kscans

Chapter 945 - And So the Sprouts Connect and Grow

◇ Title Updated ◇
・'One Who Follows the Tree Road' ⇒ 'One Who Reaches the Key Foundation'

◇ Special Title 'One Who Reaches the Key Foundation' has been activated ◇

◇ The armament seal on Player [Haru] within the Key Tree Maze has been partially lifted ◇

◇ Title Acquired ◇
・'Key Holder'

◇ Special Title Acquired ◇
・'Germination'

◇ Special Title 'Germination' has been activated ◇

────────…

──────…

────…

◇ World phase has not reached the specified threshold ◇

◇ L-e-v-e-l c-a-p r-e-l-e-a-s-e f-o-r p-l-a-y-e-r [H-a-r-u] h-a-s b-e-e-n p-l-a-c-e-d o-n h-o-l-d ◇

◇ Skills have evolved ◇
・[Exchange Implode] ⇒ [Ex Machina Altered]
・[Reflect Explode] ⇒ [Raise Diaverte]
・[Trickster of Zenith] ⇒ [Innocent King of Play]
・[Master of Magic] ⇒ [Root of Magic]

…Hmm, I see.

Crumple… toss.

"Ah…"

I physically snatched the system logs that were, as usual, assaulting me with an absurd amount of information, crumpled them into a ball, and launched them into the distance. Ignoring my partner beside me, who let out an involuntary sound, I literally passed the post-mission task of further analysis on to my future self and—

"Alright, that's a wrap! Seriously, great work, everyone—!!!"

—using the momentum from my throw, I smoothly pivoted and shot a triumphant fist toward the sky.

Plus one extremely energetic cheer.

Well, you know. I was the leader, even if I was just appointed. Of course I'd run simulations on how to act after crossing the finish line.

Short and sweet. That had to be it.

The important thing was to act before my party members could turn their attention and focus on me… in other words, before the customary, 'And now, a final word from our leader!' moment could happen.

Why, you ask? Simple.

Giving some formal, drawn-out speech just isn't my style!!!

And yet, it seems that my clever little plan...

Was seen through not just by my partner, who let out a small, wry smile beside me.

"…Heh."

"Hah hah!"

"Yeah."

It seems I've built the kind of relationship where every single one of them could read me and return my antics with accustomed smiles. In the end, a single phrase is all the 'summary' we need.

"That… was fun!!!"

No reply was needed.

Six smiles, each as unique as the last, including my own. That was more than enough—

—and because it was, yes.

We had conquered the hundredth layer of the Key Tree, a complete clear of what's known as the 'Foundation Tree Road'. And now, there was a question that had likely occurred not just to me, but to the entire party.

The massive 'picture' carved into the floor of the great hall… of the many meanings it held, six were marks identical to the color cursors that float above every player's head.

In other words, they were the six challenger slots presumed to be the keys needed to open the great 'door' depicted at our feet. As soon as we defeated the [Apocryphate Vermicane], a faint light had appeared—

Even with the six of us, the conquerors, standing right here.

The question of why only three of those lights were lit… we'll leave that one for the future as well.

---

──────────────────
◇Status◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 110
STR: 300
AGI: 300
DEX: 0
VIT: 0 (+100)
MID: 350 (+350)
LUC: 300

◇Skill◇
・Naraka Gandharva
《Mistlurade》
《Volcanate》
《Lumina Raygust》
《Ex Machina Altered》
《Greed's Chest》

・Water Magic Aptitude
《Aqua》
《Flood》
《Current Haken》
《Maelstrom》
《Laevateinn》
《Water Enchant》

・Active
《Raise Diaverte》
《Flash Traveler》
《Shadow Leaf》
《Eyes Oculus》
《Altera-Notis》

・Passive
《White Dragon's Blessing》
《Innocent King of Play》
《Assign's Fate》
《Rega-Lielta》
《Attentive Limit》
《Gigant Figure》
《Goma Soten》
《Talaria Record》
《Starlit Mine》
《Fatal Closer》
《Unbroken Discipline》
《Dias Lunaria》
《Root of Magic》

《Reject Sentence》
《Shadow Conqueror's Defeat》
《Four Pillars' Embrace》
《Water Spirit's Blessing》
《Four-Sided Blessing》

◇Arts◇
【Kesshiki Ittoryu】
《Flying Water》
《Striking Iron》
《Heavenly Snow》
《Withered Flame》
《Heavy Light》
《Seven Stars》
《Blade Thunder》
　Secret Technique: 《Yuikaze》

【Shifu Ittoryu】
《Gale》
《Droplet》
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And with that, the combat-heavy sixth part of Chapter 5 is complete.
Man, that barrage of action scenes was exhausting. I'm gonna die.

I'll kick off the seventh part around the time the date changes again, but all you good Arcadians, as usual, let's have a good night again.