Mob
Kousei No Ore Demo Boukensha Ni Nareba Riajuu Ni Naremasuka: Chapter #43
Translators: Nyx and Ririi Rain
Translator(s) note: A new chapter to start 2024! Thank you for reading this at Polterglast, enjoy~
Episode 43:
Please, Give Me Another Chance
The
next day after school. We had come to the dungeon to look for clues to the
missing person.
"This is
the dungeon where Shoko Sato-san went missing, huh?"
I
stepped into the dungeon and looked around.
The
type of field was forest type. A moderate amount of the setting sun was shining
through the gaps in the thick trees, brightening the view, the temperature was
about spring, and a pleasant breeze was blowing. It was a labyrinth that seemed
to be popular with people who enjoyed nature.
If
accidents occur in F-rank dungeons, it were often because of bad weather
conditions such as rain in nighttime dungeons.
I
became more convinced that this was a criminal case, as it was strange that
someone would go missing in such an ideal environment.
"Wasn't
it just a week ago that Shoko Sato-san went missing?"
"Yes.
According to the quest info......, an acquaintance who was worried about Shoko
Sato-san, who dove into the dungeon alone and did not return, sent a search
request two days later."
"As I
recall, she had been an adventurer for some time, right?"
"According
to records, it's been about a year."
One
year....... In terms of adventuring career, it made her more senior than I am.
Depending on how often she dives into the dungeon, she will probably be used to
giving instructions to her cards and attacking monsters.
I
don't think such a person would go missing in an F-rank dungeon just because of
a minor accident.
As
expected, she was most likely attacked by someone in this dungeon.
Probably...by the Hound Master.
"......
I guess I should summon my card for now."
Even
with the gate of return at our back, we never know where the criminal might be
lurking in this dungeon.
It
would be better to summon a card soon.
I
took Yuki's card out of my pocket.
Depicted
on it was a beautiful girl with a familiar name, but a girl who looked not
familiar to me.
I
wonder if she was around the same age as me. She had her brown hair tied up in
a ponytail with a dark green streak, and her large, wide eyes were pale gold
like the moon, and she looked at me with a cheerful smile.
...... I've done a lot of research since then, but most of her newly acquired
skills don't even appear by name, and the only ones I could barely make out
were the [Lord of The Territory] and the [Advanced Ninjutsu1].
Of
these, the [Advanced Ninjutsu] was relatively easy to find out, and it was a
local skill in Japan.
Local
skills were special skills that only appear on monsters in a specific region.
Chinese
senjutsu2, European witchcraft, Scandinavian rune magic, etc... Skills that can
only be acquired by monsters appearing in that particular region are called
local skills to distinguish them from normal skills.
One
of the characteristics of local skills was that, unlike normal skills of magic,
they were less versatile but were sharply specialized.
In
the case of ninjutsu skills, many of them were techniques that can be used to
confuse the enemy, such as transformation techniques and clone techniques.
For
example, Suiton3 no Jutsu4. This was a ninjutsu that allows one to hide oneself
in water and remain underwater for extended periods of time.
...Now
that I think about it, the lycanthrope who attacked me from the lake that day
probably also had ninjutsu skills.
Even
though the ninjutsu skills may be minor and only a few have them, it was my
mistake to turn my back on the lake unguardedly.
Next,
the [Lord of The Territory]. This was the skill to form a territory centered on
oneself according to one's fighting ability. It was a higher level skill that
combined [Presence detection], [Group activities], and [Recovery] skills. It
was said to be able to detect the presence of enemies who invaded the
territory, improve the abilities of all allies, and even restore some damage
and fatigue.
The
disadvantage was that while generating a territory, Yuki's presence becomes
known to the surrounding area, so weak enemies whose fighting strength was too
far apart will keep away and enemies of the same or higher rank will be
attracted. The range of the territory will be reduced according to the combat
power of the surrounding enemies.
Still,
the advantages of searching for enemies, strengthening the abilities of all
allies, and providing recovery more than compensated for the disadvantages.
Although
there were many unknown ones, such as [The True One] and [Breakthrough of
Limits], the [Lord of The Territory] and the [Advanced Ninjutsu] alone had the
power to completely improve the strategy so far.
So
much so that I think that if we had these skills at that time, we might have
been able to bite back a little more against the Hound Master......
However,
for that reason, the greater the power Yuki get, the more I was anxious about
whether she was really the Yuki I knew.
But
that will become clear if I call her here now.
"Come
out, Yuki!"
I
shook off my hesitation and summoned Yuki.
With
a light, the girl depicted in the illustration appeared.
Her
height was... about 160cm, which puts her between Renge and Eliza. She was
slender and toned, like an athlete. She wore a white sleeveless turtleneck with
her midriff exposed, revealing her ripped abdominal muscles. The lower half of
her body, in contrast, was draped in black trousers that reveal no body lines.
Overall,
she was a beautiful girl with an active impression.
"Yuki...is
that you?"
I
timidly asked her. She had become a completely different person, even though
she had the same atmosphere as the old Yuki...
"Yes!
Master!"
With
tears in the corners of her eyes, she...... Yuki answered.
The
soft manner and tone of voice was the same as it was when she was a coosie.
Was
it because of my sentimentality that I had a vision of her tail swinging behind
her back?
I
was relieved for the moment, but then I switched to the Link and asked her,
『......What
happened? When
did you become a lycanthrope?』
『That's
...... sorry, I'm not sure either.......』
『Is
that so.......』
『More
than that... I'm sorry, Master. I'm the only one who can't help...』
Saying
that, Yuki lowered her head in frustration.
Through
the Link, I can feel her regret and shame at having no choice but to run away
while leaving her friends behind,.......
But
that is .......
『No,
it's not your fault. It's my fault for my poor judgment.』
I
was the one who made the wrong call. It was also me who decided to run away
using Renge and the others as pawns. All responsibility lies with me.
If
I start putting the blame for my defeat on my cards, I am finished as an
adventurer and as a human being.
That
was the last bit of pride I had left, as I had no choice but to flee in
disgrace.
But
Yuki still shook her head.
『No,
but if only I had been stronger at that time…... Master.』
Yuki
stared at me, a strong determination glowed in her eyes.
『What
is it?』
『Do
you still have the two Lycanthrope cards?』
『Yeah,
I do......』
『If
you don't mind, can you give them to me?』
『Huh......?』
I
couldn't help but be taken aback.
I
can't understand this abnormal situation where a card want cards.
『Uh,
w- why?』
『My
new skill, [True Follower Summoning], is a skill that consumes other cards and
takes in the monsters.』
『Consume
card and takes in......?』
『Master,
are you familiar with the normal subordinate summoning skill?』
『Yes.』
The
subordinate summoning skill is the ability to summon a certain monster of the
lower rank countless times at a regular interval, or to summon a certain number
of monsters of the same rank or lower ranks as subordinate at will.
In
the former case, they must be summoned one by one after a certain amount of
time, just as a high kobold summons kobolds, but an unlimited number of them
can be summoned.
In
the latter case, like the water tigers we fought in the past, the number of
subordinates that can be summoned is limited, but a large number can be
summoned at once. Also, compared to the former, the subordinates in the latter
case have a higher ability value as a whole.
Another
tendency of subordinates is that they have a lower combat power than the
original combat power of their race, only innate skills, and they do not
inherit memories or grow.
In
other words, the summoning of subordinates was the ability to summon something
like a shadow of a lower level of the race.
It
can be said that it was a skill that was completely focused on quantity rather
than quality.
Still,
the ability to increase the number of allies without regard to the summoning
limit in the dungeon was so impressive that cards with this skill were priced
at high value across the board.
Currently,
most of the cards that have the summoning subordinates skill have it as an
inborn skill, and no method had been found to make them learn it as acquired
skills.
Only
in rare cases, some of them appear to have it as an acquired skill when dropped
as a card from the beginning.
......Well,
that what I know about the subordinate summoning skill
『My
[True Follower Summoning] skill is a little different from the normal
subordinate summoning skill. First, the normal skill can summon monsters
without any catalyst, whereas the [True Follower Summoning] skill requires a
card of the same race. Also, the number of subordinate that can be summoned is
equal to the number of cards taken in.』
『Hmmm
......』
I
had some concerns about the disadvantage of requiring cards of the same race,
but I decided to wait until I had heard the whole explanation before I made a
decision.
『Next,
normal subordinates have minimal performance and do not grow, but the
subordinates I call retain the capabilities of the card as it they are taken
in, and even grow like normal cards by gaining experience. Moreover, like
normal subordinates, they are not Lost when they die, and can be summoned again
after a certain amount of time has passed.』
『Seriously?!』
This
time, I couldn't hide my surprise at Yuki's words.
She
was saying that she could produce subordinates that would grow, which was
equivalent to saying that she could invoke a card that was practically
indestructible.
It
goes beyond the realm of a card and closer to that of a master.
No,
given that it required a card for a catalyst, this was a skill that should be
called 'card mastership'.
Too
strong,....... An A-rank's skill... might be an exaggeration, but it was as
powerful as an upper B-rank's skill.
『Tell
me more details.』
After
hearing the details of the [True Follower Summoning], I learned the following:
・Cards
of the same race are required to create subordinates. Cards that have been
taken in cannot be returned.
・Unlike
normal subordinates, the subordinates can grow like a monster card. However,
growth is slower than normal cards, and skills are difficult to develop.
・Even
if the subordinate dies, it only requires a cooldown time and is not Lost.
・The
subordinate can have one of the main monster's skills, but lowered by one
level.
・The
number of cards that can be taken in is currently limited to three. More than
that is not possible until after any of them are deleted. This number is likely
to increase in the future.
・If
the subordinates are treated too badly, they may gain the rebellious skills
just like normal cards.
・When
Yuki ranks up and changing race, the cards she has taken in will be Lost.
......
There is a disadvantage. It was painful to know that the card cannot be
restored and will be Lost when she ranks up, and if not handled properly, they
will gain rebellious skills such as [Closed Mind] like the former Renge.
However,
the ability to summon subordinate that can grow... or rather, being able to
summon monsters that would not be Lost was a huge advantage.
Above
all, the ability to call them beyond the dungeon's summoning limit was
appealing.
It
will be useful not only in the normal dungeon capture strategy, but also in
MonColo matches.
『What
about other skills?』
『As
for [The True One]...... I'm sorry, I don't really know.』
Yuki
lowered her head. There were three groups of skills: those that one knew how to
use at the moment of acquisition, those that even the wielder did not know how
to use, or a mixture of the two.
The
first group was mostly magic and technical skills, while the second was more
special types, such as [Little hero] skill. [The True One] seemed to be a
special skill, just like the [Little hero] skill.
Note
that most skills were listed under the third group.
『I
see....... What about [Breakthrough of Limits]?』
『Ah,
I understand a little bit about that one. It seems that the [Breakthrough of
Limits] is the ability to double the initial combat power and growth limit, and
to draw out the power of some skills beyond the normal level.』
『Double! Doesn't that mean
you're practically B rank!』
No,
rather than B-rank, it should be called degraded B-rank. Her inborn skills are
more powerful than C-rank, but even so, it still won't fit within the framework
of B-rank.
On
the contrary, if Yuki could carry over these skills when she ranks up, her
power would be comparable to that of A-rank.
Whoa......
crazy, too crazy. [True Follower Summoning] and [Breakthrough of Limits]
are.......
A
shiver of excitement crept up my spine.
With this
power, to that Hound Master, this time I'll be able to......!
At
the same time, the cool-headed part in the corner of my mind expressed dread.
This power is
too strong. It is beyond the bounds of ordinary skills. In particular, the
[Breakthrough of Limits] skill deviates from the system of card ranks.
If this skill
is discovered, it will invite trouble.......
......Should
I report this new skill to the Guild?
The
guild had a system that rewards people for reporting new skills.
Although
it was intended to advance the research of cards, the system was also intended
to protect those who reported it to the Guild.
If
you reported to the Guild, they would make you cooperate with some experiments,
but in return, they would protect you from all sorts of trouble.
...That
is, unless the Guild itself becomes an enemy.
The
guild was after all one of the national institutions. There was no such thing
as a clean country. In the event of an emergency, there was a possibility that
'everything' will be confiscated.
So should I
keep it a secret or report it myself.....
"Um,
what's going on? Is
there some kind of trouble?"
Anna
asked, probably feeling suspicious of us continuing to talk over the Link.
......Let's
stop thinking about it for now.
“Oh,
no, nothing.… So that is your party?”
While
telling Yuki, 『We'll
talk about it later,』
I turned back to Anna and Oribe and there I saw the monster cards they had
summoned.
Anna's
monster card was a beautiful winged white horse...... Pegasus. She probably
ranked up her Unicorn, which I had fought in a previous match.
The
Pegasus was fitted with a bridle, rope, and stirrups. It was apparent that Anna
had a fondness for horseback riding.
These
things reminded me that she was a proper young lady, even though she often
doesn't look like one.
She
had an elf attendant and a white Pegasus horse. It was a really good-looking
party, fitting the image of Anna, the daughter of a company president and a
beautiful half-Japanese girl.
Oribe's,
on the other hand, was.......
"Ugh......,
it's always so creepy no matter how many times I see it!"
"Don't
call her creepy! Tsucchi is strong, kind, smart, and loyal!"
Anna
and my gaze were caught by what Oribe had summoned, and I shivered with
goosebumps all over my body.
Oribe
raised a protest against Anna. She seemed genuinely upset.
......But
with apologies to Oribe, I had to say that her card was...... indeed, a little
creepy.
She
had eight strangely long and slender legs in contrast to her rounded and
swollen body. Her entire body was covered in tiger-print hairs. On her
shoulders was the big face of an eerie old woman.
Tsuchigumo5.
That was the name of the monster card Oribe had summoned.
"Master,
don't worry. I'm not concerned about that...'"
"Tsucchi......."
The
Tsuchigumo just smiled after hearing Anna's words. Oribe looked at her with
concern.
It
was a heartwarming exchange between the card and the master... Ah, I can't
really say it was a heartwarming exchange.
Tears
welled up on Anna's face as she saw this scene, which was much scarier than a
bad horror movie.
"Ugh...I
feel nauseous..."
"Hey!
That's really rude!"
Oribe
snapped at Anna, who was clutching her mouth and gagging.
"Ah,
well, well, calm down. Anna... it's bad manners to make fun of other people's
cards or make them feel bad."
"Uh... I'm sorry. I just..."
I
was actually more like Anna inside, but I tried to pacify them.
In
fact, it was considered a serious violation of etiquette to make fun of other
adventurers' cards in the dungeon.
Sometimes,
it could escalated to a duel with the cards, and repeated provocations were
enough to earn a severe warning from the Guild.
......That
said, among the female adventurers, there were quite a few who were
physiologically unable to accept monsters with creepy visuals like the
Tsuchigumo.
Some
said that if it is good manners not to make fun of other people's cards, it is
also good manners not to use cards that others find repulsive.
"Hu......,
As expected of you, Senpai, you understand very well. You're just the kind of
person who loves to use a ghouler."
Oribe,
who seems to have lowered her billowing as Anna honestly lowered her head, for
some reason started to look at me favorably.
......Apparently,
I'm gaining a good impression because of I used ghouler.
Perhaps
it was because ghouler was also a card that was sufficiently avoided by the
public.
"Personally,
I wanted that Ghouler to follow in the path of the undead queen lines, like Hel
from Kyonshi and Yomizu Okami, but I guess it can’t be helped since the prize
of the tournament was a vampire.Vampires are cool too.”
"Oh, you
like that kind of..... horror stuff, Oribe?"
"Mm....
Well, yeah."
When
I asked that question, Oribe seemed to have realized that she had suddenly
begun to talk passionately and so she became silent, her cheeks turned red.
"Sayo
loves horror movies and stuff like that. Her cards are all full of undead and
such kind!"
"H- hey!
Don't reveal it without my permission!"
"Isn't
it fine? I'm not good with horror movies, so instead, next time, invite Senpai
to go see them. No, for real. I'm serious."
“Damn,
you worthless friend!”
Oribe
swear at Anna who said this in a rather serious tone, as if she had been forced
to go see a lot of horror movies that she didn't like.
Seeing
Oribe like that, I said,
"I like
horror movies quite a bit too, so let's go see one next time."
“Eh…
ah…. Well, if Senpai insists…”
“Are
you a tsundere6?”
Oribe
looked embarrassed and Anna tsked in frustration
Well
then, it's about time.
"Okay,
let's talk about that later... C'mon, it's time to move......."
When
I said that, the two of them straightened their faces and nodded.
As
expected of a two- or three-star adventurers. Switching was quick.
When
I saw them mounting their monster cards, I was about to ride Yuki as usual, but
then I stopped.
......Yuki
is now in the form of a beautiful girl. Even if I had her change into a
werewolf form, she would still walk on two legs like a human.
It
was somewhat unsuitable for riding.
It can't be
helped, I'll bring out Dragonet.
"Come
out! Dragonet!"
At
my call, a small dragon appeared.
The
Dragonet that appeared greeted me in its usual lively voice.
"I'm
glad to see you're safe, Master!"
"Ah, I'm
sorry Dragonet, you had to go through all that right away."
From
this little dragon's point of view, it must be thinking that it was being
driven to the brink of death right after becoming a member of our party, so I
apologized, but.....
"No! I'm
sorry that I wasn't as strong!"
On
the contrary, it bowed its head in apology.
I
wonder if this was also the effect of [Selfless devotion]. For the master's
side, it was helpful to restrain their personal feelings and devote themselves
to be of service, but I was a little afraid of an outburst because of it.
The
dragon race was said to be especially prideful, even when they were small in
size. Compared to other monsters, they were likely to be more stressed.
In
a sense, I should pay more attention to the dragon than I did to Renge or Mea,
who were easy to understand.
"...Then,
I'm sorry to be sudden, but can I have a ride?"
"Ha,
yes, Sir!"
Based
on my previous experience, I fitted a simple saddle that I had prepared for
Dragonet and climbed on top of it. When Yuki climbed on behind me, I could
smell a sweet scent that hadn't been there when she was a coosie. That, and a
soft feeling.......
"? Is something
wrong, Master?"
"N-no,
it's nothing."
I
shook my head and turned back to Anna and the others.
"For
now, should we explore in order from the top? The quest didn't mention where
the victim went missing, right?"
"...No,
if it's a normal missing person search, we can do that, but this time it's a
case involving the Hound Master. So..."
"There's
a high possibility that they were forced to escape from the bottom floor
upwards. So let's start exploring from the bottom floor."
I
nodded and directed the Dragonet toward the lowest floor.
***
Notes:
1 Martial art strategy and tactics of unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, insurgency tactics and espionage purportedly practiced by the ninja.↩
2 Wizardry: Secret of immortality ↩
5 Tsuchigumo is a giant spider apparition that began to be depicted as large mythical spider-like beasts in the Japanese middle ages. ↩
6 Especially used to describe someone who is usually cold or cranky but occasionally shows a soft, kind, mushy side. ↩
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