Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 75: Safety Net

"And why do you think a mage has excellent marksmanship?" asked Daisuke. "It's because the spell's velocity also plays a vital role in power and accuracy. But if there's too much power behind the Magic Missile, it may damage the circle."

Milo shifted his gaze to the mage, and Elena nodded in a reluctant confirmation. With a sigh, the healer turned toward his target. Gripping his staff with a stance reminiscent of a soldier wielding a rifle and peering down the sights, he closed one eye and swallowed nervously.

"Breathe," encouraged Daisuke. "Just remember that you're not launching an attack—you're merely feeding the magic circle some mana."

Easy for you to say, thought Milo, but he took a deep breath and held it in his chest. In his ears, he could vividly hear the erratic beating of his heart, but his hands had steadied.

Like a surgeon seeking a vein, he focused his senses and launched a single projectile that resembled a fluffy cloud rather than a pointed blade. It found its mark with incredible accuracy, and the magic circle hummed in response.

Milo finally breathed, and Elena and Rexar looked on in anticipation as the light in the blue magic circle faded while the light in the other one intensified.

Systematically, the meshed flooring gradually disappeared while cobblestones materialized to completely fill the gaping hole in the floor.

Milo stood in stunned silence until Daisuke flicked his forehead. "Ouch!" he cried out in pain, rapidly rubbing the swollen and steaming spot.

"Well done," Daisuke praised with a smile.

Rexar roughly tousled the healer's head like an older brother while Elena clutched his arm and jerked his body in excitement.

Without a word, Daisuke approached the glittering heap and touched his fingertip to a large cut of Mana Crystal. With a single glance, he noted that the loot was hoarded together in a disorganized clump; everything was pooled together and touching one another.

Testing a new theory, he laid his palm flat on the chunk of crystal and willed his inventory to store everything that was in contact with it. To his surprise, it worked flawlessly—every piece of gold, silver, crystal, and other materials were pulled into his possession. All except for a piece of coiled parchment.

"Show off," murmured Rexar.

"What is it?" Elena asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes as Daisuke reached for the length of papyrus and began unfurling it.

The trio huddled close, craning their necks to get a better look.

"It's a map," Daisuke informed them, his eyes scanning over the details before it vanished into his inventory. "Let's head back. We'll decide what to do with all this stuff once we're back in the village."

"So, in the end, we didn't really learn anything conclusive," uttered Milo dejectedly.

Rexar's expression hardened, his fingers clenching into tight fists, and Elena's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes becoming glum.

"...Not necessarily," replied Daisuke, his words rekindling a sliver of hope within the trio. "Do you remember how frantic Vernie was to stop those two girls from escaping?"

Their eyes widened in recollection.

***

The girls in question were being comforted by the laborers in the mining shaft when Daisuke and the others returned.

"Did you... really take care of the ones responsible for taking us hostage?" queried one of the Beastfolk.

"That's unbelievable!" uttered another.