kscans

Chapter 804 - O Long-Awaited Ones, Roar Forth and Reign Supreme - Part Three

Under the constraint of not being allowed to fall, not even once.

There are several points of caution when tackling Arcadia's dungeons, which, in exchange for often lacking tricky gimmicks, provide a diverse and unique array of enemies.

First and foremost, the enemies to be most wary of are the 'reflect-type,' 'retaliation-type,' and 'mutual-destruction-type'—in short, the types of utter bastards that share the damage with you when you attack them.

This is the most lethal and, thankfully, the rarest type you'll encounter. In the seven or so months since I started Arcadia, I've only experienced it once.

And that wasn't even from an enemy, but from a player's ultra-rare skill that 'forcefully reflects damage upon death.'

While Arcadia is designed with a fair number of 'gotcha' mechanics, truly unreasonable situations that are absolutely impossible to deal with on a first encounter are extremely few and far between.

Not that they don't exist, which is its own problem… but at least for the hordes of mobs that infest these places, it's merciful that you don't have to be on high alert for that kind of unfairness.

Now, bosses are another story. But well, for them, you just have to be cautious on a case-by-case basis.

Next up are unknown status ailments. This game has a truly staggering number of buffs and debuffs. I'm not even kidding; people say there are easily not just in the triple digits, but the quadruple digits.

Naturally, it's impossible for a normal person to remember them all.

And even if you had some special ability to memorize everything, you'd still inevitably be caught off guard by one new unknown after another. There's no perfect countermeasure for this; you just have to do your best to adapt on the spot.

Well, there are countless other things to be careful about, but—anyway.

This isn't just about Arcadia. When it comes to preparing for and responding to unknown threats, the smartest approach in any situation boils down to this.

Don't get close. Don't touch.

And if possible—don't let them do a single thing.

"《Mistlurade》"

The moment I ignited [Rocket], a deep violet light lit up in both my hands, ready to fire my weapons.

My aim was already set. Thus, the [Parabellum Bullets] shot out at tremendous speed, heading straight for the craniums of the two pests blocking my path.

Of course, they were already enchanted for a power boost. In the fraction of a second before my vision blurred from the super-acceleration, I confirmed the heads of the two centipedes, clad in crimson shells streaked with black patterns, had exploded… Okay, I've got a rough grasp of the difficulty.

Alright then, how about you all just hurry up and explode?

I don't have time for the leisurely elegance of checking enemy names. For this dungeon cleanup leading to [Green Connect], what's required of me is not conquest, but—

"—Hup!"

—one thing only: annihilation.

A hundred shots on the run. I unleashed every last one of the swarm of [Parabellum Bullets] I had summoned along my [Rocket]'s trajectory, then leaped over and left them behind, gifting the giant centipedes a rain of blades.

And on the off chance this is a rare gimmick-type dungeon where 'annihilation' is the trigger to open the path… well, it's not impossible, so.

"《Exploding Rabbit (Bullet)》"

I drew my crimson blades, then shattered them. The moment I felt the few remaining presences behind me vanish with a deafening roar, I had already taken my second step.

"Haha, a horde-type, huh? Simple and straightforward—I love it!"

So I said, on my fifth step.

The structure was a single path. But seeing the endless stream of centipedes pouring out from countless narrow holes in the walls and ceiling, constantly filling the passage, it was clearly a simple numbers game.

In other words, the type of place where you'll have a hell of a time without a certain level of firepower.

In other words, the type of place where I don't need to worry about all those dangers.

"Come, my partner, Stella."

In the span of a single blink, I'd scattered more than fifty giant centipedes.

None of them had any special reaction upon being hit or dying… or rather, the only reaction was a grand spray of poisonous-looking body fluids.

That means, even if there was a possibility, they're 'counter-attack' types, not 'reflect' types. No problem at all. Why? Because there's no way something like that—

"Don't you dare complain that this isn't enough for you, y'hear?!"

—can catch up to me anymore, not with the way I've trained.

Memory complete, path constructed, movements set—chaining [Rocket]. I swung the star-sword in my right hand, carving through everything I passed.

Five seconds.

Ten seconds.

Fifteen seconds.

Twenty seconds—that was the end.

Emerging from the narrow passage, my vision opened up to a vast cavern. Enthroned there, with countless centipedes at its feet, was a centipede so long it could be mistaken for a dragon… no, that's not right.

"Why a caterpillar???"

Is there some story here about it being their subordinate or vassal?

I couldn't help but let out a questioning retort at the sight of the 'king' or 'queen' clad in red and black 'armor' made from the shells of countless patched-together centipedes, but again, this was no time for that.

Well, whatever.

Here's hoping we meet again somewhere and I get a chance to ponder it then—

"'Shot.'"

A single greeting. I mercilessly fired my [Alv Stella] for a direct hit to its head. The instant the caterpillar let out a high-pitched, indescribable shriek and entered a battle stance, I ignored it.

"—《Seven Stars》"

I finished my volley in the blink of an eye, arrested my body as it flew high into the air, and sheathed my jade blade.

And then, I clenched my left fist.

[An-ru Galta (Hypothesis: The Armor that Sings of the King's Path)] equipped. Furthermore, [Frezon Revolver] fully loaded.

[Rocket], ignite.

"《Shinden—"

External Rotation Output 'Kai,' critical convergence.

"—Kai》!"

An earth-shattering roar, a seismic blow.

Assaulted in an instant by a veritable mountain of devastating power focused on what seemed to be its weak point—its head… the caterpillar's HP bar was helpless but to be blown away, and the poor thing exploded in a burst of pale blue phosphorescence.