Chapter 10

When I got back from school, I was already at my limit, so I collapsed onto the bed and took a three-hour nap.

When I woke up, it was already past seven, and I felt a bit anxious.

In DWO, a day passes in a 24-hour period.

This doesn't mean that a day passes in eight hours; it really feels like 24 hours have passed. In other words, if you log in to DWO for a full day, it feels like you've spent three days in the game. (In reality, there's a limit to the daily login time, so it's impossible to log in for a full day.)

In DWO, a day, which is eight hours, consists of about five hours of daytime and three hours of nighttime.

So, if we apply this to 24 hours here, it means that it's already past noon in the game time, even though it's only seven in the evening.

Once it gets dark in the game, there are limited things you can do. I can't afford to waste time on such things.

I quickly had dinner, started the VR drive, and logged into the world of DWO.

When I woke up, I was in the private room of the cheap inn where I had logged out, and the view from the window told me it was still mid-afternoon.

"Ah, my parameters have really gone up a bit."

Checking my status, I saw that my strength, luck, HP, MP, and ST had all temporarily increased by about 5%. Would staying at a more luxurious inn make them go up even more?

I wanted to go hunting right away to make the most of this effect, but first, I checked my friend list.

I confirmed that Ren and Wendy were logged in. Hmm, is this the chat to send a message?

When I touched Ren's name, a sound indicated that the connection was made.

"Yes, is that Shiro?"

"Ah, yeah. That's right. Where are you now?"

"We're hunting in the [Northern Forest]. Wendy is with me."

"I see. I'll head there now. Can we meet at the entrance?"

"Sure, I understand. See you then."

After ending the chat, I stepped out onto the street. As usual, players and NPCs were bustling about, creating a lively atmosphere.

I headed towards the northern district and entered the portal area in the square. I selected [Northern Forest] and was instantly transported.

After waiting at the entrance of the Northern Forest, Ren and Wendy arrived. I joined their party again and spoke to them using the party chat, which only party members can hear.

"Why use party chat when we're right in front of each other?"

"I don't want anyone else to hear. Actually, I figured out the effect of [Sylph's Wing]."

I answered Wendy's question and told her about what happened yesterday.

"I see, random teleportation. It's not useful for leveling up, but if you can go to various places, it might be good for gathering materials."

"But you can't get materials from monsters, and you probably won't win in battle."

"So, the most practical use would be for [Gathering] and [Mining], right?"

"[Logging] might also be possible, Miss."

Indeed, the uses for this skill are limited to those.

But it might be hard to make money from it. I was even suspected yesterday.

Then Ren made a suggestion.

"How about buying a 'Stall Mat' and selling things yourself?"

"Even if you set it up as an unmanned stall, your player name will still be displayed. I think it will eventually be traced back to you, Shiro."

The 'Stall Mat' allows you to sell your items, and you can set it up as an unmanned stall. In that case, a proxy avatar (like a mini character) will manage the stall for you, but you can't negotiate or offer discounts if you're not logged in.

Also, it seems that the stall will be identified as 'XX's Shop,' which would defeat the purpose.

"Maybe I should just sell to NPC shops."

"That's probably the best option."

With a clear plan, we started hunting right away. I finally got to try out the equipment I bought yesterday.

Thanks to the kukri knife, I could take down gray wolves more easily than before. The armor also absorbed damage. This is great. It's probably also due to the inn's effect.

We ventured deeper into the forest and encountered a monster called a 'Crystal Deer' in an open area.

It was quite large, with antlers that sparkled like crystals.

"I'll draw it in. Shiro, please flank it. Miss, provide ranged support."

"Got it."

"Okay."

The Crystal Deer, noticing us, charged at us with hostility. Wendy took a deep breath and spat out a stream of fire from her mouth. Wow! I was surprised! This is the [Dragonkin] race skill [Breath].

As you get more proficient, you can use various types of breath, like ice and poison.

However, the low-level [Breath] didn't deal much damage to the Crystal Deer, but it did set Wendy as the target.

Wendy then raised her shield and used the [Taunt] skill.

Monsters have an enmity value that determines their attack priority on players.

The higher this value, the more likely the monster will target you, and the [Taunt] skill increases this value.

In other words, the Crystal Deer is now focused on Wendy, and its attacks are directed at her.

Wendy used her shield to block the deer's charge. It was a powerful blow that could have knocked her back, but she didn't budge. Even in a game, the sight of a slender woman stopping a large deer's charge was quite surreal.

This is the effect of the [Immovable] skill.

While the deer was focused on Wendy, I circled around and slashed at its back with the kukri knife, stepping back before it could kick me.

The deer then turned its enmity towards me, and an arrow from Ren pierced its body from behind. Seizing the opportunity, Wendy used a combat skill.

"[Slash]"

A large spray of blood flew from the deer's neck.

The combat skill [Slash] is a critical move that can be learned when your proficiency in slashing combat skills exceeds 10%.

Damn, that's cool. I want to learn it too.

With that thought, I stabbed the kukri knife into the deer's side as it staggered. More arrows from Ren followed, and the Crystal Deer disappeared in a burst of light.

"We managed to take it down."

Dropped items are automatically distributed to each player's inventory randomly. The party leader can set it to drop items on the spot, but for a party, this method is less troublesome.

"Ah, I got a 'Crystal Deer Antler'!"

Ren happily checked her window. That's great. I got 'Crystal Deer Meat' and 'Crystal Deer Fur.' It seems Wendy also got a 'Crystal Deer Antler.'

When you fight in a party, the items and quantities you get depend on your contribution to the battle. I see, so it's harder for slackers to get rare items. The contribution is also applied to healers and support roles.

But why did we get two antlers when we only killed one deer? Maybe it's because it has two antlers?

We continued hunting in the forest, occasionally gathering herbs. We found a few [Antidote Herbs] as well.

As the sun began to set, we decided to head back and end today's hunting.

In real time, it was already past nine in the evening. I couldn't keep a grade schooler up any later.

Thanks to the help of the two, I leveled up twice and reached level 6.

"See you, Shiro."

"Good night, Shiro."

The two logged out at the fountain square in Freihalt. They don't stay at an inn.

Well, I'll head out into the night town.

I went to the usual 'Material Shop' and sold 'Crystal Deer Meat,' 'Gray Wolf Fur,' and 'Unicorn Rabbit Horns' in bulk. I made a decent amount of money.

Then I went to the town's item shop and bought a [Map], a [Pickaxe (Small)], and a [Alchemy Set (Beginner)]. The pickaxe is for mining ores, and the alchemy set is for making potions. I also bought a few vials to store the potions.

Finally, I went to the skill shop and bought the initial skills [Mining] and [Gathering].

Hahaha, I spent almost all of today's earnings. I'm back to being poor. I don't have the patience to save money like an Edoite...

I sighed and went straight to the same inn as yesterday. I still had enough money to stay at an inn.

After paying the advance, I entered the private room and immediately took out the alchemy set I just bought. The booklet that came with it had instructions on how to make potions.

■Crush five herbs with a mortar.

■Mix the crushed herbs with distilled water (if you don't have it, regular water will work but with less effect) and pour it into a vial, then activate [Alchemy].

■If you're a beginner, wait about 30 seconds, and the potion will be complete. The success rate and time will vary with your proficiency.

...What is this? Can you really make a potion this way? Well, it's game-like, which is a relief.

I don't want to go through the hassle of making potions like a real pharmacist. I want to play the game, not train as a pharmacist.

I followed the recipe, putting the herbs into the V-shaped mortar and grinding them with the wheel-shaped tool.

Grinding... Grinding... Grinding...

This is a game, but... it's quite... labor-intensive...

Hmm, is this enough?

I transferred the crushed herbs to a vial and poured in water from my water bottle since I didn't have distilled water. Then I activated [Alchemy].

The vial glowed and pulsed. It feels like it might explode.

Suddenly, there was a small puff of smoke. Wow, I was surprised.

...Did it complete?

───────────────────

[Potion (Low Quality)] G Rank

■A bitter liquid masquerading as a potion.

Slightly restores HP.

□ Healing Item / HP Recovery

□ Multiple effects

Quality: BQ (Low Quality)

───────────────────

Oh... What a disaster... G Rank is out of the question. The lowest rank for items is usually F, so G means it's not even sellable. It's out of the ranking. The quality is also low.

Well, this is what beginners can expect, I guess.

"Anyway, if I keep making them, my proficiency will go up, and I'll be able to make higher-quality potions. Let's do it!"

Grinding, pouring, puff! [Potion (Low Quality)].

Grinding, pouring, puff! [Potion (Low Quality)].

Grinding, pouring, puff! [Potion (Low Quality)].

Grinding, pouring, puff! [Potion].

Oh! I finally made something other than a low-quality potion.

───────────────────

[Potion] F Rank

■Restores HP.

□ Healing Item / HP Recovery

□ Multiple effects

Quality: S (Standard Quality)

───────────────────

Yeah, it's a regular potion. Finally, I made a decent one. One success out of five attempts.

Hmm, what should I do with the remaining herbs? Selling them as herbs would make some money, but if I make potions, I might end up with a pile of unsellable low-quality potions.

No one would buy such low-quality potions, I think.

Ah, whatever! I'll just treat this as practice for [Alchemy] and mass-produce low-quality potions! I'll get a little skill experience, too!

Low quality, low quality, low quality, regular, low quality, low quality, regular, low quality...

Che, only three decent ones in total. I knew it, but it's still disappointing...

I wondered what would happen if I increased the amount of herbs, so I tried it. I crushed about five times the recipe amount, about 25 herbs, and made a potion.

───────────────────

[Potion (Concentrated)] G Rank

■Restores HP, but...

□ Healing Item / HP Recovery

□ Multiple effects

Quality: S (Standard Quality)

───────────────────

Hmm? Is this a success? The quality is standard. The rank is out of the ranking at G, but...

I'm not sure, but I'll try drinking it...? It's supposed to heal, but the "but..." is scary.

I came back from hunting, and my HP was still low, so I'll be able to tell how much it heals...

"Blargh!?"

I spat out the potion after just one sip.

"Ugh! Blargh! Blech!"

It's too bitter! I can't drink it at all! Plus, the recovery rate is lower than a regular potion! Well, maybe it's because I spat it out, but this is impossible!

The texture was also terrible.

"Ugh, so gross..."

The bitter taste is still lingering in my mouth and won't go away. Ugh...

No, I just wasted the herbs.

I'll log out now. It's early, but I don't want to fall asleep in class tomorrow.

I put all my items in my inventory and touched the logout button on the window.

---

[DWO Brief Explanation]

■About Proficiency

Each skill has a small green gauge, and the yellow gauge inside it grows as your proficiency increases. When the yellow gauge fills the green one, your proficiency reaches 100%, and a star mark appears.

This proficiency increases your parameters. Your parameters, such as strength, increase as the gauge rises, not just when the star mark appears.

Even at the same race and level, a character with 10% [Swordsmanship] proficiency will have different parameters from one with 90% proficiency.

I added this [DWO Brief Explanation] to the previous story. The settings might change in the future.