Reincarnated in the game world ~ A gamer's beginning to [Dungeon job hunting recommendation]

Vol. 11 - Chapter 560 - First Goal — Crush the Scouts!

The members of Class-1 sprang on their respective tasks the instant the buzzer signifying the beginning of the game rang up. There was nothing special in what they're doing, except following their usual motto—first step is often the deciding factor!

They'd Zephyr with them. They wouldn't let them be overtaken by another class in the moment, and immediately devoted themselves to their supposed role.

Zephyr first scouted the area to see if there was any other base nearby, helped the members in setting up the defense line, and then swiftly left the base in tow with their offense squad.

So far, their action appeared no different from previous matches, but the similarity ended there. Until now, he had strictly ordered the members to move in a team of at least six members, and mustn't split in more than two teams. It was Zephyr's precaution in case they're caught in a surprise attack. 

But in the finale, their team had split into as small as three-members units, and even allowed them to spread out. From a general viewpoint, the team would barely last longer should they encounter an opponent class. It’s not easy to cut one’s way against an outnumbered force after all. At the same time, even if they found the enemy's base, a prompt raid wasn't possible for similar reasons. 

The whole thought behind their plan could be explained for two simple reasons—the field discouraged classes from moving in big groups, and also to counter «Dragon's Miniature Garden.»

Their primary targets were scouts. 

Since the map arena was littered with mountains, it conversely left little stable ground for the classes, which also meant narrower and few roads. The mountains projected a steep cliff, making it nearly impossible for students to climb (or maybe Machos could climb their way, but they're anomalies so let's not mention them.)

In short, awaiting the movements from scouts, the members of Class-1 took an ambush approach. Scouts were the key target to hunt down in their plan this time. 

This was a strategy that was possible only at the early stages of the game. In Zephyr's words, large units were impossible to roam around freely in crowded maps, hence it was scout's duty to map out the area for their teams.After all, they’re the lifeline of any class to pinpoint their opponent's base location, assess the enemies placement, their military might, and find an opening in their arrangement. 

At the same time, Class-1’s three-man unit had to beware of possible encounters with big groups that could pose danger. If they're found out by scouts, they would run the risk of going against a concentrated attack. This was another reason why scouts must be eliminated.

Hence, to crush the scouts as soon as they could, Class-1 promptly raised their own force and spread them out. It would be a stalemate if the opponent's main force made their move before they could achieve that. 

Then again, speed was something Class-1 indisputably rocks in. Immediately with the match opening, their unit left to lay in ambush. If they're successful, they might even eliminate a good portion of scouts. At the same time, this tactic was an answer to «Dragon's Miniature Garden».

The key forte of «Dragon's Miniature Garden» was its capability of bird-eye's view but it had a glaring weakness. *The only area «Dragon's Miniature Garden» could reflect was only the places charted by comrades.* Unless the members had scouted the area, the said location would be pitch dark.

In that scenario, Rina would probably move to spread out their scout force first of all to complete the map. And this was their chance to catch them wholesale. The elimination of scouts not only would be a huge blow to Class-51, but they would also cripple their mapping ability, putting their strategy into the back seat. It was a one stone and many birds moment. 

But as it stood, this was a race against time. Whether they could stop Rina from completing her map or not would decide the direction of the match to a major extent. 

Anyway, the main point for Zephyr was now to secure the strategic location where they could seal scouts movements. Everything in this moment boils down to how much area they cover up. Of course, with how big the field was, Zephyr knew they couldn't encompass the whole area, no matter how exceptional his classmates were.

After a bit of contemplation, he chose to lay their trap in half of the southern area. 

As much as the field was a mountain district, with towering mountains everywhere like high-rising buildings, there were some peculiar characteristics to some areas. And those areas were north and south.

The northern area had several gaps with criss-cross paths, while the southern area had narrower roads as wide as one square only. They also had relatively more mountains in that area. To sum it up, the south was the prime location to hide. 

But from Zephyr perspective, the narrow roads were just as much of a limiter for his opponent. If they could only take narrow roads, then their opponent's scouts, too, would have to take the same narrow path. And it's precisely due to this intricate place that Zephyr had chosen south as location for their base. 

Either way, Zephyr chose a team of Rika, Pamela and Misato to station in the furthest area in the southeast. That spot was a mirror to their own, making it a prime location to hide oneself's base. Pamela was the vanguard with her agility and ability to bind her opponent's move skill. Rika and Misato were there to support her. (See co-ordinates AB-22?AB-23?AC-22?AC-23 for precise location.?

The spot where paths from three directions, mainly south and north, merges was a pretty notable spot to corner scouts. In the end they settled on that. But—

???

"Of course, our opponents wouldn't let us have that advantage so easily huh..."

Rika murmured in a wry smile.

"Yeah. We really didn't think they would dispatch an escort squad just for scouts."

"Uh-huh, we're spotted-desu. Your decision, Rika?"

Misato and Pamela share a similarly wry expression.

The trio had been currently stuck in an odd spot. They'd been lying in ambush when on the other side a sprinting person, seemingly the scout, activated their «Detection» skill while trying to swiftly cross the path. Of course, Pamela's «Present Detection» promptly reacted to the opponent and warned her. 

Now, they'd a choice. Pamela could similarly use the «Detection» skill to locate the precise location of scouts and take them out. However, that's where the problem arises. Apparently the scouts were dispatched with an escort unit who now approached their direction all pepped up. This buds a sense of impatience inside Pamela.

"I didn't expect they would move in a four person team. Well, then again we're the last person to point that out."

"I know right? I mean, an escort unit would only be a burden against a scout's agility. Plus the scout would have an easier time escaping alone too, so why..."

"Opponents inbound from east, their count is four. They're confidently striding in our direction-desu."

"Your call, Rikky! Fight or flight?"

"......Zephyr had said to pin down this location if possible. Let's test them out before reaching any conclusion. It would be embarrassing to say we ran away because we're outnumbered, no?"

"Woah, that was a cool line, Rika!"

In the end, the trio decided to challenge the incoming opponent. They took their battle stance and appeared from the shade of the mountain.

"No more hiding, huh?"

"Aye, prop to your determination~."

"Do not be complacent, everyone. They have managed to reach the final for a reason!"

At last, the opponent became clear about the trip: they're a team of two boys and two girls. One of the boys was dressed in sorcerer-esque style, the other was carrying a broadblad, probably a close-combatant. On the other hand, one of the girls was dressed lightly, which makes her the scout while the other girl appeared to be using a dual sword style.

Rika and team had yet to know, but they're the members of Class-9.

"Why were you hiding yourself there... or not, I guess that's a bit too redundant to ask."

"Heh? Your tone suggests it wasn't just our class that thought of targeting this location huh."

Listening to the scout girl's words, Rika finally had an understanding of the situation. To cut to the chase, another class had come up with the same idea as them. And it indicates their opponent had a leader on par with Zephyr. The expression of Rika and team tensed when this thought crossed them.

"Hmph, enough talking. We might have the same goal but there can only be one class, so say your goodbye."

"Impressive resolution. But don't expect us to back down so easily. Hope you have prepared—"

"It's our line! Attack now, guys!"

"«Frigid Burst»!!"

The mage-esque boy promptly fired a 3rd order skill. However—

"Just this? Secret Technique—«Twin-Sword Sweep»!"

"D-Did she just repelled the magiccccc?!?"

Rika jumped in with her parry skill and sent the magic attack in another direction. The mage-esque boy's mouth opened ajar in sheer shock.

"My turn-desu!"

"Go-go, I will cover you up, Pamecchi! «Proto Barrier»!"

Then moving onward, Pamela, too, leaped into the confrontation in her usual skippy tone, while Misato supported them from behind.

Thus, the parallel thought process of two leaders sparked the first fight of the finale.

—And eventually, this spark would then trigger a bigger war.

T/N - Heya, everyone, how did your new year go? Personally, it was like everyday except the update of a game made the day. Any guesses? ~~And I guess you guessed the reason behind the delay this week. I can’t wait to eat my words said a while ago.~~ 

But on the brighter side, the goal performed quite well at least. Though it didn’t hit the set milestone, not that it was unexpected, we would be updating two extra chapters next week. And it seems like Hannah’s side story get the fair number of votes so there we go~.

On the side note—not that it’s important, so you can skip it—my original idea was to check out the light novel volume of series and see if there is any summer side stories, and *hopefully* the illustration of the remaining girl’s swimsuit but I couldn't find the time and means to get it. Welp, here goes my plan to put down summer stories in the winter season—the oh-so classic staple of anime regardless of the time. Let’s see this month then~.