Chapter 201: Add Me To The Vanguard
Martin clenched his fists. He didn’t have time to explain that he and Rias were only friends, and trying to clarify their relationship in front of an entire guild would only make them laugh harder. With Rias currently carving her way across the body of a giant sea monster, Plume had already decided she was Martin’s terrifying girlfriend.
Before joining the battle, Martin had dismissed the Broodtide chest piece and equipped the Worldshell Carapace. The incompatible plates prevented the rest of the Broodtide Set from forming around it, stripping away the full-set bonuses and leaving his arms and legs exposed. He had gambled that fighting a powerful sea monster would awaken the growth armor, but so far, the decision had only weakened him.
Complaining about the dormant armor wouldn’t accomplish anything, either. The Worldshell Carapace wasn’t going to awaken just because he was annoyed with it.
He pushed the irritation aside and studied the battle instead.
His weapons could barely scratch the Sea Dragon Monster. His defensive stats had dropped without Broodtide’s full-set bonuses, and the dormant armor gave him no meaningful benefits in return. Rias could keep fighting because her build, mobility, and new equipment allowed her to exploit even the smallest openings. Angel had her size and abilities to rely on.
Even without those advantages, Martin could still rely on what his class did best.
The Storm Guild’s tanks remained close to the monster, drawing its attention whenever it turned toward one of the ships. Ranged players continued attacking from the decks, although the bombardment was beginning to slow. Spellcasters needed time to recover mana, cannons had to be reloaded, and several players hesitated whenever Rias moved too close to their targets.
Their damage wasn’t the problem. They were releasing it in scattered bursts instead of saving everything for one decisive attack.
Martin didn’t need to pierce the Sea Dragon Monster’s scales himself. He only had to create the right opportunity for everyone else.
My weapons can’t damage this boss, and I’m undergeared right now. That still doesn’t make me useless.
He stood and looked up at Plume. "Good to hear we’re on the same page, bro."
Plume raised an eyebrow. "What page would that be?"
"The one where I make sure she remembers why she needs me."
The players closest to Plume exchanged amused looks, but Martin continued before any of them could interrupt.
"I’m a tank. She might be an assassin who can climb a boss on her own, but someone still has to create an opening for her."
He gestured toward Angel. "Especially when I have my little one with me."
Angel kicked all four legs through the water and nearly threw him off balance. Laughter spread across the deck again, though it no longer sounded quite as mocking.
After steadying himself, Martin pointed toward the Sea Dragon Monster. "Angel and I can’t let an assassin show us up at sea. So yeah, Captain, I could use your help."
One of the Storm Guild members lowered his voice, though not enough to keep Martin from hearing him.
"Isn’t it lame to ask for help after saying something that cringe?"
The player beside him shrugged. "Our leader loves speeches like that. Just look at him."
Plume looked delighted.
"Muahahaha!" he roared. "Surely you do not intend to use my entire guild after making such an epic declaration?"
"See?" the first player muttered. "He called it epic."
"Yeah..."
Martin smiled back at the captain. Plume loved putting on a show, but his eyes had sharpened. He was waiting to see whether Martin had an actual plan or was bluffing his way out of an embarrassing situation.
"Nope. Add me to the vanguard."
Plume’s laughter stopped, and several nearby players turned toward Martin.
The vanguard wasn’t a casual party. Its members led the assault and helped coordinate the guild’s frontline. Asking to join while wearing half an armor set would have sounded ridiculous coming from almost anyone else.
Plume slowly looked him over. "And what will Night Espresso’s half-dressed tank do in my vanguard?"
"Boost your entire guild’s damage."
The chatter above Martin died away.
"You’ve already used your Guild Skill, and the boss is still standing," Martin continued. "Give me control of the next attack, and we might deal more damage than you did during the activation."
Interest flashed across Plume’s face, though he didn’t immediately agree. "That is a bold promise."
"It isn’t a promise." Martin looked toward the monster. "It’s what will happen if your guild follows my timing."
Another cannon fired from a nearby ship. The projectile struck the Sea Dragon Monster’s side and scattered sparks across its scales without breaking through them. Smoke drifted over the water as Martin turned back to Plume.
"First, the attacks need to stop."
The amusement vanished from several faces. Halting the assault would release the pressure they had built and give the monster room to counterattack. It also meant trusting an outsider who had only recently joined the battle.
Plume tapped his fingers against the railing. "What else do you need?"
"Nothing."
"No healers assigned to you?"
"No."
"Do you want the ships moved?"
"No."
Plume narrowed his eyes. "You are either very confident or very stupid."
"Those aren’t mutually exclusive."
The captain barked out another laugh.
Martin pointed toward the fleet. "Have everyone hold fire and save their strongest skills until I call for them. Keep only the tanks close enough to hold the monster’s attention."
A murmur passed through the deck as the guild members considered his request.
Plume glanced at the Sea Dragon Monster, then at Rias, who was still carving through its weakened scales. Since she wasn’t part of the Storm Guild, she could continue keeping pressure on it while the others prepared.
After a moment, Plume opened the guild’s voice channel.
"All hands!" he bellowed, sounding every bit like a pirate captain commanding his crew before a storm. "Cease the bombardment! Tanks, keep the beast occupied! Everyone else, reload the cannons, recover your mana and stamina, and stand by for Emperoar’s signal!"
Throughout the fleet, spell effects faded and ranged weapons lowered. With the bombardment gone, the groan of wooden hulls and the slap of waves against the ships suddenly sounded much louder.
The Sea Dragon Monster lifted its enormous head at the sudden lull, but the tanks kept striking its flanks and prevented it from turning toward the fleet.
Plume braced one boot against the railing and looked down at Martin. "We shall see what Night Espresso’s tank is made of! Muahahaha!"
A notification appeared before Martin.
[You have been invited to the Storm Vanguard.]
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