"The top guild masters are also ranked highly in the overall individual rankings. Here's the list of the top seven players in the individual rankings."
The same page features other rankings besides guild standings. This is the June ranking, updated monthly.
Currently listed players represent the historic first batch of top rankings.
1. Solo Player: Eldon
- Strategy Ranking: 1st
- Defeat Ranking: 1st
2. [Shikkoku]Guild Master: Kurokage
- Strategy Ranking: 2nd
- Defeat Ranking: 2nd
- Duel Ranking: 2nd
3. [Gold Rush]Guild Master: Divine
- Duel Ranking: 1st
- Strategy Ranking: 3rd
- Defeat Ranking: 4th
4. Solo Player: Ginga
- Defeat Ranking: 4th
- Strategy Ranking: 4th
- Duel Ranking: 5th
5. [Enterprise]Guild Master: Harley
- Defeat Ranking: 3rd
- Strategy Ranking: 5th
6. [ROCO]Guild Master: MiMi
**Market Rankings: First Place**
**Seventh Place: [Shikkoku] Member Jono**
**Duel Rankings: Third Place**
**Monster Hunt Rankings: Fifth Place**
"There are four types of rankings: Strategy, which totals the scores from dungeon clearances; Hunt, which sums the scores from monster defeats; Duel, which ranks players in the arena; and Market, which totals money earned from production."
"Is Eldon not performing well in the arena?"
"He hardly shows up in public, so naturally, he avoids anything that puts him in the spotlight."
Aside from Eldon and two others, the rest are all guild masters. Surprisingly, there are two solo players, including one other besides Eldon.
"By the way, the eighth place and below are mostly taken by [Shikkoku] members, with an occasional member from [Gold Rush] slipping in."
"Doesn't [7net], ranked fifth in guild rankings, have any top players?"
"[7net] is a self-proclaimed casual guild. It's a gathering of players who harbor hostility towards serious competitors."
"So they don't care about rankings at all."
In any game, serious players and casual players have a relationship like oil and water—they never mix and are always clashing. This game is no exception, with such conflicts evident.
Once our conversation concluded, we resumed leveling up.
Since we were in the starting plains, we didn't struggle against the monsters; it was simply a matter of methodically defeating weak foes.
However, there were results. I happily reached level 4 and mastered a new skill: [Dismantle]. Its effect is to deal massive damage to mechanical monsters and to extract mechanical materials. Well, it's a bit underwhelming...
Mechanical monsters are clearly the kind that appear later in the game. Although it seems I can also deal damage to regular enemies, its true potential feels a long way off. Ivy also reached level 4 and learned the skill [Binding Stitch], which puts opponents in a restrained state. Frankly, this seems more useful...
Having achieved some results, we decided to head back to town. The time was 6 PM in [Deepguard]. The surroundings were gradually darkening as we took a break on a bench in the fountain square. Although we called it a break, there's no concept of fatigue in this game. It's more about resting the mind.
After some discussion, we set a reunion time for 8 PM and filled the time with conversation. We may have just met today, but our Relationship was already fairly good. This was likely thanks to Ivy's boldness and Violet's nurturing nature. Even now, Violet seemed quite concerned about my skill enhancement.
"By the way, you're still working on that [Status Resistance Up], right?"
"Yes, I put all 6 points I gained this time into it. The skill level has also increased to 3!"
I replied proudly, believing that as long as I didn't succumb to status ailments, my adventures would become much easier. There was no way I could be mistaken about this enhancement method. Or so I thought...
"Hey, just so you know, you might be misunderstanding something," Violet said. "Even if you max out the skill level for [Status Resistance Up], you won't achieve complete immunity."
"...Huh? W-why not?"
"Because it's just a resistance boost. If it were that powerful, everyone would level it up."
The shocking truth revealed by Violet hit me hard. I felt a twinge of disbelief. After all, complete immunity to status effects would be unbelievably overpowered. It would definitely be worth investing whatever skill points I had. I realized I had been dreaming a naive dream.
"Lenny..."
Ivy looked at me with concern, noticing my shock. Then suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, she grabbed my hand.
"Don't worry! I'll figure something out!"
"Wait, figure something out how...?"
"Just trust me! I'll definitely make it work!"
With that, Ivy attempted a wink that clearly didn't go as planned and darted off towards the general store.
What on earth was she planning to do? My heart raced with a mix of anticipation and fear as Violet and I waited for her return.
A few minutes later, Ivy returned, beaming with excitement, clutching a beautifully wrapped bag in her hands.
Did she make this with her sewing skills? The wrapping is rough, but I can see the effort to make it look nice. She hands the bag to me, smiling shyly.
"This is…?"
"It's a present! It's an accessory that boosts status resistance. Combined with your skills, complete resistance isn't just a dream!"
Self-enhancement through accessories—this was a blind spot for me. It's a simple idea anyone could think of, but she moved into action immediately after hearing it. Ivy is no ordinary person; Violet seems genuinely impressed.
"I see… Skills and equipment effects stack. With a good accessory, complete resistance is possible!"
"This present is just a cheap item I bought with what little money I have. Complete resistance is still a distant dream, but as a seamstress, I'll create even better accessories for you!"
Ivy clasps her hands together.
What brilliance, what kindness! Are you an angel?
Her radiance seems to purify my twisted heart. This girl is undeniably foolish…
"Ivy… why are you doing all this for me?"
Why doesn't she abandon me, someone so unreliable and weak? The more I think about it, the closer I am to tears from the overwhelming emotion.
With gratitude for Ivy's kindness, I begin to unwrap the present. However, the moment I see what's inside, all my previous thoughts vanish into thin air.
"I got the cat ear headband!"
"What? Huh? Cat ears?"
"Exactly! It's a beginner accessory that grants resistance to status ailments, the cat ear headband!"
The cat ears are the same brown color as my hair. They look incredibly adorable, but...
No, I'm grateful for the gift. I can truly feel her kindness. But wearing this? That would be beyond embarrassing! There's no way I can use something like this!
"Maybe you didn't like it…" Ivy said, looking down with a sad expression, clearly worried. Don't look at me like that!
I forced a thumbs-up and managed a big smile for her.
"Cat ears are awesome!"
"Really? I'm so glad!"
So that's what caught my eye during visual customization—those cat ears were a flag for this moment. What a setup! How cruel, God!
I shot a glare at Violet, who was laughing so hard behind me.
"Violet, you're laughing too much!"
"Because! Because! Hahaha!"
And so, I found myself forced to equip the self-imposed curse of a cat ear headband for gameplay. Damn it, why do I have to wear this? If that's the case, I'll get my revenge!
"Just wait a second."
I took off running, just like Ivy had done earlier.
It's only natural to retaliate when someone wrongs you, whether the act is good or bad. The way to resolve both gratitude and annoyance is simple: just do the same thing to her.
I headed to the weapon and armor shop to buy a return gift for Ivy, wearing that cat-ear band I had on. In this game, character creation allows players to make avatars that resemble beastfolk, so the cat ears don't stand out as much as one might think. The only one feeling embarrassed is me.
I checked my funds. After hunting a horde of monsters in the plains, I had more than enough for some cheap accessories. Ivy had probably bought her cat-ear band the same way.
Now, what could I buy that would make her blush? As I pondered this, someone suddenly called out from behind me.
"Hey… hey, you! Stop!"
I had no reason to be stopped, but ignoring it might lead to more trouble, so I reluctantly turned around. Standing there was a girl who looked to be in elementary or middle school.
"Um… boy! W-why do you think the stars shine?"
It was a question I'd heard somewhere before. Was it a trend? The girl had a pouty expression, with narrowed eyes, wearing a triangular hat embossed with star patterns and wielding a star-shaped staff. She wore a robe, but her short stature caused her to inadvertently trample the hem. She looked every bit the part of a magician.
I answered her question with the same response I had given earlier.
"…Because it shows us the path we should take?"
"…!? Uh…? Y-Yeah, that's right!"
It seemed I had provided the correct answer, but she appeared strangely flustered. Did she want me to get it wrong? Was that part of some manual? Ignoring my thoughts, she pressed on with the conversation.
"U… the birth of the universe is…"
"I already know about that."
"…!? Uh…? W-Well…"
So it was a script after all. I was puzzled by her repeating the same story, so I interrupted her. But after a moment's thought, she pouted and began to speak again.
"When… a star has immense gravity…! The spherical form crumbles under its collapse, shrinking towards its center…! That immense gravitational force left at a single point is what we call a black hole…!"
"What does that mean…?"
"Shut up! It doesn't mean anything…!"
To my surprise, she was taking a different approach! And I was alarmed at how much I was going along with it.
Having expressed what she wanted to say, she looked thoroughly satisfied. Eventually, she finally shifted back to the main topic.
"Um… d-do you know my master? She has silver hair… and sparkling eyes!"
No matter how I think about it, it's definitely that person… What could they be teaching such an innocent girl?
I had no reason to lie. I simply told her what I knew.
"I saw them today in this town. But it's been a while since then, so I can't say for sure now."
"Oh… I see…! I'm sorry for bothering you!"
Surprisingly, she expressed her gratitude and rushed off. But then she suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, turned to face me, pointed to the sky, and shouted loudly,
"Everything is as the stars twinkle...! Galaxy!"
There was a hint of embarrassment in her demeanor. If it was too much, she should have just held back…
Satisfied with her declaration, the girl took off running again. Who were she and that silver-haired man? The mystery deepened.
I grabbed the accessory I was after and made my way back to Ivy and Violet.
Lacking any wrapping skills, I had no choice but to present it as it was. Honestly, messing with it might just make handing it over even more embarrassing. A gift from a guy like this is perfectly fine.
I handed the accessory to Ivy bluntly.
"This… is…"
"It's a gift in return. You're a girl, so you'll need some defense, right?"
It was a large, deep blue ribbon. It would be rather embarrassing to wear.
The effect is simply an increase in defense. It's a typical piece of early-game equipment, but the downside is that only women can wear it.
Ivy happily hugged the accessory she received before quickly putting it on her head. Her slightly exaggerated reaction was very much in line with her expressive nature.
"Thank you, Lenny! I'm so, so happy!"
"R-right, I'm glad," I replied, feeling a little ashamed of myself as I watched Ivy's genuine joy. Girls don't seem to find these things embarrassing…