Mushoku Tensei: The Fool Magician

On the other side, Roy grabbed Asuna's arm, his face stern. "You're aware of the situation, I presume?"

Asuna's expression crumbled. "We're doomed."

With an exasperated sigh, Roy flicked her forehead—not too gently—and declared, "Pull yourself together. Right now, our goal is to defeat Akihiko Kayaba and crush his plans."

Asuna's eyes sparkled with a sudden hope. She looked up at Roy, her curiosity piqued. "You have a plan?"

Roy let out a bitter chuckle. A plan? He could barely take care of himself.

Feigning confidence, he replied, "The plan is simple: we make our way to the 100th floor."

The light in Asuna's eyes dimmed again. She muttered under her breath, "We're doomed."

Roy sighed, rolling his eyes at her defeatism. "The situation won't change unless we do something about it. Sitting here moping won't solve anything. And honestly, at this point, worrying about your mother is the least of our problems."

With that, he pushed Asuna forward, his voice firm. "Life moves forward, Asuna. You can't just stay stuck in the past."

"Fine, fine, let go. I'll walk." She grumbled, brushing his hand away before stomping ahead in a huff.

Roy caught up to her, glancing sideways. "Asuna, what level are you?"

"Level 3." She replied, frowning. "Why?"

After a brief pause to think, Roy turned to her with a determined look. "We're going to fight Little Nepenthes."

Asuna froze mid-step, her expression stiff. "I'm only level 3." She reminded him, her tone laced with disbelief.

The implication was clear: Are you trying to get me killed?

"We'll pull them one at a time." Roy explained matter-of-factly. "If we're careful, it'll be fine."

Asuna narrowed her eyes at him, skeptical. "Are you sure about that?"

Thumping his chest confidently, Roy declared, "Absolutely. No problem at all."

After much coaxing and assurances, Asuna reluctantly agreed. Roy sent her a party invite, and they formed a team. Their experience points would now be shared proportionally based on their contributions.

As they journeyed, Roy took down a few wolf-like creatures along the way, navigating through the forest's twists and turns until they reached its edge.

Standing at the forest entrance, Roy and Asuna exchanged a glance. Taking the lead, Roy stepped forward, his steel sword gripped tightly in his right hand.

The dappled sunlight flickered through the shifting canopy above. A sudden breeze swept through, scattering dried leaves across the ground.

Roy scanned his surroundings, dispatching minor enemies with ease. Asuna didn't even have a chance to draw her weapon.

Watching the boy effortlessly cut down foes, Asuna fell silent.

Do I even matter here? she wondered, feeling increasingly useless.

Clearing out the smaller enemies, they followed a narrow trail until they arrived at the heart of the valley.

Unlike the dense forest earlier, the clearing was bright and open, sunlight streaming directly onto them.

Roy climbed a small incline, peering over the top. "It's definitely the Little Nepenthes gathering spot." 

Clusters of the monstrous plants stood in small groups, their movements slow and aimless.

Roy turned to Asuna, his voice low. "I'll pull two or three over here. Once I engage them, you follow up to keep them staggered, got it?"

Asuna nodded, her expression resolute.

Seeing that she understood, Roy exhaled deeply. He picked up a stone from the ground, gripping it tightly as its surface glimmered faintly with a blue hue.

After surveying the area, he selected a plant near the edge of the group, making sure it wasn't one of the ones bearing vibrant, poisonous fruit. With a swift motion, he hurled the stone.

The projectile flew through the air, whistling as it arced toward the target. It struck the plant square on the head, shaving off a tiny sliver of its HP.

Instantly, the targeted plant, along with two nearby ones, began to stir.

Their aggro mechanism activated, and they started moving quickly in Roy's direction.

The Little Nepenthes were every bit as unnerving as their reputation suggested. Their grotesque appearance was one thing, but their awkward, almost alien way of moving was something else entirely.

Roy crouched low, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm going in. Follow my lead."

Asuna gave a small nod, her grip on her rapier tightening.

Roy stood, advancing a few steps before lowering his stance. His steel sword gleamed faintly in the dappled light as he prepared to unleash his signature move. Exhaling deeply, he drew the blade with a fluid motion, the air around it shimmering with an azure glow.

Muscles in his right arm flexed as he brought the sword to his side. The Little Nepenthes shuffled closer, their twisted forms swaying ominously. When they were within striking distance, Roy's blade flashed.

The strike was impossibly fast—so swift it seemed to bend time itself. In an instant, the lead plant staggered back, a jagged wound slicing through its chest. Its HP bar plummeted, halting just shy of the critical red zone.

Thick, green sap oozed from the wound, dripping onto the forest floor.

The two remaining plants surged forward, but Roy's body erupted in a soft blue glow as magical energy enveloped him. Strength surged through his limbs, radiating outward like a tidal wave.

Without hesitation, Roy kicked out, his boot slamming into the nearest plant and sending it skidding three meters away. The creature hit the ground with a dull thud. Pivoting smoothly, he reversed his grip on the sword, transforming it into a two-handed weapon. With a powerful slash, he cleaved through the fallen plant's bloated form, reducing its HP to zero.

"Asuna, switch!" Roy shouted.

Asuna darted forward, her rapier a blur as she delivered a piercing thrust into the final plant. The creature's vine-like appendages, which had been reaching for Roy, froze mid-motion as Asuna's attack landed.

The plant staggered, locked in a state of stasis.

In Sword Art Online, this phenomenon—stagger—rendered enemies unable to move or retaliate after a successful strike. It was a core mechanic for both minor foes and bosses, though triggering it required precise execution and sufficient damage from a player's sword skills.

Roy took the moment to catch his breath. The earlier strike had drained him, leaving his heart pounding in his chest.

"Switch!" He yelled again, stepping forward as Asuna retreated to let her sword skills cool down.

Roy's next move wasn't a sword skill, just a simple thrust. Even so, it was nearly as fast as Asuna's techniques. His blade pierced the plant's chest, and with a forceful kick, he sent it sprawling to the ground.

The last remaining plant, having recovered, charged at Roy.

"Asuna, intercept it!" He called out.

Without hesitation, Asuna stepped forward, cutting off the plant's advance. Her rapier flashed as she drove it back, forcing the grotesque creature to topple over. Its horrifying maw, lined with jagged teeth, slammed into the dirt, the twisted appendages writhing helplessly.

Roy shuddered at the sight but didn't hesitate. He moved in swiftly to finish it off.

Three precise stabs later, the plant's HP was completely drained, its monstrous form dissolving into shards of light.

"Hurry up, Roy!" Asuna's voice came from behind him, sharp and urgent.

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

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