Jujutsushi Wa Yuusha Ni Narenai

was still the problem of limited resources, and there’s only so much I can carry before it becomes a burden to the fight.

And along with the now, powered-up weapons, I also received a couple of magic accessories.
The Guard Ring for extra defense, and the one-time full recovery necklace, the Drop of Life.
Both of these are equip items that make it easier to go all out in battles.

Though, I already have a similar skill as the ring, Iron Guard, and the Drop of Life, while being akin to a 1+ on my number of lives, it doesn’t really help me fight any better.
I mean, it’s great to have some insurance, but personally…

 

“My bow still looks the same, was there something wrong?”

“Oh right, Sakura-chan, your bow’s the type that gets stronger the more you use it, so me trying to upgrade it doesn’t do anything.”

Sakura’s bow, on the other hand, didn’t receive any form of power-up.
Though, I suppose Takanashi-san’s the expert on this stuff, so if she says it’s fine, it probably is.
The Saintess’ Bow does in fact look different from back when we started.
It’s shape and appearance has been changing gradually, and it looks a lot whiter in color.

 

“Well, as a consolation, you get these!” Takanashi-san beamed while handing over a collection of elementally enchanted arrows, for all elements other than lux.

“Oh, arrows.
Thank you.” Sakura said.

“There’s only a limited supply of these, so use them wisely!”

Sakura can use lux magic for a very versatile degree already, so with the addition of these arrows, she’ll have more tricks in her repertoire.

 

“Come on, don’t you wanna upgrade your staff too?” Takanashi-san asked Class Rep.

“I told you I’m fine.
Plus, I don’t want to risk you failing since I’ll end up staffless again.”

“Trust mee, I can totally do it!”

“I said I’m not taking chances.
If we get another staff, you can try with that one first.”

 

 

Snow Bloom: A staff specialized in ice magic.
The orb on top transforms when mana is poured within.
It’s final form is that of a blooming flower of ice, and only in that form can its true potential be unleashed.

 

 

Class Rep had opted to keep her staff, the one dropped by a mage type living armor, as it was.
According to her, it’s already plenty powerful and she doesn’t want to upgrade it if that entails a risk of damaging this item she’d wanted for so long.

Takanashi-san wanted to try her hand at it since it’s rare for her to upgrade a mage’s staff, but she’ll have to hold off on it this time.

As for accessories, Sakura and Class Rep also received a few unique ones:

 

 

Amulet of Protection from Arrows: In addition to arrows, this magic charm allows the wearer better evasion toward any type of ranged attack or spell.

Cuffs of Concentration: Increases the wearer’s focus when forming spells.

 

 

Sakura got a Guard Ring, a Drop of Life and the Amulet of Protection from Arrows, while Class Rep had a Guard Ring and the Cuffs of Concentration.
We’d collected a bunch of these Guard Rings so there were enough to go around for everyone.
The Drop of Life however, was rarer and we only found 2.

Since I had the highest offensive ability in the party, and therefore carried the highest risk of injury, and since Sakura was our only healer and lifeline for the party, it was decided that the two of us would wear the Drop of Life necklaces.
In return, Class Rep got the Cuffs of Concentration so she can increase her damage output even more.

 

Making the rounds, Takanashi-san now went up to Asuna: “Asuna-chan, you look like you’ve gotten used to your magic swords.”

“I have.” Replied Asuna.
“And I have to admit, I didn’t think they’d be this useful.”

Like me, Asuna also got a number of magic endowed swords:

 

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Flame Red Saber: A single edged saber made from a cerberus’ claw.
It is endowed with scorching flames.

Storm Saber: A knight sword endowed in billowing air magic.

 

 

Asuna’s right hand blade, the Blade of Cleansing hasn’t gotten any upgrade, but her left hand Red Saber is now Flame Red Saber.
She can switch out the former with her Storm Saber and use a powerful combo magic of fire and air.
With three swords, she can also choose to switch them out depending on the type of enemy, giving her better flexibility in her fighting style.
She had a Guard Ring, of course, but additionally:

 

 

Amulet of Antivenom: This charm grants immunity to many types of poison and also increases poison resistance.

 

 

In other words, it’s an item that protects from status ailments.
I heard that she had a hard time against their fight with Yokomichi, who apparently turned into a monster, so to prevent paralysis and other similar risks, she got this.

On a side note, we found 3 of these Amulets of Antivenom and they went to Asuna, Natsukawa-san and Takanashi-san.
The last of whom didn’t carry any weapons but wore the most accessories out of all of us:

 

 

Bracelet of Vitality: This bracelet increases the wearer’s stamina.

Feather Pin of Hi Step: Wearing this enables the usage of the battle art Hi Step, a skill for fast running.

Medal of Courage: You feel courage rise up from the depths of your heart, which lets you triumphs over fear.

 

 

We felt that Takanashi-san, inarguably our weakest member, needed this collection of magical goods so that she could at least have a chance at running away in a crisis.
Her job of Sage provides practically no physical ability corrections whatsoever, and she’s had it tough even following after us in the trek within the dungeon.
We hope to fix that with the Bracelet of Vitality.

Which reminds me, when all of us got around to hear the analysis results for the Medal of Courage(and it was immediately decided that Takanashi-san would be getting it), I noticed that Futaba-san was looking at it pretty enviously.

Curious, Class Rep asked her about it, and here’s what she answered: “Oh, no.
I was just thinking how I don’t need something like that anymore.”

 

I guess she was remembering the time when she first entered the dungeon.
I’d heard that she couldn’t even work up the courage to fight a weak monster, but by the time I first saw her, her whole appearance plus job had changed to what they are now.
She’d become a Berserker so thoroughly that I couldn’t even imagine her getting teary eyed facing monsters… but thinking that is kind of insensitive of me, I’ll admit.

Anyway, Futaba-san’s weapons also received upgrades fit for a Berserker:

 

 

Blacksteel Knight Halberd: An ominous jet black halberd.
Its dark blade unleashes hard, heavy and merciless fury.

Dark Tower Shield: An ominous jet black tower shield.
This bulky mass repels enemy blows.

Blacksteel Broadsword: A black sword forged with a high grade steel and tough metallic shell alloy.
Its width is broad, blade long, and range wide.

 

 

Futaba-san was outfitted with gear that focused on physical attack strength.
She attempted using magic weapons but they didn’t seem to yield much effect for her, and so they were distributed to our other three melee fighters, Asuna, Natsukawa-san and myself.
Then again, Futaba-san now became our party’s sole shieldbearer, massively increasing her defense in addition to offense.
With this much raw physical prowess, she’d be able to take down living armors much easier.

And not only that, she even learned some new battle arts in the past week, so she might be able to beat an armor in one blow without even needing to guard with the shield.
I have a feeling she might soon outdo my Cross Calibur at the rate she’s growing.
I need to work harder too.

 

All right, so about Natsukawa-san’s stuff…

 

 

Wild Bandit Knife: This dreadful knife has been moulded into an atrociously corrupted shape with repeated usage in murder in the cruelest and most unusual ways.

Aquawhip of the Watersnake: Endowed with aqua magic, this whip can extend and retract at will.
Its whiplash will not only cause physical pain but also a hellish sting similar to a watersnake’s poison from its tail stinger.
Rather than a weapon, the aquawhip is better suited to be a tool of torture.

Shockerbolt: This dagger releases an electric charge so painful, it colors the victim’s face in complete despair.
It can be used for torture, execution and many other evil deeds.

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“What.
The.
Hell…” Natsukawa-san looked at them in utter shock.

“Hokay, I know what you’re thinking,” Takanashi-san said nervously, “but let me remind you that I’m not the one making this stuff up.
This is all――”

“I’ll kill you!! Kitoriii!!”

“Hyikes!?”

 

An aqua element whip and lightning element dagger would surely make our Thief, Natsukawa-san, much stronger.
But let me speak for her when I say, she is only a thief in name not action.

“Give me nicer weapons dammit!!” Even though she may scream hysterically and chase around Takanashi-san, I stand by my statement. Only in name.
I wish you luck, Natsukawa-san.

 

“So, we’re finally leaving this square.”

“As for the boss of this zone, I have a feeling it’ll be the strongest one yet.”

“We’ll be fine.
We’re stronger and better equipped than ever.”

Said Class Rep, Sakura and finally Asuna, each expressing their readiness to challenge and clear the trial ahead of us―― but before we leave, I have a little something I have to do.

 

“Futaba-san, a minute?” I said.

“What is it, Souma-kun?”

“Here.” I said as I handed her my Drop of Life.

“Huh? But this is your’s.”

“I want you to have it.”

 

I’m loath to admit it, but this is the best I can do right now in terms of protecting her.
Futaba-san is undoubtedly strong.
I can tell that she’s easily stronger than Asuna.

Which means that, if we’re in a fight where even she’s in trouble, I can’t say with confidence if I can jump in to protect her from a devastating blow since I might also be stuck with enemies.
Which is why she needs the Drop of Life.
If, by chance, I can’t cover for her, at least this will save her from an otherwise deadly wound.

 

“What’s the meaning of this, nii-san! We’ve all agreed that you need that necklace the most.
You’re the most at risk since you’re――”

“Stop it, Sakura.
I won’t change my mind.”

I expected Sakura to object.
From their interactions so far, it isn’t hard to figure out that my sister doesn’t like Futaba-san much.
But I won’t let her sway me on this.
I’m a man, and if I say I’ll protect her, then that’s that.

If it’s Sakura, I’m sure she’ll quickly notice that I’m very serious about this.
But for now, Class Rep mediated and settled her down for me.
Though she still had a look on her like she had more to say.

“…
Yuuto-kun, you’re sure about this?” Class Rep asked after a pause.

“I am.
This is what I want.
And I don’t think I’m the most at risk, Futaba-san fights just as hard as I do.”

 

“Ah, you don’t need to worry.” Futaba-san said, lifting her shield.
“I have a good shield.”

I guess from her point of view, she’d rather not take it if it starts raising sparks between us.

“Please.
Just think of it as doing me a favor…” I pleaded.
“Honestly, I’m not confident I can save you in a critical situation.”

I know, it’s really pathetic for a Hero. But that’s just another reason for me to get even stronger.

 

“Oh, well, alright.” Futaba-san said finally.
“I still think I’ll be fine without you worrying, but if it makes you less nervous, I’ll take it, sure.”

Gently smiling as if to express that she completely understands the depth of my worries, Futaba-san happily accepted the Drop of Life from my hand.

“Thanks, Souma-kun.
I appreciate it.”

 

Futaba-san immediately wore the life-saving necklace around her neck and, oof, it, it just disappeared inside her cleav… fuck, calm thoughts, breathe man breathe.
Let’s not think about where that drop went.

“All right, let’s head out.” I gave the signal to depart.

Our preparations were set, I was able to express my intent to protect everyone, and now, I just need to show that through action.