kscans

Chapter 245 - Before the Boss Fight

At the base, the members heading to the lowest floor of the Necropolis were making preparations.

They had already reached the lowest floor, so today was just about defeating the final boss. They could use a portal to get there, so they didn't need to consider fighting normal monsters.

The expectation was that a Duke-class Demon would appear. Normally, it wouldn't be an opponent to be taken on by just a few people, but this party was composed of those who had ranked high in past Clan Wars, and it was a build specialized in firepower. There was almost no chance of losing.

Hayato looked over the preparing members and fixed his gaze on Esha and the others.

The Hero Ivan, Noat who provided support with song and dance, and Esha who could unleash the game's most powerful attack, Destroy, were all members of the clan that had won a past Clan War.

"Hey, Esha. Don’t get me caught in your Destroy this time, okay? I have a Phoenix Feather, but I’d rather not use it if I don’t have to."

"Getting you caught in it during the Clan War was your own strategy, Ivan. The number of times I intentionally hit you, including that one, is only five, so you’ll be fine."

"No, isn't that a lot? One time is one thing, but you hit me four other times without permission, didn’t you?"

"I think that’s still not enough. I wasn’t just caught in it, I was targeted. You’re not there yet until you’ve experienced that."

"Why are you saying that with such pride, Noat? Don’t worry. You seem to be on your game lately, so I won’t target you."

"But my energy is about to run out, so it's dangerous. That’s why we’re ending it today. After this, I’m going to live a lazy life…!"

"Hey, hey, Noat, don’t go raising any weird flags."

Those three are the same as always. They're not nervous, so they should be fine. The only concern is Esha generating a lot of Hate Value with her Destroy. Gil-san will have to do his best to take the aggro…

Aggro refers to the target.

Monsters with simple AI didn't choose their attack targets with free will, but based on a value calculated from various actions. Dealing a lot of damage or performing healing actions earned a value called Hate Value, and monsters would attack the target with the highest value.

Esha’s Destroy was an ultra-high-firepower attack, so it also generated a lot of Hate Value. She would likely be the target of attacks for a while. It was the tank, the dark knight Gil, who had to manage that.

Skills for shield arts and sword arts often included weapon skills that generated Hate Value. A tank’s role was to use these to protect their allies. To generate Hate Value and take the monster’s aggro. That was Gil’s job.

That same Gil was talking with the Maid Chief.

"This opponent seems quite strong, so Maid Chief-dono should also be careful. Your attack power is remarkable, but your defense is low!"

"Yes. I will be careful not to take the monster’s aggro."

"Yes. If you do take the aggro, hide behind me. I will surely protect you!"

"...I will absolutely take the aggro."

"I asked you not to, but you are an interesting one, Maid Chief-dono!"

Esha is here this time, so I don't think she'll go on a strange rampage, but I'm somehow worried… And Simon is here too, and she's likely to take the aggro. Gil-san is going to have to be very careful.

The female samurai from the Eastern Country, Simon. For various reasons, she was helping them out, but aside from being a bit of a battle maniac, she was a reasonably sensible person. Right now, she was talking to the tamer Maris, or rather, to her pet Lancelot.

"Lancelot is strong. Will you not fight me? I will give you a Dragon Steak afterward."

"Hey, Simon-san, please don’t try to fight my child. Lancelot is saying no, too."

"What, it is just a mock battle. There will be no real killing, so you can rest assured. Or is it that you prefer vegetables to meat? The daikon radishes from the Eastern Country are delicious."

"He’s saying it’s not about the food… Huh? A mate? You want a bride? I’ll take responsibility for finding you one."

Lancelot was brought along to carry Noat-san, but Noat-san is so motivated that it wasn't necessary. But thankfully, the lowest floor is apparently spacious, so Maris and Lancelot will be able to show their true strength. As for the rest…

Hayato turned his gaze to Damian and Ruth.

While the other members were preparing with a very relaxed air, these two alone were very serious. Perhaps their feelings of being able to save their comrade Mist were overflowing, but they were a little too fired up.

"Ruth, you can stay here, you know? Your build isn’t exactly combat-oriented, is it?"

"That’s true, but staying here will only give me more to worry about. It’s better to fight alongside you. Besides, Hayato-san gave me the items needed for alchemy, so I think I can make various things on the spot."

"Field alchemy, huh? Hayato has made more than enough for us, but without a healer, we may need to be adaptable… I understand. But do not overdo it. Even if you are a vampire, you are not invincible."

"Yeah, I’ll be careful. If it comes to it, I’ll turn into mist and dodge the attacks, so I’ll be fine."

Damian was a balanced type who used both sword and magic. Ruth, who also had production skills, could also be called a support class, though different from Noat. However, since there was no healer this time, Ruth could be considered the de facto healer.

Hayato had prepared a large quantity of healing items, but unlike magic, items had a weight limit. Considering that weight limit, it was much more efficient to bring the materials and make the items on the spot.

Hayato had considered going along, but there was no guarantee that there would be only one Duke-class Demon, and there was a possibility that weaker demons would appear at the same time, so it was decided that Hayato, with no combat power at all, would not go. Instead, Ruth would handle production on site.

Besides, Hayato had things to do.

Damian looked at Hayato.

"Well then, we’re off. We’re having a recovery party for Mist tonight, so prepare something delicious."

"Leave it to me. I’ll prepare enough for you to celebrate all day long."

"I’m looking forward to it. And thank you, Hayato. To be honest, Mist and I would not have been able to conquer the Necropolis on our own, but thanks to your connections, or rather, your fate, it seems we’ll manage."

"I haven’t done anything. And it’s too early for thanks. Please save that for when Mist-san wakes up."

"You’re right about that… Alright, let’s go."

Damian led everyone out of the base.

Only Hayato and the maid Rose remained.

"Alright, Rose-san. We have our own battle to fight. Let’s close the shop for today and prepare for the recovery party. Don’t worry about the money. We’ve been earning for this moment, so let’s spend it all."

"Yes, first, we must buy the ingredients. I will buy out everything they are selling."

"I’m counting on you. After that, I’ll need you to help with the cooking. We have several maids coming from the Maid Guild later, so please coordinate them as well. With Esha here, a half-hearted amount of food will be gone in an instant, so please make a lot."

"Understood. I believe Esha will not eat so extravagantly with the Maid Chief present… However, it would be a disgrace to the name of a maid if our guests were left unsatisfied by our hospitality. We shall prepare a feast that will satisfy everyone!"

"Yeah, let’s do our best."

It would be a tragedy if Damian and the others came back defeated, but Hayato had almost no worries about that. If they lost with a lineup like that, it would be a problem with the game’s balance.

Normally, it would be a battle fought by dozens of people, but this time, most of the members were worth a thousand each. Hayato estimated their combat strength to be equivalent to about thirty players.

I’ll believe in their victory and prepare for the recovery party. According to Diite-chan, the fiftieth floor is indeed the lowest, and if they defeat the demon that appears, they should get the item to wake Mist-san from her sleep… A banquet at a time like that can't be shabby. I'll make sure to cook properly.

With that resolve, Hayato began to cook using the ingredients in the base.