BXBX NOVEL Chapter 510: Defense Specialization and the 4th Floor Area (4)
Chapter 510: Defense Specialization and the 4th Floor Area (4)
Maple hurried to the 4th Floor Area and joined Sally and Kasumi, who were already waiting.
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”
“It’s okay, we were just discussing this area while waiting for you, Kasumi.”
“Is your equipment ready?”
“You wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking, right? Iz-san made it that way!”
Saying so, Maple revealed her silver earrings and newly acquired ring, poking out her ears.
“Wow. Now they won’t be hidden in your hair.”
“It looks like everything’s prepared. Shall we head out right away then?”
Accompanied by the upgraded Maple, their first destination was an area with stronger gravitational pull. Kasumi activated her flying device after checking the map.
“We’ll save Haku’s Super Enlarge for now.”
“Good idea. Depending on the situation ahead, we might need its power.”
“Then let’s fly!”
The trio flew under the sun after leaving the town, landing near their destination after a while.
“There’s nothing… right?”
Before them stretched an expansive grassland seemingly endless. The breeze was pleasant, and monster-like creatures inspired by herbivores roamed around. However, they didn’t feel the strong gravity they were warned about beforehand.
“I heard a bit about the 4th Floor Area before Maple arrived. Apparently, they divide the areas differently from magic circles.”
“Hmm?”
“It’ll be quicker to see than to explain. Please wait a moment.”
“Okay!”
Kasumi took out a card from her inventory. Holding it up in the air, a purple flame erupted, revealing a large red door.
It delineated a clear boundary, reminiscent of the atmosphere of a boss room door, separating this place from somewhere else.
“Most quests in the 4th Floor Area involve traversing sealed alternate realms related to combat. Shall we enter? Beyond this point should be what we expected.”
Kasumi explained.
She glanced back to ensure everyone was ready. Maple and Sally nodded, indicating they were armed and prepared.
“Alright, let’s go.”
As Kasumi opened the door, the same purple flames overflowed, enveloping Maple and the others. Before they realized it, the surroundings transformed into a desolate night wilderness.
“Wow… Ah!”
A heavy sound was heard from behind Maple. The imposing red door slammed shut, severing the connection to the original world.
“To return to the original world through the normal route, we must defeat the boss or return here. Otherwise… you might be forced out through logout or a complete party wipe.”
Kasumi explained.
“So our goal is to clear it and exit from the deepest part?”
It was natural to prioritize completion over retreat, and neither Maple nor Sally objected.
“That seems to be the case. However… it is indeed heavy.”
Sally remarked.
“Gravity… although it was mentioned, looking at the debuff, it seems to be more about reduced movement speed and forced descent. Kanade and Hinata also had similar magic, so it might operate on the same principle.”
Maple speculated.
There were two types of movement restrictions, revealing a nuanced understanding beyond simply describing it as gravity. Undoubtedly, this field was designed to favor the enemy. Before engaging in combat, they needed to confirm the details.
“Maple, let’s check. How effective is the Machine God barrage?”
Kasumi inquired.
“Let me try it out. Stand back a bit… Alright, Deploy Armaments, Commence Attack!”
Maple exclaimed.
The projectiles flew with a noise, but upon reaching about a meter, they dropped to the ground and exploded.
This falls short of even a tenth of its original range. It’s almost comparable to Kasumi’s sword.
“Ah… Let’s hold off on using Poison Dragon for now.”
Maple suggested.
“Yeah, that’s probably for the best…”
Because of its long range, the creation of poison swamps poses no problem.
But with impacts happening right in front of us, accidents could occur unexpectedly.
“Let me try something too. Path of Water! Ice Pillar and Web User I”
The Path of Water that was supposed to stretch into the air couldn’t maintain its shape, falling to the ground as if pulled by strings, making a splash and bursting away. While the Ice Pillar was fine, when attempting to climb them by connecting with web strings, they were quickly severed and dropped to the ground.
“No good… I guess fighting on the ground is our only option.”
Sally had considered that perhaps if they were tethered together with strings, they wouldn’t necessarily be dropped to the ground. However, if the skill used to keep them airborne was canceled, it would be more straightforward to focus on fighting on the ground than to search for loopholes. After verifying the aspects they were concerned about and completing their preparations, the three decided to set off, with the door at their backs.
“Since the flying device seems to work in this environment, it probably means there’s a response to the sky even in just flat terrain.”
Kasumi remarked.
“There are plenty of monsters that can be completely sealed if you gain air superiority, so it’s unavoidable.”
Maple added.
“We may face unknown enemies, but there’s nothing we can’t handle. That’s why we’ve come prepared.”
Sally said confidently.
“I’ll handle the defense!”
“Yeah, we’re counting on you. If needed, I can heal right away, so don’t worry.”
Sally assured.
Fortunately, Heal worked without any issues, as it directly affects the target rather than being a projectile. Since throwing potions in emergencies is difficult, they decided to be cautious by deploying Iz’s special healing mist in advance. With the goal of confirming the enemy’s strength, the trio decided to search for the first monster in this area, likely in the direction they were heading.
“It seems like we should head… that way, right?”
“Yeah, probably.”
A purple cross-shaped light shining in the sky like the North Star. Amidst the absence of any other landmarks, the brilliance seemed to guide the trio forward.
“With no other markers, let’s give it a shot!”
“In any case, we won’t know until we try moving.”
Sally remarked.
“With this vastness… should we call Haku? Having the speed boost would make things easier.”
Kasumi suggested.
Their movement speed had been reduced, and it seemed that even Maple, with an AGI of 0, was affected. Maple’s high-speed movement was due to the recoil from self-explosion, and if she were dropped to the ground, she wouldn’t be able to move forward efficiently. Calling Haku would be a better choice than having Sally and Kasumi carry her on a cart since Haku wouldn’t obstruct their path.
“Let’s do that. Haku, awaken!”
Luckily, they had saved Super Enlarge. Kasumi summoned Haku and simultaneously enlarged him, ensuring both a means of transportation and reliable firepower.
As they began to move, six purple magic circles unfolded around Maple, emitting sparks of lightning with the sound of thunder, and beasts clad in purple lightning emerged from each circle.
These creatures, larger than wolves by more than a size, emitted enough intimidation with just one look.
“Maple! Kasumi!”
It was difficult to fight on Haku. Understanding Sally’s short call, they jumped off and the beasts charged towards them.
“They’re fast…!”
“Maple!”
“Loving Sacrifice! Self-Offering Love!”
“Heal!”
Ignoring the reduced movement speed and forced descent, the creatures closed in, trailing lightning as they bounced around. In response, Maple extended six white wings from her back, deploying a double-layered defense field.
Sally used ‘Loving Sacrifice’ to replenish Maple’s depleted HP, then threw an item to the ground, releasing a green mist with sustained healing effects.
“Kuh…”
“They’re moving aggressively.”
Kasumi and Sally narrowed their eyes at the beast that jumped to gain the upper hand.
Now that their long-range attacks were sealed, it was difficult to punish the creatures as they jumped around while maintaining an appropriate distance.
Though they aimed to counter the creatures as they lunged in, the beasts intensified the purple lightning sparking from their fur, roaring as they surged forward.
Even though they were just monsters on the way, the intense lightning, not inferior to Velvet’s, enveloped the surroundings in purple light, covering the area with the power of six beasts.
Sally, judging that evasion without skills was impossible, temporarily abandoned evasion altogether to prioritize checking Maple’s condition.
“We’re okay! It looks like these attacks aren’t piercing!”
“Alright, that’s a relief!”
“In that case, let’s attack! Sally, one by one!”
“Got it!”
The strongest fortress of Maple Tree withstood the lightning without faltering, protecting the two of them.
As long as they confirmed that fact, there was nothing to worry about. It was now their turn.
“First of the Swords: Heat Haze!”
Ignoring factors like movement speed, Kasumi engaged in close-quarters combat using a skill only she could execute. Darting into the creature’s space as it landed, Kasumi dealt significant damage with a slash before twisting her body to circle behind it.
“Seventh of the Swords: Crush!”
A heavy blow lifted the creature’s body, sending it flying. As it wasn’t affected by forced descent, its trajectory carried it neatly to Sally’s waiting position.
All the lightning raining down in an attempt to defeat Sally was nullified as Maple shielded her.
“Fire Ball! Water Wall, Quintuple Slash!”
The flames, the water, the damage effects, all scattered within the lightning with equally vivid brilliance.
Originally a five-hit skill, Sally’s attack turned into ten strikes with her two weapons, each followed by three additional strikes. A total of forty hits. Despite appearing lighter than it actually was, Sally’s dagger sent one of the beasts flying, erased from existence.
“Keep it up!”
“Yeah, let’s wrap this up quickly.”
“Just hold on a bit longer. Next one’s mine!”
“Got it!”
As if to regret not having a means to break through Maple’s defense, the trio systematically dismantled the beasts one by one, eventually breaking through their encirclement.