Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Big Sister, Little Sister
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[Second Named Boss]
[Level 53]
[Death Knight Zakam]
[HP 477,755,143 / 500,000,000 (95%)]
*Clang, ka-thwack!*
I parried the greatsword that came crashing down on me. The loud clash of metal on metal echoed. The impact from the heavy blade should have driven my legs into the ground, but surprisingly, I took no damage. A perfect 'Just Guard' had completely nullified it.
If I were alone, I would have deftly moved out of the attack's range while continuing my own assault, but 'solo play' and 'party play' demand different responses.
Zakam's four-hit downward strike isn't a single combo. If I dodge and reposition, the second hit will track me. In party play, it's crucial for the tank to keep the named boss's attention fixed.
The problem is, it's hard to deal damage between Zakam's rapid attacks while maintaining a defensive stance.
Only classes that can effectively tank, like Swordsman or Fighter, have access to a 'Threat Level' skill specialization. Usually, one would invest in the threat specialization for blocking, allowing them to securely hold aggro even with low damage output.
*Shk.*
I lowered my stance, ready to draw my sword.
"I can keep his attention fixed and still hold aggro with my damage output."
*Crash!*
*Flash!*
On the second hit, I used Flash Strike from my low stance, slashing through Zakam's waist as I passed. This put me behind Zakam. In about half a second, he would turn and bring his greatsword down on me. At the same time, the melee dealers who were safely attacking from behind would be caught in the attack's range.
However.
*Ssk.*
*Crash!*
Zakam's greatsword slammed down on where my body had been a moment ago. He attacked the rear, not the front. I had already returned to my original position in front of him. Naturally, I was invincible during the move and took no damage.
"Oh, that move!"
I heard Park Jeong-gwon's exclamation from behind Zakam. He was the main tank for Skada's Attack Squad, wasn't he? It seemed he realized what I had done.
It was a little trick I'd once taught Death of Death. You use a dashing move or skill to get behind the named boss to dodge a pattern, then use Backtrack while still targeted to return to your original spot. Since I used it from behind, I naturally returned to the front. It's a technique that lets you use Backtrack to get 180 degrees behind an enemy while still drawing their attack forward.
And in party play, you can do even more.
"Next up is either a rear or forward sword aura pattern, a fifty-fifty! Mages, keep your eyes peeled and prepare Ice Prison!"
Chris's orders rang out.
Right, I hadn't told her about this.
"Don't prepare defensive skills, just focus on damage! The sword aura won't go to the rear!"
I shouted to the squad members. They all looked bewildered, probably wondering how I intended to control a random pattern.
I heard the surprised voice of Skada, the leader of Skada's Attack Squad.
"You can control the direction of the sword aura?"
It's definitely possible.
*Swoosh, swoosh!*
A left and right slash pattern. I ducked under the slashes and watched Zakam's legs carefully.
He brought his greatsword back to his waist, and the greaves of his armor turned forty-five degrees to the left. A rear sword aura. I immediately used Backtrack.
*Shhhk.*
*Fwoooosh!*
Zakam twisted his waist, unleashing a sword aura toward his rear—my original tanking position, where I'd been before using Backtrack. Of course, no one was there. I returned to my spot, forcing the follow-up pattern to face forward.
This is convenient.
After the last 'normalization patch,' Swordsmen gained the ability to use two types of Backtrack specializations: one that moves right and one that moves left. With this, I shouldn't run out of invincibility frames for normal patterns without needing a cooldown reset. Unless it's something like Crow's Punishment.
"...What? How did you know? The forward and rear sword auras are supposed to be random, right?"
Park Jeong-gwon continued dealing damage from behind Zakam with a dumbfounded look on his face.
That guy sure is curious about a lot of things.
- Grrroooaar! Lord Crow!
*Rumble!*
*Fshhhhhh.*
Death Knight Zakam's armor crumbled, and a purplish aura seeped out from between the shattered pieces, dissipating into the air.
I turned my head to look at Chris and shyly made a V-sign with my fingers.
*Patter, patter.*
"Second named boss down in one try! Pretty impressive for a second-week alt team, right? The DPS is solid too. Good job, Rain!"
"You too, sis."
Little Chris ran over with a bright smile and took my hand.
As we were sharing our joy, Park Jeong-gwon, the Swordsman from Skada's team, approached me.
"Uh, um. Rain?"
"Yes?"
"Grrrrr!"
"Sis, he's a squad member..."
I looked up at him. Little Chris growled. I patted her head to calm her down. He had a friendly face and didn't seem like a bad person.
"How did you know the direction of the sword aura in advance?"
It seemed he'd come to ask about what he was curious about earlier.
If you could predict the direction of the random forward and rear sword aura patterns, you could free up the Mages and Spirit Masters from preparing defensive skills to focus solely on damage. As the main tank for Skada's team, Park Jeong-gwon was eager to learn.
"Hmm..."
It wasn't hard to tell him, but could he actually use it in a real fight? A mistake would be dangerous.
I lowered my stance and swung my sword from side to side.
*Swish, swish.*
"You know Zakam's two-hit pattern? Right after, he moves his sword to his waist. That's when you have to watch his feet."
"His feet?"
*Chk.*
"Yes. If his left foot turns forty-five degrees, it's a rear sword aura. If it doesn't, it's a forward one."
"Ah."
Park Jeong-gwon's expression was a mixture of understanding and confusion.
He scratched his head and walked back to Skada.
"...He swings twice, and then half a second later comes the sword aura. And you're supposed to see his foot in that tiny window?"
While I watched him walk away, Chris looted Zakam's drops.
[Ring of the Abyss]
[Legendary Grade]
[Strength+80 Agility+80 Intelligence+80]
[Damage Reduction +14%]
[Critical Damage Reduction +31%]
[Unique Ability: Reduces all damage taken from NPCs by 10%]
(Binds on Pickup)
Little Chris linked the item in chat and grinned at me.
"Max roll on damage reduction? Not bad. I'll start the auction."
"One hundred gold."
I raised my hand to place the first bid, timidly glancing at the other squad members.
I'd gotten pretty close with the Red and White guild members at the last offline meeting, but I still felt a little awkward around others. Like Skada, the beautiful leader of her attack squad, or the tank, Park Jeong-gwon. Those two seemed pretty close. Were they friends? Would they outbid me? But Skada and Park Jeong-gwon just watched me with broad smiles.
"Looks like there are no other bidders. Congratulations, Rain! With this, you've completed your ring and earring set!"
"Oh."
I confirmed the 'Ring of the Abyss' had entered my inventory and smiled brightly.
Then, I looked over at the gathered members of Skada's squad and tilted my head.
"Why didn't they bid?"
"Hm? Is something wrong?"
"Those people... they didn't bid on the earring from the first named boss, or on this ring."
"Aha."
Chris gave a mischievous smile.
"This is how it's supposed to be, really. Even if we don't say it beforehand, things are bound to turn out this way."
"?"
What did she mean?
"You're the only one on their main character in this party, Rain. You're also the one who deals the most damage."
"Hmm... I guess so?"
"Like I said before, alts can just take the leftover accessories. Of course, some people want to gear up their alts quickly, but it's more beneficial for the party as a whole if the strongest damage dealer gets the upgrades."
"Oh, I see."
I felt a wave of happiness.
I could raid comfortably with a party and still farm all the accessories without any bidding competition.
Chris had it all planned out.
"Sis, thank you."
*Poof.*
Filled with gratitude, I pulled little Chris's head into an embrace.
"Ah, ahh, Rain, wait!"
Little Chris, who had been struggling, quickly settled down in my arms. Then, she let out a silly laugh.
"Ehee."
[Third Named Boss]
[Level 53]
[Corps Commander Crow]
[HP 1,107,239 / 300,000,000 (1%)]
*Flash! Crash!*
*Caaaaaw!*
*Rumble.*
I watched with somber eyes as the remains of Corps Commander Crow faded away under the squad's final assault.
A corps commander of the demon race, which sought to conquer this world. This one, Crow, seemed to have become incapable of conversation after our first clear. Today, Crow greeted me from the start in the form of a giant crow.
This creature disappearing before my feet was just a shell, an illusion of Crow. Now, Crow was nothing more than a farmable boss that dropped items for players.
Perhaps the mystery of the being behind them would have to be solved through the next corps commander.
"As I mentioned beforehand, I'll craft and sell the weapons. I'll send you the sales details and your share of the profits after deducting material costs via mail, so you don't need to find me separately."
Little Chris put all of Crow's drops into her inventory. The members of both the Red and White and Skada's squads nodded with satisfied expressions.
"Good work today."
"See you all next week."
With the second team's run complete, the members of both teams began to disappear one by one through the exit portal.
Skada gave a slight bow and vanished as well. Her final glance was a bit sharp. Was that a competitive fire burning in her eyes?
Everyone's working so hard. As an irregular, am I an ecosystem-destroying species? Still, I have no intention of yielding when it comes to approaching the truth of this world.
As I held little Chris's head and stroked it repeatedly, she asked in a small voice,
"You keep petting me today... Rain, do you like your little sister more? Should I just make this character my main?"
"Huh? Hmm..."
I thought for a moment.
Big sister, little sister.
Which one was better?
Both had their own charms.
Petting little sister Chris brought me joy, and being held by big sister Chris also brought me joy. Both were wonderful, but in slightly different ways.
Still, I think being held is a little better.
"I think I like big sister more."
Chris's face lit up.
"Right, right? Ehehe, I can't exactly shrink myself outside the game."
"But being small is nice sometimes, too."
"R-Really? So, about once a week is perfect, right?"
"Hehe. That sounds like a good ratio."
I petted little Chris to my heart's content until it was time to log out for the day.