Because of various reasons, Shadyna is now touring a slave market!

I really should have looked into the town before visiting. What else are you going to call a place specialized in trading NPCs (and pets)? A recruitment office?

It's even called "The Ranch" to boot! Do you guys not have a PR department or something?!

_ Corpse player: We originally intended to call it "The Camp" by the way, since we would be trading [Soul Core] in addition to [Summon Stone]. Then a player who is a history major explained to us why naming a gathering of humans or humanoids anything with the word "camp" in it a very bad idea… To spare you the details, we settled with "The Ranch" many hours later.

I wonder if they will ever realize that calling it a livestock farm is no good either…?

_ Corpse player: The center is a marketplace for you to outfit your new companions with the latest standard gears. For the actual potential companions, you can visit the barns to your left for normal pets, or the inn complex to your right for NPCs.

_ Shadyna: Woa~~~ So those are for NPCs instead of players?

Rather than the occasional inns on the street, every building on my right side is a big three-story inn sporting dozens of rooms just on the street-facing side alone. Many people come and go from the main entrances, with a good portion of them having the so-called "NPC Line" on their neck.

It really does feel like a town for NPCs, if one can ignore the buying and selling of said NPCs that is~

_ Corpse player: Indeed. The merchant players may have their own rooms, but the majority of living space here is occupied by non-players.

_ Magni: Excuse me, wouldn't it be more efficient to use small tents for them? Tents are cheaper, and open ones allow a quick view of NPCs without visiting them one by one.

…Yup, that sounds like what a slaver would say alright.

_ Corpse player: True, and that's exactly what we went for in the beginning, hence "The Camp". Well, it only lasted for a few days though.

_ Magni: Did something happen?

_ Corpse player: The PKers attacked in large numbers and completely caught us by surprise… Many NPCs were killed as a result.

A surprise attack killing civilians? That is indeed a tragedy, but…

_ Magni: You could just revive them with [Resurrection]?

_ Corpse player: Obviously. We did that as soon as the attackers were repelled.

Yup, that. As long as the [Soul Core] remains in the inventory, NPCs' deaths are a mild inconvenience at most. Heck, the only time NPCs can be in actual danger is because they aren't from [Soul Core], like my daughter Aenilie!

Coincidentally, because reviving NPCs is so easy, some people at school were saying that the fastest way to do escort or healing quests is to kill the NPC in question and bring them back to life. Annoying jerks blabbering the whole way? Enjoy staying dead until the destination! Suffering grave injuries? [Blessed Resurrection] the grave! Mysterious disease? [Masterwork] miracle-medicine-level amulet~!

Students are brutal, I'm telling you… And our teacher who overheard the conversation then applauded them for the creative solution was definitely NOT helping!

At least do your job during work hours, darn it~!

_ Corpse player: Even the tents had [Blueprint], so all we lost was time cleaning up really. Some of them were traumatized though.

…Can NPCs even get traumatized? They barely managed to say Sateri's name during our repeated interactions back when I was looking for the extremely well-hidden Goddess. Or was that the players? Thinking hard thinking hard~

_ Corpse player: The players, that is.

WHY?!

_ Corpse player: Can't blame them. We handpicked the NPCs so it's normal for some of us to get a bit more attached than we should be.

Remind me why you guys are still doing this whole virtual slave market thingy again?

_ Corpse player: As a result, we got a new dedicated anti-PK party. Their summons are the killed NPCs by the way.

…The killed romance option has had enough of the edgy protagonist and decided to do the avenging herself! Revenge plots sure are wild these days~

_ Corpse player: Other players are not as extreme but also pooled quite an amount of funding for arming said NPCs. I don't think the attackers that day ever came back or even seen in Tyrel since that party began their hunt, so I suppose they are good at their job at least…

Makes one wonder just what the NPCs were like to be supported so much by a whole guild. Then again, if you guys love them so much, don't sell them to begin with!!!

_ Corpse player: But enough about history. Anywhere would you like to visit first?

_ Shadyna: Hmm… The places which get attacked the most please!

_ Corpse player: That would be our new guildhall over there. We probably will be attacked on the way so… please go easy on them, okay?

Weird way to say "be careful", but let's not think too much about it, un.

Half a minute later…

Magni is now banned from [Glacial Star Strike] in towns indefinitely! Three dead assailants and a dozen just-as-dead neutral players aside, who do you think has to fix that smoking crater your meteor just created?!

No, wanting to share with others the joy of getting a meteor in the face is NOT an excuse! You were in the nuke party back then! You know, the last party to get meteor-ed in the first place!

Meanwhile, Cenny is shielding me from harm… with her body.

You have two shields! Use those like actual shields instead of improvised throwing weapons! There is a time and place for the side romance option to die tragically protecting the useless hero because the main one has no chance otherwise, but if you keep taking arrows after arrows and still can't die despite turning into a porcupine, people will start calling the plot unrealistic!

_ Corpse player: Does everyone in have access to that meteor?

_ Shadyna: Only and 's party, and some others who got the skill scrolls from "that" boss… Wait, don't tell me…

_ Corpse player: Yeah, this is the second time a meteor drops on us. I gave those two a similar tour the other day.

…Sorry~!

That explains why Mister Corpse is guiding me instead of . I thought the guildmaster was busy at first, but now I'm convinced that Mister Corpse is the official tour guide in charge, at least for our guild. Is that because he was the first person in to meet me…? And all of it started because he landed near me by pure chance too…

"I got blasted into the stratosphere by a unique boss, but I landed into a harem who drop meteors onto my hometown! Coming soon to your nearest bookstore~!"

Is probably what would happen if he was a protagonist of a novel, isn't it~? Unfortunately, he is not, so he will have to settle with only accompanying cute girls of the neighborhood whenever they visit~

____________

Inside the floating landmass whose existence violated too many laws of physics to count, two waitresses are performing a very important duty.

_ Miel: …Can't we leave this to the builders?

Doesn't mean they are exactly enthusiastic about it though.

_ Inerin: You know that we can't. 's handcrafted items are not to be handed to outsiders without a contract. We can't risk having someone sneaking one of these out and build their own floating settlement before ours.

They are placing the rest of the floating cores into the hollow space the size of a barn around the first floating brick, which has been removed after the ceremony because it's not immersive. Just as it was with the artificial sun, having only one source of [Air Cushion] is a safety hazard, so they are going to have an interconnecting network of cores keep this whole island afloat even in the most extreme scenarios.

_ Miel: It's only a hybrid furniture with [Air Cushion]…

_ Inerin: One that doesn't need recharging. Moreover, I still have no idea how that skill is unlocked. Both and wouldn't say a word!

_ Miel: *Shakes head* No idea.

_ Inerin: For an E-rank skill, it sure is mysterious. Maybe the unlock condition is something embarrassing?

_ Miel: …Like ' Etena?

_ Inerin: Right. We never got that out of him, did we? I can understand it not working a second time, but is there any reason to keep it a secret so adamantly?

_ Miel: You wouldn't tell others how you paid for 's equipment with your body either.

_ Inerin: The only person who did that is YOU!!!

Even in a hollow cave with barely any light, the waitresses are hard at work today as well.

____________

After a quick visit to the guildhall, it's kind of obvious why it's the biggest target for the PKers.

That's because it's the biggest target, literally.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Being a massive cathedral-like structure which can be seen from all entrances, this place is pretty much the beacon for anyone with an intention to attack. For a new PKer who wants to leave their name in the world, or wanted posters more likely, there's no better way to deal massive damage to . After all, if the guild can't protect the symbol of the town and its own headquarters, how can it protect or maintain anything else?

It has become so bad, the managers are considering turning the building into a fortress. Since it was built quite tall, a few ramps, some wooden platforms, and replacing some glass windows with embrasures on the walls are all that's needed. Solo maniacs who built their characters to be those lonesome, cold, and calculating killers in movies generally don't fare well against guards who actually fight back.

In fact, the alliance has already allocated a full PvP party as muscles for this place. And that is in addition to the heavily armed clerks working here. I didn't have to use anyone as makeshift weapon during the whole visit, so they probably got everything inside under control.

_ Corpse player: would like to do something about the constant fighting we are doing though. This guildhall was built with a tranquil holy authority image in mind, supposedly.

Is that why it looks like a cathedral? I guess the designers were envisioning a professional-looking setting where players are greeted by a crew of skilled and welcoming clerks, discuss important matters of the day at one of the tables or in a private room, all the while of being surrounded by beautiful artworks made by talented crafters. A high-class establishment befitting ' status as one of the biggest guilds and this settlement's governing power, simply speaking.

…Unfortunately, the current atmosphere inside the guildhall is closer to a tavern brawl in my opinion. A big one at that.

And I am not even talking about the two tavern waitresses behind me. Magni, this isn't the time to sell drinks out of habit. Cenny, stop slapping enemies with your fish tail and telling me that it's your habit! I'm sure your former guildmates appreciate the help, but can't you two do it in a less conspicuous way?!

_ Corpse player: So, do you think it's possible to put a stop to these guys?

_ Shadyna: Well…

At first, I was going to propose a few more of my siege weapons, now dubbed Raid Breaker Engines by the player base by the way, to deal with this problem. Although I made it for the corruption hordes, the instrument of peace treats everyone equally, be it player or monster. They are readily available too, as commissioned a few to repel raids easier.

Might be a tad too explosive now that I think about it. That's probably why they are not using the existing engines against the PKers. Even in a fantasy world, firing explosive stuff at your allies or civilians' general vicinity is still highly frowned upon after all~

To make matters worse, siege weapons are not suitable for indoors use by design. Sure, nothing stops the users from firing it indoors, though it will most likely be considered outdoors shortly after. The amount of AoE effects added for maximum mob-killing efficiency is just salt to injuries at this point…

Well, if the client is allergic to preventive pacifism, I suppose it's time for the good old curative pacifism.

_ Shadyna: From the looks of it, you guys are mostly struggling because your PvPers cannot intervene in time when a PKer reveal themselves, aren't you?

_ Corpse player: I… guess so? I'm not a PvPer so I can't really say.

Figured as much. He was a meat shield when we first met after all~

_ Cenny: Let's ask a clerk. They should be better informed.

Yup! When in doubt, ask the cute girl behind the counter!

…

After a long session which is less of me asking questions and more of the clerks ranting endlessly about the hardships they had gone through thanks to these PKers, I'm pretty sure I have learned everything there is about the PKers, as well as the various ways these lovely clerks can strangle murderers and annoying customers to let off steam. may or may not get to experience all of those if the working conditions do not improve soon.

Magni, Cenny, I would appreciate if you could stop taking notes and exchange ideas with them. There's nothing wrong with being studious, but choose a topic that is not killing techniques against your own guildmaster!!!

I feel a bit sorry for and co, but I don't think this place will ever have the atmosphere they wanted. PKers, I can do something about. The murderous crew and annoying customers… Nope, not happening!

Back to the problem at hand. There were many inputs from the clerks, but generally boil down to a single cause within my expectation: Response time. guards are a level above your average PKer just as said, so they can do this PvP all day, every day. However, murdering opposition is not all there is to their job. The safety of guests and property is actually higher on the priority list, much to the surprise of the PvP maniacs.

On the other hand, the PKers get to choose their target and have the first strike. The dangerous ones focus on basic or cheap offense capability, meaning they can kill their victim before anyone can react, and all they lose when counter-murdered is infiltration time and maintenance cost for their gear. No wonder why they can keep up the assaults without going broke.

…Defense missions are tough when the attackers keep coming back to life, aren't they?

_ Shadyna: I can't increase the PKers' expenses, though I can help boost the survivability of your guests and NPCs.

_ Corpse player: Any help is appreciated really.

_ Shadyna: Un, so… do you want a less expensive totem with low maintenance but requires constant supervision, a less expensive totem with some maintenance and supervision, or an expensive totem that only requires recharging periodically?

_ Corpse player: …Sorry, you completely lost me there.

Welp~

The gist of my grand plan is to use aura-type buffs to increase defense of everyone to slow combats down to a crawl. With my attributes, I can give even the squishiest min-maxing mage enough PDF and MDF to shrug off all non-piercing damage from most players, buying time until the local law enforcers arrive.

As the majority of PKers can't afford to use [Alchemy] consumables every time they die, there's even a sweet spot in which non-buffed players' attacks are ineffective while fully buffed PvP parties can still dish out some normal damage. That additional damage will be lethal against PKers who are usually squishy themselves, forgoing defense in exchange for offense and all that.

Yes, the PKers will also benefit from that defense buff. That's the reason why these skills are barely used, let alone considered in chaotic melees like this.

And here I am, suggesting them to use it on the whole town, or at least the most critical areas that need defending.

How are we going to use a skill on the whole town? We don't. The only skills which have that kind of AoE are my [Luminous] spells, and nine out of ten players agree that it is probably not a buff skill. The last one is already respawning in Tyrel and can't provide an answer.

We can, however, deploy my siege weapons on a scale never seen before. What the skill lacks in AoE, we compensate with sheer quality. The only limit will be the size of the budget allows!

What does this have to do with my three options? Those are the three ways I can craft the siege weapon in question, with pros and cons for each.

The first one is a "normal" chair with [Engineering] to autocast the spell similarly to 's floating chair. It will be enchanted to achieve the desired effect strength, obviously. The mechanism is straightforward, but someone will have to remain seated on it to work.

…Yup, that is one cursed chair alright.

The second option is a rechargeable enchanted furniture. Instead of a channeling spell like the first option, this one will use a buff spell with effect duration. The poor player in charge won't need to stand near this one the whole time, though they still need to visit it every few minutes to activate it again.

You know, like a protagonist rushing the bathroom after eating the handmade lunchbox containing some unidentified glowing dishes from the heroine.

The last one is the same as my good old (now retired) fire shooter or the more recent floating cores, replacing [Air Cushion] with the aura skill of course. The problem with this one, however, is that even I cannot make it fully automated, since the required skill level and MP cost will be too high for the MP regen from [Absorbing Surface]. Putting [Absorbing Surface] into [Enchantment] also means having one fewer stack for the actual skill itself, which results in higher crafting cost for the same effect strength. All in all, it will need to be recharged with materials every once in a while but can be left unattended for a much longer amount of time.

Or you can buy a few of them so one can always run between the auto-recharges~

_ Corpse player: Ehm… Just for my own curiosity, how much will one cost?

_ Shadyna: The last one will be roughly the same cost as the Raid Breaker Engines around town, since I will need to use high quality materials.

_ Corpse player: …Our guild is still grinding to pay those off, even with the amount of loot we get from the edge of the world and corruption raids.

…I have a feeling that it was more of Mera and Linny's negotiations rather than the actual cost of my service, but I probably should keep silent about that.

_ Cenny: Costs aside, this plan is… surprisingly pacifist-like. Are you feeling unwell, guildmaster?

I'm a pacifist though?!

_ Magni: Did you forget to sacrifice innocent maidens today? Do you need a hug?

The only reason I would need a hug is because you people treating me like some deranged evil overlord!!!

_ Corpse player: Uh… said that he would like a sample of each option and decide later. Is that fine with you?

_ Shadyna: No problem~

_ Corpse player: Thank you very much. Since you are doing us a great favor, would you like to try out our various services? Guildmaster just gave you a free trial on everything.

_ Shadyna: Un!

I haven't checked how expensive their services are, or what they even entail, but I sure as heck won't refuse a tribute to materialism~!

_ Corpse player: We have support service to grind for pets or do quests for NPCs, though you probably don't need that. How about our pet skill shops? Even if you don't want pet evolution, it can always improve by acquiring more skills.

…I think Mister Corpse just said something really interesting.

_ Shadyna: What's pet evolution?

He stares at me, then looks at my bodyguard with a dubious expression as if questioning what the heck they have been teaching me.

Not again~!!!

____________

Meanwhile, in a dark alley, two hooded figures gather…

_ Hood #1: …All clear?

_ Hood #2: …All clear. You are good to go.

_ Hood #1: Heh… Yo yo yo, how's it going, my dear viewers? Welcome back to the #1 CSF PK stream!

Correction: Two hooded weirdoes gather.

_ Hood #2: …I imagine people watching a PK stream would be expecting something… different.

_ Hood #1: Do your job as the cameraman and leave the actual content to me! Every PKer and their mother use the haughty lonesome cool boy/girl personality these days! A streamer has to be different from the rest to stand a chance!

There are so many things the saner hooded player want to bash in that statement, but settles with only a facepalm, if only to just get this over with.

_ Hood #1: Today, I'll be doing a PK tutorial for my fellow and aspiring PKers on how to get your first kill!

Pointing to the main road packed with players walking around, the hooded weirdo continues his explanation.

In general chat.

_ Hood #1: A busy town is your best hunting environment, so here I am at Ample Chest. The guards will be stretched thin, and you can easily escape into the crowd after the deed. Easy mode, this place is!

He scans the area for potential targets for a short while before stopping at an eye-catching couple talking at a forge just across the street.

_ Hood #1: See those two over there? The ones in waitress outfits. Only roleplayers would wear something like that, and those nerds SUCK at the game!

Out of nowhere, the poor cameraman feels something akin to a bone-chilling glare for a split second, as if someone was giving a "Don't even think about it" warning. The thick-skinned idiot who can't read the mood is still going without a care however.

_ Hood #1: For you newbies out there, you may want to pick the weaker target. It's fine if you pick wrong too, for this is a game where a beginner can PK a max level just by playing it right! See the one on the right? She is using a staff, which means she is a nerdy mage who dies in one hit! That's how you identify weak targets, because this game has soooooo many nerds wearing all kinds of weird attires!

Says a suspicious hooded maniac pointing at people from a dimly lit corner.

_ Hood #1: If you are not confident, don't be afraid to wait for a good chance. See? They are linking arms. That means they won't be able to react quickly when attacked. This is the perfect chance to strike, and strike I shall!

Brandishing his dagger, the hooded assassin quickly makes his way through the crowd, then swings towards his target with a roaring battle cry.

_ Hood #1: Die, you normies!!!

Truly rallying words of courage and heroism with a tiny mix of personal grudge there.

*THWACK*

_ Hood #1: BUWAH?!

His death was quick and painless.

…Maybe not painless, but it certainly was quick.

--- Topic: Multi NPC skill? ---

## Newbie Charisma build

Is there a skill similar to Multi-summon Control, but for NPC? I looked around the market but couldn't find anything that could be it.

##

## Flame knight of Darkness

Expanding the harem, aren't ya? ☜(ﾟヮﾟ☜)

##

## Heaven Piercer

Who wouldn't? (≧∇≦)

##

## Newbie Charisma build

That's not it! (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)

I mean, yes, but I'm genuinely trying to expand the party to increase my fighting strength!

##

## Nearseeing Sage

There's no such skill. The NPC limit formula is still unknown to us right now, but we know that it depends on your LDR.

The higher your LDR is, the more NPCs you can have in your party. The LDR "cost" for each NPC seems to be different based on some factors, but the rule of thumb is "better" NPCs (appearance, personality, starting level, skills) are more expensive.

In short, just summon all of your Heart Cores and see how many you can keep active. \(^o^)/

##

## Manly Warrior

I see φ(._.). So even though it's not shown in Inspect, the NPCs are also ranked in rarity.

S-rank NPCs must be absolutely terrifying then.

##

## Newbie Charisma build

Many thanks <(_ _)>

WTB cute SG-rank NPC! (*°∀°)=3

##

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