Harem Online: My Party Is Full of Beautiful Celebrities-Chapter 7: New Challenge

[Leaderboard Update: 98%... 99%... 100%]

[Level One Leaderboard Updated]

[Category: Damage Taken]

Various nicknames flashed on the leaderboard window of the Level One Dungeon.

Martin stood near Chaosgraphy and Rangar, but his eyes were glued to the window.

He searched fast and found it.

[#27 Emperoar - Damage Taken (Solo Run): 3023]

I was on the second page... on my first run. It was good.

I could feel those mechanics. I enjoyed the shielding and counterattacks, and I loved how much control I had with such limited options.

This was a good first attempt.

He pulled up the top of the category, then the slice around his own rank. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

[1. Thorn’Shield - 15017]

[2. HollowGate - 13240]

[3. IronMoss - 11892]

[4. GladeWall - 10411]

[5. AtlasBark - 9830]

...

[Page: 2]

[25. FrostKite - 3466]

[26. StoneWarden - 3310]

[27. Emperoar - 3023]

[28. BarkSentinel - 2979]

[29. SunRoot - 2814]

Runs were private. Rankings were public.

His gaze jumped back to the top spot.

[#1 Thorn’Shield - Damage Taken (Solo Run): 15017]

They did five times better than me. This is exactly a tank people want to entrust their defenses to.

And now, you’re my target, Thorn’Shield. I’ll defeat you.

Martin clenched his hands and pulled a wide smirk, his excitement rising even more. A new rival, someone he had absolutely no clue about, was more than welcome in his life.

I’d smoke ’em.

Next run, I’d go for the lake boss at the start and see it for myself.

This week, I’d focus on learning even more about the dungeon.

What about Chaosgraphy?

[Category: Damage Dealt]

[1. Auburn Slash - 28911]

...

[#24 Chaosgraphy - Damage Dealt (Solo Run): 5871]

It stung that her placement was better than his, even if it was a different category. With her Duelist class, she was surely quicker to realize the dungeon’s loophole. Still, it rubbed Martin the wrong way.

Bruh. What were those guys doing in solo runs? Letting the lake boss regenerate, focusing on the wolves, then going back to the boss? Sounds plausible.

He chuckled and looked toward Chaosgraphy.

Chaosgraphy’s eyes flicked to him once, like she’d already seen his placement.

"Our first runs are similar, but you hold the crown for now," Martin said. "I’ll reach the top spot in Damage Taken first, though."

Chaosgraphy turned to him and gave him a genuine, sharp smile. "I will keep the crown on my head. But good work. Looks like we’re fit for our classes."

Something about the crown metaphor struck Martin. He could see Chaosgraphy in the crown and wanted to snatch that for himself.

"Heavy is the crown. Let’s put real weight behind that," he said.

For a second, her smile sharpened like a blade. Her eyes lit up.

"Solo runs have advantages," Martin continued. "But party runs mean more chances to score in other categories and more rewards. If I hit rank one in Damage Taken before you, you will join my party for party runs." He laid down a real challenge. "You can ask me for anything you want as well."

"Just making a party doesn’t put any real weight. A party of us two... and for the next ten party runs, all rewards go to the winner," Chaosgraphy said, her sneer widening.

Martin’s grin widened too. He could already see how lucrative it was.

"Sure," he replied.

"Ten runs," Martin repeated, like he was locking it into memory. "No excuses."

They shook hands, and their rivalry sharpened.

On the side, Rangar stood there all smiles. He saw huge potential in these two and was eager to learn more about their first dungeon runs.

"I’ve seen people stare at that board for hours," Rangar said, amused. "Most of them never learn anything from it."

He nodded at both of them. "You’ve done great on your first runs. What lessons did you two take from them?"

Chaosgraphy replied first. "I can’t strike carelessly, or I’ll run out of weapons before I notice."

Martin’s gaze dropped to her hips for a second, catching how thick her thighs were. Strangely, his mother’s words about nice women flashed in his head, and he deadpanned.

He lifted his eyes. "Where are your swords?"

"They broke," she replied with a straight face.

Martin and Rangar chuckled.

Chaosgraphy clicked her tongue and looked away as the two men laughed.

"You’ve earned enough to buy better swords," Rangar said, calming her down. "Just wait for the payout."

He turned to Martin.

Martin nodded. "I played it too safe at the start and learned about the level-up loophole late into the run. I even went so far as to use my sword just to protect my HP. It was cool, but that’s not how this run should be played."

He exhaled, excitement still buzzing in his chest.

"Micro-adjustments. Positioning. Using the environment. Controlling monster angles. Luring them through fake gaps, or forcing them into the center of my shield. I feel like I learned way too much in this hour."

He smiled, eyes bright. "And I want to start the run again now."

Martin’s words impressed Rangar and Chaosgraphy.

He really had taken a lot from that one run.

Even though Chaosgraphy had scored higher, it still felt like she was the one falling behind. It was late, but she decided to go for yet another run.

Martin hollered. "Without swords?"

Chaosgraphy tsked. "Of course not..."

"I have work tomorrow, so I can’t go in even if I wanted," Martin said, sweeping his hand through the air to open his game system and log out. "Good night to both of you."

Chaosgraphy looked at him. "Good night."

She sounded friendlier... or was it my imagination?

"Night, Emperoar!" Rangar tapped Martin’s shoulder, smirking at him.

In this way, his second day in Monster Hunter Academy Online ended.

—

Martin came back from work looking like a prime example for parents to show their kids what they should never become. Fortunately, no one pointed fingers at him. It was too dark anyway.

He stopped by a street stall and ordered hot cocoa and a warm bun.

I’d treat myself better today... fuck it. I’d log in immediately and lure that lake monster out.

As he waited for his food, Martin looked at the TV perched on the wall. Another advertisement for Monster Hunter Academy Online played, now starring a famous singer.

"Dive in, grow stronger at the academy, be the hero who brings the monster invasion to its crescendo! Who knows, maybe you’ll meet me in there too?" she said, winking to the camera, stealing millions of hearts.

Even the shop owner stood still, staring at her like she was a diva.

Martin watched the screen a second longer.

Even celebrities were selling the dream now. Of course they were. The board made sure everyone chased something.

Martin harrumphed. "But can she perfect block?"

He munched on the warm bun.

Probably not with tits this huge.

Chuckling, he finished his food and headed home.

It was time for another run.

This time, he wouldn’t waste the opening minutes. He’d go straight for the lake boss and force the fight to happen early.