Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 193
193. Mari-nee and the Defense Battle (Part Three)
The transformed power of Judas-san and his group was overwhelming.
The monsters from the Great Magic Forest are formidable, now combined with human experience and technique, unleashing a diverse and coordinated attack.
As a result, the balance we had maintained thus far was shattered in an instant.
Injured comrades retreated to the rear, and while they returned to the front line as soon as their wounds were healed, we were slowly being pushed back.
To make matters worse, the attacks targeting Jade-san himself were increasing.
This added to the difficulty of our defense, and it seemed only a matter of time before we were completely overwhelmed.
“Sorry, but once I start drawing this formation, the hostility seems to focus on me,” Jade-san explained.
Why wouldn’t you mention such a crucial detail earlier…?
Everyone seemed to share my internal frustration, as we all clenched our fists tightly.
Frankly, it was a wonder that no one started punching him.
“In any case, this is looking a bit dire,” Kanna-san’s voice, who should have been supporting from the back, sounded closer than before.
Apparently, we had been pushed much further back without realizing it.
There was no room to regroup under the relentless pressure.
The growing desperation gnawed at us.
Then, a resolute voice rang out through the air.
“Leave this to me!”
Stepping forward was Graham-san.
In his hands was a massive bow, nearly two meters long.
From its design, it looked more like a Japanese longbow than the Western-style bows we had seen so far.
“This is a skill I obtained after rigorous training at Legios, and by reassessing my own path. It can buy us some time, but I’ll need Maria-san’s help…”
Graham-san hesitated, and I replied immediately.
“I don’t mind, please go ahead!”
If there was any chance of improving the situation, now was not the time to worry about appearances.
“…Understood. Then, excuse me,” Graham-san said.
“Huh?”
Before I could react, Graham-san suddenly picked me up in a piggyback position and began securing me with straps.
I had agreed to cooperate, and I didn’t intend to go back on my word, but this situation was far beyond anything I could have expected.
“Graham-san, what exactly is this…?”
“I apologize. The skill I’m about to use becomes more effective the closer I am to the one I have chosen in my heart.”
A surge of unease welled up.
Sensing it, Gils gave me a questioning look, asking, “Are you okay with this?”
Estelle-san, meanwhile, had pulled out a mace from somewhere, showing a daunting smile.
I hesitated for a moment, but decided it couldn’t be all bad.
Considering that he had stopped calling me “Holy Guru,” I chose to trust Graham-san.
Graham-san drew the bow, and the bow itself began to emit light.
At first, it was a faint glow, but it gradually became so bright that it was hard to look directly at it. Countless arrows appeared on the string.
“[Holy Demon Separation Arrow]!”
Before I could comment on the skill’s name, the arrows flew simultaneously, hitting Judas-san and his group precisely.
Upon impact, each arrow caused a powerful knockback.
Judas-san and his group, forced to their knees, were surprised by the unexpected attack and tried to retaliate, only to find they couldn’t.
“Rest assured, this skill will keep the enemy immobilized as long as I have MP,” Graham-san said.
If that was true, it was indeed a powerful skill, but it had its limitations.
First, the MP consumption was severe, and he couldn’t recover MP, so it wouldn’t last long.
Second, no attack could be made against the immobilized enemies.
“This exceptional effect is due to those restrictions,” Kanna-san remarked, nodding in understanding.
Mareus-san brought up the harsh reality of the situation.
“But as Graham said, it’s just a way to buy time. We need to find a solution during this time.”
“Is your work still not done, Uncle?” Kanna asked.
“I need another five minutes,” Jade replied.
Jade-san’s curt response showed how desperate he was.
Looking at Graham-san, it was clear he couldn’t last much longer.
“Piyo! Piyoyo!”
At that moment, Vel, who had moved to my shoulder from Gils’, chirped loudly, trying to convey something.
“What is it, Vel?”
“He says he’ll handle it,” Gils replied, having come back beside me to listen to Vel’s words and convey his intentions.
“Vel claims to have a skill that can hold the line for the remaining five minutes.”
If that was true, it would be a great relief, but when did Vel learn such a skill?
Well, he did grow suddenly, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.
“I’ll have to leave your side, Maria, but I’m counting on you, Vel,” Gils said.
“Piyo!!!”
Gils and Vel exchanged a fist bump and a small wing bump.
Seeing that, I steeled myself for what was to come.
I separated from Graham-san, released Gils, and poured all my strength into Vel, transforming him back into the black-and-white bird.
Vel immediately flew up and looked down at me from the sky.
With the skill [Thread Transfer], I teleported instantly from the ground to Vel’s back in midair.
As Vel flapped his wings, he drew MP from me, gathering power.
While I let him drain my MP, I saw Judas-san and his group beginning to move again.
It seemed that Graham-san’s MP had run out, and the skill’s effect had ended.
Suppressing my impatience, I placed my trust in Vel and waited.
Just before the battle resumed, the MP consumption suddenly slowed.
Vel turned his long neck to look at me, and I nodded back, calling out the name of Vel’s skill that Gils had told me before he returned.
“<Curse Bind>*!” (*skill name may changed, the kanji is hard to describe)
At that moment, countless feathers burst from Vel’s body, raining down toward the ground.