Vol. 6 - Chapter 339 - The ultimate anti-move against Big Castle snatchers -
There was this saying in the game <Dungeon Activity>, "One possesses the calibre of S-rank if they can consistently shoot the target every three seconds as easily as breathing."
This refers to controlling the time of impact, where once the magic is cast, it strikes the target precisely after 3 seconds.
Normally, simultaneous attacks are executed together, or to be more precisely, attacking while matching the pace with team members. But here comes another point, magic and skills each have different speed.
So even though the team may look like they're attacking at the same time, there is a significant gap in the time of impact.
But that can't be done. Betting on luck is too hopeful. It leaves an opening for the opponent to take advantage of. It's not impossible for an opponent to snatch the Big Castle amidst the varied impact timing.
One is sorely mistaken if they think just attacking at the same time is enough.
And that's how the concept of <Precise Time Attack> was invented. To keep it in brief, it was the reverse approach; like what if they just ignore the timing of attack, and instead focus on the timing of impact, then?
<Precise Time Attack> is also called <00 Sec-Attack>.
Timed precisely at 00:00:00, the attack of everyone goes boom. The sound of explosion due to that also sounds like the echo of a single explosion. It's nearly impossible to try to snatch the target in that situation.
It was an unbeatable tactic against the type of guild who solely rely on simultaneous attacks. I have already made sure each of the <Eden> members is informed about it.
Right now, there are only us 5, and Rina, who can flawlessly pull it, but I would want all members to be capable of achieving it one day.
The moment this is achieved, no one can snatch victory in guild battle from our hand. We will come closer to our goal of reaching S-rank, if not surpassing it.
"W-What just!?"
"Impossible!?"
We had already turned on our heels by the time we heard such cries from the neighbouring square.
At 00:00:35 timing, 12 seconds after Lana and others had catched up with us, we succeeded in pulling simultaneous impact tactics.
Eden's first attempt at the <Precise Time Attack>, result - resounding success.
Well, that was our second consecutive Big Castle, and it seems like everyone has gotten used to it quite a bit.
I turn to look up at the screen the current points were;
<White - 6650P> vs <Red - 2530P>
<Time Remaining: 39 minutes 33 seconds>.
With three Big Castle take down, Team white, <Eden>, is in the lead with overwhelming upper hand
Team Red, <Best of the Best, the Great Star>, has taken <Southwest Big Castle> so far.
There is only one Big Castle left untouched, the <Northest Big Castle> which is nearby <Eden> base.
Celestine is leading the team there, so there's no need to worry about it falling into the opponent's hand.
Five minutes have passed since the start, and with this concluded our initial strategy. It's now the mid-game.
Our role from here is to capture the small castle square in this southern area while making sure our team square doesn't get taken away and that the path to base of <Best of the Best, the Great Star> or the two Big Castle in the south remain intact.
Our base squares are the paths. Without these paths, we cannot reach our destination. In short, we will be forced to a dead end if all of our side's squares were to be taken away. Keeping an eye on such aspects is a crucial part of the plan.
Just as I was thinking about it, a voice echoed in my ears—... I mean directly in my mind.
«This is Rina. Can you hear me?»
It was Rina's voice, which she passed using her skill <Guild Connect>.
It is a skill that allows me to communicate with guild members through voice. While there are various constraints on the range of the voice, it can reach normally within this arena. It is also only possible to communicate one way, but in return, the user can choose the recipient, so this is quite a handy skill.
In the game, this skill was only capable of changing basic command, but in the real world, it has transformed into real communication skill.
"Karua, Ester."
"Hn, touch."
"Understood. Touch."
I high-fived Karua and Ester who were nearby, it was the signal we had decided on beforehand.
Our voice can't be heard by her, but Rina should be starting the <Dragon's Miniature Garden> at the base. Through it, Rina can see what action we are taking, and with action like high-five, she understands her voice is reaching us.
The command tower is completely capable of grasping the whole situation, and transmitting the voice in real-time.
As its strength was evident, it makes an indispensable cornerstone for a strategy in a guild battle.
«I have confirmed. Lulu-chan's team has just captured <Northwest Big castle>. The remaining <Northeast Big Castle> will be down very soon. <Eden> is in the lead with 4 big castles.»
That's good to hear.
With how the current situation is, <Best of the Best, the Great Star> in a great pinch.
Their only chance of winning is to capture four or more Big Castles and surpass the small castle points. And if they lose in the struggle for small castle points...... then they will have to secure all the five Big Castle before the timer strikes 0, which is honestly impossible.
In essence, their loss is basically set in stone if they don't capture <Eden> base. Hence, we must defend our base.
So far, everything is playing out as predicted.
«Zephyr-san, please return back to the base. Also ask the rest of the members to focus on small castle capture.»
I nodded at Rina's instruction. It's a reasonable decision.
It doesn't seem like there is anyone going to attack our base for now. Once Base falls, it is revived back with 1.5 of its original HP. Taking it a second time will revive it back with double the original HP. So there is no visible advantage in attacking it now.
As the rule stand, the Big Castle we are holding will be completely transferred to <Best of the Best, the Great Star> if they managed to take down base, however they should be aware that even if they succeed, <Eden> will manage to take snatch back. Besides, even if a castle is captured, the point once acquired will not be able to be taken back, which is meaningless.
For <Best of the Best, the Great Star> to win, they need to have all five giant citadels by the time limit. Which means, they will wait for the final two minutes before trying to take down the Base. Afterall, it would be impossible to take back the Big Castle when they're in a protection period that lasts for two minutes.
So utilising this chance, and capturing the Base in the remaining 2 minutes is the key to victory.
In <Dungeon Activity>, these two minutes are often called <Last Time>. If any reversal has to happen, then mostly it will happen during that time. Hence it is a critical period.
So, we need to come up with strategies to prevent our base from being taken away, but also to turn the table on them.
"Then everyone, I am heading to our Base. I am leaving the small castles to you. As for the PvP battle, wait for my signal."
"Hnn."
"Understood."
I informed Karua and Ester who were next to me and backstepped a bit then. I passed the same message to Lana and Shizu who were running behind us.
"What, I want to duel with them! I want to knock them out!"
"I understood. But I'd appreciate it if you could give us the chance."
"Fine, but please focus on the small castles for now. I will pass further instruction after reaching the Base, so no arbitrary action until then."
"Alright, You better not renege on your words!"
I ignored Lana, who shouted 'Just why do you think there's a section about 'strike the head' during strategy?' in frustration, and hurried back to the Base.
I had ignored all the small castles on the way, so it only took me two minutes to arrive there.
At that moment, the screen displayed <White - 9490P vs Red - 3400P>. It seemed that <Eden> had successfully captured four Big Castle.
In the mid-game, the main focus is all about clearing as many small castles as possible to create a gap with points.
After confirming that, I entered the Base-turned-command tower.
I have already explained which color means which,
Yellow - Unoccupied small castle
White - belongs to Eden
Red - belongs to Saturn guild
Blue - Unoccupied Big Castle
Green - castles under Eden protection period
Pink - Saturn guild protection period