Chapter 207: Trapped in Illusions Unbeknownst to the players, the center table in the room was a cunning mimic, its true nature concealed until now.
In an instant, the innocent-looking wooden surface transformed into a grotesque maw filled with razor-sharp fangs.
Without warning, the Mimic attacked the players, forcing them to defend themselves amidst the room’s eerie tranquility.
As the Mimic revealed its true form, the room seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. Its wooden surface transformed into a grotesque mouth filled with razor-sharp fangs, and it lunged at the players with startling speed.
Xin, Yuzuro, Rever, Midnight Duchess, and Victor were thrust into a battle they hadn’t anticipated.
The Mimic immediately employed its [Shapechanger] ability, shifting between an ordinary table and its terrifying amorphous form.
Its statistics remained consistent, whether it took the guise of furniture or revealed its monstrous true self.
Unbeknownst to the players, the Mimic’s [Adhesive] trait came into play. Anything that touched it adhered, and if a creature of huge size or smaller came into contact, it became grappled, struggling to break free against an escape.
Attempts to escape this grapple were further hindered, with a disadvantage imposed by its abilities.
In its object form, the Mimic deployed its [False Appearance] trait, making it virtually indistinguishable from an ordinary table.
This ruse added an extra layer of danger, blurring the line between what was real and what was a deadly trap.
Taking advantage of its [Grappler] ability, the Mimic focused its attacks on the grappled target, maximizing its advantage.
Its pseudopod, a powerful appendage, struck out with precision. With a melee attack bonus, it hit Rever with a forceful impact, dealing 700 bludgeoning damage.
Furthermore, if the Mimic was in its object form, Rever was subjected to its Adhesive trait, further immobilizing him.
"Argh! What in the world is this creature?! Get it off me!" Rever exclaimed, his voice filled with panic as he fought to break free.
Yuzuro rushed to his aid, channeling her healing abilities to restore his health, while Midnight Duchess launched a rapid assault on the Mimic.
With each strike, the Mimic was forced to release its grip, eventually spitting out Rever from its gaping maw.
But the Mimic wasn’t one to give up. Its [Bite] attack was just as lethal, boasting a melee weapon attack bonus of +500. It lunged at Rever again, sinking its fangs into flesh.
The bite inflicted +700 piercing damage and an additional +40 acid damage every second, searing the wounds with a corrosive touch.
"Fuck! It’s just a mimic, but why is its damage so brutal?!" Rever shouted in frustration.
"Hold still! I can’t heal you if you keep moving!" Yuzuro exclaimed.
"If I hold still, I’d be dead!" Rever hollered back, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Amidst the chaos and in a moment of unfortunate accident, Rever touched what seemed to be another innocent piece of furniture.
To everyone’s horror, it, too, transformed into a mimic.
It appeared that any furniture touched within the room came alive, turning the once-tranquil space into a nightmarish battleground.
Victor shouted at Rever. "What are you doing?! I said be careful!"
Rever let out a nervous laugh, "it was an accident."
"Just don’t touch anything anymore!" Victor said to him.
In a coordinated effort, Xin, Yuzuro, Rever, Victor, and Midnight Duchess rallied their strength and wits.
They exploited the Mimic’s vulnerabilities, striking its vulnerable spots.
With a well-timed distraction from Rever, Victor, and Midnight Duchess landed a powerful blow, disrupting the Mimic’s attacks.
Seizing the opportunity, Xin and Yuzuro coordinated their spells and strikes, targeting the creature’s weak spots.
As the battle reached its climax, Yuzuro channeled her healing energy to bolster Rever, allowing him to withstand the Mimic’s onslaught.
With a final, decisive strike, Xin delivered the finishing blow, incapacitating the creature with his spells.
The Mimic convulsed briefly before shuddering to a halt, defeated.
With the Mimics vanquished, they caught their breath and took their time to regain their HP and MP.
"We can’t keep going like this," Yuzuro said, her voice laced with concern. "At this rate, our supplies will run out quickly."
Rever let out a weary sigh, nodding in agreement. "I hate to admit it, but Yuzuro’s right." He moved as if to lean on another table, but Victor swiftly intervened.
"Hey, I just warned you to be careful," Victor chided, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Rever stepped aside just in time, but in his haste, he almost collided with a fragile vase.
It was Midnight Duchess’s quick thinking that prevented a disaster, the tip of her sword halting Rever’s movement.
"That was a close one," she remarked, her tone playful.
Rever puked blood. "Y-you could have just used your hand like a normal person," he stammered weakly, her sword stabbing his side.
. "Ah! R-Rever!" Yuzuro panicked and healed him when his HP decreased.
Victor let out a tired sigh. "Honestly, Red Dragon, you’re like a walking disaster," he muttered.
Eventually, the group cautiously moved on to the next room, a stark contrast to the previous chambers they had encountered.
Unlike the elaborate designs of the past, this room appeared decidedly unremarkable. It exuded an aura of deliberate blandness as if it intended to fade into the background, unnoticed and inconspicuous.
The third waiting room in the Shapeshifter Mirage was bare and devoid of any adornments. Its stark simplicity seemed calculated, an intentional effort to lull visitors into a false sense of security.
Yet, the room’s very plainness created deep shadows, adding an element of mystery to the atmosphere.
Shadow, Victor’s faithful pet, made a discovery within this seemingly ordinary chamber.
Carefully examining the space, the creature found a folded letter discreetly tucked under a pillow or hidden in a corner.
Upon unfolding it, the group found 3000 gil and a cryptic message: "Never trust your eyes; the truth lies beyond the illusions."
Rever clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Why bother with a letter stating the obvious? Couldn’t they just leave us with regular treasures?"
Victor shot him a sidelong glance. "It seems it was meant for you, apparently."
"Why do you always see me as the troublemaker?" Rever retorted.
"Because you often behave like one in this group, of course," Victor replied.