Chapter 197: Reaching the Heavens Part 3 Part 2

…… Curiosity, no. More like super anxiety. And even though many people would surely get scared and seal the Riot Blood away for good and never again have a taste of it, I wasn’t going to let something as simple as fear to take over me. No matter how dangerous of a substance, as long as it can give me the advantage I desire I shall pour it into my system no problem. But what is courage when you are the only one doing something? It would feel a whole lot better if others beside me were also drinking it, so we could all experience this (or suffer) together.

「I mean, if we want to challenge someone who can play around and reverse even the concepts of life and death, shouldn’t we be prepared to put our lives on the line as well? …… Yeah, not really. Must play it safe.」

In other words, in the end I chickened out and did not dare to try Revolving Lantern for this specific fight. Instead I have chosen another product that was sent to me, called ‘Riot Blood Undead’, mainly because of its design and the catchy catchphrase: ‘Will make even the dead raise up again!’

「Ugh, but it tastes like a freaking toothpaste.」

Now, I feel like the mint-flavor lovers from all over the world would slap me mercilessly across the face for saying something like that. But if you are someone like me, who is on pretty neutral ground when it comes to mint-flavor, the only thing you can do here is to suck it up and deal with it. Besides, it’s not so bad. The taste could have always been something much worse, so tooth-paste is not actually all that bad.

「Alright! Caffeine intake officially complete!」

What a shame, Kutanid my boy. Even if you somehow manage to kill me, the caffeine flowing in my veins shall animate my body forward so that it can still kick your ass.

「Now then, Rei is the only one who still needs to get here.」

「Ah, I am so terribly sorry…… It looks like I have made you wait for me once again.」

「Oh, no, no, no. It’s okay, really. We’ve all gathered in here just now, so it’s really fine.」

Akitsu Akane and Mold logged in a little bit earlier than the others so that they could gather some items from the fishmen around town. I also came in earlier and hunted some of the wrecks at the graveyard for items and gold, but it was all more of a time-killing thing rather than being earlier for the meet-up.

Rust also came on time, but it was then that we learned that it was only because Mold logged out and checked on her. If it was not for that, she would have certainly overslept.

All NPCs were already present and what do you know? Straude is also here. What’s more, there was no longer any sight of fear in his eyes. Instead, he was holding onto his father’s cutlass and his eyes were filled with determination. Apparently he must have had a change of heart while I was away.

「Now then, since we are all here, it is time for us to venture into the castle and get this thing rolling……」

「Sanraku, I have a suggestion.」

「What is it, Rust?」

「Since we are doing this thing, don’t you think that it would be nice to have a squad name? A strategy name would also add to the experience.」

Personally I do not care all that much, but if others think that this is a good idea, then I am not going to complain. None of the above things are connected to stats boosts in any way, but a boost in morale is not something that should be underestimated. Not to mention that a thing like that creates a sense of bond and belonging, making you feel as if you’re truly a part of the group and something bigger.

Might as well spare a minute or two to get this done. After all, it’s not like Kutanid is going to go anywhere. For that exact reason, the expedition into the castle was momentarily postponed in favor of picking up the names for ourselves.

「…… We should name ourselves ‘Team Let’s Survive!’ and the name of our strategy should be Operation Sunrise. Yeah, that sounds good.」

「Rust, my dear, team name does not have much meaning if you try and make it into a sentence. How about ‘Team Octopus Hunter’? And the strategy is Kutanid’s Demise…… too simple?」

「Me! Me! Let me try! Team name should be ‘Lulilas Expedition’, and our strategy should be Solving the Mystery of Lulilas!」

「Uh, umm…… Team name, umm…… Hmm…… I’m sorry, I really can’t think of anything good on the spot, so I’ll think I’ll pass……」

「Sanraku-san, Sanraku-san, of course the team’s name going to be ‘Vorpal Assault’. Am I right or am I right?」

「It does not stick well with anything in here, so forget about it.」

Screaming and crying are not going to help you here! But…… Fufufu, I see that the time has come to astonish everyone with my masterful naming sense and prowess.

「Team name is going to be ‘Mortals’, and our strategy will be called ‘Stargazing’.」

In this inverted city Kutanid is almost like a god trapped underwater. And we ground walking mortals want to trach it no matter what. We are named ‘Mortals’ because our perspective differs from the omniscient and powerful gods. And Stargazing because we fight to return to the surface and see the normal sky…… It’s a win-win, no matter how you look at it.

「I think that the team’s name is good, but the name of the strategy sucks.」

「Besides, stargazing? And is that thing that falls here truly a marine snow? I somewhat doubt that.」

「Akitsu Akane…… Listen man, you can’t take everything literally. What is meant by ‘Stargazing’ is the fact that we want to get out of here in order to gaze at the proper sky up above……」

Finally, both name of the team and the plan of action had been decided based on the vote. In democratic way.

「Alright then, without any further ado, team “Mortals” shall roll out! Operation “Bring Down Kutanid of the Abyss” shall now commence!」

People, fish people, Spirits, Vorpal Bunnies. Our group was all over the place when it comes to races, but the strong cheer that everyone let out in response to my words has shown that we were truly united and hell bent on emerging victorious.