arc2 · 129-ch129

Chapter 129: Attack Unit Unlocked

When Hayate caught up to Terror's Symbol, the situation was even worse than before. Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san were covered in wounds, and Kannami-san's healing magic wasn't keeping up at all. Shinonome-san also had one arm hanging limp, blood dripping from it.

And then, the balance finally broke.

DOOM!

Kitora-san was sent flying by Terror's Symbol's greatsword and slammed into the corridor wall. Kitora-san hung limp, blood streaming from his head. I immediately cut the stream, making sure this scene wouldn't be broadcast. That had been the promise from the start of filming—and more than anything, I didn't want anyone seeing Kokushi Musou like this.

"Earth Wall!"

Right after that, Shinonome-san created a wall of earth between himself and Terror's Symbol. The wall appeared to block the corridor, successfully dividing Terror's Symbol from the members of Kokushi Musou. However, it was being chipped away by Terror's Symbol's slamming greatsword, and would likely be destroyed in no time.

I sent Hayate on a suicide charge to buy even a little time, but it was cut down in an instant—not even a single second gained. It was the moment I felt the frustration of being completely useless in this situation...

【You defeated Possession Phantom】

【You are leveling up】

【You have reached Level 20. Drone Pilot skill is now unlocked】

【You obtained Parallel Thinking】

【Medium Drone is now unlocked】

【Drone Summon Count increased by 1】

【Attack Unit is now unlocked】

Asahi had defeated the Possession Phantom with Wind Blade Wall, and my level had risen to 20.

(Uwooo!? What timing is this!? But still, this might be just what we need! Hurry! Confirm what I can do right now!)

Name: Soramine Sota

Job: Drone Pilot

Level: 20

HP: 70

MP: 2280

Skills

Additional Unit Unlocked

Attack Unit Unlocked

Small Drone Unlocked

Medium Drone Unlocked

Drone Summon Count +2

Drone Connection

Parallel Thinking

Call

Storage

Auto-Mapping

Drone Info

Hayate

None

I opened my status screen and checked the skills listed there. Alright, I hadn't misheard. First, let me try summoning this so-called medium drone.

【Summoning Medium Drone. Please assign a name】

I'd already decided on the name for Unit Two.

【Summoning Unit Two: Shiden】

It felt like a massive amount of MP was drained compared to when I summoned Hayate. Checking my status, it had decreased by 200 from before. It seemed Shiden required ten times the MP to summon as Hayate. Immediately after summoning Shiden, an additional speaker appeared at hand, and the black data transfer box grew slightly larger.

Then, on Asahi's camera, I saw a fifty-centimeter-long drone body gleaming in a deep purple that shone like the legendary metal "Adamantite."

With no time to lose, I hurriedly checked Shiden's status.

Name: Shiden Lv16

Durability: 300/300

Max Speed: 150

Acceleration: 10

Hardness: 300

Standard Equipment: Telephoto Camera

Communication Microphone

Data Transfer Function

Additional Units (Unlocked)

None

Attack Units (Unlocked)

None

Skill Points: 150

(Yes! Its level is synced with Hayate! And 150 Skill Points!)

With Skill Points, I should be able to select an Attack Unit. Focusing on Attack Units brought up the available options.

【Please select an Attack Unit】

・Magic Machine Cannon (50)

・Magic Shotgun (50)

・Magic Guided Missile (200)

・Magic Sniper Cannon (200)

・Attribute Enchantment (100)

・Attribute Enchantment (300)

I had 150 points. Among these, the only one that might be able to deal damage to Terror's Symbol was... this was my only option!

I first selected Magic Machine Cannon, then confirmed the additional Attribute Enchantment (100).

・Fire Bullet Machine Cannon

・Water Bullet Machine Cannon

・Ice Bullet Machine Cannon

・Thunder Bullet Machine Cannon

・Stone Bullet Machine Cannon

・Wind Bullet Machine Cannon

That's right, they said Terror's Symbol was likely water attribute. If so, this was the only way to go. I selected the Thunder Bullet Machine Cannon and closed the status screen. Something that looked like a machine cannon appeared on Shiden's underside.

(I'm all set! I'm coming now, so hang in there!)

I immediately headed for Kokushi Musou with Asahi and Shiden.

Shiden arrived at Kokushi Musou's location at the exact same moment Shinonome-san's Earth Wall was broken through. Using that time to put some distance between them, I could see Nishikyo-san in the distance carrying Kitora-san, the four of them fleeing.

Terror's Symbol charged after them in a fierce dash. Shiden and Asahi gave chase. Compared to Asahi and Hayate, Shiden had higher durability but lower speed—its top speed was only 150 km/h. Even so, it gradually closed the distance, and just one step before Terror's Symbol could catch the members of Kokushi Musou, the target entered firing range.

"Lightning Machine Cannon, fire!"

At my shout, filled with hope, lightning-attribute magic bullets were fired from Shiden. A wave of exhaustion washed over me instantly. It seemed each shot consumed my MP.

BZZT-BZZT-BZZT-BZZT-BZZT!

Lightning rounds fired from Shiden's machine cannon at a rate of about ten per second. Maybe because they were bullets made of magic, there was no sound of them being fired—only the crackle of lightning roaring out.

"GROOOOAAAR!"

Perhaps alerted by the sound, Terror's Symbol turned around and swung its greatsword to knock down the lightning rounds, but several slipped through its guard and struck Terror's Symbol's armor. The combination of impact from the rounds and lightning-attribute damage made Terror's Symbol let out a pained cry.

(Alright, it's working!)

Just as suspected, Terror's Symbol was water attribute, and the lightning-attribute rounds were shattering its armor and dealing significant damage.

"Don't know what's going on, but it's a chance! Triple Strike!"

Just as they were about to be caught, Nishikyo-san, who had already shifted into combat stance, seized the moment and joined the fight. From behind Terror's Symbol, which was frantically trying to swat down the lightning rounds, he unleashed a powerful skill.

Nishikyo-san's spear, which hadn't landed at all until now, caught Terror's Symbol. A thrust with several times the power of my lightning rounds pierced straight through the black armor.

"GYOOOOOO!"

Right after Nishikyo-san's triple thrust landed, Terror's Symbol's movements became visibly sluggish. The speed of its greatsword swatting away lightning rounds slowed, and as a result, more rounds hit its armor. On top of that, it couldn't handle Nishikyo-san's spear at the same time—trying half-heartedly to deflect all attacks with the greatsword only increased the damage it took.

(My body feels heavy... Whoa!? That was close!? I almost ran out of MP)

It seemed the lightning rounds consumed 10 MP per shot, and after firing about two hundred, my remaining MP had dropped to double digits. I'd almost lost my drone connection from running out of MP.

I stopped the Lightning Machine Cannon and watched the battle unfold. Even though we hadn't finished it off, the damage Terror's Symbol had taken was massive—it couldn't dodge Nishikyo-san's spear or the earth magic from Shinonome-san, who had downed a Mana Potion. It was only a matter of time before it fell.

Realizing this, I resumed the stream. Cheers erupted with a slight delay. Kannami-san had drunk a Mana Potion and cast healing magic on Kitora-san, and it seemed Kitora-san had regained consciousness too.

Amid the passionate cheering from everyone at the Dungeon Agency, Terror's Symbol finally took Nishikyo-san's spear to the head, dissolved into black smoke, and vanished, leaving behind a drop item.

【You defeated Terror's Symbol】

"We did it, we took it dooooown!"

Nishikyo-san raised both hands and let his joy explode.

"Everyone's safe... thank goodness everyone's safe!"

Behind him, the camera showed Shinonome-san collapsing to his knees, all strength drained from his body.

The Dungeon Agency side seemed to be in full celebration mode too. Taking advantage of the commotion, I dismissed Shiden where no one could see, summoned Hayate back, and asked the members of Kokushi Musou not to ask any questions—I'd explain everything in detail later.

After that, all the way back to the 30th floor Transfer Stone room, I was subjected to a barrage of questions from the Dungeon Agency higher-ups about what had happened while the stream was cut.

End of Arc 2