Two months had passed since Yue and Kaori attacked Hajime, and various breakthroughs were made that night. As for Hajime, who continued enhancing his body and heart against the crazy monsters in the abyss, lost to Yue and Kaori's onslaught. He decided to take it seriously and accept it.
Hajime was aware of their feelings, and on top of that, he did promise to take Yue with them. His reason for withstanding their approach was his stance on not allowing something to take his attention until he achieved his objectives. Now he had conquered the dungeon and established a secure base. His goal was partially achieved when he discovered information and a plan to return home, so now his mind was allowed to think about other things. His fragile reason couldn't oppose Yue and Kaori's approach. Moreover, his reason didn't exist anymore.
The four of them made full use of the base. If anyone saw from the side they would likely yell: "Riajuu should explode!" everyday.
"…Hajime, does this feel good?" [Yue]
"Not feeling anything wrong?" [Kaori]
"Yeah, it does and nothing wrong with anything. I'm good." [Hajime]
"That's great if there's nothing then." [Kaori]
"Hehe…Then, here?" [Yue]
"Ah, that's good too." [Hajime]
"Then, we'll make you feel even better." [Kaori]
Currently, Yue and Kaori were giving Hajime a massage. They weren't doing anything erotic. Hajime's left arm was the cause of this, and they did it on a regular basis because his body had yet to become fully used to the prosthetic he was using.
His prosthetic arm was an artifact, and it could feel like a real arm with the direct manipulation of magic. The arm had a pseudo neural mechanism, so it allowed Hajime to feel things as if it were his real arm, although not as effectively. This was achieved by sending magic signals to his brain to trick his senses. For its appearance, the arm had a silver luster with black lines running along it. On certain parts of the arm, there were magic formations and patterns engraved on it.
The arm was fitted with a large number of gimmicks. He and Tanaka had designed it similar to the items in the studio that were Orcus' works, but Hajime added some of his own original elements into it. A lot of special ores made with Creation Magic were used. If it was out in the world, this artifact would no doubt be an article of rare beauty that would be a national treasure. Of course, ordinary people couldn't use it because you needed direct magic manipulation to operate it.
In two months their abilities and equipment were enhanced; they weren't anything like their previous selves. Their current status.
Nagumo Hajime 17 Year old Male
Class: Transmutation Master (Synergist) Level: ?
Strength: 10,950 Vitality: 13,190
Resistance: 10,670 Agility: 13,450
Magic Power: 14,780 Magic Resistance: 14,780
Skills:
Transmutation • Mineral Appraisal • Precision Transmutation • Mineral Enquiry • Mineral Separation • Mineral Fusion • Replica Transmutation • Compression Transmutation • Magic Manipulation • Magic Emission • Magic Compression • Remote Control • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Pierce] [+Lightning Strengthening] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] [+Grand Kick] • Air Walk • Flicker • Grand Legs • Light Speed • Air Claws • Night Vision • Far Vision • Perception • Special Perception • Magic Perception • Heat Perception • Hide Presence • Phantom Step • Poison Resistance • Paralysis Resistance • Petrification Resistance • Panic Resistance • All Elemental Resistance • Foresight • Varja • Grand Arm • Coercion • Telepathic Communication • High-Speed Magic Recovery • Magic Conversion • Vitality • Healing • Limit Break • Generation Magic • Language Comprehension
Tanaka Taiyo 17 Year old Male
Class: Transmutation Master (Synergist) Level: ?
Strength: 10,930 Vitality: 13,10
Resistance: 10,670 Agility: 13,500
Magic Power: 14,780 Magic Resistance: 14,780
Skills:
Transmutation [+Mineral Appraisal] [+Precise Transmutation] [+Mineral Investigation] [+Mineral Separation] [+Mineral Fusion] • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Flash] [+Lightning Stun] [+Lightning Bolt] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] [+Grand Kick] • Air Walk • Flicker • Grand Legs • Light Speed • Air Claws • Night Vision • Far Vision • Perception • Special Perception • Magic Perception • Heat Perception • Hide Presence • Phantom Step • Poison Resistance • Paralysis Resistance • Petrification Resistance • Panic Resistance • All Elemental Resistance • Foresight • Varja • Grand Arm • Coercion • Telepathic Communication • High-Speed Magic Recovery • Magic Conversion • Vitality • Healing • Limit Break • Generation Magic • Language Comprehension
Shirasaki Kaori 17 Year old Female
Class: Grand Priest Level: ?
Strength: 10,990 Vitality: 13,400
Resistance: 11,000 Agility: 13,700
Magic Power: 16,020 Magic Resistance: 16,020
Skills:
Recovery Magic Affinity [+Improved Proficiency] [+Increased Casting Speed] [+Image Supplementation] [+Piercing Spell] [+Remote Heal] [+Improved Status Effect Recovery] [+Reduced Mana Consumption] [+Improved Mana Efficiency] [+Chain Casting] [+Multicasting] [+Spell Retention] [+Effect Multiplication] • Light Magic Affinity • High Speed Mana Recovery [+Meditation] • Magical Diagnostics • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Fist]• Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] [+Grand Kick] • Air Walk • Flicker • Grand Legs • Air Claws • Night Vision • Far Vision • Perception • Special Perception • Magic Perception [+Magic Disruption] • Heat Perception • Hide Presence • Phantom Step • Poison Resistance • Paralysis Resistance • Petrify [+Petrification Resistance] • Panic Resistance • All Elemental Resistance • Foresight • Varja • Grand Arm • Coercion • Telepathic Communication • High-Speed Magic Recovery • Magic Conversion • Vitality • Healing • Limit Break [+Grand Heal Breakthrough] • Generation Magic • Language Comprehension
Levels showed the current degree of growth and the limit was 100 for a person. However, did their body change too much after eating so much demon flesh? The level stopped changing but their stats kept going up. Finally, it displayed ? for their level.
Their growth after they consumed demon flesh was very abnormal, especially when you thought about their initial values and their growth rate. When their body went into its alteration it seems their growth limit also increased; just like their stats increased. Hajime guessed that the Status Plate was no longer able to measure their limits.
By the way, the limit of Kouki's Hero class was 1500 for all stats. He could temporarily triple his stats with "Limit Break", but it is still abysmal compared to Hajime's stats. Moreover, Hajime could quintuple his stats with his skill and magic manipulation.
For comparison, the normal humans of this world had stat limits of 100-200. If they had a class then it could be 300-400. The Devils and Demi-humans, depending on the tribe traits, could range from 300-600 as their limit. If a Hero was a cheat, then Hajime was more or less a monster. This wasn't really a mistake though, because his body and mind had changed…
In regards to new equipment,
First, Hajime obtained a storage device that he dubbed "Treasure Box".
This was a ring type artifact that Orcus kept. There was a 1 cm red jewelry attached to the ring, and this jewel could make a space where it could store items. In short, it was like a hero's tool bag. Hajime didn't know the exact size of the space, but it was a considerable size. There seemed to be free space still after putting in all the equipment, tools, and materials. Anything can be deposited or withdrawn by just pouring magic into the formation on the ring, and withdrawn items could be placed anywhere withi radius.
It is an extremely convenient artifact, especially useful for the one armed Hajime. If the ring could transport anything to any place then Hajime thought he could use it to reload. When he tested it, it was half a success. As expected, it didn't have the precision to directly transfer the bullet into the magazine. The limit was that the transfer had a certain range it could align the bullet's orientation. He might be able to use it when he becomes more skilled with the transmission.
Hajime decided to train to load a magazine with this transferring skill in the air. The important note is he was reloading in the air, and Donner was a revolver that had a cylinder that swung out. Naturally, because the exposure of the cylinder was less than that of a top break revolver, it would require a superhuman technique to reload in the air. He wanted to use it in actual combat, not as a street performance, so it became more difficult. Hajime thought about remodeling it to a top break style but decided against it because it weakened the intensity in the trial.
After intense training for one month, Hajime had mastered this aerial reloading. He was able to do this solely because of his skill "Light Speed". This Special Magic had the ability to raise the user's cognitive functions. With this, he was able to slow the world down in his mind and aerial reloading became possible. There was a large burden to his body when he used it, so he couldn't use it for very long. However, it was perfectly fine to use it for his fast reloading.
Next, Hajime and Tanaka manufactured a "Magic 2-Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel Drive".
Literally, these were 2 and 4 wheels driven by magic. The two-wheel was an American-like Motorcycle, and the four-wheel was designed like a military vehicle Hummer type. They used the tar shark's resilience skin for the wheels because of its excellent elasticity. Taur Stone was the basis for all the parts. In the studio storage was Azantium Ore, at least that's what Oscar's book called it. Surfaces of the parts were coated with this ore, known as the world's hardest ore. Even Donner's maximum output probably wouldn't be able to pierce through that durability. There were no complex structures like engines. The vehicle was driven by their own magic or the magic stored in the fragment of God's Crystal. Speed was proportional to the amount of magic.
In addition, there were devices fitted to the bottom of these two vehicles. When magic is poured into these devices, it starts to level the ground with transmutation magic. This would allow them to travel off-road in most places. Also, the vehicles were fully loaded like some spy car. Hajime and Tanaka were boys. They were passionate about anything related to the military. When Hajime was too absorbed in it, Yue and Kaori would pout, but their mood would improve when Hajime spoiled them in various ways.
"Demon Eye" was another tool they developed.
Hajime lost his right eye when he fought the Hydra. His whole eye was evaporated by the heat of the Aurora attack, and he couldn't get it back with sacred potion because he had lost it before he drank it nor could Kaori heal it, she could only heal but not regenerate lost limbs. They were worried about it, so they devised and made "Demon Eye".
Even with Creation Magic, it was not possible to make a normal "eyeball". However, using Creation Magic, Yue and Kaori were able to apply "Magic Perception" and "Foresight'' to the God's Crystal. And with TTanaka's help, he added "Heat Perception" and insisted Kaori to even add "Petrify'' in the mix. The Demon Eye was successfully created and it gave a very unusual but special sight.
Using the same pseudo nerves used in the artificial arm, the Demon Eye could send images to the brain to perceive. The Demon Eye did not grant normal vision though, Instead it could recognize the flow, strength, heat, and attribute of magic by color and on the plus side it also gave the ability to petrify enemies it set its sights on. He could see the core of the invoked magic.
The magic core is what maintains and operates invoked magic. After invoking the magic, the magic is operated by the magic formation; he knew that. However, Hajime had never thought about how the formula was linked with distant magic. None of the books and instructors had even mentioned anything about it. Hajime was probably the first person to realize its existence. Even Yue, the magic expert, didn't know anything about it.
The normal "Magic Perception" was the same as "Perception". It was only able to perceive a vague sense of number and location. Monsters that could hide their senses affected the effectiveness of the skills. With the Demon Eye though, Hajime would be able to know what magic and how strong the magic the opponent is using. Hajime could even destroy the magic if he was able to pierce the core of the magic. However, shooting it would be like putting a bullet through a pinhole; it would require immense accuracy on Hajime's part.
God's crystal was used because it could retain these skills better than other materials. Hajime guessed that the reason was its ability to contain a vast amount of magic. Since they were still inexperienced with Creation Magic, they weren't able to grant more skills to a single item. With the God's Crystal potential, they may be able to install far more magic into it when he obtains the required skill; at least, Hajime hoped.
Because they used the God's Crystal for the Demon Eye, it constantly gave off a pale light. Hajime's right eye constantly shined. There was no way to stop the glowing, so Hajime reluctantly put on a black eyepatch made of thin cloth.
White hair, artificial arm and an eyepatch. Hajime had completely become a Chuuni character. Calm down my left arm! His figure seemed to say. When he saw himself in the mirror he despaired and entered an orz 2 state to which Tanaka laughed at him for hours. He stayed in bed for a whole day, and Yue and Kaori tried to comfort him through various methods… Neither of them wanted to talk about it.
About new weapons, Schlagen was revived after it was destroyed by the Hydra. The gun was strengthened using Azantium ore. Since Hajime no longer had to worry about carrying it, he lengthened the barrel to 3 m. A scope was created with "Far Sight" installed and attached to the gun. This increased its maximum effective range to 10 km.
Hajime remembered the struggle they had when they were chased by the horde of raptors. The result was him developing a gatling railgun: Metsurai, which fires 30 mm caliber rounds at 12,000 rounds per minute through its 6 barrels. The barrels were created from special ores that had cooling effects installed by creation magic, but it still couldn't be used for more than 5 minutes continuously. If it overheated, it would need a 10 minute cooling period.
For surface supremacy, Hajime developed a rocket and missile launcher: Orca; purely because it was his interest. In the back was a 12-round rotary magazine for continuous fire, and it had an elongated barrel. He also had various kinds of rockets.
Hajime even created another revolver to pair with Donner: Schlag. Hajime could use both now that he had his artificial left arm. Using both at the same time, Hajime would be able to use Gun Kata as his basic tactics. With Yue and Kaori as the typical rear guard, Hajime and Tanaka often used close combat to efficiently cooperate with Yue and Kaori. However, Hajime and Tanaka could be an all-rounder if they were properly equipped.
Other various equipment and tools were developed. However, contrary to being fully equipped, the God's Crystal was finally depleted of its sacred water. Only 12 tube containers were left of the sacred water. They tried to pour magic into the God's Crystal, but failed in extracting sacred water. Maybe after many years of concentration it would flow again.
Throwing away the God's Crystal would be a waste. It had saved their life…a lucky stone. Good luck piled up with good luck, and they would be dead if they didn't arrive at this crystal. Hajime was extraordinarily attached to it because of that. Loneliness was unbearable to a survivor and painted a visage on his belongings. It was about the same as giving it a name and admiring it.
Hajime used the crystal's ability to contain enormous amounts of magic; to make necklaces, earrings, rings and other accessories with transmutation. He gave them to Yue and Kaori. Yue was able to use very powerful magic and Kaori was able to use high tier healing and barrier magic. Yue's most powerful spells consumed a lot of magic, and just one shot would leave her depleted. If they were able to stock up their magic in a battery, they could use that superlative magic in rapid succession and not get magically exhausted.
He named the accessories set "Magic Crystal Series" and gave it to Yue and Kaori each set. Their reaction at that time…
"…A proposal." [Yue]
"Uu~ But...it's too early...but if Hajime-kun insists then..." [Kaori]
"Say What?" [Hajime]
(Kekw...Really, a real life harem bastard and his harem are forming. What's next? A kemonomimi? (lol)) [Tanaka]
Yue jumped at the first time hearing Hajime unintentionally using Kansai dialect with his Tsukkomi, Kaori knowing him wasn't surprised though.
"It prevents magic exhaustion. I thought this would surely protect Yue and Kaori from now on." [Hajime]
"…It is a proposal." [Yue]
"How bold...I like it though..." [Kaori]
"No, that's wrong. Just new equipment." [Hajime]
"…Hajime, you're shy…" [Yue]
"Tsundere." [Kaori]
"…Recently, the two of you are not listening to people and no, I'm not a tsundere." [Hajime]
"…Even shy in bed." [Yue]
"Seriously, I'd like it if Hajime-kun is more aggressive." [Kaori]
"Will you stop!? Seriously, such a thing!" [Hajime]
"Hajime-kun." [Kaori]
"Hajime.." [Yue]
"Ah, What is it?" [Hajime]
"Thank you, I'll cherish it." [Kaori]
"Thanks…I love it." [Yue]
"Oh." [Hajime]
Please, really explode already! These three were creating their own atmosphere forgetting another person was with them. They were ready for everything in a lot of ways.
Ten days after that, the four of them were setting off for the surface.
While they were activating the magic on the third floor, Hajime told them in a quiet voice.
"Kaori, Yue, Tanaka…Our weapons, and our powers are heresy on the surface. The church and countries will not remain silent." [Hajime]
"Yeah." [Kaori]
"Nn…" [Yue]
"Predictable and cliche." [Tanaka]
"They will demand our weapons and artifacts. There is a high possibility they will coerce us into participating in their war." [Hajime]
"That's...true..." [Kaori]
"Nn…" [Yue]
"This may be a dangerous trip that turns the world against us. No matter how many lives you have, it might be insufficient." [Hajime]
"And you say this now…" [Tanaka]
Hajime wryly smiled at Tanaka's words. Hajime gently stroked Yue and Kaori's fluffy hair, and they stared straight at him.
They squint their eyes from the pleasant feeling. He took a moment's pause, and stared back at the sparkling red eyes. Hajime put his wish and resolution into words, as he inscribed it into his soul.
"I will protect Yue and Kaori, Yue and Kaori will protect me. Tanaka too, you have our backs as were yours, so we are the strongest. All will be mowed down, and we will cross worlds." [Hajime]
At his words, Yue and Kaori grasped his hands in front of them tightly; almost like a hug. Yue's expressionless face vanished to reveal a blooming smile and Kaori showed her gentle smile as always. And answered like usual,
"Hai, Hajime-kun." [Kaori]
"N~!" [Yue]
"You got it! (Someone seriously help me, I might puke a rainbow watching these three.) [Tanaka]