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Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.
Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.
The race level of your familiar has increased.
The job level of your familiar has increased.
The level of [Talismanry] skill has increased.
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About ten days had passed since the battle of the other day. There had been follow-up news about the event, our levels had increased, and Usuba and the others had reached out wanting to meet with us. My companions had undergone various changes, but we were still fighting energetically.
Since then, we have changed our exploration focus to searching for and felling the Misting Ash Oaks. These trees were not densely packed but were spaced evenly around the Black Wall. They were almost nicely arranged like the twelve numbers on a clock face.
Given the obvious regularity, it would be reasonable to assume that they were intentionally planted. After all, according to the description of the Misting Ash Oaks, the original species is native to the Luxresia continent. This could only mean that someone had taken them from there and planted them here.
Knowing they were deliberately planted, we went about cutting them all down and collecting the materials. It was necessary for our conquest of the field. Every attempt to cut them led to battles with swarms of Mist Balls, but with repetition, we grew used to these enemies, and each of us has come up with a way to deal with them. So much so that, after a while, we didn’t even need my Black Hole to defeat them swiftly.
With each tree we felled, the mist thinned, and now, the Black Wall was faintly visible from Shiratsuki. It felt like we could finally get serious about conquering the Black Wall field. For that reason, after a long time, today we all decided to gather and tackle it together.
“I’m not happy that the mist won’t clear away completely even after cutting down so many because of that thing.”
“Fufu, even if you say so, they won’t fall down on their own, you know?”
“I know that.”
Though the mist had thinned enough for us to see our surroundings, inside the Black Wall stood a magnificent tree that could reach the sky. It was unmistakably a Misting Ash Oak, recognizable by its leafless silhouette. Only by cutting down this tree could we completely dispel the annoying mist.
This decrease in the mist no doubt correlated with the changes we observed. As the mist diminished, the frequency of Mist Balls decreased, and in their place the number of Failed Homunculus and undead creatures increased. On the first day of our exploration, one of our parties encountered a Mad Banshee, but there were numerous other undead present as well.
From Demon Spirits to Skeleton Warriors, the variety and number of these creatures were vast. They were also quite strong, with levels well over 60. This meant that we received a large amount of cursed weapons and bone materials… It seems that we’re destined to fight the undead here as well. Being undead myself, it feels like a strange twist of fate. To be honest, I’m not too excited about it.
“Evenin’~!”
“I came~!”
Shifu and Wool, who had apparently been busy with their final exams until the day before, were the last to arrive to complete our group. Sei, Ruby, and Shio were also students, so it seemed they had a hard time with the exams. Although I didn’t ask about their results, I was prepared to listen to their complaints if any of them had to face the dread of remedial classes.
But that aside. As usual, we formed our temporary parties and advanced in a united front. Individuals like Ruby and Moth-san, who were good at scouting, kept a watchful eye around us, making sure we were ready for any ambush. Defensively strong members like Eiji guarded our flanks, while Karl and Shio kept a watchful eye from above. It was the best formation we could muster under the current circumstances.
“It’s been a while since we’ve all walked together like this. Seems like the racket we make keeps smaller fry like the Ashen Slimes at bay.”
“Yeah, but it’s different for a group, isn’t it? Look, they’re coming right at us!”
Even without the keen senses of Ruby and the others, the rumbling approach of something big was unmistakable. As Seventh Armor had predicted, it was an enemy group that emerged from the front.
Most of them were Failed Homunculus, but for some reason, there were some undead-type monsters mixed in. Since when did these guys join forces? No, I’m surprised that they both have the intelligence to even think of such a thing in the first place.
“The levels aren’t much to speak of, but there’s a lot of them. Vanguards, hold them off. Those who can use [Holy Magic], target the undead. The rest of the rearguard, focus your attacks on the Failed Homunculus!”
Following that, the battle turned fiercely chaotic, but since everyone was over level 60, we were able to steadily reduce the number of enemies without any dangerous situations where anyone was close to death.
However, it seemed that things wouldn’t go smoothly so easily. Ruby was the first to notice something amiss.
“Be careful! Something fast is coming!”
Right after her warning, the sound of hooves, mixed with the noise of battle, reached my ears too. At first, I thought it might be Roga, but the sound was significantly heavier than his. Moreover, there was the unmistakable sound of rattling wheels alongside the hoofbeats.
“Cavalry and… a carriage?”
“No, Shishu-dono, that’s a chariot bearing down upon us~~degozaru!”
At the sight of those coming from beyond the mist, Nenashi let out a cry of exhilarated awe. What arrived was something resembling a carriage, flanked by two cavalrymen. This was a chariot, a battle vehicle used by various civilizations since ancient times. Drawn by horses, it was a sturdy platform loaded with soldiers, and it was a weapon that combined defensive power and mobility.
The main platform, however, had an ominous appearance. Its shape resembled a two-wheeled cart, which was not unusual in itself, but it was made entirely of bones. Sharp bone spikes protruded all over it, and the bones on either side of the axles were exceptionally thick. If I were to be run over by it, I could be torn to pieces instantly.
The horses pulling the chariot had glowing red eyes and semi-transparent bodies that identified them as ghostly steeds of considerable size. Although a team of four would normally be needed to pull such a load, these two mighty beasts pulled the chariot with ease. Strangely enough, there was no Charioteer to be found; instead, there were two spearmen and four archers on board the loading platform.
Flanking the chariot were creatures that were anything but ordinary. At first glance, they appeared to be horses, but their silhouettes were the only thing horse-like about them. In fact, they were Failed Homunculus with furless horse-like bodies and disturbingly human faces. To add to the eerie sight, their arms had been replaced by legs, and the clattering sounds seemed to come from their metal-shod hooves and horse armor.
Astride these grotesque mounts were heavily armored knights, clad in pitch-black armor, wielding shields and lances, ready to charge. So thoroughly encased were they that their forms were completely obscured, save for a single red glow that shone through a slit in their helmets. It seemed like these creatures were far from normal as well.
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Race: Deathbone Chariot Lv73
Job: Skilled Charioteer Lv3
Skills:
- [Super Health Enhancement]
- [Strength Enhancement]
- [Super Defense Enhancement]
- [Charge]
- [Bones Manipulation]
- [Cursed Bone]
- [Status Immunity]
- [Blunt Attack Weakness]
- [Light Weakness]
Race: Ghost Warhorse Lv61
Job: Steed of Valor Lv1
Skills:
- [Health Enhancement]
- [Super Strength Enhancement]
- [Spirit Enhancement]
- [Charge]
- [Ghostly Wail]
- [Terror Aura]
- [Physical Attack Penetration]
- [Magic Weakness]
- [Status Immunity]
- [Light Weakness]
Race: Living Heavy Armor Lv67
Job: Heavy Cavalryman Lv7
Skills:
- [Health Enhancement]
- [Strength Enhancement]
- [Super Defense Enhancement]
- [Dexterity Enhancement]
- [Spear Mastery]
- [Shield Mastery]
- [Heavy Armor Mastery]
- [Horse Mastery]
- [Status Immunity]
- [Piercing Resistance]
- [Natural Recovery Hindrance]
- [Lightning Weakness]
- [Light Weakness]
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Indeed, it appeared that the chariot itself was a monster. This explained the absence of a charioteer. As one might find in various professions, the entity itself must be skillfully controlling the ghost warhorses with high proficiency. It was likely that the chariot itself was the leader of this group.
The Failed Homunculus were being manipulated by Living Heavy Armors, which were essentially moving armor. If the armor was the true body, then physically destroying the armor seemed to be the only way to defeat them. However, from what I could see right now, they had ample weaknesses to exploit.
“Shall we take on those two knights?”
“As a horse avatar user, I find it hard to acknowledge their existence.”
Hanna and Roja were both ready to fight the cavalrymen and horses. I had considered leaving the matter to them anyway, as dealing with cavalry could be troublesome. However, I felt it necessary to share the results of my [Appraisal].
“The horses seem to be Failed Homunculus. The knights are undead, with the armor serving as their true body. They have resistance to piercing attacks but are weak to light and lightning elements.”
“If piercing is ineffective, perhaps we should resort to slashing and blunt attacks? Shall we go, my dear?”
“Lightning, you say? Then they’re easy prey. Shall we attack then?”
The two leaped into action, engaging the two cavalrymen in a fierce battle. Hanna skillfully maneuvered her halberd to deflect their spear attacks while swinging at the thinner parts of their armor, such as their elbows and shoulders. Roja countered with body blows and kicks from his hooves, keeping the fake horses at bay and driving his horns into the living heavy armors while using [Lightning Magic]. Their [Lightning Weakness] was no joke as they convulsed under the electric shocks.
Roja had evolved into a race known as the Thunderhorn Scaled Horse, which was characterized by its bright green scales tinted with yellow and a beautiful golden spiral horn protruding from between his eyes. His lightning was really powerful and it surpassed even my enhanced lightning magic in sheer force.
Hanna, whose race does not change its appearance as her level increases, showed no outward changes, but her stats had grown steadily stronger. Her skills had been honed by numerous mock battles with Jigoro and Genjuro. So she and Roja were a formidable pair. Their perfect coordination allowed them to more than hold their own against the two sets of cavalrymen. As expected from the champions of the fighting tournament.
“The chariot will be handled by me and Karl. I’ll leave the command of the vanguard to Usaji, and the command of the rearguard to Iris.”
“Leave it to… me!”
“I will do my best!”
While Usaji slashed the Failed Homunculus with a flaming sword, Iris was simultaneously reacting and engaging in battle, using her tentacles to throw items and bind enemies. Though there might be others in our guild stronger than both of them in combat, when it came to leadership, they were the best. There was a possibility that they were even more competent than me in this regard… yet, the overall command was entrusted to me.
“Uhahahahaha~! Enemies everywhere you look! How fun.”
“Swinging the sword without a thought is quite enjoyable in its own right.”
“Why do both of you seem to be having fun?!”
“Sometimes, I just don’t understand what Grandpa is thinking…”
Leaving aside the matter of command, it was important that we destroy the chariot as soon as possible…no, we had to subjugate it. At the very least, we needed to slow it down. Even though there were some of us who were having fun, the situation for the vanguard was dire. Power in numbers was a strong saying that has been recognized since ancient times.
So, who should be assigned to this task? Considering the size of the enemy, Karl was a necessary choice, and it seemed I would have to join as well. Therefore…
“Seventh Armor and Mikelo, come with me!”
“Sure thing!”
“Leave it to me.”
The four of us will do something about it. With resolve in our hearts, we set out to intercept the enemy.
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