Novels2Search

Chapter 36: Grind support

Un, the bullied girl Shadyna is still holding on!

My (mostly) peaceful life was turned upside down because of the harsh nerfs yesterday. As a result, I am back to being a young girl who cannot defend herself, uuu…

Sateri, is that the stuff you are into? That's some extreme hobby you have there.

_ Nerin: This, is what you call the face of a delusional individual.

_ Shadyna: Why?! Wait, before that, why are you here?!

For some unknown reason, I am currently accompanied by two waitresses. Call me "lucky bastard" all you want, but I am pretty sure I didn't call them and they weren't here two minutes ago!

…Sorry, this is probably the very definition of "lucky bastard".

I am already familiar with Nerin, the bow user and de facto sane person of the waitress corps. After all, she's my less-known mentor whenever Elri and Hessy are not around.

, or Magni for short, is still on the "friend of friend" level of familiarity, since I have not played with her. I wonder if she's a closet maniac like ? Then again, sane people don't go all-in red and use WATER of all elements to main…

_ Nerin: Why, you ask… Didn't you make the [Recall] network for this?

_ Shadyna: I made it to quickly come and go between places, not to ambush people from behind!

During the fishing tour last week, I created various "locations" to use as [Recall] spots. For the time being, the cafeteria crew are using them as quick transportation mainly for hunting, as our patrons are already sick of the fish menu.

Even though fish are healthier…

_ Nerin: There's not much we can do about it. We agreed to have someone with you at all times. The fight against Tenri Yassel was too close for comfort, and Schennul was a disaster for all involved. If you get another one in your current state…

Oh, to think she was worried about me. She really values friendships and all that idealistic stuff huh.

_ Nerin: I don't even want to think what kind of hellscape will remain after you demolish it and everything around it.

Or not. What kind of image of me are you having?!

_ Shadyna: How mean! I can't even attack right now!

_ Nerin: That's exactly why there's no telling what stunts you will pull!

Uuu, I'm already treated as a volatile explosive…

_ Magni: Now now, Nerin, don't be so hard on her.

She who has been standing from behind Nerin has finally spoken up in my defense!

_ Nerin: But…

_ Magni: We all know will exterminate everything. We are just here to reap the shared loots.

Gah~ I demand a personnel switch~

_ ???: Geh! Didn't expect to see you here.

I went here alone so I doubt anyone was expecting me, but that "Geh" was uncalled for.

…Oh, it's the harem protagonist on the floating throne. Does he get a STR penalty for sitting all the time?

_ Shadyna: Hiyo, .

_ Olkan: Yo. Not going to the new zones?

defeating Nox Terminus opened up another bunch of new areas and upped the level cap to 30, therefore most formerly capped players are working hard to explore and exterminate the fauna there.

…I am a level 14 pacifist, I have no business there! This level 14-18 arid plain is a better choice, even though I do not plan to fight anything here.

_ Shadyna: *Shakes head* I am under-leveled for the new locations. What about you?

_ Olkan: …This is where I pretend I didn't hear that right? As for why I'm here, it's for level grinding, obviously?

…This is a level 14 field, right? I made sure before going, so there should be no mistake.

_ Nerin: *Sighs* , treat her as a newbie if it doesn't involve late-game firepower.

Is that a compliment…?

_ Olkan: …Yeah, not hearing anything. Unlike the battle maniacs around you, I am not good at fighting. Grinding on same level zones costs too much time and supply to be efficient.

_ Shadyna: Ah, so you are the "Quantity over quality" type.

By picking a fight where he completely overpowers the mobs, he can kill much faster to compensate the lower experience gain. And more corpses equals more loots, which is arguably more valuable to crafters.

_ Olkan: I am. After yesterday's patch, I don't get to be picky anymore.

You have my sympathy~

_ Nerin: Want to join force? We are going to be here for a while, and I am not getting much experience watching destroying balance-chan.

_ Shadyna: Hey!

I don't particularly mind. They are going to wreck the local wildlife anyway, and I would feel bad if Nerin and Magni have to waste their time watching over me. I didn't ask for that jab though!

_ Olkan: That is appreciated, ehm…

_ Nerin: It's . When are you going to remember people with a less-than-D bust?!

Pretty sure it's terminal. His obsession with hopes and dreams, that is.

_ Shadyna: Invitations sent~ By the way,

_ Olkan: What is it?

_ Shadyna: Why are you staying away from me?

For the whole conversation, his party were standing ten meters away from us, and have not taken a step towards us at all.

_ Olkan: Maybe because someone uses players as weapons?

…[Teleport].

_ Shadyna: Boo!

_ Olkan: WGA!@#$%^&*

Welp, he really has PTSD. Sorry~

_ Shadyna: 's butcher house is open for business!

And I'm the manager, to let 's group grind their [Dismantling]. As for me, I intend to train [Creation] using their leftover materials.

_ Nerin: Sha.dy.na!!!

But I haven't done anything?!

Nerin, who was supposed to wait for the mobs outside, has appeared behind the poor me! Un, she's kind of pissed, but I don't have any idea why.

_ Nerin: What the hell happened to your attributes?!

_ Shadyna: Ehm… Even if you ask me that…

_ Olkan: Did someth… actually, what happened?

No doubt at all?!

_ Nerin: Before the patch, a LDR min-maxer gave about 80 points per category with [Cooking] buffs. Now they give 30 because of nerfs. Tell me, what is your current LDR bonus?

_ Olkan: One sec, let me se…

Ah, his face cramps.

The other three members in 's group are also frozen. You guys' mental fortitude is kind of bad you know?

I mean, I leveled up a bit, so of course my attributes are higher. That's normal, right?

---

[Character information]

[Name]: Shadyna

[Race]: Halfblood (Elf - Treant)

[Gender]: Female

[Age]: 13

[Level]: 14

[Profession]: Particle lolider

[Status]:

- HP: ========== (15082/15082) (10282+4800)

- MP: =======... (11423/15231) (15231+0)

- PAT: 5041 (5041+0)

- PSP: 251 (202+49)

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

- PDF: 10143 (6143+4000)

- MAT: 7125 (7125+0)

- MSP: 251 (202+49)

- MDF: 9316 (8116+1200)

- SPD: 719 (516+203)

[Attributes]:

- STR: 996 (6+990)

- DEX: 1010 (7+1003)

- CON: 1029 (13+1016)

- LDR: 990 (6+984) <= The attribute they were complaining about.

- FOC: 1016 (5+1011)

- WIT: 1007 (4+1003)

- MEN: 1011 (21+990)

- LCK: 1021 (5+1016)

[Equipment]:

- Head:

+ Flower of Eternal Blossom (Masterwork)

+ Midae Blossom Haipin (Excellent)

- Body:

+ Draconic Scaled Vest (Excellent)

+ Silk Camisole of Feather (Excellent)

+ Protective Rune of Blood Steel (Excellent)

+ Draconic Scaled Hotpants (Excellent)

+ Windy Wings (Excellent)

- Arms:

+ Draconic Scaled Gloves (Excellent)

+ Vallen Ring of Blood Moon (Cosmetic)

- Legs:

+ Draconic Scaled Boots (Excellent)

+ Absolute Socks of Blitz (Left) (Excellent)

[Skills - Active]:

- Inspect

- Cheer

- Shared Fate

- Refinery

- Mass Refinery

- Creation

- Field Creation

- Leap

- Elemental Bolt

- Piercing Arrow

- Recall

- Teleport

- Silent Cast

- Minor Heal

- Resurrection

- Combat Support

- Potential Manifest

- Fort : Stand ground until the last breath. While active, prevent all movement, nullify knockback and increase all defense.

- Air Cushion

[Skills - Passive]:

- Accelerate Power

- Cell Revitalization

- Elemental Resistance

- Detect Presence

- Absorbing Surface

- Multi-summon Control : Control multiple summoned beasts at the same time. Reserve mana per summoned beast.

- Impervious Soul (Title): Add chance to negate all damage for a time. Chance increases as health decreases.

[Titles]:

- Unstopping Hero

- Absolute Zero (960)

- Pacifist (3)

- Beast Tamer Origin

- At-will Beast User (2)

- Against All Odds (43)

- Ancient Rune Artist Origin

- Arcane Maestro Origin

- Mancannon

- Tenri Yassel Subduer

- Celestial Trickster

- Purity of Innocence

- Goddess Lover

- Goddess Corrupter

- Corpse Destroyer: The one who hates the dead with a cremating passion. Grant a small damage increase against the dead and undead. Earned by defiling many corpses in succession.

- Schennul Contractor: The one who signed an agreement with . Effects depend on the state of 's soul. Effect: Nullify surprise attacks and grant [Impervious Soul].

- Apex Tamer (1): The one who is above the food chain. Grant leadership effect from each summoned tamed boss.

- Halfblood (Racial)

---

…Okay, that's probably a tad bit higher than average.

_ Shadyna: Sent the screenshot to you, Nerin.

_ Nerin: …I didn't receive anything.

No, you definitely received it. I know because you look like you have given up!

_ Magni (Party): Nerin, I'm back. Prepare for combat.

_ Nerin (Party): On it. I was looking at nothing anyway.

You definitely saw it!

Not just Nerin, but and his friends are gearing up too. I wonder how many Magni lured back…

This zone, you see, is filled with tall dry grass and lurking aggressive creatures. It is dangerous for mobile builds as more enemies will gather as one moves around to evade. Walking tanks will have a field day here though because enemies will come to you.

We don't have time for that, so Magni was running around to lure everything in detection range back to us. At first Nerin was going to do it, but she one-shot stuff, and due to her high SPD, mobs weren't able to keep up with her.

…Why does that sound familiar? Must be my imagination, un.

Anyway, Magni only had to stri… I mean, unequip her staff to bring her MAT to manageable level. The debuff spells also help avoiding accidental kills but still accomplish the goal of annoying the hell out of the mobs. Still, magi don't often lure because of their low defense.

My equipment took care of that without problem, whoops?

Now then, let's see what she brought back…

Behind the redhead who has the expression of someone going for a morning jog at midnight, wave after wave of creatures resembling various real life carnivorous predators are chasing. They don't look really friendly, baring their fangs as if wanting to eat us for breakfast (Definitely the plan).

In the midst of the seemingly endless stampede, I spotted several larger silhouettes that just scream "bad news" even from this distance. Did she pull in the variants and bosses accidentally or intentionally?!

Not just me, but everyone except for the perpetrator herself did not expect this number of incoming hostiles. Welp…

Closing the curtain, I go back into the tent. Ah, busy busy, gotta check the new skills and titles and all that~

_ Olkan (Party): I know you are a pacifist, but isn't it rude to leave us like that?! At least stay and heal us!

_ Shadyna (Party): Sorry, that would be technical pacifism~

_ Olkan (Party): You mean convenient pacifism!

_ Nerin (Party): Shut up and help me fight if you want to survive!

_ Olkan (Party): I just want to grind in peace!!!

Me too, . Me too.

Okay, let's have a look at my new skills~

[Fort] was the skill I got using skill scroll the day we met Schennul. It's mostly used by tanks due to the movement restriction, but I bought it just in case I need to shield someone. That someone has to be smaller than me though, so probably not many.

[Multi-summon Control] is self-explanatory. I need it to have both Gelly and Lutena out on the field. This skill seems to level up as my pets gain experience so there's no need to actively grind it. It also eats 25% of my MP. Not as bad as [Multi-weapon Wield], but I should be careful since I use a lot of magic.

[Impervious Soul]… I have mixed feelings about this one, to be honest. The effect does sound pretty awesome for survival. However, the problem lies in the trigger condition. Who would want to depend on Sateri's RNG when it's the matter of life and death?!

Let's try it out when I have the chance, un. Don't want to be caught by surprise at the worst possible moment.

As for the titles~

Got the [Corpse Destroyer] one when I blasted the rude jerks in the grove for some silence. What the heck is with that punny description, Sateri…? Bonus against the undead dark elven sisters is okay, I suppose, but dead enemies too? Do we have dead but still moving creatures in this game?

[Schennul Contractor] was given to me the day Schennul was defeated. I heard the top raid parties, including Mera, received [Schennul Subduer], similar to [Tenri Yassel Subduer]. I was in a bad mood those days so I never asked what that title does. Mine gives good effects and that's what matters most.

Still, buffed sneak attacks from [Celestial Trickster] and sneak defense from [Schennul Contractor] huh. What am I, a nuclear submarine?! Saying that, a stealth build does have a nice ring to it.

[Apex Tamer] is the upgraded [Boss Tamer] title. I really had high hope for it, but it was… underwhelming. If I calculate correctly, it is providing 30 attributes per type except for LDR. Sure, with the current meta that is as much as what a LDR main build. But because the bonus is from the pet instead of title, my [Absolute Zero] did not affect it!

If it had, my attributes would be somewhere at the 1200 mark already. Uuu…

Ah, I also had to take off some clothing to fit the new 10-piece limit. Most of the removed equipment was runes, so decency is protected without having to craft new gear~ I do miss the stats though…

The battle outside is probably not going to end anytime soon. Is there anything I can do to kill time?

[Skill Leveled up: ]

Nice~

After a great battle that scarred everyone (me excluded) for life, we are now trying to get another trauma by dismantling all of the corpses~

_ Olkan: By the way, is the green thing not with you?

Is he talking about Gelly? I am pretty sure I don't have many green things apart from my sprout and Lutena's fluffy hair.

_ Shadyna: I left Gelly back at the tavern to grind skills.

Since I am not sightseeing, and cannot use it to fight, there's no need to take it with me. If something arises, I can always [Teleport] back in seconds to bring in the nuke. That would end my pacifism real quick so let's hope I never have to.

_ Olkan: Oh right, you can't blast people with it anymore.

_ Nerin: Maybe it's time we thought of new ways for to fight?

_ Olkan: Do you want Sateri-chan to nerf us again?!

_ Nerin: That will delay the inevitable for two days top.

Are you two an old couple trash-talking their child?!

_ Magni: Hey, .

_ Shadyna: Yes~?

_ Magni: You have never used magic for offense. Is there a reason for it?

Eh?

…Now that I think about it, I only use magic for support, and that was because there was no physical equivalent skill for those purposes. Look at [Minor Heal], why should I use it when I have rechargeable potions?

_ Shadyna: Aside from real world habits… Probably because throwing pets is considered physical attacks?

And throwing players too, but let's not mention that.

Everyone, why are you facepalming?!

Speaking of throwing players… the new play record is called [Pet Damage Dealt] right?

_ Shadyna: Nerin, do you have [Ignore Physical Defense]?

_ Nerin: Crap, it's come… Yes, I do have passive [Ignore Physical Defense]. Why?

Because I am a considerate girl, I will ignore that early remark, un.

_ Shadyna: I have a favor to ask~

Why are you guys backing away?! The tent is not that spacious nor durable, so don't make those kind of movements while inside!

_ Nerin: I am going to decline if it's too absurd you know!

But I haven't said anything…

_ Shadyna: It's simple~ Please hold Magni tight.

_ Everyone: …What?

_ Shadyna: Hold her tight, and hit me hard with her!

… It sounded saner in my head, honest.

*BONK*

_ Nerin: Did you finally lose your mind you damn idiot?!

_ Shadyna: Ow! Hit me with Magni, not with your fist!

If she just whacks me with her hands, obviously it would count towards [Damage Dealt], and pain too!

_ Magni: Uhm… I may be new to this, so please be gentle, Nerin.

_ Nerin: DO NOT ENCOURAGE HER!

_ Olkan: Hmm, you girls don't have much in term of boobs, but this will be good for research.

_ Nerin: DENIED!

Nerin is racking up experience in being the only sane person, un. Please keep up the good work~

____________

_ Hessenria: So, what's the result?

The tavern lady was amused to learn about 's ordeals. It's always amusing when it did not happen to oneself. will never say that out loud though.

_ Magnemi: It hurt at first…

_ Inerin: Keep phrasing like that and I'll hurl you at again.

_ Hessenria: Like some romcom heroine crashing into the protagonist?

A young lady with bread in her mouth body-slamming a young man is the (not-so) standard first encounter one should fully expect to kick-start a romantic adventure…

_ Shadyna: Un… I think it's better to replace "heroine" with "truck".

_ Hessenria: It's actually otherworld transfer plot?!

_ Shadyna: I thought I was gonna die as well~

_ Inerin: That's what you get for asking something so unreasonable, idiot.

_ Shadyna: Harsh~

Meanwhile, the patrons are biting their handkerchiefs in jealousy. They want to be slammed by cute waitresses too, even if they will most likely die in the process!

_ Hessenria: More importantly, is throwing others a valid pacifist strategy?

_ Inerin: *Sighs*… Valid. Technically.

_ Shadyna: But I need a willing player, and wielding humanoid is not easy so… I'll just check magic skills out tomorrow~

In other words, 's suffering was for naught.

_ Hessenria: Thanks for the hard work, Nerin.

_ Inerin: Guh…

--- Topic: Alchemy General Topic #14 ---

## OP alchemist

Does anyone know what this plant is? [Pic]

This pot is seen in the tavern. Planted in lava but I have not found anything like that in the lava lakes.

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## Fire mage of Justice

I used Inspect on it and the result only said "Gelly". It's probably a very rare plant the waitresses picked up by chance?

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## Silver Merchant

Who would use expensive materials as decorative flowerpot?! ( ゚ Д゚)

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## CuteIsJustice

The waitress corps, as proven. (*´▽`*)

They are cute so it's allowed~ (*^0^*)

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--- Topic: Unexplained Mysteries #7 ---

## Serious Mage

Last thread hit limit. [Link]

Due to various hidden bosses and treasures in this game, please post the stories you cannot explain here. It may be the clues to said hidden stuff, or at the very least, make good gossip.

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## Newbie Charisma build

Continuing from last thread, is there any use for the gigantic stone pillars scattered between hunting areas?

Something like this one between the (former) grove and sand circles. [Pic]

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## Nearseeing Sage

They have been there ever since closed beta. However, there's no evidence of it being of any use but background decorations.

Indestructible too. tried breaking that one to no avail.

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## Flame knight of Darkness

Were they competing for the Pathwrecker name? (=_=)

Another one: My guild members told me that for some reason the Dry Grassland lost most of its mobs. They walked for fifteen minutes without encountering a single enemy, including bosses.

Edit: It's back to normal now. It did happen, as per stream: [Link]

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## Manly Warrior

I just visited it. Greeted by a big cat hiding in the grass like always.

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## GoldBar9999

Uh… Please disregard that thing in the Dry Grassland. It was due to someone luring everything in the vicinity. Not anymore so rest assured.

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## Fire mage of Justice

(・_・;)

How many levels was it?

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## GoldBar9999

From 22 to 24.

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## Mage of Sin

I thought you were on the saner side?!

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