kscans

Chapter 812 - And So Come, O Children of Blue, There Is No Way to Close the Door, Part Six

◇Raid chat◇

[Iris]: 'Keep information transfer concise and simple.'
[Iris]: 'To avoid confusion, only the leader or one artisan from each squad should speak.'
[Iris]: 'Be aware that the chat function cannot be used inside dungeons.'

[Iris]: Everyone, let's do our best.

—…

—…

—…

[Lux]: What was that just now?!?!?!
[Iris]: Report. Anyone involved in the change of situation, please share information immediately.
[Iris]: Lux, please be quiet.

[Lilac]: Report. A special boss has been defeated by four parties, including the squad with [Undying].
[Lilac]: Name: [Administrator:02].
[Lilac]: Appearance: 'A stag composed entirely of tree roots.'
[Lilac]: Estimated threat level: 'Half-raid class' or higher.
[Lilac]: In addition to its unusual name, it has traits similar to a Colored Monster, such as no HP bar.

[Lilac]: Also, after its defeat, an object resembling some kind of console appeared.
[Lilac]: Artisans, including [Saishiki Kenbi], are currently analyzing it.
[Lilac]: Awaiting instructions.
[Iris]: Proceed.

[Iris]: We have no time to spare.
[Iris]: If the analysis is successful, and if it triggers some kind of progression,
[Iris]: Do not hesitate to jump in.
[Iris]: However, if it involves a transfer,
[Iris]: if possible, leave one person behind with Natsume's thread.
[Iris]: A report would be appreciated as well. She should be sending reinforcements your way.

[Lilac]: Understood. Ending communication. Rejoining my party.

[Tiger Star]: Princess. We're right in front of one of them weird towers.
[Tiger Star]: We're goin' in. Ain't got no time.
[Iris]: Please do.
[Iris]: If we're to make an easy assumption, there's a possibility that the unusual individual from the report is inside.
[Iris]: Be careful.
[Tiger Star]: You mean 'beat the snot out of it ASAP,' right?
[Tiger Star]: Alright, we're headin' in.

[Iris]: Everyone, follow Natsume's threads.
[Iris]: Squads that have not been pulled should continue to buy time.
[Iris]: Squads that have been called, move quickly.

[Balast]: Report. Currently rushing to a tower.
[Balast]: Met up with Sora-chan & Kagura-neesan's group of four on the way.
[Balast]: But we're a bit far, so it might take an estimated five minutes…
[Balast]: or more to arrive.
[Iris]: Understood. If possible, report again after you clear it.

[Balast]: Well, with this lineup, there's zero concern on the combat side, I suppose.
[Balast]: My apologies, understood. Ending communication.

—…

—…

—…

[Iris]: Haru.

[Iris]: Where are you now?

◇◆◇◆◇

There are some things in this world you just shouldn't do.

And I'm not just talking about serious stuff like breaking the law. There are lines, vague yet definite, that exist for moral reasons, for the sake of others.

Yes, for example, when it comes to games—

"—You gotta be kidding me, what is this shitty boss?!"

"—You gotta be kidding me, what is this shitty boss?!"

—like throwing a massive time-wasting element into content that requires a speedrun on the edge of possibility.

Not just my voice, but even Natsume-senpai's genuinely enraged roar, unbecoming of a maiden, echoed through the enclosed space. Deep within the "tower" we had reached in just under three minutes thanks to Sapphire's all-out 'Lightspeed.'

Enemy Name: [Administrator:03]—a creature that could be described as a turtle made entirely of tree roots, was taunting its challengers with its utter immobility.

"Hey, Haru! Do something already!"

"'Something' is a bit vague!"

To be clear, 'immobile' meant the main body was immobile. The writhing, spreading root-spears were still moving every which way. But the two of us could handle intercepting those just fine…

The big problem was that two minutes had passed since the start of the battle—and in all that time, the two of us rankers hadn't been able to inflict any real damage on it.

No matter if we slashed, struck, or shot at it, the iron-walled (wooden) fortress, about three meters long, wouldn't yield or even flinch. It deflected all physical attacks with its shell (wood) and hide (wood)… and even though we couldn't see its HP bar, it was painfully easy to tell our attacks were having no effect whatsoever.

Swords didn't work, fists didn't work, and to top it off, even my penetrating strikes, [Trembling Transmission] & [Echo], were resisted as the roots dispersed the impact.

It made no sense. It was such absurd defensive power that it was better to assume it had physical immunity. So, what about magic? Well—

"Let's just burn it! It's made of wood, isn't it? It'll work!"

"I told you! My 'flames' don't work that way, you idiot!"

My water magic, boosted by a spirit's blessing skill, was completely negated, and as for Natsume-senpai, well, you heard her. Her 'black flames,' which should be at least somewhat effective against any living creature in this world since they all possess mana to some degree, were unfortunately useless here.

Because,

"That thing has zero mana too, right?! Then of course it won't work! It won't have a single bit of effect! Nia punching it would be more effective! Sorry for snapping at you!"

"Sorry, don't be so mad!"

Her dark magic was a flame of plunder that grew more ferocious depending on the target's mana reserves. Conversely, it had absolutely no effect on things that didn't involve mana—a heatless shadow.

In other words, it was useless against that thing, which the [Milmarinus]'s 'eyes' had judged to have no mana as she watched the battle nervously from the rear.

It was a compatibility issue. Nothing to be done about it.

She was already contributing far beyond any normal person just by handling most of the root interceptions with her masterful thread manipulation. I had no intention of complaining to her.

Because the only one I should be directing that at is the bastard right in front of me. Which means, after all is said and done, it's just as she said—

"Right, no choice then…!"

It seems I have to do something here.

"Natsume-senpai, I'm leaving the guard entirely to you!"

"For how many seconds!"

"As long as you can!"

And so, I entrusted the ceaseless barrage of countless spear-points to my senpai without hesitation and came to a stop.

It was a considerable number of attacks and pressure, likely befitting a half-raid class boss, but I was sure the [Thread-Weaver] whom I respect could handle it without a problem.

I'll just pretend the angry-sounding voice that reached my ears was my imagination. For now, I just need to close my eyes and…—sink, quietly, quietly.

I summon my Jade Blade.

"'Shifuu Ittou'…—"

What I'm about to unleash is an unfinished technique. Unlike the fourth strike, "Hibachi," which can't be perfected because it has no theoretical upper limit to its power, this is an immature blade, incomplete simply because my skill is lacking.

There's no way I can show something like this to the world as a disciple of the [Sword Saint]. But as a ranker, I can't afford to show a pathetic display by not playing the cards I hold.

Then there's no choice. I'll swallow my pride and use this moment as a chance to train.

Right hand in a normal grip, left hand in a reverse grip, and the tip pointed to the ground. A sword that cuts with every step. This time, I will draw not a line, not a flash, not a circle, but—

"Trial, Third, Strike…!"

A "point"—aimed down.

Outer Force Output 'Kai,' critically converged threefold. I pressed the tip of my [Samidorizuki], filled with all my power, against the ground at my feet… and without moving, I stomped with both feet, shaking the enclosed space with a tremor.

That's one.

Another one, and another one.

The diffusion of power that would have carelessly shattered the ground if this weren't an indestructible boss room was proof of my own immaturity. I endured the shame, shaking the earth again and again, but just for this moment, I kicked away all unnecessary thoughts and reeled in my focus and intent.

Twisting it,

And twisting it,

And twisting it together—now.

Alright, you damn turtle bastard. If this doesn't work, my only option left is to play my trump card at the risk of self-destruction, but I'm guessing even you aren't truly invincible, right?

If you're not going to move, not going to budge, and stay glued to the floor without leaving for even a second,

Then your weak spot is probably your belly or something like that!

"—[Kodama (Echo)]!"

Twenty percent speculation, eighty percent wishful thinking. Believing the unseen underbelly to be the breakthrough point, I unleashed the third strike, a ground-running blade.

The combined output of 'Kai' was slammed into the ground, and through a forceful multi-stage rocket system, a slashing attack was sent to the target's feet—a stationary assault blade.

It requires an absurd level of precision in thought-based control, and at my current level, I can't avoid the power dissipating underground, reducing its power to that of a normal special move. Furthermore, it forces a threefold power convergence at once, consumes a massive amount of stamina, and has too long a charge time, making it far from practical for combat use.

However, when the opponent is a turtle bastard that shows no sign of moving an inch, it's a different story.

The unleashed sword strike traveled through the ground.

And the wooden monster, its completely undefended belly attacked by a formless blade, in a complete reversal of its unyielding fortress-like demeanor until now… in what looked almost like an effortless motion,

"—, —"

With a hard-to-describe slicing sound, it was launched into the air.

""—""

In that instant, we rankers did not miss our chance.

The recoil—my body won't move.

The thread runs.

It catches me, it captures the enemy.

"Gah… ugh—!"

Though the previous absurdity of it being immobile no matter what we did was gone, her strained voice told me that its weight was not entirely an illusion.

But she gritted her teeth, and,

"—Let 'em have it!"

"HRAAAAGH!"

With sheer willpower, she manipulated the thread, flinging my body forward with gusto.

My legs were pulled out from under me, and I was thrown down, hitting the back of my head hard—a small price to pay. A Lv.100 avatar wouldn't take damage from something like that; it was a necessary expense to be ignored.

And then, in the middle of a forced high-speed slide.

My initial motion assisted, I was sent flying—beneath the turtle, which was slowly falling through the air as the threads desperately tried to hold it aloft.

Right in front of its truly defenseless weak point, freedom returned to my body.

There's no time to converge 'Kai.' No time to prepare a major technique that requires skill.

Then, I will unleash a pure ultimate attack that requires no technique.

Kesshiki, One Sword—

"Oral Tradition!"

It is the proof given to those recognized by the world as having inherited the style, a trophy.

It is the crystalized form of an art that has become a skill.

"—[Yuikaze (Bound Wind)]!"

I unleash a follow-up, a finishing blade. A split-second sword strike that can be unleashed instantly and forcefully from any stance, with the entire power of the previously used technique added on top.

And so, the falling super-heavyweight and the rising Jade Blade intersected—

And what was left behind,

"—…Gah…!"

Was just me, rolling on the floor, looking up at the scattering deep green phosphorescence, having avoided a future as a turtle-and-ground sandwich.

---

I used that for the first time in 570 chapters.