Chapter 16
The reason FBO is called a great game is because of its story, characters, and world-building.
On the flip side, the reason FBO is also called a trash game is mainly due to its gameplay.
Now, in terms of basic mechanics and graphics, there are no bugs or anything like that. However, the game intentionally hides various elements, which forces players to redo their character builds. This reality is what solidifies FBO's status as a trash game.
Players spend countless hours, even sacrificing sleep, to level up and finally clear the story, only to feel a sense of accomplishment. But then, the analysis team reveals that their current build isn't actually the strongest, driving many players insane.
Players complained, demanding that the hidden elements be disclosed, but the official response was:
"We believe that revealing hidden elements is the cruelest thing we could do. We will only inform you that there are still many hidden elements incorporated into the game, but we will refrain from providing any further answers."
This response is, of course, perfectly reasonable if you're here to enjoy the game.
Some players accepted this official stance, while others were furious, feeling like they were being toyed with.
Some players were thrilled by the elements discovered later by other players, while others simply labeled the game as trash and left.
"Why won't it break? Is this bamboo spear a joke?"
And here's another person lamenting the absurdity of these hidden elements.
"It's not a joke, you know."
After that duel, I headed to Ganji's blacksmith shop.
The next quest hadn't triggered yet, so I came here as a regular customer.
When I arrived with Nel, Ganji greeted us with a sarcastic comment about me bringing a girl along, earning him a smack on the head from his wife. But once I explained that I was here to request a job and paid the fee, he reluctantly agreed to do the work.
The request was for weapon enhancement.
This system existed even in the FBO era, where magic stones were used as experience points. Using the blacksmithing skill "Weapon Enhancement," you could apply a plus correction to your equipment.
In other words, it's a system where you consume magic stones to strengthen your weapons.
If I were to enhance my bamboo spear, it would look something like this:
'Weakling's Bamboo Spear +10'
The maximum number after the plus sign is one hundred.
The benefits you gain from this are increased attack power and durability for weapons, and increased defense and durability for armor.
Moreover, the class of the item equals the plus correction.
For example, a class 1 weapon would gain +1 attack power and durability with each enhancement.
However, there are also drawbacks to this enhancement system.
The higher the plus correction, the higher the chance of failure.
Up to a certain point, success is relatively easy—that point is +10.
This success line is common for all class equipment.
Beyond this point, the higher the class, the higher the chance of failure.
There are three patterns of failure:
1. Nothing happens.You lose the materials, but that's the only loss.2. Negative correction.You lose the materials, and the added correction decreases.3. Equipment destruction.This is the most dreaded outcome, with the lowest probability but increasing chances the higher the plus correction. It can lead to the player quitting the game.
However, to obtain the highest correction, you can't avoid this risk.
There is a way to avoid this: the "Indestructible" skill.
With this skill, you can repeatedly enhance your equipment, and as long as you have the materials, you can achieve the highest correction.
It's so useful that some players prepare a full set of "Weakling" series equipment across all classes just to level up their Weapon Enhancement skill.
Of course, there's a catch: the "Weakling's Proof" is a class 1 item, so when synthesizing it with higher-class equipment, the failure rate increases, and if it fails, the higher-class equipment is destroyed.
This has brought many blacksmith players to tears.
Depending on the blacksmithing skill correction, you can successfully enhance up to class 5 with almost no drawbacks.
After this long explanation, here's the reality in front of me and Ganji:
'Weakling's Bamboo Spear +100'Class: 1Attack Power: 103Durability: IndestructibleSkill: Level Reduction (1)Level Up Limit (1)Weapon Equip Restriction (24 hours)
Ganji, who doesn't understand the significance of mixing in the "Weakling's Proof," continues to have a question mark floating above his head.
Enhancing a class 1 weapon to the highest correction doesn't require a huge amount of materials.
Ganji's shop seems to have plenty of enhancement magic stones, and if you pay, they'll enhance your weapon at a slightly higher but fair price under his wife's supervision.
I thought the money from the other day's business might be a bit short, but I never expected a sudden windfall to bring me this far.
"Hey, kid, how did this happen? Spit it out.""You should know best, since you made it, Ganji.""That's why I don't get it."
In this world, perhaps the "Indestructible" skill isn't very widespread.
I've already paid, so I want it back quickly, but Ganji hasn't returned the bamboo spear yet.
"Hey, Liberta, are we done yet?""If Ganji would just give back the bamboo spear, we could leave right away."
The weapon enhancement took so long that even Nel, who was initially enjoying looking around the weapon shop, got bored and wanted to go home.
But Ganji seems determined not to return the spear unless I reveal the secret, so I'm wondering how to persuade him.
"Really, what are you doing?!""Ow!?"
A second frying pan attack slammed into Ganji's head.
"You wouldn't reveal your blacksmithing secrets, would you?! How can you, as a craftsman, not feel ashamed to threaten a customer by taking their weapon?!""W-well, that's...""If you understand, then return it quickly. That girl over there is waiting!"
Normally, Ganji would yell back in pain, but this time he's clearly in the wrong.
Perhaps aware of his shady behavior, he reluctantly hands over my bamboo spear under his wife's stern gaze.
You'd think he'd realize it's due to the "Weakling's Proof" effect, but why doesn't he?
"Sorry about that. Next time you come, I'll give you a discount.""No, as long as you enhance it, I'm fine."
At the core, it seems that the people of this world undervalue the "Weakling's Proof," seeing it as more of a drawback item.
When equipped, it lowers your level, weakens you, and can't be removed for a full day. Even if you try to break it, it won't break.
From a normal perspective, it's just an unnecessary drawback item.
Maybe that's why they don't realize its potential.
Accepting the wife's apology, I leave the shop since my goal is accomplished.
"That took a long time.""Yeah, the enhancement took a while."
With the duel in the morning and the weapon enhancement afterward, there's not much time left to do anything else.
"Were you bored?""Hmm, waiting was fun for a while.""Really?""Yeah, learning to appraise equipment is essential for merchants!"
Since my business is done, it might be a good idea to consult with Zink.
"Nel, is there anything you want to do? I just need to buy some potions at the apothecary, and then I'm done.""Hmm..."
But that's if I were going alone.
Today, Nel is with me, so if there's somewhere she wants to go, we'll go there.
As Nel thinks about it, she must have a place in mind.
"At this time... she might be there. Liberta, let's go this way!""Sure, but where are we going?""It's a secret!"
Nodding, she takes my hand and leads me at a brisk pace, turning into an alley.
I let myself be led, but gradually we enter an unfamiliar area where my knowledge from the game era is useless.
However, it doesn't seem like a bad neighborhood.
It's not a place where vagrants are lying around, so I feel somewhat at ease.
"...Singing?"
After being led for a while, I hear singing from somewhere.
It's a clear, beautiful voice—pleasant to the ears. Who could be singing?
Hearing my voice, Nel turns around while running and laughs.
It seems Nel is heading towards the owner of this voice.
"Amina!!!"
We arrive at a small square with a large staircase.
Nel calls out loudly to a girl singing midway up the stairs.
The singing stops abruptly.
There's no audience.
Perhaps because it's a secluded area away from the main street, the girl stops her beautiful singing and turns towards us.
A bird-person.
Her arms are wings, and her legs are bird-like with three-toed claws—a beastman race.
Even in FBO, core players favored this race.
Her face and torso are human, but her limbs are bird-like, making her a somewhat distinctive race.
With brown feathers, she smiles upon seeing Nel and spreads her wings.
"Nel!!"
She then flies down from the stairs.
"Whoa!"
And hugs Nel tightly.
"Hahaha! Nel, you're doing well!? I was worried since you stopped coming after the Dasses arrived!"
Is this a sign of friendship? She wraps her wings around Nel, hugging her tightly.
"Yeah! I'm fine! Sorry for making you worry.""Well, I was! But now that you're here, it's all good!!"
She's quite a cheerful girl.
Teresa mentioned that Nel didn't have many friends, but here's someone who clearly cares about her.
Though it's a bit awkward that I'm completely forgotten.
"By the way, who are you? Nel's friend?"
After playing around for a while, the girl named Amina finally notices me standing there.
She's still hugging Nel, but I won't comment on that.
"I'm Liberta. Due to certain circumstances, I'm currently staying in Nel's family's stable. As for Nel... well, I guess you could say we're friends and comrades?"
Considering the age difference in mental age, this seems like the best way to describe our relationship.
I almost said "guardian," but I held back.
"...Hmm, you don't seem as mean as the Dasses.""Liberta's different!!""Yeah, I know. Nel wouldn't bring you here otherwise. You two must be close."
After staring into my eyes during this self-introduction, she smiles brightly and says it's okay.
"But I'm closer to Nel!! You've been neglecting your friend, Nel, so this is what you get!!""Ahh! Amina, stop!!"
I guess this means I've been accepted as part of the group?
Seeing her skillfully use her wings to mess with Nel's face, I can only think that.
I can't really intervene here, so I just watch and wonder what's next.
"What's that? No fair!! I want to join too!! And serves that Dasse guy right!!"
Eventually, the conversation turns to explaining why Nel hasn't been around lately, leading to a discussion about a recent adventure, negotiations, and today's duel with Dasse.
"Fufun!! Isn't that amazing!!""Wow, that's great! Hey, take me with you next time you go on an adventure!!"
There's some exaggeration in the storytelling.
Especially the part about the duel with Dasse, where I exaggerated how pathetic it was.
But the most exciting part was the hidden tanuki hunt on the hill.
People in this world, big or small, must have some longing for adventure.
"Amina-san, what's your level?""Just call me Amina!! I'll call you Liberta-kun, okay? Don't mind it! Sadly, I've never been outside this town, so while my brothers have levels, I don't have any yet.""Neither do I or Liberta.""Eh!? But you just said you went on an adventure. Why?""Well, Liberta has his reasons for not leveling up yet, and I wanted to level up together, so I held back. If you equip the Training Bracelet, you can prevent leveling up.""Wow, then I want to level up too! I heard that if you level up, you can get various song skills!!"
Even the girls don't seem to have any aversion or fear towards fighting monsters.
Maybe these two are special.
"Song skills, huh? That's a good thing.""Really!? You're a good person! Dasse and others say skills that can't be used in battle are useless. How rude!""Yeah, that's rude. Song skills are actually quite powerful.""Right!!""Kya!?""Whoa!?"
Thinking that standing around talking forever isn't great, we sit on the stairs with Nel in the center, discussing skills. Amina leans over, bypassing Nel, and gets close to me.
Her eyes are filled with the desire to talk about song skills.
Ah, is this going to be one of those situations where we barely make it back in time?