Chapter 300: A Dream Passed Down
[The afterword got long, so the Chapter 300 commemorative setting-dump corner will be next chapter.]
When you don't know, all you can do is ask.
Sunraku: "Hey. What the hell are they doing?"
???: "Whoa, joke equipment."
Hey, dipshit. This thing's got more defense than your scrawny-ass gear. Though with how bulky it is, I ditched the Star Mantle 'cause it gets in the way. So right now, I'm just a guy with a joke headpiece who sold off his starting gear — I probably look exactly like some broke newbie.
The newbie player shoots me a look that practically says, "Who the hell starts a game half-naked just to save pocket change..." Name's Tango. Yeah, I memorized that, asshole. I've been beating down wolves and octopuses looking pretty much like this, so don't you fucking underestimate me... okay, whatever. Tango, who I'm guessing is a mercenary with a greatsword, answers my question while still giving me a slightly wary look.
Tango: "Those guys... uh, y'know? They're the 'I Wanna Dress Up Such-and-Such-Chan' meme crew, right?"
Sunraku: "...Ah, yeah. Think I've heard about them somewhere."
Didn't Pencilgon mention them a while back? The pervert brigade that gets off on putting bikini armor on little girls? I just brushed it off like, well, it's a game, there's always those types. But oh, so it's THESE guys. They originally formed a clan when they added the Bounty Hunter system or whatever, right? And the core members are former PKers?
Sunraku: "They intentionally PK in town to call out a Bounty Hunter. Something like that."
Tango: "Huh. You already know."
Sunraku: "Knowing it and pulling it out of my brain are two different things. Kinda like a history test."
Tango: "Don't bring up studying inside a goddamn game..."
Ah, I get it. This guy's the "immersion type." The playstyle where you enjoy it as if you're genuinely a part of another world, not just playing a game. Not like there's any reason to knock it, but from his perspective, a half-naked guy in a mask just looks like a complete joke.
Sunraku: "Hahaha, you'll go bald if you sweat the small stuff, kid. More importantly — look. These guys really are good at PvP."
I heard the Bounty Hunters are NPCs with basically genuine TAS-level specs. And these guys intentionally call one in. No wonder they're specialized for player combat. Their gear's shit, but their movements are pure hardcore gamer.
Even a flimsy weapon that barely looks better than a stick shines as a real weapon when a master holds it. A player with a simple sword-and-shield style blocks the spear-user's onslaught with his shield and closes the distance with precision strikes. But the spear-user knows his strengths don't match the opponent's weaknesses, and it's a fight about securing the more advantageous range, not just clashing weapons.
Tango: "Why aren't they using skills?"
Sunraku: "This is just the prelim for them. They're saving it for the main event, probably."
The range favors the spear-user, but his big decisive thrust — the killing blow he'd been waiting for — gets blocked by a shield held dead-on. A pretty reckless way to handle it. One side braced for the block, the other left open by having his best shot stopped. The outcome was inevitable. The one-handed sword sinks deep into the spear-user's neck, and with a flashy damage effect, the fight is decided.
???: "Ghh... my naked apron... dream..."
???: "You were a tough opponent, my friend. Honestly, the naked apron would look better on Lutia-san."
???: "Personally, whether it's Tias-chan or Lutia-san, it's a total victory either way for me................. I'll entrust... my dream... to you...!"
The spear-user shatters. The swordsman's name dyes red, branded with the PKer's mark. The "Karma Value" system built into SLF — it slaps down an insanely heavy penalty for PKs committed in town.
???: "Oh, she's coming out solo? Lucky... Hey, she's coming!"
???: "No Toole, no Toole, no Toole..."
The one-handed sword user starts praying for some reason. No clue who this "Toole" is, but sure enough — she lands right in front of the swordsman as if she dropped from the sky. The landing is light, a soft tap. The hunter is slender, but as if exposing bare skin is some kind of taboo, she's thorough: thick long coat, hood pulled deep, a muffler hiding her mouth. Isn't that hot as hell? But from what I remember... yeah. To the members of the "Dress-Up Tias-chan Squad," this person who just appeared is a being worth pure joy.
???: "Lut—"
???: "LUTIAAAAAA!!"
???: "Oi, Gozumandora! What the hell did you have!?"
???: "You dumbass! We talked about it — Lutia-san gets the maid outfit!"
???: "There's still time! Let's swap, come on!"
???: "Sorry, everyone. I think putting Lutia-san in a school swimsuit is also valid!!"
???: "YOU BASTARD—?!"
Ahh... goddammit. That looks fun as hell. Since PK penalties are a straight-up benefit for them, these guys are basically invincible... But for me, PK penalties are still just penalties, so all I can do is watch. Might as well see what this Bounty Hunter can do.
Lutia: "........."
The Bounty Hunter Lutia stays silent. What's that in her hands? A tonfa-blade — the tonfa's shaft turned into a blade? An edge? Whatever you'd call it. Category-wise, dual swords? Or maybe slash-type damage but impact-type weapon class? She assumes her stance quietly, showing no sign of being burdened by an unfamiliar weapon. As if it's a part of her own body, Lutia readies the tonfa-blade and charges at the one-handed sword user... Gozumandora.
Gozumandora: "Gh...!"
???: "Oi! Hurry up and die!"
Gozumandora: "Shut up! At least let me put up a fight!"
???: "I also think putting Lutia-san in a school swimsuit is good!"
Unequipped. Meaning Gozumandora's got even less gear than me. He swaps out his worn shield and faces Lutia's assault. But that TAS-like spec... that wasn't an exaggeration in the slightest. The tonfa-blade — one in each hand. If she spins the tips around, it becomes a thrusting weapon. And in reverse, slam the pommel down and it becomes a blunt weapon. There's no mental wobble at all. The only way to describe it is Sylvia Goldberg, constantly shifting her type. She maintains the optimal answer in her battle style at all times.
Sunraku: "Really get the feeling of a firm resolve from the devs... 'PKs will be processed. No exceptions.'"
Tango: "That weapon looks strong..."
Oh, Tango. Setting goals is a good thing. Motivation matters. It'll get you through most shit-game elements, at least until you achieve it. So do tonfas branch off from maces into tonfa-blades? Blade-to-Blade Sword — which is clearly a dual-blade type — branches from two daggers, so... hmm. Maybe I'll ask Bilac about it.
Gozumandora: "Gh... she really is strong... Guh!?"
???: "SCREENSHOT!"
???: "Did you get those beautiful legs on camera, Screenshot Team!?"
???: "Three-unit system, all good."
???: "As expected of the Low-Angler..."
???: "Somebody give Gozumandora shit for getting blown the hell away!"
Yeah, Gozumandora-san got sent flying in spectacular fashion... right toward us.
Sunraku: "Whoa, shit."
Tango: "A kick!?"
Tango: "Eep!"
Lutia's probably a female character, but her visible appearance and actual STR are two different things. Tango-kun freezes up and yelps, but I catch Gozumandora-san — flying toward us at a pretty good clip — with the sole of my foot.
Sunraku: "Hey, mister. Is there a ring-out rule, or...?"
Gozumandora: "Sorry, thanks— not!"
Sunraku: "Hm?"
Oh, look. Up above. The Bounty Hunter, crossing her tonfa-blades and aiming for the finishing blow. Wait. The trajectory here... she drops down, swings the blades, inertia kicks in, and... yep. Me and Tango-kun are getting dragged in.
Sunraku: "Hey, Mandragora."
Gozumandora: "Uh, yeah. It's Gozumandora?"
Sunraku: "Does this game have, like... self-defense mechanics?"
Gozumandora: "Hah?"
I pull out Duxram and choose to intercept the "death" coming from directly overhead. The tonfa-blades are in slash mode, tips forward. Following the physics engine, she brings down a blow with enough weight to cause fatal damage. I plant my feet, take it head-on, and deflect it. Hmm, heavy. Or more like, it shaved off a bit of my HP. If my STR had been a little higher, could I have tanked it?
Sunraku: "Dragging bystanders into your fight and taking it outside the ring isn't cool. Get back in there and fight."
Her attacks are TAS-ideal slashes, so honestly, that helped. Easier for me to block. Anyway, just looking at the situation, it seems like I protected a PKer, but it's self-defense, so it should be fine. Look, we've even got Tango-kun here as a witness who got protected.
...Yeah.
Lutia: "........."
Sunraku: "...Wait, hold up. I have never, not even once, PK'd anyone. I swear on it."
The tip of the tonfa-blade pointed at me is aimed straight at my face. As if to say, "Take your stance." The players around me back away, and the circle of people that opens up forms a brand-new ring.
Sunraku: "I mean, why the hell is she targeting me...?"
Gozumandora: "Hey... you."
Sunraku: "Huh?"
Yeah, that's right, Gozumandora-san. You've got an important mission — putting Lutia in a school swimsuit. So get up, hurry up and... an item transfer request?
Gozumandora: "I don't really get it, but... make our dream... come true...!"
Blade-Blocking Water-Repellent Swimsuit Crafted by Gonbautorion. Torso equipment with high waterproof performance. Creator's comment: I've successfully implemented a function that displays the wearer's name on the name tag in hiragana! Please, make our dreams come true...! —By Gonbautorion