Behold, the strongest pacifist at her full power!!!
_ Su (Party): Ah, please do not use [Luminous Firestorm] or [Luminous Icestorm]. We all know what they do and
…Behold, the strongest pacifist at her almost full power!!!
After some warm up exercises to verify the limits of what I can and cannot do in combat, I am now ready to take on the horde of darkness!
Well, there are still a lot of things I want to test but can't because I may accidentally deal damage. [Phantom Edge] is one of a kind, so even though Sateri advertises it as "prevent dealing all damage", I can't just commit senseless violence and expect to get away with it. It will only take one exception for my perfect pacifist record to be ruined after all.
That's why the exercises were performed using my trademark Totally Definitely Beneficial Buff items as a safety net. If my absolutely friendly buff deals the completely necessary side-effect damage, that means I cannot use that skill even with [Phantom Edge].
As for the results…
Good news is that I deal absolutely zero damage as long as it's me doing the attack. Even Poison didn't deal its damage over time. Throwing Gelly is still out however, since, well, it's not me doing damage.
Bad news is… I have to do live combat testing because it changes my current tactics too much. There's no telling how it will evolve from here, so either I figure it out now, or I'll have to do it later when I have to fight for dear life and some maniac asks Hessy to strip again.
No thanks to that. In order to protect my manager's decency, here I go~~~!!!
Jumping off the wall, I head straight for the monster horde that has just respawned after some peaceful moments of not being laser-ed.
_ Hessy (Party): …She's thinking something whacky again.
_ Shadyna (Party): How mean!
_ Su (Party): *Mumbles*… Should I take her air-headedness into account as well…?
And the proprietress is already in work mode. And by that, I mean she looks like an artist near the deadline who may just drop dead from overwork any second now. Take it easy, will you? We're streaming this so you can always watch the footage later.
Now then… You! Yes, generic mob monster with no distinguishing feature! You are lucky to be the first one in my path today! And for that…
_ Shadyna: [Leap]! [Slam]!!!
Get smashed~
*WHAM*
With [Phantom Edge] active, I don't have to refrain from using my sword anymore. Smacking the poor monster in the face with the sheath still on, I send it flying backwards, right into the crowd behind it.
*CRASH* *BOOM*
And fly it did. The poor thing smashed into some kind of two-headed dog, completely pulverizing it and everything around it with the AoE from my [Mancannon]. It's technically not my damage so [Phantom Edge] does not apply. That's for not allowing me to throw Gelly~!
*CRASH* *BOOM*
After brutally murdering a bunch of its allies, the "lucky" monster continues its flight… into the next chosen one that didn't get obliterated in the blast. I don't think the first collision did anything to change the trajectory, since the cannonball is still going in a completely straight path.
*CRASH* *BOOM*
Then another one.
*CRASH* *BOOM*
And another one.
By the time gravity could bring the explosive monster's unstoppable flight to a halt, which resulted in yet one final explosion I might add, the area between us had turn into something resembling the aftermath of a bombing run. Craters line up on the ground, littered with corpses that were lucky enough not to get caught and destroyed in multiple explosions. Definitely not a place one can look at and say "Yup, I should live here."
Contrary to all the deaths and destruction it just caused, the living ammo remains completely unscathed on the other end of the no man land, even though it was in the center of every single explosion. No one has ever died from being thrown by me after all~
Ah, scratch that. It's not unscathed.
It's stunned.
____________
Sateri, marketing lead, game designer, customer service manager, has a habit of lurking around the board.
She's not slacking off, really. Gathering player feedback is vital to the game's development, lest she become one of those executives who are disconnected from not only the player base, but also reality itself. It is also much more efficient than collecting and parsing brainwaves for the millions of players just to find out if the new priestess NPC is cute enough for their taste.
Her processors have better work to do than importing even more whacky fantasies into the database, thank you very much.
For today's trending topics, the new priestess replacing the tormented archbishop was well-received by the community. Her quest to find the lost archbishop was completely ignored however. If a cute girl asking with teary eyes can't make them accept it, nothing will. It is regrettable, but the priestess will have to be the new quest-giver for Goddess-related events from here on out.
Feature requests for NPC submission are growing. Although she will still have to go through all of them for moderation and copyrights reasons, an offline NPC creator might be a good time killer. It will also save time spent lurking the PC/NPC threads to get seeds. Let's put that into the list.
Guilds are coordinating efforts for settlements in the wilderness, thanks to a particular someone's fortifications neutralizing raids. Hostile NPC patch needs to be done before raids become completely ineffective. Flying creature patch will have to be delayed instead.
A new streaming thread has become trending, which is rare. Famous streamers usually have their own established threads for better visibility. Did someone accidentally humiliate themselves by picking a fight with players beyond their power level again?
--- Topic: Sapling Cuisine combat training stream ---
## Teabag Master
The cute angels of Sapling Cuisine are showcasing their newest skills! If you want to watch us with your own eyes or still think you have a chance defeating us, come to Pathwrecker's camp at these coordinates.
Tavern Mistress Stream (Completed): [Link]
EDIT: Multi-weapon Wielders Stream (Completed): [Link]
EDIT 2: Black Mantis Stream (Ongoing): [Link]
Because there are innocent maidens here, please keep the thread on topic. Marriage proposals will be removed, okay~? =^_^=
##
## Comment deleted ##
## Teabag Master
^Reading comprehension, not even once.
##
## OP alchemist
Too fast!!! (*￣m￣)
##
## Manly Warrior
What a good place for an audience… NOT!!! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
At least try to hide it if you want to kill us!
##
…
## Teabag Master
Up next is our one and only guildmaster (*´▽｀*)
##
## Newbie Charisma build
（ ﾟ Дﾟ)
Was Slam supposed to do that?
##
## Nearseeing Sage
Kind of, but not really.
In theory, even basic attacks can blow opponents away with enough STR. Slam just makes it easier. However, if you frequently engage in PvP, you will notice that only the squishies with low STR and CON will ever get lifted off the ground, Slam or not. There are other factors, but the gist of it is that you need a lot of STR to displace anything that moves. More so against higher level opponents.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
That's why Black Mantis is the only one swinging players around as blunt weapons freely. Trust me, we DID try.
##
## Deeply Intelligent
(・・) (._.) Should I be amazed that you analyzed and attempted wielding players so thoroughly, or that you completely failed to notice the explosions?
##
## Teabag Master
In case you are wondering, Slam does not have any explosion effect. (·ω·)
##
## OP alchemist
You don't say. (ーー;)
##
------
Looking at the footage of a certain player splitting the sea of monsters with extreme prejudice, the Almighty Goddess can't help but facepalms digitally.
That was not supposed to happen.
Once upon a time, some players abused wooden doors to absorb attacks from a boss. To avoid powerful single attacks being trivialized because of some inanimate furniture, a patch was quickly deployed. In short, it made attacks reduce damage but would still go through obstacles in their way. She even made sure the attacks wouldn't be deflected by low-power blocking or parry as well, just in case the players in question get any funny ideas.
Her memory is not infinite however, and attack spawners were not included in her original simulations as a result.
Attack spawners are effects that can create additional effects if some conditions are met. Most existing skills or titles with such effects are quite rare, and the conditions are too restrictive to cause unexpected behaviors.
Not all though. Like this effect that creates an AoE by simply colliding into an entity for example.
As the "bullet" from [Mancannon] is no longer stopped by the first collision, it can just go straight through anything and everything until the collision damage runs out. When the base collision damage is in the hundreds of thousands, the thrown entity is not going to run out of damage before hitting the ground.
And that is totally working as intended. It's the whole point of the fix.
What was not intended is [Mancannon] still triggering on monsters after the first collisions. Because the slightest touch sets it off regardless of previous triggers, the supposedly single AoE attack turned into a bombing run as the monster hit something every two meters for its whole flight. It can be said that her damage really… exploded.
Bad puns aside, the governing AI needs to act, fast. The penetrating throw can stay, but those explosions have to go. Even though the patch's purpose was to buff single-hit attacks, which [Mancannon] technically qualifies for, it scaling up with the amount of enemies is not acceptable. Not at that rate and power level at the very least.
Letting out a long sigh in binary, Sateri brandishes her nerf hammer. Figuratively of course. Her actual in-game weapons are something else.
As she is a kind and merciful Goddess, and mainly because it was her own fault this time, she will let that cheeky sprout play to her heart's content until the end of the day.
Beginning patching operation!
____________
*BOOM*
[Condition fulfilled. Unlocked Skill: "Multi-weapon Wield Lv.0"]
[Condition fulfilled. Unlocked Skill: "Alpha Strike Bonus Lv.0"]
Nice~
Even though [Alpha Strike Bonus] is the bread and butter of our guild's damage output, I, the guildmaster, could not unlock it until now.
Well, it's not that hard if I actually put some effort into it, like I did just now. The biggest problem was the unlock conditions for the skills requiring actual attacks, which my buff items are technically not, being buff and all that. Even if I somehow blast every single creature in the world map with my items, I still wouldn't get the skills!
That leaves me with only the option of using players as blunt weapons. While I can totally do that and the dark elven sisters would probably volunteer enthusiastically, I don't think my reputation can recover from throwing busty ladies into monsters for materialistic gains.
On the contrary, [Phantom Edge] allows me to smack monsters peacefully, even though it technically still counts as actual attack (with zero damage). As much as I would like to say a few things about Sateri's obsession with technicalities, I can unlock the aforementioned skills like a normal player so I'm keeping my mouth shut.
Reading the room is important, especially when it's convenient for me, un!
I should explain how to unlock the skills in details? Sure~ Here's a quick tutorial:
First, ask
As for the actual unlocking, perform as many simultaneous attacks as possible. Alternate weapons to unlock [Multi-weapon Wield] as a bonus. I do not know the exact number, but I got it with 12 attacks.
How the heck do I get 12 attacks in at the same time in the first place? Fine, I'm going to do it again, so don't miss it, okay?
After a short pause for the horde to replenish their numbers in the vicinity, I rush towards the favorite generic mob that has been my bullet this whole battle.
To be used as ammunition for a cute half-elf, aren't you a lucky one~?
_ Shadyna: [Leap]! [Slam]!
*POW*
It flies into the night sky like a baseball. Because I need to time the fall, I blasted it in an arc for longer flight time.
_ Shadyna: Hey~! Yo~!
*POW*
Swinging my sword again, this time for a basic attack, I send the next lucky mob of the day flying.
_ Shadyna: [Begi]~!
*WHOOSH*
For the last one, I throw a [Begi] from my inventory. Because we need multiple weapons for [Multi-weapon Wield], and changing main weapon is a pain. [Begi] on the other hand, counts as an [Alchemy] bomb and can be thrown directly, not to mention that I always have some in stock for emergencies. Although there's no damage thanks to [Phantom Edge], these bulbs have innate explosion effect so it's totally fine~
That's all of it. [Slam], attack, [Begi], repeat. I perform this pattern six times before my favorite punching ba… temporary ally hits the ground. Four are enough to unlock the skills, but six give some leeway and margin for error. It's hard to land every hit at the same time after all~
*BOOM*
While not as impressive as the earth-splitting straight ball, 18 explosions shattering the ground (as well as most targets on it) around me are glorious to look at too. In real life, this technique is meant to land multiple hits on the same area for maximum effect, but here I spread the barrage so that it hit as many targets as possible.
[Skill Leveled up:
[Skill Leveled up:
Gives better experience too, ufufu~
And that concludes my super simple and concise tutorial to unlock one of the strongest passive skills in a minute! A job well done, if I say so myself~!
_ Hessy (Party): Thanks,
What the heck~!
_ Hessy (Party): How's it going, Su?
_ Su (Party): …Not enough. Honey, could you try fighting without getting hit?
_ Shadyna (Party): Eh?
_ Su (Party): There was no problem with your performance, but I couldn't help but feel that your… atmosphere was different compared to other times.
_ Shadyna (Party): Eh~?
_ Hessy (Party): …And you think that's because she was not under any pressure?
_ Su (Party): Yes. Unlike other battles, there is nothing in this zone that can seriously harm
Suddenly, the difficulty has been raised because I was doing well?!
What is this, some kind of unbeatable game created only to make players suffer?! You must know that there's a big difference between not being damaged and not taking damage at all right? Even though I have enough SPD to outrun most if not all attacks thrown at me, I can't dodge if there is no space left between projectiles to maneuver you know!
Su, you bully~!!!
_ Hessy (Party): Good point. We need to train against one-hit attacks anyway.
Uh… Shouldn't we like… run really fast if we face something that can one-shot ME?
_ Shadyna (Party): Uhm…
_ Su (Party): Yes, honey~?
_ Shadyna (Party): Can I use skills and my sword to block attacks?
_ Hessy (Party): …Part of me want to see how far you can go without them, but you did negate
_ Su (Party): Of course you can, honey. I want to see what you can pull in a struggle for survival with my own eyes too~!
For someone head over heels for little girls, she sure doesn't have any hesitation pushing one into danger, this proprietress…
Well, it's true that I was not really dodging attacks because most of them deal single-digit damage. I had better take this seriously so Su can get enough data to analyze and advise. It's a matter of (virtual) life and death after all.
Gelly, Lutena, get ready~!
Behold, the strongest pacifist, second form~!
[Solar Radiance], ON~!!!
____________
Letting the maniac enjoy herself was the correct decision.
Not only the person herself, but eavesdro… legally listening to the conversation (as per the Terms of Service) between the
A single player most likely won't come close to her processing capability. However, thousands of them, each with a different view and context, can and will come up with some unorthodox usages or combination that is not considered by her simulations. Such insights are invaluable, even if the majority of the players cannot acquire these powerful skills in the first place.
The all-knowing AI would appreciate if players can stop screaming in terror on the board though. It's hindering her work to find actual useful information.
--- Topic: Sapling Cuisine combat training stream ---
…
## Big Hammer
Scary! This girl is bad news after all!!!
##
## Mage of Sin
First time? ^ω^
##
## Serious Mage
She's even talking about margin of error, like someone's going to be crazy enough to attempt that!
##
## Manly Warrior
I mean, why not? We won't get the skill without the scrolls, but I do think it's a good assessment of player ability, like:
- Situation awareness to identify surrounding targets
- Skill and item cooldown management to maintain a constant stream of attacks
- Hand-eye coordination to aim different attacks in a short time frame
- Adaptability to adjust for any changes arise during the barrage
18-hit volley is probably beyond most of us, but 6 or even 9 is probably achievable for veterans with the correct setup. (`･ω･´)
##
## StoneHoarder
I get your point, but are we just going to ignore how she completely annihilated hundreds of level-capped mobs in one go? (ーー;)
##
## OP alchemist
This is the girl who burnt down the town square with everyone in it. Why is it a surprise to see a power-up now that she forsook her pacifism? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
##
## Heaven Piercer
How envio… terrifying! With the two multi-weapon wielders, they are going to one-shot everything from mobs to unique bosses! What's next, the world itself!?
@Teabag Master: Can we request them to decimate us in private? Asking for a friend.
##
## Deeply Intelligent
Reported. Damn lolicon!
I wouldn't worry much if I were you. She was already OHKO-ing everything before dropping her pacifist facade anyway.
##
## Teabag Master
@Heaven Piercer: They are not on the roster, so I have to regrettably decline. Also, reported~
Who said she abandoned pacifism? Everything she's doing is within the boundaries of pacifism, by Sateri-chan's standards.
Yes, including the current "kill everything while taking no damage" training.
##
## Fire mage of Justice
By Sateri-chan's standards huh. (；一_一)
##
## Newbie Charisma build
The only standards that matter (^o^)
##
------
A no-damage challenge, is it~? The current lategame is so easy that they had to do these challenge runs, is that what they are saying~?
Just for the record, that girl's current power level is completely by design. Those fancy new skills? Deliberately tuned so she could actually use it normally, lest she break the game trying. The off-the-charts attributes? Absolutely intentional. 18-hit combo? Okay, that was not expected, but pretty mild comparing to the literally mountain-breaking aerial bombardment she once pulled, so the Goddess will let that slide, for the time being.
Now then, if these players want a difficult battle so much, how can the kind and generous Almighty Goddess refuse? A no-damage challenge it is then, and with the Nox Terminus' second form on the line to boot. Blocks are allowed as
Coincidentally, the new NPC AI package can also use some live testing. It's meant for NPCs with higher intelligence and group tactics, though it can be applied for creatures as well, as long as the conversation flags are turned off, for obvious reasons. This package should change the behaviors of monsters massively, providing a much more diverse and erratic decision making solution. While that does not guarantee an increase in difficulty for a single creature, it will change how the group react as a whole, or at the very least, make them much more unpredictable.
Now try and no-damage challenge THAT, you hypocritical pacifist!
The personality module's pettiness is at maximum today as well.
Speaking of hypocrisy,
…Nope, not happening. Let's synchronize with the in-game avatar to see if there's anything to be found.
Yes, Sateri's avatar is autonomous for the most part. There's no need to manually control or keep track of the surrounding constantly when a fine-tuned AI package can do the same. The main AI can focus on more important tasks and collect data every once in a while, like what she is doing right now.
Scanning conversation logs… Scanning quest logs…
…Oh, that one.