Chapter 7

"Ah, we've already come this far, huh?"

"What is it, do you know what that gathering is all about?"

"Yeah, sure. You see those stone pillars over there? Beyond that is the battle area for the field boss."

"Hmm, I see."

A field boss means there's a stronger enemy than the one we encountered earlier.

The stone pillars Hizuru mentioned are probably those stone columns lined up, about as tall as a guardrail.

A few players had stopped in front of them, waiting for something.

"So, what are they doing in front of the field boss?"

"Only one party can challenge the field boss at a time, so I guess they're waiting their turn."

It seems there's a troublesome rule.

Well, if I can fight a strong enemy, I don't mind waiting my turn.

As I was thinking this, they seemed to have noticed us.

The first to make eye contact was a male player equipped with a bow.

He looked at me, then at Hizuru standing next to him, and froze with his mouth agape.

"Wh-What... A, a, 'Crimson Sword Maiden'!?"

"What!?"

"No way, why is she here!?"

The moment the bowman shouted, the other five players also turned their gazes towards us.

They seemed surprised to see Hizuru, a top player, here.

"Hey, Hizuru. What was that grandiose name just now?"

"......I don't know."

"Come to think of it, that Fried guy from earlier also had a similar title. Do you like that kind of thing?"

"N-No, that's not it! I didn't give myself that title! It's just that, in the event I participated in, the top winners received such a title skill from the official side!"

"Title skill?"

"Here, look!"

With that, Hizuru operated her menu and showed me one of the skills in her skill list.

...What's a title skill? I don't have anything like that in my skill list.

■ 'Crimson Sword Maiden'

A dawn swordsman with crimson hair and a fiery aura.

Those she has saved sing the name of the Crimson Sword Maiden.

The power of her fire-attribute magic sword techniques using a blade increases by 15%.

"You, isn't this a bit... embarrassing—"

"That's not it, I didn't say it myself! But it's strong, so I can't remove it!"

"Alright, alright. But what's a title skill?"

"It appears when you get a title. Not many titles have such an effect, though..."

In other words, this title is part of the prize for placing in the top ranks.

Is there a possibility I could get such a title too?

Honestly, I'd rather not... It might have been fine ten years ago, but it's a bit tough to have one in my mid-twenties.

But, I don't know if I'll even place in the top ranks in the event, so I shouldn't worry too much.

While thinking about this, we reached the spot where the other players were waiting in front of the field boss.

There were six players waiting, a typical full-party setup.

"Hey, I didn't expect to see the 'Crimson Sword Maiden' here..."

"I'm just accompanying this person today. Are you all waiting for your turn to challenge the field boss?"

"Well, to be honest, we retreated once. We're just waiting to recover now."

The leader, a man with a greatsword on his back, shook an empty potion bottle.

Hmm, they seem to be relatively new players.

Some of their equipment is still beginner gear.

"Will you challenge again after recovering?"

"No, this recovery is to retreat. We'll come back after leveling up a bit more. Are you here to collect boss materials?"

"No, I'm just accompanying this Quon-san."

"...Just accompanying, huh?"

In response to Hizuru's words, the leader and a few others, especially the four men, gave me a scrutinizing look.

From their earlier reaction, it seems Hizuru is quite well-known, and they're probably doubting our relationship.

Well, it's not like there are many guys like that Fried.

While I was thinking this, Hizuru tugged at my sleeve and protested.

"Hey, Mr. Teacher, don't leave all the explaining to me."

"Alright, alright. You're popular, so why don't you wave at them?"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

"Ah... Well, I'm not going to pry into your real life, but it seems you know each other?"

"I won't deny it. That's about it."

In response to the man's words, I shrugged and nodded.

Thanks to that, their gazes became a bit less intense.

They probably suspected I was deceiving and using her.

It's understandable to be suspicious when a man approaches an idol, but still.

However, the suspicion didn't seem to be completely gone, as a female mage with a staff spoke to Hizuru.

"But, Hizuru-san. Just because you know someone, it's not good to take too much care of them. Sure, with your level, this area is easy, but—"

"Hehe... How about you watch?"

"Huh?"

"...Mr. Teacher, since we've come this far, you were planning to challenge the boss, right?"

"Yeah. It's been boring with just the regular monsters. We just need to go beyond those pillars, right?"

"Yes. Well then, everyone, we'll go ahead."

With a bow, Hizuru walked past them, and I started towards the boss's domain.

Up until now, it had been nothing but regular monsters, and it was quite unsatisfying.

But, a boss should be a more challenging opponent.

I stepped into the boss's field, determined to enjoy this.

Instantly—

"Ooohhh—"

A wolf's howl echoed.

Then, five Step Wolves appeared as if seeping out of the grass.

And behind them—

■ Greater Step Wolf

Type: Animal, Monster

Level: 8

Status: Active

Attribute: None

Battle Position: Ground

A wolf standing over a meter tall, and about three meters if it stood on its hind legs.

Its size alone is quite intimidating.

Smiling at the appearance of a somewhat challenging enemy, I immediately charged forward.

First, I needed to take care of the regular monsters around me.

"Hizuru, you heard what I was saying about fighting beasts, right?"

"Y-Yes?"

Before the enemy could move, I closed in on the wolf on the right.

The wolf hesitated for a moment, then tried to attack.

But—

"Four-legged animals can move forward quickly, but they're not good at moving backward. It's a structural issue. So, if I close the distance, it becomes difficult for them."

A moment's hesitation was enough.

The slash I delivered from below cut the wolf's lower jaw, and the return stroke severed its head.

I was already used to the movements of regular wolves. I could finish them off in one breath.

But, even that one breath was enough for the other wolves to start moving.

It seems the presence of the large wolf makes them act faster than usual.

Well, it wouldn't be fun if they didn't.

"Next, animal attacks are mostly linear, except for a few. Their attack methods are claws, fangs, and body charges. Claws don't have a wide attack range, so think of them like spear attacks."

I dodged a wolf charging for a body slam, then deflected the claw attack of another wolf with my gauntlet.

My stance wasn't perfect, so I didn't completely negate the attack and lost a bit of HP.

But, this much is within acceptable limits.

"Connecting the initial position of the enemy and your current position with a straight line and moving away from that line makes it easy to handle—'Plundering Sword.'"

Since opportunities to lose HP are rare, I might as well use that skill.

As I declared it, my sword was enveloped in a black aura.

While confirming the change in my sword's appearance, I slashed down at a wolf that was trying to bite me.

The perfectly timed sword flash cut through the wolf's skull, splitting it in two.

That's two down—incidentally, my HP had fully recovered.

Taking advantage of the momentum from the swing, I shifted my body to the side, gained centrifugal force from the rotation, and kicked a wolf that was trying to tackle me, sending it flying.

"Then, when fighting multiple enemies, it's simple to keep all of them in your field of vision at first. But, to efficiently take them down, it's difficult to continue doing so."

While keeping the large wolf in my peripheral vision, I continued the close combat with the remaining three.

If I moved away even a little, the large wolf would attack.

But, with these smaller wolves around, it seems the large wolf is hesitant to attack, fearing it might hit its subordinates.

I dodged a wolf attacking from behind, slashing its hind leg tendons, and continued talking.

"So, the next easiest method is to rely on your hearing—listening to the enemy's breathing, footsteps, and the sound of air being cut."

I left the fallen wolf for now, dodged a wolf trying to bite my leg, and kicked its head.

At least I needed to silence its growl to avoid being noticed easily.

"Well, for me, it's easier to read the enemy's presence and killing intent. Being able to read killing intent is third-rate, being able to avoid attacks based on killing intent is second-rate, and being able to counter feints based on killing intent is first-rate."

I left the wolf that had stopped moving after being kicked and returned to dealing with the one I had kicked earlier.

The process was the same. I dodged the wolf's linear attack, slashed its neck, and then decapitated another wolf that was groaning on the ground. Finally, I drew a short sword with my left hand—

"Carry a secondary weapon. A short sword can be used like this."

I threw the short sword at the large wolf's eyes while stabbing the heart of the fallen wolf.

The large wolf reflexively closed its eyes and turned its head, so the short sword didn't hit, but that was enough time.

Attacking the eyes is effective but instinctive and reflexive for any creature.

In this case, even a moment's delay was enough to finish off the fallen wolf.

"Well, the boss is left."

"Grrr..."

"Mr. Teacher, if this one howls, more will appear—!"

The large wolf inhaled and raised its jaw to howl.

At that moment—my charge sent the corpse of a fallen wolf flying.

"—'Sharp Edge'"

Step—Raging Shock.

Falling forward, I used my body weight and the weight of the sword as propulsion.

With that momentum, I advanced straight towards the wolf while maintaining the Mist stance.

Just as the large wolf was about to release its howl—

"You're underestimating me if you think I'll let you howl."

Sword Technique—Hard Form: Fang Piercing.

A lightning-fast thrust that gathered all the forward momentum at the tip of the blade.

The strike hit the wolf's throat and vocal cords as intended.

"Ugh—"

"Oops."

The throat was quite tough, but it was pierced.

However, I couldn't push further and quickly pulled the sword back and retreated.

A moment later, a claw attack swept the spot where I had been, almost blowing me away.

"Tough fur and skin, huh. Cutting it is difficult."

My stats are still low, and it seems to be a tough opponent to damage.

I had planned to pierce and tear its throat with Fang Piercing, but it was impossible to keep the sword in.

So, it's difficult to deal a one-hit kill—

"Ugh!"

"Whatever."

The charging wolf.

Because of its size, I needed to dodge more widely than the others, but the process was the same.

I dodged to the right, held my sword horizontally, and pressed my left gauntlet against the blade's edge.

Sword Technique—Soft Form: Muscle Splitting.

The blade, positioned to the side, used the energy of the wolf's charge to cut along the fur and muscle fibers, slicing through its body.

The wolf, spurting red blood as it landed, still didn't lose its fighting spirit.

I can cut it, but it will likely become cautious and stop charging.

"Well, I guess I'll have to attack first—"

Seeing me lower my blade, the wolf charged again, thinking it wouldn't be hit the same way.

Trying to crush me from above, the wolf leaped high and aimed its claws at my head.

Since it's attacking with a large movement, I might as well use it.

"The weakness of four-legged creatures is their legs. If I break one, it will make the fight easier."

I dodged the claw attack by stepping forward and punched the wolf's back knee as it fell.

Strike Technique—Reverse Strike.

Normally, this would break the joint, but with such a large opponent, it's difficult.

But, breaking the knee bone is easy.

The wolf, with its hind leg broken and most of its mobility lost, still glared at me with murderous intent.

Impressed by its spirit, I couldn't help but smile.

"Is it because you lost your comrades, or the pride of the pack leader? I don't dislike it."

The wolf, dragging its injured leg, bared its fangs at me.

Out of respect for its fighting spirit, I decided to end it soon.

I dodged its bite by slipping under it and firmly planted my left foot on the ground.

Strike Technique—Pillar Thrust.

The kick, with a high striking point that would require a 180-degree split, delivered the energy from the ground to the foot in a straight line, like a pillar.

The wolf was thrown back by the impact, and I, regaining my stance, thrust my sword, held in my left hand, into the wound on its neck.

"—It's over."

Sword Technique—Soft Form: Piercing Shot.

The sword, driven by the hilt strike from my right hand, pierced the wolf's jaw and entered its body, destroying its brain in a straight line.

The giant body convulsed and then collapsed, lifeless.

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■ Avatar Name: Quon

■ Gender: Male

■ Race: Human

■ Level: 6

■ Status (Remaining Status Points: 2)

STR: 13

VIT: 11

INT: 13

MND: 11

AGI: 10

DEX: 10

■ Skills

Weapon Skill: 'Sword: Lv.6'

Magic Skill: 'Enhancement Magic: Lv.4'

Set Skill: 'Dead Point Strike: Lv.6'

'HP Auto Recovery: Lv.1'

'MP Auto Recovery: Lv.2'

'Plundering Sword: Lv.2'

'Identification: Lv.3'

Sub Skill: 'Mining: Lv.1'

■ Current SP: 8