3.04



"f*ck.
　William ran through the courtyard, illuminated by the swirling night sky, and kicked open the cloister door behind the bushes.
　Sure enough, it wasn't the corridor to the pavilion that it should be.
　It's a back alley in the city of Akiva.
　When you see a dinkron jumping through the door you've come through, you shoot arrows in rapid succession at your pursuer, the "Grey Dog Demon" (Noor).
"William, check the perimeter.
Oh!
　Closing that door - a tavern door that bears no resemblance to what he saw from the other side - William searches for signs of the enemy around him, while being aware of the dinklons staring around him.
　He can't see them, but there are many signs.
　There are signs of demons here and there in the buildings and in the street through this alleyway.
''What's going on here........''
　Entaukan, William and Dinkron, who had taken shelter earlier, were the only three people in this back alley. The only three people in this back alley are the three members of the Silver Sword.
"William, this is........
Yeah. North block, apparently. The Guild Hall looks like it's to the south.
　A distinctive building shows itself through the roof of a two-story inn. So I'm sure this is that one of Akiba's back alleys. Not that the alley itself is familiar, but with all those landmarks, it's impossible to get lost in the alley.
　However, that was not the situation William and his friends were facing right now.
　The marbled sky, with its purple tones that stirred up a sense of unease, lit up the area eerily. It was no longer possible to believe that this was Akiba in the normal sense of the word.
　Most importantly, the connection between the zones is strange. Every time William and his friends open the door, they keep getting connected to some mysterious place. All of them were apparently zones encompassed in the area of Akiba, but there was no context.
　The inn where I was sleeping was attacked, and when the three of us stumbled out into the corridor while desperately trying to defend ourselves, we found ourselves on the upper level of some abandoned building. In order to get down the stairs, I opened the iron door and found myself in a fancy decorated hall. Once out of the hall, I found myself in a beautiful walled garden. When you go out into the corridor, you find yourself in a back alley.
A labyrinth of sorts.
A dungeon, I suppose.
　William's murmurings are answered by Dinklon.

'I wonder if everyone is ok...'
I don't think they're going to get to you that easily.
　William and his Silversword team are currently shuttling back and forth between Akiba and Ezzo. Thanks to the activation of the Transport Gate between Akiba and Ezzo, the supply of supplies to Ezzo has dramatically stabilized. While large quantities of goods are still dependent on sea transport, the magic bag can now carry enough goods and people to get to and from the city.
　Two things were most beneficial.
　The first is the prospect of restoring the records of the Daichijin aristocracy's rule in Ezzo, which had been in a state of near collapse. When the scholars and transcribers arrived via the magical city of Tsukuba, they unearthed the residents' registers and maps of the center of Ezzo, ending the chaos that had ensued since the Great Disaster. The inhabitants of Susukino were deeply grateful to Silversword, but they could not just leave it to the Adventurers to take care of the satellite villages on the outskirts of the city, where they had lost contact with each other, or to take care of the center of the Ezzo Empire, including Susukino. They had to do what they could, or else they wouldn't be able to call their relationship as equals. The Silversword also did not want to manage a city with which they were not familiar, and until now they had only been (inadvertently) taking care of it out of kindness.
　Secondly, the Silver Sword's supplies for large-scale combat (raids), which had been running low, have been restored by the Akiba market. The Silver Sword is currently the leading organization in Yamato in terms of the number of large-scale raids, but in order to make effective use of the illusory materials obtained from the raids, the number of production members is limited. If all of the materials were cutting edge, the Silversword's daily large-scale battles (raids) would include materials for the 70-80 level. These semi-advanced materials cannot be used to create items for the 90th level, so they tend to be dead stock. It was a great advantage for Silversword to have Akiba as a hinterland for selling surplus materials and purchasing useful materials and items - or even commissioning the production of such items.
　Because of these two changes, Silversword was able to engage in large-scale battles (raids) on a more proactive basis. The members of the Second Army and beyond who were left in Susquino were also gradually moving toward the level of large-scale battles (raids) that they could challenge.
　For this reason, the core members of Silversword regularly stayed in Akiba, occasionally participating in the newly reborn Round Table, and ordering newly developed magical armaments from the Roderick Trading Company....

So sudden and unexpected, isn't it?
You always say that.
　The huge three-necked wolf that came around the corner like a gale to attack from the direction of passing into the main street, Dinkron received it firmly with his huge shield. He is a slender-waisted elven knight, and although he looks like a gentleman, he blocks the rush without retreating even half a step.
''Ora! Paralyzing blows!
　William threw his body forward to the side of the dinkron and fired a long-bow blow from super close range. It's a close enough shot that it doesn't even require much effort to aim, and when it hits with Entaukan's "duet", it sneaks through the monster's side.
　This monster instantly disappeared into the rainbow.
　The Three-Headed Dog (Cerberus). Level 65.
　The level itself is different. With this level, there's no way they'll be late.
The problem is the raid ranks.
That description is for 24-man (full raid) monsters. We'll have to get together with our friends...
I'm not going to let you down, but is it hard to rebel?
　The three of them looked at each other and scattered into the phoenix flower as they looked at each other.
　A huge fireball landed in the center of that where the three of them had been gathered until now. A number of enemy shadows could be seen in William's vision as he regained his stance. He had detected the signs themselves, but how did they notice us?
　The Gray Dog Demon Sorcerer of the Gray Dog Demon, Noor Karsmancer.
　|The Gray Dog Demon Pyromancer, Noor Flame Sorcerer of the Gray Dog Demon.
　The Grey Dog Demon Spear Infantry (Noor Spearman).
　All are at level 65. I guess the appropriate level for this large scale combat (raid) zone is around 60?

　But the grin on William's face tightened the next moment.
　With the sound of a mysterious chime, William's arm, which is holding the bow, relaxes. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
''What--''
Keep your guard up, sir.
　As if to fill in the gap that shook even Dinclone, the support that was released was a three-stranded icicle. A huge, cold glow as tall as the height of a man landed on the enemy as if pulled by a thread. The sorcerer's single attack spell, the Frosted Spear. The sorcerer's superior penetration and striking power allows him to use his Lamination Syntax to strike with a multitude of techniques, and the rescuer calls out in a desperate voice, "Withdraw! I shouted.

'Willy--'
Withdrawal.
　Shouting to cut off his ally's voice, William begins to run backwards down the alleyway, betting on a momentary decision. This sensation of a chill on the back of his neck. It's different than it was earlier.
　In an instant, this alleyway became a dead zone.
　I can assure you that it is because William has experienced a large scale battle (raid) that he has been exposed to. This is a losing battle. Of course, that doesn't mean we're going to lose heart. We (Silversword), who passed through the approach to the abyss, won't be broken like that. William bites his lip. But at the same time, we don't intend to turn a losing battle into a mere annihilation. Hence the retreat.
''Fluaaaah!
　I think he understands that.
　A magic tool the size of a tennis ball tumbled out of the bag as it ran comically down the street, and before you could even see it, it was spraying pure white smoke all around you. It's the escape beads. It's an effective way to cut off the target's gaze and settle the hate relationship if the distance is greater than a certain amount.

　A slender shadow ran like the wind between the elegant brick workshop and the mossy restaurant, and a slender shadow ran alongside William. A girl with gorgeous blonde hair fluttering in the air.
'Thank you for retreating, William,'
You're the D.D.D.'s
'Lise. Several times in meetings.
Oh.
　William replied bluntly.
　One of the legends of Japan's Elder Tail is the giant battle guild D.D.D. The three goddesses, or demon gods, who reign in the central unit of the guild's master, the Axes, are the three goddesses. The three goddesses, or should I say demon gods, that reign in the central unit (Axis) that supports the guild master - at least one of the masters (High Ranker). He is undoubtedly one of Akiba's most prominent figures.
　The Silver Sword is also a leading fighting guild, but in terms of results to date, it still can't compare to the D.D.D. There's a gap in size and age between them and their opponents, but they are a much more powerful opponent.
It's a good thing we're new to the Round Table, needless to say, we're inferior to them.
　William, who inwardly grumbled to himself, but he only nodded with his mouth in a crooked position. I don't want to do anything flattering just because the other party is the leader of a prestigious guild, and I don't think it's right to play badly. In the first place, regardless of their records of battle and history, William doesn't think that the members of the Silver Sword are losing (...) to those of the D.D.D.

What is this thing?
　Instead I just asked it.
　It's not a question that I expected to solve some riddle. After all, the situation is very clear.
"It's a major battle (raid).
　I guess.
　The girl's (Liese) reply, which seemed to resonate as it was struck, was a bit of a trickle.
　It certainly bothered me that she was sleeping at the inn, or that she was divided. It bothers me, but at this point, I can't help it. Good. I guess that's what large-scale battles (raids) are all about. At the very least, William learned that in this other world, which is not the Elder Tail, that's what it is. Unreasonableness and fighting against it. That's what William now thinks of as a large-scale battle (raid).
　Let's do it.
　William grinned. The girl running next to him must have experienced that kind of unreasonableness at some point. Otherwise, the cool affirmation just now would not come out.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the world, but I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.

　Gosh.
　The concrete of the ruin seen through Liese suddenly shattered like an explosion.
　The dinklons flowing like water use its body as a shield to pop the debris as if to interrupt. It's flashy to look at, but not much. If it's an enemy attack, or even if it's an enemy attack, the adventurer won't be chasing fatal wounds due to the extent of falling damage or collapsing buildings.
　But a cow-headed monster emerging from a collapsed wall is another.
"Avoid engagement!
f*ck!
　As if to override Liese's words, she fired the Venom Strike. The basic technique of a ranged assassin, which he had been preparing for a while ago. Seeing that the attack went off without doing much damage, William was convinced.
Don't stop. I'm blinded!
　Catching him out of the corner of his eye, William checks his status as only the poison he's been painted with causes him to exhibit a status abnormality (bad status).

　William Massachusetts, Assassin, Level 35.

　I laughed in my throat alone.
　Dincron, En-Ta-Kan, and Liese.
　All of them were level thirty-five.
　In this zone with a proper level of sixty-five, it's not fair to call them lowly, that's the kind of vulnerability that makes you feel out of place.
　Moreover, the opponent was a monster for twenty-four players (full raid). In a zone where twenty-four sixty-five levels are gathered to fight, there are four thirty-five levels.
''They should advise us to retreat.
I'm glad to hear that you understand.
　Liese replied in a clear tone of voice.
　But inside, she would be asking herself a terrific question. William can see that. Because William is thinking about it right now, chasing the mystery. As a similar challenger (raider) belonging to a similar large scale combat (raid) guild, it is a natural operation.
It would be a waste of time to just scatter them.
'Yes. We'll be ahead of you.
You don't give up even when you're dead, do you?
　Dinkron nodded reliably and jumped out at once into the main street. Entaukan jumped out without pause to follow his back.
　William was happy and followed there.

　If you follow your instincts, the Silver Sword is incompatible with this large scale battle (raid). It probably can't win (,,,,). William, who has been taking care of things underneath, can see that (,,,,,,,,).
　But his experience as a raider has taught William how to break through.
　The answer is clear in the words of his chief of staff girl, Lise.
　William and his team will fight and pull information out of the air.
　That way, a temporary defeat is no longer a defeat.
　To begin with, a large scale battle (raid) is not something that can be won in one go. The victor is the one who rises up and grasps something from the repeated destruction. William may be defeated, but that doesn't contradict the fact that William and his team (,) are on the road to victory.
Leave it to me to record and characterize enemies appearing in the vicinity (Encounter Enemy).
Let's see what you can do. Mr. Golden Fleece.
Humility. You may be Field Commander of the Ice Wall, but you're not.
　They unleashed every possible attribute attack.
　They probed for weaknesses, probed for abilities, probed for terrain - in other words, to fill in the sobering items (check boxes) on the road to victory. It is not in vain. As long as there was a strong will not to waste, the only problems left were the dwindling resources and time.





3.05




"Forward, Squad Leader in sight!
"Fluffy Dandy, get it up!
Heal, disarm, detox.
I'm already doing it.
　Shiroe and the others ran down the wall as if the three of them were stacked on top of each other, found Nyanta fighting on the path below and immediately went to secure him. The shrewd Shiroe, at this point in time, was already checking the status of the Nyanta while recruiting it to his party.
　Level 35.
　It's with Shiroe, Naotsugu, and Tetra.
　That level is clearly not strong enough to fight in this zone.
　I feel 'repelled'.
　But nevertheless, numbers are power. It could be called a fortuitous thing that I was able to meet up with the Nyanta Squad Leader here. Shiroe's reading of the door transfer seems to have made the connection zone one jump away, and he won.
"Shiroechi!
　A startled Nyanta swept away the illusion of chains, which melted like morning dew with Shiroe's Dispel Magic and left the scene with agility. It's a monster with little HP, and its role is to stop you in your tracks, but now it's tricky. Its level is over sixty, so it would normally be a weak enemy, but for Shiroe and the others, even resistance is difficult.

　But as expected of a Nyanta.
　With the graceful movements characteristic of the Cat People, he jumped up and ran up to the terrace above the floor where Shiroe and the others were standing. Even if they are lower in level, they are still adventurers. Even a mid-level (thirty-five level) adventurer can run up the walls of a building with window frames and gutters.
"White!　Quickly!
　When I turn around, I see Naotsugu trying to open the familiar door leading from the terrace to the inside of the Guildhouse of Record Horizons. Even though he has joined up with Nyanta, there are still flying enemies in the air. On this terrace, they'll take aim at you, and the level difference makes combat difficult. The only way to evacuate is to roll in through that door.
(However....)
　Shiroe tried to stop him, but he shook his head and forced himself to agree, and jumped into the door that Naotsugu had opened, accompanied by Nyanta and Tetra.

　The destination was not the familiar guild corridor that would normally be the norm, but a familiar guild corridor. It was an old kitchen I'd never seen before. Just as I thought, I was apparently sent to a suitable location from 'one zone away from the zone where Akiba's outdoor zone meets'.
(Now it's going to be pretty tough to meet up with Minori, Touya and the others...)
　Shiroe sighed secretly.
　It's a worry and a considerable pain, but considering the situation we just had, it's unavoidable.
　With the current level, which had dropped along with the out-of-place acceptance sound that suddenly echoed, it was impossible to fight the monsters in this area.
''Is everyone hurt?　I'm going to recover.
You just don't know how to sparkle.
It's my Healing Idol.
　The four of them holed up in a not-so-large kitchen and decided to take a short break while searching for signs of the enemy.
　The level difference is a troublesome factor in the Elder Tail. The current level difference of thirty levels meant that Shiroe and the others were overwhelmingly weak. It doesn't matter if the opponent is a solo or party-ranked monster, if it is a sixty-five level large scale combat (raid) monster, a single blow can take away more than half of their hit points. Bad statuses are also heavily penalized by the difference in levels, requiring careful disarming, and if that's not possible, there's no choice but to wait for time to run out.

　The four of us have returned to our maximum hit points with Tetra's Heal, the "Treatment Priest" (Cleric), but even so, we're left with a headache.
　The situation is bad.
　It is quite, quite, quite - fatally worse than I thought it would be.
　Shiroe felt like yelling at his own naive outlook.
　This is a horrible situation, and if you build the hypothesis again based on this horrible situation, you'll get an inference that will make you want to cover your eyes. It confirms the wild concoctions I've been thinking about for the past few months, but it also brings a terrible ominousness to the news.

'I'm sorry, guys. ...I didn't think it through.
Shiloh. Don't look so glum. Come on, spit it out.
　Naotsugu accepted Shiroe's confession with his usual nonchalant expression.
That's right, Shiroe-san. If you're not fine, I'll show you.
What's going on here?　Shiroechi.
　And Tetra and Nyanta. I'm not here, but probably Akatsuki too.
　Shiroe quickened his words, trying to share his current situation and findings quickly.
'Roe 2's letter. You remember it, don't you?　-- the last paragraph, I believe, referring to the "classic disaster.
Did I mention that?
Oh. Yeah, I remember. You mean the part about the monster in the moon?
--Like us, they're a wake species, but they're a rank 2 intellect. When they incarnated on Seldesia, they used the moon to prepare a highly capable fighting body for their incarnation. He has made a different choice than we, who borrowed the same body as yours to explore.
　Shiroe recalls the text of the letter.
"Yes. I thought of it as a reference to the new expansion pack, Cultivating the Noosphere. The Elder Tail monster was scheduled to be included in the expansion pack, and the Elder Tail monster's body was being used as the basis for the expansion.
Does that make sense to you--?
　Perhaps that's the correct interpretation.
　Sislau is the Butterfly Fairy, Kamaisal is the Dream Demon, and Takritan is the Misty Giant. Each of them had a motif. Of course, they were all different in some way, but if you think about it, they are all familiar with the Elder Tail world and have their roots in it.
It's not Roe 2, but they need some kind of dependency. "It's not Roe 2, but they need some sort of dependency, and I think that's essential for them to call themselves spirit beings. Then I thought to myself. --I don't know what kind of expansion pack Nouasphere Cultivation is, but it's definitely an expansion pack. If so, there will be dozens of new zones, dozens of dungeons, and more than five to less than ten large battle (raid) zones. And the monsters to be added are a few new races in a graphic sense, except for the unique names, and the new raid boss monsters are at most fifty or so
　Shiroe counts up.
'Well, if it was a regular expansion pack, that's about it, right?　I think Shiroe-san is right, too, don't you?
　That's the volume of the expansion packs, as Tetra admits.
　An expansion pack - a collection of additional Elder Tail content released every two years or so - costs about 5,000 yen in Japanese yen. This must have been an important source of additional revenue for the monthly subscription-based Elder Tail. And, as with all commercial material, the volume was limited by budget and development time.
So I've been thinking about it. That's why I figured that the number of litany of disasters is limited to about fifty for our relying raid boss monsters. Their abilities are also limited to defeating them in a large-scale battle (raid).
　The foundation of Shiloh's peace of mind was not the unknown enemy known as the Elder Tail, but the development of the Elder Tail. He trusted F.O.E., Fushimi Online Entertainment, which had been releasing high quality content on a consistent basis.
Yes, so what?
'So I decided that the threat level was low. I figured if we could take them down in a large scale battle (raid), then we could solve whatever happened. But it wasn't true. They can make it add up, too. If there's no new data in the expansion pack, then you can reuse what's available in the absence of it.

　This world is like a game, a different world.
　But if it was just another world, Shiroe and the rest of the earthlings would have been hunted down and annihilated in the blink of an eye. I don't think the earthlings of the 21st century can survive in a world of swords and magic. Shiroe had called for "this world is not a game" at the first Round Table Conference. But if it really was just another world, in the true sense of the word, she would have lost her life before she could make such a call.
　On the other hand, on the other hand, this other world is also the Elder Tail. In the supposedly otherworldly Seldesia, Shiroe has relied on the Elder Tail many times to get out of trouble. Thanks to the Elder Tail's zone trading system, Shiroe was able to buy up guild halls, and the secret of the Path to the Abyss is the system for distributing gold coins to monsters. Through the Elder Tail, Shiroe has come into contact with the abysses of the world, a world that cannot be touched in the world of Earth.
　The reason why Shiroe and the other adventurers have been able to live in Seldesia as strong men and women is because they have been able to deal with other worlds with games and other worlds with games.

What do you mean by that?
We're not the only ones with Cerdesia.
　But at last, the Tenkais came into the arena of Shiroe and the others.

''They too can become strong through methods similar to oral tradition. No, some of them might even exist as oral traditions.... As long as the Elder Tail has roots, it's relatively inexpensive to build beyond that. That's the answer to the fact that the bosses of the Approach to the Abyss looked exactly like the Nine Prisons.
　Shiroe was examining the past at a speed that gave her a headache.
　Looking back, there were countless signs.
　If that was the case, then the resource that drove this other world was still 《spiritual spirit》.
''Wait a minute. Shiroe-san, that doesn't make sense!
Shiroe, I want you to tell me what's going on.
　Behind the murmurs and toasts, behind the buzzing and the toasting, behind the battles and the developments that Shiroe has overlooked, it's been circulating around and keeping this Seldesia alive on a scale hundreds and thousands of times larger than Shiroe had expected. In a literal sense, like air, like water, like light, like time (,,,,,,). It is making Siloe and the others beat (clock).
　This other world is terribly fair.
　Perhaps that's the only thing that is fair, and that's what is saving this Seldesia from collapse now. As Roe 2 said, the sandbox waiting for results never looks to one side. Whenever Shiroe wishes for something in the Covenant Technique, the size of the wish and the value of the rare material consumed must come together.
　If they don't, the "spirit spirit" is exchanged unseen by the eye. No, perhaps, considering the various phenomena that surround that rainbow light, it is possible that the light is the fundamental resource of this world to begin with, and the scarce materials, MPs and time spent on it are just a shadow that the source of the light casts on Seldesia.

'We're down a level, but that's not a bad status. We've removed all of our bad status, and we don't have that icon on us right now.
Oh, oh. Oh, yeah.
　At Shiroe's words, Naotsugu and the others checked the status as if they had noticed.
　The only buff/debuff icons displayed there were only support spells such as Haste and Accuracy Support, which Shiroe always deploys. There is no such thing as unidentified interference.
There's only one way to cause this to happen besides bad status.
No way, Shiroe...
　Shiroe nodded.
　It was good if it was bad status. Then he could break the spell in the normal way. Even if it was an imposition from a vicious, super high level target, Shiroe could handle it now. Now that he understands that this world is fair, he doesn't think that he can't break an unfair deal.
The Master System is being used against us. This is their own version of the Oral Tradition, an attack created by the Master System.
　But if that is the weapon the Adventurer was given.
　This impartial other world will probably give it to its enemies as well.
　The scope of the game extends to the Oral Tradition. It is here in Seldesia that they too have acquired the same game sword as Siloe and the others.



◆3.06



What is that?
　Tetra said to Shiroe, whose silence was stifling, as if she had swallowed a stick. Both Master Nyantas and Naotsugu looked thoughtful, but they were too worried, too troubled.
　Tetra smiled his devilishly charming smile (which he was proud of), twirled his wand and said again: "That's not true.
'That's not true. There's no need to worry about it, Shiroe-san.
　The look of pride on her face is amusing, and Tetra laughs at her.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for. If he showed that kind of face on a regular basis, Naotsugu wouldn't be worried about it as much, I thought as I spun my words of assurance.
''They're going to get into the game?　It's just fine. The pride of the galaxy's enchanting sweet idol is going to intercept you with all her might!
　The look of surprise on his face was infectious to both Naotsugu and Nyanta.
　That's a very good feeling.
"To begin with, it's early October 10th for an ordinary amateur in another dimension to be battling with us in a large scale battle (raid)!　Same playing field?　I'd like to welcome you with open arms. We're Elder Tail adventurers. You've done a lot of raiding, haven't you?　Hikopippippi told me about it.
　Tetra, who was in good shape, threw out his chest or waved his arms to assert his opinion.
　If they want to join us, let them.
　It's just a year or so since the Elder Tail was created, no matter how much of an unknown enemy it is. If you want to participate in a large scale battle (raid), then I will fight you fair and square.

''Hikopippi?''
　Shiroe tilted her head in question.
'It's Kazuhiko-san. The Massive Combat (Raid) Theory of the Tea Party!
Didn't we have one of those?
I don't remember.
　No way!　Tetra was shocked to find that he had thought that this place, the Record Horizon, was the successor to the unbeaten. He must be mistaken. In a well-rehearsed, decisive pose, Tetra said loudly the words of wisdom he had been meaning to say to his friends for some time.
There is no word for defeat in our dictionary, because there is always a way to win! Because it's always on the way to victory!　If we do it until we win, we'll be at the Evergreen Hawaiian Center! I mean....right!
　How's that?" looking around with a big smile, Shiroe, Naotsugu and Nyanta all had a strange, distracted look on their faces, as if they were blank, comforted or tired.
　Eh, eh?　That's a good word, right?
　This is the true spirit of a warrior who takes on the challenge of war, isn't it?　And.
　Kazuhiko has told me many saga stories about the Tea Party of the Prodigal, but none of them are as idle and glorious as this declaration. It's a lesson in warfare, full of a hobbyist's taste for the journey of life, isn't it?　I don't understand why the people who attended the tea ceremony couldn't remember. That's how I felt.
It's not the same thing.
It's just a Kanami-style con job.
I thought it was a great word, and I remembered it!
　The ruthless denial of the people directly involved causes Tora to fall to her knees.
　The magnitude of the shock is unusual, as it was his motto when he took on large-scale battles (raids).

It's a good job Kanami-san is taking casualties when you don't even know her.
You can't be too careful.
　Well, it can't be helped.
　I stood up with a thump on my knee and let my shoulders drop.
　I am used to being depressed.
　Life is full of things that can go wrong and the world is a hardcore stage that doesn't allow for cutting corners. You don't want to fret over your idols.
　You can't falter!　And when I bang up to them, my friends were dumbfounded, but the room was back. An idol is a winner if it makes you smile. A little pleased, Tetra climbed up on Naotsugu and chilled out, squeaking and squealing around him.
''--See, Shiroe-san. It's starting to feel good!
Yeah, maybe.
　The air has softened, and strength is returning to his eyes.
'Like this, Wisdom Conspiracy?　Is this an attempt?　Even the ladies wouldn't be surprised, it's like a black conspiracy of some sort, and it's all coming together like a whirlwind!
You're pretty rude to me, aren't you?
　You can destroy any enemy if you put your mind to it, but my Gilmouth is a pain in the ass, isn't it? Smiling like that, Tetra agreed.
''I still don't have enough information. But you're right. Let's get moving first. Find out who you know as much as you can.''
Yes. Family is important. We have to protect the flock.
We'll have to get out of there and figure out what's going on.


　That's why--.
　Tetra and the rest of the group had crept out into the outdoor zone of Akiba again.
　The situation is not getting any easier, though I'm now at ease.
　This outdoor zone that occupies the entire city of Akiba, the streets, squares and spaces of Akiba, is now a melting pot of monsters. Every alleyway, every ruin is filled with level sixty-five Massive Combat (Raid) Rank Enemies. It is a zone where battles can lead to total annihilation for the tetras whose levels have been lowered.
　In the current Akiba, which has been mutated into an unusual space, this outdoor zone has the most "doors". It is natural that all the doors of all the buildings in Akiba are connected to the outdoor zone. That means that any adventurer in a building, if they are forced to open a door to make a random transition, there is a good chance they will find themselves in this outdoor zone. It also means that if you're aiming to meet up with Akatsuki, the younger group, and the acquaintances from the , it's most convenient to be in this outdoor zone.


''I wonder where Akatsuki-san is?
Chimichu was probably just wandering around late at night.
You sound like an old man who doesn't know better.
　Tetra tried to plunge in like that, but inwardly she was quite worried. The fact that the members of the flock are separated from each other evokes a strong sense of anxiety and obligation in Tetra's mind.
''Besides, there's no younger members of the group... why don't they all come together to adore me?''
'Ah yes, yes, yes,'
　Tetra's mouth is agape as Naotsugu messily gathers her together and pats her on the head.
　Akatsuki does quite well (,).
　It's a good thing that Akatsuki is head and shoulders above the abilities of others in the same level range. When it comes to fighting ability, they are not inferior to Shiroe, Naotsugu and Nyanta. However, when it comes to large-scale combat (raid) experience, it's a different story. It's not that I don't have any experience, but Akatsuki only took part in the Akiba Murderer's Christmas Operation and Sibuya. He is inexperienced in large scale combat (raids). It's doubtful that he can make good decisions in this confusing situation.
　It is even more worrisome for the younger generation. They participated in the Sibuya raid, but the only other experience they may have had was the Safagin operation under the command of Nyanta.　Of course, given their level and age, it is true that they are quite reasonable students. However, in this case, that is also a cause for concern. Their boldness may not always backfire on them.

I guess I'm not allowed to use telepathic communication either.
I wonder if this is a separate server.
　With his weight leaning on Naotsugu, Tetra observed his surroundings. The shoulder armor of the massive metal armor is like a stage, and it's very dependable.
　It was suicidal to go out into the main street because it was too good a prospect.
　Following the gap in the pipes on the back side of the building, the group aims at the steel-framed, cracked ruins overlooking the square. On the ground, it seems that mainly "Grey Dog Demons" (Noor), their soldiers' Enemy, and enemies in the form of large wolves are wandering around. And in the air, bats with rusty chains dangling from their legs are flying around.
　This is a common occurrence in the large-scale combat (raid) zone, but it is a patrol in the air to block the movement aid spell (flight) system of the "magician" (caster).
No. But you did get one piece of information.
What are you talking about?　Mr. Shiroe.
'Yeah. Yeah.
　Naotsugu waved his shield slightly and pointed to the destination, the tallest building in Akiba--the Akiba Guild Hall towered over the city. Against the backdrop of an oddly shaped sky that showed a dull, dingy purple marble, countless bats flew away from the upper floors of that guild hall. They flew around the building two or three times before descending to various parts of the city as if to warn their surroundings.

''I knew that look...''
Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure of it. That's your master right there.
Yes, sir.
　His companions nodded in response to Tetra's question.
　That was both good news and bad news.
　There must be a number of guilds headquartered inside the guild hall. Although he had only grasped the laws of where the doors would be connected to, to the extent of 'skipping one', there was no doubt that it was the 'nearby zone'.
　When this unusual phenomenon occurred, there must have been many 'adventurers' in the inner zone of the guild hall. If they tried to move around unnecessarily - they'd be trying their luck, but there was a chance they'd wander into the upper levels of the guild hall, perhaps the Round Table room.
　Moreover, many of the guilds that rent space in the guild hall are medium-sized. Large guilds have their own private buildings, while smaller guilds rent out rooms in lodges. Many medium-sized guilds with young recruits are based in guild halls, and the Crescent Moon Alliance is just that.
"Serara-san--
　Nyanta's tweet was probably because he came up with it.
　Tetra was about to ask a question to consider rushing in, but at that moment she looked back.

　Hiyah.
　Heeeeee.
　Making a heartbreaking squeal, the two of them came running along the edge of the square, wet with grass and dew. Frightened and confused, I didn't know what to do.
　They are being chased by the Gray Dog Demon (Noor).
　They have no idea what kind of heroes they are, or what kind they are, but they have no dignity or willpower, even tangling their feet. Like a young child lost in a shopping mall where his parents had taken him, he looked shamelessly and unapologetically as he ran, looking heartbreakingly pathetic.
　With their hands outstretched in front of them, Lelia and Ritka, whose tears have dried up, are running with no more than a thin, heartless squeal, killing their screams.
''I'm sorry. That was--yeah.
　I can't abandon you.
　Tetra laughed and threw a throwing kiss at Naotsugu, then wistfully ran out into the square, wishing Shiroe the best. Dodger, idiot or bonkers. Our people are our people. Abandoning them was not the slightest option for Tetra.
　The idol breaks gravity.
　With a sprint that even gave a sense of levitation, Tetra danced into the monster-infested square to defend them.