bookpower Chapter 425: Teaming (3)
Chapter 425: Teaming (3)
(I know there is an issue with the chapter titles here. This error is also present in the original.)
Teaming.
It’s a term often used in competitive online games, referring to the act of players who are classified as enemies temporarily forming an alliance.
‘Damn it, teaming here?’
The perspective on teaming varies depending on the game.
Some games consider it a part of the gameplay, while others consider it cheating and actively penalize it.
Of course, intentional teaming is considered cheating in any game, on par with hacking or exploiting bugs. It severely disrupts the game balance and harms the experience of other players...
‘What the hell are the admins doing? Why aren’t they banning these guys?’
I can’t help but complain.
They’re teaming up after I went through all this trouble to create a three-way standoff.
Aren’t Noark and the royal family sworn enemies?
This is complicated.
‘Is picking them off one by one impossible now...?’
Plan A has failed.
Come to think of it, that’s how it always goes.
My plans never go smoothly, even though I don’t usually make optimistic ones.
“Um...”
Marone’s cautious voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“It’s okay.”
“So, how many are there from Noark?”
“Six.”
“What’s their composition?”
She doesn’t know their names, but she had seen them fight before.
She gives a brief description of their abilities.
“Um... there’s an ability user who throws black spears, a woman who turns into lightning, and... ah, the bald pugilist...”
And a priest from Karui.
A black mage.
And lastly...
“You’re saying Regal Vagos is there too?”
“Yes, yes...!”
Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.
I had hoped that he might have died during the [Soul Extraction] phase...
But he somehow managed to survive.
‘...It couldn’t have been easy, even with his body fully recovered. Maybe the Ancient Dragon is weaker than I thought?’
“That’s good news.”
Raviyen murmurs as Marone finishes her report.
“...Huh?”
“We need his heart to cure Penny.”
“Ah...”
I had completely forgotten about that.
It was Penny, the Dragonkin girl, who had cursed Regal Vagos and turned him into a bee. She had paid a heavy price for casting such a powerful curse. Her body’s time had stopped, and she was confined to the Dragon’s Temple. rA₦őbЁś
“...You just remembered, didn’t you?”
“Sorry, I have a lot on my mind.”
“You should still prioritize it. If you cure Penny, you’ll have the protection of her father.”
“Isn’t your protection enough?”
“I have no authority within the tribe. But my father is different.”@@@@
In other words, if I complete this quest, I’ll gain the entire Dragonkin tribe as an ally.
It was a quest I couldn’t miss, even though the outcome was uncertain.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“That’s enough for me. But don’t overdo it. There will be other opportunities. As long as you survive...”
What? I have to kill him to survive.
But I understand her message.
No matter what I do, I shouldn’t forget my priorities.
“Alright, let’s move!”
We continue our journey, setting up detection magic along the way.
They’ll think we’re running away.
I need to lure them to a battlefield of my choosing.
Time passes...
70th day.
Five days until the labyrinth closes.
We find a suitable location and set up camp.
“Everyone, get some rest. This will be our last chance.”
It’s time to prepare for the final battle.
The last time we checked the detection magic, they were munching on jerky.
‘It must be the Rose Knights’ rations.’
I can’t help but feel envious and frustrated.
We’re stuck eating monster meat, while they’re enjoying a proper meal.
Well, at least it’s slowing down their pursuit...
‘But that means time is on their side.’
We’re not going to starve to death.
Thanks to the monster meat.
But we can’t eat our fill since we have to rely on Distortion magic to obtain it.
We’re not dying of hunger, but our bodies are growing weaker.
So we have to finish this before we’re completely exhausted.
“Yandel, come over here! It’s cold!”
Marone calls me over, and I join the other members who are huddled around a campfire.
Teams are meaningless now.
“Ah, meat is best when it’s grilled! Yandel, want some?”
I can’t refuse meat, so I take a piece and start chewing.
I listen to their conversations.
“This will be... our last battle, right?”
A woman hugs her knees, her voice trembling.
Periton Eriabos, a priest from the 5th Team.
She’s from the Heindel Church. She grew up in an orphanage and became a priest. She said she has a husband in the city.
‘She has a child too...’
This is one of the changes that has occurred during the long journey.
We’ve been through hell together, risking our lives countless times, and we’ve learned so much about each other.
"I... I'm going to survive. I can't let my child grow up like me."
Her voice is filled with a desperate determination.
Silence.
One of the random encounters you can find in the ice cave.
"...The path is blocked!"
The trigger condition is skill activation.
And once the trap is activated, the only entrance is sealed with ice until it melts, turning this place into a sealed room.
The Noark explorers are panicked, but the Rose Knights are calm.
Especially the woman who seems to be their leader.
"Why did you choose this location?"
She asks, her voice filled with curiosity.
The answer is simple.
"There's no paradise at the end of the escape route."
"That's a profound statement."
It is.
It's a quote from my favorite author.
"I have a question."
"My name is Six."
"...Huh?"
I wasn't asking for her name.
She doesn't seem to react to my dumbfounded expression and continues.
"What's your question?"
I feel a bit embarrassed, but I decide not to dwell on it.
I ask the question that's been bothering me.
"How did you two groups end up working together?"
The answer comes from an unexpected source.
"Ah, that?"
Regal Vagos, who seems to have recovered somewhat, speaks up.
"They must have realized they needed our help to kill you."
Hmm, that makes sense from the Rose Knights' perspective.
Their mission is their top priority.
But...
"But why would you agree to their offer?"
I look at the bald pugilist and ask.
Regal Vagos might make a foolish decision out of revenge, but he's not the one in charge.
"Don't you realize? You're next."
My words are meant to sow discord between them.
The bald pugilist finally speaks.
"It's a well-known fact that the Rose Knights never break their oaths."
Ah, I see.
I thought oaths were a barbarian thing.
And it's funny that it's 'well-known'. This is the first time I'm hearing about it.
"And besides, we didn't have a choice. We ran out of food while chasing you. We had to join forces to capture you and obtain your supplies."
Now I understand.
How they ended up working together.
"So, are all your questions answered?"
Six, the female leader, asks, as if to end the conversation, and I shake my head.
"No, not yet."
"..."
"Repeles, was it? I have a proposition for you."
The bald guy chuckles.
"Are you trying to recruit us?"
What? How did he know?
I nod.
"Yes. Join our side. We'll provide you with food."
Monster meat, that is.
"...What?"
He's surprised by my offer.
I quickly continue.
"The royal family abandoned us anyway. We're thinking about switching sides, so what do you say?"
"...There's nothing more foolish than trusting the enemy."
"I'll swear an oath if you need one. On my honor as a warrior."
I use our tribal cheat code, just like the Rose Knights did.
"...Are you serious?"
He hesitates, his expression conflicted.
But his hesitation is short-lived.
There's a saboteur.
"Repeles, don't fall for his trickery. He broke his oath once before. He's a deviant who doesn't care about a warrior's honor."
Dragonslayer reveals his past experience of being betrayed by me, and the bald guy hardens his resolve.
"I'll have to decline your offer. We have no way of controlling you in the city anyway."
Hmm, so it's not going to work?
"That's a shame."
"..."
"I guess we have no choice but to kill you all."
I raise my shield, looking at them.
My perspective is a bit lower without [Gigantification], but it doesn't matter.
A barbarian uses his teeth when he has no weapons.
"Erwen!"
As soon as I call her name, Erwen's body flickers.
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Elemental Barbarian].」
She chooses the earth element, considering the abundance of Aura users.
「Fire Resistance increased by 50%.」
「Water Resistance decreased by 50%.」
「Poison Immunity bonus.」
「Blunt weapon attacks gain a bonus to destruction.」
「Physical Resistance greatly increased...」
「...」
Her Physical Resistance skyrockets, activating the 2nd stage of [Evolved Hide] even without [Gigantification].
「Character's Physical Resistance is above 350.」
「Piercing damage received is reduced by 50%.」
Alright, let's do this.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
I'm pretty good at brawls.