Chapter 25: Defense Specialized and Climbing Mountain

The slope of the ground appeared.

It looks like theyre starting to enter the mountainous area.

This mountain, other players should probably be moving towards it, so we should not let them go ahead of us

Thats right, lets hurry as much as possible

The two climbed the mountain very quickly. The mountain that the two were climbing right now was the tallest. Right now, there werent any other players around.

Although, there is the possibility that they are climbing from another direction.

Maple! Monsters are coming!

I got it!

She exchanged her large shield to Snow White.

Assuming that there is a boss monster, she is planning to saveAkujiki.

Very different with the sea of trees, there was a lot of monsters, so their battle count is increasing.

Oh! I leveled up. Im 19 with this! Status is Ill put it all to AGI

There are big boulders here and there, and monsters suddenly jumps out from there so it was a situation they couldnt let their cautious down.

By one of them being always cautious of the surroundings alternately, they prepared for surprise attacks.

Because bird-type monsters attacks from the sky from time to time, they could only deal with it with magic, and their MP was taken away.

The land monsters were wolf-types, they attack with quick movements.

The ground is also really bad, so its hard to do it

Lets hurry up and climb!

Two and a half hours of advancing while defeating monsters.

There was also snow that have started to stack on the ground. *ZakuZaku*, they walked forward will making that sound.

Pretty much, weve advanced

Un, probably only another hour before the peak?

Risa looked up to the peak.

Because of that, she was able to notice monster ahead.

About twenty meters ahead, there was a monkey that had a white fur covering its whole body.

That monkey charged down while kicking off the snow.

Its coming!

Un!

The two braces themselves.

Near the monkey, two bluish white magic circles emerged.

There was a difference point with the monsters until now and the monkey.

That is right, it could use magic.

Cove!

Kaede instinctively covered Risa.

Kaede felt from the large shield continuous blows.

It was a continuous attack with ice gravels like a machine gun.

When the monkey approached with that, it made the magic circle disappear and enveloping a white shine to its fist, it punched.

This time there was a heavier blow that runs to the large shield.

Sally!

Double Slash!

While Kaede was getting the attention of the monkey, Risa slips beside the monkey, and slashes at it from behind.

The monkey scream, but without collapsing, it turned to Risa with anger in its eyes, and swings its fist.

The snow on the ground was a hindrance so it was hard to move, but Risa dodged with no problem.

Powered Attack!

The two consecutive attack counter cuts the monkeys stomach deep, but it still wouldnt collapse.

*Gapa*, from its opened mouth, a white shining magic circle can be seen.

Super Acceleration!

Risa draws one of her trump cards with an instinctive decision.

A large number of sharp ice pierced the place where Risa was an instant ago.

Slash!

The counter after evading the breath of ice, finally sinks the monkey.

The monkeys body became light and disappeared.

Fu I usedSuper Accelerationhuh

After all, maybe I should participate too

No, Maple should just prepare for the boss. I will be able to useSuper Accelerationagain, so leave on the way to me!

n I got it. But, if it becomes dangerous IllCoveryou okay?

Thanks! Thatd be helping

The two once again advanced to the ice mountain. The monkey seemed to be something like a mid-boss, they did not encounter it again.

Instead, the monsters that appears was a mole that was moving through the snow with zigzag while raising a cloud of snow, and a while armadillo that rolls while taking the snow with it.

We should be careful with the mole, but the armadillo just continues to roll after dodging it so its very easy right

I think that it would be instant death if the armadillo hits though well, if it was Maple maybe it could be endured

While talking about that, they climb up.

And, they finally reached the mountain peak.

The mountain peak was shaped as a clean round, and there was a shrine made of stone at the center.

There is a white shining magic circle in front of the shrine, and it was shining as if to lure the two.

It was a teleportation magic circle that they saw many times.

When the two started to get close to the magic circle.

From the opposite side of where the two climbed from, a party of four climbed up.

It was a party of a large sword, large shield, and two magicians.

They also noticed Kaede and Risa and looked towards the two.

Risa prepared for a PvP, but that didnt happen.

Ah! Crom-san!

Oh? Maple huh I didnt think Ill meet you hereuhh, we dont want to fight. I dont even think wed win

Crom said that and took away his weapons and the rest also followed, and raised both of their hands.

I also dont want to fight. its okay right, Risa?

Well, I guess so. We also dont want to be exhausted, so it should be good to be cautious at least, but probably its okay I think?

Because it could be hardly said that it would be absolutely fine, Risa continued to talk without letting her guard down.

And then what should we do with this shrine? Both of us cant receive the rewards right?

What Risa said was reasonable, since it would be either Crom or Kaede who enters first, if they were able to successfully capture it, the rewards might disappear.

Kaede thought of it for a while, then started talking.

n Sally. Can we give it to Crom-san and the rest?

To Kaede who told that apologetically, Risa was surprised, then answered while making a pleasant smile.

if Maple is good with that, Im okay with everything you know? But, you shouldnt regret it! Promise me that okay

UnI got it! then, please go on first!

Kaede told towards Crom and the rest.

I-Is it okay? In this case, its normal for it to be first ones first though

Its okay! You should hurry up and go before I change my mind you know?

After Kaede said that, Crom said thanks and stood on the magic circle and disappeared.

The two were left behind on the mountain peak.

Youre really fine with that?

Un if it became a battle here and we used our skills, it would be bad after all if it became a battle after teleporting, so most of all, I didnt want to fight with a friend too

Un! If youre not regretting it then its fineright now, I wonder if theyre in a battle?

Risa said while looking at the magic circle that had lost its shine.

Maybe

What should we do? You want to go down? That or, if theyre fighting they might lose, so since we even saved our skills, you want to wait?

When Risa suggested that.

The magic circle regains it shine again.

It was the sign that it was possible to enter again.

Eh?!

The two were surprised.

It hasnt been a minute since Crom and the rest entered.

It was an unexpected speed.

W-What does this mean?!

To Kaede who was confused, Risa started to talk what she had thought.

For start, there are two things that I had thought of. One, the possibility that it ended very quickly since it was only needed to collect the medals or equipments after teleporting. The other one is

Risa stopped her words there once, and whispered with a very unpleasant air what she didnt want to happen in reality.

The possibility that they were defeated by a very strong monster without being able to do anything

That is

If I were to choose, it is the latterI think. The reason why the magic circle is still lighting is because it can be challenged again, I think. Then what inside, should not be an equipmentprobably

Fortunately, there was no sign of any other players climbing. The two checked each others status and decided to make a strategy before challenging.

Its only about, my armor becameVIT +40because ofDestruction Growth, and my HP increased. Skills are perfectly reserved

I also didnt change a lot. Super Accelerationhad recovered too, and there is stillMirageremaining

Maple

Lv24

HP 40/40160

MP 12/12 10

STR 0

VIT 17081

AGI 0

DEX 0

INT 0

Equipments

Head

BodyArmor of Black Roses

Right handShingetsu : Hydra(Poison Dragon)

Left HandMirror of the Dark Night : Bizarre Eater(Akujiki)

LegsArmor of Black Roses

ShoesArmor of Black Roses

AccessoriesRing of the Forest Queen Bee

Toughness Ring

Ring of Life

Skill

Absolute DefenseGiant Killing (OomonoKurai)Hydra Eater (DokuruuKurai)Bomb Eater (BakudanKurai)MeditationProvokeAbominable (Gokuaku HidKnowledge of Large Shield IVBody ManipulationAttack Diversion Shield Attack

HP Strengthening (Small)MP Strengthening (Small)

Cover Move ICover

Sally

Lv19

HP 32/32

MP 25/2535

STR 2520

VIT 0

AGI 8068

DEX 2520

INT 2520

Equipments

HeadMuffler of the Surface Water (Minamo no Mafura) : Mirage(Shinkir)

BodyCoat of the Ocean (Taikai no Kto) : Ocean(Taikai)

Right HandDagger of the Deep Sea (Shinkai no Dag)

Left HandDagger of the Bottom of the Water (Minasoko no Dag)

LegsLeggings of the Ocean

ShoesBlack Boots

Accessories

Skill

Status Debuff Attack IIISlashDouble SlashGale Slash (HayateGiri)Muscle Strengthening (Small)

Consecutive Attack Strengthening (Small)Double AttackPowered AttackSwitch AttackBody Arts I

Knowledge of Short Swords IIJack of All TradesDivine BreakSuper Acceleration

Fire Magic IWater Magic IIWind Magic II

Earth Magic IDark Magic ILight Magic II

Fire BallWater Ball

Water Wall

Wind CutterWind Wall

Thunder Cutter

Dark Ball

RefreshHeal

MP Strengthening (Small)MP Cut (Small)

MP Recovery Speed Strengthening (Small)Knowledge of Magic II

FishingSwimming XDiving XCooking I

Mining Speed Strengthening (Small)Sensory Blocking II

Sensory Awareness IIStealth Move ILeap I

Poison Resistance (Small)

For start, as soon as we entered, I will ready my large shield so hide behind me

Understood. And then, after that

The two discussed after that for about twenty minutes, then stood up and walked towards the magic circle.

Yosh! Lets go

Un!

And, the twos appearance became light and disappeared.