Chapter 1041 - ....................
[skill activation failed]
The Status was sealed. So what about skills? I wasn't the only one who had tried to perform a thought-command out of habit and a bit of escapism.
The entire party had been hit with even more negativity on top of a desperate situation. Everyone's expression was clear without even looking.
The power we felt from our avatars was laughably unreliable, and no matter how much we searched our consciousness, there wasn't a trace of the familiar supernatural miracles. And then...
"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..."
The giant black mass monster in front of us let out a birth-cry that sounded like the end of the world from dozens of meters away.
In that case, it didn't matter who said it. There was no need to think. The thought that occurred to everyone, the words that needed to be said, were the same for every person on the spot...
"...! Run!"
Ashe gave the order at the same moment the black mass caused a tremor.
Whether they had much experience or not, everyone here was a player who had been through at least some level of hardship. Fortunately, the order was followed without delay.
However...
"Ugh... !? Ah, sorry..."
"Don't push yourself too hard! We won't leave anyone behind, so just run!"
The body just wouldn't follow.
It wasn't about the artisan being unaccustomed to full-body movement. The problem was the sudden, extreme change in the body's specs. Tora-kichi caught Nia as she stumbled and almost fell, and he pushed her forward.
"Sora!"
"I-I'm okay!"
She must have been filled with fear, confusion, and bewilderment. However, the experience she had gained from being dragged along until now must have served her well, for she started running without freezing up, even if she wasn't fast. I watched her and Nia's backs while running alongside everyone else.
Ashe, who had quickly overtaken me to run beside Nia and be ready to follow up at any time, was fine. Tora-kichi, who had taken the rear without a word, and Kendy-dono, who had joined him in silence, should also be fine.
In that case...
"Tell me if it's bad! This isn't the time for being polite or acting tough, okay?!"
"I know!"
Everyone in the party likely knew who the most concerning person was. Sora herself acknowledged that by giving a blunt answer.
The blessing of the Goddess had vanished. No one knew exactly what that state meant. But we could grasp our condition through our senses.
It wasn't a direct reflection of our real-world physical ability. I could tell after just a few seconds of running since we turned tail from the threat.
Even matching Nia, who was being pushed to lead the way, we were going over twenty kilometers per hour. If we really tried, we could likely double that speed momentarily.
Our specs were definitely higher than our real-world bodies. However...
"Huff... huff!"
It was likely from tension rather than fatigue. I could tell by just glancing at my partner running beside me and at my four other companions.
There were clear individual differences.
"Ashe!"
"I know!"
I called to the top group, specifically Ashe, who seemed to have plenty of energy while running alongside Kendy-dono. She gave an immediate response.
She was definitely aware of the situation.
At this rate, Nia and Sora, who were already desperate and likely reaching the limit of what they could do without overexerting themselves, wouldn't be able to outrun the thing behind us.
It wasn't a matter of walking speed, but the way it crawled.
The giant black mass was moving forward as if filling the maze path. Its progress, made by rubbing against the floor and walls with a tremor, was laughably slow if our specs were normal.
But it was a true setup of a giant monster and an ordinary person. Its progress using its massive weight was easily matching our running speed.
"Hey, what are we supposed to do about this! It doesn't look like punching it will do anything!"
Tora-kichi's shout came from the rear. He was exactly right.
I could tell Ashe was rotating her thoughts at high speed to find a solution, but honestly, I couldn't see any light in the current situation. So...
"...! Sora?!"
"Don't stop, run!"
I performed a sudden braking and reversal, making sure not to put too much strain on my unreliable body. I pushed Sora's back with my words as we crossed paths, and shared a look and a nod with Tora-kichi in a split second.
"Bullet!"
I thought I'd see if I could do anything, even if it was just like poking it with a toothpick. I summoned the blade to carry out the necessary verification...
"... Esteemed guest!"
The knight, who had been quiet, shouted.
"Your crafting techniques are included in the Goddess's power!"
"Are you serious?!"
Kisu (Whiting) stayed silent.
The high-grade Terror Armaments produced through Mako (Magic Craft) were silent, proving they were dead. I couldn't even reach the point of seeing if I could throw them or if they'd have any power without my Status. The current situation was just filled with more despair.
I reversed again, ran as fast as I could, and quickly caught up with the rear.
"Hey, Kendy-dono! What are we supposed to do? If you know, tell us!"
I sought the advice of my friend, the hero NPC of the Thousand Memories.
I understood that he was on our side and trying to cooperate. I could tell from his serious face.
In that case, I didn't understand why he wouldn't share the core information. I ended up speaking in an accusing tone, but the only response I got was...
"Forgive me. All you can do is run for now, that is all I can say!"
He gave a charming smile that suggested he had much to say, but his words were final. I shared an exaggerated sigh with Tora-kichi, who was on the other side of him.
"Ngh... ! I'll trust you!"
"... I am honored!"
That was the only thing I could say to my friend.
I gave a wry smile at his cheerful laugh and loud voice, which had finally returned to his usual self, and increased my pace to return to my original position. My partner gave me a worried look, but I just gave her a smile.
"Ashe!"
"I heard!"
When I called to the front, I got a reliable, immediate answer.
The knight who seemed to know the circumstances had made his judgment. So we just had to run. And so, bit by bit. The immense pressure and tremors were closing in as we ran.
We ran, and ran.
It was a close call, and someone would have reached their limit soon. We turned a corner at a dead end of the massive maze path that seemed to go on forever.
"Ah..."
Nia, who had been desperately leading the way, let out a huff.
Far ahead. Those blue jade eyes saw something... something familiar.
It was a single Wedge based on the color red.