The reason I hate math in all worlds

The huge tree morphs into my least favorite boss, altough that's the only type of boss I encountered so far. I'm full of rage. I charge at it and slice fast with multiple hits. I hit in a rampage, a fury, a barrage. Every hit either deals 1 or 2 damage.

I step back.

"Wait, didn't I raise a double critical damage skill? Doesn't it mean that normal damage is 1, critical hit is supposed to be 2, but becomes 4 with that very skill? Unless... Any bonus damage from critical hits is rendered "basic" and is also transfered to critical chance? I'm getting a headache..."

"So... each time I critically hit, it doubles in nature. That's a 1 turned into a 2. The skill doesn't touch that probably, since it's a mechanic of this world. Any possible further damage from skills is also being converted by skills. Yes. That is probably the reason behind this pattern. BUT!

How can double damage from critical hits or even any basic damage be converted to critical chance if the hit WAS ALREADY MADE?! WTF? It doesn't actually make sense".

"Is it bonus critical chance for... My next attack? OH! I get it!"

"I had 15 points in all normal stats. However, critical chance is no normal stat, it can only be gained from gear and skills. I then raised 15 points in strength, gaining a total of 30. This is converted to immediate 30 damage. The more damage I deal, the more chance I have to miss the attack, that is why dexterity can be important."

"Now let's talk about my dagger. This is the prestigious "beginner's dagger". It is very durable, but has only 5 damage, and 10% critical hit chance. This means that before I hit - I have 10% critical chance from the dagger itself only. My damage is subject to either critically hit or not. It will only be converted after a hit. 35 plus 10 will make a regular hit create a 45% critical chance for the next hit. A critical one would then be 70 plus 10, creating an 80% critical chance for the next. I... Really hate math..."

"And so if I get more critical hits in a row, the more likely for that streak to continue rather than stop!"

"If only that dealt more than 1 or 2 damage though..."

"That felt a little reassuring, but it won't stack more after 80% since the damage did not differ... In fact, a streak of critical hits would only generate an 80% bonus while immediately using that very bonus, creating another bonus for yet another attack, all of which deal barely 2 damage... Aaaa! Why is it so complicated."

I notice that my freedom to think about it, is possible due to the tree boss losing aggro towards me. I take the chance to open the skills menu. I see 2 unlockable skills! One skill above each of the ones I had already raised in this new skill tree.

"Loyal stack - Failing to critically hit will not reduce your critical chance for 5 minutes per monster. Critical chance will reset after monster is defeated or 5 minutes have passed, the first to occur".

"Stacks accumulation - Any damage dealt will accumulate stacks (up to a 100 stacks). Each stack is converted to critical hit chance".

"OMG! These seem to be integrated to compliment each other".

I raise a point in both of these skills and they immediately max at level 1. I quickly close the menu and prepare myself to continue fighting, noticing the boss despawned.

I feel a little less stressed. I can still live. I can still do something. But my problems are still very much existent. I quickly realize that and the dread comes right back...

"I gotta go to the guild", I remind myself. "This daggery diploma is probably not going to happen though..." I try to admit my real thoughts to myself, and another tear is squeezed out.

I make my way to the guild. It's so noisey and I'm not even in yet. I open the door and enter, finding myself right next to the front desk. And next to Luna.

I realize a lot of people are watching... But I don't care. Luna is in shock. she is smiling and starting to tear as she leaves her stand and run towards me. I run immediately towards her and hug her like I've never hugged anyone before.

We are hugging for a few seconds, quite a while. The rest of the people in the guild are making noise, they holler and shriek. Luna grabs my hand and takes me outside so we can talk in quiet and peace.

-"Rune!" she yells and hugs me again. I hug her, calling her "Luna", realizing we didn't even say anything yet. -"How have you been?? Tell me EVERYTHING!" she orders.

Those eyes. That smile.

"I'll tell you everything. Follow me".

I take her to the forest. I start telling her all that has happened to me.

"Since we parted our ways, I really missed you. So many times I was looking for you in class, forgetting you are not there..." She laughs a bit.

"I did well in academy. I really did... It just that..."

-"The thing about expectations..." she completes my sentence, "they are not always met".

I look at her. I realize that maybe she went through some bad experince as well.

"WAIT! Are you okay Luna? I didn't think of that but what were you doing in the guild's front desk, on the employee side?"

-"I'll tell you everything too. But please finish".

"I exceled there too. But on the day we had to raise our stats... I was overconfident. I made a mistake".

-"Is it that thing you told me about? The chance to miss attacks if you only focus on damage?" she asks.

"No, that one is actualy fine. In that very forest, there is a secret 'World Quest' that locked my skills and created a new skill tree for me, holding me hostage to overthinking how to apply any damage at all, while having to choose only very specific skills".

-"I never knew quests like that even existed", she replies with surprise.

"Well, apparently nobody knows, at least not that I'm aware. Look what has become of me", I say as I raise my dagger to a crystal butterfly. I hit it once. I deal 1 damage.

Luna looks a little bit shocked.

I hit it again multiple times, I deal 2 damage in most attacks. I attack it fast, with skill and effort, my natural dexterity is showing. I do not miss any attack. It seems although a lack of dexterity in strength-focusing, at a cost of some "missing" - isn't relevant when most damage is negated, and I don't seem to miss any attacks at all since that world quest incident. I eventually deal enough damage to actually kill the thing anyway.

"Have a look at my skills". I show her. "I hope you had a good experince in academy Luna".

"I'm sorry Rune. I know it must be hard. I'm here for you. I'll help you in any way I can! Remember? We need to make a party and go explore together!" the goddess tells me.

I completely break into tears and she hugs me again.

"Can you tell me what happened with you in the last few years?" I ask, trying to overcome my obvious hyper sensitivity state, while making sure she at least, is fine.

-"Yes. Here is everything that had happened with me:..."