Published at 27th of July 2022 11:37:17 AM

638 Miias Secret

I look out past the branches of the giant trees. to the entrance of the sky-piercing tower. The guardian of the tower, the hecatoncheir, has already come into view.

Its a giant headless statue, about ten metres tall and with around thirty arms.

This will be different from the last time I fought it. My level has risen fromLv: 128/150toLv: 139/150. Ten levels makes a large difference for a Legendary. Moreover, even just a little more attack power should let me bypass its defence a lot more reliably.

Last time, treant wasLv: 69/130, and Aro was Lv: 72/130. But now both have passed level 100. Before, Aro would have just barely been able to scrape a little damage if she attacked with all her might, but now she can reliably damage it. Treants HP and defence has surpassed my own. He should now be able to take around seven successive hits from the hecatoncheir, without even using healing or support magic.

And, most importantly, Miia will be helping us. A maximum level Legendary is far from insignificant. If I were to fight poorlyno, even if I fight well, shell probably out damage me. Shes a great divine skill holder senpai.

Treant, can we count on you to take the hits in your normal form?

Yes, leave it to me! Its finally time for me to show my strength!

Treant puts his wings on his waist and thrusts out his chest That reminds me, he really never has been given the role of a tank in our fights up to now. Up until now, its always been preferable for me to take most of the hits.

While the hecatoncheirs attacking him, we should have opportunities to attack back. Our four-vs-one advantage should help a lot that respect.

While taking the attacks, I should use my [Death God Seed] to full effect, and use [Wood Counter] to hit back whenever I see an opportunity!

Treant declares proudly. All of a sudden, he seems incredibly reassuring. In the first place, the hecatoncheir will force a protracted battle. His [Death God Seed] is a powerful counter.

His stats also seem to fit in well against the hecatoncheirs lopsided stats. Hell have a major role to play this time for sure.

I think its better if you dont try to use your physical counter. That giant statue cant hurt itself. Rather than attacking, its specialised entirely on enduring. Its attack is probably higher than yours, but countering its attacks still wont do much.

Miia points out, causing treants shoulders slump down.

T-thats right

Once youve applied your [Death God Seeds], all you need to do is focus entirely on enduring. From what Ive heard, your [Death God Seed] is the best possible skill for defeating the hecatoncheir.

Right

Because of the hecatoncheirs lopsided stats, his counter attacks wont work at all, so hes relegated entirely to being a meat shield. Well, a wood shield.

I had thought the fighting style he was longing for was one of tanking all the attacks in order to protect his friends But lately, it instead seems like he wants a more active damage-dealing role, like Aro. It seems he thought hed be able to fulfil both roles this time, and so his feelings are a little mixed.

Aro, its probably better if you dont use your clones this time. Its inevitable that the fight will last a long time. Its impossible for us to make it short.

Yes! I understand.

Aros [Darkness Kaleidoscope] is a powerful skill. She can multiply her number of attacks. But, the mana cost is accordingly severe. Against the hecatoncheir, its crucial to not waste any mana.

Aros clone are made of solid mana. If shes unable to recover them, she loses a huge amount of mana all at once. If she gets attacked, it would be a massive disadvantage. So rather than raising her rate of fire, its much more important to make sure each of her attacks land, even if it takes three times as long.

What will you do, Miia?

Id like to fight in this form. Its probably worse for earning damage, but theres a problem with my other form.

A problem?

Im not suited for fighting alongside others in that form. My attacks are very crude, and would probably hurt you too. If were struggling to push the hecatoncheir over the edge at the end, one option would be for you three to fall back while I fight it solo.

S-sure, I see.

The image of Miia, turned giant and rampaging indiscriminately like the ruin, passes through my mind. I dont want to think shell be that bad at identifying friend from foe, but it might be something similar.

Thats not all But, theres no point talking about it at this point I guess.

Miia mumbles, as though speaking without thinking.

Is there something youre keeping quiet about? If you dont say, its just going to weigh on us

Ah, sorry. Its better better to talk about once this problem is dealt with. Once weve defeated the hecatoncheir, checked out the tower, and escaped outside Well talk then.

Fine, well speak later.

I think its probably something to do with her species. There might be some major problem with being a thanatos. When I looked at her status, it seemed unsettling somehow.

Miia looks at the distant hecatoncheir.

It feels like its been a long time since Ive seen it. Well, I suppose thats true since I was in the [Frozen Dark Prison].

Inside the origin matters [Frozen Dark Prison], she didnt feel the passage of time. Thats probably what shes referring to.

It feels strange. For hundreds of years, youve just stood there. Change can sometimes be cruel, but stagnation is far more distorted.

Miia says, sounding somewhat lonely, and draws the [Black Fly Greatsword] from her back.

Lets end this. That child must be tired too.

Yes, lets.