Mob Kousei No Ore Demo Boukensha Ni
Nareba Riajuu Ni Naremasuka: Chapter #109
Translators: Nyx and Ririi Rain
Episode 109: Surprise
Attack (2)
"As
usual, that thing is awfully useful."
As
soon as we arrived at the dungeon, we jumped to the lowest floor, and
Ichijo-san looked enviously at my Hamelin's Flute.
“Well, yeah. It's no
exaggeration to say that thanks to this, I'm where I am today.”
In
fact, without it, I would have had a hard time winning or even competing in the
Student Tournament. Consequently, I wouldn't have met Teacher and been taught
the Link, and I probably would have barely reached the three-star level during
this summer vacation.
That
said.......
"That's
partly because I'm a student, though."
To
be honest, if I work full-time, I can just stay overnight to conquer the
dungeon, without needing to use transference/teleportation items.
Of
course, if they were available, they would certainly be very useful, but
teleportation items are truly necessary only in C-rank or more difficult
dungeons.
In dungeons of rank C or higher, even with
cards like Mayoiga, your mind will break before your body does if you don't
regularly rest on the surface. The same applies even if you regularly heal your
mind with magic. Basically, the dungeon was not designed for a sane person to
stay there for an extended period.
On
the other hand, if the dungeon were D-rank or lower, it would be fine to
conquer it in one go and take a good rest afterward.
“True......
Hu-n, it's not so easy to find the Boss."
Ichijo-san,
who was using a drone to search for the Boss even as we chatted, mumbled
softly.
I
and the other members of the Adventurers' Club would have Linked up and sent
out scouts, but that was still too difficult for Ichijo-san, who had just
learned Link.
So,
she brought out this drone.
I
had never thought of using a drone for scouting, and I was impressed when I
first heard that Ichijo-san scouted in this way.
"An
assassin-type... maybe?”
If
it's an assassin-type Boss, it would be difficult to find it with a drone.
"Do
you want me to search for it?"
"No.
I'll step forward and do the fishing myself."
Saying
that, Ichijo-san summoned her Living Armor and equipped it.
Finding
an assassin-type Boss can be difficult, even with a skilled spotter.
But
the threat of direct attack will be halved if you are equipped.
Using
yourself as bait to lure out the enemy... it was one way to solve the problem,
albeit a risky one.
I
was about to continue following as is, but then I thought better of it.
----
Right, I should equip myself, too, just in case.
I
summoned a card.
Appearing
was a headless knight, who sported feminine curves of armor: Dullahan.
As
she was about to equip Eliza as usual, I hurriedly stopped her,
『Wait! I'm the one who's going to be
equipped.』
『Eh?!
You, Master?! 』
『Yeah,
now that you've finally overcome your [Clumsy] skill—Dress.』
I
smiled and called her name.
Yes,
she finally overcame her [Clumsy] skill and earned a name.
[Race]
Dullahan (Dress)
[Combat
Power] 800 (MAX!)
[Inborn
Skill]
・The
birth cry is the beginning of death
・Armor
even for the departed
・The
silent chariot
[Acquired
Skills]
・Lack
of agility → Precise Movement (CHANGE!)
・Clumsy
→ Fall seven times, get up eight (CHANGE!): Has a spirit of challenge that does
not give up no matter how many times they fall. Increases skill acquisition
rate. Resistance to mental abnormalities. When faced with adversity, there is
an extremely strong positive boost to actions.
・Indomitable
spirit: Has a steel spirit that does not give up in the face of any failure or
adversity. Tends to be somewhat unlearning. Resistance to mental abnormalities.
When faced with adversity, there is an extremely strong positive boost to
actions.
・Swordsmanship:
A martial arts skill specialized in handling swords. Effects overlap with
martial arts skills. Performing specific action provides a significant boost.
・Martial
Arts (NEW!)
The
[Lack of Agility] skill, which hampered movement, became [Precise Movement],
which assists movement.
The
[Clumsy] skill, which had long been her shameful trademark, had transformed
into a rare skill called [Fall seven times, get up eight].
Neither
of these skills will make her dramatically stronger, but they will certainly be
useful and lead to future growth.
This
was the fruit of her efforts and those of Eliza and Audrey, who guided her. In
celebration of this, I gave her the name 'Dress,' which she accepted.
I
gave her the name 'Dress' with the idea that she would mainly be equipping the
girl cards, but depending on the occasion, I may also equip her in this way.
It's
strange that I, a man, would wear a 'dress', but I that's also because I'm
thinking of her gender too.
『Yay!
Finally this day has come! I thought I was going to be used as a
specialist for cards forever!』
When
Dress heard that I, not Eliza, will be equipped, she threw her hands up in the
air and cheered.
『You're
so excited ......, are you that happy?』
Renge
asked with a stupefied look on her face.
『Of
course! The real value of those with equipping skills is demonstrated when they
equip their master! Yaa-when Kimaris-san joined, I thought Master's
exclusive spot would be taken away...』
『There's
something like that...? It's a world I don't really understand...』
I
don't understand it either. I'm not sure if it's a world that only those with
equipping skills can understand.
I'll
keep quiet for now about continuing to have her equip Eliza and others more
often than me...
『Well,
that aside, Ichijo-san is waiting for us, so let's quickly get to the equipping.』
『Roger
that!』
The
translucent Dullahan wrapped around my body as if overlapping it, and the armor
materialized immediately. I found myself wearing armor all over my body.
Is
this what it feels like to be equipped?
Somehow,
it felt strange that it doesn't feel strange at all.
I
don't feel any weight even though I'm wearing armor all over my body, and even
through the helmet, I can see just as well as if I had nothing on my face. When
I lightly stroked my forearm, I could still sense the touch, albeit dully.
At
the first step, I was puzzled by the increased physical ability, but once I
lightly synchronized with Dress, the sensory discrepancy immediately
disappeared.
Until
now, I hadn't used Dress because it was more efficient to use her on Eliza, but
now I see, this is great. No wonder there are a certain number of masters who
equip themselves and fight.
After
doing some light warm-up exercises to get my senses acclimated, I turned to
Ichijo-san, who had been waiting for me.
"Sorry
to keep you waiting."
"No
probs...... I mean, doesn't Kitagawa usually use equipping?"
Oh,
she noticed.
Well,
my movements were clearly those of someone using equipping for the first time.
I
answered as we left the safe zone together,
"Mm,
I usually use it more for the cards.”
"Wow,
you're brave."
Brave? I was tilting my head when
Ichijo-san said,
"I
definitely can't conquer a dungeon without equipping myself."
I
was surprised for a moment at her uncharacteristic words, but I soon
understood.
"Ahh,
I have Eliza. That's more reassuring than using poor equipment."
On
the other hand, I can't fight monsters directly using equipment like
Ichijo-san.
In
the early days, I had tried to challenge a goblin with a baton in my hand, but
when I think back on it now, I feel chills down my spine, thinking how reckless
I had been.
Ichijo-san
nodded her head in understanding at my words.
"Differences
in play style, eh?"
"Exactly."
"Then
why did you equip yourself this time?"
"Ah...
that's--"
Just
as I was about to answer,
"Kaori-chi1!"
Suddenly,
Ichijo-san's monster card jumped in front of her. At the same time, fresh blood
sprayed up.
The
one who took a stand to protect their master was Fenja, a large, beautiful
woman wearing a crude linen outfit. It was the card of the pair of two female
slaves I had lent her.
Fenja,
who had been pierced in the abdomen with a sword, held on tightly to the hilt,
literally spitting blood as she cried out,
"Now...!!"
"Die,
oraaaaah!”
Without
a moment's hesitation, Ichijo-san slashed into the space where the invisible
enemy would be. ...But,
"Ahh?!"
Ichijo-san,
who had missed the target in a clean sweep, cried out in anger.
"Don't
you dare run away! Damn you!”
Ichijo-san
looked around and howled as she threw the weapon that had been lodged in
Fenja's abdomen to the ground and doused the wound with a potion.
"........................”
Ichijo-san,
you're so coarse!
I
thought to myself as I watched her barking from a step away.
The
reason why I'm only half concerned about the Boss being around is not only
because I have plenty of combat power, but also because I knew the enemy
wouldn't attack me.
The
monsters in an intact, undamaged dungeon basically tend to go for the easier
target.
If
there are two masters, one equipped and one unequipped, the latter will be the
better target; if there are two masters, one summoning a B-rank card and the
other summoning only a D-rank card, the latter will be the better target... In
this way, they judge various conditions in a complex way and aim for the
easiest target.
The
reason I equipped myself, which I don't usually do, was to direct the Boss's
surprise attack toward Ichijo-san.
This
was not to use her as a decoy, but rather to respect her wish to gain
experience fighting alone.
Normally,
she would be the only one here. So, Ichijo-san would inevitably be the target
of the surprise attack.
Though...
she was ambushed before I could explain my intent, so I might as well give her
a little advice.
"Ichijo-san,
I can already see the enemy."
"Huh?!
... Shit! Is that it?!"
She
looked back at me with a puzzled look on her face, but then she quickly figured
out the answer and looked at the sword she had thrown on the ground.
Then,
as if to say, "Ah, I've been found out," the bloody sword floated
gently into the air.
Skills
that make you invisible and hide your presence only work until you land a blow.
That
was the reason why the sword appeared after the surprise attack. On the other
hand, if no enemy had appeared but the sword, then the sword itself would be
the main body of the enemy.
However......, when I saw the sword floating
in the air, I secretly thought,
---- Tsukumogami2 is quite an unusual monster.
The
Tsukumogami was a somewhat special kind of equipping monster.
Its
ability was to possess objects. By possessing existing objects, they can be
turned into monsters.
In
this case, the abilities of the original item will be inherited as skills.
In
other words, if Eliza's Dáinsleif were to be possessed, it would become a
Tsukumogami with the same recovery-impeding and combat-enhancing effects as the
original item, and the Tsukumogami itself would also be equivalent to a C-rank.
Naturally,
the Tsukumogami itself had C-rank combat power, and can be attached to masters
and other monsters.
The
drawback being that since it becomes a card, it can only be used in the
dungeon. If it possesses a consumable item, it will be Lost the moment it is
used up, and if you switch it to another item, the previous item will
disappear...
Although
it was a bit quirky, it was a unique card that allowed you to incorporate magic
items as a skill.
I
watched the battle between Ichijo-san and the Tsukumogami, thinking it might be
interesting if it were to drop as a card.
"......Heup!”
As
the Tsukumogami came charging at her from an impossible trajectory for a human,
Ichijo-san took a step back and calmly blocked it with her sword, deflecting it
back.
At
that moment, Menja delivered a powerful kick, but the Tsukumogami spun around
and blocked it with its blade, sending fresh blood flying.
...It's
tough to fight an enemy whose main body is the weapon itself.
"Fenja,
Menja, no need to force your way forward! [Song of Grótti3]!"
Ichijo-san
must have thought so too, because she brought the twin slaves to the rear and
stepped forward herself along with the rest of the D-rank cards.
They
engaged in a fierce sword fight.
“Wow,
that's cool...”
I
muttered to myself.
Against
a C-ranked Tsukumogami, the D-ranked Living Armor was able to go toe-to-toe.
Against
the Tsukumogami, which was superior in strength and speed, Ichijo-san was able
to fight on equal terms through efficient movements and anticipation.
I have
seen her skills along the way, but she’s at a level where she could fight
enemies one rank above...?
However,
it is regrettable.......
I
looked at her remaining D rank cards.
Laelaps4,
Orc, Unicorn, and Jack-o'-Lantern...
The
cards that she got during this dungeon attack were well-balanced in terms of
vanguard, rearguard, and support, but they were just standing idly by during
the exchange between the Tsukumogami and Ichijo-san, and as far as I could
tell, they weren't helping her.
This
was not due to the cards themselves, but purely to a lack of coordination
because they were new to each other... and above all, because Ichijo-san was
still not able to use the Link properly.
She
was not yet at a level where she could use the Link with the card she had just
obtained.
Even
if she could only use Telepathy here, the whole situation would be tipped in a
flash.......
But
while I was thinking it might still be difficult for Ichijo-san to do so... the
four cards suddenly began to join the fray.
It
was as if their movements from just a few minutes ago were a lie, now working
together as one.
“This is ......!”
No
doubt, these moves were from Telepathy.
So now
she can use it? And while she herself is fighting!
But
why so suddenly ......?
As
I wondered about this, the figures of Fenja and Menja grinding at a glowing
mill came into view.
I see,
the buff from [Song of Grótti] has given her more time to focus on Link.
From
the look of it, the best she can do right now is to Link with four cards at the
same time, but it was still great to get the other cards into the linkage.
The
scales of victory shifted rapidly in her favor, and soon, the Laelaps chewed
through the Tsukumogami's blade.
At
the same time, Ichijo-san slumped down powerlessly like a puppet whose strings
had been severed.
"Congratulations!
Good job!"
I
ran up to her and offered her a sports drink.
Ichijo-san
took it while unequipping herself and gulped it down with gusto.
Looking
at her again, she was drenched in sweat as if she had run a full marathon. The
blonde hair that stuck to her cheeks was rather sexy.
She
drank the entire bottle in basically one gulp and let out a puff of air .......
"Ha~a! I'm back to life!”
"Amazing.
You basically conquered a D-rank dungeon all by yourself. And..."
I
looked at the card that had fallen to the ground.
"I
didn't expect the card to drop as well..."
"Seriously?!
Lucky!"
As
I mentioned this, I glanced at Renka, but she gave me a small shake of her head
in return.
So, is
this pure luck?
The
drop rate along the way was good too, so maybe she's just naturally lucky.
"Then,
here you go."
"Eh?"
I
took the Tsukumogami card that was handed to me casually and tilted my head.
Ichijo-san
smiled at me and said,
"I'll
give it to you. As a thank-you for this time."
"Eh?
... No no no no, I can't accept it. I didn't do anything."
"Take
it. That was my intention from the beginning. I'm happy with just the Link
technique and D-rank cards I got this time."
"No...
I can't accept it after all. I have my pride too."
According
to the contract, the things Ichijo-san obtained by defeating enemies alone
would be hers. My share would be the reward for conquering the dungeon, plus
anything else I handled.
For
the Tsukumogami, I just sent a word in, and this was clearly hers, since
Ichijo-san defeated it all by herself.
Just
as I can't hand over the reward for the dungeon breakthrough, I can't receive
this Tsukumogami even if she tells me to.
"Nn......
then sell me the Living Armor, Fenja and Menja. That would be fine, right?”
"Fenja
and the others?"
"Yeah.
I, too, am starting to get quite attached to them."
Ichijo-san
and Fenja and the others smiled at each other.
Seeing
that, I thought about it for a bit.
Hmm...
The current market price of Tsukumogami should be around 40 million yen.
On the
other hand, the market price for Fenja and the others should be somewhere
between 20 and 30 million yen.
If
Tsukumogami were sold at the Guild, the price would be between 20 and 30
million yen, so from Ichijo-san's standpoint, it would be the same to sell
Tsukumogami at the Guild and then buy Fenja and the others from me.......
That
being said, there does exist a big difference in the Guild's purchase price
between C-rank and D-rank cards.
It
would still be hard to call it a fair trade.
Above
all, with Angolmois closing in, it would be too uncomfortable to take a C-rank
card from a classmate.
...Right,
then how about this?
"Ah,
how about something like this then? Fenja and the others would be traded for
the Tsukumogami. Then, I'll rent the new Tsukumogami to Ichijo-san."
"The
Tsukumogami?"
"Yeah.
And if Ichijo-san wants to buy the Tsukumogami, I will sell it to you for the
same price as Fenja-san and the others. The rental fee will also be the same as
Fenja and the others."
That
way, it wouldn't be such an unfair trade.
"Ah...
Uh..."
Ichijo-san
looked at the Tsukumogami card with a troubled look for a while, but it seemed
she had an attachment to the first C-rank card she had ever obtained.
"Then,
if Kitagawa is okay with that.. okay.”
“Yeah.”
"Aah!”
Ichijo-san
sprawled out on the ground.
“And I thought I could finally
get rid of this lending and borrowing..."
''...You're
too concerned about lending and borrowing, aren't you?''
Or
maybe she didn't want to owe me. I'd be pretty shocked if that were the case…
"I'm
simply bothered. If I still owe someone something, I feel uncomfortable. Even
though I look like this, I'm the type of person who finishes my summer vacation
homework quickly before having fun."
"Ah-"
I
see. I can kind of understand that feeling.
"Well,
what you owe me isn't in the form of things or money, so just pay me
back."
"...Are
you actually trying to get me to pay you back with my body?"
...That
was not what I intended.
I
quietly looked away.
"Hmm?"
After
collecting my reward and leaving the dungeon, I noticed that the town seemed
strangely noisy.
City
streets were always filled with a certain amount of hustle and bustle, but what
I saw in front of me seemed a little different compared to what I was used to.
There
was a sense of anxiety, or perhaps fear...
The
phone in my pocket trembled just then.
I
glanced at the screen without thinking, and my eyes widened in shock.
"What
is, this..."
Screen
of my phone showed more than a hundred incoming calls and social media
notifications.
This
was clearly something serious...
"...Did
something happen?"
"I
don't know."
About
30% of the incoming calls were from Anna, so I called her back first.
『Hello,
IS THAT YOU, SENPAI?!』
Before
I could say a word, Anna shouted in a chattering voice,
『What
were you doing?! I've been trying to reach you!』
"Sorry,
I was dungeon diving."
『Isn't
dungeon diving on your day off a bit much...? But that's not important now!』
Anna
took a deep breath and... then said,
『----
the Star Mother Association released Kudan's prophecy.』
Changing
one's race by consuming a card of another race of the same rank and overwriting
the stats with a card of the same race is called a Minor Change.
Like
ranking up, it takes over part of the original card's appearance and ego.
Depending on proficiency and luck, skills can be transferred, but in the case
of the latter (overwriting with a card of the same race), the stats will be
completely overwritten.
Since
it offers very little benefit to ordinary adventurers, and few use it for
anything other than increasing their rank, some are unaware of its existence.
***
Notes:
1 Similar to the '-chan' suffix, it signify a friendly or cute tone. It can be considered a playful or affectionate way to call someone's name.↩
2 A ‘tsukumogami’ in Japanese folklore is a spirit that inhabits an old, used object, essentially a haunted artifact that comes alive after many years, often causing mischief to humans. 'Tsukumogami' literally translates to 'attached spirit of an old thing'. There is also a theory that Tsukumogami were created out of the guilt people felt about throwing things away. ↩
3 Skill description: A cursed song of female slaves who were continuously overworked without rest. The song summons the millstone called 'Grótti,' which can produce anything you desire. Grótti is a pair of millstones and cannot be used without the simultaneous summons of the two sisters (Fenja and Menja). If used excessively, the 'Army of the Sea King Mysing' will be called forth, and Fenja and Menja will be kidnapped. ↩
4 Reminder: Laelaps was a Greek mythological dog that never failed to catch their prey.↩
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