Two days left until the Security Team’s announcement regarding the coming Stampede. Stephanie had returned to her post in her Clan’s main party; they were currently in the middle of exploring layer sixty-five, with the Black Gate leading to layer sixty-six visible in the distance.
But they were also facing a roadblock: a monster that looked like a combination of a loach and a catfish; it had given the Scarlet Devil Squad quite a hard fight before. Its name was still undecided since Amy had yet to appraise it, but in Live Dungeon, it was called the Bolseyer.
The Bolseyer loitered around the Black Gate to the sixty-sixth layer, guarding it. The Gate itself stood on an island surrounded by a doughnut-shaped lava ring. The Bolseyer swam in this ring; if one wanted to go across, then it was necessary that they defeated the monster first.
In order to open a Black Gate, one must not be under the hostility of a monster. It was technically possible, albeit difficult, to open the Gate without the Bolseyer noticing, but Ealdred Crow had chosen to defeat the monster outright.
“I can take care of the opening jump just fine, but you all should be careful, just in case. Then I’ll use an Eidolon to fish it out of the circle… and we’ll just see how it goes from there. Will that be all right, everyone?” Rook asked once he was done outlining a general plan for the team.
“Hmm, well… First of all, our two Tanks must be as careful as they can not to fall into the lava. Also, the Bolseyer spits lava bombs as one of its methods of attack, so it would be helpful if everyone could position themselves so that you don’t have any allies directly behind you. I am aware of that as well, of course,” Stephanie proceeded to explain.
“Understood,” Bittman replied, and the party’s other Tank, a woman, nodded.
Rook was surprised to see how openly Stephanie was stating her opinions to the two Tanks. She had been so much of an overly humble part of the party before, not expressing any of her opinions unless asked.
“Stephanie’s changed quite a bit, hasn’t she? In her mood and aura stuff…”
“…Why’re you asking me, boss?” Sova responded with a hint of annoyance to Rook’s whispers, while maintaining his black greatsword.
Sova, influenced by his respect for the Crimson Spellblader and his ability to wield practically every weapon, also practiced the use of multiple weapon types. Out of what he had tried, the greatsword was what he was currently least skilled with, but he had managed to wield one and make it through the sixty-fifth layer’s monsters just fine.
Once everyone was ready, Rook summoned a few Goblins and sent them towards the center of the circle. As soon as the Goblins got near the Black Gate, two of them disappeared in an instant.
The black, serpentine-looking Bolseyer had leaped out of the lava and instantly flicked away two Goblins. Rook ordered the remaining Goblins to escape, intending to send them away from the combat area.
Before the Goblins could get away, however, the Bolseyer slithered up to them and swallowed them whole. The two Tanks used <<combat cry="">> to pull the Bolseyer’s aggro; Stephanie cast <
Meanwhile, the other party members looked at her. After a few moments, Stephanie realized that all eyes were on her, and was quite surprised.
“Y-yes? What is it?”
“Nothing, juuuuust thinking how amazing you are, you know. Like, when Sova and I died, I really thought it was all over — but then you managed to bring us back into the fight!”
“Th-thank you…”
“Stephanie, your decision-making and instructions were wonderful. It’s partly thanks to you that I didn’t falter.”
“…Hmph. I’ll admit that you did good — but don’t get carried away. You never know what’ll happen next time.”
“You’re awesome, Stephanie!”
Stephanie, bewildered by all the praise she was receiving, almost deflected them out of humility before stopping herself.
Instead, she said confidently, “Thank you very much. Come, everyone, let us continue our discussion.”
“Oh, Stephanie… How much you have grown…” Rook said, almost shedding a few tears.
“What do you think you are, her dad?” Sova calmly called out Rook’s overreaction.