Hikaru followed with the sword in hand, already guessing a few things.
You could read a refit's direction and power from its cost.
As a rule, the stronger the refit, the more it burned.
And Alaska's tab was clearly top tier.
Weaker shipgirls refitted around 30–40; the middling ones, 50–60; the highest on record generally capped at 80.
So far, the steepest bill Hikaru knew was turning the destroyer Reshitelny into the missile destroyer Changchun:
Level 66 required; 5,000 each of oil, ammo, steel, and aluminum; plus 24 destroyer refit cores.
Big inputs, big returns. The more it cost, the happier a commander ought to be for his girl.
And with Alaska being a battlecruiser yet chewing so much aluminum, Hikaru suspected she might gain a plane-launch style ability.
Too bad the Shipgirl Compendium wasn't at hand; he would have checked Alaska's historical career—refits often echoed a ship's life.
By the time Hikaru hurried over, Alaska's refit was already underway.
Six-star radiance flared off her—rarity up.
Her figure matured a touch; the electric guitar in her hands grew larger and more candy-bright, and three purple "speaker-cannons" floated at her sides.
But the most eye-catching change perched on her right shoulder:
A square, purplish-red metal box, like a jeu set or a VCD case, had climbed onto her shoulder.
On the rack atop that box, a stubby black missile spread four metal "wings," its tip glinting with a cold, ghostly light.
Hikaru started; Saint George even more so.
"A missile! She refit into a missile battleship!"
"That's right—starting today, I'm a missile battleship!"
Alaska propped the launcher with a jaunty grin, tail practically wagging.
"A five-star Mk 12 large AA missile launcher, and five-star Brass Knight AA missiles. Each missile packs 20 Firepower, 24 Intercept, 18 AA, with a 3.8 AA multiplier and +78% AA modifier—it's basically untouchable for air defense!"
At Hikaru's side, Changchun couldn't help a little humph. "My C-301 anti-ship missiles have 27 Firepower; even the Shangyou-1A has 22."
"But your best C-301 only has 23 Penetration—my 24 Intercept Brass Knight AA missiles swat it," Alaska said sweetly. "And I'm an AA-type missile battleship—I can handle carrier planes. Can you?"
Changchun fell silent.
On offense, she had the edge; on defensive counterpunch, Alaska did.
In a sense, Alaska's AA missiles were tailored to counter Changchun.
At least Shangyou-1A had 26 Penetration—a small comfort.
After all, she'd always taken pride in being a "high-tech" missile destroyer.
Alaska wasn't done. "I also awakened a Vanguard skill—lets me rush down high-speed enemies and shield nearby allies from airstrikes and missiles. Basically unbeatable!"
Even Blücher had to mutter, "Show-off. Worse than me."
Alaska pretended not to hear. A refit was like a first kiss—once per lifetime, sometimes never. You brag while you can.
If they were in a beer hall, she'd comp every patron, then declare half-price for three months—purely for joy.
"Shame I only have one AA missile. If I had three… tsk tsk, can you imagine? But missile rigging's absurdly rare—practically unobtainable. Still, with two more main guns I'll be plenty scary."
She was floating.
Hikaru, quiet till now, cleared his throat. "Speaking of AA missiles—I can source two. Five-star Brass Knight H. The AA's a bit worse than yours, but they carry 26 Firepower. Not bad, right?"
Alaska jolted, lunged onto him, eyes bright. "Give me. I want them!"
Hikaru smiled. "But, Alaska—what's the price?"
Saint George flinched.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 30+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/BellAshelia]
[Thanks for your support!]