Chapter 023 Kobayashi: Mold Ruri Into My Own Image!

"Not only can I learn basic Lich-class skills like Absorption Touch and Summon Undead, but even Curse Crystal Prison, which incorporates ice attributes, is within reach?"

Curse Crystal Prison is a high-level spell. Its power can instantly freeze enemies, leaving them unable to move while subjecting them to double damage from the freezing effect.

Kobayashi was pleasantly surprised.

Before becoming a lich, Wiz's greatest strength was her ice magic; she was known as the Ice Witch. After her transformation, her ice magic evolved in tandem with her lich attributes.

"Wiz, can you keep going?"

"No more, no more. I'm completely drained."

Having been squeezed dry of her mana, Wiz shook her head repeatedly.

Kobayashi’s demands were so intense that even someone as powerful as Wiz was left utterly hollowed out. If they continued any further, she would truly ascend to the afterlife.

"I see... what a pity."

The enthusiastic Kobayashi felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

He still had a few skill points remaining on his adventurer card, and he had hoped to use this opportunity to exhaust them all and bolster his strength. He hadn't expected Wiz to be the one unable to withstand his massive (skill point) output.

However, he knew there would be other days. If he had more needs, he could just come back to find Wiz.

After all, the soft-hearted lich could never refuse him.

Kobayashi put away his adventurer card and said, "Let's put the skills aside for now, but there is one last thing I need to ask of you."

"What is it? If it's something I can help with, I will do my best."

As a benefactor who helped her turn around her shop's deficit, Wiz was certainly willing to spare no effort in assisting him.

Kobayashi said, "I want you to help me find some powerful magical items. Not one-time consumables, but things that can be reused... or magical equipment would work too. Price is no object; the more, the better, and the stronger, the better."

He had said the same thing to Bair.

This wasn't for his own use, but to strengthen Lululu.

It was undeniable that Lululu was already very strong—the kind of strong that could stop time; an exaggerated level of power.

But it wasn't absolute.

The more precise something is, the more easily it breaks. Ordinary gears always need replacing, and they couldn't withstand powerful attacks like Explosion magic.

He had discussed this with Lululu, and she had agreed.

However, she looked down on the equipment in Bair's weapon shop. When Kobayashi asked her to choose, she didn't hold back her sharp tongue, nearly driving the middle-aged man who took such pride in his craft to tears.

High-tech versus cold weapons.

It would be strange if she were impressed.

However, magical items were different from magical weapons; even Lululu felt they could be useful.

Her exact words were: "I am the highest-grade mechanical doll of the Y-series, and the most outstanding and magnificent doll. While I do not believe any of my own parts require reinforcement or replacement, as tools for utilization, these are at least barely worthy of me."

Her sharp-tongued nature was in full swing.

After all, the fact that her master wanted her to use tools didn't that indirectly imply she wasn't strong enough?

For Lululu, who constantly reminded everyone that she was a Y-series doll, it was quite a blow to her pride.

But it was for her own good; even if she was reluctant, she would be forced to upgrade.

Kobayashi declared that although it might be difficult, he would certainly mold Lululu into his own ideal shape, branding her inside and out with his own mark!

—A statement from a novice who had just stepped onto the path of a hobbyist model enthusiast.

Although Wiz had strange taste and was quite the spendthrift, she could still fulfill a client's requirements according to standards. She took out her notebook and began to ask for and record the specifications for the items and equipment Kobayashi needed.

"Specific types, functions, materials, price ranges, or any other requirements?"

"Hmm... I haven't really considered these practically. Money is not an issue, but the only standard is that the ores used must have high hardness and excellent quality!"

"High hardness and excellent quality?"

"Yes, preferably made from Adamantite."

"Items made from Adamantite are generally very expensive. Are you sure that's alright?"

Adamantite was the hardest ore in the world.

Darkness's armor only contained a tiny amount of Adamantite, yet it had already cost 200,000 Eris.

If magical weapons or items were made from Adamantite, the price would be absurdly high.

"It's fine. As long as it's suitable, I will pay for it."

For Lululu, he was willing to spend the money.

He finally understood those who were willing to spend money on their 2D wives. Perhaps this was love.

"Since you insist."

Wiz scribbled in her notebook, noting down Kobayashi's requirements.

"By the way, speaking of high quality. How about those crystal bombs..."

"No need."

"But they are excellent, and their power is quite formidable."

"No need."

"If you buy them now, you can take them at a low price for just an extra 20,000 Eris per piece!"

"No need."

Even with Wiz offering special deals and talking them up, Kobayashi gave her three consecutive refusals.

Just kidding.

These things were essentially hot potatoes.

Not to mention that Lululu lacked the mana to activate the crystal bombs, the immense power equivalent to Explosion magic was something Lululu couldn't withstand. How could she possibly use... them...

Wait, that's not it!

Kobayashi discovered the key point, and a sudden inspiration revealed the correct way to use them!

Just because others couldn't use them didn't mean he couldn't!

The only thing one needed to consider when using a crystal bomb was how to throw it a hundred meters away within one second of activating it with mana, so as not to be caught in the massive explosion equivalent to Explosion magic.

For others, this was impossible.

But Kobayashi was different.

He had a helper who could accelerate her own speed to the point of stopping time—Lululu!

He only needed to activate the crystal bomb, hand it to Lululu, and she could stop time and throw it at the enemy's feet. When time resumed, the enemy would suffer an inexplicable explosion.

—Boom!

Blown straight into the sky!

Or, he could try another method.

He could set traps with the crystal bombs, and once activated, have Lululu whisk him away from the battlefield.

The next second, a nuclear wipe!

A true weapon of mass destruction!

Oh no, it seemed there were all sorts of ways to play with them waiting to be discovered. Kobayashi was already itching to try.

He decided to give it a go and be a sucker for once.

"I'll buy these crystal bombs!"

"Eh? Th-thank you for your patronage...?"

Wiz was a bit confused as to why Kobayashi, who had been so resistant earlier, had changed his mind after a brief moment of thought.

"U-um... although it's strange for me to ask, will you actually be able to use these, Kobayashi?"

"Rest assured, I wouldn't buy things I can't use."

"O-oh... if you can use them, then..."

Selling products was a good thing; she had finally turned around this month's deficit and achieved a profit. At the same time, she wouldn't have to go to the vegetable market to scavenge for discarded leaves to survive!

Wiz and Kobayashi both wore satisfied smiles on their faces.