Chapter 206: Battle Against the Monster
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
Gumihou: The text started to become rather wordy and blocky. Smoothed it out [1].
Seeing the approaching monster, I started to get an idea of what the Defence Force against Kaiju monsters must have felt each time they had to battle against these things in the movies.
“So, what’s the plan?”
Hyurumi’s voice broke the silence.
Everyone exchanged silent glances. While I did propose to ‘buy time’, we still have to decide how to accomplish that.
“Pitee and… Hakkon… can fly to the… sky and… fall on… that…”
[1] Strangely enough, it was the normally silent Pitee who was the first to propose an actual plan.
For some reason, Ramis was staring at me intently. I could tell that she was not happy about this suggestion.
Personally, I think it was not a bad idea. There was really no other way for me to contribute in a fight other than to be dropped on monsters. [1]
“Was that the move you used to defeat one of the Generals? Well, it’s not a bad idea. However, rather than dropping you, we can just drop these from the sky. Since we’ll be facing sea battles, I thought that we could make use of them and made a lot.”
[1] The magic tools that Hyurumi started taking out were vaguely familiar to me. Aren’t these one of those instant water-freezing magic tools? I used up all of mine in a battle against Vice-Leader Felmina, so these would be a great help.
“Bill us later for the expenses,” said Director Bear [1].
Awesome, we’re now sponsored by the Hunter’s Association. Nice, I shall use these without hesitation.
“Hey, so, I don’t think my arrows are gonna be of any help. So, I guess I’ll go help the evacuation team-su!” Shui exclaimed.
“That’s right, aside from Hakkon and Mister Shimerai, I don’t think the rest of us useful at all. So, we should at least try to not get in their way.”
Thus, it was decided that I, along with Pitee and Grandpa Shimerai would be in charge of holding the monster back. In the end, aside from a few support people, the rest dispersed to help with the evacuation.
“Hakkon… let’s fly… together…”
“Welcome”
With Pitee’s <Weight Manipulation> gift, we can move about more efficiently and bomb the monster from the air.
“Hakkon, make sure to come back, okay?” Ramis said as she touched the side of my body. Her eyes were filled with worry.
“Ye-es”
“Lea-ve to-me”
With that, she removed her hand. The part where she had touched me was now indented in the shape of her hand. However, instead of fixing it, I shall leave it as it is right now. That indentation helped me feel more connected to her.
Next, I started creating a large number of balloons. After a good bunch was made, I tipped myself over so that I was lying flat on my side. Pitee climbed on top of my horizontal body and laid down.
Ramis glared at her with a twitch on her cheek. However, Pitee merely blinked back innocently as she placed her cheek against my body. Was she trying to provoke Ramis?
Are the two ladies seriously fighting each other over me?! Stop it! I can only foresee a doomed future if you two continue to do so!
I am but a simple vending machine, simple enough to feel happy that two ladies like me enough to show possessive signs, but I do wish they would get along better.
The next thing I knew, we started to float. [1] Pitee must have used her <Weight Manipulation> gift on me.
Once we gained enough altitude, I used the <Coin-Operated Vacuum Cleaner> part of me to guide our way towards the incoming Rocky Dog Mountain monster.
It actually took us quite a while before we reached the actual body. [1] The enormous size of the monster made it seem closer than it was.
I looked down and took in the ginormous majesty that was Rocky Dog Mountain. Its overall shape was that of a Siberian Husky, the stone facade had a more roughly hewn look than expected, which enhances its intimidating effect. Coupled with its shockingly huge size, it gave off an overwhelming sense of brutal violence.
Apart from its massive size and visible strength, the Rocky Dog Mountain did not actually have other attack methods. No magic, curses or even any type of long-range attacks.
Well, it looked like we could bombard it quite safely from the top.
First, let’s go with the tried and tested concrete slab attack. The one that had defeated the Middle-Finger Lieutenant General. Even if the monster is made of rock, surely concrete slabs from such height would cause some damage?
I fired five slabs in succession. It was quite impossible to miss my mark with such a huge target.
The concrete slabs [1] struck the body of the Dog and shattered, leaving small dents on the rocky surface. A paw came out of the water to scratch at the area where it was struck before the Dog continued making its way towards the village.
Well, the rock seemed harder than I thought. If I try smashing myself against that as a Giant Vending Machine from a high altitude, I might actually explode from impact. Undeterred, I continued to shoot concrete slabs, but the damage was negligible as concrete continued to explode on impact.
“It doesn’t look… effective…” said Pitee as she peered from the side. [1]
I had to agree. Let’s change the type of ammunition for now. I switched my body to the <Coin Locker> shape and allowed one of the quick-freeze magic tools to fall out. The magic tool struck the area at Rocky Dog Mountain’s front paws and the rushing water started to freeze.
One of the massive legs was frozen partway as it tried to continue walking.
“Ah… it… stopped…”
I deliberately target the front legs, hoping to get it to topple forward or something. [1] However, I was not sure how that would be helpful. As expected, the Rocky Dog Mountain’s momentum caused it to tip forward and face-planted into the sea. [1] Maybe, if it inhaled enough water, the digestive fluids inside could be diluted?
[1] Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing as I watched the monster slowly raise its head out of the water and struggle to free its front legs.
Well, that certainly bought us some time, but that ice won’t last forever. To keep it distracted, I continued to bombard it with random concrete slabs. While my efforts may be closer to bug bites than actual harm, bugs could be really irritating, you know?
Hm? Something strange seems to be happening to the water around the impromptu iceberg. [1] Is the water level going down?
Is this the Rocky Dog Mountain doing?
[2] I quickly looked towards the shore and- woah, a tsunami! A tsunami from the… shore?
[1] Could this be Grandpa Shimerai’s doing?
[2] While I could not be entirely sure, I knew an opportunity when I saw it.
[2] “Hakkon… the water…”
[2] “Wa-it”
[2] Fortunately, her level of trust in me was unquestionable. As we watched the massive wave crash towards Rocky Dog Mountain, I waited until the very instant just before the wave crested over the mountain and dropped a couple of instant freeze magic tools on the wave. The frozen Instant Icebergs crashed over the mountain. Parts of it even fused itself to the rock as it freezes.
[2] The Rocky Dog Mountain was now part ice and part mountain. Then, I moved to the back of the mountain and tossed some Instant Freeze, yes, that’s what I’m calling them now, and turned the area around the hindquarters into icebergs.
While I would love to bask in the glow of my genius, small cracks were already forming in the iceberg. I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and retreated to the village.
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Back in the village, we found that most of the residents had been evacuated, including the soldiers and hunters. The only ones left were my friends and companions. [1] I really love this side of them.
“Oh, you’re finally here. Well, hurry up! Time to get out!” Hyurumi called.
“Hakkon~!” Ramis waved, then leapt into the air to hug me even before I touched the ground.
This time, her hug was very well controlled and did not damage my body at all.
Everyone rushed towards the teleportation array and Grandpa Shimerai activated his magic, transporting all of us to Clearflow Lake floor in an instant.
After ushering us off the teleportation array, Hyurumi and Grandpa Shimerai immediately started tinkering with the circle.
“Gotta cut off connection with Rocky Dog Floor. If something breaks and seawater starts flowing in for any reason… Well, it’s gonna be a disaster.”
“Indeed. It would also be quite troublesome if the subordinates of the Ruler of the Netherworld survive and come here to make trouble.”
I guess it is fine to leave them to it.
“That’s right. We can’t avoid a state of devastation, and it would be troublesome if we were taken over by the survivors of the Ruler of the Netherworld.”
I can leave this kind of work to those two without any worries.
[2] Now that things have settled a little, I took another look around and realised that although we have left the Rocky Dog Mountain problem behind, the current situation has not improved by much. Then again, if we consider the information gathering point of view, we at least understand Leader Keryoil’s situation better and know the lengths to which the enemy was willing to go.
Considering the overall strength of the enemy, it was not possible for them to attack and win against the Rocky Dog that easily. If they somehow manage to conquer it, there’s still the final floor left.
“Ugghh, my floor… My workspace, my three meals and nap place…” the child Director sobbed as he hugged his knees like a child.
Well, we were ready to sympathize with him for losing his floor, but that final remark dried up our pity…
“More people have arrived. While manpower has increased, the workload has too…” Director Bear sighed.
“Don’t be so down, Clearflow Lake Director. We are here to help.”
“That’s right, though my existence may only be of little help, it is still better than nothing. Speaking of which, when I woke up yesterday morning, I heard the villagers chatting happily with each other just outside. I ran outside to join them, but hesitated at the last minute and then-”
“Labyrinth Director! You’re taking too long with your story! At times like this, it’s important to convey the main points in a clear and concise manner! In short, how much are you planning to pay us, Clearflor Lake Director!?”
The Director of Darkness’s joke caused the two elderly people in our group to slap their heads in exasperation. Their reaction to his jokes was just too perfect. These people obviously have been working together for a long time in the past.
With the Directors of the Hunter’s Association all working together, arrangements for living space were soon carried out. It looked like this set of people would be able to integrate into the current environment quite smoothly.
In that case, I should hold a welcome sale for the people who have just moved here.
As a special offer, everything would be half-off. People from the Rocky Dog Mountain Floor would get a hefty 90% discount. I might even provide those who had evacuated without any money or belongings free items.
Naturally, there will be those who would complain about me giving things out for free, but it is a burden I have chosen to bear.
As a salesperson, it is my prerogative to offer discounts and preferential treatment as I like. Viewed on a purely business basis, it may be a bad idea, but I am a vending machine who values feelings over profits.
If anyone wants to complain, go ahead.
I aim to be a vending machine that shows kindness to the community and the people within.
[Gumihou: What an admirable trait]
[1] Adjusted details
[2] Adjusted details for dramatic purposes. For some reason, it was all written in boring passive form.
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