Chapter 396 - The Glass Orb of Transfiguration
And so, we decided to set aside all the difficult matters and lingering questions for another day, after a proper cooldown.
The somewhat sacred and profound ending sequence had thrown off the timing for celebration, but now, a buzz was beginning to spread through the crowd of players.
In each of their hands was a palm-sized glass orb… a mysterious object that, true to its name, would appear transparent as glass from one angle, or reflect the holder's face like a mirror from another.
[Glass Orb of Transfiguration]—a p(・)r(・)e(・)v(・)i(・)e(・)w(・) t(・)i(・)c(・)k(・)e(・)t(・) for a new system, granted to the raid members for vanquishing the [White Throne]. In reality, it presented…
"What is this, the ultimate choice…"
"""""……………………"""""
My bewildered mutter was followed by the silent voices of the other m(・)a(・)l(・)e(・) players, all wearing the same conflicted, troubled expressions that screamed, what are we supposed to do with this?
Since this new system would have a pretty significant impact on player performance, the rankers naturally gathered to form an impromptu council…
"…Which of these do you think is better? Um… for now, l(・)e(・)t(・)'(・)s(・) i(・)g(・)n(・)o(・)r(・)e(・) t(・)h(・)e(・) a(・)p(・)p(・)e(・)a(・)r(・)a(・)n(・)c(・)e(・) aspect and just discuss the performance side of things. I'd like to hear everyone's opinion."
The female players, for their part, also seemed surprised by the effects of the early-access item. But whether it was because the women here were unique, or because women in general just don't care as much about these things, they were far calmer than we were.
While I tried to take the lead on behalf of the still-silent men, Lux-san, for one, had already sprouted e(・)a(・)r(・)s(・) a(・)n(・)d(・) a(・) t(・)a(・)i(・)l(・) and was sporting a smug look.
So, yes, for now… let's set aside the appearance aspect.
As the name [Glass Orb of Transfiguration] implied, it granted players one of two skills. The question I wanted to pose was which of the `Trance` skills we should choose.
Should we choose the one that grants a s(・)e(・)c(・)o(・)n(・)d(・), editable S(・)t(・)a(・)t(・)u(・)s(・) sheet?
Or the one that eliminates a single stat in exchange for a massive boost to the others?
"…………That second option seems far too much of a gamble. If we could choose which stat gets eliminated and which get boosted, that'd be one thing, but a one-time random roll decided by the system is harsh."
"Exactly. For me, if my STR got wiped out, it'd be game over."
Watching Auerin nod in agreement with Irori, who was glancing at Lux-san, I could only nod along myself, as I too could end up in a situation where things would become 'game over.'
In my case, I could probably cover for a loss of STR, but losing either AGI or MID would cause a rather fatal shift in my build.
And LUC, I suppose.
Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—I didn't get a chance to utilize the new abilities of my [El-Gran Stasia], but its defense calculation still relies on LUC.
"Worst case, if you get a bad roll, you just don't have to use it… right?"
"The other one just gives you a second build to use, so it's not a straightforward buff. Of course, for some people, it will be a buff."
Fuji-san and Tetra followed up, slightly favoring the stat-boost `Trance` without fully endorsing it. Their reasoning was perfectly sound as well.
"…You know, I've actually always wanted to try a pure STR, all-brawn-no-brain build."
"Oh, nice. A single-strike focus is exhilarating in a different way from a speed focus."
"That's not an [Acrobat] at all. You already have zero DEX as it is."
I muttered what was more than half a thought to myself, and Auerin grinned as if welcoming a comrade, while Tetra immediately shot back with a retort.
Though he said that, Auerin himself was on the side where choosing the first `Trance` option was the safer and more surefire path to a huge return.
Although there were some restrictions on switching stats, it could be used mid-combat. So for him, it would open up tactics like landing a hit with his Anima on a speed-focused build, then switching to his main stats during a lull in the rush to deliver a full-power smash.
In essence, the more specialized a player's style, the more 'powerful' they would become by being able to flexibly compensate for their weaknesses, without even needing to rely on the stat-boost option. As for me, while the all-brawn build was one-hundred percent a dream of mine, I did have something I wanted to try if I chose the transformation `Trance`.
Also, Tetra had said it wasn't a 'straightforward buff,' but there was actually one massive, guaranteed enhancement—you get two separate MP pools, one for each stat sheet.
For a mage, that's just ridiculously strong. And for my avatar, a close-combat fighter who devours mana like crazy, it was a perfect fit.
"But in your case, the g(・)a(・)m(・)b(・)l(・)e(・) has high expected value, too."
"That's true."
I hate to flip-flop, but Irori's calm analysis was also correct. More so than stats that would end me if they were erased, I had many stats that wouldn't be a problem if they were.
STR could be compensated for with my inertia boosts and by brute-forcing it with my weapon's performance, and VIT and DEX were nonexistent to begin with. As for LUC, I could manage even if it disappeared in the worst-case scenario.
The only drawback would be that my armor's performance would plummet during the stat-boost `Trance`, but if I treated it as an all-out-offense, desperation buff, there'd be no issue.
In other words, I had a two-thirds chance of a significant power-up… which made me one of the people who couldn't make an easy decision. Conversely, it meant that whichever I chose wouldn't be a mistake.
Well, if I got a bad roll on the stat-boost it would be rough, but in a truly dire situation, I had the cheap trick of relying on Sora-san's [Scareless]—
""—I've decided.""
"Seriously?"
While I was still deliberating, the Southern tag team spoke in unison.
Exchanging awkward glances at their unintentional harmony, Auerin and Fuji-san each held up their [Glass Orb of Transfiguration].
"…………Don't you think you should calm down and think it over a bit more?"
Goldow, who had been listening to the discussion in silence, spoke up to stop them, his tone uncharacteristically hesitant. However, the two seemed to have no intention of changing their minds.
"Sorry, I'm not good at agonizing over things for too long."
"If it's an answer reached after careful thought, the only difference is whether it comes sooner or later."
With those words and different types of smiles, their hands simultaneously crushed the glass orbs—and in the next moment, the change came instantly.
With a faint clink, the [Glass Orb of Transfiguration] shattered into pieces, transforming into particles of light that enveloped each of their avatars… and after a particularly strong flash of light, their new forms appeared.
"…………I see. This is quite a strange sensation."
One was the [Automata], now with decorative feathers mixed in his hair and small wings sprouting from his back.
And the other—
"Ah… hold on a sec. Now that it's happened, this is way more embarrassing than I thought."
—was a slender b(・)e(・)a(・)u(・)t(・)y(・) with wavy, hawk-brown hair, who muttered in a husky voice that I couldn't help but want to ask, Who are you? Or rather, the [Adamant] whose gender had been reversed.
The change that had appeared in the two of them… was, in a word, t(・)h(・)a(・)t(・).
Now, let's set aside the performance aspect and talk about the appearance we ignored earlier. The flavor text for the [Glass Orb of Transfiguration] reads as follows:
—A glass mirror reflecting the self of another world.
In other words, it asks you to choose.
Will you become another version of yourself with a different gender, or another version of yourself from a different race?
I know this is an element that can be divisive, so I'll get ahead of it: this system will not lead to any heavy gender-bender developments in this story. It's intended to be used mostly for lighthearted gags, so those who dislike the trope can rest easy. And for those who enjoy it, I ask for your understanding.