—–
“Our party is getting more complete now.” Titan analyzed as we got closer to the Fairy Queen’s castle after taking many detours to eat food and enjoy the festival.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Asked Rita while having zero game knowledge.
“Ahem!”
Titan quickly saved the food he was chowing down inside his inventory and got into his gamer mode who was fascinated with technicalities about the game. From all of us, he was the most knowledgeable about the game and how people played it. I honestly never thought Mark would have this side of him. .𝘤𝘰𝑚
“You see, in this game people usually play it solo or with a party, our party has been formed mostly out of just happenings, but people usually form specific parties with specific players filling each role.” Said Titan. “Usually you have some frontline fighters, a powerful tank, a versatile support that sometimes is a healer, and then a long-ranged attacker. That’s the usual party set up. Of course, there are special skill and item combinations that people make, so sometimes you see weird party combinations which are very effective, like a Vampire with a Necromancer, a Sorcerer, and Curse Mage.”
“Eh?” Asked Rita in confusion.
“This game even has Party Synergy Buffs when a party of certain roles is made. Our party until now was just the four of us plus summons for aid in damage and hazard effects. I am a weird mix between a Tank and a Summoner Magician, while Rita is a full on offensive Dark Magician, who are usually the strongest magic damage dealers and then Planta is a… I don’t know, she’s like a jack of all trades, she got good offense, but is mostly a supporter… but her summons can deal some good damage, especially the spirit ones. And later Acorn, who is also a long-ranged pseudo mage and supporter.” Said Titan.
“Wait you’re not taking into consideration the mushroom brigade?” I asked.
“They’re good enough but not strong enough in terms of stats and skills compared to actual players. Of course, they might grow strong now that they got the titles… But nonetheless, our party was pretty unbalanced, right? We really needed another physical fighter, we were all too much into magic. So having Nieve as a swift frontliner with ice magic that can easily stop foes from moving temporarily is super amazing. Even if she’s an NPC, she’s very smart and got a lot of experience, her Sword Mastery Skill must be very high level.” Said Titan with an analytic tone of voice.
“Huh, I guess we are quite the odd party indeed.” I said. “Two supporters with me and Acorn, only one magic glass cannon with Rita, and then you have to fulfill several roles together for our entire set up to properly work.” I sighed.
“Yeah, I was getting a bit pressured but I’ve been doing my best. Your new buffs are really amazing at boosting our power. And your occasional Spiritual Attack, which seems to have some sort of cooldown, is pretty good to quickly get rid of a big group of foes. You’re really a jack of all trade and master of all in some sense due to how useful you are despite not really being specifically specialized in anything.” Titan analyzed.
“H-Hey! I am specializing in my farm!” I said angrily.
“Ahahah, sorry if that offended you, Planta. I guess we have grown good enough through battles that we can all call each other comrades now, right?” Titan asked. I had never seen such a carefree and gallant personality on Mark before. He really changes inside the game, its like… I am finally knowing the real Mark behind all his insecurities.
“I guess so!” I said. “But don’t get too ahead of yourself, big man!” I giggled.
“Haha, yeah, we are comrades big dude!” Rita said, patting his enormous wooden shoulders. “Hey, give me a piggy back!”
“No way…” Titan said while quickly rejecting Rita’s stupid suggestion.
“Come on you’re so big I bet you can carry the two of us!” Laughed Rita.
Was she getting drunk with the alcohol sold here? This game is really amazing if you can get drunk by drinking actual alcohol…
“Yeah, yeah! Carry us big man!” I laughed, wanting to join my friend’s shenanigans.
“E-Eeeh?! Agh, fine! Whatever…” Titan sighed, suddenly kneeling and letting us crawl over his back and sit on each of his shoulders, he was really big!
“Hahaha! You’re so damn tall!” Laughed Rita while patting Titan’s head constantly.
“S-Stop that!” Titan said half annoyedly.
“Hehe, it’s pretty nice from up here!” Acorn crawled up to Titan’s head and looked from above.
“Yeah, this is pretty nice, thanks for carrying us Titan!” I said.
“I am not your Mount or something…” Titan lamented. “I swear I won’t do this ever again!”
“Hahahaha! Don’t get so angry big guy!” Laughed Achlys. “Onwards!”
“Okay you’re getting down…” Titan was irritated very quickly by Rita’s annoying nature and tried to get her down but Rita resisted, kicking maniacally. “Hyayayaya! Super kicking technique!”
“You’re not doing any damage!” Titan said.
“Hahahaha! You two are funny!” I couldn’t help but laugh at their interaction.
At the end we reached the castle at long last, the Fairy Queen flew towards us and greeted us happily, especially me, as she hugged me tightly.
“Thank you for everything Planta.” She said with an honest smile.
“A-Ah! It was nothing, don’t worry about it!” I said with a gentle smile, although I felt a bit nervous now that I remembered I pampered her as if she were my daughter. Maybe I had created a very special connection with her now without realizing.
“Sorry for being late, we ended getting out of the route because we were hungry and ate a lot of food in the stalls.” Titan apologized.
“Oh, Titan, there’s no need to worry. I am also grateful for everything you’ve done too. Your strength and bravery were almost similar to Lucious, an old friend.” Sighed the Fairy Queen.
“I-it’s that so? Hahah…” Titan laughed while feeling flattered.
“Now, now, Queen-sama, can we have some booze? I am really in the mood for more fairy booze!” Rita said, raising her hands. She was really the heart of the party when she got drunk.
“S-Sure thing! I got a lot of drinks for everyone, let’s go inside the castle!” Titania was surprisingly willing to drink wine with us, so we got inside.
—–