Story III / Part XXI: Before The Red Dawn (IX) / Strategy Meeting (II)

"We agreed to use the strategy offered by Ishizaki-dono since it's the most reasonable one than strategies offered by Naval-dono and Nanderioelle-dono. Before continue to the next topic, any objections from both of you?"

Viorelle leans to her chair, "Nope…nope! I believe in Haru-chan's strategy. Since our enemy is a hhuuuuuugggggggeeeeeee ghost with AoE Magic attack. I can't think another strategy better than this-nya!"

(Cause you are an idiot) Zack, Naval, Kenzia, Rudolph, and Daendles thought the same thing inside their head.

"Let's divide our men then…I brought 222 men with me. How about you?" Zack glances at Naval.

"I brought 180 people."

"100 people, if I'm not mistaken." Kenzia added.

"150." I replied.

"Me? 120-nya…"

"128 people, including me." Nan added.

"That's make 900 people. It's ideal for this big raid, but how many people can we brought for this fight?"

If we summarized, Zack only has 190 people who can fight, Kenzia has 90 people, Naval has 150 people, Viorelle has 110 people, Nan has 100 people, and I have 120 people, with total of 770 people. We still have 130 people left and each base needs at least two squads with six people. If there are six bases, we need 72 people that act as guards and backup supports, also leaving 58 people as scout and rescue teams. We will send 29 Scout Teams with two people each to both of the forests, while forbidding them from going to abandoned villages.

Zack nodded, "Yep, this is a right calculation. We will create a large communication channel beforehand. Then, let's talk about [Assault Team]."

The [Assault Team] itself is imbalanced in term of firepower. As I can see, only Naval's party and my party have balanced firepower. Zack's party is full of meatheads, Kenzia's party is full of Rogues and Rangers, Viorelle's party is full of Rogues and Mages, and Nanderioelle's party is full of Warriors and Rogues. It's quite difficult to divide them since each of the members has different class. Kenzia and Viorelle suggested that we must let our fighters use their preferred skills under strict commands of the [Enchanters] but Naval quickly refused that idea.

"Why I am refusing your suggestion? It's simple, just imagine a [Berserker] and [Fighter] launched [Tiger Fist] to a monster, then who will hit harder?"

Kenzia places her hand under her chin, "It's the [Berserker]…"

"But, the [Knight], [Guardian], [Paladin] or [Champion] can divide the aggro between them, right?!"

"Hear me, Viorelle-dono…they sure can divide the aggro between them perfectly, but the monster still aiming at the [Berserker] who struck them first. Moreover, [Exchange Aggro] has three concepts. First is taking aggro from the striker, second is reducing aggro from the striker and third is dividing the striker's aggro equally to each of party members. The first concept can be used when the [Knight] isn't attacking the enemy and focus on defending. The second concept can be used when the [Knight] and the striker attacked the monster together, but the [Knight] dealt smaller aggro than the striker did, so they can help by reducing the striker's aggro without absorbing them. Lastly, the third concept can be used when you fight together with two people or more and the [Knight] chose to attack later after other strikers did. They can share the aggro equally among other strikers, but the monsters will still be aiming at the [Berserker] since that class dealt the highest damage among them, even without buff. So, in order to protect the [Berserker], all of them need to use similar skills that have same rank, aggro and damage with the [Berserker]'s skill."

"But Naval-chan, what if the [Fighter] has [Madness Enchantment] with same or higher rank than the [Berserker]? Won't they will have same effects?"

"If you are using an ability from another class with or without that class, the result is different. A [Fighter] Class with [Berserker] as their secondary class or [Fighter] Class with [Madness Enchantment] Ability will have lower aggro and damage than a [Berserker] that striking with his fist. But it's a different story if you take a [Berserker] as your base class than combined it with [Fighter] Class as your secondary class."

"Oh, I see, I see-nya…" Viorelle nodded her head strongly.

"To simplify Naval-dono's words, it's more like a question about "Who's the fastest between Holy Elf, Tempest Elf, and Sylph Elf?", isn't it?" Kenzia closed her right eyes.

"Well, if they have same [AGI] STAT, for example 100 points, the Holy Elf is still the winner. Holy Elf created from [Light], Tempest Elf created from [Thunder], and Sylph Elf created from [Wind]. Light is faster than Thunder and Thunder is faster than Wind." Nan added.

I crossed my hands on my chest, "Moreover, [Reducing Aggro] can only be applied at one person and five at maximum, depends on your skill rank. So, the tanks can't activate them continuously and at the same time with their protection skills since it will waste a lot of mana and stamina, also their time. Alright, let's divide our team based on their base class first, level and lastly then on their [ ————— Class]."

We started from [Warrior], one from three main classes in [Adventurer Guide Book] that focused on raw damage and brute strength. Normally, their strategy is charging straightly to the enemy or defending your allies with your life. [Warrior] divided into nine classes based on their weapon and battle style; [Saber] who fights using sword types weapon without shield, [Lancer] who fights using spear types weapon, [Archer] who fights using bow type weapons, [Knight] who fights using [Sword and Shield] battle style. [Musketeer] who fights using rapier type weapons, [Berserker] who fights using heavy weapons, [Fighter] who fights using their fists, [Samurai] who fights using katana type weapons, and [Defender] who fights using shield only. Those base classes have reached [Fifth Rank Specialization Class], so the adventurer doesn't need to rank up them at every ten level in order to unlock the [Fifth Rank Specialization Class].

"We have 280 Warriors here. We will divide them into 20 small teams with 14 people each. We need at least three or four [Defenders] and two [Berserker] on each team since [Archers] won't participate on the frontline and [Fighters] are useless against ethereal ghost unless the Mages can give and sustain their [Anti-Ethereal] Buff on them. We will assign the [Fighters] as backup teams." Said Zack while writing on his note.

Next is [Rogue] Class, one from three main classes in [Adventurer Guide Book] that focused on DPS damage, critical damage, and debuff. The [Rogues] don't care of [Warrior]'s "fair and square" battle or [Knight]'s shitty "justice" since they will do anything to win or survive. That is why this class named "Rogue" that means "Scoundrel" since they will use any underhanded tactics to win. Unlike [Warrior] Class, [Rogue] Class has five [Specialization Classes] that needs to be completed in order for someone to become a full-fledged "Rogue".

[Melee Rogue]'s [First Rank Specialization Class] contains [Rogue (Melee)] Class. [Second Rank Specialization Class] contains [Pickpocket], [Ringdancer], and [Strider] Class. [Third Rank Specialization Class] contains [Highwayman], [Ringthrower], and [Stalker] Class. [Fourth Rank Specialization Class] contains [Bandit], [Cakrambearer], and [Shadow]. Lastly, [Melee Rogue]'s [Fifth Rank Specialization Class] contains [Thief], [Ninja], and [Assassin] Class.

[Ranged Rogue]'s [First Rank Specialization Class] contains [Rogue (Ranged)] Class. [Second Rank Specialization Class] contains [Scout] and [Shooter] Class. [Third Rank Specialization Class] contains [Striver] and [Fusilier] Class. [Fourth Rank Specialization Class] contains [Hunter] and [Rifleman] Class. Finally, [Ranged Rogue]'s [Fifth Rank Specialization Class] contains [Ranger], and [Gunslinger] Class.

If someone wants to become an [Assassin], he or she needs to take and follow [Assassin] Class's Tree that started from [Rogue (Melee)], [Strider], [Stalker], [Shadow] and ends in [Assassin] Class. Once someone has taken or chosen a [Class Tree], they can't move to another [Class Tree] until they finished their [Class Tree].

Kenzia opened her [Status Screen], "We have 200 people in [Rogue] Class. After A.E.V I, the interest in this class has increased a lot. I wonder if this is an effect from the discovery of [Assassin] Class's secret abilities?"

Zack chuckles, "Yea, after someone mysterious yet crazy launched [The Book of Assassins] that perfectly explaining the [Assassin] Class, this class has become a "black horse" in our adventurer life along with [Bard] Class. Moreover, [Assassin] Class is also overpowering other classes that the bearer of this class doesn't needs to rank up anymore or upgrading their class into [ ————— Class]."

Two classes that rendered as "useless" by other adventurers because they are only useful to kill someone silently and singing to support their allies now has become a "black horse" that is feared and estimated by every adventurer. I'm not gonna lie, but taking [Assassin] Class saves a lot of my time learning other skills and abilities.

"Lastly is Mages. The Rogues don't need our commands very much since they can position their own."

Our final discussion is about [Mage] Class, one from three main classes in [Adventurer Guide Book] that focused on supporting their allies. They normally positioned on the rear and acted as supporter as well as attacker. The [Mages] are weak physically since they don't have high amount of [STR] and [END] STATs and they focus on raising their [INT], [WIS] and some [CHA] STATs. Similar to [Rogue] Class, the [Mage] Class also has five [Specialization Classes] that doesn't need to be completed in order for someone to become a full-fledged "Mage", means someone can just skip [Second Rank] until [Fourth Rank] [Specialization Classes]. But "skipping ranks" also has a great demerit. If someone "skip ranks", they can't learn or master many good spells that are available from those [Specialization Classes].

If someone wants to become a [Mage], they need to join one of nine [Mage Schools]. The [Mage Schools] are divided into, [Abjuration] that focus on life or mana supporting magic, [Alchemy] that focus on potion or item creation, [Conjuration] that focus on summoning magic, [Divination] that focus on far-future seeing magic or called "Clairvoyance", [Enchantment] that focus on body strengthening and charm (protection) magic. [Evocation] that focus on combat magic, [Illusion] that focus on illusion magic, [Necromancy] that focus on summoning undeads, and [Transmutation] that focus on shapeshifting magic. One can take other school if they move to another school or when they have mastered all spells that are taught in that school.

After joining one of those nine schools, someone can "Rank Up" their class once every ten level. [First Rank Specialization of Mage Class] has only one class, it's the original [Mage] Class itself with the school they joined in. For example, "I'm a Mage from Conjuration School." On this rank, a Mage also needs to choose another school based on their elemental affinity. They can choose either [Blue Mage] that focus on healing, support, AoE attack and protection of water magic, [Red Mage] that focus on offensive and destructive fire magic, [Yellow Mage] that focus on rapid lightning magic, [Brown Mage] that focus on physical protection and AoE earth magic. [Green Mage] that focus on both rapid and large AoE wind magic, [Black Mage] that focus on AoE illusion and debuff darkness magic or [White Mage] that focus on healing, protection, purification, blessing from light magic. If someone has multiple elemental affinity, he or she can choose the elemental affinity that suited with their strong point or style and then taking another school once, they have mastered their base affinity school. It's quite complicated though, but this is the route that someone must undergoes in order to become a great mage.

Next, on the [Second Rank] a [Mage] will become [Oz]. They will become a [Caster] on the [Third Rank] and on the [Fourth Rank], they can choose either want to become a [Witch], [Wizard], [Priest], [Sorcerer] and [Warlock]. Of course, the classes on the [Fourth Rank Specialization] have one or two requirements to begin with. [Witch] Class is only allowed for female. [Wizard] Class only welcomed [Mages] with knowledge, it means this class requires someone to study in Magic Institutes and someone also needs following the magic rules or formulas that written on their spellbooks. [Priest] Class is similar with [Wizard] Class, but someone needs to study in church. [Sorcerer] Class is only meant for "wandering mages" or "stray mages", the [Mages] that learnt their spells through self-study and don't have any intentions to study in Magic Institutes because the Institutes are "boring and old". Lastly, [Warlock] Class requires someone to have "large mana pool", means they need to have high [WIS] STAT. Meanwhile, [Chaotic] Alignment only becomes "optional requirement" in this class.

Leaving [Fourth Rank Specialization] who has unique requirements in order to rank up from the [Third Rank], on the [Fifth Rank Specialization] someone will need to choose one class based on their preferred battle styles (roles) or abilities. The [Fifth Rank Specialization] has ten classes, [Healer], [Enchanter], [Necromancer], [Summoner], [Alchemist], [Mentalist], [Painter], [Academist], [Puppeteer], and [Bard].

[Healer] Class divided into three classes, they are [Healer], [Sage], and [Druid]. [Healer] is a class that focuses on healing or protecting someone, yeah just that. Therefore, in battle there is a 95% chance they will die first on the battle since the enemies will aim for them first. They can survive until the end of battle with at most 5% chance. The chance varies from many factors, 1% miracle from Gods, 1% their own luck, 1% their enemy is freaking idiot, 1% they are good at surviving, and 1% chance their leader is good or smart. A pure [Healer] needs an escort to protect them in battle, so normally a wise leader will leave one [Knight] or [Rogue] to protect them.

Then, if a male [Healer] studies in Dryad Magic Institute, they will become a [Sage], a class that focus on elemental offensive magic, healing and protection at once without relying on summoned beasts or forest animals. For female [Healer], they will become a [Druid], a class that focus on offensive nature magic spells that relies on the environment and animals. Meanwhile, [Druid]'s defensive, protection and healing nature-based magic that relying on the mana scattered around Gaia as the [True Nature] herself. Besides that, in order to become a [Sage] or [Druid], someone also needs to worship Gaia as the [Earth Mother], Rhea Yggdreydania along with her deceased twin sister, Gina Yggdreydania, and lastly is Millevena Yggdrilinea or simply called as [Yggdrasil] as the [First Dryads].

"We have 290 people with [Mage] as their base class. If we look at our [Assault Team], it's quite well balanced a bit. Thanks to our Rogues that can sustain themselves for a long time, so the Mages' burden can be reduced a lot. It's become a lot easier since our Warriors also don't need to rely on Mages very much because they already have many magic attacks." Said Kenzia while writing something.

"…It's not balanced. We need at least 320 or 350 Mages. How about we add some from [Guard Team]?" Naval replied with serious expression.

"But the people on [Guard Team] are the ones who are unsuited for this battle, so no." Kenzia replied.

"Well, we can change our strategy after we take a look at the [Boss Room] later. By the way, Ishizaki-dono…you have very detailed notes here, it's contained a lot of information of adventurer classes and moreover, they are easy to read. It's really saved a lot of trouble and time, thanks. But when did you wrote these papers?"

"When I started as adventurer…eh no, when I was still studying on Northlandia Knight Academy. Those extra notes I got from my experience and books from my father's library."

Zack nodded but before he opened his mouth, Viorelle surprised and said, "Wait…wait…wait…what the hell is this-nya. This Irei-guy takes [Abjuration], [Alchemy] and [Evocation] as their base schools, combined with [Yellow Mage], then [Warlock] and [Healer] as for the final specialization-nya. Is this Irei-guy sane-nya?"

"[Abjuration] supports the amount of HP, Mana, and Stamina Parameter of the person he heals and himself. [Alchemy] helps him create fast magic formula for both healing a person and making potion. [Evocation] allows him to chant faster and cast multiple heals at once. [Yellow Mage] allows him to rapidly heals and chant faster. [Warlock] allows him to has huge Mana Pool, cast large AoE healing with ridiculous healing percentage and multiply the amount of HP, Mana and Stamina heals by threefold until tenfold, based on normal [Warlock]'s damage dealt. Lastly, [Healer] makes his aggro low, so he won't be aimed by the enemies with low intelligence."

"O-oh…I don't know-nya…thanks Kenzia-chan." Viorelle rubs her head.

I glance at Nan, "How's it Nanderioelle-dono? Are you done?"

"Just call me Victor, Ishizaki-dono…and yes, I'm done. Here, this my strategy proposal."

Nan gave me one big map and ten smaller maps of corridors based on his prediction on [Boss Room]'s interiors. Nan has a skill named [Imaginary Mapping] that he obtained from special quest. This skill allows the user to draw a map based on the story they heard from other people. Honestly, I'm impressed even though this map is just his "prediction" but I bet the interiors inside [Boss Room] would have similar room like this since I have witnessed many of his predictions became true when he was drawing a map. But when I was seriously reading the maps, Zack said three [Scout Teams] have arrived in the dungeon and now they have set a warp gate. Without further ado, we quickly go there with [Warp] Spell.