When the duration ended, the mana eye disappeared from the sky.
A short while later, [Observe] was activated again.
There was no way they would have used such a precious item back-to-back, so it must have been a different team.
We responded once more by striking our ★Victory Pose★.
We gave them only minimal information.
The size and composition of Kim Ho’s party and the fact that our current location was near the main base.
As for the most important detail where we were headed we didn’t reveal it, so from their perspective it would still be difficult to make a move.
They’ll probably use it at least one more time.
After letting some time pass.
From our standpoint, that meant we were given that much more time.
So I told my party members,
“From now on, we’re picking up the pace.”
“Mhmm…!”
“Okay.”
Soon, Park Na-ri climbed onto Bum’s back, Seo Ye-in grabbed my hand and activated Feather Step, and we began sprinting at high speed like yesterday.
As the volcanic terrain and monsters swept past on both sides of our vision, I fell into thought for a moment.
Our clear advantage comes from what we drew at the card shop.
One [Bombardment] and three [Duplicate].
The Bombardment would be used late at night again to disturb Team C’s sleep.
If we really wanted to, we could combine it with Duplicate and unleash a four-hit bombardment in a row—
But at best, that’s just harassment.
It wouldn’t help much with the side quest.
▷ Objective 3: Destroy a rival team’s Crystal Tower (-/1)
If the tower were F or E rank, it would theoretically be possible to destroy it with Bombardment.
The problem is that it’s random.
Even if we used it four times in a row, that’s only eight strikes.
Among the various facilities, the probability of hitting the Crystal Tower twice in a row isn’t very high.
And if the opponent upgrades the tower’s rank?
It would require even more hits, lowering the probability further.
Above all, for such an important objective, it’s better to handle it reliably rather than leave it to chance.
We’ll invade and destroy it ourselves.
Whether it’s Team A or Team C, we plan to strike a main base at least once.
However, considering that the three teams are roughly equal in strength, charging in recklessly would be a bad decision.
Moreover, since some personnel had to be assigned to defend the main base, our effective combat strength was actually lacking.
As we experienced during the monster wave, the attacking side also suffers from a geographical disadvantage.
Even so, if there is a way to seize victory—
Item cards.
Even the relatively common [Discharge] has an effect powerful enough to turn the tide of battle.
There’s no need to mention cards stronger than that.
Though they’re that much harder to obtain.
It’s not just about defeating strong monsters or drawing from the card shop. You have to achieve hidden pieces as well.
Of course, I knew the methods by heart, and that was exactly why we were heading toward our current destination.
On the first day, we went in partway before turning toward Team A or Team C’s territory, but today we were simply moving straight ahead without stopping.
The farther we went, the more uneven the terrain became, and the volcano that once felt distant now filled our entire view.
It should be around here.
Slowing down, I spoke to my party members.
“We need to find a sanctuary first.”
“A sanctuary…?”
Park Na-ri asked timidly.
We had already fully charged the crystals before coming, so she seemed puzzled about why we needed to find a sanctuary.
So I added an explanation.
“To be exact, it’s something similar to a sanctuary but slightly different. You can’t really tell them apart at a glance.”
“Ah…!”
Park Na-ri nodded in understanding.
When you’re not sure, it’s best to locate them all first and then verify them one by one.
Before long, we began combing through the sanctuaries in the area as thoroughly as possible.
As always, we borrowed Chammy’s superior field of vision, and for places that couldn’t be confirmed from the air, we went in ourselves to check.
For quite a while, we found nothing but duds.
Each time I looked at a shabby stone tower, I thought to myself—
Not this one.
Just a regular sanctuary.
Not this either.
This one’s not it either.
After repeated disappointment, we stopped in front of the next stone tower.
Seo Ye-in’s eyes unusually sparkled with curiosity.
“……?”
Bum also let out a low growl and began sniffing.
Park Na-ri turned to me and asked,
“Could it be…?”
“Good find. This is the one.”
I had the others step back and lightly cast Wind Force.
Whoooosh—
The piled-up stone dust, volcanic ash, and wood debris were swept away in an instant, leaving only the stone tower and a small altar in front of it.
Looking down at it, I asked the obvious question.
“Doesn’t it clearly look like something’s meant to be placed on it?”
“Crystals.”
Seo Ye-in replied, tilting her head.
She took out crystals one by one and placed them on the altar.
At first, there was no reaction, but the moment the fourth one was set down—
Pssshhh…….
All the crystals crumbled into powder and scattered.
However, the energy contained within them continued to swirl around before settling into the altar, and soon a thick pillar of light shot upward.
Whooooooooosh—!
As if it would pierce the sky itself.
While my companions looked up with curiosity-filled eyes, I calmly gave instructions.
“Now it starts. Get ready.”
We were fairly close to the volcano, and on top of that, we had practically announced to the entire area, “We’re doing something suspicious here!”
There was no way the monsters and especially the sraconic soldiers would just sit and watch.
Sure enough, before long, Chammy who had been circling in the air let out a sharp cry.
“Piiieeeng—!”
“I-It’s coming…!”
As Park Na-ri said that, she hurriedly cast buff magic, and Seo Ye-in switched her sniper rifle into assault rifle mode.
Soon, a group of monsters descended from above.
Their forms varied. There were large masses, four-legged beasts, and even humanoid shapes. But they all had one thing in common.
Their entire bodies were made of flames.
Fire elementals.
And in between them were draconic soldiers commanding the creatures.
Judging by the hostility I could feel even from a distance, the battle would begin the moment they arrived.
I stepped forward alongside Bum.
“They self-destruct. We can’t let them get past us.”
“Grrr?”
He let out a questioning growl.
It sounded like he was asking, “What about me?”
Maybe he was worried about his fur getting singed.
I lightly stroked his head and cast [Sylphid Armor] around him.
Whoooosh—
“Of course I’ve got defensive magic.”
“Grr.”
Only then did he relax and fix his gaze forward.
He crouched low, coiling his body like a spring.
And the moment Seo Ye-in opened fire with her assault rifle at the enemies entering range,
Tududududu—!
“Grrraaaah—!”
He shot forward like an arrow.
Landing in front of a fire elemental, he began striking it alternately with his front paws.
Thud, thud-thud,
All size and no bite. Just kitty punches.
Still, they seemed to pack a decent punch. The fire elemental couldn’t even mount a proper counterattack and was busy getting battered.
Soon it flared up violently and exploded.
Boom!
The surging flames were pushed back by Sylphid Armor.
Bum continued tearing through the enemy lines.
Meanwhile, I held off the ones approaching my side.
I gathered Wind Force in my hand and swung. The fire elemental was sent flying before exploding in the distance.
The draconic soldiers, meanwhile, were craftily waiting for a chance to launch a surprise attack.
Then, just as one of them took a step toward Bum,
Tududududu!
Mana bullets flew in, slamming into its head and chest.
Seo Ye-in had been targeting them from the start.
▷ Objective 2: Eliminate the Draconic Soldiers (Draconic Soldiers: 2)
▷ Objective 2: Eliminate the Draconic Soldiers (Draconic Soldiers: 4)
Park Na-ri rotated buffs among the party members and occasionally cast earth magic.
Our coordination was seamless, so we quickly took down the enemies and collected the dropped item cards and empty crystals.
We were about to take a short break, but—
“They’re coming again.”
A monster group of similar size was approaching.
The moment they realized the first wave had been wiped out, they sent another.
Since this entire volcano is the domain of the Flame Emperor Dragon, there must be an overwhelming number of monsters.
As long as we keep drawing attention here, there’ll be no end to it.
Tududududu!
The assault rifle spewed blue flames once more.
The battle was in full swing when—
Fwaaaat—!
The pillar of light suddenly intensified for a brief moment, then gradually faded.
Leaving behind a single card.
[Freeze]
▷ Inflicts a random 10 targets in front with Immobilized status.
▷ Targets affected by [Freeze] cannot be attacked.
▷ Duration: 1 minute
Considering it was obtained by offering crystals, its power was formidable.
If [Discharge] applies to three random targets, then [Freeze] affects more than triple that number….ten.
“It’s not just the numbers that increased.”
[Discharge] has the effect of “returning the target” so it’s completely useless at an enemy stronghold.
At best, they’d just zip up and drop right back down.
On the other hand, [Freeze] can be effective even when attacking an enemy base.
It’s a bit disappointing that we can’t attack frozen targets, but just being able to isolate and defeat them one by one is a huge advantage.
“But I want something else.”
It’s a good card, but not the one I was aiming for.
So I said to my party members,
“Let’s draw one more.”
“Mhmm… I’ll try….”
As the battle dragged on, Park Na-ri placed the crystals onto the altar one by one.
Whenever they ran short, Chammy would swiftly fly off to another sanctuary to recharge them.
When four crystals had gathered on the altar, a pillar of light shot up once again.
Whoooooosh—!
After holding out for quite a while, cutting down the swarming fire elementals and draconic soldiers, another card descended.
[Freeze]
“Grrr?”
Bum turned this way with a dissatisfied look.
It was as if he were asking, “Isn’t this over now, human?”
“Just one last time. If it still doesn’t come out, we’ll leave.”
We can’t stay here indefinitely.
The party members’ stamina has clear limits.
To make matters worse, the enemies’ level is gradually rising.
The number of draconic soldiers has increased, and there’s even a dragonfang soldier mixed in now.
“If we stay longer, dragonclaw soldiers might start coming down.”
There’s even a chance that a top-tier entity could make a move.
In many ways, stopping at three cards is the wisest choice.
“If it doesn’t show up, I’ll just have to hope Go Hyeon-woo or Hong Yeon-hwa pulls it.”
To increase the odds, I told the two of them the method as well.
If that still doesn’t work, we’ll have to consider a second-best option.
Soon, Park Na-ri gathered four recharged crystals and sent another pillar of light soaring upward.
Whoooooosh—!
As if sensing that this was the last attempt, the enemies’ assault grew even fiercer.
The number of dragonfang soldiers had increased further.
I fed them ice rounds, pushed them back with Wind Force, and grappled with them in all sorts of ways to stall for time.
Then at last, the pillar of light burst forth in a brilliant radiance.
Whooooooooosh!
I swiftly snatched the third falling card and gave the order to my party members.
“Fall back.”
We all withdrew from the area.
As we sprinted at full speed, the distance between us and the pursuing monsters quickly widened.
Seo Ye-in glanced back over her shoulder, then, apparently judging it safe enough, peeked toward me.
“Did it drop?”
Only then did I check the card and curl my lips into a grin.
“It did.”
[Transfer]
▷ Changes the user’s affiliation to another group.
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