Chapter 133
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Your Race level has increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your Job level has increased. You acquired 1 SP.
【Intelligence Enhancement】 level has increased.
【Mental Enhancement】 level has increased.
【HP Recovery Speed Increase】 level has increased.
【Mana Recovery Speed Increase】 level has increased.
【Explosion Magic】 level has increased.
You learned the Explosion spell.
【Holy Magic】 level has increased.
You learned the Purification spell.
【Curse Arts】 level has increased.
You learned the Petrification spell.
【Linguistics】 level has increased.
You can now communicate with hostile creatures.
【Evil Eye of Death and Chaos】 level has increased.
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We somehow won! Good grief, that was a rough fight. The experience we gained in return was enormous. There's no doubt about it, since I leveled up. I also learned three new spells, so it seems meddling in that battle was worth it!
"Fall back!"
"Whoa! That's loud!?"
"A monster's battle cry? That's awfully loud."
"...I see. So that's the effect of 'communicating with hostile creatures.'"
Without even a chance to catch our breath after the battle ended, we heard a monster shouting from the direction of the battlefield. I understood that it was a signal to retreat, but the others didn't realize what it meant. Once I understood that, I also understood the content of the announcement that had just played. It was probably the effect of the 【Linguistics】 Skill reaching level 20, which enabled 'communicating with hostile creatures.'
"We shouldn't be standing around here. The Troll King's army will be coming this way soon."
"Seriously?"
"What would I gain by lying? The war is starting over, isn't it? We're retreating for now too."
After quickly stripping the Troll Knight's corpse, we immediately began moving. Ireves, the main battlefield, was a fair distance away, but I had made quite a racket during that fight.
It would be a hassle if they grew suspicious of the noise and sent someone to investigate. I doubted either the human or monster side had that kind of spare capacity, but there was no harm in being careful. Besides, I wanted to log out and take a break soon, so the timing was perfect.
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Let's examine the three new types of magic I learned. The first is Explosion from 【Explosion Magic】, which is essentially a vastly enhanced version of Magic Bomb. Its power is more than satisfactory, and with Spell Adjustment added in, it would surely boast tremendous destructive force.
However, its activation condition is unusual: using it apparently consumes half my HP. I don't really want to use it when I have so few ways to recover, but human nature makes you want to use flashy, over-the-top signature moves. If I get the chance, I'll definitely use it, okay?
The second is Purification from 【Holy Magic】. This is a spell meant solely to destroy undead like me. Clerics are supposed to be the natural enemies of undead, after all, so I suppose it makes sense that they can use it. Still, what does it say about the world that an undead like me can use a spell that would cause a catastrophe if used against me?
The third is Petrification from 【Curse Arts】. Like the Starvation spell from 【Evil Magic】, it gradually turns the target into stone. Once petrified, the target's defenses against both physical and magical attacks increase tremendously, but being shattered results in instant death. So if I have Jigoro or Eiji smash them, I can eliminate enemies with very little effort.
They don't turn to stone instantly, and the effect can be cured with items that remove petrification, but having it used against us in battle would be incredibly troublesome. Petrifying someone would be fantastic, but even if it fails, it would still be a great way to harass them. I also have 【Evil Eye of Death and Chaos】, so my success rate should be high.
"...You made it back safely. That's a relief."
Anyway, I took a break and came back. Good grief, logging out outdoors is always dangerous. This time, though, I managed to log out safely. That was almost entirely thanks to Shishu.
The method was simple. I made a hole large enough for everyone to fit inside using Earth Hole from 【Earth Magic】, and Shishu covered it with a net that had caught fallen leaves, using a martial technique called Camouflage Net.
That alone made it impossible to notice at a glance, but she also set up several trap nets around the area, creating an environment that made anyone hesitate to approach. Even if someone did get through, the Bull Demon was waiting directly above the hole where we were hiding. If it fought, it would have bought us some time, and if even that wasn't enough, we would have had no choice but to give up. Apparently, I had been worrying too much.
"Oh, Izam-san!"
"Good evening."
When I logged in, Shichikou and Uru were already there. More precisely, theirs were the only active avatars. Uru was usually with Shishu, but this time Uru had arrived ahead of everyone else alone. It was unusual, but I suppose days like that happened.
"I went to scout around a bit earlier, and there weren't any players or monsters nearby. It was peaceful enough."
"I see. That helps."
"And while I was at it, I went to check out Ireves too. So... here, pass this along."
"Okayyy."
What Uru produced was a leather bag. If I remembered correctly, it was a bag that could hold as much as its physical size allowed. The inventory could hold an unlimited number of items, but operating it every single time was extremely cumbersome. That made this bag invaluable whenever I wanted to use an item at a moment's notice. My belt, which Iris had made for me, had something similar attached to it, so I knew its convenience firsthand.
However, I didn't recognize the bag Uru handed me. Where had it come from? Had she perhaps stolen it from Ireves?
"The boss of 'Persona'... uh, what was his name again?"
"You mean Usuba?"
"That's right! That guy! I got this from Usuba-chan."
From Usuba? According to our initial plan, we were supposed to operate separately from here on out. What on earth was inside? No, more importantly, there was something else I wanted to know.
"The other players haven't found Usuba, have they?"
"I met Usuba-chan outside the city, so I think we're fine. I don't know how he gets in and out, though. When I asked, he just told me it was 'a corporate secret.'"
There had to be some method favored by the criminal players that was whispered about so earnestly on the forums. Even Usuba finding Shichikou seemed too perfect to be a coincidence. He must have some kind of 'corporate secret' method.
That sort of thing had to be kept secret. I was curious, but no one would tell me for free, at least. I would do the same in his position.
"I see... Did you ask what was inside?"
"Yeah. A map of Ireves, rare items that Fars didn't have, and a letter addressed to you, Izam-san."
"A map!?"
That guy had a good head on his shoulders! We had already been dead set on entering the city under cover of the confusion, but our lack of familiarity with the area was a problem. I thought our destination was conspicuous enough that we would manage, but this meant we wouldn't get lost. How helpful! Incredibly helpful!
The items also sounded interesting. However, I should read the letter first. It would have been convenient if we could use Friend Chat, but that was impossible during this event by design, so there was nothing we could do.
"Let's see, what's it say... What the hell are they doing...?"
Usuba's letter contained an inventory of everything in the bag, information about the state of Ireves and what was happening inside, and a detailed account of what the members of 'Persona' had done after infiltrating the city. The information was useful. I had nothing to complain about and could only be grateful. The problem was what they had actually done.
Astonishingly, each of Persona's six members had apparently killed at least one NPC whose level was equal to or higher than their own. The five members other than Usuba had carried out assassinations amid the chaos of the war, while their leader had killed his target before the war began. That had made it difficult for the players and NPCs to unite, but it had also caused security throughout the city to become much stricter.
What the hell are they doing!? I'm happy to hear that my plan worked so well, but I'm even more confused! And wasn't the one commonly known as 'Player-Killer Man' supposed to show up when someone committed a crime in the city? They couldn't have beaten him, so they must have escaped—but how did they do it? This old man has no idea!
"It says, 'We want to go on another rampage as soon as possible, so hurry up and break the gate'...? Good grief, what an outrageous demand."
Apparently, they were bloodthirsty and wanted the next opportunity to arrive as soon as possible. They had caused this situation themselves, yet instead of regretting it, they were looking for another chance to fight through fresh chaos. That was exactly why joining forces with them had been worthwhile!
"I have to accommodate requests whenever possible."
"Um, Izam-san? I just heard you muttering something pretty outrageous. That was just my imagination, right?"
"Destroy the gate? Are you out of your mind?"
As Uru said, destroying the gate would be extremely difficult. The castle gate had a high durability value, for one thing, but players and NPCs were cooperating in their own way, so even with me and my companions joining in, we would hardly affect the course of the battle. A single person dominating a battlefield was something only the heroes of mythology could do. It was absurd to expect that from one of the countless players.
Besides, if we didn't rush, the Troll King seemed capable of forcing his way through. Even the Troll Knight, two whole tiers lower in level, had put us in danger several times despite being ambushed by nine players and two tamed monsters. If their commander was like that, he should be able to blow away a gate without any trouble.
In fact, our original plan had been to wait for the monsters to destroy the gate. So why was I trying to challenge it? The reason was simple.
"Of course I know it's difficult. Even so, trying would be interesting. Since we're playing a game, how could we not pursue a little romance?"
"Romance? That's reckless."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Shitake had joined the conversation. Yes, this was good timing. I would ask for her opinion as well.
"Read this and you'll understand."
"Huh? A letter? Let's see... Pfft!"
Shitake scanned the letter for a while before bursting out laughing. She must have realized how absurd Usuba's actions and request were.
"Sounds good. Let's try it! It'll definitely be interesting!"
"What...? You're actually siding with him?"
"If we're doing this, we need a proper plan, right?"
Shichikou was exasperated, but Uru was trying to discuss something constructive. Yes, switching gears quickly was a good thing.
"Let's start by checking the items in the bag. There might be something useful in there."
"True. Usuba seems like the sort who would prepare something like that."
Following Shitake's suggestion, I pulled the items out of the bag. Most of them were things I had never seen before, and I had no idea what they were. Since Shitake and I both had 【Appraisal】, we examined them one after another.
"There are all sorts of things in here. This is a mid-grade potion, and this is monster-attracting incense. It'd be handy if I could make it myself."
"Yeah... Wait! Look at this! This!"
"Huh?"
I appraised the red, cylindrical item Shitake handed me. The name written there was one even I knew.
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Dynamite Quality: Good Rarity: C (Common Class)
An explosive mainly used in civil engineering and mining.
It is dangerous for amateurs to use, and using it without permission is prohibited.
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As expected of Ireves, the mining city. They had something this frightening, too. They must use it for mining.
However, I was curious how Usuba had obtained it. There was no way he had gotten permission, and I couldn't imagine that he had bought it. He must have stolen it. What a bad guy. Heh heh...
"So we're supposed to use this to bring the gate down?"
"Maybe, but how are we supposed to get close to the gate?"
I knew nothing about bombs, so I had no idea how much power this dynamite possessed. Even if I had known, that information probably wouldn't have helped, since it might not work exactly the same way inside the game.
That left us with the problem of where to place it to destroy the gate. Would simply lighting the fuse and throwing it be enough, or would we have to attach it to the gate and detonate it even to make a crack? I had no way to judge.
"Why don't you give up already? No matter how much we hole up in this burrow and argue over the details, impossible is impossible."
"Hmm... Wait, a burrow? Hiding out...?"
Wait a minute. We had a map, and if I used that to do this... No, was it impossible? No, if I borrowed her power, it should work. This might be worth trying.
"You three, listen up. I've thought of a plan."
"...Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously. Dead serious. We need to start preparing now. You'll help me, right?"
"Sure."
"Leave it to me!"
"Oh, for crying out loud! Fine, I'll do it!"
Heh heh heh heh! Usuba, I'll grant your unreasonable request!