Chapter 37 : The Art + Failure = G.o.dly
The big ball that was s.h.i.+ning with golden splendour kept letting out roaring sounds as it tried to flatten us to the ground . I’m seeing this guy for the second time now, but it’s still extremely unpleasant . I think it’ll stay this way no matter how many times I see it .
Midori-san, s.h.i.+nji and I (who was piggybacking the poor runner Aoi-san) were currently running as fast as we could . But putting s.h.i.+nji aside, I was truly surprised by Midori-san . Her running speed doesn’t even lose to s.h.i.+nji! It’s not like s.h.i.+nji’s running speed was any special, but still, it’s also amazing that he has yet to lost to a woman . Though I heard that his motor nerves were good, this is truly more than I had expected .
「W-What should we do, Sou-kun!?」
Well, we have to choose between the choice of splitting into two groups to shake off that giant ball, or head towards the dead end from before .
The choice between saving our own a.s.ses or becoming rice crackers . At this rate, should I choose to become a rice cracker along with everyone or aim for that dead end pa.s.sage? U~hm, what a difficult choice .
「Let’s just bet on a possibility and go for that dead end pa.s.sage! How should I say, I get this feeling that we’re going to experience the same pattern as last time! 」
「Right! I feel the same way!」
Despite saying so, there’s no guarantee that we’ll arrive at the same pa.s.sage as the last time . Or rather, the possibilities for that is rapidly become smaller . But then, I know that this is also our best chance . In short, my intuition says I can do nothing but to support that idea .
「I don’t know the way to whatever you are talking about but I’m with you guys!」
「M-Mee too!」
That only leaves the problem of having the two girls understand the situation . But there’s no time to ex- Yup it’s okay huh .
「Understood, then keep running for now!」
Next is in what way we will enter the pa.s.sage . I’m at loss at that part though . I guess I’ll apologize to everyone later if it turns out that we are going to become rice crackers together .
The giant ball kept following us -who had decided to run with our everything- from behind as if it had its own will . Thereupon, the long awaited wall finally appeared in front of us . Though it could also be our wall of despair .
「Sou! It’s the wall!」
「Yeah, it is indeed the wall . 」
If we’re going by the previous pattern, then there should be a trap that was also a mechanism to pierce through that wall . After deciding so, I who was piggybacking Aoi-san then emptied every single one of the bullets in my gun toward one point on the wall .
「――s.h.i.+NJI, YOUR SWORD!」
I then rammed the same point on the wall with s.h.i.+nji’s sword . Ramming the sword into the wall, I turned it into some sort of makes.h.i.+ft screw . Then, holding the very end of the hilt, I pierced into the wall .
「PIERCEEEEEEEEEEE!」
The thin wall that was forcefully destroyed by me revealed an empty air s.p.a.ce behind it . Towards that underground lake, just like last time .
「EVERYONE, JUUUUMP!」
「WE’RE GOING TO JUMP, BLUE!」
「EH?」
Aoi-san showed hest.i.tation in front of the crumbled wall at the height of the jump, but she eventually jumped in response to my words and Midori-san’s push .
「KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」
A high-pitched voice resounded above the underground lake . It might be Aoi-san’s voice . Turning to look at her, I saw a pale-faced Aoi-san screaming at the top of her lungs and Midori-san who was laughing while embracing her . How envious . If I’d known that it’ll turn out this way, I should have positioned myself beside Aoi-san . Wait a minute, come to think of it, s.h.i.+nji is…
I looked for s.h.i.+nji’s figure as soon as I remembered him, but I regretted my decision the next moment . Of all things, this guy had decided to dive into the underground lake with his M-shaped pose again .
――A legendary fool .
I don’t even know what the heck this guy is thinking about . Rather, I should say that he doesn’t have any plan, does he now? But, that’s not the pose he will take if he’s not thinking about anything . Actually, that might be the most natural pose that is ingrained deep in his psyche . That could also be the final destination, the enlightenment state of guys who looked too much at gravure photographs . If that is true, then it’s too much of a tragic end .
s.h.i.+nji, who obviously did not wait for me to sort my chaotic train of thoughts, dived first into the underground lake, right from his a.s.s, while I’m pretty sure I got perfect marks on my landing pose .
After landing, I made a round trip on the banks to bring everyone ash.o.r.e . Meanwhile, despite landing first, s.h.i.+nji had already sunk to the bottom of the lake by the time I got the other two out .
I fished s.h.i.+nji out the last .
「We’re back . 」
s.h.i.+nji muttered calmly as if that disgrace pose a while ago had never happened . Even if you give me that earnest look, it won’t work on me you know, s.h.i.+nji . That spectacle just won’t disappear from my head .
「That’s the huge door isn’t it? It really gives off the feeling of a boss room . 」
「Yeah . What pressure . 」
Yup, it’s splendid indeed . Thanks to their dripping wet clothes, the girls’ splendid body lines are showing . Is there a way to take a screenshot without being discovered by them? Even if I can’t save this spectacle, I’ll make sure to etch this wonderful sight into my eyes――
The moment I thought so, their clothes returned to the state before they were wet .
DAAAAAAAMMMMNNNNN IIIIIT!!! The clothes in this game are set to be dried after a fixed set of time! For me to forget about such basic knowledge… I really am an idiot!
「What’s the matter Sou? Why are you making such a despairing face?」
It’s because I’m actually in despair you know . Please guess the reason yourself if you’re a man .
「Is it because we’re going to fight the boss? Don’t worry, I’ll leave that guy to you then, Ace!」
While saying those words to me, s.h.i.+nji tapped on my shoulder and then whispered something to me .
「I’ll send a photograph of them in their swimsuit later, so just endure it for now . 」
Are you… a G.o.d? As I thought, you’re the Takaha G.o.d aren’t you .
「Don’t make such a face, we’re comrades after all . 」
Takahkamisama…
「What are you guys talking about between yourself, let’s get going!」
「Yeah, let’s go Sou!」
「OU!」
After sending my infinite grat.i.tude to s.h.i.+nji, we once again headed toward the gigantic door .
After opening the door, we found the boss waiting for us . I wonder how many souls have been felled by this beast .
The mane that stood upright like a blazing flame . Its toned yet muscular body along with those solid limbs . This guy, who stands at the summit of all beasts, was once again standing before us .
「This is…The Jiisha!?」
「H-Huge…」
「You girls, aren’t you going closer than necessary? Our priority is to back Sou to the best we can do . On the contrary, going too much ahead will only make us a hindrance to him . 」
Though you don’t need to go that far, this Jiisha won’t let me have such leeway to say those words .
「GAAOOOOO!」
His roaring reverberated inside the cave, filling it to the brim with his will to bring us down .
「I’ve wanted to meet you again, Jiisha!」
I had never thought that one of the seven lines that I wanted to tell to girls would be told to a beast . But, this is also my most honest feeling . Now, I’ll pay back the shame of losing to you!
According to our prearranged tactic, s.h.i.+nji and I will be the ones to charge toward the Jiisha . I also have a grasp of the Jiisha’s attack patterns . Somewhere in the middle, he will attack with a paw attack and tail attack, changing to using his forefoots and fangs to attack when someone gets closer . His attack aren’t that powerful, but it’s at the level where we’ll be in quite the predicament if we receive a clean hit from one of his attacks . Though, I won’t let him hit me that easily . I’m…………… . . ALL FIRED UP!
As if matching with our rush, the Jiisha’s tail came down from our side . But I kept charging forward without even batting an eye to the oncoming attack . Because my trusted partner is there to protect me .
「――【Defense s.h.i.+eld】! 」
Even with the thundering sound of the tail cras.h.i.+ng onto his s.h.i.+eld, s.h.i.+nji perfectly stopped the tail attack .
「Guuuh, so heavy…」
「Guuuh, so heavy…」
But, that one attack still shaved off a good chunk of s.h.i.+nji’s HP bar . As it is, he won’t be able to keep stopping that attack . But, that’s only if it’s just the two of us .
「――Song of healing! 」
The lullaby-like sound of flute is echoing inside of the cave . Thereupon, s.h.i.+ji whose HP bar got shaved off just now gradually recovered .
「Thank you, Blue」
Though the song of healing of Aoi-san can recover 30% HP bar of the target, it can’t be used continuously since the cooldown will took 90 seconds . Though it seems the cooldown will be decreased along the increase of level and proficiency, this is the best one we have right now .
From the speed that was matching up to s.h.i.+nji, I’m accelerating to my top speed and arriving right in front of Jiisha in one go . Should I say “as expected of Jiisha”, though he’s raising his forefoot overhead as he is trying to crush me like crus.h.i.+ng a huge tree, I’ve seen that pattern too many times . I’ve no problem in dealing with the attack pattern where he is using his forefoot and fangs . But then, it’s just barely within the limit of my reaction .
Even if I can dodge the forefoot attack, the wind created due to that attack blown me back . But stopping here will cause me to receive the next attack . I’m getting closer toward Jiisha while circling him without going against the flow of the wind .
「Now here I come!」
The knife that I received from Hanzou-san, s.h.i.+darezakura[Weeping Sakura] stabbed on his flank and opened a straight wound on it . Though this knife power should be stronger than the previous one, it barely scratched the Jiisha HP bar .
As espected, it’s hard . But, Now I’m sure of one thing .
「GAAAAA! 」
That was what I’m waiting for . Aiming the silver hawk, my new partner, toward the gaping maw of this idiotic beast, I emptied it’s cartridge in one go .
「GYAOOOO! 」
What, second helping . I feed another hails of bullets toward the pharynx of this beast . Though I expected that this guy will open his jaws again, his paw attack has come after me again . As if I’m going to obediently receive that attack .
Though I’m trying to shot his nose while dodging his paw attack, it doesn’t cause as much damage as when I fired my bullets into his mouth . But, thanks to this new equipment of mine, Jiisha HP bar is clearly shaved more than when I’m fighting him with my old equipment . It’s time to go all out then .
「Well let’s dance for real this time, Jiisha」
In the midst of the imminent storm, I, am dancing with Jiisha for the second time .
Chapter 37 : The Art + Failure = G.o.dly.
The big ball that was s.h.i.+ning with golden splendour kept letting out roaring sounds as it tried to flatten us to the ground . I’m seeing this guy for the second time now, but it’s still extremely unpleasant . I think it’ll stay this way no matter how many times I see it
.
Midori-san, s.h.i.+nji and I (who was piggybacking the poor runner Aoi-san) were currently running as fast as we could . But putting s.h.i.+nji aside, I was truly surprised by Midori-san . Her running speed doesn’t even lose to s.h.i.+nji! It’s not like s.h.i.+nji’s running speed was any special, but still, it’s also amazing that he has yet to lost to a woman . Though I heard that his motor nerves were good, this is truly more than I had expected
.
「W-What should we do, Sou-kun!?」.
.
Well, we have to choose between the choice of splitting into two groups to shake off that giant ball, or head towards the dead end from before
. .
.
The choice between saving our own a.s.ses or becoming rice crackers . At this rate, should I choose to become a rice cracker along with everyone or aim for that dead end pa.s.sage? U~hm, what a difficult choice
.
.
「Let’s just bet on a possibility and go for that dead end pa.s.sage! How should I say, I get this feeling that we’re going to experience the same pattern as last time! 」.
.
「Right! I feel the same way!」.
.
Despite saying so, there’s no guarantee that we’ll arrive at the same pa.s.sage as the last time . Or rather, the possibilities for that is rapidly become smaller . But then, I know that this is also our best chance . In short, my intuition says I can do nothing but to support that idea
.
「I don’t know the way to whatever you are talking about but I’m with you guys!」.
.
「M-Mee too!」.
.
That only leaves the problem of having the two girls understand the situation . But there’s no time to ex- Yup it’s okay huh
.
「Understood, then keep running for now!」.
.
Next is in what way we will enter the pa.s.sage . I’m at loss at that part though . I guess I’ll apologize to everyone later if it turns out that we are going to become rice crackers together
.
The giant ball kept following us -who had decided to run with our everything- from behind as if it had its own will . Thereupon, the long awaited wall finally appeared in front of us . Though it could also be our wall of despair
.
「Sou! It’s the wall!」.
.
「Yeah, it is indeed the wall . 」.
.
If we’re going by the previous pattern, then there should be a trap that was also a mechanism to pierce through that wall . After deciding so, I who was piggybacking Aoi-san then emptied every single one of the bullets in my gun toward one point on the wall
.
「――s.h.i.+NJI, YOUR SWORD!」.
.
I then rammed the same point on the wall with s.h.i.+nji’s sword . Ramming the sword into the wall, I turned it into some sort of makes.h.i.+ft screw . Then, holding the very end of the hilt, I pierced into the wall
.
「PIERCEEEEEEEEEEE!」.
.
The thin wall that was forcefully destroyed by me revealed an empty air s.p.a.ce behind it . Towards that underground lake, just like last time
.
「EVERYONE, JUUUUMP!」.
.
「WE’RE GOING TO JUMP, BLUE!」.
.
「EH?」.
.
Aoi-san showed hest.i.tation in front of the crumbled wall at the height of the jump, but she eventually jumped in response to my words and Midori-san’s push
.
「KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」.
.
A high-pitched voice resounded above the underground lake . It might be Aoi-san’s voice . Turning to look at her, I saw a pale-faced Aoi-san screaming at the top of her lungs and Midori-san who was laughing while embracing her . How envious . If I’d known that it’ll turn out this way, I should have positioned myself beside Aoi-san . Wait a minute, come to think of it, s.h.i.+nji is….
.
I looked for s.h.i.+nji’s figure as soon as I remembered him, but I regretted my decision the next moment . Of all things, this guy had decided to dive into the underground lake with his M-shaped pose again
.
――A legendary fool
.
I don’t even know what the heck this guy is thinking about . Rather, I should say that he doesn’t have any plan, does he now? But, that’s not the pose he will take if he’s not thinking about anything . Actually, that might be the most natural pose that is ingrained deep in his psyche . That could also be the final destination, the enlightenment state of guys who looked too much at gravure photographs . If that is true, then it’s too much of a tragic end
.
s.h.i.+nji, who obviously did not wait for me to sort my chaotic train of thoughts, dived first into the underground lake, right from his a.s.s, while I’m pretty sure I got perfect marks on my landing pose
.
After landing, I made a round trip on the banks to bring everyone ash.o.r.e . Meanwhile, despite landing first, s.h.i.+nji had already sunk to the bottom of the lake by the time I got the other two out
I fished s.h.i.+nji out the last
.
.
.
■ □ ■ □ ■.
.
.
.
.
「We’re back . 」.
.
s.h.i.+nji muttered calmly as if that disgrace pose a while ago had never happened . Even if you give me that earnest look, it won’t work on me you know, s.h.i.+nji . That spectacle just won’t disappear from my head
.
「That’s the huge door isn’t it? It really gives off the feeling of a boss room . 」.
.
「Yeah . What pressure . 」.
.
Yup, it’s splendid indeed . Thanks to their dripping wet clothes, the girls’ splendid body lines are showing . Is there a way to take a screenshot without being discovered by them? Even if I can’t save this spectacle, I’ll make sure to etch this wonderful sight into my eyes――.
.
The moment I thought so, their clothes returned to the state before they were wet
.
DAAAAAAAMMMMNNNNN IIIIIT!!! The clothes in this game are set to be dried after a fixed set of time! For me to forget about such basic knowledge… I really am an idiot!.
.
「What’s the matter Sou? Why are you making such a despairing face?」.
.
It’s because I’m actually in despair you know . Please guess the reason yourself if you’re a man
.
「Is it because we’re going to fight the boss? Don’t worry, I’ll leave that guy to you then, Ace!」.
.
While saying those words to me, s.h.i.+nji tapped on my shoulder and then whispered something to me
.
「I’ll send a photograph of them in their swimsuit later, so just endure it for now . 」.
.
Are you… a G.o.d? As I thought, you’re the Takaha G.o.d aren’t you
.
「Don’t make such a face, we’re comrades after all . 」.
.
Takahkamisama….
.
「What are you guys talking about between yourself, let’s get going!」.
.
「Yeah, let’s go Sou!」.
.
「OU!」.
.
After sending my infinite grat.i.tude to s.h.i.+nji, we once again headed toward the gigantic door
.
.
.
.
■ □ ■ □ ■.
.
.
.
.
After opening the door, we found the boss waiting for us . I wonder how many souls have been felled by this beast
.
The mane that stood upright like a blazing flame . Its toned yet muscular body along with those solid limbs . This guy, who stands at the summit of all beasts, was once again standing before us
.
「This is…The Jiisha!?」.
.
「H-Huge…」.
.
「You girls, aren’t you going closer than necessary? Our priority is to back Sou to the best we can do . On the contrary, going too much ahead will only make us a hindrance to him . 」.
.
Though you don’t need to go that far, this Jiisha won’t let me have such leeway to say those words
.
「GAAOOOOO!」.
.
His roaring reverberated inside the cave, filling it to the brim with his will to bring us down
.
「I’ve wanted to meet you again, Jiisha!」.
.
I had never thought that one of the seven lines that I wanted to tell to girls would be told to a beast . But, this is also my most honest feeling . Now, I’ll pay back the shame of losing to you!.
.
According to our prearranged tactic, s.h.i.+nji and I will be the ones to charge toward the Jiisha . I also have a grasp of the Jiisha’s attack patterns . Somewhere in the middle, he will attack with a paw attack and tail attack, changing to using his forefoots and fangs to attack when someone gets closer . His attack aren’t that powerful, but it’s at the level where we’ll be in quite the predicament if we receive a clean hit from one of his attacks . Though, I won’t let him hit me that easily . I’m…………… ALL FIRED UP!.
.
As if matching with our rush, the Jiisha’s tail came down from our side . But I kept charging forward without even batting an eye to the oncoming attack . Because my trusted partner is there to protect me
.
「――【Defense s.h.i.+eld】! 」.
.
Even with the thundering sound of the tail cras.h.i.+ng onto his s.h.i.+eld, s.h.i.+nji perfectly stopped the tail attack
.
「Guuuh, so heavy…」.
.
But, that one attack still shaved off a good chunk of s.h.i.+nji’s HP bar . As it is, he won’t be able to keep stopping that attack . But, that’s only if it’s just the two of us
.
「――Song of healing! 」.
.
The lullaby-like sound of flute is echoing inside of the cave . Thereupon, s.h.i.+ji whose HP bar got shaved off just now gradually recovered
.
「Thank you, Blue」.
.
Though the song of healing of Aoi-san can recover 30% HP bar of the target, it can’t be used continuously since the cooldown will took 90 seconds . Though it seems the cooldown will be decreased along the increase of level and proficiency, this is the best one we have right now
.
From the speed that was matching up to s.h.i.+nji, I’m accelerating to my top speed and arriving right in front of Jiisha in one go . Should I say “as expected of Jiisha”, though he’s raising his forefoot overhead as he is trying to crush me like crus.h.i.+ng a huge tree, I’ve seen that pattern too many times . I’ve no problem in dealing with the attack pattern where he is using his forefoot and fangs . But then, it’s just barely within the limit of my reaction
.
「――!」.
.
Even if I can dodge the forefoot attack, the wind created due to that attack blown me back . But stopping here will cause me to receive the next attack . I’m getting closer toward Jiisha while circling him without going against the flow of the wind
.
「Now here I come!」.
.
The knife that I received from Hanzou-san, s.h.i.+darezakura[Weeping Sakura] stabbed on his flank and opened a straight wound on it . Though this knife power should be stronger than the previous one, it barely scratched the Jiisha HP bar
.
As espected, it’s hard . But, Now I’m sure of one thing
.
「GAAAAA! 」.
.
That was what I’m waiting for . Aiming the silver hawk, my new partner, toward the gaping maw of this idiotic beast, I emptied it’s cartridge in one go
.
「GYAOOOO! 」.
.
What, second helping . I feed another hails of bullets toward the pharynx of this beast . Though I expected that this guy will open his jaws again, his paw attack has come after me again . As if I’m going to obediently receive that attack
. .
.
Though I’m trying to shot his nose while dodging his paw attack, it doesn’t cause as much damage as when I fired my bullets into his mouth . But, thanks to this new equipment of mine, Jiisha HP bar is clearly shaved more than when I’m fighting him with my old equipment . It’s time to go all out then
.
「Well let’s dance for real this time, Jiisha」.
.
In the midst of the imminent storm, I, am dancing with Jiisha for the second time