Vending Machine – 112 – Numbers vs Combat Strength

Chapter 112: Numbers vs Combat Strength

Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/

Author: Hirukuma

Translated by Zzonkedd

Edited by Gumihou

 

Since there was a great difference in our fighting ability, we managed to push forward with little pressure. However, the number of enemies that kept coming were endless. So much so, that I had to wonder whether they were multiplying indefinitely from somewhere.

If the defeated monsters keep respawning, we will be at a great disadvantage. No matter how strong or powerful we are, there are limits to our stamina. Since we are in the middle of an all out battle, there is no place to take a break and our strength will continue to decrease.

I even considered transforming into a giant vending machine. It would consume a massive amount of points, but the greatest issue is the low ceiling. I would either be crushed, or cause the structure to destabilise.

I also considered spreading dry ice and filling the area with carbon dioxide, but I have no idea how long it would take to fill a space as big as a baseball stadium.

Setting gasoline on fire and causing an explosion may work if I were alone, but it would also endanger my comrades. Many of my possible combat methods I have tried were sealed off.

Whenever a new enemy ‘appears’ as soon as the previous one was defeated, that means said new enemy fights us at peak physical condition, while our side continues to decline in health.

Even with Mishael’s destructive power, we can’t break through the enemy lines and advance into their territory. The enemies keep increasing even when we cut them down or blow them away. This is exactly what it means to be in a worsening situation.

“There’s no end to this! Roar Attack!”

Oh, Mishael is busting out his special move.

Let’s not be unrefined and question whether it’s necessary to shout out the name of the special skill to activate it.

Jokes aside, the attack is truly incredible, incinerating nearly 20 monsters to ash. At that moment, I saw several flashes in the distance. It is likely that more new monsters are being summoned to replace the ones that were being killed.

If they’re increasing as quickly as they’re dying, we have no chance of winning.

This means we have to either somehow defeat the commander or incapacitate the enemies without killing them. If it’s a way to incapacitate, then, I have an idea.

I looked around and spotted the man swinging a metal pole with a spiked iron ball at the end, caving in the heads and bodies of monsters it struck. I wonder if Hevoy’s magic could interfere with their minds?

However, I heard that he used up most of his magic when creating the illusion at the crossroad. We will need to withdraw and let him recover his magic before going back to battle with this plan.

The other method is a direct attack on the commander, but we have no way of telling where he is in this mess.

He’s probably situated in the back, but that’s just my assumption. He could be anywhere and we have no real strategy to get to him in the first place.

I thought of using the balloon and cardboard combo to launch a surprise attack, but the ceiling is too low for that and the likelihood of it being shot down by the enemy is too high. I’d ask Ramis to throw me to the end of the pack, but she would probably refuse.

It’s most likely futile, but I thought I’d try anyway.

“Ra – i – su”

“You called me? Ou! Here!”

I feel bad for interrupting her in the middle of a battle, but I must try and persuade her somehow.

“Th- e – re”

“Th-row”

I punctuated the request by tossing a bottle of juice to the back of the enemy lines. Ramis flashed me a sideways glare.

By the way, I had covered us with <Barrier> in order to safely have this conversation.

“You want me to throw you over there? No way.”

While I am glad to be understood so quickly, her puffed up cheeks showed that she was extremely angry.

Although Ramis understands that I’m sturdy, she still doesn’t like to see me being roughly handled.

I know it’s her way of being kind, but I think my body is sturdy enough that you could wrap a chain around me and swing me like a morning star at the end of a chain like a weapon.

If she throws me at the enemy while my <Barrier> is up, it would significantly increase my damage power. Plus, increase the distance I could go.

“St – ro – ng. Ha – rd”

“No, I refuse to treat you like a tool, Hakkon.”

 

Vending machines are basically tools, but Ramis sees me as an equal, which makes me happy, but there are times when needs must. She cannot shrink back at times like this.

I thought that she may have gotten over her dependency on me, but it looks like she’s still really afraid of me getting hurt. Or, are you afraid of hurting me yourself?”

“I- yo-ur fart-ner”

I really wanted to say “part”! Fart-ner doesn’t sound right, I wanted to call her partner.

“Fartner… hahaha, that’s hilarious! But yeah, we’re definitely partners”

“T- ru st – me”

 

I lowered my voice a little to make it clear that I am serious.

Ramis bent down and took me off her back. Then she grabbed me with both hands and looked at me with her forehead touching mine.

I wonder if she understands with that serious look in her eyes.

“Let me say it as your partner. No.”

“U-”

We were in agreement just now, right…?

“What if the commander of these things isn’t where I throw you? You can’t move as a vending machine. If enemies keep appearing like this, nobody could retrieve you.”

That’s true, but there are ways to use gasoline or kerosene to create a fire and make it difficult for the enemy to approach.

“Are you thinking of setting your surroundings on fire? What if enemies come from a different direction? Even if you can protect one side, you can’t protect from all around. Also, if you leave me, who will protect my back?”

I had not considered what would happen to Ramis when left alone in a melee situation should my gamble fail. I had been assuming that my plan would work as usual, not considering the fallout should I fail.

Should I be considering the worst case scenarios as well?

“Hakkon, you’re thinking about me and trying to do the impossible by yourself, aren’t you? Aren’t you worrying about others too much? You should worry about yourself more, I won’t let you push yourself too hard.”

U-ughh… it is as though she could read my mind. From the first moment we met, she had always been very thoughtful of me and understood me even though I lacked the words to communicate properly.

“It’s the same for me. Just like how Hakkon is always worrying about me, I don’t want you to get hurt either.”

I see… that’s right. If I call her my partner, refuse to let Ramis overdo things yet do reckless things myself without considering her feelings, it’s only natural for her to be angry.

“S – o – ri”

“You don’t have to apologise. We are one and the same. I attack, Hakkon defends. When we are together, anything’s possible!”

“O – k”

With the power to crush anything and an impenetrable barrier against all attacks, when the two of us are together, anything becomes possible. That is how it had always been.

It’s time to stop trying to do everything alone. From now on, the two of us will combine our strength and work together for a stable win without having to take reckless risks.

“Is short, two is better than one! Let’s attack them together!!”

“U – u -”

Excuse me? Miss? What are you saying? Isn’t that too extreme?

Before I knew it, I found myself blasting forward. Did we jump? No, Ramis had dashed forward so hard that the ground actually cracked. She was still running.

“O – o – o – o – o -“

 

It had been a long time since Ramis had run so hard with me on her back. However, it did not feel like she was running with something hundreds of kilograms on her back.

“Wait, Ramis-san, Master Hakkon!?”

Mishael, who had sensed Ramis’ approaching presence turned around to stare at us in shock.

“Uh, uh, ah, I’ll create a path for you!”

Realising our intent, Mishael immediately lifted the greatsword from his shoulder, stepped forward and swung it down with all his might.

Instead of slashing sideways, the sword slashed down vertically into the hoard. A red light extended from the blade of the greatsword and blasted the monsters apart, throwing them left and right of the attack like the parting of the Red Sea.

Leaving behind a charred and blackened path right at the centre of the enemy horde.

“Master Hakkon-sensei, please proceed!”

No, no, no, seriously, please stop?!!!

“Thank you, Mishael. You are truly Hakkon’s Number One disciple!”

“Oh, no, no. Ahem, please do your best!”

Mishael looked very happy at the praise. He sent us off with a big smile on his face.

Ramis rushed down the newly made path without hesitation… ugh, time to brace ourselves!

The reckless charge may seem foolish, but it’s a testament to their trust in me. We now have no choice but to find and capture or defeat the commander of monsters.

“I’ll scatter them, Hakkon!”

“G-ot i-t!”

Once we are away from friendlies, Ramis could let it all out and rampage to her heart’s content.

 

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