Vending Machine - 230 - Limits of a Vending Machine

Chapter 230: Limits of a Vending Machine

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

Author: Hirukuma

Translated by Gumihou

As I focused on the enemy in front of me, the monsters that had been clinging to my [Barrier] started to pull back and retreat. Just what is going on?

It would be great if the monsters had given up, but things rarely go that smoothly.

『Sacrificing yourself to let your allies escape? A most incomprehensible concept. However, I commend your prowess.』

“Thank you”

Since he offered a compliment, I figured I should at least say thanks.

『However, I have seen that barrier of yours before. Do you not think it exceedingly foolish to have failed to devise a countermeasure against it?』

The words sent a chill through my entire being. I had considered that possibility. If I were on the enemy’s side and knew how troublesome the [Barrier] was, I’d naturally think of a way around it. But, not to brag, breaking through my [Barrier] is no easy feat. The only possible methods would be to make me run out of points, or…

『I believe you have experience with the breaking of that barrier once before.』

It sounded like he was pointing out the exact thing I was afraid of. If I were still a living thing, I might have broken out in cold sweat.

『I hid myself on Sulrim’s person in the form of a bracelet. It was you lot who brought me to the Dungeon Master, thus allowing me to obtain this power.』

I knew that much without the detailed explanation.

『In truth, not all of the bracelet became this body. A fragment of it remained in Sulrim’s arm. And that is a part of my body. Given my current state of immense magic, it is easy to use that bracelet to manipulate the wearer. Don’t you think it would be a waste not to use one’s pawns effectively until the very end?』

It was a rather roundabout way of putting it, but as I understood it, the Ruler of the Netherworld was saying that he could get around my [Barrier] through Sulrim-

『Indeed, that is so.』

Suddenly, floating next to the Ruler of the Netherworld were Sulrim, Ash, Leader Keyroil and… Ramis. Looks like the worst-case scenario predictions have the higher probability of being correct.

Four arms shot out, grabbing each of my comrades by the head. His skeletal jaw clattering in macabre laughter.

“Where- this is!!”

“Eh? Hakkon? And, the Ruler of the Netherworld?!”

“Wh-what’s going on, Hakkon!”

As my confused comrades instinctively tried to shake off the grip on their heads, a bolt of lightning surged through them, causing their bodies to convulse and twitch.

“Aaaaaagh!”

“Guh!”

“Kyaaaaah!”

St-stop it, you damn skeleton! I wanted to dive in and strike him to save them, but as a vending machine, there was nothing I could do. Their bodies were trembling, but they weren’t dead; I have to believe they’re okay. I have to. Don’t lose your cool to anger. It’s times like these that require calm judgement. Calm down, calm down, me.

Unable to endure the agony, Captain Keyroil and Ramis cried out in pain. Ash, who had been tormented by the curse most of his life, was able to keep himself from voicing his pain. As for Sulrim, she showed no reaction at all, her vacant eyes staring at nothing.

『Cease your futile resistance. I’m sure you do not wish for them to die here. As you can see, I have invited these three here through Sulrim’s teleportation.』

As I understand it, we were allowed to escape the base easily because it was a setup to reach the Dungeon Master. Was it the Ruler of the Netherworld’s plan to turn my comrades into hostages this entire time?

Ramis was breathing heavily, but at least that meant she was alive and breathing.

『Now then, Keyroil. I would have you destroy the barrier with your [Shattering Eye]. Oh, and to save us a pointless exchange, allow me to add one thing. The moment you refuse, I shall snap the heads of your son and the girl of monstrous strength, so please do consider your answer carefully.』

Captain Keyroil had opened his mouth to refuse, but immediately went silent, glaring at the King of the Underworld. Even without threatening Keyroil’s family, the Ruler of the Netherworld could have just used Ramis’s life to negotiate with me. Yet, he still used this roundabout way to make Leader Keyroil’s life difficult. To display such malice… he was clearly the most despicable villain and a lowlife to the core.

“Don’t do it, Father! The only reason I can even be here like this is because of Hakkon! Even if I have to die, I won’t forget the time I spent with my family!” Ash shouted.

“Don’t…” said Ramis weakly.

The Ruler of the Netherworld merely watched, not making any moves to stop Ash from trying to persuade his father. Then, he rubbed his jaw with a long, bony tail.

『A noble boy indeed. He had just been freed from his suffering, and a wonderful life awaits him. Do you really intend to have the boy end his life here? If you destroy the barrier for me, I swear not to harm any one of you. Unlike you lot, I believe I have never once broken a contract.』

Just as the Ruler of the Underworld said, Leader Keyroil and his party were the ones who had broken their contract and betrayed their side first. That floating skeleton was probably being sarcastic, and there was no real reason for the one in power to keep a verbal promise.

『Refuse and die together here, or destroy the barrier and enjoy the rest of your lives with your family. Choose whichever you prefer.』

In other words, certain death awaits my friends. Moreover, the Ruler of the Netherworld might just kill them off anyway. However, there was still the chance that his family could be saved. However, if he destroys the barrier, the monsters could reach the dungeon residence, and a gruesome scene would follow.

Leader Keyroil was biting his lip so hard that it started to bleed. I could tell from his anguished expression that he was troubled to the point of going mad. I understood his feelings. The sight of Ramis’s limp body was nearly enough to make my body short-circuit.

Isn’t there anything I can do? Is there no trick I can pull to beat this situation?

『Hakkon. The moment you show any strange movement, these people will die. It would do you well to exercise self-restraint.』

The timing of his threat was too perfect. It felt like he had just read my mind. If that’s the case, there was only one thing I could do.

『Now, what will it be? Shall I help you by setting a time limit? Decide within ten seconds. Ten, nine, eight, seven…』

There was no more time to hesitate. I deactivated the [Barrier] myself. The pale blue light that had been around my body and protecting me all this time vanished. Leader Keyroil’s widened as he stared at me. He looked like he wanted to say something, but then stopped. It looked like he understood my intentions. Instead of saying anything, he mouthed the word ‘sorry’.

It’s alright, Leader. This is my decision.

This way, we can buy time for the people to escape.

『You really destroyed his barrier with your [Shattering Eye]? Goodness me, the heart of a parent who sacrifices everything for their child is truly farcical. No, no, rather, it is kind of touching. Truly. Very well, I am not one to break a promise. I shall personally transport your companions to your allies once I have witnessed the destruction of this magic tool.』

The wording was rather suspicious, but I had no choice but to trust it. The horde of monsters that had been held back by the [Barrier] was now rushing towards me. Each time these monsters slammed into my Giant Vending Machine’s body, I lost points.

[2 damage. Durability decreased by 2] [0 damage. No decrease in durability.]

The notification text started to scroll through my mental vision like torrential rain.

Thanks to my incredibly high durability, weak monsters like the Frogmen could not even land a dent, meaning I take no damage at all. However, monsters above Crocodilians would leave minute damage. Even so, with how quickly the damages accumulated, being destroyed was a matter of time.

To battle against this, I increased my Sturdiness as much as I could. Once it reached 100, I received almost no damage. However, I lost a massive amount of points in return. I would like to increase it even more, but 100 was the limit, and no amount of points would budge the numbers. Instead, I increased my Durability up to 1000 points so that I can’t be so easily damaged.

I spend the rest of my points repairing damaged body parts and, with the increased Sturdiness and Durability, I continue to receive attacks without taking much damage. Yes, it looked like the plan worked. At this rate, I can buy time, pretend to be weak while finding a way to deal with the enemy.

『Well, well, to think you can endure this much? Well, how about I test you with this overflowing magical power』

The Ruler of the Netherworld’s bony tail extended and wrapped around my four comrades. With his arms free of hostages, the Ruler of the Netherworld raised all four arms, and a small vortex began to generate above his head.

The vortex became a void that sucked in air and rubble from the collapsing ceiling, quickly transforming into a gigantic black hole.

『Now, are you able to withstand this? If you shrink your body and let me pass, I may overlook this resistance. Needless to say, if you make any strange movements… You should know what would happen, yes?』

“Welcome”

I answered. There was no need for me to test the vortext to know it was dangerous. I may be able to stop it with [Barrier], but then the lives of Leader Keyroil and the rest would be forfeited, and I would lose Ramis.

In movies and such, the protagonist would face a situation where they would be forced to weigh the odds and make a life-or-death decision. To think that I would be forced into making such a choice after being reborn as a vending machine.

The most important things to me in this world are Ramis and my omrades. There was no need to hesitate.

However, I… I can’t just accept this! It may be naive and selfish, but I wanted to save everyone here.

“Don’t… do it… Hak… kon…”

Even though she looked like she could barely muster the strength to open her mouth, Ramis must still be worried about me.

Everything will be fine, Ramis. I will place my trust in the body that I have obtained in this Other World. This vending machine body had journeyed through several adventures together!

I stared as the giant vortex approached, and took the hit without [Barrier].

An impact unlike anything I had ever felt shook my entire body. My vision turned black, and flashes of lightning scattered around me. There was a roaring sound in my ears, and I could not grasp my situation at all.

What is this sensation? Even though I have no sense of pain, I feel a terrifying chill. It felt like my entire body was losing strength.

[979 damage. Durability decreased by 979]

I barely managed to hold on! It was a real close call.

When I looked down at my body, there were pieces missing and holes opening up here and there. I’m sorry for letting you get so damaged.

Still, it was a relief to have survived the impact. I was starting to relax when another message popped up.

[Over 90% damage. You will revert to the Original Vending Machine Form.]

Wait, what? There’s a function like that? I guess I didn’t know because I’d never taken this much damage before.

[Furthermore, this vending machine form can no longer be used.]

Once a vending machine form has been damaged to this point, I can never changed into it again? The largest vending machine in Japan form has saved me so many times. Thank you very much for your service, and I’m sorry.

As I expressed my heartfelt gratitude, a golden light emanated from my body, and I instantly shrank to my original vending machine form.

My body tipped forward to fall face-first to the floor, as if protruding on the ground.

『You managed to endure that? However, it looks like you cannot maintain that form. You appear to have reached your limit.』

I was back in my original vending machine form, but my internal structure seemed to be short-circuiting. Sparks flew, and my body looked battered. I really want to spend coins to repair myself, but if that thing noticed, Ramis and the others could lose their lives.