D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

Chapter 2016: Chapter 2016 Sock Theft

--- Kat ---

It was after ’breakfast’ that evening when... odd music started to play? It was almost like something out of a western but instead played on a zither for some reason. Then Thyme’s voice began to ring out and everything made sense. ”A MAJOR rule change has just been put through. It’s TIME TO DUEL! Now, every day at this time two random contestants will be forced to fight! The good news is that, technically, it will be after the cutoff time for orbs that day so death won’t be the end... but it will probably make your next day super tense.

”There was also, some SUPER fine print. Maybe the guys or gals who activated this saw them. Maybe they didn’t. What it means, is that every single chest has been shuffled. Now included in them are some ’Rule Change’ scrolls specifically for the duelling segments. Additionally, there’s TWO chests out there somewhere with the ability to completely remove the duels from the game. Then again, just because two exist for sure doesn’t mean anyone will be able to find them!

”Now, a quick little rundown before I leave. Duels take place in a random arena. They have different terrains and different sizes ranging from a 25m diameter circular arena all the way up to a three story 3km by 3km, by 3 layer dome! In addition to that, during each and every fight the two contestants will have giant circles above their head to make their location. The circles will be five metres in diameter and will move around slightly so as to not be perfectly centre. They are to prevent people from simply running away forever without simply giving away the game. The circles will always be ten metres from the ground, regardless of the elevation of the contestant.

”Battles will continue until someone either surrenders, is confined for a full minute, has been knocked unconscious for more than ten seconds, or is a moment away from taking lethal damage. Both fighters will then be taken to the infirmary, with the winner getting the usual benefits for beating someone, as well as a full heal and a short, thirty minute reprieve they can end early if they want.

”Now, because you can’t ask me questions. Here a quick clarification on a few things. Firstly, no, there are no draws and you can’t just agree to walk away. Your timer will keep ticking down and you will remain stuck until someone is considered a loser. Yes it IS possible to fight teammates, but the randomizer doing that is slightly weighted so that your less likely to do so. Still possible, and in that case you won’t suffer the penalties for being near a teammate. Finally, familiars are not currently able to participate but I’m sure that’s nothing a few rule changes can’t solve. GOOD LUCK!”

Kat felt like her ears were ringing, but looking around it was also quite obvious that neither her nor Hedera had been chosen for this... duel. Hedera got up from her chair and started to pace around the room. ”This is... something isn’t it?” offered Kat upon seeing Hedera’s restless motion.

”I’m freaking out Kat! I don’t know what would happen if either of us were grabbed for something like this. I don’t know if I can really defeat anyone in an enclosed space with the markers involved. Ideally I’d be able to snipe them from range but they’ll know exactly where I am and from what direction my arrows are going to be coming. I suppose the first shot might be a good chance but I don’t think anyone in the tournament can still get taken out by normal arrows. Not in one shot anyway... but is it worth my limited supply of good arrows?

”What about the fact that we’ve been sitting around. We’re good on orbs but probably not high tier equipment. Except, we don’t really know how good the equipment is because we haven’t found much of it. There was probably more in the later stages of the Trapmaster trials but we were running out of orbs when we found the exit. Should we go around looking for more things?

”But we have a HUGE stockpile of orbs, and I bet we could get another barrel just by asking. We can essentially just... ’tank’ any orb loses without issue. Though what if someone decides to take my bow? That would make me drastically weaker and I’m not sure how I’d acquire a second one. Nor would I know what to do if WE ended up fighting each other. Thyme said that we were less likely to fight people on our own team but made no allowance for fighting people we’ve since teamed up with. All in all I’m just freaking out a lot!”

Hedera stopped her rambling worries mostly because she was running out of breath. She’d taken a few here and there, but they were short shallow things that were soon stampeded by more words. Kat couldn’t necessarily blame her. This was far and away the biggest rule shake up that they’d experienced and it was not one that favoured the archer. ”I think... hmm... yeah I’m not sure if this should change our plans or not.

”We did agree to help out with the investigation, so we should probably stick around for at least the first stage of the plan. After that... I’m not sure. As long as we have a good stockpile of orbs we shouldn’t be too worried about losing. Hmm... the real risk is losing a bunch of stuff. Maybe it’s worth just... emptying all of your equipment into the room you’re staying in, then waiting for the time to tick over and instantly forfeiting?” offered Kat

”Hmmm...” Hedera considered Kat’s suggestion. ”I don’t love it. If I want to be certain that nobody just... steals all my underclothes or clothes in general I might need to go into the fight naked. If I’m instantly conceding though... maybe it’s fine?”

Kat felt like slapping her head on the table, and Lily was blushing as best she could in Memphis form. [Why not just GET MORE CLOTHES!]

It was a good question, so Kat asked. ”Why did you jump immediately to being naked instead of asking for some spare clothes, or trying to by them?”
Hedera considered the question for a few seconds. ”Well... I guess I was worried about losing all my clothes. Which meant I couldn’t take them, and thus I’d be naked. I didn’t really consider the fact I could just get more. We don’t really get paid in anything other than orbs at the moment, and I’m not sure I’d want to mess with that arrangement just for some clothes...

”But at the same time, perhaps if I just wear my basics when the clock ticks over... then I can either not worry about it, or get new clothes when I’m back? It depends on if the person in question is ’evil’ enough to steal my clothes like that.”

Kat rubbed at her chin. ”Do you think many people in the tournament are?”

Hedera sighed. ”Well, not really but also maybe yes? Like, if they know it’d be annoying... then they might consider it a big enough tactical advantage. Like, I’d be pretty uncomfortable without my underclothes and they’d probably know that. Honestly, I’d be more worried about the women. The guys probably don’t think it’s a big enough deal to risk getting me properly angry at them, while the girls would understand it as a strategic decision instead.”

”So what you’re saying is, if I beat anyone I should steal their socks?” asked Kat with a grin.

”You might think you’re joking... but yes actually,” confirmed Hedera. ”Even the guys would have issues and I’m not sure how many pairs they managed to take. Actually, if you can wreck their armour, steal the socks they’re wearing and then take more socks from their bracelets? I’d say go for that.”

”That... might be a bit far,” Kat said with a slight frown.

Hedera shrugged. ”It’s probably not something that would improve your personal odds all that much... but it IS a stronger tactic then you’d think. For all that Ranking up can improve your durability that doesn’t always translate to things being more comfortable. A rock in your shoe is pretty annoying. Plus, because our skin is still soft instead of hard, if you lack the force then things just sink in.

”Imagine having no socks to help disguise the feeling and just... a bunch of rocks in your shoe. Or you can feel the metal joints in your boots. Or just the old leather,” Hedera shivered at the mental image. ”It’d be really distracting in a fight.”

”Why not just take the armour then?” asked Kat.

”Well, you wreck the armour in the fight. Obviously. Everyone probably has limited self-repair but I’m sure you can destroy it past that point,” explained Hedera.

Kat let out a sigh. This had become a weird conversation. Still... perhaps it was worth considering. If they didn’t have anything obviously useful to grab socks might be a good one. Though... would a pair of socks count as one item?