'Easy-peasy. It wasn't even hard. Everyone should do it. No bullshitting, and one fist is enough for every problem.'
Guards were on their way, but Noa was faster.
After purchasing the item he came for, his business here was done.
Imagining Arthur's conflicted face when he sees that his beloved treasure was gone, Noa couldn't help but laugh.
He left the store, heading into the association.
Even if the cameras saw his actions, Noa didn't worry about being blacklisted.
It wasn't like there was only one shop he could buy from, and as for the revenge, all he could tell them was to try.
He still needed gear, such as arm protectors, durable pants, and lasting armor.
But everything could wait, as he was checking the artifact he had stolen from Arthur.
[ A Will of the Many ]
[ Grade: Evolved Frail ]
[ Durability: 0/0 ]
'Sure enough. It's broken.'
Noa wasn't expecting it to be in perfect condition.
Why would they sell an artifact this cheap if it didn't have a flaw?
Yet he knew how to restore its former glory, but he also knew what kind of cheat ability this amulet could give him.
A Will of the Many's true origin was unknown.
But it removed the level cap on Embers, essentially allowing them to go beyond level 20 and reach level 30.
It was a cheat, an overpowered item, allowing Arthur to dominate others with his stats alone.
He could even equip higher-grade items because of it, which increased his fighting capabilities even further.
Unknowingly to him, he, as a dumb protagonist, made a huge mistake.
Noa got it earlier than him, and even though his need for it was limited compared to Arthur, Noa didn't care.
'I will use it even better than that sorry ass.'
He was set on making Arthur's life harder while anticipating their meeting.
As for repairing the artifact, the means were hidden inside the name.
All he had to do was sacrifice monsters and offer their will to the amulet, and when it contained enough energy, it would mend itself.
It was easy for him to do, and reaching the small, shabby smith, Noa knocked on the door.
'I feel like I am constantly following in his footsteps.'
As always, this was a place Arthur frequently visited and bought high-quality gear at a cheap price.
'What if I got him banned here?' Noa mused.
Planning to befriend the owner to ask her for a favor, Noa was disappointed when the blacksmith wasn't present.
"Do you know when she will be back?" he asked the smith keeper.
"Who? You mean Master Tifa?" she asked, confused. "I don't know. She has her own plans."
Shaking his head, Noa browsed through items and made his choice.
He also left the daggers he got from the archer, waiting for their assessment.
Ten minutes later, Noa stood in front of the association.
It was the same building he visited yesterday, and wearing fresh gear increased his self-esteem.
Besides, it made him feel like a warrior, ready to butcher his enemies.
His armor contained a set of items.
[ Sky Crash (Set) ]
[ Grade: Evolved Challenger ]
[ Defence: + 19 ]
[ Movement: + 3 ]
[ Durability: 69/69 ]
[ Extra Toughness: 5% damage reduction ]
The clothing he wore was made of monster skins, reminding him of a place he had to visit later.
As for brown leathered pants, black chest pieces, and arm protectors, Noa looked like a protagonist for once.
They were completely handmade, relying on superior quality materials and the best craftswoman in existence.
Tifa loved being low-profile and worked for a few clients.
Her craft was perfected, and Noa wanted to get her on his side because not only was she the scariest woman alive, but she was one of the most important characters in the story.
With everything in place and a mind ready for action, Noa walked past familiar halls and descended the stairs.
He wanted to greet Rica, but the muscular guy wasn't present.
In his place stood some scrawny man, not vibing with Noa one bit.
Not even the acquainted woman guided him to the chamber, and after offering his ID card, the new guy seemed almost as stoic.
The sounds of people arguing, racing, and just being busy reverberated everywhere he went.
While Embers debated, creating noises in their confusion, Noa seemed completely unaffected, and considering he was a big part of the problem, he seemed too relaxed even.
But since arriving in this world, his heart had always beaten faster than normal.
His thoughts were constantly jumbled.
Noa wasn't used to it.
Living on Earth didn't demand this much from his everyday life.
Yet, enjoying his current situation, Noa embraced the flashing lights before he was sent into the Abyss.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in a new environment.
It was a place he had never been before.
"Lucky me," he muttered, recognizing that finding Arthur would be easier than he thought.
'Count your peaceful minutes. We will be great friends.'
It sounded like a curse in his mind.
Then he craned his neck upward to downward, his gaze tracing the beams of white clouds around him.
Noa was in the sky.
Not completely, as his legs clung to the solid ground, but the ground itself was in the air.
Stretching impossibly far, the light of the desert blinded his eyes.
He knelt, picking a handful of sand for it to slip through his fingers like a weightless liquid.
When he stood up, the horizon looked closer and wider at the same time, as if the entire land was moving in circles.
"It's weirder than it was in the game."
Noa dashed.
Not minding the harsh light of the sun, he crossed the territory in search of monsters to entertain himself.
Arthur wouldn't arrive for another day.
The protagonist spent the first five days in the Abyss, only leaving it because of the academy.
Based on his personality, Noa guessed he wouldn't change his tactic.
Especially so when Arthur saw the deviations from the novel.
Rushing to the monsters, Noa was in high spirits, awaiting his current clash.
Finally, he got the chance to go all out, as no one was observing his every move from the shadows, and having new items and skills he still hadn't pushed to their limit definitely helped his mood.
His first opponent was huge.
The biggest and probably toughest monster he had faced.
And before swinging his sword, Noa activated Inspect, eager to start the fight.