To distract me from the mess that was floor 36 I march on. I... must make sure that I don't sink to such depth with real people...

The following floors are luckily nothing special, just very densely populated, nearly two hundred monsters each. At least it is just more of the usual dumb monster with a few glitch monsters sprinkled in, nothing to worry about. Two of those glitch monsters dropped again the glitch items. I've no use for them currently, do I? Maybe one of the three new items gives something useful if I put them in slot 6.

Just for the heck of it, I tried to equip the 'Monster Spear' I took from the fake Tevin but since I'm not a monster I can't use it. Another one for the trash bin...

I check what the glitch items turn into when I put the dropped weapons or armors into slot 6. All I see are trash tier versions that give only +5 to the relevant stat. The exception is a sword with a majestic name that can only be thought out by a true naming genius just like me.

Too bad I can't even take it out of my inventory without dying due to the glitch feedback. Otherwise might even be worth taking a sword using class. Can I get a similar property for my spells? I feel kinda left out when I see the level of power weapon users get from simple equipment.

That leaves the Title Card and Monster Core I got from Dan-Geon.

I put the card in slot 6 and the glitch items... turn to paper. I don't even have a pencil to write on that if I could take it out. So it won't get used that way.

I switch the monster core into slot 6 and the glitchy stuff changes to some shards called 'Joker Core Fragments'. The inventory just lists those as materials.

(Can I make any use of those fragments? Do you know anything about that, Elly?)

(Uh, if it was regular 'Core Fragments' there is a crafting recipe in the default craft menu that lets you turn twenty of those into a fixed Class Core. But I've not heard about the joker stuff.)

(Well, we can just gather the glitch stuff until we have a total of 20 and then look what it does. At least going by the name I've no intention of using the 'Monster Core'. What does that even do exactly?)

(Yeah, no, fuck that. That would just force the monster extra class on me which comes with the personality overwriting [Mindless Monster] skill. Not on my watch.)

(Yeah, I think the same. It either gives us something useful with that joker thing or it goes in the garbage bin.)

(Well, that only leaves the card.)

(Oh, right, Jared, speaking of titles. You've qualified for the 'Regenerator' title you wanted. We've... been in this dungeon for quite a while and recovered a ton of HP, MP and SP.)

(Ah, good, let me add it quickly... done. Now, what are those titles?)

(Would definitely be a keeper. The alternative would be hoping for the 'Enduring Soul' title and somehow also gaining fire affinity. Well, both versions still need something extra to take care of the light and holy weaknesses.)

(I think that is a wasted title. It says undead specific but you also have the fire weakness from being a silver elf so it does nothing for you.)

(Shit, you're right. Should've read that more carefully. Thanks.)

(Eh, not too good. What's the rest.)

(This would be my eighth title I think, so current 50% plus those 8%... effective 16% more,  right Elly?)

(Exactly. Though the cap is supposedly twenty titles so you still shouldn't just take every trash title you see just for the exp bonus.)

(Yeah, sure.)

(Way too specific. We've only seen one such monster so far and three percent more damage is basically nothing.)

(Yeah, so I guess 'Title Holder' is the most useful out of them?)

(Yeah, I'll go with that and just hope that 'Enduring Soul' becomes available before I need it.)

(Say, Jared, I wanted to ask you before but... why did you level Vampire Noble, Lord and Progenitor? They barely give you anything as you yourself said.)

(Noble and Progenitor were just 1000 exp each and give +1 level to [Intimidation] bringing it to level 4 now. In case we fight another level 1 monster horde I wanted to see if that suffices for the social damage to inferior beings to retrigger.)

(Ok, 2000 exp is quite a bit for a random experiment but that would be useful to know. And the level in Lord?)

(...a misclick.)

The boss room on floor 30 looks kinda empty except for the treasure chest in the middle.

(Mimic? Right, Elly?)

(Why can't it be a real treasure chest?)

(Let's see... There were no chests so far and we've been through over a hundred floors since my rebirth, if you look closely the chest looks like it is breathing and... [Appraise] is a thing.)

(See? It is the Second Worst Mimic! ...that is an oddly specific name.)

(I'm sorry for doubting you, Jared.)

(Yeah, yeah. Do you think he wants some ice to go with his treasures?)

(I really doubt he'll say no to that.)

The lid of the chest opens up and reveals a lot of teeth and a long tongue, almost long enough to reach the entrance of the room, yikes.

I kinda expected it to also sprout legs and to hurricane kick at me but it doesn't. It continues to sit there trying to reach me with its tongue but I'm too far away.

I just shoot a couple more ice spells at it. Out of sixteen spells, only five inflict their status bringing the damage over time to a mere 1.2 HP per second.

Given its sizeable HP pool, this would probably take three days to get it down so I continue to shoot more spells at it whenever MP regenerates. This brings the whole ordeal down to a day and a half. As many levels as I've gained here, I'm still utterly reliant on the damage status effect and hiding somewhere out of range.

Once its HP runs out the teeth and tongue disappear, the actual chest stays behind. [Appraise] picks up no more life signs. I go over to the chest and see a new staff in it.

(FINALLY some better equipment. How many thousand monsters have I killed for those... 5 STR and 10 MAG extra?)

(I'm pretty sure it was over 15.000 monsters already.)

(Of course, the good stuff can only come from a mimic... and now I wonder if this was only the second-worst what the real worst mimic would be.)

(Maybe a birthday cake?)

(Hmm... I would've said a smartphone.)

Floors 29 to 22 are uneventful, almost painfully normal by now. Just a hundred or two level 50 or above monsters.

I honestly don't want to know how someone is supposed to get through the current floors without my exploits. Or even how someone would deal with the final floors of the previous dungeon - level 100 or above elites when it seems barely possible to reach the 30s. Well, that's a problem for later.

The monsters on floor 21 though... couldn't decide what they want to be so they took all of the options.

(I've no idea WHAT those are supposed to be and I'm not touching that topic with a ten-foot pole.)

(There are like 5000 wobbly, glitchy pillar things made of corpses... yeah, how about no.)

They have low HP and WIL so lightning area spells clear dozens at a time but despite their low stats I still need two claw swipes to kill one so I rather invest my SP in [Blood Bursts]. Kills the target and two more via blood bullets per use and keeps me out of their range. Don't want to find out how they could attack me. Disgusting stuff.

Somewhere in that slaughter-fest, I got a new Class Core and only 5 glitch items. Weird drop rates.

Floor 20 shows a different terrain, a desert. And in the boss room stands, err, floats the culprit.

"I always knew the sun was evil!"

I don't like this one bit...

(So much for not desperately needing fire resistance ASAP...)

(Ok, if this only triggers once per minute this isn't too bad. Time to test my new element and then buck it.)

(Still, be careful. Its regular fire magic would probably not leave you intact.)

(Yeah, I know.)

Oh, right, I don't know what kind of status water causes.

('Wet'? What kind of status is that supposed to be?)

(No idea. Check that out later once you're not in instant death range!!)

Despite me being in range the boss does not cast any spell of its own. Does it just rely on vision damage? Works for me.

Wet doesn't seem to do anything so I switch again to ice spells. The boss has so much HP that I'd need to land about 120 water spells, which means 6 full MP recoveries.

0.3 HP per second just from one effect or 2.24 HP per second after emptying my MP pool. Yeah, that'll go much faster.

Once its HP drops below half it finally starts shooting some fire spells... in random directions. Yeah, it has no eyes, how would it see where its target is. So from then on I just hide behind the door and just sneak shots around the corner.

It doesn't even take fifteen hours before the sun shines its last ray. With that, I've gotten barely enough exp to raise another class level.

(Uh, Jared, you might want to look at this...)

(What is it, Elly?)

(I think math has broken down. Or Gzeph was just wrong in his documents. Either way, the class tab says you can take the 'Summoner' class now if you want.)

(How much off is his formula?)

(Depends. His formula just said any trainer would count. I assumed it only works if the trainer has a compatible class. In that case, you're still miles off from meeting the requirements. But if it is enough to have any trainer at all - Chloe in your case - then it does work out.)

(Well, the correct formula doesn't matter in the end. I can take it now, so I will. That leaves the second 'Class Core' I got after slaughtering twenty thousand monsters...)

(Remind me of the skill, please. That was half a rulebook.)

(Sure thing.)

(So I can basically design two spirits for now and they'd be level 5 already.)

(Yeah. I'd suggest to consider the first spirit just practice. Try to find out what the real limits are. Classes 'known by you' is very vague. It could mean any class that exists in the selection, any class we've witnessed via [Appraise] or just any class you personally have.)

(Hmm... even the latter shouldn't be too bad, Elly. You've seen how much damage I can do just by throwing around cold status. So if I can invest 500 MP for upkeep and get a mini-me with at least 1000 MP out of this it is already a net gain of two to three ice blasts or half a rain if we manage to get back to flood grinding.)

(Well, only one way to find out.)

(True.)

I comb through my menu to look for the tab where I can design my summons. It is not a sub-tab under skills as expected but a standalone main tab, consistently inconsistent.

Let's see... it needs a race and at least one class, none are preselected, so far so good. There's an option to preview the result without finalizing the creation.

Now which races are available... too many. Several types of human, dwarf, elf, beast people, sea creatures, fae, morphs, constructs... seems like I just need to see one member of the given race families to unlock them all? At least I don't see what might qualify as 'demons'.

I guess a scout wouldn't need to be too min-maxed to function so I'll make one for this training exercise. As race a fairy should be fine, they are small and can fly.

Now about classes... it also seems to list all base classes that exist. So what exactly is the restriction of 'user known' supposed to mean? Everyone has access to the class tab to see which classes they may take, that should already make them known. Weird stuff.

At least it lists the first two skills of each class since they'll be currently level 5. I should abuse that later to learn every class's second skill and make a more informed choice about the classes I'll take for myself.

Hmm... let's go with Warlock. Curse and dark magic could be helpful. So what does the preview say?

(Why are the magic skills crossed out?)

(Ah, shit. You should check the [Summoned Spirit] skill, that explains a lot of restrictions the main skill didn't list.)

(Of course, it was too good so far... can I still trade in the class?)

(Great, absolutely no magic then. At least we can check the first two skills out for planning my classes.)

(I wonder if the ability to create equipment includes arrows.)

(What, so we could abuse a summon as ammo factory to employ all those useless archers?)

(Exactly, Jared.)

(Certainly worth a try. This is a throw-away summon anyway. Let me quickly change the class to an archer. Probably the race as well. Don't want to waste that option just because the arrows are too small if they come from a small-sized creature.)

I need a few minutes to find a suitable race for the changed requirements.

(I've no idea where I've seen the relevant race family but spears, wings and intimidation in one seems very powerful to me.)

(Says mister Cure and Stealth Silver Elf to me.)

(Yeah, some races are certainly better than others. As long as the classes provide matching stats.)

(I kinda expected summons to be a bit stronger. Despite being a pure physical combination the stats look inferior to mine even in the HP, STR and VIT departments.)

(Well, it is just level 5. You've almost 30 levels on it, Jared.)

(Fair enough. So, any obvious flaws in that setup? Flight for potentially scouting, bows to give us a theoretical ammo factory. Spears for melee as a ... well, not tank, but speed bump at least.)

(Should be good enough. Don't know how much more we can do without the restrictions we have or adding a second class which would increase the MP cost, and that is not something you can really afford at the moment. Well, we were ready to just write the first summon off no matter the result. So let's just keep it as is.)

(Yeah, true, Elly. Let's finalize this one.)

I confirm the class setup I've chosen for my first summon. Next, it takes me to a screen where I can make a few basic choices regarding its outward appearance. As a valkyrie, it can only be female, fine with me. After a few small changes, she kind of reminds me of a figure I've seen in a mythology book, that is if you'd switch the spear for a sword. And there are some creative liberties with the armor as well, the original didn't cover as much.

Finally, I call her forth. She appears exactly as designed, clad in armor - even if it literally does nothing in her case - and armed with a bow and a spear. She takes a look around, probably to check if there are any enemies in range, then just stands at the ready seemingly waiting for orders.

"Your orders, milord?", she asks in a somewhat monotone voice.

So at least the loyalty part works as advertised. I was half afraid she'd instinctively identify me as an enemy because I'm undead but that was luckily unfounded.

"None for now. I just wanted to make sure everything is in order. Just keep watch for now."

"Affirmative."

(I thought it was 500 MP per class? So why does that upkeep cost me already 1000 MP?)

(I was afraid of that. In some skill descriptions, they differentiate between classes and job classes. I guess the former includes the race 'class' as well.)

(Damn. So Jeff was right. I might not have had enough max MP if I had started as a summoner. It has even less MP growth than my wizard class.)

I turn to my summoned creature, "Can you tell me anything about yourself? Anything important I should be aware of?"

"I am as you have created me. Your faithful servant. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Understood. Anything you wish to obtain through your service?"

"Nothing. My only wish is to serve."

That seems like a very one-sided balance of power. Well, as I've created her 'just like that' is she even a real person in the first place?

"Okay but if something comes up don't hesitate to speak up."

"As you wish, milord."

(Now, that is something interesting.)

(What is, Elly?)

(Give me a moment, I'll show you.)

(Huh?)

I have a bad feeling about this.

Elly goes silent and then the summoned creature starts speaking, "Looks like it worked."

"What is going on now?"

The girl begins moving around, "I'm Elly. I can control this body, Jared."

"And how do you do that?"

"She's a part of you, I'm a part of you. So if you don't think too hard about it she and I are the same thing. And from there it was almost easy. Well, it is less that I am in the body but rather connected to her. Think of it as a VR device. I think that is the best way to describe it."

"Fine."

(Can you still hear me on this channel, Elly?)

"Can you still hear me in my head?"

"If you just said anything there, doesn't seem to be that way."

Ok, that's one way to get some privacy but...

"That may be a bit inconvenient at times. I was kinda hoping on instant reports if I send you on a scouting mission."

"Seems like we're out of luck there. But honestly, I just wanted to get out for a bit. Stretch my legs so to speak. Just sitting in your head all day gets a bit cramped."

"Understandable. For the sake of an experiment can you go to the previous floor? I want to see how far out you can be away from me when recalling to me."

"Oh, sure, I'll be on my way."

Elly moves out of sight.

I'm not sure what to make of all of this. On one hand, it is a 'summon' skill, so it should summon an existing being from someplace else to my side, right? But here the summon was explicitly just created. She said so herself.

So is every summoner just a minor 'god' that can create a new soul or personality or whatever like it is nothing? Or doesn't she really have one and she's just like an NPC AI? That is something I'll have to find out otherwise I'm not really ok with Elly taking her over like that. If she is real this wouldn't be much different from gaining the [Mindless Monster] skill - you get your will overwritten either way.

After a few minutes of waiting the girl comes back to me.

"Uh, Jared, I think we have a problem. I can't leave this body anymore."

"I guess this is what we get for messing with souls. Do I now have to congratulate you on killing an ally soul or is she in there with you?"

(Oh, don't worry about me. I'm still with you, milord.)

"Nevermind, Elly. She's here in me."

(You could've said something earlier. I was worried about you.)

(I beg forgiveness. I was under the impression you'd know where I am.)

(No, sorry. I'm still new to this whole working with summons thing.)

(I understand. I'll keep that in mind from now on.)

"Whatever, let me 'unsummon' you, Elly. I want to see what happens then."

"Uh, sure."

Just like that, the girl turns more and more transparent and then disappears.

(You back with me, Elly?)

(Yeah, I think so.)

(Welcome back, sister. Wait, is that the correct title?)

(Oh, a whole family reunion in Jared's head. There's certainly enough space here.)

(Fuck you, Elly. Are you two ready to find out what happens when I summon the body again?)

(Yes, do it.)

(I'll follow your orders.)

I summon the girl again and as I do that the feeling of having Elly with me disappears again.

"So, I guess that is me now, huh."

"Could've been worse. Just imagine what it would be like if we had gone with the tiny annoying fairy as first summon."

"I could've spammed 'Hey, Listen!'"

"And gone into timeout again."

"...and gone into timeout. Right..."

"Now, can you try the arrow thing we were talking about earlier?"

"Uh, sure, I'll try."

Elly fumbles around making some hand gestures. Eventually, she figures out how to call her bow forth. I don't have to make any such weird gestures when calling my items from the inventory so she probably still has to figure out her 'VR' controls.

(So, any idea what will now happen to you now that Elly has taken your body?)

(I think I'll be transferred to your next created spirit, it shouldn't come then with a new 'soul' like me.)

(Alright, that is reassuring. Do you even have a name? It will be hard to address you when Elly is back.)

(No, I do not possess a name yet. I'd be very grateful if you gave me one.)

(I can do that but don't expect too much, I'm not too good at naming. While I think about that do you have any preferences for your new role? I created your previous body as a scout primary with ranged support secondary in mind.)

(If milord allows I'd rather be your personal bodyguard.)

(Works for me. I'd have needed such a summon soon anyway. Though I'll need some time, there are a lot of possible options and I don't have enough MP to spare to keep both of you outside without making myself utterly useless. So I want to make the most of what I have.)

(Thank you, I'll be patient.)

(As for a name... how does Maria sound?)

(I'll graciously accept the name milord has bestowed upon me.)

(Before I forget, you can just call me Jared. You don't have to be so formal with me.)

After a few more minutes of weird hand gestures, eventually an arrow appears in Elly's hand. And then another. And another.

"Ok, seems like I'm getting the hang of this body, Jared."

"Can you borrow me your bow and an arrow?"

"Hmm? Sure. Why?"

"I want to check if non-summons can use the arrows and I have no other bow at hand."

"Ah, ok."

She hands me her bow and an arrow. I can equip them, then aim at a wall and shoot. The arrow goes flying as it should. Afterwards, I give Elly her bow back.

"Seems like it works, Elly. I'd guess worst case the summon arrows count as untrained attacks even if they have proper bow training. But ranged damage is still ranged damage."

"I agree."