The beautiful crimson glow of the sunset… sparkles as it shatters against Yeriel’s pure white hair.
Whok!
Just like waves breaking on fine sand.
Thus… softly, her lips parted.
“Aria… is there someone you’re interested in at the academy…?”
“….”
For Aria, this question was both unexpected and, at the same time, not surprising or alarming.
‘As I thought… that’s how it was for me.’
Only now did Aria grasp the meaning of the ring she desired.
After a moment of silence, she asked back.
“Are you asking about someone I’m interested in…?”
“Yeah…”
The pure white girl smiled gently, waiting for Aria’s answer.
That look was so heartfelt and pure that it didn’t feel invasive or like a test.
Thus, it felt wrong to answer falsely or to skirt around it.
In the end, Aria decided to convey her feelings honestly.
“Actually…”
At that moment.
Rumble!
Stay sharp! This is a real situation! Everyone, focus!
Yes!
In the distance, the academy guardians moved in formation.
Similar to the situation after the Great Demon incident.
“Aria…!”
“Yeriel…!”
As if they had made a promise, the two girls faced each other.
*
Riiip!
After the sound that shook the area, [Pitbit Jae] began to rise again into the sky.
Having taken another hit, the 3,4 Party was on the verge of annihilation.
The frontline had completely collapsed.
This indicated that the party’s combination had been utterly destroyed.
Except for Violet, the students were either lost in despair or just flailing about without knowing what to do.
“We need to support the 3,4 Party!”
At the words of the deputy commander, Teiron let out a thin groan.
‘A decision… must be made.’
If the 3,4 Party fell, the casualties there would, of course, cause the 1,2 Party and the 5,6 Party to withstand [Pitbit Jae]’s descent at an even quicker rate.
But if they sent the Shield Knight to support the 3,4 Party, it would jeopardize the survival of the already weakened 1,2 Party.
Ugh… Ah…
I can’t… manage my mana any longer…
Are we okay, Commander? This hunt is nearing its end, right?
The first-year students, facing their first real battle, were already exhausted due to fear and inexperience.
On top of that, it was a dire situation.
On the brink of life and death, he saw it.
“That… that’s…!”
The Shield Knight of the 5,6 Party, Aveline Valantes, was casting her shield aside and wielding a sword instead.
“5 Party Frontline! What the hell are you doing! After 1,2 Party, it’s your turn next!”
Ignoring the commands of the deputy commander.
“That insane…!”
Teiron judged that Aveline was attempting to ‘take down’ [Pitbit Jae].
Of course, he knew her abilities and skills, but for a student who had only completed one semester to attempt to eliminate an A-rank monster…
It was reckless.
“Commander, what should we do…?”
In this urgent situation, Teiron had to make the best judgment.
But for someone lacking in ability like him, there was no such thing as the best option.
Every possible course was just a gamble.
‘Is that all there is…?’
Having finished his thoughts, he commanded the deputy commander.
“…Since it has come to this, we support the 5,6 Party.”
What…?! Are you serious…?
“If we do nothing, I can’t guarantee the outcome even if we pass it on to the 3,4 Party.”
“That’s true, but…!”
“We must finish this, either with us or by Aveline’s hands.”
The chance for all four parties to participate in a full frontal assault was just this once.
Somehow, they must end this.
.
.
.
“Lady Melissa, are you ready?”
“Have you lost your mind?! Even the deputy commander is telling us to stop… can’t you hear that?!”
“Ugh, stop being so frustrating with your endless whining, Caeran is tired of it too, don’t you think?”
“Hey, wha-what? You just said that…!!”
“Stop blabbering and hurry up! Do you want to die here?!”
As Aveline shouted insistently, Melissa closed her eyes, crinkled her brow, and then sighed, reopening them.
“Seriously, I don’t even know anymore!”
The emotion she felt now was similar to when she encountered the Tyrant Rag in Lint Forest.
Despite being under Edwin’s protection, she had fled from him.
Though he told her first to go,
it was a huge disrespectful act as a colleague and a student.
But this time was different.
The monster recognized everything around it as an enemy, so even if she fled, she would ultimately end up as its prey.
‘Why… why has it come to this…?!’
Edwin, who used to protect her, was nowhere to be found.
In short, her only card was Aveline.
Having watched her in the same circle, Melissa recognized her abilities.
‘When [Pitbit Jae] gets close, according to the raid rules… we shouldn’t use magic attacks, but this time there’s no other choice.’
In fact, while she believed in Aveline’s abilities, she didn’t trust her character.
There would undoubtedly be some sort of scheme at play.
Thus, if Aveline were indeed to deliver a fatal blow to [Pitbit Jae] as she said…
‘…It’ll be mine.’
Melissa too intended to risk it all for the final strike against the creature.
And then it happened.
Shiiiiiing!
What?!
“It’s coming! Everyone, get ready!”
Having passed the 1,2 Party, [Pitbit Jae] began to fly toward the 5,6 Party.
Aveline spoke to the frontline knight beside her.
“As I mentioned earlier, I’m counting on you.”
…Yes!
This was quite clearly an exercise of authority.
Since all the Shield Knights in this raid were from Divine Valhalla.
‘Mother, I’m sorry.’
The one given the task to tank alone had to hold back tears.
There was no room for weakness.
He firmly grasped the hilt of his sword.
Because he had a hometown to return to.
Kyaaaahhh!!!
Boom!
Graaahhh!!!
Once again, the paladin’s shield and protective skills, barrier.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
And as the remnants of [Pitbit Jae] collided with one another, they began to wail as if tearing apart.
“Avel… Aveline?”
Right in front, even with [Pitbit Jae]’s charge, Aveline was just standing there vacantly.
‘Ha, haha.’
Her eyes were completely wild.
‘I will finish it… with my own hands…’
Shaaaan…
The sword imbued with the destructive attribute gathered Aveline’s sacred power.
How much recognition could she gain for the contribution of bringing the essence of immortality?
The situation was absurdly amusing.
This imagination then took its first step towards becoming reality.
“Uwaah!”
Slash!
One stroke questioning who is the villain,
“Aveline…!!”
Slash!
One stroke testing who is the hero.
Kiieeek!
With the cross-shaped strikes, [Pitbit Jae] began to sway.
Pududududududududu!
“Ugggh…!”
Perhaps due to the barrier in front of her, [Pitbit Jae] shook violently but still held strong against Aveline’s sacred attack.
“Grrrgh!”
At that moment, she let out shallow groans one after another.
Pik. Pi! Pitbit!
?
Zzzzttt!
Kieee!!! Erk!
With the sound of empty wind and the crackling noise of lightning, [Pitbit Jae]’s quivering body suddenly stiffened and then became silent.
…
It was Violet’s supporting shot, a sealing strike.
!
And both Aveline and Melissa simultaneously broke into smiles of victory.
‘Now…’
‘I did it!’
The one to execute it would be none other than herself.
Heroes are born out of crisis, after all.
*
Having completely fallen into panic, I left my party behind.
I stealthily moved toward the 5,6 Party.
The talent-packed Aveline and Melissa were just as chaotic as our party.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A knight from Divine Valhalla was tanking [Pitbit Jae] alone.
Aveline seemed to have gained courage from Violet’s sealing strike, forcing her sword into [Pitbit Jae]’s chest area.
And Melissa was also chanting a large spell, not willing to back down.
In short, it was complete chaos.
The leader’s orders in an attack party must always be absolute,
but since the fixed members were drawn from Divine Valhalla and Eternal Flame,
both sides had been blinded by the essence of immortality, ultimately causing this outcome.
Of course, I was happy about that.
“Anyway, if they just chip away at its limit, that’s a thank you.”
Because with my power alone, I couldn’t counter [Pitbit Jae]’s patterns.
I opened the skill menu to execute my next plan.
Ding!
————————————————–
▶ Current Registered Skills
[Passive] – [Wind Art · Short Distance]
[Passive 2] – [Large Magic Power Shield]
[Passive 3] – [Fountain of Souls]
[General Skill 1] – [Shadow Piercing]
[General Skill 2] – [1st Wind Arrow – Arc]
[General Skill 3] – [1st Wind Arrow – Rapid Fire]
[General Skill 4] – [Magic Eye]
[General Skill 5] – [2nd Wind Barrier]
[General Skill 6] – [Wind Instant Kill]
[General Skill 7] – [Wind Instant Kill]
[Ultimate Skill] – [Demonization]
[Ultimate Skill 2] – [Black Dragon’s Vessel]
[Ultimate Skill 3] – [3rd Wind Destruction]
————————————————–
‘Wow, they’re all filled up.’
I had used 1000 skill points to enhance my gamer traits and yet…
the skill slots were completely packed.
One interesting point was that,
yesterday, in trying out a new skill, I had replaced the hermit passive with Short Distance.
And now, this was…
‘To think that it would be the key to deliver that finishing blow to [Pitbit Jae]…’
♪~
Whistling, I strolled smoothly into the center of the six-party formation.
What are you doing?! Hurry back to your position!
If you go that way, you’ll die! Maintain formation until the next order!
The raised voices of the deputy commander and Teiron echoed with my sudden actions.
I lightly ignored them, but they had every right to be concerned.
When attacking [Pitbit Jae], the formation would crumble at the slightest disruption, completely ruining the aggro.
‘Anyway…’
It was finally time to end this raid.
