Chapter 18: Limitations and resistances?

  "Accessories...?"

  ?

  "Even if one isn't enough, maybe wearing a lot of them will have an effect."

  ?

  I see?

  It's true that you can wear a lot of accessories.

  In game, there was a limit to the number of pieces of equipment you could equip, but in this world you can wear as many as you want as long as you have the space to wear them.

  ... Well, I've never tried wearing that many, so it's possible that they might interfere with each other and the effect might be less than the expected, or they might have some strange, unexpected effect. I probably should test this sometime.

  ?

  "I've never made a debuff accessory before. I probably could make one though."

  ?

  Well, it's impossible to equip them on a monster. And If I want to defeat one it's quicker using debuff potions than to do that.

  But... To give an accessory to Uru with a debuff effect... It's making me feel a little sad... Maybe it's my fault for not giving her any accessories on a regur basis, Uru likes food more than decoration...

  ?

  With mixed feelings in mind, I headed to the workshop and started making it, and I was able to create it just as I had imagined.

  I managed to do it, but...

  ?

  "Ah!"

  ?

  "... As expected..."

  ?

  The bracelet that Uru wore broke and fell off shortly after putting it on.

  ... As expected, Uru have quite a lot of resistances, right...?

  For me, rather than having no effect when wearing it, I imagined a situation more like, by getting used to the constant debuff state you will have more power when you took it off! Like if you train with a weight on, you would have greater power when you took it off.

  Well, in the end, the bracelet broke... Even so, how exactly does resistance reduce the durability of equipment...? Is it reducing by making an automatic counterattack?

  ?

  "By the way, Uru, your Escape Bracelet isn't broken, is it?"

  ?

  "... Umu, it's fine."

  ?

  She answers dejectedly while staring at the pieces of the broken bracelet.

  I ask hastily, wondering if that also broke, but I'm relieved to hear that it wasn't. It would have been an important problem if even items that prevent fatal damage were affected.

  In other words, wearing it itself isn't the problem.

  I wonder if it acts as a resistance to things that hinder Uru's actions... I have no idea what to do...

  ?

  "Uh... I'm sorry Uru, but I don't think I can be of any help to you at my current state..."

  ?

  "... No, there's no need to apologize. I should have dealt with this myself, after all..."

  ?

  Uru looked off into the distance and let out a dry chuckle.

  Really, what should I do...?

  ?

  That aside, should I do some training to increase my base resistance? There's no guarantee that monsters won't use debuffs, and it's not always possible to have resistance items in advance, or to have items to quickly remove debuffs when they occur. Even a brief moment could be fatal.

  But how can I increase my resistance?

  I've read stories about ingesting poison little by little to increase poison resistance, so maybe I should start with potions with weak effects and gradually get used to it? Or should I try mixing ingredients that increase resistance into my food?

  No, according to the knowledge I got from the Earth God, increasing resistance equals mixing poison into the food... Medicine can also become poison if you make a mistake, so I wonder if that's how it works.

  Hmm... In situations like this, it would be safest to have Uru try it out first, but Uru would probably have the highest resistance. It would be dangerous to judge by Uru's standards.

  So I guess I'll just have to secretly try it with my own body--

  ?

  "Rion-sama."

  ?

  "Y-Yes. What is it?"

  ?

  "You look like you're thinking something bad. Please stop."

  ?

  Fricka scolded me. Damn, how did she find out...?!

  ?

  "Um, well, it's something that may be necessary for the future..."

  ?

  "If that's the case, please expin it properly."

  ?

  "... Yes."

  ?

  That's a fair point...

  Then I was forced to confess everything I was trying to do, and that made her frown profusely.

  N-No, It's not like I was trying to avoid getting scolded...?

  It would only cause unnecessary worry, so I thought it would be better to just try it out secretly...

  ?

  "Rion, you're an idiot, aren't you?"

  ?

  "You're an idiot."

  ?

  "... Maybe her head is no good."

  ?

  Uru, Fricka, and even Fin have all criticized me...

  ?

  "Rion, would you reprimand me if I were to rush into the miasma without any pn?"

  ?

  "... I guess so."

  ?

  "Rion-sama, you would stop me if I were to try to make a dangerous chemical, right?"

  ?

  "... I guess so."

  ?

  "Rion-sama, why are you so overprotective of me, but not taking good care of yourself?"

  ?

  "... Ugh, that's not what I meant..."

  ?

  Hearing them all say this, I was made to realize just how stupid I had been about to do something.

  Just as I slumped my shoulders and looked down, Fricka put her hands on both my cheeks and somewhat forcefully made me look her in the eye.

  ?

  “Rion-sama, it’s true that we may not be able to help you with making things, but… Please let us at least worry about you.”

  ?

  Though she spoke quietly, those words, spoken directly to me, pierced my heart deeply.

  ?

  Unlike in the game, I'm not alone.

  I know that in my head, but... I can't seem to break the habit of trying to do things alone.

  In particur, it seems like I have very little aversion to "using my own body" for the sake of efficiency. I remember when Uru got mad at me when I used my own blood as a material. I hate pain, so why does this happen when it comes to making things?

  I worry those around me. But still.

  ?

  ... I guess I can't stop, I thought to myself.

  ?

  Even if I say so myself, I really think that my karma is deep.

  Fricka, who was making eye contact with me from close range, once again seemed to read my thoughts and figure out something, but... She didn't say anything in particur.

  Instead, she lowered her gaze and let out a soft sigh.

  ... I'm sorry.

  ?

  "Rion-sama, I won't give up, and I'll keep telling you no matter how much I bother you."

  ?

  "Eh... Yes."

  ?

  I feel like the old Fricka would have swallowed it and backed away, but this time she's stepped forward.

  If it means she's no longer holding back around me, then it's a good thing... Right...?

  I wonder if this is the power of a wife. Although we haven't been able to do anything that resembles that yet.

  ?

  "... For now, if you do something wrong, you'll have to make amends."

  ?

  "Eh, huh...?"

  ?

  Well, yeah, if it helps Fricka let out some of her frustration then I'll go along with it. It's my fault after all.

  ?

  "Fumu? I guess I'll make a request as well."

  ?

  "... This, should I get on board with this?"

  ?

  "Umu, Fin should too. If the penalty is big, I think Rion will hold off a little."

  ?

  ... If possible, only ask for things within the limits of my ability.

  If you don't want to be forced to do something you don't like, then stop doing things that other people don't like? Ahaha...

  ?

  "Regarding this matter, if the knowledge was acquired from the protection of the Earth God-sama, please seek her judgment."

  ?

  "I will do that..."

  ?

  Perhaps she thought I had reflected on my actions for the time being (but I can't say I won't do it again. I'm terrible), and that was the end of the lecture.

  ?

  ?

  ?

  The Earth God was extremely annoyed, saying "What are you talking about...", but perhaps she couldn't deny the usefulness of the idea, so in the end, permission was given to carry it out, but only under her supervision.