So I Really Am Just the Driver!

On the second floor of the shabby repair shop, Wang Shui leaned back in his comfortable chair, reviewing the introductory alchemy book floating before him.

Behind him, a dozen thin iron strips swam through the air like fish.

The effect of [Spell Card · Deadly Flying Blades (Green)] was far more powerful than he had imagined. Or rather, Wang Shui had underestimated the power of [Mystic Cards].

Wang Shui had originally thought Mystic Cards were like rigid skill icons in a game: activate one, and it would release the corresponding skill. But that did not seem to be the case. The skills he released through Mystic Cards were entirely under his control, and the feedback from every fine detail captivated him.

So this was a spell. What a magical experience.

Wang Shui had developed an interest in magic, but he did not have much time left. Tomorrow was the day he set out to deliver the goods.

He was not particularly panicked. Wang Shui had found time to check online, and there really had been plenty of transport missions lately.

Although [Iron Peak City] was not on the front lines, it was an important hub city very close to them. Aside from bulk supplies, scattered transport jobs outside the supply lines fell to the Awakeners.

The transport missions to [Rusty Sword Fortress] did indeed exist, and the fortress really did only admit Awakeners below Tier 1. Moreover, the journey was just over three hundred kilometers, which was not far even with detours, so plenty of groups had completed the mission. To combat-type Awakeners, the minor casualties were negligible. This was much safer than the battlefield.

Wang Shui also confirmed that entering the governor's castle really did require a life-type Awakener. Brother Hei had not lied to him about that.

Aside from the mission information, there was another matter that left Wang Shui feeling somewhat... unable to describe his feelings.

Over the past two days, as soon as he began studying alchemy in depth, Wang Shui had run short of money. He had originally planned to sell the information that Kirito was SAO's protagonist to the big shots who controlled the Sword Art Online world, but all he found on the forum was an announcement post.

The Sword Art Online world was gone.

The previous branch fantasy world-the one Wang Shui had participated in-had originally had a storyline lasting roughly three to four years. Once the original plot finished unfolding, the branch world would solidify into nutrients for the main fantasy world.

The world, made real and drastically altered, had successfully completed its progression without being destroyed. But when it merged back, the big shots received a new system notification:

"Branch world plot has undergone a rationalized mutation. Protagonist information has changed. Merge with the fantasy world at equal weight? There is an 80% chance of obtaining a new fantasy world storyline and learning the protagonist's identity, and a 20% chance of timeline fusion, permanently restarting the fantasy world and removing its persistent status."

The big shots, who had been frustrated for ages by their inability to find the protagonist, naturally chose to merge when they saw those odds. Then the Sword Art Online world disappeared.

Wang Shui did not understand what timeline fusion or a permanent restart meant either. He had long known that branch worlds would perish. He had even felt relieved that, after waking from SAO, the Shino he had influenced would feel lost for two years at most before disappearing forever. Now that he was actually faced with this news... sigh.

Mere words and images could actually create someone so endearing. Wang Shui's feelings were complicated. He had never considered investing his emotions in characters from fantasy worlds, and at the beginning, he had even possessed a kind of higher-dimensional being's arrogance.

Akihiko Kayaba and Shino had left an indelible impression on him. They were so real, their emotions and the feel of their touch no different from those of the real world, that for a while after leaving SAO, Wang Shui had actually been unwilling to sell the information.

Although he had known they would disappear, Wang Shui still could not help feeling a little empty when he saw the forum post. Thinking of the arrogance and playful attitude with which he had initially approached Shino, even a scumbag like him felt a little guilt.

Disappear, then. Disappear along with the traces I left.

The world over there was gone. Wang Shui might have been spouting chuunibyou lines about burying his memories, but his body was honest:

In the alchemical array in the center of the room lay a massive greatsword, a meter and a half long, with a blade twenty centimeters wide.

Its edge was not sharp, and it looked cumbersome. For cold weapons like this, designed for powered armor combat, if the pilot had no supernatural abilities, they would be made into chainswords or chain axes to improve their killing power.

Wang Shui's greatsword was clearly a pure blade built for a supernatural being to wield using their own abilities. Yet behind the crossguard, there was inexplicably an additional ring of raised metal, with faintly visible holes in it.

That was right: the [Blade Bullet System]. Wang Shui had recreated it in reality.

The recreation process had not been particularly difficult, because plenty of similar things existed in reality. Enhancing the enchantment effects of cold weapons had always been an enduring field of study in the supernatural world. There were many technologies similar to the charged bursts of Blade Bullets, and detailed information on some older technologies was available online.

Using that information, Wang Shui had quickly made his own [Blade Bullet System], though of course it differed greatly from the original.

First, without something as unreasonable as Sword Skills, the charging material naturally became various forms of energy. Second, the effects triggered by Blade Bullets could not work like they did in a game, where random stats could be generated and anything could be tacked on. They could only trigger array effects that had already been inscribed.

Wang Shui's knowledge of spells and magic was relatively limited. He had only made a simple reproduction of the effects, as a sort of consolation to himself.

Compared with the weapon, Wang Shui cared more about the iron strips flying through the air. This spell was much more powerful than his little body swinging a sword.

If they were only iron strips, Wang Shui could control many of them. But if he controlled throwing knives made from [Silver Dragon Alloy], he could only keep two flying at most. After he later cut down and recast the knives, that number could rise to four. The killing power of a single alloy throwing knife was much greater than that of a dozen iron strips.

Wang Shui was also consciously searching for ways to strengthen the human body, but he had no money at the moment. Methods of strengthening his body were also unlikely to produce immediate results, so mastering the spell he already had was the more reliable option.

As he devoted part of his attention to experiencing the control of his psychic force field, noon soon arrived. Wang Shui checked the time, then ventured out into the unceasing drizzle.

Following Artisan Street's main road east, he passed buildings that gradually grew taller and tidier. Wang Shui soon found his destination: an alchemy workshop with a large storefront.

Inside the supermarket-like hall, all sorts of alchemical items stood in rows of sealed crystal display cases, a dazzling assortment.

Wang Shui went straight to the service counter inside.

"I have an appointment. For an annihilation array."

"Hello, sir. Please verify your identity." Faced with Wang Shui's direct approach, the sales assistant dispensed with unnecessary pleasantries too.

Identity verification was performed by a device that detected the characteristics of soul fluctuations. Wang Shui glanced at it, and the verification information finished synchronizing the data between both parties.

"All right, verification complete. Please wait briefly in the inscription room in the back. Our inscriber will be with you shortly."

Wang Shui nodded and followed another sales assistant into the corridor behind the counter, then into a small room.

The small room had warm lighting, with a reclining surgical chair resembling a dentist's chair in the middle. Small instruments stood around it, almost none of which Wang Shui recognized.

Soon, the door opened again, and a female inscriber only about a meter and a half tall walked in. Although she looked young, the dark-gold six-pointed star badge on her equally dark-gold robe identified her as a high-level alchemist.

The three notches on it represented her outstanding abilities. Wang Shui had only learned about this certification standard among alchemists yesterday. As for what level Wang Shui was? He was not even qualified for a beginner assessment yet. He was still an amateur without formal training.

"You'd best take your shirt off and sit on the inscription table. This will be quick."

The youthful voice from that tiny body carried a confidence that was inexplicably reassuring. Wang Shui obediently bared his upper body and lay down.

"Have you had any arrays inscribed recently?"

"No."

As Wang Shui answered, the inscriber patted his shoulder with her small hand. Under the observation of Wang Shui's mental power, a complex configuration of alchemical energy merged into his body. He instantly felt weak, then lost control of everything below his neck, though he could still feel it.

"Uh, doctor, will it hurt?"

"Huh?" The little inscriber suddenly found this rather amusing. "An Awakener afraid of pain? Hmm-it won't hurt. [Array Spell: Body Deterioration] only temporarily blocks your control over your body. You'll still receive the sensory feedback you should. Yes, at most, there'll be a slight burning sensation."

"Oh. Thank you."

"Heh, a newcomer from Batch E? Still not used to life here?"

"Uh, I'm a life-type."

"A life-type, huh? Then make sure you stay alive." The little inscriber was not particularly talkative, and Wang Shui was in no mood to chat in his current state either.

The inscription work soon began. Under projected energy, a three-dimensional array network formed in the air around Wang Shui. The little inscriber said nothing more and used no incantations, only continuing to fill in parameters.

Wang Shui could roughly understand a little of it, but seeing it all together made his head spin.

Several minutes later, the array abruptly contracted into the inscriber's hand, condensing into a white sphere of light. The inscriber watched the instruments around her, her gaze never even falling on Wang Shui. She simply used her right hand to slowly press the sphere into the area between his chest and abdomen.

A distinct burning sensation spread through him. Wang Shui instinctively focused his mind, observing the energy inside his body being drawn into motion. Then he witnessed the extraordinary sight of his own energy inscribing his body from within.

This was alchemy he had never even heard of.

Soon, the inscription was complete, and the burning sensation rapidly receded. The little inscriber mechanically recited her medical instructions:

"The [Array: Annihilation Cycle] inscription is complete. From now on, supernatural energy will help you continually strengthen your body's internal environment. Your lungs can now filter out most simple toxic gases. Your stomach can digest nutrients through incineration, leaving essentially no residue. Any small amount of ash will be expelled when you vent gas from below.

"Try not to eat anything outside your diet. The annihilation stomach isn't omnipotent. Reduce your food intake over the next few days. Remember to temporarily switch off the annihilation stomach when taking medication. Your intestines will absorb the medicine efficiently. Yes, from now on, your anus will at most serve to vent gas, but personally, I don't recommend abusing it for other purposes.

"Metabolic waste will be cleared away, but we still recommend drinking plenty of water. Even if you don't excrete it, water will still be consumed. The same applies to the turnover of your skin cells. You will still need to bathe or clean yourself by other means.

"The muscle groups of your internal organs will grow significantly, and your bones will also be strengthened. If you need further biological enhancement surgery, such as a plate-like skeletal network, multiple alchemical hearts, blood enhancement, and so on, you can browse our workshop's bioalchemy page.

"Lastly, [Annihilation Cycle] is only a means of improvement. Your internal organs have indeed been strengthened, but they're still much more fragile than your bones and muscles. Most areas remain vital points, so don't take attacks head-on. The array can repair itself automatically. If you have any problems afterward, you can contact our workshop. You're also welcome to use our other products."

After listening to the lengthy medical instructions, Wang Shui, who had regained control of his body, left under the inscriber's urging gaze.

Only after returning to his second-floor bedroom did Wang Shui begin to examine his body carefully. He even got a biscuit to test his annihilation stomach.

As the barely chewed biscuit passed down his throat, he no longer felt a distinct, sharp pain. Instead, it felt like fingers gripping. Wang Shui felt that his throat was as tough as tanned leather.

The biscuit disappeared almost the instant it reached his stomach. Wang Shui did not know whether its nutrients had been absorbed, but he vaguely sensed that he could control the strength of the annihilation effect and switch it on or off.

Great. Now I didn't have to worry about getting too full, or use the toilet.

This was one of the three arrays known among Awakeners as the basic human rights trio. The other two were the cheap ones Wang Shui had already had inscribed.

[Array: Interaction] was a special array for interacting with interfaces of the same origin, similar to a network cable port but much more complex.

[Array: Computing Terminal] was a biological brain computer, a useful assistant that ran on Wang Shui's idle processing power. This one was not expensive either.

As for Wang Shui's new acquisition, it was the internal enhancement array that Awakeners depended on for survival. With its complex and powerful functions, it could greatly improve their ability to survive in all kinds of environments.

He had received his payment in advance. Next came the tough battle.

Although Brother Hei had made it sound easy and said the entire journey would be safe, Wang Shui kept feeling something was wrong. The more attentive Brother Hei was, the fishier it seemed. He now strongly suspected that both crates he was delivering contained genuine goods.

Overall, whether the goods were genuine would not make much difference to the danger along the way. Wang Shui had to do everything he could to protect himself regardless.

That evening, instead of studying, Wang Shui organized his equipment and consumables. He removed one of his three large water tanks, instantly freeing up much more room in his Awakener space.

The night passed uneventfully.

Early the next morning, Wang Shui dawdled until after eight before leaving. He was not carrying much, but his steps were heavy.

At [Iron Edge City]'s eastern gate, beneath a gloomy sky and fine rain, Wang Shui saw a tall cargo truck. Its white body bore the symbol of the [Dream System], a circular design resembling a circuit board. There was another small emblem toward the back: a blurred human silhouette inside a circle.

Wang Shui had seen it while researching. It was the emblem of the [Penumbra of Destruction] hunting group.

That must be the truck. As Wang Shui approached, he felt puzzled. Why did there seem to be several people near it? There were also two armored vehicles nearby, and one fellow was even sitting cross-legged on the truck's roof, head tilted back to receive the drizzle.

As Wang Shui drew closer, a tall, thin man in a black hooded coat came up to him.

"What took you so long? Hurry up and get in the truck's driver's seat."

Uh. Wang Shui looked utterly bewildered. The tall, thin man immediately tossed him a crystal card after speaking, and at the same time, a system notification sounded.

[You have received new mission information. Awakener *** (hidden) has issued you the mission "Simple Supply Transport." Accept?]

Well, I was already here. Might as well accept?

[You have accepted a new mission. Details are available in the mission information tab.]

The system was as concise as ever. Wang Shui opened the detailed description:

[Simple Supply Transport]

[Mission ID: DP101AM00060013202-021]

[Mission type: Awakener-issued · Voluntary mode]

[Mission description: Transport the items that triggered this mission to "Rusty Sword Fortress" and deliver them to the recipient, "Silvia, Penumbra of the Moon."]

[Mission reward: 100,000 Dream Points (paid in advance)]

[Special restrictions: None]

The mission's name was suspicious, but there really was nothing wrong with its contents. Although the system encouraged Awakeners to take part in transporting supplies, most missions were issued by large companies and hunting groups. Wang Shui had known that for a long time.

But what was going on with these people?

"What are you standing around for? Go drive. The truck's speed is limited, and we can't travel those three hundred-odd kilometers in a straight line either. Get moving. We need to deliver it before noon tomorrow."

"Huh? We? You're coming too?"

The tall, thin man was somewhat surprised as well:

"What else? You're a life-type who hasn't even reached Tier 1. Could you deliver goods this valuable on your own? Didn't Brother Hei tell you? That problem with your brain won't affect your driving, will it?"

"But Brother Hei said only people below Tier 1 could enter the fortress?"

"Yeah, so we aren't going inside. We're just escorting you along the way. Is there a problem?"

Well, uh... Wang Shui admitted that the problem really was with his brain.