Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: A Pleasant Massage
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[Sword of the Ancient Temple]
[Elite Grade]
[Attack Power 320]
['Moonlight Slash' Skill Damage +50%]
[Socket 1: EMPTY]
[Socket 2: EMPTY]
[Socket 3: EMPTY]
(Binds when equipped)
"As expected."
The weapon from this dungeon had three sockets. That meant I could equip a total of three Echo Stones.
"First, the Attack Power and Lifesteal Echo Stones. Hmm, what stat should I socket for the last one?"
I was lost in happy contemplation.
I was planning to buy an additional 'Red Echo Stone' with lifesteal using coins to create an Elite+ grade Echo Stone combination, but with this, it seemed more beneficial to socket another Echo Stone with a stat I wanted.
For now, I removed the Attack Power and Lifesteal Echo Stones from my old weapon and equipped them. I decided to think about the last slot later.
As for the other rewards, there were high-grade enhancement materials, Advanced Mana Stones, and a few other minor items.
"Whoa."
I covered my blushing face with my small hands and gazed at the dungeon outfit I had just acquired.
[Archangel Dominion Costume]
[Top and Bottom Item]
A pure white, one-piece outfit that would look perfect on an angel. The fabric was thin and delicate, with a deeply plunging neckline. Wearing this dress-like costume would likely leave my bare thighs completely exposed.
Is it okay to walk around in such a revealing outfit?
Still, it was a rare, new dungeon costume. It would be a waste not to try it on.
"The... the amount of fabric is... I-I'll just try it on for now."
*Swish.*
"Haah...!"
Startled by the cool sensation seeping through the fabric covering my chest and against my thighs, I quickly unequipped the outfit and changed back into the 'Desert Admiral's Uniform'.
This is definitely not something I can wear outside.
I licked my lips and shoved the new costume into my dressing room.
And then there was the foreign object glowing with a blue light on the altar that appeared after defeating all the bosses.
I needed to check this last.
*Fwoosh.*
[Quest Item]
[The Blacksmith's Unquenchable Flame]
"This is..."
The thing that the ancient dwarves, from well over a thousand years ago, had tried to protect, even going so far as to create powerful golems.
It was this flame.
Why would the ancient dwarves have stored a flame in a place like this?
Before I arrived on the Astria Continent, could a disaster so great have occurred that they needed to go to such lengths?
And the third named monster. Its form...
"An angel."
I'd never heard of angels existing in this world, not even a thousand years ago.
The goddess who summoned my soul to this place and created a body for me.
Even back then, the goddess couldn't actively intervene in this world.
Only the Saintess could wield powerful divine energy. In truth, the other priests weren't much help.
The Hero selection process was also clumsy. Summon a soul from somewhere, give it a body, give it a Holy Sword, and tell it to figure things out on its own. That was it.
Rain, a fragile young girl, was suffering from an identity crisis due to the memories engraved in her soul.
The Hero Rain, who only possessed extraordinary power by borrowing the strength of the Holy Sword.
In the end, the Hero, incomplete both mentally and physically, achieved an imperfect victory.
If there had been powerful angels following the goddess's command, couldn't they have defeated the 'evil' more effectively?
The Archangel and the Fallen Angel.
Beings that the ancient dwarves modeled their golems after.
They must have existed in this world at some point.
"Hmm..."
The 'Unquenchable Flame' that had been sleeping in the temple was returned to the dwarves.
The dwarven Village Chief Drugel shed tears of joy and danced a little jig.
Impressive, for his age.
I watched him dance with a bright smile.
Even if it hadn't been me, this flame would have been delivered to the dwarves by the party that achieved the first clear.
'Adventurers from the Stars'—the continent was gradually regaining its strength through the activities of the players.
The flow and dungeon placement are very natural. If this was intentional, it's quite impressive.
"Hahaha, Rain! I can perform the very first, glorious smithing with this flame myself! Will you entrust it to me?"
"Wow, thank you."
"Don't mention it! You are a friend and benefactor to the dwarves!"
I took out the 'Sword of the Ancient Temple,' which I had already enhanced with regular Mana Stones.
'Advanced Mana Stones,' which were very limited and mainly sourced from arena ranking rewards, could now also be obtained through the daily temple clear quest.
Using 'Advanced Mana Stones,' you could enhance a weapon beyond the limits of regular Mana Stones, but even with the help of a player with a maxed-out blacksmithing level, the success rate was only about 10%.
On failure, the weapon didn't break; only the materials and gold were lost. I suppose that was a relief.
Enhancing with Advanced Mana Stones was expensive and had a low success rate. But if it succeeded, you could create a huge gap in specs between you and other players.
With the power of the Unquenchable Flame and Village Chief Drugel, what was the success rate?
"Eighty percent...!"
I hopped up and down.
This is a guaranteed success.
*Clang, clang!*
"Oops, my hand slipped! I'm terribly sorry about that. Ahh, it's been a while since I've exerted myself like this. Come back in a few days, and I'll try again for you."
"Hic, hic."
Tears welled up in my eyes.
***
The capsule opened, and I pushed my stiff body up.
"Haaah."
I wrapped my arms around my shoulders and shivered for a moment.
Rain was in a lot of pain today. As a bonus, I was suffering along with her.
But perhaps thanks to taking my medicine and looking after myself for a while, my heart didn't pound violently, nor did my nose bleed like before.
It probably meant that once or twice was fine. If it accumulated like last time, it would take a heavy toll on my real body.
Still, my muscles must have been quite shocked. My frail body was crying out in pain.
It's okay. As long as Rain had fun, this much pain is nothing.
All I can do is take good care of my body here.
*Whirr.*
The sound of the housekeeping robot I'd summoned as soon as I logged off rolled closer.
Now that I've cleared the dungeon, I need to eat and then continue farming.
*Click.*
The door opened, and what I saw was...
The housekeeping robot appearing with my meal, and behind it, a person smiling sheepishly.
"Chris...?"
"Rai~n! You worked hard today! Looks like I lost again, huh?"
"Ahaha..."
I broke into a nervous sweat and avoided Chris's gaze.
An excited Rain had openly shown her entering the dungeon alone.
She wouldn't ask first, but she must be full of questions.
"P-please, come in."
*Bright smile.*
*Nervous sweat.*
Feeling like I was sitting on pins and needles, I ate my meal while sneaking glances at Chris.
Chris just watched me eat with a curious smile.
"Haaah."
*Clack.*
I sighed, put down my chopsticks, and looked Chris straight in the face.
Since it had come to this, I had no choice but to satisfy her curiosity.
"Chris, I'm going to keep farming the temple after I eat. Would you mind joining me for one run?"
"O-oh, yes! I'd love to! I was about to ask you the same thing!"
Chris clenched her fists and nodded eagerly.
"Really? Then, in exchange..."
"In exchange?"
I lightly wrapped my arms around my shoulders.
Not just my shoulders, but my whole body ached.
I felt the need to soothe the muscles that had been shocked by the terrible pain.
But it's too difficult to do alone. I need Chris's help.
It's part of taking care of my body.
My body needs to be healthy so Rain can play the game without any burden.
"Um, my body is really sore, so... could you give me a little massage?"
Chris's eyes widened as if they would pop out, and her jaw dropped.
What's wrong?
Is asking for a massage that surprising?
"A-are you sure? Really? It's okay? It's really okay for me to do it?"
"...Why are you acting like this?"
"I-it's nothing! Th-then, I'm really going to do it? I'm going to touch you?"
"Yes."
I lay down comfortably on the bed and closed my eyes.
"...Chris, calm down. Take a deep breath. It's a massage. Just a simple massage. This is what Rain wants, right? You learned this at the hospital. A caregiver is supposed to do this for people who are unwell. Mumble, mumble..."
"......?"
I squinted and looked at Chris's face as she muttered something to herself.
Chris had climbed onto the bed and was holding her hands over my body, trembling.
"Your face is red, Chris. Teehee."
Chris's face, flushed as red as her hair, was quite amusing.
"I-is it? It must be hot in here! Should I turn down the heat a little!?"
Chris fanned her face a few times with her hand, then shook her head vigorously and raised her hands toward my shoulders again.
Finally, her trembling hands rested on my shoulders, pressing down carefully and gently, yet firmly enough to loosen the muscles.
*Press.*
"Hngh."
A faint, improper moan escaped my lips.
The first massage I've ever had in my life... it feels good.
"Gasp...!"
Chris, who had suddenly gasped, rushed out of my room.
*Thud, thud!*
From outside the door, I heard the sound of something hitting the wall hard, twice.
Chris came back into the room, her forehead slightly red.
"Haa, haa. I-I should be fine now!"
"......?"
With bloodshot eyes, Chris began to touch my body again.
Her massage started at my shoulders and slowly moved down my arms to my hands.
I closed my eyes tightly, savoring the sensation of Chris's touch and the massage.
*Press.*
*Flinch.*
"Heek...!"
*Thud, thud!*
Every time I let out a pleasant moan, Chris would leave the room and come back in. And each time, I could hear the sound of the wall shaking for some reason.
I shifted my upper body slightly, getting a massage all over.
"Oh."
After the massage was over, I sat up and moved my upper body a few times.
Chris's massage skills were excellent. My muscles felt much more relaxed.
I should get massages more often.
I gave Chris a smile full of gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Chris. That felt really good. Shall we go to the dungeon now?"
Chris collapsed onto the floor, panting, and muttered with glazed eyes.
"...I don't care anymore... Solo play, whatever... I'm so exhausted... I feel like I could die right now and it wouldn't be strange..."
Chris looked utterly drained.
I hung my head, feeling sorry.
"I-I'm sorry. I won't ask you for a massage again."
"N-no! I-it's fine, anytime! Just ask me! I love giving massages!"
Startled, Chris waved her hands frantically.
At Chris's back-and-forth reaction, I could only tilt my head in confusion.
Is she exhausted, or is she okay?