Chapter 48
「Phew…」
Isamu lets out a big sigh as he steps out of the convenience store after finishing his shift.
(Today was exhausting in so many ways…)
The fatigue from working eight hours.
The backbiting from the student part-timers.
The manager’s increased snide remarks since Isamu gave notice.
He’s completely worn out, both mentally and physically.
(But it’s just a little longer to endure)
At the end of next month, he’ll be able to quit this hellish part-time job and become a full-time employee at Sundapole.
And then he’ll officially start working as the Tutorial Guy.
He’s only done it three times so far, but the lecture work is enjoyable.
Although there was trouble on the first day, the second and third days went smoothly without any problems, allowing him to work stress-free.
That banned troublemaker player must have served as a good example.
Thanks to that, it’s just pure fun and fulfilling.
It’s truly his calling.
In just one more month, he’ll be able to devote himself to that calling.
So even though it’s honestly tough right now, he’ll do his best to endure.
Thinking about these things, Isamu takes out his smartphone from his pocket.
「Oh!」
He sees that two emails have arrived from the Dream Fantasy administrators.
The subjects are 「Update Notification」 and 「Second Event Announcement」.
(I wonder what the rules for the second event will be)
Isamu knows the date and time of the event from what Kimura told him during the interview, but he hasn’t been informed of the details.
So, curious about the content, Isamu first opens the email titled 「Second Event Announcement」.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
[Event Name]
DF Medal Battle
[Event Details]
Guilds collect gold medals engraved with 「DF」 scattered throughout the event map. Medals can be obtained by picking them up in each field or by defeating event-exclusive monsters. They can also be stolen from other players.
If a player is killed, all their medals are automatically transferred to the player who killed them. The killed player is eliminated.
The total number of medals held by the guild is divided by the number of guild members participating in the event, and the guild with the highest average number of medals at the end wins. Decimal points are rounded down for calculation.
Example:
If 20 people participate and collect 100 medals, 100 medals ÷ 20 people = 5 medals.
If 3 people participate and collect 20 medals, 20 medals ÷ 3 people = 6 medals.
Every set period of time, the bottom 5 guilds with the lowest average number of medals are eliminated at that point. The medals held by those guilds disappear.
The active area narrows down periodically as time passes.
[Notes]
Medals are held by each player as an item. Therefore, they can be transferred using the gift function.
Item use is not allowed.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
This is the content written in the email.
(Hmm. So since it’s based on average number of medals, even guilds with fewer members have a chance to win. I see, they’ve really thought this through)
In combat situations, guilds with more members still have the advantage of overwhelming numbers.
However, if a small guild can avoid battles and steadily collect medals, they still have a chance at victory.
Isamu is impressed by this setup that maintains the benefits of large numbers while giving smaller guilds a chance.
This should make it easier for small guilds to participate, which in turn will make the event more exciting.
(Also, it’s good that members can transfer medals to each other)
Should they spread the medals among members to reduce the risk if someone dies, or gather them with one player and have others protect them?
Or maybe use that as a bluff?
How to handle the collected medals will likely differ from guild to guild.
Isamu finds this aspect intriguing.
As with the inaugural event, there will be preliminaries to narrow down the participating guilds.
Apparently, only the top 5 guilds from each of the 6 preliminary rounds held on the weekend before the main event will qualify, for a total of 30 guilds. The rules seem to be the same as the main event.
(Now, let’s see the next one)
Having understood the event details, Isamu moves on to read the other email titled 「Update Notification」.
It states that new areas and items will be added in a maintenance update two days from now.
The items that were limitedly implemented as prizes for the inaugural event will finally be officially implemented.
These will be added to the shops in towns as purchasable items, with their effects and prices listed.
Among them is the [Goddess Bracelet], the grand prize from the inaugural event that Isamu received from Takashi.
(Huh. So they’re encouraging us to gather items in advance to use in the event. Well, whatever it is, I’m looking forward to the update!)
With a new excitement to look forward to, Isamu heads home in high spirits.
☆
After getting home.
Isamu logs into Dream Fantasy and heads straight for the teleportation magic circle leading to the guild home.
After inputting the numbers there, Isamu is instantly transported to an eerie room composed of black and deep purple colors.
This is the guild home of Lucifer and the others’ guild [Dark Faith], or rather, the Dark Demon Castle.
At the back of the room are Lucifer and Destroy.
(Hm?)
There’s another figure as well.
It’s too far to make out the face clearly, but it seems to be a man.
「Ah, if it isn’t Tutorial Guy! Welcome, my comrade!」
「Oh, it really is! Hey there!」
「Oh, you’re here. I’ve been wanting to see you, Tu-Guy!」
The three notice Isamu’s arrival and approach him.
As soon as he recognizes their faces, Isamu’s eyes widen.
「It’s been a while, you two! And you’re… Rayleigh, right?」
The person with Lucifer and Destroy is Rayleigh — the player who came in third in the inaugural event.
The one who had a good match against Kaiser.
「Oh, you remembered me! Yeah, I’m Rayleigh. I was really happy when you praised me during the event! Nice to meet you!」
「N-nice to meet you too! It’s an honor to meet you in person!」
「Haha, ‘honor’? That’s my line! Let’s get along from now on. So, is it cool if I speak casually?」
「Ah, yes! Then, I’ll call you Rayleigh! …But I’m really surprised. I never expected there to be a new member in Lucifer’s guild, let alone it being Rayleigh. Did you scout him, Lucifer?」
When asked, Lucifer nods emphatically.
「I had been thinking of inviting Rayleigh to join our dark alliance for a while now. The other day, when we met, I extended the invitation.」
「Oh, I see.」
「I was surprised at the time. I never thought I’d be asked to join a guild just because I was raising dark magic.」
「Th-that was the reason…?」
There are probably other reasons too, like him being strong or seeming compatible with the group.
But the superficial reason was so shallow that Isamu couldn’t help but smile wryly.
「It’s funny, right? So, I thought they were interesting guys and decided to join this guild. Well, I was also getting a bit bored playing alone.」
「Huh? Was I included in ‘they’? I’m pretty normal though…」
「What are you saying? You’re weird and interesting too! Have some confidence!」
「That’s not really something to be happy about…」
Despite his words, Destroy’s cheeks relax into a smile.
It’s good to see they’re having fun together.
After that, they talk about recent happenings, and once that settles down.
「Now then, Tutorial Guy. About today’s plans…」
Lucifer begins.
「Ah, raising the guild rank, right?」
「No, that was the original plan, but we’ve suddenly changed it. Actually, we want to earn some Gald.」
「Gald? …Oh! For the items being added in the update, right?」
「As expected of Tu-Guy, you’re sharp! That’s right. We want enough for everyone in preparation for the event.」
Destroy says this while pointing at Isamu’s right wrist.
「Hm? The Goddess Bracelet?」
「Yeah! Today’s announcement said items can’t be used in the second event either, right? So, the only way to recover MP will be natural regeneration.」
In Dream Fantasy, HP and MP gradually recover over time.
The [Goddess Bracelet] has the effect of doubling this recovery rate.
「…I see! Indeed, having it or not will make a huge difference during the event.」
Even if items can’t be used, HP can be quickly restored with healing magic.
However, MP isn’t so simple, and you have to wait for natural recovery to replenish what you’ve used.
In such a situation, the [Goddess Bracelet], which speeds up natural recovery, is extremely reassuring.
Usually, it’s an item that’s 「very convenient to have, but not particularly troublesome if you don’t have it.」 However, during the event, it could be considered essential.
It’s understandable that they want enough for everyone.
「Yes. That’s why we want to purchase it no matter what, but it’s quite expensive. We don’t have nearly enough Gald.」
According to the email, the price of the [Goddess Bracelet] is 15,000 Gald.
For reference, Isamu currently has just over 20,000 Gald.
This is for Isamu, who has never purchased fashion items and hasn’t used much Gald, so it’s indeed expensive.
Since they’ve purchased a guild home as well as interior and fashion items, their funds are likely low, so they probably won’t make it in time for the event if they don’t start earning money now.
「So, we want to go hunt a bunch of monsters. We were hoping you could help us with that.」
When in a guild or party, Gald is distributed just like experience points.
However, because the absolute number of monsters that can be defeated increases, it’s actually faster to earn with more people.
That’s why they’re asking Isamu to join them in defeating monsters.
「I see! Sure, I’d be happy to!」
「Is that so? We’re grateful!」
「Thanks as always!」
「You’re a big help!」
「Yeah! So, which area are we going to?」
「Well, I was thinking [Frozen Ice Field] might be good.」
「[Frozen Ice Field], huh. I can just barely fight there too, so that’s fine!」
「Excellent! Then, let us depart!」
☆
Using the teleportation magic circle, the four arrive at an area covered in ice — Frozen Ice Field.
According to the most famous strategy site, this is an advanced area recommended for levels 28-30.
The monsters that appear here are quite strong, but in return, you can gain a lot of experience points and Gald, so it’s perfect for the four of them right now.
「Alright, let’s search for monsters!」
「「「Yeah!」」」
After that, the four walk around the area, consecutively defeating white bears — Cold Bears — and moving snowmen — Snowlem.
They steadily earn Gald for about an hour.
「Oh, everyone look! There are a ton of Snowlem over there!」
Destroy stops as he says this.
Looking where he’s pointing, there are indeed 7-8 Snowlem gathered together.
「You’re right. But isn’t that many a bit tough for us?」
「No, that level is easy with my Grim Reaper.」
「Grim Reaper? What’s that?」
「Hm? Don’t you know about Grim Reaper?」
「Um, no. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it…」
When Isamu answers honestly, Lucifer blinks a few times before suddenly starting to laugh, 「Kukuku.」
「Very well! I shall demonstrate my secret technique to you!」
(…Secret technique. Secret technique, huh…)
The moment he hears these words, Isamu remembers Lucifer saying something similar during the inaugural event.
At that time, Lucifer told Destroy he would show him his 「secret technique,」 but in the end, what he activated was Evil Hand — the second dark magic spell you can learn.
It wasn’t a secret technique at all, leaving Isamu speechless at the time.
Thinking this time would be similar, Isamu decided to play along as the adult.
「O-okay! Then let’s see it!」
「Indeed! Burn this into your eyes!」
Lucifer steps forward and dramatically extends his right hand.
「O death god hungry for life! Answer my call and quench your thirst now!」
(…Hm?)
As Lucifer finishes speaking, a huge magic circle appears beneath the Snowlem.
「Grim Reaper!!」
And the moment he powerfully utters those words,
(Wh-what the heck is that?!)
From the magic circle, a giant skeleton wearing a black cloak and holding a scythe — a grim reaper — appears.
Immediately after, the grim reaper swings its scythe wide with both hands.
At the same time, the group of Snowlem all turn into particles and disappear along with the grim reaper.
「Hmph, too easy. So, Tutorial Guy, what do you think of my secret technique?!」
「Y-yeah, it was amazing! What was that…?」
「Oh, that’s a magic you can learn after Darkness Bite, called Grim Reaper. We just learned it recently when he and I leveled up.」
(After Darkness Bite… I see, so that’s the fourth dark magic spell you can learn. Everyone’s already starting to learn the fourth spell, huh)
Isamu is currently level 26.
Even with maximum allocation, he can only learn up to the third combat art.
Therefore, he had completely forgotten about the existence of the fourth combat art, but apparently some players are already starting to use it.
「Hey, Destroy, you…! I was about to explain that!」
「Hm? Does it matter who explains?」
「Of course it does! This is my secret technique we’re talking about!」
「Well, ‘my secret technique’ isn’t quite right since I can use Grim Reaper too…」
「Haha, you guys are really funny!」
(I need to learn that too, for explanations as well)
I’ll work hard for the event too.
That’s what Isamu thinks as he watches them fool around.
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