Re: Monster - World's Reversal

I can't remember much about the rest of the journey, or how we came to the main building for the magus association in this city, but I'm pretty certain it's well kept. Given that we weren't rushing, I probably didn't display my panic too badly, and for that I am incredibly thankful. Dear lord, you can't expect for me to hear something as horrifying as that without blanching. He can quite literally KILL ME FROM THE FUTURE at ANY MOMENT, so I'm just a bit terrified that I might just suddenly drop dead.

Some time into a conversation with someone important… Or at least, probably important, given he's sitting behind a pretty ornate desk and has a bodyguard behind him, I regain clarity just in time to hear, or possibly due to hearing-

"Lately there have been reports of increased monster activity in the Great Jura Forest, so just as a precaution we're sending a few of our B-rank adventurers to assess the integrity of the true dragon's prison. As a newly appointed B-rank yourself, I believe it will be a good opportunity for you to gain some combat experience against the monsters which inhabit Veldora's cave."

[Quest obtained: The Caged Dragon]

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[The Caged Dragon: Assess the integrity of the eternal prison.]

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Rewards:

??? - ?Hypothesis? - ???

+10 free stat points]

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Ah. That's an odd reward for a menial task.

So, Rimuru is already at the 120 day mark… If he was only at day 30-ish like myself, fighting him wouldn't be a problem at all really, given he took 90 days off to integrate with great sage.

It's ok, it's fine. It's ok, it's fine. It's ok, it's fine, he's only killed a few minor animals at the moment and absorbing Veldora probably won't count towards his level… I hope. I really want to beat him at least once and get his abilities, but that isn't worth getting on the wrong side of him considering the benefits of being his ally.

...

What am I saying, I just don't want to be killed by future him. Giving him help before he becomes said omnipotent being is a great way to get in his good graces and avoid being smitten.

"Yes. Yes I most certainly do. When do we leave?"

I may have said that with a bit more fervour than necessary, he looks a bit worried.

"A-alright then, you'll be leaving in 3 days, so in the meantime, you'll have plenty of time to explore the city… Speaking of which, do you have any currency?"

"Nope. What I do have is a number of furs and spirit stones to trade with, but I'd rather get some estimates around town before selling."

"Well, I'll give you your first offer. Unless they're water or earth stones, 3 silver coins per lesser spirit stone, 8 for a mid-range, and 7 silver plates per high-rank spirit stone. Silver coins are worth 1000 gold, plates are worth 10 coins."

"Price of bread?"

"20 gold."

If 20 gold is enough for bread, then I can assume 1 gold is approximately 10 cents, meaning… He's offering me $300 for each low-ranked stone?! Get rich quick I guess, but I never knew they were so rare.

"You sure about that? Those are some mighty fine prices."

"Tch. Stones are hard to find, and even harder to mine. Fire stones only exist on the insides of volcanoes and around phoenix nests or the like, lightning stones are only born in thunderstorms, there's no proper way to track down wind stones and don't even get me started on darkness or light stones. I'll pay a proper 30 times over for those. On the other hand, water and earth stones… They're only going for about 50, 150 and 500 gold each because they just take time to get."

I take out 4 fire stones, 3 wind stones, 5 lightning stones and a light stone. I've got quite the number more than that in my pack, but I'm not so stupid as to sell everything to one buyer, he'll try to get a bulk discount that way. With large sums of money it's always better to be careful. In response to his wide-eyed stare, I call out to him with an amused sing-song voice and a massive grin.

"So, whatcha thinkin' 'bout?"

That seems to startle him out of his half-frozen state. At least enough to get back to business. Looking more carefully at him, he's got slightly less than average bulk, spiky hair, a scar across his right eye and a generally uncaring expression on his face. He's not that much taller than me either, which says a lot. He also seems to sigh quite a lot and is in fact letting out a rather large one as we speak, yet another thing we have in common.

"Ugh… Alright. Here's your money. Just… Ah, I'm a plate short- do you mind just having 10 coins instead?"

So… He just has masses of money in his drawer just in case? I mean, if he has to pay high-ranked adventurers up front then I guess it makes sense, but even still, he's a guildmaster… Couldn't he just send them off with his secretary?

"I don't mind, no. But one quick question… I get that spirit stones are rare, but that can only raise a price so much. What's so special about light and darkness stones, especially those of higher quality?"

"In one word, research. Light and darkness energies are, as far as we know, the closest thing to primordial chaos and void magic still in existence. A number of our top mages study the light exuded and try to break it down into concepts, to develop magic based on the purest form of one specific concept… It's definitely far more complicated than that, but I don't study that branch of magic so-" He shrugs. "- you'd have to ask them straight up. As for why higher qualities are better, it probably makes it simpler to identify the concepts or something."

"So I'm being paid by the guild, not you in specific."

"Pretty much. Last thing, you're a B+ rank if anyone asks, but usually just 'B' is enough. Just to clarify most people have to chant or set up an inscription before casting."

"Well, I'm sold. But I get my money back if you've lied about anything. I'll work on making a false chant as well."

----- Day 33 -----

"Imma take on a hind bear extermination request. Shouldn't take long"

".. Why am I not surprised?"

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[Level Up! 35 - 36!]

[STR: 48 - 49!]

[END: 138 - 140!]

[WIS: 142 - 145!]

[INT: 143 - 146!]

[SPD: 103 - 105!]

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[Free stat points: 5]

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Hmm. That hasn't happened in a while. I wonder what level Rou is at now?

I've explored quite a bit of the city now. Not quite at the point where I can tell where to go to get anything done though.

----- Day 34 -----

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[Rank Up! Hesperide - Keeper of Balance!]

[Title gained: Keeper of Balance [SS+] - Affinity +500% with all forms of magic while a related or opposing form is of equal/higher rank.]

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[Stats:]

[STR: 48 - 49!]

[END: 138 - 140!]

[WIS: 142 - 145!]

[INT: 143 - 146!]

[SPD: 103 - 105!]

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[Racial multiplier: 5]

[Free stat points: 5]

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… Interesting. I appear to have ranked up once again only 16 levels after my original. Judging by the title I've gained, my new rank is rather rare. This is good, since becoming a Hesperide was one of the common routes, and generally variant routes and the such-like lead to far higher final strength cap. I'll have to do some experimenting to see what classifies for relating or opposing, because alongside my other bonuses my magic training could come along quite nicely. I probably don't have to worry about random fights either for the moment. My racial multiplier puts me above… Quite a lot of things… In terms of power. I mean, to put it in perspective, my current total STR is 245. That should say something.

Other than growing to a respectable 5"4, there don't seem to be many changes to my appearance. Scratch that, I have heterochromatic eyes now. I have black and white irises, and the black one somehow has a white pupil… That's DEFINITELY not gonna get me locked up and experimented on... Time to shapeshift!

Spent most of the day trying to figure out what realistic chants for my magic would be. Listening in on the other mages while they trained was helpful.

----- Day 35 -----

"Here are your teammates. Elen, Gido and Cabal, who will be the leader of this party. You all know what you have to do already, so go do it."

He's probably still angry that I got taller than him over-night. Ah well. It's probably a good idea for me to initiate the conversation, it'll reflect badly on me if I don't. With this in mind I start to speak practically the moment we're outside, stretching my arms and locking them behind my head as I do it.

"So! My name's Alaya. I'm can manipulate nature and the elements pretty well, my lightning magic isn't too shabby and as far as wounds are concerned, unless you're missing a limb, I can probably heal it. I like sweet foods and being lazy, and I dislike anything that involves hard work, though I will do it if I have to."

Cabal breaks into laughter almost immediately. It's good to see that at least someone here is relaxed.

"Ah, honestly I'm the same there! We'll probably have to rely on you for healing quite a bit. -"

He's a careless idiot serving as the party's ta- frontliner.

"Elen, -"

Carefree, but not necessarily careless, and providing cover fire, presumably for-

"Gido."

"He's our 'thief'. He's really proficient with poisons and his sword skills do massive amounts of damage."

"Nice to meet you all. I sincerely hope we can work together effectively."

Not really, they can do what they want, and I'm just here to meet the lord and master of the universe.

----- Some time later -----

"So… You gonna talk about your being an elf, or we gonna ignore it?"

By this time we're a decent way away from Trient and pretty deep in the woods. Anyway, they tense up to the point where I swear a single leaf could have triggered them to launch in any direction

"How did you know that?"

Gido is the one to break the silence. Amusing really considering his normal aversion to standing out.

"Aren't the ears enough of a giveaway? I'm not passing judgement, just for the record. I myself am an advanced rank of the nymph race known as a keeper of balance, and if it weren't for some very complex magic, you would be looking at black and white eyes rather than these. In conclusion, calm down, I'm not gonna **** ya… Geez, this went down a lot better in my head."

"I-is that so…? W-well, in answer to your question, I wouldn't like to talk about it at the moment."

"Ah well, guess I shouldn't push it. Buuut, since you aren't sharing, I shan't either."

----- Day 36 -----

These are definitely decent people. A bit braindead sometimes, but decent all the same. Loyalty is practically their bible in a word, and friendship is their second commandment. It doesn't lose me anything to be nice, and to be honest I enjoy their company… I'd really hate if I had to kill them for any reason.

"We're coming up to the gate."

"It's about damn time. Can you guys not walk any faster?"

"Well I'm sorry, not all of us are as agile and full of energy as you."

*BANG!*

"Not so loud! You'll attract everything inside!"

"Aaand that's a bad thing… Why exactly?

The gate was rusted, so I just battered it down with a stone pillar. I already know what's inside, and none of it's too dangerous, so I'm perfectly ok with this. They, on the other hand, seem to be quite the opposite, quaking in their boots.

"Pff, it'll be fine. However, the one thing I will reiterate. I want a pet slime. If you see a slime, you do NOT immediately blast it with magic. I repeat. You do NOT-!"

"Oi oi, you said it enough, just quit it."

"Aren't you two being just a little too carefree? After all, supposedly no-one's been here in all of 300 years."

"Mmn, that seems hard to believe honestly. Surely some situations have come up before which would make people doubt the integrity of the prison right?"

"Right, right, I got it, now would you please not let your guard down? Well, if it comes down to it, I'll just escape using [Forced Withdrawal]…"

"Guys, I got the extent of your friendship, so could you please be quiet? You'll blow my [Camouflage]"

*Byoing.*

…

"Well there's your slime I guess."

I just have three words for this situation.

"IT'S SO CUUUTE!!!!"

"Calm down. Let's just finish what we came to do and get out."

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[Name: Rimuru Tempest]

[Age: 4 months]

[Race: Slime]

[Level: 15]

[Racial Multiplier: 1]

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How he got that ridiculous number at level 15 is beyond me. Just chalk it all down to being the protagonist I guess. Oh yeah, and my analysis ranked up at some point.

Upon reaching the supposed location of the eternal prison, we naturally don't find anything.

"Oh well, what a shame, nothing we can do about it, let's go."

I am still hugging the little slime close. One of the few things I find p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in is cute things. I did not bring this up earlier because it garnered quite the number of odd looks in my previous life

No-one seems to be questioning it at the moment... The most likely reason is- I'm female. A fact that I notice more and more certainly has it's bonuses. However... My mind is at war with itself because this is also the being that can smite me from any one of the infinite number of possible futures.

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[Quest completed - The Caged Dragon]

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[??? gained: - ?Hypothesis? - ???]

[Free stat points: 15]

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[Hidden requirements: 2/2 Completed.]

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[Locate and recognize Veldora's saviour:

Ability gained: Draconic resonation [D] - Influence gain with creatures of a draconic bloodline +40%]

[Form a bond of any kind with Veldora's saviour:

Last name gained: Tempest - Influence gain +400% with clan members]

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Ha! Take that hidden b*llshit scheme! B-wait. If having a last name gives you a bonus… Have I missed out on better names? Nope, being friends with literally-god is way better than anything else I can come up with. Alaya Tempest it is…

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[Name: Alaya Tempest]

[Level: 36]

[Species: Keeper of Balance]

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[???:

?Hypothesis?]

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[Focus: Learning]

[Titles: Reincarnator [EX++], Chaotic Magus [SS-], Kingslayer I [C - 0%]]

[Craftsman [B-]:

Skills: Golden Thread [B - 23%], Appraisal [D - 7%]

Abilities: Eagle Eye [D+], Mental Mapping [A]]

[Druid [C]:

Skills: Healing Hands [B - 30%], Nature's Command [B - 13%]]

Abilities: Adaptable [D-], Aura of Growth [B-]]

[Magician [D+]:

Skills: Abyssal Flame [F - 84%], Air Slash [D - 47%], Basic Elemental Control [C - 9%], Chaos Control [E - 4%], Electromaster [D - 18%]

Abilities: Mana Control [D+] Regeneration [B]]

[Armed Combat [D]:

Skills:Cleave [C - 86%], Swift Strike [E - 81%, Consecutive Raging Strikes [A - 0%]]

Abilities: Weapons Mastery (Swords [D], Spears [D+], Bows [E+])]

[Offensive:

Skills: Ambush [B - 32%], Bloodl.u.s.t [C - 0%], Call to Arms [B - 0%], Evasion [E - 61%], Venomous Bite [E - 0%]

Abilities: Lesser Leg Strength [E], Natural Predator [S+] Vampirephilia [C]

[Defensive:

Skills: Adamantium Carapace [E - 11%], Endure [A - 0%]

Abilities: Stench [B+], Slime Form [C+]

[Social:

Abilities: Dominating Presence [B-], Draconic Resonation [D], Language (Goblin, Human, Orc, Kobold), Leadership [C], Shapeshifting [D+], Tyranny [A]]

[Misc:

Abilities: Absorption [U], Echolocation [A], Muscle Strength [A], Streamlined [A], Waterproof [B], Night Vision [C], Sense Presence [D], Paralysing Breath [A]]

[Resistances: All-Element [E], Bludgeoning [A], Earth [A], Heat [A+], Paralysis [A], Petrification [A], Poison [B], Thunder [A-], Water [B], Wind [B+]]

[Traits:

Natural: Durable [D], Follower [C], Genius [D], Keeper of Balance [SS+], Living Arrow [C], Merciless [D], Scholarly [C], Swift [D], Wall of Flesh [C], Wise [D]]

Unnatural: Accelerated Growth [R], All return to the Cycle [U], Daughter of Nyx [EX++], Endless Warmonger [U], Natural Titan [U]]

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[Stats:]

[STR: 49]

[END: 140]

[WIS: 145]

[INT: 146]

[SPD: 120]

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[Racial multiplier: 5]

[Free stat points: 0]

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So. What happened yesterday? A surprise visit.

Actually my mum knew about it beforehand, but 'forgot' to tell me.

Likewise when I told her that I was going to see the fireworks today, she told me that I wasn't, because she 'just remembered' it's a holy day of obligation and I had to go to church...

There was a morning service.

So that's something. But I have got it out today. Last thing to note is that tomorrow we're going to my grandparent's house to meet up with my uncle/aunt and kids, and in two weeks I will be away for the entire week on a trial run for CHICKS, so I won't be able to do anything then either.

Bothersome, bothersome, bothersome. But at least I'm doing something productive that week... Probably... Ah yeh, I don't deserve to feel like that because there are people with far less than me. Snort in amus.e.m.e.nt and get back to watching... Currently Fate/Apocrypha.