arc1 · 022-ch22

Episode 22: Kokushi Musou vs. the Ogres

The four entered the boss room. This time I filmed their backs from a low angle. Yeah, that's pretty cool in its own way.

When I pointed the camera at the center of the boss room, there were three Ogres lined up as the information suggested. The ogre in the center and the one on the left were holding slightly wide, curved swords. The kind known as scimitars. The ogre on the right was holding a staff. That one must be the magician.

Still, I wonder what these guys do before challengers arrive? They don't just stand in a line like that the whole time, do they?

Setting aside those questions, the Kokushi Musou members proceeded as planned. Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san gradually closed in on the ogres. Then, once they got close enough, the ogre on the right raised its staff.

"Water attribute—it's safe to charge in!"

The moment Shinonome-san heard the incantation, his instruction flew out. Amazing—he could tell the attribute just by hearing the monster's chant. But wait, that's odd. Through my camera, it looked like the center ogre was the one chanting.

Hearing Shinonome-san's instruction, Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san burst forward at full speed. A Water Edge fired from the Ogre Magician came flying at them—

"Earth Wall!"

Just as planned, Shinonome-san's Earth Wall blocked everything. Moreover, another Earth Wall was erected between the staff-wielding ogre on the end and the center ogre, successfully splitting them up.

Nishikyo-san headed toward the two scimitar-wielding ogres, while Kitora-san went for the staff-wielding one. I flew the drone overhead, searching for the optimal position to capture both groups, all while feeling a subtle sense of unease.

The strategy should be working, but something felt off. It seemed the party members fighting sensed it too.

"Gaia, this one isn't the magician!"

Kitora-san, who had been fighting the staff-wielding ogre, shouted loudly. Just as I had suspected, the one chanting had been the scimitar-wielding ogre in the center. Cleverly, the ogres had swapped their signature weapons to disguise their roles.

"Soraku, are you okay over there!?"

Originally, the plan was for Kitora-san to quickly defeat the magician and reduce it to three-on-two, but since the opponent turned out to be a fighter, it was taking longer. Furthermore, Nishikyo-san was holding back the fighter and magician to prevent them from getting close to the rear guard, but the magician turned out to be surprisingly capable in close combat, so he was having a bit of a tough fight.

At this rate, the monsters might have the advantage due to their stamina. Having anticipated such a situation beforehand, the Kokushi Musou members played their next hand.

"Shizuka, leave the healing to me."

"Ryuga, I'm ready whenever you are."

"Alright, here I go. Soul Burn."

A brief exchange took place between Kitora-san and Kannami-san, and immediately after, Kitora-san's body began to glow red. This was Kitora-san's trump card. The skill called Soul Burn apparently boosts physical abilities by consuming stamina.

The Ogre Fighter couldn't keep up with Kitora-san's sudden acceleration and was unilaterally beaten without being able to counterattack. And by having Kannami-san use healing magic, the stamina consumption was kept in check. A fantastic combo.

At the perfect timing—right after Kitora-san used his skill and swiftly defeated the fighter—the earth wall that had been separating them vanished. Shinonome-san had released the Earth Wall after watching Kitora-san's movements.

"Ha!"

From beyond the vanished wall, Kitora-san launched a flying kick at the magician. Caught off guard, the magician took the kick head-on and was sent flying along with the adjacent fighter.

"Nice one, Ryuga! Got 'em!"

As the Ogre Fighter and Magician collapsed in a tangled heap, Nishikyo-san's rapid-fire spear thrusts exploded, leaving them as motionless corpses.

I had wanted to chase after the flying ogres, but my reflexes weren't up to the task. More accurately, I couldn't keep up with the movements of Kitora-san and Nishikyo-san when they were going all out.

Of course, I filmed from a slightly distant angle, so they were in frame, and I occasionally zoomed in, but I wished I could have captured more impactful footage.

"How was that!? Did you get my cool moments on camera!?"

Having finished the battle, Nishikyo-san waved at the drone while showing off. Even though I can't answer. Kannami-san grabbed Nishikyo-san's ear and dragged him away. Yep yep, got a good shot. This scene is definitely going in.

After collecting the Ogres' drop items, the Kokushi Musou members registered at the transfer stone in the back room, then descended the stairs to continue forward. But wait, we're in a mountain range, yet we end up going down stairs in the end. How does that work?

Setting aside that question, I filmed the Kokushi Musou members descending to the twenty-first floor while circling around them. Today's goal was to reach the twenty-fifth floor. They had to conquer four more floors in half a day.

Watching the Kokushi Musou members walk on nonchalantly even after a boss fight, I was reminded that explorers truly are inhuman beings. Is this all thanks to the benefits of that unknown system called levels? No, I'm not even sure if "benefits" is the right word.

From the twenty-first floor onward, B-rank monsters appeared regularly, and sometimes even B+ rank monsters. They couldn't instantly kill monsters of that rank anymore, and the time needed to conquer each floor increased.

Even so, they arrived at the stairs leading to the twenty-fifth floor before night fell as planned, and began preparing to camp there.