Chapter 397 - Before / After
Following the bold move by the Southern Faction's ranker tag team, other players in the area began to crush their own [Glass Orbs of Transfiguration] one by one.
When it comes to this sort of irreversible choice, the standard practice in gaming is to wait for reviews from the pioneers… the sacrificial lambs, so to speak. But this time, we were the pioneers.
Thanks to the information shared by those who boldly stepped forward, the detailed specifications of the two types of `Trance` became a little clearer.
First, for the transformation `Trance`, there are no random elements regarding stats, so this is mainly about appearance—specifically, the avatar's form after the gender transformation.
To put it simply, the appearance after transformation is completely random, leaving o(・)n(・)l(・)y(・) a(・) s(・)l(・)i(・)g(・)h(・)t(・) r(・)e(・)s(・)e(・)m(・)b(・)l(・)a(・)n(・)c(・)e(・). Auerin's case, where his hair and eye color, along with the general feel of his eyes, were similar to his original form… was actually on the high end of retaining previous features.
Basically, it seems you end up looking like 'unrelated siblings.' Furthermore, while you become good-looking in a fantasy-esque way, there's a certain n(・)o(・)r(・)m(・)a(・)l(・)i(・)t(・)y(・) to it… a more “natural look” rather than that of a meticulously crafted, super-beautiful character.
Honestly, I think in Arcadia, that's an element that adds a sense of uniqueness.
Precisely because the game allows for complete freedom in appearance creation, an u(・)n(・)c(・)h(・)a(・)n(・)g(・)e(・)a(・)b(・)l(・)e(・), randomly generated appearance could, in a sense, be truly one-of-a-kind.
Well, my avatar is completely original from the start anyway… Incidentally, regarding the `Trance` system, it seems we don't need to worry about VRE operability issues and such.
The reason is a mystery. But, as always, the knowledge installed in my brain says 'there's no problem,' so I have no choice but to trust it.
Why, though? If there's no problem with your gender changing or growing ears and a tail, then there shouldn't be a problem with just changing your face! Explain the damn breakdown of why 'there's no problem'!
I'm not convinced, so I'll corner Chitose-san with questions if I get the chance.
Anyway, that's more or less how the transformation `Trance` works. As for additional information, a new 'Equipment Set' feature will be implemented to go along with the two stat sheets.
You can set equipment for both your original and transformed stats, and when you activate the skill, your equipment will automatically switch to the corresponding set as your stats f(・)l(・)i(・)p(・).
It's a very thoughtful consideration. Not everyone can do instant outfit changes with `Quick Change`, so this is an essential function.
Overall assessment—having two stat sheets is simply convenient and undoubtedly strong. And being able to become a completely 'different person' by flipping your gender seems genuinely interesting.
Next, about the stat-boost `Trance`. There isn't much new information here; it's pretty much as the system described beforehand.
One of the six stats—VIT, STR, AGI, DEX, MID, LUC—is eliminated, and in return, the other stats are significantly boosted. Thanks to the examples of a few pioneers, the pattern of stat fluctuation has become clearer.
While there seems to be some individual variation in the total increase, it appears that the points from the eliminated stat, plus an additional 200 points or so, are redistributed among the remaining stats.
That's a buff equivalent to about twenty levels. It's incredibly powerful, but the fact that the distribution destination is, as far as we can tell, random, still makes it a huge gamble.
However, in a rather merciful twist, it seems that 'the stat with the most points invested' is exempt from being eliminated. The sample size is still only about twenty, but since all of them have had the same result, it's safe to assume this is how it works.
In other words, the worst-case scenario of your build becoming non-functional and useless can be avoided to some extent, though it depends on the person.
This also means that by using the stat reset function when activating this `Trance`, you can definitely protect one specific stat.
It's unknown what happens if there are multiple stats tied for first place. Since my AGI, MID, and LUC are all tied at 300, I'd have no choice but to tremble before the random gacha if I chose this path as I am now, making a stat reset essential.
—And so, based on the information above… my decision was made.
"…………Alright, since we're all here, let's do it all at once."
The rankers, who had naturally split into male and female groups to deliberate, gathered together, and Goldow, still wearing an awkward and troubled expression, took the lead.
I could understand how he felt; in fact, I was probably making a similar face myself.
Because… you know? The women have it easy. They're all beauties, avatar or not, so whether they grow ears or a tail, it's just 'oh, how cute.'
And with the transformation `Trance`, if they turned into handsome men, it would be striking both visually and spiritually. Female fans around the world would surely swoon.
But for us guys, depending on how things go, it could be a major disaster.
No, I should be more specific: for me. The only other person I know of with the same real face is Irori, but his base material is so good that there's no comparison.
I've been working on my self-esteem lately, so I don't mean to be self-deprecating, but I'm certainly not a 'man of peerless beauty' or 'super handsome.'
Above all, since I perceive this avatar as being 'just me'… psychologically, it would be like doing cosplay while stone-cold sober.
It's just painful. And though perhaps not to the same extent as me, the other men must be feeling a similar sense of embarrassment and hesitation.
Goldow, Tetra, and Irori all had indescribable expressions, and even Genkotsu-san was lifting his glass orb with a slightly grim face.
All in all—it was a stark contrast to the female players, who were practically buzzing with excitement.
Ah, there's no escaping it now by choosing to 'hold off.' I'll just have to treat it as a form of escapism and look forward to seeing what my partner's transformation will be like… and get this over with in one go.
"Alright………… here we go, on three!"
Not just Lux-san, Auerin, and Fuji-san, who had already made their choice, but all the raid members were watching us intently.
As we formed a circle, under Goldow's almost desperate command, we all crushed our glass orbs at once—
A cascade of light particles danced and unraveled in the air, and I was assaulted by an overwhelming sense of wrongness.
It must have been because I s(・)w(・)i(・)t(・)c(・)h(・)e(・)d(・) t(・)o(・) m(・)y(・) s(・)e(・)c(・)o(・)n(・)d(・) s(・)t(・)a(・)t(・)u(・)s(・) s(・)h(・)e(・)e(・)t(・), causing my abilities to plummet to their base state with no points invested. My body felt unbearably heavy.
Which means, the choice I made was not the stat-boost `Trance`, but the transformation `Trance`.
And that means, this body right now is——… wait, I c(・)a(・)n(・)'(・)t(・) s(・)e(・)e(・) a(・)h(・)e(・)a(・)d(・).
"Whoa, my hair… it's so lo…"
The unfamiliar, high-pitched voice that spilled from my lips was another source of immense dissonance. It felt as if someone else was speaking according to my will, a bizarre sensation I'd never experienced before.
Swaying behind me was hair so long it didn't just tickle my neck, but felt like it could reach my feet. As I pushed aside the curtain of long bangs with my hand—
—I was met with a flood of countless stares.
…………What is it? Why are you all looking at me?
I shouldn't be the only one who changed. Not only the members of our 'circle,' each with their new faces, ears, and tails, but even the gazes of the players watching from the sidelines seemed to be focused mostly on me.
A bad feeling… or rather, just pure confusion as I turned to my side—
"…!…………, ………………!!!!"
Long, slender, straight hair—as my eyes met my partner's through a veil of snow-like white, her eyes went wide… her face flushed bright red, and she stumbled backward.
…Huh? Hey, wait a minute.
"…………………………Um, excuse me…?"
Yeah, I have to admit, my voice is incredibly pretty. I could probably get popular if I started streaming songs—but my face?
"I don't suppose… I ended up with a face that's unbearable to look at, have I?"
Well, blushing at an ugly face doesn't make much sense, but for Sora-san to back away from me like that… Wait, being handed a mirror without a word just makes the suspicion grow! Did I really get a terrible roll on the appearance gacha!?
And why is no one saying anything? Even Asche is silent—or is it just my imagination that she looks s(・)t(・)u(・)n(・)n(・)e(・)d(・)?
What is going on…? Argh, whatever!
It wasn't so much that I'd steeled my resolve, but rather a defensive action to quickly accept reality and eliminate the fear of the unknown.
Under the silent watch of the crowd, I peeked into the hand mirror Sora gave me—
—and stared back at the girl's face reflected in the small circle.
For a good ten seconds or more, I had a staring contest with a g(・)i(・)r(・)l(・) o(・)f(・) u(・)n(・)r(・)e(・)a(・)l(・) b(・)e(・)a(・)u(・)t(・)y(・) with w(・)h(・)i(・)t(・)e(・) h(・)a(・)i(・)r(・) a(・)n(・)d(・) b(・)l(・)u(・)e(・) e(・)y(・)e(・)s(・), one who could rival even the [Sword Queen]—
"…………………………………………Where… did the part that looks like m(・)e(・)… go???"
The voice that escaped my lips echoed with an almost chilling beauty.
You hit the SSSSSR tier on the appearance gacha. Go on, be happy. Please be aware that, in all honesty, this is a necessary and important factor for the story and has nothing to do with my personal preferences. Also, the VRE stuff will be vaguely explained later, so please ignore it for now.
Okay, I lied, maybe ten percent of it is my preference. I mean, who doesn't like beautiful white-haired characters, male or female!?