Vol. 10 - Ch. 504 - Ester’s Unparalleled ‘Full Throttle Drive’ and the sudden contest

“«Full Throttle Drive»! —And, «Raging Spear War Dance»!”“Mooinkk?!”

“Mooinnkkk!”

“Mooiinnkkkkk!!”

With Ester’s tricky maneuver and the force of the spear, neither of «Sword Bull-Orc» could catch up to her as she trifled them like an adult teasing a toddler. Their HP bar couldn’t hold onto any longer, and soon they had lost themselves into the sea of effect. Her movements were amazing and cool, as if she had been waltzing around.

«Full Throttle Drive»—A fourth order skill tree’s skill.

Unlike the previous «Drive» related skills she had used, this one allows a huge degree of freedom in motion. She could now create her own moveset, could move in reverse, and even perform subtle movements like spinning in a small circle. Sᴇaʀᴄh the NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

If «Overdrive» had been a skill to bring out the top speed, then «Full Throttle Drive» was to control the speed. When it comes to teaming and offense during battle, «Full Throttle Drive» was the perfect choice.

The other skill, «Raging Spear War Dance», was also a fourth order skill tree’s skill.

This, too, was an offensive skill with a high degree of freedom. Unlike the skills earlier that had fixed patterns, it allowed her to approach the enemy and perform consecutive strikes in any order or angle she wanted. Plus, once activated, its effect also lasts longer for a while.

The combination of leg equipment, along with «Full Throttle Drive», made for an extreme combo to sort of multiple enemies in a flash. In short, it made her a quick and efficient monster hunter. The figure jumping between the rank of enemies, so fast and precise akin to teleportation, had become the symbol of reliability in the game. The invincible chariot…? …Chariot? …yeah, It should be I guess (?). Ugh, it kinda sounds more jumbled now.

Anyway, compared to her first battle, Ester had gained sufficient mastery over her movements through the combat experience so far.

Though I was supposed to play the tank, I didn’t even need to draw enemies attention as she insta-kill the three monsters within a split moment. She had been having a blast herself it seems.

Well, that was the advanced job for you, eh. The combination of the fourth order skill tree had also been another factor. She was slicing through the high-ranking dungeon monster like nothing. Fuhaha, but that was the thrilling part about them!

“That was so cool, Ester-san!”

Apparently the feelin were mutually shared with Hannah, who commented with sparkling eyes.

“I know, right?! You’re killing with that equipment, Ester!”

“Surely you jest, Zephyr-dono. I would’ve never knew about it without you.”

Vrrrr.

The azure cogwheel made a whirring sound as Ester returned. Hannah and I excitedly praised her. I definitely want Lana and Sierra to check out. Hehe, I was sure they would be spellbound by her transformation.

“......Ester……”

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Karua? You’re giving such long gaze at Ester.”

Noticing an odd sensation, I turned around and saw Karua’s gaze fixated on Ester, her eyes glowing with an indescribable glint.

And…it seemed like she didn’t hear me. What was it, had Ester’s equipment tugged in some sort of string of her? Somehow, the scene of “Beep-Bop. A New Rival Has Appeared for the «Eden»’s No.1 Speedster!* automatically popped into my mind.

“«So-nya»! …!! Five enemies, in that direction! Let’s go, Ester!”

“Huh, ah. I didn’t get it, Karua?”

“It’s a match. Let’s see who’s getting more kill. «Burst»!”

“Err, hmm…alright. «Overdrive»!”

And now a contest had begun out of nowhere?!

Perhaps being tugged in by Karua, who had been uncharacteristically showing enthusiasm about something, Ester gave cave in to the sudden match, and disappeared in the depth of current floor almost instantly, leaving behind me and Hannah.

“And there they went off.”

“They did. Hahaha. It’s probably the first time both of them have dropped their usual character.”

“But I think they’re enjoying themselves more than anything. Advanced Jobs just bring that feeling.”

“Advanced job huh, true enough. I am sure I would have been just as excited if I could use equipment like Ester’s or Sierra’s.”

“Hmm? I am sure that’s what you’re like everyday though.”

“......Now that you say it, it truly be like that!”

Uh-huh, she really got me there. But nice one, Hannah!

“Alright, shall we chase after them?”

“Yup. But it’s kind of amazing that our party can act independently despite being in such a high-ranking dungeon.”

“This is the power of an advanced job. Well, though we might not get such leeway exploring lower floors. The upper floors are quite breezy. It would be great if we can explore the lower floors on the weekend~.”

“Fufu, I hope so as well. I can’t wait to try out things with high-grade materials.”

Hannah and I trotted in the direction Ester and Karua had disappeared, engaging in small chit-chat. …Recalling back, it has really been a while since it’s just the two of us, eh?

Hannah, too, appeared just as restless as others to try out her advanced job. Well, that would require high-grade material. Hmm, I guess we really did need to explore the advanced dungeon soon.

For the adv-low dungeon, one must clear five Int-high dungeons. There was no level limit. But that’s basically the hint to suggest use ticket and changed into advanced job. After all, upgrading the job reset the level as well. So level requirement would then be impossible to imply.

Otherwise, it was impossible to clear—putting aside the usage of some secret trick or just for giggle or for gathering the intel—the advanced dungeons with basic job.

“The advanced dungeons are finally within the sigh…”

Either way, we at least had a party of five (+1) finally ready with an advanced job, which had been the hardest barrier, so this also meant we were progressing well toward our goal. Thanks the heaven we had managed to find tickets at the earlier stage too.

Now we just gotta clear the five Int-high dungeons quick!

So, sorry to rain the water over you, dear upperclassmen having their struggle of youth at the Int-high, but this time, we’re going to blaze through anything and everything. We, the «Eden», would be taking the leap toward our dream first! Frustrating, would it be? Then try to catch up with us!

Though we’re still going to spend sometime before fully clearing them as well. In the game, I also had to spend some time on the upper floors of the advanced dungeon, and get the equipped sort of, before taking further step.

The advanced dungeons weren’t something that could be cleared in one sweep, a far cry from dungeons until now. But that would at least grant us access to high-grade material so not everything was stale. I hope to fulfill Hannah’s request as well.

Oh wait, fulfilling request reminds me—

“Say, Hannah. What’re you going to do about «Student Council»?”

Right, I forgot but Hannah was currently under apprenticeship in «student Council».

Being the top ranker in the «Production Department», Hannah had few encounters with «student Council», one of the three official guilds of the academy. Somehow, in the middle of helping them out, she had gained the title of ‘Student Council Apprentice.’

She had also been invited to be the official member, holding a concurrent position in two guilds. As far as it was about the main branch of Labyrnith Academy, concurrent position could only be held if one was the official guild.

In fact, the talk had reach to me as well during the summer vacation, showing their intention to bring Hannah to «student Council».

I would have straight declined if they had said to hand over Hannah, but I stopped at the topic of allowing concurrent position.

In this world, it was an honour to be invited to the three official guild of an academy apparently. The said guilds weren’t something a general student could get into just because they want to. It was the place reserved only for the elite students who had passed their rigorous trial. The title of a «student Council» member in the main branch of Labyrnith Academy in the resume after graduation was proof of their excellency as well. A one of a kind. So we, the «Eden», were going to support her in whatever she chooses.

“Ah, I’m in. Everything is going fine. But that aside, I was surprised how you handled things, Zephyr-kun. You really do know everything~.”

“Well, I will not say that goes for everything. There are many things I also don’t know about.”

Though, I would be your Mr. Who-knows-everything as long as it's about «Dungeon Activity».

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

Hannah gave me a doubtful glance, but at my nodding, she broke into ‘ehehe’ smile.

Cute.

Honestly, I did wonder if she would be alright to juggle between both guild, but it seemed my worry was unwanted. In that case, I just need to support her with everything.

“It’s good to hear. Good luck.”

“Ehehe. Thanks, I will. But I might not be that active in the «Eden» soon, will you be alright?”

“Hmm, it should be alright. And even if it’s not, we just needed to make it aright somehow so don’t worry about her. Besides, it doesn’t sound bad to have connection with «student Council».”

With a lighter tone, I answered Hannah, easing her worry. And I mean everything what I said. It’s another boost to our guild if one of us was in «student Council».

There had often been some quest which wouldn’t occur unless one of the guild members had a position in «student Council». Also, some rare items could only be obtained by «student Council». Then you also had the privilege to items which would otherwise be hard to find in the market. In the game, I definitely had one of guild characters in «student Council» just for these reasons alone.

Well, I wouldn’t say everything might happen according to the game, nonetheless, It was also fun to anticipate the future development.

Plus, Hannah seemed interested in it as well, so It was her place to act. There might be some trouble if we had no support at all, so I would have her help out that time.

Soon, amidst our chit-chat, we had caught upto Karua and Ester.

“Ah, I found Karua-chan.”

“Oh, Karua won the match it seems. There goes her ‘V.’”

It seemed like Karua emerged as the winner in this little match.