Chapter 63: Forest Wave – Interlude ④: Torquetum ⑥
My name is Lupinas Lorddenton.
I am a proper young lady of the distinguished Lorddenton family.
A Rank III Explorer. The leader of “Torquetum”—and its tank.
Yes, a tank!
A tank—that is my purpose in life.
To protect and defend the people of the world.
That is who I am. A tank.
Right now, we moved ahead of the others, and well… how should I put this…
we’re a little… lost in the Heizen Great Forest.
“What in the world happened here?”
“Mm… got carried away… killed too many… Cribi… hehe.”
Liv sticks out her tongue slightly with a blank expression.
Honestly, if you’re going to do that, at least smile.
No—that’s not the point.
“Don’t abbreviate Crystal Beasts like that.”
“…Cripa…”
“What is that even short for?”
“Mm… a gathering of extroverts…”
“What does that even mean…?”
Watching their usual exchange, I let out a sigh.
“Oh dear… this is troubling.”
The great forest is covered in massive trees, with no landmarks—just the same scenery everywhere.
“We’ve passed through this area many times. Is it really possible to get lost so suddenly?”
Pakira tilts her head thoughtfully.
She’s good at this kind of analysis.
“Still, now that we’re told this is a dungeon, a lot of things start to make sense.”
“Indeed.”
“Mm… true…”
“But that mimic appearing out of nowhere was a bit much.”
“That one really came out of nowhere.”
“And… it didn’t even have… good loot… how sad…”
A bundle of various potions isn’t even worthy as an offering these days.
Besides, we already have the small vials we got from Wof.
They heal any injury instantly.
And he has enough to hand them out freely. That alone tells you everything.
“We should stop trying to regroup and focus on our own safety.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“Mm… can’t be helped…”
“In that case, Liv—please.”
“Mm… got it.”
Liv nods, steps onto a nearby giant tree, and with a light push—
runs straight up the trunk.
Like walking on flat ground.
“As impressive as ever.”
“She said it’s not a relic, but a function of her suit.”
“A legendary item with many abilities, I see.”
While Liv scouts from above, we sit and rest against the massive roots.
“Still, that was fortunate.”
“What was?”
“The Blue-Green Crystal.”
“…Yes…”
We spent nearly a month trying to get one.
Honestly, I was close to giving up.
And yet, we obtained it like this. Life truly is strange.
“And that [Battle Cry] of yours is quite useful.”
“Y-Yes… it is…”
I hesitate.
It is useful. I admit that.
Extremely useful.
“What’s wrong? Still bothered by it?”
“Well, of course I am! That kind of thing—! As a noble lady—no, as a woman—it’s utterly indecent!”
“Is it, though?”
“It is!”
“But you already knew how it worked beforehand.”
Pakira looks at me curiously.
Please don’t wiggle your cat ears like that… I’ll want to pet them.
“I knew, yes—but I didn’t expect it to be that embarrassing when actually used!”
“But you know…”
“What?”
“You looked oddly refreshed afterward. Like you felt great.”
“W-What! Th-that’s…”
It’s true…
After using it, I felt strangely liberated.
Like all burdens had been lifted.
“You tend to overthink things.”
“…I cannot deny that.”
“So you need an outlet like this, or you’ll collapse.”
“…Understood. It may be improper, but I will continue using it.”
Even if it’s embarrassing.
Then Pakira suddenly stands.
“You may get a chance to use it again very soon.”
Ah… the air has changed.
At that moment, Liv returns, lands, and draws her sword.
“What did you see?”
“Mm… found something… but… we’re surrounded…”
“So it seems.”
I noticed it too, albeit a bit late.
Hostile presences are closing in around us.
I raise my shield.
Then they emerge from the shadows—
What are those?
Pure white bodies, like porcelain.
Humanoid monsters with black mottled patterns on their arms.
Spider legs form their “hair,” and they have four red eyes.
They resemble women—but… being naked is quite troubling.
Though oddly, it doesn’t feel indecent.
“Mm… nice body…”
“Hmm. About your size, Lupinas.”
“That’s not the point! We’re completely surrounded!”
Also—I have a better figure than them!
More and more spider-women pour out.
Unsettling… we don’t know how they attack.
“Mm… Lupinas… battle cry… go ahead…”
“Battle cry?”
“She means that thing of yours.”
“Please be clearer!”
Very well.
I step forward.
Spread my arms. Lift my chest. Take a deep breath.
(Not that closing my eyes is necessary—it’s just for effect.)
Then—
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
Relic: [Battle Cry]
My shout shakes the air.
Oh, how improper…
For a noble lady of the Lorddenton family—for me—to shout like this in public!
How disgraceful…
…how exhilarating.
With my [Battle Cry], the spider-women swarm toward me.
“Here I go—Wind Claw!”
Pakira’s wind blades slice through the slowed enemies.
“…Sky Form… Subaru… Merope Blade…”
Liv cuts them down one after another with her glowing blue sword.
Their movements are clearly sharper. Stronger.
Naturally.
My new relic, [Battle Cry], combines:
- Taunt – draws enemies in
- Howl – weakens them
- War Cry – boosts allies
The spider-women are slowed, and my allies are strengthened.
They are wiped out in moments.
“Good work, both of you.”
“Your [Battle Cry] is quite something.”
“Mm… Lupinas’s shouting… kind of addictive…”
“Please stop that! It’s embarrassing enough already!”
My face burns red.
Though… I admit… it feels a little good.
“But what exactly are these creatures?”
“Mm… truly… strange… spider-women…”
“Speaking of spiders, Wof mentioned something about a dungeon anomaly.”
“Very likely related.”
Liv rolls one of the corpses toward us.
“What is it?”
“Mm… Lupinas’s… body…”
“Hey now…”
“Stop it!”
I told you already!
I have a better figure than that!