The hilt of the Great Axe blocked the forceful attack, causing the two demons to stiffen.
Causing the Skeleton Knight to be unable to act, Lich’s power clashed with subdue the undead,
Skull Mask easily moved around them and leapt.
As soon as the Short Sword pierced the back of the Ogre’s head, the thread was lost again.
“Is a Gift for controlling monsters sealed in that weapon?”
Many of the weapons that the Dark Smiths wielded had special Gifts sealed within.
There was a similar situation in the battle against the Lich.
“Is this just Lich 2.0 electric boogaloo?”
The power of [Phantasmagoric Needle] conflicted with the Lich’s power to subdue the undead, causing the Skeleton Knight to be unable to act.
Aware of the danger with both instinct and reasoning, Yuika decided they should make a tactical retreat.
“No, it looks different from that time.”
It was Rowe who answered.
“Skull Mask moves quickly. These slow ass monsters won’t be able to catch up.”
“There’s no sign of resisting. Perhaps it’s a Gift to dispel magic.”
“If so, that’s bad.”
“Everyone, take a swim the lava!”
Yuika, realising the danger with both her instinct and reasoning, foresaw what would happen from here.
I’m not sure he was ever a good warlord.
Skull Mask moved agilely. These strength-type monsters would not be able to catch it. And with each attack, they would lose 2 units from their fighting forces.
While he fights alone, turns his allies into enemies and clearly doesn’t know how to command.
If they continued to attack at this rate, the situation would only become more unfavourable. However, if the monsters are ordered to retreat, they would be chased from behind and end up having to fight in a melee.
While fighting herself and while her allies are being turned into enemies, it would be impossible to give precise instructions.
Then, rather than that…
A pit of lava levelled the floor behind the Demon Atelier. The British inhaled it, throwing it into the lake and letting out the smoke.
In terms of speed of decision-making and boldness, there was no one better than Yuika.
Even Rowe, who sometimes showed extraordinary flashes of inspiration when it came to devising strategies, was not as good as her when it came to commanding on the field.
“All units, jump into the lava pool!”
Following Yuika’s order, the monsters began to rush over with heavy feet.
As Yuika expected, the Skull Mask demanded that he stop working.
At the back of the Demon Atelier, there was a pool of lava that scorched the ground. Without a single moment of hesitation, the monsters leapt into the pool and were swallowed up as fumes were emitted.
The only monsters left were the Skull Mask, standing still stunned, and the Minotaur and Ogre that had been freed from [Phantasmagoric Needle].
They had pre-planned plans for dealing with such plans, this was all planned according to plan.
Although the difference in fighting strength had been reduced, it could be said that the biggest uncertainty had been eliminated.
Though even if they could tide through this battle, it was certain that their next one would be a bitter fight.
Despite anticipating this, Yuika still decided that they should obstruct Skull Mask’s actions.
“……As decisive as ever, how nasty.”
”Twilight’s Sword” had pre-planned strategies for how to dispose of the monsters that were controlled. They were already psychologically prepared for this.
Yuika smirked in return and asked,
“Magikan. Can you get rid of ‘Minorin 3’ and ‘Oga 4’?”
“How dare you order me around little missy.”
“Well, since we are separated by quite a bit of distance. But this will be the last of my magic.”
But unfortunately, Magikan had already ran out of mana!
Discovering the figures of the humans near the entrance of the passageway, the Minotaur and Ogre roared and aimed for them.
Light chestnut feathers covered the head of the Demon Mask. His only weapon was a short sword. Weapons are lead, gloves and boots are also metal.
Magikan fired his “Light Blade” consecutively, knocking down the 2 monsters.
Now only Skull Mask remained.
It was a strange monster that suddenly appeared in the Dungeon Oasis on the 50th Floor, had taken Magikan hostage, and then disappeared after blabbering about itself.
A mask in the shape of a skull, hair of random length and colours. Only weapon was a Short Sword. Armour was metal plate mail, gauntlets and boots also made of metal.
To counter [Phantasmagoric Needle], it had banned the pick.
Yuika was on maximum alert.
In the first place, to beat monsters, early humans fought animals and planned and knew the nature of the animal.
This monster had strange speech and behaviour, but it had even more frightening characteristics.
The Short Sword held by the Skull Mask was clearly a countermeasure against [Phantasmagoric Needle].
Until now, there had been no reports of monsters investigating the skills of adventurers and then even preparing a response.
She wanted to control it and read it’s mind for that sweet sweet knowledgez.
To begin with, the reason why humans with inferior Statuses compared to monsters could gain an advantage in battle was because they could construct strategies based on prior knowledge of monsters’ traits.
With other beings like Skull Mask, humanity would receive a grim reminder on that day.
If there are other beings like Skull Mask that can support monsters during battles in the position of a strategist, future labyrinth challenges would surely become much more difficult.
She wanted to dominate it with [Phantasmagoric Needle] and obtain information from it if possible
“Berii, Nuuk. This guy is different from any monster we’ve faced up to now. We don’t know what tricks it might have. Don’t get careless.”
If there are other beings like Skull Mask that can support monsters during battles in the position of a strategist, future labyrinth challenges would surely become much more difficult.
“Got it.”
[Ah, this? This Is a Short Sword with [Unravel]. You guys seem to be able to control monsters, so, I had it made in a hurry. There wasn’t enough time, so I only got 1 made. How’s it?]
“Understood.”
[Okee dokee.]
Yuika, with her Estoc at the ready, took the lead and dashed forward.
Skull Mask was squatting like Patches from Fromsoft games.
Slightly behind her, Berri and Nuuk followed on the left and right wings.
[What the heck. Even though I thought it was going to be a little more interesting…….]
In their field of vision, they saw the monster tilting its head as though this didn’t concern it.
[Ah? The sword is short. I think when you make a monster, I want to run. I don’t have enough time, but I do. How do you feel?]
It noticed their movement and waved its weapon from side to side as if to show off.
[Ah, this? This Is a Short Sword with [Unravel]. You guys seem to be able to control monsters, so, I had it made in a hurry. There wasn’t enough time, so I only got 1 made. How’s it?]
–Without listening.
“[Spring Hare].”
[Whoa!]
The thrust aimed between its eyebrows was dodged by it bending over backwards.
”Twilight’s Sword” aimed for quick fights within 15 minutes so they could go home after a hard day’s work, I’ve been working like a dog.
In battles with monsters, there were few occasions when Yuika started the attack. If she were to faint from an unexpected attack, that moment would herald their defeat.
His strength, durability, and explosives were doubled, and his magic power was tripled. Even with the event phase, there are no enemies to fight directly.
Therefore, Yuika’s style — “Twilight’s Sword”‘s style was to have her comrades and controlled monsters to cooperate and weaken the enemy, and the final blow would be her [Phantasmagoric Needle].
But now, there were no controlled monsters.
She could act to her heart’s content as an offensive Light Warrior.
Yuika was sponsored from a young age so she excelled at driving.
Although Lesser Demons were not so different from humans in terms of size, there was a considerable difference in their Statuses.
Their Strength, Endurance and Explosive Power were twice as high, and Magic Power was more than thrice. Even with the adjustments from Adventurer level, it was not an opponent that could be beaten in a direct fight.
Judging the distance, not allowing any attacks, while feinting — she struck with an offensive active Gift.
Even so, they were able to somehow hold their own thanks to the “techniques” they had inherited from other humans
As a Temple Maiden of the Earth Mother Goddess, Yuika was provided a gifted education from an early age in order for her to be able to conquer Labyrinths, and she had become a master of the Estoc.
Although it is a piercing weapon, accuracy is the price to pay and its effects can be devastating.
Judging the distance, not allowing any attacks, while feinting — she struck with an offensive active Gift.
“[Rippling Moon].”
The tip of her sword was placed at the centre of its metal armour.
A concentric wave of air currents spread out from that point, and after a moment, Skull Mask was blown backwards.
At the end of time, this monster almost fell into the lava, but its legs remained bent for movement.
Though it was a weapon with the ‘Piercing’ element, her Gift was able to impart it with additional ‘Striking’ damage and a knockback effect.
[Boo-hoo!]
Following that momentum, the monster was about to fall into the lava pool, but it spun around, adjusted its stance, turned its feet in the direction it was pushed towards, and stayed in the air.
[You’re curious? [Sky Step] boots. Bought it off the Grand Exchange for 5 GP.]
[Dangerous!]
This monster was an idiot, Yuika concluded.
After he landed lightly on the ground, Skull Mask raised one of its legs.
[Ah, this. They’re called [Sky Step] boots. You can take one step in the air. How’s it?]
“Isn’t it better not to share much information with the enemy than to fight for his life?”
“……”
[Well, you can find all these stats on wikipedia.]
Was it not common sense to not reveal information about a Gift to an opponent you were fighting with your life on the line?
It was like –a young boy proud of his possessions.
Like he wanted to train and get drunk, but the opponent didn’t know what to do, the match ended early.
“Princess, I’ll get it.”
“Someone’s on the phone for you.”
Berii overtook Yuika and went in front of her.
It was magic that was physically demanding and had a time limit, but since it was impossible to predict what this opponent might do, a short-term battle was ideal.
In an instant, she closed the gap with Skull Mask and overwhelmed it with a number of blows.
From 3 sides, it was attacked by weapons with 3 different elements: water, fire, air. And the avatar?
A tremendous speed that Yuika had never seen before.
From 3 sides, Even Skull Mask would have nothing to attacked by weapons with 3 different elements: Slash, Pierce, and Strike. spare and was forced to defend itself. it was
Perhaps she was using the magic that improved Explosive Strength — “Winds Lull” in both her hands and feet.
It was magic, but since to predict it was impossible with this opponent might do, fast game was ideal.
And it was also stacked.
Supported from down and up, leaving the front to Berii, Nuuk and her supported.
It was magic that was physically demanding and had a time limit, but since it was impossible to predict what this opponent might do, a short-term battle was ideal.
If so–
As its Strength and Endurance were sapped, it’s balance was broken, when–
Leaving the front to Berii, she and her supported from the left and right.
Behind it was a pool of lava. And from 3 sides, it was attacked by weapons with 3 different elements: Slash, Pierce, and Strike. Even Skull Mask would have nothing to spare and was forced to defend itself.
As its Strength and Endurance were sapped, it’s balance was broken, when–
Hitting the knee, collapsed.
“[Leg Blade].”
Berri’s low kick settled it by hitting the knee, Skull Mask collapsed.