kscans

Chapter 843 - Weak, Strong, and a New Game

In Arcadia, where the simple truth of 'big equals strong' often holds true, high-level enemies are typically large compared to players.

For that reason, dungeons, which are nests of formidable foes, are usually built to accommodate them. In other words, while the degree may vary, 'extremely narrow environments' are rare.

And so...

"This feels like some kind of hidden dungeon..."

Fighting in a confined space where you can't even sidestep properly is quite unusual. Some players might not have any experience with it at all.

This is probably why the beginning of the Key Tree Maze is said to be so brutally difficult...

"Whoa."

I tilted my head to dodge a sharp point lunging for my forehead, and at the same time, I brought my straight sword up to the outstretched arm—and with a single flash, I sliced it off.

The "enemy" flinched but didn't scream. Instead, its gnarled body creaked and writhed. Without hesitation, I stepped forward.

"Hup."

Another flash. The [Iron Straight Sword] easily cut through the torso, which was as thin as its arm. The tree-man's HP bar shattered unceremoniously, and it dissolved into a green phosphorescence—not blue—and vanished into the air.

Its name was [Juniela Lind, Key Tree Echo]. It's the only hostile entity that appears on the first floor of the Key Tree Maze, and after nearly four years of service, it's the grand debut of the treant-type monster.

Its form is that of a thin humanoid composed of tangled roots. ...If you call anything with a torso, neck, two arms, two legs, and that walks bipedally a 'humanoid,' then sure, it's a humanoid.

I feel like I've seen something similar somewhere recently, but in terms of threat level, it's the very definition of a weakling, a comparison to the difference between heaven and earth or the moon and a turtle wouldn't even begin to cover it—

—that is, if I were at my original max level with all my abilities unlocked.

"I see. If this is what you get on the very first floor, it's definitely high-difficulty..."

I've handled the few encounters I've had so far with ease, but that's only because I've been deliberately calm and cautious in my movements.

Its durability is like paper, not wood, but its writhing, creepy limbs attacking like spears with almost no wind-up is genuinely frightening.

And... I can feel some kind of intelligence from it. It feels like it's watching for an opening... To be honest, a true Lv.1 newbie would have a tough time with this.

Even I can't say for sure that I wouldn't take a hit if I let my guard down. The cramped corridor, combined with the enemy's style, reminds me of my old friends, the Decaying Statues.

—But, well.

"I've got the gist of it. Let's move on quickly."

With the 'skills' I've honed against opponents far beyond this level, it's no match for me. My pathetically weak stats have their limits, but I'll break through as fast as I can.

◇◆◇◆◇

—And so, it's time for the momentous first-floor boss battle of the Key Tree Maze.

"...Hey, you look kinda familiar, don't you?"

True to its name, the labyrinth was surprisingly vast, and I struggled a bit, but no terrain can stand against the perfect mapping provided by my "Memory" gift.

And so, after cutting through the Echoes and steadily making my way through the path, I arrived at a vast chamber. What awaited me there was... just as I'd muttered, a familiar face.

It wasn't decaying, it hadn't become a bed for mushrooms, and its branches were lush with green leaves, but—that malevolent face, I'll never forget it.

"[Eldart Lindia, Key Tree Spirit]... The name's not that similar, I guess."

Putting its grand name aside, its appearance was a spitting image of the [Host of Mush] that my partner and I once faced in that eerie forest.

Instead of 'mushrooms,' its wooden body was embedded with what looked like 'seeds.' The face on its trunk undoubtedly locked onto me, and it let out an indescribable scream.

Perfectly fine. To it, I must be just some pipsqueak it's never seen before, but...

"Heh, I like this...!"

...to me, it's a fun opponent that brings back memories of my beginnings.

『──────────ッッッ！！！』

A similarly bone-chilling roar from the tree spirit shook its belly. Taking that as the signal to start the battle, I dashed forward—not with Rocket, since it's sealed, but with my own two feet.

And its counter-move was...

"Okay, got it, you're a different beast!!"

...a violent shake of its head, simultaneously scattering a multitude of "leaves" that became a barrage of "blades." I'm a Lv.1 with super weak stats and no skills. I don't have a single card to play in response—but so what? Don't you dare underestimate me!

"—Hmph...!!"

They're not slow. But they're not exactly lightning-fast either. My eyes, trained in the company of allies whose movements defy human limits, can certainly track them.

I ignore the near misses grazing my cheek and place the body of my sword to block the path I've chosen.

Taking what seemed to be direct, fatal hits on the iron belly of my sword, I twist my body into the gaps of the barrage.

Forward, forward, ever forward—

Heh, good thing I'm in this small transfigured body. My tiny hitbox saved my ass!

"—And a good day to you!!!"

I thrust with all my might. Having charged through, I reached the great tree's trunk and, without hesitation, slammed the point of my straight sword into it with my entire body, landing a solid first attack.

I wonder if a tree's body has a sense of pain.

I'm face-to-face with the screaming [Eldart Lindia, Key Tree Spirit], a blade embedded in its forehead... This, too, feels like a new beginning. My rising tension leads me to make a declaration.

"Now, let's have some fun!"

In the past, now, and always—if you're going to run, run at full speed.