How did I turn my victim into a phoenix-like hero?

Page 56

Monsters can't speak, but Cass always felt...

"Sirocco, he seems... very angry?"

"After all, the enemy is like a mosquito that you can kill but can't kill. Anyone would be angry."

"I see. Sirocco, if you want me to go, then I will."

Cass drew his straight sword, ready for battle.

"If the Maple Knight leaves the last vine uncut, he will advance to the next phase. The winning condition remains the same: cut all the vines on his body. If you can defeat him in the first phase, I believe you can do the second phase as well."

"Sirocco, could it be that you planned for me to..."

Sirocco nodded.

"...Then I'll go. By the way, it's just phase two, there's no phase three or anything like that, right?"

"..."

"Sirocco, don't stay silent!"

"Oh, no, no, you can definitely do it anyway."

"Honestly... I've almost gotten used to your style."

"One last reminder: pay attention to the direction of the vines on that guy's body. Now he can use vines to assist in ranged attacks, and he'll also create traps under your feet when you're not paying attention to restrict your movement, and..."

Cass raised his hand, indicating that no further words were needed.

"I'll learn the rest in battle. Sirocco, just hold the rope tight. My life is in your hands."

Cass gave a smug laugh and walked towards the shore.

Damn it... trying to look cool, huh?

Sirocco watched as Cass raised his sword to face the Maple Court Knights, not at all worried that he would lose.

Cass's innate "Friction" ability can reduce the opponent's kinetic energy, but Cass is low-level, so the skill's effective range is only the size of a palm.

Previously, Cass only used friction to eliminate enemy attacks.

Now, the Cassians have enchanted the tips of straight swords with the power of friction.

If the enemy cannot guarantee that the surface of their defensive shield is flawless, and there are even tiny gaps, just a few micrometers, between the atoms of the material, Cass's sword can "slide" through them.

This is equivalent to an attack that cannot be defended against.

The reason for this usage is simple.

Cutting down vines one by one is too much work; if only I could cut down three at once...

The Maple Knights' swift attack forced Cass to turn his thoughts into action.

As I played, I figured out how to use it.

Cass is growing very fast.

Sirocco quickly felt like he was leeching experience points.

Sirocco sought out the Maple Court Knights for one last reason—their attack style was very similar to Cliff's.

To be precise, it's very similar to talent.

Cliff's talent - Hunter's Forest.

Cliff unleashes his domain-type talent, which covers a radius of about 50 meters. Trees and forests become his cover, and he can command vines to launch ranged attacks while moving. In addition, Cliff can also disappear into the forest, causing his opponents to completely lose track of his location.

It can be described as having the ability to both attack and defend.

In his first playthrough, he dared to toy with Brid and Corcy in front of Cass in a public duel arena, thanks to his talent for concealing the view of outsiders.

"Tsk."

Sirocco shook his head to shake off that disgusting memory.

In short, the Maple Knights' offensive desire and rhythm in the second phase are far superior to Cliff's, and their attack range is also inferior to Cliff's.

If Cass can defeat him, his chances of beating Cliff will increase by 40%.

Cass will play for at least half an hour this time, which will coincide with the time Hill and I agreed to go home...

--------

At the entrance to the Sirocco family's house.

"Huh? Why?"

Hill refused.

"My uncle and aunt..."

Hill refused.

Brid looked embarrassed.

The repeated rejections left Brid standing there, stunned.

He just wanted to visit Sirocco, but found that he couldn't even get through the door.

"Hill... what are you hiding?"

"Not."

Hill took the snack box, then suddenly leaned close to Brid, startling her slightly.

"Bride, are you still half asleep? Hill wants to play games, and you have class tomorrow. Anyway, your brother will come to find you for practice, so you can ask him anything. So, tomorrow it is. Goodnight, Brid."

"...I see."

Having said that, Brid didn't insist any further.

Goodnight, Hill. Long time no see, you've become even more adorable.

"If Hill keeps getting any cuter, the world will explode. Come visit again sometime, Brid."

Hill smiled and closed the door.

Leaning against the door.

She looked at the box of pastries, her expression a mixture of emotions.

I should just ignore my brother from now on.

And that strange intuition... and its pure, natural quality.

Hill is not good at dealing with people.

"It's amazing that you debuted in high school, brother."

The childhood sweethearts' relationship, which had been frozen for many years, thawed in less than a week.

She's not much different from the Brid I remember.

But his attitude is much more humble than it was three years ago.

"You owe Hill a favor, Brother Sirocco."

Hill realized that Sirocco was lying to Brid.

"Brother, really, what's the point of a childhood sweetheart strategy?"

I thought the perfume Sirloin wore last time was Bridl, but it wasn't.

Brid smelled like a bakery.

It's different from the delicate lavender scent I smelled last time.

The opponent was more cunning than I thought.

I must, quickly, become an explorer.

The more time you spend together, the more your brother will discover his own charm... right?

"Although my older brother is more interesting now, and he even likes to pat Hill's head... Hill feels that my brother no longer belongs to me..."

Hill tried to make her voice sound cheerful, humming the victory BGM from defeating the BOSS in the game, while putting the snack box into the refrigerator.

--------

Brid embarked on her journey home.

“Hill has grown up too. Those twin tails still suit her so well.”

Brid smiled with satisfaction.

Although they didn't get to see Sirocco, being able to rebuild their sisterly bond might not be such a bad thing.

We used to play together a lot when we were little.

Come to think of it, when did the relationship become distant?

Brid suddenly noticed the problem.

After thinking about it carefully, she found that she couldn't figure out how the relationship had become distant.

"never mind...."

Brid didn't want to think about it anymore.