Out of school–I am now a NEET.

Chapter 340: Enhancement Methods [Middle]

“Next, let’s continue with large weapons. Midori, you’re up.” (Naofumi)

“Ah, yes. The Axe’s enhancement is… let’s see, it seems to be Body Modification.” (Midori)

“What’s that?” (Naofumi)

“According to the Help, besides weapon bonuses, you can distribute points freely to your own status.” (Midori)

So it has nothing to do with weapons. The Vassal Enhancement methods sure are broad.

I confirm my Status with magic.

There it is… around the stats portion.

More specifically, around Defense, Agility, and Magic, an arrow mark appeared.

When I slowly concentrate on it, a window pops up.

‘Will you distribute Stat Points?’

I have quite a bit of points saved up. It’s like those old games where you can distribute stats to your liking.

This is… can’t I increase my attack so that I can fling myself at enemies!?

Thinking that, I try to distribute points into Attack.

But there is no arrow next to the Attack stat…

I fell to my knees, and took on the pose of despair.

(TL: Zetsuboushita!)(ED: Orz)

Shield… why must you crumble my hopes so?

Thinking about how badly Tact failed to use the Shield when we were beating him up, I realize that I must have been forced into playing on lunatic mode!

It seems that Agility would be useful, but I wonder what I should do.

Ah, it seems resetting is possible.

But like the Cane and Gauntlets, there’s a certain cooldown time.

This one is long. It takes three days before you can reset again.

“Is that it?” (Naofumi)

“No… it seems there’s something else there.” (Midori)

“Eh?” (Naofumi)

When I tried to exit out of the point allocation screen, something resembling a grid work appears.

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What is this?

As I thought that, the points I input takes physical shape on the board.

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Could it be that I’m supposed to mess with the points on this board? It’s a puzzle!

As expected, if I don’t make the correct shape with the inputted points, the strengthening won’t take effect.

“Father-in-Law!” (Motoyasu)

“What is it, Motoyasu?” (Naofumi)

“I want to distribute all my points en masse, but should I?” (Motoyasu)

“… I can’t guarantee that you won’t die, but knock yourself out.” (Naofumi)

Oh right, I think that in Motoyasu’s game knowledge, weapons were but ornaments and status determined everything.

“Understood. Then I’ll maintain some balance in stats.” (Motoyasu)

“I recommend raising Agility so you can execute countermeasures for enemies more easily.”

It’s a longstanding custom for agility to be the focus of strategy.

Of course, increasing Vitality is also important. Especially when working solo.

The problem is that neglecting agility will make it so that I won’t make it to defend in time.

This will require some research and experimentation.

By the way, thinking about what would happen if I drastically invested points…

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Most of the Grid Panels were filled up. This strengthening seems to be based on Cellphone Games.

“As expected of Father-in-Law! You pick things up quickly!” (Motoyasu)

“No, I think anyone would be able to pick this up.” (Naofumi)

But… it’s a plainer enhancement method than expected… right?

And wait, I’m getting more bonuses than what I inputted.

It seems the arrangement can create some effects. What’s more, alongside stats, there are also resistance bonuses and special effects.

This may be a higher priority than equipment bonuses.

“Midori.” (Naofumi)

“What is it, Master?” (Midori)

(TL: Midori uses Goshujinsama in Katakana)

“Make sure you don’t put everything into attack. You’ll end up killing Motoyasu.” (Naofumi)

“Why would I be doing such a thing!?” (Midori)

“I mean, you’re…” (Naofumi)

One of Motoyasu’s three stalkers.

Ah, Stalker 1 and Stalker 2 are glaring at Midori with envy.

“Why does only Midori get a weapon?”

“Mokkun is all of ours!”

Midori’s broken into a cold sweat.

He’s worried about getting alienated from his group.

They always fought together, but because of this weapon, they’re going their separate ways.

What will happen from now on… I’m a little anxious.

Kuu is a Filo Rial Queen who uses Kicks and breathes fire, right?

Marin throws her feathers like darts and uses long-ranged magic.

Midori swings around an axe in human form and uses magic.

Having the Axe Vassal weapon fly to Midori is an inevitable result.

Isn’t it just that there wasn’t an axe wielder besides Midori around at the moment?

“Rafu~?” (Raph-chan)

Skillfully sitting on top of Raphtalia’s hammer, Raph-chan tilts his head to observe the scene.

What’s with his reaction?

A few glances were exchanged, but nothing really happened, so the conversation continued.

“Now then… Firo.” (Naofumi)

“What~?” (Firo)

“It’s your turn.” (Naofumi)

“Ah, I see. Um, you know… My skills you see~! They get rea~lly strong!” (Firo)

Yep, you’ve lost me.

I was an idiot for asking Firo.

What should I do… I don’t get what the claw does at all.

The only one who can have a genuine conversation with Firo is Melty, I guess.

No, does Raphtalia work too?

“Raphtalia, ask Firo about her enhancement method.” (Naofumi)

“U-understood. Firo?” (Raphtalia)

“Yes~?” (Firo)

“Can you explain it a little better?” (Raphtalia)

“Hmm? If you do it again and again, then Bang!” (Firo)

“Someone, anyone!? Call Melty over!” (Naofumi)

This isn’t getting anywhere.

After a while, Melty appears, and she speaks with Firo a number of times, after which, she arrives at a conclusion.

“Putting together Firo’s words, apparently, Skills that can only be used by Heroes, as well as Magic, are given a proficiency level, and they can get stronger with continued usage.” (Melty)

“Oh… how amazing. I’m surprised you were able to get that much out of the girl.” (Naofumi)

I truly admire how she was able to understand that much from the conversation.

As expected of Firo’s best friend, and lover.

No… I have a slight hunch, but Melty… No, is that just my imagination?

“Naofumi, why are you fantasizing about something strange?” (Melty)

“No, well Melty, are you-” (Naofumi)

When I was about to ask, Motoyasu interjects.

“Gununu… I have no choice but to accept it. Your qualifications of being Firo-tan’s fiancé!” (Motoyasu)

“You can stay silent!” (Melty)

Melty shut Motoyasu up with a single phrase.

But that’s fine. The result is advantageous.

I truly applaud her efforts.

I confirm my skill list.

… Besides the Gauntlet and Staff’s strengthening icon, a new bar with a % sign appears. Next to it is a number indicating skill level.

This number will probably rise with continued use.

If I increase the level of my Float Shields, would the shields get bigger?

I won’t know until I test it out.

“Next is…”

Going in turn, I turn my eyes to Rishia.

She changed from the possessor of a ephemeral armament to the true possessor of the Projectile.

I guess the weapon had used the legendary bow as a medium, through which, it analyzed her compatibility.

But because Tact existed, it was only able to grant half its power, so it was left in a form like that.

“Rishia.” (Naofumi)

“Y-yes. My Help menu mentions something about using up money to do something called Over Custom!” (Rishia)

An excited voice escapes from her mouth. Even though she’s climbed her way up to being a Hero, she still doesn’t have it all together.

I’m a bit worried about leaving her as Itsuki’s guardian.

But Itsuki himself has become calm and collected.

“…”

“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?” (Naofumi)

“Well… I don’t have the slightest idea, but… I can use physical currency to strengthen myself. But apparently, it holds no meaning if I don’t know any other enhancement methods…” (Rishia)

“So it’s a unique, yet generic method… is it not?” (Itsuki)

“Fumu, as expected of a Jack of all Trades…” (Naofumi)

It matches Rishia’s way of life.

I see, I kinda get it.

“That’s right.” (Itsuki)

“Fuee… why are you all nodding to yourselves?” (Rishia)

Money…

Right, I don’t think I’ve ever put any money into the Shield.

I slowly insert a single copper coin.

A clinging sound echoes through my head, and an icon displaying ‘1G’ appears in my vision.

… Let’s try silver.

The same sound comes, and the icon changes to ‘101G’.

I bring up the Axe’s strengthening screen.

The grid’s sides are a pain.

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Is there nothing I can do to extend it?

‘Do you want to invest some money?’

Ah, a window pops up.

… I reluctantly press ‘yes’.

A bar appears, requesting the amount, and I input 101.

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… Well, I didn’t really input that much, so while the shape changed, that’s about it.

It’ll probably work on other enhancement methods as well.

I found it out later, but the Whip’s Strengthening method, Synthesis Measure, is able to increase the amount of ○’s on weapon synthesis.

How convenient.

Next is… Protector, a method that eliminates the chance of failure for the Refining method of the Four Heroes. It seems a bit redundant.

The amount of money we waste is tremendous!

Screw this, you bourgeoisie!

Though it’s useful, this isn’t some goddamn Freemium.