Harem Online: My Party Is Full of Beautiful Celebrities-Chapter 19: Why Do I Care?
[Damage Dealt (Solo Run)]
[#3 Chaosgraphy: 30,560]
How did she deal that much damage? What was she doing?!
Martin’s eyes snapped wide. He’d opened the Damage Dealt category and immediately spotted Chaosgraphy’s nickname highlighted in bronze for placing in the top three. The number was shocking on its own, but what really got him was that she hadn’t even killed the Baby Kraken.
The surprise only lasted a few seconds.
A wide grin spread across Martin’s face. "Top three is huge, especially when you’re fighting with twin swords and still don’t have a proper skill for them. You went ahead of me again. I like it. Our bet just got more exciting now that we’ve got new skills and gear."
"I’m not satisfied with third place," Chaosgraphy said, like she refused to let the compliment settle. "I need to be stronger. More flawless."
Martin chuckled. "This run was satisfying, but it wasn’t enough. I want more."
"Me too," Chaosgraphy agreed. "I’ll check what I got. From one of the item names, I think I pulled a twin-sword set. Let me see..."
The rush of new loot washed over her hunger for ranks. Chaosgraphy tapped her screen, orange eyes flicking back and forth as she read. She looked so engrossed that Martin didn’t wait for her to finish and opened his own window.
She looks like she’s having a great time. I’ve got a lot of fun ahead of me too. Let’s see.
He checked the first item.
[Control Devil’s Shield (Purple) (Durability: 500/500) (Level Requirement: 1) (+20 STR, +25 VIT, +10 INT, +30 DEF)]
[Passive: Devil’s Brand (Purple): First enemy that hits you is Marked for 15s (tether visible only to you and them).]
[Mark: steal their Primary Stat and double this shield’s bonuses (DEF doubles vs their Main Damage Type). Perfect Block triples Mark effects and refreshes it (+5s). If they move beyond 30m, they get pulled back.]
Martin’s blood boiled as he read.
If I’m reading this right, I can adapt to almost anything as long as they hit my shield first. That’s insane for fighting different enemy types... but it’s also painfully solo.
"Look at these, Emperoar." Chaosgraphy’s voice had clear happiness in it as she swiped her screen toward him.
[Crimson Reprise Blades (Twin Swords) (Purple) (Durability: 250/250 each) (Level Requirement: 1) (+40 DEX, +15 STR)]
[Passive: Scarlet Riposte: After a successful Riposte, your next 2 attacks apply Severe Bleed (5% Max HP per tick) and heal you.]
[Passive: Red Bloom: 3 consecutive critical hits apply Bleed. At 9 stacks, it upgrades to Severe Bleed and heals you.]
"Damn," Martin muttered. "That’s a perfect solo weapon."
"Look at the icons too. They’re beautiful." Chaosgraphy tapped the item icon, enlarging it to show the twin swords in detail.
Martin nodded. "Agreed. My Control Devil’s Shield isn’t falling behind, either."
He swiped his shield over.
Chaosgraphy’s first reaction was simple. "Nasty."
Martin enlarged the icon as well. The Control Devil’s Shield was a dark slab of metal, its front tangled with countless curved horns that looked impractical at first glance.
Neither Martin nor Chaosgraphy cared.
"This shield looks sexy," Martin said with a smirk.
Chaosgraphy rolled her eyes at his word choice, but still agreed. "Sexy indeed. I’ll check boots now. What did you get?"
"A chest armor," Martin replied.
"Suits your role," Chaosgraphy said.
"That’s my line," Martin shot back with a chuckle.
He opened the second item.
[Hermit’s Bulwark Cuirass (Purple) (Durability: 300/300) (Level Requirement: 1) (+30 VIT, +20 STR, +40 DEF)]
[Passive: One Man Wall: While solo (no allies nearby), gain 25% damage reduction.]
[Also: reduced stamina cost on blocks; reduced mana cost on Fortify/Taunt; longer duration; shorter cooldown.]
The stats and passive were perfect for his kit.
And yet, Martin’s smile faded as he stared at the words.
It’s like the System is trying to decide what I am for me.
First thing I’ll master is control. Everything else can wait.
His eyes sharpened, the playful light draining from them.
Chaosgraphy had been about to show him her boots, but stopped when she noticed his blank expression. Curiosity stirred for no reason she could justify.
Why do I care? He’s just a rival.
After a moment, Martin turned to her. "Could we drop our bet?"
Chaosgraphy froze, then stared at him like he’d lost his mind.
