Chapter 259 |
Whooosh—Thump!
Boom!
The Wind Bug, impressive in its massive size, crashed to the ground just before me. Merely looking at it sent shivers down my spine, but there was no need for worry.
'It's already dead.'
Its head had been cleanly severed by the mana bullet Rezé had fired.
Click-.
Luna placed one foot atop the fallen Wind Bug, her face breaking into a satisfied grin.
"Mmm~ As expected of our Rezé. What a splendid performance. What would we have done without her? It would've been a real crisis, huh? Ah~ It's really fortunate that Rezé is with us. Right?"
Luna nudged me in the ribs with her elbow.
Given that Luna knew I wasn't too fond of Rezé, this sort of appeal was only natural.
However.
"Keke, don't you think it's all thanks to the hard training? I'm the one who switched her weapon too."
"Did you? Well, whatever. It's good enough that Rezé has proven she can do it."
Luna was right.
Though I pointed out the facts, there was no denying that Rezé was currently making an exceptional contribution.
Eliminating six out of eight Wind Bugs?
That would have been impossible even for a main character with high stats, due to 'positioning' limitations.
As far as I know, no player has ever managed to play like this.
'But that rabbit did.'
The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.
Regardless, all the Wind Bugs were dead, and only Kroga, the named monster of Area 2, remained.
'Now, all we have to do is wait for Yuridia's Demon Slave casting.'
The casting was guaranteed to complete since there was no way to interrupt it from the enemy's side.
Though Kroga had a [Wind Spear] that activated every two turns, Yuridia was currently hidden behind a rock.
It was impossible to disrupt Yuridia’s casting.
"Die, you insect fiends!"
Crackkkk-!
Spears of wind flew across the battlefield, but everyone was safely positioned behind rocks.
There were no casualties.
[Turn 13]
[Fire demon Balmonga has appeared in Area 3.]
The notification of the third demon's arrival popped up before me.
Another demon had appeared while we hadn't yet dealt with the second zone's demon.
But there was no panic.
'Everything is going according to plan.'
As mentioned earlier, due to the gimmick of Area 2, it consumes the most turns.
Even if we quickly defeated Amonga from Area 1 and placed rocks for an optimized route in Area 2, it usually took until turns 14-15 to reach Area 3.
It's standard to join the battle after Balmonga appears in Area 3.
'As long as I get to Victoria before the demon breathes its last, we'll be fine.'
The fire demon Balmonga meets its end ten turns after its arrival.
This means, if we can reach Area 3 within 22 turns, I'll obtain the 'Fire Essence.'
'Of course, if I consider Area 4, we need to be much faster.'
Area 4's demon, and the final goal of this episode, is the water demon Mabelga.
Despite minor issues in Areas 1 and 2, giving up was not an option.
'We'll finish everything with Yuridia’s Demon Slave.'
Turn 15, when [Demon Slave] activates, and the following turn 16, will be the critical moments.
"Luna, let's advance."
"Okay."
Ssshhhh-!
We moved quickly, hunched over and hiding behind the rocks.
"Huh? It seemed like some cockroach just passed by..."
Thus muttered Kroga, scratching his head.
It was a shameful moment, but inevitable. The tragedy of a melee character who can only attack from close range.
This turn, Rezé held back her attack.
'I had warned her earlier in the carriage.'
If unsure of a one-hit victory, refrain from attacking recklessly, and coordinate attacks with others when they strike.
This advice was given considering Rezé's trait of withdrawing from the battlefield if targeted.
Moreover, this episode involves continuous battles across Areas 1 to 4.
'If she withdraws from even one zone in the battlefield before Area 4, it's all over.'
As much as it could jeopardize the entire episode, I had given Rezé a near-brainwashing level of caution.
She's cautious by nature, so she would likely hold off on attacking for a while.
[Turn 14]
Just as I was timing our movement, someone firmly grabbed my sleeve.
It was Luna.
"Sorry. I should be doing more..."
Was she apologizing for not being more helpful?
But contrary to Luna’s thoughts, I was quite satisfied.
'After all, Luna’s level is currently 1.5 times that of the protagonist’s party.'
Her growth had been dazzling, especially her stats which were nearly 1.8 times higher.
Considering that the main characters already had high stats, this was truly astonishing.
'She must be diligently practicing the Fleur Family Style in secret.'
While Area 2, being aerial-type monsters, made her participation challenging, she would shine brilliantly in Areas 3 and 4.
So, it was best to encourage her here.
"It's okay."
"Huh?"
"I trust you. Always."
"What are you saying... Do you think flattery like that will make me happy?"
Luna punched my arm lightly.
Though her action was aggressive, I could tell.
'She's happy.'
Despite her words, she didn’t know how to react to the praise I had given.
'Is she weak to compliments? Now that I think about it... have I ever complimented her before?'
It couldn't be helped. Every time I tried to praise her, she was too busy biting me.
'Well, there weren't many opportunities for praise either.'
With Luna constantly causing trouble even when briefly left unattended, there weren't many chances to compliment her.
Still, I should try to compliment her occasionally.
'Being able to eat so much! Are you a genius of digestion?', 'Nibbling gently, huh? You’ve become an adult!' Maybe that would be okay?
Hmm, those are clearly great compliments. Perhaps I'm a genius at giving praise?
Ssshhhh-!
"Keke, excellent movement, Luna. You are indeed a genius of movement."
"What are you saying? Duck down. A spear is coming."
Crack!
Kroga’s [Wind Spear], which activates every even turn, lodged itself in the rock.
I had been watching closely. Actually, I had been watching for a while.
After all, it would soon become a skill I’d never see again.
[Turn 15]
This was the turn Yuridia’s [Demon Slave] would activate.
Woooong-.
As if proving that fact, the mana across the battlefield swirled tumultuously around Yuridia.
"...By the name of yours, forgotten and buried under the flow of time, I swear here in front of everyone."
Red mana gathered and accumulated in Yuridia’s outstretched hands, accompanied by a chilling sound.
Beeeeep-!
The sound of mana being compressed.
It was akin to a scream of mana.
"Luna, after Yuridia’s magic unfolds, we’ll see the outcome. Prepare yourself."
"But how can I attack? That thing flies."
"Keke, I will take care of that. And I’ll also release the seal on ‘One Flash.’”
"You should have done that sooner! Demon, you're finished!"
Perhaps it was because she could use a secret technique again, or because she knew she could now contribute.
Luna hummed a tune as she took a stance.
Beeeeep-!
The screaming of the mana intensified, a sign that activation was imminent.
'She began casting on turn 11, so it will activate by the end of turn 15.'
[Demon Slave] is a powerful spell, but with Yuridia’s current stats, it’s unlikely to kill the named demon in one hit.
Of course, I wouldn’t mind if Yuridia did manage to kill it.
'If it buys us an extra turn, it’s a profitable deal.'
While there might be a slight loss of experience, in this episode, what’s important is managing 'turns' and enhancing skills through [Predation].
As I waited for Yuridia’s casting to finish.
Thump!
"Ugh!"
A mana bullet, fired from somewhere, struck Kroga in the back. At the same moment.
"Together with your power and mine, we shall show the great power of despair!"
Yuridia spread her arms wide.
Demon Slave!
Boommmmmm!!
A storm of crimson flames erupted from Yuridia’s hands and engulfed Kroga.
"Aaaaaaahhhh!!"
The storm of flames raged on.
After about 15 seconds, sparks of crimson scattered across the battlefield.
[Turn 16]
"Kugh, kugh..."
Kroga had not died. His body blackened and charred, he gasped for breath in the sky.
"He's still flying? How sturdy are his wings?"
"Keke, probably evolved for survival. Anyway, we'll proceed as planned."
"...Be careful."
Turn 16 was an even turn, meaning Kroga's [Wind Spear] would activate.
As melee characters, we would have to leave the cover of the rocks to attack.
But what if we couldn't finish him off?
Then we would be the ones in trouble.
Luna was worried about this.
"It's okay. I trust you, Luna."
"You always say the right things... Don't worry. Even if something happens, I'll block it with my body."
How could her small frame possibly block anything?
'Well, since the Wind Spear targets each of us precisely, she can't really block it.'
I smiled lightly and then started to run.
Kroga's health was clearly below 50% now. The second gimmick had been activated.
'Once the health drops below half, the Wind Spears can break through the rocks.'
That’s when characters start to fall one by one, unable to dodge the Wind Spears.
But that was irrelevant to us this turn.
'Because we're going to finish it.'
Kroga, noticing me, tilted his head up.
"You...!"
There was no time for talk, nor the intention.
I immediately raised my hand to target and cast my skill.
The skill I chose was.
Wind Spear.
Thwock-!!
"Kuh!"
The spear of wind pierced through Kroga's body.
[Divine Imitation] is a skill that allows 'imitation of any skill witnessed.'
It could imitate skills from Caron and Adonis, so Kroga’s skill?
Certainly within 'permissible range.'
"Magic!?"
"How could this be! Wasn't he a swordsman?"
The mage duo fell in astonishment. For extras, they were quite emotional.
Thud!!
Kroga crashed to the ground. He wasn't dead.
Flying monsters receive a 'no-fly' status when their health drops below 10% or when they are affected by a status ailment.
Wind-type magic comes with a 'slicing' status effect, so currently, Kroga fits both criteria.
'I actually didn’t need to leave the rock.'
But to boost Luna's courage and to give her confidence, I chose to step out from behind the rock.
Knowing this, Luna darted past me, shouting.
"I'll kill him!"
Well, that’s a bit (?) violent for a thank you.
'Well, that’s Luna for you.'
As Luna's sword was drawn, the light around momentarily seemed to be sucked in.
And then.
A flash of light struck at Kroga.
The first secret technique of the Lester family.
One Flash.
--TL Notes--
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