arc2 · 124-ch124

Chapter 124: The Second Livestream ④

"GWOOOOONG"

The two Dead Wizards that spotted Hayate chanted their spells simultaneously with eerie cries. Hayate had completely given up on attacking and was heading for the exit door, moving irregularly to avoid being an easy target.

Then Fire Arrows and Thunder Arrows unleashed from the two Dead Wizards rained down. It seemed their attributes were fire and lightning, at least.

"Oooh!?"

"That's dangerous!?"

"This is rough!?"

Crap, I'd forgotten to mute the Dungeon Agency's audio. With Hayate darting around in that rain of fire and lightning, it seemed to have gotten the old men excited. I cut the audio right away.

"We're taking the right Dead Wizard first!"

Following Shinonome-san's instruction—who'd instantly chosen the one that had fired lightning—Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san rushed in at once. The Dead Wizard, too focused on chasing Hayate, seemed to react slowly.

"Stone Lance!"

Before Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san could reach it, Shinonome-san's Stone Lance pierced the Dead Wizard's body first. The magic-charged stone spear seemed to deal considerable damage to the Dead Wizard. But right then, Hayate took a direct hit from a Thunder Arrow and was destroyed.

"Earth Wall!"

I could hear Shinonome-san firing off spells in quick succession from the Asahi waiting outside the entrance. This time, he deployed an Earth Wall to split the room down the middle—a plan to trap the undamaged Dead Wizard on the opposite side from Nishikyo-san and the others.

This Dead Wizard would be handled by Shinonome-san and a resummoned Hayate. As for Asahi, it was on standby outside the entrance. Both fire and lightning elements could be lethal even from stray shots, after all.

To buy time for Shinonome-san—who'd been firing off spells in rapid succession—to chant his next one, Hayate charged at the Dead Wizard. Maybe because it was locked in a magic duel with Shinonome-san, Hayate managed to land a body slam without being attacked.

Bash

Naturally, Hayate was destroyed in one hit. Couldn't expect much damage, but if it could stop its movement for even an instant, that was good enough.

"Stone Bullet!"

"Kwoooong!"

I resummoned Hayate and sent it into the room, only to find the Dead Wizard firing a Water Ball. But its body was already about half the size it had been at the start. Shinonome-san's Stone Bullet seemed to have dealt heavy damage.

But maybe because Shinonome-san had just cast his own spell, his defense magic didn't come in time, and the Water Ball grazed his leg.

"Ngh—"

"My magic, heal these wounds—Mid Cure!"

Kannami-san's healing magic flew toward Shinonome-san, who'd let out an involuntary groan. The wound on his leg healed right before my eyes.

"Thanks, Shizuka!"

(Having a Healer Mage really is reassuring.) That was the thought that crossed my mind as I watched Shinonome-san, his wound healed, immediately return to the front lines.

The battle between Shinonome-san and the Dead Wizard was going in Shinonome-san's favor, thanks to Kannami-san. Meanwhile, on the other side of the earthen wall, the duo of Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san seemed to be cornering their Dead Wizard too.

That was when the Asahi I'd had waiting outside the room spotted a black shadow approaching.

(Is that... a Possession Phantom!?)

The one approaching along the corner of the ceiling, as if searching for something, was the Possession Phantom that had possessed the Wonder Armor and powered it up earlier. Crap. Right now, Asahi was the only thing outside the room. Should I resummon Hayate? But then Shinonome-san's support...

Shinonome-san would take down the Dead Wizard in just a bit more time. Until then, I'd have to hold out with just Asahi. The Possession Phantom noticed Asahi, and maybe thinking it'd found a good target, came straight toward it.

(Huh? It's coming straight at me?)

I felt a sense of wrongness here. A Possession Phantom's main attack method is magic. What did it mean that it was coming straight at me without casting any spells? Was it trying to possess Asahi? Even though it's a machine.

Feeling that, I stopped attacking the Possession Phantom and pretended to be weak, fleeing around. I figured it would buy time and reduce the chance of Asahi getting destroyed.

While supporting Shinonome-san with Hayate, I kept it ready to be resummoned at any time. Asahi tried to escape the Possession Phantom by making small, precise movements, but...

(As expected from a B+-rank monster. Getting away is tough.)

Its shadow-like body stretched out like tentacles, and Asahi got caught. Then the Possession Phantom's body color faded as it clung to Asahi.

(Now! Wind Blade Wall!)

I activated Wind Blade Wall at that exact moment.

"GYOOO―!"

As I'd suspected, the Possession Phantom couldn't transfer itself onto Asahi. Well, of course not—it wasn't a living thing or even a monster. And on top of that, the body that was clinging to Asahi was being shredded by the Wind Blade Wall, letting out pained cries.

It desperately tried to pull away from Asahi, but now it was my turn to chase the Possession Phantom down. By carefully observing its movements, I predicted which direction it would try to flee in and didn't let it escape.

With no way to cast magic on itself, the Possession Phantom could only flee. At this point, all I had to do was desperately stay on its tail, not letting it gain distance. This guy had amazing compatibility with Asahi!

After pushing through the first few minutes, its movements gradually slowed, and it became easier to keep it from escaping.

(Looks like I won't need to resummon Hayate after all.)

As luck would have it, Shinonome-san's group and I with my Asahi defeated our monsters at the exact same time.

【You defeated the Possession Phantom】

【You defeated the Dead Wizard】

(Oh, I got EXP from the Dead Wizard too. Plus, since I'd soloed the Possession Phantom, it seemed like I got a pretty hefty chunk. It was a fluke, but I'm grateful for it.)

But right now, I had to focus on the Dungeon Agency's livestream while supporting Kokushi Musou. Oh, I'd left the Dungeon Agency's audio muted. Since the battle was over, I turned the audio back on.

"To think it soloed a Possession Phantom... Wasn't this drone supposed to be for filming and support?"

Right after I reconnected, I heard the Association President's surprised voice. Since it was a delayed stream, it seemed they'd just watched Asahi take down the Possession Phantom.

"I couldn't take my eyes off Shinonome-kun's side either. To operate two units simultaneously with this level of control... truly unbelievable."

The professor seemed surprised too, but his naturally laid-back tone didn't really show it.

"To think this is happening right now... I really can't believe it. No wonder everyone's making a fuss."

The elderly researcher seemed to have a keen interest in the world's one and only livestream as well.

Having defeated the monsters successfully, Kokushi Musou—and me along with them—continued forward while staying alert for Terror's Symbol.