The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 34: Strategic Retreat

Episode 34: Strategic Retreat

A quiet tension filled the surroundings. The wind stopped, and the air grew taut—at that moment.

(—It came!)

The presence grew stronger.

I turned my eyes in the direction where I sensed it. When I did, the monster that had unleashed the ice mass quietly revealed itself once again.

From the shadows of trees, from deep within the rocks—not from the front. But it was from a place not easily visible. It seemed to be carefully gauging “our line of sight”.

(Is it the same individual?)

A crystalline body surface. The reflection of light. And above all—its lack of hostility.

At first glance, it could be mistaken for a unique individual of the Twin Fang Wolf. However, it was clearly different from the monsters we had faced until now.

That monster remained still. It was as if it was probing our next move.

(If we move carelessly, it might provoke a counterattack. But if we do nothing…)

I readjusted my grip on the sword in my hand.

Unlike the Twin Fang Wolf, it didn’t attack from its side. However, the gaze that stared sharply at us was as if it were “measuring our strength”.

“…What shall we do?”

Lucrane asked in a whisper. A slender sword for self-defense was already in his hand. But he hadn’t taken a single step.

“Counterattack is the last resort. First, let’s test it.”

If the opponent doesn’t move, we shouldn’t move too much either. We would continue to observe and draw out information.

However—the problem was the distance.

(Close-range weapons can’t reach.)

Between the monster and us was a distance of more than five meters with a rock in between.

While attempting to approach, there was a high chance it would fire another ice mass.

Even with “Physical Resistance: Lv.6,” that ice mass was a mix of physical + ice. There was a limit to how much could be reduced with physical resistance alone.

Also, we still didn’t know whether that ice mass could be fired in rapid succession.

If each attack took time, we might be able to formulate a countermeasure.

But if it could shoot continuously, then it would be tough.

Even my “Evasion Boost” current level is only Lv.2.

If we were to force our way through, I could intentionally take the ice hit to raise my “Frost Resistance” skill level… but the number of potions we have is unreliable. And it strays far from our original goal of investigation.

(…This is something to address later.)

I had almost no means of long-range attack.

Just increasing strength isn’t enough for enemies that can’t be reached.

An opponent that keeps distance and continues to “observe”. It was like a certain type of player who completely focused on “running away” in the battlefield.

(They keep their distance, only watching. If we move, they attack. Then—)

Is it an enemy we should fight? Or rather… a target we should gather information from?

I took one step forward.

At that moment—

With a sound of slicing wind, an ice mass flew at us from the front.

However, judging by its trajectory, I determined there was no need to step back. And it hit the ground in front of me. It scattered ice fragments.

(…A warning shot?)

I didn’t know if it missed on purpose. But as expected, it was “monitoring” our movements.

(Quick reaction. Is it instinct, or visual?)

I calmly measured the distance.

There was a preparatory motion before the ice mass was fired. The presence of ice spread from the ground. And the air grew tense for an instant.

(It’s not impossible to read it. But if I move, it will definitely aim.)

I might be able to defeat it. But whether I *should* defeat it is a different matter.

Lucrane whispered quietly.

“…Shall we retreat?”

I took a small breath to compose myself.

From the beginning, I had acquired the skill “Magic: Lv.1” when I first saw my status.

Even though it was still Lv.1, it might serve as a deterrent.

Thanks to my “Academics” skill, I remembered how to activate and fire it.

If it was just for deterrence and not to defeat, it shouldn’t be a problem.

However—

(If I use magic, it’ll mean I’ve shown hostility.)

Whether to fire or not—this moment was testing “how I use my power”.

I started to thrust one hand forward—and stopped.

(No… I came here to “gather information”.)

If I defeat it, I don’t know what will happen.

Besides, this monster is not one I remember from the game.

I have data in my head about enemies that use ice attributes. But there was no such monster like this.

In other words, it’s an irregular case.

“…We’ll retreat. Break line of sight, and fall back.”

“Understood.”

Together with Lucrane, I slowly backed away from the area.

The monster did not pursue us. It just kept its gaze fixed on us.

(…Those eyes.)

It felt like they were “testing our decision”.

◆

On the way back to the temporary base, I kept thinking.

(Long-range methods. That’s what I lack right now.)

In swordsmanship and close combat, I had gained some experience and confidence.

But against enemies like this one that keep distance and deter us while observing, relying only on close combat had its limits.

Magic. Archery. Throwing—several options came to mind.

But I couldn’t master any of them right away.

Fortunately, I could somewhat use magic. But even that was only Lv.1.

That monster—it wasn’t just a regular monster.

It clearly moved with some sort of “intention.”

At the very least, it had definitely been observing us.

(Perhaps that monster…)

I lacked information. I lacked power.

In this world, “strength” isn’t just about simple stats or force.

If I had long-range attack methods prepared in advance.

If I had skills capable of properly countering the ice attribute.

Thinking about it now, this experience made me feel that deeply.

I had touched upon this world’s “unknown.”

That is surely another aspect of “strength” for me.

By the time we returned to the temporary base, Lucrane quietly spoke.

“That monster… isn’t normal.”

Even while choosing our words carefully, we didn’t speak any further.

Right now, we just didn’t have enough information.

And that—was also a challenge for tomorrow.

Original Author’s Comment:

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