Sigh, Shadyna here. I was having a field day with beautiful waitresses when this guy happened.

A young man emerges from the trees followed by many other players. Standing in a clear area surrounded by trees is just asking for dramatic entries, yet I was eating here the whole time!

He looks like pretty much an anime protagonist with his spiky black hair and eyes. Luckily he wasn't wearing a school uniform, or I would I think I had landed in the wrong genre.

The floating throne-like thing he's sitting on is interesting. Does he move around without using his legs? Then would its speed depend on his SPD stat?

Unexpectedly, the waitresses except for Hessy scatter into the woods in a flash, leaving only the two of us facing the man. What the heck?

[ has invited you to a party.] [Y/N]

I accept without saying another word.

_ Hessy: …

_ Hessy (Party): That guy is , guildmaster of . It's filled with snaky businessmen-type players who focus on crafting and trading.

Oh~, a Merchant Guild~

_ Hessy (Party): And he's obsessed with breasts, hence the guild's name.

Okay, impression value dropped to zero. This guy is just the same as , just on the other side of the scale!!!

I noticed that I am getting access to a lot of information I do not have before joining the party. Notably, the location of the waitresses, and the massive amount of people approaching us from all sides.

_ Shadyna (Party): Is all information shared between party members? I am overwhelmed by the new stuff!!!

_ Hessy (Party): I'm surprised you can even be overwhelmed by anything, considering how you are doing things at your own pace.

How rude~

_ Olkan: What the hell is that greeting, my ? Is it a crime to talk to beauties? Especially beauties with well-endowed chest. At least stay with . You two are peerless after all!

The worst! This guy is the worst!!! When he said "peerless" he was referring to chest size wasn't he!?

Two more people join the party unexpectedly. and . They are in town by the by.

_ Hessy (Party): Please make preparations, I will buy time.

_ Hessy: What do you want? We have grinding to do.

_ Olkan: Oh, how cold. But that's what I love about you. The invitation still stands, just letting you know. You and will make very good mascots representing our guild.

Did he failed to invite Hessy in the past? I wonder if these waitresses are in a guild currently. They look too organized to be guild-less.

_ Hessy: No thanks. Don't want to be in the guild with that name while having more men than chests. I'll ask again, what do you want? Otherwise we'll be on our way.

The burns~

_ Olkan: Oof, that hurts, honey. Companies have to expand, so while it's unfortunate, our strength lies in the massive network of merchants. I do wish to have more beauties around however…

He's having mixed feelings about how things turned out, I'm sure.

_ Olkan: That is old news you already knew. I'm just explaining our guild to our newbie over there.

Hessy flinches a bit as he points at me. I'm just a cute girl with [Chest: ] status, so please don't mind me, boobs-obsessed CEO~

_ Hessy: What, did you finally get into economic depression and need to bounty-hunt to make ends meet? Or did you become one with ?

The image of two perverts joining force to hunt me down is not funny, so please stop snickering, Hessy~

And the people behind , I can see you LOL-ing by that question as well you know!!!

_ Olkan: Of course not! I stay true to my values until the end of time! You have heard it too, right? The 0-stats supposedly possesses some really nice items in exchange for all her points.

_ Hessy (Party): Hostility confirmed. Please begin operation.

_ Melodyn (Party): Understood. Although with the beast tamer in the mix, I am not sure how effective it will be.

Are they talking about the system message earlier? Something about a player taming beast without pacts… Around the same time Gelly became a [Summon Stone]. Was Sateri referring to me?

_ Nerin (Party): That reminds me, 's Jelleaf…

_ Shadyna (Party): Ah, right, it became my tamed beast at that time. I got [Beast Tamer Origin] title from it too~.

_ Everyone (Party): Ah~

_ Melodyn (Party): Total mobilization, start~

Did I… say something bad?

____________

In the noisy tavern, players are preparing to begin their mass search for the 0-stats girl and the mysterious first tamer. While they have a general idea where the 0-stats is, the tamer's info is non-existent.

Suddenly, the two new waitresses clap their hands to gather everyone's attention. They cannot use [World Voice], because it would alert the enemies.

The members of in the tavern can still overhear their announcement, but due to their massive number, getting the message to the guildmaster will take time. And now time is of the essence.

_ Waitresses: We have an urgent announcement to make.

The new recruits are now known for their ability to speak in perfect unison. Even when they are supposedly sisters, that's still an impressive feat.

Everyone in the tavern stops chatting and turns to the waitresses in anticipation.

_ Waitresses: The exact location of Illusive Sprout and the first beast tamer have been confirmed. They are being held by at these coordinates. will begin a rescue operation, and has just confirmed participation. For everyone who wishes to prevent 's monopoly, your help in the coming battle is appreciated.

On the wall, a projection is created. It's the streaming feature of the game, allowing people to see what's happening from another player's point of view. This one was shared by none other than the famous waitress .

All the 4 big guilds have their own secrets they want to keep, but is known above all to keep the economy under a loose leash as they are a very big part of the market. If they start spreading their influence to take the information market from it will be less than ideal for general players since they are at the mercy of a single entity's price manipulation.

No thanks to that, think a lot of the players in the tavern. Besides, everyone loves it when they are fighting against a stronger common threat.

_ Waitresses: We are providing free food buffs for everyone. For the fair market, please lend us your hands.

The freebies and plead from cute girls were the last straws that break the camel's back.

In real world, mobilization takes time and effort to pull off.

In game, taking some food to get buffs and brandishing weapons are all they need.

From the estimation of the sister waitresses who are devilishly smiling, in ten to twenty minutes the forest will be overrun with players from all the places once the news start spreading.

____________

_ Olkan: Hey, 0-stats, you know what I'm talking about, right? Or should I make you spill the beans?

Third-rate villain confirmed.

And I actually have no idea what he is talking about! The only thing that is worth anything in my inventory is [Summon Stone], but I just got it today so I doubt that's what and were after…

_ Shadyna (Party): May I tease him a bit?

_ Hessy (Party): I don't see why not, just don't say something that gives you disadvantages.

_ Shadyna: Uhm… Best item I have is this [Midae Grass Hairpin (Trash)]? Do you want it?

_ Olkan: …Are you trying to provoke me?

How rude! I made it from the flowers at the lake's shore! It's the only non-totally-grass equipment I have!

And could you not do that look as if you are seeing abandoned kitties in the rain, Hessy~

_ Olkan: I said rare items, not trash. The items that are at least the level of 's [Summon Stone]!

_ Hessy (Party): is our guildmaster by the way. His [Summon Stone] has the strongest known beast in possession of a player.

Oh~, so he's like my senior, since I have a tamed beast too.

Guess he would have a [Beast Tamer Origin] title too.

Gelly is probably not at that level though. It's just a wild stray beast I picked up by accident~

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with its stats, un.

_ Shadyna: I don't have anything that can't be made with [Armor Crating Lv.0]? I'm just a new player who started yesterday~

_ Olkan: So that's your answer. Very well, my best [Inspect] members can find your deepest secret from your corpse anyway.

Why are chloroform and murder the first courses of action for the majority of players I have encountered in this game?!

Hessy is brandishing her weapons. When did she retrieve it from Mera's head I wonder?

_ Shadyna: …Are you that desperate to rummage around a girl's wardrobe? is the type of person who wears girls' panties on his head?

This time it's fine to be LOL-ing, background-people~

_ Olkan: Hpmh! Know your place. Your chest is worth as much as your stats. And I prefer wearing big bras on my head.

Everyone fell silence. That was… uh, quite a confession.

And I'm kind of pissed now, my stats are no longer worthless you know! I hate this guy to the point of considering risking my pacifist run for the sake of grinding him to the ground, for bashing my cute chest!

I'm not like , okay?

_ Hessy: Oi, I'm not going to just look the other way if you try to harm her you know.

_ Hessy (Party): Shadyna, when the fight breaks out, please run to Nerin. I will distract them, and everyone will escort you back to town.

_ Nerin (Party): RIP Hessy. It was nice knowing you.

_ Mera (Party): It was an honor serving with you~ I hope we will be appearing in your flashbacks as you die slowly and painfully~

That is not helping, you two…

_ Olkan: Oh, that cold stare is beautiful. Look at you, the abusive mistress is having a soft spot for a little girl. The gap is. JUST. MOE~

Please drop dead already, pervert~

Don't squeal like fangirls, background perverts!

_ Mera (Party): Moe~ indeed~

Why are you joining in, Mera~

_ Hessy (Party): I'm going to murder you a few more times back in town, damn maniac.

_ Olkan: I would love to see your struggling expression against my horde. We are merchants, but we have numbers, and equipment to back it up. And even if you can hold on with your food buffs…

Olkan pulls out a shiny golden scepter. Above it is a black spinning orb that is totally not looking like a last boss's apocalyptic spell.

_ Olkan: See this? It's enhanced to maximum known MAT, and enchanted with [Ignore Magical Defense] to the brim. Can only use one time before having to recharge, but I haven't seen anyone that requires using this a second time.

Why are you explaining it to us? Do you know the chance of failure ramps up once you start telling your targets how they will suffer?

This guy is not savvy at all!

_ Hessy: So I just have to dodge it once.

Since Hessy is probably busy thinking of a countermeasure, I will ask the capable Nerin…

_ Shadyna (Party): Nerin, can tamed beast be resurrected? And what does [Shared Fate] do while you are at it too.

I want to know all of my available actions, and there's no faster way to do it than asking the people who gather information from around the world!

_ Nerin (Party): You really go at your own pace. Yes, if you have [Summon Stone], your beast returns there once they die and can be resurrected.

_ Olkan: The spell is your favorite [Dark Bolt], which has [Homing] capability, honey. I made this just for you once you accept my invitation, but I think it's good irony to have you die from your own trump card.

…I am eternally grateful for not hitting me with that earlier, Hessy.

By the way, I object to giving her that scepter! She's a waitress, not a queen!

_ Nerin: [Shared Fate]… Well, it's a weaker [Devotion]. Both you and your target takes damage, but you won't die until both of you has HP of 1. Leveling it will give you a damage reduction bonus. At level 0 you split the damage 50-50, but at level 10 it becomes 45-50. Only applies to caster. Usually, just get [Devotion] so you can give target all the stats you have. Ah, [Damage dealt] is shared when [Devotion] is active however…

Sateri, were those pacifist traps made for me? Nah, can't be, right?

So [Shared Fate] can mitigate some damage…

_ Olkan: Of course, you can always use that girl to take the hit for you, but you don't want that, do you~? So it's already my win, honey.

Why is this conversation becoming closer and closer to blackmailing in questionable media contents? That guy is just going with the villain role, right?

_ Olkan: So, what would you do, ? Surrender and accept my invitation, or knowingly receive humiliation in front of everyone here? I like both genres so either is fine.

Seriously, drop dead already, degenerate pervert, and the background perverts too~

_ Hessy: Hmm, I wonder?

_ Hessy (Party): Almost time. , ready?

_ Shadyna (Party): Are you really going to be the live bait?

_ Hessy (Party): It's fine. As long as you do not fall into their hands it's a worth a sacrifice or two.

Why are you saying those cool lines, Hessy? I will fall for you if you keep being so cool you know~

And more importantly, isn't it worse to have Hessy die here? Look at all those perverts with obvious impure motives on their face!!!

Guess she's really strong, so people want to have a chance of defeating her. It's not like you can see tavern waitresses in a forest every day.

_ Shadyna (Party): I'm ready… somewhat.

Not for running though.

I strive to be a true pacifist, but I will switch to technical pacifism when it's convenient!

To be fair, I can logout, but that will ruin the mood everyone worked so hard on building, and with this number they will just have someone camp here until I login tomorrow.

_ Hessy: I have to thank you for using general chat this whole time, jerk. [World Voice].

She crushes a small golden orb in her hand.

As if she's talking directly to my mind, I can hear the words without seeing her saying anything. This happened for a while after I fell into the lake, but I was kind of occupied so I ignored them all.

Other voices are joining in. Everyone sure sounds like they are in high spirits.

On the other hand, and the background perverts look ki~nd of shocked at the sudden development.

Un, let's ignore the unrelated voices. Ignore ignore~

Another orb is crushed.

Why am I involved in this, Hessy~!!!

And stop wasting items, you damn perverts~

Hessy is showing the people in front of her a dark smile. Maybe it's time to revert her back to "Scary waitress"…?

_ Hessy: Streaming feature is useful, don't you think?

_ Olkan: …Now you asked for it.

The occasion combat noises in the background change into something of an all-out war. Weapons clashing, spells exploding, battle cries echo from all sides. The encirclement around us starts panicking.

From the party information, a lot more players are crashing in. The encirclement became the encircled! Spending too much time boasting about your evil schemes will result in this kind of development, !

_ Hessy (Party): Run!

She dashes forward. It seems like she has a skill that allows something like a long jump. I want that skill too, in case of emergency!

_ Hessy: [Dark Bolt]!

_ Shadyna: [Summon]~

I catch Gelly midair and toss it at . My aim is not that accurate, but I do think it will land in the general vicinity between the two.

As if knowing how Hessy would act, a party full of shield bearers charge forward. They must be defense-oriented players who are here for the sole purpose of slowing down high-damage players.

In other words, cannon fodders.

The black arrow pierces the closest player with ease. He's still standing.

_ Shield bearer: IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?! I can do this all da…

*WHACK*

The second black arrow knocks him out the moment it hits him.

_ Shield bearer: Thank you very much!!!

…I heard nothing.

_ Nerin (Party): Really wish someone had higher LDR right now!

_ Mera (Party): It couldn't be helped~, we all have to be independent somewhat~

While the party is kind of taking it easy, Hessy flings another player up in the air.

_ Thrown player: It is a reward in our service!!!

Am I the only sane person around here?

With two players out in moments, the path between and Hessy is now clear.

The third-rate villain was pointing his scepter at the waitress, grinning.

_ Olkan: I win, you lose. [Golden Scepter of Ultimate Sadism].

At that distance, there's no way the spell would miss. Aw, Hessy looks like she has resigned to her fate. This is not the time to give up though!

_ Shadyna: [Shared Fate]~

A black and white chain appears between me and Gelly, who just landed on the black sphere of the definitely-weird-name scepter. There was no way I could throw that accurately, so nice maneuver there Gelly!

*SPLASH*

The magic arrow that is even bigger than Hessy's stabs right into Gelly's bouncy body, knocking it off the scepter. Yike, that feeling was unpleasant! Getting hit by that scepter's magic, even by proxy, is no joke!

HP dropped to 1. Yeah, even with weird stats it's not easy to just ignore min-maxed builds.

If I unsummon Gelly now, everyone's attention will turn to me and I will die from just a sneeze. So please, entertain them just a bit longer!

The arrow disappears, and Gelly bounces up again with a >

Everyone is standing speechless, staring at the wriggling blob with cute leaves on top.

_ Olkan: Wha… how…

Looks like the noisy battlefield worked in my favor, as no one heard me using [Shared Fate]. Hessy used skill without chanting earlier, so there must be a way to use them without shouting out loud, right?

_ Hessy: [Dark Bolt]!

As expected of professional kille… I mean waitress, she wastes no chance to get the upper hand. Can anyone blame here though? She's completely surrounded by enemies (perverts).

I am too, but the whole double encirclement thing is keeping them busy, so I just kind of fading into the background. Blend in the background, and suddenly no one cares about you~

_ Olkan: [Diamond Shield of Darkness]!

He puts on a big shining shield against the bolt. Why would you use diamond for something with "darkness" in it?! Shouldn't you have used onyx instead?

Form is more important than function!

_ Shadyna: [Unsummon].

No one would be looking at Gelly getting back into the stone now.

_ Olkan: How's that?! I had this one specifically made to fight against you! Can you see my overflowing love?!

What the heck is this romcom?

_ Hessy: Shut the hell up, trash.

*WHAM*

She swings her swords while glaring at Olkan like he's some type of industrial nuclear waste. What? I am not degrading him at all~

_ Hessy: [Rapid Assault]!

She stabs, and stabs, and stabs, and stabs…! I feel like this scene needs to be censored! That shield most likely has a lot of both PDF and MDF, but if she keeps stabbing like that it will still do serious damage.

_ Olkan: Timeout! Timeout! That isn't even a skill!!! Stop staring in envy and help me already you guys!

Ah, she just wants to stab that pervert over and over again. I can totally understand that. Wait, I shouldn't. I'm a pacifist!

really screwed up his selection of personnel. They were the type that want to be in their leader's situation rather than not!

Defense-oriented players are closet M confirmed.

At least they snapped out of their fantasies when called for help.

That group formed based on 's long rod strategy, so they have no significant offensive capability. Why would you need to attack when your main job is pinning Hessy down and don't get in the way when the pervert shoots his thing.

Repeat after me, overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer~

They failed to take to into account any other possibilities, including the one where shooting his stuff into anything other than Hessy.

…I should wash Gelly again after this.

_ Mera (Party): Hmm~? I thought is coming to us?

_ Hessy (Party): What the hell?! Why are you not running, ?!

_ Shadyna (Party): But you would die if I didn't take that attack for you? I'm staying still to avoid attention so no worries.

_ Nerin (Party): Change of plan then. We are going back to you. Survive, both of you.

Technically it's three of us, including Gelly though.

_ Mera (Party): So Hessy has fallen to the point of using a little girl as a shield~

_ Hessy (Party): I. DID. NOT!!!

's party ganging up on Hessy suddenly find themselves at the receiving end of carnage as she furiously slashes, stabs, pierces, pulverizes anything in sight for no apparent reason (to them at least).

It's kind of strange, the supposedly defense-heavy players are really struggling against a single waitress. Her strength was acknowledged by , so it's not something to scoff at, but this is just one-sided.

Look, she just knocks a player off-balance by pure sword bashing, skewers him with her other sword, then the other sword, for good measure, and kicks his dead body onto the ground as he thanks her for the service.

…Yeah, let's ignore that last part.

At this rate, the nearby shield users will all die, and Hessy will be exposed to the higher damage players who are getting into position with a terrified expression. Un, they are probably not looking forward to it unlike the shield perverts.

_ Shadyna (Party): Hessy, could you ignore the players and focus on ?

_ Hessy (Party): What now?!

_ Shadyna (Party): Please?

_ Hessy (Party): Damn it!!!

Now, I wonder what I can do to help her fight…

I wonder if I can use skills without alerting others by using really low voice?

_ Hessy: [Rapid Assault]!

_ Shadyna: [Cheer].

Using Hessy's battle to mask it works too. Oh well.

[Condition fulfilled. Unlocked Skill: "Silent Cast Lv.0"]

Nice~

_ Shadyna (Party): Nerin, what is this about not having LDR earlier?

_ Nerin (Party): Right, this is your first party. Party leader gives a LDR/8 bonus to all party members' attributes. Even with food buffs, we only have a total of 60 LDR from Hessy's mistakenly chosen 20 LDR.

_ Hessy (Party): Shut up Nerin!

I totally feel you that, Hessy~

I do not feel you about how you are casually implying your food increases attributes by 200%, Nerin~

But, 20 base LDR huh…

_ Shadyna (Party): Hessy, give me party lead.

_ Hessy (Party): Is it you people's hobby to distract me while I'm fighting for my dear life here?! There, suit yourself!

I have been assigned as the current party leader without further question. How trusting… Or busy, more likely.

And Hessy, that complaint coming from the person risking her own life to protect me is kind of contradictory~