Glorious Vanity (SI LitRPG)

I frowned, carefully reading the messages that popped up in front of me.

[A Different Path] was finally activated, and I could make a conceptual weapon... because the Divine Rosary was good enough material?

No, before it said that I lacked mana. But now it didn't.

Then... could I make something else too? Like, say a certain instadeath crimson spear?

[You lack mana.]

Dammit. So it seemed like those sorts of things needed more resources that I didn't have.

But then there was this rosary... What did it do anyway?

System Bro, could you tell me?

[I will attempt to do so. Scanning... Complete. Here is the requested information.]

-V-

[Divine Rosary]

An item formed through the purification of a being embodying the sin of lust that has devoured countless holy maidens in the past.

Can be used as a medium to remove abnormal status effects.

Great resistance to 'lust' based status effects.

Luck +5

-V-

After reading the information, I blinked.

Mostly out of surprise. I didn't expect the System to give me that much information.

Is it because I kept calling it System Bro?

[I am not a 'Bro.']

I flinched.

"Vain?" Freyr was at my side in an instant, concern in her eyes and her sword drawn. "Is something the matter?"

I shook my head. "No. Just... surprised. It seems that this thing is pretty useful."

...Let's put the matter about the sentient system aside for the moment.

I focused on the rosary again and turned it around in my hand. As I reread the effects, I turned to look at Freyr.

She stared back and then quickly shook her head. "If you are concerned about ownership, please do not worry. Were it not for you, I would have..." She shuddered and said, "You may rest assured. You have done more than enough to earn that artifact."

I tossed it in my hands a few time and stood up. "True. But it's probably better on you than me... Though as it stands it's not super useful. Your luck is just that bad."

Freyr blushed and lowered her gaze. "That... I cannot dispute that point. But." She looked back up and said, "May I presume that the artifact affects luck then?"

"Mm... Probably."

"Probably?"

I shook my head and said, "No analyze skill, remember?"

"Ah. I had forgotten... But then shall I examine it?"

"...Let me try something first." I leaned against the wall to rest and lifted up the rosary, staring at its form within the torchlight. "Like I said, I'm not a fighter, but I've got a few useful tricks up my sleeve as well. I might be able to do something about this to make it more useful."

I stared at the rosary and thought about using my skill again.

[Activating A Different Path...]

[Divine Rosary may be used as the source of a conceptual weapon.]

...Does it have to be a 'weapon?' Like a sword, spear, or axe? Or is it weapon in the more abstract sense?

[The abstract sense.]

Huh. Thanks System Bro- Er, System Gal?

[I am female, yes.]

...Good to know. And sorry about that. But anyway... Can you tell me more about this? I know 'that guy' could make various things in canon with his powers, and [A Different Path] is kind of based on his 'tracing', but I'm guessing it's not the same?

[Correct. While stated to be 'reproduction' that is in the sense of 'reproducing' what you envision. Functionally, it aligns closer to 'creation.']

And if I lack base materials I have to substitute with more mana?

[Correct.]

...What can I use as materials anyway? Could I use bonus stat points? My skill? Titles? Traits?

[...I cannot answer.]

Oh?

I smirked.

Freyr's voice called out. "Vain? You have been quiet for some time now... Are you well? Wait, that expression... Is it cursed? That... You have already used your Full-Restore, and my own were used already... M-Must I use 'that' ritual? B-But..."

Ah. Right. I would look pretty weird just going silent like this.

I shook my head and relaxed my face. "Sorry to worry, Freyr. I'm just reading some... interesting system messages that appeared."

[I appreciate the compliment. User is also quite... interesting, to put it politely.]

Shut up Alexa.

[Alexa?]

Freyr carefully examined my face, doubtful. But after a few moments, she sighed in relief. "It appears that you are not cursed after all. But please, Vain. Do not scare me like that. If you were cursed... I do not believe I would be able to make it out alone."

A faint fear in her eyes.

I didn't blame her. If I was a- Actually, better to not tempt fate or whatever divine beings could be listening into my thoughts.

I nodded. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get out of here alive at the least. Now, I'm going to do some thinking, so just sit back and relax. Hopefully if this works we can solve one problem for you."

"...I think that you have done enough already, Vain. But if you insist." Freyr nodded and then moved to my right side, leaning against the wall there.

...And it seemed like I definitely raised her flag. Freyr had done that subconsciously and also didn't seem to find anything wrong with it.

Ordinarily, that'd be a good thing. After all, what person wouldn't want a beautiful probably literal goddess in love with them? Just defy fate and screw the odds, right?

That'd be great!

If I was MC material with OP skills that could no-sell things. Unfortunately, despite my traits and versatile skills, I was very much still a squishy human. Squishier than most, according to the averages that System Gal brought up.

Top priority for me would be to get as far away from her as possible the moment we finished this scenario so that I wouldn't get hit with splash damage or targeted by whatever enemies were hunting her down.

But it'd make me feel bad if something happened to her... and something would absolutely happen to her with her 'luck'.

So.

Just like how I gave that guy a way out in my story. If I use [A Different Path]... one should open for her too.

I had the pieces. And System Gal 'couldn't' say if it would work. Not that it wouldn't.

Which meant there was an exploit. Or at least, an unintentional synergy.

So...

[Would you like to create a conceptual weapon?]

I would.

[Please specify the source materials.]

[No One's Story], The Divine Rosary, [A Different Path], [Disengage], [Loki's Blessing (Minor)], [First Aid], [Hero Creator] and [Self-Determined].

[...This is going against the design of the System, User.]

But it's not impossible, right? After all, [No One's Story] removes skill requirements.

[...Confirmed. However, there is insufficient material to modify the setting in such a manner.]

But not if I use my bonus points, right? Each stat point is a precious modifier that take tremendous effort to get... so it should be enough to balance causality, no?

[...User. You are quite well-informed.]

And you've become quite articulate, Miss System. Now the question is just this: Will you do it?

[...Confirmed. I have received User's request and supplied materials. 15 Bonus Stat Points will be deducted to balance causality.]

[Please specify the design.]

I paused to think.

15 bonus stat points... That was the equivalent of one and a half levels. And it seemed to be the bare minimum to 'use' the materials I listed... but it also wouldn't be enough if I made something too game breaking. I was sure of that.

Freyr's biggest problems... Well, I had an idea on how to deal with her naivety and lack of caution. The negative 100 luck though was a big issue, along with her susceptibility to status effects.

Then... a means to resist that 'Fate'. Granting a god defying nature with [No One's Story]. The Divine Rosary to negate abnormal status effects. Using the basis of [A Different Path] in directly interfering with a hero's fate to interfere with Freyr's fate. Using [Disengage] to allow Freyr a one-time retreat in a pinch. [Loki's Blessing (Minor)] for its nature in change and concealment to link the effects. [First Aid] for its restorative effects. [Hero Creator (Minor)] to remove the constraint on her luck. And then [Self-Determined] so that she could decide her own destiny.

[Calculating... The resulting conceptual weapon is possible. However, you lack bonus stat points to balance the break in causality.]

Too much, huh?

...No. It just went to show how badly Babel and everything wanted to get rid of Freyr.

And I'm guessing to counterbalance that I'd need to give up around 100 bonus stat points, huh?

[Correct. 110 additional bonus points are required in order to create the desired item that has been tailored towards Freyr Valhalla.]

So eleven levels...

I turned to look at Freyr.

She looked back. "Yes Vain?" She tilted her head, causing her silver hair to shift, and stared at me with her clear blue eyes. "Did you need something?"

"After this... Do you know what happens after this scenario, Freyr?"

She furrowed her brow and said, "Ordinarily, we would enter the training grounds where we prepare in earnest for ascending Babel. However..."

"This time is different."

Freyr nodded. "Indeed... And likely because of my entrance." She sighed and lowered her gaze. "My apologies again, Vain. If I had not attended this round, the first scenario..." She shook her head and looked at me with a determined gaze. "Worry not! Regardless of what comes next, I will surely protect you. That is... the least of what I could do for what you have done."

A faint hint of red entered her cheeks.

I stared at her a while longer and then nodded. "Alright. I'd say you're worth it. And this will be an early apology gift."

"Hm?"

System Gal. You can take the balance from my future level ups, right?

[...It is possible, yes.]

Then do it.

[Are you certain? Quite frankly, User is in grave danger. And even an Aesir cannot protect User from everything.]

Yeah, yeah. I know already. But I'm not the type to let a beautiful girl in front of me drop dead or get violated. Besides, I'll consider this an investment.

[...User is irrational.]

Have you seen the name they gave me yet?

[...Understood. Then I shall confirm.]

[User wishes to create a Conceptual Weapon guarding against Ill Fate, Divine Intervention, Abnormal Status Effects, as well as granting slight restorative properties and a limited retreat function?]

That's right.

[...Please name the Conceptual Weapon and designate its form.]

I thought about it for a bit and then stared at Freyr.

She was still staring at me, but a blush was forming on her cheeks. "V-Vain? Is there something on my face...?"

Heaven's Veil. And a necklace of golden wings should be fine, as long as it stays soulbound to Freyr.

[Confirmed. And User... you are an idiot.]

Hey. I promise you this won't be in Vain.

[...User is fortunate that I am bound to User and unable to influence your actions.]

I smiled and then pushed off the wall. Afterwards, I tossed the rosary to Freyr. "Here. I think I unlocked some useful functions for you."

She grabbed it, frowning. "Unlocked? What do you-" Her voice cut off and she stared at the rosary.

No, it wasn't a rosary anymore. The moment that she grabbed it, the necklace changed, turning into a pair of folded golden wings on a glittering silver chain, the same color as her armor.

"This is...? Heaven's Veil? And these effects...?" Freyr shook her head and quickly tried to hand it back. "Vain! I cannot-"

"Too late. It's already bound to you."

The moment I said that, the necklace dissolved in Freyr's hands, reforming around her neck.

Freyr's eyes widened and she clutched the golden wings. Afterwards, she shook her head and said, "Vain! This... Do you have any idea what you just gave me?"

"Not really. But it should be useful, right?"

"Useful! Useful?! Do you have any idea of the value of this-?!"

"Yeah, yeah. Divine protection or something... Whatever. We've been here long enough. Anyway, let's get going." I started walking, heading back the way we came.

"Vain! Listen to me! This is-!"

I glanced back. "Something that can change your fate. Right?"

Freyr froze.

I smiled and said, "Don't worry about it." I turned my head back to the front and kept walking. "It's not my policy to let beautiful women get into trouble if I can help it."

"Vain. You really are..."

"Now hurry up. If the first monster we killed dropped something that good, I'm eager to see what else drops. Ah, and I call dibs."

"Of course!" Freyr quickly dashed to my side and said, "Everything we find afterwards, if there is anything you find useful, please, take it!" She clutched the golden wings and said, "Just this alone..."

[A God of Wisdom is astonished at your luck and overwhelmed at you sharing it. He declares that he will repay you in full outside of the Tutorial.]

[A Goddess of Magic is overjoyed by your actions and generosity. She declares her eternal gratitude and affirms that she will repay you in full outside of the Tutorial.]

[The Administrator of the Tutorial roars at his subordinates about balance and demands to know who added such a valuable artifact to the pool of items.]

[A Trickster God returns, victorious from his duel, and chuckles at your ploy. He bestows a small gift and requests a friendly meeting once you leave the Tutorial. +5 Vitality.]

[A Phantom Thief is amused at how you stole Freyr's heart and bestows a gift. +2 Strength.]

Heh. Just as planned. No good deed goes unrewarded when it involves gods.

[...User is quite despicable.]

Hey. I told you it was an investment.

-V-

[Status Screen]

-Biography-

Name: Vain Glory

Age: 20 (Adjusted)

Race: Human (Heaven Defying)

Current Condition: Healthy

-Racial Traits-

Divine Anathema - Those not only forsaken by their gods, but those who have killed their gods and constructed their own. Drastically reduces effectiveness of Divine Attacks. Minor probability of obtaining partial Divine Authority through analysis and perception. Greatly increased hostility by Divine Beings.

-Traits-

Man of a Thousand Faces (Can filter emotions and experience through personas)

Well-Read (Increased intelligence growth)

Self-Determined (Luck is treated as 100 for calculations)

-Titles-

World Creator (Minor) - Allows construction of non-magical items through one's will

Hero Creator (Minor) - Removes growth limitations on user and their allies

-Parameters-

Level: 5

Strength: 18

Agility: 18

Vitality: 18

Intelligence: 74

Mana: 70

Luck: 15 [100]

Bonus Stat Points: -110

-Skills-

No One's Story - A gambit that defies the gods through sacrificing one's identity and very memory. All attempts to scry your status are denied. Removes skill requirements. Memory and visualization abilities are enhanced.

A Different Path - Direct interference with a hero's fate, granting him a new path and divergent futures. Allows reproduction of 'conceptual weapons' provided the requisite materials. Allows reproduction of 'sword skills' provided the requisite understanding.

Flames of Muspell (Degraded) - A spark of the flames that will harken the end in Ragnarok. An authentic spark of the world-consuming flames that can burn even the divine. Immune to all but extreme temperature changes. Moderate resistance to Absolute Zero or Absolute Flame. Can summon a handful of Ragnarok's flames.

First Aid - A basic healing spell that stops bleeding and accelerates the body's natural regeneration.

Disengage - A skill that allows the user to immediately retreat from battle as well as return the user's condition to the state prior to engaging in combat. Can be used once per engagement per hostile opponent.

Loki's Blessing (Minor) - A blessing from the Trickster God, Loki. Can change and conceal one's appearance. Due to synergy with No One's Story, it is a flawless disguise, capable of fooling even Loki without intense scrutiny.

-Inventory-

N/A