©Novel Buddy
Free Life Fantasy Online-Chapter 81
I fly again at a height where it is difficult to be attacked from either the ground or from above.
I gradually increase the speed, little by little, flying with ease.
<You have entered the event area.>
<Quest: "Protect the Merchant" has started.>
Oh? You're fighting monsters to protect your carriage. There are a lot of them, so it looks to be a defensive battle. All of the defenders appear to be Residents, and this is an event that asks players to help them.
『Protect the Merchant』
You found a merchant who is under attack by monsters.
Hurry to save him.
Occurrence condition: Sudden
Achievement condition: Annihilation of the hostile entities.
Failure condition: Annihilation of the merchant and his escorts.
I see, this is a spontaneous quest.
Well, there's no way I could stop, so I'll need to go back a bit. It's fast, but a little inconvenient. If the range of the 3D map was larger, it would be easier, but it is hard to raise in the later levels.
"Do you need help?"
"Ah, ahh! Please!"
A non-combatant, probably the merchant, is in the carriage. The adventurers are surrounding the carriage and protecting it. And the monsters surround them all.
I'm very curious about the situation, but I'll ask after the monsters are dealt with.
Now that I have gotten permission, let's take them out with a pincer movement.
I summon #1 a short distance away as a floating fortress of flesh. Let's put it to the test.
"#1, we're going to kill the monsters approaching the carriage."
He's not bones today, so he cannot reply with the usual rattling. He's flailing his outstretched tentacles instead. That's cute…..Mm……Well, let's go.
While making sure that spawns are being generated, I will also use «Mad and Merciless». Let's see how well it works in a real battle.
A #1 is launched from #1, a new #1 is born from #1, then #1 is launched from #1 again. It may sound confusing, but that's how it is. The next #1 will do better than the one before.
The fortress is equipped with defence and resistance skills, and automatic recovery. It's a specialisation that enhances its base characteristics. The all-round type in MMO's tend to be a little lacking, so it is better to specialise. It is easy to switch anyway.
I plan to start raising other skills later on. I haven't decided what skill yet though.
Army Boar Lv43
A fearless, ruthless brute who will charge any foe.
Attribute: - Weakness: - Resistance: –
Class: Animal Order: Beast Family: Boar Genus: Boar Species: Army Boar
Condition: Normal
It is a sad enemy, disgraced by its description….
Army Boar. War boar. It's like a warhorse. The lack of fear is a bad thing, without a rider…
They are a higher level, so I will kill them one by one.
As they are running, I can swipe their feet with my tentacle, causing them to smoothly fall and take damage. After all, the strongest weapon is the ground…… The damage from crashing is greater than from the attack that caused it. Well, the speed they were running at was high, too.
«Rope»'s art is [Capture]. It just entangles the target. However, it's very simple because it's system controlled. Conversely, you can specify the target, but you can't specify the details. It is the art for targetting and entangling parts of the body.
The rush attack of the boar is amazing. If you can crush their feet however, they just become an easy foe. ….Isn't this a good target? It's a convenient way to improve skills.
I can hit it with the tentacle, then improve skills while doing damage.
#1's attack is reasonably powerful. Suicide attacks. Well, it is only reasonable…… As it does not kill the enemy even though it's a suicide attack it can't be called overly powerful. It is stronger than my bare hand damage, with tentacles, so it should be enough.
According to the BBS, the «Rope» skill depends on your strength and dexterity. My dexterity is human level, but my strength is higher than a humans, so I should have no problem in terms of stats. All that's left is learning how to use it.
I can bind the enemy with tentacles and slash them…… Or I can fight as before and use the tentacles to hit places while keeping them out of the way.
The latter is probably the best for my fighting style. If the opponent can't move, it means I cannot use reflect or parry…..
Continually hitting them will increase the DPS….damage per second, though.
#1….causes meat to splatter about with the effect of his attacks…… The meat is scattered about by every suicide attack, making quite a mess.
The fear effect of the suicide attack is not bad. The knockback from the counterattack is quite strong. Needless to say, the durability is not affected by a slight difference in level.
It is about right for something with a capacity cost of 8000.
But it is not perfect. There are some definite drawbacks, when it is put into practical use.
First of all, the size. It's big. Definitely a hindrance in an enclosed space like a cave type dungeon.
And knockback. Damage is certainly reduced by the knockback, but it has its flaws. It is hard for it to land a hit against enemies that move back and forth.
It is very good as a literal meat wall. In other words, it is best used as a sub-tank.
This one has an unchangeable skill called «Floating Fortress». This has a combined effect of drawing hate from the surrounding area and «Coordinate Levitation».
It can't use the «Great Shield» art, as it cannot equip them. This is a definite downside. Therefore, it is very doubtful it can work as a main tank. It will probably be removed if you attack with all your might. It is fatal for a main tank.
However, the job of a sub-tank is……to hold other enemies while everyone else kills the one the main tank is holding. Or it can take the enemy when the main tank is in trouble. Because it doesn't have the relevant «Great Shield» art, it can't use instant hate gain. So the switch requires some ingenuity, but it should be able to switch more easily than me, who has no hate skill at all.
Well, the good thing about summoning….is that it increases the means to deal with a situation. To be honest, if it is the normal version of «Necromantic Secrets», I think Ske-san is more capable. I think this child will be my main summon.
I can't really feel the effect of «Soul Hunter», since you can't see the MP of a monster. I will need to have players help me in a PvP duel to verify it. I don't think it's important, because it's only an extra effect.
Now, let's concentrate on defeating these monsters.
Bring #1 forward little by little, and let him hold several of them. When they are dealing more damage than is recovered, I remove one of them from #1. If the adventurers guarding the wagon can afford to, they can be counted as extra firepower.
If the enemies surround #1 too closely, the knockback sends them flying away.
Flying enemies are knocked down by tentacles, then bound on the ground. Hahahaha, is the ground delicious? Feel the blessings of the earth. You'll never fly again.
"Alright, we can move! Beat it!
"Ohh!"
The defending adventurers are ready to move. Let's reduce the number gathering at #1.
I fight them with magic and parry their attacks like usual, occasionally taking damage from their counterattacks. And then they'll be poked with tentacles.
….It's busy. Mainly because of the tentacles flicking about. It would be nicer to have increased power and cooldown. It's probably more effective against other players, but it's still very busy.
There's a lot to take into account, such as where to summon it from, how to attack, and what angle to swing it at……I'd like it to be more efficient.
It doesn't really matter…..where it appears, how it attacks, and what angle it swings at, as long as it hits. ….Isn't it enough to just designate a single point?
This means that……semi-automatic use is the right answer! It is only «Kokon Musou» that couldn't be used in semi-auto mode.
Speaking of which…..can't we make macros in this game? Out-of-game macros are subject to banning for using external tools, but it's quite common for a game itself to have a macro function. What about full-dive? I'll check the BBS after I'm done.
Oh, we've finished over here.
It looks like…..it is finished over there, too.
"Fuuu…..We managed, somehow….."
"Somehow. Please, really.……"
The merchant side is bowing to me. I feel that there are actually quite a lot of escort adventurers.
I wonder what this quest is about. I'm curious about the background. So, I'll ask them.
At any rate, let's get closer. Oh, it's too stimulating, so I'll send #1 back.
"Oh, you saved us!"
"No, I'm glad you're okay, but there were a lot of enemies, weren't there?"
"Oh, yeah….."
The leader of the adventurers tells me.
Apparently, this merchant was in the middle of transporting a slightly defective product. What he is transporting is apparently a raw material for medicine, but if it's not stored properly, it can attract monsters.
In other words, it's the merchant's fault. It's a good thing the merchant had extra guards, just in case.
"Thank you for your help. Here's a small token of our gratitude."
<Quest: "Protect the Merchant" has been completed.>
<«Rope» reached level 5>
<«Rope»'s art [Arm Capture] was acquired.>
<Reputation among adventurers has increased.>
<Reputation among merchants has increased.>
"Then, we will be going."
<You have entered the normal area.>
Hmm…..A little bit of money, a little bit of experience. And an increase in reputation. The main thing is probably the reputation. As thanks for helping, related Residents will evaluate me more highly….
There's no harm in having a high reputation, and if it's a quest, it's normal to want to complete it. I'll help out as much as I can.
Considering there are events like this, there is a disadvantage to the statue transfer and the Silver Key transfer. The setting is that they are only available to the players. If the Residents could also use them, the merchant escort quests would disappear.
[Arm Capture] is an art that entangles the targets arm. What to do after that is up to the user.
The rescued merchant and adventurers continue on through the normal area. If the quest is failed, they will disappear. I don't know how it works after that.
If the quest fails, the same thing randomly occurs again, which is the usual pattern in a game.
If the quest is failed, they are treated as dead. You can report their death to the Union, along with their belongings. Does the same quest repeat with different people, after that? Sounds like it would leave a bad aftertaste.
Since I've returned from the event area, getting to the town comes before checking the BBS.
Let's fly a little way off the road so as not to scare the horses of travellers.
By the way, without effects active, I look just like a human. The effect is a result of «Sphere of Shaking Flesh», so perhaps I should turn it off, except for in battle.
When I can see the wall, I slow down while increasing the altitude. I can celebrate not becoming a stain on the wall.
"Welcome to Bidminster!"
"Should I leave through the east gate, to get to the royal capital?"
"Yes, that's right. Just go straight along the road."
So the east side is a straight line from the Starting Town to the royal capital. That's easy.
I enter the town and open the central portal. If the country and the climate are the same, the townscape will be similar. Is it even more the case if it's a religious country?
Well, let's go to the capital quickly.
This time I could see the wall surrounding the royal capital, so I was able to slow down and arrive without trouble.
"Welcome to the royal capital of the Nealence Kingdom."
The largest town I've seen so far is the Starting Town. Next would be the port of Inbamunt in the south.
And now I've arrived at the capital of the Nealence Kingdom, but it is a moderate size. From what I can tell with the map, it's about the same size as the Starting Town.
The most distinctive feature is that there are two castles near the centre. Well, one of them looks like a church, in terms of design.
I feel like ‘Great Temple' is a better term than ‘Great Church'. However, all the churches in this world have a statue…that is, a statue of a god, so are they not really temples?
A place where believers meet is called a church, and a place where gods are worshipped is called a temple. In this world, there seems to be no particular division.
Anyway, the first step is to activate the portal.
<The portal to the royal capital of the Nealence Kingdom has been unlocked.>
<The portals of all major cities in the Nealence Kingdom are now unlocked.>
<Can be set as a resurrection point. Yes / No>
The resurrection point is ‘No'….
So, unlocking the portal for a royal capital seems to automatically unlock the portals for all major cities. Where are the major cities……
Looking at the transfer destinations, the 7th and 8th areas have appeared. Area 7, Castreille. Area 8, Dinselve. The others are unchanged.
If I ignore everything along the way, and fly straight to the royal capital, it seems that everything along the main route will also be unlocked. It seems worth trying.
Now, let's check about macros on the BBS.
Hmm. Some people have already mentioned it. The management answered that it will be implemented later, but that was back around the time of release…… As for new information….
Oh, it will be added in the October update. It's mainly targeted at people who aren't good at action, but veterans can also do some crazy things with it. There will also be a replay feature added.
『You may be able to recreate a transformation scene…..but you won't be invincible☆』, apparently. This means that you can do the outrageous move of beating up your opponent during the transformation scene.
For more details, please check the update information…….Hmm.
Let's go back to the Starting Town. I have no business in this area at the moment.
After travelling to the Starting Town the population density has increased all at once, due to the players.
Oh, there's Dantel-san. It's good timing, so I will ask him something.
"Good day, Dantel-san."
"Oh? Oh, it's Princess."
"Dantel-san, do you make underwear?"
"There are bloomers and spats……but, in terms of variety, they are not a lot."
"I am looking for something with the same features…."
"Because it's a game, there is no need to worry about the three sizes, but it's still hard to buy women's underwear…. Maybe there is a female player who specialises in underwear?"
"Sure, with this many people, there should be at least one."
Dantel-san and I check the crafting BBS, but there is nothing advertised. Let's make a post about it.
Hmmm……I doubt there are none at all, but nobody seems to know about it.
"Oh, it looks like it's there?"
"Yes, it does. A women's underwear speciality shop. Men cannot enter in the first place…"
"That's a setting for the door. There were certainly gender restrictions."
"I will go take a look."
"I'm going back to the shop."
I bid farewell to Dantel-san and head to the shop we discovered on the BBS.
Next to the street of Outsider stalls, just off the main street….here it is. There are mannequins in underwear in the show window, behind which there is a curtain so that you cannot see inside. In front of the shop there is a row of couches, which looks to be a waiting place for men.
Underneath the hanging sign that says ‘Open', there is a sign that says ‘As this is a store specialising in women's underwear, men cannot enter'.
"Oh, Princess is here?"
It is someone of an angel race. They are not a friend of mine, but seem to have come to see me, out of curiosity as a flying race.
Let's go into the shop.
"Welcome! The underwear are displayed on the wall."
I go where I was directed to take a look.
From the info on the wall, it looks like the underwear will work if you equip them as your avatar's underwear.
"Welcome! Take your time!"
"Oh, that's nice!"
"More than I expected!"
The ladies come in droves. It's important to be well known. You have to get people to know you before you can sell.
I have been wearing the underwear I have because I got it as part of the set, but other people seem to be focusing on underwear for appearance. Even though it's a game, I wonder if it's something you care about being able to change.
If I want to match the colour of my clothes, it's black, but……No, the inside is white. Then should it be white?
Because it's a monastic habit that is similar to a Chinese dress, I have to choose one that does not seem like it would show a line. It is easy not to have to think about transparency.
Among several designs and materials, I preview a white one, which is moderately fashionable and made of a good material. Purchased, because it looks good and there seem to be no problems.
I can come back to buy others when I need them. There is no particular stat bonus, so it's just a change of pace.
It is getting crowded with women, so now that I have bought something I will leave.
Now, what should I do next?
I've finished learning «Ancient Divine Linguistics», so I have free time. Let's learn forms from Lana and improve alchemy. Other than that, I'd like to level up, improve my skills, and explore.
In terms of time….best make it alchemy. I return to the palace and look into alchemy, in the alchemy room. The system memo…..is not great, so I'll write it down on paper. By the way, is there an eraser in this world? If not, it might be better to write on the ground.
Have the verification team looked into it…… Oh, good job, verification team. You've properly investigated it.
By using magic paper and a magic pen, it is possible to erase written words without an eraser. To erase, stroke the letters you want to erase while having «Magic Skill». The method of making the magic paper and the magic pen is currently unknown. The ink for the magic pen uses magic water. The ink does not diminish as much as you would expect.
Because of all this, it does not seem to be used for important documents.
Well, it would be a problem if they could be easily erased. In this case, it is convenient.
But this verification team. They're testing things I don't understand. Do you really need to do that much? Is this a habit of yours? It certainly helps, though.
Well, I can make magic paper …..and magic pens……yes, it's possible. As far as new information is concerned, it seems that the method of making magic paper is known. There must be a good number of people with «Alchemy» by now. The information on the magic pen has not come out yet, though.
You can make a magic pen with a small magic stone and an ingot of some kind. You make magic water by putting magic power into distilled water.
Then, just put the magic water into the magic pen…. It seems that the attribute of the magic stone determines the colour, so let's use darkness for now.
The metal is…..I think it's a little heavy, but haltium is fine. Four ore are processed into an ingot, then synthesised with the magic stone.
I'll take my time and make magic paper and magic water.
After crafting, with a break for dinner in the middle, I'll head to bed when it's time.