Chapter 66 — The DLC’s Unexpected Generosity

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Boss.

A word denoting the head of an organization, a skilled individual, a superior, a ruler.

In modern parlance, this term ‘boss’ carries numerous connotations.

Undoubtedly, the medium where ‘boss’ finds its most widespread and popular usage is in the realm of gaming.

Manus was intimately familiar with every boss this game had to offer.

Patterns unearthed through data mining, AI behaviors, skills.

Their attack sequences, and even how to exploit their weaknesses.

‘But now, I’m at a loss.’

Night had descended.

Manus traversed the school grounds alongside Aden.

A faint luminescent trail guided their path.

It occurred to him that he ought to teach this magic to Pearson someday.

Perhaps the boy was already intuitively grasping its essence.

Given the right situation, Pearson would likely master the Dux magic on his own.

“What do you suppose we’ll encounter if we follow this path?”

“We shall see.”

“Young master always moves with such certainty.”

Aden glided alongside, her footsteps eerily silent.

Had she not been a step ahead, it would have felt like conversing with a spectre.

Aden regarded Manus with eyes gleaming in the moonlight, seemingly captivated.

He always forged ahead, and with unerring precision.

As if he could glimpse the future.

Aden’s trust in Manus had blossomed into something boundless.

“It would be quite convenient if I could truly foresee the future.”

“Huhu, such an individual would be revered as a deity. How could a mere mortal possess such power?”

Aden turned back, a smile gracing her features.

There exist no perfect humans in this world.

Even she, a master of her craft, had been bested by a mere student.

Only now did she realize he was far more than just a student, but that was the reality then.

Even Manus cannot flawlessly navigate every situation.

Isn’t that precisely why she’s here, to bridge those gaps?

“Young master, place your trust in me. Regardless of what variables arise, I shall be your shield.”

“-I appreciate that.”

Aden’s eyes radiated unwavering resolve.

To reciprocate the trust she extended, Manus constantly reminded himself of his promise.

She would henceforth be exempt from unwanted confrontations.

Even if it jeopardized Manus’s own existence.

Though unlikely, should such a dire situation arise at a truly critical juncture, Manus would unhesitatingly send her to safety.

After progressing for a while, steeling his resolve:

“This is…”

“I’m puzzled as to why we’ve circled back here.”

A location where sparse lights still flickered.

Unlike the main building, which serves as the primary stage in the game, this area was relegated to mere storage space in the narrative.

The faint glow of [Dux] magic persisted into the interior of the massive dormitory complex.

Manus consulted the pocket watch he carried.

It was approaching midnight.

For some inexplicable reason, he couldn’t shake the sensation that the Dux magic had been leading them in circles until this precise moment.

“Could it be that these demons have infiltrated the dormitory?”

“We should be able to lure them out.”

Occurrences in the hidden world typically remain imperceptible.

However, if substantial damage manifests in the same space, traces linger in the original world, according to the established lore.

Naturally, the tower was an exception, treated as an entirely independent realm.

Being a world within a game, he couldn’t fathom the intricate principles at play.

Nonetheless, the conclusion was clear: wreaking havoc inside the dormitory would be ill-advised.

Of course, if he alerted the Chairman, it would be swiftly addressed, but…

There was no need to instigate unnecessary complications.

“Shall I infiltrate and draw them out?”

“That’s a sound strategy.”

“Please complete your battle preparations, young master.”

She flashed a radiant smile and vanished into the shadows with a whisper of movement.

Manus verified his magical readiness and surveyed the hidden world.

A realm illuminated solely by crimson moonlight.

What could be the origin of this mysterious dimension?

‘I’ll likely uncover it gradually.’

Manus organized his thoughts and finalized his battle preparations.

The Dux magic persistently indicated the dormitory’s interior.

Manus positioned Albion on his shoulder and waited with calm resolve.

‘I wonder if we’ll encounter another boss this time.’

[DLC Story has commenced.]

[Forge your own destiny.]

[S3 — Accelerated Calamity]

[Reward: All skill acquisition time -5% / Familiar experience enhancement]

The rewards are rather generous, aren’t they?

The 5% reduction must be a reward for the overarching narrative.

And the familiar experience boost.

This too was a significant boon.

“The DLC is certainly magnanimous. Wouldn’t you agree?”

[Hoing-!]

The cotton ball bounced enthusiastically in concurrence.

I wonder if it truly comprehends my words?

A faint smile blossomed on his typically impassive visage.

It was a warm, paternal smile that would induce blushing if witnessed by others.

Undoubtedly, Albion’s presence substantially softened Manus’s sharp and austere image.

This diminutive life form, almost embarrassing to designate as a divine beast, nuzzled against Manus, imploring for attention.

He recalled his past circumstances, where he couldn’t even keep a single dog.

‘I’ll nurture you properly, even now.’

He had been so desperately lonely that he contemplated acquiring a pet dog.

While researching online, he concluded that someone like him should never be entrusted with a pet’s care.

Now, circumstances have changed.

Familiars require only mana as sustenance, negating the need for separate feeding or walks.

There’s no necessity for potty training, and no restrictions on their accompaniment.

Literally a companion (伴侶).

An entity to share one’s life with as an enduring comrade.

“Its magical repertoire seems to comprise… primarily buff and healing spells, I see.”

[Hoing!]

Though limited to 1st-Class level, it will offer some modest assistance.

He could sense it instinctively.

While no status window existed, information materialized in his mind akin to one.

As he cradled it in his palm, idly toying with it, sudden movement was detected from within the dormitory.

Aden must have located the target and initiated action.

The others had entered the tower, leaving him alone to investigate the anomaly.

‘Well, shall we gauge how much I’ve progressed?’

‘DLC’ narratives invariably unveiled new truths or advanced previously unknown plot threads.

This instance would prove no different.

It would unravel elements left unresolved in the main storyline.

He completed preparations to deploy magic at a moment’s notice.

Soon, an ominous mana presence was felt.

Bang-!

With a resonant crash, Aden materialized with nimble grace.

“Young master. They’re formidable entities. Two adversaries await.”

Aden landed in a pose reminiscent of female action heroes in cinema.

Boom-.

Shortly thereafter, a mask emerged from the main entrance.

Manus recognized the identity of the mask materializing from within the dormitory and twisted his lips.

Let’s revisit the concept of bosses.

The domain where the term ‘boss’ finds its most prolific application is undoubtedly in gaming.

Bosses provide gamers with an incredibly diverse array of experiences.

“This complicates matters.”

“How shall we proceed?”

If diverse experiences determine a game’s content volume, this DLC could be deemed highly successful.

Although it’s reality, and comes with the exhilarating yet terrifying prospect of permanent failure.

[Keke-!]

An otherworldly cry assaulted all five senses.

Five arms.

Weapons affixed to each limb.

Armor encasing the entire form.

He never anticipated encountering that particular Arcana here.

Manus deepened his twisted smile and summoned his mana.

The Roman numeral clearly inscribed on the mask symbolized lamentation, calamity, and disgrace.

“Physical assaults will prove ineffective against those entities.”

“My, I’m not limited to mere physical attacks.”

“Please provide support. Their vulnerabilities lie in ice and dark attributes.”

Aden nodded in acknowledgment.

She extracted a dagger from her bosom.

Though assassins may be novices in magic, they too can imbue mana with elemental properties.

She casually twirled the dagger and inquired.

Is it appropriate for her to take the lead here?

“Are you certain you wish me to merely provide support?”

“It would be rather dull if you intervened directly.”

There’s also an aspect I wish to evaluate-.

Hearing Manus’s decision, Aden nodded and surged towards the demons.

Though they’ll eventually be reduced to mob-level threats, at present they’re demons of an overwhelmingly high caliber.

The Roman numeral 16 signified the Arcana of the ‘Tower,’ and they were monstrosities far surpassing the average level of 50.

Crackle-.

Rather than ice flowers blooming from his hands, they materialized from the moisture in the air.

‘Though it’s my inaugural attempt-.’

“It will require some time.”

“That’s perfectly acceptable. I’m merely toying with them.”

It appears they’ve manifested as event bosses, but their impact pales in comparison to genuine boss encounters.

Literally just an event, they lack the gravitas of true bosses.

Moreover, that mask also serves as one of the materials for awakening Orca’s necklace.

Substantial support and appropriately challenging bosses.

Additionally, now that he’s mastered triple casting, he can attempt that technique.

Myriad spell recipes fluttered through his mind, and he selected a suitable combination as if perusing a menu.

“Here we go-.”

Meanwhile, Aden, wielding dark mana, began toying with the two bosses.

Her combat prowess is so precise and lethal that even Manus can’t surpass it.

What can mindless demons hope to achieve?

Manus could concentrate on spellcasting with ease.

Whoosh-.

Mana swirled to a terrifying degree.

Sufficient to astonish even Master Aden.

‘Witnessing it anew, he truly is a remarkable individual.’

Whoosh-!

Though the demon swung its weapon clumsily, it couldn’t even graze her shadow.

Perhaps sensing the burgeoning mana, one of the pair swiveled its head towards Manus.

Aden wouldn’t squander that opening.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

[Keak-!]

Her dagger danced with graceful precision.

Though not lethal, it was a strike potent enough to recapture attention.

The clean and precise assault drew aggro once more.

Meanwhile, Manus, having completed three magic circles, yearned to ascend to a higher realm of spellcraft.

Originally a privilege reserved solely for the game’s protagonist.

But Manus’s aptitude far surpasses that of the current protagonist.

“Are you prepared now?”

“Indeed-. Just herd them appropriately.”

Three magic circles resonated in harmony.

Two ice attributes.

One wind attribute.

Though they were 2nd-Class spells individually, the new magic birthed from their fusion transcended that classification.

[Triple Spread]

[Glacia] — [Glacia] — [Anima]

[Result: Boreas]

The magic circles split, weaving a new pattern.

The nascent magic circle, brilliantly illuminating the dark green world, summoned forth the north wind that freezes all in its path.

Not merely combining two spells, but three.

Three 2nd-Class magics instantaneously generated power rivaling 5th-Class sorcery.

It’s a miracle achievable only through mastery of triple casting.

[Triple Spread] was a magic bordering on the miraculous, to the extent that this represented the pinnacle of Manus’s current capabilities.

“Evade.”

“-Oh my.”

Crash-!

The north wind doesn’t freeze everything instantaneously.

Slowly, but inexorably.

By the time the opponent realizes, it’s already too late.

In the game, this ability manifested as DoT (Damage over Time) damage.

He was curious how it would translate to reality.

How those arrogant intruders would meet their demise.

[Kek?]

“I’ve never witnessed such magic before. Is it your original creation?”

“You could say that.”

Wisps of white breath materialized.

Though winter had long since passed, a wind colder than the depths of midwinter howled.

At its epicenter stood an ice tree that chilled to the very marrow.

A snow-white tree that blossomed where no eyes could see, transforming this realm into a winter wonderland.

The sight of ice flowers blooming on the crumbling tower was truly a spectacle to behold.

–TL Notes–
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