Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 209: Logistics & Battle Mechanics

[Stormtail Kobold | Lvl 56 | General | HP: 6317/6317]

Before either Tiphanna or the silver-grey fiend could move an inch, Daisuke surged forward with terrifying speed, the Lipanthyer's Fang clasped in hand. His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as the blade drew a pair of luminous arcs, his lips pressed into a harsh, unmerciful line.

SLASH-SLASH!

[11 damage dealt.]

[11 damage dealt.]

Daisuke sprang backward, watching with cold detachment as the beast snarled, its bared teeth almost mocking him for the futile attempt to wound it.

This level 16 dagger has an average Attack Power of 69, and my Strength currently sits at 145 without Stat Reset. A standard attack without aiming for a Critical Hit barely scratched it—dealing the minimum threshold damage of 11. No surprise there. This mob is level 56 with a Defense of 252—my attack power isn't even close to exceeding its defense.

The Kobold snarled in frustration as it unleashed a flurry of attacks, only to meet nothing but empty air. Its confidence wavered the moment its elusive target dipped low and learned forward, poised to strike back.

Monsters typically have multiple weak points—ranging from moderate, significant, to severe, with damage scaling accordingly. With the Eye of Verity, I always target the most severe to make up for my own shortcomings. Now, let's go for a severe weakness and land a Critical Hit this time.

Realizing that its existence was nothing more than a test subject, the beast instinctively turned to flee—but Daisuke was faster. In a flash, his dagger carved through flesh, a three-hit combo driving deep into its prosternum with two of the strikes sinking straight into its heart.

[Critical!]

[953 damage dealt.]

[Situational Damage!]

[4763 damage dealt.]

[Situational Damage!]

[3165 damage dealt.]

DING!

[You have slain a «Stormtail Kobold»!]

[375 Experience Points have been acquired.]

[...]

When the creature slumped to the ground with a whine, Daisuke straightened and flicked the blood from his dagger, the wheels in his mind turning relentlessly.

It's only when I aim for a weak spot and land a Critical Hit does my damage surpass its defense. And the moment I punctured the heart, Situational Damage activated.

He cupped his chin in thought. I'm beginning to suspect that unlocking Situational Damage requires executing that specific type of attack hundreds—maybe even thousands—of times. Along with relentlessly stacking debuffs, that's probably how I've been dealing any kind of damage at all up to this point. And with my HUD turned off, I've been in the dark about it this whole time.

Realistically speaking, even though my stats are kinda juiced, I shouldn't be hitting this hard with level 16 daggers and the armor I had before. Stat Reset, my debuffs, and Situational Damage have been carrying me all this time.

"Why didn't you use the daggers I made?" Tiphanna asked, a childish pout forming on her small lips. "I thought you'd be a bit more eager to try them out."