170話 ショータイム
若干の動揺が走る俺達に、敵は待ってはくれなかった。
「何を驚いているのです? 驚くのはショーをご覧になってからにしてください」
ステッキの先端を華麗にこちらへと向け、ショーの始まりを告げる紳士服のハット
「光のショータイム♪ レッツスタート♪」
彼の音頭と同時に火のつぶてが、俺達の左右から突如として舞い上がった。山なりに飛来する炎たちは空中を覆い尽くさんばかりの数で、まるで赤い弾幕が迫って来ているようだった。
「第一のマジックは『
右と左から広がる弾幕マジックを目の当たりにし、こちら側の反応は......。
「やばいんだけども!」
も潜んでたって感じ」
「うおおおお! 挟み撃ちか!」
「あ、あ、たくさん、火がくる」
完璧に浮き足立ってしまっているし、俺は俺でジュンヤ君の様子が気になって仕方ない。
「タロくんがタロちゃんで、白銀の天使さんで、タロくん......」
「ジュンヤ君! 素顔を見せるのが遅くなってゴメン!」
「おおい! ジュンヤとタロ、ちゃんを囲んで守るんだけども! マホと二人はこっちに隠れろ!」
「今は戦いに集中って感じで!」
マモル君が硬直してしまったジュンヤ君を引っ張り、俺はケイ君の呼びかけに応じて、ダイスケ君三人に守られるように中央で身を小さくした。
ぐう......ジュンヤ君へのフォローはひとまず後回しにするしかないか......。
「MP消費が激しいんだけども......仕方ない、
が横にススッとずれていく。いや、分身しているかのように、次々と大盾が生成されていき、それらが俺達を囲むようにして守りの陣を築いてくれた。
これにより大半の火つぶては防げたものの、手数がやたら多く、みんなへの被弾数は少なくない。
「おぉ! 光り輝く炎の雨が、光り輝く雪原へと降り注ぐ♪ なんっと神秘的かつ不思議な光景だろうか! さぁ、みなさまも存分に楽しんでください!」
連続して盾に衝突し、盾の合間をすり抜け、上から降って来る火球の嵐。紳士ハットは、派手な身ぶりでショーの説明を声高に叫んでいるが、きっと声音程の感情を内心に留めていないのだろう。
その証拠に、防戦一方の俺達を観察する奴の顔には、不気味な微笑みが浮かんでいる。
「マホ、回復魔法だけんども、頼めるか?」
「マモル君、ここは俺に任せて!」
り、インベントリから『結晶ポーション』を取り出す。キュポンっとフタを外せば、瓶に詰められたビーズのように輝く結晶たちが外へと踊り出た。それらの煌めきがみんなにかかるようにふりかけていくと、全員がHPを全快させていく。
「はい?」
「なに、それ......? って感じ」
「おおおおおう! PT全員が全回復、これで無敵だああ!」
「ここここんなの、じょ、上級の回復魔法、ア、アビリティでもなきゃ、できっこないのに」
「そもそも全員を回復なんてアビリティは、まだ発見されて、ないよね......」
「とにかくだけんども、タロ......ちゃん、助かった」
『結晶ポーション』の効能に驚きつつも、マモル君は
「攻撃の間隔が長いんだけども......まだ火を乱発か」
「NPC検問兵の突撃がこっちに届くまで繋げる気って感じ?」
「それもありえるんだけども......」
「MP極振りの
「こちらのHP消耗目的なら、一撃一撃の火力が低過ぎる......」
相手の狙いは何だ? ダメージソースの低い攻撃を乱射し続けるメリット......それはおそらく、一手目でこちらの動揺を誘う、もしくは......
「次の一撃が本命かも?」
「そうだな、タロちゃん。次の攻撃で、確実にこちらの戦力を削ってくるんだろうけども」
この中で一番守られたら厄介になりそうな
「マホマホを重点的に守るんだけども、まずいな......」
後ろを振り返ったマモル君は苦い顔をする。
その理由はすぐに把握できた。護衛対象であるレディ・イグニトールご本人が、何故か馬車の上に立って魔法を使い、炎槍をNPC検問兵に撃ちこんでいたのだ。
というか、あの女性は結構強いのではなかろうか?
「馬車に攻撃が当たると、レディ・イグニトール嬢自身が戦いに参加するというフェーズになってしまうんだけども」
「この火つぶて乱射が、馬車に当たったって感じ?」
「早めにここを切り抜けないと、護衛対象があぶねえな!」
しかし、イグニトール嬢のおかげで検問兵達の進撃を鈍らせているのも間違いない。ならば検問兵たちとぶつかり合う前に、これからどう動くか、手早く決めておいた方がいい。
「じゃあ、ここでは襲い慣れてるって感じ?」
「その分、奴らへの対処手段も研究されてるんだけども......奴らはたびたびその
俺をチラッと見直すマモルくん。
彼の僅かに見せた所作で、こちらが出鼻を挫かれたのは、俺のせいかもしれないと感じてしまった。ならば、俺はここで人一倍頑張らないといけない。
「炎の乱射が終わったら、ケイは左に
単純な作戦立案から数秒後、炎の雨が止んだ。それに伴い、俺達は一糸の乱れなく前方へと突き進む姿勢を取る。
「第二のマジックは『
この戦いの最中、敵を前にして何をしているのか理解不能であり、それがまさに俺達の足を一瞬と言えど止めるに至った演出でもあった。
「おやおや、みなさん。何をそんなに、不思議そうにあの箱を見ているのです?」
ゾクリ、と形容しがたい悪寒が背筋を走る。その理由は明らかで、ハット紳士の声が真後ろから聞こえたからだ。慌てて背後を振り返ると、そこにはさっきまで確かにマホマホ君がいたはずなのに、敵であるハット紳士が立っていたのだ。
「どうやってって感じ」
俺達の懐に突如として飛び込んできたハット紳士に、ケイ君とダイスケ君が問答無用で剣を振るう。僅かの動揺もなく対応できるのはさすがだったけど、大振りなダイスケ君の両手剣は身を翻して避けられ、ケイ君の剣撃はステッキで受け止められた。しかし、奴は勢いを殺せなかったのか、どうにか太ももを切り裂くに至ったようだ。
「あれ、浅いって感じ?」
首を捻って攻撃の成果がいまいちだと判断したケイ君が、すかさず追撃を放とうとするのに対し、ハット紳士はステッキをある方向に指し示しながら、何とも冷静に
「みなさん、私などに構っている暇などおありでしょうか? どうか、あの箱をご覧ください」
彼が注目を集めようとしたのは、先程ハット紳士が中に入ったはずである大きな箱だ。
チラッと俺はそちらに目を向けて、その変化を垣間見る。
箱には多数の剣がどこからともなく飛来していき、次々と突き刺さっていったのだ。
数瞬後、ボロボロになった箱の扉がキィーッと開き......そこからマホマホ君がよろりと倒れ出て来たのだ。雪の上に突っ伏したと同時に、彼は緑色のポリゴンエフェクトを爆散させ、塵となって消え失せた。
戦闘の序盤で俺達は最大火力要員をキルされたのだ。
が三人はいるぞ!」
「もれなく、擬態か隠蔽か隠密スキル持ちもって感じ?」
「うおおお! せめて、このハット野郎だけでも仕留める!」
ダイスケ君がハット紳士に向けて体当たりを敢行するも、奴は忽然と姿を消した。
「おやおや、鈍く光る刃に貫かれ、見るも無残な姿に成り果てた小豚はっ!」
すこぶる強い語気で声を発した奴は、マホマホ君が倒れ消えた場所にいつの間にか立っていた。
「――我々にとっての幸福、見事に至福のおやつになってくれましたね。どうやら、みなさんもこのマジックショーを楽しんでいただけているご様子ですね?」
両手を広げ、ステッキをクルンクルン回す紳士ハットは挑発的な演説をかましてはくるが、やはり表情に感情は乗っていない。あくまで、冷淡な印象を崩さないのは、油断なく追い詰めてくる強者の証だ。
「厄介だけんども......あれはレアスキル『転移』のアビリティだろうな......」
なるほど。転移スキルがどんなモノのなのか詳しく知らなくとも、一連の攻撃を受けた側としては何が起きたのか理解できた。
まずは威力の低い火球の連射で、こちらを防戦一方に追い込むか、動揺させる。次に、奴がマホマホ君と寸分違わぬ位置で姿を現したところから、特定の
そこで箱の中にマホマホ君を入れて、自分は敵陣の懐へ一瞬で入り込む。そのタイミングで雪化粧でも纏って姿をくらましている、ハット紳士の仲間が剣を箱に向けて投げまくったのか。投擲する側としては、タイミングさえ示し合わせていれば、目標もあらかじめわかりきっている箱だけなので、容易に集中砲火を命中させる事が可能って寸法か。
箱の中に突如としてワープさせられたマホマホ君からしたら、訳も分からず対処する間もなく即キルされたわけだ。そうしてハット紳士は、マホマホ君が消失した場所へと転移交換し、位置を戻すってタネか。ダイスケ君の攻撃を避け、ケイ君の剣撃を受けてもそこまでダメージを負ってなかったのは......大方、位置交換をする前に、防御アップや素早さアップのバフを仲間にかけてもらっていたんだろう。その状態なら、少しの間は俺達に囲まれても持ちこたえられる自信があったのだろうな。
「さぁ、次のマジックもみなさまに楽しんでもらいましょうか?」
マジックというのはタネがわからないから、驚嘆に値する神秘の世界であり、畏怖すべき演出なのだ。
しかし奴らのトリックは......至極単純なモノと成り下がっている。それは護衛クエストを受け、ここで襲われ負けてきた幾人もの
ならば存外、奴らはマジックの根幹を理解してないように思える。
そして神秘性ならば、錬金術士の端くれとして負けるわけにもいかない。
この後に来るであろう猛攻を防ぐためにも、相手の鼻頭を折っておく必要がある。この勢いでNPC検問兵と敵
瞬時にしてハット紳士の目の前へと移動した俺は、頭部を狙って切り裂いた。
あまりにも突然の事すぎたのか、奴は驚愕の眼差しでこちらを見ることしかできなかった。
次の瞬間には、奴よりも数メートル離れた場所で姿を現す。
「なっ、なにが今、起こったのです......?」
『零戦』は威力が低いので大したダメージは与えられていない。しかし、顔を右手で抑え、よろめくハット紳士は俺とその周囲をチラチラと見ながら、何が起きたのか理解できてないようだった。相手のペースを崩すという、とりあえずの目標は達成出来たと言える。
「おい、こっちのマジックのタネは理解できたか?」
なんとなく、手になじむ刀を下へと振り、挑発じみた質問をハット紳士に投げかける。
すると奴は俺をまじまじと観察し、次に薄い金色の光を帯びた刀身で視線を止めた。その控えめな輝きから目が離せないのかジッと、俺の手にある刀を見つめてくる。
「転移、スキル? いや、あんなアビリティは......ないはずです。それに、その武器は......刀ですか?」
ハット紳士はこの戦闘で初めて、表情通りの感情を表に出したように思えた。
それは驚きの顔。
「その様子じゃ、楽しんでくれたようだな」
ハット紳士は俺の問い掛けに、無言で返す。
そんな奴に、俺は告げる。
「次はこっちのショータイムだ」
迫りくる多数の検問兵を前に、俺は『
「風よ、麗しの姫よ、友の呼びかけに応じ、我が手に宿れ!」
レベルアップと、温存しておいたスキルポイント消費の成果を――
見せる時がきた。
傭兵 タロLv7→Lv8のステータス変化
HP90→101
MP80→90 (装備による補正+100)
力 1→10
魔力 14
防御 2
魔防 8
素早さ 210→240
知力 305→345
称号『老練たる魔女』【スキルポイント取得3倍】
『先陣を切る反逆者』【初撃のクリティカル50%・Lvが自分より高い者へのダメージ総数20%増加】
『錬金術』Lv33→Lv33
『魔導錬金』Lv1→Lv5
『名声』Lv2
残りスキルポイント 33
感想でのスキルポイントまとめ、ありがとうございます。
172 170 Stories Showtime
The enemy couldn't wait for us to get a little upset.
"What are you surprised about? Don't be surprised until you see the show."
The hat mercenary (player) in men's clothing, who glamorously points the tip of the stick this way to mark the beginning of the show. The face is grinning but wraps up a cold atmosphere that doesn't seem to hold any emotions inside.
"Showtime of Light  Let's Start "
At the same time as his tone, the fire snapped up from our left and right. The flames that flew in the mountains covered the air as if a red barrage were looming.
"The first magic trick is the flaming rain that falls on Snowfield."
We see barrage magic spreading from the right and left, and the reaction on this side is......
"Shit, though!
"I knew there were other mercenaries (players) lurking."
"Whoa, whoa! Pinch him!"
"Oh, oh, a lot, the fire is coming"
It's floating perfectly, and I can't help worrying about how you're doing with me, Junya.
"Taro is Taro, the angel of silver, Taro..."
"Mr. Junya! I'm sorry I'm late to show my face!
"Hey! Junya and Taro, surround and protect you! Mahoe and you two hide over here!
"Now it feels like we're concentrating on the fight!
Mamor, you've gotten stiff, Junya, pulled you, and I, Kay, responded to your call, dwarfed myself in the center to be protected by the three of you, Dyske.
Gu...... Junya, do I have to put my follow-up to you behind me for one second...
"I have heavy MP consumption... but I can't help it, Guardian Tower (Defense)/Circle Formation (Circle)!"
With a tough face, Mamor, you said so and activated your abilities. Then his long shield (Tower Lance) shifts softly to the side. No, one big shield after another was generated, as if we were divided, so that they could surround us and build a defensive formation.
Though this prevented most of the fire crushing, if we had a lot of trouble, the number of bullets to everyone would be low.
"Ooh! The glowing rain of flames pours down to the glowing snowfields  What a mysterious and strange sight! Come on, enjoy yourselves fully!
Continuously crashing into the shield, sliding through between shields, storms of fireballs coming down from above. Gentleman Hat shouts his description of the show in a flashy figure, but I'm sure he hasn't kept his voice pitch emotions to himself.
Evidence of this shows a creepy smile on the face of the guy who watches us on the other side of the battle.
"Mahoe, can you just ask for restorative magic?
"Mamor, I'll take care of this place!
Mahomaho, I will block your chanting and remove the Crystal Potion from the inventory. Remove the lid from the cupon and the crystals danced out like beads packed in bottles. As those brilliances sprinkle on everyone, they all make HP go full speed.
"Yes?"
"What, it...? Feels like"
"Whoa, whoa! All PT recovered, now they're invincible. Oh!
"I'm here, but it has to be advanced healing magic, a, ability, even though it doesn't work."
"Abilities have not yet been discovered to restore everyone in the first place..."
"Anyway, guys, Talo...... thanks for the help"
While I am surprised by the efficacy of Crystal Potion, Mamor, while maintaining the Long Shield (Tower Shield), you will soon be working on an analysis of the surrounding situation.
"We have a long interval between attacks... but we still have a fire."
"Do you feel like you're willing to connect until the NPC examiner's assault reaches us?
"That's possible, too..."
"You mean there are at least two MP polar mercenaries (players)!
"For this HP depletion purpose, the firepower of each blow is too low..."
What are they after? Benefits of continuing to randomly fire attacks with low damage sources...... it probably invites this upset with one hand or...... Yang Dynamics (how do you like it)?
"Could the next blow be fate?
"Right, Taro. I'm sure the next attack will sharpen our power."
Mercenaries (players) who are likely to be troublesome if protected the most of these, that would be you, Mahoma Maho. Because he's the only wizard who can knock out high firepower.
"Keep the mahogany focused, but it's not good..."
You look back, Mamor. You look bitter.
I could quickly grasp why. Lady Ignitore himself, the subject of the escort, was standing on the carriage for some reason, using magic and shooting flaming spears at NPC inspectors.
Or isn't that woman pretty strong?
"When an attack hits the carriage, Miss Lady Ignitore herself becomes part of the fight."
"You feel this fire crushing and indiscriminate hit the carriage?
"If we don't make it through here early, we're gonna have to cover the escort!
But thanks to Miss Ignitol, we are also definitely blunting the advance of the examining soldiers. Then you'd better make a quick decision about how you're going to move before you bump into each other with the Inquisitors.
"So you feel used to assault here?
"Means of dealing with them have also been studied for that matter... they change their taste (magic) every now and again... I didn't mean to fail to pay attention."
Mamor-kun who reviews me chilly.
His slight performance made me feel that it might be my fault that this one was frustrating my nose. Then I have to work twice as hard here.
"When the flame is over, Kay needs a wizard who's diving to his left. I'll leave it to the escort's NPC on the right, but me and Dyske will have a breakthrough from the center, a wall role, connect Taro's recovery, and Mahoe will shoot the magic."
A few seconds after the simple planning of the operation, the flaming rain stopped. With that, we move forward undisturbed.
"The second magic is" Skewer (Vlad) Snack Wonderbox ""
In the midst of this battle, it was incomprehensible what we were doing in front of our enemies, and that was exactly what stopped our feet for a moment.
"Oh, hey, guys. What are you looking at that box so strangely?
Zokri, a chill that is hard to describe runs through his spine. The reason for this is obvious, because I heard Gentleman Hat's voice coming from right behind me. I looked back in a hurry, and there was a gentleman Hat, the enemy, who was certainly supposed to have you there until just now.
"How does it feel?"
Kay and Daiske wave their swords without question to the hat gentleman who suddenly jumped into our nostalgia. It was just great to be able to handle it without a slight upset, but the big-handed daisy sword of yours was turned upside down and avoided, and Kay, your sword strike was taken on a stick. But he couldn't kill the momentum, and it seems he managed to slit his thighs.
"That feels shallow?
Kay, who twisted his neck and decided that the outcome of the attack was not good, tried to unleash a chase, while Gentleman Hat calmly pointed the stick in a certain direction.
"Guys, do you have time for me or something? Please, look at that box."
What he tried to get attention to was a big box that Gentleman Hat should have gotten inside earlier.
Chill out and I'll look you in the eye and catch a glimpse of the change.
Numerous swords flew out of nowhere in the box, piercing them one after the other.
A few moments later, the doors of the worn out boxes kicked open... and from there, Mahomaho, you fell down. At the same time as he rammed on the snow, he blew up the green polygon effect, becoming dust and disappearing.
At the beginning of the battle, we were killed by maximum fire personnel.
"There are three skilled mercenaries!
"Needless to say, do you feel like you have a pseudo or a cover-up or a secret skill?
"Whoa! At least I'll put a stop to this hat bastard alone!
Diske, you dare to hit a gentleman Hat, but he disappeared neglectfully.
"Oh no, little pig pierced by a dull, glowing blade, and finished looking unbroken when he saw it!
The man who spoke out in such a strong tone stood at some point where you fell and disappeared, Mahomaho.
"- Happiness for us, you've been a brilliantly blissful snack. Apparently, you're all enjoying this magic show, aren't you?
Gentleman Hat, who spreads his hands and turns the stick Krunklung, does not tease the provocative speech, but he still has no emotions on his expression. Only, not breaking the cold impression is a testament to the strong who hunt us down without alarm.
"Troubleshooters... That would be a rare skill 'metastasis' ability..."
I see. I understood what happened as the side of a series of attacks, even if I didn't know in detail what the transfer skills were.
First of all, a series of less powerful fireballs will push or upset this one on the defensive side. Next, I guess he has the ability to redeem himself and his opponent for certain mercenaries (players) from where he shows up in a position that is no different than you, Mahoma Ho.
So I put you in the box, Mahomaho, and I enter the enemy's pocket in an instant. At that time, even snow makeup is wrapped around him, did a fellow hat gentleman throw his sword all over the box? As for the throwing side, as long as the timing is indicated, the target is also known in advance, so is it possible to easily hit the centralized fire?
Mahomaho, who was suddenly made to warp in the box, was quickly killed to deal with it without knowing why. That's how Gentleman Hat said he would transfer you back to where you disappeared, Mahomaho. Dyske, I avoided your attack and Kay, I didn't take that much damage when I took your sword attack... Daiichi, I guess I had my buddies buff defensive and quickness up before I swapped positions. In that state, I'm sure he was confident he'd hold up even if he was surrounded by us for a little while.
"Come on, let's have some fun with the next magic, too?
Magic is a mysterious world worthy of amazement and a fearful performance because I don't know Tane.
But their trick... is made up of the simplest things. It's nothing more than the information accumulated by several mercenaries (players) who took escort quests and have been attacked and lost here.
Then they don't seem to understand the root of the magic.
And if you're mysterious, you can't lose as an alchemist's end.
You also need to keep your opponent's nosehead broken to prevent the onslaught that would come after this. With this momentum, NPC Examiner and Enemy Mercenary (Player) groups can see this one crushed if they are pushed to the ground by a number of forces.
Moving instantly into the sight of Gentleman Hat, I slit myself to the head.
It was too sudden, he could only look at this one with amazement.
In the next moment, he shows up a few meters further than him.
"Become, what happened now...?
'Zero Wars' is less powerful, so it hasn't done much damage. But he held his face down with his right hand, and the mellow hat gentleman looked at me and its surroundings as a flicker and didn't seem to understand what had happened. We can say that we have achieved our goal of breaking the pace of our opponents for now.
"Hey, did you understand this Magic Tane over here?
Somehow, he swings a knife in his hand down and throws a provocative question at the hat gentleman.
Then he made a serious observation of me, and then stopped looking at me with a faint golden light. Can't you take your eyes off that modest glow? Jizz, he's staring at the knife in my hand.
"Metastasis, skills? No, there shouldn't be such an ability... Besides, is that weapon... a knife?
For the first time in this battle, Gentleman Hat seemed to have put emotions on the table as he looked.
That's a surprise face.
"Looks like you enjoyed it."
Gentleman Hat replies silently to my inquiry.
I'll tell him.
"It's our showtime next."
In front of the imminent multitude of examiners, I spoke to Hu, who was elevated from "Wind Maiden (Silf)" to "Wind Calling Princess (Garuda)".
"Wind, princess of Reishi, respond to the call of your friends and dwell in my hand!
Level up and the results of your saved Skill Points spend -
The time has come to show it.
Mercenary Talo Lv7 Lv8 Status Changes
HP 90 101
MP80 90 (Correction by Equipment + 100)
Force 1 10
Magic 14
Defense 2
Magic Defense 8
Fastness 210 240
Intelligence 305 345
Title: "Sophisticated Witch" [3x Skill Points]
"Leading Rebels" [50% Critical for First Shots - 20% Increase in Total Damage to Those Higher Than You LV]
"Alchemy" Lv33 Lv33
"Magic Alchemy" Lv1 Lv5
"Fame" LV2
Remaining Skill Points 33
Thank you for your skill point summary with your thoughts.
I Became a Beautiful Girl, but I’m still an MMO Junkie
美少女になったけど、ネトゲ廃人やってます。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-became-a-beautiful-girl-but-im-still-an-mmo-junkie/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Gender Bender Mystery Psychological Shoujo Ai
Accelerated Growth Adapted to Manga Age Regression Alchemy Appearance Changes Appearance Different from Actual Age Beautiful Female Lead Chuunibyou Curious Protagonist Cute Protagonist Demi-Humans Disabilities Doting Older Siblings Fairies Famous Protagonist Fast Learner Friendship Loli Male to Female Misunderstandings MMORPG Multiple POV Mysterious Illness Older Love Interests Overprotective Siblings Past Plays a Big Role Past Trauma Pill Concocting Popular Love Interests Race Change Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0170db/
星屑ぽんぽん