Ten minutes after Hikari and Harold’s return, the others come back.
“How was it?”
“I think it would be dangerous to chase them too far.”
“Yes, their reactions gathered on this side of the pond.”
Say Rurika and Guilford to Chris.
Yes, I can see half the sea devils moving on Map.
And the ones that retreated are just leaving the forest.
“They were probably baiting us.”
“No, I think they realized they couldn’t beat us and changed course.”
Says Argo with certainty.
“…I guess with those physical abilities and darkness magic, the average adventurer would’ve probably been beaten.”
Guilford doesn’t deny it, as he analyses their fighting style.
“Then did we make them wary of us?”
“We also retreated. I wonder what they think of that. There were also more of us. Maybe they’ll attack with more next time.”
Three of them, five of us. And if they have the ability to detect the ones who didn’t fight them, they might know there’s actually eleven of us.
They really might attack with more. And there are at least thirty-four sea devils in the pond. If they try to overwhelm us with numbers, we might be in for a tough fight.
Especially because of darkness magic…? If they use it as a group… No, can light magic counter it?
Holy magic’s Recovery can lift status conditions, but is that what they use?
I think the best way to deal with it is to just not get hit.
“Can’t we attack them first?”
“Maybe not if they run into the water.”
Says Argo while scratching his chin.
“Then big sister Chris can burn them with magic!”
“Bold, but maybe not a bad move.”
“If the fire spreads, we are going to burn with them, you know?”
Guilford is right, it could spread to the forest.
“Sora and Chris’ magic can prevent that.”
“I see. Then do you want to try attacking them?”
After hearing Rurika, Guilford is more optimistic about an assault.
First, we should check their positions. There are thirty-four sea devils, but they’re not together. And Chris and I are going to use magic to keep them separate.
“When are we going?”
I ask Guilford after hearing the plan.
“I’m wondering if we should wait a day, but maybe it’s best to just attack. We also retreated, so they might be overconfident. Well, it’s a gamble in a way.”
There’s a chance they’re more cautious of us after that fight. We won’t know until we get close, and they might come into the forest to attack if they’re feeling confident.
“In any case, we just have to deal with them.”
Says Argo like it’s no big deal, confident in his ability to handle them.
“Argo must believe in the power of your party, to go that far.”
Says Rick, quietly enough for Argo to not hear.
Then I have to match those expectations.
After we eat, we execute the plan.
We move in the forest, to go target a small group. Not the same one as before.
First, Chris casts fire spirit magic near the center of the pond. The fire rises above it, and spreads as if crawling on the pond.
I can see this firepower evaporating the water.
The sea devils try to go underwater to avoid the fire, but they scream.
“Isn’t that actually going to be enough to take them down?”
Mumbles Argo as we run. I’m thinking the same thing. As always, Chris’ spirit magic is off the charts.
Maybe we should’ve gone with this from the start, if this is the result.
But the sea devils in pain survive. It’s not enough to keep them down.
“Ignore those. Beat the ones that are close.”
Guilford takes the lead as we exit the forest towards the edge of the pond.
The sea devils are running in pain from the fire, and out of the pond. They clearly haven’t noticed us. Normally they would, but they’re busy with something else.
We can feel the heat too, but we’re wearing robes to protect us from it.
Argo takes out his sword, and executes the first attack.
I hear a scream, and the sea devils panic even more.
Then Sera takes out her axes and starts taking them down.
But this is where the sneak attack ends. They extend their hands that are like octopus tentacles with suction cups, and start responding to our attacks.
I’m slashing with a magic energy infused sword, but it’s like the impact is absorbed by the suction cups, and I can’t cut them. And they’re strong.
Sera and Argo can push through with their power, but that’s them.
I swing my sword while evading the suction cups. They have more than one of those legs with suction cups, and can attack and defend.
With that, I immediately switch to defense and leave attacking to others.
Hikari sends out a Projectile Slash, Rurika uses Gale to attack when they don’t expect it, and Clift thrusts with his spear when he sees an opening.
Mia is looking out for their magic that disturbs vision, but they’re not using it.
Fifteen minutes and twelve sea devils later, they’re all down, and we retreat to the forest after collecting the corpses quickly.
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Thanks for the update. 😎👍