第四十一話 四つの剣
俺はパッチワークと刃をぶつけ合う。
だが、力では圧倒的に相手に分があるため、かなり圧され気味であった。
パッチワークはただでさえ巨体故のリーチがある上に、腕が三本もある。
おまけに下手に攻めれば、即座に飛んでくる〈デスソード〉の餌食にされる。
攻撃を往なし続けるのが限界だった。
パッチワークはステータスも恵まれているが、この三本の腕と〈デスソード〉が凶悪すぎる。
本当にレベル以上に厄介な相手だ。
つくづくまともに相手をしていい魔物ではないと痛感する。
「ルーチェ! 常に相手の右側に入り込むように動け! 三本目の腕が左側についているから、左に入ったら猛攻を受けることになる! 正面も危険だ! 常に一メートル以上の距離を保って、同じ位置に一秒以上留まるな! 魔法の刃の追撃を避けきれなくなる! 自分から仕掛けずに防御と回避に徹して、攻撃はケルトとメアベルに任せろ! もし魔法陣の光が見えたら〈デスソード〉が来る! 正確に躱すのは難しいからとにかく距離を取れ!」
俺はパッチワークと斬り合いながら、大声でルーチェへと指示を出す。
パッチワーク相手に無策で攻めるのはかなり厳しい。
連撃を避け損ねた後に〈デスソード〉の直撃を受ければ、ルーチェのHPではまず耐えられない。
攻撃は捨てて回避に専念すべきだ。
ルーチェが自分から仕掛けていいのは、パッチワークの攻撃対象がケルトかメアベルに向いて相手の背中を取れたときだけだ。
「なるべく壁近くで〈曲芸歩術〉を駆使しろ! 壁の近くだとパッチワークも剣を思うように振り回せないから、斬撃を受けてもダメージを抑えられる! メアベルの白魔法でカバーが利くはずだ!」
「は、はい! アタシ、とにかく全力でやってみます!」
さすがのケルトも、見捨てて逃げようとした上で助けられた手前、今は逃げずに加勢してくれているようだった。
跳び回りながら矢を放ち、パッチワークの意識がルーチェに向きすぎないようにしてくれている。
メアベルはルーチェの回復を第一に動きながら、余裕ができれば〈アイス〉の魔法スキルで攻撃している。
かなり時間の掛かりそうな戦い方だが、あれでいい。
パッチワークが恐れられているのは、高ステータスからの三本の腕による連撃と、大ダメージ技の〈デスソード〉を持っているからだ。
だが、その反面、足は遅いし、遠距離攻撃のスキルは持っていない。
パッチワークは、逃げに徹する相手を追い詰める能力は低いのだ。
パッチワークを相手取る際には、とにかく丁寧に戦って、パーティーメンバーの事故死を避けるのが重要だ。
問題は俺の方だった。
パッチワークの気を逸らしてくれる仲間もいないし、重騎士は足が遅いため逃げ回ることもできない。
常に距離を取ったり、相手の右側を維持する余裕もない。
正面からパッチワークの連撃を往なし続けるしかない。
「しかし......これはなかなか神経を使うな」
パッチワークが〈デスソード〉を持っているという事実が大きい。
〈デスソード〉が発動した際に対応できない位置へ動くわけにはいかないので、こちらの行動が大幅に制限される。
パッチワークはこっちが攻められないでいるのをいいことに、どんどん攻撃の激しさが増してきている。
俺のステータスでも〈ミスリルの剣〉であればそれなりのダメージは通る。
パッチワークの方がレベルが高いため〈番狂わせ〉による攻撃力上昇効果もある。
ここで一撃小突いて、相手の勢いを落としておきたい。
一方的な攻撃に出られているのは苦しいが、それだけ相手の守りが疎かになっているということでもある。
必ずどこかに隙は出てくる。
「〈パリィ〉!」
俺はパッチワークの剣を弾き、もう一本の腕が振り下ろしていた別の刃の軌道を防ぐ。
相手の動きに迷いが生じた隙に右側へと跳び、剣を振るった。
パッチワークの腐肉が抉れ、黒い体液が舞う。
続けて二振り目を振るったとき、視界に光が入った。
即座に俺は背後へ跳び、盾を構える。
〈デスソード〉の紫の光が盾に当たり、衝撃で俺は弾き飛ばされた。
「うぐっ!」
盾で防ぎきれなかったダメージが入ってくる。
〈デスソード〉は発動が速く、術者の体勢に関係なく狙った位置に刃を走らせられるため、防御としての性能も高い。
体勢を崩した俺へと、パッチワークが突進してくる。
俺にダメージが入ったのを見て、勝利を確信して一気に畳み掛けに来ているようだ。
だが、勝ちを確信したのは俺もまた同じことだった。
パッチワークを倒す条件は順調に積み上がっている。
「あまり時間を掛けていられる余裕もないんでな」
俺は向かってくるパッチワークを正面から迎え撃つ。
ひと振り目の剣を弾き、ふた振り目の剣を〈パリィ〉で受け流す。
三振り目の剣は横へと跳んで躱した。
そこで俺は、ぐっと立ち止まった。
隙を見せた俺に対し、パッチワークは素早く〈デスソード〉を放つ。
紫の光の刃が俺に迫る。
盾で防いだが、衝撃を殺し切れずに身体にダメージが走る。
俺はついに耐え切れず、盾を手放してしまった。
〈狂鬼の盾〉が床を転がっていく。
「......これでようやく、完全に条件が整った」
パッチワークを倒すために、必要な条件がいくつかあった。
一つ目は〈死線の暴竜〉のためにHPを調整すること......そしてもう一つが、パッチワークのHPを減らしつつ、MPを使い切らせることである。
〈デスソード〉は強力なスキルである。
発動までの時間が極端に短く、威力も恐ろしく高い。
パッチワークの腕の数と合わさり、一対一で正攻法で隙を突くのは不可能に近い。
ただ、その分、もちろんちゃんと弱点がある。
魔物:パッチワーク
Lv :67
〈デスソード〉はMPの消耗量が【18】なのだ。
パッチワークのMPはそう高くないため、三回までしか使えない。
このためにわざわざ俺は適度に隙を見せ、〈デスソード〉を使わせつつHP管理を行ったのだ。
加えてパッチワークは、HPを三分の一以下に減れば、攻撃的な性質が薄れ、堅実的な戦い方へと切り替えてくる。
そうなれば長期戦を強いられる。
パッチワークのHPを〈死線の暴竜〉で一気に倒せる範囲に調整しつつ、〈デスソード〉の発動に必要なMPを使い切らせる。
俺が一人でパッチワークを突破するために必要な手順であった。
「〈ライフシールド〉!」
俺の生命力が光の壁となり、俺の全身を覆っていく。
〈ライフシールド〉【通常スキル】
HPを最大値の20%支払って発動する。
支払ったHPと同じ耐久値を持つシールドで全身を覆う。
そしてこれによって、もう一つのスキルが発動する。
〈死線の暴竜〉【特性スキル】
残りHPが20%以下の場合、攻撃力・素早さを100%上昇させる。
赤の光が、俺の身体を覆っていく。
力が漲ってくる。
「決着を付けるぞ!」
地面を蹴って素早く駆ける。
今のパッチワークのHPであれば、二回攻撃を当てれば倒し切れる。
俺の剣と、パッチワークの剣がぶつかる。
だが、動きは今や、俺の方が速い。
力負けもしない。
俺は三本の剣を捌き切った。
パッチワークの身体が強張る。
頭部がないため表情はわからないが、動きの変わった俺に気圧されているのが伝わった。
「今のお前に、四本目の剣はないぞ!」
横ざまに刃の一閃が駆ける。
パッチワークの胸部が抉れ、黒い体液が噴き出す。
俺は即座に、パッチワークの右へと駆ける。
パッチワークは、すぐさま俺を追って強引に剣を振るう。
俺は避けずに、敢えて足を止めてそれを受け止めた。
〈ライフシールド〉が砕け散り、その衝撃で俺は飛ばされる。
その先はパッチワークの背後であった。
あの体勢から無理に俺を斬ろうとすれば、この角度になるのはわかっていた。
〈ライフシールド〉を捨てずに堅実に隙を探る手もあったが、それよりも今は時間が惜しかった。
「これで終わりだ!」
赤い輝きを放つ剣を振るう。
パッチワークの手から三つの剣が離れ、ついに巨体が膝を突いた。
【経験値を4349取得しました。】
【レベルが64から66へと上がりました。】
【スキルポイントを2取得しました。】
厄介な魔物ではあったが、どうにか一人で突破できた。
Volume 2 - Ch 41
The Patchwork and I kept struggling, our blades locked with each other.
However, since my opponent had an overwhelming advantage in strength, I was constantly on the backfoot.
The Patchwork not only has a long reach due to its large body, but it has three arms too.
Also, if I recklessly tried to go on the attack, I would immediately fall victim to a [Death Sword] coming my way.
It took all I had to keep fending off its attacks.
The Patchwork is blessed with high stats, but it's the three arms and the [Death Sword] that makes it truly frightening.
It's definitely an opponent that's more dangerous than its level would suggest.
Our fight so far makes me keenly aware that it's not an opponent I can handle in a straight fight for too long.
"Luce! Try to keep on its right side! Its third arm is on its left side, so if you try to approach it from that way, you will get hit by a barrage! The front is just as dangerous! Keep at least a meter away from it and don't stay in one place for more than a second! You won't be able to dodge its magic sword otherwise! Don't attack, keep your focus on defending and dodging, and let Celt and Mabel handle the offense! If you see the light of a magic circle, that means a [Death Sword] is coming! It's very hard to accurately dodge it, so just get away as far as you can!"
I gave directions by shouting to Luce while I was crossing swords with my Patchwork.
It's very difficult to fight against a Patchwork without a concrete plan.
If she gets hit by the [Death Sword] after missing with her own barrage Skill, Luce's HP would not be able to endure it.
It's better if she gives up on attacking and focuses on evasion instead.
The only time she should try to attack it in the back is when the Patchwork's attention shifts to Celt or Mabel.
"Make as much use as you can of your [Acrobatic Steps] near the walls! The Patchwork can't use its sword as freely that close to the walls, so even if you get hit, you will be able to survive the damage! Mabel should be able to cover for you with her white magic that way!"
"Y-yes! I'll do my best!"
Even Celt is cooperating without trying to escape, especially because he was just saved after trying to abandon us to our fates.
He is dashing around while shooting arrows at the Patchwork, doing his best to keep it from focusing entirely on Luce.
Mabel was acting with healing Luce as her first priority, then whenever she had time, she kept attacking with her [Ice] magic Skill.
The way they were fighting, it was obvious the fight will take quite a bit of time, but that's fine.
The reason why the Patchwork is feared is due to its high stats, the continuous attacks it can deliver with its three arms, and the highly damaging [Death Sword] Skill it has.
However, in exchange it's slow and doesn't have any ways of attacking at range.
The Patchwork's ability to corner opponents who focus on running away is low.
When fighting against a Patchwork, the most important things to focus on are fighting carefully, and trying to prevent your party members from suffering an accidental death.
The problem is on my end instead.
I have no teammates to divert the Patchwork's attention, nor can I run around fast enough due to the Heavy Knight's slow movement speed.
I don't have enough leeway to keep myself far enough and on its right side at all times either.
I can only try to fend off the Patchwork's continuous attack straight on.
"But....this is really nerve wracking."
The fact that the Patchwork has the [Death Sword] in reserve is very important.
Since I can't move into places where I wouldn't be able to deal with the [Death Sword] if activated, my range of movements are greatly restricted.
Taking advantage of the fact that I can't attack it, the Patchwork keeps intensifying its assault.
Even with my stats, the Mythril Sword allows some damage to go through.
Since it's also higher level than me, my <Unexpected Upset>  Title's Attack boosting effect also comes into play.
I want to poke it once to decrease its momentum.
Although it's tough having to deal with its continuous attacks, it also means that its defense becomes relatively lax in turn.
A chance to capitalize on a gap in its defense will undoubtedly come up.
"[Parry]!"
I parried the Patchwork's sword, then avoided the trajectory of the blade swung by its second arm.
Using my opponent's momentary hesitation, I charged forward into its right side and swung my sword.
A large gash opened up on the rotten meat of the Patchwork, spilling out some kind of black liquid.
As I swung my sword the second time, a source of light intruded in my field of view.
I immediately jumped backwards and brought my shield up in defense.
The purplish light of the [Death Sword] impacted my shield, sending me flying with its force.
"Ughh!"
I suffered some damage I couldn't defend against with my shield.
The [Death Sword]'s activation is fast and can target anywhere regardless of the user's posture, making it an excellent defense as well.
With my balance thoroughly disrupted, the Patchwork charged at me.
It seems it noticed me taking damage, so being confident in its victory, it intends to capitalize on it by keeping up the pressure.
However, I also became confident in my victory.
The requirements for defeating the Patchwork were steadily being filled.
"I can't really spend too much time on this either."
I engaged the incoming Patchwork straight on.
I blocked the first slash with my sword and I [Parry] the second.
The third one I dodged by jumping to the side.
Then, I stood still.
The Patchwork sent out a [Death Sword] at me because of the perceived weak point it saw.
A blade made of purplish light closed in on me.
I blocked it with my shield, but I couldn't defend against it entirely, causing me some damage.
I couldn't handle it anymore and let go of my shield.
My Mad Demon Shield rolled on the floor.
"....with this, all requirements have been finally met."
For me to defeat the Patchwork, a few conditions were needed to be fulfilled.
The first one was to manage my HP, so that I could activate [Half-Dead Savage Dragon]....and the other was to chip down the Patchwork's HP while making it use up its MP.
The [Death Sword] is a powerful Skill.
Its activation time is extremely short and it's terrifyingly strong too.
With its three arms also in the picture, it's basically impossible to find an opening in a one-on-one fight with a frontal attack.
However, there are obviously some disadvantages to it in exchange.
Monster: Patchwork
Level: 67
The [Death Sword] takes [(18)]  MP to activate.
With the Patchwork not having that much MP, it can only use it three times at most.
That's the reason why I deliberately showed it some openings; to manage my HP and make it use up its [Death Sword] shots.
Furthermore, once a Patchwork falls below one third of its max HP, it mostly gives up on attacking and shifts to a more defense centric fighting style.
If that happens, it turns the fight into a drawn-out slog.
I needed to take down its HP to a level where I could defeat it in one go with the help of [Half-Dead Savage Dragon], and make it use up the MP it needs to activate [Death Sword].
This was the sequence of events that needed to happen for me to be able to defeat the Patchwork.
"[Life Shield]!"
My life force manifested and covered my body with a radiant defensive membrane.
<Life Shield> [(Normal Skill)] 
It takes 20% of your maximum HP to activate.
A shield with the same durability as the HP deducted covers the entire body.
And with that, I can activate another one of my Skills.
<Half-Dead Savage Dragon> [(Special Skill)] 
When the user's HP is less than 20%, Attack and Agility is increased by 100%.
Red light started covering my body.
I could feel the power welling up inside me.
"I will put an end to this!"
I kicked the floor and charged in.
With the Patchwork's current HP, I will be able to defeat it in two hits.
Our swords collided.
However, my movements were faster now.
I didn't lose out in terms of strength anymore either.
I was able to fend off all three swords.
The Patchwork's body stiffened.
With it lacking a head, I couldn't tell by its expression, but it seemed to be overwhelmed by the change in my movements.
"You don't have a fourth sword at the ready now!"
A blade flashed out sideways.
A large gash appeared on the torso of the Patchwork, spilling out a black sludge.
I immediately dashed to the right of the Patchwork.
It tried to pursue me right away, swinging its swords towards me.
I did not dodge, but deliberately stopped running and blocked it.
My [Life Shield] broke, the impact sending me flying.
Where I landed was right behind the Patchwork.
I knew that if it tried to hit me from that angle, then this is where I would end up.
There were other possible ways of finding an opening without using up my [Life Shield], but time was the most important right now.
"This is the end!"
I swung my sword that was covered in a red light.
The three swords slipped from the Patchwork's fingers, and its large body ended up on its knees to the floor.
[(You have gained 4349 experience points.)] 
[(Your level has increased from 64 to 66.)] 
[(You have gained 2 Skill points.)] 
It was a very troublesome monster, but somehow I was able to overcome it by myself.
The Reincarnated Heavy Knight Who Was Exiled After A Supposed Big Miss Is Unparalleled With His Game Knowledge
大ハズレだと追放された転生重騎士はゲーム知識で無双する
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-reincarnated-heavy-knight-who-was-exiled-after-a-supposed-big-miss-is-unparalleled-with-his-game-knowledge/
Action Adventure Fantasy Romance Shounen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alchemy Arrogant Characters Artifacts Blacksmith Calm Protagonist Clever Protagonist Determined Protagonist Dungeons Fallen Nobility Fantasy World Game Elements Guilds Hot-blooded Protagonist Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Lucky Protagonist Male Protagonist Mystery Solving Naive Protagonist Nobles Poor to Rich Previous Life Talent Reincarnated in a Game World Romantic Subplot Skill Books Strategic Battles Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Sword Wielder Underestimated Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8465gx/
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