Chapter 8
Phew, it’s gotten late. Thanks to all the battles we did, my level went up a whole bunch!
Yes, we covered a lot of ground today, everyone.
For a while now, I’d been thinking that if you got caught up in some trouble, then my paladin would come cover for you. But…
There was that time when we achieved victory by working with Nagumo-kun to go on the offensive. And the time that Shinobu-kun’s special skills were a big help.
And still another time when Hajime-kun’s Recovery turned the tides of battle…
The more battles we fought, the more I was helped by everyone. I have learned how cooperation and coordination can give us an advantage.
We don’t know lonely_wolf’s true power, and I don’t know if we can actually win. But at the very least, we will be able to put up a better fight…
…Wawah—I’m so sorry?!
That sound just now… was it your stomach, Suou-kun…?
Fufu ♪
Ohh, for me to… I’m ashamed you all had to hear that. I want to crawl into a hole.
How ‘bout instead of a hole we go to the deli? They sell some super cheap, super yummy croquettes.
Ooh, good idea!
But I wonder if it’s okay to eat before dinner…
What if we buy two, then split them among all four of us? It shouldn’t be too heavy if we do that.
Fufu, I agree. I’d like to save some money, too.
Right! Then excuse me! Can we get two croquettes? Thanks!
Ah—hot, hot! Be careful everyone~
Thank you, Nagumo-kun ♪
Actually, where should we eat these?
There’s no place to eat inside the shop. So we just eat them standing up, like we’re doing now. Munch munch… ♪
Munch munch… Hwaa, it must be freshly fried. It’s delicious!
It is. My mouth won’t stop watering~ ♪
You’re all eating it so easily. Then I, too, will steel myself and… Munch—
(Ahh, it’s so good… It’s impolite to eat standing up, but it honestly feels like it tastes better than usual ♪)
I also leveled up as much as I could while playing with everyone. I am sure we will claim victory in our decisive battle tomorrow ♪
For sure! Actually, I think I came up with a good strategy just now.
I dunno if it’s any good or whatever, but you wanna hear it anyway? It’d need everyone working together, but…
Hm, what kind of strategy…?
The following day, at lunch
We’ve arrived, lonely_wolf.
Heh. Took ya long enough. Well, I’ll give ya props for not turning tail and runnin’.
Let’s see how strong you’ve gotten. …Now then, let’s duel!
Get hype, y’all!
Will do!
I–I’ll get hype, too~!
Hah. So Shino’s joinin’ in this time…
Haha! If it’s a 1V4, my bonus power’ll get all kinds of jacked up. You sure you ain’t just tryin’ to get this battle done quicker?
Ngh. We have already taken your power bonus into account! First, I shall raise Shino-dono’s agility with my skill!
Thank you. I will focus on casting Recovery. I won’t let anyone go down…!
And I shall cover everyone with Protection. …Now, Nagumo-kun!
Ossu! I’m stronger than before! Eat my fist!
Tch… Looks like you got yourselves a battle plan. Guess I can’t win by just goin’ all out without using my brain, huh?
Well whatever. Time to switch from full offense to targeted attacks. Hey, you trust fund baby, I’m gonna destroy that shield of yours!
I won’t be defeated so easily!
That so. …Then how about this?!
Gh—! There’s a crack in my shield…! But I have to endure, so I can protect everyone…
Haha, you went down so fast it’s disappointing. Looks like that sparkly shield was just for decoration.
Are you okay, Suou-kun? I’ll cast Recovery!
If we’re playing that game, then I use Clone! How do you like my nonstop attacks?!
Ossu! I’m gonna lay it on ‘im! Don’t give him a chance to breathe~!
Tch. There’s more of ya. But I’ll wipe you out in one fell swoop. Deadly Hunt!
Uwah—! He chunked my HP in one go! I won’t be able to hold out for the next turn~
Then this is match point, everyone.
Haah, I think you’re confusing your fighting spirit with your fighting ability. You bastards’re comin’ at me all together, and ya still can’t even tickle me, much less hurt me.
Welp, my turn again. I’ll dish out a huge serving of pain!
Ohh, everyone but Suou-kun’s down~!
…Or so it seems. I activate my Substitution Scroll and revive Shino-dono!
Huh? You’re bringin’ back the priest and not the brawler? What’re you gonna do with a healer on the brink of death?
…Wait, shit!
Even if I cast Recovery on Suou-kun, he’ll go down again. That’s why…
I’m going to attack with magic! Fire…!
Fuck—! Fire turned into that arcane spell Meteor! My HP’s nearly gone after that massive explosion…!
This is the end, Oogami-senpai. A paladin may often put their focus on the skill Protection, but originally, it was meant to be a class that specializes in offense.
I lay my final wishes upon this sword! Haaaaaah!
Gwaaaaaaah!
lonely_wolf disappeared from the screen! So that means… we won?
Yes, we won ♪ Even a brand new player can defeat a heavy user with the power of the Reversal.
If you satisfy the conditions of having a large level gap and a near-death status, then your attack power increases exponentially, and you can activate arcane spells you haven’t yet unlocked.
Ehe, I’m glad I saved my Substitution Scroll for a critical moment ♪
Reversal activates on RNG, so I wasn’t even sure if it’d work out, but man were we lucky!
Huh, I get it. So that was your strategy.
No, this battle relied entirely on luck. In a head-on collision, we are no match for you, even as a group.
However, we will keep getting stronger, and we’ll show you we can win fair and square. Will you battle us again, Oogami-senpai?
Hmph, ain’tcha gettin’ a little excited there? But well, you did a lot better than yesterday, that’s for sure.
I guess I’m a little interested in how strong you guys can get. I’ll play along if I feel like it… ♪
…Nghh, I was so sure we were going to lose, my hands are soaked with sweat.
M–me too… My legs are still shaking.
Haha. You guys, don’t be so nervous, loosen up a bit!
I had thought it was enough for me to just play solo. But it is much more fun when I play with everyone.
Yes. I didn’t realize there was something more fun than just dressing myself up in shining armor.
We will have to work diligently in preparation for lonely_wolf’s revenge… ♪