I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 80

I placed the three new magic rifles on the table and examined them.

‘They’re pistol-shaped.’

Perhaps because they used the same three magic cores, all three were identical. I picked up a magic rifle and checked its stats.

[Cerberus Lv.25]

– Type: Magic Rifle
– Attack Power: 11-66
– Durability: 6/6
– Magazine Capacity: 6/6
– The last bullet in the magazine always hits as a critical.

“Since all three were made in the same form, I named them Cerberus.”

“The three-headed dog of hell, huh? It’s a good name.”

I examined all three pistols and placed them on the table. They were noticeably smaller than typical magic rifles.

“But why are they so small?”

“I heard that all the magic rifles you’ve made so far are used by one person.”

That’s right. They’re all for Damian.

“And if you include the first magic rifle you showed as a sample, that makes six, right?”

“So?”

“Carrying six weapons of this size would be exhausting, even for a strong person. Besides, magic rifles have a lot of recoil, which puts a strain on the body.”

True, during defense battles, they could just be placed on the ramparts and fired.

But in situations like free exploration, the weight of the magic rifles would be a significant burden for Damian.

“So, I made them as compact as possible. The long-range firepower might be a bit lower, but their power at mid-to-close range should be decent.”

“Being lighter and smaller, they’ll be advantageous at closer ranges.”

I nodded in satisfaction.

This way, I could switch equipment setups, using long rifles for defense battles and pistols for free exploration.

I could try out various combinations.

I tried firing a pistol at the shooting range next door.

Bang-!

Despite being a pistol, the recoil was tremendous. My wrist ached even though I held it with both hands.

Still, it was nothing compared to the long rifle-type magic rifles.

Those things practically sent my body flying backward every time I fired them.

I put the pistols in a box and packed them carefully. I’ll give them to Damian as a gift.

“You’ve worked hard, Guild Leader.”

“It was nothing.”

“And I’m sorry, but I’ll have to ask you to start on the next equipment right away.”

“Why be sorry? It’s our job.”

I placed the materials I had prepared on the table.

One Golden Gargoyle Magic Core (SR) [Super Rare].

And five Golden Armor Fragments.

“The next thing I’m commissioning is…”

I took a breath and exhaled.

“‘Boss Equipment’.”

The blacksmith guild leader’s face tensed up.

***

What is boss equipment?

Boss monsters have a high chance of dropping unique magic cores when defeated.

Players can use these magic cores as they please.

They can make equipment, artifacts, or sell them for money.

Even if they make equipment, they can use the magic cores for whatever equipment they need at the time.

A shield if they need a shield, shoes if they need shoes.

It’s all up to the player’s discretion and preference.

However.

‘Boss Equipment,’ which is made to resemble the equipment used by the boss monster, can only be made with the boss’s magic core and materials.

Its performance is quite good, so it’s good to make if the conditions and situation are right.

‘It’s not that I didn’t know. The categories just didn’t overlap until now.’

For example, the stage 1 boss, the Wraith Knight.

His boss equipment is the ‘Wraith Knight’s Greatsword.’ But since none of us use greatswords, we didn’t make it.

‘After that, either elite monsters appeared instead of bosses, or even if boss monsters appeared, they didn’t drop unique magic cores.’

Anyway, in the meantime, I picked up the Golden Gargoyle’s magic core and armor fragments.

I was now able to make the Golden Gargoyle’s boss equipment—the ‘Golden Armor.’

“Please make it as thin and light as possible.”

I made a special request.

“So it’s not heavy and doesn’t hinder movement.”

“Then the defense will be reduced…”

“It doesn’t matter. Just make it comfortable to move in.”

“Understood.”

The option I ordered was armor in appearance, but in reality, it was closer to a magic-user’s robe.

“When will you take measurements?”

“Let’s do that next time. For now, please make it a little smaller.”

After completing the order and paying in advance, I left the smithy.

Lucas followed behind me, nodding.

“Is it for you, my lord? Then it’s definitely better to have something light. You don’t have to go to the front lines.”

“Uh, well…”

I trailed off.

I might wear it too. I’ll decide after seeing the options.

***

The alchemist’s workshop.

The Archduke’s artifacts were being repaired without any issues. That wasn’t why I came today, though.

“Lily.”

Since Jupiter was out of the stage, I was here to inform her that our flame mage was being added back to the party.

“His Highness the Prince is here~!”

“…”

Lily, who was diligently repairing an artifact, stared at me with hollow eyes.

“Looks like I have to go again…?”

“Yeah… that’s how it is.”

More than that, have you ever not been on the front lines? It feels like you get called up every defense battle.

Lily sighed and shook off her hands.

“What can I do? It’s my sin for being born a mage.”

“Yeah, yeah. Blame your own brilliance.”

“Ugh…”

I was joking, but Lily’s face turned tearful. No, she’s crying! She’s really crying!

“D-don’t cry! It’s my fault! Well, I’m still going to deploy you in battle though!”

“I’m not crying… it’s just artifact dust in my eyes…”

Lily rubbed her eyes and spoke clearly.

“Your Highness. I have a request.”

“Y-yes. Tell me.”

“Later, when many junior mages join.”

“Yeah.”

“Even if I step down from the front lines. Please make sure they all come to greet me once when they join.”

“Huh?”

It was an unexpected request.

Lily explained the reason to me, who was blinking in confusion.

“I’m a mage, but my talent is just so-so. I didn’t even get proper training at the Ivory Tower [a prestigious magic academy], let alone have a decent mentor.”

“Hmm.”

To be honest, Lily is an R-grade character [Rare].

And a second-rate mercenary who ended up on a harsh front line like the monster front.

She’s not a mage with great talent or achievements. She knows it well herself.

“In the future, many great and talented mages will join the front lines, right? Then I can finally be fixed in an office job.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“I don’t want to be looked down on by those talented genius junior mages.”

Lily blurted out quickly, as if she had been holding it in her heart.

“Please treat me properly as a senior mage. Even if I can’t walk, even if I’m in an office job, even if I’m just an average mage.”

“…”

I nodded firmly.

“No one will look down on you, and if they do, I’ll take responsibility and beat them up.”

She protected us all and ended up unable to walk.

That’s why she was forced into an office job.

What does her achievement as a mage matter?

No matter how many hundreds or thousands of great mages there are in the world, Lily is the comrade who has gone through life and death with me since stage 0.

“Do you think I wouldn’t do that much for our most senior mage? Put those worries aside, Lily.”

I can do anything for you except let you retire, Lily!

“Then that’s fine…”

Lily sighed and turned her gaze back to the artifact.

“Don’t worry, I won’t run away. If you call me, I’ll join right away.”

“Okay. Thank you, Lily.”

Since there are two mages in the Aegis Special Forces right now, I should make them bow their heads and greet her tomorrow.

After looking at the Archduke’s artifacts that were nearing completion and the people working silently, I left the workshop.

***

Inside the carriage on the way back to the mansion.

I was pondering while looking at the current stats of my characters.

Jupiter, our core wide-area attacker, was out of the stage, but we had gained a sub-party.

The main party’s growth was also not bad.

‘How can we fight to maximize efficiency in this stage…’

I was thinking of various combinations and strategies in my head.

Then.

The Traitor’s Necklace I was wearing around my neck began to glow. The inside of the carriage was flashing.

I touched my neck in confusion.

‘What’s this?’

The add-on function attached to the necklace.

The [Dark Event Tracker] was activated. A system window appeared in front of me.

[Dark Event Predicted for STAGE 4!]

Dark Event.

A nasty trial that ‘someone’ intentionally gives me to ruin this game.

It activated in all three previous stages, and sure enough, it activated again this time.

‘Okay, what is it this time? Let’s know what we’re up against.’

And what appeared in front of me was…

[Activated Dark Event: Additional Boss Monster]

> An additional boss monster will appear.

What?

My eyes widened. Does that mean two boss monsters will appear?

I opened the enemy information window in alarm.

[Enemy Information – STAGE 4]

– Lv.? ??? : 2
– Lv.15 Rock Gargoyle: 360
– Lv.20 Steel Gargoyle: 242

It’s real! There are really two!

“Boss monsters can duplicate?”

I ran my hand over my forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

The boss monster of the gargoyle army was already tough, but if there are two of them…

‘No, no. Let’s think as positively as possible, positively!’

I switched my thinking to hope mode.

‘We’ll get double the items that the boss drops! Double the experience too! It’s a double event, a double event!’

No, I’m not just saying that.

The boss battle will be incredibly tough, but the rewards will also be doubled.

Didn’t Nietzsche say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?

There’s no truer saying in RPGs.

‘Yeah, bring on more terrible dark events! Send more boss monsters, stronger enemies!’

Dealing with two boss monsters is just a daily occurrence in the mid-to-late game.

Tactics quickly began to form in my head.

If I can know in advance, clearing the conditions is not difficult.

‘I’ll chew them all up. You damn monster bastards.’

I was already thinking about what items to make with the materials from the two gargoyle boss monsters, and I thought.

I’ll chew them all up, level up like crazy, get amazing items, and push into your base.

And I’ll make you regret letting me live and making me stronger through trials.

The carriage quickly approached the mansion. The weather was cloudy, as if dark clouds were gathering in the distance.

Along with the eerie smell of rain, stage 4 was rapidly approaching.