Virtuous King of the Forest. From what Momonga is seeing, its appearance was similar to a Djungarian hamster. It had silvery or white fur, black round eyes, and a body shaped like a Mochi.
"It looks so fluffy," Fuitchi commented, to which he wholeheartedly agrees.
"...To use such a word to describe this king…your courage must be bottomless, that I admit."
"Honestly speaking, that's the word any person with functioning eyesight would use. A Djungarian Hamster. Putting aside the tail that is…"
Of course, hamsters didn't have such a long tail and they wouldn't grow larger than a man. Other than that, Momonga couldn't think of any other creature to allude to.
'If you asked a hundred people, the only answer you'd encounter would be a hamster. A gigantic Djungarian hamster, or a mutant Djungarian hamster if one were to be specific.'
It tilted its cute head──it didn't look like it had a neck──and kept sniffing the air while it spoke:
"Hmm…I've lived alone ever since I was born, that I have. Since I know none of my kind, I cannot answer your question… Perhaps you know my race, do you?"
"Eh... Yeah... You could say that... A past comrade of mine raised an animal...similar to you..."
"Oh, that was Tigris Euphrates-san wasn't it? He really did love his pets didn't he?"
True to his brother-in-law's recollection, the named companion didn't log into YGGDRASIL for an entire week after his pet Djungarian hamster died of old age.
Behind his back, Narberal muttered a silent 'Oh'. Probably because she learned something new about the 41 supreme masters.
"What! To keep a being similar to this king as a pet!" The Virtuous King of the Forest puffed its cheeks.
'Did I upset her? Or is that supposed to look threatening? Or…?'
All Ainz knew was that she didn't have food packed in there.
"Hmm…I would like to hear the details, that I would. As a living thing, I must ensure the survival of my species, that I must. If there are others like me and I don't create descendants, then I'm a failed living being, that I am."
For a moment Momonga wondered whether or not he fell within the category of a failed living being. He's married and has kids ever since he got here, but if one were to go further into technicalities…
'Wait what even I'm thinking about? That's not why I'm here.'
"... Unfortunately, that creature wasn't as big as you," Fuitchi revealed.
"Is that so... could it be a child?"
"... No, even fully matured, it was small enough to place in my hand."
The Virtuous King of the Forest seemed to be dejected as its whiskers drooped down.
"Then it would be rather impossible, that it would… So I am the only one that I am…Is this king fated to live alone till death..."
"... A cooler race would be more like it... but a hamster. I sympathize with your situation, but if you find another one of your race, your numbers would increase exponentially and the world might be destroyed..."
"Ah, hamsters are well known for their notoriety when mating don't they? They can go at it after all."
The Virtuous King of Forest's whiskers perked up while its beady eyes remained the same. It sounded a bit angry at Momonga's words and Fuitchi's comments.
"How preposterous! Continuing to raise the next generation is of grave importance! And this king has always been alone! It is natural to want to meet others of my kind!"
"...I kind of get it, but should I apologize to a hamster?"
"I know I should since I'm not married. But you should be in the clear thanks to Kyoko and the kids, Nii-san."
"Thanks...I guess…"
Ignoring the two the virtuous king goes:
"Well…I forgive you, that I do. Let's stop this pointless chatter—we shall fight to the death, that we shall. Now, invader, I'll turn you into my dinner, that I will!"
As odd as it sounds, he felt much more comfortable with the beast spewing the threat of murder. Even if it's only an oversized Hamster.
Momonga and Fuitchi prepared themselves. The former felt somewhat glad. Had the dialogue gone longer than it did, then he would certainly have lost most of his drive for combat. When he imagined himself facing off against a giant hamster, it was just too shameful.
"At least Kyoko will forgive me if I can catch it alive…Definitely...Probably" He muttered slowly. Finding a small semblance of drive owing to the train of thought.
"Nabel, Fu, stand back."
"You sure you don't want my help, Nii-san?"
"Indeed— I don't mind if you all come at me at once, that I don't."
"Fighting a hamster with backup is too embarrassing!" Was his simple justification, with that, Momonga readied his weapons.
Fuitchi only shrugged as he retreated to a corner of the open space, whereas Narberal, who had an expression of absolute faith in Ainz's victory, bowed deeply before doing the same.
"…If you regret those words, it's too late to take them back, that it is! Here I come, that I do!"
With a bang, the giant body kicked the ground with enough force to make the earth tremble, pouncing towards Momonga. Mustering enough force to blow any full-grown male flying.
Only for her foe to guard using the giant sword as a shield and took the pounce head-on. It was an incredibly powerful blow, but Momonga's inert strength is more than up to the task.
"Argh, that I say!"
Shouting in surprise that Momonga hadn't retreated so much as a step, the Wise King of the Forest raised her front legs with their unexpectedly sharp claws and began to scratch. But he beat back the attack with the greatsword in his left hand and slashed with the other in his right. Momonga didn't go all out, but it was still a hefty blow.
With a high-pitched sound, his swing was deflected, numbing his arm. The Virtuous King of the Forest had defended Ainz's blow with its claws. Both their attacks bounced back after colliding in the air.
"Magnificent, that it was! And how about this, hmm? [Charm Species]!"
Mental attacks were ineffective against the undead. Ignoring the spell, Momonga swung both swords at the same time. Only for his twin charge to be deflected alongside a metallic screech.
Momonga squinted his eyes under his helmet. He was just testing the waters, but the Virtuous King of the Forest deflected that strike with its fur. It was as tough as steel.
'So its fur isn't soft?' It was a bit unexpected, but he shook the thought that shouldn't appear amid battle out of his mind.
Considering his physical attack strength by Yggdrasil standards, Momonga's estimation of her strength is that of a level-30 warrior, maybe a little higher. Of course, his magic and gear made a big difference, so he couldn't be sure, but if he used that as the bar and compared the Wise King's combat ability to it, they were probably close to equal.
The illusionary face under his helmet twisted into a sinister smile.
"Not bad... just perfect for close-combat practice."
Momonga concluded he would win the fight if he used his full power. He couldn't let his guard down, but it was good sword practice for a vanguard.
The Overlord brandished each of his great swords in turn. The Wise King of the Forest deftly blocked them with her front claws and then one of the markings on her body glowed as she cast a spell.
"[Blindness]!"
Unlike the psychic spell Charm Species, Blindness would work on him; however, he had a racial skill that neutralized all low-level magic, so the spell disappeared without having any effect.
'The marking that lit up was a different one from last time… Seems like she can only use as many spells as the number of markings she has?'
In Yggdrasil, the number of spells a monster could use varied a great deal depending on their level and race, but it was generally around eight. He counted the markings on the Wise King of the Forest and it was about that number, so Momonga felt like he was fighting a Yggdrasil monster.
The Virtuous King of the Forest didn't notice that his spell was nullified and attacked with its front legs. Momonga blocked using the giant sword in one hand while attacking with the other.
Impossibly, it was nostalgia that invaded the corner of his mind. Momonga's thoughts compromised due to the 'familiar' foe he faces and the role-play he immersed himself in.
How some of his guildmates used to fight resurfaces. [Touch Me] was one of the strongest warriors in Yggdrasil and used a sword and shield.
[NishikiEnrai] had the highest attack power in the guild and wielded two katanas named 'Amaterasu' and 'Tsukuyomi'.
[Bujin Takemikazuchi] who said "no second strike necessary," even though it wasn't true, used two different ōdachi, 'Imperial Sword Zanshin' and 'Takemikazuchi Mk. 8', for different purposes.
Then, he remembered someone he'd met more recently, the brave captain of the Royal Select, Gazef Stronoff.
Momonga assumed the appearance of a warrior when he headed towards E-Rantel because he was inspired by that man. That, and his lovely wife in an attempt to copy a bit of her lax attitude.
'No...I shouldn't think about random stuff in the middle of a fight. I am doing well, but I can't let my guard down... Even if the opponent is a hamster... '
The sword-attack movements his comrades used in the past appeared in his mind, and he attacked continuously while mimicking them. At the same time, Momonga blocked the counterattack of the Virtuous King of the Forest swiftly with the sword in his left hand.
The fight turned into a stalemate before Momonga's giant sword finally broke through the Virtuous King of Forest's defense.
With the sensation of the giant sword cutting into flesh, the stink of blood came out. The sword in his right hand slightly slashed through the skin of the Virtuous King of the Forest, sending some fur flying in the air.
He attempted a follow-up strike with the sword in his left hand, but the Virtuous King of the Forest sensed the danger, leaped backward, and retreated. A distance of about 10 meters formed between them.
'He did say his hamster would jump and escape his cage…but wow, I had no idea hamsters could run backward like that!'
"Her heart's rate is beeping up, Nii-san. She's about to get serious." Fu suddenly stated.
Apparently, Fu's hearing was so sharp that he can even pick up such a thing. Momonga was grateful for the warning and would never second guess it, but still felt rather conflicted.
Should he take it up a notch or not? It was a foolish question for anyone with common sense, but the feeling inside of him still stirs. He was fighting a giant hamster of all things, and Momonga still hasn't fully come to terms with that.
As his inner turmoil runs wild, the Virtuous King of the Forest lowered its posture.
Momonga looked at her in surprise, unsure what to make of it.
'What's she planning to do at that distance? If she's going to charge again like before, I should stick out my sword so she impales herself…but I suppose it's more likely that she casts another spell.'
The coiled tail behind the Virtuous King of the Forest shouldn't be long enough to reach here—
"—No, wrong!"
His miscalculation was now obvious. The first tail strike had come from even farther away, thus, he was well within range this time. The bizarrely long tail did indeed strike, tracing a large arc through the air.
Momonga blocked it with the greatsword in his right hand, but then his eyes widened: The tail turned at a right angle with his sword as the axis.
"Ngh!"
He swung his sword sideways to shake off the tail, but he hadn't reacted fast enough, and he heard it graze the armor on his back at the same time as he felt the impact.
Because of his racial skills, Momonga didn't take much damage even though his armor was hit by the tail. But if this was an arcade shooting game, it would've been a slip-up.
"Oh, that was a clean hit." Fuitchi absentmindedly remarked.
"It is as your supporter said. Now, we've each landed our strike once, that we have…"
Just a mere hamster— the feeling of anger wells up.
'I will use a ranged attack too.'
"Your armor…it's tremendous, that it is. But your strength, your sword—everything about you is astonishing. Truly magnificent, a superior warrior. You must be well-known in the human world, that you must."
Momonga relaxes his right hand in response.
He asked with a hint of disappointment:
"Do I look like a warrior?"
"... Why would thou question that? If not a warrior, what else would thou be? No, perhaps a knight?"
"None of the above," Fuitchi answered, causing the king to knit her eyebrows. "Trust me, you're in for a surprise."
It was probably difficult to tell that Momonga was a caster when he was wearing full plate armor. But he expected a monster named Wise King of the Forest to have at least an inkling that something was off, even if she couldn't see through the disguise completely.
'Did she think those spells were being neutralized through the power of sheer will alone? Immunity and resistance indeed had the same result in Yggdrasil, but would it kill this thing to live up to her name as a "wise king"?'
Momonga, now completely devoid of his will to fight, dropped his giant swords.
The king looked like she was about to protest, but by then, Fuitchi had already begun.
"Oh? Done already then Nii-san?"
"Yep. Sorry to say this, but I don't feel like fighting anymore."
That too seems to further the Hamster's anger, but the siblings-in-law simply continued.
"Well, I can't blame you. I'm not interested in this kind of thing, but even I can't help but find her form disappointing. I suppose the same goes for you tenfold?"
"That's right…If she would have been called a giant Djungarian hamster, I wouldn't have bothered getting my hopes up."
"Certainly the name on its own is already misleading, isn't it?"
"What are the two of you babbling about! You can't possibly…you wouldn't dare give up before the victor is decided, would you? Take me seriously, that you must! We shall fight to the death, that we shall!"
Every time the miffed Wise King of the Forest opened her mouth and missed the point, it chipped away at something in Momonga's brain. Taking into account the fact that any large mental swings would be prevented, he could probably still fight, but…
Fuitchi clicked his tongue. "Noisy isn't she? Just get it over with Nii-san."
"Yeah…I'm done anyway"
The last word was uttered in a voice so cool it seemed to be accompanied by a frigid cold front. He pointed the sword in his right hand and unleashed an ability—Aura of Despair V.
Because the chance of causing instant death was too high, Ainz held back and only utilized the terror effect of level I. It was a skill taking the form of invisible wind, with the chill it carries over possessing mental effects. Emitting from Momonga as the center.
The moment the wave made contact with the Wise King of the Forest, all her hairs stood on end, and she keeled over with astonishing force, leaving her soft silver belly completely unguarded.
"I surrender, that I do! My loss, that it is!"
"Ahh, so you really are just an animal…," Momonga replied in a hoarse, spiritless voice.
"Not that we should have expected much else." Fuitchi further added.
The two then sauntered towards the loser's side without care and mild irritation, staring down at its defenseless belly and thinking of their next move.
"So what now?" The younger brother asked.
"Hm... She's a monster from this world and all; it'd be a waste to shoo her away. Plus, she's a hamster, so maybe she could be like a pet… The only other option would be to make good use of her corpse."
"Well if we take Nee-san into account, it'd be for the best to go with option A. Then again that's always been the plan wasn't it?"
"Indeed."
"Eh-!? Guess I won't be getting that skin…" Aura, who is now beside the silent Naberal, slowly muttered. Her disappointment was clear as day.
"Alright then. My real name is Ainz Ooal Gown. If you are willing to serve me, I will spare your life."
"I—I thank you, that I do! In exchange for sparing my life, I give you absolute devotion, that I do—me, the Wise King of the Forest, to you, the great warrior Ainz Ooal Gown-sama!"
"...In actuality, isn't it out of the frying pan and into the fire for her?" Fuitchi mumbled while stroking his chin.
Momonga too knows as much. After all, it's likely that he'll simply throw the beast onto his wife. She's a lover of such a kind of animal that is for sure. But his knowledge goes also on how her affection and newfound strength could end up crushing the poor thing.
Not that he cares too much about that. For now, he's more concerned about what the others would think.
'Virtuous King of the Forest… I can't imagine how those guys would feel after this…'
One way or another, he won't be the only one with his expectation cut.
XxX
When they emerged from the forest, everyone who had been awaiting their safe return gathered around to congratulate them on making it out in one piece. Lukeruther was the only one who looked uneasy.
Nfirea asked Momonga with a mixture of surprise and praise:
"No injuries at all... Did you avoid battle?"
"The opposite in both ways. We did battle, but the only injuries we end up with are mental ones."
So Fuitchi revealed, to the sword of darkness' bewilderment. Momonga couldn't think of a better way to put it.
"...But...Then...What's that behind you three…? Could all of you have gotten bewitched…?" The ranger who is still on edge asked.
"There's no need to worry… It's just that….I fought the Wise King of the Forest and forced her to surrender. Hey, show yourself."
The Wise King of the Forest, with her pearl-white hair, came out of the woods, slowly revealing herself. The Swords of Darkness, jaws dropped in awe, readied their weapons and fell back a step, shielding Nfirea while taking a step back.
'Well, even if she is a Djungarian hamster, you don't usually see ones this huge… Her round eyes may be cute, but at this size they're oppressive. It's only natural that the adventurers would take precautions to protect their clients.'
Fuitchi, who couldn't help but wonder at their nervousness tilted his head.
"...I want to say that she's as harmless as she looks. But I guess that wouldn't help?"
At that, some glance was sent his way as if he was crazy. Nonetheless, it was clear that the sword of Darkness is focusing everything on the oversized critter.
After faking a cough, Momonga begins while intentionally making his voice kinder:
"Don't worry everyone. She has submitted to me and won't go berserk or go on a rampage."
To add an emphasis to the claim, he approached the Virtuous King of the Forest and put on an act of caressing its body. It looked rather forced from his point of view.
"Right you are, master! I, the Wise King of the Forest, will follow my master and do his bidding! I swear to him that I will not cause trouble for everyone, that I do!" The Wise King of the Forest professed her loyalty.
'Right now, they might be wary because of her size, but she's still an adorable Djungarian hamster. Once they get used to her, they'll relax. The problem is how to get them to believe she's the Wise King of the Forest…'
Despite being fresh out of ideas things didn't go the way Momonga imagined.
"... This is the Virtuous King of the Forest! Amazing, what a grand beast!"
"...Did I hear that right?" Momonga simply goes for an inner bewildered 'what-?'. But Fuitchi had loudly uttered his confusedness.
Momonga looked first at Ninya, then at the Wise King of the Forest. He wondered if it was sarcasm, but Ninya's face was flush with amazement—he didn't look at all like he was joking.
"…Phew, the Wise King of the Forest… The name is quite apt! Even just standing here, I can sense how mighty she is." Dyne sounded like he was deeply moved.
'— Huh? Tremendous power?'
"Ara, my hat is off to you. To accomplish such a grand feat. With such power, you are indeed qualified to bring Nabel-chan around with you."
"We would definitely be wiped out if we encountered such a monster. As expected of Momon-san. You are too good."
Listening to the praise of Lukeluther and company, Momonga looked at the Virtuous King of the Forest once again.
A gigantic Djungarian hamster. That's the only comment Momonga had. Why would they think this monster was threatening?
Before Momonga could voice anything, a channel of [Message] opened inside his mind.
'Just roll with it Nii-san. It's clear that this world is much crazier than we thought.'
That level-headed advice likely prevented Momonga from voicing his opinion, which might be the right call. But even as a mental voice, he swore that his younger brother-in-law sounded as if he was done with everything.
Momonga could only stand in uncomfortable silence as everyone praised him with shining eyes. And in his baffled state, he could only agree with Fuitchi's conclusion that this world is a bit weird.
As he was fretting about the differences between this world and the one he used to live in, Nfirea asked with a worried tone:
"But if you take this monster away, the other monsters would have nothing to fear with the Virtuous King of Forest's absence and attack En... Carne Village?"
Momonga jerked his chin at the Wise King of the Forest and the beast took the hint.
"Carne is that village, is it not? Hmm…the balance of power in the forest is currently upset, that it is. Even if I stayed, I wouldn't be able to ensure their safety, no I would not."
"But...How could this be…"
Normally Momonga would smile at the bigger picture. He had already planned to protect Carne because of Minerva anyway, not to mention, it has already become their foothold even if unofficially.
All that's left is to steer the still ignorant Nfirea into performing an official quest, ergo allowing him to kill two birds with one stone that is reaping the request's reward and earning his loyalty.
'Still, I can't help but feel bad for entrapping him…'
In short, Momonga thinks of his position as a corporate employer who is taking advantage of a good-natured worker's personal feelings. That's likely just his bias with Nfirea speaking, or more specifically, his rose-colored glasses of love influencing him.
Meanwhile, Nfirea was opening and closing his mouth like he wanted to say something.
It was obvious that the alchemist's heart was conflicted... Nfirea wanted Momonga to save the village once again, but that sentiment was competing with the feeling of inferiority should he leave everything to him.
'It doesn't matter. Manipulation or not, I just have to make it up to him by keeping my word'
Which was probably something along the lines of protecting Carne village, or more specifically, Enri Emmot.
As the Swords of Darkness had begun bouncing ideas off of one another on how to save the village, Momonga solidified his determination. Mere moments later, Nfirea seems to have gathered his resolve and spoke with a serious expression:
"...Momon-san…"
'Here, the die is cast.' So the overlord inwardly pondered. Muttering a 'what is it' monotonously.
"Momon-san! Please allow me to join your party!"
"...What?" Momonga dumbly uttered.
What Nfirea said was far afield from his expectations that he can't help but to doubt his own hearing. Ignoring his stupor, or maybe oblivious of it completely, the young man continued:
"I want to protect Enr— The village, but the way I am now I don't have the power. So I want to get stronger! I want you to teach me how to obtain even a sliver of your strength. I just don't have the means to hire such a brilliant adventurer as yourself, so please let me join your team! I'm pretty confident about my knowledge of medicine, and I'll carry your bags or do whatever you ask, so please, I beg you!"
Even after that, he continues.
"I studied all my life to be an apothecary. My grandmother and father were pharmacists, so I entered this career without much thought... But I found the path I want to take, I know what I really want to do!"
"...You want to become a powerful Magic Caster and protect Carne Village?"
It couldn't have been more obvious, even if his proclamation was roundabout in every way.
"Yes." Even now Nfirea was looking at Momon with sincere eyes, desperately trying to shake away the childishness within them.
In his old Yggdrasil days, there had been a never-ending stream of people wanting to join his guild. The majority of them were considering the personal gains that could be had by joining one of the most elite guilds—not what they could do for their guild, but what the guild could do for them.
There were even jerks who schemed to get in and steal intelligence or rare magical items. For that reason, after the early group had coalesced, new members were seldom admitted. They were wary of outsiders mucking up the things they worked so hard to build.
Even now, he was sure that these kinds of people still exist, and it's only a matter of time before he has the misfortune of crossing paths with them.
But the pure intentions of this boy, who only had simple thoughts and was unrelated to those earlier applicants gave him a pleasant feeling.
Simply put, the eyes of a man named Nfirea Bareare, not a boy, fixated on him, were charming.
"... Ha, hahaha!"
Ainz burst into a cheerful laugh. It was an extremely amicable, invigorating one. And before long, Fuitchi joined him and began chuckling to his arm.
Naberal gasped audibly. She never thought that the day would come where her master, and his equally stoic in law, would laugh so heartily without the presence of her other mistress or masters.
Once both of them seem to have their share of laughter, though neither of them should have laughed even if they were devoid of any malice, Momonga bowed to the younger man, and Fuitchi too lowered his head slightly.
Perhaps it wasn't appropriate behavior for the absolute ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, but Momonga had felt he should bow, so he did without hesitation. He can tell that neither he nor Fuitchi felt any shame for bowing to a boy half their age.
Once he'd straightened up, he told the stunned Nfirea,
"I'm sorry I laughed. Know that I wasn't making fun of your determination. There are two conditions for joining my team, and you only fulfill one of them, so, unfortunately, I can't admit you."
There was also a hidden condition, which was that the majority of guild members had to agree with the addition, so even if he wanted to, he couldn't make any new guildmates. Even so, he continued in good humor similar to the time all the floor guardians of Nazarick professed their loyalty to him.
"But there's no need to feel down, after all, that's not the end of it. Isn't it Nii-san?"
Normally Momonga would have chided Kyoko's sibling for his teasing tone, but considering his mood, the atmosphere, and the nostalgia, he could easily let it slide just this once.
"Indeed. After all, I understand your feelings well enough. I will always remember you as the boy who wanted to join my team. And as for protecting Carne, I think I can give you a hand with that, but I may need your help—"
"Yes, please! I'll do anything!" Nfirea cut him halfway, surprising everyone present.
Fuitchi again chuckled. "He's as eager as you are back in the day."
Momonga could only huff at the jab that really did hits too close to home. But it was the truth, so he supposed the analogy was only fair.
The Overlord exchanged one last glance at the aspiring lad, whose gaze was burning with aspiration and determination. He couldn't help but smirk.
"Well, let's continue that conversation a bit later on. First, I have an exciting proposition for you—now that I've bent the Wise King of the Forest to my will!"
XxX
Voidwalker77 Presents
Staying Behind
Chapter XII: Old and New Problems
XxX
Guy smashes, girl shoots.
It was a sexist archetype, that much is for sure, but it's done them wonders for as long as they can remember. Plus in their case, it was inverted because she's the one with the Hammer and he's the one with a bow and arrow. So that's score one for gender equality, right? Probably.
Pairing two people with opposite specializations had always been an age-old strategy. And in a game like YGGDRASIL, it was among the most popular. Depending on the build and numbers one can mitigate their glaring weakness, or even negate it completely with enough experience in team combats.
But that's only on paper because of the human factor serving as the greatest wall that must be overcome.
Synchronicity, or in a simpler term, teamwork.
Because being in sync is another one of those things that's easier said than done.
Simply knowing each other's skills isn't enough. Here, one must also remember the exact range, cooldown, plus property of each of their teammates' active and passive skills, then, take all of them into consideration for their skills which they will cast in succession.
In other words, teamwork, in this case, means the ability to tactically anticipate an ally's every move, and follow them up with either an offensive or support to continuously keep the advantage theirs'. But again, all of this was only listing what's needed, executing it was another thing entirely.
Then there's the real-time element.
There's no way that the enemy is just going to sit still and give their opponent a sweet time of any kind. And most of the time, they will come in full force regardless of the risk. And that kind of mindless intimidation is enough to topple the plans and psyche of any team, thereby ruining whatever synchronization they have built up.
It can even be worse if the opponent is strong or smart enough, although in-game it's mostly the former. The longer the fight drags on the more pressure each member of a team feels, and the harder it becomes to act like one because everyone is under the impression that nothing is working and have different opinions on what they should do.
So between a perfect recollection, trust, quick thinking, foresight, and a strong mental fortitude, real teamwork capabilities remain one of the hardest skills to establish and refine. Even more so in DMMORPG because of its realistic features and lack of real-life repercussions. It made it easier for people to become even more detached from one another.
That's why they are so strong. Because they master the one thing everyone else lacks.
Because Ranmaru and Itsuki know everything about one another in real life and this simulation. A tank, AOE ice elemental specialist, plus heavy hammer user. And a thunder enchanter, snipe & mid-range, archer.
It was in truth one of the more mundane combinations that players in YGGDRASIL can form as a two-man-cell. Referring again to the one shot and one slash platitude, and it's even better in their case because both genuinely want to play the role rather than being forced to shift for their team's needs.
Then there's their impeccable awareness of one another, or as they would put it, 'the side effect of being married'. Ranmaru knows exactly what Itsuki would do before she even thought about it, and of course, Itsuki knows exactly what needs to be done to make things easier for Ranmaru.
Experience is the gear that most people lack here, and for them, they already have a lot, in terms of combat and teamwork, even before they set foot in the game. As unfair as it is, YGGDRASIL is one of those games that rewards healthy real-life fitness. Though, they only receive the elderlies discount, unlike Touch-me who got the full benefits package.
Patience is another thing that they have naturally developed at their age. An asset that proves priceless plus auspicious when everyone else isn't old enough to even think of any strategy, plays with the purpose of deliberately and mindlessly smashing everything (cough-cough Kyoko), or doesn't have enough time to play an extended game of hiding and seek because they have a more pressing real-world thing to do.
Lastly is how their classes and skills are engineered to specifically support their primary weapon, yet another factor that empowers them. It still surprises the couple how a lot of youngsters still pick their sub-class willy nilly for fun.
It might be a game, but that doesn't mean you can't take it a tad more seriously. Though that's probably just them being old.
And that summarizes the secret to their strength.
Five parts, even when simplified, do sound like a lot, but how they are known throughout the game as one of the deadliest pairs speaks the truth of how there is no shortcut to cultivating collaboration.
They've defeated larger teams with their superior union, completed missions that two people shouldn't accomplish by being even-tempered, and brought down foes stronger than they are by relying on a superior number of one.
It's not bragging either when they say that the number of teams or people that can take them out, as a pair because they're practically connected by the hip, is less than the number of fingers on one hand.
"Itsuki dodge!"
"Ah! Crap!"
Only because four is less than five.
A mass of burning light split the air as it made its way towards Itsuki, and even with her vision sharp enough to discern it, the hammerhead lacked the speed to parry the blow and deflect it. Thus she was left with only one choice.
"Guwah!"
Placing her hammer in front of her, the light crashed against her weapon. Her small body rattling under the strain as her health depletes.
It was the first time she felt pain after arriving here.
The light eventually died down, leaving only a smoking spot on her precious Hammer. By all means, she had successfully blocked the attack, but the small white space on her health bar says otherwise. Even with a successful defense, Itsuki had lost 10% of her total health in a single strike. The largest amount of damage anyone from their side has suffered.
"FUCKING HECK!" Itsuki screamed at the top of her lungs. Her roar encasing the earth under her feet on ice as snow began to form around her.
It was the hammerhead passive skill that kicks in whenever she was damaged, [Tundra Karma] that unleashed a pulse of cold that debuff the enemies in a certain range and even damage those lacking in ice resistance.
But it doesn't do them any good, in fact, it only serves to give away their location.
"CRAP! Now we're painting a target for him." Ranmaru cursed. "We can't stay here Itsuki! Get a move on!"
"AH MOU I HATE THIS!" But even with comical tears coming out of her eyes, Itsuki followed her husband's lead and dragged her hammer as she ran behind him.
It was unimaginable that the two of them would be forced to retreat. Whatsmore, it's likely that they are doing so despite facing only a single opponent. A logical option when facing the unknown with a disadvantage, but is the foe so intimidating that the only choice left was to abandon counter-attack to reveal even the slightest of the enemy?
No, it was the opposite.
"It's that damn bird, isn't it!? That sorry ass stinkin 'Hawkeye reject!?" Itsuki yapped as she continued to run.
"Doesn't matter! Whether it's exactly him or not, we just can't take on that kind of build-HERE IT COMES AGAIN!"
"AS IF!"
Stopping dead down on her tracks, Itsuki steadied her feet and entered a proper stance. She raised her hammer in anticipation, ready to swing at a moment's notice.
As if detecting her challenge a flicker of light appeared on the blue sky, and soon enough, another white mass of light flew straight at the hammerhead. Cleary meant to hit her.
"I ain't gonna get caught with my pants down a second time! Asshole!"
In a perfectly timed display, she swung the hammer right at the moment the light was supposed to hit her. Itsuki can feel the heat and a small margin of damage as her missile parry passive activates.
"SOR-YAH!"
Like a golf ball getting hit by a club, the streaking white mass was sent off course and flying into the air. Exploding dramatically mid-air as right above them like a firework.
"How's that, you two-bit sniper!?" Itsuki roared with an evil smile, only to get bonked by Ranmaru from the back.
"You idiot! That's just going to reveal our location again!"
"Ah."
True to Ranmaru's claim, the part of the forest around them had turned white once again. Her missile parry might have lessened the damage significantly, but Itsuki's [Tundra Karma] passive still kicks in regardless.
And it might as well be a beacon for that person.
"From now on don't even think about parrying!"
"But what can we do besides running then!?"
The frank answer to her question, nothing else. And against a new unidentified enemy in this new world, disengaging is the wisest combat move, as ironic as it is.
Except what's pushing Ranmaru to opt for the option isn't the complete lack of information, but the opposite of having an idea exactly who it is firing at him from afar.
As the two's getaway continued Ranmaru speedily glanced at where the last light had been seemingly fired from whenever he got the chance. Only to curse and click his tongue as he realized that each shot had come from different cardinal directions with the last one Itsuki parried coming from the east.
It might not be obvious, but the interval between shots allowed them the exact amount of time to catch their breath and continue running away. Maybe under other circumstances, Ranmaru would assume that whoever is harassing them simply couldn't keep up the fire rate in exchange for the barrage output.
But in this new world and being at a disadvantage for the first time, his mind assumed the worst. So naturally, that person is the first to come to mind alongside an obvious objective.
'He's trying to get us to run at Nazarick!'
And to reveal its location or at least its general vicinity.
Ranmaru and Itsuki were still on the map duty when they were ambushed, so they weren't even that far from their home base But whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is debatable.
"Ah, I know that look! It's really him isn't it!?"
Ranmaru gnashed his teeth as the pieces of the puzzles began to form. It might just be paranoia, but then again, it made perfect sense if he was the one trying to goad information out of them.
After all, there are only two super-specific min-maxed character builds that could get them on the run like this.
The first belongs to the number one, [Leonhart] himself. A basic all-rounder character-build with proper consideration between offense and defense, both magical and physical, which is further reinforced by a specific race's vitality and boosted even more by a series of basic and advanced Job-classes. Touch-me was another example of such, and Kyoko being their simpler trickled-down counterpart.
They had fought once and he had almost defeated them through a clever balancing between tanking the damage and counter-attacking. Revealing the weakness of how Ranmaru and Itsuki aren't that strong when the other's out of the picture.
And then there is the opposite.
An avatar that devoted everything to speed, range, and firepower. A literal glass cannon that even someone half his level can defeat in one strike with enough power.
One that despite the obvious weakness hasn't been hit even once after he reached the level cap.
"Ah! Here comes another one!" Itsuki whined as yet another mass of light flew at them from the southeast.
This time, the two swerved away as the projectile barely missed them. Hitting the ground and destroying the earth as it exploded, accomplishing half of its intention as it sends them both flying.
"Ranmaru!?"
Itsuki was able to manage it better thanks to her resilience as a flash tank, but the weaker Ranmaru suffered considerable damage.
"I'm fine! Shit!"
Oddly enough the searing pain on his back didn't bother him that much, even with his regeneration unable to keep up it numb and mend the wound just enough. Hell, the lessened hurting amount exactly like his chronic back pain in the previous world, or maybe that's just his self-suggestion to deal with the pain.
Regardless he can bear with it, and in an ironic twist, the familiarity momentarily removed whatever hesitation and worry he had.
Just in time to see another volley coming right at them, and for Itsuki to step in and intercept it just like last time bearing the same result. Once again everything around her turned white, and the parried shot exploded above them marking their location.
Not even a beat after she turned to him, her irises sharp enough to bore through his skull. Looks like he isn't the only one who reacts well under the dose of reality.
"I ain't hearing anything else coming out of your mouth unless it's a way to beat that asshole perching somewhere laying eggs!"
He wanted to laugh at the growling doubling as a threat but knew better, so instead, he started "Not even a praise about how good you look when saving my sorry ass?"
Itsuki broke into a small grin, nonetheless, she rolled her eyes. "That's an exception, but that silver tongue of yours isn't gonna help us. And I got a feeling that this slice of peace ain't gonna last."
Ranmaru nodded. "Yeah. It's really him after all…"
That swift follow-up attack confirmed it. They were really facing their nemesis, the swift sniper and [Leonhart's] left hand, [Guyhawk] the odd-eyed gale.
The hammerhead clicked her tongue. "Just our luck. The first player we ran into is the one we don't stand a chance against."
One of [Nature's Roar] big three and their aerial commander. As a self-styled Mercenary guild, Nature's Roar rose to prominence as a group of players for hire that would accept employment in exchange for information and a fair share of drop items.
Their strength as one group is unquestionable, as it's led by one of the [World-Champions]. And adding to their integrity and work ethics, they were able to establish a reputation of power and honor that very large guild like the [2ch Alliance] and [Trinity] acknowledges, the former even relentlessly trying to recruit them at every turn.
Then again, Ranmaru remembered something about them playing a crucial role in knocking [Seraphim] of balance and allowing [Trinity] to secure the number one slot in YGGDRASIL's guild ranking.
And Guyhawk is one of their secrets, alongside Nature's Roar structure and possession of dedicated units.
A squadron of flyers with real-life air combat experience. Against Guyhawk's group, one would either die by his super long-range sniping or by his underling's meticulous and unavoidable carpet bombing.
The only chance of survival and victory is to bring the fight to them, but with the battlefield being the sky, it might as well be none.
"Not that we need to worry about it too much. He's alone." Ranmaru deduced.
"Yeah, but that doesn't make our problem any easier. That Hawkman knock-off is too far away, and there's nothing we can do about it."
"Got that part right, and it's pissin me off."
That was their one weakness, having someone whose long range of attack surpasses his reach.
Despite the simplicity of their weakness, it's something that they surprisingly don't encounter all that much, because that kind of range was something only a sniper-type can obtain. Which on its own is a rarity.
They first learned of this vulnerability by complete accident, involving one dumb fight starting with Peroronchino ogling their avatars. Hadn't it been followed by such a tantalizing discovery he doubts either of them would have remembered it
Of how the bird-man sniper archer had almost been the first player to kill Itsuki before awkwardly stopping.
"Haven't heard of you soundin that spiteful in a long~ while~" Itsuki teased, causing Ranmaru to grin.
It was only a single defeat, but it was one that his pride would sear into his very being despite the guild completely forgetting about it in favor of searching for a counter.
Only for them to have the same experience at the hand of their current foe because nothing short of avatar overhaul would do a thing, and even if they opt for that, the backlash would weaken them too greatly as a team.
Because that one specific weakness is something that they cannot mitigate without losing something greater in return.
At least until they arrived 'here'.
"Yep~ you're married to one hell of a sore loser after all~"
Ranmaru reached out for his quiver, grasping for a particular arrow which he had prepared for this exact moment.
Petty as it is, the first thing Ranmaru racked his brain for is to wonder if the whole 'Game mechanic and reality' overlap as Momonga put it had given them the means to overcome this one gaping flaw.
So during the one week after their arrival, and a series of trial and error alongside his fellow husbands plus Fuitchi and Torihiki, which he kept a secret from Itsuki because she was busy running around making sure things were fine with Kyoko and one part because of his pride, the guys finally found it.
His only regret? Not being able to test it on Peroroncino first to finally settle the score.
"He hasn't changed one bit, that asshole, neither have us."
A single glance at the primed ammo, soon to be fired, was all it took. Now, Itsuki too was smiling with a nasty beam.
"But the world did. So let's see if he has kept up like the youngster he is, or if the grudge of us old people is gonna turn things around."
XxX
Mercenary NPCs are entities that players could buy out through the use of YGGDRASIL gold as well as be summoned by spending guild finances.
While vastly inferior to players in terms of adaptability or equipment, they remain an important staple for newer players as well as an important aspect of the game later on.
Primarily, players hire NPC Mercenaries from town to either round up their number for a quest with specific demands or to test the water of a dungeon by using them as a pricey scout.
All sorts of mercenary NPC can be found in YGGDRASIL, some with a backstory so concrete it's surprising, some with remarkable character- build that players take inspiration from, and even a completely randomized creation that somehow ended up as either one of the two, neither, or miraculously both.
The NPC [Falcon] falls within the category of the second.
In that grouping, there are primarily two types sought after by Players, both roles relating greatly to the typical role of an NPC. First is the general support type, where level serves as the sole recruiting criteria, and their main purpose is to round up a groups' numbers to an acceptable party.
The second, catering more to advanced players is the specialist type, where skill and group compatibility is heavily deliberated on with level-gap sometimes being ignored if it meant having an NPC with a particular skill that meshes well with the party's lineup.
Those who hire [Falcon] come with one task in mind, the very job his character builds has left him with no other choice even when he doesn't know it.
He was an inverse of Itsuki despite sharing the trait of being a pseudo-tank. While she wreaks havoc by charging in wildly and unleashing damage using her strength and casting AOE attacks, Falcon would stick in one place and draw enemies to him. Striking back as his defense increased over time thanks to his skill set.
So if his current enemy is a specialized offensive flash tank then it's only natural to refer to him as a defensive specialist flash tank. It would be quite a clash of the unstoppable spear vs immovable shield, though in narration only because he is fifteen levels below her and that's not a wall that can be overcome by skill and determination.
That said, he's confident that he can make it an interesting fight. Or at least a showy one until the hammerhead sends him flying.
"Oh~!? Is that snow!? I know that passive anywhere! It really is her."
Except that his current client made it clear that it won't come to that.
Falcon could only glance warily at the chirping person laying on the ground, he might be his current contractor but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Especially considering the circumstances he's in and the capability of the man.
He wanted to chide himself for falling into such a situation. Where a mercenary like him is completely within the palm of his client. To be completely in the dark in his line of work is the greatest of all taboos, and to be dependent on someone else without any leverage is as bad as it can get.
But any justification he comes up with for himself would be nothing more than a self-serving empty-talk, yet despite that, how could one possibly prepare himself to be hurled into another world?
There was no use in crying over spilled milk. So he could only grit his teeth while arguing that the event would have blindsided anyone.
Especially since it started like any other day for him. With a job assigned by a client, he's all too familiar with. More so because it was someone he had worked for multiple times in the past. To borrow a shopkeep term, he is a regular.
From the beginning, it was only logical for a player like Guyhawk to hire an NPC like Falcon. After all, no matter how precise of a sniper he is, the player wasn't much in close-quarter combat.
And with him being a mercenary NPC with good stats, affordable price, and specific specialty, it wasn't a surprise that the sniper ended up as one of his most frequent clients.
Though he was still quite unclear on why the partnership continued once their level gap became more apparent, he was level 85 and Guyhawk already reached the limit of 100.
Regardless he knows that his role would consist mostly of just standing around. Because despite the notion of Falcon having to be a meatshield/decoy should his client miss, nine out of ten times he simply doesn't.
And the one time he did, he would shoot down the lucky odd one-out player before the target could even reach the sniper. With the further data of two out of four barely finding the general direction Guyhawk was shooting from.
He never did get to do much, but it was logical, fulfilling even, considering his function as the very last line of defense. There is of course the self-deprecating notion of him basically taking a sinecure, which becomes an odd paradox as it means he'd be wishing for his client to fall in harm's way.
Right now though, he doubts that he'd get paid any time soon.
"Yep-yep, that last shot definitely got deflected. Guess those two still got it!"
Infamously identified as a part of Nature's Roar Triumvirate, Guyhawk in comparison to Leonhart and Bluefin stood alone in being known in name only, with everything else about him consisting of nothing more than wild theories and some fabrications every now and then.
The best sighting anyone has ever got of him is a silhouette. A blurry picture where one can barely make sense of up and down taken hastily by a player right before he got killed. It wasn't much, but doubt aside, one can barely make out the form of a birdman of the Heteromorphic race with the primary color of red.
The twist being that it was Falcon whose appearance was revealed even if barely.
For further details, he is a birdman with natural red feathers, his head and wings being that of the genus he was named after. Other racial features include his arms past his elbows, appearing as a distorted bird's legs that's been altered to resemble human arms minus one finger. It was the opposite for his legs below the knees that bend backward and are completely beastlike. And his eyes were yellow, not that anyone ever cared.
"Oi~ Fa~Chan~ Why are you so silent? We haven't had this much fun in a while now haven't we~?"
And the true Guyhawk was a winged human, and besides his bright red wings which when fully unfurled spread twice of his reach, he wasn't much else in human standard. Being of the normal height of a man in his twenties with a healthy build, his facial features are that of natural 'laziness'. So much so that those well acquainted with him regarded the sniper as more of an owl rather than a hawk.
Nothing else is remarkable other than his heterochromia of Red and Orange.
"With all due respect. You're trying to kill someone. Is it really something that you should take pleasure from?"
His contractor pouted at Falcon's pledge of professionalism, to which the bodyguard let out a sigh.
"As your bodyguard, my directive is to keep you safe at all cost."
And considering their contrasting level of seriousness, Falcon was doing all the worrying for the both of them.
"So it's only natural for me to hope that things won't get too exciting according to you."
Because that would mean someone had successfully survived Guyhawk's onslaught, cut the distance between them, and forced Falcon to fulfill his role. Not that that had ever happened.
"Cheh, always a killjoy, you. But you're in luck. Looks like those old crones couldn't do anything just like last time."
And it looks like this wasn't the moment where his fear is realized nor it is the occasion where his client gets his money's worth for hiring him.
"Should I hold back for a bit before repositioning and firing again? Maybe give them a room to use their secret weapon or something?"
The bodyguard is tempted to point out how he's already giving their targets just that by having their conversation with him. But the truth is a tad more complicated than that.
It was the secret weakness of his client, a small window that couldn't even be called an opportunity but still exploitable with enough experience and luck. Ranmaru and Itsuki clearly have the latter, so the question remains whether or not they have enough of the former in-store and whether his client is desperate enough for an actual bout and purposely leaves an opening.
"I can tell that you're desperate for a challenge, but not if your recklessness comes from overconfidence or apathy," Falcon stated.
"Neither can I, truth to be told," Guyhawk admitted. "But I guess that happens after you go without a challenge for so long."
Now that was something Falcon actually understood, as a warrior to be precise. Of the point where one became too strong and was left with no opponent to oppose them. Certainly, no one seeks strength just to fight ants.
As a guardian, however, that train of thought is nothing short of foolish doubling as a death wish. Far-fetched it might be, but a single opening could lead to defeat in the most surprising way.
Falcon really thought that Guyhawk understood that much, he is a sniper after all. And considering how frail his client is, Falcon is both surprised and impressed by how the winged human could be so lively with a situation that would have rendered anyone anxious.
Then again, maybe he's just oblivious of his partner's quirk. Falcon has always been proud of his professionalism, and with other players never going beyond the employer-employee courtesy with him, that made Guyhawk an anomaly. One that he purposely tries to steer clear of.
So it was another sore spot that he's still unfamiliar with his number one client, who had constantly gone the extra mile. Normally he'd be proud to be able to distance himself from such a loud individual, but with the same person now being Falcon's sole lifeline in the new world, the gap had morphed into a disadvantage.
But it's better late and never, and he's nothing but not adaptable and open-minded.
Thus he decided to get to know the person named Guyhawk better. For his own benefit.
"Then again, maybe my hope is misplaced. I mean wishing to see new tricks from old dogs, I'd probably have better luck just scouring the new world for someone who's a good shot as I am."
Here and now looks like a good place to start.
"If you're done with your rant, sir, then maybe you should wrap things up? It's clear that those two wouldn't be able to do anything.
And looks like his oratory skill is another thing that he should work on. Because that was the furthest one can be from sounding friendly.
"Ah well, guess you're right. I don't want Leo-chi to wait too long. He'd scold me if I take my sweet time~"
Failure on being casual aside, they indeed should really end it all here. Guyhawk and Falcon's aim was to goad Ranmaru and Itsuki into revealing their current base by pelting them within a defined interval. One that lasts long enough for them to catch their breath without allowing them to form a counter.
The best twist would be one where the couple would retreat into their base on foot, as unlikely as that is. So of course the two are holding particular apparel capable of tagging plus locating them should the couple bust out any teleportation device of the like.
Of course, killing them was out of the question, even if this is probably Guyhawk's only shot to get rid of them. Those two are extremely strong after all as a tag team, one that's worth half of Leonhart, excluding this particular setup.
The overarching plot was to find out everything about them, from how strong they have grown ever since they landed here, whether or not have they established relations with many countries, and how strategic is the location they reside in if they have such a place.
The foremost Guyhawk has already figured out, and with how things go, it's only a matter of time before they figured out the second and third inquiry. Once they do, all that's left is for Leonhart to initiate negotiation from a position of power, which will likely end up with Ranmaru and Itsuki's recruitment. Not that they have much of a choice.
"Leo-chi really needs to work on his naming though. I mean, what kind of a name is the [New Wild Brigade]?"
So was the name of their current group, whose prowess they definitely exceed despite consisting only of seven Demi-Humans. As Guyhawk claimed, it was Leonhart himself who came up with the name, something that the sniper constantly rant about behind their leader's back. Though even someone like Falcon knows that he's not doing it out of animosity.
"Seriously, for a real-life grade-A Hollywood movie soldier he has the naming sense of a middle school student? A unit would have made a lot of sense? Or maybe his chuuni-side kicked into high-gear ever since we got here?"
He just doesn't like the name, thinking that it's lame. As an adult would when their children spout nonsense as befitting of their age.
"Should I try and bonk him on the head once? Maybe that'll snap him out of his phase."
With bonking here meaning shooting Leo on the head, regardless of the fact that he'll probably survive, Falcon really shouldn't let the idea hang around his possibly permanent client's head considering how serious he usually is with his mumbling.
"It's just a name sir, you really shouldn't get riled up by such a thing."
To Falcon's surprise, Guyhawk actually turned away from his scope to look him in the eye directly for the first time. Whatsmore, his eyes were blank, devoid of any emotion, and were focused solely on him. If he hadn't known any better, Falcon was sure that the sheer intensity was enough to drill a hole through his skull.
Hell, maybe one of his hidden offensive magic capable of doing that.
"..Have I said something rude?"
At that, Guyhawk's stare became even fiercer, and at this point, Falcon was waiting for the orbs to start glowing before unleashing a laser that can pierce through him without a hitch.
"...Falcon-kun, could it be that you think that that name is actually… cool?"
Now it was Falcon's turn to stop whatever it is he was doing and stare at his employer with a stare of his own.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I mean, I wouldn't be surprised, you know. Some guys just couldn't help but perceive some stuff as cool as they get older."
Guyhawk's eyes didn't budge for an inch from Falcon as he continued.
"Don't get me wrong, I completely understand. And it's important for everyone to get in touch with their inner child every once in a while. But going around claiming to shout: 'WE ARE THE NEW WILD BRIGADE! SURRENDER AND JOIN US OR DIE IN COMBAT!' isn't exactly uh…A grown-up thing to do."
The sniper certainly has a point, aesthetically speaking at least. And after pondering about it, Falcon wouldn't want to be caught dead ever using the name out loud, let alone identify himself with it before a large conflict or the like.
But because of that natural reasoning also that he knows of the anomaly among them.
"I don't think it'll be of any issue for someone like our leader."
During the course of his life, Falcon had encountered three kinds of people based on how they talk about things. Those who believed what they preached more than themselves, those who believed in themselves more than what they voiced, and those who believed in themselves before and actually put that confidence into words.
For a Player like [Leopold] or a person like him to be exact, it doesn't matter what he says. Anything coming out of his mouth is bound to resonate in anyone's ears and be perceived as truth by people lesser than him.
And considering everything, it would be much faster to count his equals and place everyone else in the category of petty compared to him.
Charismatic would undermine what the Lion-man has, it was closer to actual gravity down to how futile it is to resist it. And he isn't the kind of leader who's only good at leading either, in actual combat, he'd be the first to land a kill or a close second right after Guyhawk who'd snipe from afar.
The perfect word would be 'General'. A rare breed capable of ushering violence without succumbing to bloodlust and concoct proper plans without falling prey to armchair logic.
If that wasn't enough praise, then one should note that Falcon's description was made after encountering the man himself in person, only once if he may add.
"As for the numbers… Well, considering the discrimination and disorder we see so far, it'll only be a matter of time until we live up to the name."
Case and point being Falcon who immediately decided to work under him in the foreseeable future. So he's quite sure that the many disenfranchised demi-humans would quickly welcome a leader of his caliber fighting for equality, if not joining for the fight alone that is.
And yet the sniper's eyes remain unmoved, confusing the bodyguard who thought he had responded to the sudden inquiry properly.
"Trust me I'm perfectly aware of everything you have just said and how true they are. But you're the one dodging the question here."
"...I'm quite sure I have shared my opinion on the matter."
Just then, Guyhawk finally breaks eye contact to shake his head, clicking his tongue rapidly, and wag his index finger. Textbook indicator that he thinks Falcon was wrong.
"You did, but you didn't answer the question. I ask if you think the name is cool. Yes, or no?"
At this point, Falcon was cornered verbally, something which he hadn't expected and only realized now. Thinking about it, perhaps this was the only way it could have ended? Could his employer have mapped out the direction of their conversation and timed his words as well as gesture, enclosing him into this undodgeable question, just like he did to the two players they are hunting.
Could Guyhawk actually 'know Falcon' better than he knows himself.
"...Yes, I think the name is rather striking in a positive manner, at least in my opinion."
And beside this moment, Falcon will never reveal that he thinks so ever again.
"Yep, totally called it!"
Snapping his finger, sounding satisfied, and most definitely sure that he's right, the sniper's newfound spirit translates directly to the assured defeat of their two current targets. The bodyguard sighed at his 'defeat' though he supposed it was one of those Losing the battle to win the war scenario.
That is him getting humiliated and their mission accomplished. He wanted to call it a fair trade, but it was barely one.
Now the end result is now set in stone, Falcon believes, and although they neglected the current task in front of them in the process, what happens next will determine whether or not they have screwed up.
"Alright! Now I'm feeling good! Just need to poke those two from here one more time, move a bit more, then we can call it a day!"
With a happy face, most certainly inappropriate for his job, the sniper returned to his initial crouching position. His vigor renewed to finish things up and end the day on a good note.
But as soon as his eye adjusted to the sight provided by the scope.
"Hm?"
"What's the matter?"
Guyhawk shifted uncomfortably.
"Well it's supposed to be nothing, but I guess it's something weird?"
That last part came out forcefully, clearly something was afoot.
"How can it be nothing and something at the same time?"
Falcon was demanding a clear confirmation, cause anything that could unnerve his boss was definitely something worth of worry.
"Well…"
His tone only further the bodyguard's worry, because after the short time he had gotten to know him, Falcon was well aware that Guyhawk
"Just spit it out! If it's serious then we should start making preparations!"
That came out harsher than he wanted to, but justified since their life could be on the line. Leopold insisted that they move with the assumption that the respawn system had been deactivated, as odd as that sound.
But it's always better not to take any chances.
"Alright-alright! The old-man looks like he's trying to shoot back!"
He sounded like a child forced to confess to eating snacks and spoiling his dinner, and in a perfect parallel, Falcon's expression was that of a parent who just heard the dumbest divulgence their spawn can give.
"What?"
"Yeah, he's nocking an arrow and is aiming it at me. That can only mean he's trying to snipe back, right?"
If he could, the guardian would not reply and just scratch his head instead. Because he now understands the sniper's puzzlement and is now sharing it.
It was a bad notion for them, aside having the upper hand now they are well aware that there are only two ways this operation can go, exactly the way they had foreseen the best scenario or to go south so fast they should retreat the first moment anything went awry.
There was no in-between. They either accomplish the mission flawlessly or prioritize their life and disengage at the slightest possibility of danger.
And this wasn't paranoia blinding them. Just like a proper approximation of their strength, this too is a genuine gauging made to cover their weakness.
Because frankly, distance is the only thing keeping them from getting steamrolled by Ranmaru and Itsuki.
It wasn't a question nor is it a possibility, it was inevitability in the truest sense. Should the literal gap between them be erased, then a quick beatdown leading to death would be the best outcome they can hope for.
Or maybe a prolonged battle where Falcon sacrifices himself to buy Guyhawk enough time to get away.
"But he can't do that. Right?" Job or not, he's not too eager to resort to that just yet.
"Well he's the type to hold a nasty grudge so he knows better than anyone that guns beat bows…"
The sniper shifted again, he should be able to shoot Ranmaru before he does anything funny, but at the same time…
'My instinct tells me that it's already too late… I should just run away…'
It was his honed sixth sense that helped him traverse through life-and death situations, the one thing that had kept him alive as a real sniper that had left many dead before they realized it.
"Something is wrong Fa-chan, this'll sound crazy but we should-!?"
The moment Guyhawk made his decision, it was already too late. Ranmaru had let loose the arrow, unlike what he would usually brandish. Instead of jagged purple flash, what the thunderer's bow spat out was a soft pink light, fluffy even if he was being honest.
It was the furthest looking thing from a dangerous projectile, nonetheless, as an alien sight, it snapped Falcon and Guyhawk into action. Their decision was based purely on instinct and experience, one made too late.
The pink streak raced through the air with speed betraying its sweet appearance, and despite the laws of the game, it easily crossed the distance between them, heading straight at the sniper and his bodyguard.
Instead of panicking, the two thrusted head first to face the inevitable, Guyhawk returning to sniping position and Falcon now brandishing his halberd in a defensive stance. Dodging was impossible, so instead they opted for interception and mitigation respectively.
Guyhawk fired a beam to intercept, his retaliation making its mark and hitting the arrow dead-on its center. Thus, the bullet and arrow met mid-air, stopping and painting the sky pink and red in an intense clash.
They appear equal for a moment, but the Guyhawk's ray slowly dissipated, leaving Ranmaru's arrow to resume its hunt. The sniper blinked and clicked his tongue, racking his brain for a possible explanation of what he's facing.
"[TOWER SCREAM]!"
Reddish light engulfed Falcon as he activated his class-exclusive skill, the bodyguard glowing like a red beacon amidst the greenery. It instantly burned through their camouflage, but with the arrow streaking towards them it hardly mattered. Either Ranmaru had seen through it or the item has some sort of property granting unstoppable homing ability towards Guyhawk...
The sniper now turned target hopes that it was the former, it was the most logical deduction suiting the Archer's stats, but the possibility of the latter gnawed at him thanks to the unknown addition of the new world.
Unaware of the Sniper's analysis, his bodyguard focuses all of himself in stopping the attack. The effect of [Tower Scream] was already active, causing the arrow to alter its trajectory from Guyhawk to himself.
"RAH!"
Swinging his weapon, Falcon's halberd smashes against Ranmaru arrow. The attack should have easily swatted the projectile away, but the arrow persisted, pushing against the full weight of the birdman's counter as an equal.
From up close, the true threat of the arrow registered to Guyhawk. The sniper felt the sheer heat exuded by the pink light, taking damage just by being near the pretty sparkling heat source. Alongside a full-view of the arrow that should have killed him.
His eyes went wide at the sight, everything clicking in place as the final piece was presented before him literally.
After what the bodyguard perceives as minutes the light finally weakens. Gritting his teeth Falcon mustered his strength to match the opening, completing the missile parry, bashing the attack away with a final feral roar.
"GRAAAAAH!"
The arrow flinged skyward as the final result, and Falcon immediately turned his attention towards the two targets. Distance doesn't matter, and he can't afford to show any opening after properly assessing how much damage he took, much more than what a single strike should have done to him with defensive skills and a perfect non-returning parry.
Such a capability tilted the advantage away from them, but it didn't completely turn the table against Falcon and Guyhawk. Now, it was everyone's game.
The bodyguard steeled himself to take another burn of such a heavy attack, not out of his own volition, but because he knows he needs to be the shield to the spear that is his employer. From the information he was told, the enemy is likely to divide themselves into similar roles.
Falcon felt a stab at his pride as he realized that he was the weak link, a liability in comparison to the enemy tanker. He'd die first considering the health difference vis a vis their level gap, quicker if the enemy can dish out as much as damage like what had hit him earlier a few more times.
This has become the very definition of a botched first day at work, way above his pay-grade by several zeros.
It was the same for Guyhawk, but instead of the enemy he was focused on something else. A theory that could possibly make this complication worth it.
By the time Falcon properly recalled he wasn't alone, a red streak had passed by him. Tracing it reflexively, his upward gaze was greeted by an airborne Guyhawk, his wings unfurled fully with his back facing the enemy.
This was the very height of stupidity, figuratively and literally speaking. But the all knowing smirk was there, as if he had just proven himself right again.
And from how he hasn't gotten shot at despite hovering at the same place hints that he is.
"Nailed it," Guyhawk jabbed as he casually glided down, throwing something at Falcon who barely caught it. Letting go of his weapon at the moment should be the last thing he does, but the sniper's contagious confidence convinced him just like that.
What he caught was a pink arrow, but calling it that would be an overstatement. It was more akin to a toy, from its stubbed arrow-head shaped like an anatomically incorrect heart, to frills attached to the fletching that would have ruined the weapons' aerodynamics.
"That's an event limited item, probably a valentine couples exclusive only. Figures that those two will be able to get their hands on it."
Falcon's eyes darted between the mysterious object and his employer, he recognized some of the things Guyhawk said, but some were completely foreign to him.
"It's attack stats are the same as any other one-time use arrow, save for the limited time damage boost it gives during the event and some visual effects. The glitter and pink lights, obviously."
Archers in YGGDRASIL have the reality glitch of never running out of arrows, just like in some other games, but with the help of some skills or classes are capable of making 'real arrows' that deal more damage at the cost of breaking after one use.
Some players opted to avoid them completely in lieu of elemental and buff-skills, and to balance against the trend, the developer ended up amping breakable arrows damage to a high level.
"Fa-chan, I'm gonna need you to do some math, and you're going to tell me if I got the number right for the damage you suffered right before being deducted by your skills and passives."
Falcon didn't need to say anything, his lower beak dropping serving as a confirmation. The digits stated by Guyhawk were right on the mark.
"Yep, thought so. That's all the mysteries solved." Guyhawk then flapped his wings, beginning to hang away from the ground. "Now to call it a day and nag at Leo-chi all about it!"
And impossibly, he surprised the bodyguard yet again by his indiscernible thought process.
"But shouldn't we fight them here and now!? Especially since they have such a means to harm even us!"
"It's the opposite, Fa-chan, they can only strike back because it's us. This is a rock paper scissor kind of situation."
At the hand gesture that should have elaborated his explanation, Falcon remained clueless.
"Oh you don't get it, well that's fine. Basically that arrow is a karmic weapon, and that damage you took? It's equal to the total damage of all of my shots so far combined."
"But the arrow doesn't have such an ability! To begin with, an ability of that caliber could only belong to a class skill!"
"Perfectly put, at least in the old world it should've been that way."
Falcon froze at the blunt reminder, feeling the cold heart fact stabbing right through him.
"Don't beat yourself over it, a lot of things still work the same, so it's only natural to forget it every now and then. Only normal even. And you're right, that kind of ability is way above a disposable arrow, limited-time event or not, but look at the flavor text."
Following the lead doubling as a command the bodyguard did just that, and his eye widen at the description of a what was suppose to be a
[Lover's Reed].
[This arrow symbolizes the kismet of two partners, of the unbreakable bond binding two people together. As long as their dedication persists, whatever misfortune comes their way shall empower them to move forward.
Obtainable only during (2133's Valentine event).
Usable only when a female and male player are in the same group.
Increase Damage when a female and male player are in the same group
Added cosmetic effect: Pink Light & Lovely Glitter].
"Flowery language aside, I'm pretty sure that it basically turned into an arrow that returned the total amount of damage directed at those two, regardless of damage mitigation or even if they avoided it. In other words, the more we attack them the harder they'll hit us, in a single strike at that…"
Between the truth of the new world and his shattered pride, Falcon stumbles upon the hopelessness of the situation.
"Doesn't that make them… Impossible to attack?"
"Hm? Not really, it's just that we're at the disadvantage here since we rely on periodic strikes. Instant kill spells and attacks that cause death should be able to bypass it, and it won't matter with someone like Leo-chi that can double down on the damage if he gets hit. Anyway, as long as we don't attack them first they can't attack us, so running away should be pretty easy."
'It just can't be helped, so the sniper surmised. In other words, their skills are simply unsuited to fight the two. And that their mission was bound to fail from the very beginning.
"Come on now, don't frown like that. I get that being realistic is your shtick, but this leans a bit too close to being gloomy you know."
"It is as you say." Falcon sighed in defeat, laying his frustration bare. "But I'm more hung up on being the reason why disengaging will be the better option."
The battle will be a back and forth between them, but Guyhawk should have the advantage of being able to strike first. The problem lies in him, who is inferior to Itsuki in level and stats. Who would crumble first and left the sniper vulnerable to a
If he were stronger, they wouldn't have lost outright.
"Haha, I didn't take you to be the super earnest type Fa-chan, that's new."
"I guess I simply couldn't handle the notion of being the one needing protection. It irks me, excruciatingly so."
"GWAHAHA! Well, first time for everything right! And in a new world, it's better to run into that now than later."
With a nod, the bodyguard joined the Sniper in the air. Their red wings now spread fully in preparation to leave behind the battlefield.
"Well it's a good run, all in all, we got an important hint thanks to them. Let's just leave the rest to Leo-chi."
With a synchronized flap, the two became red streaks racing through the sky, shattering the sound barrier and leaving behind one final word unheard.
'Something like this wouldn't be enough to stop him. Not in a million years.'
XxX
Voidwalker here, man my author's note the last chapter didn't age well.
Anyway, I hit a lot of writer's block in writing this chapter, hence why I continuously postpone it to start other stories and write other stuff.
So yeah, new people come along which is something I had planned on from the start, and for those complaining about the overabundance of OC well too bad.
Already working on the next chapter as we speak, the next story break will likely be after I finish up with book two and into book three. Then I'm off to write [Moonlit Hunt] for a while. If you got the time, check it out.
That's all from me, Voidwalker77, signing out. CIAO!