Chapter 207
Here's the fully translated version with all Japanese terms replaced by English equivalents and no asterisks:
In Final Battle Online, rain plays several important roles. At its most basic, it's a blessing - providing the water needed for farming and growth. Nobody drinks rainwater directly, but it's undeniably a key part of nature's cycle.
Beyond that, rain has another use: it helps throw off pursuit. For monsters like wolves that track by scent, rain washes away trails, making escape easier. There are countless other minor effects, but the most distinctive aspect is this exchange:
"Perfect hunting weather!""It's pouring rain, you know?""Wait... You're seriously going out in this?"
For a small number of monsters, drop rates increase. Most aren't affected, but for a select few - specifically those with randomized loot tables - the drops change. Nobody knows exactly why, but testing confirms that ancient gear drops slightly more often on rainy days than sunny ones. And just as rain and rainbows are linked, seeing a rainbow during rain (though rare) boosts the odds even further.
"What's the problem? It's raining! If we don't hunt Mimic Armor now, when will we?""Going out in this weather is ridiculous."
But the changes aren't just about drop rates. On rainy days when drops are boosted, if you find a Mimic Armor bathed in post-rain rainbow light, it guarantees an ancient gear drop - with a 50% chance of a rainbow visual effect. This special enemy only spawns once, exclusively during the rainbow's appearance, making it a rare treasure in the Mistveil Expanse zone.
In this world, staying inside during rain is common sense - so our decision to go out is met with protests from Nel, Amina, and Lady Esmeralda.
"I don't care if it's weird! If it means getting tons of skill scrolls, I'm going!"
I refuse to back down. Luckily, the carriage has travel cloaks to keep us dry, and the base we've set up in Frostfang Lair means we can warm up when we return.
"Liberta, if you explain things properly, I'm sure everyone will understand.""...Didn't I already explain?""No, you didn't.""...Sorry."
In my excitement, I'd skipped the details. A little embarrassed, I look away and finally lay out the plan.
"Oh, so that's how it works.""Wait, so if Nel kills it, the drop is guaranteed?""If that's the case, then let's go for it."
Once I explain properly, everyone agrees.
"Thanks.""Should I stay behind to guard the base again?""I'll focus on recovery."
With that settled, we split into defense and hunting teams. Given the nature of this hunt, Amina can lure monsters but can't pick specific ones. So -
"Yeah, Amina, stay here with the spirits and hold the fort.""Leave it to me!"
She's our best defender. With the spirits helping, the base and carriage will be safe.
"Nel, I'll need your help hunting again.""Got it!"
Nel, our lucky charm for drops, is naturally on the hunting team. That leaves Ingrid, Claudia, and Lady Esmeralda.
"Claudia, I'd like you on defense this time.""Wouldn't a healer be better?""Rainy days call for Ingrid and Lady Esmeralda. Plus, the Mistveil Expanse has monsters that get worse in the rain."
Instead of Claudia, I'm taking Ingrid and Lady Esmeralda. While rain boosts ancient gear drops, some monsters also thrive in it.
"What kind of trouble?""Burrow Stalkers. We've fought plenty of monsters here, but you haven't seen these yet, right?"
You'd think mole-like creatures hate water, but these are the opposite. Rain softens the ground, letting them "swim" through dirt with terrifying speed.
"They use the rain's noise to hide their movements. With this downpour, hearing them is impossible - and since they're underground, scent doesn't help."
The worst part is how hard they are to spot. Normally ambush predators, they become hyperactive in rain, darting through the Mistveil Expanse.
"With Silent Walk, I can move undetected, but the rest of you should stick to paved paths. They dig hiding spots in soft ground or puddles."
Monsters that use the environment are a pain. But we can use the rain too.
"Ah, so that's why you're taking me. Lightning magic can kill them or force them out.""Exactly. But we'll need to avoid electrocution, which is where Ingrid comes in. With Thermo Control and Air Clean, we can use lightning safely even in this weather."
Lady Esmeralda's lightning and Ingrid's environmental control make them perfect for this.
"Those skills don't block lightning, do they?""Not normally, no."
Thermo Control adjusts temperature, and Air Clean purifies air. Neither should stop lightning backlash - but Final Battle Online rewards creativity.
"Ingrid's Thermo Control isn't just about general temperature. It can target specific areas - like the ground under us. And Air Clean doesn't just refresh air; it can block rain and control humidity.""So you're drying the ground to reduce electrocution risk?""Right. It makes working in the rain much safer."
If Air Clean blocks fungal spores, stopping rain is easy. When your own magic can backfire, precautions are a must.
"Also, Lady Esmeralda, focus on ice magic this time, not lightning.""Why?""We're ignoring Burrow Stalkers. Freezing the ground traps them - they'll freeze to death, so we can leave them. More importantly -""More importantly?""Their loot sinks into the ground unless killed on the surface. Digging it up isn't worth the time."
Lightning is for emergencies only. Rain boosts its power, but usability drops. We have lightning-resistant gear (like lightning rods), but making gear to fully counter Lady Esmeralda's spells would need rare materials.
Burrow Stalkers drop magic stones, fur, claws, and fangs - decent for earth-attribute armor, but our current swamp dragon gear is better. They also drop dungeon keys, but their dungeons aren't worth it. The only notable reward is materials from the boss, Deepbore Patriarch - decent earth armor with excavation bonuses.
But fighting them is tedious, and countermeasures waste time. So, for efficiency, we'll focus on ancient gear and ignore the rest.
"What about using a staff to retrieve drops?""If we knew their exact locations, maybe - but they're always moving. We don't have detection skills for them."
Nel, ever the merchant, hates leaving loot behind. I get it - so I explain the other issue:
"Detection skills are high-demand scout scrolls. They sell out instantly.""I see. Well, if ancient gear doesn't drop, we can hunt bats instead."
Without knowing where slain monsters' loot sinks, Lady Esmeralda's area attacks make retrieval impossible.
"So, the plan is: watch for Burrow Stalkers, repel them if needed, and focus on Mimic Armor. Any objections?""None.""Sounds good!""Understood.""No issues.""As you wish!"
We came for ancient gear and skill scrolls. No reason to lose sight of that. With roles set, we gear up and head out.
Before leaving, I glance at the sky - just in case.
"Liberta? What's wrong?""Nel... you don't see any red spots in the sky, do you?""Red spots?"
Rain isn't just a blessing - it can bring disaster. Not floods or landslides, but something worse.
"Never mind. If you don't see them, it's fine. We won't run into them yet."
There's a monster that appears in heavy rain.
"What is it?""Stormfiend.""What kind of monster is that?"
As Nel and Lady Esmeralda peer up (inside Ingrid's Air Clean zone), they see only rain clouds.
"Think of it as... a giant flying jellyfish."
Its true name is Celestial Tempest. A world monster that hides in storm clouds, using rain as cover while its tendrils snatch prey.
"A jellyfish?""Right - you've never seen one, Nel.""Most sea monsters are unknown to land-dwellers. I've only read about jellyfish."
World Monsters are rare, roaming calamities - each a global threat.
"The monster Liberta mentioned caused massive casualties when the army fought it fifty years ago."
At the time, I didn't think we'd ever meet one.