterday."

"Who do you think is the reason for all this work?!"

Kellibey glared at me, his big eyes flashing with annoyance.

The day after the festival, Kellibey was adjusting the 11 pieces of equipment I had procured from Nameless.

Given that I had purchased 11 pieces of equipment ranging from SSR to SR grade, there was a ton of readjustment to be done.

"Why the hell did you hand over 11 pieces for adjustment? Hand some of this over to your local blacksmiths!"

I reminded him, "Didnt you say to entrust you with all equipment-related requests? That others would mess it up?"

He retorted, "That was just a figure of speech! From now on, leave the minor adjustments to others!"

THUD!

Kellibey slammed something onto the table.

"I mean, bring me high-end stuff like this! Only a master magical blacksmith like me can handle it! Got it?"

Before me lay a silvery-red fur cloak. Even at first glance, it was obviously a top-tier item.

I chuckled, "When did you even find the time to make this?"

"Obviously, I prioritized this one. Put off the boring adjustments for later."

After a brief laugh with Kellibey, I looked around.

"Hey, Kuilan!"

Kuilan, who was huffing and puffing from carrying the teleport stone chunks, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Here are your new armors. The ones you had are pretty much trash now."

"Yahoo! Ive been waiting for this!" Evangeline cheered, hopping excitedly.

Lucas, however, looked disheartened. He ran his hand over his current worn-out [Phantom Armor].

"Im sorry, Your Highness... This too was a gift from you. I intended to wear it for a lifetime..."

"Why are you acting so down lately? Theres no need to apologize. Gear is meant to be expendable."

He looked more disheartened than ever. I realized Id been too hard on him. Id need to be more gentle...

In any case, onto the new armor. I presented Lucass first, unveiling the cloth.

[Midnight(SSR) Lv.49]

[Twilight(SSR) Lv.49]

The upper armor, [Midnight], and the lower armor, [Twilight], combined to make a two-piece medium plate armor set.

True to its name, the armor was pitch black, and its design was absolutely striking.

In the game, users who obsessed over looks often referred to this set as the "Rebla (Real Black) Armor". Many had their eyes bloodshot, vying to obtain this set.

It boasted impressive physical and magical resistances, and the set bonus wasnt half bad.

> Set Bonus: Midnights Twilight (2/2)

- Upon equipping the entire set, for 12 hours after sunset, attack power increases by 10%, defense by 10%. For 12 hours after sunrise, movement speed increases by 20%.

While it didnt have any mind-blowing capabilities, it was a powerhouse in terms of basic stats. And with armor, its more about the specs than special abilities.

"..."

Lucas silently removed his current armor and donned the new set.

Kellibey and Hannibal assisted Lucas, adjusting the armor to fit him perfectly. Once Lucas was fully armored, he resembled a dashing knight.

His previous armor had been quite stylish, but after extended use, it had worn down. Now, clad in new armor, he looked magnificent. It was as if he was wearing a bespoke suit.

"...I will wear this armor for the rest of my life," Lucas solemnly vowed.

Enough with the dramatics. That armor isnt your endgame gear anyway. Wear it, wear it out, move on.

Next, I handed over a new set of armor to Evangeline.

"Evangeline, heres yours."

"Finally!"

Evangeline eagerly unveiled her armor.

But the very next moment, she screamed, "Whaaat?! What the hell is this?!"

Jumping back in horror. Really, that much of an overreaction?

The armor I had prepared for Evangeline was the rare...

[Bone Armor Upper(SSR) Lv.49]

[Bone Armor Lower(SSR) Lv.49]

The Bone Armor series!

But not just any Bone Armor. An SSR-grade Bone Armor! Made from the bones of mythical monsters, no less!

The armor boasted overwhelming durability, immense health stat boosts, and extraordinary physical resistance. For a pure tank like her, there wasnt a better armor at this stage.

"From Golem Armor and now to Bone Armor?!"

Regardless of its grade or capabilities, its just... bone armor to Evangeline.

She confronted me with a grievance written all over her face, "You promised the next one would be pretty! Does this armor look beautiful in your eyes?!"

"Yeah. Looks super nice."

For the record, Im a practical gamer, not into aesthetics.

If the gears stats are good, I dont care if my character is dressed in a loincloth and wielding a wooden club!

Which is why, when I streamed another MMORPG in the past, my viewers were screaming.

Begging me to wear something less painful to the eyes. And to stop obsessing over that primitive caveman look.

Hey! Do looks pay the bills?! Its the equipment stats that keep your character alive! Ugga ugga!

Anyway, from that perspective, this Bone Armor is stunning.

Sure, in terms of appearance... It might look like the Golem Armor where only the gloves were made of bone. But its almost 1.5 times better in performance!

"This, this, this..."

Evangeline, so disappointed she was almost in tears, hit the armor and then yelled at me.

"If you like this old, worn-out looking armor so much, why dont YOU wear it?!"