Preparing For a Counter Attack

Even among players who seemed to be constantly on the forums, there weren't

any particularly significant discussions going on.

Most players seemed to be sticking to the outskirts or cities close to

monster territories, farming the monsters invading them.

As a result, these cities were in a constant state of readiness, causing

disruptions in logistics. Prices of resources and consumable items seemed to be

gradually increasing.

However, most players viewed this as a trade-off for gaining XP. They were

willing to incur increased expenses in exchange for higher experience gains and

weren't actively seeking solutions.

It's not that they didn't comprehend the situation fully. They simply

weighed the pros and cons, prioritizing their own experience efficiency over

the city's economy. The players advocating for NPC residents were simply

adopting a different playstyle.

However, in some cities, the city's knight orders and such were taking steps

to resolve the situation. They had already subjugated the monsters or groups

believed to be the leaders of the current threat in their respective monster

territories. While it might not be lucrative as an event, it could be deemed

beneficial for the NPC residents.

Players migrating from such cities to others had inadvertently caused prices

to soar in places ruled by more self-centered leaders. For the inhabitants, it

was a difficult situation.

"It's not easy to move freely, a stroke of bad luck, huh?"

Simply moving from the outskirts to a neighboring city would likely require

hiring mercenaries, and it's improbable that residents from these outskirts

would be allowed to move for the sake of migration. The outskirts likely served

as frontier settlements, hence taxes might be set at lower rates there.

"Well, in any case, it's not something I should worry about. Oh, it

looks like Ominous has arrived at the city."

"Really? That was fast!"

"He's flying, you know. The advantage of being able to fly is

tremendous. Now then…"

Jacking into Ominous, Rare started scouting the city from above.

If players were present, it would likely be around the inn or the vicinity

of the sellsword guild. It wasn't possible to see inside, but if they were

genuinely intending to attack the city where Rare and the others were, it

wouldn't be surprising if they were preparing to depart early in the morning.

There were no threads on the forums about gathering in this city, but there

might have been discussions in event co-op threads or something similar.

"Oh, there definitely seems to be something. In a city that isn't

directly connected to the monster territories, I can't imagine there being so

many NPC mercenaries. Those are probably all players."

Even though it wasn't directly connected to the monster territories, it

seems they've been there since yesterday.

Currently, due to the large number of undead created by Blanc in Elntar,

that city could be considered the frontline. They might have initially aimed

for a city further beyond, Altriva or perhaps La Colline, but they should have

realized today that Elntar, where Rare and Blanc were located, was no longer

available for selection in the teleportation service.

"It could end bad if a lot of players come…"

"Potentially… From what I can see, I'm unable to tell their actual

strength, so it's hard to say… If we fight during the day, the zombies won't

be much of a fighting force"

"Well… If they stay inside and attack anyone who comes in, using

[Shadow Veil] or [Mist], we might be able to fight… But covering the whole

city might be impossible…"

"If you're using [Shadow Veil], I can use it too, so if we split up, we

might be able to expand the coverage a bit. Oh, if we call Deas, maybe with

[Miasma] we could expand it further. I think it also had the effect of

enhancing ally undead. Although I'm not sure how it distinguishes between

friend and foe."

Rare would test it lightly before the battle, and if Blanc's zombies were

indeed strengthened, she might use it.

"Deas is one of the Four Heavenly Kings you mentioned earlier! Then

there would be 2 of the four here in one city! It's just like a dungeon you

find before the final boss!"

"According to that logic, since I'm here to observe, it practically is

right before the final boss, huh?"

"Bosses that appear in the early stages are usually the ones who escape

when the battle goes bad! I've read that in comics!"

"…Hmm, rather than running away, I'd probably just kill them

all."

"That was the losing event route!"

It would likely take about half a day for the players' party to arrive at

this city, Elntar.

Even if they sprinted at full speed and arrived exhausted, they could

nullify the fatigue with fatigue recovery potions. In fact, Rare had done so

during the closed beta period.

Fatigue recovery potions had the risk of habitual use and potential side

effects, so NPCs didn't use them much, resulting in their prices not being too

high. But for players, the health of their avatars didn't matter. They'd buy

and use them without hesitation.

Rare opened a friend chat with Deas.

<I think I'm going to need a little help from some friends for this.>

<…<em >Firstly, I must comment on your decision to head to that city

alone.>

<Oh, sorry.>

<Well, since you'll summon me before battle, I'll overlook it.>

< Sorry. Also, keep in mind that the ability to use the inventory is

a secret, so never use it, no matter who you are with.>

<Understood>

[Summon: Deas]

An impressive undead creature emerged from the space in front of Rare.

"Wow, he's awesome! …But the summoning effects are unexpectedly

subtle, huh?"

"Well, there might be times when you want to [summon] quietly."

"In response to your summon, I am Deas, the Indignant, at your service,

Your Majesty."

"Wow, cool! You don't usually say stuff like that, Deas."

"…It was mentioned that your friend was present."

"Oh, you tried to act cool because of that. Thanks."

Having a perceptive subordinate was incredibly helpful. I had ruined it, but

still.

"Oh! I'm Blanc! I'm a vampire! I've been appointed as the fourth member

of Raerae's Four Heavenly Kings? Nice to meet you!"

"…Four Heavenly Kings? You're friends… are you not?"

Deas looked suspicious. Rare couldn't understand such expressions before he

had skin, so it was helpful to see expressions clearly now. Although Rare could

still somewhat understand his emotions as a skeleton, it gave a better

atmosphere when they showed on the face.

"Oh, well. Think of it as role-playing… um, what should I say. If you

think of it as make-believe or playing pretend, that should do."

"I understand. If Your Majesty permits."

"Even though she may look like this, as someone who already leads a

force of over 30 subordinates, I'll teach and strengthen her more in the

future, so be patient and get along."

"What do you mean 'look like this'? For someone to be leading over 30

subordinates… She's clearly a capable executive woman!"

Rare turning her gaze toward the Mormos and the others, they averted their

eyes. It seemed better not to touch upon that.

"That's wonderful. Embarrassingly, I don't have a single subordinate

yet…"

"Is that so! Then let me teach you some things!"

In any case, it took some time for the players' party to arrive in Elntar.

The sun had fully risen, a difficult time for Rare, the undead, and the

others. Considering that the main enemies of this event were undead, it made

sense for them to attack at this time. Simultaneously, unlike the city where

Kerry and the others were, there seemed to be an intention here not to allow

further invasion. If not, they could have just waited in the neighboring city.

"They should be visible from our side soon. Well, I can't see with my

naked eyes, though."

Returning my sight from Ominous, I activated [Demonic Eyes].

"It's convenient, huh? I'll try to get an undead that can fly like you

and learn that skill."

"An undead that can fly, huh…"

If she bound bird-type monsters using 'Necromancy,' would that create

something like that? Rare hadn't tried it, so she didn't know.

"But if it becomes a skeleton bird, wouldn't it lose its wings and be

unable to fly?"

"I wonder… well, me and my subordinate, Sugaru, fly using the

'Flight' skill, so wings don't matter once you acquire it. But Ominous didn't

have 'Flight'… or rather, he didn't acquire it, but he's flying. Maybe he's

flying under his own power?"

If this reasoning was correct, even if they suffered severe damage to their

legs or something, if they had a skill like 'Walking,' they could still walk

normally.

"I'd like to test it… But everyone has legs, but I've never seen a

'Walking' skill. Does it not exist?"

"Raerae, you're interested in weird stuff!"

"Weird!? Is it weird…"

"It's weird! But interesting."

'Interesting.' Was that a compliment?

From what I could tell, there was no negative emotion behind it.

"Oh, they're coming into view!"

The place where Rare and the others were currently located was probably an

area that used to be the lord's mansion, projecting outward like a balcony.

Since this city didn't have walls, this spot could provide a good view of the

vicinity near the city entrance.

Since [Shadow Veil] deprived light, if Rare activated it from a high place,

it would darken the area below. As for [Mist], perhaps due to its weight, even

if she activated it from this position, it seemed to cover the area from the

ground within its range.

Regarding [Miasma], she wasn't entirely sure, so Deas was on the ground.

"Well, it's about time I activated the skills. I'll go invisible here,

fly up and darken the area from above. Since most of this city's fighting force

is under your command Blanc, if you lose, it's our loss too. I'll stay here and

avoid directly engaging in combat. I've stationed Deas near the gate of the

lord's mansion, so I don't think the enemy will get this far."

Rare emphasized her point and took off from the balcony.

"See you later."