Ch 92
With the revelation about how HP worked, MP was soon figured out as well, calculated as a product of both mind and stamina, before also being divided by 1,000. This discovery made Matt frown, as it served as the first tangible evidence that stats mattered beyond just the feeling of increased strength he had experienced. He pondered whether this would be part of what the menu unlocking was meant to reveal, particularly since most of their HPs were relatively low. He speculated that they might not have even had a single point in it before reaching level 9, when all their stats experienced a significant quantitative jump. Still, one other aspect stood out as they all compared stats: each of their highest stats differed, revealing unique strengths and weaknesses among them.
Tempormr had mentioned that most individuals who reached the pinnacle of success always concentrated on one particular stat, as it allowed them to enhance all their other stats the most efficiently. However, it wasn't until Matt observed that both Greg and Eleanor had a stat exceeding 540 that he truly grasped just how advantageous this strategy was. After all, his highest stat was merely 274, and if he had a stat at 540, he could have elevated all his stats to nearly that level. This realization made him feel like he was lagging behind, especially since only Apricity didn't have at least one stat above 300. As he contemplated this, while his HP gradually recovered, he decided it was best to call it a day. Apricity then utilized her safe passage skill to return to a safe room they discovered earlier that day, ensuring their safety for the night.
Once there, Matt wasn't in the mood to dive straight into the story game for the night, as his mind was preoccupied with how to improve his stats, leaving him feeling stumped. Noticing Matt deep in thought, Eleanor approached and settled into the chair across from him, her expression signaling she was ready for a chat. A part of Matt wanted to ignore her, but he recognized that was the part of him still mentally stuck back in his cabin. Besides, she was the one he had positioned between himself and the rest of the group. So, with a resigned sigh, he began to voice what was troubling him.
"I feel like I'm falling behind and missing something crucial for my growth," he confessed.
"Is it something specific, or just a general feeling after we all compared stats today?" Eleanor inquired, her eyes filled with understanding.
"It's the fact that my peak stat is half of yours, and you've also had more success training the rest of your stats," Matt explained, frustration creeping into his voice.
"About that," Eleanor replied thoughtfully, "most of my stat growth came from keeping up with the pace you set. If you ask around, you'll probably find that it's the same for all of us. You pushed us all, and initially, none of us dared to complain for fear you'd leave. But over time, that fear shifted to us getting used to it and eventually being happy to be challenged. If you've noticed, you still have more stamina than any of us."
Matt sighed again, "I just feel like I made a mistake by focusing on spirit when it wasn't my best stat. I should have focused on a path that emphasized strength, as it was naturally my highest."
"You’re no brute," retorted Eleanor with conviction. "Considering what we know, the fact that several of us are on paths that boost the spirit stat isn’t a coincidence."
"Are you suggesting that just having to deal with me has made you all grow in patience or something?" Matt asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
"No," Eleanor replied thoughtfully, "watching you face down the world for us and come out on top has inspired us to improve for each other, so you don’t have to shoulder our burdens alone. Emily became a healer because of you, and while Rose won’t openly admit it, she is likely the one most devoted to being useful to you. I know you’ve avoided probing deeper than that one exchange when she shared about her past with addiction—"
"Eleanor, I think Rose should share anything beyond that," Matt interjected bluntly.
"Matt, she has given me permission to share it when I believed you were ready to hear it. She doesn’t think she could tell you herself without running away."
"Fine."
"She is terrified of this group falling apart, as it’s the first time she has felt like she belongs since she was ten, when her dad went away for life and her mom blamed her for everything that went wrong. Zara might have issues because of her trauma after what sounds like a situation where she was really drunk and was taken advantage of, but Rose’s issues make those seem trivial."
"What are you trying to say, and what does it have to do with me feeling like my stats are behind?" Matt inquired, seeking clarity.
"What I’m saying is that maybe you should focus on the success of others rather than dwelling on where you went wrong. This way, you are concentrating on something constructive rather than destructive. Nothing is going to fix your stats other than leveling up more and choosing paths that lean into the spirit until it reaches the same height as ours."
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"I see," Matt mused, "you’re saying that I need to focus on the growth of the group and what I can control?"
"Yes," Eleanor confirmed, "but first, do you have any intention of actually following through and dating one of them when we get back to Earth?"
"Why does that matter right now?"
Eleanor gave Matt a look as if he were clueless, then sighed before responding.
“Look, I don’t know if your bluntness is a defense mechanism or something, but you should use our time here to test the waters with all of them beforehand.”
“I am not doing anything with any of them while we are—” Matt began.
“I am simply saying that you should sit and talk with them,” Eleanor interjected. “Get to know them while they get to know you. Honestly, I suspect that doing so will save you from issues when they realize they have romanticized what a relationship with you would be like.”
“Is that why you’ve never shown an interest?” Matt inquired.
“Yes,” Eleanor replied. “If you were looking for someone to just have fun with, I’d be more than interested, but I know that’s not you. No, you approach everything with full intensity, and I don’t think the others fully realize that. Even Apricity doesn’t see it from what I can tell, and if any of them would, it would be her.”
“No,” Matt countered. “She knows that. She’s actually counting on it if I had to bet. Any advice on the rest of them?”
“Don’t have sex, or anything close to it,” advised Eleanor. “In fact, don’t even hold their hands. Keep it just about getting to know them.”
“So just take turns talking with each of them, one-on-one, like you and I are right now?” Matt asked.
“Yes, but focus more on getting to know each other than what we normally do.”
“Alright, then how about you tell me about you?” Matt suggested.
“What?” Eleanor responded, taken aback.
“I figure I should practice, and since it seems like you’re the only one not trying to get me to look your way, I thought talking with you first would be the safest.”
“You’re a real idiot, aren’t you,” Eleanor retorted, a hint of amusement in her voice. “But fine, as you know I…”
The next hour slipped by as Matt listened intently to Eleanor's story about how she had been groomed from a young age to take over the family business. With each word she spoke, Matt's sympathy for her grew, as it became evident that her parents had only ever allowed her to pursue that singular path in life. Eleanor even anticipated that, at some point, they would expect her to marry someone of their choosing, even though they had never explicitly mentioned it. The conversation left Matt reflecting on the freedom he had enjoyed during his upbringing, despite the fact that Eleanor's family could likely afford to buy everything his family owned multiple times over.
In the end, what Matt gained from the conversation was a broader perspective on how different things might be back on Earth, along with some guidance on what questions to ask and which to avoid. Apparently, inquiring about past relationships was considered a faux pas, while asking what someone desired in a relationship was seen as a more appropriate approach. By the conclusion of their discussion, Matt truly felt bewildered; he shook his head and mused about how many mental stat points it would take to comprehend women. He was fairly certain that Eleanor was chuckling to herself over just how confused he appeared. Despite his confusion, he was grateful for the conversation. Once it concluded, he informed the group that he planned to take time to get to know each of them better, including Greg, as they moved forward.
This had led a few of them to eagerly attempt to go next immediately, but Matt quickly shut it down by stating he would only hold one discussion per day, as he wasn't interested in speed dating. Since Eleanor had already gone, he encouraged everyone to share their daily story, and once they had finished, they all transitioned to personal time. The following day unfolded with the group discovering they were in a level 11 area. Managing HP was more challenging than anticipated, requiring them to allocate extra time for recovery after each battle. This was particularly tough for Bob, who could only manage one effective attack per fight before having to retreat if he sustained any damage. Despite these challenges, they managed to accumulate over 100 experience points for the day, with Matt surpassing the halfway mark for level 11.
That night, as they gathered for their usual story time, Eleanor quietly announced that Yumiko would be the next to sit with Matt for their private talk. The women had arranged it together under Eleanor’s careful guidance, and she’d already set the tone for what the conversation should cover. Yet as the tale unfolded, Matt felt his stomach twist with nervous anticipation—Yumiko had always been so reserved. When at last they settled side by side on the worn leather armchairs, he found himself utterly tongue-tied. Finally, Yumiko cleared her throat and chose to speak first.
“Eleanor warned me you might not know where to begin,” she said softly, her dark eyes steady by the firelight. “So let’s skip the small talk: what are we each looking for in a relationship?”
Matt swallowed. “Alright. I’d like someone who can take care of herself, and who isn’t afraid to tell me exactly what she’s thinking.”
Yumiko tilted her head. “Do you mean at all times, or just when I seem upset and you don’t know why?”
“Any time you have thoughts you feel I’m missing, or when we discuss something your input matters on. I don’t want to steamroll you—because I wouldn’t like it if you did the same to me.”
A faint smile curved Yumiko’s lips. “When you say ‘take care of herself,’ you mean someone who can spend time away without feeling neglected?”
“Yes. And now your turn.”
Yumiko folded her hands in her lap. “Had you asked me before all this began, I’d have said I wanted a provider. But now I think ‘protector’ is more fitting. Not that I plan to sit home cooking all day—but if I have children, they’ll need someone who can give them the best chance at survival.”
Matt frowned, gaze drifting to the others. “So children are important to you?”
“Yes. What purpose does marriage serve if not to raise a family?”
“Because two people choose each other—many would say it’s for love.”
She drew in a steady breath. “Perhaps. But to me, that commitment truly matters only if you intend to bring children into the world.”
Matt ran a hand through his hair. “What if I never want kids?”
“Then, I’m afraid, we wouldn’t work.”
Matt’s let out a sigh. “I can’t say for certain either way. I’d only want children once life feels stable—and I don’t know if or when that will happen.”
Yumiko regarded him kindly. “I understand. It seems our ideals aren’t a perfect match, but they aren’t impossible to reconcile either. Now—let’s talk about ourselves a little more…”
