Seeker 273

Test

Chapter 273. Operation Commences

We, who had concealed ourselves in the cave, set out and swam towards the underwater city.

Heading toward enemy territory are me, Kazane, Yuzuki, Griffin, and the Merfolk warrior Gelark-san.

Fermina remains on guard duty in the cave.

Devoid of the awakened power, she tends to the injured mermaid warriors.

We swam, hiding among rocks and reefs, and eventually reached the outskirts of the underwater city.

Since there are no outer walls, we temporarily huddled in the shadows of the residences.

A beautiful settlement with hundreds of homes made from giant shells and corals lined up.

In the middle, towering above is a colossal spiral shell-shaped tower—the royal palace.

If the Merfolk warriors haven't been killed yet, there's a high chance they're imprisoned in the dungeon beneath that palace.

Possibly, even Rebecca-san.

But simultaneously, the palace could serve as the enemy's main stronghold.

Before reaching the dungeon, we might encounter the Sahuagin King and engage in battle.

Will we be able to defeat the Sahuagin King in combat?

The truth is, I don't know.

According to Gelark-san's account, the Sahuagin King's strength seems somewhat superior to each of us individually.

In other words, if I were to face the Sahuagin King one-on-one, the likelihood of victory would be low.

Yet, I believe that by coordinating with Kazane and Yuzuki and engaging the Sahuagin King in a three-on-one battle, the odds are not unfavorable.

The key to victory should lie in how advantageous our conditions are during the battle.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the underwater city, the usual mission-accomplished notification had arrived.

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Mission Completed! Reached the Underwater City!

All party members have gained 50,000 experience points!

New mission: Reach the Desert Capital (Earn 70,000 experience points)!

Yuzuki Hishiru has leveled up to level 45!

Current Experience:

Musou Daichi... 86,6254/91,4112 (Next level: 47,858 XP)

Kodachi Kazane... 88,4146/91,4112 (Next level: 29,966 XP)

Yuzuki Hotaru... 96,0071/1024289 (Next level: 64,218 XP)

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Current levels are: I am at level 44, Kazane is at level 44, and Hotaru is at level 45.

Here are the stats for each party member.

Musou Daichi

Level: 44 (+3)

Experience: 86,6254/91,4112

HP: 336/336 (+16)

MP: 202/296 (+16)

Strength: 37 (+2)

Endurance: 42 (+2)

Agility: 32 (+2)

Magic: 37 (+2)

-Skills-

[Earth Heal]

[Mapping]

[HP Up (Endurance x 8)]

[MP Up (Magic x 8)]

[Spear Attack Up (+32)] (Rank up! × 3)

[Rock Bullet]

[Protection]

[Gaia Heal]

[Treasure Box Drop Rate x2]

[Three Strikes]

[Item Repair]

[Accuracy Enhancement]

[Grand Heal]

[Stealth]

[Rock Bazooka]

[Evasion Enhancement]

[Item Box]

[Tame]

[Stone Shower]

[Heavy Equipment Penalty Nullification]

[Area Earth Heal]

[Tunnel]

Remaining Skill Points: 0

Kodachi Kazane

Level: 44 (+3)

Experience: 88,4146/91,4112

HP: 256/256 (+16)

MP: 207/224 (+44)

Strength: 32 (+2)

Endurance: 32 (+2)

Agility: 53 (+3)

Magic: 32 (+2)

-Skills-

[Dagger Attack Up (+36)] (Rank up! × 2)

[Mapping]

[Dual Wield]

[Presence Detection]

[Trap Detection]

[Trap Disarm]

[Wind Slash]

[Item Box]

[HP Up (Endurance x 8)]

[Treasure Box Drop Rate x2]

[Quickness]

[Wind Storm]

[MP Up (Magic x 7)] (Rank up!)

[Dual Wield Enhancement]

[Evasion Enhancement]

[Stealth]

[Trap Detection II]

[Dual Wield Enhancement II]

[Gale Slash]

[Levitation]

Remaining Skill Points: 0

Yuzuki Hotaru

Level: 45 (+2)

Experience: 96,0071/1024289

HP: 256/256 (+8)

MP: 521/576 (+16)

Strength: 27 (+1)

Endurance: 32 (+1)

Agility: 38 (+2)

Magic: 72 (+2)

Skills:

[Fire Bolt]

[MP Up (Magic x 8)]

[HP Up (Endurance x 8)]

[Magic Up (+18)]

[Burn Blaze]

[Monster Appraisal]

[Fire Weapon]

[Treasure Box Drop Rate x2]

[Item Box]

[Flame Lance]

[Item Appraisal]

[Explosion]

[Bow Attack Up (+14)] (Rank up! × 2)

[Tri-Fire]

Remaining Skill Points: 0

The comparative target, such as numerical increases, is before heading to the capital of the Holy Kingdom.

Individually, each of us has diligently strengthened our status and attack-boosting skills, becoming stronger steadily.

The four of us, along with an ally, hide behind the shadow of a residence on the outskirts of the settlement, observing the situation inside the village.

Throughout the village, numerous Merfolk can be seen swimming, appearing somewhat nervous and watchful of their surroundings.

"It seems the villagers are not physically restrained." 

Geralk-san murmurs quietly while observing the village. 

"But everyone appears frightened. Perhaps they fear the Sahuagin."

"Well, yeah. Ordinary folks without the power of awakened ones can't do anything against them even if they act outrageously. But can they escape from this village when an opportunity arises?"

"If the Sahuagin catch them trying to escape, they won't stand a chance," 

Once that happens, the fate of those attempting to flee is easily imaginable, given the cruelty they already exhibit.

Just as I contemplate these thoughts, a voice echoes from the direction of the village center, where the royal palace is located.

"Squawk, squawk, squawk! Merfolk, how are you? None of you is trying to escape, right? If one person runs, we'll kill 3. Got it?"

"Let me make it clear. Just because our king has gone out doesn't mean you should act up, okay? If one rebel appears, we'll kill five. Besides, you guys aren't even warriors; even if you gang up, you won't be a match for us. Squawk, squawk, squawk!"

While spouting threatening words, 2 Sahuagin leisurely swim towards us. 

The Merfolk in the village notices them.

They tremble and hastily try to move away from the Sahuagin's path.

The approaching Sahuagin seems to smirk.

One of them shouts. 

"Hey, you, mermaid over there, stop!" 

The Mermaid, who was trying to distance herself from them, freezes as if she's been petrified. 

Some other merfolk, who were planning to keep their distance, stopped in their tracks, observing the situation with tension.

"W-what do you want?" 

The mermaid, paralyzed with her back turned to the Sahuagin, turns her frightened gaze towards the half-fish creatures.

One of the Sahuagin swimming towards her roughly grabs her arm.

"Squawk, squawk, squawk! You're the chosen one for the next breeding. We'll let you lay our eggs. Consider it an honor!"

"Ahh... no, please... I have a husband..."

"Squawk, squawk, squawk! What's the big deal? If you want, we can bring your husband too and have some fun right in front of him. Like this."

With the Sahuagin forcefully assaulting her and unable to break free, the mermaid woman is pressed against the sandy seabed. 

She shows a face twisted with fear and disgust, shaking her head reluctantly.

The Sahuagin with a protruding tongue moves his face closer—

"Cut it out! [Three Strikes]!"

"Squawk!"

Approaching stealthily, I swiftly dispatch the Sahuagin assaulting the Mermaid woman.

"These guys are a pain... Ha!"

"This one's extra... [Fire Bolt]!"

"What...!? Squawk!"

With Wind's close-range attack and Hizuki's additional attack from the shadows, the other Sahuagin is also defeated. 

I confirmed beforehand that fire attribute magic works underwater.

The Merfolk, shocked by the sudden turn of events, are at a loss for words. 

Geralk-san appears in front of them, and they show expressions of deep emotion.

In response, Geralk-san puts his index finger to his lips, gesturing for them to remain quiet. 

The Merfolk, who were about to cheer, hastily closed their mouths.

Geralk-san points towards us and then speaks calmly yet powerfully.

"We have received the assistance of reliable warriors who seem to be guided by the Sea God. We will now counterattack against the Sahuagin. Please share any information you may have."