“What just happened, Misaki?” “I heard Arihito’s voice… It was, like, just like always, with him watching over me from behind!” “Hyaaaaaah!” ♦Current Status♦ > KOZELKA activated TRIPLE WOLF FANG THRUST Hit EVIL APE B EVIL APE B was knocked back > SIMIAN LORD MINION: ASSASSIN stopped hiding > SIMIAN LORD MINION: ASSASSIN activated BACKSTAB Targeted KOZELKA for double damage Kozelka, behind you! “…!” ♦Current Status♦ > KOZELKA activated DIREWOLF’S INSTINCT Immediate action enabled > KOZELKA activated DARK HAZE Evaded BACKSTAB > SIMIAN LORD MINION: ASSASSIN activated OBSESSIVE PURSUIT > KOZELKA activated PARRY Nullified OBSESSIVE PURSUIT SIMIAN LORD MINION: ASSASSIN was rendered defenseless The enemy attempted to immediately follow the first attack with another, yet Kozelka reacted as if she’d perfectly anticipated the move. The Assassin had attempted to backstab her, but instead, Kozelka left them wide open. “There!” ♦Current Status♦ > KOZELKA activated WEAPON HUNT SIMIAN LORD MINION: ASSASSIN was disarmed > NAYUTA activated ROPE BIND SIMIAN LORD MINION: ASSASSIN was restrained “That’s two down… I restrained the Assassin, Kozelka!” “Please stay on guard, everyone! I can’t see the double anywhere!” “GWOOOAAAH!” A mighty roar echoed through the clearing where the countless pillars stood, strong enough to shake the ground. A gut feeling drove me to shout out as well. Igarashi, use Decoy and Force Target! And please get some distance after you’ve got them set up! “Everyone, get out of here!” ♦Current Status♦ > KYOUKA activated DECOY and FORCE TARGET > SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated BOUNDING BOULDER BREAKER DECOY was destroyed Terrain features within range were destroyed > Terrain collapse caused rockslides The enormous ape leaped down from atop one of the pillars, slamming its fist into the ground as it landed. A shock wave passed through the area, cracking the stone pillars and sending them tumbling down in an instant. “Ms. Kyouka!” “Aiieee! S-Suzu!” “Woof!” ♦Current Status♦ > CION activated DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Speed increased Reduced slowing effects of obstacles > CION activated EMERGENCY EXTRACTION Targets: KYOUKA, MISAKI, SUZUNA Cion ran into the fray to rescue Igarashi, Misaki, and Suzuna. Nayuta had one end of her rope tied around a stake and she flung it toward a stone pillar, while Kozelka used her own physical prowess to escape the destruction. “Grrrrrr…” “GIII!” The monster that my license identified as the Simian Lord gave some sort of order to the Evil Apes. They grabbed the tied-up Assassin and started to leave with him in tow. “You’re not getting away!” “GISHAAAH!” Evil Ape B, the more wounded of the pair, took the Assassin, while the remaining one leaped toward Kozelka to strike. She warded it off with her sword and jumped back, putting distance between her and the ape. At that moment, what had been a colossal, red-furred ape began changing form. “GWOOOAAAHHH!” ♦Current Status♦ > SHINING SIMIAN LORD deactivated DOUBLE Transformed into STONESPLITTING SAVAGE SIMIAN > STONESPLITTING SAVAGE SIMIAN activated BLOODY BATTLE ROAR > EVIL APE A’s attack power and speed drastically increased Defense power decreased As if to acknowledge that Kozelka’s team were foes that must be destroyed, the giant ape revealed its true form—ash-gray fur, scars over its eye and all. It roared yet again. At the sound of its battle cry, the Evil Apes’ eyes turned red and the fur all over their bodies bristled. They looked even more ferocious than before. “…You must let us through. Try to impede us, and we shall show no mercy.” The Savage Simian merely grinned at Kozelka’s threat. It seemed to relish the thought of battle. As Kozelka’s team entered the eastern stronghold, Khosrow and his crew crossed their bridge and broke into the western one. They found a wide courtyard surrounded by a wall formed of logs driven straight into the ground and a brazier lit with flame. It looked very much like a gladiatorial arena—an image supported by the enormous, red-furred ape seated at the end of the yard with its chin in its hands. “This stronghold you’ve got here is awful big to have so few people in it… Where’d all your captured Seekers go? I thought there was supposed to be ten of ’em!” ♦Monsters Encountered♦ SHINING SIMIAN LORD Level 12 Hostile Fire Resistant Dropped Loot: ??? SIMIAN LORD MINION: DANCER Level 11 Hostile Dropped Loot: ??? SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST Level 11 Hostile Dropped Loot: ??? WARRIOR APE Level 11 Hostile Dropped Loot: ??? SORCERER APE Level 11 Hostile Dropped Loot: ??? Khosrow spit those words, demonstrating his fighting spirit for all to see. The Warrior Ape strode out to challenge him, as if compelled by the force of his taunt. ♦Current Status♦ > WARRIOR APE activated GRAPPLE Opposing KHOSROW with brute force The Warrior Ape had an unusually muscular upper body. Its raw strength made it a fitting rival for even the level-13 Khosrow. “So that skill forces me into close combat with you, huh?” Khosrow asked the ape. “GIII!!” ♦Current Status♦ > SORCERER APE activated BALEFUL WORD > SIMIAN LORD MINION: DANCER activated ENTRANCING DANCE The Sorcerer Ape—clad in rags and leaning on a crooked wooden staff—chanted something. Black letters formed from magical energy appeared at the tip of its staff, then sailed through the air toward Khosrow. As if that weren’t enough, the subordinated Dancer began dancing—but then… ♦Current Status♦ > VETERAN’S TALISMAN effects activated KHOSROW resisted Charm “You’re gonna need way, way more than that to tempt me!” ♦Current Status♦ > KHOSROW deactivated GRAPPLE > KHOSROW activated BATTLE CRY Party members’ attack and defense power increased > IVRIL activated REFLECTIVE PARASOL Reflected BALEFUL WORD > BALEFUL WORD hit SIMIAN LORD MINION: DANCER SIMIAN LORD MINION: DANCER’s attack, defense, and speed decreased Khosrow jumped back, breaking free from the Warrior Ape’s clutches. Ivril, who’d been holding her ground in the center ranks, stepped forward to deflect Baleful Word with her parasol. The ability bounced harmlessly away from its target and struck the subordinated Dancer instead. “You can reflect attacks back at the bad guys, huh? Not bad, lady!” “Let that show you that neither gender nor age means a thing on the battlefield.” Ivril, look out on your right! “…!!” ♦Current Status♦ > SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST activated VERGE OF NOTHINGNESS Reduced presence Raised success rate of surprise attacks > SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST activated SWIFT ARROW STEP > FERESIA activated INTERCEPTION Target: SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST > FERESIA activated INSULATING PALM Nullified SWIFT ARROW STEP The Martial Artist’s presence seemed to fade away into nothingness, even though he remained right there. He stepped toward Ivril to strike so swiftly that it didn’t seem physically possible—but Ferris darted between them and blocked his blows with her palms just in the nick of time. “Mrrrowr!!” “—?!” ♦Current Status♦ > FERESIA activated IMPACT PAD Hit SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST was knocked back and Concussed Now that’s strong… She nullified his attack with the pad of her paw, then struck right back at him through his defenses without mercy. Amazing what a level-12 Felid Fighter can do! “Viola!” ♦Current Status♦ > VIOLA activated SERPENT BIND SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST was restrained > VIOLA activated PARALYZING VENOM SIMIAN LORD MINION: MARTIAL ARTIST was paralyzed > SIMIAN LORD MINION: DANCER activated THROWING DAGGER Durability of VIOLA’s GREAT VIOLET SERPENT’S POISON WHIP was reduced Viola’s weapon was a whip that she kept at the ready in her skirt. She drew it out and immediately used it to restrain the Martial Artist, hitting him with paralyzing poison in the process. The Dancer attempted to cut the whip apart and free the Martial Artist, but one attack wasn’t enough to do the job. “KIIIKIIIII!!” ♦Current Status♦ > WARRIOR APE activated CRUEL BITE > KHOSROW activated MAX COUNTER Hit WARRIOR APE Significant knockback The Warrior Ape aimed for Viola in an attempt to free the Martial Artist from his restraints. However, Khosrow anticipated its movement and countered with an explosively powerful attack. The Warrior Ape was about the size of a full-grown adult human, but Khosrow’s counter still sent it flying away. “GIIIII!” “Too bad for you…I’m still here.” ♦Current Status♦ > SORCERER APE activated SCREAM OF ANIMOSITY > MELISSA attacked Activated effects of AMBUSH Critical hit on SORCERER APE SORCERER APE’s action was canceled > FERESIA activated LEG CANNON Hit SORCERER APE Significant knockback First Melissa prevented the Sorcerer Ape’s action, then Ferris immediately followed up with an attack. They were completely in sync, like only a mother and daughter could be. Khosrow’s team clearly had complete control over the situation; they didn’t need any of my support. They had already put the Martial Artist and the monsters out of commission, and thanks to the reflected Baleful Word, the remaining Dancer’s movements were slow and dull. However, Khosrow’s expression was still strained. “Why won’t these guys stay down? How can they keep getting back up?” The Simian Lord seated at the far end of the arena was, as we’d imagined, the second double. Its red fur turned to black as its body shrank. ♦Current Status♦ > SHINING SIMIAN LORD deactivated DOUBLE Transformed into DEMON MONKEY GUARD > DEMON MONKEY GUARD activated PEON’S FATE > WARRIOR APE and SORCERER APE transformed into WAR PUPPETS Khosrow’s team ran into just about the same situation as Kozelka’s team; the Stonesplitting Savage Simian and Demon Monkey Guard both powered up their monster underlings and looked determined to fight to the end. Not only that, but the two of them were starting to move themselves. With the Double skill deactivated, they could no longer mimic the Simian Lord’s abilities, but on the other hand, they could now use their own inherent powers. “Looks like we’ve got the real fight on our hands now,” said Khosrow. “We can’t let these guys make it back to the Simian Lord, Atobe. Make sure you take it down before we regroup!” Right! Stay safe, Khosrow! “You got it!” Khosrow raised his fist to meet mine. Then he made a mad dash to the front line, slashing away the reinvigorated Warrior Ape as he went, to face the Demon Monkey Guard. Part III: Bloodbath The two doubles had revealed their true forms, and Kozelka’s and Khosrow’s teams kept on fighting to stop them from regrouping with the Simian Lord. “The contract holders have spent the required time in battle. Alphecca may now be summoned.” That was how we’d get our cart across the river—by calling on Alphecca’s strength. ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO called on ARIADNE for aid > ARIADNE summoned ALPHECCA “I am Alphecca, incarnation of Arianrhod, the Silver Chariot.” Alphecca announced herself as she appeared out of thin air. With Ceres and Steiner’s help, I got Alphecca connected to the chassis of our cart. “That’s as much as we can do, I’m afraid,” said Ceres. “We’re praying for your success, Arihito!” “Take care, everyone…,” said Steiner. “We’ll be right here, waiting for your return!” “Okay…time to fire the Queen’s Tail!” ♦Current Status♦ > MADOKA used QUEEN’S TAIL +1 to activate STING RAY Terrain: Rampart successfully destroyed > ARIHITO activated CHARGE ASSIST 1 MADOKA recovered magic Light arced upward from the Queen’s Tail, then fell like a meteor to pierce the stronghold wall across the river. It looked a little weaker than the test shot, due to the increased distance, but it was still strong enough to destroy the wall. “Let’s go!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIADNE converted ARIHITO’s devotion level into magic > ALPHECCA activated ENDLESS LOOP ALPHECCA stopped consuming magic > ALPHECCA activated CONSTELLATION Area of skill effects increased > ALPHECCA activated FLOATING Obstacles and elevation have no effect Alphecca extended the range of her skills to cover the connected cart; it rose into the air along with the Silver Chariot, and together they began to glide forward through the sky. “A-Arihito! We’re really flying! Eeek!” “Don’t worry, Madoka, you’re not going to fall down. But stay on guard, Alphecca. One of the enemies we’re up against can make new obstacles!” “They have arrived. The enemy is trying to obstruct our path to the stronghold wall.” ♦Current Status♦ > SIMIAN LORD MINION: TERRAFORMER activated TECTONIC RISE Formed GROUND PILLARS > ALPHECCA activated CRESCENT DRIFT > ARIHITO activated HAWK EYES Increased ability to monitor the situation Alphecca used her Crescent Drift, which was typically an offensive maneuver, to avoid the Terraformer’s pillars as they shot up out of the ground with frightening speed. Even as I felt dizzying g-forces on all sides, I noticed the Terraformer himself on the opposite side of the obstruction. ♦Current Status♦ > SIMIAN LORD MINION: TERRAFORMER activated TECTONIC RISE Formed GROUND PILLARS > SIMIAN LORD MINION: TERRAFORMER activated CREEPING VINES THORNED IVY grew on GROUND PILLARS Suddenly, vines sprouted on the pillars, growing to connect each pillar to the next in a network of thorny vines—but Alphecca didn’t slow down. “Such an obstacle will not stop me,” she said. ♦Current Status♦ > ALPHECCA activated THORN RUT > ALPHECCA activated PERPETUAL DEVASTATION Alphecca rarely showed any major emotional shifts, but there was pride in her voice—so much pride that it verged on haughtiness. She rode about on the clinging vines as she pleased, attacking boldly and indiscriminately. I never imagined that a skill as oppressively stifling as the Terraformer’s Creeping Vines could be used to provide greater mobility instead. “Eeeek!” “Hold on tight, everyone!” “I shall not let a single one of you fall. Fear not! Entrust yourselves to me!” Alphecca ran along the ivy, pulling our cart up an incline so steep, I thought we were on a roller coaster. It was a strange feeling to ride behind her; it felt less like we were linked to the Silver Chariot and more like we were following along with her, somehow keeping up without our cart falling through the air. And yet there we were. Alphecca pulled us along a route the Terraformer couldn’t have possibly anticipated, all the way up to the tops of the pillars, flitting about through the air. From our high vantage point, I suddenly caught sight of the Terraformer down on the ground, looking up at us. I can see everything from up here… I can’t miss! ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated VINE SHOT Activated effects of SATISFACTION STONE > Critical hit on SIMIAN LORD MINION: TERRAFORMER SIMIAN LORD MINION: TERRAFORMER was restrained by Vines “It hit… I’m pretty sure you could get away with introducing yourself as a Sniper at this point, Arihito!” said Elitia. “I bet that Terraformer’s just as surprised to get hit from this distance, too. I’d like to make sure he’s all right, if possible, but from this position he looks okay…” “Kozelka and Khosrow are still fighting… We must keep up, too!” said Seraphina. Once we passed through the shattered wall and into the central stronghold, I could count on Hawk Eyes to let me see the lay of the land through all the obstructions. The river flowing through the labyrinth’s second floor surrounded the Simian Lord’s strongholds; they were built on an island in the middle of it, with flame traps set up in the rear to prevent assault from behind. “I knew it… The Simian Lord’s got Rury…” “What in the world is that in front of it, though…?” asked Seraphina. ♦Monsters Encountered♦ SHINING SIMIAN LORD Level Unknown Hostile Fire Resistant Dropped Loot: ??? SIMIAN LORD MINION: HEALER Level 11 Hostile Dropped Loot: ??? SIMIAN LORD MINION: PUPPETEER Level 13 Hostile Dropped Loot: ??? ?GIANT PUPPET Level 10 Dropped Loot: ??? Before us was an enormous ape with fur like a blazing flame. Unlike the other apes we’d seen so far, this one was wearing an armored helmet that certainly made it look the part of the evil overlord. One Seeker sat on each of its shoulders: Rury and the Puppeteer that Ivril had mentioned. Positioned right in front of it, at the very center of the central stronghold, was the thing that Seraphina had asked about: an enormous statue. Its face was wrapped in bandages, but it looked like it might start moving at any moment—and in each hand, it clutched a large, strangely shaped sword. “Mr. Atobe!” Seraphina called. A chill went through my body; with Hawk Eyes enhancing my vision, I saw the Simian Lord from far above. ♦Current Status♦ SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated PURGATORIAL FIREBALL Target: ALPHECCA Certain Hit So it was entirely possible for a powerful enemy attack skill to have the Certain Hit effect. Faced with that, there was only one thing we could do: try to reduce the damage as much as possible. That was all. “Seraphina, use Defense Force and Aura Shield, please!” I yelled. “…!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIADNE activated GUARD VARIANT Target: ALPHECCA > SERAPHINA activated DEFENSE FORCE and AURA SHIELD > ARIHITO activated DEFENSE SUPPORT 2 Support Types: DEFENSE FORCE, AURA SHIELD > PURGATORIAL FIREBALL hit ALPHECCA “This is it… The Simian Lord’s flame…” “Alphecca!” Even with us using all the defensive skills we could muster to reduce the damage, it still left Alphecca’s chariot in bad shape. She still somehow managed to maintain the effects of her Float skill as she brought us safely to the ground. “Alphecca, please release your manifestation for a moment! Otherwise…you might—” “I cannot do that… If you are to use this weapon again, you will need my protection.” “I…I see… We’ll buy you as much time as we can. Just please keep Madoka safe!” Elitia, Seraphina, Theresia, and I left Alphecca and headed onward toward the Simian Lord—though we still had a lot of ground to cover before we reached it. “GUAAGHAHA… GAGAGAGAGAGAH!” The Simian Lord gave a belly laugh, thoroughly amused. Elitia and Seraphina came to a stop in front of the enormous statue at the center of the stronghold. Then the evil ape’s booming laughter stopped—and it was as if the curtain rose to reveal a nightmare from which there was no escape. ♦Current Status♦ > SIMIAN LORD MINION: PUPPETEER activated MARIONETTE ?GIANT PUPPET transformed into BATTLE PUPPET > SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated DEVIL’S ATONEMENT BATTLE PUPPET strengthened by underlings’ karma BATTLE PUPPET transformed into WICKED BATTLE PUPPET Now why did the Simian Lord send its subjugated Seekers and underling monsters out instead of keeping them close by its side? There was a reason for making them fight that was unrelated to their actual combat ability. All monsters affiliated with the Simian Lord accumulated karma as they fought with Seekers, and if that was what the Simian Lord was after, it might have just attained its goal—a Battle Puppet powered up by karma. I was afraid to check my license, even though I knew what I would find on it. ♦Monster Encountered♦ WICKED BATTLE PUPPET Level 15 Hostile Fire Resistant Sleep Resistant Paralysis Resistant Stun Resistant Dropped Loot: ??? Level 15. Encountering a monster of that level in a District Five labyrinth was unthinkable, and yet the Simian Lord had successfully created one. It had been preparing for this since the moment it took a Puppeteer under its command, and all that preparation was paying off. “Arihito…” Elitia looked back toward me. I knew how hard it was to press onward without losing all will to fight under the circumstances; I understood that so well that it hurt. But the Puppeteer was a wall that we had no choice but to go over. On the other side of that wall, our real target—the Simian Lord—waited and watched, leisurely laughing. “GUAGAGAGAGA…!” ♦Current Status♦ > SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated PURGATORIAL PRISON Area effect: High Heat > SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated WAR DRUM WICKED BATTLE PUPPET’s attack power and speed increased > SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated TYRANNICAL OPPRESSION ARIHITO’s party’s morale was reduced by 10 “It’s trying to cut us off from using Morale Discharges right away!” “How much of a joke does it think we are—?!” Elitia’s voice sounded strained. The Simian Lord spread a wall of fire in front of itself, ensuring that we wouldn’t be able to reach it without going through the Battle Puppet first. It was confident that the completed Battle Puppet would be able to defeat us on its own. Its level was nearly twice my own—and in a world where a gap of one level makes a difference, a seven-level gap was tremendous. But we’re gonna fill that gap! Get ready, Simian Lord—we’re coming! The Battle Puppet was protected by what appeared to be a patchwork of armor taken from Seekers. Its swords looked like they were also Seekers’ weapons, or at least had been at some point. The Simian Lord’s flames were likely hot enough for metalworking, then. The Puppet’s two swords were coal black and enormous; one look at them told me that staving off their attacks would be next to impossible. The Puppet’s face was covered with a simian mask under a horned helmet. It may have been a coincidence, but it looked an awful lot like a feudal warlord from Japanese history. Only much, much bigger. Suddenly, the Battle Puppet held both of its swords over its head and bent at the knee. We were already within its attack range. Common sense held that a monster as large as this one would move slowly, but that didn’t apply here. The Battle Puppet’s swords came swinging down in a flash. “In the name of the Hidden Gods, I protect thee…” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated DEFENSE SUPPORT 1 Target: SERAPHINA > ARIADNE activated GUARD VARIANT Target: SERAPHINA > WICKED BATTLE PUPPET used its RIGHT ARM to activate HARDEDGE STARCRUSHER > SERAPHINA activated DEFENSE FORCE, AURA SHIELD, and GUARDIAN’S TASK > HARDEDGE STARCRUSHER hit SERAPHINA MIRRORED SHELL PAVIS +1’s durability was reduced “Seraphina!” “I can handle it…with Mr. Atobe and Ariadne’s power on my side…” My Defense Support 1 skill reduced the damage by 13 points, which was hardly a fraction of the damage headed her way. But even though the blow looked strong enough to knock her shield completely away, Seraphina withstood it. By blocking the attack, she created a gap in the onslaught to allow for a counterattack. Elitia moved to strike, but then— Our miraculous opportunity crumbled to pieces as the Battle Puppet brought down its second sword. It’s no use! If this attack hits Seraphina head-on, we’re in real trouble…! The sword in the Battle Puppet’s left hand turned from black to red hot. We were facing down a powerful fire elemental attack—one that covered too wide a range for Seraphina to hold it off herself. “Mr. Atobe, shield everyone, now!” Seraphina called back to me. The next moment, a transparent wall appeared directly in front of me. “Here comes the support, guys!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIADNE activated GUARD VARIANT Target: ARIHITO > SERAPHINA affixed ARIHITO with DEFENSIVE BARRIER AURA > ARIHITO activated DEFENSE SUPPORT 2 Support Types: DEFENSIVE BARRIER AURA, GUARD VARIANT > WICKED BATTLE PUPPET used its LEFT ARM to activate HARDEDGE BLACK FLAME WHIRLWIND Fire elemental area of effect attack > Hit SERAPHINA No damage > Hit ELITIA No damage > Hit ARIHITO > Hit THERESIA “Theresia!” “……!!” Even though my armor was stronger than before, my defensive power was still significantly lessened when I was on the front lines. If it hadn’t been for Defensive Barrier Aura and Guard Variant—not to mention Theresia protecting me with her own shield—the Battle Puppet’s black flames would have mowed me down. ♦Current Status♦ > QUEEN’S TAIL +1 commenced cooldown Capable of refiring in 718 seconds We still couldn’t fire the Queen’s Tail, our ace in the hole. We’d fired it twice already, extending its cooldown time. It would be more than ten minutes until it was ready to fire again; it was useless if we couldn’t hold out against the Battle Puppet’s furious onslaught for that long. No… Even if I focus entirely on protecting everyone, it’ll still crush us before then… I’ve gotta go on the offensive, even just a little bit! Theresia sprang into action as if she’d read my thoughts. I couldn’t tell her it was no use. Her every movement was deliberate, without a hint of hesitation; her target was clear. “……!” ♦Current Status♦ > THERESIA activated ACCEL DASH and DOUBLE THROW > ARIHITO activated FORCE SHOT: FREEZE > WICKED BATTLE PUPPET used its RIGHT ARM to activate HARDEDGE DROP Ready to counter > WICKED BATTLE PUPPET used its LEFT ARM to activate TITANIC FALL > THERESIA activated MIRAGE and SHADOW STEP > FORCE SHOT: FREEZE hit WICKED BATTLE PUPPET > TITANIC FALL triggered DELAYED IMPULSE Hit THERESIA > HIDE AND SEEK +5 was broken Theresia’s body went sailing through the air. An invisible shock wave had followed after the Battle Puppet brought down its sword, hitting Theresia hard and sending her flying. She bounced across the ground several times and finally rolled to a stop. My heart pounded and my vision went red. Bitter hatred swelled up inside me; it felt like I was burning up. I had to destroy the Battle Puppet; every second it still stood was a second too long. But I knew what had happened, and my allies did, too. We knew that Theresia had charged forward to challenge the Puppet in order to help me survive, if only for a moment longer. “I won’t lose you again… I swore I wouldn’t!” Elitia yelled. ♦Current Status♦ > ELITIA activated ASTERISK Certain hit when striking weak points Increased probability of critical hit Unique terrain: Star Field Elitia’s eyes were no longer bloodred. Instead, a shining light poured out of them, as if they contained twinkling stars they couldn’t hold inside. Her body moved of its own accord. It knew that there was only one option left to take. ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated ATTACK SUPPORT 1 > ELITIA activated COMET RAID > Terrain effect: Star Field grants ELITIA preemptive strikes WICKED BATTLE PUPPET’s actions were delayed My eyes can’t keep up with Elitia…and neither can the Battle Puppet! “Scatter, as stars fall!” ♦Current Status♦ > ELITIA activated ULTIMATUM Attack power and speed increased Added SCARLET TRAILS > ELITIA activated STAR PARADE Attack frequency increased > WICKED BATTLE PUPPET activated HARDEDGE DREAMING DAWN The Battle Puppet attempted to counterattack, despite the effects of the Star Field holding it back. Did you see this coming…Theresia…? ♦Current Status♦ > THERESIA’s thrown ELLUMINATE RAZOR SWORD +7 hit WICKED BATTLE PUPPET 13 support damage Even though Theresia hadn’t thrown two weapons when she activated Double Throw, it still ensured that the one she did throw would hit the Battle Puppet. The Razor Sword careened down out of the sky, striking the Puppet and delaying its skill for an instant. “Mr. Atobe…!” “Cooperation Support…vanguards!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated COOPERATION SUPPORT 1 > ELITIA activated LIBERATION Unlocked ANTARES ability: SCARLET SHADOW BLADE > ELITIA activated LUMINOUS FLOW 63 stages hit WICKED BATTLE PUPPET Added 63 SCARLET TRAILS 63 weak point critical hits Combined attack stage 1 > ELITIA activated additional attacks 42 stages hit 42 weak point critical hits Added 42 SCARLET TRAILS > SERAPHINA activated FANATIC Stats increased > SERAPHINA activated SHIELD SLAM Hit WICKED BATTLE PUPPET Combined attack stage 2 > Combined attack LUMINOUS SLAM Critical hit on WICKED BATTLE PUPPET 1,378 support damage 26 additional cooperation damage That’s another thing Elitia’s Asterisk does… It makes all attacks that hit a weak point into critical hits. It doesn’t matter that the enemy’s level 15… All that strength won’t stop Elitia’s skill from connecting! “Blossoms of scarlet blades, bloom!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated ATTACK SUPPORT 2 Support Type: FORCE SHOT: FREEZE > ELITIA unleashed accumulated SCARLET TRAILS Activated 105 stage slash attack > WICKED BATTLE PUPPET was Frozen WICKED BATTLE PUPPET’s actions were canceled > SIMIAN LORD MINION: PUPPETEER linked with WICKED BATTLE PUPPET SIMIAN LORD MINION: PUPPETEER fainted due to decrease in magic > SIMIAN LORD MINION: HEALER activated AWAKEN SIMIAN LORD MINION: PUPPETEER recovered from fainting All of this was due to the truly miraculous number of moves that Elitia could use. By changing the target of my Attack Support before she released her Scarlet Trails, I could choose a special attack that had a chance to get through to the enemy. It was a choice between that or support damage, but considering the Puppeteer had fainted, I thought it’d be risky to deal too much damage to the Battle Puppet—since the Puppet and the Puppeteer were linked, they would share damage, too. “…Are you just going to watch from behind those flames of yours?” Elitia called out, pointing her sword toward the Simian Lord beyond the Purgatorial Prison. Through the flickering fire, I could see that the Simian Lord looked astonished. However… “GUGHAAA… GUGHAHAHAHAHA!” “It’s still…laughing…!” The Simian Lord stretched its arms out toward the eastern and western strongholds. Ariadne filled me in on what was going on there: Kozelka’s and Khosrow’s teams had subdued each of the Simian Lord’s cohorts without incident. I’m pretty sure we’ve got the Simian Lord cornered… But it looks like it’s not over yet! “Wait, it’s…it’s crying…?” Between my Hawk Eyes and Elitia’s Asterisk, I could see something that I typically wouldn’t have been able to notice with the naked eye: tears on the Simian Lord’s face. But there was no way they were tears of grief for its fallen underlings. They were tears of joy—the joy of acquiring new power. “GUGHAAAHHH…!!” ♦Current Status♦ > SHINING SIMIAN LORD activated DEMONIC SOUL SUMMONING Absorbed STONESPLITTING SAVAGE SIMIAN’s and DEMON MONKEY GUARD’s souls SHINING SIMIAN LORD evolved into BLAZING SIMIAN KING “GUOOOH… GOOOHHHHHH!!” Two orbs, gleaming black as they fluttered through the air, flew into the Simian Lord’s outstretched hands. The Simian Lord swallowed them down, and then its body started to change. “It’s a damned abomination…!” Elitia rasped as four arms sprouted from the Simian Lord’s back—the arms of the Stonesplitting Savage Simian and the Demon Monkey Guard. ♦Current Status♦ > BLAZING SIMIAN KING activated ROYAL SKILL: FLAMING PALM OF SIX HELLS Began chanting a hex The Simian Lord’s Purgatorial Fireball skill was guaranteed to hit, and now one fireball was forming in each of the Simian King’s six hands. “Mr. Atobe!” Kozelka called. “Sorry we’re late, Atobe,” said Khosrow. “Wow…so that’s the Simian Lord?” The Simian King laughed. Tears still streamed down its face—but were they tears of mercy for us, the soon-to-be victims of its Royal Skill, or were they tears of delight? It pointed two of its arms forward, and two each of the remaining four toward Kozelka’s and Khosrow’s teams. If one of its Purgatorial Fireballs hit any of them, the wounds it dealt would be fatal. There was no doubt about that; the fact that it had rendered Alphecca incapable of moving with one hit made it all too clear. So then the question was, How do we defend against them? I wasn’t positioned behind either Kozelka or Khosrow, and thus I couldn’t use any of my usual support skills. “Atobe!” “Hey, Arihito! Here we are!” “We’re here to support you, Arihito!” I heard Igarashi, Misaki, and Suzuna’s voices as they rode up on Cion’s back. Nayuta was with them; none of them were aware that the Simian King had started casting a spell. “Arihito…!” “Do allow us to help, Mr. Arihito.” This time, it was Melissa, Ivril, Viola, and Ferris. Everyone in Khosrow’s team was safe and accounted for—for now. The Simian King’s flames were strong enough to change that and tear the party apart with one shot. Which made life seem all the more precious. “This is where it ends… We’re not gonna let you get away with this any longer!” I knew my power wasn’t enough to protect everyone—but our power was. Together, we could overcome any threat that faced us. “I’m counting on you, Elitia! Misaki, use Fortune Roll before Elitia gets hit!” “Okay…got it. It’s all we have left…!” “Wait, what? Uh… ’Kay! Here goes nothing!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO’s morale increased Morale Discharge ready > ELITIA activated COMET RAID Elitia’s move would have looked reckless to anybody, even the Simian King. But that was exactly why it was just the thing to break us out of our tight spot. I believed in Elitia, just like I believed in everyone. I believed we were strong enough to defeat the Simian King. “GUOOOOHHHHHH!!” ♦Current Status♦ > BLAZING SIMIAN KING activated ROYAL SKILL: FLAMING PALM OF SIX HELLS > MISAKI activated FORTUNE ROLL > BRÍSINGAMEN’s effect was activated Damage reduced by FIRE AND HEAT PROTECTION Brísingamen, the choker that Elitia had equipped on her neck, had a small chance of activating Heat Guard when she was hit by a fire elemental attack. Once the skill was triggered, however, the choker broke. Given its exorbitant price, I knew it would keep Elitia safe in this battle—but when it was combined with my skill, that safety would expand to all of us. “Morale Discharge… Complete Mutual Support!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated COMPLETE MUTUAL SUPPORT Time limit: 120 seconds > Strengthened buff effect range for ARIHITO’s party and allied parties > All individual buff skills applied to entire party and allied party members > ROYAL SKILL: FLAMING PALM OF SIX HELLS was nullified The Simian King didn’t fight alongside its underlings. Instead, it used them as doubles—and in the end, it consumed their souls to gain greater power. But here’s what I thought: If only the Simian King had joined in instead of watching as we fought the Battle Puppet… If only it had seen the monsters under its command as more than pawns on a chessboard… It would have been nearly impossible for us to win. “Arihito, now…!” cried Elitia. “Right… Here goes!” We poured all of the fighting strength we had left into our next attack. Igarashi and Melissa shifted their grips on Ambivalenz and the Forbidden Scythe, respectively, preparing for the most destructive combination they could muster. “Cooperation Support—All Out Assault!” ♦Current Status♦ > ARIHITO activated COOPERATION SUPPORT 1 and ATTACK SUPPORT 1 > ELITIA activated STAR PARADE Attack frequency increased > ELITIA activated LUMINOUS FLOW 63 stages hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING Added 63 SCARLET TRAILS 63 weak point critical hits Combined attack stage 1 > ELITIA activated additional attacks 42 stages hit 42 weak point critical hits Added 42 SCARLET TRAILS > KOZELKA activated SWORD RAIN 12 stages hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING Combined attack stage 2 > KHOSROW activated DRAGON DROP Hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING Paralysis has no effect Stun has no effect Actions delayed Combined attack stage 3 “GWOHHH… OOOOOOHHH!!” Elitia made slash after slash faster than the eye could see, while Kozelka’s blades rained down on the Simian King like a meteor shower. On top of that, Khosrow was a whirlwind of fists as he pummeled the monster. “The Delay effect got through… Come on, we can link up more attacks!” ♦Current Status♦ > IVRIL activated PARASOL VORTEX 14 stages hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING Combined attack stage 4 > VIOLA activated CRUEL PAIN 6 stages hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING Paralysis has no effect Bind has no effect Combined attack stage 5 > FERESIA activated WILD LEOPARD 8 stages hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING Concussion has no effect Combined attack stage 6 > KYOUKA activated DOUBLE ATTACK 2 stages hit BLAZING SIMIAN KING A portion of the damage pierced BLAZING SIMIAN KING’s defense Combined attack stage 7 > MELISSA activated LOP OFF BLAZING SIMIAN KING dropped materials Critical hit Instant Death has no effect Combined attack stage 8 Reached combined attack limit > Combined attack LUMINOUS SWORD DRAGON DROP: VORTEX LASHING LEOPARD SLICE 1,937 support damage 104 additional cooperation damage Ivril let her spinning parasol fly off to shave away at the Simian King, while Viola battered it with a flurry of whip lashes. Ferris rushed into the fray and struck so quickly and repeatedly that she looked like a blur. Igarashi let loose two attacks that sharply knocked the Simian King’s head down, and Melissa took the opportunity to lop off one of the horns on its head with the Forbidden Scythe. “It’s working…,” said Khosrow. “Our attacks aren’t just connecting, they’re building up real damage! Pretty nice trick you got there, Arihito.” He was right. Between their powerful skills themselves and the nearly two thousand points of support damage added on, it looked like we were seriously hurting the Simian King. There was just one problem: It still had a healer sitting on its shoulder—Rury. That meant that, unless we killed the Simian King outright, it could recover from any damage. I had no way of knowing that it would work, but I figured that if we could somehow poke a hole in its resistances, we had a decent chance of winning.
Chapter 71
31 min read