Chapter 378 - Atlante (1)

The three ships stopped roughly four hundred meters away. They seemed wary of Erwin's arrows...

“Erwin, can you hit them from this distance?”

“Yes. But at this range, most people manage to react.”

Right, they had a mage on their side, too. They would have plenty of time to respond before an arrow reached—

BOOM!

Just then, the mana cannon mounted on the flagship's bow roared and spat out a sphere of mana.

Tsk. I'd expected them to at least demand our surrender before starting. Apparently, they'd decided there would be plenty of time to talk after winning the fight.

Hmm... Or perhaps they meant to sink our ship and fish out our drowned bodies afterward.

WHOOOOSH!

The mana shell hurtled toward our ship in an almost straight arc.

“Schuitz!”

Amelia urgently called my assumed name, but it was Erwin who answered.

“Mister, I can handle this.”

Before I could ask how, she loosed the arrow on her bowstring.

KABOOM!

Empowered by a wind spirit, the arrow collided with the mana shell over the sea and exploded.

“Erwin, how many can you stop?”

“I think I can comfortably manage four or five at once.”

Wow, seriously? At this rate, we wouldn't even need to install a run-of-the-mill antiballistic magic circle.

“Well done, Erwin. Stop any more shells the same way.”

“Yes!”

Pleased to have her abilities acknowledged, Erwin waited for the next shell. Unfortunately for her, the bombardment ended after that first shot, giving way to a brief commotion on their side.

“It seems they're rather flustered.”

I agreed with Amelia. Before long, though, they apparently settled on a course of action.

BOOM! BOOM! BA-BOOM!

All three ships began closing in, firing their mana cannons in rapid succession. Erwin intercepted the shots without so much as a moment to breathe, but a few still slipped through.

BOOM!

A shell exploded against the lower hull, violently rocking the ship.

Tsk. Time to get started. The distance looked just about right now, too.

“Erwin, Spirit Form.”

She immediately used the skill without objection at my order. Still, there was one thing she had to ask.

“Which element?”

“Water.”

Once I'd specified the element, she gently took my hand. Okay, that took care of the link.

「A water spirit inhabits the character's body.」

「Water damage taken is reduced by half.」

「Electric damage taken is increased fourfold.」

「Melee weapon power is reduced by 50%.」

「Blessing of Spring Water bonus.」

「Healing and regeneration effects received are doubled.」

「Magic Power regeneration speed increases...」

「...」

Hmm. Come to think of it, was this my first time using Elemental Barbarian (Water) in actual combat?

I lowered my head to inspect the transformation. Visually, there wasn't much of a change. My skin was just a little moister and shinier.

“Emily, I'll be off now.”

“Off where...?”

Where else? The best defense was always a good offense.

Hmm. Still, perhaps I ought to tell her this before going.

“Oh, one last thing. If you don't think you can protect the ship, just abandon it and jump overboard.”

“What do you—”

There was no time to waste, so I skipped the detailed explanation. And then...

I stepped onto the railing and launched myself over the churning sea. I wasn't in a diving posture. In my current state, there was no need.

「Blessing of Spring Water bonus.」

A one-line bonus with no explanation whatsoever. A character with this bonus could breathe underwater without difficulty and walk on water.

Just like this.

My feet landed, and I stood tall on the rippling surface as though defying gravity.

I called it...

“WOOOOOOOAH!!”

Barbarian Jet Ski (Running) Mode.

The instant I landed, I charged across the water, roaring as my feet pounded the surface.

BOOM! BOOM! BA-BOOM!

After a moment of bewilderment at the barbarian running on water, the enemies swung their mana cannons away from our ship and began firing at me.

BOOM! KA-BOOM! KABOOM!

I protected my vitals with my shield, but the indiscriminate barrage of mana cannon fire was no joke. They were “mana” shells, after all. Physical Resistance didn't reduce their damage. Every hit made my bones ache.

But...

“Erwin, don't bother stopping the shells.”

[“What? What do you mean...?”]

She couldn't finish her question, having spotted the skeleton rising behind me with a rattle.

「The character has cast [Risk Taking].」

「The power of the Transcendent unlocks the skill's inherent ability.」

「[Probabilistic Retaliation] loses its damage immunity effect, but its activation chance is fixed at 100%.」

Mana shells used mana as a resource. In other words...

「Reflects 30% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

「Reflects 30% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

「Reflects 30% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

「...」

Whenever I got fucking hit, I was guaranteed to hit back.

BA-BOOM! BOOM! BA-BA-BOOM!

The instant a mana shell struck me, skeletons appeared like afterimages and returned fire. Their bombardment, however, did no damage to the ships.

WHOOOOSH!

A mana barrier had spread around the ships. It easily stopped the mana cannon fire reduced to thirty percent of its original power. With nothing to worry about, the enemies continued their bombardment.

Then, at one point...

「Powerful Luck.」

「Reflects 300% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

Oh, a critical success, too.

[“GACHAAA!!”]

Accompanied by the result's distinctive, rousing cry, a skeleton lit the fuse of an enormous mana cannon.

BOOOOM!

With a blast several times louder than usual, the mana shell flew out and shattered the barrier surrounding the hull with ridiculous ease.

And then...

“What kind of monster is that...!”

“Everyone, abandon the Merina!”

“Get over here, now!”

One of the ships began to sink.

'Fuck.'

I'd never expected a single shot to sink it. How much was this going to cost me—

A flash of light erupted. With everyone evacuated, the ship was unsummoned into subspace.

Hmm. In that case, it would just need repairs later.

“Sink their ship first!”

Apparently deciding to take care of the sure thing first, they turned their mana cannons on our ship, where Amelia remained alone, and opened fire.

'Tsk. Thought they might do that.'

Erwin blocked what she could, but she couldn't prevent our ship from sinking. She had her hands full dodging spells herself.

[“Mister, magic incoming!”]

“Get behind me, just in case!”

I shielded Erwin, who had been trailing close behind me while we were linked. [Spirit Form] granted physical immunity, but it also made her take far more damage from things like magic. If [Spirit Form] wore off here, all that awaited me was a trip to the bottom of the sea...

「Reflects 30% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

「Reflects 30% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

「Reflects 30% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

「...」

I ran on, taking the mana cannon fire, spells, and assorted ranged skills with my body. With [Risk Taking] active, every hit triggered return fire, but the enemies still refused to stop attacking.

“Paltan is dead!”

“We have to stop him before he gets here!”

“More! Throw everything at him!”

“He's dying, too! Just a little more!”

Both sides were going all out, staking everything on the fight. Of course, they probably thought they had the advantage. Even if I reached their ship, I would be a wreck by then. They were undoubtedly thinking they could overwhelm my wounded, exhausted body with sheer numbers.

How stupid—

FWOOSH!

Just then, a flash of light pierced my body.

「The character has been hit by ‘Lightning Spear.’」

The impact was so powerful that I briefly lost awareness. Staggering, I barely managed to regain my balance and avoid falling. But my body was already in terrible shape. The injuries were bad enough, but the current coursing through me felt as though it had boiled my organs...

'Fucking lightning magic.'

Was it because I had both Elebaba (Water) and [Risk Taking] active? Taking a full eight times the damage was enough to leave me on the brink of death.

Well, apparently the same went for my opponent.

[“GACHAAA!!”]

Right on cue, the critical-success cry rang out again.

「Powerful Luck.」

「Reflects 300% of damage taken back at the enemy.」

A skeleton hurled a colossal Lightning Spear that looked like something out of myth.

And then...

————!

It flew at the literal speed of light and demolished the second ship beside the flagship.

'That one... isn't even repairable.'

Incidentally, I heard no thunderous crash. My hearing had been temporarily knocked out.

EEEEEEEEEE.

A ringing sound seemed to stab into my brain. Then my legs gave out, and I sank beneath the sea.

Well, that was partly intentional.

「The energy of the sea seeps into the character's body.」

「The Passive Skill [Origin] greatly increases Natural Regeneration.」

I told you. I couldn't possibly lose at sea.

* * *

Stormgush's Passive Skill, [Origin]. Combined with the doubled healing and regeneration effects from [Spirit Form], it made my body begin regenerating almost as fast as a potion would heal it.

WHOOOOSH!

Displaced bones slotted back into place, and burned, punctured, mangled flesh grew anew. Unlike with a potion, there was no pain, so I could follow the healing process in greater detail as it happened. Before long, my hearing returned as well.

[“Mister, are you all right?”]

So she could talk underwater in spiritual form. Unfortunately, I couldn't.

I pointed upward with my index finger, then shrugged and tilted my head.

[“Are you asking what's happening up there?”]

That's right.

When I nodded, Erwin quickly briefed me.

[“They've stopped attacking for now. I think they believe they've killed you.”]

Right. They were happily tempting fate.

[“Oh, I can faintly hear them talking... I think the mage is about to use a detection spell.”]

Hmm. Then they'd soon discover I was still alive. Time to give them a surprise before that.

When I gestured for her to lift me up, Erwin summoned a water spirit that pushed me toward the surface.

SPLAAASH!

And so I returned to the top of the sea.

“I-it's him!”

I grinned like a drowned ghost risen from hell, and they showered me with terrified praise.

“Even his wounds have healed...!”

“What kind of monster is he...?”

Most of them merely gaped in shock, but their chief was different. That was what it meant to be a leader: someone who had to assess things as coolly as possible, no matter the circumstances.

“Commander!”

“... Turn the ship around!”

The lone remaining flagship quickly began turning.

This was exactly why I hadn't healed myself despite all the seawater around me. If I'd charged at them while regenerating like a zombie, they would have cut their losses and tried to escape long ago. Even if I could walk on water, catching a ship like that on foot was impossible.

But...

I kicked off the water. At this distance, I thought I could just barely make it.

As I broke into a full sprint, they shouted urgently.

“He's coming!”

“Hurry! Faster!”

There wasn't even any covering fire now. They'd discovered I could heal, after all. Apparently, they'd decided that reflected attacks interfering with their turn would be a bigger problem.

“We've turned...!”

“Magic crystals! Hurry and pour them in!”

At last, the ship completed its turn and began speeding away as though fitted with a motor. At that point, I was roughly fifteen meters away.

'You fucking...!'

I focused on running, squeezing out every last ounce of strength. If these bastards got away, my losses would be enormous.

'You wreck our ship and think you can just run?'

Not a chance. Leave if you want, but leave the ship behind!

“AAAAAARGH!!”

With a wild howl, I drove my legs even harder, and the gap began shrinking. Apparently, the ship needed a little time to accelerate.

“He'll catch us at this rate!”

“More! Pour in more magic crystals!”

As the distance steadily closed, fear appeared on the faces of the people at the stern. They looked as though a monster were chasing them.

FWOOSH!

Meanwhile, Erwin struck one of the men by the railing with an arrow and knocked him into the sea. It had missed his vitals, so he wasn't killed outright.

“H-help me...!”

He screamed, sputtering as he swam.

But they didn't even attempt to rescue their fallen companion. I was too busy running to pay him any attention, either. I sprinted past him, driving my legs with all my strength.

Nine meters, eight, seven, six, five...

Little by little, the gap shrank. But that was as close as I got. Gradually picking up speed, the ship finally outpaced me.

Five meters, six, seven, eight...

As the gap began widening again, relief entered the eyes of the men watching me from the stern.

'Fuck.'

Once again, I sorely felt the lack of a movement skill. A shield barb normally didn't get one until level eight, but hadn't I been lucky enough to get a Manticore Essence before then? If I hadn't erased [Leap], I'd have been aboard already!

'Seriously? This is how it ends?'

With a sense of resignation, I gradually slowed down. Of course, that didn't mean I truly believed they'd gotten away.

“Erwin, shoot our ship. You can break it up a bit if you have to.”

[“... Our ship?”]

“Never mind the details. Hurry.”

At my repeated urging, Erwin fired an arrow toward the stern...

KABOOM!

And it exploded.

“... That's going to cost a bit to repair.”

The blast had struck the flagship's mana propulsion system.

* * *

Once the mana propulsion system was destroyed, it was smooth sailing. The widening gap quickly closed again, and I successfully climbed onto the deck.

And then...

“Kill him!”

Naturally, they didn't surrender the moment they saw me. Battle began, and as a clan operating on the sixth floor, they weren't easy opponents.

But...

'So they're not easy. What are they going to do about it?'

The outcome was already decided. Erwin circled me in [Spirit Form], picking them off one by one, while I protected her. Whenever my injuries piled up too badly...

SPLASH!

All I had to do was take a dip and climb back up. After we repeated that routine three times or so, they apparently lost the will to fight and dropped their weapons in surrender.

Fifteen had become seven. Had more than half of them died?

“Tsk, tsk. Don't you value your lives? You just throw them away, huh?”

“We were wrong. P-please spare us...”

What was he talking about? He was already dead.

CRUNCH!

The commander pressed his head to the deck as he surrendered, and I brought my hammer down on it. Then I tied up everyone remaining and took control of the ship.

“Who's the navigator?”

“I-I am!”

Phew. Good, the navigator had survived.

“Hey, you're a mage, right?”

“...”

“You're just nodding? Aren't you going to answer?”

“Y-yes. I-I'm a mage...”

I also separated out the one mage who had survived the battle.

“That tattoo means you're the bastard who piloted the other ships, right?”

“Y-yes.”

I separated out the owner of the two ships other than the flagship as well. And then...

“As for you two left over...”

“...”

“Just go.”

“What? W-where are we supposed to go on a ship...?”

Where else?

CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

The remaining two were useless, so I disposed of them immediately.

After quickly sorting everyone out, I went to the stern to check the ship's condition. The mana propulsion system was a mangled wreck.

“Damn it.”

I was genuinely furious.

“You bastards, damaging my ship this badly...”

“... W-we're sorry.”

“If saying sorry solved everything, why would we need laws?”

“...”

At my muttering, they all bowed their heads deeply in silence.

Phew. Right, what good would getting angry at them—

SPLASH, SPLASH.

Just then, I heard splashing from below the ship.

'Huh? What's that...?'

I went to the railing and looked down to find out.

And...

“Oh.”

There was Amelia. Had she really swum all the way here from over there?

“... A castaway!”

Saying that, I tossed down a rope. As soon as Amelia grabbed it, I hauled her aboard.

And then...

“Schuitz, you really...”

“Huh?”

“Let me hit you. Just once.”

Her fist sank straight into my solar plexus.