The One Who Rules The Four Elements—First Gate, Opened (Part One)

My normal attacks went through against the enemy just a little.

If I added the skill Heavy Strike Lv3, a certain amount of damage went through.

In other words, Heavy Strike Lv3 would be the axis, but—

The problem was the recast time.

This skill could only be used once every minute. So basically, I had to fight on the assumption that it “wasn’t there.”

Against an opponent this hard, even with Heavy Strike added—

On top of that.

Goh!

I blocked the goat head’s fist with the Great Green Scale Shield. The shock that pierced through the shield and traveled into me was outrageous.

It was far stronger than a troll, or even a giant lizardman.

Was this thing’s attack power over 1000…? My defense power was 722. I wanted to avoid taking a direct hit at all costs.

The fact that the skill “War Cry” was waiting on recast was also a headwind. Even if it was only five minutes, its specs, which brought a +20% increase to attack power and defense power, would have shone right now.

Unfortunately, I had used it a little earlier, so I was currently unable to use it. I never thought a situation like this would happen…

There was only a little longer until the recast, but would I make it in time?

Without a doubt, it was an enemy I could never defeat by myself.

But right now, I had companions.

When the goat head was about to pursue me—

“Nyan!”

Nyankoromochi struck the goat head from the side.

It looked like it was not very effective, but even so, the goat head certainly staggered.

“Hard Body! Enchant Power!”

Seeing that attack magic had little effect, Misha activated support magic.

Both gave a fixed +10 effect to defense power and attack power.

That was right. I was not alone!

I pressed the attack against the goat head. And then—

“Heavy Strike!”

I activated Heavy Strike, whose recast had become available, and dealt damage to the goat head.

The enraged goat head swung its arm. I parried it with my shield. Not bad. It was strong, but—its attacks were simple.

“Little by little! Let’s push it back little by little!”

I shouted.

We could do this, and a faint excitement like that was born between us.

However—

The enemy did not seem like it would allow such a lax development.

The goat head roared.

The instant it did, a shockwave erupted with the goat head at the center.

“Kuoh!?”

It was not that strong, but it had enough power to push me and Nyankoromochi backward.

Without a moment’s pause—

“Guoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!”

The goat head roared.

In an instant, a darkly glowing magic circle emerged at the goat head’s feet.

…Wh-What is that!?

A black lump appeared from the magic circle.

They were two—wolves as large as lions.

This is bad!? The number of enemies increased!?

Like their summoner, the goat head, the wolves were covered in jet-black fur, and their eyes were dyed red.

“Gugaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The roaring wolves attacked us.

“Nyankoromochi! I’m leaving that side to you!”

Shouting that, I intercepted one.

I blocked the wolf that leaped at me with the Great Green Scale Shield.

There was a dull thud.

I grimaced at the impact that traveled through the shield.

But it was all right.

It was not that strong. Compared to the goat head, it was far better. At most, it was only a little stronger than a troll.

If that was the case!

I stepped in and swung my sword down.

The blade went through too! Its defense power was not much different from a troll’s either.

In other words, it was a D-rank-equivalent monster. In that case, it was not an opponent I would struggle against.

There was nothing to fear—!

“Fire Arrow! Fire Arrow! Fire Arrow!”

The arrows of flame Misha released pierced the wolf in front of me one after another.

The instant the wolf bent backward, my strike finished it off.

The wolf let out a scream and collapsed with a thud—

And its body vanished as if it were mist.

Good!

…It was a shame that I could not collect spoils, though…

When I looked beside me, Nyankoromochi was fighting a wolf. It seemed like she was also advancing with the advantage, but—I had to go help!

At that moment,

“Guoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!”

The goat head roared again.

“Wh—!?”

The same scene from earlier repeated. From the magic circle that emerged at the goat head’s feet, two wolves appeared again.

This was bad—!

There was still one left. In other words, this time we had to face three. We only had two frontliners: me and Nyankoromochi.

Misha was in danger—!

“We’re falling back, Nyankoromochi!”

As soon as I said that, I retreated to stand in front of Misha.

Nyankoromochi also returned to my side after punching the wolf she had been fighting until now.

Misha was a mage.

She was not wearing high-rank equipment like I was.

Wicked Fairy—they were D-rank equipment she had been fully outfitted with, made using the many spoils from trolls that we had obtained.

However, with this defense power, fighting against a higher-ranked opponent was dangerous.

We defeated the second wolf that had chased Nyankoromochi. In no time, the next two wolves surged toward us.

Back to square one again—!

Unfortunately, it was not a matter of simply being back to square one.

“Guoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!”

The goat head roared again.

The third pair of wolves appeared.

…This was bad!

Facing four wolves was—

And on top of that, the wolves would probably keep being summoned one after another from now on. At this rate, we would be slowly cornered.

At that moment,

“Ios, thanks.”

I heard Misha’s words from behind me.

“As expected, you come to help me when I’m in trouble, huh?”

Those words—

Awakened memories of the past within me.

—You always rush over first when monsters attack me, don’t you? If I’m going to form a party with someone, I want a companion with that kind of kindness!

The words of Misha, who had come with me.

“Yeah. I’ll always protect you, Misha.”

“Nishishishi! This kind of thing isn’t bad, right? But! It’s no good if I’m always the one being protected!”

Misha continued like this.

“Ios, buy me time.”

Then, she declared loudly.

“Because this is probably the time to use my trump card!”

“…Trump card?”

“I’m going to release the Four Elements.”

“—!”

The Four Elements—the instant I heard those words, I immediately understood what they meant.

It was probably Misha’s skill, “One Who Rules the Four Elements.”

I had known as a rumor that it was a unique skill with intense effects, but because Misha had never used it until now, I had no information beyond that.

Misha was going to unleash that power—

“It’s not that I was holding back until now… Releasing the Four Elements requires learning the magic of earth, water, fire, and wind. And I finally met that condition.”

Misha gripped her staff with both hands.

“It takes time to prepare. Please, hold out for just that long.”

“Leave it to me.”

I said it clearly, putting strength into my voice.

“I’ll absolutely protect you to the end.”

“I’m counting on you, partner.”

After grinning, Misha immediately tightened her expression.

Then, in a ringing voice, she shouted loudly.

“From Misha, the One Who Rules the Four Elements, I beseech the one who dwells beyond, the one who dwells at the unseen end, the one who dwells between wave and solidity—the Observer.”

Kan, went the sound of her staff striking the ground.

“Reveal here and now a part of your hidden great power, of the Four Elements!”

Immediately afterward, a large, shining magic circle unfolded under Misha’s feet.

Where was it coming from—

From somewhere, an inorganic woman’s voice rang out.

“Level 1 Liberator—petition from individual identification U2Y367AR received. Initiating activation sequence for the Heavenly Treasure Staff instance.”