Citadel Assault (Part 1)
I'd awakened a trash-tier Psychorobo, but damn, it felt good to finally have one. Up until now, without a Psychorobo, I'd been total cannon fodder. But that was all over now. I was an Awakener.
Humming the theme from that famous anime about toys coming to life, I hopped onto Pinocchio like a horse.
"You've got a friend in me~ You've got a friend in me~!!!"
I couldn't resist belting it out.
"Euhuhuhu... You crazy bastard... Toy Story. Uhahaha! What a blast from the past!"
Taiga clutched her stomach, shaking with laughter.
"You sing it too well, and it pisses me off... Kuhuhuhu!!"
Umi burst out laughing too.
Go ahead, mock away. Nothing could break the bond between me and Pinocchio.
"Anyway, enough messing around. Time to head in."
Sassis said coolly.
"Yeah."
I drew my sword right away. I was itching to test how sharp this new blade from Hoshimaru Store really was.
It was a big operation, after all. Everyone was tense—it was only natural.
With somewhat serious expressions, we stepped into the depths of the citadel.
As we entered the citadel, I checked my Status Window.
A simplified stat display popped up. I hadn't expected much, so I wasn't surprised.
Skills...
No basic skills, as expected. But there was one passive skill.
"This is...!"
Overwhelming Presence
Greatly increases threat level to enemies. Enemies will prioritize attacking Pinocchio and you.
This was a seriously good passive in the game. Hard to get, too. Were they finally giving me some transmigrator perks?
About damn time.
I muttered to myself. In short, it was a surefire aggro pull. No need for taunt skills—enemies would target us first. One tank soaking all the hits made HP management a breeze. Didn't work on bosses, but it was gold for trash mobs.
"Everyone, just trust in me."
I puffed up with confidence and declared it to the group.
"Sorry, but... honestly, no expectations."
Taiga eyed me flatly.
"Euhuhuhu. Shota, more nonsense?"
Umi cracked up the moment I opened my mouth.
Anyway, chatting as we went, we walked the corridors of the citadel's first floor. It had a overall medieval vibe.
The first floor was a lobby.
"Krrruggh...!"
"Krruk!!"
Of course, monsters appeared. They were knight-outfitted freaks, with tree-trunk-like stems dangling from under their armor.
"Fight."
Sassis drew his sword instantly.
"Everyone, save your spells!! SP is limited!!! The dungeon's long!! Only use magic when necessary. I'll handle these!!"
I shouted as I charged straight at them. Blasting magic on trash mobs mindlessly was a party wipe flag in any JRPG. You'd run out of resources later.
"Wait... Shota, what are you—"
Umi watched me rush into the enemy pack with worried eyes.
"Pinocchio!! Come out!!"
I summoned Pinocchio right away.
"Master! Give me orders!! Not that I can do anything!!"
Pinocchio floated after me, bobbing in the air.
"No!! You can do something!!"
Thwack!
I grabbed Pinocchio's head.
"Master?!!"
Pinocchio yelped in panic.
"Hyaah!!!"
I hurled him like a dodgeball into the enemy center.
And Pinocchio landed smack in the middle.
"Krrruggh!!"
"Grukk!!!"
The Overwhelming Presence passive kicked in immediately. The monsters instinctively focused solely on Pinocchio, pounding away.
Thud-thud-thud-thwack!!Wham!! Pow!!!
They unilaterally beat down the Pinocchio in the center.
"Kwaaaagh!! Master!! It hurts!!"
Pinocchio curled up, screaming. He was getting a full-on gang beating.
"Hang in there!! I'll save you!!"
I charged in sword-first. Pinocchio had insane durability anyway. He couldn't block or reflect specific damage types, but hits hurt way less. Tanky as hell.
"Kkieeeeeek!!!!"
I swung at the front monster.
Shiiiing—!!!! Splurt!!!
My kendo-honed strike sliced clean through its body.
"Gehuuugh!!!"
The thing split in two and scattered.
"Hyaaah!!!"
Splurt—!!!!
Another swing took out the one behind it.
"Kiooooot!!!"
Stab! I gutted the charging one, then threw myself at the last.
"Die!!!"
Splaaash!!
My blade severed its neck clean. Its head hit the floor.
All enemies cleared.
"Pinocchio! You okay?"
I helped him up.
"Nngheee..."
He looked dazed from all the hits.
"Damn... Your nose is so swollen... Those bastards."
I stroked his long nose gently.
"My nose is supposed to be huge!!!!"
Pinocchio snapped back.
Anyway, trash cleared.
"Good. Let's keep this up."
I told the party.
"Dude... he's an idiot, but he's strong. Forgot amid all his usual antics."
Taiga scratched her head.
"Impressive swordsmanship."
Sassis smiled faintly.
"Well... dojo ace and all. But what was that? They only targeted Pinocchio."
Umi asked.
"Yeah... Seems like monsters intentionally prioritize this guy. Some kinda trait."
I said.
"Euhuhuhu. Like owner, like punching bag?"
Taiga chuckled.
"Hey!! Punching bag?!!"
I lunged at Taiga. She dodged, locked me in a headlock, and punished me. Her soft chest pressed against my cheek.
Oooh... Addictive...
"Ah!! Shota's grinning like a perv!!"
Umi panicked and tried to pry me off.
Anyway, we settled on this strategy. If it got dicey, the others would blast magic for fire support.
Kerrrruk! Kerk!!!
Dungeons were dungeons—deeper in, monsters swarmed.
"Here we go!! Pinocchio!! Brace yourself!!!"
I chucked him again.
"Doesn't hurt at all!!!"
Pinocchio shouted confidently as he dove into the pack.
Streeetch!
His nose elongated.
Ah... Liar. It does hurt.
A twinge of guilt hit me. Anyway, he crashed like a mortar round into the center.
"Gerrrrugh!!"
"Krrruggh!!"
Monsters fixated on him alone.
"Coming to save you!!"
I charged sword-up. With their attention locked on Pinocchio, fights were easy. Sneak behind, backstab.
Splaaash!
Slit a throat from behind. Any that turned? Hack 'em down. Simple.
Level 5, but levels don't cover real combat experience. Kendo training let me strike efficiently.
Crack!
Smashed a monster's head off, scanned around. Full clear.
"Alright. Let's move."
I waved the team on. They followed. MP and spells untouched.
This pace? We could hit the final floor. Minimal party damage.
The tank who protects the team's HP!!! Wooden doll Pinocchio!!!! So reliable!!!
Anyway. We cleared floors 2, 3, and 4 in sequence. Tons of enemies meant levels shot up.
I hit level 6. Way more efficient than random encounters outside.
Sassis reached 10. Taiga 8. Umi 7.
Yeah. I was the weak link again.
"Shota. Got lapped?"
Umi grinned.
"L-Level doesn't explain everything...!! Real strength!!"
I protested.
"Huh? Can't hear the level 6 nerd?"
Umi cupped her ear mockingly.
"Ugaaaah!! So annoying!!!"
Couldn't even argue—that made it worse.
"Now I can boss Shota around too?"
Umi smirked darkly.
"Hey. He's my lackey."
Taiga cut in, annoyed.
Umi and Taiga locked fiery glares.
Sassis shut down the pointless spat.
"Hey. Floor 5 now. Strong presence ahead."
"Yeah. Final floor boss. Game canon."
"Everyone's in good shape. SP full. Let's go."
Sassis said.
"Hell yeah!! Charge!!"
I roared.
"Kkieeeeeek!!!!!"
I smashed the massive door blocking floor 5 with my sword.
No one stops me!!!!
Deep in floor 5... yep, the boss.
A humanoid monster in green uniform.
"Guoooong... Guoot..."
It spotted me immediately.
And in a birdcage against the wall—people trapped inside. Strictly speaking, their souls. Bodies left soulless become vegetables. That's how soul theft worked.
Flash!
After a brief stare-down, the monster charged.
The fight began.