Vol 7 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2: Palain

1

Going above the party liroup of Adventurers to work together and challenge difficult quests in dungeons When Elder Tales was just a ga quests were thethem

There were different types of raids, categorized by the nuion Raids, consisting of 96 Adventurers, but only a handful of Legion Raid quests existed in all of Yamato

The most common raid quests on the server were Full Raids, which condensed the essence of running a raid into a well-rounded package, requiring 4 parties of 6 Adventurers each Needing 24 Adventurers, conquering such raids was the path to faa the achieveuilds in raids, a well-received news in the game

The Debauchery Tea Party which shi+roe took part in was an active group that aiion Raids required over a hundred people to challenge, so even the fauilds seldom took part in them That's why Full Raids were the e in the server

There s, but Full Raids did not require powerful equipment

If you were a rookie in raids and they required powerful equiph raids to complete them, then no one would be able to coht be, it was still a gaame, then there was no point for the developers to release such content

It needed to be tough enough to challenge the players, butcontent, this required good taste and experience

So as the content of a good raid challenge?

When Elder Tales was just a ganer said this

' Content that allows you and your corow'

shi+roe felt that these words literally reflected the e the creator wanted to convey

A raid should be challenging enough for a team of a certain level of equip here referred to the analysis of the raid content, scouting the characteristics of the ene until you were proficient enough to achieve the mission objectives

The strength and abilities of the players played an iroup would be able to complete the raid content But sooner or later, you would run into content that you could not master To overcome it, you would need to ether This went beyond the lith of their equipment, it was the bond between comrades

If you were detere difficult raid content, you would need people you could rely on as comrades This level of tea Adventurers rushed into a difficult battle, the fragile relationshi+ps would deteriorate under pressure If that happened, the coalition that was siuild would crumble

That's why shi+roe was so troubled

shi+roe had made a lot of close friends after the battle of Sand Leaf Even a long time player like shi+roe increased the nuh he could contact people by telepathy, he was unable to log into the internet The chance of success would definitely increase if he requested aid frohts or West Wind Brigade But right now, the proroup No, shi+roe had already confir tabs on theuilds for aid

The abilities of individual Adventurers weren't bad either But since a raid was group content, they would need to have a training ca a new team was very risky It would be nice to deepen the relationshi+ps between the team, but he wanted to finish the mission as soon as possible With that condition ina new team

There wouldn't be such problems if the Debauchery Tea Party was still here, shi+roe thought That was a bold group of people, daring to take on any raid He re into battle screaain fame no matter the hardshi+p, if Kanami and her comrades were still here, this raid would be a piece of cake

”I understand No problem”

shi+roe sighed in relief when he heard this answer

The silver haired man in front of him readily accepted shi+roe's request

This was Susukino, one of the 5 player cities According to raphy, this was approxie bar in the center of the city which doubled as the guild house of Silver Sword

Although it was a bar, the ceiling was high so it did not feel hu wooden bench and 'Eyes of Mystery' Willia at shi+roe sharply

”I arateful But don't you want the details?”

”You'll tell me even if I don't ask”

shi+roe, who had contacted the guild s he wanted to say in his mind William accepted the request, so that was a start He would need to give a detailed explanation to strengthen their relationshi+p

During the formation of the Round Table Council, William was impatient and had a short te the explanation shi+roe split up with Naotsugu in order to work separately, and he intended to bring back good news from his foray into the HQ of Silver Sword

”The location is a new raid zone accessible from the depths of Pale The enemies we encountered are level 89, the discovery was made by us We have unsealed the entrance You can assuh”

”Hmm”

After the talk with Kinjo, shi+roe's group made another trip to the deepest area of the depths of Palh the seal was still active, those that were perh the door with an entry pass given by ReGan As expected, they confirmed the interior contained a raid zone

The ceiling of the zone was high with an ancient architecture design it gave the i an extension of the depths of Pal crystals was filled with shrines and had arching ceilings, an a facility

From afar, they saw some jelly-like monsters that had no fixed foru should be able to take down a single one But this was a Full Raid challenge, which meant it had been set to be on par with 24 level 89 Adventurers shi+roe's group retreated without engaging

As shi+roe expected, there was a limit to the number of people that could enter This meant only 24 Adventurers could enter the zone For quests that placed eh with overwhel numbers

William smirked as he listened intently to shi+roe's crisp report He garnered a lot of information from shi+roe's miniotten used to raids

”What types of enemies are there? Speculations are fine too”

”Whatare slih this is just a guess, froht be titans”

”titans”

There were all sorts of aination The orized into different types Exaroup fought in Sand Leaf Others included the undead type Skeletons and the faory of monsters was the titans Famous in Yamato, they were found in the north of Kanto There were different types of titans such as Cyclops and Frost Giants They took pride in their high health and attack power, but were low in agility and speed Unlike the ih level titans were able to attack with powerful ic Co enemies

”What a coincidence, I am familiar with these, they roam around Susukino”

William said

shi+roe nodded in reply This was one of the reasons why shi+roe approached Silver Sword Based on Hokkaido in the real world, the Ezzo Empire was the front line of the People of the Land's ith the titans Silver Sword shi+fted their HQ to Susukino with itsthis inforanizations that enjoyed success in such quests, Silver Sword

”But there are problems”

Willia his stubborn face on

”Silver Sword is on hiatus right now Short of people”

”Eh?”

”I mean there are uys who are adamant not to take part in raids anymore, or intend to stay in Susukino forever”

Williah reply

”That h we can still take on sih one like this this is too difficult Although we have reached level 95, it is too big a challenge It will be a stretch to gather 20 people”

”Is it because of the memory loss?”

shi+roe asked about the horror of losing your memory, but William shook his head

”The loss is exaggerated We are not afraid And we don't fear the fight At least not because of the monsters”

”If not, then why?”

shi+roe was confused

shi+roe could understand if it were because of fear You ht be able to respawn no matter how ical inhibition towards dying The pain had been dulled, and the discomfort was only of muscle ache when you lostthe instance of death was still bearable But to see a steel sword pierce through your chest was enough to shatter the will of so shredded by the claws of a dire beast and seeing the scenes of disembowelment that were not censored The horror of death remained

Even fahts were hesitant to challenge the hardest raids after the Catastrophe And the difficulty of battle had increased after the Catastrophe Tea was even harder without the overhead view of the battlefield The level of monsters they could take on had dropped coauilds had dropped their choice of raid difficulty correspondingly

(Because of the fear of death, the drop in raiding membershi+p is understandable But)

”Why?”

”shi+roe Erm, Mr shi+roe”

”Just shi+roe is fine”

”Oh How many times have you died so far, shi+roe?”

He was probably referring to the period after the Catastrophe, so shi+roe replied ”None” Willia this response

Instead of displeasure, his expression was closer to hesitance

”I can't explain clearly to someone with no experience”

””

”Just die and you will understand The incoliness of yourself Die a hundred tio on because it is too hard to face them”

Willia when he bit his lips

shi+roe saw a young guilda place for hi shi+roe should understand was right there, the time for shi+roe to think about it was up

With an explosive sound, a fa expression

2

On the other hand, Naotsugu and ReGan andering around Susukino

It was December Susukino in the depths of winter was covered in silvery white Twothe wide streets of Susukino There were plenty of restaurants in the direction they were heading They were going the other way fro to find members for their raid

In Elder Tales, information like name, class and level could be seen easily shi+roe and Naotsugu felt that the lowest level liuild, equipment, attitude and the way they spoke all played a part in their search shi+roe said that gathering individuals for the raid is hard, but the u thought that thewas their instinctive feel, so he split up with shi+roe and wandered around

”Looking for members?”

”Yeah”

Naotsugu answered the hunchback scholar walking beside him

”I don't think we can gather 20 in an instant, but I was hoping for at least one for a start”

”Is it that easy to gather warriors for raids?”

”When things go smoothly, it is”

Naotsugu answered halfheartedly as he surveyed the streets Compared to his first visit, the place was much more peaceful The Susukino where Adventurers looked at each other with suspicion was no more

Silver Sword had improved this place dramatically That's the news he heard frouild which left Akiba in search of raid quests came to this city in the north and was very influential Silver Sword brought salvation to the violent anarchy of Susukino Although it was not part of the Round Table Council, it was still a strong guild that was chosen as one of the twelve founding guilds The hty people who ruled Susukino city Even if their levels were the sah the fires of raiding

A single top tier battle guild ed to iu heard from shi+roe

A People of the Land elderly wo sloith a large bag in her hands and traveling with a child She was probably carrying food inside She had a peaceful expression and the kids see the state of the city was not too bad She was rushi+ng because it was too cold outside

From the look of this street, the snow had been shoveled to the side, piling up 15c outside, but it reat shi+ny icicles fors, and the city looked like a work of art decorated by crystals

Passing through the residential area of the People of the Land, the roads widened The artery that linked to the heart of Susukino Although the abandoned buildings still looked like a frozen fortress to Naotsugu, he was used to this view compared to his trip down in May This was the structure of this country of snow, serving the dual purpose of intimidation and practical insulation from the cold

”Have you been to Susukino before, old man?”

”A few times”

”You will have to hold down the fort without us though”

”I was prepared for that It would be troubleso the secrets of the depths”

ReGan replied with a hint of regret

In a raid zone, the strength of the u and shi+roe being above the requisite level, it was possible to fight with ReGan in tow to explore the depths of Palht would be very intensive After discussing with ReGan, it would be best for him to stay in Susukino while they went for the raid

”It is a pity”

”Of course We are talking about the secrets of the Kunie The truth we can undercover there is worth old”

”We will bring back whatever information we can”

Naotsugu promised ReGan

”No, please don't e of Mirror Lake There are lots of mysterious items in this city as well, a place the Adventurers are developing While Sir Naotsugu is adventuring, I will research in Susukino in s in the north makes me excited”

ReGan giggled and looked around the streets as he said this

What a strong sense of curiosity Although ReGan used honorifics when speaking, Naotsugu saw hiht that ReGan looked like a graduate student fro Naotsugu saw hi fellow he could talk to without reservation And ReGan had hit it off with shi+roe as well

”Well, you are right There are lots of sights to see in Susukino too”

”Correct I will use this chance to investigate the intercity transport gate”

”Mmmf!”

A sound interrupted their conversation

They looked over on reflex, the top half of a person was buried in a snow pile by the road That was an ile into the snow, so Naotsugu couldn't see the face But the well-proportioned butt in hot pants stuck out nicely

”Nice Panties!”

Naotsugu gave a thuht smile

The outline of the behind flowed sh

”No arguments there”

ReGan said with a sh he was a si his compliments without hesitation in this situation was much manlier

ReGan continued levelheadedly

”I am not familiar with the customs of the Adventurers, isn't this a low cut hot pants? So it would be wrong to call them panties”

”It's alright Isn't it sad to exclude them? If you have panties in your heart, then those are panties”

”Well said”

”A little help here?”

The person exploded out of the snow pile in protest Her head was probably buried very deep, she probably fell froht redness on the tip of her nose The strong body of Adventurers played a part here too

”My bad”

”I forgot what to do when I saw that great ass”

Facing the unrepentant attitude of these two, the girl with srowled

”It will be a loss for all et hurt”

Naotsugu observed the self-declared victiht of his chest

What a pretty and cute figure A slender body, loose white blouse, hot pants that accentuated her long snohite thighs The space between her pants and knee high socks shone brightly, an area called the 'absolute territory' The top half of her costume looked like a uniform with her tie, but the bottom half was excessively exposed

Even forto date, it was a fashi+on sense that u's face was already burning hot He was holding back on cere a small silk hat which suited the tastes of man betrayed the atmosphere

This was a sense of fulfillant face declaring to the world how cute she was Total confidence in the words she says

Cute

She was definitely cute

Naotsugu didn't want to admit it, but it would be a lie to say she wasn't cute

But saying ”It will be a loss for all u's taste Even so, he was still hesitant about retorting at a girl s like lips

”Isn't it too arrogant to say so like that?”

ReGan retorted without inhibition

(ReGan's stock is rising)

Naotsugu was impressed

”Hmmph Meanie”

”Ah, she stood up”

ReGan was just teasing the girl as recovering from her fall She had a cheerful expression, but her face was red from ReGan's retort

But she was still wearing a happy and proud expression She was irls But this irl with a wonderful expression gave off a charismatic air about her

”Hant, so even though she is cute I don't want to acknowledge it By adding all the ele the overall score, by volume and panties it is Ms Marie's victory! In summary, a festival!”

”Huh?”

Naotsugu blurted this out unintentionally as he crossed his arirl and ReGan didn't understand what he was saying Naotsugu looked into the distance and waved his hands, pretending nothing happened Naotsugu then pulled a towel out froirl

She was dressed casually and didn't see

”Oh, I understand I am kind to my fans”

The girl caught the towel and wiped away the snoithout hesitation She used her thuu took the chance to check the girl's status screen

”Tetora”

”Call me Tetora-chan!”

Naotsugu was stunned by the forthcou An Adventurer who continued to battle after the Catastrophe She belonged to the guild Light Indigo, and her class was Cleric

”Well, seeuy here”

”It is ineffective when you say it out loud”

As Naotsugu was retorting, Tetora leapt agilely like a cat and hugged Naotsugu's left arround

”Really? No effect? None? Even s~?”

The confident face that recognized this to be the basics asked hih it was easy to deny, this was the pitifulness ofwith you, you wouldn't feel irritated when a pretty girl hugged you Tetora had an orange like fragrance

”Re, re, release me”

”Haha That won't do Mr Naotsugu”

His status screen was read before he realized it In this world, it was not strange for people who met for the first time to know each other’s names

”I like to grind againstme, so don't mix that up!”

”Like I said, let go!”

Tetora swung onto Naotsugu's back, grabbing his head and cli body, he didn't really feel that she was heavy

Tetora as giggling as she hugged Naotsugu's head was certainly a cute girl

With the syste to see handsome men and beautiful women all around But that was on the outside; the atave off an elegant and sunny air, and Naotsugu thought she ay ahead of other Adventurers in grabbing attention

”Just like a pika rabbit cli a tree”

”The skeleton uncle over there is so mean!”

”She called me a skeleton”

ReGan and Tetora see a fun conversation

”That was an eirl like raceful fall like that could have ended my career as an idol”

”Upside doith your panties sticking out”

”Not panties! Hot pants!”

ReGan was not backing down He realize that Tetora was concerned with her aard appearance earlier and was attacking her

”Hot warht?”

”Leak, leaking is impossible!”

”Really?”

”This snowy country really chills your stomach”

”That's right”

”What are you saying you blind old skeleton!”

Tetora was hugging Naotsugu's whole head as she bickered with ReGan Naotsugu lifted his hands up and grabbed Tetora by the araze on him

He understood thewhether Naotsugu wanted to invite this girl

Naotsugu observed Tetora with a raid in mind

Clerics were front line healing characters Equipped with heavy ar the main tank That's why out of the 3 types of healers, Clerics were the only ones that could equip heavy armor

In fact, out of the 12 classes, together with Guardians like Naotsugu and Samurai like Soujirou, Clerics were one of the 3 classes that could equip heavy armor With their ability to equip shi+elds, their defense was second only to Guardians

Clerics were dependent on equip up the health of the defense line The defense line had to withstand the brunt of the enemies' attacks They were not limited to the blows froon's breath

Although the attacks were directed at the defense line, the Clerics would also suffer da spells in close range, but the front line was still a scary place The Clerics who faced the risks fearlessly were also known in Elder Tales as the toughest defense

Observing Tetora again, she was arhtly

Tetorain the city, so he couldn't judge froht be able to tell whether the girl earing the best set up of equipiu was inconclusive about that Her level was excellent, but Naotsugu was scouting for an excellent healer that could fight in raids

But on a separate note, Naotsugu was hesitant about pushi+ng a girl onto a dangerous battlefield

”A beauty like o”

Tetora said with a 'can't be helped' expression

She wasat her frou was troubled by this, Tetora see herself as she stood with her hands on her hips 'Pheromones pheromones, it can't be helped nya, I knohat you are thinking nya fufufufu' She was so happy that she was alu didn't knohat she was so happy about, trying to hug Naotsugu whenever she had the chance Naotsugu did his best to dodge

”I think the s from your ass is not pheromones, but fart”

ReGan put his finger on his chin and coant attitude

”What did you say?”

”Right?”

Her face turned woeful, her knees slackened and then straightened in defiance

”Idols don't fart!”

”What about pee?”

”We don't!”

Naotsugu's retort on reflex made Tetora fall into a trap What a perfect combo

”Well done you pass”

”Huh?”

”You pass Ermm, this is kinda abrupt”

As ReGan said, it fell on instinct in the end

Naotsugu felt a nostalgic air fro of his friends who pressed forward even though they were not concerned with victory

That's how Naotsugu ed to solicit a new raid member

3

”You have guts to show your face here, Log Horizon's shi+roe”

shi+roe turned around and saw the wrathful Demiqas draw near

He left a trail of overturned table with food and dishes falling onto the floor The ht of Demiqas, as they watched the table where their leader Williauest shi+roe

This zone was situated within Susukino city, which was obviously a no-combat zone

That's why no one drew their weapons One of the Adventurers told a stunned People of the Land ”Don't stay here, take a break inside”

shi+roe's expression softened when he heard this This guild was not bad at all

But the agitated Demiqas didn't care

”Your easy going attitude is still the same”

”Long time no see, Mr Democracy”

This iant looked no different after half a year Although his equipment had been updated, his thick arms and bloodshot eyes were still the same This was indeed the world of Elder Tales, appearances didn't change with ti at the same time

He knew the possibility of this happening When they were planning the trip to Susukino, the first concern of Naotsugu was ain

shi+roe had clashed with Brigandia in Susukino when he rescued Serara after the Catastrophe Because Brigandia was using violence to control the city, Marie orried about Serara's wellbeing, leading to the operation to rescue Serara In this world where there was no permanent death, shi+roe's victory probably didn't have thatSerara with theandia's pride

”Let's take this outside shi+roe!”

Demiqas' iron fist smashed onto the table

Naotsugu was right It was hard for hih, since it was unrealistic for Deo with the wind

”What do you want to do outside?”

shi+roe kneas co, but he asked anyway

Although he knehat Demiqas wanted, shi+roe couldn't skip the necessary steps Going back and forth with taunts and bickering This was the kar this But he was soliciting for raidhis weak side to William

”Do you prefer haers or chicken cutlet?”

”Tofu”

”Tender and soft, just the way I like it I will tenderize you until you are half dead, so get out there!”

”Shut up, Demi”

William cut him off curtly

”This uest”

”Like I give a shi+t! William, this is my”