GLITCH

Peculiarity of a Lady in a Lab Coat

ROUTE MAIDEN'S GLOSS-MAIDEN'S SHROUD

December 2

9:29 am

"The Glitch is finally forming!"

"Get ready, everyone!"

"YEAHHHHH!"

After waiting for thirty minutes, the glitch is now visibly manifesting to their eyes— the scenery is quite a sight to behold actually. It's shaping in...a humanoid form? No, it appears to be some armors of some sort…

Seriously, all three of it?

This isn't good.

"Ack! This can't be happening! Why is it that there are three manifestations?!"

It seems that Licht isn't the cause of it.

Can these guys pull it off? No, definitely not. It would likely bound to heavy casualties. The reason why I thought about it is…

Holy Armor, Hydro Armor and Dark Armor—three superior armors have manifested all at once. They have the stereotypical knight armor look but they differ in color, which corresponds to their elements. Holy Armor is white, Hydro is blue, and Dark Armor is grey. All of them also possessed a sword, except the Holy Armor -- it's only carrying a shield.

All of these moving armors are disastrous. Each of them boasts a status over 10000. Despite being bulky in appearance, they're too agile, as what one could expect with an AGI worth a thousand.

"Aren't these high-tier Glitches?"

"We can't falter now! Guild members, royal army…let's show them the prowess of our kingdom!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

And then the battle commenced.

The group started faring well against the three armors. However, the things they could do are either parrying or evading. Attacking the armor may leave some scratches or dents but for some reason the three armors possess a skill that those tin cans shouldn't have. It's [Regeneration], a skill that bounds to regenerate flesh, not scraps of iron.

In the end, most of the men suffered fatigue after a long phase of fighting it all. Even with that much quantity, they can't outdo the quality of the armors. The only standing firm is the queen's attendant. He did his best to parry all the armors' attack.

Speaking of the armors…

I found it strange that they are well too synchronized to be true. These kinds of Glitches tend to be soloists (like me) and yet there are three with varying elements, plunging fear to the struggling men as if they're a team.

Perhaps I should lend a help.

"[Light Ray]!"

Before I could move a muscle, Licht—or I should say Queen Licht?—shot a thin ray of light to hit the newly-manifested glitches. However, the armor being targeted did a side step, evading the light in the process.

"T-the queen…? Why is she here!?"

"My liege, please allow us to defeat these Glitches!"

"Don't be insane! Didn't I tell you to stay safe? I entering the battle meant that those glitches aren't easy to handle! Heed me, all of you! Form a defense barrier, pronto! Give me time to prepare! I'll cast a mid-tier Light magic!"

"Y-yes Your Majesty…!"

Though flustered, the group retained their composure and started stalling some time. Meanwhile, the queen herself started preparing a spell. Mmm, well I already know what spell she's trying to invoke.

Light Rampage [Unique Skill]

-a skill that ejects multiple piercing lights to the target; each light deals heavy damage

It's a powerful attack. That's pretty cool. To sum it better, she's invoking a more compact [Light Rampage]—she activated it with ten times the power than normal. With that, I guess anyone or anything would be obliterated.

Casting that aside, I sense that something fishy is happening here. The armors are well-versed and even exercised teamwork in combat even in reality these are mere soloists. Could it be…?

I searched around to find it.

There's only one glitch I have in mind that I must find at all cost before the queen release her spell.

•••

"Queen Licht."

"Who's there…?!"

Startled, I searched in panic to look who's the source of the voice, but I can't find the person. Judging from the voice, it's a girl. But then my search came to an end when someone appeared in front of me after falling from above. She's wearing a white lab coat, and her gloves are a bit ominous in appearance. Since she had her back in front of me, I can't see her face.

"Sorry for startling you. We have no time to spare— I want you to focus the spell to the direction I'm about to shoot. Please trust me on this."

"O-okay! I'll follow your lead then."

"Thank you for trusting my words."

She then lifts her left hand and pointed the darkened sky directly above the commotion up ahead. Then a small blue violet orb with the size of a marble appeared at the tip of her finger. She did a quick gesture, releasing it—the speed of the ball is quite amazing; all I can see is a line of blue violet light. It's similar in fashion as my [Light Ray] but I could see that it's not the same property. As of why I know about that—

"RAGUUUHAGGAH!"

A painful, shrieking voice pierced our ears, and another Glitch revealed itself.

"What is that hideous monster!?"

It is exactly what Hellus exclaimed. I can refer it as a hideous being. It's a giant apparition of a skeleton with a ball socket with an eye still intact, some sort of rotten muscle fibers attached, wearing a tarnished robe and only possesses half of its body, if compared with a human's skeletal frame.

"Gotcha. Now Queen Licht, if you please."

"O-oh got it."

Even with my [Unveiling Eyes] I can't see that monster. Moreover, I can't even see that girl's status.

Just who is she? Nevermind that, I'll shoot it down at all costs!

"[Light Rampage]!"

Streaks of light penetrated the ghastly figure and vanished, clearing the skies. It did released some shriek of pain and the three armors just fell flat on the ground, which in turn destroyed quite easily thanks to the overwhelming combined force of Glints.

All of them then succumbed to the ground, exhausted.

"Oh yeah, I should ask you Queen Licht."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Why are you exposing yourself here even though you're a queen?"

"Hmm…let's just say that it's just a whim."

Come to think of it, when did this lady know of my identity? Maybe she has [Appraisal] or a skill akin to it. The most intriguing factor is that even if I focused my eyes on her, the only information I gained are her name and a distinct Mantle. For some reason however, her Mantle isn't labeled to as a Mantle at all. In my eyes it looked like that word and her name topping one or the other.

RDylEaiA LuTxH

This is the only thing I could see. Perhaps unnerved, the lady asked as of why I'm staring too much.

"Oh, I apologize for such action of mine."

"No, it's fine. That way of staring at me…you're appraising me right?"

"Oh? Yes indeed young lady."

"What did you find?"

"Well, I could only see two things out of it. It's only your name and 'Death'. Is that your Mantle by any chance?"

Slightly depressed, Rylai lets out a sigh and answered my question.

"Yeah."

"Then—wait, you know what, let me invite you in the palace. Let's continue our talk tomorrow. Will that be fine with you?"

I spoke with Rylai in a casual manner. I don't want to act in a royal fashion whenever I'm away from the public eyes. As she nods the group of people who are safe started to walks towards us, smiles crossing on their faces.