Chapter 257: The Body Shatters, but the Will Never Breaks

It seems that the "Curses" etched by Unique Monsters vary somewhat depending on the specific Unique Monster.

In Lycaon's case, perhaps because it's etched using fangs or claws, the black "Curse" that surfaces on the skin is, how should I put it... coarse. Depending on how you look at it, it doesn't not look like a chain tattoo.
In Siegwurm's case—which I caught a brief glimpse of etched on Akitsu Akane's face—it's a red "Curse" resembling a cut mark similar to Lycaon's, but compared to Lycaon's, the pattern looks as if it was sliced cleanly.
Wethermon, Ctarrnid, and Vysache are unknown.
The unidentified Orchestra is also unknown.

And then there's Goldunine. Apparently, all the Vorpal Bunnies present here received a curse from that snake, which makes them unable to see their families, forcing them to continue fighting here.
And naturally, every single one of them bears Goldunine's "Curse" upon their bodies.

"As I explained previously, we will hold off and push back the invading kin of Goldunine."

Knock knock.

"And I'll push ahead on my own and charge straight for the clone, right?"

Knock knock knock knock knock knock.

"Yes. It may sound simple, but it will likely be difficult for us to provide you with backup."

Kokokokokokokoko...

"A barrage!?"

I certainly didn't expect a rapid-fire barrage of door knocks, but seeing as the dutiful visitor refused to enter without explicit permission, Aydward used his chin to signal a rabbit near the door to open it.

"Ah, hello!"

"Uoh, Akitsu Akane?"

"Yes! Ceecrue-san suddenly invited me to a Unique Scenario, so I came over for now!"

From Ceecrue? Does that mean the Unique Scenario to receive an "Invitation" to enter the Rabbit Mansion automatically triggers a branch off the Rabituza Unique?
No, wait. It's too early to jump to conclusions, so I should just ask directly.

"Hey, I'm just asking just in case, but what was the scenario name?"

"Um... 'Rabituza Volunteer'!"

Okay, so it's still a solo subjugation after all. There's probably some difference between participating as a Volunteer and participating as a member of the Defense Battle.

"Sorry for stopping the conversation. Please continue, Aydward."

"...Very well. First, upon arriving at the frontline, the magic unit will sweep the enemies with all their firepower."

Though the gap will likely be filled by reinforcements immediately... Aydward continued, pointing to a map.

"We will push the frontline forward before Goldunine's kin can swarm us, and seal off the side holes. During that opening, you will push forward... And you there, your role will be to deal with the kin attempting to ambush us from the side holes, and to hold off any kin that come to replenish their numbers."

"Yes sir! I don't really understand what this Goldu-something-san is, but I'll do my best!"

I was slightly overwhelmed by the hot-blooded sports manga aura radiating from Akitsu Akane as she sharply corrected her posture with a bishi!, but I still voiced my concern.

"Hey, just asking, but even if I do manage to reach the clone, won't I just get surrounded by its kin and die?"

"There is no issue on that front. Or rather, you will be holding the clone in place."

Saying that, Aydward pointed to that which he had been carrying on his back this entire time.

"This is one of my father's weapons, 'Tanryu'. The moment I draw this blade, Goldunine's kin will simultaneously swarm toward me... even the clone itself."

It was a handguard-less sword with incredibly intricate and detailed carvings on its scabbard... Well, to put it bluntly, it was a long Yakuza sword (Naga-dosu).

"As long as I have this drawn, you absolutely must... and as quickly as possible... defeat the clone."

Aydward stared intently at me. But he wasn't the only one; the Vorpal Bunnies present here, whose bodies were partially cracked, were also staring intently at me.
Was I truly worth entrusting their lives to? Was it okay to leave it to me...? The rabbits were likely trying to judge me with their own eyes.

"This is the final confirmation. Can you do it?"

If so, then it's time for Roleplay. That is the greatest foundation to convince the NPCs living within the worldview of ShanFro.

I equipped the Isana Togetsu as if deliberately showing it off, adjusted the Gazing Bird Mask that had essentially become my trademark as the Bird-Man, met their gazes without taking a single step back, and declared.

"Leave it to me. Wethermon, Lycaon, Ctarrnid... I faced them all head-on and overcame them to become who I am today. Believe in me. Trust me."

"That's right desu wa! Sunraku-san will definitely get it done desu wa!"

I gave them a thumbs-up. Rather than stringing together a hundred words, the Score I've piled up and the scars carved into my body possess more than enough power to convince NPCs.

"Very well. Then we shall entrust our lives to you."

Rest easy. Unlike that fiendish piece of stationery, I'm a player who takes good care of friendly NPCs.

............

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......

"Come to think of it, Akitsu Akane, did you finish your ten-match series?"

"No, not yet!"

"In other words, the Defense Battle Scenario is basically an event that occurs as long as you've accepted the 'Invitation'... And by the looks of it, the 'Tour' doesn't qualify, huh."

Now that I think about it, a monster called the Rabbit-Eating Giant Serpent appears during the "Tour of the Rabbit Land," doesn't it? It seems it was connected to this scenario after all.
This is just a deduction, but the tunnel subjugation rate is probably the trigger flag for the "Invitation" and the "Tour." If they were pushed back and forced onto the defensive, I bet a scenario like "Volunteer" or "Defense Battle"... or perhaps an entirely different scenario, would trigger for players currently undergoing the "Tour."

"I'm getting fired up. Thousands, no, tens of thousands of players are waiting eagerly right behind us."

But too bad for you guys. It's still a hundred years too early for you to step into this domain. Come back when you can show the guts to face down Lycaon with nothing but dual cleavers.

"By the way, what are you fighting next after the spearman?"

"Um, how should I describe it... A three-legged-race robot?"

A three-legged race... Dammit, I'm jealous she gets to fight such fun-looking enemies! I was stuck fighting a shitty bird that just endlessly scattered highly toxic poison from the sky!

"Well, anyway. I'm gonna be charging straight to the absolute frontline, but you be careful too, Akitsu Akane. From the sounds of it, they're going to try and crush us with sheer numbers."

"Yes sir! I'll do my best!"

I wonder if she'll be okay... Wait, thinking about it carefully, strictly in terms of stats, she completely blows me out of the water... Huh? Am I acting all high and mighty as her senior even though I'm basically a strictly inferior version of her...? No, let's stop there. This train of thought might cause my mind to collapse entirely.
B-Besides! Due to my skills and stuff, I'm not necessarily inferior! Yep!

As we advanced through the wide, endlessly long tunnel, we passed by numerous Vorpal Bunnies. Every single Vorpal Bunny had unnatural, glass-like cracks running across some part of their bodies.
And from those cracks leaked a black smoke that clearly didn't contain any health-beneficial properties. The reason this tunnel felt so incredibly dark despite the lit torches was likely because of this smoke.

So that's what Goldunine's "Curse" looks like.
While passing by a Vorpal Bunny whose single ear looked as if it was going to snap off at any moment—yet who was sharpening an axe with practiced, if not quite artisan-level, movements—I observed the interior of the tunnel once again.

I have no idea what Goldunine looks like, but the mere fact that it hollowed out this massive tunnel entirely on its own tells me just how dangerous it is.
The tunnel looked as if it had been bored straight through using a specialized heavy machine. But all over its walls, ceiling, and even the ground, there were countless holes seemingly plugged with concrete... or rather, something similar to concrete.

There were so many plugged holes it almost made the tunnel look polka-dotted. The fact that they'd launch ambushes from all of these... What is this, 3D Whack-A-Mole? Are they demons...? Oh wait, they're snakes.
Pushing the frontline forward, holding them off, and plugging the holes while they're distracted. I see, it really is a massive operation. There's nothing you can do without a Tank capable of holding the line on a military-legion scale.

"And those guys are the ones plugging the holes, huh."

Vorpal Bunnies dressed like wall carpenters—a sight you rarely see these days—were preparing large quantities of concrete... or rather, some kind of clay-like substance.
If I recall correctly, there's a primary job category distinct from combat jobs in this game. If so, does that mean they're "Carpenters"?

If they can perform physical blockades and impromptu construction, maybe it's a trap-oriented job... Unfortunately, since I have the stats of a tuna that'll die if it stops moving, I'll probably never acquire the Carpenter job.

"Now then, we are finally approaching the frontline. We cannot guarantee your safety from this point forward, so please remain vigilant."

"Got it."

"Yes sir! Um, and who might you be!?"

"Akitsu Akane-dono, I am the eldest brother Aydward!"

"I see! I look forward to working with you!"

So energetic... Is this what they call youth?

Well, anyway. The massive operation to kick the bush and drive out the snake is about to begin.
I'll be taking your "Poison," Goldunine.

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"Ora, ora, ora! Move, move, move! Where's the Old Man!?"

"U-Um... Wait...! I'm not... a very fast runner..."

"What are you sayin'! If we don't hurry up, the Defense Battle is gonna start! We gotta see the Old Man right now or we won't make it in time!"

"Even so... you're too fast...!"

"Hahhaa~! Run, Warthog!"

"Pugii!"

"Shut yer freakin' trap! Ya dumbass, didn't I tell ya ta keep it quiet inside the Mansion!!"

"Geh! Bilac-nee!"

"Ya damn Exis...! Fix yer posture right this second!!"

"Hiii! Run! If we stay here, I'm gonna get Vorpally beaten up!"

"Uuu, my stamina is about to..."

Author's Afterword
I knew I shouldn't do it now. I endured and kept myself from pressing "Yes" until all my obligations were cleared up.
But the moment I heard "The Bird-Man is in Vorpal Danger," my finger moved unconsciously.

With hammer in hand, the Knight marches forth...

Hello, I am Valna Katarina, formerly known as Hades Katarina.