This is Shadyna, the cutest fisher girl in the neighborhood reporting in~

…From a swamp with a brown mud that is actually [Diluted Honey] when picked up. Not sure what's worse, this place being a thing, or me casually pulling fish out of this mud with my cute apprentices, and .

_ Fensen: Even with the lunchboxes, we still couldn't withstand the boss's power. Its attack power is cheating!

Says the girl with potentially the highest DPS in the game. My [Accelerate Power] takes too long to warm up, and it doesn't multiply with other players like your [Alpha Strike Power]!

And that's not mentioning how you both have [Accelerate Bonus] just to make it worse for whatever at the end of your barrels…

Yet, whatever they found under the snowy mountain managed to survive until now against such overwhelming firepower. Maybe our firepower is not overwhelming enough…?

_ Shadyna: Should we bring the whole crew then?

_ Poltea: It… won't work, I think. I couldn't shield from its AoE, let alone other people. We were able to evade its attacks in the beginning, but it always pushed us to the walls, limiting our space. When I used [Fort], I wasn't able to keep up with its damage…

…You girls are surprisingly hardcore, aren't you? 's personality is one thing, but I certainly did not expect to be putting in so much effort as well. I am kind of scared to find out how many times they have challenged that boss while I wasn't looking.

It is a pity that they couldn't beat the boss to a pulp though. From their grievances, I think they simply were in a bad matchup. Their strengths lie in undisturbed alpha volleys, not prolonged endurance contests. When they told me they had to jump through a hole to fight in a small enclosed space, with a totally aggressive boss, I had a feeling they were in for a tough time.

And they sure did. Welp.

Strategy meeting to beat the boss is not what we are doing though. I am a pacifist, don't go ask me how to murder a bonus boss!

We are murdering something that even I can do at my leisure: time.

It has been a few days since my [Fishy Dumpluck] distribution. I was busy running left and right to unlock the skills I need. That in itself was fun, because I got to wander around, do whacky stuff, and receive rewards for it.

Then came the skill menu reorganization. That, was hell in its purest form. It was the "Going insane from receiving excessive knowledge" cliché, although I did not expect that kind of insanity.

So here we are, the going-insane girls of the neighborhood have put away the worldly desires to relax… by accepting a contract. That's right, Shadyna Construction Ltd. has signed up for the next big gig!

And no, it has nothing to do with fish. My supposed bodyguards are not available yet, hence the cold-blooded time killing here.

I was thinking about how to help when my vision went dark without any warning.

Is my headset malfunctioning?

_ ???: Guess who~?

Not malfunctioning huh. Judging from the children's snickering, the person behind me is not an enemy at least. They are probably exchanging winks and whatever body language in their discussion on how to confuse the hell out of me too.

_ Shadyna: , but I don't mind if you stay like that.

There's this softness pressing the back of my head that many will die for. Better yet, we are in a place with barely anyone nearby so there's no need to hold back~

_ Helen: Aw, I was hoping you would have a harder time guessing…

Un, that was the womanizing bartender of our crew alright. She still has that lady-killing smile as I turn around to look. What a dangerous person~

_ Shadyna: I do remember voices of my friends you know? Also, if you use your hands, anyone with [Inspect] will know.

_ Helen: Hmm, you have a point…

_ Poltea: H-how about a big barrel?

_ Shadyna: That's just kidnapping!

…This is disturbingly similar to beginnings of horror plots isn't it? Youngsters fooling around in a Sateri-forsaken place just to get offed one after another by the monsters of legend.

And based on our personalities, the womanizer will be the first victim. My apprentices are immune due to their innocence… Wait, wouldn't that make me the second victim because no horror movie kills only one character?!

_ Shadyna: By the way, , do not mention any kind of legend here, okay?

The plot only happens if we talk about it, un!

_ Helen: Eh~? W-whatever could you mean~?

Why are you panicking?! You can't possibly be planning to gleefully tell me about the mysterious and horrible ways to die in this weird swamp right? It's a matter of life and death for you first and foremost!

*Splash*

No, [Fishing] does not make such noises. I also know that fish don't even swim in this game.

Cautiously turning away from the sweating bartender behind me, I see a stiff frozen who has obviously witnessed something in front of us, and locate the source of the suspicious sound.

A woman with long messy hair covering most of her face, is emerging. The honeyed (?) mud sticks to her black hair, giving the impression of someone taking a dive into the sewers. Probably not much difference, considering this being a swamp…

_ Suspicious woman: Did… you…

She talks in a low voice that we can barely hear, while pulling out a sword out of nowhere.

_ Suspicious woman: Drop… this… sWoOoOoOrD?!!!

What the heck is that screech?! And why is she running towards me?! Wait, run? Isn't she supposed to be floating?

Crap, she's getting closer!!!

_ Shadyna: GYAAAA!!!

_ Fensen & Poltea: KYAAAAAAA!!!

The good children are going to get kidnapped by a dangerous woman with a freaking long sword! When we are rescued by the heroes at the end of the movie, our eyes would glow the moment the main characters turn away just to make a sequel hook.

No thanks to that! Muddy woman, I don't know who you are, but you are picking a fight with the kids who have no qualm abus… taking advantage of their plot-armor status!

_ Shadyna: [ Thunderous Blessing of Affection]!!!

_ Fensen: All cannons, FULL POWER!

_ Poltea: A-attacking!

, that battle cry is lacking!

Not that it is a problem, since everything is exploding as if three strategic bombers were experimenting whether they could do precision bombing. Nice explosion~

…

Okay, that was horrifying. Now then…

The cutest fisher is officially out of a job, because the swamp in front of us has become a crater. Whoopsie~

A few feet away from us, the suspicious woman lies motionlessly. It was surprising to see all of us retaliating at the same time, and I'm sure we triggered [Alpha Strike Power], based on the crater's size. I was not running, so [Accelerate Power] certainly did nothing.

This is not my fault, un.

Should we blast her again just to make sure she won't rise up again when we take a step back? That's what usually happens in movies right?

_ Dead suspicious woman: Owner, you don't hold back at all huh?

_ Helen: I told you it was a bad idea~

…Who the heck is this person, seriously?

…

Turns out, it was the owner of the bar, . There's no mistaking it once she was revived and put on that outfit.

Un, there's no mistaking it.

_ Linista: What's with the stare, owner?

_ Shadyna: Nothing~

_ Helen: is a healthy child after all~

I have a feeling you are implying something there, , but I'll let that slide. Also, thanks for staying behind me the whole time!

's hairstyle changed to a tidier straight hairstyle after she switched gear. If I remember correctly, there are a few outfits in the fashion show that did the same to me. Maybe I should make a super powerful circle which makes the wearer bald. Sounds like a good gift for to me, evil laugh~

_ Fensen: , why did you appear like that? Are you a kidnapper?

Girls these days learn so fast… Especially in self-defense.

_ Linista: About that… Remember the weapon exhibit the other day? We voted two-handed sword to be 's weapon.

At least I do. I have nothing against democracy per se, but don't you think these matters should be decided by, I don't know, my preferences for example?!

And two-handed sword for a little girl, of all things? I have a feeling you guys are illegally accessing my memory there. Did Sateri leak it to them somehow…?

_ Fensen: Un! I think it suited her too!

_ Poltea: It was unanimous agreement.

No, I don't think the problem lies in whether it was majority, supermajority, or unanimous voting here… How did you kids know about that anyway?!

_ Linista: I was tasked with designing a sword to replace that beginner one. When told me you all were fishing, I thought I could dress up like fairy and bestow the unholy sword upon .

Hold up hold up! I think I know what you are talking about, but didn't you just casually change some very important elements in the plot?! To begin with, what kind of fairy appears in a dark swamp? Man-eating ones, that's what!

_ Linista: While she was distracting you, I snuck into the mud and stood up as per tradition, but then I got mud all over me. After that I thought "Eh, screw this" and went with the flow.

You totally wanted to scare the hell out of us didn't you?!

The wet physics worked too well huh. Immersion is nice, but I'll be sure to only fish near water bodies from now on…

…

Now that my bodyguards are here, I can finally begin today's work.

The outer walls I built for were a huge boost to Tyrel's defense. Apparently, because my walls were so sturdy, there's no longer a need to worry about ranged enemies during raids. The required number of defenders per wall segment has reduced by half, and players can focus on sallying out to fight and dismantle corpses for loots.

Still not as profitable as before, but it's a significant improvement for something that should have been a downgrade (longer perimeter to defend).

Just as I was told, the big guilds are now expanding to the wilderness. What I did not expect was the client.

It wasn't , but that asked me for my service.

This would be my first interaction with them, wouldn't it? From what I heard, the guildmaster loves fighting to the point of obsession. I wonder if it being a weirdo is a prerequisite to be a guildmaster these days…

Oh well, I don't mind being the first normal guildmaster when the time comes~

_ Helen: Owner~ Delusion time is over~

It's not delusional!!!

In front of us are a party of suspiciously muscular topless men with oversized weapons. Their frames are already big, and they still want to use weapons bigger than themselves.

Should I blast them to smithereens to protect and 's innocence?

_ ???: Get dressed, you guys. We are not fighting bosses.

No, please don't strip even if you were fighting bosses…

That voice came from behind. Did they just arrive using cafeteria's [Recall] network?

The owner of the voice is a brunette lady. She seems to be the boss of the flashe… I mean abnormal players with an unexplained urge to strip, but she is dressed normally with leather armors, as expected of an archer in a fantasy world.

Her bow is just as oversized as those guys' though.

_ Archer: Hi there, Olka… . I am , the guildmaster of . Pleased to meet you.

_ Shadyna: You mistook me for someone else didn't you?!

I can understand if you were thinking of there, but , of all people?! I took offense to that!

laughs while waving her hand apologetically.

_ Cinrald: Sorry, sorry. I was used to seeing that idiot with and you see. Old habits die hard.

It's understandable, but please don't group me with him…

_ Shadyna: It's fine. This is , and . They are young kids in real life so could you tell your members to put on some clothes?

in particular looks like she has been scarred for life. is giving a curious stare. Not sure which is worse, to be honest…

_ Cinrald: Will do, will do. I forgot to brief them about the job, so they thought it was going to be a fight to the death with you.

Is the guild going to be alright with this sloppy person…? Let's not think too deeply, un.

The muscle-heads have equipped skintight sleeveless torso armors on. Figures…

…

Our contract is to build a stadium on the barren land between the grassland outside of Tyrel and the swamp we were in earlier. In the context of this world, it would be called an amphitheater however.

The general idea is still the same. A big stage in the middle surrounded by closed walls, with as many seats for audience as possible.

Unlike who had prepared architectural designs and logistic support beforehand, just provided me with the budget and let me do as I see fit.

_ Poltea: U-uhm, Miss ?

_ Cinrald: Hmm?

_ Poltea: Are you… going to become an idol?

I also need to know what she intended to do with it to tune the design. Idol was not what I had in mind though…

_ Cinrald: Idol huh… Not a bad idea.

Seriously?

_ Cinrald: However, my plan was to build an arena. Our guild is not just about killing monsters. We also kill each other as a means to improve our abilities. In the past we used the market for that, but lately space ran out and the squishy merchants complained that we were disrupting their businesses.

If anything, I would say they tried to tolerate you guys as best as they could already… No wonder why they didn't think much of the cafeteria crew causing minor incidents here and there. Being a merchant is hard work~

What's with your guild's culture anyway? Are you guys the type that fall apart once there's no enemy to quarrel with?!

_ Fensen: , let's fight after this! I want to become stronger too!

There goes the education. Sigh…

_ Cinrald: Ahahaha, this little girl gets it. Wanna join us?

_ Shadyna: Hey, no poaching!

_ Fensen: No thank you, I prefer staying with ~

Un, that's my adorable apprentice alright. , please cease that heavy sigh.

_ Helen: Owner~ We are done here~

They were calculating the maximum area we can build on without exceeding the budget. We can't operate at a loss now can we~?

Saying that, it scares me how they got it done so quickly. The most important cost, which is the self-repairing walls, is already known in advance thanks to our first contract, but they had to estimate the cost for the interiors as well, right?

_ Helen (Party): We have experience with budgeting for constructions in Tyrel, and it's easier to calculate without having to embezz… sorry, include expenses for administration.

You were doing WHAT now?!

So that's how got rich. Our previous contract most likely funded the next super long rod huh…

Maybe we should establish an accounting firm so the embezzled coins are directed to us instead of , legally.

…

The construction work is going nicely. I begin the crafting then let others to work on it. Namely, the muscular perverts. The crafting sphere uses my stats and skills so it's alright.

is overseeing the work, while deals with merchants to buy building materials that we lack.

It is definitely my imagination that the merchants have a mixed expression of bliss and despair the moment they see . She is definitely not looking like the boss of a black company at work here.

_ Merchant: Pl-please, have mercy. We won't be able to make a profit at that price!

_ Linista: You WILL have a profit even if you bought this stock at market price. If you think you can get a better deal with someone else, feel free to. We have no need for a difficult supplier when many will flock to the company handling most of the upcoming building contracts anyway.

_ Merchant: My deepest apologies! We agree to all of your terms and conditions!!! Please at least consider a date with me!

_ Linista: Refused.

Scary… That guy's last sentence does not exist by the way.

Then there's standing from the side, with the "That's our boss" smile. I am sure she was backing with numbers to overwhelm the opposition.

I don't want to be on their bad side in a business meeting, that's for sure.

_ Cinrald: Hey, .

_ Shadyna: Yes~?

This person is just looking around and giving feedback as we build. She's the client, so…

_ Cinrald: We will be hosting a tournament to promote this place. Interested in participating?

Oh~, the infamous event where the protagonist asserts their dominance over the general population~

_ Shadyna: I'm a pacifist, so I'll pass.

_ Cinrald: What a pity. I was looking forward to studying your tactics in details.

Is that what you are supposed to say out loud to the person in question?

But it is indeed a waste if I don't enjoy this occasion… It is rare to have so many players fighting each other in a controlled environment in this game. Is there something I want to do that I can't otherwise…?

_ Shadyna: …Can I sponsor the tournament?

_ Cinrald: Eh?

____________

The cafeteria is overcrowded.

To counterattack the maid and butler café popping up recently, it was decided that the [Recall] network will be sold as a service.

By paying a fee, players can use one of the many stone tablets in the basements to teleport to any hunting zone in the game world. It is the well-known teleporter service that is available in many other games. This time, it was established by players themselves.

It solved the problem of long distance travels to resupply, and the price was acceptable for mid to high levels, so everyone accepted it with open arms, and wallets.

Now they have to deal with the problem of having too many people funneling into a building, but that surely is better than walking hours to get to the level 30 zones.

The mistress of the tavern, , is more worried about something else.

That being cheerfully talking to , leader of . The bartenders at the same table also look like they hit a gold mine, which can only be bad news considering the parties involved.

Now they are in deep thought about something, which is probably completely trivial due to the serious atmosphere.

suddenly gets cheerful, in contrast to the blushing . The sprout girl looks as if she has a revelation then turns to the head waitress with a bright smile.

_ Shadyna: Hessy~, can I rent your body for some time?

_ Hessenria: Are you out of your mind already?!

The harsh mistress has to work hard today as well.

--- Topic: Tournament announcement: Blood Sacrifice Battle Royale ---

## JigglingPouch

On behalf of Pathwrecker, I would like to announce the first player-held 1v1 tournament of the game: Blood Sacrifice Battle Royale.

Participants will be fighting each other in one-versus-one duels to the death in the arena. Winners get rewards as they progress to the next rounds. In the end, only one champion will leave the battlefield victorious, as traditions dictate.

- Time: One month from now (YYYY-MM-DD). Depending on the number of participants, it may last for more than one day.

- Location: The Great Arena near the entrance to Honey Swamp. Follow the road from Tyrel's southern gate or refer to this map. [Pic]

- Participation rules:

+ Register at Pathwrecker guildhall at least ten days before event time (YYYY-MM-DD).

+ Two players per guild. Bring your guild certification item when registering.

+ Individual registration is allowed. You will have to fight additional elimination rounds.

+ All participant must be level 30. If you have Inspect Resistance, you have to provide your own Inspect result. Exemptions are allowed for players with special skills/titles (Proof required).

- For non-participants:

+ We accept sponsorship. Contact Pathwrecker's management if you want to contribute.

+ The arena has a lot of seats, so come cheer for your favorite players.

+ Bet on the victors. Yes, we will have official betting. More info after registration closes.

- Sponsor list: [Link]

- Current jackpot: 15000 gold coins, lots of Fishy Dumpluck, and a date with Hessenria, the harsh mistress (Unique champion prize)

- Obligatory advertisement: The Great Arena is available for rent. Contact Pathwrecker's management for details.

##

## GoldBar9999

（　ﾟДﾟ）

Damn, you guys are eager to get that sweet return of investment huh. Or not, because what the hell is that jackpot?!

##

## Serious Mage

Winner takes all?

##

## Maximus Archery

Why bother? The sprout brat will win anyway.

##

## JigglingPouch

Winner of each round takes some. You will get something if you win at least one match.

Because Black Mantis is a sponsor (and she does not qualify anyway), she won't participate.

##

## CuteIsJustice

You are saying… we do have a chance to go on a date with the mistress?

(・・;) (￣ー￣)（　ﾟДﾟ）

##

## Newbie Charisma build

Two weeks to reach level cap. Go go go! ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ

##

## Manly Warrior

And more dumplings. (￣□￣;)

My mind says yes, but my body says no.

Let's do this! (^_^)/

##

## Heaven Piercer

How did you convince the harsh mistress by the way? Asking for a friend.

##

## JigglingPouch

Not sure. Black Mantis talked to her in private after being hit in the head.

My merchant blood tells me it was an offer she could not refuse, because she looked PISSED.

##

## StoneHoarder

She's not going to murder the champion in cold blood, right…?

##

## Heaven Piercer

Sounds like a double prize to me! (*^▽^*)

##

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