We carefully tracked our prey, being careful not to make any noise while doing so. We were aiming for the moment when they gave up chasing the players.
“Everyone, be ready to fight at any moment. The first strike is crucial.”
At my whispered instruction, I saw everyone nod in agreement. I believe that the beginning is always the most important, especially in combat. The idea is to always take the initiative and maintain control of the fight.
However, it’s natural for unexpected things to happen. Therefore, it is also a skill to bring the flow back to our side when things go awry.
“Alright, now’s the time. Star Magic Circle, standby off, Flame Band.”
“””””?!”””””
I released the spell I had been holding on standby. It was the Flame Band spell of the [Flame Magic].
From the magic circle that appeared near me, five trails of fire flew towards the five trolls, one for each of them. Dragging tails of flame, the flame bands wrapped around the trolls and immediately began to burn their bodies.
Not only did these monsters have the [Fire Weakness] skill, but this was also a surprise attack. My [Assassination] skill certainly increased the firepower of the launched spell. While the higher-ranking, armor-protected troll knight might be an exception, the lower-ranking, unprotected trolls quickly began losing health.
Using [Flame Magic] in the forest was something I had been limiting as much as possible due to the risk of spreading fire, but this Flame Band spell was convenient as it allowed me to control the intensity and location of the flames. However, if the burning trolls rolled around, such caution would be for naught.
“Come on. Here’s the follow-up! Spell adjustment, Stone Pillar!”
“Spell adjustment, Wind Lance!”
So, everyone intensified their attack to prevent them from doing so. First up were Shiitake and Wool, who unleashed a barrage of magic spells. Shiitake only had [Earth Magic], while Wool could use both [Wind Magic] and [Water Magic]. However, using [Water Magic] now would extinguish the flames, so he was only using [Wind Magic] at the moment.
“Come on, go, go! Give it your all!”
Next, Seventh Armor, who specialized in [Summoning Magic], called forth a swarm of crows to make a surprise attack. Unlike me, he specialized in summoning. He had progressed from an apprentice mage to an apprentice summoner, and finally to a summoner.
The creatures he summoned were vastly different in capability compared to what I could summon when I was at his level. I used to make do with defensive creatures, either using them as shields or for self-destructive tactics. But naturally, I couldn’t match a specialist.
His control also seemed to be more precise. The crows he summoned focused their attack on the heads of the trolls. The troll knight, engulfed in flames and enduring other magic assaults, tried to approach us. However, with his vision filled with crows and his face under relentless attack from beaks and claws, he couldn’t just ignore it. He stopped in his tracks and started swinging his weapon desperately, trying to fend them off.
“Hmm. Even weaker creatures can be deadly with indirect attacks. Here, have another round.”
Thanks to Seventh Armor’s specialization in [Summoning Magic], the cost of magic power per summoned creature has been significantly reduced for him. Plus, the first creature he summoned, a level 10 Big Crow, didn’t require much magic power to begin with. Thus, replenishing his diminished forces wasn’t much of an effort for him. Now, we were ready.
“Alright! Charge!”
“I won’t be a drag on the party!”
“Let’s do this quickly.”
“Understood, moving in.”
The trolls, engulfed in fire, wounded by magic, and swarmed by crows, were suddenly attacked by the rest of our companions. It was at this moment that I deactivated the effects of my flame band, signaling the shift to close combat. I had to, considering the current situation where friendly fire was a real danger and my flames could potentially scorch my allies. This was especially crucial since some of them also had [Fire Weakness], and keeping the flames active might have led me to accidentally kill them.
“Hahaha! Let’s do this, everyone!”
“Grrr!”
“(Flap Flap)”
Sei was, of course, the first to leap out of the bushes and charge in. His spirited battle cry was met with a brief growl from the Horn Wolf, Phil, and the fluttering of wings from the Fairy, Tess, who fluttered her wings adorably in response.
What happened next was over in an instant. Phil’s horn pierced the underbelly of a troll, Tess’s light lance struck right in its chest, and Sei’s swung staff struck its head. The fluid triple strike by the three of them (?) swiftly brought down the already dying troll. Indeed, the two familiars and one person coordination might rival…. or dare I say, even surpass, that between me and Karl. My reluctance to admit the latter is just stubborn pride.
“It’s a bit cowardly, but please forgive me?”
The swift Shishu skillfully maneuvered to the rear of a troll. From behind, she plunged her eight legs into the troll’s back, anchoring it in place, and then ferociously bit into its neck. [Sharp Fangs] was also a skill that spiders had from the beginning, but hers had been honed through rigorous battles to evolve into the [Large Fangs]. As a giant spider, her large fangs were akin to large clippers as they brutally severed the troll’s spinal cord with a dull snap, killing it instantly.
She seemed to struggle with combat when we met, but now the situation has changed dramatically. If other players were to witness the number of monsters she had vanquished thus far, they might think her deranged. Throughout this process, she had not only become accustomed to battle but had also mastered the raw and visceral method of biting her monstrous foes. Perhaps, of all the participants in this event, she had undergone the most profound transformation.
“Fireball, followed by wild slashes… like this.”
Usaji, while rushing towards another troll, unleashed a fireball straight into its face. She acted without hesitation, even ignoring the presence of Seventh Armor’s crows that were still there. How bold!
Then she used her twin swords, previously enchanted with the fire element through my [Enchantment], to slice through the troll in a free and unrestrained manner. The way she cut through it resembled a sword dance—a spectacle of elegance. The troll desperately tried to block her slashes, but it couldn’t fend off all of them.
It was a different kind of sight than the one of facing Jigoro, who approaches with naked killing intent, or Genjuro, whose mere presence makes one’s palms sweat. While both of them crushed their enemies with heavy, forceful blows, her style was more about chipping away at the enemy with numerous strikes. It was visually impressive to watch. Had there been bloodshed, it would have turned into a splatter scene.
“Right, right, left! Then a right straight! And grab!”
Moth-san possessed surprising strength that belied his small size. He was a bat, yet he fights in the vanguard like Jigoro; he has a unique character build that is surprisingly effective.
Flying around the enemy, he used his legs for jab-like quick attacks to break its defense, then slammed his wing hand down hard to stun it. He finished with a neck bite, draining blood. It was an impressive display of skill.
By the way, before his bloodsucking evolved, it only had the effect of restoring his health. But after evolving, it seemed to have gained a short-term doping effect. The duration was brief and depended on the level of the blood source, so it was not always necessary to aim for it. However, it was certainly convenient in prolonged battles.
“Whoa! Nuaah! S-someone, help!”
Eiji, who had gone alone to hold off the troll knight, cried out. He used a massive shield and heavy armor, which made him the most defensively capable among us. Knowing this, I had entrusted him with holding off the enemy that couldn’t be easily defeated, but it seemed that handling it alone was too much for him.
“I’m coming to help. Star Magic Circle Activation, Dark Arm.”
“Gugga!?”
Since I was free now, I should provide him support. I used one of my favorite magic spells, the Dark Arm of the [Black Magic], to grasp the limbs and neck of the troll knight. This should give Eiji a moment to catch his breath.
“Phew! That’s a relief!” Eiji exclaimed.
“Here we go!” Shiitake shouted.
“Mee~, Mee~.”
Taking advantage of the knight troll’s immobilization, Eiji retreated to gulp down a healing potion. Naturally, these potions were concocted by me and Shiitake since we were the only ones skilled in [Alchemy]. Making enough potions for everyone except me, who takes damage from them, was a bit of a hassle, but it didn’t take too much time since the two of us worked on it together.
Meanwhile, Shiitake threw poisonous spores and poisonous dumplings, crafted by kneading herbs, and Wool attempted to put the enemy to sleep with his cries. Both knew their magic wouldn’t deal significant damage to this enemy.
Rather, their race skills were more potent. Their ability to induce status ailments like poison, paralysis, and sleep was invaluable. Aha! I lost count, but the poison markers appeared thanks to the power of the poisonous dumplings!
“Eiji, I’ll heal you too. I will have you be the tank again,” I instructed.
“Leave it to me!” Eiji responded.
“Sei, attack from the right. Usaji and Moth-san, from the left. Shishu, provide support with your threads from behind.” I added.
“””Got it!”””
“Shiitake and Wool, continue with status ailment attacks. However, please refrain from using them too much as they are limited in number.”
“”Okay!””
After the vanguard group finished dealing with the troll’s knight minions, I cast a minor soul healing spell from [Soul Magic] on Eiji. Almost simultaneously, the troll knight managed to shake off my Dark Arm spell. Hmm, it broke free faster than I expected. Even though it was just one of many soldiers amidst the horde, its higher rank made such strength normal.
“Goaaaaaaaaah!”
“Whoa!”
“Uhh, I can’t move!”
The now-freed troll knight let out a ferocious roar with bloodshot eyes. This sent a jolt through my body, and my companions were completely immobilized. Upon closer inspection, everyone but me was marked with “Stun”.
This was bad! I had seen this before. The effect of [Roar] had caused the stun! Jigoro often found it useful for quickly dispatching weaker monsters, but now that we were on the receiving end, it was a terribly troublesome skill.
“Goaaaaah!”
Enraged, the troll knight raised its axe and charged at me. With the others immobilized by its [Roar], I, who looked to be the most vulnerable and still able to move, was the obvious target. My frail appearance must have made me seem like an easy knockout.
In reality, I was the weakest in terms of taking hits among my companions. Even considering my high-quality armor, this was the case. Shiitake and Wool, being lower-level mages, had their own strengths: Shiitake had [Slash Attack Resistance] instead of [Slash Attack Weakness], and Wool had [Physical Attack Resistance]. So, surprisingly, they were quite safe, even up close.
After all, I was a skeleton weak against physical blows, wasn’t I? Moreover I was a mage, with my current job being in the priest branch; it was inevitable that I’d be vulnerable in close combat, damn it!
“Tch, to think this would turn into a crisis… No choice but to use it. Come down!”
“””Kotsukotsukotsu…”””
“Gogah!?”
Anticipating such a scenario, I had hidden the Ushi-Oni up in the trees as a backup force. If the effect of [Roar] had reached up there, this card would have been all in vain, but thankfully, it was safe.
“Guooh!”
“Kakah…”
The Ushi-Oni, which fell from above and clung onto the back of the knight troll, managed to hold on for a while but was easily thrown off due to sheer strength. However, this distraction allowed everyone some time to recover from the stun effect. It looked like it was going to be a much tougher battle than expected, but since we had already engaged in battle against it, we were determined to win and gain those experience points.
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