2-18 Mission Start
"No matter which direction the monsters come from, shield-bearers move up front. Prioritize establishing the front line first—strictly no charging ahead. If we need disruption, one of the three outer squads who's trained for it will handle it. Clear so far?"
Armesian—the captain—was starting from the basics, considerate of the fact that this was the first time we'd be fighting in proper formation together. Our squad setup had the magic squad—me, Firo, and the others—fixed in the center, with the other three squads covering front, left-rear, and right-rear. In other words, we weren't supposed to move carelessly. It was all pretty standard stuff.
"The big difference from usual is maintaining full-perimeter vigilance and scouting. The three outer squads will be under constant tension, needing to provide quick support to the engagement squad and watch for other threats. Shields and spears, stick to the playbook. Everyone else, follow your squad leader's judgment—no need to run everything by me. That's the major change."
This was directed at the regular squad members, a reminder check. Felt kinda like a deep enemy-territory infiltration mission.
"Captain, what about our squad?"
"Firo's squad will be under Senka's command, right? Same as always. Just keep reports to me brief."
"Got it."
So basically, just follow the big guy Senka's lead. Simple enough.
"Now, specifics. Yoyo, if you could give us a rough rundown of what magic you can use?"
"Uh, yeah. Fireball, Sand Needle, and Wall spells at practical combat levels. Wind Wall's my strongest, though? Might be a bit better at defense than offense overall."
What else was there? ...Might as well mention the splashy one. Not like it's something I need to hide.
"If I've got a little prep time, I can turn the ground to mud to bog 'em down... forgot the formal name, but it's a water-earth combo spell."
"Huh, Mud? Impressive."
Wait, was the real name more complicated? But "Mud" works—nice and straightforward. In my head, it'd stuck as "splashy-splash," though...
"So that's fire, earth, wind, and now water... all four basics to some degree, right?"
"Huh, yeah, when you put it like that. Bad to mix attributes?"
I hadn't even noticed, but yeah, my examples covered the board. No big deal if they knew, right?
"No, it's rare but nothing to get flak for. Could be fun aiming for four-attribute mastery. ...Anyway, tangent over. When using attack magic, call it out first. Ideally, name the spell too—tactics might shift based on it."
"Call the spell name beforehand, got it."
"Right. Defensive specialty's a nice surprise, though. Yoyo, focus mainly on Wall spells for support. With Firo's experience handling harassment and you backing with defense, we shouldn't break easily."
"Sounds good. But my defenses don't buff others directly—is that okay?"
"Yeah, that's asking too much. Just cover Firo and the archers as much as you can when enemy attacks come flying."
"Understood."
Thought I'd be a fixed turret, but nope—Wall duty. Can't keep 'em up constantly or I'd burn through MP no matter how much I had, so timing's tricky.
"Of course, prep attack spells when we're set to counter or go on the offensive. Magic's key against high physical resist monsters."
"Right. I usually use a sword too, but no need to go upfront?"
"Hmm. Might lean on a Magic Swordsman's strikes sometimes. Stay ready."
Yes sir. Prioritize defense magic, prep for melee or attacks. Actually, not that different from regular hunts.
Safety via defense while relying on Sarsa's arrows and my magic sword's punch. Though I do have that habit of charging in hot-blooded...
"Yoyo and Firo, that's your basics—we'll adjust around you. While I check other coordination, Firo, teach Yoyo the hand signs and signals. No departure till he's got 'em down."
"For real...?"
Out of nowhere. Woulda been nice if they'd handed me a cheat sheet back at request acceptance three days ago.
"It's a pain at first, but handy once memorized. C'mon, Yoyo."
"Aye aye."
Kidnapped by Firo, spent study time next to Sarsa. Stunned how she nailed it perfectly first try. Too damn sharp.
Finally done cramming, I headed out Cross Point's west gate with the Armesian squad.
Short walk to the Kansen River. We turned left, heading south—that was our basic route.
Followed the river to a big bend, then veered off toward the campsite.
Not making it today, though—near impossible.
At departure, unfamiliar guys with big packs joined up. Porters for the trip, apparently. Trailed a bit behind us.
"Lunch at the riverbank—move out!"
Captain's order, formation out the gate.
Smooth sailing on the maintained road to the river. Actually kinda fast—tiring. Glanced back at the porters with their loads; they kept pace effortlessly. Pros, duh. Unnecessary worry.
"Hey Firo, practicing defense magic?"
"Oh? Yeah, sorta. Not just defense—trying other attributes besides lightning, so earth practice. Not progressing great."
"Makes sense. Earth seems solid for defense."
"That too, but basically fire and lightning aside, earth's my only affinity. Earth overlaps, so thought water first?"
"Huh. Overlaps how—wait, what?"
Tilted my head; Firo made an "oops" face, sticking out his tongue lightly.
"Bad manners spilling others' abilities unasked, but yeah, we've got an earth mage. Kinda."
"Earth? ...Just you and me magicking this time, right? Or someone in the southeast dispatch?"
"Nah, no. Different. Kerusumeme, cool to spill?"
Firo called to the boy right ahead. Frontliner but small—Mage?
"Fine, whatever. We've heard Yoyo's spells too. But don't blab thoughtlessly—seriously."
Kerusumeme sighed without turning.
"Sorry sorry! Anyway, Kerusumeme here's got some earth magic. Not a full Mage, though. That's all!"
"Hmph."
Intriguing. Earth magic sans Mage. Earth Mage? Nah, didn't seem to count as a magic job. Some frontliner hybrid like Magic Swordsman?
Squad's all vets—easy leveling, probably tons of variants. Get chummy, might hear more.
"Red Bull ahead-right. Three of 'em."
Tsuburaka scouting front reported. Followed her gaze; scout waving signals. Reading signs, not direct sight.
"Can skirt 'em, but subjugation duty—hunt 'em."
Senka ordered the front squad. Red Bull meat was tasty. Luxury dinner?
Soon, three from the greatsword squad headed out. That group stood out—two with wide greatswords like in games. Nicknamed 'em "Greatsword Squad" in my head. One wielder lizard-like, but the other seemed leader.
Captain's group: "Captain Squad." The last, plain: "Normal Squad." Ours: "Magic Squad." Whatever works.
Thirty minutes later, at next break, Greatsword Squad rejoined. Processed one carcass quick—efficient. Might be bloody, the old wielder said.
Thought lunch, but cook said he'd handle later for dinner.
"Rushing makes it taste bad—waste of good meat."
Grinning cook was the other lizard-ish greatswordsman. What a guy.
By riverside destination past noon, that was our only encounter. Eerily peaceful for Teba Region—maybe normal on roads.
Lunch: preserved rations in open spot. First day, quick-spoil stuff—not super preserved. Portable meals.
Firm bread with spiced meat and veg—like a burger-sandwich. Tasty.
Glanced at Sarsa—poker face, munching away.
Foodie mode off around outsiders.
"Now the real deal. Everyone set?"
Post-lunch, captain addressed the lined-up squad. Air tightened from break looseness.
"Move out."
Off roads, southbound.
A bit from river but alongside—gravel crunching underfoot.
Squad patrols sometimes, not true pathless, but rough going.
Occasional rock-hopping action spots.
"This is tiring..."
Slipped out; Firo grinned nicely. Annoying.
Post-lunch, Firo went full silent serious mode.
But whenever I struggled with squad pace, he'd smirk happily.
After steady trek, break at bend with open riverside view.
"Break... whew."
"Old man vibes."
"Oi Firo, why the constant grinning?"
"Not grinning."
"You were."
"Usually I'm the squad drag. Not jacked like others, and Mage status mods tire us faster."
"So happy 'cause someone slower than you? Bad taste."
"Don't get prickly—keep up."
Snickering, Firo fetched water. Damn him.
"Captain, bit distant but numbers."
"Where?"
"South this way, next break area. Confirmed flying rays."
"Flying rays, huh..."
Captain took scout report during break.
Flying rays... that delicacy we beat but lost to the river once.
"High magic resist, but earth worked decently, right?"
"Yeah."
Sarsa replied to my mumble.
After, ray fight plan: I hold defenses.
"Fire!"
Senka's signal—archers and mages unleashed.
Firo lobbed lightning orbs; I fired Sand Needles like last time.
"Pigiieee!"
Ten-ish rays clustered; our preemptive hit downed three.
"Charge!"
Captain and Greatsword Squads burst from brush at the flock.
Some rays climbed, evading. Then captain power-jumped, smacking one down. Overkill strength.
Rays spammed water magic—probably Water Balls. Incoming ones blocked by Firewall as planned. They reared back pre-cast, easy timing. Nice.
Chose Firewall not for water counter, but anti-magic defense bonus. Rarely used due to taste, but perfect for known incoming spells.
Sizzle...
Balls hit wall, bursting with burning scent. Effective.
"Take this! Thunder Arrow!"
Up front, captains in melee chaos; Firo blasted freely. No friendly fire?
My defenses weren't game-like "allies ignored"—had to time around Firo's shots and arrows. No room for misfire worries; I drowned controlling walls.
Up, down. Shift, shrink to avoid allies. Tough gig...
Frontline dragged—man-eating crabs joined late. My job unchanged. Grinded silently. Ten minutes, monsters wiped; scouts chased escapees, rest alert-break on-site.
"Numbers swelled mid-fight? Big flock."
"Expansion phase."
Overheard Normal Squad sword and spear chatting—rear guard.
Expansion phase: spawn points pumping extra monsters.
Clustering monsters group by simultaneous spawns, so flocks grow too. Differs from breeding by observation.
Switched to Vigilance job, stayed quiet; pale-faced Firo sidled up.
Overdid MP in fight.
"You good?"
"Eh, sorta..."
Spiky hair wilted too. Rough.
"Captains' jumps insane, right?"
Frontliners simple-jumped at airborne rays—no skills. Thought just captain, but all did. World combat job physiques nuts.
"Saves MP, so yeah?"
Firo nonchalant. Everyday for him. Adaptation's wild.
Library sports-to-job story implied crazy sports here. Soccer jobs? Comic effects on every shot/save.
"You too?"
"Nah, I'm Mage."
"Just the jumpy crew weird?"
"Frontliner jobs do that."
"Really?"
Status mods over jobs. Strength? Agility? Both? Or "Physical Boost" skill.
Anyway, deeper in, scattering growing monster packs, day one ended at night.
Small woods campsite off river—rushed dinner, tents.
Overrun encounters delayed us. Porters shone erecting camp, then foraged edible weeds with squad.
More survival pros than mere carriers.
Brought my small tent—Sarsa and me inside. Others nearby or blanketed outside—no sexy times.
Bummer.
Next morning, squad guy woke me.
Numbers meant easy watches—solid sleep.
Party size perks...
Helped Sarsa with breakfast—shuttled fire-starting. Then peeled purple rugged potato-ish tubers.
Mindless peeling; sudden buzz, looked up.
Captain chatting someone distant. Squad vaguely tuned in. Too far for me to hear.
Buzz cause clear post-meal, from captain.
"East-ish from here. Ferregen nest."
"..."
Squad serious, listening.
"Found last night by squad on eastern route. Reported to Cross Point; aid request to us. Hard access off patrol—cliffside."
"..."
"Questions?"
Captain scanned; Greatsword Squad sword raised hand.
"Coop with us means joint with other squads?"
"HQ sending small units. Probably."
"The discoverers?"
"..."
"Captain?"
"...Half-wiped by Ferregen attack. Not combat-ready."
Captain's handsome face unchanged, but pained. Silence. Tension spiked visibly.