kscans

Chapter 458 - A Chain of Beasts and a Swirling Wind

Base construction, check. Food secured, check. Combat strength… more or less, check. Ever since people started gathering, our group has been enjoying a survival experience so smooth and steady you could even call it smooth sailing.

Our party composition is skewed, with only three artisan-type players. However, since the skill of at least the majority of them as Magitek Artisans is far beyond the general average, we've somehow managed to strike a balance despite the lopsided setup.

Everyone gets along well… though perhaps that's not so unusual in Arcadia, which is full of good-natured people. Still, it's undoubtedly a fortunate thing.

It wasn't as if we had a grand vision for the future to discuss. Even so, it's certain that everyone, for the most part, shared a loose, fluffy sense of security.

That's why—

"Hmm… This is quite the hellscape."

"Your tone is so carefree!"

The scene of textbook pandemonium was an incredible whiplash, or perhaps the sheer drop from the previous peace made it feel like a wild festival… As I muttered this while casually lopping off the head of a long-bodied beast, a lightning-fast retort flew from the mage I'd just saved from danger.

The second raid began at 10:00 PM VM time, just as expected on the second night.

Facing a massive horde of [Stardust Beasts] roughly five times larger than the day before, the defense lines were currently a chaotic free-for-all, with angry shouts flying everywhere.

Compared to the top-rankers and Istians I know so well, our group members are, frankly, lacking in firepower. Perhaps they're stability-oriented, because everyone is solid on the defensive end, so I don't think I have to worry about them falling too quickly…

But even if it's not too quickly, there's no way they'll last the full hour like yesterday.

"Alright then… Rob-san! Think you can handle it if I thin them out by half?"

I tossed the question to the squad leader as I moved to support a dangerous spot. The dual-wielding swordsman, who had just cut down a wolf, flashed a bewildered look for a moment—

"You make it sound so easy… But yeah, that's more than enough! I'm countin' on ya!"

"Alright, leave it to me."

I gave my [Samidorizuki] a light swing—and followed the path I'd laid out, leaping forward.

With their modest specs and our familiarity from yesterday, a small pack of wolves or monkeys should be manageable. As for the boars, clearing the forest to create more space has increased the time before engagement, allowing the backline to easily deal with their brainless charges after seeing them coming.

So, I suppose I should focus on… the three new types, as expected.

Newcomer number one: a "Rabbit" type. It's nimble and dishes out skillful kicks with decent strength. The word "rabbit" brings the [Ruby Bullet Rabbit] to mind, but this thing is a cute little critter in comparison.

It likes to engage in close-quarters combat, but its tiny frame doesn't make it particularly intimidating. As for its rabbit-like agility, my personal standard is that murderous bullet rabbit from a ridiculously designed game—so this thing is basically pet-level.

"[Lumina Raygust]."

I activated the evolved, convenient, and highly effective skill. The wind that was previously limited to the tips of my limbs with the old [Whirlwind] now cloaked my entire body. I proceeded to knock down the little rabbits that were toying with the melee fighters, striking them with hands, feet, elbows, and knees as I spotted them.

They show hints of reacting to my sprint, so I guess they're some kind of anti-high-speed-attacker-high-speed-attacker…

Too bad. Come back when you can actually handle my 'Matoi'.

"Whoa, that's insane… Thanks!"

Still, they must be a tough opponent for anyone with a heavy weapon. I gave a V-sign in response to the greatsword user I'd saved from being toyed with, then turned my attention to cleaning up the big ones.

Newcomer number two: a "Snake" type. Ten meters long… maybe not quite? In any case, it's a slithering beast with a body far larger and longer than any player's.

Its sheer size makes it tough, and unlike the boars that just charge in a straight line, its cautious and cunning attacks make it orders of magnitude more troublesome—however, if you have enough attack power and the means to close the distance, it's just a big target.

"Hup—"

I stepped in with a flash of my blade. Following the one I'd dealt with while saving my teammate, this was the second great serpent whose head was cleanly lopped off by my jade blade.

It sways and rears its head in a preparatory motion before every attack, but since I can reach it with a jump, it looks like it's just offering its neck to me, as if to say, 'Go right ahead.'

I think you should compact your attack motions. Come back when you've learned a thing or two.

And then, newcomer number three—honestly, even I can't be careless with this one. Not because it's a threat to me personally, but… ah, crap.

"[Rocket]!"

A black cannonball launched from a corner of the battlefield, easily clearing the defense line and arcing down toward the center of our base. Decent size, decent speed—I caught up to the black ball with a low-power [Rocket] assisted by my [Maristake Boots], and at the same moment,

"Acrobatic Somersault!"

"—Eek?!"

My own ridiculously-named aerial roundhouse kick (wind-enchanted) made a clean hit, sending the big furball… or rather, the plump "Sheep" type, flying into the distance like a soccer ball.

Apparently, that wasn't enough to deplete its HP. What a stubborn one.

That right there is our new food candidate. It seems that when encountered during the day, it just uses its absurd jumping power to escape, so unfortunately, we couldn't have mutton for dinner tonight.

"Whoa, you okay?"

"I… I thought my legs were going to give out…!"

"And they didn't?"

It was probably the impact sound of my flashy kick up close. I let Nono-san pull up Nia, who had shrieked and fallen on her butt, and kept my distance. She gave me a dissatisfied look, but I'm wearing a storm right now, so she'll have to forgive me.

"My, my~ Just as expected, rushing in to save the day in the nick of time!"

As usual, a jab flies from Nono-san, but even she can't hide the fact that she's shrinking back. Tetsu-san next to her is barely managing to keep his composure…

"This is still dangerous… Maybe you all should hide indoors?"

"Aww, but I wanted to watch."

"Make up your mind whether you're scared or not…"

I get how she feels… but, yeah, I get it.

I understand. So, I suppose I should fight my best so they can continue to spectate. As for the sheep's wild pitches, which are so random I doubt they're even aimed—it's just a matter of me taking responsibility and shooting down every last one.

Alright then.

"Nia, hold this for a sec—ah, it's heavy. Be careful if you're going to hold it."

"Huh? Ah, o-okay. I don't mind, but…"

I unfastened [Samidorizuki] from my right hip, scabbard and all, and placed it on a nearby tree stump, entrusting it to my partner. My inventory is full, so I can't store it, and it's a bit heavy to have hanging at my waist… but more importantly.

Against these opponents, my master's blade is still overkill, and I'd be wasting its durability. And I can't ask anyone else to maintain it until the event is over.

"Alright, time to thin the herd a bit."

I summoned the Rabbit Daggers to my hands and, after a moment's hesitation, activated [Trance]. I fired off a shot in a panic earlier, but I should be able to deal with the sheep with my own two feet even from the edge of the battlefield.

So then, let's go.

"Well, I'm off."

With a light wave of my hand, and after a final glance at the three exasperated faces, I ignited my legs and dashed across the flat ground we had all worked so hard to level during the day.

I sideswiped the "Rabbits" that twitched their ears as I passed, chopped up the leisurely "Snakes" that seemed to be standing still from head to tail, and peppered any "Sheep" I spotted with a barrage from my Rabbit Daggers before they could jump, chasing down and swatting away any that managed to get airborne.

—In conclusion, for me at least, this is still lukewarm.

—But at the same time, I have to wonder: is this really a difficulty level intended for the general public?

I can understand the first day's raid; that was within a range that could have been handled even without me, worst-case scenario. But this time… well, maybe you wouldn't need a sequence holder, but I suspect a decisive victory would have been difficult without at least a few high-level combatants.

A narrow victory at best, or at worst, a war of attrition that could have easily produced casualties. For only the second assault, the jump in difficulty feels a bit too steep.

Now, as for why… well, I can hazard a guess—whoops, looks like we have quite a large party arriving.

I'm not taking reservations, but I doubt they'll turn around and go home if I ask them to.

In that case, I'll keep running without hitting the brakes, gathering wind with wind, and target the massive horde pouring out from the surrounding forest.

The charge is more than sufficient.

This is its first real combat trial, but… I think it's time for a big, flashy demonstration!

"Sorry! Clear out!"

"—Scatter! The general's about to do something! Run, run, run!"

Confirming that the squad had swiftly responded to my warning and evacuated the 'predicted impact zone,' I slammed the accelerator I'd been easing up on.

Ahead of me was a menagerie of small fries like monkeys and rabbits, as well as larger beasts like boars and snakes. The wind swirling around my body, as I charged into the teeming horde of roughly thirty monsters, swelled into a roaring, hyper-compressed vortex.

[Lumina Raygust]—the protective wind surrounding the caster grows exponentially more violent the faster and longer they run.

And once the wind, stored up to its limit, is unleashed from my palm…

"Alright, fly away—[Destruct]!"

What erupted was a great storm that swallowed everything before it.

My long white hair and the hem of my clothes whipped about violently, and my legs, anchored to the ground, were pushed back, gouging out the earth. But an instant later, after a roar that sounded nothing like wind had passed, all that remained was…

"Whoooooooooooa…"

"That's insane."

"That's terrifying."

"Let's not get on his bad side."

"It's so on another level, it's making me laugh…!"

It was a disaster so great I had to resign myself to the fact that they could say whatever they wanted.

It had unleashed power far beyond my imagination, carving out a little bit of the forest. I took in the aftermath of my own attack with wide eyes… and gave a single, quiet nod.

"…………………… I-I guess its anti-mob performance is… decent?"

As I brushed the scattered falling leaves from my hair—the words I'd muttered, intending to sound calm, might have trembled just a little.

Even I was shocked. I'll keep it a secret that it was three times more insane than I expected and scared the hell out of me.

---

・[Lumina Raygust]—The third stage evolution of the [Gasty Lim] line.

Compared to its predecessor, [Whirlwind], the wind's area of effect has been expanded beyond the limbs to offer protection to other parts of the body. Additionally, wind force now accumulates based on the caster's movement speed and distance traveled. This allows for the enhancement of 'Release,' and charging it to its limit enables the activation of the special assault skill [Destruct].

The scale of the phenomenon it creates may look flashy, but its power is limited to an area-of-effect, medium-power skill, at best capable of blowing away 'decently-leveled trash mobs.' A strong player on the level of Tiger Star could break through it while humming a tune. It might startle them, though.

In addition, as the accumulated wind force increases, so does its offensive and defensive enhancement, meaning that once a certain charge level is reached, it can be expected to function not just as a defensive measure but also as an enchantment to boost the power of attack actions... however, be warned that maintaining the fully charged state for too long will eventually lead to a violent release, causing significant self-inflicted damage.

The fundamental prerequisite is that unless you're a freak who constantly dashes around the battlefield at ridiculous speeds like a tuna fish, you can't accumulate much wind force. Therefore, the ability to easily convert it into area-of-effect firepower is an exception unique to the protagonist. Although, since it's a unique skill at this point, there's no exception or anything to speak of.

Yep, decent performance.

Author's Afterword: I'm currently posting character designs for the exclusive Magitek Artisan, following the self-proclaimed maid, on my Twitter (X). Please take a look if you're interested.

Oh, and the book version of Arcadia goes on sale tomorrow! Time flies!!!