An intense ambient music was played as they got out of the rocky hallway. They see many people gathered outside. Some are discussing, some are resting, and a few are crying. “You done yet?” asked Kurira to her sister who is still fiddling with a system screen. She is creating an account on a video streaming site within the Black Network, the company that made Ekolia. They have sections dedicated to each game they make including forums, leaderboards, stores, and auctions. The video streaming site on the other hand is outside of that section.

“So crowded yet not at the same time,” said Kurira, “You’d think the most popular game with only one server could have flooded the entire map with players.”

“Heh, we know how big it is. Look, some guilds even recruiting here.”

“Uhuh.”

“So, Ekolia 6.1, what do you think?”

“Transcendental Realm Expansion is unlocked?”

“Seems like it. Though, no one in the forum seems to have an idea about it. There’s a huge bounty for the pioneer. Top players don’t got the access to it yet, it seems.”

“Huh. Anyway, what did you name our channel?”

“White Panties.”

She stopped to turn around, “Hah?”

“Like, it’s a blank canvas for me and there’s you who often make peoples wet. So, it kind of goes hand in hand and that made me think that THAT name is the best for us.”

“I don’t get it. And then what? You want kids to say, ‘Hey look, it’s White Panties!’ whenever they see us roam around the streets?”

“Nuh?!”

“In case of going mainstream, our image needs to be cleaner than your white canvas. Change it. We’ll start making content right away.”

Rakuri went and did it unwillingly as she is sulking. It’s troubling whenever she tries to give a name to something, but then it came up to her, which widened her grin. She hung her arm around Kurira’s shoulder and took selfies together. Kurira with her flabbergasted expression and Rakuri with a narrowed down face and a wide grin. On the side of the photo is the name of their channel.

[Name me Siola]

…

Looking from a camera point of view. The recording is made with Rakuri controlling it with her gestures, and the camera appears as a sphere. It lights up in red as a dot when the recording starts, spotlighting wherever it’s looking at. She even set up multiple cameras, complete with their individual behaviors. She opens with a grin and narrowed down eyes just like in her profile pic but this time with a double peace pointed on each side of her forehead.

“How’s it going, BITCHES???”

Kurira yelled, “Hey! No Swearing.”

“Kuhe, sorry about that y’all. New to this. Kinda nervous when like, our lives literally depend on this – if you know what I’m saying,” tilting both of her brows, humor about the fact that many have forgone terrible experiences while doing the same thing, “That’s right. What you’re about to see is that bi— I mean, heheh, my sister. Whooping them skelly’s asses on the South Gate. I actually got this super OP weapon, which I will not use!” staring at the camera for a moment, “You guessed right. This girl right here! Be attempting Solo South Gate Any% Glitchless Speedrun on Realism Moooooode! It ain’t never been done before, you hear?! Watch!!! No Popcorn allowed.”

Kurira avoided looking at her sister whose adrenaline is hitting sky high from the pressure of being in the spotlight. Rakuri kept narrating and kept the camera entertained. Going with an explanation of the perks of Realism Mode, the effect, and why it’s not something people choose to enable. She went to Kurira and asked, “So, think you can tell us your gear?”

“I only have this wand for now. You can see that the stats ain’t that bad.”

“Oh? It looks like a club.”

“Mhm, which is how I intend to use it.”

They showed the audience their Profile Status and the legitimacy of their account. They also stated that they are not a speedrun channel and make it clear that the content they produce will not be restricted to a single type, “Expect some good stuff.”

Kurira then said, “But know this. You will find that the two of us, and one other member who that is yet joined, will climb higher and sit on top of the leaderboards. You can count it.”

Saying that with a confident smile, calmed Rakuri’s nerves.

They soon arrived within the vicinity of South Gate. Walking corpses started to appear. Draugrs. Some even emerged from the ground.

Rakuri then points out, “Here, you see that the gate is closed. Why is that? Well, that is because both of us are playing on Realism Mode. At this stage, when you who play normally suddenly stumble on us, you’ll find that the gate is closed too and that’s because we’re still here in the area. Once the players who play on Realism Mode have escaped, this gate will open for other players who play normally.”

Kurira unsheathed her weapon, ‘Some spells can have up to double the effect if shouted loudly in Realism Mode. Unfortunately, not this one.’

She flipped her [Blunt Ice Wand] 360 degrees and it was quickly imbued with its own Innate Ability [Frost Infusion]. When a draugr walked up to her, reaching its hands, she struck its knees with a kick. Cracked its joint. Rendering the draugr stunned. She then went in with her weapon, a strike to its head. When it goes down, another bang to its head again.

*Bam *Bam

{75}

{75}

The corpse didn’t disappear when it dies.

{+50 Exp}

Rakuri then said, “So, remember what I said? A perk of playing in Realism Mode is that stats don’t linearly translate to what you can do in the game. She don’t even have a point invested on Strength and Dexterity, but she managed to kill that thing no problem.”

Kukira’s thought on the other hand, ‘While it’s true that it’s a convenient thing. The hidden stats of the player are that it was based 1:1 on what you can do in the real world. Part of the reason why the both of us can reach Dola at such a lightning speed but struggle to keep up with her at a later stage of the game.’

As she kept on defeating the enemies swiftly and rapidly, ‘I gotta hurry. I’d like to explore this place. Prison Realm is quite an odd world. It doesn’t exist on any map in the overworld and even in the other realms, but I doubt Dola would struggle in the tutorial for a whole month. And who knows, she might be here longer than that.’

{+80 Exp}

{+80 Exp}

! {Level UP}

‘As always, the first level up will reward players with a big one. 1200 Primary Stat Points and 40 Secondary Stat Points. It’s still low, but it’s double the usual. I’ll spend more on Stamina and Luck to give myself more chances on a big drop. Every 5 points on Vitality will increase all my regen in addition to the increase with other stats like Intelligence giving 1 point of regen every 10 points.’

Rakuri then added, “It’s not a lot but usually when you first level up, consider spending them on Vitality if you’re going solo. Sure, what’s the point of getting another point or two on regen where you can use them on Strength or something to deal more damage? Think of it more like this, it’s not a point or two, but rather, 100% to 200% increase to your regen. You can recharge your stamina or mana for that matter, twice or three times faster. What’s the point of dealing big numbers if you can’t do it consistently? You want the enemy to wait for you to get that one last shot of spell to be ready? That’s something you gotta think about.”

“Did you level up?” asked Kurira.

“Nope.”

“Hmm.”

“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll catch up.”

Knowing her sister, it’s nothing for her to worry about. Kurira proceeds on clearing the area from the enemies, getting another level up while Rakuri gives her mental support by cheering and flashing her undies. It never distracts Kurira though. Rakuri also controls the cameras to make the video more cinematic and intense. Then suddenly, banging music with a loud orchestra was heard as a 25ft golem descended from the ceiling.

*Boom*

Its head tilts up.

*Grooooooooooooooooooah!

! {Boss Encounter}

~ {Aged Stone Golem Lv. 10}

“Hoho, now that’s something,” said Rakuri as she took a shot of Kurira’s undies with the golem still in the field of vision of the camera, “Sure you don’t need my help?”

“Hmph,” cracking both her necks, “I got this.”

She dashes toward the golem after spinning her weapon, imbuing it with its innate ability [Frost Infusion], and the golem charges towards her with its hand already swinging, but the moment it swung, was the moment Kurira took a step back.

*BAM*

Dodging its attack at a precise moment. With its fist on the ground, Kurira jumped over its fist and leap towards its head with the imbued wand swinging behind her drawn-back arm.

===== Profile Status =====

Statistics

Name: Kurira / Level: 3 / Class: Wizard

Primary Attributes

Max Health: 1200 | Max Mana: 400 | Max Stamina: 800

Health: 1200 | Mana: 400 | Stamina: 800

Secondary Attributes

Strength: 0 / Dexterity: 0 / Endurance: 0

Vitality: 20 / Agility: 10

Intelligence: 10 / Faith: 0 / Luck: 30

Combat

Physical Attack: 0 / Physical Defense: 0

Magical Attack: 0 / Magical Defense: 0

Health Regeneration: 5 / Mana Regeneration: 6 / Stamina Regeneration: 6

Gear

[Blunt Ice Wand]

[Ragged Outfit]

===== Profile Status =====