This is Shadyna, facing the most dangerous love triangle cliché of all times!

_ Melodyn: I will not hold back even if you are my long-dead twin sister.

Isn't that just because you two are half-undead?!

_ Choruse: I cannot give to you either, dear rotten sister.

How about you cease insulting each other's genetic features that you both share since you are, I don't know, identical twin backstory-wise?!

_ Shadyna: Please stop, , ! Don't fight because of me!

Yes, I am in the dreaded twin triangle cliché! Stuck between the psychopathic cheerful mage with enormous bust and the psychopathic composed warrior also with enormous bust, I have a feeling I will be dead one way or another regardless of my choice. One crazy lady is already a death flag, now there are two of them!

Hessy, your job quality as the hiring manager is too low!!!

While I was complaining internally, a savior arrived at the scene! Will she nudge me to the one true love, or will she make this even more complicated by staking her claim over this cute little tree girl~?

_ Elri: I can already tell it's a bad idea to ask judging from that smug face but… What are you doing?

Probably not the latter huh. Although I know Elri was not that type to begin with, I'm still a bit disappointed~

_ Shadyna: As for why I am in this precarious situation…

_ Elri: Answer without random monologue please.

My mentor is too strict! How am I going to start a flashback with such restraints?! Please stop bullying your cute apprentice even if you enjoy it like Mera!

…She does not enjoy bullying me, right?

_ Shadyna: Un, I am unlocking [Devotion]. My [Creation] is not capped yet so I thought I could give my attributes to others when it comes to crafting anything that is not a hybrid item.

Since we are not going to upgrade again for quite some time, I might as well do everything I can afford to stack up our numbers. Doesn't matter which number, I want everything to go up!

_ Elri: Yeah, I figured it was something like that. That being said, I don't remember its unlocking condition involving getting caught cheating?

Pretty sure having that condition anywhere would up the game's age rating faster than the speed of light…

_ Shadyna: Of course it doesn't~ Unlocking it normally is boring though, so we are spicing it up just a little bit!

_ Elri: …If this was a meal, I could only see the spices, and nothing else.

How rude~

_ Elri: Anyway, there's something I need to consult with you. Mind if I wait over there until you are done flirting?

Jealousy? Is that jealousy I am seeing~?

_ Shadyna: You can join in too! It's not like we are at the cafeteria where everyone can and will make a scandal out of everything they see.

I'm still sore about the little siege on my artificial sun, which started out of pure unfounded paranoia on the player base's part. The damage they had done was never fixed despite all of the broken parts having [Blueprint]. I asked Sateri about it, and according to her, that was because I performed the ritual to ascend (summoned) Aenilie while it was in that state, it became permanent and the exposed area was sealed off by a dark mist similar to the glow around me.

Not that I mind Sateri's preference for having only three-fourths of a sun for whatever reason, but I would really appreciate it if she would stop encouraging me to do something then blaming me for doing it!

_ Elri: I'll pass.

Sad face~

_ Shadyna: Well then… Where were we again…? I think it's 's line next?

_ Melodyn: Right. … I know you are too kind-hearted to push either of us away. That is why…

Brandishing her spellcasting dagger, the dark elven mage invokes her skill.

_ Melodyn: I will make sure I am the only person left in your life, even if I have to kill my own sister! [Elemental Bolt]!

Behold, the murdering love competition cliché! All is fair in love and war, yet there is no war that ended up with 100% casualty rate on all sides like your typical tragedy love stories. Not sure if that's good or bad news though.

In an instant, the magic projectile flies straight at the defenseless (?) twin sister, who makes no attempt to evade due to plot demand. Let's chalk it up to the shock of her close sibling trying to off her, un.

_ Shadyna: No!!!

I jump in between the frozen dark elf and the projectile, literally, because I am too short (in-game) and it would fly past my head otherwise. Considering I am among the most powerful players with a full arsenal of skills and equipment to protect allies and myself, I obviously…

*WHACK*

_ Shadyna: KYA~

…took the bolt in da face and got blown across the room~! Ouch!

_ Choruse: !!!

Ignoring the threat right in front of her because no villain murders more than one important character per episode, rushes to my side.

_ Choruse: , hang in there! At least sign the will to give me all of your assets before you die!

Da heck?!

_ Shadyna: , run… Guh.

_ Choruse: My inheritance!!!

Darn it , think of the mood for once~!

[Condition fulfilled. Unlocked Skill: "Devotion Lv.0"]

_ Shadyna: Nice~ I got it unloc…

_ Melodyn: [Elemental Bolt].

*WHACK*

OUCH!

_ Shadyna: Timeout! Timeout! The script is already over isn't it?!

_ Melody: If we can't inherit your house, no one can!

This house is Elri's to begin with!

And stop switching genres on a whim!!!

…

Many murder attempts later…

_ Elri: So, what I wanted to ask is…

_ Shadyna: Elri, can't you at least pretend to worry about me for a bit…?

_ Elri: I will when she actually manages to kill you.

Wouldn't I be dead already at that point?!

_ Shadyna: Uuu…

The poor half-elf is pulling the magical bolts out of her head on her own. Sad cry~

_ Elri: Back to the topic, I was looking into cavalry tactics to improve myself the other day…

Should I remind her that she is in an MMORPG, not a strategy game…?

_ Elri: Then I came across modern armored tactics…

Tanks (the combat vehicles, not meat shields!) do count as cavalry nowadays, but did she forget that those metal boxes are not elves, or even humans, for that matter?!

And applying modern warfare in a medieval fantasy setting is illegal!

_ Elri: It turns out that tanks are considered extremely vulnerable without support from artillery, so I want your opinions or ideas on how to have artillery support in this game.

…Is she seriously asking for ARTILLERY?! Last I checked, we don't even have gunpowder in this game!

_ Shadyna: Uh… Ask to stand behind you?

We do have a lot of explosions from our main damage dealers though.

_ Elri: *Facepalms* No, when I am playing solo.

In other words, the elven cavalry wants the whole combined arms doctrine, which usually consists of infantry, artillery and tanks, when she plays solo, without infantry, nor artillery.

That's not how combined arms even work, you gorgeous elf with no common sense! "Combined" means having different elements working together to cover each other's weaknesses and get the most out of their strengths. It definitely does not mean combining everything into a big mecha like what those superheroes in tight suits normally do!

My mentor has finally turned into a mad scientist who is too busy asking if she could, she neglects to consider if she should…

_ Elri: You are thinking something really rude, aren't you?

_ Shadyna: I am not~ Rather than following something to the letter, I think it's better to think of the pros and cons then apply accordingly. Modern armies developed their tactics around many conditions that are not true in this game. Besides, don't you already have artillery-like AoE that is your salamander?

_ Elri: For the umpteenth time, it's a drake… You do have a point though. Hmm…

Okay, who are you and what have you done to my Elri? The reckless cavalry girl who charged into a horde with little regards to self-preservation would never lean on the sofa and be deep in thought like this!

_ Elri: Alright, I am putting off the modern tactics for now. One more thing though, do you know how to deal with fast movers?

Fast… movers? Doesn't that include me? I-is Elri officially joining the coup to "dispose" of me in an "unfortunate accident" in order to get a chunk of the inheritance money?!

_ Shadyna: P-please don't be rash! If you borrowed money from the wrong crowd, I can help you pay it off. There's no need to sell your body or commit a crime!

That's how it would go in a typical drama plot at least, which is totally realistic and happens all the time in real life!

_ Elri: What the hell are you blabbering about?! I just want to learn how to fight enemies that keep staying out of my reach.

_ Shadyna: Eh? There's something that is faster than your beast?

While Elri falls into the category of heavy cavalry, I made sure her pet's equipment has more than enough SPD to chase pretty much everything. Speed is one of the most vital aspects of cavalry after all.

_ Elri: …No, there is not. But still, and were giving me a hard time the other day. They ran around and took potshots at me. I skewered them the moment I got in range but that was way more exhausting than expected.

Elri, aren't you implying something not very nice with that pause~? Your expression is so obvious, even I can see it you know?

Nevertheless, I get what she was saying. In fact, what she experienced is pretty much the standard tactics against heavy cavalry. As everything in real life goes, the results varied from heroic victories to humiliating defeats. The basis is well understood and accepted though.

_ Shadyna: It was a type of maneuver warfare. They couldn't compete with your max speed, so they took advantage of your big turning circle and fought with agility instead. There is no surefire way to counter them, but I know a few things that can make your life easier.

_ Elri: Please tell me. The less time I am exposed to that madwoman's rambling, the better.

Huh, so Elri is prone to brainwashing… Then again, did manage to force a swimsuit on her, which is amazing because the only way for it to happen in the game is her putting it on of her own volition.

Now I'm more worried about her mental fortitude than combat prowess…

_ Shadyna: Un. Against fast skirmishers or light cavalry in general, shock cavalries had their own secondary ranged or long reach weapons to fight back, or wore so much protection that they could shrug off anything smaller than a ballista bolt. You can also try catching up to them, although competent enemies won't hit and run if they know you can pursue them.

_ Elri: Hmm… I see. Ranged attacks huh… You sure know a lot about these kinds of things.

_ Shadyna: Ehehe~ Speed is my forte so I have to identify potential threats to my playstyle. And there are so many skills in this game to overcome real life's limitations to experiment as well~

_ Elri: In your case, it's less of "overcome limitations" and more of crushing them, burning them to ashes then scattering the ashes into a typhoon.

I'm not sure if she is bashing me or complimenting me with that gruesome description. She's patting my head though, so I don't think she's upset at least. Feels nice~

…

We continue exchanging ideas while waiting for the enhancer and enchanter duo. The general crafting procedure remains the same, but due to personnel and technique changes, the exact details have been modified accordingly. Therefore, our positive-feedback crafting loop currently goes like this:

1: creates an unholy amount of hybrid rechargeable [Cosmic Die].

2: wears LDR-boosting equipment and is party leader.

3: increases everyone's attributes by means of buff, debuff, and conversion skills as well as items.

4: uses [Devotion] on .

5: prepares non-boss materials with [Transmutation] (to get correct material type) and [Purification] (to increase material grade).

6: creates attribute-boosting equipment and furniture.

7: uses [Devotion] on .

8: cooks and spices food for attributes.

9: enchants and overcharges equipment for maximum enchantment strength.

10: uses [Devotion] on .

11: enhances and overdrives equipment for maximum attribute bonuses.

12: Tea break and typical changing room scene where random harem protagonists will inevitably crash into.

13: Repeat from step 2 until breakeven.

Because of the nerfs on cooldown and casting speed, we didn't bother crafting simultaneously anymore. We would be still on food cooldown by the time a loop is completed in that case. That's why we crafted in turns right off the bat. Although [Cosmic Die] saves a lot of time and materials for [Enchant] and [Enhance] parts in exchange, we still took much more time per loop on average.

In fact, [Cosmic Die] was overpowered as I had feared (hoped). Experiments verified that its maximization feature applies when used as materials, bombs, potions, and equipment. Worse still, the effect stacks. If I want to use [Spicing] on a food item with all eight attributes, I can chug down eight gulps from a reusable [ Cosmic Die Potion] and have all attributes reach their maximum values at the same time.

The synergy with [Creation] is way too high! Sateri, why are you so generous? Am I going full speed towards a bad end by having too much power after all?!

_ Choruse: , it is done.

_ Shadyna: Thank you very much~ I think we are done for today. Are you all free tomorrow as well?

Today's objective has been achieved, which is the completion of the new crafting equipment set. We won't be able to do much with the amount of time left before the end of the day, so I'm taking it juuuust a tiny bit easy and leave it for the future me to handle.

Definitely not going to regret dearly tomorrow, un!

_ Choruse: Of course. This is much better than wrestling with bosses or working the counter after all.

Are you seriously saying that as a waitress whose role is tanking in combat!?

_ Melodyn: Then, we will borrow for the rest of the day. If you would excuse us.

_ Elri: Eh?

With a sister in (grabbing) each arm, my lucky mentor is dragged away upstairs. Because she is a dense protagonist, she has no idea why this is happening! Nor do I, though I won't tell them that.

_ Elri: Wait! Where are you taking me?!

_ Choruse: Performance improvement plan.

_ Elri: Isn't that something you give to an employee before firing them?!

_ Melodyn: Don't worry~ We only want to help you. As a service worker, being bothered by , let alone our nutty patrons, is not sustainable for your career.

_ Elri: I do not serve patrons in the first place!

_ Choruse: Stop complaining. Not often can you be escorted by two beautiful dark elves.

_ Melodyn: We will give you a heart throbbing training filled with so much skinship, you will forget that woman by the time we are done~

_ Elri: JUST WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO MEEEEEEeeeeee…!!!

The waitresses' ability to call themselves beautiful is amazing as always. Then again, they have to be a bit shameless to work around the degenerates that are our customers…

As much as I want to join them, I think I will pass. I mean, no matter how you look at it, a busty elf being pulled away by two busty dark elves is never going to end well. If I dare interfere, I'll just become collateral damage. Sorry, Elri, but I'm afraid I can't stop them from showing you a whole new world.

The corporate world, that is. Sip tea~

Turning a deaf ear to my heroically sacrificed friend, I check the stats of a crafting equipment piece. Thanks to [Cosmic Die], everything has the same maximum values we can achieve, saving me the pain of checking them one by one.

---

[ Absolutely Fully Clothed Apron]

- Creator:

- Quality:

- Type: , ,

- Enhancement:

+

+

- Enchantment:

+

+

- STR: 28

- PDF: 4100

- Furniture: Creation Lv.15

---

…I sure hope Sateri's damage cap is still in effect, because weapons crafted by this thing is gonna do a LOT of damage~

What do you mean, I am being a hypocrite?!

____________

Today, the bar is overcrowded. So is the tavern as per usual, except that its mistress is slashing people left and right after they asked her what color her swimsuit is. Having hundreds of PvPers looking to buy some food for tomorrow's preliminaries is only adding more fuel to the chaos. At least it's good for business…

Speaking of business, the flirtatious bartender and a manager from are having a serious meeting, with cocktails and ciders.

No, they are really talking about actual business, honest.

_ Helen: So… do you want to do it?

_ Manager: Of course. Why though?

_ Helen: Well~ That girl wanted to try new things. We'll use my quarter this time, okay?

_ Manager: Got it.

_ Helen: Thank you~ The drink is on me. You will be up all night long after all~

_ Manager: Obviously. You girls' expectations are too high sometimes.

_ Helen: You say that, but didn't you satisfy us every single time~?

_ Manager: Flattery will get you nowhere you know? By the way…

_ Helen: Hmm~?

_ Manager: Your customers are bleeding out because you keep talking in general chat.

Luckily, nosebleeds in-game cannot deal damage (yet), so they will survive.

_ Helen: I was only placing an order for new equipment though?

_ Patrons: TELL US THAT BEFOREHAND!!!

_ Helen: Eh~~~

Let's do all business meetings in private rooms from now on. The fee shall be billed as business expenses and paid by the guild, quietly thinks the manager.

Merchants adapt surprisingly well as long as they don't have to pay out of their own pockets.

--- Topic: Physical playstyles? ---

## Shining Knight

Is it just me or physical-oriented playstyles are a bit… dull compared to magic? The mage in my party was bragging about how he had six elements and five ailments to choose from. Meanwhile, I was the tank and could choose between bows and… melee weapons that are barely different from each other?

##

## Flame knight of Darkness

You mean aside from the OP bow that stacks PAT with arrows, the throwing weapon with no casting time, the maintenance-free unarmed combat, and the multi-weapon system capable of fighting multiple opponents at once?

Yeah, not many choices. (*￣m￣)

##

## Heaven Piercer

I don't remember any debate about which element was the best, but we sure did have a big one for physical skills in beta. (^_^;)

Everyone was punching everyone until the Pathwrecker guildmaster claimed the highest burst damage with Blood Arrow, and @Maximus Archery had the best DPS with Arrow Rain. Good times. (≧∇≦)

##

## Fire mage of Justice

We didn't bother because magic is so balanced, there's no need to compare damage.

##

## Maximus Archery

More like every element being the same except for visual effects LOLOLOL

##

------

--- Topic: New raid mechanics (Patch 1.0d40) ---

## WarlordPwnage

According to the patch thread, corruption raid became a wandering horde moving from one hunting zone to another.

Question is, how do we find the location where the corruption raid is taking place? Waiting in one place and teleporting to all zones from the cafeteria are both impractical.

##

## Teabag Master

You could have just asked our staff? (°_°>)

Our patrons from all over the virtual world keep us up-to-date so you don't have to search for it. We only ask that you do the same if you happen to come across the raid yourself. (*^3^)/~☆

##

## OP alchemist

The power of communication is terrifying (￣□￣;)

##

## WarlordPwnage

Why didn't you tell me that before we went through twenty-something teleports?!

What have I been paying for?! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

##

## Serious Mage

RIP @WarlordPwnage's wallet.

You can also do it the immersive way: Look at the new sun, see where the part that @Nearseeing Sage destroyed points to. The raid will be where its shadow is cast.

A reverse light beacon in a sense.

##

## Bountiful Hunter

Too much math. I'll stick to the waitresses, thank you very much.

EDIT: When you summarize the change like that, doesn't it sound like the buffed zones incident in the mystery thread? (°◇°)

##

## Serious Mage

I can see the similarities. The new patch landed soon after that one had ended too.

##

## Deeply Intelligent

So you are implying that Sateri-chan, wanting to test the new wandering raid mechanics, unleashed hordes of overly buffed mobs on us for a whole week with no rewards?

Knowing our merciful Sateri-chan, that's… disturbingly plausible.

##

## StoneHoarder

I know, right? (ーー;)

##

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