kscans

Chapter 387 - Dawn Breaks White, and the Beginning Sings a Dirge: Part One

Well then, let's begin.

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"—Damage report…!"

Somehow managing to escape the rain of 'red' droplets, each dozens of meters in diameter, the [General Commander] was the first to shout. Responses flew back from the various party leaders one after another.

Even to my listening ear, the reports of 'casualties' kept coming, though thankfully, the damage from this cruel surprise event seemed to be zero.

"…Goldow, we should prepare."

"Right—all units, form groups of nine and spread out to the 'corpses'! Be ready for anything, whether it's teleportation or isolation!"

The two at the top immediately reached an agreement, and Goldow's command echoed loudly.

It was as if they had planned it… or rather, they had probably been positioned with this in mind. The ten evenly spaced 'corpses' all remained in a ring around the large hole. In that case, being wary of them was the correct judgment.

With some members down, one might expect chaos when ordered to form groups of 'exactly nine,' but—everyone moved with frightening speed.

As the rankers, including myself, took our positions at a distance… players began to gather under the ten newly formed 'heads,' communicating concisely with words and glances.

They must have memorized the raid roster. They moved with a swiftness and order that suggested they knew exactly who they should be following.

"…This is like an army, isn't it?"

"It's amazing, isn't it…"

Exchanging a slightly dumbfounded admiration with my partner next to me, I gave a standard nod to the seven players who had come to my group, thinking, 'Ah, thank you, I'm honored.'—Oops, I hadn't thanked him yet.

Leading the group that followed in perfect formation toward a distant 'corpse,' I belatedly sent a salute to the one-armed warrior.

In return, I received a genuinely good-natured smile.

"Seems my partner was in your care. Thanks for the support."

"You should watch the archive later. We were the ones who received support."

"……, Ngh…………"

Well now, this should be fun to watch later. I feel a bit sorry for Sora-san, who's looking rather embarrassed, but I'll be sure to enjoy it to the fullest—now then,

"…………It's not moving."

At the edge of the battlefield where they had stopped, one of the mages carefully observing the dragon's corpse muttered a doubtful word.

"Possibility that the last phase was actually the final one."

"And now we're in the ending event, you think?"

"No way."

"I'll bet a hundred million Luuna that it's not over yet."

"The odds are 1.0, is that acceptable?"

"Getting my money back, lol."

Were the lighthearted remarks that followed a sign of confidence… or a petty bravado to mask their tension?

"Haru-kun."

"Yes?"

I was in the middle of 'memorizing' the deployment of the scattered raid members so that I wouldn't mistake where I needed to rush to, no matter what happened.

The Defense Captain who had called out to me tapped his now-missing right shoulder and laughed casually.

"I'm in this state. If the need arises, I'll be the one to scout things out, so use it as a reference."

"…………Understood. Thank you."

"As long as the raid wins in the end. I'm here to be useful, after all."

Seriously, what is up with Arcadia? This virtual world is filled with nothing but cool guys—

"————Haru."

"Yeah, I know."

Exchanging words, scattering tension, and masking fatigue. The eyes of the players, waiting impatiently for the next anomaly, could not possibly have missed it.

Instantly falling silent, all eyes were directed not at the motionless 'corpses,' nor at the 'hole' in the center of the crater that seemed to lead to hell… and not at the whereabouts of the 'Red Circle' that had vanished as if dissolving.

It was the red rain that had begun to fall from the ominous swirling clouds that still covered the sky.

Not inside, but outside. The raindrops pouring from the clouds, now completely dyed a blood-like 'red,' fell only on the outer perimeter, like a curtain surrounding the vast battlefield.

It rained, and rained, and rained, and kept raining—and the resulting puddle, like a river of blood, swelled to a size visible even from a distance… and bubbled up.

And then,

"…………Um, I—I've seen that before."

"I know, right… I've seen it recently too."

To add to that, the stage was the same. If there was a difference, it was… whether it was already filled from the beginning, or whether it was about to be filled. That was the only thing.

"………………What's the plan, Lord Acrobat?"

Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury to retort to the unwelcome nickname as I looked ahead at the all-too-predictable future.

"…Sora-san. I know this is a big ask, but I have a favor."

"……, …………"

My partner, who went through about five different expressions in response to my eye contact, finally gave a resigned nod and summoned her sand command sword.

"Well then… it's not much, but I will."

"Understood, Leader."

The players who had seen the exchange between Sora and [Elephant Three]-shi immediately understood and formed a battle line. With their commander as the focal point—they faced the swarm of 'red.'

That's a relief. I can leave my back to them without a shred of anxiety… in that case, shall we do this?

Drawing [Parabellum Bullet], which had been trembling as if in anticipation, with my right hand, I passed it to my left and got my short sword and shield ready.

The appearance and combination might be a bit strange, but in game terms, this is a perfectly valid 'dual wield'—as long as I slash with my left and punch with my right, there's no problem.

Charge, or wait? After a moment's thought, I decided.

"————[Rocket]."

First strike takes all.

Ahead of the [Remnants of the Red Circle] that were flooding in, as if targeting the players positioned in the center of the battlefield—I kicked off the ground and launched my own assault.