ALL NOVEL Chapter 24.1
Chapter 24: Rumor (1)
The Pale Moon is a monster that specializes in mental attacks.
Its most infamous skill, Reminiscence, forces its target to recall past events, rendering them unable to properly use their abilities—a notoriously frustrating attack even in the game.
Just as Veronica, each time she used a skill, was thrown into disarray, unable to provide effective support.
Of course, there were ways to counter it. A bard or jester could use Mental Healing, or a warrior could use Physical Healing, to snap the afflicted out of it.
That’s the usual approach for average players. But for seasoned veterans like me? We employ a different strategy altogether.
The poison-counteracting-poison tactic: weakening the Pale Moon’s mental attacks with our own wide-area mental assaults indiscriminately targeting friend and foe alike.
That’s precisely why I brought these two chaotic adventurers along.
Wilkes’ incessant chatter and Lark’s screeching, pig-slaughtering music and vocals.
The mental shock created by this combination was strong enough to affect not only the Pale Moon but also our entire party, ensuring Veronica wouldn’t stay trapped in her visions for too long.
Sure, the mental toll was steep.
“Veronica! Are you okay?!”
“…Yeah.”
The silver-haired beauty, who had been staring at me blankly, snapped back to reality. Perhaps it was the effect of Lark’s death metal, as she winced and grumbled.
“My ears are ringing.”
“They should be.”
If someone isn’t fazed by that kind of music and chatter, they’re not human.
Still, Veronica’s high mental fortitude seemed to keep her from descending into outright confusion.
And even if she had, it wouldn’t have been a big problem.
“Take a step back and rest if you need to!”
I could cover for Veronica for a short while.
Gripping her hand, I pulled her to her feet. She managed to stand and turned toward the Pale Moon, biting down on her lip hard enough to draw blood.
Red trickled from her lips.
“No priest would rest while facing such evil.”
Clutching her Divine Mark tightly, she assessed her condition and unleashed her most potent available skill.
Blessing of Light.
A high-level priest skill that heals the party’s health and mental strength while providing a protective shield.
However, as soon as she activated the skill, her eyes grew hazy again—a sign she was succumbing to the status effect Reminiscence. I reacted immediately, slapping her across the face.
-SMACK!
Not out of malice, but because Physical Healing is a warrior’s specialty.
“Gah!”
A red mark appeared on Veronica’s pale cheek.
I felt bad for hitting someone I was close to, but there was no choice.
Lark wasn’t in great shape either. His hands, raw and bleeding from strumming his lute, and his persistent coughing from prolonged singing were evidence enough.
Leaving everything to those two seemed increasingly unreasonable—
“Die! Die! Dieee!”
“Argh! Why won’t this thing go down?! It’s ridiculously strong! The last time I saw something this tough was back in Trillvania when—”
…Never mind, they’ll manage.
They’re tougher than they look.
“…Am I holding the team back?”
“No way. You’re doing great.”
Seeing Veronica’s stress start to build, I grabbed her shoulders firmly.
“Seriously, you’re a huge help. Don’t doubt yourself!”
Reducing stress is the support’s job.
I tossed some lozenges I’d made through alchemy to the two of them. They caught them, cleared their throats, and went back to attacking the Pale Moon. Turning back to Veronica, I lifted her chin and locked eyes with her.
“Eek!”
She flinched and looked away, her flushed cheeks growing redder. Maybe I slapped her a bit too hard earlier?
“R-really?”
“Of course.”
“More than the Hero Party?”
“Obviously.”
“…More than the princess?”
Why bring up Lucille now?
Still, reducing stress takes priority, so I indulged her with some light flattery.
“Yeah, more than her.”
“Will you come to me after this is over?”
“Uh, no.”
There are limits to what I’ll concede.
“…Tch.”
Though she seemed disappointed, Veronica rallied her determination.
“Sage One! Something’s off with that thing!”
Lark’s shout drew my attention to the Pale Moon. Its countless tentacles had stopped moving, and the eyes on its smooth, white surface had closed.
“Is… is it over?”
“No! Wilkes, prep your ultimate! Lark, as much as I hate to ask this, we’ve got no choice!”
“Huh?”
“We’re doing a duet!”
“What?!”
Lark and I had clashing musical tastes, to say the least, but there was no other way. I grabbed my lute while Lark hesitated before pulling out a sheet of music and tossing it to me.
“Can you play this?”
“No way! This is way too complicated! Just follow my lead! Veronica, get ready!”
“Huh? Oh, right!”
“We’re singing the hymn Light Descends Upon Me! Everyone, brace yourselves! The transformed form might cause confusion!”
-CLark!
A fissure appeared on the Pale Moon’s surface. This was the sign of its true form emerging, heightening our tension to the limit.
-Snap!!
The white shell shattered, revealing a grotesque monster with dozens of glaring eyes, four arms, two legs, and hundreds of writhing tentacles sprouting from its back.
“What the hell is that?!”
“Light, descend…”
“Whoa! That’s so cool! Sage One, this thing is hitting all my artistic vibes!”
…Wilkes’ taste is incomprehensible. How could anyone call such a monstrosity “cool”?
At least someone’s enjoying themselves.
Phase 2 Begins
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