The Ascent of Wrath: Stat Optimization and the Right-Hand Candidate

Hello again, everyone!

"Mmm-mmm... I wonder what the right choice would be in this case...?"

Your favorite protagonist here (at least I hope so), broadcasting live from the most ergonomic spot in the world. Where could that be, you ask...? Well, the lap of a priestess with a natural talent for massages, naturally!

(Slap!)

No, no, no... Focus, me!

"Where were we? Oh, right! The seasonal event."

As any true connoisseur of high-end RPGs knows, you can't just "play." Because, after all, that's for newbies! A true professional knows that the real fun isn't in the story, but in Stat Optimization. And let me tell you, after what feels like an eternity of intensive farming, my dear Raina has gone from being a "broken character ruined by bad management" to becoming an authentic Unit of Mass Destruction!

"Mmm... And what do you have in mind for today...?"

But back to what's important: Raina.

"... Good... He seems truly lost in his thoughts..." (Whisper)

At first, when I inherited this save file, the situation was... well, deplorable.

"I must prevent him from realizing what's happening around him, following Lady Melioris's orders..." (Whisper)

She was at the lowest level of efficiency, with broken gear and pathetic morale. But, hey! Where others see a corrupted file, I see a Min-Maxing opportunity.

(Rub... rub... rub...!)

The first thing was the Psychic Potential (PP). Do you know how hard it is to break the soft-cap limit in a system like Virtual Dimension's? I had to abuse the "Wrath Resonance" mechanic. Basically, every time the game gave me a dialogue option that would make her feel bad, I looked for a way to turn that feeling into a cumulative damage multiplier. It's like investing in stocks, but instead of money, you harvest pure hate and transform it into Intelligence points!

"That being said, I still always gave peaceful options, like living a normal life!"

.... Though well, Raina never chose them... But it was her decision... So I won't complain!

"I must admit we've leveled up a lot in our collaboration, right Raina...?"

Why are you bragging about this now, you might ask...? Well, isn't the answer obvious?

"It was to be expected, since we're together."

It's because I want to show off!!

"But will we be able to keep him distracted for that long, Big Sister...?" (Whisper)

To achieve these current results, we had to surgically optimize the leveling routes and overcome all sorts of NPCs and players who sought to be the strongest.

".... I think we can do it."

To get to this point, we ignored all side quests and threw ourselves into all kinds of high-risk, high-reward fights in a relentless effort to be the best.

"Mmm, Master... your enthusiasm is... overwhelming..."

The result? A x5000 multiplier. FIVE THOUSAND! That means if someone even looks at her the wrong way, Raina can process that insult and return it converted into a thermonuclear explosion of mental energy that causes no direct damage.

"It would be best to grind a bit more experience... But... I can't get an idea out of my head..."

But you're probably wondering... Huh? Doubt? What doubt? So let me answer you by showing you this status screen first of all!

Name: Raina

Level: 457 (TRANSCENDENTAL)

Species: Human?

Occupation: [First Demonic Lord of Wrath] (EX)

Title: The most powerful psychic, peerless, anomaly

STR: 145,902 | DEX: 138,400 | VIT: 112,603

AGI: 98,603 | MND: 550,307 | INT: 128,729 | LUK: 76,548

[LEGENDARY / TRANSCENDENTAL EQUIPMENT]

Veil of the Devouring Void (Grade EX): A garment woven from the remains of a collapsed dimension. It nullifies any physical attack below SSS rank and grants conceptual invisibility against divine surveillance systems.

Crown of Ruin (Grade SSS): Passively increases Psychic Potential (PP) based on the number of allies who have betrayed the wearer. (Current effect: +400% Energy Regeneration).

Shackles of Broken Fate (Grade EX): Ancient punishment chains converted into catalysts. They allow the wielder to "bind" environmental variables, preventing the enemy from using escape abilities or time manipulation.

[ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SKILLS]

[Primordial Wrath Domain - Rank EX]: Passive. Replaces energy consumption with the absorption of environmental hatred. As long as someone within a 100 km radius feels resentment, Raina has infinite mana.

[Collapse of Will - Active]: A psychic wave that does not seek to harm the body, but to "erase" the target's personality. If the target has a MND stat lower than 100,000, they automatically become a loyal subordinate.

[Causality Rewrite - Rank SSS]: Allows Raina to ignore an event that has already occurred and rewrite that second of reality as if nothing had happened.

[Environmental Disaster Aura - Passive]: Raina's mere presence alters the laws of physics. Oxygen becomes flammable, gravity increases x10, and the laws of existence degrade in her wake.

[CLASS SKILLS: ANNIHILATION PSYCHIC]

[Absolute Omni-Telekinesis]: Manipulate matter at an atomic level. Range: Planetary. Can compress a megacity into the size of a marble.

[Multi-Dimensional ESP]: See through time, space, and intentions. Processes the future immediate as if it were a memory.

[Frictional Psionic Pyrokinesis]: Reaches the temperature of the solar core within milliseconds via mental molecular agitation.

[UNIQUE DEMON LORD SKILLS]

[Primordial Wrath Domain - Rank EX]: (FEEDBACK PASSIVE). Raina emits a passive pulse that induces uncontrollable rage in any conscious being within 5,000 km. That rage generates psychic energy, which Raina absorbs. A perpetual motion engine of pure chaos!

[Causality Nullification]: If an attack connects, Raina erases the "effect" from the "cause." Damage is converted into a x5000 multiplier for her next attack.

Did you see it? Did you take a good look? It’s a dream build, right? It’s a disgusting combination of crowd control, infinite damage, and inexhaustible resources. She is virtually invincible!

... Or so I’d like to say... But how the hell are there players who made characters that can actually compete?!

"Here, have another bite~"

I mean... well, "compete" sounds misleading... it’s more like they attack in groups with strategies... counters... and all that... You know what... Isn't this exactly what it's like to be a Raid Boss?!

(Munch, munch, munch...!)

But anyway, putting aside that unrelated topic... these sandwiches are delicious...

"I want some too!"

So, continuing with the narration while I feed Flora on my lap.

"But here is where my conflict comes in!"

I’ll give you five seconds to find the source of my deep concern!

(Tick, tock, tick, tock...!)

TIME'S UP!

Did you find the answer...? No?! Then I'm going to reveal it to you!! Look right there, just below the name: [First Demonic Lord of Wrath]. If this were a normal game, I’d be the villain that the heroes come to defeat in the final chapter after a long journey!

"Mmm... He looks truly stressed over that small detail..." (Whisper)

I mean, I admit I got carried away going along with Raina and dove headfirst into the whole demon lord roleplay she was doing... But in my defense...!!

"Don't worry, my lord... being a demon suits you very well..." (Another whisper)

....You know what... I really have no defense...

Question: Did you enjoy it?

Answer: ... No comment.

"Haaah...."

I sighed, feeling the weight of virtual responsibility crushing me more than the idea of having to keep stepping on this priestess's face.

"Though well... now that I think about it... with that x5000 multiplier and the passive rage induction... maybe the 'heroes' will just kill each other before they even arrive..." (It has happened).

(Slap!)

Damn it! How much longer will Equidna be out of commission?! I must keep my mind focused!!

"... Phew."

OK, fine... I can do this, even though I can feel one of the priestesses' hands starting to dangerously stray toward... well, my "private parts"!

"....."

However, already used to these usual household occurrences, I maneuvered to avoid her hand...

(Frying pan smash!!)

And with total naturalness, I pulled my frying pan out of my pocket, carefully hitting her on the head.

"Agh?!"

At the same time, the other priestess continued the massage from behind, trapping my head against her chest after her sister's fall.

"¡¿?!"

Ugh! It’s... voluptuous, I’m not going to lie... But... I’m already used to it!!

"....."

However, for some strange reason, I can't seem to muster any strength... I wonder why that is...?

"... Aaah~... That’s it... You can enjoy yourself as much as you like~"

Leaving aside the erotic sighs that might be arising and how depraved this situation might look from the outside, I decided to take advantage of the loss of oxygen to calm my mind and continue with the narration!

... Ahem... So, where were we...?

You see, in short, I had a very simple idea: if Raina is a demon lord and is basically treated as a Raid Boss to the point where a strange limited-time event was created just to subdue her globally within the game —titled "Sin Raid"— then I thought she should convey that final boss vibe... But the question arises... What differentiates a final boss from a regular one...?

The atmosphere, of course!!

So, by the pure and hard logic of fantasy, Raina, being a demon lord, cannot walk alone. She should have something like a General or an "Archbishop"! Someone who gives her that air of absolute authority.

So, with that in mind and before running out of oxygen, I escaped the murderous pressure of the "huge plot" that was suffocating me and, looking at the console's internal clock, I checked the time remaining until the start of the event.

"Hey, Raina..."

And using that information, I decided it was the perfect time to organize the hierarchy by defining the atmosphere!

"What is it... Did you think of something...?"

Therefore, with a plan of action in mind, I decided to use some information from a certain "diary"—whose name I would prefer to leave buried in darkness—to explain what I had in mind.

"I was thinking that we could use a good candidate for a command position. You know, someone elite to be your right hand. Do you have anyone in mind?"

That's why, after finishing my long and extensive detailed explanation—which I skipped to save you the trouble (You're welcome!)—I asked Raina if she had any candidate in mind.

"... Master... It's curious that you mention it."

And unexpectedly, I received an affirmative answer...

"Eh... You have one?!"

To my surprise, Raina's response was immediate and clear.

"Actually... I do have someone in mind."

... That Raina, who literally spends her time denying anything that isn't leveling like a maniac... or going off to fight the whole world... She... Sniff... Ugh... Did she actually have someone else she felt something for other than the desire to crush?! (moved).

"Go ahead, tell me the name of this mysterious candidate and let's go get them immediately!!"

Now that we've come to this, I will find that character and add them to Raina's ranks!

"... Her name is... MAYURI..."

And so, for the sake of the lonely Raina having at least one possible friend, we set off in search of this mysterious Mayuri!!