Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Constellation Gallery EP.14
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'Oh, damn! 2,000 Gold?'
This sponsorship was probably sent to get me to take a good look at their Incarnation.
But the real surprise was something else.
'T-Ten thousand Gold?!'
I'm losing my mind. This is insane!
This Constellation had already given 3,000 Gold earlier. Are they some kind of absurd whale?
That's when the kid stared at me intently and spoke up.
"Mister, Dawn Singing of Hope sponsored 20,000 Gold."
"Tw-Twenty thousand Gold?"
"Yes!"
For a moment, my head went blank.
They'd sent ten thousand to me too... but somehow, I felt a pang of relative deprivation.
"......"
Was it because of what the kid said about dedicating their life to me?
That Constellation seems to like good deeds, so it's pretty likely.
I'd tested the waters, but in the end, I'd basically promised to take responsibility for the kid, so that might be why.
'...Well, good is good.'
Anyway, I'd gotten some too, so no need to feel inferior to the kid.
"But what do you use Gold for?"
The kid asked with sparkling eyes.
Since I'd decided to raise her, I should explain.
I told her about how to use Gold, the Shop, and the Stats system.
And then.
"Let's gear up while we're at it."
"Gear up?"
"Get battle-ready before we move out."
"Sounds good! What do I do?"
I thought for a moment.
Her Medicine skill seems modern, so no need to pump Intelligence right away.
'What should an archer raise?'
In games, you usually go Dexterity... but that's more like hand-eye coordination, not exactly Agility.
Ah, screw it.
I scratched my head.
"This isn't a game. Vitality is the most important."
The kid blinked.
"Vitality?"
"Yeah. Just in case, put 5 points into Vitality first. Save the rest."
The kid obediently raised her Stats as I said.
Now I just needed to get her a weapon.
I opened the Shop window and searched for a usable bow for her.
A list scrolled up.
"Damn, these are expensive?"
The cheapest bow was 950 Gold.
A quiver of arrows (30 shots) was 30 Gold.
No way a bow costs more than a gun?
"Better to find a bow and arrows outside. Is there an archery range around here?"
"Huh?"
The kid looked confused as she asked back.
Oh, right. Archery ranges aren't common in this era.
In the previous world, you could find bows and arrows at any arcade.
"Nah, getting a decent one ourselves would be tricky. Should we look for materials to make one?"
"Can't we just buy one?"
"No. Gold is our most precious asset right now since we don't know when we'll need it."
"Oh...."
"You don't get it again, you're just saying 'oh'."
"...Yes."
That's when the kid's gaze shifted to the air.
"Mister, wait! My Constellation sponsored another 2,000 Gold!"
"...Huh?"
Another sponsorship?
Honestly... I'm jealous.
Super jealous.
I'd sweated buckets hunting ghouls, spilling blood for 10 Gold at a time...
What a dogshit world. Maybe I should contract quick too.
'This is straight-up contract viral marketing.'
Anyway, I get why the extra sponsorship.
"Looks like they want us to stop messing around and just buy one."
"Then should we buy from the Shop?"
The kid's eyes sparkled, waiting for my okay.
She really wants to buy something.
"Yeah, get one from the Shop. Your Constellation sponsored extra for it..."
"Yes!"
"Hold on!"
"Yes?"
"Get the cheap one. The cheapest."
While the kid bought her gear, I invested in Vitality.
At first, I couldn't feel 'Endurance Evolution,' so I'd held off, but if blades were already barely cutting now... better max it while I can.
'The rest goes gradual investment meta.'
Fortunately, it wasn't doubling each time.
500 Gold increments.
Spent 12,500 Gold to get Vitality to Level 10, then tried for more.
This must be what the Constellations meant by early Stat caps.
Put one point each in the rest too.
I held off on using the 'Blunt Weapon Scroll.' It's rare, feels like something to save.
The frying pan's still good as new anyway.
Though if this drags on, do I worry about hair and underwear too?
Nah, who'd care in this mess.
Meanwhile, the kid was fiddling curiously with her new bow.
"This bow isn't too heavy for you?"
"Huh? No! It's not that heavy."
Unexpected answer.
Bows are heavier than they look, right?
Shop item maybe?
"If it gets heavy later, raise Strength. It'll feel easier."
"Yes!"
Basic prep done.
But not fully geared.
She's still in patient clothes.
Fine for now, but we're heading back to the city.
Looking that weak invites trouble from creeps seeing easy prey.
"Change into normal clothes."
"Normal clothes?"
"Like everyday stuff for going out."
"Uh, I don't have any..."
"Then wear this."
I took off what I was wearing and handed it over.
Top to pants.
Then hesitated a bit.
'Should I give this too...?'
Started to hand over the vest but stopped.
She's ranged with bow; vest suits me for close combat.
Put the Tactical Bulletproof Vest back on.
The kid took my clothes, suddenly blushed, and looked away.
"Ah......"
Her reaction hit me.
I'm the lunatic stripping top to bottom without warning.
'Should I cover up?'
But if I wear patient rags, point of giving clothes is gone.
Spotted bed curtain by the bed.
Riiip!
Wrapped the torn curtain around my waist.
The kid was changing.
"Mister, don't look!"
"Not even if you begged."
I waved dismissively, exasperated.
"Why change anyway?"
"You'll attract bugs looking easy. Thought you followed without question."
"Oh, just curious!"
Moments later, she tapped my back.
Turned to face her.
'Size is straight-up hip-hop.'
She scanned me up and down with a weird expression.
Embarrassed? But different vibe.
Like ashamed to be seen with me?
"Mister, you're really going out like that...?"
"Yeah, why?"
"N-No reason..."
She started to say more but shut up.
Fine, whatever.
"We're moving for real now. Got everything?"
"Let's find my clothes shop first."
"You embarrassed of me?"
"......"
No answer.
Or rather, that's the answer.
"World's gone to shit, who cares."
"...Anyway. Clothes shop first, okay?"
"No. We minimize wasted steps."
"......"
She swallowed hard.
And we finally left the hospital.
Stepping outside, warm sunlight enveloped us.
Sky blindingly blue, breeze nicely cool.
Perfect weather.
If the world were normal.
The kid stretched her arms wide, beaming.
"Wow, the weather's amazing! Feels refreshing, like my energy's surging!"
I stared at her in disbelief.
"You forgot how serious this is already?"
"Huh? No, I haven't!"
She flailed her arms.
"Just... being outside feels nice..."
"Fair. You'll get the full shitty reality once you hunt ghouls yourself."
Her face stiffened.
I gave her a faint smile.
"Don't worry too much. I've got your back."
She hesitated, eyes scanning my body.
"...You look more dangerous right now, Mister."
"Why?"
"Why? Your outfit screams weirdo."
I opened my Inventory.
Pulled out the gun.
"Eek!"
She screamed, hugging her head.
"Y-You're not gonna shoot me, right?! I'm sorry!"
I sighed, baffled.
"Why would I shoot you?"
"Th-Then why the gun...?"
"Oh, this?"
She peeked out.
I shrugged, aimed skyward.
Bang!
Gunshot echoed deafeningly through the city.
She flinched hard.
I stowed the gun.
"Ghoul flare signal."