Chapter 114 Power Game (part three)

(Hannes PoV)

Is it ready, everyone? I asked my party members as we were killing the monsters attacking the capital of the Empire To think that woman is crazy enough to attack this city with such an absurd amount of monsters Shes crazy.

Im about to reach the kill threshold! Ryne replied as he killed another monster.

Im at the threshold already! Said Myra as she helped a child reunite with their parents.

Alright, this should be enough. I told them.

Were going to the castle then? Kellin asked me while grinning. I checked my own status one more time and nodded.

Youre going to help out every NPC on the way, arent you? Eleanor said with a sigh.

Well, thats just like Hannes. Cherry commented.

Oh, come on I replied. I mean, the NPCs live just like normal humans do Isnt it normal to want to help them? Besides, In those conditions, isnt it natural to want to save the capital? Even if our original plan was to attack it?

Eleanor nodded while heaving another sigh, I suppose thats true. After all, the only thing that could be better than beating Rena, would be to beat her while also crushing all of her plans!

Then lets go! I shouted and we charged towards the castle. The number of soldiers was clearly way too small for what a capital should have Just how much destruction did she already cause? We have to get rid of as many monsters as possible on the way there!

That said, it was a bit frustrating to compare my progress with the rest of the group Ryne and Kellin have much higher AGI, so they kill monsters much quicker; Eleanor has an unmatched firepower; and Myra can kill aerial monsters far faster than anybody else Even though my STR is pretty high and lets me kill monsters with only a few blows, the only one whose kill count I can beat is Cherry, our support who is more focused on saving NPCs than actually killing monsters

Thank you for the help! A child told me as I killed a monster near her.

Oh, please evacuate quickly, its dangerous here. I told her.

Alright, mister? She seemed to be asking me something, but we needed to be quick, so I already hurried up to the next monster. Even if we already reached the threshold, its better to raise the number as high as possible after all And this also helps cleaning up the city from those monsters that Rena brought, so we definitely cant stop.

By the way, do you think you can win? Kellin asked me.

Well Im not confident I can beat her without this kind of irregularity, but I think theres a real chance now! We leveled plenty and we have our own trump card now, it should definitely be enough! And if not Then well just challenge her again!

But really, how many monsters did she even bring here? Cherry commented in disbelief as she saved another NPC.

Its quite absurd I replied.

I guess she used some sort of monster lure? Eleanor commented.

It wouldnt be surprising if she could make something like that. Ryne replied.

Hurry up, the imperial soldiers might close the gate if we take too long! Kellin shouted.

I used <Earths Rhythm> to make a slam on the ground that knocked off a bunch of monsters that were in the way at once, then continued rushing forward.

An apostle! A woman shouted!

Who? I asked back.

Thats you, Hannes. Myra commented with a giggle Some other NPCs seemed to also be talking about things like apostle and angel while looking at me Is this because of the Karma?

Its a bother if they get close to me while were clearing monsters though, so I used <Divine Soil> to keep the monsters away from us. It will get in the way of increasing the kill count, but its fine as were saving more people like this.

Nonetheless, I told them, Please evacuate quickly, its safer this way!

Thank you! A man said.

Ill be sure to remember this favor. A woman said.

Good luck, uncle! A child shouted So embarrassing. My friends were laughing at me even Why am I the only one embarrassed when Cherry is being called Saintess!? I shouldnt be the only target of mockery!

Dont compare yourself to Cherry. Myra said, as if reading my mind.

Damn it! Was all I could say as a reply We were near the castle though, so it was no time to worry about this kind of thing.

There seems to be a rough battle going on over there. Ryne commented while looking at the castle It seemed to be on the verge of crumbling, and some people that looked like they were captains or generals of the army were running in fear from it.

It has to be her I said.

Time for the boss battle! Myra shouted.

Well, she was recognized as an official raid boss. Eleanor commented.

Shes really amazing. Kellin said.

Shes certainly quite famous. Cherry added.

Its only natural for her to be recognized after all this, I suppose. Ryne said And he is right, I mean, she even got her name on an Epic Quest! We have to knock her down this time around! We wont lose!

Shes still just a player in the end, thats no raid boss, and theres no reason for us, or any other player, to be unable to beat her! I told them all, Lets do this! Well activate the skills we have prepared while we were saving the city. Everyone gathered around in a circle to start it.

<Guardian>! Ryne and Eleanor said while putting both of their hands in the middle. Our skill that increases our AGI and VIT for each monster we have killed during a certain period of time.

<Loveliness>! Myra and Cherry said while putting their hands in the middle too. Our skill that buffs us based on the number of people we have helped in a certain period of time. It increases our max HP, the recovery we receive from skills, and also gives a built-in HP recovery effect.

Youre gonna kill me, Hannes, do I really need to say it? Kellin seemed to be annoyed, but

Of course, hurry up! I told him while putting my hand in the middle. He begrudgingly did the same.

<Hero>! We said in unison while raising our hands all together.

Prepare yourself, Rena.