Chapter 201

Chapter 201

STAGE 8.

Morning broke over the eighth defense at Crossroad.

As the entire force was being mobilized to face the emergence of the monster army, Kuilan gathered his subordinates and spoke candidly.

It was the same kind of talk hed given to his older brother.

"What do you think Penal Squad means? Its basically labeling us as disposable," Kuilan said.

His men listened attentively.

"In battle, when they need a meat shield, theyll put us right at the front. Theyll force all the dangerous jobs onto us. In the end, well face more peril than the regular army. If we play it safe, not just three years, we wont even last one before were wiped out."

It was a very reasonable argument.

Though they were former bandits, theyd been treated more or less the same as other soldiers for a few days. However, when lives were at stake, that treatment would surely change.

"Dont work too hard just because theyre paying us and feeding us. Dont risk your lives; just pretend to be diligent. Once Kureha recovers and surveillance on us lightens, well escape this city," Kuilan said, scanning his subordinates with fierce, tiger-like eyes.

"Got it?"

"Okay, boss!"

"We were actually worried you were being too cautious, boss."

"Lets just do enough to get by and scram!"

Dong-dong-dong-dong-dong!

Just then, the bells rang loudly, signaling the monsters invasion.

Other defense squads assigned to this frontline were quickly appearing and assembling on the fortress walls.

Exhaling deeply, Kuilan looked up at the fortress walls.

"Lets go. We still have to earn our keep, after all."

Standing upright atop the walls was Ash, the commander of this frontline, staring intently beyond the walls.

***

"...

I clenched my mouth shut and focused on the southern plains.

Gloop, gloop...

Massive jelly-like slimes were filling the southern plains, inching their way towards the walls of Crossroad.

[Enemy Info - STAGE 8]

- Lv.? ??? : 1 unit

- Lv.30 Acidic Slime : 526 units

- Lv.25 Tricolor Slime : 488 units

Jelly monsters advancing like sticky rice cakes.

They look kind of cute at first glance.

But in essence, theyre repulsive creatures.

Slimes have quite a high resistance to physical attacks.

If struck with a cutting attack, theyll split apart; they barely take any damage from piercing attacks.

However, they are weak against blunt attacks, so they can be easily defeated with clubs and such.

Also, their resistance to magic is at the same level as normal monsters, so magic attacks are effective.

...Normal slimes are one thing, but these incoming Acidic and Tricolor slimes are a bit problematic.

Acidic Slimes corrode weapons when attacked directly. Moreover, they explode upon death, causing acid damage to the surrounding area.

Given that their whole concept is to counter melee classes, its best to deal with them using ranged attacks.

Tricolor Slimes can absorb up to three magic attacks. Their name comes from the fact that their body changes color according to the type of magic they absorb.

From the fourth attack on, they take normal damage, but being immune to magic for the first three strikes is a real headache.

Moreover, this creature also explodes, dealing the elemental damage it had received upon dying.

Well, despite these assorted difficulties with the opponent,

"Its been a while since weve had monsters that make for a good kill zone!"

I exclaimed with delight.

At the end of the southern field, a dense wooden fence had been set up after a long time. It was a kill zone that forcibly directed the path of enemy monsters.

Around a thousand slimes oozed their way into that kill zone. I gave my orders to the artillery.

"Show these monster bastards the fiery spirit of humanity!"

Immediately afterward, the cannons roared.

Boom! Rumble-!

Kwaaang!

The familiar sound of artillery echoed, followed by the explosive noise as shells hit the ground.

Slimes caught in the crossfire burst apart without resistance. Watching the slimes pop and dissolve, I clenched my fist. Yes!

This is what a defense game is all about!

But my joy over forming a kill zone after so long was short-lived.

Boom! Sizzle!

The acidic slimes, which made up more than half of the slime army, exploded and began to spray acid all around.

Sssss...

The wooden fence touched by the acid could be seen melting even from here.

Damn, just when I thought I could enjoy the sweetness of a kill zone.

Junior glanced at Reina as she asked. I chuckled.

"Of course, but... can you actually do it? Wont you be pushing yourself too hard?"

Unfit for combat, and yet she talked about casting area-wide spells three times in a row. Was it worth it, risking her physical well-being just for the sake of pride?

However, Junior grinned and held up the staff in her hand.

"Ill show you how wonderful this new staff from His Majesty is."

Standing at the edge of the fortress wall, Junior raised her staff high. A red aura emanated from its tip.

The special abilities of the [Lord of Crimson] were as follows:

- Absorb essence upon killing an enemy, storing up to a maximum of 10.

- Use stored essence to recover HP or MP. (10 percent per essence)

- Consume 10 essences at once to cast a random Blood Magic.

Ten tiny slots on the head of the [Lord of Crimson] were all filled with fire.

She had stored 10 essences during the last free exploration.

It allowed her to use Blood Magic once, free of any Magic Power expenditure.

Whoosh!

Junior did not hesitate to expend all 10 essences as she cast her Blood Magic.

"The type of Blood Magic changes every time, it seems, but"

A crimson mist erupted from her staff and rained over the heads of the slimes.

"This time, I got something useful!"

Sssssss!

Bloodmist.

A commonly used Blood Magic among vampires, it blocked the enemys sight and slowed their movements. The tricolored slimes resisted this spell as well, but it did consume their magic immunity stack.

The tricolored slimes absorbed the mist, and a layer of red appeared within their bodies.

"One more time!"

This time, a cerulean magic element gathered at the tip of Juniors staff.

Whooshhh!

Rain poured from the sky. It was Water Magic.

The tricolored slimes gulped down the rain, a blue layer forming on their bodies.

All of their magic immunity stacks had been consumed!

Moreover, soaked by both the mist and the rain, they were still sopping wet.

Rumble, rumble

Thunder roared from the storm clouds that had poured out the rain.

Sssst.

Wearing a smile that strongly resembled the mage who had named her, Junior thrust her staff forward.

This time, a bright yellow magic element was gathering at the tip.

"Im a mercenary, Your Majesty."

Crackle, crackle!

With the sound of crackling lightning,

"Theres no way Id give up my specialization!"

Lightning bolts descended from both Juniors staff and the storm clouds, striking simultaneously.

Boom!

And then, the slimescolored in tri-colors due to the consumed magic immunity stackswere all fried to death.

***

"Hoo"

While looking at the field that was burnt black and smoldering,

Junior exhaled deeply, regaining her composure. Her complexion was pale, probably because she had expended all her Magic Power, but she looked pleased.

Junior turned her head with a smile, and Reina looked back at her, her lips curling upward, as if to say, See what I can do?

Wizards really are the most dignified...

Whether it was a skirmish or not, it seemed like this defensive battle would end smoothly, thanks to our strategic weapons. I opened the enemy information screen for this stage.

[Enemy Info - STAGE 8]

- Lv.? ??? : 1

- Lv.30 Acid Slime : 26

- Lv.25 Tricolor Slime : 33

Almost all of the Acid Slimes and Tricolor Slimes were defeated. It seemed we just had to finish off the lucky few that survived the magical bombardment.

Wait a minute

I blinked as I sensed something was off.

Where is the boss?

...Why hasnt it appeared yet?