MC's POV:
Ayano, Esdeath, and I were preparing for the [Dungeon].
And it was a long preparation, but we had to be through.
For one, Esdeath made a [Slime Crystal Sword], which has a 'durability restoration' effect when it comes in contact with [Slime Gel]. According to her, it also had some unique passive [Skills], but they are locked and are only gained after killing mobs with it. So far, we determined that the 'kill count' only occurs with the 'finishing blow', meaning that 'assist kills' don't count.
We tried it on a few [Slimes] to get a good idea.
Meanwhile, Ayano was making [Potions] to restore HP and MP. She also, apparently, [Leveled Up] her familiars, the dog and cat now having a theme of 'day and night' respectively. Not only that, but she practiced her spells to see if she could improve them.
She also managed to cross-breed and mutate [Wheat] with [Mana Weeds], resulting in [Mana Wheat].
Mana Wheat: Is it plain? Yes. Is it basic? Yes. Is it an exploit? You bet it is! A special species of wheat that, when absorbing Mana, duplicates itself on harvest.
I'll admit... we all celebrated when it came around. And... I managed to make a beverage out of it.
Magical Beer: A brew that belongs in fantasy! Doesn't get you drunk or tipsy, but helps recover MP and HP.
Effects: +20 HP, +10 MP
Yeah... Also, Ayano found out about her 'baseline' via System attempting to give us access to the internet, and when I said that I prefer 'second place' to the 'queen', well...
Let's just say the three of us had a marathon viewing of Future Diaries... and I'm not sure if I made things better or worst.
But back to what's going on.
It turns out, the [Work Space] needed a 'catalyst' in order to be created and expand... and my [Xenomorphs] volunteered...
...
All of them did, actually.
And... they all died.
As for how I found out, well... I tried summoning one, but nothing happened.
It got me in a panic, because while I didn't pay attention to them, they were my personal army that I could unleash on any fools that stood in my way.
I mean... I now have no [Familiars]...
Regardless, it has been slow, somewhat. Planted those seeds that Ayano handed over, but in a tray that's in my room. They're already sprouting, but seem to be root-based vegetables.
As for the equipment I'm using...
Steal Glove (Level 100): A special glove that allows the wearer to use [Steal] without any mana cost. Anything you want to [Steal] that's on/in your target, you can obtain.
Cooldown between uses: 1 second
Note: Until the target pays attention or actually focuses, they won't notice anything being stolen.
Rain Bow: A special type of bow that, while fires one arrow at a time, multiplies the shot depending on the number of kills executed by user with this weapon.
Arrow Multiplier: +1 arrow for every 10 kills
Total Kills: 47
Perks: 1 Kill - Mobile: Turns into a silver bracelet with a thought, and returns to 'bow' form in an instant.
25 Kills - Homing: The arrows home in on the nearest enemy within 8 feet. Increases an additional 8 feet for every 25 kills.
50 Kills - Straight Shot: The arrows fired will fly a bit more straighter and farther.
100 Kills - Snipe: The arrows fly faster. The more distance traveled, the higher the 'base' damage.
1,000,000 Kills - Treasure: By resetting the 'total kills' to zero, gain 1 random loot to use. The higher the total kills were, the more valuable the resulting loot will be. Note: Using [Treasure] will also reset the [Perks] for [Rain Bow].
Sneak Brace: This arm brace grants the user the ability to sneak around like a thief, allowing them to pickpocket or steal anything they want. However, this only works with people/sentient beings, and not with alarm systems or digital imaging.
UPDATE: You can 'upgrade' the [Sneak Brace] by having it 'consume' 50 [Monster Cores] of any type.
[Monster Cores] - The 'heart' or 'natural' [Spawn Command] of [Monsters] in the [Work Space]. Only powerful (relative to their baseline counterparts) monsters drops them. Can be used in [Crafting] recipes, [Familiar] contracts, or even 'domestication'.
NOTE: When used to [Spawn] monsters, they are one-time use only.
I also told them about the [Loot Seed], causing them to shift through them. Esdeath even requested a few to have as back-ups for [Rewards]. Ayano, on the other hand, took some to see if she could cross-breed some of them...
I hope she does, because even I am impatient when it comes to that [Legendary Loot Seed].
Well... Plant mutation involves pollination... Maybe make a [Bee] monster?
Nah, not yet the time.
Maybe when flowers actually start blooming if this place follows the seasonal changes, if it has any. After all, there are those unusual 'game' plants or events that require certain situations. That means that, if I end up needed a 'snowy forest', then I will need to be in a forest with tons of snow. Naturally, that will need it to be 'winter', but if it's forever 'spring' or 'summer', then it won't do.
Also found something out about shooting arrows with the [Rain Bow]. If I draw and fire normally, the arrow glows after being launched, before splitting into the amount the multiplier calculates. However, if I draw and hold for more than 10 seconds, instead of the arrow being multiplied, the damage and speed is instead. That means that, if I fire it normally, it would be 5 separate instances of damage, good for multiple targets. But if I 'charge' the shot, then the damage is multiplied by 4, along with being 4 times as fast. This gives a dilemma: firing it normally will make it gain more damage quickly, but 'charging' the attack would finish off the enemy more quickly.
Oh, speaking of weapons and gear, when it finally rolled around, the loot from the [Legendary Loot Seed] was something that I found quite odd.
Ancient Gear Blueprints: Time to make sentries! You now have access to the 'main deck' [Yu-Gi-Oh] monsters of the [Ancient Gear] Archetype. Spells and Traps not included.
While weird, I instantly 'learned' it for the sake of simplicity and having more options. As it turns out, to 'build' the monsters, it requires [Stone] and [Concrete] for most of them.
The only big problem is the fact that I have no [Inventory] command, along with Esdeath and Ayano. Sure, it may seem like a minor thing... but I dare you to play any sort of survival game that includes an inventory system AND a crafting system. The practical physics from just volume alone are buggy in the sense of how the player interacts with them.
An [Inventory] is key to the 'game play', due to the fact that the [Materials] being right there.
Wait... speaking of 'buggy' things... In [JoJo's Bizarre Adventures], there's this installment called [JoJolion]. While there are various powers and creatures in them, the one that somewhat bothers me is [Milagro Man]. In simple terms, it's a power that is passed on through cash. The power itself is 'make money by spending money', but pushed to the absolute brink of nightmarish proportions. Just from burning paper currency alone would duplicate the bills in a massive way. The problem I have with this power, on a practical scale for the sake of society, is what happens with the 'money' created. After all, the money is makes isn't counterfeit, meaning its all real. So wouldn't that mean that [Milagro Man] is the manifestation of economic 'inflation', making all of the prices rise in a depressing way?
And with the law of conservation... how are items 'made'? After all, in all of existence, the number of electrons, protons, and neutrons should remain the same throughout all of existence. The same goes for 'energy'. With the factor of 'mod drops' being an actual thing, how would that work?
Not only that, but... how do [Item Drops] even work? I'll concede to the fact that a 'skeleton' monster would drop [Bones] of some sort of category, and I'll also acknowledge the fact that (if these types of monsters were real) that bones break and shatter. But... how does [Item Duplication] and [Item Drops] even occur? The human skeleton contains (rounding off) 200 bones, but all are of various shapes and sizes. And depending on the age of the skeleton, the bones would be brittle, right? So how do [Item Units] even work? It always bothers me, how some 'units' in games work. Minecraft is a perfect example of those questions in my head.
For example, in Minecraft, you can somehow take nine bundles of [Wheat] and turn them into a cubic meter [Haybale]. At the same time, you can take three [Wheat] and turn it into a loaf of [Bread]. Not only that, but... if you kill a [Chicken] mob in the game, you're only rewarded with a few [Feathers], despite it being a freaking feathered chicken.
Sighing to myself, I muttered as I made more [Advance Wood Golems], "Even after all this time, video games get confusing..."
These [Golems] are going to be 'shipping crates', doubling as portable 'storage' if they cannot exit the [Dungeon].
One day, I asked Esdeath as she was training, "So, Esdeath? What does my HP look like?"
She frowned, narrowing her eyes in my direction before saying, "Well... it isn't numbers. It's more of a percentile..."
That... doesn't reveal much. But maybe...?
I tried, "Is there a [Settings] command?" She shook her head, meaning 'no'.
She did, however, mention, "What's even more confusing is how my HP and MP are merely numbers or 'fractions'..."
Frowning, I spoke, an idea forming in my head, "I'll be right back. Going to grab a toothpick... and try to find a cactus."
The cactus is a project to help Ayano.
But as for the toothpick...
Let me explain my thought process. Typically in games, no matter how much defense to physical damage you might have, the 'damage code' would either make it at least a -1 HP, or have no HP loss.
But if this doesn't work...
Well, the [Kitchen] does have [Knives]...
(A/N: While I may be blowing it out of proportions, I don't encourage suicide or inflicting pain upon yourself via cutting or other self-harming methods. True, I may be forcing my opinions on you readers, but if you or any one you know is inflicting physical or mental harm upon themselves, try to help them and/or get help for them. This bit with knives is purely for the sake of this story, the reasoning for the MC is 'lack of information'.)
One failed toothpick poke, followed by a self-inflicted injury later...
Wincing slightly as Esdeath confirmed I took 'damage', Ayano quickly handed me a [HP Regen Potion], "You took 5 HP, and your current HP reads 98 percent. Also, I'm reading a [Status] called [Fake Bystander]. It merely says that your [Level] will always be treated as 1."
Okay, so math time... with a bit of a rough estimate. 5 HP is 2 percent of my 'total max' HP. 100 divide by 2 equals 50. So, 5 times 50 equals current max HP. Therefore, I have around 250 HP as my 'cap'...
... And this bring up a problem, due to how the '[Shop] protection' [Perk] supposedly works. Does that mean that damage that 'originates' from the [Shop] bypasses the protection? Or does it mean that self-inflicted wounds are the things that 'bypasses' the protection? If so, if Esdeath or Ayano attacks me, will the damage occur since they are [Employees]? It temporarily occurred with Ada Wong giving me a 'double tap' on my first 'run' in [Resident Evil 2], but I was desperate and trying to see how it worked while also putting my trust into something I don't know.
Sigh.
Whelp... One problem at a time. For now, see if I can find 'exploits' while preparing for the [Dungeon].
PING!
A new feature has been added!
[Program Chamber]!
[Program Chamber]
Despite what it says, you don't actually 'program' anything. It's a... 'fusion' chamber that allows you to take multiple items, and 'fuse' their effects into a single object/result. Think of it as repeatedly 'cutting and pasting' effects and properties into one final product.
However, no 'duplicates' of an [Item] can be used, and the 'result' must be a mix between two objects, meaning you cannot simply 'switch' some numbers around.
Not only that, but any other items used to make the result are promptly destroyed.
To make it simple:
- You must use at least 2 different [Items] and fuse them together
- You cannot swap around the [Stats] or 'numbers' of an [Item] or [Items].
- You can only stack effects upon one another.
- Only a single product will remain, with all of the 'new' effects in them. The other [Items] that remain will be destroyed.
Interesting... but I'll mess around with it later.
Might give it to a future employee, or a future Gamer.
Maybe even have a ton of low-tier [Loot Seeds] prizes just to make the 'result products'.
Hm...
What's a good way to exploit a way to rack up kills with the [Rain Bow]?
Later...
The three of us stood in front of a wooden gate that leads to a massive field of wheat.
Esdeath muttered, "So, this is the [Dungeon] that may contain the key to that 'Gluttony' object I've been told about..."
Ayano mused, "Shop-kun? You may have told us your method for dealing with this [Dungeon], but... are you sure that it would work?"
The two girls glanced back at the [Advance Wood Golems] that have been following us... eyeing one in particular due to the contents it's currently carrying as I bluntly spoke, "In typical RPG 'boss' fights, the boss has a chance of summoning 'minions' to fight against the 'player'."
I glanced back at the window for [Farm Dungeons], reading it over one last time.
Farm Dungeons:
Sure, farming your own crops is safe, but its also slow. [Farm Dungeons] are literally [Dungeons] based on agriculture and other related subjects. While the fields around the [Barn] are 'locked', you can 'unlock' them by fulfilling certain conditions.
[Farm Dungeons] give a greater yield than typical farming, but also include enemies and mobs related to what you are trying to farm in the first place. For example, the [Farm Dungeon: Wheat] would have enemies based on [Wheat], [Farm Dungeon: Carrot] would have enemies based on [Carrots], and so forth.
However, be wary: [Fire] and [Lightning] Spells are disabled, while [Water] Spells will increase the stats of 'crop' monsters.
Nodding, I turned to face them, "While 'magic' may seem like a convenience, there's always those 'simple' solutions that make 'magic' seem like overkill. Sure, it says that [Fire] and [Lightning] spells are disabled, but it doesn't say anything about making fire naturally in a cheat-ty way. Now, let's head on inside, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and see if [Gasoline] and a simple [Lighter] can completely incinerate the entire [Farm Dungeon: Wheat]."
Yeah... While many, many [Gamers] treat life as a video game, they end up forgetting that it's still 'real life'.
You get yourself stuck in a '[Plant Dungeon]', but cannot use any [Fire] Spells? Just use a flamethrower and set the entire area on fire. Sure, Smokey the Bear will hate me for causing a forest fire, but you sometimes need to burn the 'infected' trees away to make room for a 'healthy' forest.
You in an '[Underwater Dungeon]'? Pull a Maple from [BOFURI] and flood the entire 'body' of water with poison, or cause an 'oil spill'.
'[Fire Dungeon]'? Smoother out the flames by removing the air for 'fuel'.
So, while the Spells via magic may be disabled... it doesn't say anything about 'man-made' fires... and physics.
Magic, meet Science. You two will be rivals and friends for ages.
Esdeath shook her head, "Regardless, can I be the one to set the flame, instead? My [Level] is apparently 4, right now, and I need to participate in order to gain the exp, as it is called."
Ayano frowned, adding, "Wait... what about the [Materials] and [Item Drops]? Wouldn't they get destroyed?"
Esdeath replied, "I apparently have this [Auto Loot] function, where upon being defeated by me, the items will be placed in an [Inventory] that I have. However, it apparently has 16 [Item Slots], so I'm not sure how quickly it will fill up."
I blinked, holding my hand out, "Wait, what? Why didn't you tell us?"
Esdeath glared at... 'nothing'... and explained, "It was just added a few moments ago. But with the limited slots, I figured it was something I should ignore."
The two girls looked at my face... that was betraying my thought process before I rubbed my eyes, "Just... Let's just hang around an 'exit', if worst comes to worst. Esdeath? We'll be having a talk about this 'limit factor', as you called it. Oh, and Ayano? We also need an area without plant life in order to test this, so prepare your [Earth] Spells."
Esdeath and Ayano nodded before Esdeath 'opened' the [Dungeon], warping us into this massive field of wheat.
Scouting around, I discovered the following enemies... minus the stats. And all of them were weak against flames.
Tractor-Rex: A massive herbivore that is slow, it has massive amounts of strength. Made up of [Wheat] tightly bound together and animated.
Tumble Wheat: A small yet quick bundle of animated wheat. While they go down easily, they tend to intercept attacks at the worst possible moment.
Gnarly Grains: A humanoid made up of [Wheat], it consumes 'lesser' and 'raw' [Wheat] in order to get stronger. Despite looks, it does indeed lift.
This place is really pushing it with the farm pun names, especially with the last one.
As Ayano use her [Earth] Spells to make a small clearing for us to hang out in, I asked Esdeath, "So, any [Quest] showed up or anything?"
Esdeath frowned, reading a window, "Apparently, we need to defeat 100 [Tumble Wheat], 20 [Gnarly Grains], and 5 [Tractor-Rexes] to summon the 'boss'. The methods don't matter, however... You sure this could work? It feels like... we are 'cheating' this..."
I sighed, bluntly speaking, "Esdeath, I understand that you are new to this. But right now, you should know that 'exploits' last for a while, and the 'admins' barely look at them until discovered. When an 'exploit' is discovered, we do our absolute best to use it before we cannot use it anymore."
I then concluded it by quoting some people from the Yogscast, "It's not cheating, it's creative use of game mechanics."
There was a moment of awkward silence, before Esdeath summarized, "So... we're exploiting things?"
I nodded, "We're exploiting things. Like how you and Ayano both worked together on that training thing, leveling up your [Skills] in a loop that was utterly broken, taking advantage of the system in the process."
Suddenly, we both heard something like a rock breaking apart. Looking in the direction... we both blinked, seeing Ayano making a somewhat cozy area completed with furnace/stove, bench, table, and fire pit with a cauldron propped up underneath it. As we looked, we saw a pile of grain in one area, and the stalks arranged into one big 'mattress' to sleep in.
Ayano noticed us staring, finally asking in confusion, "What?"
...
Ayano... is honestly a good 'caretaker' or something.
Shaking my head, I asked the two, "So, ready to set fire to the fields? Oh, and Ayano? Can you make a stone teapot, please?"
What?
Say what you will, but if you're going to use an exploit that takes a lot of time, you might as well have a hot beverage to enjoy as you pass the time.
Third Person POV:
The monsters of the [Dungeon] were enjoying themselves.
However, they began to feel hot, all of a sudden.
Then... they felt pain. One of them realized that they were literally on fire, and began screaming, running around...
... Only to make things worse, as the fire began to spread thanks to the movement.
MC's POV:
Pouring myself a hot cup of [T.E.A.] that Ayano discovered to make, I asked Esdeath, "So, are you 'killing' the monsters?"
The Experience Accumulator: A potion that, when drank (regardless of amount), will prevent the consumer from gaining exp from killing monsters. However, at the end of the day (midnight), all of the 'accumulated' exp will be doubled, then gained all at once. Can also work on leveling up [Skills] and [Spells]. It also tastes like an 'okay' blend of tea to the user. Best served when hot.
NOTE: Doesn't 'stack' with itself.
Ingredients: 2 [Slime Gel], 2 [Wheat Flour], 3 [Wheat Grains]
Esdeath frowned, nodding, "I am, apparently... Still, it's odd how this method is working. I was under the impression that this would be 'incorrect' and prevent me from gaining them in the first place. Is this what you meant when you said that we should use exploits?"
I chuckled in amusement, commenting, "Esdeath? Here's a [Quest] from me to you: Figure out how to use a computer, then look up The Spiffing Brit on YouTube. The user is not only sounds dashing, but also finds exploits in games to the point that everyone who watches it enjoys seeing the game itself being broken from the mechanics left in them."
Now that I think about it... that failure of a [Slime Whip] merely turn into a long 'point' crystal in the shape of a lance, but quickly broke at the tip. Maybe I should make a 'charm' or something that repairs [Item Durability] passively.
But back to what is occurring now.
[T.E.A.] is the first big 'gamble' that Ayano unintentionally created. This is pretty much an 'exp investment' [Potion]. All types of [Gamers] will flock to this, and it'll be bought like crazy. To put it into perspective, say that a character defeats about 15 mobs and gains a certain amount of exp before 'midnight' of wherever they are. Sure, it may not seem like much of a good thing, since when the character 'levels up', their stats are also boosted. However, let's say that this character drinks [T.E.A.] before fighting those monsters. When 'midnight' rolls around, the exp they gain would be doubled, treating it as if they defeated double the original mobs... in a sense.
Therefore, by 'math' and logic, while assuming that all 'mobs' defeated are of the same level and type... 10 mobs will give you 20 mobs of exp, 25 mobs will give you 50 mobs worth of exp... And if we want to get ridiculous, 125 mobs gives 250 mobs worth of exp.
Esdeath is drinking [T.E.A.], but something about the description caught my attention. It implies that regardless of amount drank, the boost will be applied that way. However, it doesn't stack. As in... all she needs to apply the effect is a shot glass, or even a freaking droplet of this stuff? If it is the case, does that mean that, if Esdeath uses another [Exp Multiplier], the exp she gains would be stacked? As in... if she had a 'non-[T.E.A.]' exp multiplier that triples the exp she gains, the effect would 'stack' and give her six times the normal exp?
Another thing that caught my attention about [T.E.A.] is the 'midnight' part. If Esdeath was travelling to the point where it's never 'midnight' wherever she is, does that mean that exp wouldn't be gained? And what about 'time zones'? Using the USA as an example, if Esdeath drank [T.E.A.] and was in Utah at around 11:55 PM near the border of Nevada, if she crossed the border... does that mean that 'midnight' got set back by 60 minutes? And what about moving from New Mexico to Texas, if it was around the same time? Would the 'exp gain' occur, since it became 'past midnight', or would the 'midnight exp' be delayed for roughly 23 more hours?
Well... knowing it or not, Esdeath unknowingly became the 'test subject' for Ayano's potions.
Actually, speaking of which...
Ignoring the screams that were occurring in the burning wheat field, I requested to Ayano, "Hey, Ayano? Big project idea in my head, and it's something that you may be interested in as well, Esdeath. Ayano, what if you created a [Potion] that 'reset' the consumer's stat counter, allowing them to redistribute the stat points they gained from leveling up?"
Both perked up, before all three of us jumped slightly at the 'cash register' sound.
CHA-CHING!
...
I muttered, "We really need to figure out where those sound effects come from..."
The girls nodded in unison, "Agreed..."
Esdeath then asked, "So, Shop-kun? About those Xenomorphs you told me about... why do you miss them?"
Frowning, I thought back to my (soon to be) relatively short relationship with those creatures, answering, "To be honest, Esdeath... They were my own private army that I got for cheap. There are worlds out there with beings that have powers beyond what I can do, some that have people I want to recruit, even destinies that I want to change. Those Xenomorphs, I first used them to amass an army in a city, using the 'missing and dead' people as 'breeding chambers' to develop the basic soldiers. Then, System gave me a 'zoo' to make more of them, have them evolve so that their weaknesses could be covered. On top of that, their 'baseline' physical body had literal acid for blood. So think of it: if we faced an army of relative extra-terrestrials, I could just unleash my army on them, having that 'hive' of Xenomorphs gain more variety."
I looked back at Esdeath... only to notice her being flushed and vibrating in her seat, causing her to ask eagerly, "And what about their intelligence?"
I blinked, before slowly speaking, "Well... aside from the fact that they had various sharp appendages and most likely 'see' via echolocation and thermal sight... I gave them this [Perk] or [Mutation] called [Hive Mind] or something. It allowed them to share information instantly with each other. But even 'baseline', three of them came up with a way to escape containment: they killed one to use their acidic organ properties to melt a hole in the floor to escape through."
Esdeath grinned eagerly... before going off and day-dreaming...
Wait...
Did I re-awaken her sadistic side?
...
Meh, while I should be worried... When I get around to it, I'll direct her violent impulses into hunting [Monsters] or those people I need tortured and killed... Ether or.
...
What? Esdeath's baseline literally had a big-shot "hero" stripped nude, collared with a chain, and eagerly licking her boot with his mind absolutely broken. That, right there, is a twisted art-form of mental manipulation. If her 'baseline' can do that, then it's no stretch to say that she could use torture to get information out of her victims. She can potentially twist the psyches of her victims in such a way that, in exchange for all of the information they have on a certain subject, they would do anything for a rag drenched in her filthy sweat.
...
Mental note: When Esdeath gets her 'mind-breaking torture' skills back, try to visit My Hero Academia and have her break and 'train' Bakugo for the effortless endless source of liquid explosives.
A few minutes of watching everything burn later...
The ground rumbled as the three of us stretched, Esdeath finally speaking, "The [Dungeon Boss] arrived."
Just as she said, a colossal humanoid made of wheat tightly woven together appeared, resembling a monstrous giant straw doll.
Great Grain Giant: [Boss] of the [Farm Dungeon: Wheat]. A giant figure bound in one spot, but don't let its stationary movement fool you. Being made completely of [Wheat], it can regenerate its 'HP' and summon many [Tumble Wheat] to take hits for it instead. Be wary about rushing in to fight it, though. The more time spent on the fight, the better quality of loot you'll get.
NOTE: [Tumble Wheats] summoned this way will not give any [Item Drops].
Oof, a [Boss] dedicated to regenerating health and redirecting attacks... Looks like I can 'level up' my [Rain Bow] with this. Actually...
Taking out my long-ranged weapon, I asked, "Hey, Esdeath? What's its STG value looking like?"
Ayano looked at my bow, before rolling her eyes with a smile as Esdeath noted, "Um... 10, why?"
Taking aim, I spoke casually, "I'm going to grind this bow. Might as well make use of the 'summon' mechanic."
"Wait!"
PING!
You have been invited to the "Ice Army" [Party]!
Accept?
Y/N
... Clever girl.
She's making use of the 'exp share' mechanic, along with the fact that I'm always 'Level 1'.
It was a long and cheeky fight, with the 'troll toll' being real. We were leisurely using the [3G] to utterly exploit our [Skills]. I shot the ones from far away with my [Rain Bow], Esdeath took care of the ones that were getting close, and Ayano was merely making [Potions] with our remaining supplies.
It stretched it out for roughly 2 hours before deciding to call it quits and have Esdeath unceremoniously finish of the [Great Grain Giant] with a single slash.
The monster shook, before 'collapsing' in on itself and turning into a chest.
As Esdeath puts her sword away and began to walk towards it... I got D&D flashbacks.
Debating of whether or not the [Game] would do so, I finally shouted, not taking any chances, "Esdeath! Wait a moment! I need to do something real quick, so stay away from that chest!" Looking at me confused, she blinked as she saw me charging up my shot, aiming it at the chest.
Rain Bow: A special type of bow that, while fires one arrow at a time, multiplies the shot depending on the number of kills executed by user with this weapon. OR, you can charge the shot into a single arrow that deals massive damage.
Arrow Multiplier: +1 arrow for every 10 kills
Total Kills: 420
Perks: 1 Kill - Mobile: Turns into a silver bracelet with a thought, and returns to 'bow' form in an instant.
25 Kills - Homing: The arrows home in on the nearest enemy within 8 feet. Increases an additional 8 feet for every 25 kills.
50 Kills - Straight Shot: The arrows fired will fly a bit more straighter and farther.
100 Kills - Snipe: The arrows fly faster. The more distance traveled, the higher the 'base' damage.
1,000,000 Kills - Treasure: By resetting the 'total kills' to zero, gain 1 random loot to use. The higher the total kills were, the more valuable the resulting loot will be. Note: Using [Treasure] will also reset the [Perks] for [Rain Bow].
Thwing...
CRACK!
SCREEECH!
The 'chest' screamed as it grew legs, arms, and teeth, the arrow damaging its 'case'.
Freaking [Mimics]...
Esdeath made quick work of it as I mentally debated making Esdeath going through the toughest mental torture there is... And possible repercussions of her playing such a game.
Dark Souls
Esdeath's POV:
... Why do I feel excitement and dread?
And... why does it feel like Shop-kun is the reason for it?
MC's POV:
Collecting the loot, we were all suddenly warped out of the [Dungeon] and reappeared back at the entrance.
Blinking a bit, I asked, "So, Esdeath? What's our haul?"
Shaking it off, she showed us the loot... and it was impressive.
Minor Repair Talisman: Make your durability last longer! This nifty trinket will slowly repair any equipment by 10 points per hour, while worn.
Range: 10 Meters
Branching Bracelet: A bracelet made of vines. Gives the wearer the ability to manipulate plant growth within a certain distance around them.
WARNING: It only controls 'growth' and not actually controls the plants themselves.
World Shuffle Ticket: Don't like a [World] you currently have? Re-roll it for free!
Cottage Design: The blueprints for a small, low-tech house from the typical middle ages that you see in video games. While it may not be modern, it's still something for anyone that wants to live in it.
Pest Terrarium Shuffled Dropper: A small yet sturdy clear glass insect container. In 12 hours, will randomly spawn one (1) random insect that's discovered on baseline Earth. From bee to centipede, and cockroach to rhinoceros beetle, as long as it fits, it appears. The insect will 'drop out' after 12 hours, and a new one won't spawn for 12 hours.
Copy Wand (Level 1): A wand that can double an object it points to. It makes a 'factory' copy of the object, and it has no limit as to what it can duplicate. However, it cannot duplicate living/animate targets.
NOTE: The [Copy Wand], when used, has a 'recharge' period. The higher its level, the more often you can duplicate whatever you wish. The more advance and bigger the target is, the more 'exp' the [Copy Wand] gains.
Dream Body of Gluttony: A special charm that allows the wearer to consume as much as they want without their bodies bursting and rupturing. However, it reduces the 'MP' cap along with using 'MP' in order for the user to consume more food.
... No clue why I would want [PTSD], nor do I see a reason for having it... but I'll leave it for now and figure out how to deal with it later.
Taking the [World Shuffle Ticket], I asked Esdeath and Ayano, "Mind if I use this? I want to 'swap out' one of the [Worlds] I can travel to."
Esdeath waved me off with a smile as she examined the [Minor Repair Talisman], "You're the boss, so you make the call."
Ayano merely picked the [Branching Bracelet], and I can tell she's already thinking about using it for accelerating the plant growth.
But the [Dream Body of Gluttony] is something to celebrate about, because it's a key factor in dealing with The Feast.
However, all three of us were looking at the [Copy Wand], thinking about what we could use it on... due to the fact that pretty much it's the ultimate 'copy-paste' gimmick.
Growl~
Looking down, we finally noticed our hunger before I checked the time, finally asking, "Dinner?"
The two agreed, with a bit of drool, "Dinner."
A cooking session later...
We all had a dinner that was barbecue based: ribs, asparagus, carrots, steak, beans, rice, and even garlic bread.
As we ate, I thought about what [World] I could swap out.
Currently, I have [Resident Evil], [Black Butler], and the cued up [Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild].
[BOTW] is definitely being kept, for the sake of the enemies constantly being spawned. Not to mention, there are tons of materials, along with the fact that they use a mixture of technology and magic in an advance form.
[Resident Evil] is also useful, because it has a 'virus' that I could eventually manipulate to become a biological weapon, and that's definitely something that is needed by the 'evil' [Gamers].
That leaves [Black Butler], but... Do I even want to swap that out? Sure, it's behind in terms of technology, but it has demons, tanks, grim reapers, and even a type of zombie.
...
I need to think on it about more, but after we're all done eating.
Maybe the day after tomorrow.
PING!
Okay... so we got a slightly weird one.
MY Higher Ups gave us a [Quest] to fulfill, but it's a bit different than the rest.
I'm not allowed to reveal much about this world, but I will say this:
Instead of saving the day... you guys have to make friends with a person.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild [Quest]: Supporting Courage
Task(s):
-Befriend and support Linkle
-Defeat Calamity Ganon
-Gain the blueprints for [Guardian Tech]
-Kill Zelda and everyone else
Reward(s): Anime [World] of your choice (of three), Livestock [Spawn Eggs], [Legendary] Item.
'Linkle', eh?
I guess Link has a sister...
But why are we going to commit mass genocide...?
A/N: Yep... 'Gluttony' is now in the progress of being completed. Anyway, get ready for the 'BoTW' arc, because this is where the variety of allies comes into play. The chapter after this one is the sole reason I had to delay posting this one, sorry about that, by the way.
... Oh, right.
Happy Birthday to me.
Posted: 5/17/2021