World Strongest Rearguard – Chapter 19

Translator: pinky onee-sama    Editor: anirhapsodist

Notes: Credits to anirhapsodist for colorizing the illustration bellow.

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Tyrant

Even if the number of my companions increase, I will follow them from behind. –will I get spend the rest of my life at the backs of these girls from today onwards?

This formation permits the use of defensive support, but I could not bring myself to make Igarashi-san and Theresa receive attacks from those burly Fanged Orcs. Although they may be small fries for Elysha, I also could not convey myself and ask her cooperation for a damage test either. The large gap of defensive power that Elysha has, when compared to the rest of the members, eliminates her as a test reference.

(I can’t set Elysha’s position if she is enlisted as a ‘Guest’. She may be skilled, but there is always a risk. I would also like to ‘Support’ her.)

How much health should a level 8 swordsman have? If it’s eighty, then five points of recovery are enough, right? Although ‘Recovery’ doesn’t give much of a guarantee during a battle crisis, it would always be useful if she rests for eight minutes, enough for a full recovery.

“There’s no escape if a Fanged Orc notices you… So I’ll be the one to mop them up.”

Elysha decided that she will stay in front to defeat the fanged orcs. I do understand well that she is doing this for Misaki, but this leaves a bad taste somehow.

(Huh…? Shouldn’t the experience value supposed to be zero?”)

In the party information, aside from health and magical power which were under the member’s name, yellow circles and black circles were also displayed. This part seems to be the experience value and it increases gradually as the seeker defeats an enemy. There are a total of ten black circles and each gradually fills up with a yellow color to indicate that the seeker accumulated some experience.

For convenience sake, we will call these balls representing the experience value as ‘Bubble’. Even for Elysha, who was enlisted as a ‘Guest’, gained about a tenth of one bubble from defeating an enemy. It’s just a little portion of the experience, but the lower level members gained a much larger amount of experience. Theresa receives a little too. Mercenaries gain experience, so I think that it will eventually increase.

“Arihito-san, orc fangs fetch a high price. Can I hand it over to you? We can gather more, but I shall only cut high-quality fangs. I’ll hand to you whatever I’ll redeem as well. You’re party leader after all. “

“Sure, leave those under my custody… Is what I wanted to say… but I’m already overburdened and…”

“What is the market value of these high-quality orc fangs?”

Igarashi-san was dead on without going around the bush like I did. Elysha replied after a short pause.

“It’s about three silver coins in the 8th-district. Although it can’t be used as a material in the upper districts, everyone still gathers them. They fetch a good price in this district.”

“That is enticing… Would you allow me to pack as much as I could? It’s not that bulky.”

Ten high-quality orc fangs will be three gold coins. If it goes smoothly like this, it won’t be long until we could start saving up for the purchase of those mercenary tickets.

“Elysha, after finding Misaki… No… Will you stay with us again for tomorrow?”

“W… Well… If you help her, we can manage a fresh start?”

She’s in a hurry, and it looks like she’s trying to suppress her emotions, knowing that it will take a longer time to raise Suzuna.

I’d really want you to find Misaki sooner, but if she’s moving around, she’s less likely to be found, especially if she covered quite a distance.

–But, we heard her instead.

“Noooooo~….! H… Help me~, help me~! Somebody~ Please~!”

I just can’t imagine how a piercing scream can be done with such a carefree tone.

“H…hey…!? Misaki-chan…?!”

Suzuna immediately knew that those screams were from Misaki, but from the direction in which she heard the voice, came this enormous shadow that left her aghast.

“W… What is that?”

At first, I couldn’t recognize it, but then, I became certain. What I saw is the shadow of a giant; its physique was enough for us to look upwards.

“…..An Orc…? Damn, it’s huge… and it’s got companions, too…!”

Finally, we located the position of Misaki, but she was bound, deprived of her freedom, and prepared like a sacrifice or for the huge orc. She was there, lain on the grass.

“My word, that kind of… …appears in the second floor of this beginner’s labyrinth?”

“ …A ‘Named’… There shouldn’t be a seeker who’s daring enough to reveal himself to a named. Someone who knows I can defeat it incited this…!”

(–So that’s what they were talking about!)

A top seeker is going to bring your luggage. The men whom I’ve overheard at the tavern were talking about these.

If Misaki was not there, it would have been Suzuna. They’ll have Elysha defeat that ‘Named’ that they made to appear. Maybe they will let her defeat a demon that their levels can’t match, and then deprive her of the yield.

–Perhaps they are also planning to neutralize her with some method of sorts after she defeats it. So right now, they are hiding while observing the situation somewhere in this labyrinth.

“You guys stay there! If I am alone with that named orc, then…!”

“Elysha, wait!”

A group of Fanged Orcs is now ready to take down Misaki who is unable to move. I absolutely have no time to think on any means of saving her right now, but I instantly knew that we have to defeat them.

“–You orcs! I’ll scatter your giblets! “

◆ Activity Log ◆

Elysha invokes ‘Sonic Raid’
Elysha’s ‘Blade Rondo’ activated → (6)’Fanged Orc’ – <Hit>
6 ‘Fanged Orcs’ defeated

‘Sonic Raid’ might be a faster and a more powerful type of temporary acceleration skill compared to ‘Accel Dash’, and its distance covered is much farther.

Elysha instantly approached the orcs. She unsheathes her sword then her blade fluttered and danced. It’s a skill more powerful than ‘Slash Ripper’ and it can be used for enemies in closed formations. In her words, she shredded orc bodies into tiny bits.

–But she was smeared with blood. The air around her began to fill with an ominous intent.

◆ Activity Log ◆

Elysha’s ‘Berserk’ triggered

“AAAAAAAA!!!”

I heard Elysha’s suffering with that scream.

That’s going to be a problem. Blood probably triggered a unique skill.

“Elysha-san…!”

“Atobe-kun, we cannot leave her alone like that. She may be strong, but that’s one gigantic orc.”

“—Stay away!”

Suzuna, Igarashi-san, No one can stop her right now, but herself.

Berserk –If we relate it to a Berserker, then the current Elysha should now be in frenzy. Her attack power rises, but she may not be able to distinguish anyone from her surroundings.

(That’s why you didn’t organize a party, telling us to put up our distance!)

She’s carrying the burden alone. Both the ‘Named’ orc and the group of orcs; she’s claiming them as her sole responsibility.

–There is a possibility of Misaki getting involved, even if she’s far away. It’s too late to stop Elysha now because of the distance she made with ‘Sonic Raid’.

“I will definitely save you… I… I am not a murderer… NOT A MURDERER!”

The advance party of orcs was decimated while the remaining orcs hesitated. The named orc, however, stood firm in its place.

Elysha cuts into the front of its enormous body, while the ground began to shake as soon as it came closer.

I ran a quick glance at my license and shouted, but it was already too late.

“ELYSHA, THAT GUY IS…!”

◆ Demon Encounter ◆

★Juggernaut: Level 5 – <In Battle>: [Immune to Physical] – Drop:???

“–YAAAAAAAAA!!!”

Elysha screams as she jumps on the huge, mountain-like orc.

She attacks with her sword, but she left no graze on its skin. It slid silly on the surface, and she was swatted away.

“………!”

‘Named’ orc. –This Juggernaut’s roar was completely on a different level than that of a Fanged Orc. It was too loud and violent.

“ROOOOOAR!”

◆ Activity Log ◆

★Juggernaut’s “Brutal Voice” activated → Elysha [Temporary Paralysis] ★Juggernaut captures Elysha

“Tch… Release me… AAAAAH…”

It was a frantic charge. Elysha, who was peerless against fanged orcs, got caught by the huge orc. She continued to scream.

The orcs on the ground began to gather as they prepare to march towards Misaki.

–If she didn’t open the treasure box. –If she only acted carefully, then we should not have been in this kind of a horrible situation.

Igarashi-san, Theresa, Suzuna — I’m too scared to die.

“…ARIHITO… …RUN AWAY!… …ACK…  ACK… !”

Those juggernaut hands can crush and mangle a person’s body. Elysha will be crushed to death if this continues.

We can use the scroll of return that was entrusted to Suzuna. We were told to escape.  We can do that now if we want to. We never stood a chance against this demon in the first place. —But Elysha and Misaki will die if we run away.

My thoughts caused my blood to boil. Unforgivable! That is not going to happen.

“ESCAPE… I’M TELLING YOU… RUN AWAY!!!”

◆ Activity Log ◆

Arihito’s ‘Blaze Shot’ activated → ★Juggernaut <Hit>
★Juggernaut in Burning Status.

“ROOOOOAR!”

I aimed blaze shot towards the Juggernaut’s face. The flames might do some damage, even if it is immune to physical attacks. –And just as expected, the huge figure that didn’t even flinch from Elysha’s sword has been shaken, and all of the strength from its hands were lost.

◆ Activity Log ◆

★Juggernaut attacks  → Elysha : <Miss>

Elysha, having been released, maneuvered herself before reaching the ground. It gave her a chance to evade the Juggernaut’s attack from above.

The strength of this ‘Named’ cannot be gauged in figures, even if it is at level 5. I hate to admit it, but Elysha, who is at level 8, is being driven to a life-threatening situation.

“Igarashi-san, Theresa, Suzuna. If all hope seems lost, leave me and escape.”

“I can’t do that! I’ll be with you till the end!”

“Please, listen to what I am saying, I will do anything if I manage to return safely. I promise you.”

“I will not run, even if we are to lose. So, please… Let me stay.”

“Suzuna-chan…”

Even I felt terrified of being in front of such a demon. –On the other hand, Suzuna stayed courageous, even at this dire moment.

“…Suzuna, use the scroll of return if needed! Promise me that!”

We can fight this juggernaut, but approaching carelessly will give us our end. — Elysha can still evade the attacks. We can still create an opportunity to counter.

(Support defense won’t likely work on these kinds of large opponents… but if it’s the support for an attack, then maybe…)

“ELYSHA! JOIN MY PARTY!”

Elysha shows no reaction, even by calling her out.  She avoids the attack of the Juggernaut once more, looking for the opportunity to counter. — Is this the effect of Berserk? Or is it now with your own volition?

–No, she’s provoking it so that Misaki will stay safe.

“WE CAN’T SAVE MISAKI IF YOU GO ON LIKE THAT! LISTEN TO ME, PLEASE!”

I shouted at the top of my lungs, but she still doesn’t look back. –There’s also a limit to how long you can keep on evading those attacks.

“Elysha-san…. Please! Listen to what Arihito-san is saying!”

“Hey… Do you want to die in such a place?”

Suzuna and Igarashi-san shouted. But still, their voices were unable to reach. –It was at that moment that I really gave up.

◆ Party ◆

1: Arihito: * ◆ $ □ – Level 2
2: Kyouka: Valkyrie – Level 1
3: Suzuna: Shrine Maiden – Level 1
4: Elysha:  Cursed Blade – Level 8
5: Theresa: Rogue – Level 3(Mercenary)

(Huh!?… She entered the party… if that’s the case then…!)

My support skills can now be used on Elysha. It will be effective as long as it’s a distance that the Blaze Shot can reach…!

“SUPPORT! … Elysha, use multiple attacks!”

Physical attacks are invalid, but if the damage can be fixed at 10-points, then there should be a possibility!

“Huff… Huff…”

Elysha invokes ‘Sonic Raid’ with her remaining magical power. Her visage disappears, while the Juggernaut of a far greater size punches nothing but air.

— A torrent of slashes pours all over the Juggernaut’s body.

◆ Activity Log ◆

Elysha’s ‘Blossom Blade’ activated → ★Juggernaut <Hit>
★Juggernaut  1<Hit> No Damage + Support Damage 10
★Juggernaut  2<Hit> No damage + Support Damage 10
★Juggernaut  3<Hit> No damage + Support Damage 10

Ultra High-speed successive blows after her ‘Sonic Raid’ were executed. It was beautiful. It was majestic yet had this fierce power.

‘Support Attack 1’ provided a concealed attack power to a companion who was unable to damage an enemy. Is there a distinction between a physical-attribute and a non-attribute attack? — I have no choice but to gamble on this attack, either way.

(Please work… I’m begging you…!)

◆ Activity Log ◆
…
★Juggernaut  15<Hit> No damage + Support Damage 10
★Juggernaut  16<Hit> No damage + Support Damage 10
1 ★Juggernaut defeated

The giant sways then stop moving, collapses, and flattens the fleeing orcs caught in its fall.

“Huff… Huff…”

Elysha, who appeared in front of the fallen Juggernaut stabs her sword on the ground and collapses, but I have never forgotten that they were yet to come out.

“Theresa, Igarashi-san. Cover Elysha! It’s not over yet!

It was Theresa who was quicker than anyone to notice. Three men appeared from a short distance away. They each have a shooting weapon pointed towards Elysha.

“Crap! Just pretend you didn’t see anything!  You won’t regret it… SPROUT!”

These men are mocking us. They may have thought that the Juggernaut was defeated only with Elysha’s ability. However, once they figure this out, they’ll surely come to regret.

The levels you have maybe higher, but I absolutely won’t lose!

“Everyone… ‘SUPPORT’…!”

“ON IT!”

The men shot their weapons, but their small bow projectiles get blocked by the shields of Theresa and Igarashi-san. Her Thunderbolt and my Blaze Shot followed soon after, hitting two of the men.

“Guuh…!”
“Gouh…!”

“DAMN IT!”

Igarashi-san pushed forward to thrust her spear, but the two men who tried to sustain it were overwhelmed by the supportive attack, leaving them incapacitated. Fixed damage 10 shocked them with a single attack, making me conclude that they were at most level 2.

There’s one remaining. –The man who looked like a boss and appeared to be complacent.

“DAMN IT…! Useless bastards…!”

Theresa, who was closing in on the boss using ‘Accel Dash’, draws a slashing attack. He evades the attack and attempts to withdraw, so I hurriedly fixed my aim to stop him before he flees.

“–Take this!”

◆ Activity Log ◆

Arihito attacks ‘Bergen’ – <Hit>

“Gaah…!”

I missed my chance to properly aim the sling, but it seems that it hit him pretty bad. Bergen collapses on the spot. My sling is not very powerful, so is that a critical hit? It seems that the iron bullet hit his jaw when I approached to confirm.

Igarashi-san looked at me, but her words wouldn’t come out. Surviving this in itself is a miracle. –Rather than rejoicing, I felt enfeebled, like my soul was being pulled out from my body.

I looked at my back. Suzuna was watching us. She may not have joined us in battle yet, but she’s going to, in due time. I just nodded and urged her to go and join Misaki and Elysha.

◆ Activity Log ◆

Arihito’s  ‘Aid Recovery 1’ activated → Elysha’s health is recovering.

At 30 seconds, the first tick of recovery will take effect. I thought it took longer. Maybe my senses got sharpened too much? It felt like the time moved so slowly.

“Igarashi-san, Theresa, I’m safe and sound. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“Geez, Atobe-kun, really… don’t scare me like that…!”

“………”

Relieved to see each other safe, we began walking. On towards Elysha, who was in front of the Juggernaut that she personally defeated.

◆ Activity Log ◆

Elysha’s ‘Berserk’ is canceled by the end of the battle.