r18novel Page 146
Page 146
Because there's someone I like there.
"Well....?"
Although Cass didn't understand, he still sat upright with a very proper posture; Sirocco sat cross-legged casually.
"...You don't have to sit so formally. It makes me nervous just looking at you."
"No, I'm sorry..."
Cass awkwardly tried to imitate Sirocco's sitting posture, but after a long time, he still wasn't quite used to it.
Sirocco simply let him sit in whatever position he found convenient, and Cass sat back down in the correct position.
"I never thought I'd have to attend one of these long, pointless meetings. I hate watching meeting scenes in anime..."
"Sirocco, what did you say?"
"No, anyway, let's begin. It's about tomorrow's battle with Cliff. First, tell me about Brid, Corcy, and you: your current levels, skills, and talents."
"Ah."
Cass put his hand to his mouth and pondered:
“Bride, Lv12, talent [Speed Stacking], skill 1
"Lv16, Talent [Friction], Skill 1
"Hmm, Sirocco, you really knew."
Cass smiled faintly.
At its current level, it's just barely adequate.
Now, Sirocco is certain that their current results are in line with her expectations.
Brid can control her sprint to within about 40 meters before turning. The
Corcy's "Starlight" was primarily used for illumination, but it could also illuminate other things...
If we follow the storyline of the first playthrough, Cliff will be trained to Lv12 and then become a battle opponent.
He has now entered a small branch of the second playthrough, where he has received help from the Fallen Order, making it slightly more difficult.
"Oh, right, there's something else, but I don't know if I should tell you."
"explain."
"Hmm... Didn't you tell me before that when Colesie and Brid asked where you got the information, you said it was taught to you by your 'teacher'?"
"Well, what's wrong?"
Cass scratched his face, looking troubled.
"This won't affect the duel, but they have a deep misunderstanding about you."
Cass told them about how the two of them mistook Sirocco for an absolutely stunning beauty.
"Oh, let them do as they please."
"Huh? You're not angry with me?"
"What's there to be angry about? I'm the one who asked you to say it. Anyway, I don't have any contact with them, so they can misunderstand all they want."
"If it were me, I would definitely be angry... I almost thought I was the one spreading rumors."
"The original meaning of words can easily be distorted after being passed around multiple times, so don't worry about it."
"Oh, oh... Sirocco, you are so magnanimous."
Cass sat up even straighter.
The gender has been misunderstood many times.
It's no big deal if a couple more misunderstandings deepen the mystery and she turns out to be a super beauty.
I've come to terms with it...
He tried to convince himself of this, but his face was full of black lines.
"Let's put that aside for now. Let's continue with the duel. First, you fought Cliff this morning, and you should have sensed that he's changed."
Cass nodded:
"Hertanid said he drew strength from me."
"Exactly. He was given this by a member of the Fallen Order, most likely a talkative bitch named Genolo."
"Ah—? The Fallen Order?!"
Hearing this word made Cass feel as if he had swallowed a bitter pill.
"So, Sirocco, you knew all about it, why didn't you arrest Genolo earlier... no, there was no evidence to arrest him, right?"
"You just understand."
In fact, the possibility that Cliff would be contacted by members of the Fallen Order is only the least likely one in Sirocco's mind.
It's even uncertain who will make the contact.
There are three types of Fallen members that Cliff may come into contact with in the game.
The reasons for each of the three people who were attracted to Cliff were different, and the places where they met were also different.
Sirocco activated the notepad function on the ring watch and wrote down the name "Genoro". Above that name was written "Mute". This woman didn't appear, and it was hard to say whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Cliff's talent has now been upgraded. If you make contact with him, you will absorb his experience points, stamina, and magic. So don't get touched by him or the vines that grow out of him."
At the same time, he can materialize his talent into his own thorn armor, which will cover his entire body from his abdomen, a process that will take some time.
Its defense and attack power have been further enhanced, and the thorns in the brambles can even cause instantaneous paralysis when they touch the skin.
The 'Veteran Gauntlets' that Grenolo gave Cliff will increase his resilience and attack power the longer he attacks. Combined with his current talent effect, engaging in a prolonged battle with him will put you at a disadvantage.
Speaking of which, one of the upgrade paths for that guy's vines in the second playthrough has a "Call to Arms" effect. If you intentionally lose, you can unlock the "Crown Man" achievement... No, no, no, what was I thinking?
Sirocco quickly extinguished any unnecessary and negative associations.
The more Cass described it to Sirocco, the more subtle his expression became.
"Wait a minute, is this really something that Brid and I can defeat?"
"Didn't you want to become the strongest? You're scared of this little bit?"
"No."
Cass smiled with a hint of excitement:
"It would be even more interesting to defeat such a formidable enemy."
That wasn't forced or strained.
Cass is truly fearless.
"I'm not afraid to take on the challenge myself, but I'm a little worried about Brid and the others... But Sirocco, you must have a way to win, right?"
"I have a plan A."
Once you're on the field, I bet Cliff's first move will be to unleash his talent and use vines to bind your movements. His fully unleashed "Hunter's Forest" will also grant a certain degree of invisibility.
Don't panic at this time.
Before going into battle, I had Cole prepare to activate Starlight. Although this skill is not enough to break stealth, it can still reveal Cliff's figure when he is a low-level stealth user.
Cass, find Cliff's exact location. Meanwhile, have Kirsty use [Shared Pain] to slow Cliff's movements as needed. However, this talent can only be used if the target is within sight, as you should know.
Brid told her to stay by Corcy's side.
If we can lure him into revealing a weakness within three rounds, allowing Brid, who has been guarding Kolsi the whole time, to deliver a fatal blow, we can finish the battle quickly.
One more thing: if a lot of smoke is generated, don't rush in, and definitely don't say things like "Did you win?" Remember to finish off enemies safely.
Sirocco can predict more accurately if the opponent is a monster.
Cass listened, stunned, his mouth slightly agape.
"Okay...okay, Sirocco, you've certainly thought a lot. Let me calm down."
Cass pressed his forehead, processing these words.
Sirocco paused for a moment, then went to pour himself and Cass two glasses of water and came back.
"I'm saying all this to let you know that Cliff isn't as strong as you think. These are all theoretical maximum possibilities. Even if I can predict 99%, the remaining 1% of uncertainty can still turn the tide. In actual combat, you still have to—"
"Adapt to circumstances. I know that, Sirocco."
After hearing Sirocco's description, Cass felt full of confidence and drank some warm water.
Thinking about it carefully, Sirocco actually made Mute flee in panic back then.
There's no reason why Cliff, who is merely a nobody and who relies on others to help him grow, should be invincible.
"Okay. I'll compile the remaining solutions for BCDE and some points to note into a document and send it to you. Go to class now."
"Ah...good, as expected of you."
Cass rubbed his forehead with a wry smile, having complete faith in Sirocco.
Jingle Bell--