第四話 格上の敵
「俺はアレスってんだ。冒険者になりたくて田舎村から出てきたんだが......【Lv:1】でパーティー組んでるのなんて、元々の知り合いばっかりみてぇでよ。せめて【Lv:3】までは単独で上げてる奴じゃなきゃ信用できないって言われて、焦っちまってたんだ。本当に助かったぜ、また改めて礼がしたい」
「俺はエルマ・エド......いや、ただのエルマだ」
家名を口にするなと、クソ親父からそう言われていたな。
「礼なんて考えなくていい。丁度いいレベル稼ぎになった。魔石は全部、もらっていくがな」
「エルマか! なぁ、戻ったら二人組のパーティーに入れてもらえる当てがあるんだが、エルマも来ないか? 一人でフラついてたってことは、お前もあぶれてたんだろ? 防御特化のクラスは低級冒険者の間じゃ不人気だろうが......俺は、お前をスゲェ奴だと思う! 絶対他の連中も説得してみせる! 今、助けてもらった恩もできたからな!」
アレスはぐっと握り拳を作り、熱くそう語った。
「いや、結構だ」
「な、なんでだよ......。今の戦い方、盾クラスなんだろ? 一人でやってたって、一生レベル上がんないぞ? 変な意地張らずに......」
「俺が一人で戦えるところは、今証明したと思うが」
「確かに......」
通常、防御特化のクラスは、敵の攻撃を引き付け、仲間を守ることでその真価を発揮する。
ただ、俺のやりたいレベル上げでは、ぞろぞろと仲間を連れていれば、経験値が分散されるばかりで美味しくないのだ。
アイテムやスキル、称号の獲得も行いたい。仲間を何人も連れていれば動きにくいだけだ。
......それに、仲間にするならば、探索に特化したクラスか、できることの多い万能型の魔術師クラスがありがたい。
もっともどちらのタイプも爽快に戦える機会が少ないため〈マジックワールド〉でも使用者は少なく、需要は恐ろしく高かった。
そう都合よく仲間にはできないだろうが。
「でもよ、今のやり方だといずれ無理が出るに決まってる! 低レベル帯を抜けたら、防御特化クラス一人じゃやっていけねぇ相手ばっかりだ!」
「やりよう次第で何とでもなるからなぁ......」
スキルツリーも、クラス固有のものでさえなければ、アイテムや聖職者系のスキルを用いて、新たに得ることもできる。
〈初級剣術〉と〈防御力上昇〉を捨てて必要なスキルツリーを得れば、充分攻撃性能も補える。
その自由度の高さが〈マジックワールド〉の人気要素でもあった。
......もっとも、スキルポイントは取り返しのつかない要素なので、スキル構成に失敗して引退する人も多かったが。
「エルマ、俺はお前のために言ってんだよ! お前、スゲー奴だよ! だからこそよ、ソロで効率悪く続けようとしてるのなんか放っておけねえよ! ラーナばっかり狩れたって仕方ないだろ? 俺と一緒にもっと上を目指そうぜ!」
アレスがそう口にしたとき、どさりと俺達の前方に魔物が落ちてきた。
巨大な蜘蛛である。
真っ赤な毛に全身が覆われており、全長二メートル以上はある。
頭部は赤毛であるものの、巨大な口のついた、八つ目の猿になっていた。
「ギィイイイイイイイイ!」
アランダエイプが、牙の並んだ口を開けて咆哮を上げる。
「う、う、嘘だろ......!?」
アレスが絶望の声を出す。
俺は素早く〈ステータス〉で調べた。
魔物:アランダエイプ
Lv :16
HP :31/31
MP :11/11
レベル倍の魔物だった。
......こういうのに遭遇しないように、森浅くでやってたんだがな。
アランダエイプは毒を持っており、素早く、移動妨害の毒を吐く。
どうやらアレスが逃げ回っている間に、アランダエイプを引き付けてしまっていたらしい。
アランダエイプは好戦的で足が速い。
〈城壁返し〉も、格下虐めのスキルであって、格上相手にはほぼ無力だ。
攻撃の直撃を完封しなければ、発動条件を満たせない。
攻撃完封の条件は、相手の攻撃力の倍の防御力が必要となる。
同格相手に使えるスキルではない。
おまけにアランダエイプは〈火炎爪〉のスキルを有している。
「......いや、俺がやろう。任せてくれ」
俺の頭の中には、前世で貯め込んだ〈マジックワールド〉の知識が総動員していた。
レベルだけ分かれば、アランダエイプの他のステータスも全て割り出せる。
さっきからずっと考えていて、結論が出た。
この勝負、勝てない相手じゃない。
「む、無茶だ! いくらなんでも! アランダエイプは、新人がどうこうできる程度の魔物じゃない! お前が凄いのはわかったが、物理的にどうしようもない!」
アレスが顔を真っ青にして叫んだ。
確かに、そう思うのも無理はない。
これだけレベル差があれば、こちらの攻撃はロクに通らず、逆に向こうの攻撃は全てが致命傷だ。
だが、俺には〈マジックワールド〉時代の百戦錬磨のデータがあった。
「〈ステータス〉!」
俺は前へと出ながら〈ステータス〉を開き、スキルツリーの画面を操作する。
さっき手に入れた【7】のスキルポイントがある。
【スキルツリー】
[残りスキルポイント:0]
〈重鎧の誓い[12/100]〉【+7】
〈防御力上昇[0/50]〉
〈初級剣術[0/50]〉
勿論、〈重鎧の誓い〉に全振りだ!
【〈重鎧の誓い〉が[10/100]になったため、通常スキル〈ディザーム〉を取得しました。】
今俺がアランダエイプに勝つのに必要なスキルだった。
〈ディザーム〉【通常スキル】
斬りつけた相手の攻撃力を短時間の間、一段階減少させる。
こちらが攻撃に成功した場合、一時的に相手の攻撃力を下げるスキルだ。
正確には、きっかり一分間、【20%】減少させる。
「来いよ、猿蜘蛛。俺が相手をしてやる!」
俺はアランダエイプへとそう叫んだ。
アランダエイプの八つの目が俺を睨む。
ハイリスク、ハイリターン......。
〈マジックワールド〉でレベルを上げたければ、格上をガンガン狩っていくしかなかった。
この世界もきっと同じだろう。
「こういうときが一番燃える」
Chapter 4
"I'm sorry for the late introduction. My name is Ares. I came from a village situated in the countryside, but I left since I've been wanting to become an adventurer for a while now. All of this happened because I got impatient, you see... I wanted to find a party I could join at Level 1, but... it seems that the party I asked were originally acquaintances, so they told me that if I can't at least become Level 3 on my own, they couldn't trust me. You really saved my ass there.. Once again, I would like to thank you for saving me, and if there's anything you want me to do, don't hesitate to tell me!"
"Ares, huh... I'm Elma Ed--no, just call me Elma."
Damn, almost slipped. My sh*tty father told me not to mention their family name outside, so I guess I'll have to introduce myself this way..
"You don't have to think about it too much. I was able to raise my level a lot, so I guess we're even. I'll take all the mana stones, though."
"So, you're Elma! Say, there's a chance I could get into a party of two once we're done here so, why don't you join as well, Elma? Seeing you here hunting alone means that no one wanted to put you into their party as well, right? I know that defense-oriented classes are quite unpopular with low-leveled adventurers, but I think you're an amazing guy, Elma! I will definitely convince the other guys! I have to do this as a way of paying you the debt for saving me, after all!"
Ares made a victory pose as he tightly clenched his hands while enthusiastically saying those words.
"Nah. Not happening."
"But, why!? Based on the fight just now, your class is defense-oriented, right? You won't level up for the rest of your life if you go for a solo play, you know? Don't be so stubborn now.."
"You've seen what I can do, right? Pretty sure I can fight on my own."
"Guh.. You're right..."
Because, in general, the true values of defense-oriented classes can only be demonstrated when fighting in a group by attracting enemy attacks and shielding its allies.
However, it's not how I wanted to level up. If I had allies around me everywhere I go, instead of gaining delicious experience points, it will be distributed to everyone, which is not ideal for me. I also doubt that the others would listen to my words.
Furthermore, I wanted to acquire items, skills, and titles, and having many people with me would only hinder my movements.
Still, if I really wanted to have allies, it would be better if they were an exploration-oriented class or an all-purpose utility type mage that can do a lot of things.
However, since there were few opportunities for both types to fight pleasantly, the number of users in <Magic World> were low, which resulted in the demand becoming terrifyingly high.
But, as expected, getting them on board with me wouldn't be that easy.
"Still, just listen to me! If you keep on doing things like that, it would be impossible in the long run! Once you get past being a low-leveled adventurer, there's no way a lone defense-oriented class like you could take on opponents by himself!"
"Well... I know it'll all work out depending on what I choose to do."
Skill trees that are not class-specific can also be newly acquired using items and clergy-like skills.
And even if I discard <Novice Swordsmanship> and <Increased Defense>, as soon as I get the skill tree that I needed, I can sufficiently make up for my offensive performance.
Having this high level of freedom was also the reason why <Magic World> was so popular.
However, many players stopped playing because they failed to construct their skills properly. After all, once you've spent your skill points, it can't be reversed.
"I'm saying all of these for your sake, Elma! I know that you're an amazing guy! That's why I can't just let you die somewhere out there knowing that you tried to continue hunting solo while doing things inefficiently! You can't just hunt Laanas all the time, can you? Don't be so stubborn and aim higher together with me!"
The moment Ares finished spouting nonsense, a demon suddenly fell in front of us with a thud.
It was a giant spider.
Its whole body was covered with deep red hair, and was over two meters in length.
What you can see on it's red-haired head though, was an eight-eyed monkey with a large creepy mouth.
{GKSKKSKKALWOOWWOIIII!} 
The Alanda Ape opened its huge mouth lined up with sharp fangs and screamed.
"A-are you freaking kidding me!?"
Ares shouted in a voice that clearly showed his despair.
I quickly appraised the demon using <Status>.
Demon: Alanda Ape
Level: 16
HP: 31/31
MP: 11/11
Damn, it's a demon with a double-digit level.
Even though I only went to shallow areas in the forest to avoid meeting such monstrous demons...
Alanda apes are demons that are swift and spit poison that hinders movement. It even has a high offensive power and a skill that erases its presence called <Stealth Step>.
Apparently, Ares had also aggroed this demon while being chased by the Laanas earlier.
After all, Alanda apes are belligerent and fast.
My skill <Rampart Return> are only effective against low-leveled demons, and are almost powerless against high-leveled ones.
Unless I meet the condition of completely blocking off a direct hit from this monster, I won't be able to activate it.
And in order to do so, I need to have a defensive power twice the opponent's attack strength.
Which means, it is not a skill that can be used against opponents of this level.
In addition, Alanda apes has the skill <Blazing Claws> which increases the speed of its arm while simultaneously doubling its attack power. If you got attacked by this skill, you're as good as dead.
"..Nah. I'll take this guy on. Just leave it to me."
All of the accumulated knowledge I had in my previous life from playing <Magic World> started mobilizing inside my head.
Even if it's only a little information, if I just know what the Alanda ape's level is, I would be able to determine its other stats.
I've been racking up my brain for a while now, and I have arrived at a conclusion.
This ugly bastard.. he's not unbeatable.
"I-It's useless no matter how you look at it! Alanda apes are not demons beginners can defeat! I understand that you are someone amazing, but looking at it physically, you can't possibly do something about a demon that huge, and one that is [Level: 16]!"
Ares yelled as his face turned deathly pale.
Certainly. I can't exactly blame him for thinking like that.
If there is such a difference in level, my attacks couldn't possibly penetrate the demon, while on the contrary, its attacks would be fatal.
However, I had the data of hundreds of battles in my time of playing <Magic World>.
"<Status>!"
I opened my status as I moved forward while I tweaked the stats I had in my skill tree screen.
I still have the 7 skill points I had obtained earlier.
[Skill Tree]
[Remaining Skill Points: 0]
<Vow of the Heavy Armor[12/100] [+7]
<Increased Defense[0/50]>
<Novice Swordsmanship[0/50]>
Of course, I will pour it all in <Vow of the Heavy Armor>!
[<Vow of the Heavy Armor> has been increased to [10/100]. Normal Skill <Disarm> has been acquired.]
It was the skill that I needed in order to beat the Alanda Ape right now.
<Disarm> [Normal Skill]
Reduces the attack power of an opponent that has been slashed by one level for a short period of time.
It is a skill that, when you've successfully landed an attack on the opponent, it temporarily reduces its attack power.
To be precise, it reduces it by [20%] for exactly one minute.
"Come, spider-monkey! I'll be your opponent!"
I shouted, trying to taunt the Alanda ape.
Its eight eyes turned and glared at me. It looked very creepy.
High risk, high return..
If you wanted to raise your level higher in Magic World, you had to face and hunt down opponents that are higher-leveled than you.
And I'm sure that it's pretty much the same in this world.
"It's during times like these that my soul burns with excitement the most!"
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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