episode_0167

In Sector 0, regular Holy Spirits accounted for 90 percent, and the remaining elite Holy Spirits accounted for 10 percent. Where they were numerous was solely near the walls between sectors. Unlike the invasion when they filled it densely, there weren’t that many, seemingly divided up to raid other sectors. Could it be that they didn’t know all of our movements? Thanks to having cleared out as many Holy Spirits trying to cross over from the top of the rampart as possible. It seems no information about Sector 6 came in. I knew that Holy Spirits could obtain information by seeing, but it seems they can’t transmit things like sound. Anyway. “Isn’t it the idea to lure us in and then deal with us all at once?” As Jack said, it’s a plausible story. The tactic of surrounding and attacking enemies who enter without any thought. That’s why we didn’t take it lightly either. As numerous troops were created, we advanced a little slower, and surely. Slowly advancing while gradually occupying territory. “Holy Spirits are approaching!!!” When the guides quickly detect the enemy. Immediately, explorers capable of ranged attacks come forward and unleash their respective attacks towards the enemies approaching from afar. What’s most important in the current fight against Holy Spirits is not fighting the elite Holy Spirits. It’s important to reduce the number of trivial regular Holy Spirits as much as possible. Because no matter how many elite Holy Spirits are killed, they are resurrected by regular Holy Spirits. The enemies knew this and were employing a tactic where regular Holy Spirits would poke from afar and harass with speed, while elite Holy Spirits held the front line and disrupted it. Now, we are not pushed back by numbers either. After a barrage of numerous ranged attacks, numerous Holy Spirits disappear. However, as the distance begins to close in, they quickly start retreating backwards, and the vanguards begin to step forward. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to only hit the Holy Spirits in the fierce battle between the vanguards and the suddenly grown explorers. So, the rest is up to the vanguards and those who were originally explorers. Those who stood at the forefront first were the knights, including the Guild Master. The explorers followed closely behind them. And now is the timing for me to shine. 『Battle Start. Draw 4 cards.』 『Energy 5/5』 『Joker Card – Draw 1 designated card additionally on the first turn.』 [Hyper Heal(3)] [Guardian(3)] [Baptism(1)] [Eternal Light(4)] + [Angel’s Advent(5)] Now that there’s no reason to hide my identity, I activate a card that’s extremely obvious and has the best effect. [Angel’s Advent] Light emits and soon begins to gather in the form of an angel. The immediately completed giant angel bestows blessings and healing power upon the surrounding land. Warriors feeling a powerful blessing with their whole bodies, incomparable to ordinary priests, running a little more boldly and confidently. Tearing through the pouring Holy Spirits one by one, they begin to open a path. The hole in the front line, which began to be pierced from the Guild Master’s side. Soon began to form holes little by little as if pierced by multiple awls. Collapsed in an instant and began to be pushed back. “Keep advancing!!!!” “It’s, it’s breaking through!!!!” As victory began to appear before their eyes, the heat of the battlefield boiled further, and the momentum completely started to shift towards us. I also keep spreading buffs everywhere whenever a minute passes. [Archangel’s Barrier] [Grace of Protection] [Eternal Light] [Holy Circlet] [Heaven’s Gift] These buffs, distributed fairly to countless people, further boosted combat power. Before we knew it, we were in the center of Sector 0. We were able to return to Ariel Square. “……” Ariel Square, where its past clean and sophisticated appearance had gone, with burnt trees and materials, and broken paving blocks, etc. It was completely collapsed as if a storm had just passed. Among the buildings, not a single intact building was visible. Only traces remained of where buildings had been here. Just having retaken this place, the center of Sector 0, is already satisfying. Because if deep-level explorers come out of the labyrinth, they will come out here. “The Holy Spirits are starting to retreat!!!” Then, the Holy Spirits, seemingly thinking that fighting any further was a loss, began to turn their backs. Everyone who realized they had finally won began to cheer. 『Check your rewards.』 The status window also announces victory. This time, I fought quite a while and it seems I achieved something. Will it give me something useful? So I, who clicked the reward window. Felt something was slightly different. [Arcane Aura(8) – Power] – Uses multiple versions of aura. [Countdown(7)] – When a 1-minute timer passes, a powerful explosion occurs, dealing damage to the surroundings. [Assassination(5)] – Can be used in [Stealth] state. Deals powerful damage. Why am I getting cards from a different deck, not the Paladin deck I’m currently using? I couldn’t possibly come up with a reason. ‘…Let’s just choose a card first.’ For now, [Assassination] is on hold. Because the Rogue’s deck already has the same card. What’s left are Arcane Aura and Countdown. Countdown takes too long to warm up. The first turn is the most important anyway, so a card that requires sacrificing the entire turn is a bit of a burden. Of course, it seems it would be incredibly strong because of that. It doesn’t seem like the enemy will just take the hit. That’s why what I chose was Arcane Aura. As I chose the reward, the card flew as if it was going into the Paladin deck, but then slightly swerved away and went into the Elementalist deck. For me, who was hoping the decks might mix, it was a little disappointing. Well, this must be the natural thing. But what does it mean to give cards from a different deck? That applies to the Holy Sword the Main God gave me last time too. And also to what Kaman said. If I were to handle the Holy Sword and become the master of the true Order. Since I could wield that power without necessarily using a deck. Does this mean I shouldn’t add cards to the deck anymore? Of course, I’ll know when the time comes, so for now, I decided not to worry about that. “……Excuse me. Ah, no!!” A priest who tried to talk to me but then disappeared. It’s not just that person. I can feel that the way people look at me is gradually changing. From being the disciple of the Tower Master, to something else entirely. At first, those gazes were a little uncomfortable, but now I’m gradually getting used to them. A situation where half of Sector 0 has been retaken. But we won’t push ourselves too hard. Because the situation where we push too hard and get hit from behind, losing Sector 0, is more fatal. “We won’t push ourselves to enter further, but will establish a front line here.” According to the Guild Master’s command, we immediately set up barricades and magic tools to establish a front line, and then built barracks behind it. Because even just occupying half of Sector 0 is enough to cover from Sector 11 to Sector 4. If we were to push ourselves in and Holy Spirits and Paladins poured out from Sectors 2 and 3 to flank us, it would truly be a failure. As that happened, silence spread across the battlefield again in an instant. But that doesn’t mean we let our guard down. Since time is on our side, it’s certain that the enemy will definitely do something more. Only tension spreads throughout the quiet battlefield. Time began to flow little by little. News came in from all directions. “We succeeded in eliminating all Holy Spirits who reached other sectors as well!!” “They say Sector 11 also succeeded in holding out somehow!!” Only news of victory is delivered from all directions. The effect of releasing the guild’s supplies was truly excellent. Perhaps it seemed possible to retake everything completely like this. …If a peculiar phenomenon hadn’t occurred, that is. [……Huh?!!!!] Noah, hiding in my shadow, shouts loudly. It was a scream only I could hear, but because Noah, who usually didn’t show such a reaction, was like this, I unconsciously tensed up. “Get out of here!!!” As Noah came out of my shadow and shouted, everyone was startled, but. Since they had already been surprised by me many times, they began to move away from my surroundings for now. The place we were just in was Ariel Square. The center of the Labyrinth City, where the labyrinth’s exit is connected. An anomaly occurs there. Woooooong- With a loud noise, dark mana begins to swirl. Simultaneously, a portal began to open in the center of Ariel Square. “Th- that…?!” A giant portal opening in Ariel Square only happens when the portal for coming out at midnight opens. Generally, when coming out after visiting a hidden dungeon, the portal is created small; it doesn’t get created this large. Moreover, it’s never created slightly elevated like that. “That’s the portal that appeared when the explorers came out last time!!!!” Someone shouted. Ah, there’s another case where a portal opens. That is when Black Mages open a portal themselves. Sure enough, dark mana rapidly spews out from the portal, and darkness is wildly emitted into the surroundings. And simultaneously, monsters truly began to pour out from within. The participation of Black Mages, that was the moment it became certain. “……Huh?!” “Block them!!!” Although the explorers start fighting with great momentum. The atmosphere is somehow different. They might be able to face Holy Spirits, strange beings that looked similar to humans, without difficulty. But monsters are different right from their appearance. Because when I first entered the labyrinth, I was incredibly scared just by seeing the Scavengers on the 1st floor. Sure enough. As countless hideous, grotesque, and cruel-looking monsters appeared. You can feel that the ordinary people were completely scared. By nature, humans tend to feel fear towards the unknown. Even if they might be stronger. It’s an inevitable instinct of living creatures. Because of that, their reaction was a little slow. Holy Spirits had excellent defense and regeneration, and weaknesses in terms of attack power. Furthermore, their tactics focused on enduring and attrition warfare. So while they were threatening, they weren’t fearful enough to induce panic. In comparison, monsters, mostly like beings created to kill humans. From their appearance, and even their fighting style of simply charging forward even when wounded. They were beings that explorers lacking experience couldn’t help but flinch slightly from. “Fight against them!!!!” Of course, there were numerous explorers here, and many people with experience fighting monsters, so there was no immediate problem, but. Monsters gradually breaking through the front and getting to the rear began to collapse the formation. And started causing confusion. In the meantime, the sheer numbers pouring out were comparable to the Holy Spirits, making it a difficult situation. But it’s still okay for now. Because these regular monsters from floors 5-8 are monsters that can be reasonably dealt with. The problem is what comes next. If a field boss level monster were to appear outside the labyrinth. But could that be possible? Until now, monsters had never poured out from portals opened in the Labyrinth City. But if such an impossible thing has happened once, wouldn’t it happen again? Around the time such doubts arose. The number of regular monsters pouring out decreased. Before long, nothing came out from the portal. But despite that, the presence inside the portal was immense. “I’ll try to close the portal!!!” Noah quickly reached out his hand towards the portal, but before that, something was slowly coming out from inside the portal. A size too small when compared to the portal. So, those whose senses weren’t sharp or whose eyesight wasn’t good. Were unable to even detect what was coming out of the portal. But I saw it clearly. Because it was a being I had already seen once before. The Field Boss of the 8th floor, the Doppelganger. It was in the process of descending to take its first step into the Labyrinth City.