Chapter 97

"Well, what are we going to do today?"

The next morning.

Sylvia, with an expression that seemed to be on the verge of hearing the sound of "waku waku waku," asked with anticipation. Eco was also fidgeting slightly.

"Are we going to measure DPS again?"

Yesterday, we explored the maximum damage in one second. Today, it would be natural to increase the challenge time to 10 or 30 seconds. By attacking a specific target for 30 seconds and dividing the total damage by 30, we can easily measure DPS.

However, calculating DPS this way doesn't have much meaning. That's because all the calculations can be done on paper. And I already know the highest DPS for each skill.

"Have you figured out which skill would provide the most stable continuous firepower?"

"Yes, probably the Infantry Archery Rapid Fire."

"Right. Infantry Rapid Fire is the most stable. I call this 'sustained firepower.'"

The tactic that requires the shortest preparation and cooldown time and can maintain stable firepower for a long time is Infantry Archery Rapid Fire. 'Sustained firepower' is a coined term combining 'sustained combat ability' and 'firepower.' It's not just something I call it; it's what it's called in Mevion.

"But if you only have a split second to attack, which skill would provide the most firepower?"

"The one we discovered yesterday. The Zero-Distance Ryoma Archery."

"Ah, that's right."

If we were to attack for 30 seconds using only Infantry or only Ryoma and measure the DPS, the result would be a clear victory for Infantry. Ryoma has too long of a preparation time. However, for a single attack, Ryoma is overwhelmingly more powerful.

"Knowing this much is enough. There's no need to measure DPS yourself."

Yesterday's training, "Exploring Maximum Damage in One Second," alone is enough to understand the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each skill. My plan worked out well.

I'm sure Sylvia and Eco have understood it thoroughly. Eco has already realized how to generate firepower using the counterattack effect of the "Silver General Shield Technique." Explaining the DPS of the "Shield Technique" to her now would be like preaching to the converted.

"So, what are we going to do today?"

"Relax."

"Huh? Relax?"

"Relax."

"Relax..."

"Re-lax?"

It seems simple, but it's ultimately very important.

"This isn't something you can do just by trying. I want you to try to master it between today and the title match."

"…No, I understand. Watching Second's usual behavior, it's clear. Relax, huh, I see."

Sylvia seems to have realized something. On the other hand, Eco is tilting her head and saying, "Huh?"

"In a title match, it's common to stare each other down for 10 or 20 minutes. If you stay tense the whole time, you'll definitely get exhausted. You won't be able to maintain your concentration. Relax and focus deeply. That's the ideal state. You need to aim for that."

Easier said than done, though.

"There are several methods, but I have two patterns."

"Two patterns?"

"Yes. One is to immerse yourself. Get so deep into it that you can't come back. Dive in so deep that it scares you."

"That sounds… difficult."

"This isn't something you consciously do; it often happens without you noticing."

"Just immerse yourself without thinking about anything else?"

"Right. More precisely, don't even think about 'not thinking about anything else.'"

"…I see. What's the other pattern?"

"Think about unnecessary things."

"Wha!?"

Sylvia sprayed her drink like a mist. Nice reaction.

"That's the opposite of what you just said!"

"Think without thinking."

"It doesn't make sense!"

"Just think about unnecessary things. Think about really stupid things."

"No, no, no, that's not right!"

"Strangely, it helps you calm down. You can make calm judgments. Try it when your mind is in turmoil."

"…I, I see? It's not entirely illogical…"

"From experience, it's best to think about something erotic."

"Take that back!"

Yeah, it's true, though.

"Everyone is different. This is just my method. There must be a method that suits you. Start looking for it today."

"Right, I'll find my own method."

"Is that okay, Eco?"

"Roger that!"

She's so energetic, it's refreshing. Eco might not need it, given her lack of distractions.

"Here's what we'll do today and tomorrow. You two will strip off all your equipment and clear the Limpthwart Dungeon with just wooden bows and wooden shields. You can only use Archery and Shield techniques. No transformations allowed."

"……Oh dear."

Sylvia's face turned pale.

Eco also let out a disappointed "Hoge!" and became limp, her cat ears drooping.

"There will be several tense moments. The key is how you can relax in those situations."

It's a bit harsh, but we don't have time to waste. We need to be ready for the winter title match in three weeks.

Your stats shouldn't put you in mortal danger, but a small mistake could get you surrounded and pummeled by monsters. It won't be fatal, but it will hurt. You need to stay calm and perform under such tense conditions. It's a bit tough, but I want you to overcome this.

"If you can return unscathed even once, I'll give you a reward."

"Watch this, Second! Limpthwart is our backyard!"

"Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it!"

A little bit of sympathy and a hint of a reward, and this is what you get. The shopping trip must have been really fun for them. It was fun for me too, though.

"Good luck."

"What about you, Second?"

"I'll be grinding in Isoleis and getting all the Shield techniques to the next rank."

"…I see."

Why the formal language?

"Sniff, sniff, sniff."

In the evening.

When I returned from grinding for experience, Sylvia was crying dramatically. Eco was patting her back, saying, "I understand, I understand." It's like a comedy sketch.

"What's going on?"

"They seem to be despairing because returning unscathed is too difficult."

Ah, I see. Yuki's explanation makes everything clear.

"How many hits did you take?"

"I don't remember after 10…"

Sylvia stopped her fake crying and looked at me with a resentful expression.

"Our weapons are weak, we have no armor, and it hurts… It's too much."

"Isn't Limpthwart your backyard?"

"The low attack power of the wooden bow isn't something you can cover with tactics. The environment is so different that it's like a completely different dungeon."

"I see. Do you have a plan?"

"Not at all, which is why I'm despairing."

"Do you want a hint?"

"…Yes."

After a lot of hesitation, she nodded. Eco also nodded once.

They must be frustrated.

I smiled and broke the silence, saying, "I understand, I understand."

"Try taking as much time as you can."

* * *

I had been unconsciously thinking this way.

The more time you take, the harder it is to maintain concentration, and the more likely you are to make mistakes.

And the fewer attempts you have, the further you get from "returning unscathed."

It was the opposite.

Take as much time as you can, be thorough, be cautious, and focus.

Don't think about how a mistake would waste all the time you've spent.

Just focus on not making any mistakes.

"Eco! Fall back!"

"Roger!"

When multiple monsters appear, always lure them one by one and take them down together.

Like unraveling a tangled thread, do it slowly and steadily, without rushing, without getting angry, without trying to enjoy it, and just keep repeating the small tasks.

It will take much longer than usual. But so what? You'll return unscathed. Just focus on that one goal.

"Ah…!"

Three monsters noticed us. One step, two steps, or maybe half a step too far forward.

"Ugh!"

Two against three. I couldn't handle it well and took a hit.

Damn it… Damn, damn, damn!!

I got careless! Why did I move forward without thinking?

Damn, I'm so frustrated. It's my fault. I got careless.

"…Sorry, let's do another round."

"Okay, let's try again."

We have to start over. That tedious, time-consuming task, all over again.

"Hmm, I see."

I suddenly realized. Earlier, I was thinking about "focusing on returning unscathed."

I wasn't immersed. I had forgotten to relax. I was thinking about "focusing," which is a distraction.

"…!"

I was struck by the realization.

Just as Second said.

And for some reason, everything feels connected.

Yesterday, the day before, and today. All our training is leading up to the title match.

Could it be…?

"Eco, let's try an experiment while we move forward."

"Experiment?"

If we get surrounded, we can't handle it. With weak weapons, we can't expect high DPS. So, we need to use a skill that can deal a lot of damage in one hit.

I've been using the usual "Rook Archery" technique. It's not enough to kill them, but it's the highest-damage long-range skill.

But what about Zero-Distance "Ryoma Archery"?

I'd rather attack from a distance to avoid taking hits. But if one hit can take them down, it's a different story.

The Limpthwart Dungeon isn't very wide. When monsters notice you, they'll come close almost immediately unless you hide behind a rock. So, the time to react is limited.

For example, if two monsters notice us, and I can take one down with Zero-Distance Ryoma, Eco can parry the other, and we can handle it together. It would be more efficient and safer.

I get it. Being cautious and avoiding mistakes isn't about being cowardly.

"Look, Eco! Ryoma takes one hit!"

"Wow! Amazing!"

Just as I thought! "Ryoma Archery" has a "piercing effect." The main enemies in Limpthwart are tough-shelled stone turtles, and this skill might be effective against their defenses!

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

"Ouch!"

We took a concentrated attack from the stone turtles and were in pain, but the joy of seeing a way forward outweighed it.

Just wait, Limpthwart. This is where our rapid progress begins.

* * *

"Sniff, sniff, sniff"

"…What's that?"

When I got home in the evening, Sylvia was sitting in a triangle on the sofa, crying dramatically, just like yesterday.

"She managed to reach the boss without taking any damage, but the boss's rock turtle was too much."

Yuki finished her explanation with a sigh and went back to her housework.

I see. But reaching the boss in just two days is better than expected.

As I approached to talk to her, Sylvia, with her head still down, reacted slightly.

"At first, I thought we could take it down with Eco's parries and my damage reduction…"

She started talking without me asking.

"But if I just parry, the target will focus on me. The rock turtle ignored Eco and charged at me, and that was the end."

Oh no…

"That's understandable. What will you do next time you face the rock turtle?"

"Hmm… The only thing I can think of is for Eco to use the Silver General Shield Technique's parry to counterattack. If the rock turtle targets the one dealing the most damage, I'll adjust my damage to be less than Eco's counterattack damage."

…Yeah, that's a good plan. It seems she's understood what I wanted to teach her.

"Sylvia, Eco, you did a great job. I'll give you a reward."

"Really!?"

"Really!?"

The gloomy atmosphere suddenly brightened. When I nodded, they both cheered, "Yay, yay, yay!"

"Tomorrow, we're going shopping. Yuki will come too, right?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, we need a break. Besides… it's probably your last rest before the title match."

"Huh? Did you say something, Second?"

"No, nothing."

There are only three weeks left until the winter title match.

Thank you for reading.

I'll take a break for a while as I accumulate more material.