Chapter 663 - Chapter 591: What Lurks in the Forest of Confusion
Looking closely, it doesn't quite resemble the treants from fantasy tales—it looks more human.
A giant disguised as a tree? Perhaps due to the miasma, the space around it is warped, and it's just bizarre.
If it weren't for the scarf Mion gave me, I might have felt sick.
"Can you see it, Lupi?"
"Wah."
Lupi stares intently at it without looking away.
But it seems unaware of us, as it sways and walks deeper into the forest.
"Um, what can you see?"
"Huh?"
Mion can't see it through the stream? I wonder about the others as I turn around. The Kijimunaa seem to understand, as they're holding stone spears, while Natto and the others... seem unaware of what's happening.
"Let's fall back for now."
"Wah""Jyu."
We might lose sight of it, but chasing it alone would be risky.
I tell Natto that the Kijimunaa seem to be able to see it, and that we might be able to detect it if we stay nearby.
"So, should we have one Kijimunaa follow each of us?"
"Yeah. It would be better to pair them with a Cait Sith, I suppose. It'd be worrying to have them alone."
"Got it. I have Mog with me too, so it'd be better if we stick together with the fairies."
"Goo."
Mog thumps his chest, saying "Leave it to me."
I explain to Gaju and Shal, and have them arrange for each party to have one Kijimunaa and one Cait Sith.
"So, that dangerous thing is a treant?"
"Hmm, I don't think so. It seemed more human than tree-like..."
Anyway, we can't tell without getting closer, so we resume our advance. I take the lead with Lupi and Gaju.
The other parties also have their scouts take the lead with a Kijimunaa and a Cait Sith. We've arranged to call out and gather if anything happens.
Additionally, I've asked Rigel to be our marker and had Leda and Roy provide support.
"This way, right?"
"Wahn""Jyuju."
We've reached the area where that giant was... but where did it go? It was walking quite slowly...
Natto and the others don't seem to have noticed anything unusual either.
"Jyuju!"
"Huh? Oh, over here?"
It seems we were slightly off course because of that thing earlier?
I have the other players confirm the direction I'm heading and have them follow the same way.
After advancing for a while...
"Jyu!""It's there!"
A call comes from a player near the right side, and everyone runs over in that direction.
"It's that one, right?"
"Yes, it's that one."
Looking at it again, the space around it is indeed warped by miasma, which is unsettling.
Could it be using some kind of hypnotic spell?
"Shou, what do we do?"
"We should get closer and confirm if it's a monster. I want to get close enough to see its nameplate."
If the nameplate is red, it's a monster, and we should probably defeat it. I mean, to begin with...
"Gaju. Is that guy evil?"
"Jyu!"
Yeah. Gaju says that guy is bad news, and Shal next to him is nodding in agreement.
"Should I go alone?"
"No, let's avoid mistaken identities and go together. With this many people, we should be fine even if it comes to combat... right?"
"Yeah, leave it to me."
While Natto explains to each party leader, I have Gaju keep watch on it, and Lupi, Shal, and I hold a strategy meeting.
There are other players present this time, so blinding it with light spirits is out, and stealth might be a bit tricky. Let's leave the combat to others and prioritize support.
Oh, I forgot to apply the Spirit's Blessing. Since I have the Jade Goddess Apostle's Blessing, it would be a waste not to use it.
"We're ready on this end. Should we go once we confirm it's a monster?"
"Got it."
Natto raises his right hand and moves forward. Following his lead, everyone approaches the entity.
Whether it's unaware of us or ignoring us, as we gradually get closer to the slowly walking entity...
"It's an enemy. Let's go!"
Its nameplate is red. The name is Wither Lacy.
It's still too far for Appraisal, but Natto leads the melee fighters in charging forward.
It seems each of them has received a Holy Magic blessing from their party members.
"Gwooooh..."
As the entity slowly turns, it raises tree-branch-like arms, and thorny vines sprout from the ground, entangling at Natto and the others' feet.
"Shal!"
"Nya!""""Nya nya!"""
Shal and the other Cait Sith rush over, call out, and begin to cut through the tangled vines.
"Wah?"
"Sorry, wait a bit longer. With all this commotion, it's sure to..."
"Jyuju!"
Gaju shouts and points to the front left.
From that direction, quite a number of Kobolds appear and attack the players on the left side.
"Gaju! Lupi! Leda and Roy, support them over there!"
"Jyu!""Wah!""""Bow!"""
I leave the support to them and approach Natto and the others, who seem to be struggling a bit.
From behind, it seems the thorny vines have been dealt with, but the diverse attacks from ivy extending from its arms and legs are making them struggle.
"Is it tough!?"
"Yeah! A bit! Can't get close!"
Natto skillfully wields his greatsword, fending off the approaching ivy.
If this drags on, we'll be at a disadvantage...
"Rigel!"
"Blu-run!"
I leap onto Rigel, who has arrived just in time, and quickly get ahead of Natto.
"Go all out!"
"Hiiin!!"
Rigel raises his front legs high, lightly jumps, and slams them down on the ground. A large ice block emerges from beneath Wither Lacy's feet, launching it into the air.
Unable to control the ivy while being launched, it falls wildly.
"Now! Go!"
"""Woooaah!!"""
Natto and the others pass by its side and charge in at the perfect moment.
It looks like the person with the axe landed a critical hit. I think we can leave the rest to them, right?