I FOUND A DOOR TO TENSURA AND BECAME BROKEN IN THE REAL WORLD TOO-Chapter 23: The Crystal Conquest

The day had been progressing peacefully as I strolled through town, casually observing the bustling activity of the locals. Children ran around laughing, merchants advertised their wares with booming voices, and townsfolk exchanged pleasant greetings. Yet, I couldn't help but notice the occasional lingering gaze from passersby. Some would subtly point in my direction, while others whispered excitedly.

At first, I paid it no mind, assuming it was just casual curiosity, but then I spotted a few people discreetly taking pictures and videos of me with their magical devices. Soon enough, I realized that rumors were beginning to spread on SNS.

"Who is this guy?"

"Oh, I know this place!"

"He's so handsome...!"

I sighed inwardly. Great... it's starting.

Since returning to the school and defeating various monsters in the Cardinal World, I had become somewhat of an urban legend. It seemed my growing reputation was already catching attention, and with each passing day, it was only getting harder to remain low-key.

The last few days had been unexpectedly fulfilling. I enjoyed casual conversations with Ryo and the others at school, laughing and chatting about mundane topics like homework and pop culture. Though the normalcy of it all was refreshing, I couldn't ignore the constant itch to return to the Cardinal World.

Once school was over, I returned home and threw myself into training or monster hunting. With my increasing proficiency in martial arts, I had gradually transitioned from relying solely on my spear to incorporating more hand-to-hand combat. My strikes were sharper, my reactions quicker, and my overall form had improved significantly.

I never thought I'd see the day when going to school would be so much fun... I mused to myself, walking through the now-familiar halls. It was a strange and pleasant feeling—something I once could never imagine. But ironically, the peacefulness of school made me feel a little lonely on the weekends.

"...But, I have to conquer this forest as soon as possible."

The free weekend was the perfect opportunity to explore the forest's uncharted depths. The more ground I covered, the easier it would be to move freely back and forth. My goal was clear—push deeper and gain more power.

Once fully prepared, I set off into the forest. My steps were steady, and my senses were sharp. Along the way, I encountered familiar monsters—the goblin general, devil bear, and even another orc king. Unlike before, I faced the orc king in a solid state, no longer relying on surprise attacks. With honed combat skills, I dispatched it cleanly.

It was a sign of my growth—I was stronger, faster, and more confident.

After cutting through several beasts with relative ease, I finally spotted something unfamiliar.

"...Oh, that's..."

From the shadows of the forest emerged a majestic creature—a deer-like beast with two enormous antlers made of crystalline material. The sight was mesmerizing. One antler gleamed a brilliant crimson while the other glowed with an azure hue, creating a captivating contrast.

"It's... beautiful."

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For a brief moment, I admired its splendor—until my instincts screamed at me. Idiot! Don't let your guard down!

In the Cardinal World, beauty often masked deadly power. With renewed focus, I appraised the creature.

[Crystal Deer]

Level: 630

Magic: 15,000

Attack: 10,000

Defense: 10,000

Agility: 15,000

Intelligence: 15,000

Luck: 3,000

"...Level 630...?" I muttered in disbelief.

The deer's stats were far superior to the orc king's. Its magic potential alone was daunting. I could already tell it was a magic user, making it a far more dangerous opponent.

Before I could formulate a plan, I suddenly felt its sharp gaze lock onto me. My eyes widened.

"H-hey... are you kidding me? I'm using [Assimilation]..."

Yet, despite my attempt at stealth, the crystal deer had detected my presence. It was alert and wary, its eyes gleaming with magical power. So much for sneaking around.

Realizing that a surprise attack was no longer an option, I summoned the [Absolute Spear] into my hand. My body tensed, and I jumped into the open, prepared for battle.

"Bring it on!" I roared.

The crystal deer answered with a piercing war cry.

"Kuaaaaaaaaaaa!"

"Wait... is that really the sound of a deer!?"

Without warning, it charged at me with surprising agility. Its crystalline horns glimmered in the light, sharp enough to pierce through steel. As it closed the distance, I barely dodged to the side, feeling the displaced wind graze my cheek.

Without hesitating, I counterattacked. I spun and lunged with a spiral thrust from my spear, aiming for its neck.

But then—

FWOOOOOSH!

The space between its horns erupted into a burst of flame.

"What!?" I barely managed to avoid being incinerated, but the intense heat singed my face.

I rolled across the ground, slapping my cheek to dull the burning sensation.

"Tch... it uses magic through its antlers?!"

Before I could catch my breath, the beast reared its head again. This time, it unleashed a violent stream of water from its other antler.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I groaned.

Flames and water—two opposing elements, both deadly in their own right.

Without hesitation, I leapt toward the beast, dodging its simultaneous attacks by a hair's breadth. Flames seared the air, and the water sliced through the foliage like blades.

I clenched my spear, narrowed my eyes, and waited for an opening. The moment came when the deer paused briefly between its elemental barrages.

"NOW!"

I drove my spear straight into its neck. The crystal deer let out a shriek of pain. With a sharp twist, I slashed upward, cutting through its throat.

"Kuaaaa...!"

Blood splattered, and the crystal deer staggered. Its legs buckled, and with a final, pained cry, it collapsed. Its body dissolved into shimmering particles of light.

I exhaled sharply.

"...I-I won, huh..."

After catching my breath, I checked the drop items.

[Crystal Deer Fur]

Silky and comfortable, highly valued by royalty and nobles. Slight cold resistance.

[Crystal Deer Meat]

Fresh, lean, and delicious. A delicacy used in various high-end dishes.

[Crystal Deer's Twin Antlers]

Special crystals: [Flame Crystal] and [Aqua Crystal]. Can be forged into [Magic Weapons].

"Wow... what a haul."

But just when I thought I was done, a small, cube-shaped object caught my eye.

"...What the heck is this...?"

I appraised it:

[Ultra-Luxurious Portable Outdoor Bath Set]

A rare item that lets you enjoy a variety of luxurious baths (cypress, stone, jacuzzi, and electric baths) anywhere. It offers privacy protection and requires no cleaning.

"...A bath? Seriously?" I blinked in disbelief.

Curious, I activated it. A magnificent hinoki bath materialized before me, large enough for five people. The smell of cypress filled the air, and the warm, steaming water was incredibly inviting.

Unable to resist, I returned home, placed the bath set in my backyard, and soaked in it under the evening sky. The veil gave me complete privacy, shielding me from outside eyes while I gazed at the stars.

"This... this is heaven..."

With a contented sigh, I sank deeper into the bath.

Tomorrow, I'll go deeper into the forest again. But for now... let me enjoy this moment of peace.