Chapter 78

The thick hind legs pierced the ground, sinking halfway, while the flesh of the front legs dissolved, and tentacles rooted into the ground like plants. Though it resembled a beast, its jaw, which had never opened, now gaped wide, emitting a roar.

"Rrrrrr—Gaaaaaaah!!"

The explosive sound and shock wave made everyone freeze in their tracks. Inside the opened mouth, a particularly large eye oozed out. If it were a living creature, the eye would have grown where the tongue should be, fixing its gaze and beginning to emit a bluish-white light. This light resembled the precursor to a white-hot beam. The remaining eyes on the body also emitted a similar light, and then the light was released. A short laser. It felt like the most fitting description for the beam. While the damage and range were far inferior to special attacks, its rapid-fire capability and high accuracy, along with its focus on intercepting approaching players and magic, made it difficult for players to get close.

The relentless and precise laser storm, like a strong rejection, continuously struck. The lasers, which reached their targets instantly, aimed accurately at vital points and could be avoided by moving at a steady speed.

"What should we do about this?"

The unexpected attack method and the defensive stance made it clear that this was a deliberate stalling tactic. I scratched the back of my head and thought. The remaining weak points were five spots and the newly appeared eye inside the mouth. Three on the right, one on the left, one in a high, hard-to-reach position, and one in the center. Observing closely, I noticed that each eye would lock onto a target after identifying it. People who managed to get into good positions by hiding behind the shadows of large people or behind magic did so by chance, but targeting this habit seemed like a good strategy.

Still, this was just my amateur opinion. In reality, those who raised their Tower Shields and charged forward with heavy equipment, followed by others who ran behind them, couldn't make contact with the eyes.

The tentacles that had dissolved into the ground would shoot out like spears when stepped on, mercilessly piercing their targets. Even if they blocked the frontal lasers, they would face attacks from below once inside. With multiple tentacles shooting out simultaneously, stepping in carelessly would result in being riddled with holes.

Long-range attacks like magic were weakened by the laser barrage and would be nullified before reaching the target. To deal consistent damage, one had to get close enough to be within the range of the laser's aftereffects.

A full-scale assault with all the mages might work, but recommending such a risky approach to low-defense mages who would take damage was not advisable. Instead—

"Alright! Let's get the drop!"

"Oooh! The glory of the final attack is mine!"

"「「「Ooohhh!!」」」"

"Would be nice if there's a drop!"

"「「「The last eye goes to the fastest one!!」」」

Here, the enthusiasm of the hardcore players who feared neither the laser barrage nor the emerging tentacles was evident. In some games, various bonuses are awarded based on how the battle is fought. The person who lands the final blow might get more experience points or better drops, or it could be the one who deals the most damage. Since no one had defeated it yet, it was still speculative, but at the very least, it would factor into the final event scores. This strategic thinking was widespread.

"Well, I'll just watch from the sidelines until it's over,"

"Is that it? There's still room for you to participate,"

"Hmm? Tak. If I'm a ranged class with limited ammo, I can only fall back to a medic role."

Shrugging and saying it grandly, he laughed it off as a lie.

"I saw you. Suddenly rushing to the front line, then building a wall... It looked even stranger because you didn't attack at all."

"You're reckless too. Suppressing four people with just one, when you said there should be at least four... Was that a lie about the sixth person?"

"Idiot. It's not a lie. More importantly, the game is just a game. It's rare for the same group to be fully assembled due to real-life commitments. Plus, once summer break ends, logging in 24/7 won't be possible anymore, right?"

"True..."

Speaking of which, this event started as a final summer break event. Still, it's scary to think about losing track of reality if you immerse yourself in the game for too long.

"So, once the break ends, you can only log in from the evening to night, right? That's why you're trying to expand your network by reaching out to more people."

"Network?" I asked, tilting my head. He pointed to the groups charging at the beast one by one.

"Since they have reversed day and night schedules, the Nighttime Brigade, who log in from night to morning, the OSO Fishing Association, who all love fishing and log in on weeknights, and the Heavy Blade Enthusiasts, a group of students who use great swords, and a few other groups have joined the network."

"Hmm. So, when Tak's usual party can't form, you join one of these groups?"

"Exactly. Conversely, we'll also open slots for them, and if needed, we'll accept them for leveling up. The connection with the sixth person led to the network idea with the Enthusiasts. So, the great sword user is the provisional sixth member. Yun is also a provisional member, by the way."

"You're adding people to the team without asking."

"Well, it's a mutual aid network for efficient hunting and enjoyable gaming. If there are issues with personality or sense, we'll adjust accordingly."

As he spoke, Tak's enthusiasm and pride were evident, showing how much he enjoyed the game.

"Really, if you could just get motivated in a different direction, my troubles would be reduced."

Sighing, I could laugh it off because I was also deeply immersed in the game OSO.

"Phew, we're really struggling, Yun."

"Yeah."

Indeed, those who tried to attack at the right moment couldn't land a solid hit and had to retreat. We needed to wrap this up soon, but was it wise to say that in front of me, especially since I was already drawing my sword and checking the grip?

"Want to go together?"

"Don't invite me to a dangerous area like it's a casual trip to the convenience store. I'm not going."

"More than that, it's too late. You're forced to participate."

Ah... From a distance, familiar faces were sending me determined looks. My siblings, Mikazuchi, Miu, and Tak's party members.

"Prepare yourself."

"No way. I just want to go home..."

"You're already part of the plan."

Our conversation was to keep me from leaving. While chatting naturally, he was probably receiving one-sided instructions via friend chat and keeping me there. While I was scratching my head, Tak was spouting out the plan.

"First, Sei will create an ice platform with ice magic."

"Is that necessary?"

"To avoid the tentacles below. Then, the decoy will jump from the platform to the boss's head, drawing the attention of all the eyes. Ideally, with a distraction."

"Meanwhile, ground forces will attack and finish it off."

Yeah, so my role is—

"So, you're the decoy."

"Of course."

In situations like this, I always end up with the worst job.

"By the way, can you normally jump to the boss's head?"

"Well, normally, it's impossible. But you can do it! No, only you can do it!"

He was really hyping me up, but the underlying message was that if I didn't do it, the damage would be worse than expected.

"By the way, how do you do it?"

"Using a magic blast for a mid-air mega jump."

"Huh!?"

"So, a mid-air mega jump. You use the aftereffects of magic to accelerate yourself while moving."

No way, that's impossible. It's just impossible.

"Using knockback for movement is pretty common as a minor trick. There are also styles that use non-damaging limb strikes for PvP and no-damage acceleration with magic aftereffects."

"...Don't make me do that. That's your and Miu's territory."

"It's impossible with armor. Plus, the multiple casts of a single spell are items, and we don't know how to use them. Right now, you're the only one who can handle it properly."

"I have the item, but I can teach someone else. I don't want to do it."

"The issue isn't whether they can use it. To safely execute the decoy role, you're needed. I'm confident you can succeed! Please!"

He bowed again, saying "please." Many people were watching us from a distance, and their gazes were making me uncomfortable.

"Alright, stop bowing. The gazes are..."

"Thanks. I owe you one."

"Really, I'm so weak when asked."

Muttering, I listened to the surroundings and heard a soft voice: "Tsundere. Dere. Perfect tsundere." Hey, whoever said that, come out. Let's do the decoy role together.

I glared at everyone, and they all turned away.

"Stop slacking off and get ready, everyone!"

Mikazuchi calmed everyone down with just those words. The ice ramp created by Sei was already in place, right at the edge of the beast's territory.

"Yun, you can go anytime. Your goal is to draw attention and create a distraction. Good luck."

"Got it. Give me a moment to prepare."

I checked my status. I had enough magic gems. Since I wasn't directly targeting the eyes, I kept my hands free, effectively weaponless due to the lack of a suitable sense. I focused my mind and simulated the timing for the bomb explosion and the keyword.

"【Augment】—Defense, Mind, Speed"

The only trick I could do was to boost my own abilities. I patted my approaching partners and told them I was going.

"Stay put, okay."

Licking their fingers in response, I thought, "I really don't want to be a decoy. It's dangerous..." but quickly shook off the thought and resolved myself.

I turned to the ramp, holding two magic gems in each hand.

"Ooohhh!"

I shouted and ran up the ice ramp at full speed, accelerating on the ice as if it were solid ground, reaching a position slightly higher than the beast.

"【Bomb】!"

Just before the jump, I chanted the keyword and left the gems behind. The magic would activate in five seconds. I imagined the actual phenomenon in my head. As I took off, I felt a gentle floating sensation and the inertia of forward movement.

In front of me, the eyes turned to me and emitted a bluish-white light. Before the light could be released, a magic blast hit my back, accelerating me in mid-air. I broke out in a cold sweat as the lasers passed by the position I had been in before the acceleration, but I was relieved that I took no damage due to the difference in effect and damage range. I quickly retrieved more magic gems.

I was now above the beast's head. From this position, I could clearly see the spot I had destroyed with my bow. Below, the tentacles stretched as far as they could to reach me but fell short, being cut down by the advancing players, creating a path to the main body.

"Take this and ascend to heaven, glutton. —【Bomb】"

With the keyword, the black gems scattered over the six eyes emitted light. I landed on the beast's back, riding the momentum, and watched the result. The gems exploded simultaneously, the multiple explosions overlapping and increasing in power. The yellow explosions, instead of blocking the view, rushed toward the eyes.

The defensive lasers tried to create holes in the blast, but the overwhelming power pushed through.

"Damn... It's affecting me too! I need to get away quickly."

The increased power of the chain attack even boosted the blast's range and power. Though I took no damage, I was surprised by the wind hitting me. As the blast subsided and the yellow smoke filled the air, I heard the players finally reaching the eyes and decided to leave the rest to them, standing up—

"Huh..."

A bluish-white light pierced my chest from behind, and the impact sent me flying. I heard a cracking sound as I was blown back by the blast, losing control and drifting backward. In my drifting vision, I saw the high eye targeting me, but it was immediately destroyed by a translucent attack, likely a wind spell, and I fell into the lake.

(…Did I die? No, I didn't take any damage.)

Falling into the lake unexpectedly, I hit the water on my back and slowly sank. My fingers, visible in my field of view, solved the mystery.

—The gem from the substitute gemstone ring was missing?

So, it had taken one hit for me. With the mystery solved, there was no need to sink further. I immediately switched to the "Swimming" sense and surfaced.

"Phew!"

As I emerged from the water, the black mountain-like creature turned to sand, and a message was sent to all players.

—【First Gargantuan Beast defeated. Remaining: Five】

A loud cheer echoed, and shortly after, a message about the second defeat was announced, causing everyone to cheer again.

"Hey, Yun. Are you okay?"

"I'm done. I'm exhausted from fighting after staying up all night."

"The trip isn't over until you get home. Hang in there!"

Tak and others, including Miu and Sei, were worried about me falling into the lake.

"I'm back. I'm tired."

The excitement of the battle and the cooling water had drained me mentally. As I climbed out of the lake, my two partner cubs stood in front of me, their fireballs from Smog and Pomegranate drying my clothes. In the distance, someone let out a disappointed sigh, but I was too tired to notice.

After that, I was worried about and greeted by many people as I returned to the base camp. While talking to Magi, who had been waiting worriedly, and Claude and Lili, who had been fighting in a different group, I was hit by a strong wave of sleepiness.

"Sorry. Let me sleep."

I muttered, leaning against Ryu and holding Zaku in my arms. The warmth of the fire-carrying cubs, warmer than human body temperature, made me even sleepier, and I fell asleep without caring that I was outside.

When I woke up, it was unexpectedly after everything had ended.

The battle was over. All that was left was the event results announcement.