18　Battle Priest (1)

"Ehh...? "

　Eko raised her voice, not really understanding the situation that was developing in front of her eyes.

"You i-idiot!! "

"Don't come"

　I stopped Silvia who was trying to get close to me and provide first aid.

"Kyaaa!? "

　Sounded the shocked scream of Eko.

　Hey, it's me who wants to scream... God, it hurts...!

　Tch...Ahh, dammit, I have to endure!!

　If I make Eko a member in this situation, then being the world's top will definitely become easier!

　Why? Because――

"Eko, you are suited for recovery magic. Use this and show me you can heal my hand! "

　――She is a 『Muscle Monk』 after all!　...I hope!!

"I c-can't do it. No way."

　While shaking her head in denial, Eko kept crying.

"It's fine, just do it!　Hold this wand! "

　I pushed the wand onto Eko.

　It's the 『Wand of Recovery Magic ・ Medium』―― the super rare drop from the Holy Slime that allows anyone to use the [Healing Magic] "Medium Recovery" just by holding it.

　If Eko's growth type is really the『Battle Priest』 then the additional effect of 「＋＋」limited to the healer types will be activated, and my hand will recover instantly!

"Daaaamn, it hurts!　Hurry up! "

"But!　But! "

"No buts!　I told you, you can do it, just hurry up aaaaaahhh!! "

"O-okay!　Okay!! "

　I yelled at her. Sweat was coming out from my whole body, and I was attacked by intense nausea and dizziness. Ahh, I'm about to reach my limit.

　Eko brightly nodded while still shedding some tears, and with shaky hands she desperately held the wand.

{IMAGE}

　...Yes, like that. Do it. I know you can do it. Believe in yourself!　Notice it!　This is your way out!

"...Ohh!? "

　That was probably her surprised voice. Since she now found "Medium Recovery" in her skill list column.

"I'm g-going to start!! "

　While holding the wand very tightly, Eko activated "Medium Recovery".

　The next moment, just as I saw the dazzling light coming out from the wand, it wrapped around me――

　――And then, my left hand returned to its original form as if nothing had ever happened.

　Ahh, thank God....

"W-waaaaaa."

　Eko gave a surprised cry due to the dazzling light that came out of the wand, and fell back on her buttocks. Silly girl.

"Ah... sorry... can't stand."

"Second-dono! "

　Maybe it's because I lost too much blood, but my head felt light and I fell on the ground.

　While enduring the nausea and the urge to vomit with all my might, I slowly began to lose consciousness――...

『Muscle Monk』

　I noticed that was Eko's growth type while we were chasing her.

　Her legs were slow, she was quite strong, she had plenty of SP, and she was considered a failure in the Magic Academy. In other words, her INT was very low.

　Those elements that seems to be unfit for a magician, are the perfect characteristics of a Muscle Monk.

　For the Battle Priests, their INT, AGI, DEX, and LUK are at extremely low levels. Particularly their INT and DEX stats are much lower than Heavy Warriors and other battle types. Instead, their HP, MP, SP, STR, VIT and MGR are at a very high level, especially their HP, MP and SP which are stupidly high. To the point where she was able to win in stamina against the intermediate class Silvia.

　Because their INT is low, they aren't suitable for magic. They aren't suitable for Archery either since their DEX is low. Their STR is reasonable, but they can't make good use of it in offense since their AGI is low. Their MP is large even though they have low INT. Although a character with these stats might seem useless at first glance, there were some players who preferred this specific growth type.

　That's because every well-known team always had a player who was of this type, of the Battle Priest type.

　Why?

　Because it was the ideal "tank" role.

　Taking advantage of their high HP, SP and VIT, the Battle Priests use their shield to become an impenetrable wall and protect the other party members from taking damage from monsters. Furthermore, they could recover their HP using [Healing Magic] on themselves.

　In other words, they could continue Tanking for as long as they had MP.

　Also, unlike [Attack Magic], [Healing Magic] is not affected by the total INT value. Since INT as a stat is directly connected to the value of the "strength of the Attack Magic", it has no relation with the effect of Healing Magic.

　Therefore, the Battle Priest growth type is for cultivating macho-man-like healers who can play the endless role of being a tank while continuously self-healing. Those guys were also known as the "Berlin Wall". A solid wall that would not crumble for 28 years. (TLN: This might a reference of the game life? Berlin Wall was up for 28 years, so maybe not)

　Right. Muscle Monks are such a strong growth type. While the Heavy Warriors and Heavy Knights were conventional Tanks, the Battle Priests were specialized in tanking and were the ones playing the most active part as forefront players.

　If Eko, being the Battle Priest type, becomes a companion, then our group will be

advance guard, center, rear guard.

　The Battle Priest Eko, the All-rounder me, and the Magic Archer Silvia; we can form a proper team without anything to criticize. We can aim higher. Reach the world's first place much faster.

　I really want her――Those were my thoughts.

　Certainly, I still had the desire to save her crushed and despairing heart, which closely resembled the me of the past. Because I knew of a way to save her, I couldn't help but to reach out to her.

　But at the same time, the feeling of "I want obedient companions" was growing bigger and bigger inside me. All in order to reach the world's number one spot.

　I'm trying to take advantage of her.

　Thinking that Healing Magic is useful, and hoping for her to become our companion.

　If I think about it, it was the same for Silvia.

　That was a semi-forceful invitation, taking advantage of the weakness in her heart.

　I wonder if they are alright with this?

　I wonder if I am alright with this?

　I'm uneasy.

　Being unreasonable, using your emotions, somehow managing to convince you, and forcing you to follow me.

　But I really want you to come with me.

　I beg you. Please. Come with me.

　With me, with me――