Chapter 61
Chapter 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter:61
Chapter Title: Insanely Cost-Effective Elixir
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Why do indie game devs from my past life make roguelike games?
It's because they drastically slow down content consumption while freeing themselves from balance issues.
What? The game's too easy?
Then ascend.
I'll kill you with frustration.
Too hard?
Whoa~ Other gamers are challenging ascensions, and this bug can't even do that?
Ahh... Absolute logic.
Truly a rainbow reflection.
Of course, a well-crafted game system is needed to avoid controversy, but we don't have to worry about that.
My dungeon has the invincible shield of being a late-game dungeon from the start!
And now, beta testers to experiment on this perfect system have already entered the dungeon!
Talk about good luck!
So, I need to get this system somewhat complete before those powerful knights keep coming, making the late game easier.
Squeeze!
"Lord Balak, you called?"
"Skeleton Merchant!"
I soon explained to Carian what I wanted.
"How about it, Skeleton Merchant!"
"Making the hard even harder for stronger rewards makes sense. But won't this lead to extreme polarization beyond our expectations?"
Tch, that's a problem.
Once they reach the dungeon shelter consistently, they'll keep earning coins steadily, sell them outside, or keep getting money, gear, elixirs, boosting their growth nonstop.
Add ascension rewards on top, and their growth accelerates too much—newbies at stat 5, veterans over 50,000.
But there are plenty of solutions.
"What if they can't earn coins after a certain number of challenges per month? And make ascension rewards stingy."
"Hmm... That's pretty good."
"Plus, to earn coins beyond the challenge limit, they use entry tickets. Not bad."
Why do mobile games limit weekly dungeon runs for growth resources?
To break this situation and control polarization.
Also, systems where prices rise the more one person buys in the dungeon.
Or go full season reset to wipe the slate clean—hardcore.
Dissatisfied? Rank them with prizes. Endless options.
If that fails, the ultimate coin recovery device: random boxes—!!!
Halt.
"Argh!! Get out of my head!!"
"L-Lord Balak?!"
Phew, nearly succumbed to the devil's temptation.
That's the last resort; deploy it early, and I'll get endless shit.
Anyway, this is an RPG!
Plenty of those rabbit grinders will camp 24/7 hoping it's fun.
"But once they hit the limit, the heroes won't enter the dungeon—"
"Skeleton Merchant, that won't be an issue. Think back to this dungeon's early days."
"Huh...? Now that you mention it."
Even in the ultra-early phase with zero rewards, players flocked here. So, exceeding weekly limits won't block dungeon challenges or shop/bank use.
This world seems built on proficiency for stats, so tougher training spots mean faster growth.
In short, no main reward of abyss coins? Still get sub-rewards: proficiency!
The spot for extra entry tickets is set.
Mini-dungeons!
Who knew the newbie boot camp would link like this.
Time to expand it like an expansion pack.
*******************
Goal: Finish mini-dungeon expansion within a month.
"Big bro figures those powerful knights won't leave in a month."
"From chats with Second, they're heads of an armed force. Tangled interests mean we'll force them out later, but winter outside means nothing to do now."
"Ah, as you say, Lord Balak, high chance they'll stay till winter ends?"
Winter quiets most monsters outside, barring specials.
Spring chaos hits, so they must leave before then—time to experiment.
"So!! I leave it to you, Skeleton Merchant!"
"No worries. Oh, and Lord Balak, about that talk last time."
"Hm? Something for me already?"
"No no, just reconfirming. Don't want to upset you."
"Ah, tell me upfront what I hate."
Dungeon merchants want good ties, so cautious?
Suits me!
Soon, as promised to old man from childhood, no meaningless killing—I told Carian.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
"Promise to my father and master, the old man."
"I get it fully. But that human was so strong, and war makes demons hated targets. For him to adopt you... remarkable man."
"That's why I follow more. If not in this dungeon, I'd dig his past—regret city."
Seeing my regret, Carian eyed curiously.
"If not rude, Lord Balak, your master's name?"
"Garen."
"Hmm... That strong, he'd be famous outside. Never heard."
"Probably alias."
"Agreed. Any distinctive face?"
"Distinctive... White hair's age, meaningless. Golden eyes?"
"Tough."
Carian, world-traveler, knew nothing despite questions....
Oh well.
Regret's regret. Then, dungeon consulting from Carian.
"See you next time."
"Drop by anytime, Skeleton Merchant!"
"Take care, Carian."
Mini-dungeon remodel takes over a week—no plans.
Tried training/sparring with youngest, but timing off—checked dungeon status.
Entrants back to normal; shelter guys withdrew coins.
'Th-this many coins?!'
'What happened?'
'Heroes beat hidden boss in Iron Labyrinth. Rewards just from that room?'
Rewards must be solid.
Extras always right!
Their moved faces feel satisfying.
Then, two players handling second room's hidden gimmick yielded over half coins to knights for bus fare, deep in thought.
''.........''
That look: aiming high now?
From Second's talks, outside values abyss coins hugely.
Sell now: huge cash.
Invest in elixirs instead?
Second nearby knows elixir synergies well.
Knights advise, so short dilemma.
Decided their path.
'Ferguson, please.'
'Pick elixirs for us?'
'Hahaha! Great choice, young ones!'
'Don't chase short-term gains like fools.'
'Ambition's the core drive of intelligent beings. Good call, heroes.'
'Uh, embarrassing.'
'Yeah....'
'And dangerous carrying out—consume here.'
Shelter warmed; two players started elixirs.
But those knights...
Why eye that potion?
*****************
Simple reason Balak eyed rabbit grinders oddly.
The potion:
[TS Potion by Wicked Witch]
[One sip: top-tier bishoujo or bishounen!]
[Humans only; instant immunity—can't revert.]
[Body reconstructs, youthens to teens.]
Yes! Witch-brand TS Potion!
Rabbit grinders: conservative old fogeys, huge aversion to gender swap.
But youthens?
Something... something!
Super expensive!
Youthens?
Something!!
Asked Ferguson.
"Ah, that? Effect's legit, I hear."
"R-real?"
"No plain rejuvenation potion?"
"Check catalog bottom, tiniest print."
They scrutinized.
[Rejuvenation rewinds path walked, costs life lived.]
"""......"""
"As written, no standard rejuvenation yet. Gender sacrifice for youth."
"...Equivalent exchange."
"Simply put, yes."
"Body reconstruction mean?"
"Regrows lost limbs. Congenital disabilities? Ideal body..."
"W-wait!"
"Lionel, what?"
"Details on 'ideal body'?"
"Of course."
Lionel grilled Ferguson, shocked, all questions.
Soon, conclusion.
"Basically, elixir with side effect."
"What?!"
"Now that you..."
TS Potion price: matches hundreds-fold pricier elixirs.
One-use, gender swap cost—but erases all ills.
Insanely cost-effective elixir!
One outside being to test without backlash.
"Try on sleeping saint in Vatican?"
"On the Saint?!"
"Impact if works!"
"Revive saint who sacrificed for us!"
Great War: trolls opened dimensional rift fully.
Half-continent erosion fixed by saint's eternal sleep—waking aids all, utilitarian win!
Thus, rabbit grinders' evil experiment: old sleeping saint faces saintess crisis.
They spent coins on TS Potion.
All refreshed, off to next room.