-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Party Launch Ceremony (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Utopia.
An ideal world.
A dreamlike place that doesn't exist in this world.
That name held a deeper meaning for me than for others.
'Indeed, this world *is* Utopia itself to me.'
Honestly, I don't think I could have ever become self-made in my original world, no matter how hard I tried. That world wasn't exactly kind to an orphan without a university degree, was it?
But this place is a world within a game where effort is rewarded. Things I couldn't even dream of before possessing this body were possible here.
'It's not all a dream, though.'
A world destined for ruin.
To protect this ideal world, there's still much to prepare for and many obstacles to overcome.
Naming the party was merely standing at the starting line.
But now, feeling as if I'd truly taken a step forward, I found myself in a rather sentimental mood.
"Yes, our party's name will be Utopia."
And so, our party's name was decided: Utopia.
*
I left the party registration and the booking of tomorrow's dungeon raid to Shin Se-hee.
"Junior, so is this it for the party launch ceremony?"
At Im Ga-eul's words, I subtly glanced at Shin Se-hee. Understanding immediately, she quickly made a call on her phone.
A moment later.
Knock, knock, knock—
The door opened with a polite knock.
Shin Se-hee's secretary entered, pushing a cart laden with several boxes.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
White boxes were placed in front of each of us.
"Huh?"
"What's this?"
"Boxes...?"
Questions filled the party members' eyes.
Ahem.
Shin Se-hee cleared her throat from behind, gathering everyone's attention.
"First, these are various potions and basic equipment for tomorrow's dungeon raid. I've also included supplies for any unforeseen emergencies."
Inside the boxes, neatly organized, were things like ropes, lighters, flashlights, sleeping bags, various potions, monster repellent, first-aid kits, and bandages.
Taking over from Shin Se-hee, I spoke.
"Put these into your subspace tattoos. They're emergency supplies, just in case."
I put the box in front of me into my subspace tattoo. Perhaps because they were heavily compressed, they fit with plenty of room, even with Moonlight already inside.
Following my lead, the party members also placed their shares into their subspaces.
And three boxes still remained on the table.
"Um, and... you could say these are a token of my gratitude for joining my party. As a way of saying I look forward to working with you..."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"First, Kang Do-hee."
I pushed the medium-sized box, one of the three remaining on the table, towards her.
"Ahem."
Kang Do-hee took the box with a reluctant expression, seemingly unaccustomed to receiving gifts.
"Open it."
"Alright. I, I understand."
Rustle.
She opened the lavishly wrapped box.
And Kang Do-hee's eyes widened when she saw the item inside.
"Oh... This!?"
A unique pair of shoes, shaped like long black socks with pristine white insoles. In truth, aside from their exceptional comfort and near-weightlessness when worn, they had few special functions. However, I was certain this was the best gift for her.
'Because it's a Kang Do-hee favorability item, you see.'
From the start, she absolutely loathed wearing anything complicated or heavy on her hands and feet.
"Speed Star...!?"
Kang Do-hee exclaimed with a surprised expression, her usual calm demeanor nowhere to be seen.
She immediately took off the shoes she was wearing and put on the new ones.
Boing. Boing.
She bounced in place.
"...This is insane. How did you get these? They usually sell out the moment they're released..."
Kang Do-hee looked at me with eyes clearly full of excitement.
"They came in on the day I visited, and there was just this one left. Do you like them? I figured nothing else would suit you as well, so I bought them."
"...Your cooking and naming skills are terrible, but this, this is definitely... Alright, I'll wear them well."
Kang Do-hee turned her head and said in a small voice.
She always had to add a caveat, even when she liked something.
Just you wait, I'll get you back in the combat class.
Next, I pushed a small box towards Im Ga-eul.
"...Oh? J-junior!? I already received a top-tier magic stone—"
Im Ga-eul frantically waved her hands, apparently not expecting a gift for herself.
"That's a prerequisite for activating your abilities, Senior. Besides, you're basically a magic stone's main body anyway. Senior, the magic stone holder."
"...Huh!?"
"Here. Even if you're a supporter, it doesn't make sense to not carry at least one auxiliary weapon to protect yourself, does it?"
"B-but I have no talent for weapons...!"
I know.
Im Ga-eul was a high-tier pick as a supporter, but her auxiliary weapon usage was incredibly tricky. Even if you gave her a decent one, she couldn't utilize even a tenth of its performance.
That's why, when I found this item, I felt a shiver.
"...What is this? By its size, a dagger?"
Im Ga-eul examined the box, then opened the lid.
"...Gloves?"
They were fingerless leather gloves. When worn, the fingers protruded.
"But I can't even fight hand-to-hand...?"
She looked up with a bewildered expression.
"I don't intend for you to use martial arts, so just try them on. And you have your magic stone, right?"
"Oh, yes. I have it."
Im Ga-eul, with a dubious look, put the gloves on her hands, then clenched and unclenched her fist.
Thwip!
"Whoa!?"
Slice—!
In an instant, the box in front of her was cut cleanly, as if sliced through tofu.
"W-what in the—!"
Im Ga-eul's green eyes widened, unable to hide her bewilderment.
I watched her, a corner of my mouth curving upwards.
'I never expected to find one of the 'Slit-Eyed Mastermind Set' items there.'
It was a distinctly thematic item among those a supporter like Im Ga-eul could use. That item originally only came from gacha.
The Slit-Eyed Mastermind Set.
A weapon used by characters with narrow, constantly smiling eyes, often appearing in novels or manga.
'Threads.'
In other words, they were gloves that could draw out threads of magic with cutting power.
Their usage was simple: just flick your hand towards a target to attack them.
'Well, the attack power isn't particularly high, and the trajectory is simple, so it's definitely not ideal for a damage dealer.'
However, for a supporter or healer with abundant mana, there was no better weapon.
Im Ga-eul, who naturally had slit eyes, and her ability to draw mana from the magic stone, meant she had sufficient magical power to back it up. The sight of her wearing the leather gloves and drawing out threads was profoundly moving.
'Phew, it really makes for a picture, doesn't it?'
Clap, clap, clap—
I clapped.
The other party members soon joined in, applauding as well.
At that, Im Ga-eul's face flushed crimson. She seemed to have realized that the weapon she was wearing was something straight out of a middle schooler's fantasy.
"J-junior, I don't, I don't need something like this!"
"If I find an eye patch and a cloak later, I'll definitely give them to you."
"Junior!!!"
That's your destiny, Im Ga-eul.
Accept it with a happy heart.
'I'll have to complete the Slit-Eyed Mastermind Set for her later.'
I smiled inwardly, thinking thoughts that would make Im Ga-eul shriek if she knew.
After defeating Im Ga-eul with the question of whether she had any other weapon she *could* use if she didn't use this one.
Now, only the largest box remained.
I pushed this towards our tank, Gukbap.
"Uh...? Me? Didn't Shin Se-hee not receive hers yet?"
"Hehe, I've already received mine, you see?"
Shin Se-hee proudly puffed out her chest at Lee Yu-ri's question. A crimson butterfly glowed near her chest.
"I already received a gift that completely satisfied me. Now, Gukbap. Go ahead and open it."
"...Ah, okay."
At that, Lee Yu-ri opened the box as if pushed. And what appeared was a large, silver cross.
"Huh? What's this? Is it an auxiliary weapon for me too...?"
Lee Yu-ri said, surprised by the unexpected item, and I responded, taking her words.
"It's the shield you'll be using from now on."
"...This, a shield?"
* * *
When Jin Yu-ha first called it a shield, Lee Yu-ri thought he was joking.
'...This is a shield?'
A giant cross, as tall as a person.
It was a weapon whose form made no sense as a shield; perhaps if it were a short cross to be wielded, but not this.
"There's a handle in the middle of the cross, right?"
At Jin Yu-ha's words, she turned her gaze to the central part.
Indeed, there was a handle, just like the one on her own shield.
"First, try grabbing the handle there?"
Lee Yu-ri placed her hand on the handle in the middle of the cross.
The snug grip felt as if it was telling anyone who touched it that this was an expensive item.
However, she still had no idea how this was supposed to block enemy attacks. A shield was meant to block or deflect attacks. But this shield was far from serving that purpose.
Of course, the cross-shaped frame might block attacks to some extent, but if attacks came through the empty spaces, her body would be fully exposed.
"See the button above the handle there?"
She looked above the handle and saw a small button Jin Yu-ha had mentioned.
"Try pressing it."
Click.
Then.
Hummm—
A translucent barrier unfolded with a sound.
The barrier spread between the cross's frame, forming the same shape as the rectangular shield she originally used.
"...!?"
"It's a Mana Shield. Basically, the durability of the non-frame parts regenerates with ambient mana, so you won't need frequent repairs. And the shield's inherent defense will be better than what you used before."
"...Ah."
"And this is also the optimal shield for you. Do you know why?"
How could she not?
Lee Yu-ri immediately understood why Jin Yu-ha had given her this gift.
Beyond the translucent shield.
Because Jin Yu-ha's face was visible.
"Basically, your primary defensive technique is to deflect or evade enemy attacks. With this, you can see the enemy's attacks even if the shield obstructs your view."
"Ah."
Truly...
'...If you give me something like this, what am I supposed to do?'
Lee Yu-ri looked at Jin Yu-ha with trembling eyes.