32 Streamer Buff

Guiding Blaze through the forest and to her house, Astur also takes the opportunity to explore the ways her NPC template works in regards to the players. Her first test was the quest she gave out to Blaze. When giving out the quest, Follow Me, Astur was able to customize most of the rewards and penalties, but the system generated its own extra reward. The description and rank of the quest were also beyond her control, but Astur did have the ability to name it.

Handing out a quest wasn't the only thing Astur was testing as they walked through the forest. Just before they reached the central area, Astur used her skill, the Scholar's Eye of Insight, and saw one notable difference between using on Blaze and on anyone that isn't a player. On the name display, there are two icons to the right of her name, the first is the English letters PC inside of a small circle. Although it isn't explicitly stated anywhere, Astur was fairly confident it meant Player Character and was meant to denote to the other players that they are a player. The second icon was a small camera which is also inside of a small circle. Astur is also confident that she knows what this one is as well, to denote that this person is streaming.

Between the name and the streaming icon, Astur has an idea as to who the person she is interacting with really is. Although they're generally an unpopular team, Astur is actually a fan of Team Ambros. But this isn't because she particularly liked their players or streamers, it was mostly because said players and streamers would often contribute to the allowance that her sister gave her. The headquarters and dormitory for Team Ambros are located directly across the street from the internet cafe owned by Astur's sister. In their downtime, the players of Team Ambros would occasionally come over to play games, and Astur usually wouldn't think poorly of people giving her money so she would often pay attention to the team whenever they were competing. Astur is also aware of the few streamers that are signed with Team Ambros, such as Claudia Ashtaroth, who is also the only streamer that Astur knows is associated with the ID Blaze.

As the two arrive in the clearing of the central area, Blaze, or Claudia, is surprised to see the current state of the place. What appears to be the foundations for many buildings and the various creatures working together to put the wooden foundations together. If she didn't already know these were NPC's she can speak with, Blaze would have thought that she walked into a den of high level mobs to fight. But ignoring the artificial constructions, Blaze is impressed by the beauty and is still in awe over how realistic the world is, from the environment to the NPCs, everything feels real. If Blaze wasn't aware she was playing a game, she might have mistaken this for sight in real life.

Walking across the newly built bridge that connects Astur's island with the mainland, Blaze isn't able to hold back anymore her curiosity, "what kind of place is this? The beaver said it was the territory of the Holy Oulvgar State, what kind of nation is this?"

"Precisely that. Although it isn't much right now, I can see this place becoming a bustling city in the future. The territory of the Holy Oulvgar State currently claims the entire Sea of Trees as its territory. The area around is is the Capital while this island we're walking to is referred to as the holy land by the others, but for me, it is simply where I decided to live. The name Oulvgar means intelligent beast in an old tongue, that is what my followers are. The Holy part comes from me being the ruler, they call me a Goddess and they wouldn't be wrong to do so."

Before long, the two arrive at Astur's house on the far side of the island, passing the small group of Oulvgar Otters and Monkeys doing menial tasks. As she is brought to the living room, Blaze scrunches her nose as the scent of alcohol fills her nostrils along with what she thinks is tobacco.

"I'll fetch you something to drink, feel free to take a seat on the sofa," Astur says as she leaves to grab a drink.

Although she was tempted to wander and explore the house, Blaze decides to sit down as she notices that her quest was completed and she wanted to see what the random reward is.

[Randomising…]

[Randomising complete]

[Astur Kojuuin - Timeless Physique 0/4 (Summon Card)]

[A Summon Card for one of Astur's sealed Authorities. For 10 minutes, the user will remain unaffected from nearly all forms of external time control]

From a gameplay standpoint, Blaze doesn't think this Summon Card will be of any use, at least here in the early stages of the game. But she has never been one to care much for meta, for Blaze, the skill's description is far more important. As someone who likes to dig into the story of the games she plays, the first line of the description immediately caught her eye.

"Her title is Forest Goddess and the Oulvgar, I think that was their name, call her Goddess, and she also insinuated she was one, so if I'm not mistaken the authority in the skill description should refer to a God's Divine Authority. But from the looks of it, she's had her powers sealed. Chat, what do you guys think of this?" Blaze asks.

<What do we think? That you got the streamer buff and lucked out with getting close to high level NPC from the start>

<This isn't directly related to your question but I'm also one of the beta players. There's a function built into the game that allows us to watch streams as we play which is how I'm here. But anyway, I'm on a different starting planet and there is an NPC with the same surname as this Goddess. Everyone where I started received a quest to find any information on some fugitive called Klaros Kojuuin, apparently he's wanted for heresy, but that's not the point, do you think these two might be related?">

<another beta player here. I was looking around and there's a person named Glacia Kojuuin on my planet as well, she was actually one of the NPCs that greeted us when we first logged in.>

<imoprtant question, is this chick hot?>

<not a beta player, but I saw a stream an hour ago when she met with the beta players. Her assets aren't as large as our Goddess, but that doesn't affect much since she looked good regardless>

<this damn chat never changes…>

"Ignoring the perversions, a good question was raised. Are these people related? If I have the chance I'll try and ask about it," Blaze says.

She wants to continue exchanging theories with her chat, but footsteps can be heard so she decides to remain quiet as Astur returns from the other room.

"Here's some water," Astur says placing a glass cup on the table before taking a seat in her chair and opens up a can of beer.

"Thanks," Blaze says, reaching for a sip, "phft!" but as the liquid in the cup enters her mouth, she instantly spits it out, yelling, "this isn't water, it's alcohol!"

"What are you talking about? It's the same colour, isn't it?" Astur says as she reaches over with a lighter, "you can even light it on fire."

"That proves it's alcohol!"

"Don't worry about it. So anyway, I want to ask you for a favour."

"This is in no way how to ask a favour of someone but go on," Blaze says, crossing her arms.

"Can I use you as a test subject, I promise that there's only a 90% chance of you dying," Astur says with a straight face.

"NO!"

"Ok, moving on from the jokes, that favour I wanted to ask…"

"That was a joke!? How can anyone tell if you look so serious!?"

"Oh I love people like you, your reactions are just the best. But really, I need people to help with the development of the city outside.

<not sure if Blaze is actually annoyed or if she's just giving us a show, but Astur is right, Blaze has some nice reactions>

Ignoring how her chat is making fun of her, Blaze asks, "why are you asking me and what do I get out of it?"

"Because I know you aren't affiliated with the Kingdom beyond the forest. I've been trying to suppress information about my new nation since I know the Kingdom of Virpal won't take kindly to us carving out a portion of their territory as our own. And in the eyes of many, the Oulvgar is just a big group of monsters for them to kill. I know I can't keep information from spreading forever so it's important that I develop this place as fast as I can. As for what I can offer, I can teach you my skills as an Alchemist and give you this," Astur says, taking out one of her Grand Evolution Elixirs and placing it on the table.

"Do you mind if I take a look?" Blaze asks.

"Just don't drink it," Astur says as she leans back.

As she picks up the Elixir and inspects it, a window opens in front of Blaze giving her a description of the item.

[Grand Evolution Elixir (Legendary)]

[Causes the user to lose randomly lose between 100 and 300 + 1% to 15% HP per second for one minute. Has a low chance of granting a lesser derivative ability based on Astur Sera Kojuuin. Grants a bonus to the next racial advancement. Grants a massive amount of EXP. Has bonus effects when used on non-sentient and non-sapient beings. An individual can only consume one of these in their lifetime.]

<Holy shit! You have the chance to receive a legendary item already!>

<I'm telling you guys, it's the streamer buff. Streamers always get the good stuff>

<According to the games directory, Legendary tier items are the second highest rarity in the game, only below Eternal. @Blaze too fucking lucky!>

Even Blaze, a story driven gamer, is attracted to the appeal of an item like Astur's Elixir. But she reigns in the temptation to drink it right away and asks, "did you make this?"

"Yeah. As an Alchemist, I'd say this is my magnum opus. Perhaps you can make something of similar value in the future. So what do you say, help me gather up some wanderers that might be willing to assist in founding a new nation and I'll teach you how to be an Alchemist as well as gifting you this Elixir."

Before she can say anything, Blaze sees the holographic system window appear before her with a new quest.

[Quest: Rise of the Oulvgar - 1 (Rank F)]

[Description]: Astur Kojuuin has asked you to assist her in bringing her new nation up to a level where it can compete with its neighbours. You can choose to accept or decline her offer.

[Rewards]: +1,000 EXP, +10 Intimacy Points with Astur Kojuuin, 1 Grand Evolution Elixir, rights to learn the Alchemist Main Class, a permanent 20% discount from any shop affiliated with Astur.

[Failure Penalty]: -40 Intimacy Points with Astur Kojuuin. (Applied upon quest rejection as well).

"Of course I'd be willing to help!" Blaze shamelessly says as she hugs the Elixir refusing to let go.