Chapter 120: Embracing the Light of Ambition — Part 6
Lycagon the Nightslayer. Watching it now, I understand—defeating it really is impossible.
First, its raw base stats are simply on another level. On top of being outclassed in fundamental parameters, there's that bastard's clones. I could probably endure, but actually taking it down is a different story. Second, there's the fact that it's a Unique Monster. Even supposing I did manage to beat it...
Psyger-0: "...Is something... the matter?"
Even Rei-shi here would have an extremely high probability of triggering a Unique Scenario EX flag. If it were just her alone, that'd be fine. But without a doubt, the clan Schwarz Vulf would come marching in. Going so far as to use Lycagon's name in their clan name—they're dyed-in-the-wool wolf fanatics. They wouldn't leave even a crack for a scrap of a clan like Wolfgang to slip through. Watching SF-Zoo's tanks, I'm now certain: players who've reached the level cap are strong. It's not just that they excel in player skill, like me—they know how to reinforce that skill with skills and equipment. It's not a specialized party composition like SF-Zoo's. If they were a pure "clear-focused formation"... it's persuasive enough to make you think, "maybe."
(Schwarz Vulf monopolizing Lycagon—that's the worst possible route, the one I must avoid above all else.)
It's true that Wolfgang—and I personally—hold a few trump cards. But even with one of those, you're just the loser holding the joker at the end of Old Maid. If Schwarz Vulf—holding a royal straight flush from ace to king—gets serious, a single joker can be sealed away however they like. So what do I do? How do I steer this toward a better outcome?
(The easiest outcome... would be for me to drag my feet... so both of us die... but that'd weigh on my conscience, huh?)
For one thing, it'd definitely get nasty. I'd be blatantly sandbagging, after all. If someone pulled that on me, I'd smile and tell them, "A friend called, so I'm dropping out now ^^"—while thinking, "Like hell I'm ever teaming up with you again." This is a different kind of disliked-player trait from player killing. For example: let's say there's a goal of "defeating a dragon," and two players tackle it as a pair. One has defeated the dragon many times and, honestly, has no need to fight desperately. The other has already failed to defeat the dragon repeatedly and has never cleared it even once. Even with the same objective, the motivation gap between these two is the difference between heaven and earth—and sometimes, that gap erupts into ugly player drama. Doing that deliberately—well, there's no need to explain how disrespectful that is.
If I'm being honest, I want to challenge Lycagon. It's not about whether I can win or not—I just want to land at least one good hit on that insufferable face. But if, by some chance, a Unique Scenario EX flag were to trigger, ultimately defeating Lycagon would become exceedingly difficult. Maybe I should just stab her in the back—if Rei-shi gets killed by Lycagon... in a way that makes it look like no penalty falls on me... What the hell am I thinking?
Things really won't go my way. I know full well that an MMO won't bend to my will alone. But that's exactly why I struggle so desperately to have my own way.
(Lycagon... Unique Scenario EX... defeat it... can't defeat it...)
And it's not just the immediate situation. There's the Rabituza problem. There's the appointment I absolutely have to make by tomorrow morning. Which thing do I do how, what happens to what, and then what... Nghaaaaaaah!!!
Psyger-0: "Sunraku... -san."
The person beside me—Rei-shi—speaks to me.
Psyger-0: "——————."
The moment I hear those words... snap.
Inside my head, a tiny version of me—Sunraku—let out a nasty cackle and snipped some important thread. Or so it felt.
Lycagon the Nightslayer. This will be the fourth time she fights it, Psyger-0 thinks. She watches the black wolf standing there as the victor—having literally scattered SF-Zoo to the winds.
The first time was when she was just starting out. She couldn't do a thing. One hit.
The second time was when she'd gotten her equipment in decent shape. Along with the players she'd randomly grouped with, she was turned into bowling pins.
And the third time was together with the members of Schwarz Vulf. Everyone was still in the level 80s back then, but they were reduced to a wreck within a minute and turned into stains on the ground. Her sister was chewed up, just like Animalia was moments ago.
And now the fourth time stands before her eyes. What's more, at this very moment—together with him.
(What should I do...?)
To be perfectly frank, Psyger-0 isn't as fixated on the monster called Lycagon as her sister and the other members are. It's not that she doesn't want to defeat it with her own hands. But of all times—it has to be now.
Let her be honest. At this very instant, Psyger-0 even thinks she wouldn't mind losing to Lycagon. If they lose to Lycagon here, Sunraku will have to clear this area again from scratch. And she, under the pretext of helping him, could extend their time together.
From Psyger-0's perspective, that's something to welcome. But at the same time, from Sunraku's perspective, it's not something to welcome.
Maybe she should just slack off on purpose. Their opponent is a Unique Monster that just made a mockery of even SF-Zoo. Tackling it with just two people and respawning in a flash—there'd be nothing strange about that at all.
(...How shameless of me.)
Thinking that far, Psyger-0 realizes what she was about to do and scolds herself. Deliberately holding back, and accepting that outcome as good. Causing trouble for someone else for her own convenience. We can't beat Lycagon—so in that case... Psyger-0 feels ashamed that her heart gave rise to such hesitation.
Glancing sideways, she sees Sunraku in his bird mask. He, too, seems to be troubled by something. But his eyes alone are fixed straight on Lycagon, unwavering. She can't guess what he's thinking. But there's one thing she knows.
(Surely, Hizutome-kun isn't enjoying this moment.)
A jewel is right before his eyes, yet he can't bring himself to seize it. Needless entanglements won't let his hands move. This is all Psyger-0's imagination—her intuition—and yet, by sheer coincidence, it's frighteningly accurate.
And that's precisely why there's only one thing Psyger-0 can say to Sunraku. Because she was drawn to the sight of him, always walking home cheerfully with a bag full of game software in hand.
Psyger-0: "Sunraku... -san. ...Let's do it. Not whether we can or can't beat Lycagon. Let's just enjoy this moment—this coincidence, this game—with everything we've got."
Ah, good, Psyger-0 thinks. When Sunraku asked her to help with the Ancient Castle Ruins of Fruitless Falling Radiance, she was so elated she could have danced. She had prepared so excessively it could be called overkill. And that's exactly why, even as Psyger-0 alone—someone who practically can't receive support—she can bring out her "serious" power. She won't be a hindrance to Sunraku, who fought so valiantly against Lycagon that he ended up with two curse marks.
His face is hidden by the mask. But in his eyes—the one part she can see—a flame has kindled. Seeing that, Psyger-0 smiles beneath her own helm.
Psyger-0: "...Let's do it. Not whether we can or can't beat Lycagon. Let's just enjoy this moment—this coincidence, this game—with everything we've got."
Those words carried an impact so immense that they shut down all my worries and thoughts up until now and crushed them flat. It was as if she'd seen right through me. Those words, too perfectly critical a hit against my inner turmoil, made my eyes widen in shock as I stared at Rei-shi. She simply gazed back at me quietly. I couldn't see the expression beneath her helm, but I felt as if it wasn't just my game avatar—but my true self—being seen through.
Sunraku: "...Heh... hehehehe... kukuku, ahahahahahaha...!"
A smile naturally spills out. No, it spills over so much that laughter comes out on its own, to the point it's a bit of a problem. Ah, that's right. Yes, that's right. What the hell was I agonizing over? Was I being led astray, pulled along by Pencilgon? Hiding Uniques? Hoarding them? How utterly ridiculous. How completely absurd. I can't exactly talk about Pencilgon's brother—whose name I forgot—anymore.
Sunraku: "Ah, that's right! Right now, this very moment! If the present is fun, who gives a damn about later!"
Thinking about the future is a good thing. But when it comes to games, I won't accept the present becoming boring for the sake of that. Item-farming is unavoidable drudgery, so I have no choice but to compromise on that... but this is different.
Rei-shi might trigger Lycagon's flag? Who cares! Schwarz Vulf might monopolize Lycagon and we won't be able to beat it? Consult Pencilgon! Yes, somehow all kinds of things have been blown away. It's nighttime, but I feel incredibly clear and refreshed. Rei-shi being with me doesn't matter. Akane Akitsu? Future me will figure something out. More importantly, what I should be doing now is dealing with the Lycagon right in front of me!
Sunraku: "Rei-shi, let's do it. Win or lose, letting a golden opportunity like this go to waste is far stupider."
Psyger-0: "...Yes!"
Brace yourself, Lycagon. I'm about to show you the power of Level 99 Extend—a whole different beast from back then.