Chapter 247
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Rockwind Plains (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, after sufficient rest, the second battle against the Stone Troll commenced.
This time, Jun joined in as well. After about an hour of combat, the Stone Troll's massive head crashed to the ground.
"Phew. The new strategy worked like a charm."
As planned, Jun unleashed aggressive spells to expose the Stone Troll's openings, Eleanor handled all defense, and Maya switched to supporting Aiden, allowing the two of them to deliver simultaneous lethal blows.
"Good work, everyone. No other monsters around, so let's rest here for a bit."
"Haa... Understood."
Aiden and Maya were breathing heavily, but their expressions weren't bad.
They had triumphed in a rematch against a monster that had routed them once before.
While the two caught their breath, Eleanor cautiously approached Jun.
"...Leader. You okay?"
"Yeah, just grazed me."
During the fight, debris from the Stone Troll's swing had scraped Jun's leg.
It wasn't life-threatening, so Eleanor's holy magic, [Life Shield of Light], hadn't activated to block the unexpected attack.
[Life Shield of Light]
Holy defense magic - Did not activate
"Still, just in case, drink a potion."
"Got it."
That was when the two were conversing in low voices.
"S-Senior?"
"Huh? What?"
Did he notice my injury?
Calming his startled heart, Aiden looked over to see him pointing at the spot where the Stone Troll had pixelated and vanished.
"Isn't that a, a skill book?"
"Whoa..."
Aiden held a single book.
Reading the ancient script on the thick leather cover, Jun murmured softly.
"[Stone Shield]..."
As the name suggested, it was a skill that summoned a stone shield.
It suited Aiden perfectly.
He had commissioned armor from orichalcum, but it would take a few more months.
Aiden could definitely create openings with this skill.
"Aiden, you should use it."
"Pardon? But..."
"Eleanor and I can summon shields directly, and Maya can just slip into another dimension if needed."
"Exactly. Useless for me."
Maya, who hadn't fully mastered Basai's secrets, shook her head in disgust.
"Then..."
"Congrats. Your second skill book."
The first since [Charge].
Skill books had dropped during their journey before, but most didn't suit the party or were more harmful than helpful.
"What an unexpected gain..."
As Aiden used the skill book, a mystical light enveloped him before being absorbed.
"How's it feel?"
"Strange. Is this what it's like when you cast magic, Senior?"
Imagining the skill brought a vivid image of rock.
A strong pull, as if it could manifest right before his eyes.
"Like this..."
Channeling mana as he willed.
[Stone Shield] (Lv.1)
Mana-infused rock shield summoned
"Oh my..."
A rock shield materialized before him.
Touching it, Aiden felt his own mana deeply embedded within.
"This... doesn't feel like ordinary rock."
"Way tougher, I bet. Maya, give it a swing?"
"Yes, sir."
Akandus's Fang, infused with mana, blurred in Maya's hand.
Kwak!
Swinging with enough force to pierce ogre hide, only the tip barely embedded. It didn't penetrate fully.
"Wow."
Even Jun was impressed.
'Not normal rock hardness, but this much?'
In-game, its strength scaled with the user, but Aiden's version seemed far sturdier than what he'd seen.
'Purity of mana? Or spirit-related?'
More tests needed, but now Aiden had a solid defense skill.
"Even if I cover you, I can only time it against attacks. But if you have your own 'defense zone,' you can turn those openings into attacks."
"Whoa..."
Was his heart racing just thinking about it?
Aiden smiled brighter than anyone since entering this place.
With their unexpected prize, the party finished a brief rest and prepared to move.
"High chance Fenrir shows up tonight or before dawn tomorrow."
They couldn't let their guard down; prepare for ambushes.
"Can't your [Scan] find it?"
"Would be nice, but can't relax."
The 7th layer wasn't forgiving enough to rely solely on magic for safe rest.
When Fenrir reappeared, it approached entirely differently.
Kwaaaaaa――!!
Late night, just before dawn. A sudden gale filled the tunnel.
Jun, sensing the wind spirit first, jumped up.
[Iron Rampart]
Massive steel wall blocks incoming gale
A colossal steel rampart rose, blocking the frontal wind.
The gale grew fiercer over time.
Then Eleanor cried out like a scream.
"Maya!"
"...!"
Hidden in the recent blast?
Suddenly, Fenrir materialized behind Maya, slashing with wind claws.
"Krut!"
She spun, blocking with Akandus's Fang, but flew far back as cost.
Landing safely without major injury, Aiden rushed to her side.
Heavier steps than before.
Aiming to blow it away in one strike.
Whiiiiiing-!
Fenrir spewed a gale from its maw at the ominous charge.
Compressed wind shot like a shell at Aiden's head.
Aiden advanced steadfastly with his rock shield forward.
Tudugagak!
Fierce sounds erupted right before him. Aiden leaped past the shield, closing in instantly.
Blood-red aura on his sword poised to cleave the wind spirit.
"...?!"
Immense winds battered Aiden's body, like invisible hands shoving him.
"Aiden!"
"...!"
Simultaneously, familiar mana surged behind.
[Shield]
Jun's [Shield] supported Aiden like a foothold. Aiden concentrated mana in his legs and exploded forward.
[Charge]
[Charge] pierced the gale, severing Fenrir's head.
"Haa, haa...!"
The winds deafening the tunnel died as if a lie. Fenrir dissipated into a single gust.
Eleanor targeted its soul with holy power, but...
"Tch. Holy power doesn't work, as expected."
"Not curse-related."
The predictable outcome.
Jun approached Aiden and Maya.
"How's everyone?"
"Fine. Just startled."
"Aiden, you?"
"Me too... Uh."
"Aiden?"
Aiden, about to reply fine, buckled at the knees.
"M-My legs..."
"Oh no..."
Jun knew this well.
Common in rookie mercenaries after life-or-death first battles.
"Adrenaline crash."
Exhausting enough.
With Eleanor down, Maya blown away defenselessly.
He must've pushed desperately, fearing for Jun and Eleanor.
"Rest now. I'll make some tea."
"Th-Thank you... Senior."
Late hour, but no one could sleep.
The battle had been that intense.
"Revived just once, but came back way stronger."
Previously, Fenrir merely summoned winds.
Now, it filled space with wind or formed body within it.
"How much stronger next time?"
"Much sneakier. Knows it can't win yet."
Two deaths already; unpredictable form next.
In the heavy mood, they rested and held a brief meeting.
Eleanor's [Divine Eye] estimated one or two days away. Lucky.
"But at this pace, we won't clear by deadline."
Less than two weeks left.
Fenrir would grow uncontrollably.
Maya asked lowly.
"Leader."
"Yeah?"
"Are we lagging 'cause we're tiring too fast?"
"...That's the root issue."
Not weakness. They were stronger than peers.
"Eleanor said we're too tense. Cowards?"
"Not that harsh... But over-worrying costs energy."
Jun and Eleanor's support helped, but not for over a week.
"Then... I'll try. Can you two survive without my worry?"
"Of course."
"Some injuries, but no life threats."
Jun and Eleanor weren't pushovers.
They showed gaps fretting over Aiden and Maya upfront.
"Got it. From now, I'll fight without minding you two."
"Wait, you can just decide that?"
Eleanor tilted her head, but Maya just muffled her mouth.
"Watch."
Maya was right.
Her movements lightened immediately, moving selfishly like old times.
Still syncing positions with Aiden, but no hesitation.
Aiden lagged catching her tempo.
"Wh-What? How does someone change like that instantly?"
"Hm..."
Eleanor stared puzzled; Jun smirked.
"Found her method already."
"Method?"
"Maya's used to killing emotions. Raised that way."
"Ah..."
Eleanor knew Maya's past somewhat.
Empire child picked up by Blackout tribe.
To survive layer 5, move like a beast.
Her usual blending was why.
'Faded lately against foes it doesn't work on...'
That was true Maya.
Camouflaged, emotions dead, not even seeming alive.
Post-tribe fall, hard to control killing intent, but fixed it fast when hindering survival.
Maya was addicted to emotion control.
"Not omnipotent, though."
"Yeah... Awareness of surroundings dropped."
Detected monster malice beast-like, but not allies' moves.
Jun dropped Maya support, focusing on himself, Eleanor, Aiden.
"Sticking to that style... Helps now, risky later."
"But helps Maya adapt. Assuming we don't get hurt."
Problem was Aiden.
"Huff, huff...!"
Moving less than Maya, yet breathing ragged. Precarious to anyone.