Chapter 17: Black Wolf Night Raid

Here, let me introduce the crazy members of the temporary party formed to survive against a True Unique Monster (even though system-wise we are enemies)!!

• Me, Sunraku: Clearly has issues with defense!
• Redcap A: Half-dead because I half-killed him!
• Redcap B: Unharmed!
• Redcap C: Has started considering running away!
• Redcap D: Courageously stood his ground and exploded into polygons! Namusan (Rest in Peace)!

That is all!!

"Oi, oi, one hit...?"

A Unique Monster is, simply put, the developers' malice saying, "You ran out of luck, die!!" Basically, if a beginner meets one, it is death. I want to dropkick my past self into the swamp for thinking the Redcaps might be Unique Monsters. No matter how high your player skill is, it will slaughter small fry—that is what a Unique Monster is.

Even without words, the pressure peculiar to the strong radiating from its entire body slams the overwhelming difference in ability into me whether I like it or not. I mean, the realism is amazing; can a game really reproduce an intimidation so intense it feels like it's burning your skin?

"Whoaaaa!!?"

Forcing my thoughts, which had started to escape reality, back to the present, I tumbled away from the spot. In the next instant, a row of fangs—each one larger than the distance from my wrist to the tip of my middle finger—passed through the space where I had just been. Redcap B, who was behind me, fell prey to the bite.

Flesh torn, bones crushed, organs squashed... the result of all these processes compressed into a single bite was Redcap B's life being shattered with a sound best described as Gogyo.

"Unique Monster 'Lycaon the Night Raider,' huh..."

I see. It attacks at night, so it's a Night Raider. perhaps because of the game's lighting effects, even though it's night (albeit dim), its jet-black fur stands out in contrast... No, those black fangs are filled with enough killing intent to probably chew me to death in one hit too. With most of its body being black, its bright red mouth and yellow eyes create the illusion of a wolf-shaped darkness containing only a mouth and eyes.

Currently, my level is 18, but just how much of a gap is there between me and Lycaon the Night Raider? Double... no, there's likely a triple score difference in levels. Well, I can't win. Before even discussing player skill or paper armor, the problem is a lack of firepower. It's not a matter of landing critical hits or not; whether you stab an iron plate with a toothpick or switch to a needle, the result remains that the tool will snap.

"Running away... is impossible too, huh."

It's foolish to even think about how different our AGI stats are. Dodging just now was practically a miracle... no, not really. I actually have experience fighting enemy mobs that charge at that level... no, "level" isn't the right word, but at that speed. I mean, not in this game, but as a gamer who plays quite a bit, I obviously have experience fighting high-difficulty enemies. No, I don't think I can solo a Unique Monster that's arguably designed for raids, but... should I try fighting it?

"That's right... that's exactly right. Who the hell do you think I am?"

I am a gamer who has overcome bugs, trash balancing, unreasonable encounters, and all sorts of Trash Games! You think I'm going to raise my hands and surrender to you just because your hitboxes aren't bugged?!

"Let's do this!!"

This is the most fun I've had right now! I am currently enjoying the game!! That's right, challenging a clearly unwinnable Unique Monster with starter equipment is a gamer's nature (Saga)! There is nothing to be ashamed of! I switch to the Vorpal Choppers, the weapons that can currently output my highest damage, and charge right at him!

Did it think I would collapse in resignation? Did it think I was charging in out of desperation? Or did it think I would run away regardless of appearance? I don't know which of these the Unique Monster's AI wanted to predict, but it surely never expected that I would charge in with the serious intention of defeating it. Lycaon's eyes widened as he witnessed his foreleg's casual sweeping attack being knocked upward by a Flash Counter... no, a Just Parry, which had mutated thanks to the experience points from the Gluttonous Giant Serpent.

"That wasn't much, Hah-haaaa!!"

That is a lie. I honestly thought I was going to die.

PN: Sunraku LV: 18 JOB: Mercenary (Dual Wielder) Money: 2,000 Mani HP: 30 MP: 10 STM: 40 STR: 10 DEX: 15 AGI: 40 TEC: 20 VIT: 1 (14) LUC: 55

Skills:

• Spin Slash
• Screw Pierce
• Knuckle Rush
• Tap Step -> Slide Step
• Flash Counter -> Just Parry
• Loop Slash Lv.1

Equipment:

• Right: Vorpal Chopper
• Left: Vorpal Chopper
• Head: Gazing Bird Mask (VIT+2)
• Torso: Split-Edge Vest (VIT+4)
• Waist: Split-Edge Belt (VIT+4)
• Legs: Split-Edge Trousers (VIT+4)
• Accessories: None

EN: Lycaon the Night Raider LV: 165 HP: ????? MP: ????? STM: ????? STR: ????? DEX: ????? AGI: ????? TEC: ????? VIT: ????? LUC: ???? Skills:

• ???????
• ???????
• ???????
• ???????
• ???????
• ???????

Lore Explanations

• Just Parry: A God Skill that theoretically allows you to parry all physical enemy attacks if you perfectly succeed in both "activating at the critical timing against an enemy attack" and "assuming the parrying stance." (Note: You will still die from unparriable attacks or magic attacks).
• Unique Monsters: Often confused with "Rare Monsters" which simply have an extremely low spawn rate. In Shangri-la Frontier, this term refers to "Monsters with a Title + Individual Name." While Area Bosses and Story Bosses (who appear much later) are balanced so that "you can solo them if you grind levels enough," Unique Monsters scattered throughout the game world, starting with Lycaon the Night Raider, are balanced with the mindset of: "I don't care if you're OP, I didn't balance this to be beatable solo, die!" By the way, it has not been revealed how many Unique Monsters are currently implemented, and there may or may not be Unique Monsters that no one has found yet... Lycaon the Night Raider is a roaming monster similar to the Legendary Beasts (The Three Dogs) in Pokmon that spawn randomly in various locations, so his fame is top-class.

Translator’s Remarks

• Namusan: Sunraku uses the Buddhist exclamation "Namusan" (short for Namu Sanbo, Hail to the Three Treasures) when Redcap D dies. It's akin to saying "Rest in Peace" or "Amen" but with a slightly old-fashioned or dramatic flair.
• Gamer's Saga: He uses the term "Saga" (nature/karma/destiny) to describe the inherent instinct of a gamer to challenge impossible odds.