kscans

Chapter 943 - At the Apex of the Foundation Tree, Part Four

In any game with combat elements, what truly defines a troublesome ‘boss’?

Is it one with complex puzzle-like mechanics? Or one that forces you into a disadvantageous environment? Or maybe one that requires a specific item check, like needing a holy sword to fight a demon lord?

There are as many answers as there are games and players. And so, I have my own theory on the matter.

For me, the undisputed champion of ‘this is the strongest kind of boss’ is…

The type whose numerical specs are so absurdly high that a head-on, full-force, super-prolonged slugfest is the only option.

“—Hayate!”

Another step, another flash of my blade as I dashed past. How many times had it been?

No matter how many times I severed them, they just grew back… or rather, it was as if the very fact they had been severed was being erased. The arms regenerated instantly with an utterly idiotic lack of motion.

After about ten minutes, I decided it was a waste of resources to even try intercepting them and switched to pure evasion. I slipped past the ‘arms’ and delivered a slash that carved through silver.

And then, a full-power retreat after a solid hit—but of course.

` `

After more than forty minutes of fighting, with eighty percent of its HP chipped away, the mock god-statue, Vermicane, was in full-on player-slaughter mode. It wasn’t about to let me escape so easily.

It’s common knowledge in Arcadia that players aren’t the only ones who learn during a fight. While it’s true that only exceptions like the ‘Colored Monsters’ seem to remember things across multiple encounters, any intelligent enemy will learn from its opponent within a single battle.

An annoying gnat that kicks off at the speed of sound while brandishing a blade would naturally be a top-priority target for learning. So, after a long and desperate struggle, it was only logical that it would devise a countermeasure to my footwork… for instance, laying down a barrage of attacks on my predicted high-speed trajectory.

An invisible, lethal force placed right where I was about to dash. A mere graze would almost certainly tear off an arm or a leg, but—

“Hah…!”

If I don’t get grazed, it’s fine. I stomped to reverse my momentum—aerial pinball is my specialty, after all.

Besides, while the monster was learning about me, I was also learning about it. I’ve already ‘memorized’ all of its quirks and attack patterns!

“[Rocket]!”

I saw the distortion in space and sensed that familiar unpleasant feeling. Memory complete, route constructed, movement set, and then—maximum thrust ignition, interrupting my retreat for another hit.

The invisible ‘force’ was a coordinate-based attack… but since we’d all dodged it since the beginning, its true nature remained a mystery. Weaving through it, I unleashed a flashing seventh strike.

“Nana—… Hoshi!”

A seven-hit combo that traced the sides of a pentagram, centered on the giant’s neck.

` `

Felt that one. As usual, the incarnation of silent violence remained voiceless and expressionless, but if I ignored its absurdly tough, trick-free bastardly performance…

It no longer felt like a threat.

Its depths were revealed long before we could even approach the speed record set by the dual-crowned sword masters.

It had monstrously high durability and attack power. An HP regeneration ability that, by all rights, shouldn't be implemented on a boss. And those infinitely extending arms from its back, which boasted an initial acceleration that surprised even me and a top speed that would leave most high-speed warriors in the dust.

On top of that, it had palms that dissipated special abilities and an invisible, high-speed coordinate attack. And whether it was an ability or not, there was the pressure and fear that directly attacked one’s mental state, and so on. Each of these components was more than threatening on its own, that much was true.

In other words, according to my theory of ‘this is the strongest kind of boss,’ this thing… [Apocryphate Vermicane] should have been a truly troublesome opponent.

But, however, a single, certain trait—

Its extremely single-minded targeting system, which relentlessly and obsessively focused on the closest player, was its undoing, for that player was none other than me, the Acrobat.

So… ever hear the saying, ‘If you dodge everything, you can’t possibly lose’?

It’s my motto, as the Acrobat. You’d do well to remember it.

“—Sturm Riesig!”

“—Ngh!”

And so, behind the absolute evasion shield enjoying a comfortable battle, flew in a ‘sword’ and a ‘fist,’ both roaring as they tore through space with immense force.

` `

The rooted giant could not dodge.

And so, naturally, the sequence of impact, roar, and tremor was established. At this point, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this battle was no longer a battle.

Normally, having an over-raid class enemy focus its aggro on a single person would be beyond unfair—it would be an impossible-to-survive, piece-of-crap boss. Even a ranker would struggle, so I can see why Tiger and the others were complaining.

But if it’s me…

Unless it pulls out moves like that Mole Imposter, flying around freely with its absurd size, or has some unavoidable binding skill…

Without a shred of conceit, if it’s me.

“…Alright. Let’s stop messing around and finish this, shall we!”

Against an opponent of this level, just surviving while landing a few counterattacks is an easy game.

If you really want to make me cry, bring a swarm of [Feidran Tyrantinus] or the [Black Stain That Slays All] next time. And with that thought,

I effortlessly weaved through the relentless barrage of ‘arms’ and ‘forces.’

“‘In the name of the Beginning, I open the Present.’”

Recall and release—[Alv Stella]. Alright, partner. Our long, yet short, yet frankly endless conquest of the Key Tree is coming to an end. Let’s make the finish a spectacular one!

---

A tragic game of compatibility. The boss wasn't designed with someone who flies around non-stop at the speed of sound in mind.

By the way, in terms of simple combat power, the Mole Imposter is actually >>> the Mock God-Statue. The real issue is why an over-raid class enemy is showing up in a single-party-only area. So for those who thought, "that wasn't so tough..." be careful, your senses might be getting Acrobat-ized.

Also, Uni-kun's comment about being a superior version will be picked up later.