kscans

Chapter 511 - Lunatic Demons

The new event, "Lunatic Demons," had begun.

The event, primarily set in the Demon Country, was simple. Players either subjugated demons who refused to follow the Demon King, or they listened to and fulfilled requests from demons who were friendly toward humans.

This time, however, there was supposedly a real-world prize for the top-ranking players. Information about it had not yet been released, but there was talk of a device allowing AFO access other than headgear, and conversations about that topic were heating up.

A new system was also introduced at the same time the event started, and a portion of the player base was ecstatic about it.

It was called Summoned Monster Uniquefication. Monsters called forth through skills like Demon Summoning or Spirit Summoning had always possessed a random appearance and AI. But now, by giving a summoned monster a name, you could make it permanent.

A named summoned monster could be called forth with the same appearance every time. Furthermore, just like the pet system, it would grow stronger by fighting alongside its master.

Many players had a Summoner skill composition, but the introduction of this system caused a surge in players aiming to become one. Apparently, the number of female players polishing their Demon Summoning skill in particular was on the rise.

"I’ll ask just in case, but why?"

"For Ashley-sama, of course!" Ginny answered Parfait’s question forcefully.

As far as Parfait was concerned, all she could say was, "I knew it," but she still held out a faint hope for some kind of denial. Not that she had any such hope to begin with.

To put it simply, the number of players summoning a demon, naming it "Ashley" after the number one butler demon in the popularity poll for Heart-Pounding Pandemonium, and trying to fight alongside it had apparently increased.

However, summoning a human-shaped demon required a Demon Summoning skill of at least 100, so recently players were grinding the skill everywhere.

"Plus, combined with the system from the last event that lets you create your own unique equipment, butler uniforms are selling for a really high price now. I hear Cynthia-san has been getting a lot of orders, too. Apparently, there are a lot of specific requests from people who want to add a small original element to the clothes."

"How peaceful."

Equipment could now also be used by unique individual summoned monsters and pets, so that side of things was booming as well. Many players were now focusing on that and ignoring the event itself.

(But, maybe this will make things a little easier for Rick-kun…)

Rick, who resembled Ashley, was often pressured by Ginny and others to cosplay inside AFO. With the implementation of this new system, the demands on him would likely decrease, so Parfait was happy that his troubles would be reduced, even if just a little.

"And that’s why I need you to help me grind my Demon Summoning skill!"

"I don’t mind that, but what’s your skill level, Ginny-chan?"

"It’s 90. Grinding skills in AFO is hell from this point on. Rumor has it that it’s a World of Emptiness."

"That’s what happens when you only focus on grinding skills."

Skills like swordsmanship, which were used constantly in combat, would level up just by fighting. But production and summoning skills weren't things you did over and over again, so leveling them up was difficult through normal play. You had to continue the void-like act of skill grinding, like using them constantly while logged in.

Still, grinding summoning skills was easier than some others. Unlike magic and summoning skills that could be used anytime as long as you had MP, production skills that required materials were quite tough. The higher the skill level, the more expensive the required materials became. On top of that, skills were hard to raise after level 90, so many players gave up in frustration.

(But Dad has mastered his production skills even in that situation… And apparently, it used to be much worse.)

Now, skills leveled up in the form of Skill Experience, so you would eventually reach your goal. But in the past, skill progression was supposedly based on probability. It was said that building a skill composition consisting only of production skills was deeply problematic due to the element of luck involved.

The thought of that grind was so intense it made her wonder if something painful had happened to him. Parfait decided she would give her father, Hayato, a shoulder massage tonight.

Setting that aside, Parfait decided to head to the Demon Country with Ginny and Trachiyo to help with the skill grinding while also participating in the event.

Parfait and her group arrived in the Demon Country using a single-layer device provided by another guild. Unlike when she had come before with Wilnel, the once-empty wilderness was now crowded with players.

Stronger players could fight inside the castle called Pandemonium, but since Parfait and her friends weren't that strong, they had to fight on the surface or in another dungeon. For now, though, it seemed there were players everywhere, and no hunting grounds they could claim for themselves.

"Maybe it’s better if we do the event and the skill grinding separately."

"That might be for the best. With this many people, it seems like it’ll take time just to find a demon to defeat. Shall we go to a different hunting ground?"

"Yeah… Oh, since we came all this way, should we go say hi to Mikan-san?"

"That’s a great idea. Unlike her Side Job Demon King role, she seems to have a lot of free time."

"I think being the Demon King is her main job, though."

"And as a family connection, she might tell us about a hidden hunting spot."

"Is it okay to ask the Demon King where to hunt demons…?"

As she pondered that question, they made their way to the Summoner’s Guild tent where Mikan was.

Parfait had already told Ginny that Mikan worked as a receptionist at the Demon Summoning Guild, and Ginny had apparently gone to see Mikan immediately after hearing about it. Mikan had been delighted, and ever since that day, Ginny had been visiting the guild whenever she had time.

An event had started in the Demon Country, and while the number of players in the Caravan had increased slightly, most were currently off fighting in other locations to defeat demons.

Perhaps because of that, Mikan’s guild was as deserted as the last time Parfait had visited. It was so quiet you might think people didn’t even know a guild was here.

When Mikan noticed Parfait and her friends, she welcomed them with a smile. "Welcome."

"You’re with Ginny-chan today. And welcome to you too, Trachiyo-chan."

Mikan waved to Parfait and Ginny, gently petted Trachiyo who had jumped onto the small counter, and immediately took out a cat teaser to start playing. Mikan's consistently gentle and warm atmosphere made Parfait smile in response.

(In the real world, she has the air of a capable woman, though.)

Mikan had said she was role-playing in both worlds, which made Parfait wonder what the real Mikan was actually like.

"The event has started. Are you all defeating demons?"

"About that, Elder Sister Mikan, the hunting grounds are so full of players that we haven’t been able to defeat any."

"Oh, that makes sense. The only other place with demons besides this country would be the Demon Lord’s Castle, I suppose."

"So, I wanted to ask you as the Demon King, Elder Sister Mikan. Do you know of any other places with demons? Oh, by the way, this is a strawberry shortcake. Please accept it."

"Heh heh heh, you’re quite the schemer yourself."

"Not at all, I’m no match for you, Demon King-sama, heh heh heh."

Ginny and Mikan got along well, sharing such an exchange with slightly mischievous smiles. Parfait’s master, Benitsuru, often did similar things, but Simon would never join in and would just make a slightly exasperated face.

Mikan ate the strawberry shortcake she was given, saving the strawberry for last. After deliciously savoring the final strawberry, she crossed her arms, said, "Hmm," and looked up toward the ceiling.

"For players as strong as you, Parfait-chan, the Necropolis in the Demon Country might be good."

"The Necropolis, wasn't that the City of the Dead? Don’t only Undead appear there?"

"That’s true for the lower floors, but demon-type monsters start appearing the deeper you go. In the Necropolis, you can teleport to any floor you’ve visited before, so if you can get there once, you can hunt demons as much as you want. That hunting ground isn’t very popular, so you should be able to fight a decent amount there, I think?"

Parfait was delighted to hear such good information.

"Then let’s go check it out. Is that okay, Ginny-chan?"

"Of course. I’m going to earn plenty of skill experience for my summoning skill!"

"Okay, then let’s get going. Let’s do our best."

"Huh?"

Parfait, Ginny, and Trachiyo all stared wide-eyed at Mikan’s words. Mikan herself just looked back at them with a "What?" expression on her face.

"Um, Mikan-san, are you coming with us?"

"It’s not good to leave people out. Besides, I have to go on an inspection as the Demon King, even if it is my side job."

Parfait wasn’t sure if such an inspection was necessary. Still, she felt bewildered that a cheat-level character had just joined their party. With Mikan all fired up and Ginny overjoyed, she set off for the Necropolis in the Demon Country.