Chapter: 37
– Creation and control of mobs
– Creation and control of elite mobs
The status window chimed incessantly, urging me to quickly fulfill my duties, as if it were all too real to be a mere dream.
And they increased quite dramatically.
Not just a casual name tag and some permissions thrown my way; I felt a power suited for a raid target settle upon me.
‘Why is this popping up now?’
Wandering Reaper. A nickname slapped on me by the Shijakumauru folks for lugging around a scythe and donning a robe that seemed to swallow me whole.
It made me wonder again how I never felt this flexibility of the status window in the game; was I really that oblivious?
‘So… what do I do now?’
Sure, I’d become a field boss mob, but why should I step up and take charge?
I was already comfortably parked in third place. Not like I was going to purposefully mess things up like Astraea.
“The scarecrow is over there!!”
Just like that, without a second thought. A booming voice echoed from the bushes, spreading across the surroundings.
It seemed this time, they weren’t planning on letting things slide easily.
Since they had thrown the major bomb first, I had to get my turn too for fairness’ sake. It’s not like they didn’t have the resources for it.
“I27 on the map!”
“Wizards and priests, apply buffs in advance!”
‘Even formed an alliance in the meantime, huh?’
The announcement of the new boss’s emergence had just landed. If they weren’t a team from the start, reaching a consensus in that short time was impossible.
Being veteran adventurers, they must have intuitively reached a silent agreement based on momentary instincts.
Well, sitting still would only ensure we’re all eliminated here anyway. So let’s hope for the main character vibes and band together to hit the jackpot.
If we succeed, considering I’ll be eliminated, it would save two of them. I wonder if I seem like a genuine target for subjugation to them right now.
“They’re a bit loose over there. Reinforce your formation!”
“All buffs applied. Begin simultaneous firing!”
“Once the first volley is done, I’ll signal!”
Typically, these profit-driven ad-hoc alliances tend to stumble, whether on a grand scale or minor.
However, given that all of them are seasoned A-class adventurers, it seemed they operated under the assumption that even if they missed their chance, the outcome wouldn’t change from what it originally was.
Even with a staggering bounty that could potentially catapult someone past Astraea into second place.
Someone might be eyeing to stab another in the back. At least, as of now, such signs weren’t apparent at all.
The encirclement was solid. With coordinated long-range attacks, defenses, and a flawless ambush cutting through gaps, it was as if a fully prepped raid party was in action.
Of course, my companions were relaxed enough to chat, which only added to the already well-orchestrated vibe.
This was what it felt like to be a boss, facin’ off against players with overwhelming stats. It’s fascinating that I never got to experience this fun in the game.
‘Wait… now that I think about it, isn’t this a rather small group?’
Astrea had chopped that 40 down to about half with her solo annihilation.
Imagining going up against hundreds in such conditions sent chills down my spine. Especially considering if I’d face other top tier rankers in that throng…
– “Great! Made it red. Now let’s leave that guy alone for a bit and set up a battle royale for who gets the final blow.”
– “You madman.”
– “So you won’t do it?”
– “What are you talking about? Get over here right this minute.”
– “Hey, isn’t he losing health gradually?”
– “Ah, crap. Someone toss a heal over to that guy.”
Thinking back, not having boss experience content turned out to be a brilliant choice. Ernest might indeed be a benevolent god.
‘Shall we finally do this properly?’
A lack of crisis made my thoughts drift longer. Watching Maria teach Astrea how to type was amusing too.
Since I have a temporary new class and abilities now, guess I might as well try it out as a courtesy.
For some reason, I swung the scythe, which had an unusually longer handle, just to test it out.
Then BANG! A sound like something bursting echoed not from the ground, but unmistakably from the air.
The sky opened.
‘Could this possibly be how the Shijakumauru people are perceiving me…?’
…They likely just tweaked the skills and abilities based on the template.
A near fanaticism it was, but this level of beautification must have come through some internal filter.
Oh well, not crucial, let’s skip that. The main point is—I’ve become strong enough to wipe out dozens of A-class adventurers.
“How the heck are we supposed to beat something like that…?”
“It’s not a scarecrow…”
I felt stalling any longer would be pushing it too far.
If I left it as is, it’d feel even more humiliating, so let’s end it quickly, painlessly. That would fit the name of a Grim Reaper well.
Having gauged the openness with my previous strike, I launched a second, unhesitating blow.
*
The first round of the subjugation battle wrapped up with no changes to the rankings.
As we stepped out of the testing ground, we were welcomed by cheers inconceivable compared to our entry.
“Hey, you saved my emergency fund!!”
“Who said to call our scarecrow a jinx!!!”
“Maria is so adorable!!!”
Conversely, many would be bearing pain in their hearts, yet some maintained their unwavering support.
“Why is there still not a single person praising this body?!!”
Indeed, he was the most loyal.
“Thank you all for your hard work. The branch manager has an announcement to make, so please follow me.”
“Yes.”
It was likely to give a brief explanation ahead of the second round of the main tournament, set for day after tomorrow.
I trailed the guide through the sea of people. Finally matching up to a century-old event felt rather fulfilling.
“You can enter through here.”
We reached an auditorium in a building once led there by our guide. Upon entering, we were the last in the queue.
The branch manager hadn’t yet arrived. The gazes directed our way were… six?
‘Are there really 9 of us?’
There were 8 contenders for the final individual martial arts match, yet there were 9 participants gathered including us.
With the rules reiterated right before the subjugation, it couldn’t be due to the hundred-year gap. If anything had changed, they should still have an even number given it was a one-on-one duel.
‘I hope it’s not a procedural error.’
Doubtful of such a blunder, but if it happened, being the ninth would surely be an immense embarrassment.
Imagine believing you were out only to be called in, then finding out it was a mistake and getting tossed out in front of everyone. If that were me, I’d grab the host by the collar.
With various theories bustling around, the branch manager finally appeared to shed light on the matter.
“Glad to see you, gentlemen. I am Sovereign, the Master and Head of the Adventurers’ Guild.”
A man viewed as the pinnacle of today’s adventurers. He scanned the crowd before seamlessly continuing.
It’s hard to believe an active S-class adventurer would fail to account for numbers. So, the presence of 9 must be normal.
“Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the crux. Some of you might find this odd—why are there nine of us here?”
Sovereign cut straight to it.
In fact, there were other peculiarities to consider as well.
“There’s been a special situation in this subjugation battle. As you all know, one participant here has taken on the role of the field boss.”
Suddenly, all eyes shifted to me before scattering again like leaves blown by the wind.
“The field boss is significantly stronger than the average adventurer, and this power has been transferred to the participants. No records of this exist.”
The absence of precedent indicated the current leader had a reason to inaugurate a new rule.
That didn’t mean he could act recklessly, but one could certainly add their stance within reasonable boundaries.
“The guild has taken this into account and decided, as a special case, to allow the top 9 participants to advance.”
Ah, that’s why there happened to be an extra person.
That part made sense, but he still had more to clarify.
“But with this arrangement, one contender will be left kind of hanging in the second round. So.”
At that moment, as he uttered ‘so’, Sovereign’s gaze zeroed in on me.
Was it resentment aimed at the one who stirred up trouble? A warning? His eyes were sharp, but somehow that didn’t feel like the flavor of his stare.
“Participant Ai, who is the focal point of this matter, I will be your personal opponent in the martial arts battle.”
“…Huh?”
My instincts tingled with certainty.
Perhaps this was a different approach to the absence of a boss compared to a hundred years ago. The man’s scheme was creeping in.
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