Chapter 40: Ch 35 – An unwanted name

Today’s Saturday. It’s also the day we’re going to have our first four-player Dungeon Invasion.

It’s been a week already since we talked about the idea of creating a four-person team and participating in DMA’s tournament.

And we had a chance to play together as a three-man team before this time, but Ricard vehemently refused, saying that we would get used to playing in the wrong way and that later it would be worse for the team because we would need to relearn everything.

And believe me when I say there was no way to convince him of the opposite. Because both me and Laura tried. But he was so stubborn… He kept repeating time after time that it’ll be better for us to start playing directly with my sister on the team. That would increase our chances to get better at playing together and at winning the tournament.

‘We’ll get used to things we shouldn’t, and then it’s going to be more difficult to fix those problems. It’s better to start as a blank slate!’ This is what Ricard kept repeating.

We then joked about playing only Laura and me, but he got angry at us for it. For the same reason. Why do you care so much!? It’s only a game!

Well, anyway. The thing is that today we’re playing together and I’m the one in charge of creating the party because I’m the only one who has everyone added as friends in the game.

“So… Here I go. First my little sister Clara, LemonPie. Then Laura, A Lil’ Demoness. And finally Ricard, TheGreatBaldSage… I still think that his name is too lame. Is he unable to think of non-lame names? Because both his nickname and ‘The League of Evil’ are so lame…”

I open the dungeon invasion menu after receiving the game’s messages saying that the other players joined the team.

“Now for the dungeon… If I remember properly, the name was ‘Everchanging Labyrinth’, a dungeon from the Magic Engineers faction. Hmm…. Yes, here it is!”

This too was a dungeon recommended by Ricard. I don’t know if he already knows what monsters, traps, etc. the dungeon has or not… but if you can rely on him for something, that something is about game stuff.

“That’s unless he forgets about the most important things. Like forgetting about the dungeon’s boss, the troll…”

I don’t forget to select the units that will come with me. As usual, the Kidnapper is the first to be selected.

“Since I created the Kidnapper, it’s been the most important mob during dungeon invasions. But now it’s a bit ridiculous that I'm still using it to invade dungeons. Because it’s a Stitched and it's dumb and quite useless.”

“In fact, the same can be said about the Followers. After this dungeon invasion, I’ll need to think about upgrading my minions into something more decent.”

If only I didn’t spend yesterday doing crazy things instead of preparing for today!

“But I don’t regret it a single bit, because the Monster Train was something absolutely indispensable. Something without which I couldn’t live anymore!”

Let’s focus, Andreu! Where was I? Oh, yes! Selecting the support mobs. So… I pick six Braindead Followers to bring with me, as well as the Kidnapper.

“The limit has risen to 400 cp now that I’m player level four. This is also a reason why I would like to change the mobs. Now I can afford more expensive units. But here I am, still using this garbage!”

“No offense.” I say towards the nearest Stitched. It doesn't seem to be offended, the expression is the same as always, so everything’s ok.

I don’t expect I’ll find any units to capture in the dungeon we’re going to, but I’m bringing the Kidnapper anyway.

“Who knows, I might find something unexpected. Or maybe a critter or two.”

 

After confirming the mobs, my vision turns white as usual and I soon find myself in the ‘Everchanging Labyrinth’ dungeon. Nearby, I can see my two friends’ and my sister's Champions.

You are reading story The Mad Rat’s Lab at novel35.com

“Hello everyone! Long time no see!” I joke.

“Hey there.” “Good morning.” “Hello!” They answer.

“I think an introduction is due before we start. Don’t you think so?” I say while pointing at the stitched behind me. Then, starting with the Kidnapper, I start to give them random names. “This here is John and these are Pon, Don, Bon, Ron, Con, and Ton. They are saying: nice to meet you!”

After my monologue, all of them are looking in my direction with weird expressions on their faces.

“So… how about we start by explaining our champions and what skills each of us has?” Completely ignoring me, Ricard starts to talk about our party and champions.

“Ok.” “Fine by me.”

“Ugh… guys?”

Hey! What about the introductions? You still need to introduce your minions! Don’t be impolite! I took the time to name them all, at least remember their names! Because I already forgot them, you have to remember their names in my place!

Ricard continues talking. “Oh, I almost forgot. If we don’t want to expose our real names later, during the tournament, we better start to get used to calling each other by our nicknames.”

It seems like the introductions finished before starting. Poor stitched! It must be because you’re going to retire soon, so nobody cares about you anymore. Hahaha!

“My full nickname’s TheGreatBaldSage but it’s too long. The last time I was playing with Andreu he was calling me…”

“Oh, then you’re Baldy from now on!” My sister rudely interrupts Ricard as he talks about his nickname.

“... Bald Sage. Wait, what!? BALDY!?”

“Yep, Baldy!”

“B-but you’re leaving the most important part out! You’re leaving ‘Sage’ out!”

Hmmm? Wasn’t the most important part of your nickname ‘Bald’? At least that’s what I thought…

“We leave it at Baldy! Ok? It’s short and funny so I like it. And you can call me Lemon! There’s no need to add the Pie at the end.”

“Hmmm…. And for me… How about you call me Lily?”

“Oh, using the Lil’ part of the nickname and turning it into a name. I like it! Mad Rat for me. I don’t think there’s a need to shorten or change it in any way.”

As we decide on the rest of our nicknames, Ricard falls to the floor and starts to talk alone. “My awesome nickname has been reduced to Baldy… How could this be…”

Hah! That’s godly retribution for giving us the lame name of ‘The League of Evil’. You had it coming, hahaha!

“I’ll start!” Says Laura enthusiastically. “As you know, I’ll take the support role in the party. First of all, as a succubus, I have the Charming Eyes skill. Then, I can heal you with the Revitalize skill. Also, you don’t need to worry too much about me because I can easily move through the battlefield or avoid traps by using Blink.”

“Then I can bring some extra damage by attacking with the whip or by casting Hellfire. With the Guilty Pleasure and Oppression skills, I can help the team, recover my MP and EP, and deal damage at the same time! I have a little of everything so that I can help wherever the team needs it! Hahaha!”

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