Hide-and-seek with assassins
Hyde and Kanade exchanged predictions about Maple's abnormal evolution, but a few days later, the answers were held at the guild home training ground where all the members had gathered.
“Ah~……Maple? ‘That’, what?”
"Eh, uh... Hey, just on the spur of the moment?"
Among the members who were shown that skill, all but Kasumi, who knew about it, stopped thinking, but even among them, Sally, who quickly revived, asked Maple as a representative.
While giving a vague answer to that question, Maple's body, which awkwardly averted her eyes, was covered in pure white wool and turned into a gigantic sphere.
“…Kasumi, you went hunting for wool with Maple yesterday, didn’t you? What happened?”
"... I don't know. This happened when I took my eyes off for a moment."
To Chrome's question, Kasumi replied with a voice of exasperation and confusion.
The origin of the matter was the monsters and skills that were added after light maintenance.
Sheep monsters began appearing in a part of the area, and their wool could be obtained as a material by hunting them with the [Shearing] skill.
Wool is an excellent material, so [Maple Tree] Izu, who is the only production job, asks everyone to actively hunt it if they have free time.
Therefore, those who could use [Shearing] alone, or those who could not use it due to their status and weapons, were hunting wool with support.
Yesterday, Kasumi and Maple were acting as a pair, but according to Kasumi, this happened while they were hunting fleeing sheep and returning.
"...I see, I don't understand what you mean"
"What a coincidence. I don't know either."
"Haa......" and sigh at the same time
Izu as usual
"Ah, um! With this skill, I can now make wool every twenty-four hours!"
“By the way, you can get 10 pieces of wool with one [Shearing].
"Oh, is that so? That will help."
If you can definitely get 10 pieces of wool every 24 hours, you can shift the resources for wool hunting to level up. It can be said that it has become easier because there is no need to chase sheep around and [shear].
"... Kasumi-san, do you have any idea about the acquisition conditions for this skill?"
“No, I’m sorry, but I don’t have any at all.
(In other words, it was a method of acquisition that could not be taught. If Maple-san's personality didn't allow it, she would honestly say that she didn't know.)
Ordinary players tend to keep secrets about how to acquire rare skills they have acquired, but Maple has little concept of hiding such information.
At the very least, if asked about the acquisition conditions for skills other than those that are kept secret from the guild members, he would talk about them.
Well, there is no problem in itself, and the other members are talking about the details of the skills and how to acquire them.
"Maple, what's going on inside that wool?"
"It's fluffy~. Would you like to come in?"
"Huh? Can I put it in?"
“Maybe?
It's a rather ambiguous expression, but if it's a skill you just acquired, it might be something like that.
Kanade also feels a little uneasy, but overwhelmed by curiosity, he reaches out his hand towards the lump of wool.
Then, the outstretched hand was swallowed by the wool, and before long, the whole body was completely inside.
“Hey, Kanade!? Are you okay!?”
When Chrome hurriedly called out to him, the mass of wool began to move, and before long, Kanade's face popped out.
"Oh~, it feels strange. It's fluffy and soft."
It seemed that there was no problem going inside, and Kanade, who was surrounded by a soft feeling, seemed pleased.
“…By the way, will this wool become part of Maple’s body?
"Hyde, what's the problem?"
"... If it becomes a part of the body, there is a problem with the hit detection of defense penetrating attacks. It has no effect if it is blocked with a weapon, but it would have been useless if it hit the body, right?"
In other words, the problem is that I don't know what will happen if there is a defense penetration attack on the wool.
"Certainly. Verification is necessary."
"...can I ask you something?"
"Leave it to me. Next time I'll go to the field with Maple and check it out."
As a result of the verification conducted by Maple and Sally at a later date, it was found that Maple was not damaged at all even if this wool was hit by a defensive power piercing attack. In other words, Maple now has a countermeasure against defensive penetration attacks.
"What were you talking about?"
"... Kanade"
Kanade, who was inside the wool, suddenly slipped out and approached Hyde.
Apparently, they were put into the wool in order, and now Izu's face is growing out of the wool.
"... No, I was curious about what would happen if the wool was hit by a piercing attack, so I asked for an inspection. More importantly, how was the inside of the wool?"
"It felt pretty good. It would be great to take a nap in there on a sunny day."
After all, the sensibility is similar to Maple.
With a smile and a smile, an idea that a normal player would not have thought of came out as the very first impression.
"... I wanted you to open the period if possible, but you came back with a strange skill in just a few days."
"...That's right. I couldn't even imagine that it would turn into a clump of hair. Fufu. That's why it's interesting to predict Maple."
As a result, both of her predictions were wrong, but Kanade was smiling in a good mood. Apparently, it was fun to make predictions.
"... I'd be happy if you could take the time this time."
"That's right~. But I feel like that wish won't come true this time either. The third event will start soon. Maple, you do strange things before or during an event, don't you? ”
"... That's right. It looks like it won't work this time. Let's just prepare mentally."
"It's better for your mental health."
And Hyde and Kanade let out a sigh together.
The next third event is approaching in two weeks. At that time, what kind of changes would appear in Maple... even Maple herself didn't know.
◇◇◇
Two weeks after Maple became a lump of wool, the third event was finally held.
Unlike previous events, this event competes for the number of items dropped by monsters that appear for a limited time.
Rewards include individual rewards and guild rewards, and the number of guild rewards required varies depending on the size of the guild.
[Maple Tree] is a guild created by the low-rank [Proof of Light Bug], so the required number is rather small.
However, compared to other guilds, the number of members was quite small, so the members were forced to run around looking for event monsters.
And Hyde was also looking for the red cow, an event monster, in the forest on the second floor.
(However, it's unlikely that Maple-san will do anything related to this event. In the first place, it's difficult for Maple-san to even rank in the top ranks of the event.)
Since this event requires moving around the field looking for monsters, Maple with a low AGI is inevitably at a disadvantage.
He himself understood that when the details of the event were announced, and it seems that he will give up looking for monsters as soon as he receives the personal reward he wants.
(...But it's scary to leave Maple-san alone. Mentally)
Mainly when Maple acts alone, she often does crazy things and comes back with unusual skills.
In other words, it means that Maple is strengthened, so it's a very good thing for the guild, but other players who are shown it when using it are stunned every time.
(... No, it can't be helped if I think about this. For now, if I concentrate on this event, there won't be any problems.)
Hyde told Maple, "This event is tough for Maple to walk around. That's why I think it would be nice to ride Syrup and visit various places." He also served as advice and made me focus on the event.
At the same time, Chrome, Kasumi, and Izu also sent similar messages to Maple. Everyone feels the same.
(However, it feels like it's been a long time since I've quietly hunted alone like this. Lately, I've been with someone a lot.)
After the guild was established, Hyde often hunted with someone, and even if he hunted alone, he often stayed with someone at the guild home.
However, since the third event started, everyone has been acting alone to efficiently defeat the limited monsters. Hyde and others haven't even returned to the guild home for the past few days.
(Alright! I got another item! I guess I've gotten used to hunting monsters while hiding.)
And while Hyde silently continued to hunt monsters, he also began training to defeat monsters while hiding.
When dealing with a large number of monsters, it would be inefficient to focus on [Assassination], so he was conscious of hunting monsters while hiding and raising his stats.
Also, of course, such actions are not performed by ordinary players and cannot be performed,
『Skill [Hidden] has been acquired』
You can get unusual skills.
(Hmm? Did you just get some strange skill?)
[hidden]
After activating the skill, hide yourself for three seconds. Can be used again after 1 minute.
Acquisition conditions
A total of 24 consecutive hours pass without visual contact.
Stop counting when logging out, restart counting when logging in.
(Oh! I accidentally got a really good skill! With this, I have more skills to hide my appearance!)
For Hyde, whose stats would drop if he was being watched, or if he couldn't meet the conditions for activating skills, he wanted as many skills as he could hide himself.
In particular, unlike [Stealth] and [Concealment], this time's skill can be activated even if it is visible, so he was even more pleased.
(Sometimes it's troublesome to look away. Especially when the number of opponents is large.)
Hyde is the type that shows his true worth by not being seen. However, the more enemies there are, the higher the risk of being spotted. And once you're seen, it's hard to take your eyes off it again.
(You only have 3 seconds to hide, and you have a 1-minute cooldown, so you have to think a little about where to use it, but it will be much easier from now on... By the way)
Hyde looked around when he was happy for a while.
(
Hyde has discovered hidden passages in dungeons and event fields so far, so he never doubts his own intuition.
Even if there is no reaction to [Sense Presence], it will be judged that an enemy that does not respond to [Presence Detection] has appeared.
(………………There!)
I turned my attention around carefully and threw the knife in the direction indicated by my intuition.
"What!? Did they find you!?"
A young man dressed in black jumps out of the bush where Hyde threw his knife.
(...This person is an NPC, right? He doesn't have an HP bar.)
Hyde concludes that this young man is an NPC because the young man who was hiding has no HP bar.
When fighting with an NPC, the NPC also has an HP bar, but other NPCs do not have an HP bar.
But more than that, Hyde had something to worry about.
(Even though I could see her, [Presence Detection] still doesn't respond. This NPC isn't designed to be found by skills in the first place.)
[Presence Detection] can nullify [Presence Obstruction] below the skill level, but if you look at it with your eyes, you can detect signs no matter how high the opponent's [Presence Obstruction] level is.
However, even though the young man appeared in front of Hyde, [Presence Detection] still did not react.
"... No, this is rather just right. I'm sorry, I have a little favor to ask."
While Hyde was thinking, the young man advanced the story. This young man isn't a high-class NPC who has an AI that can respond, but he's an NPC who normally generates quests by saying fixed sentences when the conditions are met, so it doesn't matter if the other party is listening.
However, even if you don't listen, you can proceed to confirming the quest order, but there are times when hints of quest progress are hidden in the story, so Hyde listens to the young man's story.
"Actually, I'm training to hide my presence. But I can't do it alone. So I want you to help me. Can I ask you?"
A blue panel appears in front of Hyde. The name of the quest was [Help with training], and the content was to find an NPC somewhere in this forest within an hour.
(I see... the point is hide-and-seek. This forest isn't that big, and normally it would take less than an hour to finish.)
For the time being, Hyde decided to accept the quest because his interest was piqued.
"Thank you! Then I'll hide, so I want you to find me. If you find me, you can declare it. Let's start!"
As soon as he said that, the young man instantly disappeared from Hyde's sight.
Hyde was a little surprised at how quick it was, but for the time being, he tried to turn his attention to the reaction of [Presence Detection] because it was useless.
(Well, I thought that was the case, but there was no reaction. I guessed it when there was no reaction to [Sense Presence] even though it was in front of me... but that NPC doesn't get caught in [Sense Presence] at all. is)
However, no matter how wide this forest may be, from one end to the other end of the current Hyde
If you search blindly from corner to corner, the one hour time limit will pass before half the range is finished.
(I don't know where I am at all... I have no choice but to rely on my eyes and intuition here. I need to concentrate and search.)
However, there are no hints in this quest, so I have no choice but to search blindly in the forest until Hyde's intuition works.
In addition, naturally there are monsters in the forest, and they will attack you regardless of whether the quest is occurring.
(It's dangerous! If you deal with this one by one, you won't have time to search! [Shadow Barrier]! [Hidden Form]!)
Hide the monsters that gradually gathered while cutting the opponent's HP and shake them off at once.
After confirming that the monsters were no longer visible, Hyde refocused his attention and began searching for the young man.
(I have to act more than usual so as not to be found by monsters. I thought it would be fine just to look for this, but my perception was too naive...)
Hyde makes full use of the skill that hides his appearance and continues to search, but even Hyde is unable to find the hidden target without being detected by the monsters, and he encounters monsters several times before going into battle. It became.
◇◇◇
"Hmmmm, did you find me... I still have a long way to go."
I finally found the hidden young man after fifty minutes had passed since the quest occurred.
Hyde, who was starting to get impatient as the time limit was approaching, was quite relieved that he was found safe.
(It was tough... Not only does this NPC not respond to [Presence Detection], but it also hides itself... A normal player won't be able to clear this quest at all...)
It's impossible to clear this quest unless you're able to search for signs as a real skill, or you're unusually lucky, or you have a sharp intuition like Hyde.
In the first place, it is impossible for ordinary players to achieve this quest, given the conditions for this quest to "find an NPC that does not respond to [Presence Detection]".
However, Hyde found an NPC that should not have been found by intuition, and even cleared the quest.
Hyde wasn't as good as Maple, but he was one of the players who surpassed management's expectations.
"This is a thank you for helping me with my training. Please accept it."
The frustrated young man regained his composure, took out a scroll that could acquire skills from his bosom, and presented it to Hyde.
"My master gave it to me, but it's not suitable for me. I'm sure you'll be better at using it."
(No, you shouldn't give such an important thing to others... well, this person is an NPC, so is it okay to receive it?)
Hyde hesitated for a moment when he heard that the scroll had been handed to him by his master, but he changed his mind and accepted the scroll, thinking that it was the setting of a young man who was an NPC.
"Then this is it for me. If we meet again, I want you to help me with my training again."
After saying that, the young man disappeared somewhere.
(Is this skill a quest reward... I'm happy that it's a useful skill for me)
『Skill [Darkness Killer] Acquired』
[Killer of Darkness]
The entire body becomes dim, and no light is emitted when using skills.
Increases all stats by 20% while in the dark.
(This is...! It works! It works!)
Hyde was very worried about the light emission that always occurred when using skills.
When I use the skill to hide my appearance, it disappears immediately due to the specifications of the skill, so there is no problem, but when I use the attack skill, I was worried that I would be noticed by the light every time.
However, this skill eliminates the light emission when using the skill, so that worry is gone.
(I'm lucky that I got two skills that I can use today! I need to check how comfortable they are while I'm hunting monsters!)
Having acquired a highly convenient skill, Hyde's tension increased, and he ran around the forest and subjugated monsters one after another.
I have nothing more to write about, so the third event will end as it is.
This is the original setting I put in. Maple does not acquire
[Presence Detection] and [Presence Blocking] in the original work, so there was no detailed explanation for either skill, so I will make it an original setting.
don't know anything).
[Presence Detection] is a skill that disables [Presence Blocking] below the level and allows you to know the location of opponents (monsters and players) that you can't see.
In addition, regarding the opponent who is visually observed, it can be detected regardless of the opponent's [Presence Blocking] level.
Original Quest
[Help with training] (Occurs during the 3rd event)
Quest occurrence conditions: Find an NPC that is invisible and does not respond to [Presence detection] and responds (attacks, etc.).
Quest occurrence location: Somewhere in the forest on the second floor (location is random)
Quest content: Find hidden NPCs within the time limit ([Presence detection] skills do not work on NPCs).
Quest Reward: Skill [Darkness Killer] Scroll
Next time, head to the 3rd floor.
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