Itai no wa Iya nanode Bōgyo-Ryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu 483
Defense Specialization and a Dream-like Journey
The boss, who’d reverted to its original form, laughed boisterously as it landed on the ground.
“Haha, well done! It was fun! This is a symbol of my gratitude. Accept it.”
A large treasure chest appeared at the snap of its finger.
“Once we’ve both become stronger, let’s have a rematch. Until then, try to conquer more castles like this…”
Afterwards, the boss smiled for one last time, as if satisfied, before it went up in flames.
“Uh-oh… Looks like there’s more to come.”
“A hidden quest inside a hidden quest…”
“It’s going to be difficult to find because there aren’t many hints. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it in the books I’ve read, either.”
“I guess the boss’ throwaway line is all we have right now…”
“Do you have any clue what it was about?”
When they thought of hidden areas and castles, they recalled the flying castle that they conquered with Maple before.
“Come to think of it… The boss of the flying castle was also a dragon!”
“I feel like it’s connected somehow!”
“Does that mean there are other similar bosses…? Like, on other floors?”
“In that case, we’ll have to look for it. We coincidentally found this place. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be nice if there are more hints.”
Thus, it became one of the new goals for [Maple Tree], which would take a long time to achieve.
“Well, with that said, let’s open the treasure chest! We shall grant the honor to our guild master!”
“All the more reason if the contents are random. I mean, Maple is lucky. Compared to us, she has a better chance of getting something worthwhile.”
“I-I guess so?”
A full-on fierce battle in the innermost part of the hidden area. As a result, everyone had high expectations towards the chest left by such a formidable opponent.
The eight had agreed. As the representative of [Maple Tree], no one objected to the notion of Maple opening the treasure chest.
“I-I’ll do it? But don’t expect too much, okay?”
Maple placed her hand on the lid of the treasure chest and slowly opened it.
“Wow!”
“It’s packed to the brim!”
The first thing that caught her eyes was a pile of gold and silver treasures. A pile of items that could be exchanged for cash. Of course, they were happy, but it’s a hidden area! There had to be more!
She dismissed the mountain of treasure in search for something better, and dug through the materials and consumable items deep inside, until only two scrolls and a bangle were left.
“I don’t think it’s enough for everyone…”
“A scroll, huh…”
“It’s a skill!”
“Everyone, let’s read it together!”
Maple picked up the scroll and checked what skill she could learn.
The skills listed on both scrolls were the same.
[Flame Dragon Tempest]
MP Consumption: 50
Conjures a spear of flame in the air and deals area damage for a certain period of time.
“Wow, that’s a lot of damage.”
“The effect may be simple, but it seems to be powerful regardless of who uses it.”
If they could replicate the boss’ attack, they’d be able to exert significant pressure on any opponent.
—But…
“Me and my sister don’t have 50 MP…”
“What about the others?”
“My MP also doesn’t reach that level. Ah, but if I set it in my equipment slot, I should be able to use it somehow!”
“—That leaves us with me, Kasumi, Kanade, Iz, and Sally.”
The game was all about skill and magic. Therefore, it was normal to have a minimum amount of MP.
If it cost 50 MP, no one would be able to use it.
“I guess I’ll pass. I was satisfied just by fighting with everyone, and I don’t lack AoE skills.”
Kanade said as he slammed the bookshelf floating behind him. Knowing Kanade’s past activities, they knew he was merely speaking the truth.
“I’ll have to pass. Fighting isn’t my main role in battle. I’m just a support.”
“But you can deal damage—oh, well… I know what you mean.”
Mai, Yui, Kanade, and Iz declined, leaving only four people.
“Hey, Sally, guess what…?”
“…I know.”
“Huh? You do?”
“You want to give it to Kasumi and Chrome, right?”
At Sally’s words, Maple’s eyes widened.
How did Sally know?
“I already guessed as much. I was thinking the same thing. After all, those two were the ones who found this place.”
“…Seriously?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could give it to me.”
There was no doubt that it was a valuable item. Nevertheless, Sally and Maple didn’t mind.
“Hehe, I’m looking forward to your performance.”
“Look forward to it!”
Chrome and Kasumi opened the scroll. Thus, the two obtained a new skill, and two powerful area attacks were added to the [Maple Tree].
Chrome could act as a strong deterrence when approached, while Kasumi could jump into enemy lines and take advantage of her mobility to unleash a devastating blow. The two wouldn’t have any trouble finding a use for [Flame Dragon Tempest].
“Okay, I’m really grateful for this, but what’s that bangle over there?”
Chrome picked up the bangle and checked the description.
[Dragon’s Ember]
MP+30
Unlock [Flame Dragon Spear]. Can generate up to two flame spears. The spear will disappear after a certain amount of time.
“Oh, it has a skill…”
“Maybe it’s a rare item. There aren’t many ornaments that can increase your firepower.”
“Uh-huh, although, I’m not really surprised…”
“After all, we’re already surrounded by strange things…”
Six pairs of hands floated in the air, with a black cube that could transform into a weapon swaying behind them.
—Nevertheless, the new item remained valuable.
“It’s not a unique series, so why don’t you give it a try?”
“I wonder if it’s going to float in the air…”
“I’m curious about the effect…”
“I want to see it!”
“Okay, give me a sec.”
Chrome removed his accessory, equipped himself with [Dragon’s Ember], and immediately tried to use the new skill.
“Woah!?”
Immediately after activating the skill, crimson flames spewed from his dominant hand, transforming into a spear and stayed there.
When Chrome used the skill again, flames burst from the hand that was holding the tower shield, assuming the shape of a spear.
“I can wield it, but… Maybe it’s not for me.”
“Does it expand your attack range or something?”
“It might be useful for close combat in emergencies. I’m talking about those types like Velvet, who fights with her fists, or magic users…”
If a player who was already equipped were to use that skill, it’d be difficult to use it properly even if he was a spear-wielder.
“We already have a lot of weapons…”
“I don’t think two spears would help us much…”
After all, compared to the two measly spears, the twin already had two sledgehammers that could be freely swung in the air.
“That’s not how it’s supposed to be, but in the case of these two…”
“I’ll pass. I already received the other skill.”
“Same. I don’t think I can use it properly.”
“Me, too. I have Fei. I’m more accustomed to fighting with items.”
—In that case, there was only one other candidate.
“Sally, it’s all yours!”
“Is it all right?”
When Sally asked Maple that, everyone—including Maple—nodded in agreement.
“Well, no matter how you look at it, Sally can probably make the most of it.”
“She’s already proven that she can use other weapons as well.”
“If that’s the case, I shall gladly receive it. I’ll use it to be even more helpful on our next expedition.”
Sally switched her equipment, sheathed her dagger, and activated the bangle to conjure two flaming spears in her hands.
“To use it, I’ll have to sheath my weapon, I see…”
Sally checked the range, confirmed that she could defend against attacks made of flames, and figured the bare minimum necessary to fight as a spear dualist with the new weapon. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be anything strange about it other than it being made of flame, so it wouldn’t take long for Sally to get used to it.
“It looks like the 10th Floor will be launched soon. So, we might as well look for the castle in the hidden area before then.”
“So far, I’ve only heard of the flying castle?”
“I’ve never heard of anything.”
“Take your time. It’s not like the hidden area will escape.”
“Time…”
At that word, Maple began to fidget.
“I was told that it was time to focus on my studies… I’ll still be able to play the 10th floor and events, but after that, I might not be able to log in like I do now.”
When Maple said that, everyone realized that now was the time.
“I see, it’s that time of the year. It can’t be helped. Gaming is important, but so is real life.”
“Yes. Both are important.”
“Then, for the upcoming 10th Floor, let’s all work together and aim to achieve the final goal. It looks like there’ll be a powerful boss.”
“Sounds great!”
“I’ll do my best…!”
“In that case, let’s aim to resolve it quickly. That way, Maple will be able to play until the end.”
Exploring such a vast area might pose a challenge, considering there were only eight of them. Nevertheless, it was a perfect milestone before the 10th Floor launch.
The hardships they experienced along the way would increase their sense of accomplishment once they reached their goal.
“Come to think of it, does that mean Sally won’t have time as well…?”
“Unfortunately, yes…”
Sally’s expression matched her words.
All members of [Maple Tree] were powerful, but Maple and Sally, the co-founders of the guild, were still the central players.
The outcome of daily exploration and event battles would be greatly different depending on whether they were present or not.
“Then, is it safe to assume that Sally will be available until around the same time as Maple?”
“Uh-huh.”
—If so… The objective of the eight had been established. Quick exploration and subjugation of powerful enemies. Afterwards, defeat the strongest boss which awaited at the bottom.
“Well then, I’ll be in your care!”
Everyone responded to Maple’s words.
—To do their best to enjoy it to the fullest and avoid ending it half-heartedly.
***
“…”
She already knew.
She was aware of it.
Yet, she tried to avert her gaze from reality.
She knew this day would arrive someday.
Sally briefly closed her eyes.
The reason why the journey was so thrilling and dream-like was because everything was so much fun.
I wish it could last forever…
Sally thought of her impossible wish and smiled somewhat forlornly.
“…All right, Maple. Let’s go and defeat the boss with all our might!”
“Of course! I’m counting on you, Sally!”
“Hehe, leave it to me!”
—Every journey had an end.
If there was nothing else she could do, then she hoped that Maple would enjoy it until the end.
This time, Sally gave Maple a confident smile.
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