Chapter 279: Vortex (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 279: Vortex (5)
"Felt like you needed to? What nonsense!"
Uh oh, I think that set her off.
Before the conversation could drag on, I cut her off and changed the subject. We could give each other feedback on our performances later. "Ah, so what's next? What should we look out for?" I asked, hurriedly marking the Storm Gush, my shield up.
Raven had no choice but to stop berating me and continue explaining. "Next is a special ability called Ley Line. When activated, the ground turns red—ah, now! Mr. Yandel, get out of the way!"
Booom!
Large lines formed under the targeted area and a column of air exploded moments later, just like that.
Shoooooot!
Whew, that almost came out of nowhere.
"Everyone, get back! A Vortex will soon come out of that hole."
Anyway, Ley Line not only dealt powerful instantaneous damage, but it also generated a Vortex right on top of the hole in the ground it created. For reference, Vortex was the exact same skill used by the mini-boss Siren Queen.
Whoooom!
If I got hit by that, I would be airborne until my comrades managed to rescue me and my MP would be drained in proportion to however long that took. Well, at my weight, I was immune to ending up airborne.
My MP would still be stolen, though.
You had to avoid Vortex, unless you were as heavy as I was.
"Everybody, don't stick together and spread out!"
The first Ley Line had struck the ground near us, increasing the difficulty of the battle significantly. In the middle of all this, we also had to avoid a tornado, limiting our movement. But even this combo had a quick and easy solution.
"From now on, we will fight on the move!"
We just had to move over. After all, this bastard was the only monster left on this island now. The entire island was its lair. There was no reason not to take advantage of the wide area we'd been given.
Actually, this method won't get us very far, either.
This was one of the tricky things about dealing with this monster in a situation where we lacked heavy hitters. If this guy kept using Ley Line, our map would eventually shrink. And on top of all that...
"Huh? Why is the sea water here?"
As per the nature of Farune Island, the sea level gradually started rising at the beginning of the fourth wave until everything but the center of the island was submerged.
"Mr. Yandel! There's a big problem! The water is rising! W-What do we do?"
What do you mean what do we do? We have to keep moving as we fight.
"Maintain formation. We're heading toward the center!" Thankfully, no one questioned my instructions. It wasn't like they could come up with a better strategy themselves.
[Storm Gush has cast Tyrant's Roar.]
Even as we fought and moved, Storm Gush whipped out new skills.
"Priestess Ersina! That's the one I mentioned earlier! Hurry, purify it!"
Although its effects were weaker depending on a target's Mana Resistance and Spirit stats, Tyrant's Roar was an area of effect skill that stunned creatures within a ridiculously wide radius of thirty feet for up to two seconds. Thankfully, this was easily countered with a Purification from the priestess.
[Storm Gush has cast Storm's Kin.]
A berserker move that temporarily boosts Regeneration and Physique stats?
"Everybody, stay away!"
I took the entire hit and shouldered the damage. In return, I was left with holes all over my shield, armor, and body, but that last one could be dealt with by heals from the priestess.
The equipment, on the other hand... will break the bank a bit to repair.
I'd be lying if I said that didn't leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but I could put up with it considering we were in the middle of a rank-three monster raid. Living was more important than money.
"Stomping! Everyone, get away!"
The Storm Gush cycled through four skills repeatedly, and over time, the team became more accustomed to his attack patterns, but it was too early to let our guards down. This guy had three more skills left that he hadn't used.
Damn rank three.
This was the decisive difference between ranks three and four. Basic stats aside, the number of skills they had was different. Monsters of this level not only had skills from another monster's essence, but also unique abilities, like a Vampire's Black Magic, for example.
For this guy, it must be Weapons Expertise.
In-game, there were things like Critical Hits, Accuracy, Dodging, Defense Success Rate, etcetera. Weapons Expertise was one of many unique abilities on the list of battle features that could adjust stats, and Storm Gush clearly had a lot of it. Was that why?
Damn, he uses that spear well.
The thrusts of his spear were very intense for a monster. It felt like he wasn't just applying force but some sort of deeper technique.
Anyway, he'll probably use his remaining moves when he runs out of stamina.
"Mr. Yandel, did you hear that? Once that guy starts using the ability I just mentioned, everyone will be in danger. We have to think up some sort of plan now!"
Oh, stop screaming, will ya? I've already thought it through.
It was just that I'd been waiting because I'd look suspicious if I presented a countermeasure the minute she was done explaining. Once again, I had two plans thought up—Plan A and Plan B. A was best, and B was second best. The only problem was that these plans were impossible to coast through. From now on, we would have to engage in an intense battle unlike any we'd ever fought against a lower-level monster.
Those who got unlucky would get hurt, or even die. I could only hope, knowing this was selfishness disguised as selflessness, that if someone had to suffer through that misfortune, it wouldn't be one of us.
Patzran, Ersina, Nebarce, Amelia.
While I was reminding myself of my priorities once again, Patzran shouted, "T-There's nowhere left to run!"
Shwaaa!
Water was rising in the direction we were moving away from. It was impossible to escape by boat even if we wanted to because hundreds of tornadoes sprang up around the island once the first wave ended.
At this point, more than half the island is probably already underwater.
We didn't have much time now.
"Let's go over there!" I led the group toward the center of the island, taking the largest, most roundabout route we could, and asked my comrades for just one thing: to fight harder, even though it would be tough. "The monster needs to take as much damage as possible."
[Storm Gush has cast Storm's Kin.]
A berserker move that temporarily boosts Regeneration and Physique stats?
"Everybody, stay away!"
I took the entire hit and shouldered the damage. In return, I was left with holes all over my shield, armor, and body, but that last one could be dealt with by heals from the priestess.
The equipment, on the other hand... will break the bank a bit to repair.
I'd be lying if I said that didn't leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but I could put up with it considering we were in the middle of a rank-three monster raid. Living was more important than money.
"Stomping! Everyone, get away!"
The Storm Gush cycled through four skills repeatedly, and over time, the team became more accustomed to his attack patterns, but it was too early to let our guards down. This guy had three more skills left that he hadn't used.
Damn rank three.
This was the decisive difference between ranks three and four. Basic stats aside, the number of skills they had was different. Monsters of this level not only had skills from another monster's essence, but also unique abilities, like a Vampire's Black Magic, for example.
For this guy, it must be Weapons Expertise.
In-game, there were things like Critical Hits, Accuracy, Dodging, Defense Success Rate, etcetera. Weapons Expertise was one of many unique abilities on the list of battle features that could adjust stats, and Storm Gush clearly had a lot of it. Was that why?
Damn, he uses that spear well.
The thrusts of his spear were very intense for a monster. It felt like he wasn't just applying force but some sort of deeper technique.
Anyway, he'll probably use his remaining moves when he runs out of stamina.
"Mr. Yandel, did you hear that? Once that guy starts using the ability I just mentioned, everyone will be in danger. We have to think up some sort of plan now!"
Oh, stop screaming, will ya? I've already thought it through.
It was just that I'd been waiting because I'd look suspicious if I presented a countermeasure the minute she was done explaining. Once again, I had two plans thought up—Plan A and Plan B. A was best, and B was second best. The only problem was that these plans were impossible to coast through. From now on, we would have to engage in an intense battle unlike any we'd ever fought against a lower-level monster.
Those who got unlucky would get hurt, or even die. I could only hope, knowing this was selfishness disguised as selflessness, that if someone had to suffer through that misfortune, it wouldn't be one of us.
Patzran, Ersina, Nebarce, Amelia.
While I was reminding myself of my priorities once again, Patzran shouted, "T-There's nowhere left to run!"
Shwaaa!
Water was rising in the direction we were moving away from. It was impossible to escape by boat even if we wanted to because hundreds of tornadoes sprang up around the island once the first wave ended.
At this point, more than half the island is probably already underwater.
We didn't have much time now.
"Let's go over there!" I led the group toward the center of the island, taking the largest, most roundabout route we could, and asked my comrades for just one thing: to fight harder, even though it would be tough. "The monster needs to take as much damage as possible."
"Do you have a plan?" Amelia asked, and I explained the plan I had laid out.
"...You came up with that just by listening to the wizard?" Patzran shot me a strange look at my explanation.
The priestess, on the other hand, expressed a concern. "But will that be enough? From what I can tell, it sounds like a far-fetched and risky plan."
"Bjorn is a great warrior! He knows how to fight better than anyone!" Ainar did not miss the opportunity to gas me up.
"You're... going to play that rrrole again?" Missha said sadly before announcing she would join me. Of course, I didn't allow it. Even disregarding my affection for Missha, this was the most efficient formation.
So what did Raven, the poster child for efficiency, think? "It's not a bad plan. Especially in that it prepares for failure."
So, you're giving the green light too.
"You don't sound like you're trying to trick me. Fine, I'll do as you say." Amelia was the one I had been most worried about, but when she also agreed to my plan, that took some of the weight off my shoulders. That surprised me a bit. I never thought she would accept her role so readily.
When I admitted to my slight doubts, Amelia said something unexpected. "Your words hold weight."
Huh?
"I see what you mean." Patzran, who had been arguing with Amelia this whole time, nodded. "You didn't panic even when you learned a rank-three monster had appeared."
That's because I knew from the start that that would happen...
"The people who decided to follow you that day must have felt this way too." The priestess also brought up the war with Noark on the first floor. "Bjorn, son of Yandel. A giant who opens the way in the forefront, and one who was born with the spirit of the times."
I still didn't get it even if they worded it like that, and that made me uncomfortable. It wasn't like I'd been all that noble in front of them.
"In a situation where we can't be certain of anything, seeing you safely reunited with your comrades gave me confidence. Destiny is with you."
Oh, these religious freaks.
"...What are you talking about?" I let out an involuntary sigh. Of course I did, because regardless of whether they wanted to call me a hero, I knew my true nature. Just a moment ago, I had been praying for my people to be safe even if these guys had to die.
Why are you doing this to me?
The warrior's heart in my chest pounded heavily. Was this some kind of barbarian instinct to want to live up to expectations?
"Behelaaah!"
Whatever, let's fight.
Before I could feel a greater sense of responsibility toward these people, I entrusted my body to the battle and emptied my head.
[Storm Gush has cast Eye of the Storm.]
This again.
"Everyone, get back!" The moment the whirlpool appeared, I stuck to the boss monster right away and kept him in one place.
Whiiip!
It was hard to see even an inch in front of me in the violent storm. Suddenly, this thought came to mind: wind was wind, no matter what. And no matter how much I prayed, I could not decide who died and who survived.
Kwaaang!
Much like this tornado, what would be on the other side of this storm was up to the gods.
"Do you have a plan?" Amelia asked, and I explained the plan I had laid out.
"...You came up with that just by listening to the wizard?" Patzran shot me a strange look at my explanation.
The priestess, on the other hand, expressed a concern. "But will that be enough? From what I can tell, it sounds like a far-fetched and risky plan."
"Bjorn is a great warrior! He knows how to fight better than anyone!" Ainar did not miss the opportunity to gas me up.
"You're... going to play that rrrole again?" Missha said sadly before announcing she would join me. Of course, I didn't allow it. Even disregarding my affection for Missha, this was the most efficient formation.
So what did Raven, the poster child for efficiency, think? "It's not a bad plan. Especially in that it prepares for failure."
So, you're giving the green light too.
"You don't sound like you're trying to trick me. Fine, I'll do as you say." Amelia was the one I had been most worried about, but when she also agreed to my plan, that took some of the weight off my shoulders. That surprised me a bit. I never thought she would accept her role so readily.
When I admitted to my slight doubts, Amelia said something unexpected. "Your words hold weight."
Huh?
"I see what you mean." Patzran, who had been arguing with Amelia this whole time, nodded. "You didn't panic even when you learned a rank-three monster had appeared."
That's because I knew from the start that that would happen...
"The people who decided to follow you that day must have felt this way too." The priestess also brought up the war with Noark on the first floor. "Bjorn, son of Yandel. A giant who opens the way in the forefront, and one who was born with the spirit of the times."
I still didn't get it even if they worded it like that, and that made me uncomfortable. It wasn't like I'd been all that noble in front of them.
"In a situation where we can't be certain of anything, seeing you safely reunited with your comrades gave me confidence. Destiny is with you."
Oh, these religious freaks.
"...What are you talking about?" I let out an involuntary sigh. Of course I did, because regardless of whether they wanted to call me a hero, I knew my true nature. Just a moment ago, I had been praying for my people to be safe even if these guys had to die.
Why are you doing this to me?
The warrior's heart in my chest pounded heavily. Was this some kind of barbarian instinct to want to live up to expectations?
"Behelaaah!"
Whatever, let's fight.
Before I could feel a greater sense of responsibility toward these people, I entrusted my body to the battle and emptied my head.
[Storm Gush has cast Eye of the Storm.]
This again.
"Everyone, get back!" The moment the whirlpool appeared, I stuck to the boss monster right away and kept him in one place.
Whiiip!
It was hard to see even an inch in front of me in the violent storm. Suddenly, this thought came to mind: wind was wind, no matter what. And no matter how much I prayed, I could not decide who died and who survived.
Kwaaang!
Much like this tornado, what would be on the other side of this storm was up to the gods.
"Mr. Yandel, there is nowhere left to retreat."
Once we finished guarding against the Eye of the Storm pattern and moving again, we reached the center of the island, an empty lot tucked away in the bushes with a white stone pagoda in the center. There were still dark flecks of blood staining the ground. Just yesterday, I spent time praying here for what felt like an eternity.
"W-Water is rushing in from all sides!"
As the rest of the island sank, the sea was now visible in all directions.
[Storm Gush has cast Ley Line.]
Vortexes erupted from the holes in the ground the Storm Gush had created on the way here, mixing with the water and swirling around us.
Shaaaaaa!
If this were the game, I would have felt that this was the kind of glorious setting worthy of a boss fight.
Boom!
The Storm Gush appeared in front of us and slammed the staff part of his trident on the ground.
[Storm Gush has cast Rainmaking Ritual.]
This was one of his three remaining skills, which he only used once his HP dropped below 70 percent.
Okay, looks like we managed to chip away at his stamina as planned.
It was slowly becoming time to end the match.
Rainmaking Ritual was one of Storm Gush's three core skills. Its effects were simple.
Pitter, patter.
It was raining. While contact with this rain increased Storm Gush's Regeneration and overall Physique stats, player characters suffered various debuffs. Of course, that alone was a minor issue. The real problem was the next attack.
"What are you all doing!? Do as we planned!" With my cry kicking things off, everyone except for the rear guard rushed at the monster. As did I.
"Kwohhh!"
Unlike earlier, I really did not hold back in this assault, because that was our plan: all or nothing. We agreed that as soon as this guy used Rainmaking Ritual, we would hit him with everything we had to kill him in one go. As a result, there was no reason to hesitate. Every injury that accumulated on my body just made it all the easier for my team to deal him damage.
Stab!
Mr. Bear's arrow dug deep into the monster's hard shell. It likely barely pierced the flesh underneath, but that didn't matter.
[Abman Urikfried has cast Starving Claw.]
Those arrows dealt continuous damage. The more arrows that stuck in that shell, the worse things got for Storm Gush. Next up was Missha.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Strengthen.]
[Missha Karlstein has cast Cold Condensation.]
As always, Missha buffed up Cold Condensation to raise her Cold Sensitivity stats, which determined Ice damage. She even unleashed her Soul Beast Skadia's active ability and power.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Absolute Zero.]
After receiving the reward from the palace, she'd drank dozens of bottles of Beast Blood and acquired this second ability.
[Missha Karlstein's first blow causes the status condition Frozen, without fail.]
White frost formed on the sword that Missha was swinging at the monster. Her target was his right arm—the one holding the trident.
Rippp.
His forearm was frozen solid. Of course, because of his high Mana Resistance and large body, what was Frozen was only his arm, but all of this was just foreplay anyway.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Ice Crush.]
This active skill increased damage to any enemies who were Frozen. From there, she threw in the rank-five skill she had obtained as a reward from the palace.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Mutation. Her Agility stats are temporarily converted to Strength.]
This was a skill that Missha, who lacked Strength stats, could benefit from throughout the second half.
Bang!
Dual-wielder Missha's second blade struck the monster's arm, but it seemed all that it froze was the outer shell.
Rippp.
It cracked, raining down icy fragments, but the monster's thick arm was still intact. Yeah, even if she gave it her all, it would be weirder if she could cut a rank-three monster's arm off.
"I'm next!" Right when the monster started going after Missha in a rage, Ainar rushed forward and brought her sword down on the wrist with the broken shell.
Khak!
But even with her Cutting Force at its peak thanks to Wildness Control, it was not enough. Although the blade dug deep into its flesh, it soon got caught on bone.
"Koooooo!"
"A-Ainar!"
The monster twisted its body in an effort to protect its arm and swatted Ainar away with its tail.
God damn it.
Even Ainar had a hard time getting up after that. That was the scary thing about rank-three monsters. Even without actively using a skill, each blow from them was potentially lethal.
[Storm Gush has cast Eye of the Storm.]
Damn it, you're using that again?
Dash.
As I sprinted forward, my comrades backed away. From there, I held my ground even if it meant death.
"Behelaaah!"
The exceptionally long five seconds passed and the tornado dissipated.
"Mister, step back!"
Ah, you're ready now.
I quickly stepped aside so as not to get in Erwen's way. And at that moment...
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has cast Concentrated Fire.]
The rank-four essence Erwen had obtained as a royal reward had a skill that consumed MP exponentially in proportion to casting time—basically, the longer you charged it, the more MP it burned, and the more damage it dealt. It looked as if she'd put all her MP into this one attack. The intensity of the cluster of light that formed around the arrowhead was incredible.
Whip!
Just then, Erwen let go of the string and the arrow shot forward in a flash.
Kabooom!
The point of impact was the monster's upper abdomen. It seemed she was aiming right where the heart would be, since the head, while also a vital, was difficult to hit.
"Kwohhh!"
The Storm Gush roared in agony, but he could still move normally. Unfortunately, it seemed the arrow didn't manage to pierce his heart. Still, I wasn't too upset or anything. Even if she did hit it, it probably wouldn't have killed him in one blow. Rank-three monsters didn't immediately die from getting stabbed in the heart.
"Huh?"
Then, for the first time, the Storm Gush made a new move.
[Storm Gush has cast Storm Call.]
It was a skill it only used when its HP was at 40 percent.
"Mr. Yandel, there is nowhere left to retreat."
Once we finished guarding against the Eye of the Storm pattern and moving again, we reached the center of the island, an empty lot tucked away in the bushes with a white stone pagoda in the center. There were still dark flecks of blood staining the ground. Just yesterday, I spent time praying here for what felt like an eternity.
"W-Water is rushing in from all sides!"
As the rest of the island sank, the sea was now visible in all directions.
[Storm Gush has cast Ley Line.]
Vortexes erupted from the holes in the ground the Storm Gush had created on the way here, mixing with the water and swirling around us.
Shaaaaaa!
If this were the game, I would have felt that this was the kind of glorious setting worthy of a boss fight.
Boom!
The Storm Gush appeared in front of us and slammed the staff part of his trident on the ground.
[Storm Gush has cast Rainmaking Ritual.]
This was one of his three remaining skills, which he only used once his HP dropped below 70 percent.
Okay, looks like we managed to chip away at his stamina as planned.
It was slowly becoming time to end the match.
Rainmaking Ritual was one of Storm Gush's three core skills. Its effects were simple.
Pitter, patter.
It was raining. While contact with this rain increased Storm Gush's Regeneration and overall Physique stats, player characters suffered various debuffs. Of course, that alone was a minor issue. The real problem was the next attack.
"What are you all doing!? Do as we planned!" With my cry kicking things off, everyone except for the rear guard rushed at the monster. As did I.
"Kwohhh!"
Unlike earlier, I really did not hold back in this assault, because that was our plan: all or nothing. We agreed that as soon as this guy used Rainmaking Ritual, we would hit him with everything we had to kill him in one go. As a result, there was no reason to hesitate. Every injury that accumulated on my body just made it all the easier for my team to deal him damage.
Stab!
Mr. Bear's arrow dug deep into the monster's hard shell. It likely barely pierced the flesh underneath, but that didn't matter.
[Abman Urikfried has cast Starving Claw.]
Those arrows dealt continuous damage. The more arrows that stuck in that shell, the worse things got for Storm Gush. Next up was Missha.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Strengthen.]
[Missha Karlstein has cast Cold Condensation.]
As always, Missha buffed up Cold Condensation to raise her Cold Sensitivity stats, which determined Ice damage. She even unleashed her Soul Beast Skadia's active ability and power.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Absolute Zero.]
After receiving the reward from the palace, she'd drank dozens of bottles of Beast Blood and acquired this second ability.
[Missha Karlstein's first blow causes the status condition Frozen, without fail.]
White frost formed on the sword that Missha was swinging at the monster. Her target was his right arm—the one holding the trident.
Rippp.
His forearm was frozen solid. Of course, because of his high Mana Resistance and large body, what was Frozen was only his arm, but all of this was just foreplay anyway.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Ice Crush.]
This active skill increased damage to any enemies who were Frozen. From there, she threw in the rank-five skill she had obtained as a reward from the palace.
[Missha Karlstein has cast Mutation. Her Agility stats are temporarily converted to Strength.]
This was a skill that Missha, who lacked Strength stats, could benefit from throughout the second half.
Bang!
Dual-wielder Missha's second blade struck the monster's arm, but it seemed all that it froze was the outer shell.
Rippp.
It cracked, raining down icy fragments, but the monster's thick arm was still intact. Yeah, even if she gave it her all, it would be weirder if she could cut a rank-three monster's arm off.
"I'm next!" Right when the monster started going after Missha in a rage, Ainar rushed forward and brought her sword down on the wrist with the broken shell.
Khak!
But even with her Cutting Force at its peak thanks to Wildness Control, it was not enough. Although the blade dug deep into its flesh, it soon got caught on bone.
"Koooooo!"
"A-Ainar!"
The monster twisted its body in an effort to protect its arm and swatted Ainar away with its tail.
God damn it.
Even Ainar had a hard time getting up after that. That was the scary thing about rank-three monsters. Even without actively using a skill, each blow from them was potentially lethal.
[Storm Gush has cast Eye of the Storm.]
Damn it, you're using that again?
Dash.
As I sprinted forward, my comrades backed away. From there, I held my ground even if it meant death.
"Behelaaah!"
The exceptionally long five seconds passed and the tornado dissipated.
"Mister, step back!"
Ah, you're ready now.
I quickly stepped aside so as not to get in Erwen's way. And at that moment...
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has cast Concentrated Fire.]
The rank-four essence Erwen had obtained as a royal reward had a skill that consumed MP exponentially in proportion to casting time—basically, the longer you charged it, the more MP it burned, and the more damage it dealt. It looked as if she'd put all her MP into this one attack. The intensity of the cluster of light that formed around the arrowhead was incredible.
Whip!
Just then, Erwen let go of the string and the arrow shot forward in a flash.
Kabooom!
The point of impact was the monster's upper abdomen. It seemed she was aiming right where the heart would be, since the head, while also a vital, was difficult to hit.
"Kwohhh!"
The Storm Gush roared in agony, but he could still move normally. Unfortunately, it seemed the arrow didn't manage to pierce his heart. Still, I wasn't too upset or anything. Even if she did hit it, it probably wouldn't have killed him in one blow. Rank-three monsters didn't immediately die from getting stabbed in the heart.
"Huh?"
Then, for the first time, the Storm Gush made a new move.
[Storm Gush has cast Storm Call.]
It was a skill it only used when its HP was at 40 percent.