kscans

Chapter 936 - side: Team.E

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◇ [Apocryphate Vermicane] has been defeated ◇

◇ 100th Floor clear confirmed ◇

◇ Complete conquest of the Foundation Tree Road confirmed ◇

""Thaaaaat… waaaaas… bruuuuutal…!!!!!""

They had been told explicitly that this was not the true summit, but it was undeniably a dizzying height.

In the depths of the 100th floor of the Key Tree Maze, illuminated by the fading green light of the divine statue whose monstrous form they had just shattered, two warriors collapsed backward in unison, their shouts of shared sentiment echoing toward the ceiling.

"Are you kidding me…?! That was a full-blown over-raid boss, not meant for a small party…!!"

One of them, a spiky-haired brunette in a tiger-striped outfit, let his spear fall to the side with a clatter.

"A complete, superior version is just impossible…!"

The other, with fluffy, steel-gray hair and light armor, dropped his twin daggers limply at his sides.

[Great Tiger] and [Heavy Tank]—the 7th-ranked of the Northern Faction and the 2nd-ranked of the Southern Faction, respectively. Both were known not only for their outstanding PvP combat skills but also for their high-level prowess against monsters.

With two such players sprawled out and complaining… it was only natural that…

"…You two took that down? You two swordsmen…"

For instance, there was one in all black, who, for the sake of maintaining his character, had managed to stay seated instead of collapsing.

"…How are regular players even supposed to clear this…?"

And for instance, another in a hero suit, who had run around more than anyone and had been the first to collapse.

[Poet] and [Dispersion]—the 9th-ranked of the South and 6th-ranked of the North, respectively—were considered 'modest' among the rankers in terms of pure fighting power. It was perfectly natural for them to be utterly exhausted.

Overall, it had been a victory achieved without any real danger.

But that was the result of a party of rankers fighting without holding back. When facing an unknown monster at full power for two hours, even those who walked among the heavens couldn't avoid fatigue.

Not everyone was an outlier like the [Sword Queen], the [Sword Saint], or [Peerless]—not to mention the [Acrobat]—with what seemed like an inexhaustible supply of virtual stamina.

Even if they wore crowns, they were still human. When they reached their limits, they would fall.

Which, in turn, meant…

"Faaah… Ugh… Good work… 'night…"

…there was a girl who, as if her duty was done, let out a carefree yawn and drifted off to the dream world.

"…Hmph."

…and there was he, or perhaps she, who quietly gazed at the green light, a frivolous smile touching their lips as they contemplated who knows what.

When facing a monster, if factors like compatibility or playstyle meant one didn't have to fight desperately, then no matter how much they danced, a ranker in the virtual world wouldn't even break a sweat.

Thus, there was the [Castle Lord], who had fallen asleep on the bed of the 'castle' that manifested today as it always did. And there was [Screen], whose beautiful, silvery features were, as usual, colored with an utterly unfriendly expression.

With two party members maintaining their composure and余裕 the entire time for the past two weeks, the collapsed leader let out a quiet sigh that no one else could hear.

"Geez… You're really infinitely un-cute. So disagreeable."

He picked up his spear and sprang to his feet like a coil, tossing the unkind words at one of the two unfazed members—ignoring the girl who was already drifting into slumber.

Of course, contrary to his words, his face and voice were dripping with jest and teasing.

"Hah, don't expect something like that from me."

And the one who received the comment was just as receptive. After nearly two weeks together, plus previous acquaintanceships, the phase of checking compatibility and sizing each other up was long in the past.

[Great Tiger] and [Screen]—the exchange of barbs that naturally began whenever they met was nothing new. It was a well-known fact that their relationship was neither good nor bad, but eternally flat, and their comrades no longer reacted to it.

The former would provoke, and the latter would kick back.

…It went without saying that their comrades, who knew of his or her difficult nature, watched on with warm smiles, thinking that the fact they even bothered to kick back meant they didn't actually dislike him.

"Haaah… Anyway, that makes us second place, right?"

Ignoring the routine squabbling of his not-quite-friends, Uni slowly pushed himself up after his leader, muttering to himself.

It was a murmur directed at no one in particular, but expecting someone to respond.

"Yep, second. There haven't been any other reports of clearing the 100th floor yet."

A fellow faction member, Yata, picked it up, replying while looking at his open community window. Uni chuckled lightly at his colleague's words as he retrieved his Anima.

"Well, that makes sense. Our group was just a bunch of people with too much time on their hands."

"The hell you mean? I ain't free!"

"Don't lump me in with you, I'm not free either."

Two quick retorts followed in perfect sync. Then came two shared, wry smiles.

And all that remained…

"Mmm… Uyu…"

…was the sound of one person's peaceful breathing.

And so, on Thursday, with three days left until the deadline, and approximately eleven days after starting from the fiftieth floor.

"Haaah… Well, whatever. Good work, everyone."

"You too, Tora. Good work, leader."

Team E, led by [Great Tiger], had successfully concluded their conquest of the Key Tree, securing second place.

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Uni and Tora seem even more compatible than Tora and Choro, don't they? It's great.