第１１８９堀：一回戦その３ (Part1)
Chapter 1189: First Round, Part 3
Side: Wazfi
*Pop-pop-pop!!*
With that sharp, tearing sound, the wall I was cowering behind began to...
*Grrr-grrr...*
...shave away into dust.
They definitely know exactly where I am.
"Nairua! Fiora! Can you identify the team targeting me!?"
"Don't ask for the impossible! We're being targeted too, you know!? Eek!"
"I'm safe on my end. I was walking down the main street, so I suppose I drew their attention. I'm going to take a detour, so please hang in there for a while."
"Right! I'm counting on you, Fiora!"
"And honestly, is it really okay to address a princess without any honorifics!?"
"It's a bit late for that, you two. Let's just try to get along."
We exchanged these words while still under enemy fire.
Man, Fiora was right—walking down the main street so openly was a mistake. Well, it did lure the enemy out just as planned, but the consequence was being pinned down here.
And besides...
"Seriously, Nairua, why did you run off to the opposite side? You should have gone to the closer one, right? You went out of your way to cross the road and head to the building on the far side..."
Because of that, our team coordination was non-existent.
"I-I had no choice! It was my first time dealing with something like this. Being shot at is terrifying! Even if Yuki says it’s fine, it’s not like I can just believe that so easily. Besides, normally, you’d just die from something like that!"
"That fear is only natural. Though, I was a bit surprised you panicked, crossed the road, and hid in a building so far away. Still, in a way, it might have worked out. The enemy has to watch both sides now. By the way, Wazfi, Nairua, does the house you dove into have any other exits? If there’s a back door, you should be able to escape through it."
"Oh, you're right. Let me check."
I had been busy criticizing Nairua’s actions, but now that I thought about it, I hadn't checked my own surroundings at all.
The gunfire had settled for now, but looking at the shattered glass scattered everywhere and the bullet-riddled table, I could tell just how many rounds had been poured into this place.
"...How do they have enough ammo to shoot so recklessly?"
Anyway, focus on the back door.
Ah, there it was. There was a back door, but there was one major problem.
As luck would have it, it was in a straight line from the window where the sniper had been, so if I tried to leave, I’d be a sitting duck.
*Give me a break*, what kind of architectural layout is this?
If I could just use my magic reinforcement, I could dash through in an instant, but the fact that I can't use that power right now is truly frustrating.
Then again, perhaps it’s precisely because of this situation that I’ll be able to defeat Master Deryu, so it’s a double-edged sword.
Wait, no, that’s not it. I’m going to achieve victory in both.
That is my goal.
I can’t afford to lose in a place like this.
I’ll just have to dash through in one go...
"I found the back door, but it’s in a straight line from the window, so that’s a no-go. I’m going to head to the upper floor and see if I can get out from there. Running through this way feels like a gamble."
...I see. That was an option.
I followed Nairua’s suggestion and evacuated to the second floor.
If I can spot the enemy from there, I’ll just return the favor and take them down.
"I’ve moved to the second floor, too. How about you, Fiora? Can you confirm the enemy? The shooting has stopped for now."
"No, I cannot confirm them from here. The enemy's presence has vanished. Is there a possibility they are closing in on you?"
At her words, I peeked out from the window just a fraction to check the main street below, but there was no sign of anyone moving.
"Oh, Wazfi, I see you. I’m over here."
"Hm? Oh, I see you too, Nairua."
By some coincidence, Nairua was peeking out from the window directly across from me.
She’s a bit clumsy, so I was worried, but it looked like she was safe.
That much was fine, but...
The enemy really wasn't moving.
"I checked, but there’s no sign of the enemy."
"Same here."
"Hmm. Does this mean they abandoned us and moved on?"
"If they aren't closing in, I think so. With this much cover, it’s a waste of bullets."
"Maybe they ran out of ammo after shooting so much."
"Haha, I doubt that, but it’s a chance. Let’s regroup for now. Nairua, your house has a back door that leads straight to the forest, right?"
"Yeah, it does."
"That’s perfect. Then let’s gather at Nairua’s location and retreat into the forest. Getting pinned down in a firefight here is a problem, and it’s better to decide our next move after checking the zone."
"Alright, let’s meet up. Don't let your guard down. Nairua, keep watch."
"Understood. But don't expect too much from me."
Nairua’s marksmanship wasn't anything special.
Well, I wasn't much better, to be honest.
For now, it seemed the enemy was gone, so while staying alert, I headed down the stairs and took the plunge, sprinting across the main street.
Yep, no gunfire.
It seemed the enemy was truly gone.
I tumbled into the house where Nairua was, and Fiora had already arrived.
"Oh, am I the last one?"
"I just got here myself. Let’s head up together. Don't forget to stay alert."
"Understood."
Fiora and I ran to the second floor with our guns raised, where Nairua was waiting, still peering out the window.
"Hey, looks like you made it safely. Doesn't seem like the enemy is around."
"Yeah. I guess they moved on?"
"For now, let’s check the map while staying alert."
As Fiora suggested, we checked the map...
"Ah, the next zone is outside the town."
"So that’s why they moved."
I see, that explains why the shooting stopped.
The next zone contraction was shifting away from this northeastern town and further toward the mountains.
This is...
"If we don't move soon, they’ll seize the high ground. The contraction is starting soon, too."
"Meaning, if we don't move immediately, we’re in trouble."
"Right, let’s hurry!"
If we stay here, we’ll just lose.
Actually, we’re already behind schedule, so if we don't hurry, we won't make it in time for the zone contraction.
"Wait, Wazfi."
Just as I thought that, Nairua stopped me.
"What is it? If we don't hurry, we won't be able to secure a good spot."
"I know that, but we’re already behind. On top of that, the team that shot at us has likely already climbed the mountain and is waiting for us."
"That is a very high possibility. They’re probably watching our rear from the edge of the zone. That’s what I would do. Since we have no choice but to climb, we’ll definitely be targeted."
"Ngh..."
I certainly wanted to avoid being picked off from above.
But...
"In the end, if we don't climb the mountain, we can't win, right?"