High-Speed Leveling; The Use Of 【Alchemy】 And 【Synthesis】 (1)

Hey, Shun here!

In my past world, those who likes to go against the META has always been called as idiots. Using daggers instead of swords when using the latter as the weapon was the META would often give you the label of newb.

Coming up with new, innovative, and quirky strategies were often suppressed because the 'high elo' players said that it isn't viable.

Let's see how these players who are looking at me with contempt right now would feel when they see my completed Sense build…

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(Shun's POV)

"Syun-oniichan, what are you aiming for?"

"Hmm, something like an invincible archer? I looked at the template and properly took the mandatory skills, that's [Magic Power] and [Magic Talent]. Also, as the magic corresponding to it, I took [Enchant] and [Recovery Magic]—"

"…Onii— ONII-CHAN's an IDIOT!! Why would you stack up trash Senses like that!" Yeah, I knew they were trash, however, I still took them.

I tried to argue with her but—

"Listen okay?! The [Bow's] cost to performance ratio is the worst! [Alchemy's] material transformation conversion rate is horrible! Also, [Enchant] is half-assed. And the items one can create by using [Synthesis] are also sold in the shops. That's why in early game, they're unimportant! And here I wanted us to adventure together!"

"Umm, to be exact you can't use [Bow] if you don't have a set of arrows which are consumable items. [Magic Talent], [Enchant] and [Alchemy] can be picked up, but they're inefficient. Something like that?" Sei-nee tilted her head slightly while trying to explain things as best as she can.

"Yep! Moreover, while magic-type Senses obtain functions like tracking as they level up, the bow has nothing like that. The trajectory of arrows is always straight. That's why the bow alone is heavily dependant on player's own skill." Miu supplemented her own understanding about the 'misshapen' Senses I took.

Eh, I get what you're trying to, guys.

"...Well, there's the motion assist so even beginners are able to do it. So don't be down Syun-chan." Sei-nee explained it to me politely.

"You know yourself that I don't need such things to use a bow properly, Sei-nee. Also, aren't you guys mistaken about something? "

At my words, the both of them perked up their ears.

"You see, I wanted to focus solely on being a ranged damage dealer but decided against it in the middle of picking my Senses. I really wanted to be self sufficient so I took the [Recovery Magic] Sense but I also wanted to go for a more flexible build, making me choose [Enchant] as well."

I paused for a few seconds to let this information sink in before continuing.

"As for [Alchemy] and [Synthesis], I took them because I have a feeling that it will help me solve the arrow problem in my [Bow] Sense."

The both of them showed enlightened expressions after I explained them why I picked up my Senses as such.

After my explanation, the three of us went to the town's mayor and accepted the mandatory tutorial quest which is to fight the horned rabbits on the field.

Of course, I didn't forget to first buy my items and consumables. Other equipments like a stronger bow is very expensive so I'll pass on that for now.

We newbs have little to no money right now. Such is the sorrows of a person who did not join the beta tests.

Looking at the price of the goods, I started to budget my money. The amount of gold every starting player was in possession was 1000G.

Even though I'm the only one who needs to prepare my equipment, my sisters still accompanied me as we walked around the town. I guess it's a given that I became the recipient of hostile stares from male players?

One set of arrows which numbered thirty for the [Bow] cost 30G. I bought six sets for 180G. Also the initial production kits for [Synthesis] cost me 300G each. 30 Beginner's Potions cost me 150G.

—In total 630G, I still had 370G remaining.

In case of using a normal build template, after obtaining the Senses and buying weapons as well as consumables in the store they still had 500G left over.

So, the low cost to performance ratio of the bow is because of the arrows' cost. Arrows were consumables and the arrow that was once shot cannot be recovered.

In case of the early game's enemies, they are defeated after being hit by three arrows. The drop items from such an enemy is at most 3G and in the worst case 1G. Even if all the arrows hit the target, there's still no profit.

If I make good use of the two Senses I picked up, I think they will die in just two hits. If they do, and the dropped items that costs 3G, I'll be making a slight profit.

I smiled to myself like in idiot while standing in the middle of a really vast plain. This location is just outside the first town's outer wall so the monsters are, based on gaming clichés, weak.

Well, they were aiming for the novice players so it's understandable. As an aside, there were roads leading towards north, south, west and east.

According to the guide, in β version north and south roads led to high level zones, they were unexplored and there was nothing written on them in the guides. In the west, there was a lot of collectibles but the balance of enemy mobs seemed to be bad.

I could maybe go there at some point.

While I'm immersed in my own thoughts, Myu, my little sister's in-game name, started to brandish her sword and mow the enemies left and right while shouting. She sure loves gaming, this girl.

"RrrAagh—! Just stay still and be quiet you little rabbits! Turn into experience!"

Behind her is me and Sei-nee, Sei being Shizuka-nee's username, firing wooden arrows and bullets made out of water at the poor rabbits.

"Myu-chan is really full of energy. Fufufu…"

"She sure is."

*squeak*

*squeak* *squeak*

As I am busy talking to my older sister, a wild rabbit came out of the tall grass. It's a wild Pokémon!

With its body in full view, I could easily hit it. Without any hesitation, I immediately pointed my bow at the innocent critter.

Of course, I didn't just shoot the rabbit with my arrows haphazardly. I specifically aimed at their vitals in order to deal more damage.

With only a few seconds to aim, I took two arrows from my quiver and fired those two while aiming at the rabbit's forehead consecutively.

*thwang* *thwang*

*swish*

Like a missile with homing devices attached to it, my arrow followed the rabbit's forehead even though it's already going down.

"Squeaaakk!"

I watched as the rabbit died after two shots.

"It looks like the head is their vital spot. [Vital Points Knowledge] really is the way to go huh…"

"Those are some good damage, Syun-chan. You'll be able to cut off on your losses with that kind of Sense build."

"Yeah… The only problem I need to worry about now is the arrow problem…"

"Maa… I'm sure you'll think of a way."

Seeing Sei-nee's gentle smile, I also couldn't help but smile. I was skeptical at first but looking at the Sense's description, I'm finally convinced that this will be the Sense that could help me dish out absurd amounts of damage.

Adding the fact that I have the [Physical Attack Increase] Sense, I don't have to worry about being in the red. Or so I thought at the time.

✽✽[Vital Points Knowledge]✽✽

Level: 2

Description:

A Sense that increases accuracy when aiming for vital spots and adds a damage bonus.

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We killed a few more rabbits after that to complete the tutorial quest. Since we've completed it, us three decided to split up.

"I'll go meet with my friend today so I need to go…"

"I also need to join up with my guildmates so I also need to leave now."

Looking at my two sisters who have troubled expressions on their faces, I only smiled at them before telling them that it's fine.

"It's fine Sei-nee, Myu. I also need to separate with you guys since I have to do some experimenting on my own at the outskirts of the eastern forest."

Although a bit reluctant, I parted ways with my sisters before going to the eastern direction from the first town. My goal, finding a way to craft an arrow!

"Yosh! Since I'm done with the first experiment, why don't I level up my Senses to five before looking for the items needed in making an arrow?"

And so, a bloody massacre that the rabbitkind has never experienced before unfolded at the eastern plains outside of the first town.

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(Miu's POV)

After Syun-oniichan left to travel on his own devices, me and Onee-chan were unsure of what to do for a few seconds.

"Well, Syu-chan has always been independent so we can leave him in his own devices."

Turning around to face Onee-chan, I asked her the question that's been on my mind ever since Taku said those mysterious words to me about Onii-chan.

"Why are you so confident that he won't end up dying repeatedly out there, Onee-chan?"

Onee-chan just smiled at me before telling me something that puzzled me.

"You see, Syun-chan is more amazing than what he always describe himself to be. It would be better if you see him play for yourself."

After that, Onee-chan never told me anything except those initial words. Even though she looks gentle on the outside, Onee-chan could be quite the stubborn person.

I didn't get to see Onii-chan play earlier since I focused my whole attention on the rabbits going *pyon* *pyon* in front of me!

Ahhh! Why are people around me being so secretive and mysterious! I hate it!

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※~To be continued~※

Author's Remarks:

※ Let us explore this world before going ahead and jumping on the first quest. I've always wanted to do a quest about this but never really went through it since I didn't finish the original. I hate Gender Benders so… yeah.