01x01 - Defense and First Battle

[bunniefuu]

It's fun.

It's really great.

It's really awesome. Just try it.

Right now?

Of course.

You've got everything, right?

I've got it all here.

But Risa, you can't play yet, right?

My mom said I've got to focus on
studying for the next exam.

So, Kaede, go ahead without me.

I'll catch up in no time.

Risa, the bath is ready!

Okay!

I've got to go.

Anyway, give it a go.

I'm sure it's going to be awesome!

RISA

Wait, Risa!

Come on...

I've barely played a game in my life...

I only bought this because of Risa.

How could I say no
when I see those shining eyes?

Well, let's set this game up.

I have to choose a name first.

It doesn't seem right to use my real name.

What should I do?

Right!

My first name "Kaeda" means "maple."

So, I'll just use "Maple" as my user name.

MAPLE

That's it.

Next would be starting equipment...

There are great sword, two-handed
sword, one-handed sword,

mace, staff...

I'm not good at running around.

Besides, I don't want to get hurt,

so I should avoid getting hit.

Maybe I should pick the staff
and be a wizard?

GREAT SHIELD, SHORT SWORD

LACK OFFENSIVE, BEST DEFENSE

It is lacking in offense,

but the best in defense?

Does this mean if I raise my defense,
I won't take any damage?

Okay, I'll take this.

Next, distributing status points...

I'll put everything on defense.

There! That should be fine.

Good.

TO THE STARTING POINT

This is what VRMMO like nowadays?

I'm so slow!

Why?

Right.

Vitality means defense, right?

Strength is power...

Agility is speed...

Right, my agility is zero,
so I can't walk fast.

Jeez, did I mess it up?

What should I do?

Risa isn't here.
Should I log out and start again?

AFTER 5 MINUTES

All right.
I'm finally done with the settings.

Let's go and get some monsters!

Where should I go?

Excuse me...

Excuse me, I...

What is it?

Well, I'd like to fight some monsters.

But I don't know where to go.

You're a newbie?

If you're looking for monsters,
head west to the forest.

It's a good spot to raise your level
when you're just starting out.

Just stand there
and the monsters will come to you.

Thank you. I'll check it out.

All the best.

Frederica, what are you doing?

Drag.

There's a newbie,

so I told her where
to raise her level easily.

There are more and more players now.

Well then, let's get going.

Payne is already here.

He's always on time.

Everyone's so fast.

It seems like I need more agility.

That must be the forest.

Great. This spot should be fine.

Mr. Monster! Come get me!

You're so cute!

Stop!

Ouch! Wait, it doesn't hurt...

Amazing! It doesn't hurt at all.

Having 128 vitality sure does the trick.

How about that, Mr. Bunny?
Have a taste of my abs.

It doesn't hurt at all.

Hey, what's wrong with you?
Come on, bring it on!

Try harder.

Over here. Hey, over here. Come on!

1 HOUR LATER

Come on, try harder.

Hold on, Mr. Bunny.

ABSOLUTE DEFENSE IS ACQUIRED.

THIS SKILL WILL DOUBLE VIT,
THRICE THE POINTS TO UPGRADE STR, AGI, INT

It will double the vitality?

Does that mean
now I have 256 vitality points?

I was just playing with Mr. Bunny.

Okay, sorry to keep you waiting,
Mr. Bunny.

Mr. Bunny?

Mr. Bunny!

CONGRATULATIONS,
YOU'VE LEVELED UP TO LEVEL 2.

Bunny!

I didn't mean to defeat it.

I've got more status points to distribute.

Now it seems pointless
to raise the stats other than defense.

Okay, I've decided.
I'll add them to my defense stats.

It's because I don't want to get hurt.

What monsters are around here?

I don't want to fight against
the cute ones again.

I hope the next one isn't cute.

Oh no!

It doesn't hurt.

That tickles.

That's hot.

I can't defend myself against poison.

Tactical retreat!

ANTI-POISON, LOW LEVEL IS ACQUIRED.

I see.

I gained resistance ability
from being attacked.

Good.

I can't keep going...

ANTI-POISON, LOW LEVEL
TO INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

Yes!

By doing so,
I'll get stronger to resist poison.

I'm dying!

It fell for my trick.

Got it!

It's a tough opponent, but I defeated it.

It was a really scary enemy.

But with my wisdom and courage,

the evil monster was defeated.

GIANT k*lling IS ACQUIRED.

CONGRATULATIONS,
YOU'VE LEVELED UP TO LEVEL 8.

FOREST QUEEN BEE'S RING IS ACQUIRED.

SIX POINTS ADDED TO VITALITY
RECOVERS IN 10 MINUTES

It's a rare item.

Six points added to vitality.

If I use it, I can recover
my HP automatically.

Let me see.

I've attained 15 status points.

I'll also use them all on vitality.

"Giant k*lling..."

Well...

This gets activated.

That means, with Absolute Defense,

it has multiplied by four times.

I feel so accomplished.

What is that?

MEDITATION IS ACQUIRED.

"You can recover 1 percent of HP
within 10 seconds."

The effect lasts for 10 minutes.

To attain it, you must
be attacked continuously."

"Be attacked continuously"?

CONGRATULATIONS,
YOU'VE LEVELED UP TO LEVEL 11.

PROVOCATION IS ACQUIRED.

ATTRACTS ENEMY TO A CERTAIN AREA.

I might be flustered,

but it's fine
since I've gained a new skill.

I also have 10 more status points.

I'll also use them on vitality.

Isn't this pretty good for a first day?

Let's call it a day.

It's really fun.

It can't be? It's very late already.

Oh no, I have homework to do.

INCREDIBLE SHIELDER DISCOVERED
NEED MORE DETAILS, HOW AMAZING?

SHE SLEPT WHILE CENTIPEDES,
CATERPILLARS AND WOLVES SURROUND HER.

ANY SHIELDER WOULD HAVE DIED.
SHE MUST HAVE A POWERFUL GEAR.

IT GROSSES ME OUT THINKING ABOUT IT.
HOW COULD SHE SLEEP WITH BUGS AROUND?

SHE DIDN'T EVEN DIE. WAS DAMAGE OFFSET?
WHAT IS SHE LIKE? A CUTE GIRL UNDER 150CM.

I'D DIE IF I WERE HER.
DID SHE USE IT ALL ON DEFENSE?

IF SHE TOPS THE CHART,
SHE'LL BECOME MORE WELL-KNOWN.

I'LL UPDATE IF THERE'S ANYTHING NEW.
THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION.

Here I go again.

I'll play alone since Risa can't make it.

Everyone looks so trendy.

I'm still in my starter's gear.

He's also a shielder.

Excuse me!

Excuse me. Wait...

Well...

Where should I go
to get a cool shield like yours?

This?

Yes, that shield is really cool.

Thank you.

This is custom made.

I paid a crafter to get it done.

I see...

Shall I introduce you to her?

Thank you!

She really is a newbie.

Who knew she'd approach me?

WELCOME TO IZ'S WORKSHOP

Hi, Chrome. Welcome.

Who is this kid?

Hello.

I found a new shielder,

so I took her here
on a spur of the moment.

What a cute kid.

Chrome, did you bring her here
without thinking?

Should I call the police?

Wait!

It was just a bad choice of words.

I know. I was just joking.

That's bad for the heart. Stop it.

You shouldn't have followed
a stranger either.

Got it.

I'm not some stranger.

So, what brings you here?

She would like a cool shield.

That's why I brought her to you.

I see.

I'm Iz.

As you can tell, I'm a crafter.

I specialize in smithing.

But I can do synthesizing and others too.

Well, I'm Maple.

Maple?

Why did you choose to be a shielder?

Well, it's because I don't want
to get hurt, so I raised my defense.

I see...

Would higher vitality stats gear
be better for you?

But you'll need millions of gold.

How much do you have now?

About 3,000...

That's not enough.

But you'll save up a lot
before you even know it.

I'll save the trendy gear
until later then.

Poison Dragon Labyrinth is at east.

There are many treasures.

The monsters are pretty tough.

You can check it out sometimes.

If you're lucky,
you might attain some gear there.

I got it. Thank you.

Since we've already met,
should we become friends?

Then, we can get in touch anytime.

Thank you so much!

Can I also add you, Chrome?

I'll share some of my potion with you.

This is for the friendship
between shielders.

CHROME, IZ

WELCOME TO IZ'S WORKSHOP

Is she going to the dungeon alone?

That can't be.

I'm finally going to check out
the dungeon.

It really seems like an adventure now.

Since it's the Poison Dragon Labyrinth,

will there be a poison dragon?

But I'll be fine since I have the potion
and my anti-poison ability.

Is this the entrance?

Here it comes. The slimes!

Then, take this!

I've finally gotten rid of it.

SHIELD ATTACK IS ACQUIRED.

Although I'd like to have
more decent attack skills...

The dungeon boss
should be showing up by now.

Is this the poison dragon?

My shield and sword...

I can't resist that?

If so...

I have to time it nicely.

Again.

As long as I keep repeating this...

ANTI-POISON, MODERATE LEVEL
TO ADVANCED LEVEL.

It's not good enough.

Will I finish up the potion first
or get poison immunity first?

This is the last bottle of potion.

ANTI-POISON, ADVANCED LEVEL
TO POISON IMMUNITY.

I did it!

Your attack is pointless now,
Mr. Poison Dragon.

But I can't attack either.

What should I do?

I told you, it doesn't work on me.

Take this!

No, it doesn't work at all.

Yes!

It doesn't taste too good.

Thank you for giving Dragon's Breath.

With a bit of spiciness,

the taste of peppers fades away,
so it really helps.

Awesome! I won!

HYDRA EATER IS ACQUIRED.
POISON IMMUNITY UPGRADED TO HYDRA.

CONGRATULATIONS,
YOU'VE LEVELED UP TO LEVEL 18.

20 status points.

These will all go to defense.

Hydra Eater can let me use
all of the Poison Dragon's magic?

This means...

Now I have my first real attack skill.

And poison totally works for me.

I just have to defend myself
by poisoning my opponents.

Right, I also have to check over here.

REPLICA OF THE DARK NIGHT, BLACK ROSE
ARMOR, CRESCENT MOON ARE ACQUIRED.

Even when damaged, it repairs itself
and becomes more powerful.

It's one of a kind!

This means
I'm the only person who has this.

This is really awesome! So cool!

Great!

I'll keep going with high defense stats.

I don't want to get hurt.

LOG OUT

See?

I told you it's fun, right?

Yes, it's only my second day,
so I'm not that powerful yet.

Risa, join me soon.

I just need a bit more time.

After the mock exam,
I'll be able to log into the game.

Kaede, you have to study hard too.

So that you won't be the next one
to get banned from games.

You're right.

Right?

Sorry.

It seems to be a lot of fun.

I MET THE YOUNG SHIELDER.
I ADDED HER AS A FRIEND.

WE MET, SO SHE APPROACHED ME.
THE YOUNG SHIELDER IS SO FRIENDLY.

SHE SAID MY SHIELD WAS COOL.
I INTRODUCED HER TO THE CRAFTER.

SHE'S A SHIELDER
BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GET HURT.

YOU'RE CHROME?
AREN'T YOU A TOP ACTIVE PLAYER?

OUR CURRENT PURPOSE IS TO SAFEGUARD HER.
OKAY.