Chapter 40 : Traveling On Foot+Liberation = Journey

I stared dumbfoundedly at the king of Okinawa that had turned into particles of light . The light was similar to a firefly’s light, telling you the change of someone’s life, it was a fantastic scene .

「Did we just… kill it?」

Shinji muttered those words with a dumbfounded face . It was the kind of face that showed him not fully understanding how we managed to beat the boss .

「We won… right?」

「Yup, I think we won…」

WE WON . I myself couldn’t believe that we had won . Midori-san and Aoi-san also confirmed the situation . I see, then I’m going to sait loudly, WE

「WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!」

Upon hearing my delighted scream, everyone also raised their voice to celebrate our victory .

「WE DID IT, WE DID IT SOU! YOU’RE AMAZING!」

「WE DID IT, WE DID IT, WE DID IIIIIIITT! IT FEELS LIKE A DREAM!」

「HYA, wait a minute Midori, why are you groping that place!?」

Behind me, Shinji had decided to do his iconic dive jump while I pumped my fists into the air . Slightly behind him, Midori-san was embracing Aoi-san with a delighted expression . Please tell me where she’s touching you, Aoi-san!

「Iya~, though I’d doubted whether we could beat the boss, I also felt that we would be able to if we were with you . You know, you’ve already transcended the realm called humanity . 」

「That’s a bit… Well I guess I can be considered a non-human, or a demon right now . 」

「Ahahaha, well it doesn’t matter to me whether you’re a demon or an alien . You, are still you after all . 」

No, please stop using those kind of praises . Please call me an earthling creature at least .

「Hnnnnn~ Sou-kun!」

NA~NI?? I didn’t have the leisure to turn around though . When I turned toward the owner of the voice, a Witch《Green》wearing a green robe suddenly embraced my head .

「Uhm, wha, whaaaa!? M-Midori-san!?」

「Geez, you’re just too amazing Sou-kun!」

Midori-san praised me while ruffling my hair . But, more importantly, if I concentrate all my nerves on my left cheek that was being embraced by Midori-san… Rather than nonexistence, it’s more like a modest, or should I say, a faint softness being exuded . Anyway, an amazing sensation was pushing against my cheek .

「M-Midori!」

Aoi-san raised her voice in panic before separating Midori-san from me . Ah… NOOOOOOO!

「Geez, what were you doing just now Midori!」

Geez, what did you do just now, Aoi-san!

「Ahaha, sorry Aoi, I was just too happy . Next is your turn right?」

Geez Midori-san, what’s with that wonderful idea .

「T-T-T-T-There’s no way I can do that!」

I knew it .

「Hey Sou, take a look at that . 」

In that moment that felt like I was thrown from heaven to h.e.l.l, Shinji’s finger mercilessly poked my shoulder . When I turned around, he was pointing at the resting place of the Jiisha .

「It’s a Boss drop . Let’s take a look at it!」

I see . Though I’d completely forgotten about it just now, a boss will definitely drop a special item to the party that defeats it for the first time .

Following behind Shinji, we walked to the resting place of the Jiisha .

「This treasure chest is… It’s in accordance to the number of people in the party . They’re even polite enough to write our names on it . 」

On hearing that I felt a little relieved . Because if that wasn’t the case and the drop item is just one, it’ll cause an unpleasant situation . Each of us then took a treasure chest with our own name written on it, and opened it .

『SYSTEM MESSAGE : CONGRATULATIONS FOR SUBJUGATING THE OKINAWA AREA BOSS, JIISHA . YOU’RE THE FIRST ONES TO DEFEAT IT AMONGST THE ENTIRE PLAYER BASE . THEREFORE, THE REWARDS ARE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE TO EACH PLAYER’S CONTRIBUTION DURING THE BATTLE . THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE ITEM THAT CANNOT BE TRADED WITH OTHER PLAYERS, NOR DROP DUE TO DEATH PENALTY . THAT’S WHY, FEEL FREE TO DIE IN PEACE!』

Ten out of ten, that’s how much I rate those last words from the management side .

Even while feeling the pressure in my stomach, I took out the item inside the treasure box .

「Shoes? No, it’s just a boot . 」

Its name is《Gale》 . What about the effects?

【Acquisition Item】

・《Gale》

A boot to be used to soar into the sky . For Right Leg ONLY . The one who wears this boot can jump in the air by kicking the air up to 2 times . The count will reset to 0 upon landing .

This boot is… The cause for the Jiisha’s air jump? Well though I don’t quite get it, I know that it’s a good item . Even so, why is it only the right leg? Normally there’ll be ano―― AH, there’s another one .

【Acquisition Item】

・《Thunderclap》

A boot to be used to dash quickly on the ground . For Left Leg ONLY . The wearer of this boot can run on the ground with power manyfold that of normal times . After using this effect once, the cooldown for the next one is 10 seconds .

I see, this gale and thunderclap actually come in a pair . Though the effect of gale is easy to understand, the effect of thunderclap is rather vague . Though I know by reading the explanation that I can do a powerful dash once, I don’t know how powerful it’ll be . Well, let’s try the effect later .

「How about your reward, Sou?」

「It was a set of boots that will enable me to do a powerful dash and also soar into the air . 」

「I-I see… You’re really giving up on being a human huh . 」

「PLEASE STOP IT!」

Though they will certainly enable me to do the impossible, in reality I’m still within normal human boundaries you know . Wait, I’m still in it right?

「Then? What did you get Shinji?」

「Mine is a bracer called 《Bracer of Lion King》 . The effect is――」

Though Shinji told me about the effect with an excited face, I still couldn’t make out how that effect would be useful . Though, I can be considered a noob in this matter, so that effect might actually be a good one . I could feel that just by looking at Shinji’s face .

「It’s good then I guess?」

「Hah! Now I can see what my play style will be centering in in the future . 」

It’s that great huh . So Shinji really has sharp instincts? I really can’t underestimate him .

「Shall we get going then?」

To where though?

When I showed them a puzzled face, Shinji pointed at the pa.s.sage . A door had suddenly appeared out of nowhere at that place . Moreover, it’s just a single door with nothing else .

Dokodemo Door*? [TL : Doraemon reference]

「What is that?」

「A bonus or something maybe, or a door that leads to the surface . Quite a cliche in many games in fact . 」

Certainly, returning to the surface after such a grueling battle could be quite troublesome . They certainly won’t give punishment with such a congratulatory reward .

We informed Aoi-san and Midori-san who were still showing their drop item to each other, and went toward the door together .

「Waah . So huge!」

What? Will I get arrested for s.e.xual hara.s.sment if I ask her what she meant by that… Nononono, that shouldn’t be possible . Such things shouldn’t be happening even if for example the thing that stood before me was a huge rod . Oops, I should stop Shinji before it’s too late . If he does that then he would be a hero no longer, just a pervert . I don’t want my bosom friend to be banned due to a violation report .

「This seems like a stone monument you can carve onto . The input command system is also floating right beside it . 」

When I examined the stone monument, I came to understand what Aoi-san meant . It seems that you can carve the names of the first ones who had traversed this place . The number of letters isn’t limited but if we look at it by common sense, the letters will be a perfect fit on the frame of the pillar .

「What shall we do? Shall we carve our names on this pillar?」

「U~hm, I don’t mind that . Sou-kun and Aoi won’t mind too right?」

As expected, Midori-san is a worrywart . I really couldn’t connect her with the very same person who pressed the switch that sent us to this place .

「My name is a bit…」

「I want to refrain from that too if possible . 」

「I see, sorry . 」

「Don’t mind about it . 」

Aoi-san’s smiling face looks like she’s saying that she really does think so . What a kind girl .

「But then, what should we write I wonder . 『We did our best』? But that might be too dull . 」

「As I thought, it should be words that signify our hardship at arriving at this place!」

A pure straight impact like that of a new type ran into my brain upon hearing Shinji’s words . [TL : Reference to original gundam]

「Can I be the one to write on this monument?」

「I’m with you . Rather, you’re the MVP of this fight . Just write the things that you want to write the most . 」

「I’m with you too!」

「Me too!」

「Thank you . 」

Though I feel that it’s better to decide about such matters after discussing with everyone, I really wanted to include certain words after hearing Shinji . Those words were also the amalgamation of the suffering that we experienced getting to this place .

Though the other 3 were bewildered when I inputted the words, I will make them understand my reasoning, later . Well it’s just a little, but there is one other trouble .

「Well, shall we head back then?」

Thus, our first boss battle with as a 4-person party just ended .

『SYSTEM MESSAGE . OKINAWA AREA BOSS HAS JUST BEEN CONQUERED . CURRENTLY, ALL CONDITIONS NEEDED TO UNLOCK THE NEW AREA HAS BEEN FULFILLED . HEREBY, EVERY PLAYER WILL BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THE NEXT AREA . SINCE WE’LL GIVE A CHOICE FOR THE NEXT AREA, PLEASE CHOOSE WHICH AREA YOU WANT TO GO .

FURTHERMORE, IN REGARD TO THE NEXT AREA THAT YOU DIDN’T CHOOSE, THOUGH YOU CAN’T GO THERE TILL THAT STAGE HAS BEEN CLEARED, EVERY PLAYER CAN HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THAT AREA ONCE THAT STAGE IS CLEARED .

①KAGOSHIMA AREA

②NAGASAKI AREA

IN CASE YOU HAVE YET TO DECIDE WHERE TO GO, PLEASE CLOSE THE CHOICE WINDOWS SINCE YOU CAN ACCESS THE CHOICE WINDOWS AGAIN FROM THE SYSTEM MENU AFTER YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION . YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO CHOOSE . IN CASE YOU WANT TO VENTURE INTO THE NEW AREA ALONG WITH YOUR GUILD MEMBERS OR FRIENDS, WE ADVISE FOR YOU TO CHOOSE AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THEM .

THE SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT WILL END WITH THIS . IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT PUZZLE YOU, PLEASE ASK AT THE QUESTION CORNER OF THE BASE OF MANAGEMENT SITE . PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR PATRONAGE FOR INNOCENT EARTH ONLINE FROM NOW ON!』

Chapter 40 : Traveling On Foot+Liberation = Journey.

 .

 .

I stared dumbfoundedly at the king of Okinawa that had turned into particles of light . The light was similar to a firefly’s light, telling you the change of someone’s life, it was a fantastic scene

 .

「Did we just… kill it?」.

 .

Shinji muttered those words with a dumbfounded face . It was the kind of face that showed him not fully understanding how we managed to beat the boss

 .

「We won… right?」.

 .

「Yup, I think we won…」.

 .

WE WON . I myself couldn’t believe that we had won . Midori-san and Aoi-san also confirmed the situation . I see, then I’m going to sait loudly, WE.

 .

「WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!」.

 .

Upon hearing my delighted scream, everyone also raised their voice to celebrate our victory

 .

「WE DID IT, WE DID IT SOU! YOU’RE AMAZING!」.

 .

「WE DID IT, WE DID IT, WE DID IIIIIIITT! IT FEELS LIKE A DREAM!」.

 .

「HYA, wait a minute Midori, why are you groping that place!?」.

 .

Behind me, Shinji had decided to do his iconic dive jump while I pumped my fists into the air . Slightly behind him, Midori-san was embracing Aoi-san with a delighted expression . Please tell me where she’s touching you, Aoi-san!.

 .

「Iya~, though I’d doubted whether we could beat the boss, I also felt that we would be able to if we were with you . You know, you’ve already transcended the realm called humanity . 」.

 .

「That’s a bit… Well I guess I can be considered a non-human, or a demon right now . 」.

 .

「Ahahaha, well it doesn’t matter to me whether you’re a demon or an alien . You, are still you after all . 」.

 .

No, please stop using those kind of praises . Please call me an earthling creature at least

 .

「Hnnnnn~ Sou-kun!」.

 .

NA~NI?? I didn’t have the leisure to turn around though . When I turned toward the owner of the voice, a Witch《Green》wearing a green robe suddenly embraced my head

 .

「Uhm, wha, whaaaa!? M-Midori-san!?」.

 .

「Geez, you’re just too amazing Sou-kun!」.

 .

Midori-san praised me while ruffling my hair . But, more importantly, if I concentrate all my nerves on my left cheek that was being embraced by Midori-san… Rather than nonexistence, it’s more like a modest, or should I say, a faint softness being exuded . Anyway, an amazing sensation was pushing against my cheek

 .

「M-Midori!」.

 .

Aoi-san raised her voice in panic before separating Midori-san from me . Ah… NOOOOOOO!.

 .

「Geez, what were you doing just now Midori!」.

 .

Geez, what did you do just now, Aoi-san!.

 .

「Ahaha, sorry Aoi, I was just too happy . Next is your turn right?」.

 .

Geez Midori-san, what’s with that wonderful idea

 .

「T-T-T-T-There’s no way I can do that!」.

 .

I knew it

 .

「Hey Sou, take a look at that . 」.

 .

In that moment that felt like I was thrown from heaven to h.e.l.l, Shinji’s finger mercilessly poked my shoulder . When I turned around, he was pointing at the resting place of the Jiisha

 .

「It’s a Boss drop . Let’s take a look at it!」.

 .

I see . Though I’d completely forgotten about it just now, a boss will definitely drop a special item to the party that defeats it for the first time

 .

Following behind Shinji, we walked to the resting place of the Jiisha

 .

「This treasure chest is… It’s in accordance to the number of people in the party . They’re even polite enough to write our names on it . 」.

 .

On hearing that I felt a little relieved . Because if that wasn’t the case and the drop item is just one, it’ll cause an unpleasant situation . Each of us then took a treasure chest with our own name written on it, and opened it

 .

『SYSTEM MESSAGE : CONGRATULATIONS FOR SUBJUGATING THE OKINAWA AREA BOSS, JIISHA . YOU’RE THE FIRST ONES TO DEFEAT IT AMONGST THE ENTIRE PLAYER BASE . THEREFORE, THE REWARDS ARE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE TO EACH PLAYER’S CONTRIBUTION DURING THE BATTLE . THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE ITEM THAT CANNOT BE TRADED WITH OTHER PLAYERS, NOR DROP DUE TO DEATH PENALTY . THAT’S WHY, FEEL FREE TO DIE IN PEACE!』.

 .

Ten out of ten, that’s how much I rate those last words from the management side

 .

Even while feeling the pressure in my stomach, I took out the item inside the treasure box

 .

「Shoes? No, it’s just a boot . 」.

 .

Its name is《Gale》 . What about the effects?.

 .

【Acquisition Item】.

・《Gale》.

A boot to be used to soar into the sky . For Right Leg ONLY . The one who wears this boot can jump in the air by kicking the air up to 2 times . The count will reset to 0 upon landing

 .

 .

This boot is… The cause for the Jiisha’s air jump? Well though I don’t quite get it, I know that it’s a good item . Even so, why is it only the right leg? Normally there’ll be ano―― AH, there’s another one

 .

 .

【Acquisition Item】.

・《Thunderclap》.

A boot to be used to dash quickly on the ground . For Left Leg ONLY . The wearer of this boot can run on the ground with power manyfold that of normal times . After using this effect once, the cooldown for the next one is 10 seconds

 .

I see, this gale and thunderclap actually come in a pair . Though the effect of gale is easy to understand, the effect of thunderclap is rather vague . Though I know by reading the explanation that I can do a powerful dash once, I don’t know how powerful it’ll be . Well, let’s try the effect later

 .

「How about your reward, Sou?」.

 .

「It was a set of boots that will enable me to do a powerful dash and also soar into the air . 」.

 .

「I-I see… You’re really giving up on being a human huh . 」.

 .

「PLEASE STOP IT!」.

 .

Though they will certainly enable me to do the impossible, in reality I’m still within normal human boundaries you know . Wait, I’m still in it right?.

 .

「Then? What did you get Shinji?」.

 .

「Mine is a bracer called 《Bracer of Lion King》 . The effect is――」.

 .

Though Shinji told me about the effect with an excited face, I still couldn’t make out how that effect would be useful . Though, I can be considered a noob in this matter, so that effect might actually be a good one . I could feel that just by looking at Shinji’s face

 .

「It’s good then I guess?」.

 .

「Hah! Now I can see what my play style will be centering in in the future . 」.

 .

It’s that great huh . So Shinji really has sharp instincts? I really can’t underestimate him

 .

「Shall we get going then?」.

 .

To where though?.

 .

When I showed them a puzzled face, Shinji pointed at the pa.s.sage . A door had suddenly appeared out of nowhere at that place . Moreover, it’s just a single door with nothing else

 .

Dokodemo Door*? [TL : Doraemon reference].

 .

「What is that?」.

 .

「A bonus or something maybe, or a door that leads to the surface . Quite a cliche in many games in fact . 」.

 .

Certainly, returning to the surface after such a grueling battle could be quite troublesome . They certainly won’t give punishment with such a congratulatory reward

 .

We informed Aoi-san and Midori-san who were still showing their drop item to each other, and went toward the door together

 .

 .

「Waah . So huge!」.

 .

What? Will I get arrested for s.e.xual hara.s.sment if I ask her what she meant by that… Nononono, that shouldn’t be possible . Such things shouldn’t be happening even if for example the thing that stood before me was a huge rod . Oops, I should stop Shinji before it’s too late . If he does that then he would be a hero no longer, just a pervert . I don’t want my bosom friend to be banned due to a violation report

 .

「This seems like a stone monument you can carve onto . The input command system is also floating right beside it . 」.

 .

When I examined the stone monument, I came to understand what Aoi-san meant . It seems that you can carve the names of the first ones who had traversed this place . The number of letters isn’t limited but if we look at it by common sense, the letters will be a perfect fit on the frame of the pillar

 .

「What shall we do? Shall we carve our names on this pillar?」.

 .

「U~hm, I don’t mind that . Sou-kun and Aoi won’t mind too right?」.

 .

As expected, Midori-san is a worrywart . I really couldn’t connect her with the very same person who pressed the switch that sent us to this place

 .

「My name is a bit…」.

 .

「I want to refrain from that too if possible . 」.

 .

「I see, sorry . 」.

 .

「Don’t mind about it . 」.

 .

Aoi-san’s smiling face looks like she’s saying that she really does think so . What a kind girl

 .

「But then, what should we write I wonder . 『We did our best』? But that might be too dull . 」.

 .

「As I thought, it should be words that signify our hardship at arriving at this place!」.

 .

A pure straight impact like that of a new type ran into my brain upon hearing Shinji’s words . [TL : Reference to original gundam].

 .

「Can I be the one to write on this monument?」.

 .

「I’m with you . Rather, you’re the MVP of this fight . Just write the things that you want to write the most . 」.

 .

「I’m with you too!」.

 .

「Me too!」.

 .

「Thank you . 」.

 .

Though I feel that it’s better to decide about such matters after discussing with everyone, I really wanted to include certain words after hearing Shinji . Those words were also the amalgamation of the suffering that we experienced getting to this place

 .

Though the other 3 were bewildered when I inputted the words, I will make them understand my reasoning, later . Well it’s just a little, but there is one other trouble

 .

「Well, shall we head back then?」.

 .

Thus, our first boss battle with as a 4-person party just ended

 .

 .

 .

 .

■　□　■　□　■.

 .

 .

 .

『SYSTEM MESSAGE . OKINAWA AREA BOSS HAS JUST BEEN CONQUERED . CURRENTLY, ALL CONDITIONS NEEDED TO UNLOCK THE NEW AREA HAS BEEN FULFILLED . HEREBY, EVERY PLAYER WILL BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THE NEXT AREA . SINCE WE’LL GIVE A CHOICE FOR THE NEXT AREA, PLEASE CHOOSE WHICH AREA YOU WANT TO GO

FURTHERMORE, IN REGARD TO THE NEXT AREA THAT YOU DIDN’T CHOOSE, THOUGH YOU CAN’T GO THERE TILL THAT STAGE HAS BEEN CLEARED, EVERY PLAYER CAN HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THAT AREA ONCE THAT STAGE IS CLEARED

 .

①KAGOSHIMA AREA.

②NAGASAKI AREA.

 .

IN CASE YOU HAVE YET TO DECIDE WHERE TO GO, PLEASE CLOSE THE CHOICE WINDOWS SINCE YOU CAN ACCESS THE CHOICE WINDOWS AGAIN FROM THE SYSTEM MENU AFTER YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION . YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO CHOOSE . IN CASE YOU WANT TO VENTURE INTO THE NEW AREA ALONG WITH YOUR GUILD MEMBERS OR FRIENDS, WE ADVISE FOR YOU TO CHOOSE AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THEM

THE SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT WILL END WITH THIS . IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT PUZZLE YOU, PLEASE ASK AT THE QUESTION CORNER OF THE BASE OF MANAGEMENT SITE . PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR PATRONAGE FOR INNOCENT EARTH ONLINE FROM NOW ON!』.

************************************************.