Spirit Shard

Chapter 102 - Spirit Shard

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The great massacr— I mean, material farming went smooth and quickly just like I expected. Lily and Akari also manages to get here but unfortunately, we were just about done when they get here. Akari didn't reacted much. But Lily on the other hand, was upset. Her reason was, she didn't get to join the fun, so she was sulking while we prepare to return home.

She can't really blame us since they're the ones who got here pretty late. Moreover, we're dead tired so even if she asks me to stay a bit longer, no matter how kind I was to do what she wants, a no is a no. Hehe, if you think about it, I'm particularly at fault, though. I was busy at rebuilding, so I didn't get any chance to rest.

But at least we got a place to rest, though. Isn't that great?

"Ugh, I'm tired..." Lemuen timidly said, slumped against the wall. You can see her soul coming out of her mouth. "Can we rest before we leave? I doubt I can move anymore..."

"I'm planning to, actually..." I timidly replied. The floor was made out of wood plank, peeled perfectly thanks to the crafting system, so I lay down on the side somewhere. "My bad, girls. But let us rest for a moment, or everyone if you want. You're all probably spent from the mission, right?"

While saying so, Akari with a nonchalant look, went and lay down beside me. Not fulfilled yet, Akari took my arm and began sleeping. I was tired so I really didn't bother doing anything but I'm sensing a mixture of looks... Meh, I'll ignore it.

"You're right." Lily replied, giving me displeased looks. "I'm not really myself today so I'm probably just tired. I guess, I'll also take a rest then."

"I see," I replied. "How about you guys?"

To my question, everyone just nodded in response. Since were in a safe place now, the pressure and adrenaline had now dissipated. They were obviously tired. Lemuen, and even Astra had already fell asleep. As for me, my eyelids were starting to get pretty heavy...

"Yep. I'm also planning to." Seia replied, leaned against a wall with her new gun, a blue rifle placed into her shoulder. "Anyways, we'll take it here so you can go and take a rest. You're obviously tired. Don't force yourself too much."

I nodded. "Alright, I'll take you up on that offer."

The place was silent. And with Seia's assurance, I start to close my eyes and let my thoughts wander, eventually losing my consciousness in the process. A mimir~

* * *

After our sweet time of rest, we didn't really do anything much and returned to the Villa eventually. We walk our way back to the Villa and managed to arrive at night so after we've arrived, we took a short break after. Man, at times like these, I really wish we have each of our own 『Mount』, so our travels won't tire us out. It's just so bothersome manually walking into our desired destinations. So inefficient man...

Anyways, after a short rest, it was about time. Carrying the 4000 [Cosmic Particles], I went at the backyard of the Villa while the girls followed me. They're a curious bunch.

It was of my favorite time of the day whenever I come at the backyard. With the countless stars giving life into the vastness of space, the [Mana Flowers] that encompasses the backyard, glows dimly, creating a subtle and tranquil feeling. Ah, the wonders of this world...

I head to where my chest is located, the one where I store all the [Mana Fragments] I managed to harvest at the time I started planting [Mana Flowers]. I will need this many of a [Mana Fragments] so I didn't bother counting it and just took half of it.

『Acquired: 796 [Mana Fragments] 』

Woah? I didn't think I managed to accumulate this many. Everything was worth it, I guess. Anyways, with all materials acquired, I then went to the place where the [Mana Pool] was located. Once there, I dropped all the [Cosmic Particles] and [Mana Fragments] at the same time, everything. There were so many that I'm basically hauling them in. The girls were watching me, so it was a bit embarrassing but that's just how it is, girls. At any rate, I would appreciate if you ladies help me, though.

"Wow, there's so many..." Lemuen murmured in astonishment. "Those blue fragments, did you get them yourself, Sai?"

"Yep." I replied. "However, I didn't expect it to be this many. These flowers grew surprisingly fast."

"I didn't know these flowers could do more than increase our Mana permanently." Lily commented. "So, these fragments could still increase our Mana to another level..."

Heh, so they know. I probably told them about it, but I forgot.

While we talk, all the items had merged, turning into an item called the [Spirit Shard] which floated at the surface of the pool. Its appearance is of an onyx-colored shard which made me wonder how it can float despite having a shape not possible for floatation.

Anyhow, I didn't drop the [Mana Fragments] calculatedly and just drop a half of them so there were some surpluses of [Mana Fragments] which had turned into [Mana Essence]. Hm, it might prove useful later, so I'll store it for now.

"Man, hauling a large amount of these items feels so satisfying." I remarked as I put the [Spirit Shards] to my pouch.

Just like always, the girls were looking at me dumbfounded. Keep at it, girls, your reaction was a compliment for me.

"And here I promise I won't get surprised anymore..." Lily sighed. "Surprise after surprise are all coming from this guy, jeez."

"Don't hold back the surprise, Lily." I pointed out. "You won't be able to appreciate everything if you hold yourself back like that."

"Hmph, it's Aruji-sama after all." Akari puffed-out her chest with a confident voice.

"Why are you the one proud, though...?" Astra replied, looking at Akari in bewilderment. Don't get her wrong, Astra probably still doesn't know the pact between us. Same with Lemuen.

"I feel the same as Akari, though." Luna added with a bitter smile. Come on, Asta, don't ruin it. Aw, they're getting embarrassed.

We all went back inside the Villa and head directly at the living room. On our way, we saw the two Miniatures—the Mini-Dryad and the Mini-Water Spirit playing with each other, floating around as if, they were playing seeking game. How cute!

While the girls watch the Miniatures in adoration, I sat on a sofa and placed all the [Spirit Shard] on the table. Hearing the jingling sound after I placed the items, the girls turned their focus on me and each of them sat into the sofa.

"Here girls, is the fruit of our labour." I said, spreading my arms into the items. "We'll take 10 each of this and then rest after. You guys must be tired, so we'll be having a day rest. Meaning, we'll start our journey at sunrise, the day after tomorrow."

The girls nodded sternly into my statement. Now, for the important part, each of us then took 10-pieces of [Spirit Shard] and crushed it one by one with our hands.

"..."

No aftereffects or anything. Hm, so far so good, I guess. For confirmation, I used ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ into myself.

『Sai Crimsonheart』 Current Stats:

『HP: 800』

『MP: 400』

『Armor: 32』

『AGI: 620-1240 』

『DEX: 200』

『ENDURANCE: 350』

Armor: 『Ancient Damascus Armor』

Weapon and Equipment:

『Imperfect Demon Sword』 『Spore Staff』 『Beaver Shark』 『Polarity Shotgun』 『Musket』 『Serpent's Edge』 『Leviathan』 『Serpent's Scale』 『Serpent's Tide』

Accessory:

『Thunderboots』 『Antipathy Gloves』 『Dart Scarf』 『Diamond Hook』 『Mighty Gloves』 『Valiant's Heart』

Skills:

⟨⟨Rapid Life Regeneration⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Battōjutsu⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Bloodlust⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Triple Jump⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Passive: Dodge⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Adrenaline⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Advance Offensive Technique⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Advance Defensive Technique⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Counter⟩⟩

Eh?! Advance Offensive Technique? Defensive? Counter? Since when did it appeared in my status? Wasn't it not appearing in my status before the Tournament? Hm, Strange...

Ah! Looks like I had finally reached the limiters. If you remembered, I used an item called the 『Essence of Limiters』 where my stats were increased slightly. There was supposed to be some numbers that I need to reach but it looks like I was already finished for who knows when. Anyways, my Mana had certainly increased. Though, it looks like my stats still hasn't followed after. Maybe tomorrow and I can see what my stats is specialized at.

"With this and we've certainly become stronger." Seia commented.

"Uh-huh," Luna nodded. "Although hopefully, we won't get to experience that once again..."

"Experience? What do you— Ah..." Lily who finally understood what Luna means had all the lights in her eyes faded in realization.

All the girls who also understood Luna's remark had turned pale in response. Even Akari who was known for her deadpan expression slumped down, visibly dejected. Well, I know about the girls, but I still don't know about Astra and Lemuen. Ah, looks like Astra was an exception since she's not reacting at all. What about Lemuen?

"How's the experience, Lemuen?" I asked. "Did you experience some backlash after I gave you the [Mana Essence]?"

"No! Don't ask me about it!" Lemuen covers her ears with both hands, her face was screaming in terror. "I don't want to even remember any of it..."

"S-Sorry..." I shouldn't have asked. That was very inconsiderate of me. Hm, looking at her, I wonder if something about her had changed... Her appearance was, still the same. Oh! Looks like she gained some meat in her body. She was quite malnourished the last time I saw her before she took the [Mana Essence] but now... I'm glad. Overall, her body has toned. As for her ches—

Well, forget about it. I won't say anything but only to remind you that I don't discriminate. You know the saying goes: All size makes the wood rise. Yep. That's my motto.

"Man, you gals find it hard, huh..." Astra, who was an exception, was looking at them in pity.

"How about you, Astra?" I asked. "Judging by your reaction, you were an exception then?"

"Yup." Astra replied confidently. "Maybe because I was already strong to begin with. Nyahahaha!"

"I-I see..." Well, if I think about it, Astra certainly was the strongest out of all of us without the [Mana Essence]. I mean, she can go toe to toe with us in the tournament despite having only her base stats. No wonder she didn't feel any backlash. What a badass.

Hm, she was already physically fit so there should be no change in her body, right?

While I was lost in my own thought, Astra seemed to notice my gaze at her body. Finally understood what it means, at my outmost surprise, Astra suddenly lift her clothes, exposing her firmed and toned midriff with a grin on her mouth.

"Wha—?!" Me, as well as everyone (with the exception of Akari) became dumbfounded to her sudden boldness.

"What's wrong, Sai?" Astra teased with her tongue out. "Isn't this what you wanted to see?"

"Ah...Haha..." I can't help but strained a laugh while I feel an intense mixture of glares towards me. I don't know about you guys but I'm one of the people who's a member of the midriff faction.

Was the sight worth it? Hell yeah!