Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 77: Elemental Connection

Alright, no more Mr. Nice Mage. After what happened back in that forest, I'm determined to get my revenge on those [Link Ants]! There is still a possibility that I might blow up the hall again if Wind doesn't stop me in time, but I've got to upgrade my gear if we want some payback! First things first...

"Hello? Hope you don't mind me using one of the stations again," I call out as I enter the second floor of the [Force Blade] crafting hall. Of course, there is no one in there right now. I wish I could take that as a yes, but since this is a guild crafting hall that Annie's brother owned...

"Oh, Kazu! So that's where you are!"

Much to my relief, I turn to see Azel coming up from the stairway as they approach me and say, "I saw Mr. Wind downstairs and... What happened to you?! You look like a [Black Spectre] drained most of your life away!"

Oh, right... I forgot I still have the [Death Penalty]. Arthur said I could craft at my full strength after a few more minutes. I just chuckle in response to their outburst.

"Long story short, both of us were recently killed back at the <Hill Forest>, so I'm going to be like this until our [Death Penalty] expires."

"<Hill Forest>?! Oh no, I should have warned you about that place!" They groan and shake their head, which is an appropriate reaction to my story. "You can't go there without a party of 5 because of the dangerous monsters ahead, including those [Link Ants] that can overwhelm you in a few seconds!"

I chuckle again when he mentions that monster that took our first lives in the game.

"Guess you already get an idea on how we were defeated..." I sigh before looking at my friend. "As much as I want to avoid it, I want to avenge ourselves for that humiliating defeat! Besides, the [Monarch of Light] expansion is coming and we want to get stronger as soon as possible."

"W-Wow... I didn't expect you to get so fired up from your virtual death, Kazu. But how are you going to defeat those ants with only you and Mr. Wind?"

"Simple. I'm going to make a new staff that should pierce through their defenses. Our friends mentioned I should get a new [Mastery], but I want to try another weapon that can meld another element that should be weak to those [Link Ants] like my [Plasma Staff]."

"I-I see..." They start humming as they look through their inventory. "What kind of magic [Masteries] do you have on you right now?"

"I can use [Arcana], [Thunder], and [Wind]. I was hoping I can get the [Fire Mastery], but I don't know if it's enough since the [Link Ant] managed to resist both of them..."

"In that case, why don't you try [Earth]?"

I raise my eyebrow and turn to him. "[Earth]? I don't think rocks are enough to defeat them, though..."

"Maybe... But ever since you taught me how to use [Magecrafting] with the [Experienced Crafting] method, I've done some experiments with some other gemstones that I found during my excursions with the guild and my Dad. Plus, I did some research at the library about them."

"Research?" I ask in confusion until I gasp. "Wait, do you mean they have books about the [Masteries]?"

"S-Sort of..." They tap something in their inventory, at which several books appear out of nowhere and land on the table with the last one being caught in their hands. "The librarian gave me these as a gift for my recurring visits. One of which is a guidebook called [Guidance of Mana Control] by <Evas Tirrel>. It has everything you need to learn about [Mana] and some magic spells for any non-magic users."