First on the list, the magician, Lilly.
I quickly skimd over the diocre stat window and launched Lillys trait tab.
[Lilly (R)]
- Equipped Trait (1/3)
> Fla Skin
There it was!
Just as anticipated, straight from the ga. Fla Skin.
[Fla Skin]
- A trait evolved from an extre fear of being touched. Transforms your body into flas to evade physical attacks. Depletes MP with each dodge.
It was a comndable defensive trait. A fine trait, but the hitch was that Lilly was the primary damage dealer of this party.
And she was a fire mage with a significantly high mana consumption.
The mont Lilly begins taking physical blows, it signals the party teetering on the brink of annihilation.
And in such a predicant, instead of triggering this trait, one should attempt to wring out the remaining mana to conjure an offensive spell.
That would be the tactic in a typical ga.
But the current scenario was extraordinarily unique. I was scheming to actively exploit this trait.
Next, the shield-bearing knight, Ken.
I opened the trait tab in Kens stat window.
[Ken (N)]
- Equipped Trait (1/3)
> Urchins Survival thod
There it was. The Urchins Survival thod.
[Urchins Survival thod]
- A habit nurtured during your urchin days. When danger is sensed, you drastically diminish your presence, escaping the attention of those around you. Drains a considerable amount of HP with each use.
Again, an impressive trait. If only Ken wasnt a shield knight.
Ken was a shield knight who goaded enemies from the front line, grabbing their attention and bearing the hits with his physique.
But a stealth trait?
And it drains a significant amount of HP.
It would make sense for a rogue class or another lee damage dealer, but for Ken, a shield knight, it was a clashing combination.
But, I needed to exploit it.
Since orthodox thods are futile right now, I have to harness every variable within my reach.
And finally... Damien.
Swallowing my parched saliva, I opened Damiens stat window. Please, let it be there, please!
The traits of the other characters were rely supplentary, just extra gimmicks we could utilize.
But Damiens trait was, throughout this entire ga, the most disruptive factor. It was absolutely indispensable for strategizing!
And...
[Damien (N)]
- Equipped Trait (1/3)
> Far-sight
There it was!
This insane ga-wrecking trait was present here, in this reality, just as it was in the ga.
[Far-sight]
- A trait acquired due to the gods blunder at birth. See what you want to see, hit what you want to hit.
It was truly absurd.
The description might be vague, but in the ga, it was an outright insane trait that added 50 to individual field of view and 999 to accuracy.
In the ga chanics, if the accuracy score exceeds 100, no matter what you shoot, it unquestionably hits. But 999?
It simply ans you hit, end of story. You could launch an arrow from one edge of the stage map to the other, and it would pinpoint a needles eye.
But the problem was... the one who possessed this trait was Damien, a healing priest.
In the ga, the system placed restrictions on gear based on character classes.
Damien, being a priest healer, was only allowed to wield a staff. His skills were characteristic of an N-grade healer - nothing more than plain healing magic.
Healing skills always hit their mark, they never missed. But what use was it to have an accuracy as high as 999?
In the ga, there was no ans to take advantage of this. It was akin to a picture of a feast, a completely worthless trait. rely a sadistic prank by the ga developers.
But this is reality.
It could be employed.
And incredibly effectively at that!
Gas are ant to be conquered.
The thoughts in my head started falling into place, beginning to forge the only pathway to victory.
Theyve thrust into a level thats unbeatable?
A smirk ford on my face.
Unintentionally, the corners of my mouth began to rise.
Every ti I discovered a strategy to breach a seemingly impervious level, I would wear this grin that made my viewers beg to turn off the cara during broadcasts.
Then I guess I have no other option but to cheat...!
Just hold on, you bastard who threw into this.
Ill absolutely clear this goddamn ga. And grab you by the collar, and assuredly give you a punch you wont forget...!
***
Back to the present mont.
I cast a glance at Lilly, Ken, and Damien.
Lilly. You were stung by a fly in your childhood, right?
Lillys eyes bulged in astonishnt.
How... how did you know?
It was a scar left by a horde of goblins that stord the village. After that incident, you developed a phobia of flies and couldnt even handle a kitchen knife at ho, correct?
...
But you gained sothing as well.
I fetched a dagger from my belongings and thrust it into Lillys hand.
Eek?!
Everyone was too taken aback to react swiftly, and Lilly was petrified in surprise.
-Thunk!
The dagger passed through Lillys hand and lodged into the table. Lillys hand, pierced by the dagger, flickered with flas.
After that occurrence, you gained this trait, Fla Skin.
...
As long as you possess enough magic, you can evade all physical attacks. Am I mistaken?
Lilly, who was shivering, slowly nodded her head. I yanked out the dagger and stowed it back in my belongings.
I apologize for demonstrating it so abruptly.
No, its... its okay, Your Highness. But how did you know...
Thats not the primary concern at the mont.
I shifted the conversation and turned my gaze towards Ken.
Ken.
Ye, yes?!
Ken, assuming that I would also hurl a dagger at him, recoiled in anticipation of an attack. I chuckled and signaled him.
You were a thief in your younger years, correct?
...?!
You originated from a slum, with quite a few family mbers to provide for. It must have been grueling to keep everyone fed through petty theft.
Ken remained stiff and didnt respond, but his silence was confirmation enough. I nodded my head.
You eked out a living through thievery until adulthood, and then imdiately enrolled in the military as a volunteer. From there, you diligently worked your way up to the position of a knight... Youve had a hard journey.
"Uh, ah, how, how did you..."
"The crux of the matter isnt how I unearthed your past. So, tell , what are you capable of?"
I held the gaze of Ken, whose eyes were quaking.
"You have the ability to vanish from sight at will, right? Fade from the perception of others and beco invisible?"
"..."
"Respond. Or do I need to offer yet another demonstration?"
"No, thats not... Yes. I can do it."
"Good. Then you will follow my instructions."
I averted my gaze from the stunned Ken, shifting my focus to Damien, who had taken refuge in a corner.
"Damien."
"..."
"You have exceptional vision, dont you? Excessively so."
Damien glanced at , a scowl etched on his face. I crouched down to et him at eye level.
"So the mory of your friends demise is etched vividly in your mind?"
"..."
"Its as clear as if its playing out right before you, impossible to forget, isnt it? Thats why youre constantly in tears."
Damien remained silent, offering no response. I waited patiently.
"...He, he was a friend from my hotown. From the sa orphanage."
It was after a few minutes that Damien found his voice. His tone was gruff.
"That orphanage was a dreadful place... when we turned fifteen, Ban and I fled."
Ban must have been his deceased friends na. I listened in silence.
"Ban was gifted with swordsmanship... and I was fortunate enough to have a talent for healing. We scraped a living as rcenaries."
"..."
"I was a third-tier rcenary, terrified of monsters and easily spooked at the sight of blood... Ban, already a top-tier rcenary, guided . We toiled together, vowing to support our younger siblings back at the orphanage."
Damien hid his face behind his hands.
"But, he died. Just like that."
"..."
"A Black Spider targeted when I was drained, and Ban shielded , taking the brunt of its attack. He was ripped apart right in front of ! All in an effort to save soone like !"
The rest of the party observed the weeping Damien with uncomfortable expressions.
"He wasnt ant to die here. Ban had dreams and the skills to make them a reality. But here, in this place..."
"..."
"Why... why did you summon us here, Your Highness? Why? Is there a grand purpose to all this? Or are our lives, so easily expendable, rely a source of entertainnt for you?"
Tears flowed from Damiens parched eyes.
"Please resurrect Ban. My friend... I want my friend back...."
I quietly absorbed Damiens words, then gave a slight nod.
"Detest , Damien. Harbor resentnt against if you must."
I laid my hand on Damiens shaking shoulder.
"But rember, your friend Ban sacrificed his life to protect you."
"..."
"And yet, are you just going to sit here and await your end?"
The trembling that had gripped Damiens fra began to fade. I pushed more energy into my words.
"So, are you going to throw away the life your friend died protecting, simply because death is looming due to so worthless commander?"
"I... "
"You must fight."
My hand squeezed Damiens shoulder a bit more.
"Seek vengeance!"
"..."
"Destroy the spiders, survive this ss! Make sure I get a taste of hell, too."
I wore a wicked smile.
"Damien. Do you wish to wipe out those spider creatures?"
Behind the smudged lenses, his large eyes still echoed fear, but they were steadier now.
"Yes."
"Do you wish to kill as well?"
At my inquiry, the other party mbers recoiled in surprise.
Damiens inner battle was short-lived, and his response was honest.
"...Yes."
"Excellent."
I let go of Damiens shoulder and gestured towards myself with my thumb.
"Promise this. If we survive this ordeal, no matter when that may be, your hands will be the ones to end my life."
"Your Highness?!"
Lucas, caught off guard, tried to interject, but a swift hand gesture from silenced him.
"If the operation falls apart, were all destined to die anyway. But even then, it will be by your hand that I et my end. This I promise, on the honor of the royal family."
"..."
"So... Even if its only for tomorrow, follow my orders."
As Damien gazed up at , the turmoil in his eyes began to ebb. I grinned, pleased with the outco.
Even animosity could be harnessed as fuel when needed.
Even if that animosity was directed at , and Id welco it.
Damien made an effort to stand, eventually finding his footing.
I surveyed the four party mbers before , a broad smile gracing my face.
Finally, my plan was in place.
"Alright, everyone."
Whether my strategy turned out to be a total failure or the ultimate winning move was yet to be seen.
All that remained was to make the final push.
"From this point forward, Ill be issuing the commands!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)