Chapter 5: The Dragonwood Bow
The next day, I wake up at noon.
“Ugh… Well, I was planning to look for a new bow today, so skipping the dungeon’s fine, but it feels like I’m wasting time.”
Sleeping until noon feels great, but thinking I slept through half the day makes it seem like a loss.
Anyway, let’s plan today.
I was going to buy a new bow, but yesterday’s events made me painfully aware of my shortcomings.
“Sure, I need a bow, but I should also get a weapon for when enemies get close. I was helpless when that happened yesterday…”
My main weapon is a bow, so I need something I can use one-handed that won’t get in the way when not in use.
That narrows down the options considerably.
Spears, which require both hands, are out of the question, and one-handed swords, commonly used in close combat, would be cumbersome when not in use.
In that case…
“A dagger?”
I’m used to daggers since I use one to collect magic stones from monsters.
Plus, they’re highly maneuverable.
When enemies get close, I’m usually either in the middle of shooting or unable to keep up with their speed.
A dagger, quick to draw, seems like the best choice, but…
“Money… Can I afford both a bow and a dagger…?”
Right now, I have about 135,000 yen available.
Selling magic stones and materials, as I planned in the dungeon, might add another 50,000 yen.
That’s 185,000 yen total.
But a bow and dagger suited to my current level will definitely cost over 150,000 yen.
“In that case, I could buy the bow first and get the dagger later. But considering my level will keep rising, I’d prefer something a bit better…”
That inevitably drives up the price.
Worst case, I’ll dip into my savings, but…
…Isn’t there something else I can sell?
I check the contents of my 【Item Box】.
This won’t sell. This will. This will too. This won’t.
I go through the magic stones and materials in my 【Item Box】 one by one.
“…Oh, right, I haven’t checked those yet.”
Seeing the Mutant Monster white Kobold in my 【Item Box】 reminds me.
I take out the Hellhound Bracelet and the wooden box from Seizo-san.
I was too exhausted to check them yesterday and went straight to sleep.
“First up…”
I open my status screen and navigate to the skills section.
――――――
【Appraisal Lv.5】: 70 SP
――――――
“My 【Appraisal】 skill level was too low to see the effects yesterday. This should do it.”
The Explorer’s Guild can appraise items, but I want to save as much money as possible.
【Appraisal】 at level 5 should be enough, since the Guild’s recruitment for appraisers required level 5, so it’ll at least reveal the basic effects.
“Alright, here goes. 【Appraisal】.”
First, I appraise the Hellhound Bracelet.
――――――
Hellhound Bracelet
・A bracelet granted to those who defeat a Kobold Mutant Monster.
・Attack stat +30%
・Agility stat +30%
――――――
“Whoa! That’s pretty good!!”
As expected from an item earned by defeating a Mutant Monster.
The stat boost percentages are quite high.
People with production skills can make similar items, but achieving this level of boost is tough.
Well, Mutant Monsters are rare and incredibly strong, so the reward matches the challenge.
“Now, the wooden box.”
It’s a plain wooden box, about chest-high for someone like me, who’s over 180 cm tall.
Its size makes it impossible to guess what’s inside.
“Hm… Guess I’ll just open it. It’s from Seizo-san, so it shouldn’t be anything weird.”
I place my hand on the lid and slowly lift it.
“This is… a bow?”
Inside is a single recurve bow.
But it’s no ordinary bow.
Its quality is so exceptional that a single glance reveals its extraordinary craftsmanship.
It feels far superior to the bow I was using, as if it harbors immense power.
“【Appraisal】”
――――――
Dragonwood Bow Lv.1
・A bow crafted from the body of a Dragonwood.
・Attack +500
・Grows alongside the user, adapting to their progress with draconic traits.
――――――
…Huh?
Did I just read something insane…?
“No way, this is nuts!!”
It’s way too incredible!!
What are these stats?
The name alone suggests it’s made from some seriously rare material, and the Attack boost is outright broken.
My old, broken bow gave +50, so this is literally ten times better.
And it has a level?
It’s probably tied to that “grows alongside” effect, but I’ve never heard of a weapon with such a trait.
Maybe others are keeping it secret, but even so, anything tied to dragons is a top-tier weapon.
“…Seizo-san… This is way beyond a simple thank-you…”
How does Seizo-san just casually hand over something like this? Who is he…?
A dragon means at least an A-rank monster.
I can’t even imagine its price.
“But with this, my combat strength will skyrocket… Alright, I’ll check with Seizo-san later.”
If he gave it to me by mistake, that’s no joke.
Using it, damaging it, and being asked to compensate would be a nightmare.
I’ll keep it in the box for now. Yeah, that’s the plan.
Otherwise, my fragile heart might give out.
――――――
Kaede Amamiya
Level: 328
HP: 3290/3290 MP: 2160/2160
Attack: 400 (+52)
Defense: 350 (+12)
Agility: 980 (+637)
Dexterity: 505 (+152)
Mental Strength: 1120 (+787)
Luck: 50
BP: 0
SP: 640
Skills: 【Magic Arrow Lv.11】【Archery Lv.5】【Hawk Eye Lv.2】【Item Box Lv.4】【Lock-On Lv.10】【Appraisal Lv.5】【MP Boost Lv.5】【MP Recovery Speed Boost Lv.5】
――――――
“Seriously, is it okay to accept something like this…?”
“Of course. That bow is meant for you.”
I stare at the wooden box containing the Dragonwood Bow while talking to Seizo-san, whose contact info I got back then.
“Besides, that bow is the pinnacle of my career as a woodworker. But with so few bow users and no one to sell it to, it’s been gathering dust in storage. You using it on my behalf is a favor to me.”
“I-I see…”
So Seizo-san’s a woodworker.
That explains the large building and stacked timber near his house.
To think he can craft materials tied to dragons—he must have incredible skill and craftsmanship.
His masterpiece… Honestly, I’m beyond grateful to receive it.
“…Then, I’ll gratefully use it.”
“Please, use it to your heart’s content.”
“Thank you. Sorry for the sudden call.”
“No, no, don’t worry. Until next time.”
With that, he hangs up.
Phew, that was nerve-wracking.
And it wasn’t a mistake…
“This is insane. I’m so hyped.”
I never imagined I’d get something like the Dragonwood Bow.
I open the box and take out the bow.
It feels oddly natural in my hands, its weight perfectly balanced for easy movement without being cumbersome.
“What a bow. You can feel its quality just holding it.”
With my current stats, it might perform slightly below its full potential.
Even so, its performance is more than enough.
“No need to buy a bow now. Just need a dagger.”
I’ve secured a top-tier bow that grows with me, so I’ll never have to worry about it not matching my stats.
Now, I just need a dagger to dive back into the dungeon.
The knife I use for harvesting magic stones could be bought from a site exclusive to licensed explorers.
But since this will be a sub-weapon I entrust my life to, I want to pick it out in person.
“Alright, time to shop. I was going to buy a bow, but now it’s just a dagger.”
I leave the house and head to the station.
“Hm, quite a variety.”
I’m at the weapon sales area in the Explorer’s Guild branch, a ten-minute walk from the station.
The branch is massive, and the sales area is equally expansive.
It’s split into beginner and non-beginner sections, with weapons organized by type.
I’m in the non-beginner dagger section.
Various shapes and sizes of daggers line the showcases.
“Hm… Which one?”
Honestly, their performance is mostly similar.
I’m using 【Appraisal】, but they have comparable effects. There are better ones, but they’re either too advanced for me or too expensive, so I’m struggling to find a dagger slightly above what I’d use now.
If my gut doesn’t scream “this is it,” I’ll just pick based on stats.
“Hm? This…”
My eyes are drawn to a dagger in one of the showcases.
It’s about 30 cm long, with a blade thickness of maybe 3 cm at its thickest center.
Despite its thinness, the blade emits an odd glow.
“…This looks promising.”
It’s not just the appearance.
Sure, it’s beautiful, but that glow caught my attention.
“【Appraisal】”
――――――
Swiftstrike Dagger
・A dagger granted to those who defeat a Werewolf Mutant Monster.
・Attack +300
・Agility stat +15%
・Makes the user’s ranged attacks less likely to hit enemies.
――――――
“The price is… 130,000 yen? Cheap!!”
This is a steal.
The Attack is high, and the Agility boost is solid, yet it’s only 130,000 yen.
Probably because of that last effect: “ranged attacks less likely to hit.” It’s a drawback, making it seem like a defective item.
A normal Swiftstrike Dagger without the drawback would cost way more.
But with my 【Lock-On】 skill, the ranged attack penalty doesn’t matter. Let’s try holding it.
I scan my explorer’s license at a nearby reader to unlock the showcase and take out the Swiftstrike Dagger.
This also prevents unlicensed people from touching weapons and deters theft by explorers, thanks to the showcases’ durability.
Holding the dagger, I want it even more.
The grip’s thickness, length, and balance are perfect for me.
“Alright, this is the one.”
I head to the register with the dagger in hand.
“Excuse me, I’d like this.”
“Uh… The Swiftstrike Dagger?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
As I try to pay, the clerk double-checks with me.
“Well, this dagger has a drawback—ranged attacks are less likely to hit—so it’s not suitable as a sub-weapon for magic or gun users. It’s a leftover item no one buys. Even melee fighters avoid items with drawbacks, so no one’s purchased it before. Just confirming.”
“I see.”
For ranged fighters without a guaranteed hit skill like my 【Lock-On】, this would be a fatal flaw.
Melee fighters might want to throw something when disengaging, so they’d opt for a different dagger.
“It’s fine. I’m choosing it knowingly.”
“Understood, my apologies. I’ll grab the sheath, so please wait.”
I complete the purchase, store the Swiftstrike Dagger in my 【Item Box】, and leave the weapon area.
“Alright, that’s all I needed to buy. Now to sell what I can and head home.”
I sell my magic stones and materials at the Guild and return home.
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