Minus Skill: The Story of Four Nuisances… - Chapter 24

Tet tilts his head.
”Miss Kokoru doesn’t have a debuff icon, it looks like…..You’re sure that it’s a debuff right?”
“Correct”
“Then why…..No, scratch that. It shouldn’t even be on Miss Kokoru. If it’s a debuff, then I would have it…..or at least, it should be. “
Tet then continues, looking confused all the while–
“Come to think of it, even the Aqua Salamander’s debuff isn’t there. Why is the effect of Mummy Graverobber gone…?”
“That’s because it isn’t. The debuff is just gone because of another effect.”
“What do you mean….?”
“Mummy Graverobber has a secondary effect right? “
“Yeah….The effect of the debuff fluctuates depending on the so called “Reward Rate” of the party”
“Sir Alvin, it’s your turn”
Tet then stares at me, as I ready my explanation with an exhale of my breath.
“My minus skill isn’t as rare as these two’s. It’s just
“Ah……..Ehhhh!?”
Tet’s eyes popped out as he screamed in disbelief.
“Special of all things! It’s not even small or medium!?”
“Yep”
“I find it hard to believe….. That someone with that terrible of a skill would still become an adventurer.”
That stings.
“But that clears things up. With that our reward rate would end up being….
“That’s right. I don’t know how calculates the reduction, but with at least a single Special Class Minus Skill it seems that it can nullify a Small Class.”
“So that explains why and is gone.”
The reduction rate of Jealous God’s Curse is lower than so it stands to say that its supposed rank is lower.
“Even so…. Something still doesn’t add up.”
“How so?”
“When Alvin defeated the Aqua Salamander and the Mermen, the items and coins still dropped normally right? A rank of Special on the drop rate debuff should amount to 80% if I’m not mistaken.”
“You’re right about that, but aren’t you forgetting about my skill?”.
Kokoru says with a smile.
“Eh? Ah , so Alvin’s skill wouldn’t be taken into account!.”
“This party was created when I first met Kokoru. That was the reason why I begged her to party up with me.”
It was quite recent, but it felt like ages ago.
“With you joining, this skill just come to a full circle.”
“Looking at it, you’re right about that.”
to to to to
Each one before it cancels out the negative part of the skill.
“That’s not all”
-Melina chimed in
“The 10% increase in stats is still put into effect without the downside. The minus has turned into a plus”
“It’s a synergy…..”
Kokoru says in a soft voice.
Noticing our gazes, Kokoru talks panickedly.
“Ehh, Uhmm, when skills are compatible with each other and build upon their effects it’s call synergy right? Like and or and . Our minus skills are exactly like that.”
What she said is true.
The four skills together are a sum vastly greater than its parts. A curse into a boon.
“So with that said. Hear us out Tet..”
. I say to Tet who was sort of disoriented with the barrage of information.
“We need your skill. No, even as just a thief, there’s no one better to ask for than you. Won’t you join us?”
“But I’m….”
“I know why you don’t trust parties. I’m also a Minus Skill holder too. I’ve had people that I trusted turn their backs on me more times than I can count. But it’s exactly because why you should trust us…..We’re all in the same crummy boat after all.”
“……….”
“Heck even if it’s just for this dungeon. I want us to challenge the boss here with you. There’s probably no other party out there with a high average level and numerous skills. I’m sure that the four of us can take on any trick it might have up its sleeve. It’s as you said. There’s no guarantee that there’s an item that can erase skills. But why not take a gamble? It’s for our future.”
Tet was silent for a while but then faced us afterwards and gave a slight nod.
“Ok….you win.”
“I’m glad.”
“I-If you ever betray me I’ll curse you and turn you into an undead monster.”
“Without you we wouldn’t be able to remove the “Curse” type debuff. I’ll make sure that won’t happen”
“What the heck is that response…”
Tet chuckled as he said so.
“I was worried on how it would turn out but Alvin managed to catch you hook line and sinker..”
“I feel conflicted about that since I feel like I’m getting better at pleading to people for some reason.”
“I didn’t mean to tease you on that but…..”
I pleaded sincerely with all I can is all..
“Ah, before we forget. Let’s collect the Aqua Salamander drops. We better gather it up or it’ll despawn.”
After saying so, Tet cantered off towards the loot.
As he stored a few coins and items into his inventory—he suddenly stopped all actions.
He stares at one of the items he gathered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Did the Aqua Salamander really drop this……….”
In his hands was rolled up parchment.