[NR] That Would Be Hilarious - Chapter 793 (Patreon)

Rosha laughs, “If anything, the fact you still have to bother with the bottleneck quests is a bit silly. With a core already? The only thing you’re missing is the strength. Except, all those stats people get? That comes from the System. You’re just stuck kicking rocks because anything more would be ‘cheating’ as defined by the System. You have to go through the levels to get power.

“Or something of the sort. No actual way to tell.”

Jason shrugs, “I can’t really tell till I get to 100. Though it is only later on that people get truly powerful on a personal level without using power to buff themselves.”

Courtney, “What do you mean by that?”

Jason, “Well, I’ve seen the high end of NeoRealm. And the whole core thing? That’s in the ballpark of what the power level feels like right until the last break.

“Oh, sure, cast a spell or channel some Qi and suddenly people are doing all kinds of crazy things. The same can be true of cultivation as well. Except, in cultivation, you also raise your base ability.

“Someone with a golden core can run around doing superhuman feats of strength without breaking a sweat. They don’t need any extra exertion or expense of power beyond regular stamina. Though even then, it isn’t going to be that much stamina either. Qi users in NeoRealm? They have bursts of strength.”

Rosha shrugs, “Well, thanks to you, we already know that most people are running off stats gifted by the System. They aren’t like you, raising their base stats.”

Courtney, “You know, that’s probably the answer?”

Jason nods, “Well, sure, raising my actual body’s statistics likely helps. Though it would be nice to find some of those supposed extra things you can do with skills that I heard about way back when we first joined up.”

Courtney shakes her head, “No, I mean that’s probably why those at the top end suddenly become more powerful. Whether they’re capped or just slow to progress. It means that even if growing their bodies’ power is harder? They’re able to finally work on it.

“In fact, with what we know, that’s probably part of why it is so hard for people to break the level cap and leave NeoRealm. Their own stats are a shackle on them from the System, and unless they can manage to strengthen their bodies to the point of matching what the System provides? Well, they’re trapped.”

Jason barks out a laugh, “Oh, that would be hilarious! All those once in a generation talents the top families create, pumping up their stats, only to end up stuck at level cap if they reach it. Likely not even sure why.”

Rosha nods, “And it is even worse for those who decide to focus on a single stat. It would be one thing if your strength is simply double your other stats, but some of the more extreme talents? Their chosen stat must be magnitudes higher!”

Jason, “And like, despite capping my stats, I am not actually that far ahead of the curve. Which means that the physical limits might actually prevent even a mild imbalance.”

Rosha grimaces, “Oh. Hmm. So, uh, what about us? I will admit, when I first joined, I didn’t exactly consider the possibility of hitting the level cap, but that does seem to be on the table if we hang around with you.”

Jason, “Well, did you mess around with how many stats per level you got? And how evenly are your stats distributed?”

Courtney coughs to get attention, “Neither of us altered the experience to stats aspect. I think you might have a slightly out of whack perception of how often it happens and to what extent. Gaining even a single extra stat a level is something one in ten thousand might manage.

“Now, that is still a decent number of people when pulling from a population of billions. Hundreds of thousands of people manage it and admittedly, that one extra stat point will add up over the levels. Though many actually add a single point to a specific stat every level, but that’s getting into the weeds a bit too much.

“The important thing is that those who gain any significant bonus almost always come from rich families who have a history of it. So this isn’t even a one in a million shot. It is not a chance, but generational knowledge with the rare outliers that historically have then either started their own families or married into existing families.

“In our generation, you’re talking the low hundreds of people who have managed it. And remember, a decade irl is five in here. So those few hundred people with exaggerated stats will be trickling in, a handful every year spread out over all of NeoRealm.”

Jason frowns, “I did expect it to be more common. It wasn’t hard for me, but that does tend to be one of those traps people fall into. Anyway, how are your stats spread?”

Rosha shrugs, “Pretty evenly. I use a bow spear thing and magic. The weapon requires a broad base while magic doesn’t really have a stat beyond Mana, but I don’t bother putting anything into that. I really did end up like a cliché sword mage. Though at least I found a weapon that is relatively unique!”

Courtney nods, “I am also balanced as I focus more on magic, but felt the need to keep up my body as well to support her as needed. I wouldn’t be a very good maid if she had to pick things up because they were too heavy for me.”

Rosha, “Actually, now that I think about it, why aren’t there casting stats? The System is fine with supporting physical power and what not. Why isn’t there a stat beyond Mana?”

Jason shrugs, “Far as I can tell, magic is in the skills, not stats. Though it probably has to do with what the System isn’t allowed to mess with. Like, it can change our bodies within reason, but it isn’t allowed to play with our minds or souls. Which presumably would be where the casting stats would reside. Just think of the stats other games usually have. Intelligence? Wisdom? Yeah, I don’t blame the System for not wanting to touch them with a ten-foot pole.”