Chapter 21: At Last! It's Over!
The moment Venture arrived on the rooftop. He can say for sure, that there barely any covers at all, for him to use as a shield when the enemies with firearms fired back at him with firearms as well.
"Crap. This is bad." Venture clearly understood, that if he doesn't come up with something fast. The fight will be a lot harder for Venture out in the open rooftop. If that wasn't enough. Venture will have to guard the only entryway into the building and honestly. Maybe Venture should have planted more traps on the rooftops instead of the walls outside. Because having traps on hand would make it a little easier on Venture during the fight.
So, for the time being, Venture starts scouting the rooftop for anything useful or any spots, where the enemy may come from. A task that's a lot easier than before thanks to [Idle Simulation Accumulation Spell] working on the [Serene Assassination Style - Position], giving Venture the experiences he needs to find all the spots the enemy may come from at the start of the fight. Allowing Venture to find the best spot for him to attack in all those spots without having to personally move to attack at those spots.
Though, Venture is having second thought if [Distortion of Courage] would be enough at all. Yet, Venture has no idea how much time is left before the enemy's arrival before his next chosen [Spell] would be combat-ready by then. Making Venture feels frustrated because of this. So, Venture switch [Distortion of Courage] in the [Idle Simulation Accumulation Spell] to [Temporal Perception Manipulation]. Having the ability to have more time on hands would make things easier on Venture. Plus, [Temporal Perception Manipulation] would help Venture counter those with [Speed-Type Skill] holders too.
Honestly, Venture is still tempted to get the [Decay of Strength] as it would be a major advantage in a large battle. But, he rather not allow others to know he has this [Spell]. If that wasn't enough to make Venture avoid using this [Spell] at all. Some people would think Venture possess a [Curse-Type Skill], leading to falling under the control of the government. Something Venture rather not have at all.
Venture wouldn't put it pass for someone from the government area to report him the moment they see him using [Decay of Strength]. So, it wasn't that desperate and decide to reject the idea of using the [Decay of Strength]. And the [Distortion of Courage] works fine too. Just not the same level as [Decay of Strength].
-LIABG-
It has been exactly 3 hours. Yet nothing. If Venture didn't know the incoming danger. Then, Venture would have long by then start to slack off and/or just take a nap since the breeze on the rooftop feel nice.
So far, Venture is debating on if he should just lean over the rail to glance down, to see if there any enemy climbing up the wall. But, Venture knows that is a foolish thing to do since he might be pulled over and throw to his death. Venture has played enough video games to know the same thing could happen to him as well, even with the chance of that happening to be small.
Venture glance at the spots so often, that he may as well imprint the spots directly into his brain before he ducks right away. The sound of something smashed against the wall behind Venture, where he did a quick glance and discovered there is a bullet hole near the door on the side.
Venture just thank his instinct and pull out a handgun to just shoot at one of the spots that he deemed someone about to pop their head up, and he wasn't disappointed as someone's head appear right before disappearing afterward by a single shot to the head.
The noise of the gunshot should notify the rest in the apartment, where the last battle between the [Dark Star Faction] and the [Poison Fang Faction] finally begins.
Quickly, Venture switch [The Cunning One] to active mode, causing almost all his emotions to be suppressed to the point the only thing left is tranquil. Nothing could disturb Venture's mind now. As the only thing Venture needs to do right now is to kill and only to kill the enemies from the [Poison Fang Faction].
By the time where one person from the enemy's side finally managed to step on the rooftop. Venture has killed over 30 people already in a matter of minutes. Sadly for this person, that managed to take a step onto the roof has been shot in the head, sending them off the roof and down to the rest of their fallen comrades down below.
Yet, the number of enemies hasn't stopped rising, and more and more continue to appear after another. At this point, Venture is starting to become concerned about running out of ammo sooner than later. Therefore, Venture did a quick switch for the [Idle Simulation Accumulation Spell] once again, but for [Elemental Bolt] since Venture has done enough with [Temporal Perception Manipulation] where it just barely reach 11:1 time difference.
-LIABG-
It has already been an hour in and Venture actually ran out of ammo, forcing Venture having to use throwing knives now. Of course, Venture only requires a single throwing knife to kill in one throw without any fail other than a few cases of some of the enemies possessing [Defensive-Type Skills] that block physical attacks.
Thanks to the small mercy, that these people only appear later on since the [Elemental Bolt Spell] reached the point of using it in battle by the time enemies with [Defensive-Type Skills] begin to show up. A good [Elemental Bolt - Wind] did the trick, to take care of these people when a throwing knife doesn't work.
Honestly, at this point, Venture knew for sure he would have died an hour ago if it wasn't for the [Booster Fatigue Shot] still in effect. Because with all the high-speed movement and continue to keep [Temporal Perception Manipulation] active the entire time would have for sure push Venture's physical fatigue and mental fatigue to 100% by now. Then it's game over for Venture. Not even the 1% reduction per second would help Venture that much.
So far, Venture hasn't even rested for a moment as the flow of enemies continues to appear, where he has to deal with them.
And now. Venture just threw his last throwing knife at one of the enemies that were about to launch their [Poison-Type Skill] at Venture. Therefore, forcing Venture to have to rely on [Elemental Bolt Spell] from this point on, aiming for the head as always. As well as using [Distortion of Courage] to stop the ones that are about to attack Venture with firearms or [Poison-Type Skills].
Much to Venture's disappointment. None has carried any melee weapons for him to use, making Venture wonder if all of those that did. Are the ones that rushing into the apartment down below on the ground floor.
Venture even thought about using one of the enemies as a literal melee weapon, but dismiss that idea instantly because he doesn't have the strength to do such a thing nor would Venture think he fast enough to swing an adult body around like a club without ending up getting shot in the back.
So, Venture continues to fire off multiple [Wind Bolts] until Venture starting to get even better of using the [Spell]. Furthermore, Venture gaining even more experience in using the [Spell] due to [Idle Simulation Accumulation Spell] still active and Venture's current [Multi-Casting] is 2 for the time being.
It's a good thing Venture remembers his little problem of only being able to cast a single [Spell] at the time and now able to do [Multi-Casting] after a few days due to the usage of [Idle Simulation Accumulation]. Yet, right now, Venture feels like he should have done more, where he could at least 3 [Spells] at once before the last battle takes place.
Venture notice something weird with these people. For one thing, they continue to push on without a care for their lives even after all the lives Venture has taken nor does his [Distortion of Courage] seems to not be working on them. They continue to rush at Venture. At this point, Venture noticed something wrong right away. For one thing, almost all these people's eyes are dull. Lifeless in fact.
It didn't take Venture long to connect the dots. To realize, that these people are being controlled either or both mind and body. Venture wouldn't be surprised if the culprit is one of those [Unique Skill] holders from the [Poison Fang Factor].
In just a few more minutes. The enemies no longer appear, but Venture still stay on alert. Venture deactivates [Temporal Perception Manipulation] as it would make things outside of combat a little hard to do anything. Since there's no more enemies. There's no point in keeping it active.
"Well. Well. Well." A voice spoke up on Venture's right. "To think it's someone that just be recruited into the [Dark Star Faction] manages to cause so many deaths. I must say. I'm very impressed. You have my attention."
Venture look in the direction where the voice coming from and find a person standing on top of some flying creature that's cross between a hawk and a butterfly. But, massive in size, to allow at least two people to stand on top of it without much problem.
The person has long flowing black hair, with black eyes that seem to draw people in. Wearing a black male business suit, that just makes the person seem more important. Yet, to many, this person has a neutral body figure. Making it hard for others if this person is male or female.
The person's appearance alone draws Venture's attention the most. As a memory of a conversation with Gat popped up the moment Venture lay his eyes on this person. And the voice alone helped Venture figure that this person might be the [Gu Master] since Venture can't even tell if this [Gu Master] is male or female with the voice alone.
However, it only took a few seconds before Venture's eyes register that the [Gu Master] is actually a female. Thanks to the combined effects of [The Cunning One] and [Gambler of Fate]. Mostly the former using the passive effects of the latter to make it a lot easier for Venture to get his answer.
"[Gu Master]?" Venture asks for confirmation and it's a good thing he didn't reactivate [Solitary of Silent]. Since he wasn't completely 100% sure about killing the [Gu Master] right here and now without the usage of his [Everything Is A Gamble] nor does he want to be the one that killed the [Gu Master] drawing unwanted attention to him. Therefore, Venture needs to push the [Gu Master] away without killing her.
"Oh? Like once more, another person knows little old me." The [Gu Master] said with pride. "But, sorry, this won't stop me from killing you. Got to follow orders and all that." The [Gu Master] shrugs her shoulders. Then, with a snap of her fingers. An army of purple ants begins to climb over the rail and onto the rooftop. Sending a chill down Venture's back at this site alone. As Venture can easily tell each one of these purple ants must be very poisonous or at least are poison, and with this number alone. The poison in quantity is enough to kill a man in seconds if the purple ant's poison wasn't that potent.
Right away, Venture reactivates [Temporal Perception Manipulation] before casting [Distortion of Courage] on the [Gu Master] multiple times before casting [Elemental Bolt - Wind] straight at the [Gu Master]. Testing the water and to see if the [Gu Master] requires absolute focus to have control over the army of purple ants or not.
Lowering the perception of time by 2:1, so Venture can see the result for a few seconds before raising it back to 11:1 once he realized the [Wind Bolts] are not doing much or near nothing at the [Gu Master]. Therefore, Venture switches his main focus to the army of purple ants. But, he made sure to keep an eye on the [Gu Master] in case she does something else.
At 11:1 perception of time. Venture easily finds out how useful [Temporal Perception Manipulation] is when using together with [Magic]. Seeing how his thought process is much, much faster than normal, allowing Venture to cast [Elemental Bolt Spell] a lot faster than normal. Making it look like his [Multi-Casting] wasn't at the limit of 2 [Spells], but much more.
So, in Venture's eyes. All these ants are easily taken care of due to how slow they are and using [Solitary of Slient] made sure to give Venture 100% in killing these ants as well.
-LIABG-
Anyone from afar could see a large number of explosions happening on top of the [Dark Star Faction]'s rooftop, that make one question how long the apartment could last before collapse by the sheer numbers of explosions that continue to rise without stopping any time soon.
It has already been almost 10 minutes, but in Venture's point of view. It has been near 2 hours since he casting who knows how many [Elemental Bolts] to prevent the [Gu Master]'s army of purple ants from coming near him nor allow a single ant from entering the building.
With a clear mind, Venture can tell, that the [Gu Master] is just waiting for him to tire out, something not possible thanks to the [Booster Fatigue Shot]. And going by the frown on the [Gu Master]'s face. Venture figured out that she must have realized, that he won't be takedown any time soon if all Venture has to faces right now are ants. However, Venture won't let this continue since if the [Gu Master] has an army of purple ants, then she must have something else to deal with him.
Therefore, through cold calculation, removing the high risks of all the countless ideas pop in Venture's head. Venture uses the [Everything Is A Gamble] and [Chance Accumulation] to make Havoc's arrival to be right now. So, Venture starts off by creating a [Wind Bolt] near his left to be used as a price to activate the [Everything Is A Gamble] and to make it so Havoc would come by killing one of the purple ants.
The moment Venture felt the connection with the [Wind Bolt] near his left disappear. Venture's instinct screams at him get back inside the building as soon as possible or risk gaining a fatal injury, death even.
Venture didn't hesitate to rush back inside while continuing to cast the [Elemental Bolt Spell] without stopping and not a second later after Venture closed the door behind him. Venture can feel the building slowly shaking in his current perception. Where he can see cracks slowly forming on the walls.
Grabbing the rail near to his left, to make sure not to fall down the stairs. Venture returns his perception of time back to normal. Allowing Venture to experience the normal speed of what an earthquake going on.
The shaking stops after a few seconds, but Venture knew right away the whole earthquake-like experience must have been caused by Havoc. Venture looks back at the door, where it barely hangs in place as there lots of cracks formed on it. Just a slight touch should be enough to break it completely.
Making a list of cons and pros, if Venture should open the door or not, which only took a few seconds before Venture push open the door. And sure enough, the door collapses the very moment Venture touches the doorknob. However, that didn't matter for Venture as he needs to see if the [Gu Master] is still outside or not.
Venture coldly watch the [Gu Master] flying away in a panic, but Venture didn't switch his [Title: The Cunning One] to passive just yet. As he still needs it for a bit more and quickly brings his perception of time back to 11:1 for a few seconds to check the rooftop of any surviving purple ants.
Once again, the [Title: The Cunning One] uses the [Gambler of Fate] to allow Venture actually check for sure, if there any surviving purple ants and find all of them are dead. Therefore, Venture's perception of time returns to normal and begin heading down while keeping [The Cunning One] active still. Since he might need it when facing Havoc.
-LIABG-
Before Venture's eyes. Havoc's facial expression is blank. Short brown hair, late middle age man, with black eyes. Wearing a gray stench coat and have this presence that demands others to be submissive to him.
Venture kept quiet and just standing next to Cope, Bout, and Edify on the side, where all three of them decided doing the same and kept their mouth shut. Leaving it to Gat to do all the talking.
"Here." Havoc pass Gat a gold card with the number: 53761 and an outline dark gold letter G at the end of the number. Then, Havoc begins to walk away with him holding his son's right hand with his left.
The moment Havoc closes the door on the sixth floor. Venture switch his [Title: The Cunning One] to passive and let out a deep sigh of relief.
The other three did the same, even Cope wipes the cold sweats off her forehead.
"Damn, you guys look like you were about to pass out." Gat smirk at her cute minions. "Anyway, we made big money. A gold card with 53761 gold coins in it." Gat wave the gold card.
Venture didn't really care about the money right now and just happy he survives with his life intact. Furthermore, he is a little surprised to see a gold card so early. As the gold card is similar to a debit card, but just without any bank to hold the gold coins. Where in one of the books Venture read. The gold card is actually made by people with the [Skills] that made the coins in the first place, where the gold card is made when someone has a minimum of 500 gold coins to get a gold card, with the maximum amount a gold card could hold is 100,000 gold coins.
"Let's celebrate!" Gat shout in excitement, for her own faction won the [Faction War], meaning that she gets to take something from the [Poison Fang Faction], and honestly, she didn't really care about her faction's rank on the leaderboard.