Original subtitles

Embrace the Lamplight of Ambition, Part 1

Unique Monster Lycagon the Nightslayer Encountered

Unique monster, Lycagon the Nightslayer, encountered.

A part of me was convinced

that the reason I got thrashed by Lycagon the first time

was because I'd just started playing SLF,

and I didn't have enough levels or experience.

Total wishful thinking.

The aura of death that this thing puts out...

It's way beyond any of that.

SF-Zoo!

All members, move out!

We're using dragon tactics!

Yes, ma'am!

Let's go!

Sunraku-san.

What shall we do?

You can just stand back and watch.

You'll see just how serious we take this!

Fair enough.

You've studied Lycagon's movements enough to know exactly where she'll spawn.

Let's see if there's more to your clan than zoological geekery.

Dang, what're they thinking?

They're not gonna be able to move with a tower shield in each hand...

Enhance Durability!

Yes, sir!

Enhance Durability

Yeah! Buffs to the max!

Let's give it our all!

It seems like they're using skill assists to allow themselves to move regardless.

Tank A player whose role is to draw enemy attacks and protect allies.

Five tanks and ten debuffers, including Animalia.

Debuffer A player whose role is to weaken the enemy.

Not a single DPS among them.

Pretty lopsided party composition...

Now, try us, Lycagon!

Even with my DEF buffed that high...

It did that much damage with one hit?

Don't let it follow up!

Cover our leader!

Her attacks are so fast!

We'd never survive without all this equipment!

Avoiding the insta-kill is what matters.

Stay calm and stay in formation!

I getcha. Nice teamwork.

Those tin-plated turtles know what they're doing.

Yes.

They're not just drawing her attacks...

They're maneuvering to keep Lycagon in place.

Is that all ya got?!

That will make it easier for the debuffers' attacks to land.

Team one, fire!

Atlas Bind!

Atlas Bind

All right! That's two hits on target!

No! With a single bite?!

Hold strong!

Team two, keep up the pressure!

Yes, ma'am!

Atlas Bind!

Yes! We got her!

She's biting through it!

Adding reinforcement!

Hey, now.

They're pretty darn good!

It's SF-Zoo's basic strategy. They even use it to bind dragons.

They have the best tanks in SLF to draw aggro,

use a volley of debuffs to hold it in place...

And then, the finishing touch...

A special curse I can only activate while holding my unique weapon,

the Underworld Keystaff...

Underworld Keystaff

Take hold with your dark grip...

Hands of Tartarus!

Hands of Tartarus

She got him!

It renders a single organism immobile for one minute.

And now...

Lycagon the Nightslayer is completely sealed.

The plan worked! Yay!

Awesome! Don't forget a screenshot!

Same here!

And me!

Hey, we don't have time for that!

Our goal is...

to trigger that unique scenario!

Yes, ma'am!

But send me those screenshots later!

Yes, ma'am!

Sure thing!

It looks like they're going to achieve their goal.

I feel a little bad for them, but I don't think that's it.

The line Pencilgon fed to Animalia...

By landing 100 or more criticals on Lycagon the Nightslayer,

you'll receive an invitation to Rabituza,

and unlock a unique scenario.

Those conditions aren't accurate.

There's a really good chance your weapon and level play a role there.

Plus the "vorpal soul" stuff...

I dunno exactly what that is,

but it's hard to imagine Aniki Vash giving his stamp of approval

to a mass beatdown like this.

I'd say Pencilgon...

Payin' off my debt!

conned Animalia real good with info that's seriously lacking,

Peace, peace!

Paying off my debt

but not technically a lie.

Not nice

Payin' off my debt!

'Course, not like I gave her more than an outline myself.

Peace, peace!

Either way...

I didn't think SF-Zoo had it in 'em.

They've got Lycagon completely pinned down.

And yet...

The old girl herself looks pretty unbothered.

You've still got a trick up your sleeve, don't you?

Now... let's see what kind of floof Lycagon the Nightslayer's packing.

What's the matter?

I had it all wrong.

I thought they called Lycagon "Nightslayer" because she attacked at night...

There's something in the sky...

But that's not it.

Someone is...

No, the night itself is...

looking at me?

The slayer is the darkness... the night itself...

That encroaching darkness is Lycagon the Nightslayer!

What was that?!

An attack?

It can't be!

Our leader's curse locked Lycagon down!

No... she...

How?

There's a second Lycagon?!

Sunraku-san, is that...?

A second Lycagon?

No... a shadow clone?

Leader!

L-Lycagon...

Animals are charming, noble... I love them because they're so different from people.

We've got to save her!

Reform the ranks!

Leader!

IRL, I've got a major allergy to animals,

so SLF, with its animal monsters rendered realistically down

to the fleas in their coats

was a true Shangri-La... like a paradise to me!

So many adorable animals...

and I loved and interacted with them more than anyone!

That's why I can see...

Lycagon the Nightslayer...

She's different.

W-Wait...

Leader!

It disappeared?!

No, it's some kind of move!

Keep an eye out!

Keep an eye out? For what?!

Just watch for anything!

The shadow clone...

It moved in an instant?

She disappeared again?

No, it's not just moving...

It phases through the darkness!

Behind you!

And it becomes one with the darkness...

Invisible attacks by a shadow clone that merges with darkness itself...

What'd it do to me?

What'd it hit me with?

So that's how you do it, Lycagon the Nightslayer...

I-I can't go on! Help—

SF-Zoo was wiped out in an instant.

What shall we do next, Sunraku-san?

Thanks to SF-Zoo, I got an encounter with Lycagon the Nightslayer...

And though I've still got some questions, I was able to get an eyeful of its attacks.

That pup's gonna be riding high,

which gives me a once-in-a-blue-moon chance for payback.

Very well.

We'll fight it, then?

But there's one major problem here.

If we take her on together...

there's a chance that Psyger-0 might trigger the Bonus Unique Scenario, too.

Is something the matter?

Information is a powerful weapon.

And for the clan Psyger-0 belongs to,

Schwarz Vulf, information on Lycagon is the most precious commodity there is.

This could shift the clan alliance's power balance in a major way.

You can't underestimate the game's top-tier players.

Even SF-Zoo's unconventional party layout succeeded in getting Lycagon tied down.

If Schwarz Vulf got that info, and devised a party specifically to take it down,

there's no guarantee they wouldn't do just that.

Schwarz Vulf monopolizing the Bonus Unique Scenario,

then taking out Lycagon the Nightslayer before me...

That's the one thing I've got to avoid.

Plus, Psyger-0 already saw Lycagon's shadow clone technique.

Letting out any more info could be risky as hell!

Which means the smartest outcome for me at the moment...

would be to trigger a quick wipeout, even if I have to sabotage Psyger-0 to do it!

Encounter a unique monster and then die on purpose?

That's a shitty way to treat someone you invited to join you...

It's a breach of gamer etiquette, and it's scrub behavior, too.

On top of all that, it's lame as hell!

Damn it. I've gotta reach Fifticia before morning tomorrow!

If I'm gonna die and get through the area from square one,

I've got no time to stew about it...

Just go with the plan, man!

You know it's the best choice!

Sunraku...san?

What's wrong with him?

He's acting differently than normal...

Hizutome-kun is usually... more...

The first time I saw Hizutome-kun, it was raining.

That sparkling smile of his was so intriguing.

I wanted to know where it came from.

He held that game like he'd found some precious jewel or treasure.

It drew me to him.

I had hoped maybe I could talk to him someday,

even if it was just in a game.

But now there's a jewel right in front of him,

and he's not rushing forward to grab it.

It feels like there's something holding him back.

Isn't there anything I can do for him?

Er... Sunraku-san?

Huh? Y-Yeah?

The truth is... I don't share the passion of the other members of Schwarz Vulf

for taking down Lycagon the Nightslayer.

I'd like to defeat her, as I would any monster in the game...

But sometimes I find myself disheartened,

thinking "I hope she gets it over with quickly this time."

But whenever I start to feel that way...

...I think of Hizutome-kun's smile.

I dedicate my mind to one thought.

If I'm going to do this...

I should enjoy it with all my heart.

It's not about whether we can win or not.

Let's enjoy this game, this moment, with everything we have!

Getting serious about a game is a great thing.

Everything's more fun when you take it dead serious!

Enjoy it with all my heart...

That's right.

Sorry, Rei-shi.

Did I look that bored?

O-Oh, no, I would never...

Honestly. All this talk of clans, monopolies...

I was gonna let that lead me to in-game suicide?

Now's not the time for that whiny bullcrap.

What the hell do you even play games for?!

That's right!

If I'm enjoying myself right now,

who gives a damn what happens later?!

It's great to think about the future.

But what's the point if it makes your present this boring?

Thanks, Rei-shi.

You've opened my eyes.

Let's give this all we've got!

You've received a party request from Sunraku . Accept? No Yes

Yes!

Leaking info on Lycagon to Schwarz Vulf?

Who gives a crap about that?!

Just means we'd better clear this challenge on the first go!

Better get ready, Lycagon the Nightslayer!

I'm a little different than the last time you faced me!

I'll show you the power of level 99!