Umbra Frontier Online – A Casual Playthrough of the Umbra Witch

"And.... that's about it."

After reuniting with Bane, Hikari, Himeji and I took a short break in the miniboss area as I explained in detail about what transpired during my first time in the Underground Catacombs.

"So... you encountered the Centibane..."

"Yeah..."

"Then you realised that it wasn't attacking you..."

"That's correct."

"And once you realised that it's not hostile, you 'accidentally' tamed it?"

"Yes. That's what I just told you. Also, its name is Bane."

"Skreeeeee~"

"Ah. Nice to meet you too, Bane."

"Nice to meet you, Bane."

Hikari, Himeji and Bane politely exchanged greetings as the latter then made its carapace into its non-toxic state to allow Hikari and Himeji to pat it.

"Oh wow." Hikari exclaimed.

"It's really hard." Himeji added.

"I know, right?" I then joined them in patting Bane, who screeched happily as it enjoyed being patted by the three of us.

"Skreeeeeee~"

However, while Bane is happy, Hikari seemed to be slightly disappointed as she heaved a sigh out loud.

"Maaann... it's a bummer though. I was really excited to face a tough monsters, but we ended meeting my brot— I mean, sister's pet instead." she said, continuing to pat Bane regardless. "Also, was Bane's level always this high?" she then asked me.

"No." I answered. "If I recall correctly, Bane was around level 18 or something when I first met it."

Which makes me wonder how it suddenly became over level 30 now...?

"Also, sis, why didn't you leave a monster you'd tamed here?" Hikari asked another question.

"Well, the exit of the dungeon is a portal and Bane couldn't use it. So... I had to say goodbye to it. Speaking of which..." I then turned to Bane. "...Didn't I release you from servitude right before I left?"

"Skreeee?"

"Well clearly, you did not if Bane is still your tamed monster." 

"I guess so..."

We continued patting Bane's carapace for a bit longer before resuming our dungeon exploration. This time, with Bane tagging along with us as I mounted it like a ride, while Hikari and Himeji took the vanguard position now, because they wanted to do the fighting from here on out.

That being said however, their formation tended to crumble a lot whenever Himeji freaked out against a Ghast or two. Requiring either me or Hikari to kill those quickly, so that Himeji can get back to her role as a tank again.

Eventually, the fourth and the fifth stone tablets were found as Hikari and Himeji were able to listen to the full story of Gaius.

"*Sniff* *Sniff*..."

"Hime... are you crying right now?" Hikari stared at Himeji with a shocked expression. So do I, since I wasn't expecting Himeji to cry from hearing Gaius's story.

"That's because Mr Gaius had such a sad past. The poor knight..."

She addressed a boss monster with honorifics...

"Meh. The backstory was alright. I've seen many anime with similar cases."

"Which are?" I asked my sister, joining in on their conversation.

"Errrrrr.... Can't think of one right now. Might have to get back to you on that."

"And by that, you mean never."

"Exactly. You know me so well~"

"I am your big brother after all."

"You meant big 'sister'."

"Yeah whatever. Anyways, are you ready now you two? Especially HimeHime. The boss is behind this door, you know." I said, as we have yet to enter the boss room.

"Of course!" Hikari replied, excited to take Gaius on.

"*Sniff* Y-Yes!" Himeji answered as well after calming down. "Mr Gaius, we're going to free you from your suffering!" she then announced loudly.

"By 'we' you meant the two of us though. Right?" Hikari inquired. " Since sis and Bane will just be watching after all."

"We are?"

"Skreee!?"

I was surprised to hear that, believing that I would be joining them in the battle against Gaius at the very least. Wanting some of the action in the boss fight. Bane was surprised too, it seems. From the way it just screeched at what Hikari said.

"Why of course you are, sis." Hikari then turned to me and Bane. "You've already fought Gaius before and even soloed him. It might get too easy if you join and end up taking away the fun. So this time, HimeHime and I will be the ones to fight him. You and Bane can just sit back and watch." she said with a thumbs up at us, who were still kind of baffled that we don't get a say in this.

"But I wanted to fight too..." I muttered under my breath.

Solo or not, Gaius was a challenging boss. It wouldn't take away the fun even if I joined.

"Skreee...."

Look! Even Bane is disappointed that it doesn't get to fight. Let Bane join you at least!

"Umm Lumina, are you sure? Mama and Bane would be a great help if they join." Himeji asked. Putting hope into me and Bane as we expect her to convince my little sister to reconsider.

However, Hikari's mind was unwavering. "Yeah, I'm sure." she said, brushing off the question like it's nothing. "If sis can solo the boss, then I'm sure the two of us can deal with him together. So now... let's go! Gaius, here we come!"

And like that, Hikari pushed the door to the boss room open and pulled Himeji along with her into battle.

Bane and I entered the room after a while, as the door then closed behind us, while we simply sat back and watched as my little sister and her friend fought the Fallen Knight, Gaius, who began the battle with a wide open swing at Himeji with his longsword.

"Iron Defense! Fortress!"

Himeji seemed to have buffed herself before planting her big shield down to deflect the attack. Providing a brief window of opportunity for Hikari to swoop in for an attack of her own.

"Iai Stance, Third Form: Lightning Blade!"

As if lightning surged from her sword while she was drawing it, Hikari struck Gaius with a powerful blow, depleting a chunk of his HP away. However, this exposed her back to Gaius who did not hesitate to attack her once he had regained his posture.

"Woah!"

Hikari narrowly avoided the blade with her reflexes. But then Gaius threw a punch at her with his off-hand, which Hikari wouldn't be able to dodge in time.

Luckily, she has Himeji to save her.

"Shield Bash!"

Himeji jumped in the path of Gaius's blade. But instead of blocking, she went in and delivered a full-body slam against his blade and himself. Knocking Gaius back and allowing Hikari to regain her posture as well.

"Whew~ That was close. Thanks, HimeHime."

"You're welcome."

This is... This is pretty entertaining.

Now, if only I had popcorn to eat while I watch them.

Sitting on Bane is comfortable enough. But as expected... with nothing to eat in my hands, it can be pretty boring just sitting here and watching.

"Hmmm....."

Come to think of it, I still have some potatoes in my inventory, don't I?

Ooo! I can make some potato chips real quick and eat them as I watch Hikari and Himeji fight Gaius.

"Yeah. Let's do that."

"Skreee?"

I hopped off Bane momentarily and brought out the Portable Kitchen in the boss room. I then changed my equipment into the embarrassing naked apron outfit and began making some potato chips while Hikari and Himeji's battle against Gaius was ongoing in the background.

"Mmmm~ Mmm~ MmmmMmmm~"

While humming away, I chopped the potatoes into thin slices, soaked them in water, let them dry for a while, before frying them in oil. After all of that was done, I sprinkled some salt on them, let them cool for a bit and voila! My homemade potato chips are finished.

Or in this case, dungeon-made potato chips.

Anyways, time to get back to watching Hikari and Himeji fight the boss and eat these.

And so, I changed my equipment back and kept the Portable Kitchen before sitting comfortably on Bane again with a bowl of potato chips in my hand.

"Mm. This is nice."

"Skreee..."

"Want to try one, Bane?"

"Skrreeeee~"

"Here you go. Lampy, you want one too?"

Lampy landed on my shoulder as if to say yes.

"Here you go."