arc3 · 164-ch164
Chapter 164: A New Weapon
After the shoot, with my level raised to 29, I had Hayate deliver the luggage they'd entrusted to us, and sent Asahi and Shiden back to Yamamoto Electronics.
When I got back to Yamamoto Electronics, President Yamamoto was there to greet me despite the late hour. Apparently he'd volunteered for night duty himself today. A company president doing his own night shifts — what kind of company is this? But no: he'd been waiting on the chance that tonight might be the night Shiden got a new unit. As expected of the president — he knows me well!
Shiden settled into frame in front of Asahi's camera, before the president, who was watching it with sparkling eyes.
"Alright — opening Shiden's status!"
Name Shiden Lv25
Durability 330/330
Max Speed 180
Acceleration 40
Hardness 330
Standard Equipment Telephoto Camera
Communication Microphone
Data Transfer Function
Additional Units (Unlocked)
None
Attack Units (Unlocked)
Thunder Bullet Machine Cannon
Skill Points 150
Excellent — just as planned, the Skill Points have piled up to 150! Now I can put a new weapon on it.
I spent 50 points and selected the Magic Machine Cannon. Then another 100 to grant it the wind attribute. And there it is — Wind Bullet Machine Cannon, get! My Skill Points are down to zero, but I've gained a wind-attribute attack method that pairs perfectly with earth attribute — the very thing lightning attribute struggles against.
"Oho! You've got a new weapon on there! So this is the Wind Bullet Machine Cannon! Let's test it right now!"
The moment Shiden's upgrade finished, the president came frame-in, clearly thrilled. And yes — I wholeheartedly approve of testing a new weapon. A target the president had prepared was already set up in the warehouse. I flew Shiden over and fired the Wind Bullet Machine Cannon at it.
Fwip-fwip-fwip!
The instant I heard the whistle of cutting air —
GAGAGAGAGA!
Holes riddled their way through the iron target.
"What!? I couldn't see a thing!? ...I see — of course, wind bullets are invisible!"
Apparently the wind bullets Shiden fired were invisible to the president's eyes. It did look like invisible spheres being shot out, but to my eyes, I could see the air itself waver. I imagine being able to see that is one of the perks of my raised level — though it's true that even for me, they were barely visible.
I might have gotten a better attack method than I expected. With the Wind Bullet Machine Cannon and the Thunder Bullet Machine Cannon, there shouldn't be a monster of any attribute I can't deal damage to.
"President — thank you for staying this late with me!"
"Oh, don't mention it. I did this of my own accord, so there's nothing to apologize for."
The president's endless kindness keeps bailing me out. While I'm at it, why not consult him about what direction to take next?
"President Yamamoto, by the way — what would you recommend for Shiden's next weapon?"
At my question, President Yamamoto crossed his arms and began pondering in earnest. Personally, I was thinking the Guided Missile or the Sniper Cannon.
"Let's see. You're well covered on attribute attacks, so next you'll want a long-range option. In that case, it comes down to the Guided Missile or the Sniper Cannon.
But each has its strengths and weaknesses. In a dungeon with a complicated layout, the Guided Missile would be more effective, even with slower projectile speed. Conversely, in open ground with good visibility, the Sniper Cannon would be better at landing hits on fast enemies.
Which one you choose is up to you, Soramine. Also, judging from Shiden as it is now, there doesn't seem to be space for a third weapon. In that case, you may need to get 'Weapon Swap' from the auxiliary units.
Which means you'll have to save up 300 points. It'll take a while, so use that time to think it over. Of course, there are other good weapons besides the ones I mentioned. You're free to choose those too."
As expected of the president — he gets it. His opinion matched mine exactly. And he had the pros and cons of the Guided Missile and Sniper Cannon down cold. That Weapon Swap would be needed was my thinking too.
After that, I enjoyed a long drone chat with the president. Since Sasaki-san had finished her shift and wasn't around, our talk ran longer than it should have — but it was a genuinely fun time.
My talk with President Yamamoto done, I ate a late dinner, took a bath, and returned to my room. It had gotten quite late, but I figured I'd at least start editing the Kachofūgetsu video's opening section. The moment I opened my computer, the phone rang.
"Hello, this is SS. Is something the matter, Arihara-san?"
"Good evening — my apologies for the hour. There was something I wished to let you know a little ahead of time, so I took the liberty of calling."
The caller was Arihara-san. Editing the video with Parallel Thinking running, I lent an ear to what he had to say.
"As it happens, the Blue Sapphire we put up for auction has been sold. The winning bid was 4.5 billion yen. It will be deposited into your account within the next few days."
"Wha—? Four and a half billion!? It sold for that much!?"
The figure was beyond anything I'd imagined, and my voice came out louder than I meant it to.
"Yes. It was an enchantment stone of remarkably high purity, so it fetched a high price. However, what I wished to tell you today is not about the money."
"Meaning?"
I'd assumed it was just the auction report, but apparently there was more. Setting the price aside for now, I should listen properly.
"In fact, the one who won your Blue Sapphire this time was that Sieg Howard."
"Sieg Howard!? The Sieg Howard — the man renowned as the world's number one explorer!?"
The name out of Arihara-san's mouth made me shout with excitement before I could help it. But surely that's forgivable. This is Sieg Howard we're talking about — the holder of the Destruction King job, said to be the strongest explorer in the world.
"Yes, that Sieg Howard. And he has said he would like to meet the seller — you, SS-sama. For my part, I believe it would be wise to build a connection with the world's strongest explorer while this opportunity is open."
So that's why Arihara-san steered me toward the auction. He knew Sieg Howard was looking for high-quality enchantment stones, and got me to put the Blue Sapphire up.
And so Sieg, learning the seller was SS, placed his bid without hesitation — and just as Arihara-san intended, contact came to me. I knew it — Arihara-san, you're planning to make this Sieg Howard one of my backers if you can, aren't you?
"Arihara-san — did this all go exactly as you calculated?"
I cast out the line to see if my hunch was right.
"My, whatever could you mean?"
Ah — that's a dodging non-answer, which means a perfect yes. Honestly. It's for my sake, so I'm grateful, but if he were ever my enemy, he'd be terrifying. I'd better make sure he stays on my side from here on out.
And so, at the end of the day, I renewed my resolve.