arc2 · 059-ch59

Chapter 59: Yokohama Blue Brick Warehouse Dungeon ②

The first battle ended, and I raised Hayate's altitude to look for the next target. I found a Crowcat right away, but unfortunately there are three of them. They were in a pretty dangerous situation with just two Bite Dogs, so I wonder how they'd handle three monsters of the same rank?

I was about to bring Hayate back to ask the leader's opinion when the three were shown whispering to each other on screen.

I moved Hayate closer and tried talking to them.

"Sato-san, there are three Crowcats over there. What should we do? If you're not confident, I can look for something else."

They seemed to finally notice that Hayate was close by when I spoke to them, jumping a bit before talking back.

"So, we were discussing it just now, but it looks like we're having a hard time with just two Bite Dogs, so we're not making much progress with leveling up. Could we get combat support from you starting now?"

Wow, they're asking for combat support! If that's the case, could this be a chance to get experience points?

"Yes, combat support is possible. But that's not absolute either, so please don't rely on us entirely."

"Yes! Of course! Thank you!"

If I can help out, three Crowcats should be fine.

"Okay, then let me confirm the coordination since I'll be joining in."

I explained what Hayate could do to the three. Mainly, interference with the enemy, sweeping their legs, or body-checking to throw off their balance, plus advice through voice.

After that was confirmed, they asked me to give the instructions for their next battle. I was going to turn it down at first, but they said to just try it once, so I decided to give it a shot.

I hope I can do as well as Toomi-san or Shinonome-san. No, I'm definitely going to make it work. With that resolve, I guided the three to where the Crowcats were.

"First, I'll draw aggro with this one. Kanade-san, please aim at the closest Crowcat from behind. If only that one comes at you, you and Shota-san and Daiki can take it down right away.

Even if all of them notice, I'll take one, so please handle the other two. There's quite a distance, so the ones that are injured and the ones that aren't will take different amounts of time to get here—make sure to draw them all the way here before fighting."

I explained the plan a little away from the three Crowcats. The three nodded as if they were impressed, so we went with this plan.

"Okay, let's go."

I left that word and sent Hayate up into the sky first. Then I dived straight down toward the Crowcats.

"Shya!"

One Crowcat noticed Hayate. Or rather, I made sure to get into its line of sight on purpose.

I controlled Hayate, stopping the descent at the last second and flew right past all three.

"Grurururu!"

All three let out growls and gave chase. Following the plan, Kanade-san's arrow pierced the back of the last Crowcat. She really has great aim.

The two in front were so focused on chasing my Hayate that they didn't notice the one that got shot with an arrow. The Crowcat that got arrowed shot a glare at where the arrow came from and spotted Kanade-san standing there, then started running toward her.

While I was dealing with the two Crowcats, the injured Crowcat closed the distance to Kanade-san, but the two who suddenly appeared from behind the building caught it off guard—it got its front leg slashed by Daiki-san, lost its balance, and had its skull shattered by Sato-san's fist.

(Nice, plan's working!)

Then Kanade-san pierced through the second Crowcat, and finally the two noticed the three of them. This time, when the two turned toward Kanade-san, I rammed Hayate into the wound at the base of the injured Crowcat's hind leg.

"Gyaaaau!"

My skill was able to widen the Crowcat's wound. This counts as contributing to combat, right!?

Then I accelerated Hayate all at once and body-checked the Crowcat that was running ahead. Combined with its own running momentum, the Crowcat was sent flying violently forward. Sato-san was waiting there.

Don!

The right straight like a counterattack blew off the Crowcat's head.

And finally, the heavily-injured Crowcat was finished off by Daiki-san. Yeah, a complete victory.

【You defeated the Crowcat】

(Yes! Just as expected, I got experience points! This could work! Possibilities for leveling up are appearing!)

"Amazing... So this is what it means to have a proper plan."

My ears caught Shota-san's impression of the plan since I'd gotten experience from the battle. Upon hearing it, the other two nodded quietly. Good, they seem to understand the importance of strategy. I'm happy my hard study is paying off too.

"Okay then, Shota-san, I'll give the leader back, so please make plans like this. If I notice something, I'll point it out too, so don't overthink it—just say whatever comes to mind."

"Thank you! So SS-san isn't just skilled at filming, but also knowledgeable about tactics!"

"Well, it's not that great..."

I got complimented and feltembarrassed, and by the end I was mumbling nonsense and even I don't know what I was saying.

After that, Shota-san proposed a plan he thought up, and they exchanged opinions with Kanade-san and Daiki-san to improve it. After their discussion wrapped up, I gave some final advice and the plan was set.

They fought the monsters according to the plan.

After repeating this a few times, Shota-san's plans got more refined, and by the end, they didn't need my advice—the three could discuss things among themselves anymore.

I was fully satisfied since I could focus on filming and combat support.

Then, after defeating four Bite Dogs in the final battle, a long-awaited voice rang through my mind.

【You defeated the Bite Dog】

【Leveling up】

【You gained 10 skill points】

【Additional Unit has been unlocked】