Reincarnated in the game world ~ A gamer's beginning to [Dungeon job hunting recommendation]-Chapter 656Vol. 11 - - Overtaking the Opponent: They’re fast, but so what?

"Zephyr, we're here to support!"

"Rika, Pamela! Take that spot! We're going for an ambush!"

"Aye-aye-desu!"

We're near the «Southeast Giant Castle», lying in wait for «Temple Saber» to target it. Soon, they came, though admittedly a bit earlier than I expected.

It was a group of four. Talk about coincidence.

Anyway, everyone knew what we're doing, and were completely prepared to jump into action. In order, I close up to our opponent's group, Aegis, Rika, and Pamela followed my trail.

Any hesitation was fatal when in a critical moment like this. Ambush or interception was effective only if we also took advantage of the element just as the opponent had begun their attack on Giant Castle. Initiative was everything in the «Castle the Capture».

"We're facing four knights on their «Horses». I am glad you came just in time."

"Rina's instruction made it easy-peasy-desu!"

I see. So Rina was their guide.

Rina had already disappeared inside the base as soon as the match started, now overseeing the entire field through help of «Dragon's Miniature Garden» and «Guild Connect». That's how he could afford to outpace the opponent despite their superior speed.

I positioned myself on the unclaimed square, directly in the opponent's projected path, sandwiched from both ends by the white squares—white indicating they're within our guild's score.

It was precisely for this moment that I had kept this square unclaimed, while the rest were within the protection period, so this would force them to either brute force their way into the square we had laid ambush on, take a detour, or just remain still and wait for the protection period to end.

"Aegis, can you tell me about them?"

"Yes. Three of them have advanced jobs—«Templar Knight», «Crusader» (both make) and «Fallen Knight»."

And this was our next advantage. Aegis, as the former member of «White Saber», were our informer about the opponent's jobs. She herself wasn't cutting her former guild's parent guild a slack, huh. I guess she must have felt bad for Tabasa-sensei.

"Three... advanced jobs."

"Relax, Rika. Unlike your earlier basic job, your advanced job came with enough options to hold your ground against a group. Just believe in your training, and believe me, you've enough to face them. No, let's stop them together."

"You think... you're right. Yeah."

In our team, only I and Rika had advanced job.

Rika apparently had some doubts, stemming from «Princess Warrior»'s days. The job in question was strong in single duel, but against group, it paled quite a bit. In contrast, the «Marshal Princess» was a job just made with group encounters in mind. She was reborn anew, her weakness now her strongest forte.

She had done her fair deal of training in fighting enemies in groups. I knew she could do it, and that's how I encouraged her.

The last member had the basic job «Paladin». It wasn't even a contest against Aegis's «Princess Knight» triumph here. Calculating all odds, we'd have sufficient chances to win this round even if the enemy might outnumber us.

"While they've advanced jobs, «Templar Knight» and «Crusader» are defense oriented. «Templar Knight» might've knight in its name, but it's categorised as «Samurai». And the last one, «Fallen Knight», is the advanced version of «Dark Knight», a mid-high tier job. As the one who'd discarded shields during Dark Knight role, they're strong dark attribute attacker."

"...Wait. They brought three tanks, and one attacker......to challenge Giant Castle by themselves?"

"Hmm, maybe not? It's quite possible «Templar Knight» stats are invested in the attacker role. Just like «Paladin» and «Caliburn Paladin», they also can be played in offense after all."

A knight job had a huge arsenal of skills they could learn. Well, they obviously had more potent defense skills, making them naturally aligned for tank roles.

If they're bringing a majority tank party, I expect they believe they can halt our footsteps. Perhaps, the tank was to slow us down, while their attackers work on Giant Castle.

"They're almost here! Two squares before the point of contact!"

I braced myself at Aegis's reminder.

The time to talk had come to an end. It appeared our opponent had abandoned taking a detour or opting out of wasting time, instead boldly pushing forward on the path of ambush.

"I can see the Brave!"

"Tch! Can we still take a detour?! There are four of them!"

"I knew «Dragon's Miniature Garden» was a cheat, but how come they're here before us?!"

There was a stir between «Temple Saber»'s group as soon as they saw me. They must have been surprised to see us lying in wait for them.

"Ah crap, we also didn't have a healer either."

"Grrrh, we're already running on borrowed time, but we're outnumbered. Let's retreat!"

"Alas, this is the only probable option we have."

In an unfortunate turn of event, «Temple Saber» had decided to make their retreat. It was obvious they weren't prepared to take us. And here I thought they would think of us beneath them, and try to force through. We would have perfect timing to turn the table on them.

"Hmm, they're retreating."

“Next time, they’ll come with heavier forces. And they’ll bring healers too, even if they’re slow.”

That first squad had clearly been meant for a lightning-fast castle takedown. But they’d been read like a book. The next encounter should be with their full force.

There was no healer among the «Knight» category, so they couldn't follow them on horse either. If they do decide to bring one next time, they should be coming slowly.

In other words, they’d have to sacrifice their greatest strength—speed.

Since «Temple Saber» had been trying to gain an edge by relying on small castle's sweep, this trade-off might sting them a bit.

All right, this was our chance to turn things around through small-castle control. I issued new orders and headed back out to continue securing squares.

***

The next opportunity for PvP didn’t take long to arrive.

Five minutes later, with 18 minutes remaining.

This time, it was the guildmaster Renandal himself leading the vanguard. He was with five mounted knights and two healers, a seven-man unit advancing toward the «Southeast Giant Castle».

While they made their way, I received another communication from Rina. It appeared beside the squad I was seeing now, they also had dispatched another seven-person squad to the west, seemingly to target «Northwest Giant Castle»—the exact opposite side from where I was.

Next, I reckon their concrete action would follow our movements, and depending on how we act, they would either pivot to the «Central East Giant Castle», or even our base.

They'd positioned themselves to seize squares near our base, and launch a decisive assault. There wasn't much time left, so it was just the time to take bold steps. Now, what was their true game? We had to guess that.

The «Northwest Giant Castle» was currently under the protection of Sierra's group. I had Rina inform them they shouldn't force themselves if they're at disadvantage. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Sierra's group only had five members. Rina and Lana were our home guard. Meanwhile, we had I, Rika, Lulu, Celia, Aegis, Noel, Lacritta, and Pamela—a total of eight members to defend «Central East Giant Castle» and «Southeast Giant Castle».

From a glance, «Temple Saber» were planning a two-pronged offense, and if we fail into their trap, this would expose our base to danger.

Temple Saber was launching a simultaneous two-pronged attack, and mishandling it could let them slip past us and threaten our home base directly.

If we set our firepower on «Southeast Giant Castle», this would create a gap in «Central East Giant Castle»'s defense. In other words, there was no win for us by focusing on any end. And that's why I was here, blocking their path they couldn't do without.

I also had Noel, Lacritta, Lulu and Celia lurk in the shadow of the Z-shape audience stand. It was an attempt for «Temple Saber» to lower their guard. It was Rina's favourite tactic.

Anyway, since the others were hidden, the opponent would only see the four of us while they'd seven members.

If we concentrated everything at the Southeast Great Castle, we’d expose the Central East Great Castle and worse, our base itself. And Temple Saber took the bait perfectly, advancing straight in.

"Brave, out of the way!"

"Come and try for yourself! I will send you packing!"

With the two teams finally coming face-to-face for the PvP, the audience erupted into loud cheers.

The first to charge in was the *male* Crusader, equipped in full body plate-armor. «Crusader» had the «Armor Equipment Bonus» skill, so going full armor was standard for them.

"Unique skill—«Till my last breath, I shall protect this place»!"

"Woah, seriously?"

I was truly surprised. I didn't think they would play their boldest move right off the bat.

«Till my last breath, I shall protect this place» was a massive protection category unique skill. It was inherited from the «Knight» job, the basic job version of «Crusader».

The skill also had the area-wide taunt effect to attract the attention of monsters. For as long as its duration last, it would continue to pull monster's attention, the user couldn't activate another skill while this was active, and any ranged meant for allies would instead slam into the user.

In the presence of a healer, it yielded an exceptional result. It also lasted for a long duration.

Hmm, I had heard from a report that the earlier crusader girl had used «Tempest Shield» and then was eliminated soon after. So maybe they changed strategies and swapped unique skills this time?

At any rate, ranged attacks were clearly a no-go. Of course, there's no such thing as invincibility.

"Do not use long-range attacks. They would all be absorbed by «Crusader» instead."

"!!"

«Crusader» boy went wide-eyed in shock. Hehe, there was nothing I didn't know, after all.

Yeah, for the duration of the skill, not only could he not use other skills, his movements were severely restricted too. The best he could do was turn in his spot.

As long as the effect was known, the invoker was merely a baggage then. To put it short, the best strategy was to do nothing against him.

“Ignore the Crusader! Our target is «Templar Saber»!”

We treated the immobilized Crusader as if he didn’t exist. We might have lost ranged attack advantage, but that was barely a determinant.

Now that our opponent had made a move, it was our turn, and it began with—Rika.