Chapter 299
"Anyway, physical fitness can be improved with specialization points, and besides, I just went out this afternoon."
"That's just a change of scenery for reading."
"No way, I've met several players too, and we've made plans to go shopping together next time." Hiyori tried to deny it, casually putting on an apron and taking the kitchen knife from Mai Sakurajima's hand. "There are fewer bad guys at the Outpost lately, it's like we're back on Earth, most players are doing business honestly."
Players come from all walks of life in the real world, and there is no rent or anything at the Outpost. However, game rewards always have flaws, just like premium coffee beans, which taste different when brewed by different people.
If things are sold cheaper, there will always be people willing to buy them; those who return to their hometowns and stay in their rooms are still a minority.
Players need to relax too; the 100-point ticket to the Borderlands allows you to comfortably survive here until the next dungeon begins.
"Oh, right, we also ran into players from Minegahara High School today."
"Who?" Mai Sakurajima immediately became interested. This was her alma mater; she hadn't attended school since the Demon Hospital.
"Futaba Rio, I wonder if that's a pseudonym?"
Because they've cut off contact with reality, many players no longer use code names.
Where have I heard this before?
Mai Sakurajima seemed strangely familiar; she was probably a first-year student. It was like meeting an old friend in a foreign land, so I decided to meet her next time I went back.
Just then, a hand landed on my shoulder.
"Oh dear, where did Yuki go?" Hayasaka Ai appeared beside me like a ghost, her tone quick, probably having just been playing the role of a gyaru (a type of Japanese girl).
"In... in the room." Mai Sakurajima dared not look into those all-knowing, deep blue eyes.
This house was built based on the original rental apartment. Yuki's bed was originally in the living room, and you had to pass by his bed to get to the garden. One Hiyori and saw a mysterious protrusion, so he made a hole in the wall and forced him in.
"What were you planning when you kicked me out at noon?" Hayasaka Ai asked suspiciously. Seeing Mai Sakurajima's face flush red again after she had just calmed down, she gritted her teeth and said, "Senpai, you're not going to sneak away again, are you? Don't blame me for causing trouble next time."
"No, no, that's not true. Do I look like a shameless person?"
The maid looked the man up and down, then shook her head. "Hard to say."
"Don't ask. I was just in a bad mood and got back at him a little, and it worked quite well." Mai Sakurajima snorted lightly, and just as she was handling the situation with ease, she saw the maid lean in and whisper in her ear.
"Senior, but your stockings are coming undone."
Mai Sakurajima froze on the spot, like a statue. She didn't dare to look down, clenching her toes, wishing she could dig a hole in the floor and bury herself in it.
This... this... I... that idiot!
"Ah, everyone's back." Yuki came out of the room with a calm expression, looking like a sage. Before he could even see who was in the room, his Killing Intent Perception made him turn his head and meet his senior's indignant gaze.
I'm the victim here, why are you acting like you want to eat me alive?
Yuki couldn't understand women's hearts. He thought his senior was still upset because she had been forced to give in, but he had already gained a great advantage in this matter. Once she calmed down, he could continue his conquest.
It would be unwise to invite trouble at this time. Just then, Frieren, a medieval magician, was skillfully handling the PX5. Filled with curiosity, Philon went over to watch.
"Those two definitely have something going on this afternoon. The senior's revenge is probably real, but the key question is, what is the reason for her revenge?"
Hayasaka Ai leaned against the table, her azure eyes scanning back and forth, somewhat resembling Yuuki in a strategy-taking Yuki.
The maid is very professional in everything she does. After being brutally beaten by the Reincarnation Game, she can also think rationally about love. As she thinks, her delicate eyebrows twitch slightly.
Hmph, my psychological suggestion worked; this innocent senior took action.
Mai Sakurajima is great in every way, except she's too innocent. As for Hayasaka Ai, before joining the Reincarnation Game, she had witnessed all sorts of messy things involving wealthy conglomerates and knew that some things are unstoppable. She also lacked the confidence to compete with her senior.
When dealing with men, especially powerful men, don't try to control them. This is a lesson she learned from studying materials and combining them with her past experience. Since she couldn't win, she would try to find a breakthrough by dealing with Mai Sakurajima.
The results seem good. Her perspective has changed, and it has also relieved his concerns. Hmm, I can proceed with the next step of the plan.
Hayasaka Ai was very clear-headed, her eyes lingering on everyone.
Mai Sakurajima's position is secure and unassailable; Shiina Hiyori is more like the younger sister in the group and poses little threat; Frieren is quite rational and won't get herself into trouble.
Kaguya is the most troublesome. She clearly doesn't understand anything, yet she insists on interfering with me. I don't have much resistance to her.
This young lady, whom she considered like a sister, was Hayasaka's biggest headache. She quickly suppressed some rebellious thoughts and instinctively took a step forward, but after glancing at Kaguya peeking from behind, she slowly withdrew her foot.
Hmm, no rush.
Without the thrills or grueling planning of the dungeons, life after returning to the game was uneventful.
Yuki then learned that Frieren had actually played video games before. He heard that a certain player even had to bring a PX5 into dungeons and was called a "useless angel" by his teammates.
Then, at the Outpost, they made many new friends, and their network of relationships was slowly expanding.
They're all around sixteen or seventeen years old, so they always have common topics to talk about, and some are even from the same school, just as Yuki has observed over the years.
Just like in Advanced Nurturing High School, high school students have a high probability of becoming players, often in groups. But there are also quite a few problem children among them. For example, when Hiyori was brandishing a kitchen knife and mentioning the name Kotonoha Katsura, Yuki a sharp pain in his phantom limb and quickly told her to put the knife down.
He wiped the cold sweat from his brow, thinking to himself that if he weren't smart enough, and given the cruelty of the Reincarnation Game, he might very well have ended up with a ticket.
After the meal, it was Hayasaka's turn to clean up, gently washing the dishes with the sound of running water. Kaguya, meanwhile, brewed tea, making every movement as elegant as possible.
After the new girl came along, she started acting all high and mighty; she's trying to poach my girlfriend.
Yuki coldly. He had already inquired and learned that Kaguya had covered all the expenses this afternoon, making Frieren somewhat cautious. In other player groups, Kaguya's actions were considered factional and could easily be punished.
But Yuki didn't care. The young lady was always trying to outdo him, and even if she won, he probably wouldn't know what she could do.
How peaceful!
Yuki propped his chin up, while Hiyori nestled in the beanbag chair opposite him, engrossed in a book. Frieren sat upright, gripping the controller with complete concentration. As a medieval magician, she'd never played such an interesting game before; even in the Reincarnation Game, she struggled fiercely, having no time to experience real life.
Why is 'Thorny Rose' like paradise? It's because beyond mere survival, there is still life.
Thinking of this, he deliberately asked Kaguya, who had brought him the red tea, "How about I modify your permissions to reduce the probability of receiving tasks?"
As Yuki saw Hiyori on the other side slightly raise her head, and the clicking sounds next to her also stopped.
"No, I finally became stronger and saw a glimmer of hope to catch up with you." Kaguya paused slightly in her teacup, then shook her head dismissively. "Don't try to test me. This kind of wonderful life is preparation for the next dungeon. Dead people can't enjoy this."
The answer was as expected, but Yuki was still somewhat pleased. Not everyone can remain rational, especially for players, as this kind of daily life is too precious and can easily make them addicted.
The dungeons are too tough, so having the chance to eat, chat, shop, and play games here is practically like paradise.
"Wait, you just said a good life?"
"You must have misheard me, it's just so-so." Kaguya tried to keep her tone calm, but when she heard the button click again, she lowered her voice. "I actually want you to adjust my permissions so I can get more missions."
"You want to go solo?"
"No, no, I want to team up with Hayasaka possible."
Kaguya is very competitive. Even though she knows it's impossible for her to catch up with this man, she doesn't give up and is determined to work harder to surpass Yuki.
"So, what do you want me to do after you've surpassed me?"
"Of course..." Kaguya trailed off, realizing that even if she managed to surpass this man, she was already used to her current life.
Perhaps only by surpassing him can I forget the oppressive feeling of our first encounter and be as carefree as Hayasaka.
She came up with a reason and gritted her teeth, saying, "Anyway, I'm going to be the captain. Don't forget, we have a bet."
A bet? Oh, Hayasaka, is it?
Yuki found it amusing; Kaguya Shinomiya was sometimes overly mature, and sometimes overly childish, like a sulking elementary school student.
"You want to be the captain? Sure, you can have him. Anyway, this team doesn't have a name yet."
"Who asked you to give way!" Kaguya snapped like a black cat whose tail had been stepped on, overtaking Yuki, who was perhaps her biggest target.
Oh no, I've offended her again. I wonder how many bad things she'll say about me to Hayasaka.
Yuki it somewhat amusing to see her storm off. After receiving a reproachful look from the maid, he quickly turned his head away, but the corners of his mouth remained upturned.
"You should be happy; this kind of companion is truly precious." Frieren held the controller, staring at the screen, and said without turning his head, "I've seen many players who are used to enjoying life, and I'm not lacking in weaklings seeking refuge, but this kind of person who is both fascinated by life and works doubly hard is very rare."
The intervals between 'Aether Particles' replications are quite long, and she has postponed the mission several times. Frieren is quite experienced and a true senior.
"So I'm quite satisfied with this kind of life." Yuki glanced at her. From the side, the girl in the white dress had a noticeably larger figure than the others, her buttocks pressing against her small feet in white socks, causing her full Momo to indent.
Frieren shifted slightly, but having grown accustomed to that gaze, she suddenly asked, "Mai Sakurajima -senpai and Hayasaka- san both like you?"
"Oh, you're gossipy too?"
"Miss Hiyori told me, and after observing her, I found it a bit strange." Frieren, unaware that she had betrayed Hiyori, asked curiously, "What are your thoughts?"
Yuki didn't speak, but simply raised his fist. "I want them all."
Let's not mince words. Frieren's round face froze for a moment. He subtly moved aside and coughed lightly, "Ahem, I've seen plenty of players like this. Players can't even have offspring, so naturally they don't need to consider worldly morality; all they need to do is be willing."
Mutual consent is already the highest moral standard in the game, but Yuki was somewhat surprised. In his memory, Frieren should be someone who doesn't understand anything and is a self-disciplined maniac with a cold exterior but a warm heart.
How do you know all this?
"Uh, I used to have a friend in the Aether Particles." Frieren shifted uncomfortably, her long purple hair obscuring her slightly flushed face. "She...she was a succubus, you know?"
"I see!" Yuki understood instantly, realizing that he had been a bit prejudiced. Frieren had spent years in the Reincarnation Game and had seen all sorts of messy things.
"No wonder you find it strange. Well, we haven't been in the Reincarnation Game for very long, and we haven't had much contact with players from other factions, so we've retained our original normal values."
At this point, he suddenly realized why Hayasaka Ai and Mai Sakurajima had become so cheerful. Could it be because they were provoked by Rebecca Chambers? That makes sense. High school girls in slice- Night City.
"Hey, how long have you guys been involved in the Reincarnation Game?" Frieren blinked, remembering Yuki's ignorance, but then saw him raise two fingers, his beautiful purple pupils contracting.
This definitely wasn't two years, which means --
Two months? From an ordinary person to Monster III?
Frieren didn't say anything, silently put down the controller, and went back to his room like a puppet, leaving Yuuki with a completely bewildered Yuki.
No, I've been playing too many games; I'm hallucinating.
Chapter Eleven: Staring -- (5K)
People are just afraid of comparisons.
Previously, Yuki hadn't thought he leveled up very quickly, but compared to Frieren, it was ridiculously fast. The same applies to Levi Ackerman; becoming a mid-level officer is definitely not something a player who has only been in the Reincarnation Game for a few months can achieve.
Beyond strength, there is something called seniority; their participation in the Reincarnation Game can be measured in 'years'.
Yuki is someone who has almost completely cleared every dungeon, obtaining massive rewards, and has expanded the scope to the entire 'Thorny Rose' faction; this anomaly also exists.
[Rate of receiving a copy is relatively high]
This is the default setting for our faction. On average, we get a dungeon run once a week, which is incredibly fast. No wonder everyone is reluctant to pay the toll when going to the Borderlands. Even if you stay in the Borderlands for seven days to get through the entire return period, you only get 140 points.
In contrast Aether Particles only receive a mission once every month or so, and hiding in the Borderlands costs the equivalent of 600 points, which is a small percentage of the cost.
Yuki. It couldn't really be called a disadvantage; the other factions had ample time to hone their skills, exchange information, and discuss cooperation.
"Even with a B-rank rating, doing two missions a month will still improve your rank faster than other factions."
The artificial sunlight outside the window had dimmed. Yuki at his desk to think. He realized that this authority was extremely useful and could represent the power of the pioneers, who were called gods.
Ultimately, they have more freedom than ordinary players. For example, when they want to form a faction, they don't have to go through the trouble of delaying the process like Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. If they want to stand out from the crowd, they can do more tasks to widen the gap between themselves and other players.
Yuki thought about it for a moment, but decided not to modify anyone's permissions. He was already used to this pace of life, and there was no need to catch up now.
"Anyway, at the same frequency, they can't catch up with me."
Yuki has that much confidence. An SSS+ rank mission rating is comparable to six A-rank missions. Excluding side quest rewards, it would be quite good for an average player to achieve an A-rank rating.
Let's leave it as it is; we'll be entering the instance around tomorrow.
Yuki rested his chin on his hand, appearing unusually relaxed after several life-threatening attempts, neither resisting nor anticipating, as if it had become a part of his life.
I wonder which familiar faces I'll run into this time?
Smelling the fragrance outside the window, Yuki was actually quite interested in the next group of players; too many would be crushed, and too many would need to catch up.
[Conceptual Craft Essence: Sadist]
[Selects an enemy and puts them into Sadist state that cannot be dispelled for 30 seconds.]
Looking at the panel, Yuki was already very familiar with his own characteristics. This thing was like a one-time Transcendental Grade skill. Planning around it could have a miraculous effect at crucial moments.
Use it when necessary, without hesitation, and keep this trump card hidden until it is revealed, making it impossible for the enemy to defend against.
"If I have any extra points, I can upgrade my trait. I'm really good at making plans." Yuki was increasingly satisfied with his trait and never dared to dream of getting some kind of Super Saiyan -like power-up or a powerful item that could blow up a planet with a single punch.
Deus ex machina, so boring.
Based on the description, this is specifically designed for one-on-one duels, but it's too short-lived and difficult to control.
There are three difficult battles in the Global Insect Calamity, and it's impossible to wait until the final battle to use them. He thought for a moment and started writing and drawing in his notebook.
"Forget it, let's develop 10 combat plans first. The duration is so short; once activated, it has to be a guaranteed kill."