Chapter 19

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For the tagline:

"A story where (the truth) doesn't get through to each other"

begins.

"I am Marie Alecia von Savarish. Alecia is fine. Chaos, nice to meet you today."

"Irene, the attendant. Please take good care of Lady Alecia. Still, do we really need nothing from you?"

"Yes, nothing is needed. Once the quest is completed, we can split the reward."

Alecia and Irene look at each other, but did they say something so strange?

When I suggested forming a party, paying money in advance as a gesture of gratitude for the escort seemed a bit complicated.

I would prefer to form a healthy friendship without involving money.

Still, it's a self-introduction with a lot of room for comment.

First, what is an attendant like Irene?

There is no such profession in Another World.

She looks like a noble lady, and the thrusting sword hanging from her waist suggests she is a warrior.

And Alecia... I've never met someone who uses a middle name, so I don't know how to address her. Her character name is 15 characters long, which is too long, and the "von" is something used by old nobles, isn't it?

At first, I thought it might be some kind of event, but since they haven't accepted any quests, they must be players. Maybe there's an event to become a noble that I don't know about.

But there's no system to gain a title.

Wait, could this be a roleplay of a noble and a maid?

Sometimes people play as characters from games or anime, so maybe they are doing the same.

In MMORPGs, which are role-playing games, it's not unusual for people to create such characters.

Indeed, Alecia is a beautiful character, and if she were a noble lady, it would make sense.

I'm not good at talking, so I try to avoid making the other person uncomfortable, but this is a completely different level, a full roleplay.

...Maybe she really is a noble lady.

For now, I'll let it slide.

It wouldn't be good to point it out and create an awkward situation on first meeting.

Their quest is to defeat the Blood Rabbit.

The Blood Rabbit, despite its cute appearance, is a strong level 3-7 enemy, suitable for beginners.

"Irene has requested to join the party. Do you want to join?"

I accept the party invitation and form the party.

By joining the party, I can see the levels of my party members in the party window.

Alecia is level 3, and Irene is level 14.

Level 14 is impressive, especially since the open beta just started.

...Yeah, 14?

"Is this your first time forming a party?"

"Yes, it's my first time, but is there something wrong with that...?"

I see, that's why they didn't know.

They might be complete beginners to MMORPGs.

MMORPGs have a lot of specialized terms and unique rules. Especially in the world's first VRMMORPG, there are many differences from regular MMORPGs.

However, if you've played other MMORPGs, there are common systems and rules.

For example, the restrictions caused by level differences when forming a party are similar in other MMORPGs.

So, I predict they are both inexperienced in party play and MMORPGs.

I should warn them.

"Irene, it might be better if you don't join the party."

"...What do you mean?"

My words make her eyebrows rise.

I might have said it poorly, but I need to be clear.

In this game, if there is a level 10 difference in the party, you won't gain experience points from defeating monsters.

"Your level is too different. If you fight directly, it will only hinder Alecia's growth."

After a moment of thought, Irene answers.

"...So, I just shouldn't fight. I understand. But staying by her side should be fine. And! Call her Lady Alecia! You're too familiar!"

"Ah, I understand."

She said it was fine, but calling her by her first name on first meeting might not be good.

I said it because she looks younger.

Irene, who is playing the role of a maid, seems offended.

Calling her "Lady" might be a bit much, but Alecia also looks confused.

They must be very close to want to stay by each other's side even if they can't fight.

Since they are roleplaying, they are probably friends in real life too.

Don't worry, they will surely reach a level where they can form a party soon.

Let's re-form the party.

To create a party, I need to dissolve the current one.

To form a party, I need to open the party window, see the person I want to invite, and press the party invitation button. It's a great system.

I'll carefully invite Lady Alecia.

Wow, she responded quickly.

The party is successfully formed.

...Still, Lady Alecia's expression sometimes looks complex... or even troubled. I wonder why.

From the eastern plains of Strobrussen.

This area is where the Blood Rabbits appear.

"That's a Blood Rabbit. I knew from my research, but it's surprisingly large. Ah, it ran away."

The red rabbit, about the size of a puppy, quickly fled upon seeing us.

By the way, the red color is not from blood but from its fur.

Still, they did their research on the wiki, even though they are beginners.

Just in case, I'll explain the Blood Rabbit.

"Blood Rabbits tend to run away when they see us. Fortunately, we are in a grassland, so we can hide in the bushes and attack first. If we attack, they will counter, but they often run away when their life is in danger, so it's best to defeat them before they escape."

"Hmm, you know a lot."

Irene is impressed, but Lady Alecia looks anxious.

What's wrong?

Ah, right, it's just a rabbit, albeit a large one.

From her actions, it seems she is seeing it for the first time and finds it cute, making it hard for her to attack.

...Now that I think about it, would animal rights groups protest this?

Lady Alecia's expression changes. It seems she has made up her mind.

She finds a level 3 Blood Rabbit and cautiously approaches, raising her staff.

She is also a magician, like me.

With a similar stat distribution—mostly in "Intelligence"—a level 3 Blood Rabbit should be defeated with one "Mana Bolt" or at least take enough damage to make it run away.

"Lady Alecia, go ahead."

Just before, Lady Alecia hesitates.

"Embarrassingly, my magic isn't very strong. I probably won't be able to defeat it. So, please support me before it escapes."

...Could it be that she—?

From her actions and expressions, a theory forms in my mind.

But let's think about it later.

"Understood. I'll support you immediately after you attack. Aim well."

I also aim my staff at the Blood Rabbit Lady Alecia is targeting.

Seeing this, Lady Alecia slightly tightens her grip and casts "Mana Bolt."

The purple lightning hits the Blood Rabbit, but it only shakes slightly, as she predicted, not enough to defeat it.

As a result, Lady Alecia's attack only increases the Blood Rabbit's hostility.

Hostility, known as "hate" in MMORPGs, is a value that increases when you deal a lot of damage or use provocation skills. The character with the highest value is usually the target of enemy attacks.

In party play, the role of a warrior, who has high defense, is to gather hate and protect weak defensive roles like magicians.

Naturally, the Blood Rabbit attacks Lady Alecia, who gained hate from her attack.

I also cast "Mana Bolt" to finish it off.

Seeing the Blood Rabbit fall easily, Lady Alecia and Irene's faces brighten.

So, it wasn't because of rabbit abuse that she looked troubled.

"Indeed. I wouldn't be able to do it as well. It would be dangerous for me alone."

She smiles with a hint of worry.

"...I can't do anything alone. Why is my magic so weak?"

Her whispered words reach my ears.

I see, so she—.

Her words confirm my earlier theory.

She is not enjoying the game.

The reason is the weakness of her magic.

This explains several things.

Her worried expression was due to this issue.

Why weren't they invited to parties despite being beautiful?

While Irene's intimidating demeanor might make it hard to approach them, it would be unusual for two beautiful women not to be invited by men with ulterior motives.

They were probably avoided because it was known that her magic was weak and she couldn't contribute to the party.

In a party, a magician, who is supposed to deal damage, is less useful if their magic is weak.

Moreover, with low HP and defense, they can't act as a tank or healer.

Efficient players would see them as a burden and mock them for leeching off the party.

That's why they weren't invited to parties except by Irene, who is a good friend.

Even if she played solo, her weak magic would make it difficult.

Watching others easily defeat enemies while she struggles would be frustrating.

MMORPGs can be enjoyed in various ways, but I believe the enjoyment of combat roles lies in the battles.

Leveling up, defeating strong enemies, competing in PvP, coordinating with the party, and saving allies.

Sometimes, even total party wipes can be shared with friends.

But she hasn't experienced any of this.

That's why she finds it boring.

If not for Irene, she might have become a lonely player like me or quit the game.

If this continues, she might eventually stop playing.

But that's not right.

This game, Another World, is not a boring game.

To enjoy it, her problem needs to be solved.

Why is her magic weak?

It's because she is a magician who has increased her "Spirit" stat.

Without increasing "Intelligence," her "Magic Attack Power" is low, making her magic skills weaker, especially "Mana Bolt," which is directly influenced by "Intelligence."

"Magic Attack Power" is a hidden parameter derived from player testing, not displayed in the stats, so it's easy for beginners to misunderstand.

Of course, she might have increased other stats or not increased any at all.

However, a beginner who checks the wiki for monsters is unlikely to overlook the magician's growth method.

The wiki explains the stat distribution for magicians.

It recommends focusing on "Spirit" for the Sage secondary class.

While it also mentions focusing on "Intelligence," the emphasis on "Spirit" for party play is more impactful.

So, it's most likely that she has increased "Spirit."

If she has increased "Spirit," there are three options.

One is to delete her character and start over, focusing on "Intelligence."

It's a redo from level 1, but it's quick and the most reliable method.

However, she might be attached to her character, and suggesting a redo to a first-time player is awkward.

The second is to increase "Intelligence" with future level-ups.

This takes time and leaves her behind compared to a character who focused on "Intelligence" from the start, making this method unsatisfactory.

The third is to continue with the current stat distribution.

This is the hardest.

If there were an efficient way to fight, it would be better, but...

I open the skill window and reconsider the magician's skill setup with "Spirit."

There are skills that depend on "Spirit."

"Mental Burst" — a skill that attacks enemies in a certain range around the user — depends on "Spirit."

However, it requires a high level to learn, so what to do in the meantime...

Think— I've seen the skills many times.

Is there really no way for her to contribute to the party or fight alone with weak magic?

...There is.

These skills do not depend on "Intelligence" or "Spirit."

Fortunately, the skill acquisition path includes the route to learn "Mental Burst," so there should be no problem.

It's up to her, Lady Alecia, to decide.

"Lady Alecia"

My voice draws their attention.

"Do you want to become stronger with your current stats?"

Do you want to become stronger with your current stat distribution?

If she shakes her head, I'll suggest deleting her character.

But if she nods—.

"...Can I become stronger?"

"There is a way. By learning a certain magic skill, you can become much stronger."

Lady Alecia looks down, pondering.

I feel the pressure from Irene's gaze but ignore it.

In the tense atmosphere, Lady Alecia nods slightly but firmly.

Then there is only one answer.

I raised her hopes with my words.

It's my selfishness.

So, I will take responsibility until she truly enjoys the game and can laugh.

"Do you want to become stronger with your current stats?"

This sentence alone might be unclear, but I will explain in the next part.