Chương 67: Mou(S)e

The first thing I did after loading into the game was check the shop. I mean, it's only naturally, isn't it? I can't have my character looking terrible in a game, now can I? My eyes widened in shock as I looked at all the cosmetics available. The currency in this game was also called 'Points' I assume to base it off of reality, and the prices ranged from 680 points all the way to 5, 500 points. There was even a bundle that cost over 10, 000 points. … Are these prices even allowed?!

There's no way in a thousand years that I am spending $20 on a skin! Come on! Let's see what you got so I can laugh at your ridiculousness, game! There were hundreds of skins available. They came in two options: Full-body skins, or parts. Full-body would simply equip everything and have you look exactly like what you purchased. Parts would allow you to mix and match cosmetics from different skins. As much as I hate to admit it… It's a good system for people like me who love to customize. But! I will not falter!

I will not spend money on this dastardly game! The skins were endless, they had just about anything. From apocalyptic survivors, to colorful princesses. What shocked me the most were the amount of collaborations they had. It had skins from popular anime, manga, and the most surprising: People. I recognized a few actors and actresses—only because Luna constantly reminded me of their names and what other movies they appeared in when they showed up on screen.

Sports, entertainment, and even rankers all had collaboration skins. My immediate interest were the ranker skins. Browsing through, I recognized a few people. There was that flame witch or whatever her name was; Lightning Lord, Swordsman, the tamer, and there was even those hosts from the gauntlet, what were there names again? Bubble-gum girl and copyright boy or something like that? Could I possibly get into the game in the future? It'd be funny seeing the look on Luna's face if I did, hehe. Anyways…

I quietly swiped my card. …

"Hehe…" I giggled quietly. [Bin?] Rumi said.

"Yes~ Is something wrong?" I asked with my usual tone. [Ah, no…I must've imagined it.] Rumi replied. - She definitely just giggled like an evil villain, didn't she? - Am I hearing things? - No, what scheme could she possibly cook in the lobby? - If we were in a match, I'd worry about suddenly blowing up, but, in the lobby, I have no idea. [I've invited you!] Rumi said cheerfully.

"Coming~" I hit accept and joined their lobby. […] […] […Bin?] Luna said.

"Yes~?" [… Isn't this your first time playing this game?]"That's right! I'm a total noob!" [… Then why do I see cosmetics from eight separate skins on your character?]"I don't know what you're talking about? My character came like this when I installed?" I titled my head. [Witches hat from the Halloween set… Lab coat from the technology set… Mini skirt from the candy hopper set… T-shirt from an anime collab… Boots from who knows where… Twin-tails… Painted nails from the cat's life set… and accessories from a whole bunch more…? How much did you spend!?] Rumi mumbled in shock. - Rough calculations: if she bought every part separately, maybe around $100 or 10, 000 points. If she purchased the entire skin set, it'd be close to 30-40, 000 points. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. - Bin is rich! - Sugar Mommy Bin! - Or is it actually Sugar Mommy Mouse? - Holy… Alchemists are rich.

- I can guess who takes care of the finances in the relationship… - Yeah, but her character looks really cute. I can tell a pro when I see one. - Her attire is so unpractical, but I love it already. - It's extremely aesthetically pleasing. (nodding icon) [Haah…] Luna let out a long sigh, [I should've guesses you'd have done this.]"Done what?" I asked innocently. [Nothing. Do you know how to play?]"Mm… Other than the fact that it's the standard battle royale, I don't." [Rumi, let's load into a game first. Bin learns best on the spot.] Luna said. [Oh! Okay! Let's go!!] We loaded into a trios match. Immediately I was met with options. It was asking me to pick a class. Swordsman, mage, archer, summoner, fencer, berserker, druid… There's a whole bunch of them. I doubt they have every class coded into the game, but they definitely have the more popular ones. I quickly searched through the list. Found it. [Bin, what're you thinking of playing? We'll pick around you-] Rumi started to ask, but Luna quickly cut in.

[She's going alchemist.] Her tone was a bit more domineering, like it was said as a statement and not a guess. - Oh my? - Oh? Oh? Oh? - Mou(S)e? [Ah, I mean-] As Luna stepped in to explain, I quickly cut in.

"Y-Yes, master…" I said pitifully and picked the alchemist class. [PFFT!?] Rumi spat out loudly. -??? - Oh… So, it's like that…? - Oh my… - Bringing the play into the game… Is a bit much… - That kind of relationship, huh… - Poor Bin… [NO!] Luna shouted, it was the loudest she's been on stream, [She's acting!]"I-I'm sorry, master… D-did I displease you?" - Aww, poor Bin… - I feel so sorry for Bin, she just wanted to play the game but… - No, wait, doesn't she actually like this? [Oh my, Mouse! Stop yelling at our poor Bin! It's okay, Bin! Lean on your big sis, Rumi, I'll protect you!] [N-no…] Luna said before sighing heavily, [Haah…]"Pfft-" I immediately covered my mouth to hold back my laughter. -? - Did someone just laugh? - Did anyone else hear that? - It sounded like a snort? I took a deep breath to calm myself but-"Bahahahahah!" I couldn't hold myself back. I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach. -??? - Ah, she was teasing Mouse!

- LOLOL - Oh my God, we've known her for less than 20 minutes and she's already my favorite guest who's appeared on Rumi's stream - +1 - +2 - +3 - Ngl when I heard that 'Y-yes master'… Something awakened within me. - Bro? - Um…? [Oh! Hahaha!] Rumi also burst out laughing. The only one who wasn't laughing was a certain mouse. [… Did it feel good, Bin?] She asked with a low tone.

"Bahaha! The best!" I couldn't hide my smile, "Master, master, what's next? What skills should I go? Your order is my command!" […You just wait…] Luna muttered.

"Oh? Master, are you going to punish me? Everyone! Master's going to punish me!! What do I do!?" I said, distressed. - LOLOLOL - Master, no!! - At least hide the smile in your voice when you speak!! - She just full sends it now after getting caught. [Haha, you two have such a good relationship.] Rumi said.

"Hehe," I didn't confirm or deny anything, "So, are these all actual alchemist skills?" I asked. There were a bunch of them: [Quicken], [Portable Lab], [Toxin Enhancer], [Herbalist's Eye], [Poison Gland], [Venom Sac], [Poison Specialist], [Explosion Specialist], [Cut Costs], and a whole bunch more. [That's right! Some of them do different things in the game than they do in reality, but they all should be real alchemist skills. You might even have a few yourself!] Rumi explained.

"I see, I see." I nodded, seeing that all these could be future skills of mine, I should read through them carefully and take the time to- Explosion specialist!?

"Heh…hehehehehe…" […? Um…Bin?] Rumi hesitantly said.

"Hehehe…." - Did she break? - Why did she malfunction? - Did Mouse do something to her? - Oh! [Ah, don't tell me…] Luna mumbled. [What? Do you know what's happening?] Rumi asked Luna. [It took me a second to remember since I haven't played alchemist a lot, but if I remember correctly, there's a certain skill…] [What skill?]"Hehehe! I've made my build!" I happily exclaimed. Every skill started at bronze rank and throughout the game, I can upgrade them with skill tokens. [Already? Well, even if it's a bit iffy, we'll still be able to carry you! Just trust us!] Rumi said with confidence, [Let's see, what did you pick…] [Ah, I should've known…] Luna mumbled, she must've seen my skills. [Uh… Bin?] -? - Um… - This is… - You are an alchemist, right…? [Explosion Specialist] - Allows the user to create bombs 50% faster; Strengthens bombs created by the user by 25%; Explosions are more destructive. [Bomber's Toy] - After an initial explosion, two small explosions at 50% strength follow.

[Explosive's Scent] - Allows the user to find materials to create bombs more easily. [Poison Imbue] - Allows the user to imbue poisonous properties into items. [Venom Sac] - Creates a space where venom/poison can be stored and used. These 5 skills were the core of my build. The goal was to create bombs—Ahem, potions that explode! Just like my dynokali potions. I used 2 skill slots to make my potions more powerful, 1 slot so I can find the materials to make my potions, and the last 2 slots were used with hope.

The idea is to make the explosions poisonous. I have no idea if it'll actually work though. Hehehe… What a brilliant plan. First, I'd throw my potion at the enemy. They're not gonna expect it to explode! And if they survive the initial explosion, they'll have to survive the two follow-up explosions! And not just that! If my idea works, even if they survive all 3 explosions, then, they'll have to deal with the poison! Plus! I'm not alone!

Luna and Rumi can go deal with the enemies if they end up surviving even the poison.

"Heh…Hehehe…" - Guys, I'm scared. - Mouse, blink if you need help! - Um…Is it actually supposed to be (M)ouse? - Why is she giggling so maniacally!?? - This is a bit, right? - She didn't choose a single skill that alchemists usually choose… -???: I'm an alchemist(terrorist)! - She's surely joking… - Mommy help us! [B-bin…?] Rumi hesitantly said.

"Yes~?" I said, an unhidden smile in my voice. [A-are you sure you chose the right skills?]"Of course! Why, is something wrong?" I asked innocently. [N-No…Chat, I'm scared…] Rumi said.

"Huh? You're scared? Why?" [Ah! I wasn't muted!?]"Hehe, it's okay, Rumi!" - Gulp… - I'm scared. - Crazy…crazy… - Crazy? I was crazy once- [Bin, just to let you know beforehand, the alchemy in this game isn't advanced. Every recipe is pre-set, so, you'll just be clicking buttons when you find the materials.] Luna explained.

"Ah, a shame." I sighed, a bit of my excitement dying down, "Can I still imbue my potions with poison?" [I don't know, I've never tried.]"Alright, I'll find out soon anyways." … Spawning in, I quickly snuck around and looted some items. In this game, an alchemist class like me has less HP and deals less damage in melee. So, I did my utmost to avoid detection! Call me the Stealth Alchemist! Eventually, I ended up with a backpack full of empty vials and basic healing supplies like bandages.

[Bin, do you remember watching the awakener's league?] Luna asked.

"Yeah?" [Production classes in this game play a similar role to that. If you want to settle down in a house, Rumi and I will bring you materials to make potions as you see fit.]"Okay~ But, I have a skill that lets me find materials faster? Is it just a waste then?" [No, you're free to go around and scavenge. Just don't get spotted by monsters or other players.]"Got it, master!" [… Don't call me that.]"I-is master abandoning me?" […] [Pfft, alright, let's go, Mouse. Bin! We'll bring you back materials shortly! When we do, please make us the best of the best!]"Okay! Leave it to me!" I said confidently. While the two continued looting, I found myself a nice looking house and started cleaning. What? Why am I cleaning? Well, I need to make my future workspace look nice of course! When the room was nice and clean, I went and grabbed the cauldron I found earlier and moved it to the new place. Perfect! Now… Hehehehe… Shall I make a bomb? Ah! I mean, potion?