Chapter 602 - Outside the Circle
The field difficulty in Arcadia's main stage, the [Garden of Divine Creation], changes depending on the distance from the Great Bell Tower, which is said to be the center of the world.
The closer you are, the easier it is; the farther you go, the harder it gets. Whether it's the environment or the native enemies, there are few exceptions to this general rule. This applies strictly to the 'field difficulty,' and not necessarily to the various dungeons scattered throughout the land—but anyway.
With such a clear-cut rule in place, it's only human nature to draw distinct lines.
First, there's the area within a 500-kilometer radius of the Great Bell Tower. This area, which happens to contain the ruins of the four 'nations' in the east, west, north, and south, is designated Danger Level 1, the 'Beginner Circle.'
Within this range, it's considered that 'a single party can generally operate with stability,' and it's a region where fairly detailed exploration results and information are shared.
Note that this doesn't mean it's safe or easy. There are numerous untrodden paths, hidden areas, and unsettling spots, and stories of players accidentally wandering into an exceptional area and getting torn apart by a monster are apparently a daily occurrence.
Next is the other side of the beginner area, the range from the 500-kilometer periphery to the 1,000-kilometer mark, designated Danger Level 2, the 'Advanced Circle.'
This is a high-difficulty region where 'coordinated action by small- to medium-sized linked parties' is recommended. The countless capture spots here all present a delightful amusement-park-like challenge, as if they're one step away from being full-blown raids.
This is the main activity area for so-called 'general players,' but I feel that even at this stage, the difficulty is comparable to endgame content in other games.
Frankly, unless you're a solo-specialized type or a 'Ranker,' even going alone is a pain. It’s not about the loneliness of a long journey; the class of enemies simply jumps up a notch from the Advanced Circle onward.
Further still is the area from the 1,000-kilometer periphery to the 3,000-kilometer mark, designated Danger Level 3, the 'End Circle.'
This is a demonic realm of demonic realms, boasting a difficulty that basically tells both beginners and veterans to stay away. What's recommended is a do-or-die expedition by a serious raid party, either a full raid or an over-raid.
This is the domain where the top teams of the North-South Alliance, known to the public as the 'representative expeditionary forces,' operate. Every single one of the large-scale capture spots scattered here is raid-scale.
For example, if the [Eternal Ice Peaks of Extreme White], which is just barely within this range, is said to be on the lower end of the difficulty scale… well, you can probably understand just how insane it is.
And then, there's what lies beyond. The name for the world stretching out from the 3,000-kilometer periphery of the Great Bell Tower is—in short, Difficulty ∞, the 'Outside.'
By current standards, it's a divine realm—or rather, a death realm—beyond the demonic, considered difficult for players to advance into. It's said that only idiots, morons, or exceptional players would dare set foot here, and the recommended fighting force is an 'over-raid or a party including multiple high-ranking members.'
What's particularly noteworthy is the chaotic environment, where the level of order fluctuates wildly with every step you take.
One moment you're in an area as easy as the Beginner Circle, and the next you're faced with a death trap that far surpasses the highest difficulty in the End Circle. Such occurrences are commonplace.
Most of the enemies that appear are also unknown, prompting a "What is that?" reaction. As such, it's a truly unexplored region where you have to be wary of everything you see.
—And with that said, our current location is, of course, the 'Outside.' And not just at the entrance at the 3,000-kilometer mark, but deep inside, at the 10,000-kilometer point.
In this realm governed by jumbled, chaotic difficulty, even the rule that 'difficulty increases the farther you get from the Great Bell Tower' can't be trusted… but well, you can still get the gist that it's insanely dangerous, and you can feel a certain otherworldly atmosphere on your skin.
To be honest, my true feeling is that I'd rather not explore the Outside as a pair, even with my partner, Sora, let alone solo. The environments you encounter, the monsters you meet—everything is unpredictable and fantastical, and there's just not enough mental fortitude to go around.
We went for a 'walk' once, just the two of us, after the [Alv Portal] was opened, and we had a terrible time. If we were to seriously attempt a攻略, we would definitely need more people.
Yes, for example—someone like a certain common-sense-defying number one ranker who enjoys soloing in this chaotic region on a regular basis would be incredibly reassuring.
"—Seriously, how in the world did you find a place like this…"
"Heh heh! Finding secret spots is my specialty!"
"Wh-… you…!?"
"Um, um…! Your volume, your voice volume…!"
"I'm begging you, Ru-chan, please don't forget there's a non-combatant here! If that thing comes flying over here, Nia-chan's gonna die, so please, I'm begging you…!"
…While hastily covering the mouth of the number one ranker who should have been incredibly reassuring, along with Sora, I returned my gaze to 'that thing' Nia was talking about from the shadow of the giant rock we were hiding behind.
—It was less a cave and more a valley-like structure open to the sky, reminiscent of the nostalgic [Rocky Wasteland]. However, the space was too vast to be called a maze, a strange creation where the feeling of a closed-off cave and an open valley alternated.
Following Lux's guidance, we had left [Frontier] a short while ago and entered a rocky mountain area with a poisonous-looking mottled pattern.
And in one corner of it, we slipped our bodies into an extremely small fissure that made me want to retort, "Who would ever notice this?" and found a vast space spread out within the rocky mountain.
The first discoverer of the area was, of course, Lux.
And the provisional name Lux gave the area is [Mole's Bed].
Which means, that thing… the massive creature that three of us were voluntarily, and one of us was forcibly, observing with bated breath, is that mole—
"A mo…le…?"
"Um, that's different from the moles I know…"
"It's not cute at all… it's scary… and gross…"
Me, Sora, and Nia. We tilted our heads in succession, voices of uniform confusion spilling from our lips. Only Lux was spouting nonsense like, "Aww, I think it's cute," but there was no doubt at this point that her opinion was in the minority. It was three against one.
Enemy name: [Feidran Armoire, the Wealthy-Shelled Great Earth Mole]—observing its huge body from a distance, I'd estimate it to be no less than ten meters long.
It was less 'big' and more 'long'. It bore no resemblance to the chubby, round form you'd imagine when you hear the word 'mole.' With tiny limbs attached to either end of its long, serpentine torso, its extremely unbalanced form could be described in one word: bizarre.
Furthermore, there was the shell on its back, something a mole should definitely not have. Bearing a shell that glittered like a turtle's… it almost looked like a stretched-out snail.
And to top it all off, the only thing that seemed 'mole-like' was the large, swiveling single eye right above its 'nose'—no, really. This is very hard to say, but…
"It's gross…"
"Um, it's… a little, disgusting, isn't it…"
"I think I'm going to have nightmares… this is the worst…"
Leaving aside Lux and her unique tastes, it seemed the other three of us were in agreement.
Its bizarre body and single eye triggered a visual sense of revulsion, and above all, its nose… no, I know there are moles with noses like that.
It's like, you know. A sea anemone—
"…………Alright, Sora-san."
"Y-Yes?"
"I feel like my sanity will drop if I stare at it too long. Go get 'em."
"Why me!? You should go scout first, Haru…!"
"Well, I mean, it looks like magic would be effective, right? It's got a shell and everything…!"
"That makes no sense! And you're a magic-type right now too, Haru…!"
"Are you telling me to fire off an explosive round inside a semi-cave!?"
"Oh, Har-kun. That thing, magic attacks are almost completely useless against it."
"Why the hell not! Things that are hard with shells and scales are usually weak to magic in games! Ugh, it looked over here, how creepy!"
"Hey, hey, hey, I don't care which of you it is, just go already! Don't let it come over here! If that thing attacks us, Nia-chan is going to cry, you hear me!?"
And so, while the scene of us bickering might look like four girls from the outside, the reality is that there's one guy mixed in.
It would have been great if Sora-san had agreed with the flow of the conversation, but since she flat-out refused, it was obvious who had to step up.
I'd rather not deal with something disgusting either, even if it is scary…
"Alright, fine, I'll kill it! Here I come, you mole imposter!"
Having noticed our commotion, the single eye that was already turned toward us clearly targeted me as I leaped from behind the rock, summoning my [Alv Stella, the True White Star Sword].
It planted its short forelegs on the ground, raised its head slightly… and assuming what was probably a threatening posture, the [Feidran Armoire] spread its tentacle-like nose wide and—screamed.
—SSHHRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK!!!
…Ah, I see.
So that's not a nose. It's a 'mouth'.
I like regular moles, they're cute, like little rice cakes. I do not like this.
The reason why they went on this long trip will be clear soon.
As for the retort, "What kind of place are they trying to build the second base in?" please wait a little longer.