Shadyna, the little tree girl, is on fire!!!

Off the bed! Off the bed, now!!!

Geh, that was really traumatizing, even if the fire barely deals damage.

So, I made an [Alchemy] item that spits [Fire Bolt] until it's out of charges. The fire spell created is so weak it cannot outpace [Absorbing Surface]'s MP regeneration, so the item just shoots forever.

I had Gelly activate it so the damage did not go into my records, evil laugh echoing~

Why would I do that? For sleeping. As long as the damage cannot kill me, thanks to my MEN armor set and [Cell Revitalization], my avatar will rack up skill experience during sleep.

Oh, the bed helps too, of course. [Elemental Resistance] went up nicely.

Logging in the day after and finding yourself on fire is still startling though!

Putting the item back into inventory to avoid burning down Elri's house, let's begin a new productive day!

First, the mails~

… wanted to talk to me ASAP.

____________

_ Maximus: We are going ahead first. Don't take too long.

_ Ignar: I won't. She responded just now. Will take a few minutes at best.

Soon after and left for the teahouse, the infamous Illusive Sprout walks into the tavern.

Most people refer to her as Particle Lolider these days, but no one dares say that when she's around for fear of extermination.

_ Shadyna: Hiyo, ~

_ Spearman: Please step on me o great sprout of destruction!

The little girl looks at him in pure disgust before throwing the green blob right in his face.

*WHAM*

_ Spearman: Thank you very much!

_ Cousin: Uhm, who is…

_ Ignar: Let me introduce you. , this is , my cousin, and her friend, . , , this is , um… a very good player.

_ Shadyna: , I noticed that stutter…

_ Poltea: Ah… um, nice to meetchu!

The swordgirl is too nervous to talk normally. Meanwhile, the crossbow girl is beaming.

_ Fensen: Hiyo~ I am ! Pleased to meet you, ~

_ Shadyna: Likewise~

The surrounding patrons can't help but mutter "So precious" as they witness three little girls happily making friends.

_ Ignar (PM): So, um, I know this is a bit much to ask but… These two started yesterday, and frankly speaking, they are not the best players competitively. I figured they would have a more… casual experience playing with you. Your decision, of course.

_ Shadyna (PM): …I don't really mind, but she's your cousin, is she not?

_ Ignar (PM): I am well aware of that. Still, the way Max and I play is not exactly for everyone. She's ill-suited for constant grinding, so…

_ Shadyna (PM): It's fine. However, I am not going to give her back if you have second thoughts, okay?

_ Ignar (PM): Ahaha, what's that even supposed to mean? I'll tell you a boss with a [Unique] series that you might fancy as compensation.

_ Fensen: Hey, , what are you talking about? I want to know too~!

_ Ignar: Nothing much. Well, I have some business to attend to. , please take good care of them for me.

_ Shadyna: Okay~

_ Fensen: Eh? Eeeeehhh?!

____________

At the teahouse of , catches up to his friends who are standing at the gate.

_ Ignar: Done. I entrusted the two to .

_ Maximus: Finally…

_ Tippe: …Oi, , did you consider what would happen?

_ Ignar: Huh? Three children would get along well would they not? Not sure about 's real life, but in here she is pretty childish.

_ Tippe: …Hello? The waitresses hung out with her and now they are walking terminators. The elven cavalry girl spent time with her then changed from a nobody warrior to an unstoppable tank. What do you think would happen once your cousin leveled up a few times around her?

_ Ignar: …Ah.

_ Maximus: …Crap.

_ Tippe: And here I am, being called the idiot of the party…

…

_ Sulien: , everyone is here.

Leading the party to the designated meeting room, returns to her place next to the guildmaster of .

_ Vladina: Uuu… You are next to me but your mind is with someone else…

_ Sulien: Why don't you focus on whatever you plan to do instead? And I have to remind you that I am free to spend quality time with whoever I want, you lecherous skirt-chasing piece of society's waste of oxygen in the form of a little girl.

_ Vladina: Guh! Thank you… very much.

The gothic girl has stopped moving completely! Meanwhile, the proprietress, calm and composed, stands still with a bright smile in contrast to the words she just threw at her superior.

_ Ignar: …Can I leave?

_ Olkan: Rejected. If I am stuck in here with these maniacs, I want as many people to suffer the same fate as possible.

_ Tippe: Welp.

Everyone here was a closed beta player. For the first time ever since the great loot war that ended the beta, a guildmaster sent a -titled mail to gather the best players in this game's (albeit short) history.

's members include , the guildmaster with the strongest known beast Etena, and 3 managers working closely with him. , thought to be the new manager in place of , is not present.

On the side of , only , the person with [Sage Origin] title, and , owner of this teahouse and sole manager of the guild, are here.

To the other side, and 4 busty ladies give the true feeling of the original [BB Conglomerate] image. Then again, there are more depraved merchants as managers in the guild than ladies with 's level of chest these days…

Surprisingly, 's representatives are also present. A manly muscular topless warrior with a battleaxe twice as big as his large frame, and next to him, a brunette beauty with a massive bow on her back. It's the guildmaster of the battle-maniacs … and her oldest manager.

_ Olkan: Anyhow, let's get started since everyone's here. 's recent appearance to kick for no reason aside, I didn't expect you to have time for such a dubious invitation, .

_ Torenis: I am in earshot, .

The brunette breaks out a smile. However, a figurative flame can be seen emitting from her body.

_ Cinrald: You couldn't possibly think that I would run away from new raid bosses and the newly unlocked area, right, ?

_ Olkan: Of course not, you battle fetishist. Though please tell me you at least did something about your part of the town… or what's left of it.

Laughing weakly, the boob-obsessed guildmaster sincerely advises his old friend out of concerns. That and his hope for striking a good deal out of this new raid thing…

_ Cinrald: My treasury took a big hit. Thankfully, we struck a deal with someone earlier. She bought a large piece of land, about a dozen houses in size. What she lacked in cash she compensated with tons of loots, including items from the new hunting zone. I was hoping to meet this diligent adventurer after this, for the trade was made by my manager.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

's party can only exchange concerned looks as they have a vague idea how a single person can get their hands on such wealth… Hopefully it was just a new guild with good combat capabilities…

_ Torenis: Get to the point, . I am not here to audit 's financial report. Moreover, I have a town to fix and a Magnus Bestia to defeat.

_ Tippe: It's not like anyone is intruding there…

_ Vladina: Fine… Good news and bad news, which do you want to hea…

_ Maximus: Bad. Just get this crap over with. I have nubz to pwn.

_ Ignar: *Sighs*

_ Vladina: Sure thing. We are obsolete. That's the bad news.

_ Olkan: …Uh, what?

_ Torenis: Elaborate, in a way that does not require hours to decipher your cryptic words.

_ Vladina: As much as I wanted to say it in a mysterious manner, I was being literal. My [Sage Origin], 's [Equipment Manufacturer Origin], 's Etena, 's [Blood Arrow], and most likely even 's [ Blade of Victory] are no longer at the top of the pyramid.

For a moment, there was no word among the attendees.

The reactions are varied, as usual for this crowd. has a blank stare, can only facepalm himself, and 's figurative flame soars to the roof.

As for the managers, they are trying their best to be professional. They are here to catch up with the news, not directly participating to make this even more confusing than it already is.

and co mutter something to each other. "That one, huh", to be exact.

_ Torenis:  Elaborate.

_ Vladina: Just to refresh your memories in case the last month has been too busy. My title reveals [Meta] information in [Inspect]'s result, giving me deeper insights compared to the normal [Inspect]'s knowledge. 's title is an [Origin] title combining the ones for [Weapon Craft] and [Armor Craft], which grants him a nasty x3 multiplier to the equipment bonus. Etena is the self-resurrecting S-rank pet that cannot be stopped as long as draws virtual breath. [Blood Arrow] is 's trademark HP to PAT attack because she's that crazy… Last but not least, is the registered owner of the strongest [Artifact]-quality sword dropped by the first Nox Terminus.

_ Cinrald: And you are saying all of us here, including who is absent, are having competitors?

She is smiling, but her eyes can kill weak-willed poor sods if they happen to see her gaze.

_ Vladina: About that… Well, just tell me what you think about this.

---

[Status]:

- HP: ========== (39840/39840) (10810+29030)

- MP: ========== (37755/37755) (10685+27070)

- PAT: 19386 (5662+13724)

- PSP: 639 (132+507)

- PDF: 28005 (6135+21870)

- MAT: 10512 (3504+7008)

- MSP: 363 (121+242)

- MDF: 26220 (4740+21480)

- SPD: 1665 (375+1290)

[Attributes]:

- STR: 1680 (74+1606)

- DEX: 920 (42+878)

- CON: 1025 (63+962)

- LDR: 260 (0+260)

- FOC: 260 (0+260)

- WIT: 260 (0+260)

- MEN: 765 (11+754)

- LCK: 515 (21+494)

---

_ Vladina: And for comparison, this is 's measurements. Feel free to puke.

_ Olkan: Hey!

---

[Character information]

[Name]: Olkan

[Race]: Human

[Gender]: Male

[Age]: 19

[Level]: 20

[Profession]: Apprentice merchant

[Status]:

- HP: ========== (8316/8316) (1758+6558)

- MP: ========== (4360/4360) (2180+2180)

- PAT: 3314 (907+2407)

- PSP: 186 (33+153)

- PDF: 6596 (1048+5548)

- MAT: 2446 (1223+1223)

- MSP: 72 (36+36)

- MDF: 8154 (1227+6927)

- SPD: 428 (94+334)

[Attributes]:

- STR: 177 (34+143)

- DEX: 150 (25+125)

- CON: 165 (30+135)

- LDR: 75 (0+75)

- FOC: 144 (23+121)

- WIT: 195 (40+155)

- MEN: 120 (15+105)

- LCK: 240 (55+185)

---

_ Maximus: That includes full [Cooking] and [Alchemy] buffs with maxed LDR bonus huh. You are 3 times stronger than a player with same gear level, yet couldn't even stand toe-to-toe against . Heh.

_ Olkan: You are the last person I want to hear that from, kidnapper! I spent my time horning crafting skills, not killing techniques!

_ Cinrald: Is the first one a boss's status? But the base stats are low…

_ Torenis: Since you brought us here, I assume that's the Illusive Sprout's status?

_ Cinrald: A player can reach that level of stats at this time?

_ Ignar: …No, Illusive Sprout's attribute distribution is a bit… different…

_ Tippe: Yeah, that status panel still haunts me to this day…

_ Vladina: I would prefer you not to begin a flashback of events that happened just a week ago. Anyway, was correct. That wasn't [Inspect] result for , the Illusive Sprout. It was of , one of the closed beta players. Since she was a close friend of , I'm sure you guys still remember her.

_ Cinrald: The one who keeps saying confusing things to make people misunderstand everything, is it?

_ Olkan: Modest, but not much else.

_ Ignar: Not that the rest of the waitress corps is any saner… And please describe people properly instead of their chest size, …

_ Torenis: Is this why you asked me not to include in this meeting, ?

_ Vladina: Well, yeah…

The little girl makes an obviously fake grim expression to suit the atmosphere of a detective movie, despite the lack of murder victims, and detectives.

_ Vladina: As far as we know, half the waitress corps now has this boss-like attributes and status. I… kind of confirmed how they did it but…

_ Torenis: This is fantastic. I can have them help out with the Magnus Bestia.

Everyone turns to with a "Is this guy for real?" expression, including his own managers!

_ Vladina: In case you are not kidding, I advise against asking them to do anything to benefit the guild…

_ Torenis: Why? The corps is part of my guild. They have to do their part as members like any other player.

_ Olkan: I'll… send you a book on human resource later. Read the first chapter before attempting what you just said. Let's hear your suggestion, .

 _ Vladina: Right… As we all know, raw status isn't everything, since there are skills and titles to the equation. But! When a competent player has such an overwhelming advantage, they can single-handedly wipe the floor with a medium if not one of our guilds. So here's the good news: I want to reform our alliance to combat the new threat to the status quo that is and her influences.

She pulls out a sign with the green "Agreed" text, signaling the other guildmasters.

_ Sulien: , why did you not discuss with me beforehand?

And internal fighting has already begun for !

_ Vladina: Eh? Isn't it a simple matter? If she is left as-is no one will be able to compete against her. With her power she could have defeated both Magnus Bestia by the end of this discussion and there's nothing we can do about it! It is regrettable that she refused our invitation though…

says nothing back, but her smile has disappeared. If could see that face right now, she would start to reconsider her life decisions up until this point.

_ Olkan: I have witnessed what they were capable of. It's not enough to fight against her on equal footings, but my [Equipment Manufacturer Origin] is available for all alliance members at a very good discount.

_ Cinrald: Which is still expensive as hell since your title also ramps up material cost… I wonder if they would join a guild filled with powerful players~

Like any typical meeting scene between factions, there's no way everyone would be up in arms in unity against a common foe, unless they are already at death's door.

_ Vladina: I'm fine with you recruiting them. Whatever prevents a monopoly. That cute girl would be in my guild already if she has any intention of joining a faction.

_ Tippe: , are you alright with this? Picking up [ Blade of Victory] again, I mean.

The non-aligned party, who don't have an army behind them, are more concerned about something else.

_ Ignar: …

_ Maximus: Don't push it. We are not fighting her right now.

_ Ignar: Yeah… thanks, guys.

_ Olkan: , I understand if you don't want to wield it for the time being. However, you are still the owner of the strongest weapon not aligned with . Just to be on the safe side, would you let me reforge it to the best of my ability?

_ Vladina: will pay for all expenses. Our district was only lightly damaged by stray mobs, so we have some budget to spare.

_ Tippe: You guys are persistent…

_ Maximus: That's why they are guildmasters.

_ Ignar: …*Sighs* Fine, I'll fetch it. I can't guarantee I would point that thing at though. She is our benefactor… in a way.

_ Olkan: Sure thing. You can't be a hero without some overblown angsty dilemma over the course of the plot until something bad happens to your girlfriend or village.

_ Vladina: Wouldn't that be us in the second scenario?!

…

In the end, it was decided that and will give their answers a few days later, allowing them to discuss with their members first.

_ Vladina: All things considered, it went better than I could hope for. Don't you think so?

_ Ignar: No kidding. I thought I was walking into a free-for-all brawl when I saw all of you in one place.

_ Olkan: Take it easy man. As much as we are pissed over that loot war, this is still a game. Oi, Max, wanna follow for a bit?

_ Maximus: I see you are a man of culture as well.

_ Tippe: Eh? What am I missing?

_ Maximus: Let's go. I want to see that -censored- get his -censored- handed to him on a silver plate.

_ Olkan: With luck, may be the one finishing him off!

_ Ignar: Glad to see you guys are fully enjoying the game, in a weird way…

____________

_ Warrior: Where's everyone?!

_ Inerin: Went out. What's your order?

Even though it's not a day when the tavern's warehouse runs low, only remains to serve while others attend to some business.

While she was deliberately answering queries about the coworkers' whereabouts with a grumpy attitude, her "boss" entered the building.

_ Torenis: Huh, did everyone went on an expedition?

_ Inerin: Welcome back. They had something to attend to, I'm afraid.

_ Torenis: Is that so. Come with me. I need your help with the Magnus Bestia.

No one in the tavern saw that coming, except for the guildmaster himself, and the two stalkers witnessing from the outside.

_ Inerin: …Sorry, I am busy serving our patrons.

She wasn't interested in the slightest.

--- Topic: Auction Hub #781 - Rune Skills ---

## Silver Merchant

The items on sale this time are… unique, to say the least.

- Contents: 2 skill scrolls, for rune crafting skills. Because it's considered trade secret, the skill names are not revealed.

- Starting price: 20k gold coins.

- End time: 06:00 YYYY-MM-DD

As always, state your bids in format "Bid: ###" before commenting anything else.

The owner also has a message for all of us: "If no one buys it, I am going to have a monopoly on rune crafting instead."

##

## Serious Mage

This is blackmail! Extortion! They are holding the market hostage!

##

## Nearseeing Sage

Bid: 25k gold coins

A decent price to pay. Non-boss runes are not going to cut it in the long run. Once a certain amount of players have the skill, it will be available in character creation, making it practically free even without knowing the unlock conditions.

Do your best bidding, for I'll make a monopoly myself if I get my hands on it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

##

## Fire mage of Justice

Damn big guilds! You know that price is beyond all but the richest guilds that benefitted from raid power leveling!

I demand a revolution!!! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

##

## GoldBar9999

Bid: 30k gold coins

What will Illusive Sprout buy with all the gold…

##

## Manly Warrior

She's the owner of those scrolls?!

##

## GoldBar9999

The Origin title owner, I bet.

##

------

--- Topic: Current balance ---

## OP alchemist

I think some players are way too strong at the moment. Watching a girl skewering bosses is fun and all until you realize that one day you might be at the pointy end of her spear.

Let's discuss how this came to be and how to fix it before we have the rise of an evil overlord!

##

## Flame knight of Darkness

I heard from a few players that the OP people have really high stats. There's not much you can do when their PAT or MAT is many times higher than your defense.

##

## GoldBar9999

It's the runes. Until now having food and skill buffs boosts the crafting skills by increasing attributes. Now that there is a new way to increase attributes, they create a bigger feedback loop. Food => Better runes => Better skill => Better food => Repeat until breakeven point.

When we have access to rune crafting skills (soon), we will be able to ramp up our gear's quality as well.

##

## Manly Warrior

…So it's the monsters that need buffing to stay relevant against well-equipped players?

Next week's patch is going to be hell isn't it… (－‸ლ)

##

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