Part Forty-One

“Coming in hot! They’re right behind me!”

Where did they come from!?

Dozens of monsters were chasing the archer girl. While they appeared to be monsters the mercenaries were quite familiar with, there was something odd about them. Upon closer examination, it was readily apparent that the monsters were actually moving statues and not flesh-and-blood creatures.

Terra Cotta Copy

Rank: E

Description: A copy of a monster created through Earth Magic. Aside from having a similar appearance to the monster it’s based on, it’s inferior to the original.

Just how inferior they were was readily apparent. The fact that Alicia had managed to avoid them long enough to reach them showed that they really were inferior copies. It was even more obvious when the mercenaries began to fight back. The copies' defenses were incredibly fragile. A single blow was enough to destroy an entire limb.

However, the copies had no egos and didn’t feel anything. That meant that they had no fear of death or sense of pain, and could charge straight at the mercenaries with the intent to kill them. Even as chunks of their bodies were broken, they continued to lash out at the mercenaries.

“Gaaaagh!”

“Oh shit!”

And on top of that, their blows were incredibly deadly. A single hit was enough to crack their armor and break their bones. If the copies had had weapons, there probably would’ve been casualties. But that was still likely at this rate. Except…

*Woosh*

A red haze seemed to settle over the minds of the mercenaries. While it wouldn’t fully erase the pain or their fear of death, the haze dulled them, allowing those affected to fight much more effectively. It even allowed the injured to keep going, picking themselves back up.

And as for what did this, well you wouldn’t have to look that far.

[Sampson’s POV]

Good, it’s working. I didn’t know how much range it would have when affected by this ring, but it looks like it affected most of them. Only those outside of the clearing weren’t affected. Heheh, this’ll be good.

The sudden transformation everyone had experienced was the direct result of his Unique Skill, Berserking. While it was similar to berserker magic, there were subtle differences. Both kinds caused a loss of rationality along with a boost to physical abilities, but the mechanics behind both were different.

Berserker magic, like the kind the shaman in the Labyrinth used, caused a complete loss of control and released the limiters on a being's physical abilities. The level of strengthening applied was based on how strong the target was and wouldn’t exceed a certain threshold. It was also applied all at once and could be resisted.

Berserking on the other hand, caused its target to slowly lose their reason and receive strengthening equal to how berserk they were becoming. Since there was no cap to the Skill’s effect, a target could be endlessly strengthened, but risked permanently losing their sanity.

With all the mercenaries no longer fearing for their lives, it would take no time at all for the copies to be destroyed. Each one of them was displaying abilities a level above what they’d previously had.

Well, it wouldn’t be any fun if I didn’t get to fight myself! I’ll show these pups who’s the boss around here and we’ll take the pick of the litter after this is over. Heheheh, let’s see what they can do..

[Alicia’s POV]

“Haaa….haaa….haaa.”

She’d just completed an all out sprint to escape the copies. It wasn’t surprising that she was out of breath. It wasn’t like she had very little stamina or anything, it had just been that far of a distance. And since she was specced for long-distance combat, it had taken a toll on her. So she’d sat down against a tree in order to rest.

Okay, I feel better. And it looks like they’ll have this wrapped up soon. Phew, that was rough. Next time, someone else can act as bait. Preferably Michael, since he seems to enjoy doing it.

She’d finally caught her breath and it looked like the copies were nearly dealt with, so she decided to stay towards the back and merely observe. A quick headcount revealed that ten of the mercenaries were missing, including Cameron. But considering their plan, he was probably off keeping watch.

Okay, guess I’ll just sit here then. They look like they’ve got this covered on their own and I don’t want to get in their way. Actually, they kind of look a little intense. And is it just me, or are their eyes bloodshot? Wait, that guy just got sent flying, but he got up like nothing happened!? What the heck’s going on here?

It was like they were all channeling the bloodlust Michael felt in combat, but on a whole different level. It was even worse since it seemed like a few of the others were injured, but kept fighting anyway.

That, that can’t be safe, right? I’ve seen Michael fight while injured before, but he always tries to safeguard his injuries from being worsened. They don’t even seem to care. They’re completely berserk.

Though perhaps that was for the best. Their berserk state put the mercenaries on the same stage as the copies, effectively leveling the playing field. This allowed the mercenaries’ higher abilities to help them gain the upper hand.

Um, should I stop them? They are almost done, so I doubt it’ll cause any real harm. Guess I should just wait for them to finish up.

::Individual has Acquired Title: Headshot. Acquired Normal Skill: Imbuement Rank F.::

Oh, well that’s sudden. Wait, did I just get a Title!? Finally! I’ve been trying to get one for forever! Eheheheh!

It had been bothering her that she was the only one of the three of them to not possess a Title, even if they weren’t exactly wonderful to have. She was so excited, that her earlier exhaustion all but flew away. While she did wonder what kind of effects it might have, the ongoing mission took priority. The copies had been finished off while she was preoccupied.

***

“Wait, wait, wait! You got a Title!? And you’re only just telling me now? Well what does it do?”

“I’m getting to that! Haven’t you ever heard of good storytelling? I’ve got to set things up properly. Just explaining it all would be boring.”

“Good point. Continue please.”

***

Whatever had possessed the other mercenaries had worn off before she knew it. Most of them just wrote it off as not being worth considering. Someone suggested that it might’ve been the effects of a spell cast by the Mivian, at least until she told them that it should be dead.

Only three mercenaries were injured and all three had one or two broken bones. If they had brought a healer with them, those injuries could’ve been dealt with quite easily. But since there wasn’t one, they had to make due with makeshift splints.

With the injured cared for and everyone gathered, the group set off for the entrance to the facility. They were moving slowly so as to avoid any potential ambushes. There was a slight edge to them, as they were still wary as to whether any monsters had been attracted by the fighting or explosions.

Hm, guess I should see what my new Title and Skill do. I probably should take any opportunities to verify their effects as soon as possible. Michael’s always going on about stuff like that, but it is good advice.

Headshot – A Title awarded for assassinating 1000 monsters with projectiles. Grants an increase to Dexterity and a random compatible Normal Skill.

Imbuement – A Normal Skill. Allows the user to imbue a projectile with a concept, like extra speed or piercing power, in exchange for mana. The effects of the Skill are temporary and will dispel after being used a certain number of times.

This was perhaps the best Skill Alicia could’ve gotten at this time. Unlike Cameron and Michael, she didn’t really use mana to fight, so it just accumulated without ever being used. While both Stealth and Accuracy used mana, she rarely used them during active combat. She did admittedly use Accuracy from time to time to snipe enemies, but it was extremely mana efficient. She could keep it up for hours without ever running out of mana. Michael had nearly thrown a fit when he’d heard that.

Imbuement would give her an additional way to use her excess mana and would even allow her to stock up on helpful equipment outside of battles, when excess mana usually went to waste. This would finally give her a trump card, something Michael swore was absolutely necessary if they were to survive.

Hehehe, he’ll be so jealous when he hears this! I can’t wait to tell him!

***

“You’re damn right I’m jealous! Why can’t I ever get such convenient Skills!?”

“Are you really forgetting about Skanda? I’m pretty sure that Skill is officially broken. And that’s ignoring all the other Skills and equipment you have. I have a single C-Rank piece and you’re complaining about this one Skill?”

“…………..never mind.”

Hmph.

***

“Huh? Didn’t you say there were still a few monsters left!? So where are they?”

“They, they were here. See, there’s the Mivian’s corpse. Maybe they left?”

“Guess it doesn’t matter. I just don’t want to get ambushed in these tunnels. Having to fight on two sides wouldn’t be fun. And Derrick, don’t be an asshole to those doing their jobs.”

“A-Alright Boss. Sorry about that girlie.”

“Er, okay?”

They’d arrived at the entrance to the facility, only to discover that the remaining monsters had left. That had caused a bit of an awkward moment, but Sampson quelled it before it could spiral out of control. For all they seemed to fear him, it was obvious that his men were at least loyal.

While it was most curious, the question of where the other monsters went would go unanswered for now. Far more prudent to their current situation was what to do with the injured. They couldn’t just leave them here alone, as they would be easy prey for passing monsters, but bringing them along was just as risky. In the end, it was decided that three mercenaries would accompany them at a slight distance. It wasn’t really a solution, but it was better than doing nothing.

After that, the leaders of each group met to discuss formations and other shit. The two of them had agreed to be placed in the back and vanguard respectively, so she had little interest in the conversation.

Haaah, this is one of those times that I wish our group was bigger. With Michael gone, I have no one to talk to. Cameron’s great and all, but we don’t have all that much in common. He feels more like an older brother, someone I can rely on, but wouldn’t hang out with regularly. There’s just this sense of distance between us.

And I certainly don’t want to try and talk to anyone else. I’ve already gotten several of those kinds of looks and I’m not eager to have to deal with anything else today. The last thing I need is for someone to hit on me. At least Michael’s never done anything like that. Or at least, not often anyway. I do catch him looking on occasion.

She’d been idly twirling an arrow between her fingers while thinking, mostly as a way to occupy herself. However, she decided that the best way to pass the time was to try out her new Skill. She already knew how to use it, so she began to focus on the arrow while pouring mana into it. As for what concept she chose, she decided to go with extra speed. She definitely wanted more Blitz Arrows.

*Wawawawawa!*

After a few seconds of focusing, the Arrow gave off a mild glow. Figuring that meant she’d succeeded, she stopped focusing on it and Analyzed the arrow.

Arrow

Rank: Special

Effect: Blitz Enchantment (Temporary)

Description: An arrow that has been temporarily enchanted with extreme speed. Once released, the arrow will almost immediately strike the target. The enchantment will wear off after one use.

This was beyond what she’d expected. And since it hadn’t taken much mana to enchant, she could probably use this to create multiple powerful arrows. It was a shame that it could only be fired once, but that didn’t detract from its utility at all. She’d just have to learn how to use it more effectively over time.

***

“Damn, this is impressive. And if you can make the enchantments last longer, then there’s no telling what this could do.”

She’d handed him one of the arrows she’d imbued and he was suitably impressed. It wasn’t often that she could do so, so ordinarily she’d be ecstatic, but there was one thing she hadn’t included in her recounting.

After her first test of Imbuement, she’d turned to talk to Cameron about it, only for her to see the expression on his face. He was watching the injured mercenaries in the most peculiar way, as if he was witnessing the greatest tragedy he could imagine, but couldn’t look away.

The sight of that caused her words to die in her throat. Suddenly, she realized that she didn’t know what to say to him. Or even what he was thinking, for that matter.