Chapter 35: Taking On the Boss (1/2)
”First of all, I want to take stock of our resources.” Mike began running through mental checklists.
”Tal, I'm not really familiar with how Pact Magic works. Could you explain what your current capabilities are?”
”Low on mana.” She said hesitantly. ”Without Mejimanethial, only Air Magic is available. Akiriti is contracted spirit, not bound one. She can't help directly. Long preparation needed to do more.”
Not for the first time, Mike wondered at the elf's odd manner of speech. It seemed to have gotten less fluent since the destruction of the bound armor, but he couldn't tell if that was a result of the trauma or a sign of something else.
He guessed from her description that Tal was able to use a limited amount of Air Magic in her current state, but wouldn't be able to do much else. [I guess that a contract spirit is one that is providing some kind of intangible benefit, while a bound one is manifested directly.]
”Do you only have the two spirits contracted?”
She nodded in response. Mike sensed some bitter regret emanating from her features.
Mike grimaced. He had been hoping that she would still have a few aces up her sleeve. It increasingly seemed like he would have to shoulder the majority of the coming conflict.
”Any idea of what the boss for this floor is?”
She shook her head 'no.'
”Brenden.” The young beastman twitched noticeably at the sound of his name. ”Are you still good to go?”
He simply nodded as well, although a strange eagerness seemed to be leaking from behind his cold exterior.
Mike glanced over at the twins, carefully taking in their building panic. [I'm going to have to be very careful with these two. They are close to the breaking point.]
”Rita, how many arrows do you have left?”
The girl jumped, and started looking around sheepishly after suddenly being made the center of attention. ”I-I think I have a few left.” She took a few seconds to count. ”Six, I-I have s-six left.”
Mike took notice of her trembling hands as she was counting. He locked gazes with each of the twins in turn. ”Alright, I have a plan for how we should tackle this thing. First, I need the two of you o understand something.”
The pair swallowed nervously almost at the same time.
”This boss fight will probably be dangerous, and there is a very real chance that one or all of us will be seriously injured or killed. Everyone here lacks practical dungeon delving experience. Frankly we are all in over heads.”
Lloyd and Rita both looked stricken. Mike was amazed on how synchronized their reactions were.
”However, I want you to know that I feel we have a good chance of getting through this, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that you survive.”
They didn't look convinced, some Mike finally came to a decision. [Sorry Kaya, I'm going to have use this for someone other than Morris.]
He handed Lloyd a small, uncut crystal. ”This is a salvation stone.”
Tal started, a look of surprise forming on her face.....or not, but she did seem to be more than a little interested in the crystal.
Mike continued. ”If you or your sister are in danger, and I can't get to you, just crush this crystal and you will be protected by a shield of force.”
Lloyd stared, bug eyed, the stone. ”Is this a-a magic....item?” He asked softly.
Mike nodded, smiling at the way the younger adventurer handled the crystal like some kind of holy relic.
He walked to the top of a short set of stairs leading up to the boss room, before turning around and addressing the group.
Putting together what knowledge of group combat he'd picked up from the novels he'd read in his past life, and after considering the possibilities, he had decided on a course of action that would hopefully lead to success.
”So here's the strategy. Brenden you are the vanguard. We aren't sure what the enemy is going to be or how many, so I need you to react quickly once we get inside. If we are fighting multiple enemies, try to keep as many as you can occupied while the rest of us eliminate them one by one. If there is only one boss, use hit and run tactics. Try to keep its attention on you, but avoid getting too deeply entangled with it.”
The beastman straightened in place. A feral grin shattering his icy countenance. Mike wasn't sure, but he thought that this might have been the first real smile he'd seen from Brenden since they'd met, and it was giving him the creeps.
”Tal, I want you to run rearguard support. Hit the enemies hard and fast and try to keep them off balance. Just watch out for Brenden and I.”
The elf nodded, determination evident, if only by Mike's estimation.
”Rita,” The girl released a small squeak when her name was called. ”I want you to stay back with Tal, and fire at targets of opportunity. Even if you are only distracting the boss, you can take some pressure off of the front line. Take your time, you only have six arrows, so make them count.”