Mystical Awakening Online Vol. II (CPN)

Chapter 10: Rain of Stars

After about ten minutes of walking around the forest we came across two [Cait Sith] and five Kobolds. We leapt into battle with Mani as the vanguard. He held up his shield blocking the charging monsters, while doing his best to cut them down. Suna took up the rear supporting us with a flurry of basic magic attacks. I meanwhile supported the group as midrange attacker, using various artes to clean up the majority of the mobs. Currently I was the only one of us who could use artes and had a sprite, which lead to me having higher stats and damage.

"[Summon: Rune]" I said aloud.

From my shoulder, my sprite began to expand, radiating deep violet and black colors. A moment later, it emerged resembling a bird of paradise with dark plumage. This was one of the artes from the Tamer class that I had mastered and equipped; [Command: Basic] which allowed me to summon and give one of several basic instructions to a summoned pet.

"Mani keep on them and try to keep them grouped up!" I yelled. "[Rune: Attack]," I called, as the Huang dove in pecking at one of the Kobolds.

"Sure thing!" he replied as he rushed forward.

Without the Defender role arte, [Menacing Aura], which increased Hate generation of basic attacks and artes, we had to rely on a careful balance of damage in order for Mani to maintain aggro. Mani struck another kobold with his shield. Meanwhile I moved around behind the group of monsters pinning them between the three of us.

"[Rune: Dark Channeling]!" I called out.

My pet flew up higher, before flapping its wings fiercely as dark energy began to build up around it, a moment later volleys of dark streaks rained down on the kobold and those standing nearby it. The dark energy that rained down defeated two. Three kobolds and a cait sith were still left standing.

From the corner of my eye I saw Mani jump back closer to his sister and held his shield up.

"Mani what are doing? Get in there, I'll back you up," I said as I moved closer to him.

"...Right!" he replied nervously as he moved to push forward on the group.

After a few minutes, we had managed to clear out the group of monsters. Despite my lower level, my proficiencies, equipment, sprite, and artes gave me the advantage damage output. I glanced over at Mani and Suna who had sat down for a minute to rest. These two have a long way to go, the way they fought, moved, and worked together left a lot to be desired. I wondered how long they had been playing for and how they had managed to get even this far.

I found my thoughts wandering to the girl I abandoned. I felt my heart sink and my chest tighten. I sighed lightly. I had to shake off that feeling; I couldn't let my regrets hold me down. I should be looking after these two.