[Strength: Increases physical attack power and overall body strength.
Agility: Enhances movement speed, dodge probability, and reaction time.
Endurance: Determines stamina use, movement range, and maximum battle duration.
Durability: Affects resistance, maximum HP, and resistance to negative effects.
Prana: Governs magic potency, mana capacity, and mana regeneration rate.
Intelligence: Improves learning speed for magic and skills.
Technique: Increases magic casting speed, skill activation, cooldown times, and combat reflexes.]
In his past life, Anyi had made the same mistake as many others—focusing too heavily on one or two attributes. It was a tempting trap, but it left him vulnerable. The moment he encountered an enemy with higher stats in his neglected areas, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage.
Take Layton, for example. With his Agility sitting at a solid zero, he'd be outmatched by something as simple as a Goblin with a mere Agility of four. Whether chasing, fleeing, or blocking, Layton would be struggling in all aspects of the fight, even if his role was that of a tank. To avoid being a liability, he needed at least eight points in Agility to keep up in a low-level skirmish. Sure, with his impressive Strength, he could crush a Goblin under his shield—but only if the creature wasn’t cunning enough to outmaneuver him first.
Zero Agility, equivalent to a feeble, untrained human. But his physical condition pushed him close to a stats of one, enough to edge out the slime—if barely.
He realized with a grim smile that Layton had indeed over-focused on Strength, Durability, and Endurance. But what of his Intelligence? A stats of zero, perhaps.
Before Anyi could brood further, Ariana's voice cut through his thoughts. "Anyi, Mr. Layton is in position!"
Looking up, Anyi saw Layton far ahead, waving enthusiastically to signal that he was ready.
[Sword Hero: Already in position? Try using your skill to draw the slime’s attention, redirect it.]
A glowing line of text materialized before the group.
“Eh? What’s this?” Ariana blinked, turning her head toward Anyi for an explanation.
[Sword Hero: I don’t know the details. I wondered if the system could send messages over long distances. When I tried, this happened. It seems the command is [Open Chat Group], and then you just think about what you want to say.]
Anyi didn’t speak aloud but allowed the words to appear in front of their eyes. This was it—the Hero Chat Group.
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[Holy Hero has joined the Chat Group!
Holy Hero: Aaaaaaah! This is amazing! It really works!
Thorn Hero has joined the Chat Group!
Thorn Hero has left the Chat Group!
Thorn Hero has joined the Chat Group!
Thorn Hero has left...]
Anyi glanced toward Miruku. "What’s going on?"
“N-Nothing!” Miruku shrank back, nervously waving her hands.
[Thorn Hero has joined the Chat Group!]
She was uneasy. What if this system somehow broadcasted her inner thoughts? Exposing her darker musings to everyone? The mere idea made her want to die from embarrassment.
[Shield Hero has joined the Chat Group!
Shield Hero: Alright! I’m gonna use the skill! Taunt!]
[Sword Hero: You don’t need to announce your skills here...]
[Skill: Taunt
Skill Description:
You enter [Taunt] State, forcefully drawing monsters' attention. They will see you as the primary attack target.
Cost: 10 Mana.]
As soon as Layton activated Taunt, the effect was immediate. One of the larger slimes quivered, its hunting instincts flaring violently. Though mindless and incapable of understanding language, the command echoed through its being: 'Attack the one with the shield!'
Driven by instinct alone, the slime’s single-minded focus locked onto Layton. It must devour him.
...
Bum!
From the massive gathering of slimes, one popped out, wiggling free from the larger mass. It hopped, bounced, and wobbled until it landed beside Layton’s feet, struggling to wrap around his boot like an overeager pet. Its small, gelatinous body clung to his instep, looking almost...cute.
“What the hell!” Layton grumbled, lifting his foot and stomping on it.
[Experience Points +10]
He blinked. Taunt had only attracted one slime? But there were countless more all around him!
“Hey, hey, hey! You damn slimes! Come at me, all of you!!” Layton yelled, banging on his shield and activating Taunt again, frustration creeping into his voice.
[Shield Hero: Unable to work!
Sword Hero: How's it going?
Shield Hero: Taunt can only attract one slime! There are too many of them!!]
Ariana, wide-eyed, turned to Anyi, panic creeping into her voice. “What now?”
“Same as always,” Anyi replied coolly. “Ask the system.”
[Sword Hero: Mr. Layton, ask the system if there's a way to draw multiple enemies at once.
Shield Hero: Great idea! Let’s try it!]
Layton, in the distance, nodded to himself, silently pleading in his mind, 'Kami-sama, is there a way to taunt more slimes at once?'
[Searching...
Search complete.
Dear Hero, please use additional Mana to activate the skill [**Group Taunt**].]
"Group Taunt...?"
Layton’s eyes widened. Could it really work? After a few attempts, he understood the technique. More Mana for a stronger taunt. He clenched his fists.
‘Activate skill: Group Taunt!’ he commanded in his mind, determined to steer the swarm toward him.
...
Bum!
Another slime fell from the writhing mass, bouncing eagerly. It hopped, bounced... and again, landed right by Layton’s feet.
Layton stared at the slime. "...?"
Why...wasn’t it working?
Before he could dwell on it, a sudden wave of intense hunger gripped his stomach. His vision blurred as the gnawing emptiness overwhelmed him. The sensation was unbearable.
A message from the Shield Hero flashed in the Chat Group.
[Shield Hero: Uh...!
Holy Hero: Uh? Already brought out the slime?!
Shield Hero: Uhh...
Sword Hero: ?
Shield Hero: Uh... Ah...
So hungry!!!!!!!!!]
[Thorn Hero has left the Chat Group!]
Miruku, wide-eyed and pale, thought to herself in panic, 'If even thoughts like that are posted here, I better leave first!'