kscans

Chapter 803 - O Long-Awaited Ones, Roar Forth and Reign Supreme - Part Two

Summoning the tamed creatures known as [Stardust Beasts] comes with several restrictions.

The first is the cost. When summoning, one must pay an MP cost determined for each [Stardust Beast]—the primary factor being its physical size—and a continuous maintenance cost is required to keep it summoned.

There is a clear method to improve this: unlike players, who have STR, AGI, and MID, the beasts only have these three stats, and increasing their MID will reduce the cost. If raised to a certain level, keeping one summoned at all times is not just a dream.

Of course, this comes with the caveat that it must be a tamed beast of a common-sense scale—

The second restriction is the compounding cost of re-summoning. Should a [Stardust Beast] be defeated in battle or for any other reason and forcibly returned to its master's shadow, it can be called back immediately, but the summoning cost doubles. This effect stacks.

In other words, the first revival costs twice the normal amount. The second would be four times, and so on.

Everyone pours affection into their beasts… In fact, one theory suggests that being such a person is a condition for successful taming in the first place. It’s hard to imagine anyone treating their loyal, emotionally expressive servant in such a way, but it means that zombie-like tactics through infinite revivals are impossible.

Finally, the third restriction. This one is common to all [Stardust Beasts]…

If one moves a certain distance away from its master, the starry shadow will be forcibly sent back after exactly one hundred seconds.

"Th… Thank you!"

High in the sky, the "dragon" that had been carrying us at top speed lost its form and vanished.

The telltale sign—its outline blurring—had appeared a few seconds prior. I threw out my thanks just before Sapphire disappeared, wrestling my airborne body under control amidst the roaring winds—

"《A Tower in This Hand (Turm Riese)》"

What the girl—Sora—drew was a runway of giant swords, floating in the heavens.

"E-Eeeek…!?"

"Whoa, so this is that thing…!"

And so, they made their landing—or rather, their sword-ing—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The two artisans were safely letting out screams and cheers of excitement, a testament to the fact that the two samurai had landed coolly beside Sora, each carrying their respective partner in their own way.

As the young girl felt a prickling unease from the admiring gazes thrown at her from all sides, her cheeks flushed with an innocent shyness. Oblivious to this, the others declared,

"Well then."

"We pray for your fortunes in battle."

Though brief, the violent speed had given us more than enough distance. From here, all that was left was to rampage without worrying about running into other parties.

Thus, the 'students' and 'teachers' kicked off their footholds without a hint of hesitation, leaping from the height of several hundred meters and splitting off to the left and right as they fell.

"Ehh…"

I knew it already, but the courage of those who stand at the top of this world is on another dimension entirely. I've only grown used to it through repeated experience. That scream I could hear from the distant sky—"Hyaaaaaaahhh…"—that was the normal reaction.

"What are you spacing out for?"

"Ah, wha… I-I'm sorry…!"

I had been watching the true celestial beings depart with a dazed expression when a voice from ahead pulled my consciousness back, and an apology reflexively left my lips.

It was true. The time limit bestowed upon us the moment we entered this domain was already ticking away; there was no time to stand still.

The role assigned to Sora for this assault on [Green Connect] was…

"Sora, let's go—like I said before, you won't need to be my 'guardian' for a while."

To go all-out clearing the dungeon alongside the current second seat of the Western Faction, the artisan Kagura.

Before me, the artisan with a greatsword nearly her own height strapped to her back ran lightly, her crimson hair swaying. Just like that, she reached the tip of our foothold, and then,

"I'll be right behind you, so you go cut loose!"

With just as little hesitation as the brave warriors of the East.

She shot me a bright cheer as she looked back, a smile never leaving her face as she fell. And so, the girl who ended up last in line shouted as she ran—

"Wait, what do you mean behind me!?"

Her voice was half surprise, half protest, directed at the artisan who had so boldly led the way.