Will I End Up As a Hero or a Demon King (WN)

Chapter 222

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Chapter 222 – Role

I stare intently at everyone in the training ground immediately after chanting the skill name.

(Yeah, it’s okay—actually, no one seems to have noticed.)

Looking at the skill details, which I had forgotten about completely, I see that…

Encourage Lv5: Increase all ability stats by 20% for allies within a 25-meter radius. Cannot be stacked with the same skill. The user is not affected by the skill. The effect lasts for 10 minutes. Mana cost: 28.

It was like this:

It was a group battle with about 50 people.

I’m not sure if it will cover the entire area, but a radius of 25 meters should cover most people.

Additionally, the 20% increase in all ability stats should significantly buff people with B or A rank abilities.

I can do this—I have a chance!

“Hey, do you need Encourage?”

I called out to Fidel, who was again talking with his beastman companion.

“Huh? What is it, kid? Can you use Encourage?”

“What is your level? If it’s level 1, the range is too narrow to be useful.”

“I’m level 5.”

“…What?”

“…T-Try using it here, right now.”

The two exchanged piercing glances.

This pattern is familiar.

But I can’t back down now.

I have to prove that I can contribute and earn a spot in the raid.

“I’m already using it.”

The beastman man threw a one-two punch that cut through the air, his gaze sharpening with a puzzled expression.

Oh, this is bad.

Thanks to the ability boost, he’s probably faster than the human eye can follow.

There’s no way I can dodge that.

“O-Oh… is that one stage higher than me?”

“Yuria’s Encourage is still at level 3, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Try using it.”

“Yes… Encourage.”

“It’s definitely one stage higher. It hasn’t been overwritten.”

“Then there’s no mistake. At level five, the range is 50 meters?”

“That’s correct.”

He didn’t seem to be asking me, but if I wanted to show off, this was my only chance.

I wonder if he got the message.

“All right, sorry for doubting you. I definitely want you to join us. What’s your name?”

“My name is Loki. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Fidel. I’m the leader of the boss raid.”

“I’m Garsera. I’ll check with you later to see what else you can do. Stay here until the member selection is over.”

“Yuria, you’ll be assigned to Magic Power Transfer, so stay where you are. We’ll definitely need you at some point.”

As I watched the two of them head toward another group, I couldn’t help but breathe a deep sigh at this unexpected turn of events.

Things worked out, but I never thought I’d end up in a support role.

I have no idea how to aim for the final attack from this position.

Now, there’s this slightly awkward atmosphere.

I’m glad there was another position available; otherwise, I would have taken the spot of the person next to me, Yuria-san.

Even though I understand it’s inevitable with a limited number of people, it’s still not a good impression to make.

“I’m sorry. I feel like I’m butting in.”

“No, it’s okay. With a higher level of ability and a range of 50 meters, it’s definitely better this way.”

Garsera said something like that earlier, too.

I’m pretty sure this skill belonged to King Ant, so I must have reached this level with a single hit while I was unconscious.

That’s why I didn’t understand what was going on. But if it’s a staged skill, then it must refer to the “20%” part.

In other words, with Yuria-san’s Encourage Level 3, the increase is probably 10 or 15 percent.

Even so, Fidel knew in advance that Yuria-san also had Magic Power Transfer.

This is the fourth raid, and this cute, 20-year-old-looking woman must be a regular participant.

When I asked her about it, she said that this was her second time participating in the Varakan raid. However, it sounded like she was Fidel’s girlfriend.

I’m not disappointed, but if she’s his girlfriend, she should say so.

When she shyly said, “I might be able to become his girlfriend soon,” I started to worry about Yuria-san.

Well, she’s experienced, though.

I figured it would take some time to select the members, so I asked her about it. She said she was a support member.

She told me all about the boss battle from her vantage point.

The words “dragon fire pillars” and “raging tail flames” were particularly striking.

I feel bad for the people who are going to risk their lives for this. But if it’s a skill, I can’t help but want it. I’m already looking forward to it.

When she told me that the third stage is where the real battle begins and that it’s something only bosses have, any MMO fan would be itching to try it.

Pang!

When I looked up at the sound of clapping, Fidel was standing on the wooden box again.

“Everyone, I’ve kept you waiting. The selection for each role is finally complete. I think we might even be able to defeat it more easily than before.”

“Oh…”

As the training ground suddenly became noisy, Fidel looked at me for some reason.

I turned around, but no one was there.

“I’m sure they already know you can fly, Loki! Maybe they even know you’re from another world.”

“I told you it’s not true!”

Joffman, a man in his 40s who had just won a spot in the melee attacker group, came over to me and whispered,

He said he had seen me fly in the hunting ground multiple times and had concluded that I was an “Otherworlder.”

I hadn’t said a word to confirm it, though.

If saying so would be advantageous, I might have, but in this case, it would only lead to excessive expectations that I possess some kind of heavenly skill.

Besides, I don’t have the power to prove it, so it’s best not to admit anything to protect myself.

“Tomorrow, we’ll start as planned in the morning. When the bell rings, gather at the cave entrance as soon as possible. I’ll give you the details as we move tomorrow. Experienced members, you may leave!”

Bang!

The dry sound rang out again, and everyone stood up and left the training ground.

Sixteen people were left behind.

As expected, most of them were in close combat roles. Besides being in a high-risk area, I couldn’t help but think that the death rate must be high for other reasons as well.

“I think everyone has heard from the experienced members in their groups about the flow of the boss battle, tips, and things to watch out for. I know it will be nerve-wracking for first-timers, but the most important thing is to stick to your role. One careless move could cause the whole team to collapse, so trust your teammates and do your part.”

Some responded vigorously to his words.

Others nodded with determination, their faces tense.

Still, others tried not to show their emotions. The reactions varied.

“Now, for the temporary party assignments, I’d like to confirm your individual abilities in more detail. I’ll call you one by one, so if anyone needs to leave early, please raise your hand.”

I quietly raised my hand while observing the situation.

If I’m number sixteen, I’d rather go back to the hunting grounds and earn some money because that’s too long to wait.

“Okay, let’s start with you. The others can get something to eat and drink from the reception desk. As long as you stay inside the guild, you’re free to do as you please.”

And so, the interview with the two powerful men began.

What should I tell them, and what should I keep secret?

I carefully chose my words as I disclosed information, considering my position in the raid battle and, above all, my priority.

“I’m sorry we didn’t know, but it seems you’re famous?”

“Eh? I don’t think I’ve had much contact with hunters.”

“That’s why. I heard you ran around the Fire Rock Cave alone and delivered materials twice a day. Plus, several hunters told me that you can fly through the air with a sword in your hand.”

“Ha-haha… Well, that’s about right. I think I can use Encourage while flying.”

“Please do. Even though the range is only 50 meters, the rear guards will scatter in all directions to avoid the breath and flames spewing from its tail. Please use it in the right place.”

“Now then, Loki. What else can you do? Can you cast fire magic?”

Here it comes.

Garsera’s direct question.

First, I’ll answer honestly.

“Unfortunately, I can’t use magic. As you can see, I use a sword, and I’ll keep my skill level a secret, but I have the required skill level to be a melee class.”

“…I see. Level 6 or higher.”

Fidel placed his hand on his chin and thought while Garsera smiled without saying a word.

“The Encourage skill has a radius of 25 meters, to be precise. As you know, it’s best to be at the center of the battle.”

“I see. So you’ll also be acting as a melee attacker.”

“I think that would be more useful.”

“But we already have the maximum number of melee classes that can stick to the boss. Adding more could interfere with each other’s actions.”

“But I can fly.”

“Can you cut them down from the air without landing?”

“It depends on how it’s done. If I descend as if stabbing from above, the power increases. But that’s not something I can do repeatedly.”

“…You’ll have to learn the rules of close combat. Are you sure you can handle it?”

“What specifically?”

“If you attract aggro, don’t run away or retreat. Endure and don’t leave any openings.”

“I see…”

That’ll increase the death rate.

But I understand it’s important.

If a melee class tries to escape while attracting aggro, the rear guards will die one after another, and recovery will be impossible.

“Well, in Loki’s case, you can escape to the sky, so this may not always apply. It’s also important for melee attackers to move behind the tank when the ‘break’ command is given.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s a short break. Melee attackers are mentally exhausting. During the break, the tank gathers aggro, and the ranged attackers cast spells.”

“If there are melee attackers in front, they’ll hit their allies.”

“It depends on the battle situation, but think of it as a signal to take a break every three minutes or so. I’ll give the signal.”

“I think I can handle that. It would also be helpful if you could tell me what not to do in advance.”

The magic cost of Encourage is 28 per 10 minutes.

Based on my calculations, that should last over 10 hours, meaning I’ll definitely have magic left over for the boss battle.

That’s why I need to confirm the rules.

I don’t plan on using any spells that drain magic. However, I should be able to temporarily take the place of the tank with Provoke and Hardening.

If you know which cards you can play, you can make quick decisions.

There’s no need to go into too much detail about what I can do.

If an indispensable situation arises and it’s not prohibited, execute it to improve the situation.

My goal is to deliver the final blow and complete the raid safely.

If I can achieve that, I’m willing to give up my share in the worst-case scenario.

It’s always within reach.

With that in mind, I continued to negotiate my role.

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