Star Cove Dungeon ② Master and Disciple
スター・コーブ・ダンジョン②マスターと弟子
The time is 12th Bell after lunch. I decided that before we proceed to the third floor, a one Bell worth break was in order. I also made sure to give them instructions to service and maintain their equipment. While they don’t have to worry about stains on their non-metallic-edged weapons, they still need to ensure that chips, wear and tears of their wooden weapons are properly checked.
Although teamed up randomly, during break they still found a way to reshuffle and talk with one another. I was glad that Sara managed to associate with the other girls albeit always being with Princess Hisui.
On the side, another commotion was happening:
“Ray!” Some were dissatisfied with team composition, mainly the two boys, Kent and Samson. “You traitor get over here this instant.”
At first, I thought that they had reverted to their old ‘faction-selves’ but, instantly understood where their anger stemmed from.
“I am so jealous. You have two hot girls as your teammate.”
“You should burn yourself in the stake for being a traitor and leaving us with nothing.”
“Ahahahaha…” However, an awkward laugh escaped Ray’s mouth, his eyes those of a dead fish. “Just look at the girls I am with…”
Ray’s teammate were indeed beautiful girls, Stella Savil and Rebecca Stuart. Emi had a beautiful face and that well-endowed package that would make any boy want. Then there is Stella who was tall and had a balanced proportioned body that would easily become a runway model if she ever visits my previous world. By my (obviously the boy’s) standards, both the girls in questions were a sight of beauty.
What then was Ray so awkward about…? Well one of the girls is madly in love with someone else while the other is too shy to get too close with a boy. There was no way he could betray whatever they have sworn among themselves.
At first Kent and Anthony wore stern faces trying to reject Ray’s ramblings. Then both looked at the girl – Emi Falmot, they immediately noticed they too were in a similar situation. The difference is that there was only shy and a girl deeply in love with someone else in their team. After few more huddling together, the three then renewed their sworn brotherhood and went to drink juice, which they complained to be very bitter.
In another corner, two mages had a test of silence; they just kept drinking whatever was in their canteens and ate whatever was in their lunch basket. I can’t tell if they are in a good relationship or in a bad one… well so long as they don’t start killing each other, it should be a good change.
Since there was no bad commotion in the teams or during the break, I once again affirmed that these kids have matured since then. A satisfied smile escapes my lips.
*****
While we were on break, I also decided to check with Grim-chan about my Master and Disciple Relationship, due to the forgetfulness and clumsiness brought by the ‘CARELESS ONE’ Title I completely disregarded its importance when I first got Len and Ran as my disciples.
According to Grim Chan, the most important aspects of the Disciple System are namely ‘LEARNING, ‘PERKS’ and the ‘PERMANENCE’ which adds something to my own stats and equally on my disciples.
‘LEARNING’, details what they are learning from me or what I am learning from a master. To state an example, I am currently learning Alchemy from Sera and Sara is learning Short Bow Arts from me.
‘PERKS’ are the things I will gain from being their master or a disciple. Right now, I have the three [Witch Link], one [Noble Link], one [Princess Link], six [Mag RES Boosts], two [Mag POW Boosts], and Alchemy Link.
‘PERKS’ are of two types: boost and links.
Boosts are enabled when I am partied with that specific master/disciple. To give an example, most of these kids are giving me a Mag RES Boost of 1.5% in my Permanent STATS Boost. So long as these disciples are in my party, I will have these Boosts activated.
Links on the other hand is a step up to the ‘boost’ and is enabled so long as the party member is the same Origin or Status regardless of them being my disciple or not. For example, I currently have three Witch Links (Sara, Ran and Len). If ever in my adventure I will be partied with another Witch (not my disciple), the three Links activates giving me a 4.5 Boost in my [Mag POW] and [Mag RES].
To that note, Noble Link gives me a 1.5% increase in Phys STR and Phys DEF in my Permanent STAT Boost. Princess Link gives me a 1.5% increment in my Source Experience Gain, Life Force and Mana. Alchemy Link increase my success rates and finished product Grades.
Lastly, is the ‘PERMANENCE’ this increases my own STATS relevant to their levels. For example, Ran, who is the highest leveled disciples at 35 will have that level directly converted to percentage (35%) and this percentage will determine how much add-on given to my raw STATS.
Right now, my current STATS plus these boosts follows:
.STATS {
•LIFE FORCE4,200 +20,581【6,510 】
•MANA147+727【 235 】
•Phys STR248+1,508
•Phys DEF245+1,451
•Mag POW232+1,204
•Mag DEF213+1,202
}
I made a mental note to check up on these, as they are link to my actual survival for this world.
*****
Okay I think break is over.
“One hour is up!” I wanted to get more into details, but one hour was not enough for it.
“Then let us decide the next teams.”
“Ha?” two of the ten students sounded a bit disappointed
“Yay!” and eight students were jubilant.
It looks like some history must have caused these two’s disappointment, but I can’t have a single team be the same for the next 48 floors, now, can I?
There will be some changes in our dungeon conquest starting on the third floor until the 50th floor.
First, I will no longer give them instructions, from here on out, all decisions are their cumulative ideas, to fight or to flee will be up to their discretion (as long as it does not endanger them, I will leave all decisions to them). I will only interfere when they do or suggest something that would be borderline suicidal… but knowing this kids, they would not do anything to drastic… I hope.
Second, to ensure that everyone’s cooperation level will increase the teams will reshuffle every floor and will be especially done on every Mid-boss and Boss Floors. I reiterated that the goal for this dungeon run would be to reach the 50th floor. Fighting monsters will be secondary.
Thinking that the decision about groupings is final and no longer negotiable reluctantly they then move for their own strategy meeting.
“Okay, we will decide with our formation.” Alfred acted as a representative and consulted the group. Magnus and members of the Fighting Eagles Faction did not interrupt or speak of any ill retorts. “Do you think it would be beneficial to us if we make use of the Standard Quadrilateral Formation?”
The Standard Quadrilateral Formation is a formation that utilizes four groups, with advantageously positioned at each corner of a square, the leader, or VIP usually stays in the middle of this formation protected or the ones who give out instructions.
A smart thinking coming from Alfred, not only will this maximize my STAT Boost or my ability to protect them in times of trouble. This will also make sure that all students present get to have a go for the leadership position.
“We can use colored magic signals to inform each team to help with coordination.” Magnus also gave his input while looking at the others as if inviting them to give their own.
“In that case Stella and I can set up a communication link using the wind magic – ‘Whisper’ to aide with more accurate instructions.” Princess Hisui gave her suggestion while looking at the bewildered Stella who nodded at her idea. Not failing to look and interpret for her best friend, Sara, Princess Hisui also gave another good point. “Then we should also probably decide hand signals, just in case we get into situations where we are unable to speak or use magic.”
Then why don’t we use…” everyone took turns and gave valuable inputs for their formation.
Thankfully, the formation they chose perfectly matched with the Perks and Permanent STAT Boosts that I will be giving them. Since the relationship is mutual learning, I also will be giving them a few of my ‘PERKS’ and ‘PERMANENCE’.
So long as they consider me as their Master and I continue to regard them as my disciples, they will gain a Source Level Experience Gain Link by 20% and an increase of permanent STAT boost by 80%, which is my current level to their raw STATS.
After a few minutes, the students then finalized their strategies and formation for the conquest. Therefore, the real Dungeon Run begins.
*****
Ensuring that we have strength in Mid-boss and Boss battles, the students had decided to rest and do maintenance on the floors before them. Knowing that this is a speed run, they decided to fight only battles they cannot escape and sped through the others.
‘I still need to have some inputs on my book.’ Speaking to myself, I started to hunt some monsters along the way.
Of the group, I was the only one busy killing off some monsters sneakily. Throwing ‘KI’ infused throwing knives, shurikens and Kunais. Therefore, instead of equipping myself with the usual swords, I am with a Long Bow to hunt down monsters at a distance.
With their formation and strategy, we made it through the 34th floor on the third day of our exploration. You think it too fast? Well, it should be as their strategy is fleeing until the 50th floor. There was no need to fight the Boss or Mid-boss.
Thankfully, Mid-boss and Boss rooms in the first three areas (first 30th floors) allow fleeing or passing through. The fourth area, however, should start disallowing it and we will have no choice but to battle through two Mid-Bosses and two Floor Bosses to get to the goal, which is the 50th floor.
Right now, we are entering our first Mid-boss Battle, a ‘Monster Rank C’ threat demi-human –OGRE COMMANDER. Since this is a good time for it, I decided for all members to hunt at least 100 of these OGRES before we slay the commander. The objective:
.LOG {
•After killing off 100 OGRES in one setting, you have attained the Title: OGRE KILLER
•Captain, the OGREs are scary, we should dispose of them.
•I wonder if they are tasty.
}
As I said, Grim-chan sometimes say the scariest things… really, tasty? If anything, they did not look appetizing in all aspects… and immediately threw it away from my head… ahem…
I am hoping that the students got the title as well, since a stronger OGRE should be at the Area Boss Room. It will hasten their battles if they have an increased affinity against these types of monsters. The 36th to the 39th floor were riddled with OGREs. Thankfully as if answering my doubts earlier, their battles against them if not too difficult became somewhat easy.
On the 40th floor came the Boss battle. We were met with two Rank B OGRES. The OGRE CHAMPION and SHAMANIC OGRE CHAMPION, since we had a larger subjugation party, they split into two and the rest was almost too easy.
For the SHAMANIC OGRE CHAMPION, they attacked focusing on their learned combat skills and augmented it with their casting magics. For the OGRE CHAMPION, they attacked with strong casting magic and defended with their learned combat skills. When the SHAMANIC OGRE CHAMPION was defeated, everyone focused on the sturdier OGRE CHAMPION and soon enough they had disposed of the boss monster.
After the OGRE bosses, our group eventually mowed the next area – a scorching desert. The desert every bit troublesome, not only was the heat excruciating that would render anyone to lose composure, the monsters that patrol here as trouble as well. Flying monsters.
Thankfully, we had mages that could fire long distance and were able to fight easy. The Mid-Boss a flying monster, we fought which was almost as hard. A Threat Rank C -a GREATER WYVERN.
However, this monster had bad luck though. If it were just me, I might have trouble with it (which I immediately added on my mental note to find a good strategy against flying enemies as soon as possible). But for these students who had among them water mages with great command of water spells to cool them down, and wind magic users to render the monster’s wings almost meaningless in the air the medium to hard difficulty level against the GREATER WYVERN was won.
“Let’s tread with caution from here.” This goes without saying that a stronger WYVERN awaits us on the 50th floor. With their streak, there is a good chance they will defeat the monster. However, in battles there is no such thing as certainty. I needed to make sure I could protect them when time needs it. I need to think of an anti-air capability this very instant.
How should I deal with strong flying opponents?
