Golden Experience

“Class 32, all members, activate ‘D2 Ro’!”

“[D2 Ro]!”

The preemptive attack comes from the opponent’s side.

Upon the leader’s command, about four members of the rear mage-type group release what seems to be water-based area-of-effect magic.

While it may not appear that there are 32 classes, it’s likely that each digit in the number has a specific role assigned – for example, tens could indicate a general role, and ones could represent the class number. If such a rule exists, then Class 32 might mean the “second class of the third type of troops”, or something similar.

The activation key for magic is quite intriguing. The fact that they all activate in unison following the leader’s command suggests a unified word decided within the clan.

Players observed so far tend to set individual words for solo play, while party-oriented players often use default words. This is likely because in party battles, it’s necessary to declare intentions to allies. However, by unifying within the clan, they achieve shortened activation keys, secrecy, unity of will, and coordination.

Unlike [Magic Link] of the [Demonic Eyes], which lets one skip activation keywords for casting, skills activated by vocal commands don’t require individual brainwave checks. The player casting the spell doesn’t need to remember which magic their spoken keyword corresponds to. They simply repeat the word obediently following the leader’s instructions. Even without knowing the specific magic, uttering the word with the safety released triggers the pre-set magic.

Changing the keyword doesn’t matter; as long as the leader remembers everything, they can control the magic users like limbs.

No time to be impressed casually. The players have cast targeted area-of-effect magic.

It is designated to encompass both Sugaru and Yoroizaka-san.

“…I said I’d deal with you if you defeat Sugaru.”

This game has no rigid rules. Saying that they won’t attack unless Sugaru is defeated doesn’t hold water. If they’re present, they’re free to attack. Understanding this, they likely attacked with the intention of provoking. It’s a form of taunting.

However, there’s no need to take the bait, especially considering the circumstances.

With four magic attacks, the power can’t be ignored, but Yoroizaka-san has high resistance to water. Even if damage gets through, it would be minimal, and it can probably recover if left alone.

Unfortunately for them, the four magic spells couldn’t break Yoroizaka-san’s resistance. It only ended up wetting the armor.

As for Sugaru, she minimizes damage by flying. However, there seems to be no visible damage even on her. Her feet are just a bit wet.

“Class 31, continue with [B2 Ha]!”

“[B2 Ha]!”

This time, another four players cast lightning-based area-of-effect magic. It appears to be a considerably high-level magic. It’s quite surprising that all members of Class 31 have acquired this.

Magicians, due to their nature, seek versatility within the party, aiming to acquire magic of various attributes. Pouring experience points only into Lightning Magic would hinder the development of other attributes. To reach the same level, they would only be able to acquire one more attribute.

This implies that Class 32 focuses on water and another attribute, while Class 31 concentrates on lightning and another attribute. It’s a build specialized for large-scale clan battles.

If one were to join a regular party in the future, it might be tough depending on the target, but as long as they stay in this clan, there’s no worry about running out of demand.

“Ah, so this was for Water Magic. If they’re wet, it certainly temporarily lowers lightning resistance.”

In addition, Yoroizaka-san, being metallic armor, originally had the lowest lightning resistance among attribute resistances. But not anymore.

Currently, leveraging the lesson from the previous raid in the royal capital, she increased MND, allocated points to INT, unlocked several Branches of [Earth Magic], and obtained [Lightning Resistance].

Even if resistance is slightly penetrated due to wetness, the damage won’t be significant. If these players fought at the raid party level in the royal capital, they would never lose without artifacts.

Based on what I saw of Nameless Elf yesterday, it seems they have also become stronger since then. It’s the same for us.

And the players in front of me are roughly at the same level as that raid party back then. Quantity is their only advantage.

[Lightning Magic] doesn’t seem to have much effect on Sugaru.

In terms of resistance and defense, Sugaru is higher than Yoroizaka. Moreover, only her feet are wet.

Ignoring the attacks, she flies up into the air.

“Class 33, [E2 I]!”

“[E2 I]!”

The players now cast wind-based area-of-effect magic towards the sky.

I’m impressed by the leader’s decision-making.

Currently, Sugaru is airborne. If she got hit by Wind Magic in this state, regardless of damage, a movement inhibiting effect would occur. Failing the resistance check would anchor her in place for a while.

“Teams 11 to 13, defensive formation! Protect the 30-series!”

Furthermore, the leader issues instructions without seeing the results of the Wind Magic.

Sugaru naturally succeeds in resisting the movement inhibition check, but when she attempts to attack, the opponent’s defense barely manages to keep up.

Nevertheless, without concern for that, Sugaru approaches the enemy tank group with a rapid descent. With three hands ready to launch a direct attack on the front line, at the moment of attack, she sprays threads from all hands, capturing several frontline players.

Since the enemy tanks were focused on defense, they couldn’t react to cutting or dealing with the threads.

Dragging the unfortunate tank class players entangled in the threads, Sugaru then initiates a rapid ascent.

It happened in an instant.

No one could react to it.

While no one saw it, even Rare had her mouth half-open, seemingly fascinated within Yoroizaka-san.

Getting to a height of about 30 meters at a high speed, Sugaru threw them upwards with the same momentum.

“…I feel like I’ve seen something similar before. Was it in Erfahren?”

Sugaru didn’t participate in that battle, but all the bees were Sugaru’s Subordinates. She probably observed through the bees.

“…Wait, what is this…? Uh, how do we deal with this? I’ve never taken fall damage before…? What kind of resistance reduces fall damage…?”

The enemy leader is also confused. He seems to have been lucky not to get caught but is looking up in a dazed manner.

However, Sugaru doesn’t wait.

She descends again from above and casts an area-of-effect magic from the edge of range.

Unlike skill attacks such as the artillery ants’ bombardment, magic, being propelled by mysterious energy, does not have differences in range due to altitude.

Therefore, if it can reach from above, it means it can also reach from below.

However, unlike Sugaru, who can move further up, players on the ground can’t escape further down.

Sugaru was the one in complete control of the distance of the combat on both sides.

“…It seems like she likes a one-sided beating strategy, but whose influence is this?”

With skilled use of a bow, one can reach much farther than the range of magic. Even considering differences in elevation.

If there were archers in the opponent’s group, the situation might have unfolded differently, but it seems there are none in this raid.

While bows are excellent for attack, they come with costs and are not very effective for crowd control. Unlike versatile magic, they are easy to counter. The basic build is to extend them in combination with other skills such as scouting.

In the grasslands, scouting skills are not particularly necessary, and if they strategized for this raid thinking of the calamity as their main target, perhaps it wouldn’t be so surprising to leave out a party with archers.

The shot that once delivered the finishing blow to Rare was a single arrow from a bow, but it is understood that it was a result of various overlapping conditions. Without any ingenuity, it could easily be blocked like the first arrow in the royal capital.

This clan seems to have chosen to focus on thickening the layer of magic users rather than using bows ingeniously this time.

“It’s quite difficult to remove Yoroizaka-san’s armor or Sugaru’s exoskeleton with arrows alone, and the cost of a single arrow seems high. Well, normally you wouldn’t do that.”

No player is currently paying attention to Rare. There’s probably no room for considering tactics such as area-of-effect attacks or provocation.

Mage-types with low LP are decreasing one after another.

Tanks are holding up shields to protect, but not everything can be defended with a shield. It’s like adding water to ashes.

Players who seem to be close-quarters physical attackers are turning into light without being able to do anything. I feel a bit sorry for them.

The power of Sugaru’s magic is high, roughly equivalent to what Rare’s power was back during the royal capital battle. Tanks that can’t be wiped out in a single blow have considerable endurance. It’s probably due to their equipment.

Once players other than the tanks are mostly dealt with using area-of-effect magic, Sugaru lowers her altitude and sprays threads again.

“Don’t block with shields! Cut them with your swords! If you get caught, you’ll be taken away!”

The player thrown earlier seems to have fallen somewhere far away. Seeing that he doesn’t come back, it seems he’s beyond recovery.

Players are cutting the threads with swords, trying to avoid getting caught. It’s challenging because they are performing this within the crowded players. Swinging the sword too vigorously might accidentally cut the adjacent player.

However, they can’t disperse recklessly to avoid the acid since there’s a need to protect the surviving attackers and magicians.

The magician, even though Sugaru is within range, is unable to concentrate on attacking, desperately protecting himself from the threads.

“Gwah! What’s this!?”

“Liquid!? Acid!?”

This seemed to be Sugaru’s aim.

Occasionally, she sprayed acid mixed with the threads. I thought she was emitting it from her mouth, but it seems to come from a similar place as the threads.

Unlike threads, even if you cut the acid with a sword, it just scatters. Some players were unlucky enough to get splashed in the eyes, and their eyes have become a target for part destruction judgment, putting them in a state of darkness. It should be until it’s repaired with a dedicated skill like [Healing]. Using the corresponding recovery item is also possible, but it won’t heal with a regular potion.

The effect doesn’t seem to melt the metal armor or shield that tanks wear, but the leather parts of the surviving close-quarters attacker’s equipment are damaged. Even though they wear a composite armor combined with metal plates, if the leather part becomes tattered, the armor won’t serve its purpose. Only the metal plates drop to the ground.

However, if they use a shield to guard against the acid, they will be sprayed with threads. Unlike before, Sugaru doesn’t immediately lift them, hindering the overall actions of the surrounding players like a chain of beads.

Players no longer attempt to attack Sugaru.

Struggling to escape from threads and acid, they can only flounder. There is no one capable of taking any decent tactical action.

“I guess it’s over…”

If they could really defeat Sugaru, I intended to engage with them, but it seems it was impossible for that to happen.

After several area-of-effect spells were cast on the group of players, now mostly immobilized, the players turned into light and disappeared. Only the leader remained until the end, but he was pierced by the Lightning Magic cast by Sugaru and disappeared as well.