Vol 3 Chapter 19 – Boyhood: Midsummer at Age Twelve・Part 4

As a Data Cruncher, watching the way characters become broken as their data nears completion is an exhilarating experience.

Although there may be slight differences in quality, most characters created at the outset are pretty much the same. Admittedly, there are occasions when one can opt for a race with outrageous specifications that comes with drawbacks so severe that the character becomes broken from the start—rendering it nearly impossible to integrate into the scenario. But that is merely a case of localized strength and does not suit my aesthetic.

The unquestionably overwhelming strength displayed by completed data must not leave one so helpless that even a slight change in location forces them to cower at the town’s entrance or reduces them to a gawking tourist the moment they enter a dungeon.

Well, sometimes a supplement can bypass that, but for now, I’ll let it pass.

Floating gently in the bath has improved my circulation and set my brain in motion; though it feels as if my thoughts—oiled by a surge of excitement—are running a bit off track, it’s all fine because I’m having fun. No problem.

In any case, this is merely my creed, but even as a Data Cruncher I desire a kind of broken strength that, while not all-powerful, can adapt to a variety of situations.

I do not look down on a front-line warrior even if they risk being picked off by a high-mobility backline, nor do I deride a mage who, after unleashing a single burst of explosive firepower, becomes entirely ineffective. Even a character who shines in exploration or investigation but only reacts when combat breaks out can, when measured purely by strength, rightly be called powerful.

I also love the combo-like action in tabletop RPGs—where an entire party coordinates as if it were a single character to dish out absurd amounts of damage. As evidence, even if I can do nothing on my own, I have repeatedly created and role-played support characters that significantly enhance my allies’ damage and success rates when needed.

But after all, I favor that almost flawless broken state where, if that guy even makes a retort, everything is essentially over. Of course, the outcome depends on the session, but since I see no reason for me to hold back, I’ll do as I please.

Now, keeping that in mind, my current status has not significantly changed since I left the manor.

My Dexterity and Fortitude are the highest, each rated as Superior—the third-highest tier overall. Next, my Stamina, Explosive Power, and Memory have all reached the Excellent standard, while the remaining five—Strength, Immunity, Intellect, Mana Capacity, and Instantaneous Magic Power—display a Good score.

Simply put, considering that all my abilities are inherently superior to those of the average human, it’s quite remarkable. I wasn’t idly slogging away for five years—deliberately avoiding waste—and the numbers prove it, which satisfies me.

With that in mind, there is no need to overthink enhancing my potential strengths. I simply need to boost my Dexterity to the pinnacle of my cherished attribute—gaining two or three points as I’ve long desired. This will only reinforce that fixed-build sensation of killing purely with raw prowess, thanks to my elegant and intricate finesse.

Alternatively, rather than focusing solely on Dexterity, I could push my main weapon skill—the Battlefield Sword Technique—up to Master level and either save the surplus for later or use it as needed. The prospect of my swordsmanship eventually reaching the Divine Realm is truly a dream.

It might be somewhat irreverent to think so, but if it truly reaches the realm of the gods, could my blade’s tip really extend enough to touch the divine?

Then comes my second weakness… what is my weakness, you ask? I believe it lies in my inherent softness.

Even if I were to boost my Fortitude to a Superior level, at the end of the day a human is still a human; no amount of headstands will turn one into a dragon. A blow of overwhelming mass might leave nothing but a red stain, and being trampled by a horseshoe would inflict damage that cannot be absorbed—resulting in an ordinary death. In terms of resistance, humans are notorious for this vulnerability; getting sunburned from a leisurely sunbath is hardly seen in other races.

Sure, one might argue not to compare this to an alloy skeleton, metallic skin, blazing blood, or scales that repel magic, but the danger of being taken out by a single hit is truly frightening. Who would want to live a life where losing even a single unit spells the end?

In extreme terms, if someone intends to kill me, all it takes is an attack that is physically unavoidable and incapable of triggering a reaction. Just a few such hits and I would be rendered unable to act—and if those strikes landed on particularly vulnerable spots, I could be dispatched in an instant.

Probably, indeed quite certainly, a broken character on the level of Agrippina de Staal or Lady Reisen would have several ways to kill me. More importantly, even without such measures, if I were faced with an entire battle line, I’d have no choice but to get my ass kicked. No matter how skilled a combatant might be, unless they could extend their blade, cleave through space itself, or execute an extraordinary maneuver that deflects all attacks at once, they would be powerless against a spear wall.

So then, what is the countermeasure against overwhelming, saturated attacks and sheer violent numbers?

One option is not evasion skills but rather defense skills—parrying with excellent armor ratings and damage-reduction techniques. However, there are limits to what can be managed in terms of skill and physical ability—after all, if a meteor were to fall, nothing could be done. Ultimately, aside from magic, there is no other means to fundamentally overcome my inherent softness.

In fact, magic offers a plethora of such abilities—from the physical barriers I forcibly cobble together with my Invisible Hand, to magical barriers that overwrite physical phenomena, and even techniques that transform abstract concepts into barriers—things that, frankly, my mind struggles to comprehend.

However, if I were to pester Lady Reisen, she would surely lecture me endlessly, and I could also obtain useful advice and information from Agrippina de Staal, so the reliability of this option is quite high.

The second option, though not a fundamental solution—back attacks are terrifying—involves area attacks designed to kill before being killed. This is a maneuver characteristic of a formidable mage; however, my Instantaneous Magic Power and the portable, delicate dexterity of my Moon Ring are somewhat overtaxed by it.

If I overlook minor concerns such as karma or legal issues, I did consider a simple extermination spell from the Transmutation series that synthesizes dangerous poisonous gas. However, the risk of friendly fire is far too terrifying for that to be viable. Involving innocent bystanders is simply out of the question, and leaving everyone to fend for themselves is not acceptable either.

“That’s our job, my dear.”

“…It’s the men’s bath, though.”

While I was mulling over the balance between common sense and efficiency, I suddenly felt a gentle sensation descend onto my forehead. I knew without even looking up that Ursula had come to meddle.

Placing one’s ass on someone’s head—what a cheeky fellow.

“Fairies have nothing to do with the men’s bath. You can only see fairies who favor warmth and water spirits drifting about, can’t you?”

Though she said it so casually, it was true, so I had nothing to say. After all, plenty of fairies devote themselves to frivolous mischief—such as turning the hot water in a wash bucket into cold water—acts that no sensible elder should commit.

I understand that, for fairies who behave as they please wherever they desire, that is natural; but if they could show a little more consideration for their neighbors, it wouldn’t come back to bite them.

“Since you seemed troubled, I came to give you some advice. If you’ll dance with me, I’ll bestow a marvelous magic upon you—a delightful fairy charm that prevents all kinds of physical interference.”

“Physical nullification” is a term that entices game enthusiasts, not only in tabletop RPGs. It is the pinnacle for defensive characters, even though it is known for being rather easily bypassed. However, even if a fairy’s offering is imbued with simple goodwill, one must never forget that it always comes with a fatal mischief.

After all, it’s probably just the old “I’ll do it for you, fairy-style” deal. If I were to agree to their terms, I’d no doubt end up being invited to Twilight Hills.

“The thought that, before I knew it, several hundred years would have passed doesn’t really scare me.”

“Well, if you already know the twist, it’s no fun,” declared Night-Fairy Svartálfr, utterly unshaken.

“Isn’t there something a bit milder?”

I murmured in a barely audible whisper to Ursula, who was playing with her damp hair, only to receive a complaint that if you give something away for free, you simply get scolded. I wonder if even the fairies, who dance and frolic eternally, are troubled by harsh boss–subordinate relationships.

“Well… even if it doesn’t take you all the way to Twilight Hills, if you simply do a few favors, I’ll let it slide and teach you a marvelous strolling method that every Night Fairy can use.”

It was a somewhat enticing proposal. The strolling method she mentioned is a unique way of moving in which one can perceive that the distance has closed yet not consciously register it. Although its principle is entirely unknown, it is entirely natural for those dwelling in the impenetrable darkness—where one never knows what might be lurking—and is an excellent defensive tactic.

I may have mentioned before that stealth during combat is a bit iffy. However, using it for limited evasion is by no means a bad idea.

Area attacks—apart from scene- or target-specific strikes—basically depend on recognizing who is where when they are unleashed. Even magic that homes in on enemies across a wide range won’t hit if those targets are not recognized as present, since they simply aren’t coming toward you.

In other words, in such unconventional evasion tactics, being able to enter a stealth state instantly during battle is by no means a weakness.

Well, it might just mean that the target shifts to another ally, but it is certainly not a weakness. I often get told, “Forget that and just boost your firepower, you idiot.” After all, when it comes to assassins, everyone indeed emphasizes that one explosive burst…

That said, I am not an assassin, and it is not a bad proposition, so I’ll take it into consideration.

“So, what do I have to do to get that reward?”

“Well… maybe by pestering a fairy or taking the head off some weird mage?”

This dark lolita really does say outrageous things. My childhood friend back home was also extreme, but he had at least a bit more subtlety and restraint. Well, if you ask what truly modest menace even looks like, that would be problematic in its own right.

“Come out while the sun is still high, and please refrain from any dangerous requests.”

“Huh? The sun is high?”

She suddenly floated upward and appeared before me, as usual covering her most risqué areas only with her hair—though that can be ineffective from certain angles—and she stared at me as if she were plainly observing something bizarre.

“Sunset is nearly here already, you know?”

“Huh!?”

When I hastily got to my feet, I noticed that the bath, which had been nearly empty until moments ago, was gradually filling with guests. The onlookers, giving me suspicious looks after my sudden outburst, were not idle elders or children but workers who had come to ease their fatigue after a day’s labor.

Oh no—in my sheer enjoyment I not only failed to notice that I was getting lightheaded, but I had completely lost track of time!

“Crap!”

“Ugh, for goodness’ sake, at least cover yourself properly!”

I had come to the bath for my shift, and yet because of this, I’d be late for work—utterly absurd! I found myself too flustered to say anything when prodded.

Finally, having completed that last challenging yet delightful idea of adding a new essence to myself, I dashed off toward the changing room…

【Tips】Thanks to a miraculous physique and the benefits of unique traits, there exist certain humans whose resilience far exceeds that of ordinary people.