“That’s pretty big, considering that my original strength is just 5… System, can you give me a reference?”
[Sure, for reference, 50 points of Love Meter is what a couple in a subpar healthy 10-year marriage feels about one another. They love each other but… not so much when they were still young and had dreams. Now that they have children, their love for each other has decreased.]
“I see,” Ethan nodded.
“I don’t get it,” Hjodona shook her head, clueless, as she looked at Phel with questions.
“Love is… hard to explain,” Phel could only submit.
Hjodona nodded before turning to the other side, “You, white-haired?”
“...”
Hjodona gave up as well before asking, “But, as I understand correctly, 21 points is low?”
“Well, maybe we can look at our Love Meter for reference as well,” Phel suggested.
“Oh, good thinking, Phel!” Hjodona praised and willed the Status Screen to exist and it did. Surprisingly, it showed that her STR, AGL, and other stats are [???]. Ignoring it for now, she looked at her Love Meter, it shows:
{Love Meter —- 0 points}
“Huh… I’m not surprised…” Hjodona whispered. Not only did she just meet Ethan, but he is far from her type. He actually looks wimpy which she hates.
However, thinking about it, then 21 points is relatively big.
“Wait, how did this guy get 21 points on his? He hasn't even seen us?”
“Do not underestimate me, ladies. Your voices alone makes me love you.” Ethan coolly combed his hair as he looked at them with charismatic eyes.
“You…” Hjodona was almost speechless, “are looking in the wrong direction.”
“Huh…”
“Wait,” the snow-haired woman found something in her tab, “on the bottom is the Total Love Meter. It’s 41 points. If 21 points came from that ant, then 20 points came from…” Her eyes landed on Phel.
Hjodona’s eyes widened as she scrolled down and saw that the haughty woman was speaking the truth. She then looked at Phel with a surprised expression.
“Ah, it’s true, there’s 20 points on mine,” Phel said.
“Phel… how?” Hjodona trembled. Phel seemed to be the only sane person, or sentient, in this absurd place. Yet, at the same time, Hjodona can’t think of a sane woman that feels even the slightest love towards the young man.
“Ah, I…” Phel fidgeted for a moment before saying, “I love all living beings all the same…?” she said with a pure smile, which almost melted Hjodona’s heart.
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“Even an ant?”
“Well, the Love Meter says so…-” Phel pointed.
“Can I hug you, right now?” Hjodona immediately said with a solemn expression.
“Ah? Sure, if that’s what you want,” Phel spread her arms for Hjodona to embrace her.
“AHHH, Phel, where were you when the world seemed to be full of scumbags!” Hjodona expressed and placed her head on Phel’s bosom.
“There, there, Hjodona, the world is much more beautiful and kinder than you think it is. There are countless other people who can show that to you,” Phel said with a motherly and tender voice as she caressed Hjodona’s head.
‘What are these mortals playing at?’ the snow-haired woman blankly stared at the two of them.
Meanwhile, Ethan sighed with a defeated smile, "So, they have a consensus that I am an ant,’
[Also, for reference, 10 points of STR is the same as the strength of a magicless 13-year-old boy.]
Ethan’s smile froze.
“Did the System just say magicless 13-year-old boy?” the snow-haired woman, for the first time, showed a genuine expression- shock.
“Magicless… that’s a word I haven’t heard for a long time,” Hjodona said under her breath.
“What’s that?” Phel asked, “Are there beings with no magic?”
“Yes, they are at the very bottom of the hierarchical chaste.”
“Oh, poor them,” Phel showed a sad expression, “how can anyone have no magic in this world? Then, how can they fight the monsters everywhere?”
“I don’t know about your world, Phel, but that’s what we, the Warriors of Gallant and other soldiers, have trained for. To protect the weak.” Hjodona winked at Phel.
“I see!”
Meanwhile, the snow-haired woman had yet to get over it.
“But, didn't the ant originally have 5 STR points?”
[That’s part of the reason why he’s a virgin.]
“That’s pathetic, half the strength of a magicless 13-year-old?” even Hjodona felt pity.
“...” Ethan sweated while being judged by his so-called harem.
“Ah, he’s not that weak,” only Phel tried to defend Ethan, “Look, he has some muscles.”
“Some muscles, where?” Hjodona squinted her eyes and found what Phel was pointing at, “Oh yeah, he has some muscles on his right arm… but why only on the right arm? What kind of exercise does he-”
“System, start the Second Wave!” Ethan abruptly shouted.
[Second Wave of Monsters, then!]
“I’ll show you all the wisdom in the art of war I gained from all these years of gaming!” Ethan was resolute on bringing his pride back!
However, when the Second Wave of Monsters came out of the dark shadows, Ethan’s resolution faded as his face turned pale.
“What is he scared of this time!?” Hjodona snarled.
Traumatizing memories flashed before Ethan’s eyes as these green creatures walked up to him. After a brief silence, he screamed at the top of his lungs, going into a frenzy.
“AHHHH!! I WILL NOT LET YOU NTR ME! YOU RAPISTS!!! I WILL SLAY YOU ALL!!”
The Second Wave of Monsters was Goblins. They brought with them sticks and clubs as weapons. However, against Ethan’s frenzy and increased stats, there was nothing they could do.
He heavily kicked one in the face, making it fly away. Snatching a club from one goblin, he proceeded to bash them all in their heads…
Just like the First Wave of Monsters, the second wave was dealt with easily.
“Is this even a trial? How come it’s very easy?” Hjodona asked which the System answered.
[Ethan was boosted with his Harem System incredibly so. However, the Trial is just beginning. From here on out, the monsters are going to become much stronger and stronger until the final boss which is the Tenth Wave.]
Looking at Ethan, Phel couldn’t help but ask, “I wonder what traumatic experiences he had with those monsters?”
Covered in the blood of the goblins he killed, Ethan huffed and proclaimed, “Now, I have become the Goblin Slay-”
[Third Wave of Monsters!] the System announced.