[Ding! Gamer Naoto has activated Piercing Light.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has triggered FrostFire Merchant.]
[Ding! 300% Fire Efficiency has been inflicted onto the target!]
[Ding! Skills, Equipment and Quartz bonuses have been applied!]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto is feeling lucky.]
[Ding! The target has received a Critical Hit!]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Attack Power has been determined.]
[Ding! Now determining the target's resistance...]
[-2,450,000!]
"Ahhhh---!?", The assassin tried to respond, only to see me with cold, dead eyes as I pierced right through the guy's neck. SPLAT! At the same time, the ongoing force of my blow as the light rescinded back into my blade was enough to press against the large window panes. CRASH!
[Ding! The battle has concluded. You have obtained 30,000 EXP!]
[Ding! Now determining Tactical Bonus...]
[Ding! You have obtained 126,000 EXP!]
[Ding! Current Level: 75 (126,000/585,000)]
"Are you alright Milady--!?", Sharon's voice rushed forth, only to meet Alisa standing near the window with a dazed look in her eyes with a bath towel wrapped around her. Tracing Alisa's gaze, she saw two figures suddenly break the glass before them, shattering into pieces.
That wasn't the only thing. A large pool of blood splattered onto the white tiling, painting it a deep red. A few drops even landed on Alisa's face.
It was as if time had come to a standstill, making Alisa unable to process what was currently happening.
Sharon acted fast though. In but a mere moment, she drew her hidden blade. Seeing the dead assassin still attached to my sword, our eyes met. It's been a while since Sharon has met those cold, dead eyes. After all, she once had them herself.
"Enforcer No. IX, I take it?", I said, keeping my voice calm.
"You...", Sharon tried to say. Her eyes locked onto mine. I could feel the temperature in the room drop several degrees, despite it being the bath. I took advantage of this confusion and tossed the assassin's body at Sharon.
"They say actions speak louder than words. Have a look. We've not much time."
After I said that, Sharon had a look at the robed figure, who was now dead. She had come across countless dead bodies before considering her profession as a fellow assassin and all, but her eyes turned serious the moment she saw the hidden insignia attached to the person's body. It wasn't hard to see Sharon immediately recognizing what this sign was.
"I take it you're familiar?", I asked.
A faint image of a green-haired boy soon crept into Sharon's mind, and remembered. At that time, a loud, thunderous echo clapped inside her mindscape, which gave Sharon a sharp clarity she hadn't felt in a long time. Her eyes immediately shifted toward the person she's meant to protect. Alisa Reinford.
"Milady, we need to escape from here immediately. It isn't safe.", Sharon said, calling out to Alisa. It was as if she was doused in cold water. Alisa's eyes regained their composure. She hadn't even realized a few drops of blood were dripping down her face.
"S-Sharon? What's going on?", Alisa asked, finding enough strength to do so.
"There's not enough time to explain.", Sharon said, and moved toward Alisa. In one swoop, she swept Alisa into a cradle. The classic princess hold.
"Eh?", Alisa's eyes turned wide. Thanks to her positioning, her eyes landed on the dagger Sharon was holding in one of her hands. "...Is that a dagger?"
"There's no time to explain. If we linger around any longer you will---?", Sharon tried to say.
"Too late. The next wave is already here. Watch my six.", I said, turning my head back toward the window.
"Go to hell!", One of the next assassins said.
This time, it was three. Seeing them reach for their own weapons, Sharon's eyes turned serious again.
"We'll save the inquiries for later.", Sharon said, looking back at me. She was also curious about the crimson wings on my back, but we couldn't waste time here. Not until these three assassins were taken care of.
I followed the same motion I did the first time, and activated Piercing Light once more.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has initiated the second battle.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has used Piercing Light (A).]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's current position managed to hit all three targets in a single line!]
[Ding! Now calculating final damage output...]
Seeing three more Level - 80 Garden of Sword Assassins neatly lined up in a row, I took advantage of this moment. They couldn't even finish reaching us before my blade shone once again. This time its light intensified, and shot outward. That's why it has a line radius!
[-1,600,000!]
[-1,800,800!]
[-2,050,000!]
More blood splattered around the giant castle-like building, causing me to smile. To think I could one-shot these goons so easily. This is why you never stop the grind!
The interesting part is these guys have high stats too, and high HP. Likely as a result from the constant grinding I have done over the years. Since I'm influencing the area around me directly, the enemies will respond in kind. That's how it looks like it's going. Does that mean those who fight alongside me will also feel empowered in some way? Let's say...Sharon?
[Ding! The second battle has concluded.]
[Ding! Now calculating Tactical Bonus...]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has received 400,000 EXP!]
[Ding! Current Level: 75 (526,000/585,000)]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Quest Log has been updated.]
[Ding! Assassins killed: 4/30.]
Music to my ears~
The grind is already underway. I've killed four assassins and I'm already approaching Level 76. That's because their levels are 80. You see, if you fight higher-leveled targets in Trails, you can get much higher experience from them compared to what you would normally get against targets who share the same level with you.
Seeing the coast clear for now, Sharon, still carrying Alisa, shifted her eyes to me. Her weapon remained in one of her hands, and pointed it right at me.
"Who are you?"
"Didn't I give you enough of a clue already? Enforcer No. IX. Or should I say, the Severing Chains?", I said, and tossed the three assassins down the building, letting them fall. More blood splattered onto the ground around us. I've gotten used to life on the battlefield already, so this sight no longer disturbs me as it would in the past.
"...Is this the reason why you would never bring up your past with me, Sharon?", Alisa's voice called out, only to see Alisa staring right at Sharon. The earlier shock vanished. It looks like Alisa knows the position she's in now.
"I am sorry, Milady. I cannot go into the details. It would seem we are being targeted, and I have a faint idea who.", Sharon said, and sighed. After saying this, Sharon looked back my way.
"Tell me. They sent you, didn't they?", Sharon asked.
"True. We haven't had the pleasure to meet before this. Although it is not official, you may call me Enforcer No. IV, The Rulebreaker.", I said, introducing my unofficial title to Sharon.
"...Enforcer No. IV?", Sharon whispered to herself, trying to see if anyone by that title was someone she had come across inside Ouroboros. But it didn't remind her of anyone.
Sadly, Sharon couldn't even say anything else. We all heard a loud explosion rock the Reinford Group building. BOOOOM!
"S-S-Sharon!?", Alisa exclaimed, in full panic mode. Sharon's lips curved downward into a frown. We all felt the building shake. Even the tub's water was spilt out onto the floor around us.
"Go get the young missus changed, Kreuger. We're in a short respite. I shall fend off the next wave. This was just a welcome gift.", I said, ignoring Alisa's panic.
"Very well. What will you do, Rulebreaker?", Sharon asked.
"Wait. I will use this time to meditate and bolster my strength. Our primary enemy has not entered the fray yet."
I was going to use Lunar Pulse!
It just so happened to be a full moon out on this auspicious night. Seeing the seriousness in my eyes, Sharon nodded her head. I am not sure if she trusts me or not, considering we're part of the same organization. Ouroboros. She saw me easily fend off four assassins.
"Milady, you will need to do exactly as I say.", Sharon said, looking down at Alisa again, who was still in her arms. "I cannot go into detail like I said, but your life is being targeted."
"...My life?", Alisa uttered, and frowned. Alisa equally saw the seriousness in Sharon's eyes. In the end, Alisa simply nodded, and looked back at me. "I do not know who you are, but I can tell this situation is serious. Mother has earned many enemies both old and new since she has assumed the seat of Chairwoman of our Reinford Group. Being attacked like this is not out of the ordinary. It sounds like you're acquainted with Sharon too. I will ask about that later. For now, I will leave it to you."
"Understood.", I said. Alisa took a quick glance at Sharon and the two quickly departed. After all, I couldn't exactly take Alisa out of here in just a bath towel.
In the meantime, I had a look at the window I had broken into, courtesy of those four assassins. Looking upward, I saw a couple scattered clouds, and then the full moon. A grin appeared on my face.
"Tonight will be soaked in blood. Just you watch, Ace Rayne. I will not go easy on you.", I uttered to myself, and proceeded toward the edge. I then sat down cross-legged and began my meditation. It had upgraded into Lunar Pulse as time went on. A proper breathing technique Master graciously imparted onto me.
After I regulated my breathing for a while, Gamer Notifications soon followed...
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has activated a Skill, Lunar Pulse!]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's HP and EP have been fully replenished!]
[Ding! Current HP: 31,000 Current EP: 103,500.]
[Ding! Due to it being a full moon out, additional effects have been temporarily added to Lunar Pulse.]
[Ding! All Stats have been increased by 30%!]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Final Damage will be boosted by 30%!]
Sucking in a cold breath of air that was tainted with the rustic smell of metal, my eyes flashed with a glow of the night sky. My earlier stress completely vanished, and I felt invigorated, like I could take on the entire world.
"This feeling...It's been a while.", I uttered. I haven't had a good meditation session in a hot minute, have I? It looks like I received an unexpected boost too. My overall damage will be increased by 1.3! I can already dish out a shit ton of damage due to the amount of multipliers I have thanks to my Quartz, Equipment, and Skills. Imagine that being boosted by a third. Overkill.
Still, I got up, and stretched my body. It didn't take long for me to hear a couple people approaching me. I saw Sharon and Alisa. Alisa's hair was still a little wet, but she was dressed now.
"Good. We cannot remain here any longer. We'll take the battle to them. Their target is Alisa, but Kreuger and I should be enough to fend them off.", I said to the two.
"You want to take the attack to them!? That's what they want, isn't it?", Alisa asked, and frowned.
"It is, yes. I share the same opinion of the Rulebreaker. I can attest to the power he holds, Milady. With the two of us watching over you, it would be best to take the fight to them. Otherwise, it would lead to an endless pursuit. And honestly, I'd rather get this over with. Thank you for the assist.", Sharon said, looking at me with a hint of respect in her eyes. Really now?
"That just sounds equally as dangerous...", Alisa uttered, and frowned. "But I trust you, Sharon. So I will trust your word. I will place the trust of the Reinford Group to you.", Alisa said, and looked at me.
"Very well. Like I said, we cannot stay here. We will change positions. The lower floors are likely inaccessible, so there is only one way to go.", I said.
"That...", Alisa began to say, only to see my finger point upward.
"To the roof."