chapter02 · 045-ep45

Episode 45: The Power of Magic Equipment

The dense mana permeating the dungeon improved both the quality of creations and the growth of crafting skills used in the lower layers or deeper. Whether Karin knew this or not, she'd spent some time helping Honoka train below.

"Yes, yes! These are more than good enough for now! It's amazing that you made something this good so quickly!"

"Th-thank you...! It's all thanks to you, Karin ojou-sama...!"

More than twenty pairs of 'prototypes' lay around the vast hall. Karin nodded her emphatic approval at the final pair of black boots Honoka had made. Chat, on the other hand, was alarmed.

【Um... Wasn't Honoka-sama getting noticeably faster AND better at making boots with each pair?】

【She seemed to be hyperfocused, in the zone, partway through. Maybe that's why...?】

【After everything that sweatshop put her through, of course she'd be excited to use lower-layer materials freely!】

【And ojou-sama kept praising her between attempts (while massacring grasshoppers)】

【Her advice was surprisingly accurate, even if it was based on intuition!】

【S-sure, but didn't Honoka-sama's <Divine Artisan> level visibly rise too!?】

【Black Shell, were you about to ruin a talent on ojou-sama's level...?】

The concurrent count reached a million. Word of Black Shell's wrongdoing had spread, and more and more people were tuning in to watch an overworked girl grow rapidly under a monster's guidance.

"Now then, let's put the boots on and see how they feel. We can adjust them after!"

"Y-yes!"

With the bullet grasshoppers wiped out, Honoka put on the black boots and jogged lightly around the hall to test them. The power of magic equipment made from lower-layer materials was extraordinary.

"...!? Wh-what is this... Amazing...!"

Like a bolt of lightning. Darting every which way. There was no other way to describe how much her mobility had increased. She ran across the ground and kicked off the walls at will, like a human grasshopper. The enchantment strengthened not just her legs but her whole body—at least enough to endure the high-speed movement without being flung around by it.

Simply putting on her custom-made boots had caused Honoka's power as an explorer to take a literal leap forward.

【WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?】

【What the hell!?】

【She's WAY too fast lol】

【Of course equipment made from lower-layer materials would have incredible effects... But boosting a level 30 THIS much is insane!?】

【Its mana efficiency's really good too!?】

【So <Divine Artisan> being a unique skill DOES make a huge difference!?】

【Who said <Divine Artisan> was a dud unique!?】

【If I had to name someone, 'all of humanity,' desu wa...】

【Even Karin ojou-sama treated it as a dud, saying, 'I can't give anyone else the item boxes I make~'...】

【↑ That sounds more unhinged every time I hear it lmao】

【She's still nowhere close to Kagerou, but letting a level 30 get this much speed all at once is broken...】

【It DID take Karin ojou-sama's cheating, unlimited supply of lower-layer materials, but this will seriously transform how people see <Divine Artisan>...】

【A girl who was crying because that sweatshop worked her to the bone is now running around fast enough to leave afterimages lol】

【What is she, a wild animal running minutes after birth?】

【I can't stop laughing!?】

"You're amazing, Honoka! The Black Shell people never knew what they had!" Nagisa exclaimed.

As chat and Nagisa praised Honoka's speed, Karin beamed too.

"Oh, very good! You're so much faster! You've brought out the grasshopper materials' properties beautifully and given the boots a speed-enhancing effect! Wonderful!"

"Eeek...!?"

Karin had been following Honoka as closely as a shadow, ready to catch her if she fell. At Karin's praise, Honoka finally noticed her.

【Karin ojou-sama's keeping pace like it's nothing lol】

【Keeping pace is one thing, but how is she sticking to her like a shadow even IN THE AIR!?】

【She's never drifting away OR getting too close lmao】

【You know those photos where the shadows make them look photoshopped? It's like watching one of those in video form!?】

【Honoka-sama just noticed ojou-sama's been following her the whole time lol】

【Honoka-sama's gone white as a sheet lmao】

【Is she predicting Honoka-sama's movements to the MILLIMETER...?】

【She's even applauding while keeping perfectly in step lol】

【You wouldn't see movement this synchronized in a synchronized dance or ballet performance!?】

【She's some kind of apparition at this point!?】

【The scary part is that ojou-sama's technique is just as exceptional as her strength...】

"The boots seem to be working well! But even I can't make something one hundred percent perfect right away. Now you've tried them on, is there anything bothering you?"

"Huh? Um... Let's see..."

Honoka stopped, tapped the boots against the floor, and concentrated on her feet for a moment before answering tentatively.

"It might just be that I'm weak, but running puts a lot of strain on my legs. Between that and the mana they use, I don't think I can keep it up very long... And even though they've strengthened my legs, I think I'd hurt myself if I kicked a monster... Which means they might be short on attack power too, since they're so focused on mobility... It's a bit much to call those flaws when the boots are already this good, though..."

"I see, I see. ...Hmm. You have a good eye, Honoka-sama. You've handled this mobility equipment better than expected right from the start, and your assessment of it isn't bad either. You really did have marvelous potential all along. In that case—"

Karin nodded, pleased with Honoka's answer.

"Next, we'll modify and reinforce those boots to address the issues you've spotted, adding new magical functions!"

【Huh?】

【What?】

【Mod...ify?】

【Add magical functions...?】

【Um, isn't that top-tier work for a veteran master craftsman...?】

Honoka's <Divine Artisan> had created boots with extraordinary speed enhancement. At the prospect of that already powerful magic equipment taking another leap forward, chat—with over a million people watching—fell silent.