That Time I Played A VRMMORPG.

( AN: It's not really nerfing him, it would even actually make him do more stuff that would equally make him so overpowered that it developers won't even be able to do anything to him… He'll get many skills in other ways so don't worry.. )

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Gram and co, soon familiarize themselves with the second stage town, but after an hour, they were booted out of the game because of sudden maintenance.

The developers made adjustments as they advanced the maintenance schedule, surprised as anyone else since that should be two days later. Shy of just three more days before the scheduled second event that would be held next week.

And now, logging to the game, the trio were going to continue their activities and were going to discuss their next move.

Still, in all of that, Kaede had a displeased groaning expression with a heavy pout. She knew something would change in the game but to think it would affect her much. Looking at the notifications in her status panel, she got more heavy-handed at even hiding her expressions.

"Auu〜…"

"U〜nn… I didn't think that there would be sudden maintenance after just moving to the next stage. In addition…" Risa wryly said while reading the updated content of the game.

Gram knew or somewhat predicted the contents of the update, he still had a stunned and perplexed expression looking at the patch notes maintenance. It seems the developers of the AI have used their 'superpowers' to strike down inevitable players.

Mostly, the contents of the maintenance were about changes in status, nerfing of some skills, and the least, buffing the AI of the field monsters so that they can't be exploited anymore.

While some ridiculous skills were patched and slightly balanced. Notifications of the new changes won't be shown in the public and only players who had it can see the changes.

Additionally, there were also things that seemingly have been changed and that is.

The implementation of more defense ignoring attack skills, the introduction of major defense penetration skills, reduction of pain, smell, and other blocking features if the players felt discomfort.

[ Unique Series ] or similar rare type had been changed, now unique's could gain three to five skill's or skill-slot per weapon depending on the enchantment or how they enhance it.

And that attribute was actually a pretty nice addition for them. Overall, Kaede and Gram's only problem was the skills changes.

"Ugugu..."

"Well… that would happen for somebody who stands out." Risa wryly said, while silently pacifying her friend.

"It's supposed to happen anyway, actually, I've been waiting for this kind of day..." Gram shook his shoulders, approached Kaede's, and rubbed her head since she was slightly upset.

"Don't mind it too much." Risa tapped Kaede and joined in calming her. Kaede nodded.

"U~nn." There are only three important adjustments related to Kaede. Aside from the defense penetration skills, she had to deal with skill changes to the best skills in her list.

First, in the skill patches, [ Bizarre Eater ] had been heavily nerfed, they didn't fix the skill itself but the times of usage had been limited to 10 rather than the usage of nigh unlimited before, the MP that will be absorbed will be doubled.

There aren't any changes to the skill passive, so assuming that, just receiving attacks ten times with [ Mirror of the Dark Night ] it will return to its normal non-devouring characteristics.

Luckily for Kaede, the MP that can be absorbed had been doubled, the skill had been salvaged and even so, there weren't many changes even if it got nerfed, after all, it's still an overpowered skill.

Next, the buffs to AI of the monsters, now most monsters were now able to attack from behind or in another point, categorize speedy players as their target if they tried to attack their vulnerable spots.

In some cases, they are now able to run away, much like in animals, they could think or fight intelligently at some point. And not just taking every damage players dish out which kinda made sense.

Although to Risa, her reason is different, Risa told Kaede. To Kaede who doesn't seem to understand her helpless sighing friend, she explained in detail.

Risa pointed, "It's because… if the AI is buffed, the origin of Maple's [ Absolute Defense ], the loophole of the white rabbit couldn't be acquired again right? The white rabbit with buffed AI won't charge for an hour… and maybe it was also an unexpected way of fixing stuff so that GM's won't be surprised by new players doing that again?"

In this maintenance, it would prevent the occurrence of new irregularities like Kaede, but according to Risa, they couldn't do maintenance that was clearly aimed to reduce Kaede's specs since it's against the rules and conduct in a VR game.

"For example… deleting the [ Absolute Defense ] skills. I'm sure it won't happen, and if they actually did, we can use that against them" Gram said with a raised voice.

"Yeah, probably though… some of the powerful skills the top players had were also nerfed, but I think they only lowered mostly its skill usage. One example should be Maple's [ Abominable ] or Knox [ Spell Overkill ].." Risa crossed her arm.

"N〜… well, I also think it can't be helped. [ Abominable ] is a very powerful passive after all. But… the fix, huh〜…"

Figuring out what Kaede wanted to tell, Risa continued to talk, she looked at Gram wanting to give out his explanation.

"With this, Maple will now also receive damage right huh... that adjustment is probably countermeasures against not only you but Knox as well… it could be said that they added barrier penetration at this point.." Risa giggled and teased Maple.

Kaede couldn't help but cutely g.r.o.a.n.e.d, "Ugugugugu… there's no way to do anything about it.. muh~"

Maple's endurance was clearly off the balance, so the management side's last resort was to implement another way of balancing the relevant parts of her kit while not really implementing heavy restrictions on her.

"Well, defense ignoring or defense penetration skills are very common, it will be much more relevant in the current meta." When Risa said that, Kaede stuck together with her hands apologetically.

Saying that Kaede apologized to them. The three ideals were a party that can't be damaged. If it was like this, they can't do it but Risa reassures the black-haired girl.

Kaede slightly recovered from her somewhat depressed face and asked, "How about Knox?"

Currently, there had been many changes to Gram's skills, aside from skill usage changes, barrier penetration, and so-on, the most thing that had been hit in his skills were mostly his manipulation skills, they even made a skill for it.

[ Elemental Manipulator ]

Skill amplification of manipulation category skills for sub-spells will be limited to 20 times per day. Will be in effect to all [ 'Element' Manipulation ] skills, while MP usage is deducted by 15% for all spells. An example of scaling a spell three times would effectively use 3 of the usage.

The user is able to use manipulation skills independently to control the elements by itself, it's original use, usage would derive in the remaining times while MP is used to maintain it.

"I don't often use the manipulation skill itself.. But this still hurt my skill set a little." The skill improved his variability, while not had been a change, it seems he had to manage his amplification skills a lot more than he wanted to think.

"It doesn't really affect you much.." Risa leered while somewhat happy that he had been 'nerfed' a little bit. Although it hurts her pride, this male had already surpassed her in this game which she didn't have any reason to deny, other than be a little happy about his demise.

"I feel that you're happier than be sad about it?" Gram rolled his eyes. He tried to flick Risa's forehead but she evaded.

Risa playfully said, "Am I… what about the other skills?" Although, when she approached, Gram quickly grabbed her hand and tried to unceremoniously hit her forehead.

"Wah~"

[ Power Augmentation ]

Enhance statuses based on the given MP. 10 MP is equivalent to 1 status point. The skill can only be cast to the current statuses of the targeted player. Lasted for 1 hour with a 1-day cool-down. The cool-down refresh only starts once the active is used up.

"S-So you can only use it every 25 hours huh..." While Risa hasn't actually experienced the stat buff skill, she already saw it with Kaede and really benefited from it.

Gram rubbed his chin, "In my honest opinion, it doesn't matter much… but this skill could be a trump card we will keep in secret~" Since all of them don't really need a high enhancement since each of them had one stats they excelled at. If they needed [ Power Augmentation ] would only be used as an aid in a certain scenario.

Kaede energetically said, "Yeah~ suddenly gaining 200+ more stats while fighting seems to be an exciting thing to do.."

Risa approved while imaging the scene, "It had a better use in a player to player fights when the level gap is obvious."

[ Transcendental Meditation ]

The skill will improve focus and mind process to a large degree in the duration. Activation of the active skill had 6 times with a cool-down time of 2 minutes every usage.

Active: Recovers maximum HP and SP in 5 seconds.

Passive: When not moving, the user passively gains 150% MP and HP regeneration.

When active is used, gain [ Mental Sickness ] that will temporarily enlarge MP usage to all skills every time the user uses the skill. Scale 10% more MP every time the active is used, the debuff can get to 50% at the highest. The debuff can only last for 1 minute and disappear afterward.

Gram rubbed his chin, "So the GM wants me to use MP potions or in other words, just be more resourceful?"

[ Spell Creation ]

The user is able to create skills as spells with its derived manipulation skill. This skill is only restricted to elemental skills/spells and the actuation of the creation is with imagination. Create, Manipulate, and Realize. Cool-down time of 6 days. The effectivity of the spells made is derivative to the current status of the user.

Gram sighed relaxedly, "Oh well~"

"Ah〜… I'm sorry! I stopped being invincible… with this, we can't be an invincible party anymore…" As they had finalized looking at the changes, Kaede suddenly blurted out.

Gram rubbed her lovely head, "Don't worry, I will continue supporting you so you don't get damaged a lot."

Risa chuckled and looked at her cuddling friend, "That cannot be helped Mah~ Maple can receive damage now without feeling pain… but it's not like you're going to receive much damage with that ridiculous VIT. Although penetration effects can be used by others, it's not like I won't emphasize how much effort you did... I know you won't die ever since you enhanced your defense this much"

"Yeah, Maple is still invulnerable right?" He looked at Risa before smiling to Kaede,

"It''ll be better if you smiles fearlessly in front of enemies, you're still going to be cool!" Gram laughed, while Risa nodded in agreement.

Kaede began imagining that with an opponent, their only hope was they were able to deal damage, while she laugh like 'Fufufu'.

Receiving their desperate attacks, with defeated, exhausted and despairing expression stuck on their faces.

Kaede smiled dangerously, "Oh〜... He~he.. That's certainly nice… he~he~..."

"You're making a dark smile you know?" Risa perplexed at her friend's behavior.

Kaede immediately changed her expression, "Wawa! Y-You didn't see that right now! You did not!" Saying that she swung her arms. Risa then sighed with a smile, before laughing out loud.

"Well〜… if it's just that, I only need to increase my HP right? Being damaged with defense penetration is not good...… still~" Still a little skeptical, having VIT after all had dampened all senses when it comes to being hurt, so technically now, she's vulnerable to get hurt, and though, the developers had implemented the new pain index system, she still didn't believe it truly.

Gram reassured her while holding her hand, "Damage might penetrate but it didn't mean it would hurt.."

Risa added, "Well… with the changes, it won't even hurt at all, maybe pricking in the skin? We could test it out, and that's nothing much compared to real life… in addition, the developers/GM's had already lessened it as they said so…"

"N~nnn! Then~ I should do my best to get better skills that block attacks as much as I can... and also recovery type skills and equipment, maybe I also needed other types to increase other stats?" Kaede said with a smile, happy with their considerate action.

Risa motivated Kaede, "She still had those current skills, if we just keep on playing then, you'll become invulnerable in the future!"

Gram nodded with a smile, "Yeah, Sally's right!" Risa made a peace sign while showing a smile.

Kaede showed an excited expression, "Yey! I'll help gather equipment! Also, I'll find some equipment for us too!"

"Then, what should we do now?"

Risa asked and looked at them, "We're still partying up?" He only shook his head signifying his unquestioned allowing, she didn't even need to ask, after all, they had decided that in the first place.

"Well..."

"It's the game you invited us in the first place, although, I just wanted to try it out but now we are playing together?! I'll do that at least you know? I mean, you want to go play more right?" Kaede said happily while holding both Risa's hands before putting the other hand to Gram.

Risa happily smiled, "Un! Thank you!"

"Well, there are also times we need your help, so… you don't even have to hesitate, we can always play together." Gram said cheekily while showing his white teeth.

Risa shyly said while scratching her cheek, "Is that so… Well, I need some help too in time."

Kaede nodded excitedly, "Un! When you need me, I'll do my best too!" Risa didn't think of not accepting anymore, it's not like she's being ostracized by the two, it's just she felt a little out of place sometimes since considering they were a couple.

At least now, she could handle Gram's teasing and Kaede's silly request of things that lead to an embarrassing situation with him.

For the two weeks of playing, she began to think of it as natural although they haven't verbally said anything about it.

Now, Risa thought their relationship had gone closer than best friends, both with Gram and Kaede and she didn't hate it. One example is being rubbed in the head while sometimes getting a lap-pillow that comforted and embarrassed her at the same time.

"Well then… let me first improve my skills! My HP skill for example~ That's the most important one. I know some info too, and after that huh Knox and Sally would decide~. The event is also near, let's go!" Kaede who was holding their hand started dragging them, Gram and Risa glanced at each other and giggled before moving forwards with the rambunctious girl.

"Oh〜!"

They started prioritizing what to do, the first was, of course, to acquire new skills and enhance them, second is to cover Maple's new weaknesses, and third, leave superb results in the second event. They are going to do what they can from now onwards.