kscans

Chapter 480 - The White Star Wears Red, The Blue Star Wears Black, Part Six

I thought I heard a scream from somewhere, but the overall battle situation was proceeding smoothly. So smoothly, in fact, that the scattered spoils of war were becoming a major nuisance. Aside from that problem, you could say things were perfect.

The party fighting the boss tiger and all the other members had stable HP. Of course, my support was a factor, but more than that, it was because everyone was fighting with such high morale.

Motivation is what influences a player's performance the most... I think a certain vice-representative said something like that once. I couldn't agree more.

—However.

"...Is this it?"

I stopped in my tracks, the words escaping my lips in genuine anticlimax.

The overall situation was extremely favorable. So much so that I could stand still and mutter to myself in peace. What I mean to say is...

"It's a little lukewarm, isn't it? I mean, this is still tough for us, but..."

The one who caught my murmur nearby was Mr. Lizenon, the boar tamer and great-hammer user. He was taking a moment's rest in the temporary safe zone that had opened up thanks to my slicing and dicing, using his heavy weapon as a makeshift staff.

And I completely agreed with his words.

Sure, I'm already down my transformation's MP and control of my right arm, but I'm satisfied with the exchange rate between resources and results, so I don't feel that drained.

I'm not good at dual-wielding anyway. Not being able to use one arm isn't that much of a handicap.

Putting that aside, the pressure has been too light since then. The enemy's supposed "leader" seems to be employing a strategy... but in reality, all they've done so far is send in forces piecemeal. They haven't even managed to make me run around in circles like they did this morning.

—I couldn't help but think I'd overestimated them.

But the moment that thought crossed my mind, I became aware of the smile that had simultaneously appeared on my face, and it twisted into a wry grin mixed with exasperation and a variety of other emotions.

Ah, I really do trust this game, Arcadia, from the bottom of my heart.

Like with many other games, I have my complaints from time to time. But unlike many mediocre games, this world—absolutely will not tolerate boredom.

From the distance, I heard the clear sound of hooves.

"...Alright, here it comes."

"............What does?"

"Something."

I gave Mr. Lizenon, whose face was a perfect expression of 'I have a bad feeling about this,' a smile before turning on my heel and running straight up the side of the watchtower in the center of the battlefield.

Reaching the top, I scanned the 360-degree view.

The boss-fighting unit was struggling against the great tiger and its mysterious barrier, but their steady approach didn't give any sense of danger. The other squads dealing with the swarm also seemed to have some breathing room, thanks to my enthusiastic thinning of the herd.

In other words, I, the key piece, was conveniently free. Whether that was by chance or someone's design, I had no way of knowing—

"There you are, you new type."

As if to say, 'Now what will you do?', a new starry shadow burst from the darkness of the forest and leaped onto the battlefield.

Its physique wasn't exactly huge. But that was only in comparison to the Boar, the Snake, or the Dragon. From a player's perspective, it was plenty large.

The tenth in the zodiac series. The Horse, sounding impossibly light on the soft earth, galloped forward, scattering stardust from its flowing mane.

Its eight legs were heading straight for the center of our base. Its purpose and abilities were completely unknown—so naturally, the only choice was to slay the unknown on sight.

"You're not getting through...!"

The time lag between my approach and our meeting was half a second. The flash of my unhesitatingly swung jade blade raced towards the horse-type's neck and—

"—Huh? What?"

—raced towards it, and passed right through it.

Zero feedback, zero damage effect. The starry steed ignored the transparent slash completely, paying no mind to me as I let out a dumbfounded sound, and continued straight ahead.

"Hey, wait, that's bad—...You gotta be kidding me!"

It showed no signs of stopping its charge towards the center of the base—where the non-combatants were.

I deactivated [Water Enchant]. Suspecting a 'magic nullification' effect, I chased after it and swung my blade again, but just like the first time, it phased right through.

Wait, calm down. Enchantments are both physical and magical—which is even worse. Does that mean it's completely immune to both physical and magical attacks? You're kidding me. Hey, Arcadia, you pull this crap right after I praised you?!

"Damn it...! —Sapphire!"

My jade blade, my rabbit dagger, my star sword, and even my gauntlets—I threw everything I had at it while running alongside it, but it all passed through. The last resort flashed through my mind, and I yelled it out in a panic.

In the direction the charging horse and I were heading, a massive starry sky spread its wings atop a wooden roof. I heard another scream, but this was an emergency, so forgive me, partner!

The dragon, flying in at my call, was, even in its weakened state, as fast or faster than an average light warrior. The horse seemed slightly faster in terms of raw running speed, but Sapphire's massive body was more than enough to block the way of its oncoming opponent.

The next moment, the newcomer, still not stopping, and my loyal servant collided—

"Hah... good work, Sapphie."

I praised my Star for brilliantly slamming the steed to the ground with its leg, as if the concept of 'turning' was completely foreign to the charging horse.

—Damn, that was close!

I don't know what it was planning to do, but an intangible enemy breaking through our defense line and heading straight for our weak point is the number one thing you shouldn't let happen in a tower defense game... wait... huh?

Before I could calm myself down from the shock of its unexpected ability, another anomaly occurred, and my body froze as I tried to process what was happening.

Two options flashed through my mind in a fraction of a second—should I defeat it here, or should I try to keep it away? However, it seemed this event had no intention of giving me time to think.

Faster than I could give an order, faster than Sapphire could move on its own.

"Ah, this is bad..."

A starry sky began to ooze from the eight-legged horse, instantly spreading across our feet, covering half the battlefield. Right in the gut of the raid force that was fighting off the attack from the perimeter.

The countless shimmering specks of stardust swarmed and took the form of beasts, pouring out in a flood.