We decided to take a break. Well, tents are truly convenient, you know. Though there was a potential risk of monsters damaging them, tents offered a comparatively secure method for logging out.
Adding to their practicality, Iris’ tents were adorned with camouflage patterns and equipped with disguises that seamlessly blended into the surrounding foliage, resembling ghillie suits. This design not only reduced the chances of monsters spotting them but also made them inconspicuous to other players.
Now, setting aside Jigoro, who was engrossed in his martial arts practice, let’s delve into the details of the new martial techniques I recently acquired: the [Staff Mastery] technique “Magic Array” and the [Scythe Mastery] technique “Great Slash”.
Starting with the “Magic Array,” in simple terms, it was like an area of effect version of “meditation”. When you’re stationary and not casting spells, this technique creates a magical circle with a radius of 0.1 meters × the skill level of the [Staff Mastery] skill around yourself. This circle gathers mana from the surroundings.
It also allows allies who enter the range to have their magic power recovered, so I’ve made it a point to use it during short breaks. Powerful spells and martial techniques invariably consume large amounts of magic power, so no matter how much you have, it’s never enough.
And as for the [Scythe Mastery]’s “great slash”, it was an enhanced version of the “slash” martial technique. The swing became more forceful, resulting in increased power, but in return, it left a longer opening after being executed.
However, even in my current state, it wasn’t entirely unusable. Right after activating the martial technique, I could employ a “short teleport” spell, allowing me to move to any location within my field of vision.
In practice, I used surprise attacks with the scythe repeatedly, in parallel with advancing my skills in [Space-Time Magic]. Although I wasn’t particularly inclined to directly engage in physical combat as part of my role-play, considering this was an exploration adventure with my companions, it seemed justifiable.
The [Scythe Mastery] skill wouldn’t become my primary focus. It was more like an extension of a mage’s arsenal, akin to a hidden dagger.
This pretty much summarizes the new elements. Now, all that was left to do was wait for the return of the three of them.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
Everyone returned at the planned time. It might sound self-praising, but they were all quite punctual individuals. It’s a good trait to have.
Our mountain climbing journey had also entered a critical phase, but concurrently, the number of enemies had started to rise. Birds that had previously acted individually were now launching group attacks. To make matters worse, even species of birds that inherently formed flocks had appeared! As soon as we emerged onto an open area near the mountaintop that was covered mainly with low grass and scattered rocks, such creatures came charging at us!
――――――――――
Race: Vulture Lv15～19
Job: None
Skills:
- [Sharp Claw]
- [Sharp Beak]
- [Health Enhancement]
- [Agility Enhancement]
- [Robust Digestion]
- [Flight]
- [Coordination]
Race: Big Vulture Lv23
Job: Flock Leader Lv3
Skills:
- [Sharp Claw]
- [Sharp Beak]
- [Health Enhancement]
- [Strength Enhancement]
- [Agility Enhancement]
- [Robust Digestion]
- [Flight]
- [Command]
- [Coordination]
――――――――――
“It somehow feels like we’re on the verge of being buried alive by this flock of birds!”
“Shut up and keep your hands moving!”
Guided by the massive Big Vulture, an enormous flock of Vultures emerged! Their numbers were in the dozens!
The Big Vulture, much larger than we had anticipated, alternated between thrusting with its beak and slashing with its talon-tipped fingers. We fought back as well, but as soon as we struck down one, it was instantly replaced by another, making it impossible to dispatch them all.
“Damn it! I can’t use magic like I want!”
Due to their intermittent attacks, I couldn’t find an opening to use magic, no matter how much I tried! How troublesome this is! I swung my scythe tirelessly to deal with them, but I still couldn’t keep up. I was gradually sustaining damage.
Moreover, since I wasn’t a melee fighter, even when I did manage to hit, the damage was low, and I couldn’t take them down. However, it seemed like I was able to fulfill the role of distraction. The reason I had survived until now was thanks to my scythe. Close-range weapons for self-defense are truly important!
“Arrghhhh! These pests!”
Oh, Jigoro lost his temper. Golden lightning and crimson flames erupted from his entire body. This was Jigoro’s trump card, the Blazebolt Berserk Ogre’s racial skill called [Incarnation of Flame and Thunder], similar to my [Abyssal Aura].
Its effect was evident—it enveloped his body in lightning and flames. While it turned his attacking power into something unimaginable, using it once rendered him unable to use it again for eight in-game hours. It was a skill designed for intense short-term battles, and it also consumed a significant amount of magic power.
Jigoro’s scattering lightning and billowing flames swiftly disposed of the vultures. Oh, and the Big Vulture was also taken down.
And then, they were all defeated. Well, it was to be expected… but do you realize that there’s a boss battle coming up next? Are you aware?
――――――――――
You have won the battle.
The level of [Scythe Mastery] skill has increased.
The level of [Intelligence Enhancement] has increased.
The level of [Spirit Enhancement] has increased.
The level of [Health Recovery Rate Increase] has increased.
The level of [Magic Power Recovery Rate Increase] has increased.
――――――――――
Oh, the levels of some skills have increased. The enhancement-type and recovery-rate-type skills are still new, so they’re easier to level up. Let’s keep raising them.
“Now, should we start stripping them?” Jigoro asked.
“There are so many, it’s a hassle.”
“But there’s a good chance of rare drops, right?”
“Indeed, let’s divide and conquer,” Genjuro said
“Ah, that’s refreshing!” Jigoro said.
Well, after causing such a ruckus, of course it would feel refreshing. Seeing Jigoro, who had started to skin the vultures with a contented expression, the rest of us, including myself, could only smile wryly.
And as for the results of the skinning, among the mass of feathers, there seemed to be something resembling a rare drop. This is it!
――――――――――
- Vulture’s Stomach Pouch – Quality: Fair, Rarity: R (Rare)
The stomach pouch of the vulture known for its carrion diet.
Exceptionally sturdy, it’s used for the inside of bags and canteens.
- Big Vulture’s Gallstone – Quality: Good, Rarity: S (Special)
A stone extracted from the Big Vulture that leads a flock of vultures. A rare find.
It doesn’t possess any special powers, but if sold to collectors, it should fetch a decent price.
――――――――――
Aren’t these items just weird?! Using the stomach pouch as a substitute for a water container might have been common in ancient times, so that’s understandable. But what in the world is a gallstone? And are there really people who desire it?
Well, the tastes of collectors are incredibly diverse. The problem is, what if we can’t sell them…. are they going to end up gathering dust for a while?
After somehow overcoming the bothersome flock, we were at about the ninth station, I suppose. There’s a significant boulder placed at the summit, but there’s no sign of the boss. Maybe it will appear when we get closer.
After calling everyone and using a magic array to restore our magic power, we resumed our ascent. Now, I wonder what kind of opponent the boss will be. Could it still be some bird-type creature?
Remaining vigilant, we climbed for about an hour. While we had a few battles along the way, they weren’t with the Vultures, so we reached the summit without much struggle. And then we saw it. Over on the other side of the mountain, there stood an enormous tree that pierced through the clouds!
“Oooh…”
Feeling an indescribable sense of awe, I could only let out a sigh of admiration. The others were equally awestruck.
――――――――――
You have entered the field boss area.
――――――――――
…If I had facial muscles and skin, I might have made quite a grimace. This is just beyond rude! Give me a little more time to savor the remnants of the scenery!
“”Keeeeee!!””
With a resounding flap of wings, a single, rather large bird descended from the sky. For now, I’ll use [Appraisal].
――――――――――
Race: Twin-Headed Wind Eagle Lv35
Job: Mountain King Lv5
Skills:
- [Sharp Claw]
- [Sharp Beak]
- [Storm Magic]
- [Health Enhancement]
- [Strength Enhancement]
- [Intelligence Enhancement]
- [Defense Enhancement]
- [Agility Enhancement]
- [Flight]
- [Intimidation]
- [Command]
- [Coordination]
- [Wind Resistance]
――――――――――
It was the Twin-Headed Wind Eagle, a creature with four wings and two heads. Since it seemed to be the boss of the Mountain, it had the job title ‘Mountain King’.
Upon using [Appraisal], it became evident that this creature had lots of enhancement-type skills. Additionally, it could harness magic, although it was limited to the wind element. But don’t be mistaken, this was no ordinary wind magic—it was the evolved [Storm Magic], something not to be taken lightly. It seemed to be an all-rounder more focused on close combat.
What drew my attention was the first-ever observed [Wind Resistance]. This individual possessed a skill that granted resistance against an element; this was quite rare. It appeared that encountering such enemies might become more common in the future.
“Kyeeeee!!”
“If it’s a contest of voices, I won’t lose! Goooraaaah!!”
The [Intimidation] of the Twin-Headed Wind Eagle clashed with Jigoro’s [Roar]. Though the Eagle held the advantage in terms of level, Jigoro’s evolved skill made him superior in quality. The duel between level and quality of the skill ended in favor of the latter.
“Kyiii!?”
“Here I go…”
“Hold on!”
The Twin-Headed Wind Eagle did show signs of being intimidated. However, far from plummeting, it displayed no hindrance to its flight whatsoever.
I felt a strong sense of apprehension and managed to halt Jigoro. Thanks to my intervention, he stopped just before charging forward. The fact that he halted without complaining indicated that he placed his trust in me.
“Kii!”
“As I suspected! Holy Shield!”
The Twin-Headed Wind Eagle, which should have been stunned by the [Roar], unexpectedly unleashed a magic attack. It seemed my unpleasant premonition had proven accurate. I anticipated this and had prepared my strongest defense magic for this critical moment: the Holy Shield.
“What’s going on?”
“It should have been hit by the [Roar], right?”
Jigoro and Ruby looked at me as if seeking an explanation. With precautionary words, I offered my hypothesis.
“Most likely, each of its heads had a separate stun judgment. It’s reasonable to assume that Jigoro’s [Roar] only affected one of the heads.”
The enemy possessed two heads, each with independent thoughts and decisions. That was my premonition. Essentially, if one head faltered, the other compensated, or while one focused on close-range attacks, the other would concentrate on magic.
“I see. So they’re covering each other’s weaknesses.” Genjuro said.
“It’s a speculation, though.”
“Th-this is going to be a troublesome opponent!” Iris remarked
Indeed, Iris was right.
“Still, things might still be somewhat manageable at the moment. We should aim to deal as much damage as possible while we can.”
Until now, we had battled creatures that could be referred to as bosses multiple times. Among them, the only boss with lackluster skills was perhaps the ‘Moon Obsession’. Therefore, we should anticipate that the Twin-Headed Wind Eagle would use its skills to their fullest.
“Two heads, two minds. But one body. Let’s overwhelm them with an unrelenting barrage of attacks. Everyone, keep up the long-range attacks!”
“Tch! Guess we have no choice!”
“Let’s do it!”
We initiated long-range attacks. Jigoro continuously unleashed strikes with martial techniques he normally wouldn’t employ, like [Fist technique] and [Kick technique]. Iris not only employed her martial techniques but also threw throwing knives in rapid succession.
“Hoho! Shooting slashing attacks is quite satisfying!” Genjuro said.
“Looks like you’re having fun, Grandpa!” Ruby remarked.
“Holy Shield! It’s good to see you having fun!”
Genjuro and Ruby were also launching their respective martial techniques. Meanwhile, I entrusted the offensive to the four of them and focused on defending against the enemy’s attacks.
This was due to our party lacking a dedicated Tank. Until now, Jigoro and Genjuro had primarily been wreaking havoc on the front lines, with Ruby causing disruptions, and Iris and I responding flexibly.
In other words, we had been relying on the combat abilities of these two. However, when the two who usually relished being at the front couldn’t step up, our defenses became thin. We had discovered a new challenge. It would have been preferable to identify it before the boss battle, if possible!
“Kiki!”
“Kye!”
However, the saturation attack strategy seemed to be exceptionally effective. The Twin-Headed Wind Eagle, unable to avoid the incoming barrage of attacks raining down from below like hail, found itself in a tough spot. On the other hand, the hefty blows from Jigoro and Genjuro couldn’t be defended against by its Wind Wall either. The damage was steadily accumulating.
“”Keeeeee!!!””
“…They’re responding!”
As its remaining health dipped below half, both heads of the Twin-Headed Wind Eagle raised their cries toward the sky. If my predictions were correct, this was where the battle would turn into a struggle for survival!
“Isam! They’re really coming! From the southwest!”
The first to detect them was Ruby, as expected. When I turned my attention to the southwest, I noticed that the birds we had encountered on this mountain, regardless of their race, were flocking together and approaching us.
“Adjust our formation. Iris and Genjuro, stay close to me for protection! Jigoro and Ruby, watch each other’s backs!”
“Got it!”
“Understood!”
“Hmm!”
“I understand!”
Now, up until this point, everything was merely a prelude to the real battle. Let’s go in with everything we got!
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