On the third day of the first week of June 2121, Accel continued to hunt corrupted fish, successfully doubling his level. On the fourth day, he began hunting a different sea monster: a mega-sized corrupted crab. He formed a team of four players for this challenge. The team was composed of a Fighter as the leader, a Healer, an Archer, and Accel, who took on the role of Tank.
This was Accel's opportunity to learn about team coordination while facing the mega-sized corrupted crab, which stood 2 meters tall and had a width of 5 meters. Defeating this sea monster was valuable; it yielded one small magic core worth 1,500 ₱₦. Additionally, if the crab's shells remained intact after the battle, their value could increase by 500 to 750 ₱₦, as they could be used for crafting materials.
Player Level: 5 -> 7
Health Points: 6400 -> 25,600 + 3200 = 28,800
Stamina Points: 100 + 3200 = 3300
DEF: 16,000 -> 64,000
Constitution: 32 -> 64 (Increase HP by 3200)
Dexterity: 32 -> 64 (Increase SP by 3200)
[System Notice: You have exceeded a health value (HP) of 20,000. The title "Adept Tough Shielder" has advanced to "Master Tough Shielder," when your HP drops to 20% or lower, you will become temporarily immune to physical damage for 30 seconds. After this immunity period, you will be healed by 30% of your total HP.]
[This immunity against physical damage can be activated again when your HP reaches 25% or higher. However, the 30% healing will have a cooldown of two hours and thirty minutes.]
[System Notice: You have surpassed a Defense (DEF) score of 50,000. As a result, your title has upgraded from "Master Defender" to "Expert Defender." This advancement increases the DEF of all allies within a 20-meter radius by 15,000, reduces both physical and magical damage taken by 20%, and grants a 10% HP Barrier to all allies. Please note that these bonuses do not apply to you.]
Accel is filled with rage right now because the system is making him tougher without giving him a single point in attack stats or any attack boosts. With his absurdly high HP and defense stats, he can withstand powerful blasts from multiple magic barrages or attacks from high-level monsters. After this bout of frustration, he follows the team leader to the coral seas, where the mega-sized corrupted crabs are located alongside the corrupted fish.
Accel volunteers to take several hits from the sea monster crab, and with the team leader's agreement, he pretends to be injured when the crab's claws strike his body and shield. He does this to avoid raising suspicion among his teammates about why a level 7 player isn't affected by the attacks. Accel knows that with his ridiculously high stats, the crab's attacks wouldn't even leave a mark on him.
Throughout the entire day, Accel and his team hunt down ten mega-sized corrupted crabs. They then hand over their mission report to the Fishing Cross Guild, where they split the rewards. Accel receives at least 5,000 ₱₦ and levels up three times, bringing him to Level 10.
On his way home, Accel received a system notification about an optimization for his absurd class. He felt a sense of relief, hoping it would resolve the issue. On the fourth day of the first week of June 2121, Accel woke up and immediately checked his status window. There were changes, but unfortunately, the problem persisted.
Name: Accel Reyes Valdezar
Age: 16 years old
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Birthday: September 5, 2105
Player Level: 10
Class Job: Tank -> Guardian (System Optimization)
Class Specialization: Defense / Buff -> Defense Type (System Optimization)
Health Points (HP): 28,800 (Base 25,600 + (CON 64 × 100))
Stamina Points (SP): 3,300 (Base 100 + (DEX 64 × 100))
Aura Points (AR): 1,000 (New Energy Source – replaces Mana)
Attack Power (ATK): 10 (+20 Large Shield) = 30
Defense (DEF): 64,000 (Base 48,000 + (DEX 64 × 250))
Speed: Slow
Strength (STR): 5 (−50% reduction applied)
Constitution (CON): 64 (+100 HP per CON)
Dexterity (DEX): 64 (+100 SP, +250 DEF per DEX)
Toughness (TGN): 64 (New Stat – replaces Wisdom)
Intellect (ITQ): 32 (New Stat – replaces Intelligence)
Charisma (CHA): 10 (+10 from "Title Collector I")
Luck (LCK): 10
1. Defend (Active Skill) -> Armor Shift (Active Skill - System Optimization): Temporarily converts 10 DEF into 10 Attack Power.
Effects:
- Converts DEF into Attack Power
- The Armor Shift skill has a one-minute activation time, allowing the user to inflict 10 DMG to enemies for one minute, with a cooldown period of 30 seconds. This effect does not stack.
DEF Cost: 100 DEF
Cooldown: 30 seconds
2. Defense Converter (Permanent Passive Skill - System Optimization): A passive ability that transforms offensive and magical powers into pure defensive strength. This process redirects the user's energy and physical growth, enhancing their endurance, health, and overall durability.
Permanent Stat Amplification: (System Optimization)
+100% Health Points (HP)
+100% Constitution (CON)
+100% Defense (DEF)
+100% Dexterity (DEX)
+100% Aura Points (ARP) (System Optimization)
+100% Toughness (TGN) (System Optimization)
Permanent Stat Reduction: (System Optimization)
−100% Mana Points (MP) -> Removes Mana Points
−100% Attack Power (ATK) -> Converts DEF to Attack Power
−100% Strength (STR) -> −50% Strength (STR)
−100% Intelligence (INT) -> Removes Intelligence in exchange for Intellect
Removes Wisdom in exchange for Toughness
Removes Mana Points in exchange for Aura
[System Notice: Following the system optimization, you will lose all three titles currently associated with your account. However, you will be allowed to retain the "Title Collector I" achievement as well as your status in the Hall of Fame, which will grant you an increase of 10 Charisma.]
[System Notice: All mana in your body has been removed. From now on, you can only use SP, AURA (AR), and DEF to convert these resources into something that can either inflict damage on enemies or reinforce yourself to become tougher. You will feel pain from piercing attacks or true damage; however, having higher Toughness will reduce this pain, preventing stagger, pain, and downtime. With high DEF and high Toughness, you will become immune to physical, magical, and true damage.]
"What is this optimization, System? Are you saying I don't have mana in my body, only Aura? Also, what does Aura even do?"
[System Notice: Represents life energy, spiritual will, and defensive resonance. This energy powers aura-based skills and shields. Whenever you consume aura, your Toughness and Defense increase. Skills related to aura also consume aura. There are two ways to generate aura: through meditation or by demonstrating your willpower to others, whether they are allies or foes. Demonstrating willpower generates more aura than meditation.]
Accel decided to give up on the issue and moved on. During the fifth and final day of preparation, he leveled up from 10 to 15 through a solo mission. With the money he earned, he approached the nearby blacksmith and requested an upgrade to his large shield, specifically asking for increased damage instead of focusing on defense or health. The blacksmith was puzzled by this request, as it was unusual to prioritize attack power over HP or defense, but he complied with Accel's wishes. As a result, Accel received his upgraded shield, which increased the damage from 10 to 20.