Helheim's invasion 〜Vigorous Attack〜

Makoto plays ALO as a demon, not a fairy.

She was fighting an inner struggle that now she is in the opposite situation as when she is in the real world, however, she starts feeling different as she mingles with other demons.

## Previous Episode

Makoto is a police officer who is a friend of Kazuto and Suguha from childhood.

Suguha talks Makoto into playing in ALO, then Makoto ends up settling in Helheim, the land of dead, and involuntarily leads an army to the Fairyland.

## What's Area Clearing Event?

* In this event, you choose a quest area on the map, and defeat the area boss to get your favorite items from lots of treasure boxes.

* After defeating the area boss, sometimes, a more powerful boss breaks in. Defeat this Break-in Boss to get rare items from higher quality treasure boxes.

* Once you open a treasure box, you can obtain all the items in it. You can increase the number of treasure boxes you can open by playing well in multi-play.

* Show off your multi-play skills and get lots of rewards!

## Event Period

9/10/2018(Mon) 06:00 ~ 9/18/2018(Tue) 05:59 (UTC)

## 1. Clear each area

* You get to choose a quest on the map in the Area Clearing Event.

* There is an Area Boss in each area and you have to defeat them to get rewards.

Another area will be unlocked if you defeat an Area Boss, try to open all the areas first!

## 2. Open treasure boxes in Storage

* After defeating an Area Boss, you get to choose treasure boxes in Storage and obtain items. The items you obtained will be gone from the Storage, you can obtain all the items in the Storage if you open the treasure boxes multiple times.

* A challenging level is set for each Storage. You can move on to the higher level one after collecting all the Pick Up items or opening all the treasure boxes.

Items in the Storage will be nicer when the level is higher.

* When you've reached the highest, it shows "Extra" and resets the items in the Storage.

* Each area has a Storage - check all the Storages and try the one that has what you want.

## 3. Defeat a Break-in Boss

* After defeating an Area Boss, a powerful boss might break in. Break-in Bosses are very powerful, if you defeat them, you can receive rewards from Gold Storage.

* Another battle with a Break-in Boss starts right after defeating the Area Boss, pay attention to the HP and MP.

* The Gold Storage is the same in each area, try to defeat all the Break-in Bosses!

## 4. Raise the Break-in Rise Rate

* In some area, a Bonus Time that raises the Break-in Rise Rate is given. You can see which area has a Bonus Time in the map.

* Also, there is an item called Boost Item which raises the Break-in Rise Rate. You can get this item from Storage or as Point reward. This Boost Item can only be used by Co-op players in multi-play, invite others and use the item in turns!

* Bonus Time and Boost Item give the same effect. If you do multi-play using a Boost Item in the Bonus Time area, you can raise the Break-in Rise Rate a lot more!

## 5. Play well in multi-play and get all the rewards at once

In Area Clearing Event, you could earn Storage Bonus that increases the number of treasure boxes , you can open 6 treasure boxes (max.) in one-time play. Clearing a quest allows you to open a treasure box, you can open more if you get these 5 bonuses: Character Bonus, Guild Bonus, Parry Master, Best Attacker and Last Attacker. Each one gives one more treasure box to open.

**Character Bonus**： Given when having a bonus character in your party

**Guild Bonus** ： Given when clearing a quest with 3 guild members. (Given to all the guild members) Invite other guild members and do multi-play.

**Parry Master**： Given when succeeding a parry most in 3 multi-play

**Best Attacker**： Given when delivering damage to enemies most in 3 multi-play

**Last Attacker**： Given when performing a last fatal attack in 3 multi-play
Play best in multi-play and earn a higher storage bonus to get items most at once.

## Tips

* Break-in Bosses are dark-elem. but Holy-elem. characters can hardly deliver damage to them and don't get much damaged by the Break-in Bosses. There's no elemental trick, you just have to use your multi-play skills.

* Break-in Bosses can bring back the area boss you defeated from Helheim, the land of dead. Defeat the area boss swiftly then move on to the Break-in Boss!

* When you have a new character from Gales & Arrows -Transcending Time, you get to open one extra treasure box (Character Bonus). Try the powerful ★6 character Acceleration Skill and earn other bonuses too.

## Story

**Story 1**

Kirito: Huh?
Asuna: That woman in front of the demon army... She's staring awfully intently at us...
Kirito: What's up with that? Why isn't she just coming for us like everyone else?
Thokk: Hey, Earth to Makoto! If you dally any longer, Skull's gonna chew ya out again.
Makoto: Y-Yeah, I know, Thokk...
Monster: KKKAAGAAAWW!
Kirito: Urk, Asuna, we should deal with these flying monsters first!
Asuna: O-Okay...
Thokk: C'mon, Makoto, keep moving!
Makoto: R-Right.

Makoto: My name is Makoto. In the real world I'm a rookie police officer.
Makoto (Seiko): I work in a small police station in the city of Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, just outside Tokyo. It so happens that I bumped into two childhood friends the other day, Kazuto and Suguha Kirigaya. They're siblings, and I spent many years of my childhood learning kendo at their house's dojo. I met them by chance and we caught up. But there was one thing that they recommended... ALfheim Online. A virtual reality game set in a fictional world. Naturally, I was interested. I borrowed my dad's AmuSphere, which I needed to dive into the game.
Makoto: I was supposed to be plunged into Alfheim, become a fairy warrior, and take part in epic battles. But for some reason, I was sent to Helheim, the game's underworld, and trained as a demon warrior. Eventually, I was forced to join the demon army in their attack on the world of the fairies. The demons were sent to Helheim after being killed up above, so they bear a grudge against fairies. And so, along I went with the demon army, as I took my first steps into Alfheim in the land of the living.

**Story 2**

Grimm: I think you've had enough, Skull. You can never walk straight after you've had too many.
Skull: What, me? You know I like taking the scenic route. Why'd I ever wanna walk straight!
Grimm: Ugh, you KNOW I didn't mean that.
Skull: Ha ha ha! Lighten up a little! Lemme pour you a drink, Makoto!

Makoto: A-Ah, no thank you, I'm still on duty... As a police officer, I--
Thokk: Hey-hey, why'd you gotta ruin the mood talkin' about real-world stuff, huh? Sheesh... Enjoy your time here! After all, we got out first victory to celebrate!
Makoto: Victory? But because of us, that quaint town in the world of the living was decimated..! Gah, the weight of guilt lies heavy on my heart...

???: Uhm, excuuuuse me!
Makoto: Hm? Oh, it's a child...
Skull: Oh, heya, Kobol! Ya thirsty? Join us for a drink!
Makoto: Kobol?
Grimm: Kobol's handy with an axe and shield. She may be small, but she's the ruler of the evil Kobold spirits.
Thokk: Yeah, she was in the last battle! You've heard of Kobolds, right? They appear in many fairy tales! And games too, but they're more commonly known as goblins, I suppose.
Makoto: Oh, right... Cool...
Kobol: Uhm, Ms. Makoto... I watched you fight! It was super awesome! I was really moved!
Makoto: Th-Thanks...
Kobol: Do you remember? There I was, encircled by fairies... Then you came in and saved me!
Makoto: I... did? Ahaha, sorry, it was all such a blur, I don't really remember doing that...
Kobol: But thanks for joining us, Ms. Makoto! With you here, I feel I could do anything!
Makoto: N-No problem... ...
Thokk: Look at you, Makoto! It's not every day Kobol praises someone like that!
Makoto: Heh, yeah, being told that by a kid with hope in her eyes... Wait, no, this isn't right! I still haven't forgotten the regret and guilt I feel for dirtying my hands as a demon! Those poor, poor fairies... So many pointless deaths... This goes beyond just betraying my moral compass... They're gonna take me away for this... Waaah...
Thokk: Wahaha, aw man, Makoto, you're making me bust a gut here!

Seiko: ... \*sigh\*...
???: Hey, sighing's not gonna help you protect the peace.
Seiko: H-Huh?!
Kazuto: Hey, Seiko. Nice to see you again.
Seiko: Jeez, don't scare me like that, Kazuto.
Asuna: Hello.
Seiko: Huh?! What's a girl this pretty doing with... Wait, is this the girlfriend you mentioned?!
Asuna: Uhm, yes, my name's Asuna Yuuki. Hey, Kiri... I mean, Kazuto, who's this?
Kazuto: She's a childhood friend of mine and Sugu's. We used to practice kendo together. She's a bit older than us. Sugu used to really look up to her.
Seiko: A-Aren't you exaggerating, Kazuto?
Kazuto: More importantly, what's up, Seiko? You don't look so great...
Seiko: O-Oh, it's nothing, really! I'm just continuing my patrol! Making sure nothing's out of the ordinary!
Kazuto: I... see.
Asuna: Hey, Kazuto. Sorry, but if people see us chatting too much, they might think she's slacking off.
Kazuto: Yeah, you're right... Okay, we'll be seeing you later, Seiko. Oh, one more thing, actually. Have you had a chance to try out ALO?
Seiko: What...? I, uh... No, not yet. Sorry, I've just been a bit busy.
Kazuto: Oh, okay, no worries. I just thought you could show me your amazing sword skills again!
Seiko: S-Sure, I'll take you up on that when things style down a bit...
Kazuto: That'd be great! Sugu says she'd love to hang out too. Once you get your account sorted out, tell us your race and avatar name!
Seiko: Right... Will do.

**Story 3**

Thokk: I see, I see. And so you never spilled the beans that you've been playing the game?
Makoto: Well, yeah. They know I'm a police officer! How can I tell them I'm a police officer by day but join forces with evil by night?!
Thokk: Wahaha, you crack me up!
Makoto: I'm trying to be serious here!
Thokk: You're honest to a fault, Makoto. This world is just a fully immersive role-playing game. Don't take it too much to heart.
Makoto: What do you mean by that?
Thokk: Well, simply put, you're given an avatar and you play the role of an inhabitant of this world. You're free to act differently here, just like the NPCs. Hell, you can even change your gender.
Makoto: That's right... MMORPG...The RPG stands for role-playing game, doesn't it? I think I get it now.
Thokk: Good, good! Glad to hear it!
Makoto: Although, I bet my dad would freak if he found out... He'd be like "What are you thinking!"
Thokk: Ah, yeah, you borrowed the AmuSphere from your pa, didn't you?
Makoto: Yeah, he's old-fashioned and obsessed with the Shinsengumi. He even forced me to learn kendo.
Thokk: It's kind of weird a man like that owns the newest in FullDive tech, though, huh?
Makoto: Truth is, he's a geek when it comes to Japanese history. He wanted to play this game called Asuka Empire. But it wasn't very historically accurate. He lost interest after yokai started appearing...
Thokk: Which meant that his AmuSphere was free to borrow.
Makoto: Yep...
Skull: Hey chumps, break time's over!
Makoto: What's going on, Skull?
Skull: Ain't it obvious? It's time to continue our attack on the living! Let's give 'em hell!
Makoto: What, already?!

**Story 4**

Thokk: Land of the Pooka, the musical fairies. I guess it's a little to the northwest of Arun.
Makoto: I must say... Demon powers sure are useful. We can teleport through darkness from Helheim in a second! Although I guess it's as frightening to the fairies as it is useful for us...
Thokk: Gahaha, you said it. And if we find ourselves in a pinch, we can teleport home, just like that!
Makoto: Which forces the fairies to have to stay on the defensive. Seems almost kind of... cheap.
Thokk: Well, YEAH, we are demons! Ain't it great?
Makoto: Okay, okay, I get it. So... We're going to attack Pooka territory now?
Grimm: Yeah. They can use their music to buff their comrades. But other than that, they're not too strong.
Skull: If we're gonna fight all the fairies, we might as well start with the weakest ones! It's common sense!
Makoto: Sheesh, this sounds awfully cheap too.

Seven: Hm...? What's that noise? More fans coming to get my autograph?
Feliz: Huh? You have fans, Seven?
Seven: Ah, Feliz, let me fill you in. I used to be an idol in this world! I was pretty popular, if I say so myself. Autographs, fully packed concerts...
Feliz: Oh, really...? But you're not an idol anymore?
Seven: I quit before I met you, actually.
Feliz: Which means they couldn't be your fans out there...
Seven: What?! Why!
Felix: Well... I don't think I've ever seen you surrounded by fans since we met.
Seven: Ouch, you don't pull your punches. I guess NPCs with high-level AI don't always read the room...
Feliz: But you know, Seven, I'd love to hear you sing sometime. I like to sing too.
Seven: Aw, thanks, Feliz...
Sphica: Waaah! Big news, Seven!
Seven: Where's the fire, Sphica? It's probably just my fans swarming outside, right?
Sphica: N-No, it's not! It's the demons Asuna warned us about! They've brought their army!

**Story 5**

Thokk: It must be... love.
Makoto: Why do you always have to be like that?
Thokk: Hehehe, because it's fun to pick on you while you're wallowing in your guilt!
Makoto: But you saw her, didn't you? That little girl. How can you not feel bad after what we did?!
Thokk: Hmm... Now that you mention it, those three bugged me. What were an Undine and an Imp doing there? The races are at war with each other, so it's kinda weird to see them chummy like that.
Makoto: But when we went to Arun, there were lots of different races all mingling together.
Thokk: Ah, that's 'cause Arun's a neutral zone. But... I can't shake the feeling I saw that Pooka before...
Makoto: Thokk... You really are an NPC, right?
Thokk: H-Huh?! Why'd you ask that?
Makoto: Because speaking with you is just SO natural. I know you've got super high-level AI, but still. I'm just amazed, really. Talking with you feels no different than chatting with friends in real life.
Thokk: O-Oh, yeah, I bet! You are right, I'm the newest and most high-tech AI on the market! You're behind the times, so you wouldn't know, but AI in VRMMOs has really come a long way! Honest!
Makoto: I had no idea...
Skull: Yo, you two! We're gonna head out to our next target soon!
Grimm: Next up are the Gnomes! They're a bit hardier than those soft Pookas, so watch out, alright?
Skull: You said it! Those Pookas were SUCH a pushover, gahaha! Didn't ya think so too, Kobol?
Kobol: Totally! Hey, Ms. Makoto. I did good today, right?
Makoto: Of course! I could see you were working really hard. And swapping your axe for a scimitar was genius. The fairies didn't know what hit them! Taking the enemy by surprise is important in kendo too. Oh! You don't wanna hear the specifics.
Kobol: Thanks for such a wonderful compliment, Ms. Makoto! I'm on cloud nine!
Thokk: Ha ha, hey, Makoto, this demon girl's really taken a shine to you.
Makoto: Don't say that just after we massacred those fairy girls... I feel so, so bad... Kobol. make me feel better...!
Kobol: H-Huh?! What's come over you, Ms. Makoto?!
Thokk: Ahahahaha!

**Story 6**

Kirito: What's up, Yui?
Yui: I got a message from Sphica. She'd gone over with Feliz to see Seven in Pooka territory. But suddenly that demon army showed up and completely destroyed everyone!
Asuna: How awful...
Kirito: First Arun, now Pooka territory...
Yui: They apparently came out of that black void again. Then headed northeast after their rampage.
Kirito: Wait... That's where Gnome territory's located.
Yui: I think that's their next target.
Kirito: I'll send a message to Agil and Strea, just in case.
Asuna: Although they retreated last time, it seems this time they're going for two targets in one day.
Yui: But that black void is still a mystery. Daddy wasn't able to fly into it...
Kirito: Yeah, there was some kind of invisible barrier. I guess it's a teleport gate only for enemy NPCs.
Asuna: Kirito, I know we won't make it in time at this rate, but what do you say we head to Gnome territory?
Kirito: Yeah. I trust Agil's strength, but I know how strong that army is, after having faced them before.
Asuna: Yeah, they're incredibly powerful, especially those humanoid demons of theirs.
Kirito: There was one with skulls on her, one with horns... And then that swordswoman with bat wings...
Asuna: She's seemed hesitant to fight at first. Although, once she did, she was absurdly strong.
Kirito: Yeah, and did you see her stance? Using two hands, it seemed almost kendo-like...

Agil: Thanks for the heads-up. So we're the next targets, huh?
Strea: Well, let's gather the rest of the Gnomes and meet those demons head-on!
Agil: Heh, you bet. We'll show them not to underestimate out offensive skills!
Strea: Totally! We should let Asuna's friend, Arianrhod, know too.

**Story 7**

Grimm: Wait a sec, Skull. Something's flying this way!
Makoto: Wah! Where?!
Thokk: It's ballista fire!
Makoto: What?! A barista's on fire?!
Thokk: No, you nitwit, it's like a huge catapult! You know, the ones people used to siege castle!
Makoto: Ack, I told you, I'm not so hot on fantasy terminology!
Thokk: What?! Ballistae exist in the real world too, you numbskull! Whatever. All you need to know is that it's the most dangerous long-range weapon in ALO. Grr, those Gnomes! They knew we were coming! How else could they have prepared like this?
Skul: Hey, enough sniveling back there! We're demons! We don't fear death and certainly not any ballista! We knew they'd fight back, didn't we? Right, we're moving in. Begin the attack!
Demons: RAAAAAAAAAH!
Makoto: Wait, wait, wait! We're just rushing in?! Isn't that a little reckless with them lying in wait?!
Thokk: Hey, besides you, we're all NPCs. We can't analyze and create such complicated battle stratagems!
Makoto: Y-Yeah, I get that, but simple commands are fine, right? Like to take out the ballista users first?
Thokk: Well... Yeah... I guess so. Alright, I'll try ordering them. There we go...
Makoto: Huh? Wait, Thokk, was that a HoloWindow just now?
Thokk: Erm... Yep. You don't need to worry yourself about it.
Makoto: O-Okay...
Skull: Understood! Take out the ballista team first! Makoto, Grimm, Kobol, head there together!
Kobol: Yes, ma'am! Let's do our best, Ms. Makoto!
Makoto: Amazing! This means they understood your orders, huh, Thokk?
Thokk: Exactamundo. Now, off you go.

Arianrhod: Tanks, forward! They're targeting our ballista team. Protect our comrades!
Gnome Players: Yes, Commander!
Agil: Thanks, Arianrhod. Take care of backup, okay?
Arianrhod: Of course.
Strea: Hmm, their AI's pretty good for NPCs... Need me to head out to the front lines too?
Agil: Yeah, that'd be best. You're popular with the Gnome guys, so maybe you can raise their morale.
Arianrhod: Yes, I agree with Agil. They'll need the support.
Strea: Eheheh, popular, am I? Hee hee, right, off I go!

Kobol: HYAH!
Gnome Player A: Heh, your puny arms have no punch behind 'em!
Kobol: Oof!
Gnome Player A: I don't care if you're a kid. You're a demon, so I'm not holding back! Take this!
Makoto: Hyaaah!
Gnome Player A: Holy cow! What in the world was that attack?!
Gnome Player B: Who knows? It looks like your stomach was sliced! But... you're not dead?
Gnome Player: Yeah... It didn't feel normal, man... It didn't... hurt, but the feeling reminded me of when someone hit my side during kendo once...
Gnome Player B: Whoa! Your armor's falling off! Look, on the side!
Gnome Player A: You gotta be kidding me! This armor's brand new!
Makoto: Can you stop your chit-chat during the match please? I'd prefer you tool this a bit more seriously. HYAAAAAH!
Gnome Player A: GYAH!
Gnome Player B: Hngyah!
Makoto: Whew...
Kobol: Thank you, Ms. Makoto! You keep saving me... Sorry.
Makoto: Heh, don't worry. I'm just glad you're all right.
Kobol: I can't wait until I'm strong like you, Ms. Makoto!
Makoto: Kobol...
Thokk: Wow, for all your talk of guilt, you don't show any mercy! Also... Remember, this isn't a "match"!
Makoto: Oh yeah, hehe.
Thokk: Do my eyes deceive me?! Makoto laughed! I better screen cap this!
Makoto: Hey, don't push it, Thokk!
Thokk: Ahahahaha!
Makoto: He heh...
Kobol: **Guh...!**
Makoto: Huh, Kobol?
Kobol: Ms. Makoto...

**Story 8**

Makoto: ...
Strea: Hm hm hm? Did I take out that little demon girl? Aw man, I know she's on the enemy side, but this does leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
Makoto: Kobol...
Thokk: Hey Makoto, Kobol's health's already hit zero. We should just focus on what's ahead for now.
Skull: You'll pay for what you've done...
Makoto: Huh, Skull?
Skull: Did you hear me?! I said you'd pay for what you did to my protegee!
Grimm: You'll feel my wrath too. We'll avenge poor Kobol!
Skull: HrrraaaaaGGGH!!
Grimm: Hrrraaagh!!
Makoto: Whoa, you two, wait... Whoaaaa!
The Skull Reaper: Graaaauuugh! **GRAAAWR!**
Makoto: I'm not seeing things, am I?! Or did they turn into two huge monsters?!
Thokk: Well, yeah, that's their normal form. The rage upon seeing Kobol killed caused them to transform. Which means the next event has begun.
Makoto: Huh, event?!
Strea: Huh?

**Story 9**

Agil: Yeah... They even managed to take out Arianrhod. Even though we survived... it was a complete and utter loss.
Strea: Those demons were heading east, wereb't they? The Leprechauns might be next on their hit list.
Agil: Yeah, you're probably right.
???: Agil! Strea!
Strea: Oh, look who it is! Kirito! Asuna!
Asuna: I'm glad you two are all right.
Agil: Well, "all right" is one way to put it. We might be alive, but look around. They even got Arianrhod.
Asuna: What? Even Arianrhod?!
Kirito: It must've been quite a battle... Were we right about the demon army?
Strea: Yeah...
Agil: Thanks to your message, we were able to shore up defenses and even fight back. But suddenly, they transformed into huge monsters. Ones that we all know well.
Kirito: Huh? What do you mean by that?
Asuna: No way... I can't belive it... They transformed into boss monsters we've defeated?
Agil: And there's no way you could take down even one of them without a raid party. Even us Gnomes, who are skilled in battle, couldn't take down that many of them at once.
Kirito: Alright. Thanks for fillong us in, Agil. We're going to head to Leprechaun territory now.
Asuna: Yeah. I'm worried about Liz and Rain.
Strea: Hey, Kirito. There's one thing that's been bugging me...
Kirito: What is it, Strea?
Strea: There were a few girls in the demon army whose speech seemed surprisingly... natural.
Kirito: Natural? Like, you mean they had high-level AI? Like you, Yui, and Feliz?
Strea: Maybe... But I'm not so sure. It sounded like they were talking about the real world. They sounded like... players.
Asuna: Players? Wait, does this mean the demon army isn't made of NPCs created by the devs?
Strea: I don't know for sure.
Agil: Now that you mention it, we never got an announcement about this demon event from the devs.
Kirito: We've had our share of auto-generated quests before... But this time does seem different. It's just one mystery after another. But thanks, we'll take care.

**Story 10**

Thokk: Well, yeah. We're denizens of the underworld. We can come back to life as many times as we like. Buuut it takes a little time.
Makoto: W-Wow...
Skull: Ha ha, good news to hear, eh? Right, let's keep up the pace! To the next target!
Grimm: Indeed! We may have lost some numbers to the Gnomes, but we can still push on.
Makoto: Hey, Skull, Grimm...
Skull: Hm? Something botherin' ya, Makoto?
Makoto: Ah, well, erm... Thank you. For getting angry when Kobol was killed. It was... I was just surprised that a demon would do that, really. And happy, of course.
Grimm: "Thanks for getting angry"? Ha ha, well, obviously! We are comrades, aren't we?
Skull: Ha ha, jeez, you should quit it with this sappy stuff! Of course we're gonna get angry when one of our number gets killed! It'd be the same if someone got you too, Makoto. I'd det angry, believe you me!
Makoto: Th-Thank you...?
Thokk: Hee hee.
Makoto: I heard that, Thokk! You were laughing, weren't you!
Thokk: Who, me? Naw, never in a million years!
Makoto: Don't try and wriggle out of it! I heard you!
Thokk: It was just a laugh of warmth, happy that you're settling into our group so well!
Makoto: Alright, whatever, just stop talking!
Liz: Rain! The demon army is approaching!
Rain: Yeah, I read Kirito's message too.
Liz: They've already decimated the Pooka and Gnome territories.
Rain: Yeah, we can't underestimate these guys if they managed to take down even the Gnomes...
Liz: Do you think Seven's okay?
Rain: I've spoken to her already. She's fine, just really annoyed that she ended up getting killed
Liz: I see... Well, we'll avenge her! And Agil and Strea too, of course! We;re Leprechauns! We'll gather our rarest and best equipment and stop them good!
Rain: Yeah! Let's show them who's the boss!

**Story 11**

Leprechaun Player: Ngh! Why...? This weapon's Ancient class! Howcould it break?!
Thokk: Lookin' good, Makoto!
Makoto: Thanks. Although their equipment is really powerful, they're just not as strong as the Gnomes. It's just like kendo. If you don't get hit, you won't lose.
Thokk: Good to hear! Seems this battle should end pretty swiftly.
Makoto: I wonder how Skull and the others are faring in that swamp area...
Thokk: Say no more! I'll go check it out for ya.
Makoto: Huh? How?
Thokk: I'm a navigation gremlin! This kinda stuff's a piece of cake.
Makoto: Oh yeah, you did mention that. And you can even issue commands. You're pretty versatile.
Thokk: Gahaha, you sure have grown fond of us, haven't ya, Makoto? That makes me smile me smile ear to ear!
Makoto: Yeah, yeah, smile away. The fact that I have does annoy me, though...
Thokk: Uh-oh... This doesn't look pretty...
Makoto: What? What's wrong?
Thokk: Something's going on over there. Our forces are being wiped out! They've got something strong.
Makoto: I gotta go save them!
???: Not so fast.
Makoto: Hm?!
Liz: You're fighting me next.
Makoto: Out of my way!
Liz: Like I'll move that easily.
Thokk: Hey, Makoto, she's no pushover. But I still think it best for you to head over and help the others.
Makoto: Is that your tactical analysis as a navigation gremlin?
Thokk: Something like that.
Makoto: I'd love to head over there, but what do we do about this mace wielder?
Thokk: Just leave her to me. You hurry on ahead, Makoto.
Makoto: You sure, Thokk...?

**Story 12**

Grimm: Ack!
Skull: Ngh... This ain't good... She's devilishly strong... for a fairy...
Rain: Phew... Seems like you two are in control here. So if I take you out, then your army's morale's gonna drop faster than a sinking ship. This is the end for you! You'll regret killing my sister and Agil! Now take THIS!
Rain: ...!
Makoto: Just... in time!
Grimm: Makoto!
Skull: Hey, Makoto! What're you doing here?! You're supposed to be fighting over there!
Makoto: We'll talk later! We need to take her out first!
Rain: Hm...? You're wielding your weapon two-handed? And that pose seems... awfully kendo-like.
Makoto: Seems you're no pushover either. I din't think I'd fight against a dual-weilder! Hehe, this'll be fun!
Rain: ...!
Makoto: You're wide open!
Rain: Ungh!
Makoto: I see.
Rain: You see what?!
Makoto: You are strong, I'll admit it. But it's a strength nurtured in this world only. You over-rely on the reflexes from gaming. I'mguessing you don't exercise much in the real world.
Rain: ...!
Makoto: I respect the time it took for you to get such good reflexes and gaming skills. But that means nothing if you haven't trained your real body!
Rain: Just who are you?
Makoto: Hraaagh!
Rain: Nnngh...
Makoto: This is the end!
Rain: Th-Thousand... Rain!
Makoto: **AAAAAAHHH!** Nngh...
Rain: That was too close...
Makoto: What... was that...?
Rain: Let's just call it my special attack. Though the specifics are a trade secret. All I need to do is hit you one more time with it and your health will be all gone!
Makoto: No... Am I really gonna lose...?
Rain: Get ready...! Cut my target to pieces, chiliad blades... Final Thousand Rain!
Makoto: But why do I not want to lose? For myself? Because of pride? No... It's for this world. I like it here... I don't want to stop existing as a demon here! Fighting with everyone, just like I did with kendo in the past... I enjoy it too much! **YAAAAAH!**
Rain: A one-handed strike this time? Heh, that won't change a thing! Thousand Rain cuts down all!
...
Makoto: **AAAAAHHHH!!**
...
Rain: What's going on?! There's a huge effect appearing around her sword as she's striking!
...
Rain: No way...! She's destroying all of my weapons!
Makoto: **HYAAAH!**
...
Rain: **AHHHHHHHHH!**
Thokk: Now that was something, Makoto! Good work.
Makoto: Huh? You were watching, Thokk?
Thokk: Hell to the yes. You did that striking kendo move you were going on about earlier, didn't ya?
Makoto: It's dangerous, though, so I've never tried it in real life. But now that we're in a game...
Thokk: Your strike was one-handed, though. Was that still kendo?
Makoto: No... Kendo strikes are pretty different. It's actually from a Shinsengumi drama my dad showed me. It's a special move of theirs. Mine was only an imitaition, but I suddenly thought in the moment that it'd work.
Thokk: So after destroying the weapons, you canceled the strike motion, then moved to a sideways slash?
Makoto: Yeah. It's difficult, but the true benefit of the technique is that you can add successive moves. I realized just striking her attacks out of the may wouldn't let me win.
Thokk: I see, I see. That move might've been an OSS, you know. There was a special effect, right?
Makoto: Huh? What's an OSS?
Thokk: Uh, well...
Makoto: Ah! Wait, Thokk, how did your battle go? I never asked! How'd you defeated her?
Thokk: Hey, hey, don't bombard me with questions. We'll talk once we've finished this battle, alright?
Makoto: O-Oh, yeah, sure.