After meeting Nagi that day, my double life began.
While continuing to hunt in the eastern wilderness of the Alpharion Empire, I checked on Nagi's growth and accompanied her when it was time for elite dungeons.
By the time the eastern Army Commander raid opens in this expansion pack, newly joined users will probably reach the previous raid dungeon.
Nagi's growth speed was considerable too.
Is she in middle school? Doesn't she go to school?
Even if it's not level jumping, at this point, there were many experience boosting items available for use in the lower level range. Previous dungeon weapons could be bought cheaply, and unlike early users, you don't have to wait for elite dungeons or the next area to open. The Red-White raid users also completed their sub-character development in a short time this way.
Although there's a big difference in substance like Echostones that are purchased at regular price by steadily collecting daily quest coins, anyway, dungeon progress can be caught up with after not too long. Of course, it's possible to reduce that time through cash purchases via the auction house. Although tradeable Echostones are expensive.
I feel like I've been only looking forward too much all this time.
I felt the need to look back on the path I've traveled.
Although I acted as if it was nothing in front of Chris, the reunion with Elaine, who made me wonder if this is what a mother would be like if I had one. Too quick a farewell. And then reunion again. In a slightly different form.
The series of events I experienced in the northern part of the continent were mentally draining for me in many ways.
The Northern Army Commander.
And Elaine.
As long as I still love this world, as long as traces of my companions are revealing themselves before my eyes, I still couldn't separate from my past self who was a hero.
In the encounter with the Eastern Army Commander too, will my past hold me back? In what way will it remind me of the hero's mission this time?
To think I have to mind the hero's mission at this point when I'm gradually unifying 'Rain' and 'Seulbi'.
Is that why I turned my eyes away for a moment?
It's not urgent anyway. I can think about it after the outline of the Northern Army Commander is revealed.
The child who's giving me fresh joy now, to me who had only been looking forward.
Tiptoeing.
"It's been a while since I've been here too."
Following behind the girl who was carefully advancing through the dark corridor in the lead, I leisurely observed the inside of the dungeon.
The girl's cute brown bob seemed to perk up. The sight of her looking around startled at even the slightest sound like a small animal brought a smile to my lips.
The newbie swordsman I'm raising, 'Nagi'.
Today, I came to an elite dungeon with Nagi.
'Lesser Demon's Tomb'.
It's Astria Online's second elite dungeon, consisting of the 1st named 'Black Wyvern', 2nd named 'Statue of the Family Head', and 3rd named 'Sealed Demon'.
An underground structure that keeps going down, and when you finally reach the sealed demon's dwelling at the bottom, a terrifying lava lake and a giant demon welcome the user.
"This dungeon, unnie had a really hard time clearing it at first too? Haah, when I first got hit by the Black Wyvern's breath, I really saw stars."
"Eek, Black Wyvern?"
"Yeah. It's like a huge~ flying dinosaur."
"This big?"
Nagi spread her hands sideways, drawing a large circle. Facing her adorable gesture, I barely swallowed the urge to hug her.
I spread my arms to draw an even bigger circle.
"This~ big."
"Wow."
Nagi opened her eyes wide in surprise.
We looked at each other and smiled brightly.
After easing Nagi's tension, I left the occasional mobs to Nagi and slowly followed behind.
"You got a skill called Moonlight Slash, right? And Counterattack too."
"Yes. When I use Counterattack, I move behind the monster. Moonlight Slash is a skill that cuts around me, swoosh~."
Nagi's sword rotated once, scattering moonlight around with a swish.
"Those two skills will be your main skills from now on. Moonlight Slash later evolves into an even more powerful single target dealing skill.... Well, for now, let's try to defeat the Black Wyvern while using those two well."
The huge cavern Nagi and I entered. In the center of the 1st named battle area, a giant Black Wyvern was coiled up.
"Hic."
Nagi let out a sharp scream.
Creak-
[1st Named]
[Level 27 Black Wyvern]
[HP 210,000/210,000]
The 1st named of Lesser Demon's Tomb, Black Wyvern.
The black scales surrounding the giant pterosaur's body gleamed in the torchlight of the dim cave.
This guy, its regular patterns aren't that difficult. The problem is the special flying pattern that appears when its HP drops below a certain point.
If you came with a normal 4-person party, there's no problem. There's a special gimmick where you shoot a crossbow loaded with wyvern killer arrowheads to bring it down. After the wyvern starts flying, the class with ranged protection takes care of the incoming scale attacks, while someone else goes to get the crossbow, that's the strategy.
But the baby wyverns that appear along with the wyvern's flight interfere with performing the gimmick.
This is the biggest hurdle when playing solo.
There's no time to go get the crossbow. You have to dodge the scales and also pay attention to the baby wyverns' attacks.
"To avoid the scale attacks coming from the air, use 'Backward Evasion'. And then, until the next scales come, clear the baby wyverns with Moonlight Slash."
"Yes."
"But the problem is...."
I trailed off as I glanced at Nagi's expression, mixed with half expectation and half fear.
After three scale attacks, a breath flies from the mouth of the wyvern hovering in the air.
This is the pattern I'm worried about. Because the breath comes in before the cooldown of Backward Evasion has returned after dodging three scales.
If necessary, you have to take the last scale hit with your body. You won't die, but it will hurt a lot.
And, most importantly, dodging the flame breath.
"You absolutely must not get hit by the breath, no matter what. Can you promise unnie?"
"Yes. I'll try."
Nagi clenched her fists and nodded with determined eyes.
I watched Nagi's back as she walked steadily towards the Black Wyvern's huge body, sending a worried gaze.
The other patterns are fine. I can save her before she dies.
But with the breath, there won't be time to save her. Because you have to use Backward Evasion at the exact moment just before the flames touch your body.
And.
"Ugh."
I frowned at the sudden memory of the pain of being burned.
The pain of your body burning to death.
A pain too horrible even to imagine.
Even I, who was used to pain, ended up crying like a child at that time.
Of course, no matter how high Nagi's synchronization rate is, it's only about half of mine, but I didn't want her to experience such terrible pain either.
Nagi wanted to do it alone by herself.
I couldn't stop her determination.
Because I was like that too.
"You absolutely must not get hit by the breath."
In a low voice, I wished for Nagi's struggle.
There were several tries before Nagi faced the special pattern.
This is fine. It's the process of adapting.
But you can't make mistakes in the special pattern. Mistakes in the special pattern lead to inevitable death.
Screech--!!
Flap, flap, flap.
"Kut!"
Swish-
The Black Wyvern's special pattern, the 1st flight began. The giant lizard's wings spread, and Nagi's small body was pushed back by the gust caused by their flapping.
"Focus! This is where it really starts! Spot the baby wyverns appearing from the left and right walls! Secure aggro immediately and chip away their HP with the AoE skill Moonlight Slash! It's important to take these guys out quickly!"
Tap tap tap tap!
Clang!
Nagi quickly blocked the charge of a baby wyvern that appeared near her, and immediately started chipping away its HP through Moonlight Slash that activates instantly.
Soon, other baby wyverns rushing in from all directions surrounded Nagi. Before being completely surrounded by them, Nagi positioned herself by moving little by little so that all the baby wyverns were in front of her.
Good, that's the way to do it.
Flap.
Swoosh!
Finally, the first scale pattern appeared. With a fierce cutting sound, scales were shot from the wings of the wyvern hovering in the air.
Nagi's small body reacted without delay.
Tap tap!
Thwack thwack thwack!
With the activation of 'Backward Evasion', the scales passed by Nagi's body positioned beyond space. Nagi didn't take even a bit of damage. Nagi's expression brightened a little, but she didn't completely erase her tension.
Clang!
Nagi calmly blocked the charge of a baby wyvern rushing at her soon after.
"Good, two more to go!"
Tap tap!
Thwack thwack thwack!
Second scale.
Slash slash slash!
Even in the midst of that, Nagi's Moonlight Slash continued to inflict wounds on the bodies of the baby wyverns. It looked like she could finish them off easily if she just avoided the breath once.
The situation is better than when I was doing it. All the strategies are in my head. Nagi just needs to follow what I tell her.
And Nagi, this swordsman girl, had the skill to sufficiently imitate my experience.
Swoosh!
The third scale pattern, here you can't use Backward Evasion.
Swish.
The figure of Nagi, who was facing a baby wyvern in front, became blurry.
Thwack thwack thwack!
Nagi's body appeared behind the baby wyvern. Nagi's body, having used Counterattack, didn't take damage even from the surprisingly wide-ranged scale attack.
Clap!
"G-Good!"
I found myself clapping without realizing it.
'Counterattack'.
The second invincibility skill for swordsmen, following Backward Evasion.
You can only use it when there's an opponent in front, but there are plenty of baby wyverns to serve as targets for Counterattack.
When I played this dungeon at the time, the rank of Counterattack was low and didn't have invincibility frames. It was effective that I had told Nagi to raise the rank of the Counterattack skill in advance.
As expected, the pioneer's experience is important.
Sparkle.
Just as I was rejoicing at Nagi's good performance, soon after, a red light flashed from the Black Dragon's mouth.
Whoosh.
The flame that instantly burned the air gathered in front of the wyvern's mouth.
Screech!
With a rough roar, it spewed out, covering the entire cavern.