Chapter 67

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 67

Chapter Title: Ability Demonstration Broadcast

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"They have it? What ability?"

"One got an ability called [Electric Barrier]. It's a shield with electricity flowing through it."

Commander Omar grasped its potential use the moment he heard the description.

"So they can use proper equipment now."

"Exactly. The electric barrier will block the bugs from getting in while it's active."

For reference, the bugs looked like white threads.

Those things burrowed into machines in the factory, infecting them and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠multiplying the enemy forces. The electric barrier made for an excellent blockade.

"Not bad. Any drawbacks?"

"...It can only be used once a day. Probably needs to level up to increase that."

"We'll need to get Bloodstones fast. Should I contact Diorlen?"

Or he could reach out to the 4-channel administrator, Quick Fix Doctor—no, Noah Aster.

'Might as well do both.'

There was no time to hesitate when those bugs were ripping machines apart in the factory to bolster their numbers.

"And there's one more."

"One more?"

"Yes. [Instant Leap]."

Colonel Galor, who had answered with Instant Leap, went on to explain what it did.

"It's teleportation for the body."

"A low-grade Awakening Stone gave that?"

"Yes. But..."

Colonel Galor hesitated for a moment before explaining the drawback.

"It's F-grade, so it only moves 1 meter."

"1 meter. Can it go through walls?"

"We tested it—no. Seems like it teleports to spots in line of sight."

It teleported to line-of-sight spots, but being F-grade level 1 limited it to 1 meter.

"Too bad it can't bypass walls."

"Even so, it has potential uses in various situations."

"It had better. We'll need to ask how to raise its grade too."

Omar pondered who to contact first.

But Diorlen would likely demand the intel as payment, so Noah was the only option.

'Wish this could go smoothly.'

With that thought, Omar contacted Quick Fix Doctor—Noah Aster first.

The next morning, after a simple meal with the group, I sorted items to list on the exchange.

With Sirien and Tipina joining, we could add six more types, allowing for a wider variety.

'Weapons and pickaxes are barely selling anymore.'

Had everyone who wanted one already bought them?

'I'll watch for a few days and replace with better stuff.'

Anyway, thrilled at expanding the lineup, Sirien requested meat and vegetables for the beastkin.

"Meat! And greens! Put those up no matter what."

"Listing's easy, but prices are a bit high."

"Like 100-200 points?"

"No, around 9-10 points."

In other words, pricier than the jelly sold on 4-channel.

Fortunately, veggie mix was 9 points per kg, so people could pool points, buy, and split.

'Meat's 10 points per 500g, though.'

Simple math: twice the veggie price.

"List 'em as cheap as possible. I'll hunt monsters hard and pay the points."

We'd start seriously hunting on 10F+, earning points properly. If the Hero Party chipped in, it'd be fine. I nodded.

"Sure. At cost."

"For real? Thanks!"

With the Hero Party's help, we listed everything on the exchange and finally set out.

'Man, been a while since I checked 2-channel vibes.'

Too focused on other channels lately, neglecting my own.

I figured listing items daily was enough, but better safe than sorry.

Scrolling through 2-channel gallery posts revealed monsters were scarce even on 5F.

Supplying weapons had predictably thinned them out steadily.

'No monsters on 5F, everyone heads to 6F.'

The issue: people's skills barely improved, while monsters got stronger deeper down.

'Going to 8-9F later could be dangerous.'

No—fighting monsters was inherently risky.

Best option: point-earning methods without hunting.

'Need alternative ways to earn points.'

Why hunt? Big points payout.

Mining all day with pickaxes maxed at 5-10 points.

"Castaway. What're you thinking?"

Rubyel approached, a bit friendlier than before.

After yesterday, we felt closer. I answered.

"Gallery says no monsters on 5F now."

"Then down to 6F."

"They haven't built skills on 5F. 6F, 7F is dangerous."

"Gotta go down anyway. Or mine rocks on 1F."

Rubyel gave a very T-type response.

"No other point-earning methods?"

"Dunno? Maybe on surface, but not in the Labyrinth."

Even I thought the Labyrinth had only rocks and monsters.

Then I recalled each channel's specialties.

'3-channel: Awakening Stones, Bloodstones. 4-channel: future-tech weapons, gadgets.'

5-channel: Mana Potions. 7-channel: monster-derived elixirs.

Each had something unique—except 2-channel.

'Ah.'

Magic items.

My stealth cloak alone performed great.

"Rubyel. How do you make magic items?"

"Magic items? Engrave runes with special tools. More steps for permanence. But no tools or materials now."

Plus, civilians couldn't make them anyway.

Even with tools/materials, mages would earn the points.

'2-channel's environment sucks.'

Is that why I ended up here?

"Why? Monsters risky, so thinking safer points?"

"Yeah, safer ways."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Nothing but mining. Better ways to mine efficiently."

...Mining?

Rubyel's words sparked an idea: something beyond pickaxes.

'What was it? Portable jackhammer?'

For breaking asphalt.

But needed separate power source, so just a thought.

'Only rocks or monsters for points.'

No other way in the Labyrinth?

"Oh. Magic tower folks might have tools?"

Rubyel suggested magic tower people could make them.

But mages earning points? Not appealing.

"Mages earn the points."

"Dunno if they'd profit even if made."

"If made, I could sell on other channels."

Wait—Quick Fix Doctor on 4-channel bought magic items.

'Said he found their energy source before.'

No news since, so probably just found it.

'What about Awakening Stones on 4-channel?'

Flow of thought led there. I opened the gallery.

4-channel was buzzing about abilities.

'Broadcast?'

Oh right, 4-channel had broadcasts too.

Realizing late, I jumped into the 4-channel broadcast.

「Next up: Sergeant Tayon's ability demo.」

The screen showed a stiff-faced man mechanically calling the next person.

A burly man stepped forward, aimed a small pistol at the target.

「Flame Attribute Enchant.」

Bang bang bang!—

Bullets hit, igniting bonfire-sized flames on the target repeatedly.

'Flame Attribute Enchant? Probably the ability name.'

Results showed it imbued weapons with fire attribute.

Worked on pistols too—decent ability.

'Not bad.'

I hadn't given Bloodstones, so likely level 1.

Level 1 like that? Level 10 or 20 could be strong.

'Plus ability specialization.'

Just my take, though.

Chat was mostly mocking.

「As mentioned, abilities range A-F grade estimate. They have levels; higher level boosts power.」

'S-grades exist.'

From 4-channel view, A-F made sense.

S-grade needed top Awakening Stones, rare even on 3-channel.

'Superior ones probably tough too.'

「Next: Corporal Harbor's ability demo.」

The man curtly skipped explanation, called next.

Next person stepped up, used ability like before.

「Mark Tracking.」

Pulled dagger from pocket, activated Mark Tracking, blindfolded himself.

Another took dagger, moved around; blindfolded man pointed exactly.

'Got what it does.'

Chat didn't rate it highly.

Anyway, later demos showed no impressive abilities.