Magical girl Shadyna is going to make her debut today!
That being said, my outfit is more of something archers would wear, and I don't even have a staff or wand! Is this going to be alright…?
When I arrive at the tavern, the waitresses are having a heated discussion at the counter. They are using all the stools, leaving the patrons crying for attention at the tables. Uh… Is it fine to neglect the degenerates like that?
And they seem to be talking about me.
_ Magni: It has to be [Water]. Fiery magical girls are at most the rival and prone to dying to advance the plot.
Everything of your appearance is screaming the very "Fiery magical girls" you are talking about! Do you have a medical history of plot-related deaths or something?!
_ Mera: No~ She needs to use [Light] so that monsters can corrupt her~
Is this sadistic waitress even on my side? What kind of ally would say that?!
_ Hessy: Anything but [Dark Bolt].
So does she want me to avoid using [Dark] element, or just specifically the [Dark Bolt] skill…? Knowing her, it's probably the latter.
_ Su: She's an elf. Our beauty and elegance are better emphasized by [Nature].
No, I'm only half elf. And you aren't even a waitress, Su! Go back to the teahouse, you little degenerate elf~
_ Swordman: Damn Illusive Sprout, getting all the attention.
_ Warrior: Maybe if she disappears…
Some dangerous lines of thinking are emerging from the patrons with nothing to do! I really need to get some self-defense capability, FAST!
Because I have no idea how long the waitresses are going to take, let's find someone else to party with. I don't want to know what can of worms I will open if I jump in now.
…
_ Shadyna: And so, I'll be in your care today!
_ Fensen: Leave it to me!
_ Poltea: L-likewise.
_ Elri: "And so" my pet's stinger! Don't just ask to join party then run to us on foot at Mach 3! You have [Teleport], make use of it!!!
Un, my elven mentor Elri is in high spirits today. So are my cute apprentices~
While I know she was speaking figuratively, I didn't reach Mach 3. Trust me, I know.
_ Shadyna: But you have just left town…
_ Elri: By using the [Recall] tablets you gave us!
Sorry~
The area we are in is just past the big ocean lake, or former valley. I was in the mood for procrastina… I mean, sightseeing, so I just grabbed Gelly and dashed to them in a straight line.
_ Elri: *Sighs* Anyway, what's the matter?
As expected of a kind girl, she knows when I'm in a pinch~
_ Elri: No, you are just too expressive.
Uuu… Sateri, I'm still waiting for my [Emotionless] title~
_ Shadyna: Well then, explanation time skip~
_ Elri: Stop spouting nonsense and explain properly!
…
_ Elri: Pacifist magic… That's called buffs.
You don't say.
_ Shadyna: No~ I want magic that doesn't do damage on paper, but still capable of pacifying enemies by making sure they don't live to be violent anymore!
_ Elri: Just putting "pacifist" in front of "murder" does not change the meaning!
_ Shadyna: Un, I just want to make it legal.
_ Elri: REJECTED!
Uuu… Elri is too strict…
_ Poltea: Uhm… this game has [Poison], right? Does that count as "no damage"…?
Oh~ Nice idea~ The debut of a magical girl who peacefully subdue enemies using neurotoxins that are borderline (if not outright) illegal! Show the evil overlords how to wage REAL wars!
…No amount of cute mascots is going to help with that kind of PR (Public Relations) disaster, I think.
_ Elri: Don't. The basic spell, [Poison Dart], deals direct damage on hit. The damage-over-time effect also counts to your [Damage Dealt] record.
Debut rejected~
_ Shadyna: Too bad~ Although,
_ Poltea: Eh? EEEEHHHH?!
_ Fensen: I can vouch for her cruelty during our study sessions!
I'm quite certain that you totally deserve whatever she threw at you,
_ Poltea: Oh… I… see. If they were so unpleasa…
_ Fensen: I AM VERY SORRY! THAT WAS JUST A JOKE!
When she's angry, it's hell. When she's genuinely apologetic, it's worse than hell!
_ Elri: [Dark] and [Light] spells do damage too, and their debuffs don't have damage over time.
Are we going through all the ailment types now? Then again, all elemental spells seem to be damage-dealing so if there's a chance for a no-damage killing technique, I should be looking at ailments which are meant for support.
_ Shadyna: Because throwing pets is physical attack.
_ Elri: This is the first time you told me, so why that "I have told you before!" face…?
Little details~
_ Shadyna: More importantly, I hate status effect spells.
_ Elri: Huh? What gives?
_ Shadyna: Bad past experiences. They depend on RNG, which is a way of saying "Does not work when needed most". More often than not they have no effect on bosses, and when they do, using a spell multiple times do not stack. Twice the player count doubles the damage, but twice the debuffs just result in… same effect.
I also want to say that during my time here, most stuff died in one hit so there was no time for [Poison] and such, but Elri will definitely chew me out. Hard pass~
_ Elri: That's… reasonable, I suppose.
_ Shadyna: Having said that, Sateri nerfed me to the ground anyway. I don't mind getting those skills if they help me survive~
_ Elri: Don't make an elaborate complain in that case!!!
But I really do think so about status effects~
…
A lava lake has come into view. Welcome to one of the most annoying features ever existed in gaming history: Environmental damage!
I bet the inventors of this and status effects are all sadists. These "features" bring nothing but pain, suffering and frustrations to players!
Anyway, this zone, called "Lava Rift" by the player base, has two parts. The outer ring, which is pretty much a dark-colored rocky barren land. There are creatures and vegetation here and there, but you won't get much experience out of this pitiful population density.
The "fun" part lies below, in-between the two long cliffs going through the zone. Simply put, there's a magma river flowing beneath. One can reach this part from the natural entrance at each end of the rift, or they can jump off the edge to reduce encounters. It's highly likely the landing spot will be filled with liquid rocks that will take away what little HP is left after the jump though.
We, being young ladies with good manners, obviously went the normal path from the entrance, with guns blazing. Along the way, we had a totally civil discussion regarding how to make others suffer using status effects while
The environmental damage is tolerable on land. It becomes annoying when we touch the lava however. Sateri, you sadist~
_ Elri: [Sleep] prevents enemies from attacking, but with your MAT wouldn't the HP regeneration effect be too powerful?
_ Shadyna: Eh? Are there players who can withstand your charge?
Most creatures don't attack me. Players, on the other hand, will be the reason why I need [Root] and chloroform… Then again I will only need it when my friends are around. Elri, in particular, has [Accelerate Bonus], allowing her to vaporize most stuff under 10k HP in one strike. HP regeneration is not relevant.
Who was the idiot that granted her such OP skill~?
_ Elri: Players surviving my charge… No, no there isn't…
I appreciate the honesty, but why do you look like you have lost?
_ Mera (PM):
_ Shadyna (PM): I am. What's the matter?
_ Mera (PM): Nothing~ I just thought it was time for anyone going with you to realize they had completely fallen to darkness.
_ Shadyna (PM): What. The. Heck?!
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
_ Mera (PM): Come to the tavern before you logout, okay~? We are going to have some fu~n with your bo~dy~
Crap. Should I run for the mountain? One of the new zones is a big mountain range which can be a good place to hide from criminals!
And which was her main reason to contact me anyway?
…
_ Shadyna: Found it!
At the center of the lake, there's this big plant stalk look-alike among the other aquatic (magmatic?) plants on the surface. It stands out because it's twice bigger than the second-biggest one, and more importantly, it's a scorpion's tail.
No, I'm serious. It's the tail of a submersible giant scorpion.
Damn it, Sateri. At least make it a lobster or something you would see underwater!
_ Elri: That suspicious stalk?
_ Shadyna: Un.
…As payment for childcare. And it was before the nerfs, so I'm not sure it's good for me anymore.
We are already here though, so might as well finish and scratch it off the list~
_ Shadyna:
_ Fensen: Roger~
_ Poltea: O-oh!
_ Elri: What happened to pacifism?!
Completely safe, because I'm not fighting it!
*WHAM* *WHOMP* *BONK BONK*
…
[Condition fulfilled. Unlocked Skill: "Reckless Frenzy Lv.0"]
What was
How many times do I have to state that I am not a violent person?!
_ Elri: What did you get? Anything good?
[Put the target into a frenzied state. Increase physical damage significantly but reduce physical defense.]
_ Shadyna: I think it suits you more~
_ Elri: Are you trying to imply something?!
But I do think this is a skill for reckless players who have a tendency to attack enemies without proper preparations…
It's not going to help with deathless runs though~
_ Shadyna: I already have [Combat Support]. It won't do anything for me~
_ Elri: What are you saying? It stacks with [Combat Support].
_ Shadyna: …Eh?
_ Elri: You can buff your attribute one type at a time with [Potential Manifest] can't you? This conversion skill is considered a single buff, and will stack with the rest of your stats-increase-only effects.
_ Shadyna: Oh~ Do you have a conversion skill like this as well?
As expected of my mentor, she's knowledgeable, despite her appearance and attitude.
_ Elri: No. That
The one who took Elri's dignity, if I remember correctly~ Also the leader of
This changes a lot though. I previously thought that you can only buff with skill once, similarly to [Alchemy] and [Cooking]. There are probably many other stackable effects that the player base simply has not figured out yet.
Okay, maniacal laughing~
_ Elri: What's with that creepy smile…?
_ Fensen:
_ Poltea: That's rude,
_ Shadyna: Nothing~ I need to go back to the tavern now. Are you continuing the grind?
There are many things I want to consult, and doing that through chat is kind of bothersome. Face-to-face with a warm cup of chocolate milk is much, much better!
_ Elri: Yes, it's the plan. Ah, can I have some of your time tomorrow?
_ Shadyna: I always have time for a date~!
_ Elri: Not that! Enchanted gear doesn't grant skill anymore, so if you could make [Accelerate Bonus] skill scrolls for the rest of our team…
Aw… I thought she was inviting me for some time alone together before one of us dies horribly to random last bosses…
And what the heck is with that change for [Enchant] I didn't know about? Combined with the skill scroll change, doesn't this mean we have no easy way to share skills with friends or pet anymore? Was Sateri aiming to reduce skill inflation?
Because we don't usually unlock skills by enchanted items, we totally missed it huh. Gotta tell Hessy to update the nerf list again…
_ Shadyna: Got it. I'll dress up nicely for our date!
_ Elri: YOU ARE NOT LISTENING AT ALL AREN'T YOU!!!
Parting with everyone, I use [Teleport] to return to Tyrel.
…
_ Hessy: Welcome back. I was worried you would run away because of Mera's rambling.
Welp, I forgot that the tavern is the last place I want to visit right now!
_ Shadyna: Alright, I'm heading out~
Before I could even turn around to run, two busty dark elves had rushed in from the sides and grabbed my arms.
I have been had!!!
Were you waiting in the crowd the whole time for this moment?! Serve drinks to patrons if you have that much free time to waste damn it!!!
_ Melodyn: A wild
_ Choruse: Resistance is futi… Scratch that. We will die if you fight back so don't.
_ Shadyna: Then why are you doing it?!
Despite my protests, the crazy sisters still drag me to the back anyway.
You useless background customers, stop looking at me with envious eyes!!!
…
This room has been cleaned up.
At the back, several tables and seats are placed, with drinks and flowers on top. It's the typical setup for judges in reality shows. Am I going to be forced to fight to the death for everyone's entertainment?!
_ Hessy: It's fine to be delusional, but don't get your hopes up.
Stop reading my mind, or my expressions, rather~
At the center is a room? Locker? Are they going to put me in there and practice sawing me in half or setting me on fire to see if I would survive?!
_ Shadyna: Um… what do you need, exactly?
If it involves me becoming a living torch or becoming two in a literal sense, I will have to politely decline!
_ Hessy: Right… We were talking about which element would suit you earlier…
I knew it would come back to bite me later, but I didn't expect it to this soon!
_ Hessy: In the end, we still could not decide with a majority vote.
There are six elements in total. I would be surprised if you can even get a majority by asking everyone's preferences!
_ Hessy: Therefore, we decided to let you choose for yourself.
Shouldn't that be the first and foremost course of action?! This is MY skills you are talking about right?!
_ Shadyna: But Hessy… I can't use elemental skills. They deal damage, remember?
_ Hessy: That doesn't matter.
Even though you just told me to choose for myself?!
_ Hessy: Here, please hold on to these. You have enough storage space right?
Received clothing x a crap ton~
_ Shadyna: This is…
_ Hessy: The costume designs we came up with. Please try them out.
_ Shadyna: It's not about the skills, or elements at all?!
_ Hessy: It is. The elements were the themes for these costumes after all.
If you have so much free time, why don't you help me to, I don't know, find some magic skills to defend myself instead!?
_ Shadyna: So that's the changing room?
I point at the mysterious room of unknown purpose earlier.
The dark elven sisters have already released me and took their seats at the tables along with the rest of the cafeteria crew. If I say anything about that I'll lose so let's stay shut.
_ Hessy: Correct. You need a place to change costumes, no?
I don't want to hear that from the person having no qualm switching gear in front of others!!!
_ Mera: We won't stop you if you want to change in front of us~
You are not helping!!!
…
Somehow, more players have come while I was changing. Is the whole crew here? What about the stores, girls?!
Two standing mirrors were also added, allowing me to look at my avatar from the sides. Thank you for the consideration, but why are all of you here to watch me? You are acting like the perverts from
_ Melodyn & Choruse: Welcome~ To
WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU TRYING TO SAY THERE?!
Also, this doesn't have anything to do with my magical debut anymore!
_ Melodyn: And here we have the first submission~! A [Fire]-themed dress disguised as [Nature] by using red leaves textures instead of flames. I wonder if it will turn back to green when the season changes?
Pretty sure this game doesn't have such useless feature, even in the name of immersion.
_ Choruse: It is a good compromise between the theme and the person wearing it, as
Welp, next outfit~!
_ Melodyn: Next up is a [Water]-themed outfit! A witch-like appearance emphasizing her usual mischievous behaviors, while the coloring points to a gentler side, reinforcing the "ally of justice" image!
_ Vladina: You generally don't want to be red or blue if you want to stay alive for the next three episodes though. In magical girl shows, pink has the highest survival rate.
Mostly because they were protagonists…
But why are you here?! Get back to your guild hall you damn lolicon!!! You don't even work here!
The forced exhibition continues for hours. Most [Earth] and [Lightning] outfits were rejected due to bad compatibility with my appearance. My current equipment is brown and it works just fine though…
I come out with the next one and do a full circle spin. It reduces the number of requests to turn left and right from the audience so I have been doing it routinely to save time.
Yet it still hasn't ended! Just how many costumes are there?!
_ Everyone: …
Eh? What's with this silence? I didn't put on something weird without knowing right?
I turn to the mirror to see what kind of fashion monstrosity I am wearing.
The upper garment is a frilly gothic-styled shirt, with double ribbons at the collar and all that. It has no sleeves, but the tight gloves are long enough to cover my entire arms as compensation. I think it was meant to be a one-piece dress, then someone came up with the idea to cut it diagonally. Now the left side only reaches my waist, while the right goes to my thigh.
Green stylized branch textures run parallel to the frills. They stand out on the black background color of the dress, but not excessive to the point of becoming one of the main colors. There's one line of similar drawing on each glove too. The consistency is appreciated.
I did not notice when I put the hairpins on, but it has a thin veil covering my face, connecting from one to the other. The game removes all head equipment from wearer's vision by default to avoid obstructing views in full helmets, so I could not see the veil without looking at a mirror. It's a bit disorienting to see it only in my reflections though…
As for the piece below my belly… It's pumpkin pants.
I wish I was kidding, but it's pumpkin pants. Frilly pumpkin pants, just to add salt to injury. Because it's dyed black, I am having a mixed impression of being childish and mature at the same time. Not embarrassing as a short skirt, but it's still going to raise eyebrows here and there.
The socks are thigh-high, as traditions dictate. Establishing absolute territory to assert dominance over the enemies!
All in all, this outfit has really good coverage. Only my shoulders, armpits, absolute territory and a small part between the short left hem and my pants are exposed, yet for some reason I feel like I have quite a number of vulnerabilities wearing it. Fashion, scary~
Crap, I completely forgot about the whole world watching me as I swirl around to check out the costume at various angles!
_ Melodyn: Hmm~ If I have to complain… Doesn't it fit a bit TOO well?
_ Choruse: Let's reject it. One-sided competition is not interesting to viewers.
Now you are just spouting whatever you want! Besides, since when did you guys become the ones to decide my outfit again?!
_ Vladina: Who was the designer? I would like to meet them, for research purpose.
And why are you still here?! Go grind levels or something!
_ Melodyn: Uhm~ This is a late entry, made by leader, Elri,
_ Fensen: Us here~
When did you come back?! Weren't you supposed to be burning in lava?!
_ Hessy: Right, since the three were informed late, we submitted it after the show started.
How did you give it to me after it started without me realizing?! Actually, I think I'm fine with not knowing!
Elri, say something! You looking away in silence just makes this more awkward!
Sigh… what am I doing here again?
____________
The cafeteria is in a slump today.
_ Spearman: Why… WHY ARE YOU MANNING THE COUNTER?!
_ Swordman: Can I barf now?
Because the crew are busy with a task of utmost important, they asked a third party to tend the shop in their absence.
_ Olkan: Do it outside. The waitresses will complain if I make this place dirty, and I don't want nonconsensual insults.
After all, the patrons are here to see cute waitresses, not a degenerate on a throne and his snaky henchmen.
_ Tippe: How about both?
_ Maximus: That's the part bothering you?
Despite the perverts' agony, it was a peaceful day as well.
--- Topic: Armor stats ---
## Shining Knight
Hello, I just started today, so please bear with me. (>_<)
I'm confused about the armor system in this game. What prevents a mage from using heavy armors and be as good as tanks in melee?
##
## Manly Warrior
Welcome! I'm a sword main. Armors can be deceiving because the appearance does not affect stats. There are things to keep in mind:
- There's no armor category. What matters is their stats.
- Each armor piece adding to defense is a piece not adding to your speed or HP/MP.
- Skills are multipliers. They are what differentiate builds the most.
- A bit meta, but big bulky armors have a big hitbox, which may not be desirable for squishy builds.
TL;DR: Wear whatever you want.
##
## Newbie Charisma build
I qualify as a summoner main, but I do wear defense-heavy armors to take heat of my pets. The hard part is grinding the relevant skills. A pure nuke build can wear the same gear, but they won't be as good in taking a beating from a boss because their time is spent training nuke skills.
Also welcome, hope you'll enjoy the game. Just don't pick a fight with anyone having a sprout on her head. ^_^;
##
## Shining Knight
Thank you!
As I understand it, bikini armor can be a thing?
##
## Curious big boobs elf
It is a thing. Some players do dress like that in plain view.
##
------
--- Topic: Illusive Sprout General Topic #3 ---
## Teabag Master
Our glorious owner, Illusive Sprout, is having her debut today. Due to recent events she's dropping brute physical attacks and switching to elegant magic. Fingers crossed we survive to the next patch. (._.)
##
## Fire mage of Justice
Crap, she's still evolving! (－‸ლ)
Please hurry up, seeing Olkan at the counter is bad for my mental health!
##
## GoldBar9999
I heard that!
##
## CuteIsJustice
As payment for access to the fashion show gallery held behind the doors, I have to sort the whole thing out and post here. ＼(~o~)／
The cafeteria crew were designing Illusive Sprout's new outfit for her debut. Since there were over 200 entries, I'll only post the highest rating (by the judges) ones:
- Fire: [Pics]
- Water: [Pics]
- Earth: [Pics]
- Lightning: [Pics]
- Wind: [Pics]
- Nature: [Pics]
- Winner: [Pic]
You can find the rest of the gallery here: [Link]
##
## Mage of Sin
Cute! Burn that winning outfit image into your mind, to run away real fast when you see her in-game! (*°∀°)=3
Welcome to the magic side Illusive Sprout. We have candies!
##
## Maximus Archery
More like a massive waste of coins.
##
## Heaven Piercer
Aaaaaand that's why you'll never get a girlfriend. (^_^;)
She's changed appearance, so maybe it's time for another poll?
##
------