ch61-ch80 · 063-ch63

Chapter 63: Delayed Lap Strategy

What I figured out was that if I could get close enough, I could defeat the bow-wielding and magic-casting Orc Knights without using super mode.

And that the bow is dangerous if they're at a distance.

Dodging arrows that come flying without super mode is tough.

If we were facing each other, I might be able to dodge the moment they release the bowstring, but if I get shot while there are other enemies around, that'd be impossible.

There happens to be a shield here, so I could take it, but next time I should probably ambush the bow-wielder instead.

If I do that, the shield would just get in the way, so maybe I'll pass on it this time.

The halberd next to the shield catches my eye.

"...Think I could crack an Orc Knight's helmet with this, even without weapon enhancement?"

I'll take out just one, and try using the Orc General's halberd that's probably struggling right now.

"Let me just test it with a few practice swings."

I do some practice swings with the halberd I took from the General I defeated earlier.

Having a spacious warehouse like this is really nice at times like this.

"...Hmm. This feels amazing. ...And thrusting shouldn't be a problem if I use both hands."

When I swing it around a bit, the centrifugal force makes it easier to handle than the rental spear.

A halberd is a type of spear with a single-bladed axe attached right below the spearhead.

Compared to the rental spear, not just the spearhead but the shaft is made of steel(?) too, making it heavier.

But that extra weight probably translates to power.

The rental spear's shaft is probably carbon fiber.

Hard and lightweight.

Because it's light, it handles well.

I can make precise attacks with it.

In terms of sharpness though, the rental spear probably has the edge.

But that's probably a matter of the craftsman's skill.

The spearhead was made with meticulous care by Mia-san, the [Blacksmith].

It cuts surprisingly well.

"Once the cross spear is done, maybe I'll ask her to make a halberd too... Oops, I wonder if it's okay to go back now?"

I put the halberd back and pick up the rental spear.

([Presence Concealment], [Gate], [Detection].)

I create my 'Right Gate' and stick my right hand in to use [Detection].

The area around my 'Left Gate' comes to mind.

The General has collapsed but still seems to be alive.

The bow-wielder and magic-caster I attacked aren't moving anymore.

They must be dead.

(The others have returned to their original positions... How considerate of them, they're even looking toward the '19th Floor Gate'.)

So this is what wild monsters are like... though there aren't really any wild monsters.

If they were wild beasts, things probably wouldn't go like this.

Dungeon monsters are somehow mechanical.

They attack with clear killing intent, but once they lose sight of you, they return to their original position and behavior.

This contradiction.

Well, not like I'd understand even if I thought about it.

But I'll make use of it.

I leap through the 'Right Gate' and start running.

I'm noticed around the time I pass behind the magic-caster.

Even with [Presence Concealment], running gives me away, huh?

Maybe I should have approached walking?

Either way, it's too late now.

Using the momentum from my run, I thrust my spear under its chin, into its neck.

The spearhead pierces through the bow-wielder's neck.

When I pull it out, blue blood sprays everywhere.

I don't know if it was an instant death or if it died when I pulled it out, but this one's dead.

When I turn around, the magic-caster has just started chanting.

The other Orc Knights have finally noticed something's wrong and are coming toward me.

Once it starts chanting, it's just a scarecrow.

A single strike aimed at the throat where I can't understand what it's saying.

Rather than just thrusting and pulling out, I move the spear sideways as if slicing to tear its throat apart.

Magic-casters are troublesome.

That's what I heard, but so far they're the weakest.

Alright, the ones that attack from long range are taken care of.

I want to deal with the remaining ones one by one, but the ones with the same weapons are approaching at similar speeds.

The next two spear-wielders were particularly troublesome.

Spears have small openings after attacks.

Plus, my opponents are bigger than me, and their longer arms give them greater reach.

I try to fight using one of their bodies as a shield, but spear attacks can reach from behind.

Actually, I'm getting attacked from their blind spot, making dodging a close call.

"Gnnnh."

Spears are such troublesome weapons.

And the opponent is in full armor.

I'm lacking a decisive blow.

While I'm struggling to break through, two hammer-wielders arrive.

Change of strategy.

I'll go with the usual marathon strategy.

No, I'll go with the delayed lap strategy.

First, I slowly escape downward while waiting for the shield-wielders to catch up.

I descend a certain distance from the top of the hill, lengthening the distance for one complete lap.

And when all six are at the same height... I dash horizontally.

I accelerate and pull away from the Orc Knights, and after one lap, two laps, the shield-wielder at the back comes into view.

([Presence Concealment].)

With this, they shouldn't notice me approaching from behind.

(I'm in front of you, so keep chasing forward.)

I catch up and strike the gap between its helmet and armor from behind.

From behind, it can't use its shield either.

Just like with the magic-caster from earlier, I pull the spear out from the side of its neck.

At that moment, the other shield-wielder that was one step ahead notices me.

A momentary exchange.

Before the one turning around can raise its shield, I close in and slide my spear into its neck.

This was a desperate attack—if it had been blocked, my balance would have been ruined and I would have taken a counterattack.

(Ah, so that's it...)

This must be what Watanabe-san was talking about.

She told me not to do it because it's dangerous.

That just came out instinctively.

I need to be more careful.

But being able to finish off the second one is huge.

With this delayed lap strategy, if the one behind notices you, you end up getting pincered.

Ah, the spear-wielders have caught up.

(One more time.)

Next, I'll catch up to the hammer-wielders.

I run hard.

The Orc Knights are wearing full armor and carrying weapons too.

Even if their Status makes the weight negligible, they still have limits to their range of motion and shifts in their center of gravity.

I take advantage of not wearing armor.

Somehow, my fighting style resembles that of a [Light Armored Warrior].

(Alright, caught up.)

I take down one hammer-wielder the same way.

For the second one, I have plenty of leeway.

One-on-one, I don't fall behind even without super mode.

For hammer-wielders, once they swing, they're full of openings.

I dodge nimbly, and the hammer falls with a thud.

I stab in with a crunch and pull out sideways from them.

(Two more left. No, if I can take down just one more, I can switch weapons up above.)

I run.

I still can't see the back of the spear-wielders.

One lap, two laps.

Ugh—.

I've been trying to fight without using MP, but is using stamina instead of MP really the way to go?