<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

Beyond her other skills and abilities, Maki proved herself to be quite the open individual. Taking the instructions of an E-rank was one thing, but taking that same E-rank's request to take on the B-rank horde for even a second? That was a different matter entirely. She took the time to announce 'last man standing' in regards to the Tanker both were willing to abandon. As Yugi had a few moments before the swarm was in the right position, he looked over. "That's not true. There's still..." He paused there. One other member was on their team, but that man had managed to be ensnared around the legs by spiderwebs and set upon by an ant. "Oh damn. Last man standing," he corrected himself. Either way, Yugi had something more important to focus on. Ants and spiders were in position, so he started moving in a startlingly similar way to Maki's earlier onslaught. There were some heavy alterations as he wielded a sword instead of a naginata. Even so, those changes still allowed him to make contact with the encroaching creatures and inflict fatal damage in... most cases. When he finished that distorted mirror of Maki's sequence, one spider remained functional. Yugi thought it was time to test his countering ability. He adjusted the movements seen in Maki to lodge his blade into the ground when that remaining spider aimed its thorax his way. Using the sword as leverage, he swung himself around to kick the spider, turning its body toward their remaining teammate's assailant. Once the ant was ensnared, Yugi stood atop the spider's thorax, dislodged his sword and stabbed it through the thorax he stood upon. "But wrong target. Ready?"

Meanwhile, Kenta was at the receiving end of Miko's response. Part of his plan had been ruined by a Mage looking the part of a fire specialist, yes ─ but that wasn't going to stop his overarching plan. "Steps change, plans don't! No fire? Hit it with what we've got!" Kenta demanded. At the same time however, Miko was pointing out weak points on the centipede, which the swordsman found... increasingly odd. "... Explain," he said, blade cleaving through the residual webs of a fallen spider. As for their Mage, his aim was brought into question. He was still channeling Frozen Mist, but could presume she meant for him to target that giant centipede. "Uhh, not incredible? I'm nearsighted! I don't have much range anyway. G-gomen!" he announced.

[Apollymi]

Maki wasn't an open individual, she considered herself fair. If someone had a skill set that was better than hers at something she'd allow them freely within that spot. The lad currently calling the shots had better ideas that brute forcing their way through a horde, and as such she'd take his advice. What she didn't expect though, was for him to show a prowess with physical techniques, which were similar enough to her own style of movement to make her brows furrow. 'Is he learning or does he always fight like that?' she couldn't help but wonder as her eyes followed him as fast as she could move them. Odd though it was, it seemed he had a pretty good time of handling the horde even managing to save their fence-sitting teammate that lone fighter who'd not joined the other two in their death march against the ants. "Still pretty impressive regardless. I'm ready, what's next?" Maki wondered seemingly unfazed by death be it creatures or humans dying around her.

Meanwhile, Miko's group had some success with keeping themselves on the back end safe from the incoming horde. Kenta on the other hand was claiming that while steps had changed the overall plan hadn't changed at all. "Okay but that still wouldn't have done us any good if we were being picked off by ants and spiders you weren't drawing the aggro of," Miko said as a logical extension. Still, there was a big creature to kill and another snap would be added of her fingers aimed at the top-knot swordsmen as she figured telling him about the weaknesses would help him in being the main source of damage. But he wanted an explanation. "Well, heads are almost always weak points. Hitting around that forth segment will likely keep it from spewing poison, at least temporarily, as that's the point that expands before it does it. And the 10th one might cut its mobility a bit. My partner has been teaching me to observe. It might not be foolproof but it's something to work with," Miko asserted. The System marked those places and Miko herself knew a bit based on the sounds the creature made, the rest was a bit of on the fly thinking but she assumed the Fatal Edge skill was something like critical damage marker she could fill in the rest with common sense terms. As for her last idea, the Icicle the mage claimed he had wasn't one which could be shot off with incredible accuracy. He was near-sighted and as such his aim wasn't particularly good. "No need to apologize. No one's great at everything... We can move a bit closer and you can aim for wide spaces without any people around them in that case. The ice will continue to slow it, even if you can't hit a precise target. Just don't maim anyone in the process and we should be golden," Miko thought throught hat part. With a fair bit of ease. "I'll keep the bugs off us in the meantime," she decided flipping that staff of hers upside down and splashing out frozen bursts of water on any stragglers approaching while the more damage oriented party members did their thing too. She was also careful enough to avoid any of the others moving around, having a very good understanding of the other people in the group based on sound alone, and making sure to keep an eye on the top-knot guy. Miko to her credit was also keeping Yugi's words in mind, wondering when she was going to be 'sacrificed', in fairness she was undermining him but she also didn't want to die, nor did she want anyone else to if it wasn't necessary.

[Bloodedge]

Though one life was spared for the moment, another was sacrificed. One thing Yugi could hear during his onslaught was the gurgled screaming of that Tanker, who could now be seen having his throat chewed through by one ant while others piled atop his body. No matter. Yugi only cared to save the one who didn't make a moronic decision today. In doing so, showing his combat ability got that Fighter silently on the side of him and Maki... but there were a few things left to do. He cleaved through the thorax of the spider beneath him with little difficulty, gaining a bit of edge from the Fatal Edge Skill. Looking to the remaining Fighter, he gave one piece of advice before moving on. You've got a spear. Keep range, avoid webs entirely, and aim quick strikes at bodies. Go for maiming before killing," he said. As for Maki, who was ready for the next step... Yugi pointed his blade at the second centipede: their target. Those crimson eyes with asymmetrical tomoe, however, were looking straight at Maki. "Next, I want you to put everything you've got into launching me at that big bitch over there. While I'm up, you vault right behind me. I think you and I could manage a little 'sky dance' to build some extra momentum. Watch out for poison though."

Miko and Kenta weren't going to agree. Well, Kenta didn't want to get on that one's bad side too much; she was too interesting a lass. A little E-rank brought over to his side instead of remaining full of animosity would be a good thing, he thought. "I've done my fair share of real Dungeons, little lady! You think it's better to tire yourself out dealing with small fry? Be my guest and die like the last team!" he said, choosing to take the 'hardass' approach. The swordsman had more actual animosity to offer, strangely enough. After his demand for an explanation, Miko gave the purpose for those weak points. He scoffed. "Not what I meant. At all," the man said. He was still moving around, in and out of the freezing radius while keeping his body active for proper blood flow. "Forget the little guys. I'll take care of them as long as this zone is up. Focus on getting that centipede down so Sato can shut up." It seemed he had some established priorities, if nothing else. That Mage was advised to move closer, which he'd sadly need Kenta for, given the centipede's attack pattern. "I... think I can do that. Sato-san, can you push forward?" he requested timidly, taking a position close behind Sato. As for Sato himself, the idea of an E-rank being listened to over himself wasn't very appealing at all. Why couldn't this group just follow orders when he gave them initially? Maybe... after he made a bit more progress toward the first centipede, he'd make sure they all learned a lesson ─ two for the brunette.

[Apollymi]

One life was spared while Yugi showed off his ability. His fighting prowess was definitely something worth respecting. What was more, the lad even had advice for the other fighter. "That's pretty solid," Maki muttered finding that advice to be good considering he'd need to mostly take care of himself with that spear of his. It seemed that after all of that the spear wasn't even going to call into question the lad's rank, which was likely a good thing, considering the A-rank Tanker was definitely taking his last breath, not not following simple directions. But what about saying something to Maki. Yugi looked directly at her and Maki saw uneven tomoe in red eyes, something she recognized but she also immediately looked away. "Woops," she muttered aloud. 'Why the fuck does he actually have a Sharingan?!' that might have been one of the coolest things she'd seen in a while. And perhaps she'd have geeked out about it a bit more in a different situation. Ah, but a certain amount of that couldn't be stopped especially not when there was a plan ahead. Hearing what he wanted to do the girl cracked a smile on her face. "That's the most awesome shit I've heard in ages. Let's go!~" she said, respecting the flex of that kind of activity and happily appreciating the fact that the lad in question was willing to put his safety in her hands. It was worth a bit more confidence than he could know, and way more than she'd realize. But before anything else, she took an odd stance rooting herself into the ground and allowing her naginata to be the point he could launch off of, when he hopped into place, she'd lift with all her might and send him flying into the target centipede. As soon as he's launched she'd spin that naginata around and use it as a pole to launch herself right after him pulling that with him. While he flew he'd likely see a notice,

〔SYSTEM NOTICE — BOND ROUTE UNLOCKED〕

Bond Route: Zen'in Maki
Status Update Detected.

Intimacy has reached 25%.

Route Activated: “Steel & Shadow”

Objective: Deepen connection with Zen'in Maki.

Current Progress: 25%

Warning:
This route carries moderate volatility.
Zen'in Maki does not tolerate weakness or half-measures.
Failure to maintain favor may result in:

• Permanent loss of her respect
• Targeted sparring challenges (no holding back)
• “Steel Rejection” debuff

Reward Teaser:

• Exclusive Title: [Steel Shadow]
• Access to restricted close-combat insights
• Personal favor from Zen'in Maki (value: lethal)

Accept Invitation?
[ACCEPT] / [DENY]

*Refusal may permanently lock this route.*

*The System advises compliance.*

In the meantime, Miko had at least a couple of these individuals on her side. It wasn't about that for her currently, she was instead trying to get them meeting back up with some real damage dealers as quickly as possible. Ah, but now Miko was being lectured. Sato Kenta decided to share information with her, he'd been through his fair share of dungeons and advised against wasting time on smaller creatures. Perhaps he could be considered right, in the microscope of closed in spaces, but... in the open they were surrounded and could be picked off by numerous creatures not just the centipedes. In fact, Miko would say he was more dangerous to everyone present than any of the creatures, but instead of saying anything she looked at him. 'He doesn't know, but that kind of speech would only work, if I didn't know he'd bragged to Makima about how strong his team was before leading them to their deaths...' Miko thought her face mostly blanked. Those big eyes studying his face. His words weren't the flex he thought they were, mostly because she'd heard him bragging about his team before this Dungeon broke. Admittedly someone like him couldn't be a hard ass with her, such things were reserved for those actually capable of leadership. No, instead her attention turned to the swordsman who was a much better person than the Tanker. "If you meant something else, I'll have to explain later," Miko offered gently. She couldn't clarify things for him, but that didn't matter. No, she was content to keep up the work she said she would. If he had the back end for them, she'd help the Mage with the bad eyes a bit. Snapping a couple more barriers onto herself and him for safety purposes because given how timid he was she didn't trust the Tanker to do as he claimed. And as they got into position, Miko readied herself to back up the Mage she would be found behind them, "Remember to breathe, holding your breath won't help your aim. Let go with the exhale," Miko offered her own understanding of such things from her time spent in open fields. She also kept her ears open and her eyes on the people in front of her, she trusted the top-knot swordsman to have her back.

[Bloodedge]

It seemed Yugi had forgotten a matter he, himself, had previously brought up. He looked to Maki, and she looked to him... only to avert her gaze with an uttered 'whoops' after what seemed to be recognition. "Oh, right. Yeah... don't worry about that. I said that for the dumbasses who'd waste time asking questions. I can answer yours later," he said. Irrespective of that, Maki seemed rather excited for the plan of attack he suggested. With that sort of enthusiasm present, there was no point in waiting around. "You're goddamn right it is! When we're both up, I'll send you in for the first strike. We'll down it in two!" he claimed. Without further ado, he sprinted in Maki's direction and leaped onto the upper end of her naginata's pole. When she launched, his legs extended for a bit of extra boost ─ not that he seemed to need much of that. "Woo!" he shouted on the way up. Maki was soon to be upon him, but first came a notification from the System... about a new route. 'A merit-based route spawn, huh? Right up my alley,' he thought. Just then, Maki was right next to him in the air. The centipede had already become privy to their presence, but Yugi had a way of dealing with its likeliest attack. He quickly ensured the 'Doctor's Pet' title was equipped before extending a hand toward Maki. When the centipede turned its head toward them and aimed to spray its venom, he'd be rotating to take that blast to the back. Though he grimaced upon being struck, Maki would remain safe as he continued to twist, intending to launch Maki at the centipede's head while it recovered from its own attack. He didn't seem worried about that poisoning at all. "Shell's hard. Hit it right in the middle; I'll follow!"

The Mage of Team 1 had a plan to follow. All he had to do was stick behind Kenta until they were close enough for an attack. Of course, Kenta seemed to be following along nicely, pushing through the swarm and making decent headway despite how many attacks were battering his shield. The Mage was trying to keep Miko's advice in mind, keeping his eye on the centipede's body and finding it marginally easier to focus by the step. The more strikes Kenta took though, the more his active defense seemed to be slipping... just enough to allow an ant or two to slip by after charging. Yes, that would be the approach Kenta took. If he let a single ant get by enough to target that brunette, he could play the hero, and even teach that finnicky Mage a lesson by abandoning him to save the girl. Ah, and the swordsman wasn't going to be much good either, now that he was occupied defending the rear.