Vol. 2 - Chapter 168 - The Guide to Victory, Zephyr Style

<E-Rank Test>

Format : <Capture the Castle>

Participants : Students (5) vs instructors (3)

Stage : Diamond field

In a diamond field that was already small to begin with, a castle and two forts are laid out in a baseball game like format with the giant castle in the first base and the other two forts in 2nd and 3rd base respectively.

The stage formed a miniature version of a nine sided-polygon field. Participating members are at the base placed in the middle of the home base and third base.

Our group gathers at the west side (white) base while the instructors group are assembled at the East side (Red) respectively.

The members participating are me, Hannah, Lana, Sierra and Ester who have already crossed the Lv40 mark.

Unfortunately, Rika, Celestine and Karua still have a long way to go, so they were moved to seats near the base and are acting as spectators.

I hope we will be able to participate together in the next D-rank exam.

"The distance is really something."

Ester whispers out while gazing at the opponent castle.

I hadn't exactly felt the distance in game but now that I'm experiencing it in reality, it's really just as Ester has said.

"I can't say it for sure given how the distance between the fort’s changed from arena to arena but it’s around 500m apart."

After all, this is a dungeon. It's as wide as Olympic venues.

With the vastness of the area, it's quite often the spectators watch the match through the help of an item or live coverage. Therefore, the spectators' seats are placed in key points such as in front of the giant castle or the base.

Incidentally, the price of the seat they are sitting on is the most expensive one. Though, it's free of charge this time.

"500m, we would be thoroughly exhausted if we have to run across this distance"

"Rest assured, one's stamina increases each time you raise your AGI. Isn't it evident from how you didn't even get that much tired from dungeon exploration, Lana?"

"...... Ahh, now that you’ve mentioned it, that seems to be the case."

This is also a blessing of having status. Status gives you the blessing of improving your physical ability. Though it's a mystery why Hannah, who hasn't put a single point in her agility, didn't get tired...... She sure is a tough girl.

"If everyone's doubts are cleared, shall we start a strategy meeting?"

"Just as Ester has said, victory is practically ours as long as we take it down."

"Hmm. I understand."

The first step you take is more important than anything in the <Capture the Castle>.

The first move is to take down the central north castle with everything we’ve got. It's startling how victory would be almost decided with that, but that's also what makes it interesting.

"Here's how we're going to split our strategy. The one who has the highest AGI among all of us is me, followed by Ester. We will be taking the lead and aiming for the castle"

"Okay."

"Hannah, Lana and Sierra follow after us as soon as possible. After all, the HP of the castle is huge. I believe you may have felt it in the mock battle but it's not something one or two people can take down in a short time."

One of the rules of <Capture the Castle> being the castle will belong to whoever that brings down its HP to 0.

As an example, even if our group has taken down 99% of the castle HP, the castle will belong to the opponent side if it's there attack which brings it down to 0. I absolutely want to avoid this happening.

For this reason, I hope to take down the castle in the shortest amount of time possible when the opponent still has yet to catch up with us.

The strategy is simple. Taking advantage of our speed, Ester and I will make a monster free road for other members to catch up with us quickly and will immediately take down the castle with the all out attack from everyone's help.

I explained the specific strategy to them.

"Does anyone have any doubts?"

"I don't have any!"

"No."

"As Zephyr-dono wishes"

"I will do my best!"

Everyone's eyes were burning with fighting spirit.

That's great, everyone is excited.

"Good, then let's do it!"

"Roger!"