Preparation is Always Key
Before the decisive battle, meticulous and maximum preparation is essential.
"It's been a while since we lost to Tyranid Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus... but it feels like we've finally made it this far," Pepper mused.
After defeating the rare enemy, General Durahan the Headless Revenant, and reaching level 40, Pepper gave silent thanks and prayers to the headless knight who fought alongside them, yielding experience points as rich as a lobster feast.
Picking up a double-edged longsword embedded in the ground nearby, Pepper stored it in the item inventory and checked its contents.
General Durahan's Beheading Sword
A longsword once wielded by General Durahan, likely imbued with great power in its prime. Now decayed, it can only crudely cleave flesh.
A husk that forgot memory, pride, and even love, lost its own head. Thus, the abandoned torso seeks the heads of both the living and the dead.
Grants a damage bonus when attacking a target's head.
"Is it because it lost its own head that it wants mine too? Talk about holding a grudge..." Pepper muttered, eyeing the rusted, crumbling blade. Though worn, it might be repairable, they thought, staring at the dulled edge.
"I'll ask Birak-san to restore this Beheading Sword."
With time to spare until Overtop Beat's debuff lifted, Pepper idly stroked the valley's ground and rocks with their cursed right hand. A slimy, slime-like sensation crawled up their palm, so unsettling they recoiled.
"Ugh, that felt awful... hope the smell doesn't linger... huh?"
Shaking their right hand against the ground, Pepper glanced upward and caught a glimpse of something—a shadow moving within the deep miasmic fog.
"A trick of the eye... or did it move just now?"
What could lurk above the Valley of Ancient Souls? As a gamer and pioneer, Pepper's curiosity surged. Yet, they knew diving into the unknown required resolve and caution.
"If it feels dangerous, I'll escape immediately. My safety comes first."
Taking deep breaths, Pepper ate simple rations from the Phosphocie branch of the Enhance Guild to restore stamina, checking their items and weapon durability while waiting for Overtop Beat's debuff and skill cooldowns to expire.
Once cleared, Pepper activated Moon Jumper and Seven-Leap, vaulting upward, climbing the rocky cliffs, piercing the miasmic fog. At the summit, a breathtaking sight awaited—a landscape unlike anything they'd seen.
"What is this...?"
A cloudless azure sky stretched above. Before them, crystals of varying sizes—some as small as a human torso, others towering like skyscrapers—sprouted from the ground, covering the entire surface in a dazzling, opulent spectacle.
The Crystal Nest Cliff... a hidden area above the Valley of Ancient Souls, equal parts beautiful and deadly.
"It's gorgeous..."
Normally, Pepper would explore, but their gamer instincts blared a strict warning. The shadow's identity was unknown, and this was a blind, uncharted area.
Swallowing hard, Pepper retrieved their last Throwing Orb: Sonic Boom (Prototype) from the inventory. Gripping it with the Crush skill, they tossed it skyward, equipped the Guilfeed Breaker in their left hand, and swung it like a baseball bat, striking a nearby crystal. A thunderous roar shook the Crystal Nest Cliff, vibrating every crystal.
Immediately, the crystalline ground cracked. Emerging were dozens of giant scorpions, each over 10 meters long, their translucent bodies adorned with polished crystal needles, claws sharper than Destro Lobster's, and pointed legs. They looked like half-formed crystals come to life.
"Time to run!!"
Retro gamer Azusa Gojo—Pepper—made the fastest decision of their gaming career. Facing an avalanche of crystal scorpions, they activated Overtop Beat, Body Purge, Envy Fusion, and Life of Change simultaneously. Sacrificing health and durability for stamina and agility, Pepper fled back down the valley, escaping to the Enhance Guild in Phosphocie.
Later, Pepper reflected: "If I'd charged into the Crystal Nest Cliff that day, those Crystal Scorpions would've traumatized me for sure."
At the Phosphocie Enhance Guild, Pepper lifted Overtop Beat's debuff, bought fine wine and nigorizake for Aitoir as promised, and headed to a back alley.
"Aitoir! You there?"
"Yo, Pepper-han! I'm right here!" A wandering rabbit appeared with the wind, perching on Pepper's shoulder, sniffing eagerly.
"Mm, that smells like the wine and nigorizake you got... fine stuff!"
"Bought 'em at the Enhance Guild. Got something for Birak-san back at Rabbit Manor."
"Got it! I'll open the gate."
Aitoir opened a portal to Rabbit Manor. Pepper checked their surroundings, slipped inside, closed the door, and headed to Birak's workshop.
"Birak-san! Please fix this double-edged longsword!"
"Whoa, slow down, Pepper!" Birak, polishing an anvil and maintaining tools, chided as Pepper burst in.
Pepper explained: they'd been in the Valley of Ancient Souls, where Lycaon's Curse Marking neutralized the miasma. They fought General Durahan with the Black Iron Maru, then ventured to the crystal zone above, only to be chased by scorpions and retreat to Phosphocie.
"Pepper, you're reckless... or rather, retreating was the smartest move," Birak said.
"Birak-san, what were those scorpions? They seemed like monsters..."
Birak sighed. "Those were Crystal Scorpions, dwelling in the Crystal Nest Cliff. They react to sound or vibration. Get spotted, and you're minced meat—even I wouldn't survive."
Pepper's eyes widened. "They're that strong?"
"Not as tough as the old man... but even Edward-aniki, me, Sikru, or Aitoir together might handle one. Dozens? We'd be crushed by sheer numbers."
Realizing their split-second decision was right, Pepper nodded inwardly.
"Now, about that longsword," Birak said. "Show me."
Pepper handed over General Durahan's Beheading Sword. "Please, fix it."
"Hm... this one's 'still alive,'" Birak noted.
"Alive? Can it be restored?"
"With a forge and anvil, sure. So, Pepper, restore it to its 'original form,' or make it 'suited to you'?"
Faced with the choice, Pepper hesitated. Restoring its original form was tempting, but tailoring it to their current needs was practical. After a moment, they decided.
"Make it suit me, please."
"Got it. Come back in a day."
"Oh, and Birak-san, can you take this mechanism for the sword's repair? And could I get the Radiant Solreia?"
Pepper handed over the Black Iron Maru, worn from the Durahan fight, and a mechanism—one of three elements for flight, found with Birak and Aitoir during the Laser Marlin quest.
"You're going for it, huh, Pepper?" Birak said.
"Yeah. I'll prove to Tyranid Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus that I can inherit their dream."
Seeing Pepper's resolute eyes, Birak took the mechanism and sword, heading to the forge. Moments later, she returned with a polished Radiant Solreia.
"Alright, but don't be reckless, got it?"
"Yes!"
Receiving the Radiant Solreia, a gimmick weapon of the two Imperial Insects, Pepper opened their status screen, allocating level-up points: strength and skill for equipping Radiant Solreia, dexterity, and the rest to agility.
As preparations finished, Aitoir hopped onto Pepper's shoulder, pleading, "Pepper-han, I wanna see your fight with those Imperial Insects from the arena's edge. Take me with you!"
Even if convinced otherwise, she'd follow anyway. Having adventured together, Pepper understood Aitoir's heart. Smiling, they said, "Alright. Witness my epic battle with the Imperial Insects and pass it down to future generations."
"Got it!" Aitoir beamed.
Feeling a bit dramatic but satisfied, Pepper hid Aitoir in their cloak, left Birak's forge, and opened a portal from Rabbit Manor's lounge to Phosphocie.
The time had come. The moment to face the incarnations of wind and thunder, to avenge their past defeat, was here. With unwavering will and a burning heart, Pepper raced toward the battlefield...
Hero Who Inherits the Dream, Surpass the Incarnations of Wind and ThunderPepper's Current Status
PN: Pepper
Level: 40
Main Job: Backpacker
Sub Job: None
Stats
HP: 15
MP: 10
Stamina: 90
Strength: 85
Agility: 95
Dexterity: 45
Skill: 70
Endurance: 61
Luck: 25
Remaining Points: 0
Equipment
Left: None
Right: Lycaon's Curse Marking
Legs: None
Head: Azure Void Hat (Endurance +13)
Torso: Bloody Scar Long Coat (Endurance +18)
Waist: Bloody Scar Belt (Endurance +12)
Legs: Azure Void Pants (Endurance +15)
Accessories
Chain Mail (Endurance +10)
Traveler's Cloak (Endurance +2)
Fatal Soul Collar
Money: 1,035,400 Mani
Fatal Extreme Techniques
Fatal Extreme: Blade Type [Sunny Anthem]... Unlocked
Fatal Extreme: Strike Type [Nayuta Tracks]... Unlocked
Fatal Martial Techniques
Fatal Swordsmanship [Half-Moon Slash] → Third Form
Fatal Hammer Technique [Full-Moon Seal]
Fatal Blade Technique [Water Mirror Moon] → Second Form
Fatal Jujitsu [Crescent Tomoe]
Fatal Dance Technique [Moonlight Waltz] → Second Form
Skills
Ladder Slash → Scythe of Slash
Life-End Thrust
Repel Counter
Drive Throw → Boomerang Throw
Alzeid Edge
Meias Work
Volberg Strike
Gracious Impact
Strength Smasher (Lv.1 → Lv.5)
Overtop Beat
Infight (Lv.1 → Lv.4)
Seven-Leap
Skate Foot
Jet Attack
Cross Slash (Lv.1 → Lv.3)
Ballist Rider
Actus Dash (Lv.5 → Lv.6)
Stick Peace (Lv.4)
Crush (Lv.3)
Throw (Lv.4)
Climb Kick (Lv.5 → Lv.7)
Behead (Lv.3 → Lv.5)
Moon Jumper
Body Purge (Lv.3 → Lv.5)
Life of Change
Straight Fist
Back Kick (Lv.4)
Dual Flip → Tris Flip
Fulls Shoot (Lv.2 → Lv.5)
Oppression Kick (Lv.3)
Life Strike Iron Break (Lv.1)
One-Hit Annihilation (Lv.1)
Envy Fusion
Provocation (Lv.1)
One-Heart Slash (Lv.1)
Deep Battle Still Water
Chain Blade Five Cuts
Punishment Slash [Heavy Chain]
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