73: Does Number Quest sometimes leave you traumatized?
75: It definitely can… Speaking of which, I saw a young girl in gym clothes being attacked by a giant centipede in the forest, even though it shouldn't have spawned there. For someone afraid of bugs, that giant centipede would probably make them faint and force a log out… I wonder if that was also due to Number Quest?
77: You should have helped her…
81: I wanted to, but I ran out of time… I needed to log out to attend a friend's wedding.
85: You're playing a VR game right up until your friend's wedding? That's wild!
88: I wish I could try Number Quest too!
90: Triggering Number Quest intentionally is nearly impossible; the activation conditions are ridiculously hard. You just have to hope you accidentally stumble into it. For me, I had to be associated with the title 'Martial Artist'... and also a lolicon.
93: Why a lolicon? Is that something to report?
100Anonymous
I was tormented by a terrible boss for so long that it drove me to depression and nearly killed me. But I was captivated by the desperate spirit of a child, fighting to live even when it seemed hopeless. So I stepped in to help, and because of that, I was labeled a pedophile… well, I have no regrets; I'd rather be called that than let a child die.
106Anonymous
I see, that's definitely something you can't report…
108Anonymous
Sometimes this game can be really harsh on NPCs. If we don't step up, there are plenty of NPCs who would face worse fates than death…
And so, the thread on the message board continues to flow…
"You've collected quite a bit of flower thread… I thought it was supposed to be a triple hardship—hard to drop, hard to find, and gross—but to gather not just 20, but 30 so quickly…?"
The next morning, when I contacted our leader, we arranged to meet right away at the workshop to make some fabric.
"I hate bugs, but at this point, I have to prioritize this or Lily will make me regret it."
"What? You mean I can poke holes in you?"
"Whoa!? Stop sneaking up on me from behind! Lily!?"
Lily, the leader's sister, appeared out of nowhere behind him… I hadn't noticed at all…
"Honestly, I heard from Phoebe that you made my adorable little sister deal with those disgusting caterpillars. When did you become such a ruthless leader?"
"I was just making a suggestion. Besides, Lena, you're a guy in real life, right? In this world, your gender is fixed to your real-life gender, so you'd just be my little brother. Sure, you look completely like a woman, though..."
"If you look like a woman, then you're my little sister!!"
"Hey, Lena, is it really cool and graceful in real life!? I mean, talking about real-life stuff in a game is considered bad manners!"
"…If we weren't discussing hobby games, I would be cool and graceful. But more importantly, I want to talk about the request to make some fabric."
Lily and the leader exchanged this comical banter.
"Oh, right... By the way, as a bonus, do you want me to turn those ten extra flower threads into fabric? With that amount of thread, you could make another piece of armor."
"Yes, please!"
There was no reason to keep the threads as they were, so I asked.
"Well, since making fabric takes time... if you haven't yet, why don't you go to the job change temple and pick up another class? If you've gathered 30 threads, your level should be over 20."
"Wait, another class? You mean something like a Speed Fencer for Lily, right?"
Checking my status, I found I was now at level 23. I'm not sure if it was because of the tough enemy in the Number Quest, the Giant Millipede, or if I just defeated a large number of Flower Butterfly Caterpillars, but my level has shot up remarkably in such a short time...
I've reached the same level as Ashton, who taught me in the Wind Valley, but after that, he defeated the Careless Rich and cleared the Numbers Quest. Given the experience points gained from that quest, he likely surpassed my level.
"Wait, you still haven't taken your subclass? Then let's leave the fabric-making to the leader and head straight to the Class Change Temple!"
"Hey, don't pull me! Um, alright, could you handle the fabric for me, Leader?"
I found myself standing on the magic circle, pulled along by Lily, and we left the workshop behind.
We eventually arrived at the Class Change Temple in Two Town. According to Lily, its architecture resembles Greek style? Inside, about ten players were gathered, most engrossed in their system screens, probably deliberating over their class choices.
"It's so crowded yet so quiet here…" Phoebe, who had been quietly observing the banter between Lily and the Leader from my pocket, finally spoke up.
"This place is designed for thorough contemplation. While selecting a class, people's voices are muted so they can think without distraction. If you want to talk to a friend, just call out, and they'll be able to hear you. Just a heads-up—if you try to mess with someone who's indecisive about their class, you might get reported, so don't pull any pranks."
"I wouldn't do that…"
After listening to Lily's explanation, I turned to speak with the NPCs in the Class Change Temple.
"Excuse me, I'd like to learn how to obtain another class. What should I do?"
"Oh, I see you're a first-timer… Is this your first time at this level?"
Wait, did I just hear something rude?
"The NPCs here can accurately gauge the players' levels, but even if you reach level 20 and don't use the class change temple, there are special dialogues you can unlock."
"Ahem… my apologies. You're looking to select a subclass. If this is your first time, please stand in front of that mirror. Its magic will reveal your new possibilities."
Following the guide from the class change temple, I stood before one of the three mirrors. It shone brightly and reflected my image.
'Lena Level 23 Gender: Male Blacksmith / Not Set
Intermediate class change quest available, alongside derived classes:
Fairy Blacksmith
Blacksmith Artisan
Available derived lower-class options (may be set as a subclass while main class is intermediate):
Fairy Gate Apprentice Engineer
Resonance Engineer
Multi-Creator
Curse Blacksmith
Available subclass lower-class options (many exist, so I've selected the most likely):
Siscon
Tool User
Shovel Fighter
Display other available subclasses.'
An array of system screens appeared before me.
"Once you scan with the mirror, you can simply choose from there, so please take a seat and select at your leisure."
"Got it."
I sat down and reconsidered my class… All the derived and intermediate classes were technical, production-based skills… I'd like to have a combat class as my second one, if possible…
"Hey, big brother, don't you think you have too many production classes? I wish I had that!" Lily exclaimed, staring intently at her list of classes. As she touched the class names, details began to emerge.
**Apprentice Engineer of the Fairy Gate**
A class that handles the keys of the Fairy Gate. As an apprentice, you can repair keys, but the ability to create them from scratch is limited. Once apprenticeship is completed, you can craft a variety of keys and unleash powerful techniques. Skill, intelligence, and MP grow easily, while HP and defense are more difficult to increase.
**Resonance Engineer**
A class that signifies those who collaborate with fairies to create things. Partnering with a fairy is essential. This class sees growth in luck, agility, and dexterity, but HP is hard to develop.
**Multi-Creator**
A class for those who can utilize many production skills. Dexterity increases easily here.
**Cursed Blacksmith**
A class driven by obsession, sacrificing life to infuse weapons with blood. Strength, dexterity, defense, and agility grow easily, but HP, MP, and luck are harder to raise.
It seems that the intermediate classes include the traditional upstanding blacksmith and the fairy blacksmith, which requires a deep connection with Phoebe. However, it appears that one must complete a new specific quest to qualify.
"...Apprentice Engineer of the Fairy Gate… Why would Lena-san have this…?"
Oh, can Phoebe see this too? Sometimes the system interface is visible to NPCs, and sometimes it isn't, which can be a bit problematic. But for Phoebe, this might give her a clue about repairs…
Apprentice Technician of the Fairy Gate… It seems like a class that can be gained through the title's effects.
"What should we do, Phoebe? I wouldn't mind being an apprentice technician of the Fairy Gate…"
"…Let's aim for the intermediate class, Lena. Let's focus on getting stronger than we are now."
"Alright…"
Well, if we reach the intermediate level, I can make the apprentice technician my sub-class. If I had to choose, the fairy blacksmith sounds like a better option; it seems rarer and more powerful.
I touched the fairy blacksmith option, and a prompt appeared: "Would you like to attempt the job change quest?" I pressed yes.
**Job Change Quest: Fairy Blacksmith**
- Forge alongside a fairy: 5/5 Completed
- Strengthen the bond with the fairy: ???? / 500 Completed
- Defeat the fairy's nemesis together: 1/1 Completed
All conditions are met. You have completed the job change quest. You have become a Fairy Blacksmith.
Wait, I completed everything? The bond thing shows ????, but the score seems to exceed 1000…
"Oh wow, big brother, you already met the conditions! Impressive!"
"Is the fairy's nemesis that giant centipede…?"
Lily praised me while Phoebe tilted her head in confusion. Well, thanks to my prior efforts, I reached the intermediate class, so that's good. Now I'll choose the sub-class that seems important for Phoebe, the Apprentice Technician of the Fairy Gate... Done!
Lena, Level 23, Gender: Male
Class: Fairy Blacksmith / Apprentice Technician of the Fairy Gate
Status:
HP: 129 MP: 300
Strength: 99
Defense: 80
Dexterity: 183
Agility: 89
Intelligence: 156
Luck: 72
Skill Levels:
Blacksmithing: 8, Enchanted Blacksmithing: 5, Sewing: 3, Crafting: 4, Escape Arts: 3, Throwing: 2, Item Crafting: 6, Appraisal: 4, Instant Death Resistance: 1, Resonance: 6, Devotion: 3, Indomitable: 3, Mining: 3, Fairy Blessing
Titles Acquired: 3
"Wow, my stats have really skyrocketed...! Aside from HP, everything has increased dramatically since Level 15. My intelligence and dexterity have especially surged… Is the difference really that striking just by advancing from a lower to a higher class? Or is it the power of the Fairy Blessing? Phoebe mentioned improved growth potential…"
"Wow, even though both classes are production-oriented, you've become unexpectedly strong! At this rate, once you craft armor from the fabric you're currently working on, you might even be able to visit Four Town!"
"Lily, I haven't even explored Three Town properly, and I have no plans to rush to Four Town anytime soon. Besides, I'm not effectively utilizing my high MP and intelligence… Yes, I've definitely grown stronger, but I don't want to become overconfident."
Intelligence plays a critical role in all things magical, including offense and defense, which makes it useful for magic resistance. However, without any spells or skills to use in combat currently, my MP only serves as fuel for operating blacksmithing machinery... I really want to learn some combat skills soon.
"Ah, I see... That makes sense, considering your pace as well. Personally, I wish you'd catch up to me faster."
"Level 38? That's just not something you can do overnight..."
Though, maybe you've already hit level 40 or something...
"Anyway, I have things to do, so I'm going to log off now, big brother."
"Huh? Are you going somewhere?"
"Yeah, I've got a ton of plans, both in-game and in real life. See you, Phoebe!"
"Okay, goodbye, Lily!"
As Lily walked away, I thought about how busy she must be with all those plans. I made my way back to the workshop where the leader was.