Inn. First floor restaurant.

Jupiter and Junior sat opposite each other, and I was seated between them...eating.

"..."

"..."

Caught between the two awkward ones, I was sweating bullets.

'What on earth is going on?'

All I wanted to do was hand over the equipment and laugh it off.

I had never thought I'd end up caught in a family dispute, unable to even swallow my food!

"Now, have another plate on the house! It's service, service!"

Then the innkeeper confidently brought a full serving of dishes with a smile. Enough already, bring no more! I want to get out of here as soon as possible!

"Do you find the food to your liking, my Lord?"

"Hmm... It's really tasty..."

"That's a relief! Hahaha!"

The innkeeper still wanted to impress me with the national hotel building issue, but that's not the problem. I can't swallow because I'm not hungry, and I can't even taste it.

As such, I was uncomfortable as I forced down the food, not even knowing what I was eating.

"Do you really want to work as a wizard this badly?"

Suddenly, Jupiter asked.

"Every day vomiting blood, and dying a little more each day... do you have to live the life of a wizard?"

'A sudden attack?! I haven't even finished eating yet!'

Inwardly shocked, Junior casually responded while slicing the goose steak and bringing it to her mouth.

"Living as a wizard is my dream. Ah, this is delicious. Grandma, you should try this."

'She let it slide without even batting an eye!'

Amazed by the sudden exchange, I subtly moved back. Looks like I need to switch to spectator mode.

"That's not 'living' as a wizard, Junior. You're dying every day."

Jupiter growled lowly.

Junior didn't even make eye contact, continuing to chew her food.

"So, if I quit being a wizard and obediently stay at home. Then, will I be alive?"

"You'd live longer than charging towards death like you are now."

"Everyone dies eventually, Grandma. My time is just shorter."

It seemed like I heard a clanging sound.

The two who exchanged blows under the name of conversation fell silent for a moment.

Jupiter was the first to speak again.

"Are you planning on dying before me?"

Then, Junior looked at her grandmother with a faint smile.

"That wouldn't be too bad."

"..."

Jupiter closed her only eye tightly, then pushed her chair back with a scraping noise.

"I apologize, Your Highness. I will retract my previous words."

"Huh? What, what?"

"I will use all the equipment you provided. Giving it to a child who will die before me seems pointless."

"Oh..."

"I'll go first. Excuse me."

Jupiter, who had bowed to me, took the equipment she had brought with her and quickly left the restaurant.

As I watched Jupiter's now empty seat, I mumbled nervously.

"Are you okay, Junior? With your grandma..."

"No."

"Huh?"

"She's not my grandma."

Junior emotionlessly mumbled as she jabbed the steak piece on the plate in front of her with her fork.

"I've never thought of her as my grandmother."

"..."

I couldn't say anything because I had once heard about their past.

But still.

"But Junior. Jupiter is right to some extent. If your body gets this bad every time you use magic, it would be better to restrain yourself a bit..."

"Your Highness."

Junior uttered softly.

"Our opponent in this defensive battle is the Vampire Lord. And without me, this battle itself wouldn't take place. Isn't that right?"

"..."

She was absolutely right, so I closed my mouth.

Yes. Now is not the time to hold back or worry.

Rather, it's a situation where we need to push Junior to her limit, no matter how much blood she vomits.

"Everyone on this front line is risking their lives."

Junior stated calmly.

"The strategic value might be different, but the life of a wizard isn't any heavier than the others. I'm just risking my life in the fight as well."

"..."

"The food was delicious."

Junior, who got up, gave me a fox-like smile.

"You're paying, right?"

Are you really going to squeeze money out of someone who might not be here tomorrow?

Junior declared she was going to rest and climbed the stairs to her room, leaving me alone in front of the remaining untouched food, sighing deeply. 

'Everyone's dealing with family problems.' 

I recalled that Ash, the brat, also seemed to have a family history full of trouble. I didn’t know who to listen to anymore. 

After pondering over these insoluble problems, I jumped up from my seat with an exasperated exclamation. 

Why was it my problem? I could only hope the two of them would resolve their issues on their own.

“Hey, owner! Can you pack this for me? I'll take it home.”

I planned to give it to my Knight Duo. They would enjoy a good feast. 

***

A week later. 

Lake Kingdom Dungeon Base Camp. Kellibey’s forge.

“It's finished.”

At Kellibey's words, I swallowed my dry spit. Lucas, Evangeline, and Damien who had accompanied me also gasped in surprise. 

With a chuckle, Kellibey pointed at the weapons lying on the table.

“You better be careful. These weapons are made from the Star Silver, so they’re inherently unstable. Plus, they’ve been alchemically treated with devil worm dust.”

On the table was a long sword sheathed in leather, and the head of a massive cavalry spear. 

There were also three quivers filled with arrows. 

“Even though it looks white and beautiful, similar to a holy sword, it's no different from a demonic sword. Use it with utmost caution.”

I casually shrugged off his warning and carefully stepped up to the table. I was eager to check the equipment stats.

I reached out to the long sword in the front. Let's see here.

[Perishable Star Silver Long Sword (SSR) Lv.40]

- Category: Long Sword

- Attack Power: 40-50

- Durability: 10/10

- Inflicts 100% additional damage against all nefarious enemies.

- Ignores enemy's defense when dealing with all nefarious enemies.

- When hit, applies a 75% healing reduction effect.

The prefix 'perishable' was attached. This meant it was a weapon with a top-tier healing reduction effect.

'Double damage boost, true damage through defense ignore, and a healing reduction effect.'

It was a perfect Vampire Slayer.

Against non-vampiric enemies, it was just an ordinary long sword. But for vampiric enemies, it was indisputably the most powerful weapon.

Satisfied, I nodded and turned around.

“Lucas.”

“Yep.”

Lucas took the sword and drew it with a smooth motion. 

Swoosh!

The white blade emerged into the world, emitting a smooth sound.

It was a pure white sword, as clean as freshly fallen snow.

It emanated a faint red aura, perhaps due to the alchemy done with the [Devil’s Worm Dust].

Swoosh! Swish!

As Lucas lightly swung the sword in the air, the sound of the wind splitting against the blade echoed sharply.

“...It’s excellent.”

After a few more swings, Lucas sheathed the sword. With a click, the sword was swallowed back into the scabbard.

“This is the best sword I've ever held in my life.”

“Puhahaha! Of course! It's the first time you're holding one of my weapons. Naturally, it would be the best you've ever held!”

Kellibey burst into laughter. 

Despite his words, he couldn't help but puff up his chest. This old man was truly weak to flattery.

“Next up is our Lady Knight. Give me your spear.”

“Oh! Okay!”

Evangeline hurriedly came forward and laid her cavalry spear on the table. 

Kellibey grumbled as he picked up the spear. 

“You really do have complicated requests. It would have been easier to make a new one.”

The Star Silver weapon for the cavalry spear was made by overlaying a new spearhead on Evangeline’s [Cross Family’s Cavalry Spear]. 

It was a trick I could only attempt because this was reality, not a game.

This allowed her to gain the benefits of both her unique equipment and the Star Silver weapon.

Fortunately, it worked out.

With a creak and a clink, a white spearhead attached itself to Evangeline's black cavalry spear as if they were merging.

The spearhead was made with such precision that it appeared to have been part of the spear from the very beginning. 

“Wow, that's amazing!”

Evangeline gasped in awe as she swung the spear around a few times.

The stats were nearly identical to Lucas’s long sword. As long as the handling felt good, there should be no problems.

“Anything you want to adjust?”

“No, nothing! It's a bit heavier now, but our family's spears were always a bit light! I like it better this way, it feels solid!”

Evangeline cackled, swinging her cavalry spear like a windmill.

Who would have thought such tremendous power could come from such tiny arms?

“...Bring me that spear later.”

That’s when Kellibey whispered to me.

“It's a piece of equipment with incredible potential. It might be hard now, but once you have the necessary materials, you can unlock its true power.”

Typical Kellibey. Probably recognized it as a unique piece of equipment for an SSR-grade character.

Anyway, I would need the assistance of the Divine Inspiration for a proper upgrade later.

And finally, the arrows for Damien.

“...”

Damien squinted at each arrow, examining them carefully.

Kellibey, for some reason, looked as tense as if he were under evaluation by a judge.

“That guy... has quite the discerning eye...”

“You can tell that?”

“Of course. The gaze that ‘sees through’ weapons is different.”

Hmm. I have no idea what's different. But Damien does have the Far-Sight skill, so it makes sense.

“With these arrows...”

Muttering under his breath, Damien eventually pocketed three arrows in his bag.

“I will put them to good use, Master Smith.”

“Good, good. I believe you will handle those arrows well.”

As Kellibey stroked his beard with a satisfied grin, he remembered something and pulled out more items from the back.

“I almost forgot. Here's a little something extra.”

What he produced was a crossbow radiating a crimson aura. Handing over the crossbow to Damien, Kellibey patted his shoulder.

“I had a bit of the 'Devil’s Arrow' wood leftover, so I crafted this.”

“Oh, thank you...”

Bewildered, Damien received the crossbow with both hands. I examined its stats from the side. Let's see...

[Unleashed Agony (SR) Lv.35]

- Category: Crossbow

- Attack Power: 35-45

- Durability: 15/15

- When you hit, apply a 15% healing reduction effect. If the arrow has the same effect, they stack.

- Upon hitting, there's a 30% chance to curse. The curse applied is random.

<Expand list of applicable curses>

Curious about the curses, I expanded the list. From paralysis to bleeding, confusion, fear, a multitude of status effects popped up.

It seems to have all status abnormalities existing in the game. One of these is applied randomly? Not bad.

“Isn't this a bit too generous for a service?”

“I made it with the leftover wood anyway. Better to be used by someone than to be thrown away.”

Even so, to give such a good piece of equipment for free.

As I tried to offer something in return, Kellibey vehemently waved his hands.

“No, don't try to pay! We already have a separate agreed upon price for making these weapons!”

“Ah, right. That's true.”

The neck of Celendion.

I had agreed to give Kellibey all the materials we acquired from defeating the Vampire King.

After all, if I paid him beforehand, it would diminish the value of the future payment.

“Alright, I won't say it again. Go on now, fight well.”

With a cool remark, Kellibey retreated into the blacksmith shop.

“I'll be waiting for the victory report, kiddos.”

Lucas, Evangeline, Damien, and I all bowed to Kellibey. Thank you!

‘Our weapons are now complete.’

Looking at my fully equipped party members, I nodded in satisfaction.

Now all that remained was strategy.

“Let's head back to Crossroad and stop by the blacksmith there too.”

Standing at the teleport gate, I gave Evangeline a look.

“Evangeline, let's get your armor.”

“Huh?”

“You are our front-line tanker after all. You should have some decent armor. I've placed an order before.”

Evangeline’s green eyes widened.

And she suddenly asked.

“Is that armor pretty?!”

Ask about the performance first. Performance, I say!