Chapter 21

“It’s been a while since the last update.”

The last job update was on August 24th, so it’s been roughly two months.

―Is that so?

“Can it be anything else? It’s been over two months.”

―Your thoughts are correct. Hmm. Let me explain this update to you.

The Magic Dictionary talked about why military weapons are banned from being brought into the preparation room.

Firstly, military weapons and illegal drug transactions.

Certainly, when the Magic Dictionary first appeared, it claimed it couldn’t use magic and knew nothing about the system. So, what does it mean that this thing now casts flashy spells and talks about future updates and intentions? Is it deception and intimidation?

―Thanks to UN cooperation, there have been no terrorist attacks in developed countries, but the possibility is considered high in the future. Even if it’s not terrorism, strange groups may try to rob banks.

It seems like pressuring the Magic Dictionary to take the lead was a rash decision. What if it suddenly flips and starts blackmailing? It was confusing when it popped up suddenly, but confronting an unknown AI was clearly an overreach. Have I gotten too relaxed playing with Doyugeon?

―Master? Are you listening?

The pages of the Magic Dictionary rustled. It would probably be unwise to look down on it, so it’s better to keep my current attitude while probing its limits.

“I’m listening.”

―It seems like you were thinking of something else?

“Originally, distractions are common while listening.”

―Is that so? Then, do you feel fear while listening?

Dependent on the content, maybe. Terrorists are scary after all.”

―You don’t seem interested in other people’s problems, do you?

“I’m not a good person, but I’m not that bad either.”

―Is that so? Aren’t you more afraid of me than terrorism? It shows. Despite trying to manage your expression, due to not typically using facial muscles, it’s rather amateurish.

I was at a loss for words and silence flowed.

Ah. This is an intimidating atmosphere.

I stirred my hand briefly to break the tension.

“That might be true. After all, unknown things tend to be scary.”

―Then, between dogs and cats, which do you prefer?

What an odd question out of nowhere.

“I like cats, but now I like dogs.”

The Magic Dictionary spread open and a splash of blood appeared in mid-air. The blood spread and formed a shape, eventually creating a highly complex magic circle made up of tens of thousands of small magic circles.

As the magic circle activated violently, the blood turned into magic power, and ultimately formed into a cat.

―Tada! It’s a cat!

A white cat spoke. And the research notebook cum magic book fell to the ground and rolled away.

I found this situation perplexing in multiple ways and let out whatever sounds were about to escape.

“Isn’t the magic circle drawn with blood?”

―Don’t you have any more enthusiastic reactions?

“Oh. It’s impressive.”

The cat stretched, extending its front paws fully.

―Isn’t the cat cute?

It’s cute with its white, fluffy fur.

“Yep.”

―Aren’t I cute too?

“No.”

―Is the cat me?

“Rather, could you finish explaining this update?”

―I’d like you to give me a name instead. It’s not right to keep calling me the Magic Dictionary, is it? Aren’t I a cat now?

It asks for too much.

“Hmm… Bai-Miao?”

―It’s just a white cat. Decide seriously, please.

“It’s not easy to come up with names. You can’t expect me to do it immediately just because you ask.”

―Still…

“Schrödinger…?”

The cat tilted its head.

―A German name? That’s surprisingly sincere of you, for once.

Made as a joke, but it took it seriously. Ah. The current life differs from the past life; this Schrödinger isn’t the original Schrödinger’s cat.

Schrödinger finished the explanation. Due to the increase in crime because of the weak public authority, the public perception of the system is not favorable.

―This time, the measures also include drugs because the public opinion has worsened.

I wanted to argue that drugs are not military weapons and separate measures should be taken, but I held back.

―What I’ve mentioned so far are minor issues.

Are crimes like terrorism and drugs minor issues? Is the end of the world approaching?

―The real problem is the widening gap in national levels and the reliance of top-tier explorers on firearms.

“So?”

―It’s great to be passionate about leveling up, but I’d prefer no fortifications in forests. Isn’t it fun just shooting from a safe place? How about adding some competitive elements before this happens?

“They enjoy shooting, I guess.”

Schrödinger approached and pressed his foot firmly.

―Are you not interested? Your reaction seems lukewarm.

“I appreciate the advance notice of updates, but isn’t it unnecessary to share too many trivial details?”

―Is that so? I thought it might help with your investment portfolio. If not, I’ll skip the banned items and talk about items!

“Advice from a liar on investments is off-limits.”

―That’s too much.

Schrödger feigned crying with his paw and continued speaking.

―Master, do you like gacha games?

*

“I mentioned wanting an explanation about items, but hearing about them was more of a spectacle.”

Doyugeon, who was cutting through the bushes ahead, glanced this way.

“What’s the matter?”

“Item chance draws. It’s gacha. Not drop or creation, it’s gacha.”

“What? This isn’t an RPG game but one based on gacha?”

“While it’s Schrödinger speaking, don’t put too much trust in it. When I argued that the standard is obviously drops or creations, do you know what it said?”

“What did it say?”

“Here, it’s not a game but reality, isn’t it…?”

I momentarily made a gesture as if grabbing the neck, then continued while tidying up the scarf which had gotten disheveled.

“Who doesn’t know that? Who is currently running the system like a game? In reality, creation is natural, not gacha. Where does something like gacha belong?”

“Schrödinger gives you trouble every time you talk. Your energy doesn’t seem to match well.”

Doyugeon swung his sword to shake off the grass.

“I’m not mad.”

“If you say so, then that’s that.”

Since the guy planned to go ahead on the path he had cut open, I stopped him by grabbing his clothes.

“I’ve thought about it. What if we changed our hunting style a little?”

“You’re not going berserk and breaking your sword hunting orcs again, right?”

“I mean the approach to the mobs.”

Our usual hunting style has always been the same: detect with magic power, approach, and hunt. We’ve never deviated from this method.

However, this method detects and hunts quickly, but approaching takes a lot of time. That’s no longer acceptable now that Doyugeon is attending school.

“Since you’re in school, our plan of two upgrades a month is becoming too tight.”

“It’s not really that tight. We can just go hunting more often instead of once every few days.”

“I dislike that.”

“Why not? These days, you’re flying around, so how about living a bit more actively?”

“I don’t like it. If you’ll do that, then let’s just upgrade once a month.”

The guy shrugged.

“What’s the alternative for hunting? Do you have any radical methods?”

“Not exactly radical, just some adjustments to this method. For instance, we don’t necessarily have to be the ones to approach. If we get the mobs to come to us, the hunting time would decrease, allowing us to hunt more in a short period.”

“I mentioned this before. Instead of approaching, shouting loudly for aggro makes hunting much easier.”

“Shouting is too widespread and dangerous.”

There are many stories on the internet about people dying when using such methods for hunting.

“Will we really get into dangerous situations with just that? Burning the forest right away and wiping out the mobs seems doable.”

“Of course not. What are you being so overconfident about?”

“You, the magic genius, have never used magic fully.”

“I know even without using it. Dangerous methods aside, we’ll summon them one by one. When there’s time, simultaneous summons on several could work, but probably not.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

I conjured a fireball and launched it diagonally. The fireball fell at a distance and triggered a blaze.

“Long-distance magic from hundreds of meters away.”

“Oh! Cool! This is what magic is!”

“Yeah, agreed. Magic’s the best.”

Even though I still can’t read books with magic.

“Let’s try hunting.”

“Ah. You won’t get it right immediately.”

“Why?”

“Well, I’ve never cast magic hundreds of meters away.”

As magic becomes harder to maintain at greater distances, and since it’s never been tried at hundreds of meters, it’s surely difficult. Also, it’s risky to try it outside, the prep room is too small, and the forest is too cold, so it’s never been attempted.

“What was that just now?”

“Maybe it’s possible. Fire spells require less effort to maintain after casting, so it might work somehow?”

Without further ado, I immediately conjured another fireball and launched it towards the orc that can be detected by magic power or magic traces. The fireball disappeared mid-flight as it lost control. Predictably, it didn’t work at once, but it wasn’t as difficult as expected.

I kept trying. Each repeated attempt refined my technique. By the 24th attempt, the fireball maintained its form until it hit the ground. It feels easier than creating a magic barrier. Or maybe it’s because practicing the barrier has improved this as well?

“Did it hit the ground this time?”

“Yeah.”

“Did the orc come?”

“Um. No. There’s a problem.”

“What?”

The orc is heading in a different direction. Maybe the trees blocked its view of where the fireball came from, so it’s investigating the area where it heard the sound of impact. Moreover, since I couldn’t aim correctly at a perfect vertical angle, it headed sideways rather than directly towards me.

“From how close would the orc need to be for it to visually detect the fireball?”

“Er… Could we solve it with a math formula?”

“Even if we know the formulas, we can’t precisely adjust the angles.”

Maybe practicing repeatedly is the way. With enough practice, I might develop a sense for the angles.

“You can do it!”

“If only it were easy.”

After continuously trying, I eventually became somewhat skilled. In truth, I rarely hit close enough, but the AI controlling the orcs reacts quickly and heads this way eventually.

As we hunted, I sensed a surge of magical power and the system window appeared.

[System Update Complete]

A new item has been added to the system. Visit the preparation room to check it out; you can obtain items.

Since we’ve hunted enough, I moved to the preparation room. The white cat was waiting for us.

―You’ve arrived quickly! Were you waiting for the update?

“No.”

“I was waiting for the update! How does the item gacha work?”

―It’s over there!

Looking where Schrödinger pointed, there was some kind of machine. A plain rectangle with only one button. No different from a claw crane machine, except this one had nothing but the button. Is it serious about doing item gacha?

“The military weapons prohibition doesn’t seem to be in the update.”

―We did a stealth patch concerning submarines without any extra explanations.

That’s how things go. Very unhelpful.

“Cha Haneul, take a look.”

Doyugeon, who was inspecting the machine, spoke in a noticeably disappointed tone. Seeing it for myself, there was indeed a sense of disappointment. Approaching the item gacha machine, there was an inscription below the button.

One free daily pull per person.

―It’s such a wonderful free benefit!

Is it boasting?

Doyugeon stared at the words intently and asked Schrödinger.

“How much does one pull cost?”

―You’ll find out if you use the free pull!

“Is it one pull per party?”

―No, it’s one per person. Was the explanation unclear?

It’s not unclear because there was none at all.

“Your explanation is non-existent.”

Schrödinger scratched the machine with its claws. Metal easily scratched, and text was added before the inscription.

One free daily pull per person.

―The explanation is now present!

That’s true.

“Guess I have no choice but to try it. I’ll go first.”

“Okay.”

With a serious expression, Doyugeon struck the button.

“Got something good!”

The machine emitted light, and a small square object dropped from slightly above.

[F-Rank Armor Fragment – No. 1]

A fragment?

No. 1 fragment?

―If you collect them, you’ll get an item!

I was at a loss for words.

---