Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Arcade Mayhem and the Beast Alarm
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Current time: 12 o'clock. Han U-sol and I sat facing each other at a cafe table.
It had been about 30 minutes since we entered the cafe, as it was 11:30 when I contacted Reisi while leaving the clothing store.
Clink―
The ice in the glass clinked as it melted.
"What trait would suit a battle axe?"
"Hmm... Lightening?"
"No, that's too plain."
"Isn't that the most efficient?"
"No."
Agh, this efficiency nut. This performance freak. No use talking to him.
Something lame like lightening was no match for gigantification.
Efficiency was a worthless factor compared to romance.
Instead of pitifully whittling down enemies bit by bit with lightening, sweeping them away in one go with gigantification captured both romance and efficiency at once.
And who knows, maybe the enemies would see the massive battle axe and flee in terror.
But lightening? As if enemies would be scared of that flimsy little battle axe. They'd just mock you as a coward if you're lucky.
So what I'm saying is, romance is far more efficient than mere efficiency. At this point, the word "romance" itself encompassed efficiency.
"......"
Han U-sol, having heard my logical argument, shut his mouth without rebuttal. He had plenty to say but couldn't find the words. Good. Debated and won.
So, make me a battle axe with gigantification. Something cool. At my follow-up words, Han U-sol gave a wry smile and nodded.
What a good guy. Han U-sol usually went along with whatever I insisted on. Unlike Yoon Na-rin, who just flat-out refused.
He even paid for the coffee without me asking. Once he opens up, he gives generously.
I felt a bit sorry for calling him stingy back at the start of the semester. From now on, with gratitude, I'll call him Black U-sol instead. Nice and savory.
Thinking about it, I'd received so much from Han U-sol. Excluding the small stuff, just the weapons he'd given me were enough to make me bow in thanks.
Especially Lapis Lazuli. No special abilities, but the design was perfect as my beloved sword.
'...But why didn't he imbue it with any abilities?'
When I asked out of curiosity, he said he'd poured all the mana into base performance to make the best weapon possible, leaving no room for abilities.
No wonder Lapis Lazuli's base stats felt a bit better than the others. He'd sacrificed special abilities for all-in on fundamentals.
"...So you can't imbue abilities?"
"No, I can. Want me to?"
He said he could modify already-made weapons to some extent, as long as it wasn't a complete overhaul. Imbuing Lapis Lazuli, which lacked special abilities, was easy.
...This guy's ability is seriously broken. At this level, it might as well be called a divine power instead of a superpower.
I immediately pulled out Lapis Lazuli and handed it to Han U-sol. Good thing it was a private room cafe—no prying eyes.
"What should I imbue it with?"
"Sword beam."
"Sword beam... that's ranged, right?"
"Swords... aren't ranged."
"Uh... yeah?"
"Yeah."
Are you an idiot? Bullets from a gun are ranged, but sword beams from a sword aren't. That's common sense.
Han U-sol accepted Lapis Lazuli with a dubious look but imbued the ability without complaint. As expected of the generous Black U-sol.
Hmm. I'm not usually like this, but since he's giving so freely like a total pushover, I feel bad and want to do something in return. Maybe I'll cover lunch.
As I took Lapis Lazuli back from Han U-sol and reverse-summoned it, Reisi arrived right on cue.
She wore a leather jacket and ripped black jeans. Stick a cigarette in her mouth, and she'd be a full-on biker delinquent.
"Sorry, am I super late?"
"Nah. Haven't been waiting long."
"Oh. Anis, that jacket looks cool on you."
"Right? Check out the back. It's a tiger."
"Ooh."
Reisi grabbed a coffee and sat next to me. The moment she sat, Han U-sol's expression darkened a bit. Probably felt threatened now that the romance faction outnumbered him.
Teaming up with Reisi to gleefully tease the one-damage dealer nerd, time flew to around 12:40. Perfect for lunch. And I was getting hungry anyway.
I confirmed Reisi had finished her coffee and stood up.
"Let's go eat."
We decided to grab a simple lunch at a Chinese place.
After ordering, we took seats by the window.
"Anis, but how do you take down those kids wrapped head to toe in armor?"
"Smash their armor with a mace or hammer."
"Oh."
Seeing Reisi impressed made me proud that I'd saved this kid from falling into ranged degeneracy.
If it weren't for me, she'd have been corrupted by Han U-sol by now and turned into a coward sniping from afar.
"It's really good you didn't switch to ranged, Reisi. You with a gun? Horrifying."
"Huh? Haha. If you're worried about me going for guns, don't be."
Of course, that's now. But just a month ago, you were fated to be persuaded by Han U-sol and switch to guns.
"Actually, I tried guns once before. No talent for it, and some bad memories... Even if I used ranged weapons, I'd never use a gun."
......Huh?
The novel never mentioned that. One word from Han U-sol, and she switched right away.
'...What?'
Something felt off.
"Oh, sweet and sour pork's here."
But my doubts vanished the moment Han U-sol poured the sauce straight onto it.
"You fucking asshole!"
I smacked the top of Han U-sol's head with my palm.
After finishing the meal, Han U-sol rubbed the top of his head as they left the restaurant.
It still stung. Anis packs a punch.
I didn't know she was the type to smack people. Or maybe it was par for the course. Our tastes clashed on most things anyway.
It was strange they got along despite such opposite personalities.
Reisi suggested an arcade next. Surprisingly, Anis was hugely enthusiastic and agreed.
A conversation from lunch flashed through his mind.
―I've never played games or anything...
―If you don't know, learn by getting hit!
'...Anis must like games.'
They say girls who game prefer guys who are good at games as their type. What if Anis gets disappointed?
With that thought, Han U-sol dragged his heavy feet toward the arcade.
"Wh-what...! First time playing!? "
"...Yeah."
"Ugh...! B-but why are you so good...!"
K.O
The familiar letters he'd seen dozens of times appeared on screen.
13 wins, 0 losses. Han U-sol vs. Anis's record.
"No way. First time? Really?"
Anis gritted her teeth and called for a rematch. The result was the same. Now 14 wins, 0 losses.
"Argh...! This jerk is game-savvy as hell!"
Anis vented her rage and called another rematch.
'So this is it.'
Though worried since it was his first time gaming, it was more fun than expected. Controls were simple, but the mind games and number battles against the opponent were engaging.
Han U-sol, the type who only felt satisfied after putting in full effort, burned with motivation.
'Now I get it.'
After about 14 rounds, he was getting the hang of it. Felt like he could do better from now on.
He accepted Anis's next rematch request and manipulated his character.
A bit more timing.
More precise combos.
Faster reactions.
Concentrating fully, he worked the joystick and buttons.
Soon, Anis's character fell, and new words appeared on screen.
Perfect!
A message that only showed for a flawless win without taking a single hit. Overwhelmed by accomplishment, Han U-sol grinned and clenched his fist.
As he smiled, a bang came from the opposite machine.
Bam―!
"...Not playing with you."
Anis muttered in a teary voice. Then she turned and walked to Reisi's machine.
'Ah.'
Han U-sol broke out in cold sweat.
...He'd messed up.
We left the arcade. Reisi and Han U-sol might have had fun, but for me, it was nothing but trauma.
Han U-sol apologized profusely, fidgeting.
"Sorry, Anis. I got... carried away without realizing..."
"...It's fine. Really."
I gave a slight smile, and his face brightened. He cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away.
...I'd said it was fine, but honestly, it wasn't.
This jerk lied about it being his first time. Total veteran.
Even after the character was dead, he kept juggling it in the air for combos. Have some corpse manners, asshole.
When I snapped at him, his excuse was even worse. Since it was a new game, he wanted to practice combos, so he kept it airborne.
What kind of noob does that, fuck. Lies have limits.
'Someday, revenge. Just wait.'
I ground my teeth inwardly while keeping a straight face.
"Where to now?"
Reisi asked brightly.
It was 3 o'clock. Still broad daylight.
"Hmm... not sure. What to do."
I pondered deeply, but nothing came to mind. If only I'd hung out with friends in my past life.
"How about a movie?"
Han U-sol suggested.
Movie...? Not thrilled, but no better ideas, so I nodded.
"Oh! Let's watch this one! It's the most popular right now..."
Reisi excitedly shoved her phone at me.
"Then let's go see that."
As the three of us headed to the theater,
Han U-sol, leading the way, suddenly stopped and pinched his nose.
"This is...?"
"What's up?"
"Smells like a magic beast..."
"Magic beasts have a smell?"
"Yeah. I can strangely pick it up."
Han U-sol sniffed the air.
...Kinda creepy, so I edged away a bit. Glancing sideways, Reisi had too.
But seriously, magic beast smell? I couldn't tell.
"That way."
Having pinpointed the direction by scent, Han U-sol started running. ...Is this guy's nose a dog's?
Magic beast smell, really? I was skeptical. Reisi's face said the same.
But what could we do? Follow him. Han U-sol wasn't the type for pointless lies.
As we chased after him, a deafening siren blared suddenly.
Wheeeeeen―
Hearing it, we froze, faces hardening.
"This is...?"
This alarm meant,
a high-rank magic beast had appeared.