ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 64
64 4th Floor, Sagae PT
――SIDE: Sagae Souji――
We, who had transferred to the 3rd floor, were using the map shared by Shouma to head towards the transfer stone. Along the way, we encountered monsters, but thanks to Hou and Kouga’s quick reflexes, we were able to defeat them without any problems. The current time was 9 am. We had reached the transfer stone without any major incidents.
“It went pretty smoothly, didn’t it?”
Kouga said, sounding relieved.
It was true that our exploration route was established, but it was also because our two attackers had gotten used to dealing with the monsters that appeared. We didn’t encounter any werewolves, so it was safe to proceed.
“The real battle starts from here. …Touka, can you estimate the ranking of each PT?”
“Just a minute”
When Hou told her to wait, Touka operated her magic terminal (portal). She was calculating the current location of each PT based on the class rankings and update times.
“…The fastest one is the Fukuyama group. Theyัชntered the 4th floor 30 minutes ago. The Mushakouji group just entered. Our ranking is third, I think?”
“Then, the last one is Shouma, right? What’s he doing, boasting about his big mouth?”
“…Instead of worrying about Ishirou, we should focus on chasing after Fukuyama’s group. If we hesitate, we’ll fall behind Mushakouji too…”
“I-I know that! ――Besides, I’m not worried about him at all!”
Ignoring the angry Kouga, Hou urged me to transfer to the next floor.
…What he said was reasonable, but he never thought about the trouble that would come later, did he?
I let out a sigh, thinking that I would have to comfort Kouga again.
“…Let’s go!!”
I took a deep breath and shouted.
When I activated the transfer function on my magic terminal (portal), my vision was filled with a dazzling light. This sparkling sensation was still unfamiliar to me.
As my vision cleared, I saw the same stone-built dungeon as before. I knew that it would be like this until we surpassed the 10th floor, but I was a bit tired of the lack of change.
“Well then――”
“Shall we go?”
As I tried to continue speaking, I heard a voice behind me.
“Souji!!”
“—”
I sensed an enemy’s presence and quickly jumped back, relying on Hou’s tense voice. I managed to avoid the sudden attack from the demon.
I rolled on the ground and quickly got back to my feet. It seemed Hou had held off the enemy’s pursuit. When I saw the attacker’s face, I caught my breath for a moment.
“A werewolf…! Is it a werewolf!?”
We finally encountered one too!
The wolf-like creature, reminiscent of those in picture books, bared its fangs and glared at me. Its intimidating presence felt more threatening than any monster we had faced before.
“—Battle preparations!!”
As I gave the order, everyone formed their designated positions. I took the front line, Hou provided support from the rear, and Akane provided backup from the center. Kanae covered our rear and cast healing spells. This was our party’s standard battle strategy.
But—
“What’s going on!?”
“Eh—?”
I couldn’t react to the werewolf’s swift attack! The werewolf broke through our front line and charged at Akane in the center.
“Ugh!!”
“—Akane-chan!!”
Akane, who was trying to switch arrows, reacted a moment too slow. She tried to defend herself with her bow, but the werewolf’s powerful blow sent her rolling on the ground.
—This is bad. Our healer is down!
The werewolf targeted Kanae, and Hou rushed to cover her, but it seemed like they wouldn’t make it in time.
I regretted my mistake in my heart.
And then—
“…Hah!”
Kanae pulled out a short sword from behind her waist and confronted the werewolf. She skillfully deflected the werewolf’s claw attacks with her small sword.
“—Take that!!”
“Hyaah!?”
Hou jumped in and struck the werewolf from behind. As the werewolf flew back, Hou adjusted her position to protect Kanae.
We wouldn’t let them get away with this anymore!!
“Wooo!!”
With a fierce cry, I charged at the werewolf with my sword. Although my attack was blocked by its claws, that wasn’t my goal.
“I won’t let you escape…!”
I muttered, still pressing forward.
We might be inferior in agility, but we had the upper hand in strength. I would pin it down and make it impossible to move…
From then on, we engaged in a fierce battle.
We managed to pin it down, but I wasn’t unscathed. While Hou struck the werewolf with her sword, I received several counterattacks. Reducing the distance, even Akane, who had recovered, couldn’t find an opening to shoot her arrows, and we had to consume four recovery potions. We could only manage to drive the werewolf back.
“—This is… tough…!?”
As the werewolf disappeared from view, I sat down on the spot, exhausted. The damage I received was one thing, but my fatigue was even greater.
“Are you okay!? Souji-kun!?”
Kanae, worried about me, called out to me.
She’s safe, that’s good. Nothing happened, so that’s good too… However, it’s my responsibility as a Tank to have let her face a fierce battle against the Healer.
“…With less than 40% HP, we’re in escape mode. Just like Shōma said… I knew it, but I couldn’t help it, and now I’m feeling exhausted… Sorry, Kōu.”
“Kaon, use a recovery potion!”
“No, it’s okay. It’s pointless now, and I’m just feeling tired… Kōu, sorry too. It’s my fault for removing the mark at the beginning.”
“That’s… I also let my guard down…”
“We got too used to fighting Slimes and Goblins. I didn’t think technical enemies would be this troublesome… We need to come up with a strategy ASAP.”
I summarize the conversation.
I agree with him too.
“If we hadn’t heard about the Werewolf’s threat, it could’ve been even worse. Now I understand why the Kobayashi group couldn’t defeat it…”
I’m on high alert now. Of course, I don’t think we can’t defeat it. We were pushed to the limit just a little while ago. If we fight it a few more times, we’ll figure out how to deal with it.
“Shōma took it down alone, right?”
Kōu mutters, sounding skeptical.
Well, that’s a pretty impressive feat.
“And it was the first time, too? Even with the Werewolf’s information, that’s incredible…”
“Isamu said he aimed for a critical hit. With his stats, getting into the Werewolf’s weak point is an extremely difficult task.”
“If we’re careless… instant death?”
We all fall silent at Kaon’s words.
Shōma’s weapon is a rapier. If he took the wolf’s claw, he’d easily be crushed. In other words, he saw through all the enemy’s fierce attacks. Shōma’s level is still 1, and his overall power hasn’t changed, yet he defeated the Werewolf, who has all superior stats.
“—If his eyes say Isamu Shōma is special, then that’s correct, right?”
The words of my upperclassman echo in my mind.
“Is he special, like Tenjuin?”
“General?”
“No, nothing… —”
I shake my head, taking a deep breath.
“—Let’s put Shōma’s matter aside for now! We knew he was incredible from the start, anyway. Now, let’s focus on moving forward!”
As I speak, everyone nods in agreement.
Who will become the class leader is unknown. I myself don’t have a strong desire for the position of class leader.
However…
Why did I want to challenge this battle with all my might?