1. It is the present day.Copy !req
2. Fully-immersive games, in which
the users wear VR headsetsCopy !req
3. to play as fully-realized
denizens of a fictional world...Copy !req
4. are dominating the gaming world.Copy !req
5. The pinnacle of these VR games,Copy !req
6. boasting over 30 million players worldwide,Copy !req
7. is known as a god-tier game.Copy !req
8. Its name...Copy !req
9. is Shangri-La Frontier!Copy !req
10. Whoops, keep your mind on the game.Copy !req
11. Now I know I can do this, though!Copy !req
12. Just keep racing to that tower!Copy !req
13. What's that?Copy !req
14. The flames...Copy !req
15. A new attack?Copy !req
16. Better get the Inventoria ready...Copy !req
17. Great King of the Deep, I Humbly Seek to Crush YouCopy !req
18. InventoriaCopy !req
19. Too freaking close!Copy !req
20. I made it, though.Copy !req
21. The heck was that thing?Copy !req
22. A super-fast beam made of
concentrated electricity?Copy !req
23. SunrakuCopy !req
24. Just the beam's aftershocks
took out most of my health...Copy !req
25. Even if you avoid the direct hit,
that hit box is crazy.Copy !req
26. A-Anyway, let's get my health back up first.Copy !req
27. If I'm inside the Inventoria, I can just
chug potions until one of them works.Copy !req
28. I can see why they call that
dual-element orca a king, though.Copy !req
29. Still... not a bad environment
to run my tests in.Copy !req
30. The angle of that last attack
should've hit the tower!Copy !req
31. SunrakuCopy !req
32. Okay, let's do this.Copy !req
33. If the only role of the
Sealing Generals is to protect the towers,Copy !req
34. destroying the towers themselves would
let me skip some annoying fights.Copy !req
35. Yeah, figured it wouldn't be that easy.Copy !req
36. The damage to the surrounding
buildings is still there.Copy !req
37. So it's not like it blew up
and then Ctarnidd fixed it.Copy !req
38. A indestructible object?Copy !req
39. This thing...Copy !req
40. It was still waiting for me after all
that time I spent in the Inventoria?Copy !req
41. So the Crystal Scorpions weren't the only
enemies they gave Inventoria strats to?Copy !req
42. Damn it!Copy !req
43. Screw you, devs!Copy !req
44. You are truly insufferable!Copy !req
45. I did not expect you to pick a fight with
the deep sea king Atlanticus Lepnorca!Copy !req
46. Hey, Araba?Copy !req
47. Not even those rotted imitations of
merfolk would do something this foolish!Copy !req
48. Hang on, you can fly?Copy !req
49. I am not flying.Copy !req
50. I am swimming!Copy !req
51. And that was the deep sea
king you picked a fight with.Copy !req
52. Do you see now how fearsome he is?Copy !req
53. Y-Yeah...Copy !req
54. We must retreat with all haste!Copy !req
55. Yeah, fine.Copy !req
56. I was just here to run tests anyway.
I wasn't trying to beat it...Copy !req
57. Sometimes you need a little sky-swim
to gain a new perspective...Copy !req
58. What was that?Copy !req
59. I might just have a way to
beat the king over there.Copy !req
60. Beat the deep sea king?Copy !req
61. Have you gone mad, Sunraku?Copy !req
62. I doubt I could beat him head-on,
but if I can set things up just right...Copy !req
63. C-Close call!Copy !req
64. Araba! It's not safe up here!Copy !req
65. Go weave between the buildings!Copy !req
66. I had planned on it!Copy !req
67. But know that the Atlanticus Lepnorca
is an aggressive fighter.Copy !req
68. It does not stop until it devours its prey!Copy !req
69. It will be difficult to simply shake it off!Copy !req
70. Have we no choice but to fight it?Copy !req
71. I'm impressed you came to save me despite
knowing how dangerous that thing is.Copy !req
72. Can't tell if you're just that
nice or just that stupi—Copy !req
73. I owe you a debt! Nothing more.Copy !req
74. Oh, yeah?Copy !req
75. Still, pretty cool that you
can swim through the sky!Copy !req
76. Didn't know you could do that!Copy !req
77. I was not always capable of it.Copy !req
78. Before...Copy !req
79. How were those mermaids flying, anyway?Copy !req
80. Shouldn't they have fallen
based on what you said?Copy !req
81. I theorize that "waterless air" has already
been twisted into "water-filled air."Copy !req
82. In other words,Copy !req
83. to the mermaids, it should appear
that we are running through the water...Copy !req
84. Ever since then, I began to
think that the individual'sCopy !req
85. understanding of the situation
plays an important role.Copy !req
86. Yeah?Copy !req
87. Thus, those of us who are
more accustomed to the seasCopy !req
88. might be able to swim like the mermaids.Copy !req
89. I tried it, and it appears to have worked!Copy !req
90. It needs a merman's understanding, huh?Copy !req
91. Guess it's not something
us players can do, then...Copy !req
92. Now, explain to me your
plan for defeating it!Copy !req
93. Right.Copy !req
94. I realized it when I was looking
down from that tall tower.Copy !req
95. Something didn't add up.Copy !req
96. What was it?Copy !req
97. That dual-element orca's giant
laser blast hit the tower head-on,Copy !req
98. but it was left standing
like nothing had happened.Copy !req
99. At first, I thought the thing
was just indestructible,Copy !req
100. but there was something off
about the rubble around it.Copy !req
101. The line of rubble leading up to the towerCopy !req
102. makes sense as following the laser's course.Copy !req
103. But there was a second line of destroyed
buildings separate from that one.Copy !req
104. R'lyath is a city built
on the power of inversion.Copy !req
105. It literally turns concepts on their head.Copy !req
106. Non-Human, Living FishCopy !req
107. InvertedCopy !req
108. Dead Non-Fish Human HybridsCopy !req
109. Non-Human, Dead FishCopy !req
110. InvertedCopy !req
111. Non-Fish Living MermaidsCopy !req
112. So if the reason the tower didn't go down
has something to do with Ctarnidd's power,Copy !req
113. it'd make more sense if it wasn't
just an indestructible tower,Copy !req
114. but a tower that reflects attacks!Copy !req
115. Actually, you'd have been
there for that, right?Copy !req
116. Did you see the tower reflect the attack?Copy !req
117. Yes, you are right.
That may indeed have been the case!Copy !req
118. Then are you saying... you mean
to use that reflection...?Copy !req
119. You bet!Copy !req
120. We'll make its laser hit the tower head-on,Copy !req
121. so it smashes right back
into the deep sea king!Copy !req
122. Impossible!Copy !req
123. How do you expect to execute such a precise
maneuver against a rampaging deep sea king?Copy !req
124. Well, I've got a plan, of course!Copy !req
125. But I can't do it alone!Copy !req
126. That means I've got a role for you too, Araba.Copy !req
127. I need you to distract him for one minute!Copy !req
128. What?Copy !req
129. Wh-What kind of plan is that?Copy !req
130. The role you have assigned
me is absolutely crucial!Copy !req
131. Yep!Copy !req
132. If I fail, it would be the death of you as well!Copy !req
133. Sure would!Copy !req
134. But a proud merman like
you can handle it, right?Copy !req
135. There's no other way to get
the positioning just right!Copy !req
136. I have seen nothing but misfortune
since the moment you saved me.Copy !req
137. Don't talk like that.Copy !req
138. If this goes well, we'll have
defeated the deep sea king together!Copy !req
139. Talk about bragging rights!Copy !req
140. Even in legend, I have never
heard of such a foolish idea!Copy !req
141. Very well. So be it!Copy !req
142. We shall leave it in fate's hands!Copy !req
143. Let us begin, Sunraku!Copy !req
144. Yeah! Ready when you are!Copy !req
145. Activate skills!Copy !req
146. Gravity ZeroCopy !req
147. Shana-Oh IncarnateCopy !req
148. Fleet FootCopy !req
149. Let's do this, dual-element orca...Copy !req
150. Rather, deep sea king, Atlanticus Lepnorca!Copy !req
151. It's time for a little regicide!Copy !req
152. Figures.
You're ignoring Araba to come after me!Copy !req
153. Guess you won't give up until you eat me, huh?Copy !req
154. My first job is to temporarily
redirect its aggro.Copy !req
155. Then the next thing I have to deal with is...Copy !req
156. The way it waits for me when
I come out of the Inventoria!Copy !req
157. I'm guessing the devs patched its
AI to deal with the Inventoria,Copy !req
158. like they did with the Crystal Scorpions.Copy !req
159. In other words...Copy !req
160. The prey I was hunting suddenly disappearedCopy !req
161. Disappeared?Copy !req
162. I'll keep searching the area where it wasCopy !req
163. An AI that sticks to the
place it lost sight of me!Copy !req
164. It's gotta be somewhere around here!Copy !req
165. I'll wait here until it shows itself!Copy !req
166. How do I outsmart it?Copy !req
167. This is my answer!Copy !req
168. Vorpal Secret: Waning Mirror!Copy !req
169. Vorpal SecretCopy !req
170. If it's gonna stake out the
area when it loses sight of me,Copy !req
171. I'll set an aggro sink over there
and let it think that is me.Copy !req
172. If I activate the Inventoria while I'm out of
its sight line and the clone me disappears,Copy !req
173. what'll its thought routines do then?Copy !req
174. C'mon, devs.Copy !req
175. Your patched AI versus me and Araba...Copy !req
176. Let's find out who wins!Copy !req
177. Enter Travel!Copy !req
178. If I can't shake off that
dual-element jerk's stakeout,Copy !req
179. I'll never be able to direct
its beam at that tower.Copy !req
180. This is all up to you.Copy !req
181. Give it your best, Araba!Copy !req
182. I never expected to find myself initiating
a fight with the deep sea king...Copy !req
183. You will owe me a debt for this, Sunraku!Copy !req
184. Well, deep sea king?Copy !req
185. The proud merman warrior, Araba, is before you!Copy !req
186. Is it no use?Copy !req
187. It will not spare me a glance
until it devours its prey...Copy !req
188. I must hurry!Copy !req
189. Do not let Sunraku's plan be in vain!Copy !req
190. Do what you must, Araba!Copy !req
191. I will turn its attention towards me,
if I must bite its tail to do it!Copy !req
192. Waning Mirror is a skill that sets
an aggro sink in one location.Copy !req
193. If I'm out of the area when the aggro
disappears, it'll lose sight of me,Copy !req
194. and discover a new target nearby—
one that was teamed up with me before.Copy !req
195. How's its AI gonna interpret that situation?Copy !req
196. I'd wager to guess...Copy !req
197. It'll call off the stakeout pattern,Copy !req
198. and go after the immediate target, Araba!Copy !req
199. Exit Travel!Copy !req
200. Wh-Why did it turn to me all of a sudden?Copy !req
201. All right, great work!Copy !req
202. Araba, you did it!Copy !req
203. Now just swim away as hard as you can!Copy !req
204. You watching this, devs? We win this round!Copy !req
205. Can't wait to see your next patch
after I kick Ctarnidd's butt!Copy !req
206. I've got one minute.Copy !req
207. Before it eats Araba,Copy !req
208. I've gotta climb that tower and get in place!Copy !req
209. My destination is the tower's midpoint.Copy !req
210. Shana-Oh Incarnate!Copy !req
211. Gravity Zero!Copy !req
212. Is that the Sealing General?Copy !req
213. It'd be nice if the laser
could take it out too, but...Copy !req
214. Right now I'm focused on that dual-element orca!Copy !req
215. Just sit tight until then, okay?Copy !req
216. All right...Copy !req
217. This should be a good height.Copy !req
218. The tower that reflects attacks...Copy !req
219. It's pretty darn big when I see it up close.Copy !req
220. Now, to fine-tune the angle...Copy !req
221. Right around here?Copy !req
222. No, more like here...Copy !req
223. Great!Copy !req
224. Araba! That's the spot!Copy !req
225. Swim down a little, then right towards me!Copy !req
226. Sunraku!Copy !req
227. It redirected its attention to Sunraku?Copy !req
228. Went back on the attack the moment it saw me.Copy !req
229. Guess it's all teary-eyed at our big reunion!Copy !req
230. Against a close-up enemy, it'll
use bite and fin attacks.Copy !req
231. At mid-range, it'll use electric discharge.Copy !req
232. And if you're too far away
for the discharge to hit,Copy !req
233. you've only got one option left, am I right?Copy !req
234. It's like an Old West quick-draw...Copy !req
235. Or maybe more like a sword-catch?Copy !req
236. If I get scared and activate
the Inventoria too early,Copy !req
237. it'll wait until I come back
and the plan'll be a failure.Copy !req
238. But if I'm a split-second too late,Copy !req
239. just the aftershock of the attack'll
knock my stamina to zero.Copy !req
240. And since I'm not running,
I'm closer this time.Copy !req
241. If I wait to see it, it'll be too late.Copy !req
242. If I can't activate the Inventoria
the moment it fires, I'm toast!Copy !req
243. Now, bring it on, Atlanticus Lepnorca!Copy !req
244. That super-powered laser
you're so proud of...Copy !req
245. I'm gonna send it right back in your face!Copy !req
246. Please! Reflection...Copy !req
247. Go!Copy !req
248. Hit it!Copy !req
249. A direct hit... right on target!Copy !req
250. Yes! It worked!Copy !req
251. Still, that was a close shave.Copy !req
252. I was basically going on instinct
to get the timing just right.Copy !req
253. Sunraku! We have done it!Copy !req
254. We have defeated the deep sea king!Copy !req
255. Don't talk like that, Araba!Copy !req
256. It's not over yet!Copy !req
257. The flames are fading.Copy !req
258. Now's our chance for a close-range attack!Copy !req
259. Y-Yes... I see!Copy !req
260. It's time for a beatdown!Copy !req
261. That's a king for you!Copy !req
262. Still not dead after that
high-powered laser hit!Copy !req
263. But now... it's my turn!Copy !req
264. Ducusram
equipped.Copy !req
265. That's tough...Copy !req
266. Hide's too thick for slash attacks, huh?Copy !req
267. In that case...Copy !req
268. Gilta Brill
equipped.Copy !req
269. How about this?Copy !req
270. Shake it! Concussion time!Copy !req
271. Just hit it as hard as possible!Copy !req
272. That's right! Hit it with all
the rage I felt for Failia!Copy !req
273. Channel my hatred for her... into power!Copy !req
274. Man, she really pissed me off so bad!Copy !req
275. Sending me on stupid errands to the very edges
of the map to get back in her good graces!Copy !req
276. "I'll feel better if you bring me an ultra
deluxe parfait!" Chow on grass, moron!Copy !req
277. "I'll forgive you if you dance naked for me!"
I don't want your damn forgiveness!Copy !req
278. "As punishment for peeping,
you need a real-time week in prison!"Copy !req
279. I was falsely accused!Copy !req
280. And "Now you may kiss me"!
Screw that garbage!Copy !req
281. I'd rather kiss a freakin' frog!Copy !req
282. Then right as I steeled myself
to do the deed, you said,Copy !req
283. "No, not yet!"Copy !req
284. "Not for a million
years, in fact!"Copy !req
285. Screw that!Copy !req
286. You stupid bimbo!Copy !req
287. S-Such a frenzy...Copy !req
288. Garbage! Garbage! Garbage! Garbage!Copy !req
289. Is this the Birdian Desperado
I have heard so much about?Copy !req
290. Garbage! Garbage! Garbage! Garbage!Copy !req
291. Birdian DesperadoCopy !req
292. I must contribute what I can!Copy !req
293. SunrakuCopy !req
294. Weak as they are, the flames are
still shaving down my stamina.Copy !req
295. But if I let up now, I'll lose my chance!Copy !req
296. I've gotta speed it up!Copy !req
297. This oughta finish it!Copy !req
298. Skill...Copy !req
299. Airgetlám!Copy !req
300. AirgetlámCopy !req
301. AirgetlámCopy !req
302. What?Copy !req
303. Probably won't mean much to a monster...Copy !req
304. But rest in peace, Atlanticus Lepnorca.Copy !req
305. We have done it at last, Sunraku!Copy !req
306. No, this is...Copy !req
307. Not good!Copy !req
308. Firing-up!Copy !req
309. That was close!Copy !req
310. That big jerk just had to get in a parting shot!Copy !req
311. A-As expected of the deep sea king...Copy !req
312. A threat to the end.Copy !req
313. Definitely a satisfyingly tough enemy...Copy !req
314. But we beat it in the end!Copy !req
315. Deep sea king, Atlanticus Lepnorca...Copy !req
316. Officially slain!Copy !req
317. Yes!Copy !req
318. Now, what kinda loot do we get out of it?Copy !req
319. I can hardly believe we defeated
it with only the two of us...Copy !req
320. Sunraku. You are an interesting man.Copy !req
321. So satisfying!Copy !req
322. I'll sleep well tonight!Copy !req
323. Huh? Sleep?Copy !req
324. What time is it, again?Copy !req
325. AkitsuCopy !req
326. Rust
MoldCopy !req
327. TodayCopy !req