Chapter 24: Defense Specialized and Underground Exploration

The two were walking one step at a time, and cautiously went lower and lower.

The voice was getting louder and louder. Kaede was in front to prepare for a surprise attack while going down the stairs, then saw a door ahead.

Kaede placed her hand on the door knob.

it isnt locked. Im going to open it

Okay. Yosh, come!

Kaede made a stance with her large shield while opening the door. Because the door was opened, the voice could be heard clearer.

It hurtsit hurtsahhhah

Kaede showed her face from the large shield, and peeked inside.

Inside the room, was a candle melted to half placed in the middle of the ground.

And what it shimmers was, a bloody man that was tied to a chair.

He doesnt seem to have hostility? But he isnt a player either

Following Kaede, Risa carefully showed her face from Kaedes back. And she scowled with his painful appearance.

What should we do?

n hes saying that it hurts, so I want to cure him

I haveHealthough? You want me to try?

Un please!

Their plan was decided and Risa usedHeal.

A kind light enveloped the man, and his wounds healed a little bit. It was still too far away from a complete cure.

One more time!Heal!

Risa, while checking how the healing of the wounds, usedHealrepeatedly.

After using the two MP Potion that she brought, the mans wounds finally healed completely.

The two made a very content smile.

Thankyou

The man with his wounds healed smiled pleasantly, and slowly, his body changed into a white light, gradually dissipates, and finally disappeared.

Did he went to heavenit means?

Isnt that the case? Probably, he isnt living at all at the first place, thoughn?

Risa saw that there was something left in the chair that the man was sitting on. Inside this dark dim room, it was receiving light from the candle, and shines faintly.

Risa picked that up.

This isa ring?

Oh! I wonder if its that mans thanks?

Risa checked the specs of that deep black ring.

Ring of Life

HP100

n probably the upgraded version of Maples Toughness Ring? The requirements to get it was simple so there wouldnt be that great of an equipment huh

After saying that, Risa gave the ring to Kaede.

Maple should get it. Theres nothing much for me increasing my HP

Eh!but, is it okay? It might be an event-only item you know?

If you really, dont like to have it for free, then Ill put it on your tab. Maple would also probably get equipments that you dont need too, so, if youre like it that way

I got it! At that time, Ill give it to Sally then! then, lets equip this thankfully, there

With this, Kaedes HP from 100, became double, 200.

It had finally become a reliable count, it could be said.

At the same time, her accessories slot was full, so it would be going to be hard to increase her HP from now on.

Then, lets go to sleep again

The event in this forest, I wonder if its only this?

n I wonder? There might be at least another one, but the time period probably has something to do with it. This also, it seems like its an event that appeared at 12

Other than that, the time of appearance of the ghosts is most probably also was because of the time period of the event, so, they had the conclusion that they needed to explore around here for a few days to have a proper result.

Then, the plan tomorrow is to get through this forest

Un, lets do that

For Risa, this forest was not a place that she wanted to stay for a long time.

When the two came out of the underground, they returned the furniture to its original position, and when to their first plan of sleeping alternately.

Then, good night, Maple

Good night! Ill keep a tight watch so sleep without worries!

Fufu thanks

And just like that, while alternating the lookout, the night had passed.

The second day.

Yosh, lets also do our best today!

Oo!

After the two ate a light breakfast, they moved ahead from the deserted house towards outside the forest.

To decrease the time spent, it was the usual style of Risa carrying Kaede.

From time to time, Risa climbs a tree and checks the direction of the mountainous area, and running just like that for an hour.

They finally saw the end of the forest.

Yosh! We got through!

n! Its been a while where its bright, so its blinding

Kaede re-equipped and stretched,

In front of them, barren lands with only a few grass growing spread ahead. And that continuous up to the mountainous areas.

This change of environment, if its not a game, its impossible right

Not knowing of what scenery comes next is really exciting right!

The two chatted while advancing through the barren lands. It was a terrain that was easy to know if there was a monster getting closer, so it was easy to scout.

That is why, they were able to see the silhouette that was most probably players from far away.

Maple. Theres someone

Which equipment should I use? Is it better to haveAkujiki?

I think that you shouldnt useAkujikiyet, if it was a battle in an instant its better to charge usingCover Move other than that

Risa told Kaede with a small voice the other tactic.

I understood

The two advanced while strengthening their cautiousness. Since Kaede was 3rd in the last event, most of the players should know her face.

With some people, there is the possibility that they would attack to steal the medal.

And after advancing just like that, their side had also noticed of the two, stopped and started to discuss.

And without holding their weapons, the three moved towards the two.

All of the three players were male, and they were a sided party with a large sword, short sword, and one-handed sword.

When they reached the distance where their voices could be heard, the three of them started to talk.

I cant believe it, when I thought that its the first time to see a person I didnt think that it would be a ranker from last time

I was really terrified we dont have the will to fight so please let us go!

Were just going to climb mountains from now so we dont want to waste skills

I see. Were also just about to climb mountains. Im sure that theres something in that mountain

With what Kaede said, it looks like the three had the same opinion, and asked if they could come with along.

What do you think, Sally?

isnt it alright?

Just like this, the five of them advanced towards the mountain.

Then, Ill go in front so Maple should stand in from of the three, just like protecting them

Okay! Ill protect you whatever monster would come!

Kaede made a strong post with her large shield.

You look really reliable

Really true

Behind them, they started to walk while hearing the three whispering with themselves.

On the way, they encountered monsters for a few times, but without Maple needing to protect, Risa defeated it.

And, their already near their destination.

Yosh, lets do our best a little more!

Kaede made a big stretch.

In that instant.

Attack now!Amor Crush!

Defense Break!

Ignoring Blade!

The three who was behind Kaede attacked at once.

Defense ignoring skills, loomed to Kaede.

As if they were checking for a chance for Kaede, their combination was really smooth.

It can be said that there was no better surprise attack than that.

Cover Move!

But, their deadly blades would not reach Kaede.

The other tactic that Risa told, was for Kaede show the three people who went with them a chance purposely, and to show what the three people really wanted.

Risa had guessed that there was a high possibility that they were going to attack if they asked for accompaniment.

As long as Risa was nearby, Kaede had the fastest way to dodge.

She didnt say that she was sure that it would be safe, but Kaede agreed to Risas suggestion.

And she was being careful of the three.

The men didnt notice that Kaede and Risa were observing them.

They were to focused on aiming for their prey, so their head couldnt turn enough to think that they might be also aimed at.

What!?

The men were surprised that their surprise attack ended with a failure, and stopped at their feet.

They had probably an absolute confidence.

Hydra(Poison Dragon)!

The Poison Dragon that was released as a counterattack devoured the three without mercy, and their HPs had been scraped off.

To think that theyre really going to attack

Well, theres a reason for Maple to be targeted, so its good that we had caution right?

Its because I was able to activateCover Moveimmediately! If I didnt have that, it mightve been