Frozen-Flame War Fortress (2)

After that, we continued fighting with the upper hand for some time. The Great Bone War Fortress's vitality was apparently immense, and it had barely decreased at all. Even so, we were indeed fighting without much trouble.

"Hmm, is this the transformation I'd heard about?"

The battle changed when the transformation Mac's group had told us about occurred. Until then, the Great Bone War Fortress had been wreathed in cold air, but now flames erupted with tremendous force from its surface and the gaps between its bones.

If it had been a mass of ice made of bones until now, would it be accurate to call it a bone volcano now? Moreover, bones surging up from within rapidly restored the leg Genjuro had severed. Its vitality had not recovered, but it was troublesome that one of its means of attack had returned.

"Could it be that every transformation restores any destroyed parts? If so, this is as troublesome as it gets... For now, I suppose I should go support Mac's group."

From here on, Mac's party was likely to be at the greatest disadvantage in the battle against the blazing Great Bone War Fortress. I needed to support them first.

When I headed to them, they were struggling just as I had expected. In their party, Mac, Saara, and Kamaboko, a Skeleton who served as a heavy warrior, formed the vanguard. Saara focused on offense, Kamaboko devoted himself to serving as a shield, and Mac flexibly handled both roles.

But once the transformation caused it to become wreathed in flames, the situation changed. Mac, a zombie-type monster with 【Fire-Attribute Vulnerability】, found it difficult to serve as a shield alongside Kamaboko. In fact, that was the reason they had been forced to retreat before.

Thanks to the attacks being divided among the three parties and to Pop, Douglas, and Jane Dojima in the rear defending with Skills and magic, they were managing for now despite some difficulty. However, they were currently stuck entirely on the defensive, and even that would not suffice once the assault intensified. They were the ones who needed my support most.

"Magic Shield... I'll support you."

"That helps!"

At my current level, Magic Shield was more than enough to block the barrage of bones. It would shatter if it took too many hits, but there would be no problem as long as I recast it each time.

With another means of defense available, they were able to go on the offensive. Mac used a martial technique capable of ranged attacks, while Douglas and Jane Dojima, who had been forced to focus on defense, took turns joining the attack. The shock wave Pop created shattered bones, and Saara's scythe cut them apart one after another.

Their movements were excellent. They coordinated well and worked toward victory while covering for one another. On top of that, they managed to coordinate through nothing more than brief exchanges. In other words, they were a good party.

"Ruby's group and Mott-san's group... They seem to be doing fine for now."

While floating in the air, I checked on the other parties as well. Ruby's group and Mott-san's group continued fighting without showing any sign of trouble, just as they had before.

Among them, Jigoro in particular was rampaging more fiercely than ever. That was because Jigoro possessed resistance to the Fire Attribute. The sight of Jigoro fighting with a rapturous grin while engulfed in the Great Bone War Fortress's flames was exactly like that of a war demon. Jigoro truly was of the Golden Shura Race.

This should keep us safe for a while. While I supported Mac's group, thinking that things would remain stable until the next transformation, the surface of the Great Bone War Fortress changed. Its overall shape did not change; the bones on its surface were merely interlocking.

"What is that... No way!? Everyone, get out of the way!"

But when I realized what shape the joined bones were forming, I shouted loudly enough for every party to hear, overcome by a powerful sense of danger. Immediately afterward, several objects resembling enormous spears were launched at a time.

Since I had issued my warning in a very loud voice, no one failed to react in time and get impaled. Jigoro actually smashed them with spinning kicks, while Genjuro cut the incoming projectiles in half. Were those two really human? What monsters they were...

In any case, the thing formed by the changing surface of the Great Bone War Fortress was a bone ballista. It fired spear-like bone projectiles from itself.

The projectiles that were dodged exploded when they struck the ground or walls. Their fragments flew off as small pieces of gravel and battered several people, but they suffered no more than minor scratches. What would have happened if they had taken a direct hit...? At least, I would have died instantly.

"The projectiles' tremendous power must be the effect of 【Shatter Shot】, while the ballista's creation is probably the effect of 【Freeform Transformation】. Regardless, we should stay alert, assuming it can take many other forms as well."

"Y-You're calm, Izamu-san."

"I've encountered surprisingly many situations like this. I'm merely used to them."

Saara, who had retreated for a moment after evading the projectiles, said that admiringly, but there had been many times when I could only survive by making a split-second decision. I had merely grown accustomed to that.

More importantly, what mattered now was that the Great Bone War Fortress could transform freely and launch powerful attacks. There was no way a ballista was the only form it could take. It was certain to transform into various other shapes and attack us. We could not afford to let our guard down.

"I don't like being forced to respond defensively, but this is no time to take unnecessary risks. Let's continue fighting steadily."

From then on, in addition to the barrage of bones, high-powered projectiles began flying from the ballista. All three parties fought with an emphasis on defense, but even so, the vanguard occasionally ended up taking a few projectiles.

Eiji and Kamaboko, who blocked them head-on with their shields, were blown backward, while Jigoro and Shifune were not hit directly but continued taking damage as their skin and exoskeletons were scraped away. Jigoro, at least, had Mikero, who could heal him immediately, but Shifune could not keep up with the damage using 【Soul Arts】 alone. I should go support Ruby's party next.

"The flames have died down... Another transformation. I'm heading over there. I'll leave this side to you."

"Yeah! Leave it to us and relax... Hup!"

With the flames that were Mac's weakness gone, Mac could move to the front more aggressively. Mac replied spiritedly while slamming a fist at high speed into one of the legs as it came crashing down.

Jigoro fought not only with his fists and feet, but also with his horns, claws, and fangs. Mac, however, fought using only his fists, which had armor plates attached to them. I knew little about martial arts, but Mac's stance and movements looked like boxing. Perhaps Mac had experience with boxing.

In any case, I flew along the wall and joined Ruby's group. There, too, I erected Magic Shield to strengthen our defenses. Shifune and Ruby then slipped underneath it, as though taking shelter from the rain.

"Welcome back!"

"Make sure you heal up with potions, too. Without our vanguard, we'll die in no time."

"I know!"

"I could use some healing myself soon."

Even while grumbling, Genjuro switched to a great odachi and a large spear, cutting down or batting away the projectiles. Choosing to intercept them rather than evade them was probably another monstrous aspect of Genjuro and Jigoro.

"Man, thanks to Genjuro-san, I can fire without worrying."

"Baa, baa. Is my voice doing anything?"

Shio fired arrow after arrow without holding back, while Wool shattered bones with his bleating. Their attacks were undoubtedly inflicting damage, but the enemy's immense vitality and complete lack of reaction to their attacks apparently made them unsure whether they were having any effect.

I could understand how they felt. Even so, its vitality was definitely decreasing, and we had probably shaved off about one-tenth by now. Considering that we had only reduced it by ten percent despite attacking with three parties, our progress was painfully slow—but there was a reason it had to be this way. The thing was simply too tough.

We had ways to exploit its weakness, the Light Attribute. Nanako and I could use 【Holy Magic】, Shio could attack with Light-Attribute arrows, and Mikero possessed a demonic eye that was particularly effective against Undead. However, Mikero and I were busy providing support and healing, while Shio was conserving resources. As a result, Nanako was the only one capable of attacking with the Light Attribute.

However, Nanako's magic was not having a tremendous effect. That was because the Great Bone War Fortress possessed 【Physical Resistance】 and 【Magical Resistance】. Those Skills reduced damage from physical and magical attacks, respectively, and even attacks using its weakness attribute were subject to that reduction. Even if I had attacked with magic, I probably would not have dealt much damage.

"How about using an ultimate technique to shave off a large chunk at once?"

"What if it becomes truly necessary later? Not using it isn't an option, but we should choose the timing carefully."

Ruby's suggestion was a good one, but I rejected it. Even I thought I might be worrying too much, but there had been more situations when that caution had helped than not. That experience was telling me not to overdo things today, either. I did not think I should go against that feeling.

Ruby also said, "I see. Got it," and returned to the front line. Genjuro withdrew once and focused on recovering instead. After chugging down a potion made by Shiitake, Genjuro spoke.

"So, how did Mac-kun and the others do?"

"Magic Shield... Ah, yes. They said their levels were lower than ours, but they are a very reliable and capable party."

That was my honest impression. They did not seem to have reached Level 70 yet, but they were holding their own against a powerful enemy through their skillful coordination. Thinking about it now, reaching the depths of 'The Underground Icefield' without any apparent means of healing would have required considerable skill. The fact that they had made it that far was proof of their ability.

Challenging a boss in the Level 80s while in the Level 60s was difficult, but we had overcome the same challenge not long ago ourselves. I believed they could do it too.

"I see. Oh? Has it stopped attacking?"

"...I have a bad feeling about this. Ruby, Shifune, fall back for now."

"Okaaay."

"Got it!"

Just as Genjuro recovered enough to return to the front line, the rain of bones that had been pouring down constantly suddenly stopped. Since every party had been struggling to defend against it, this seemed like an opportunity at first glance.

But I could not believe the attack had stopped for no reason. It could not possibly be to our advantage. The other parties, apparently reaching the same conclusion, also pulled their vanguard back to observe the situation. I was relieved to see that even Jigoro seemed to be retreating.

Immediately after we stopped attacking, the surface of the Great Bone War Fortress suddenly caved inward. We watched, holding our breath, as something crawled up from the opening.