From the day I met Nagi, my double life began.
While continuing my hunts in the eastern wilderness of the Alpharion Empire, I kept an eye on Nagi’s progress and accompanied her when it was time to tackle elite dungeons.
Perhaps by the time the next expansion, the Eastern Legion Commander raid, opens, new users will have caught up to the previous raid dungeon.
Nagi was growing fast.
Middle school age, maybe? Does she even go to school?
Even though she wasn’t exactly power leveling, there were plenty of experience-boosting items available for low-level players at the moment. Previous dungeon weapons could also be bought at a low price, and unlike earlier players, there was no need to wait for elite dungeons or the opening of new areas. Red-White raid players also raised their alternate characters quickly in a similar fashion.
While there’s a significant difference in the depth of gameplay for those who accumulate daily quest coins to purchase Eco Stones at full price, dungeon progression doesn’t take long to catch up. Of course, the time can be shortened through auction house purchases, though tradeable Eco Stones are expensive.
I’ve been running ahead without looking back for too long.
I felt the need to retrace my steps.
I may have acted nonchalant in front of Chris, but meeting Igrain—the person I once wondered if she could have been a mother figure—stirred feelings in me. Our farewell had been too quick. And then, we met again, albeit in a slightly different form.
The series of events in the northern continent had drained me in many ways.
The Northern Legion Commander.
And Igrain.
As long as I still love this world, and as long as the traces of my comrades continue to appear before me, I can never fully separate myself from my past as a hero.
Even in my encounter with the Eastern Legion Commander, will my past tie me down again? In what new way will it remind me of my duties as a hero?
At this moment, as 'Rain' and 'Isulbi' are gradually becoming one, do I really have to worry about my hero's mission again?
Maybe that’s why I chose to divert my attention for a moment.
There’s no rush, after all. I can think about it once the Northern Legion Commander’s silhouette becomes clearer.
Right now, what brings fresh joy to someone who has been running forward relentlessly is...
---
*Sneak, sneak.*
"It’s been a while since we’ve been here."
I followed behind the girl, who cautiously led the way down the dark corridor, leisurely observing the interior of the dungeon.
Her cute bobbed brown hair seemed to twitch whenever a slight sound reached her ears. She would jump in surprise and dart her eyes around like a small startled animal, a sight that brought a smile to my lips.
This newbie swordswoman, *Nagi*, whom I was raising.
Today, we were in an elite dungeon together.
*The Lesser Demon’s Tomb.*
It’s the second elite dungeon in *Astria Online*, featuring three bosses: the Black Wyvern, the Statue of the Lord, and the Sealed Demon.
The dungeon spirals downward endlessly, and at the bottom, where you finally reach the Sealed Demon’s lair, you are greeted by a terrifying lava lake and a colossal demon.
"I had such a hard time beating this dungeon for the first time! When I first got hit by the Black Wyvern's breath attack, I was completely blind."
"Breath attack? From the Black Wyvern?"
"Yeah. It’s a huuuuge dragon-like creature."
"This big?"
Nagi stretched her arms wide, trying to visualize the size of the monster. The innocent gesture made me want to scoop her up into a hug, but I managed to hold back.
I spread my arms even wider than hers.
"No, this big."
"Wow."
Nagi’s eyes widened in amazement.
Seeing that she had relaxed, I let Nagi handle the occasional small monsters while I trailed behind her, observing.
"You’ve unlocked the skills *Moonlight Slash* and *Counterattack*, right?"
"Yes. When I use *Counterattack*, I can slip behind monsters, and *Moonlight Slash* strikes everything around me."
Nagi swung her sword in a wide circle, scattering moonlight around her.
"Those two skills will be your main ones moving forward. *Moonlight Slash* will evolve into a stronger single-target skill later on... But for now, let’s focus on using both of them to defeat the Black Wyvern."
We stepped into a vast chamber together.
This was the area for the first boss battle. In the center of the chamber, the massive Black Wyvern lay coiled.
"Eek!"
Nagi let out a shrill scream.
*Creeeak*
---
[First Boss]
[Level 27 Black Wyvern]
[HP 210,000/210,000]
---
The Black Wyvern, the first boss of the Lesser Demon’s Tomb.
Its gigantic form was covered in black scales that gleamed ominously in the dim torchlight of the cave.
Its normal attack patterns weren’t that difficult, but the problem was the special flying pattern that triggered when its HP dropped below a certain level.
If you were in a standard four-person party, there wouldn’t be an issue. There’s a special mechanic involving a crossbow loaded with wyvern-killer bolts, which you could use to bring it down. While the wyvern is flying, one player takes care of the wyvern’s scale attacks from a distance, while another retrieves the crossbow.
However, the baby wyverns that spawn during the flying phase interfere with this strategy.
This is the biggest hurdle when soloing.
There’s no time to fetch the crossbow while dodging the scales and dealing with the baby wyverns’ attacks.
"To dodge the scales coming from the air, use *Backstep*. Then, before the next wave of scales hits, clear the baby wyverns with *Moonlight Slash*."
"Okay."
"But the problem is..."
I glanced at Nagi’s expectant yet anxious expression.
After dodging three waves of scales, the wyvern unleashes its breath attack from the sky.
This is the part I’m worried about. After the third wave, the breath attack comes before *Backstep* is off cooldown.
If it comes to it, you might need to tank the last wave of scales with your body. It won’t kill you, but it’ll hurt a lot.
But, most importantly, the fire breath... it must be avoided at all costs.
"Promise me you won’t get hit by the breath attack, okay?"
"I’ll try my best."
Nagi clenched her fists, determination gleaming in her eyes.
As I watched her march toward the massive wyvern, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.
The other patterns were manageable. I could save her before she died.
But the breath attack? There’d be no saving her from that. She had to use *Backstep* at the perfect moment, just as the flames were about to engulf her.
And...
"Ugh."
I winced, recalling the pain of being burned alive.
The agony of having your body consumed by fire.
It was a pain so unbearable that even I, who had grown used to suffering, couldn’t help but cry like a child back then.
Of course, Nagi’s synchronization rate is only half of mine, but I didn’t want her to experience that kind of torment.
Nagi wanted to do this on her own.
I couldn’t stop her resolve.
After all, I had been the same.
"Don’t get hit by the breath attack, okay?"
In a soft voice, I wished Nagi the best of luck.
---
Nagi faced the special pattern a few times.
That’s okay. It’s all part of the learning process.
But when it comes to special patterns, there can be no mistakes. A single mistake during the special pattern would lead to unavoidable death.
*Keeeeiii!*
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*Flap, flap, flap.*
"Ugh!"
*Swoosh*
The Black Wyvern’s special flight phase had begun. The massive creature’s wings spread wide, and the gusts of wind it created pushed Nagi’s small body backward.
"Focus! This is where the real fight begins! Track the baby wyverns emerging from the sides, grab their aggro, and use *Moonlight Slash* to reduce their HP! It’s crucial to kill them quickly!"
*Tatatat!*
*Clang!*
Nagi quickly blocked a charging baby wyvern and began whittling down its HP with her *Moonlight Slash*.
Soon, more baby wyverns swarmed around her from all sides. Before they could fully surround her, Nagi repositioned herself so that all the wyverns were in front of her.
Good, she’s handling it well.
*Flap*
*Shweeeek!*
At last, the first wave of scales descended. The sharp sound of air being pierced accompanied the scales as they shot down from the wyvern’s wings.
Nagi’s small frame reacted instantly.
*Tatat!*
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Using *Backstep*, she slipped just beyond the range of the scales. None of them touched her. Her expression brightened slightly, though she remained focused.
*Clang!*
She blocked another charging baby wyvern with calm precision.
"Great, two more to go!"
*Tatat!*
*Swish, swish, swish!*
The second wave of scales.
Even in the midst of the chaos, Nagi’s *Moonlight Slash* continued to cut through the baby wyverns, steadily depleting their HP. As long as she avoided the breath attack once, she could finish the fight.
She was in a better position than I had been back then. I had all the strategies in my
head now. Nagi just had to follow my lead.
And Nagi, this newbie swordswoman, had the skill to mimic my experience.
*Shweeeek!*
The third wave of scales, and she couldn’t use *Backstep* this time.
*Whoosh*
Nagi, who had been facing off against a baby wyvern, suddenly blurred.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Nagi reappeared behind the baby wyvern, having used *Counterattack*. She dodged the wide-reaching scale attack effortlessly.
*Clap!*
"Well done!"
Without realizing it, I started clapping.
*Counterattack*.
It’s a swordsman’s second invincibility skill after *Backstep*.
It can only be used when there’s an enemy in front, but there are plenty of baby wyverns to serve as targets.
When I had first played this dungeon, *Counterattack* was ranked too low to grant invincibility. I had told Nagi to rank it up in advance, and it had paid off.
Indeed, the experience of a pioneer is invaluable.
Suddenly, the red glow in the Black Wyvern’s mouth caught my attention.
*Fwoosh*
In an instant, flames erupted, consuming the air as they gathered in front of the wyvern’s jaws.
*Kiiiieeek!*
With a fierce roar, the flames surged forth, engulfing the entire chamber.