arc3 · 169-ch169

Chapter 169: A New Drone Has Been Added!

"Ah, that's right, SS-san. From here on, gathering Mana Potions is the goal, so whenever you see an opening, feel free to take down as many as you like."

The moment we set foot on the twenty-first floor, Toomi-san gave me permission to attack. Alright — to gather as many Mana Potions as possible, I think I'll have Hayate act separately.

"Understood. I'll have Hayate split off, then."

With Toomi-san's blessing, I sent Hayate down a different route. Asahi would stick to filming as usual, and Shiden would shift to combat support.

The first things to appear before Hyakka Ryouran on floor twenty-one were the two Sylphs we'd beaten in the boss room. I don't know about anyone else, but having the boss you fought tooth and nail to beat show up immediately as a regular monster on the very next floor seems pretty rough on parties that barely scraped through. Or is that just me?

Well, we're clearing this with room to spare, so no problem.

"Two Sylphs."

Rin-san relayed the monster info to everyone.

"Kureha, please."

"Yes, leave it to me."

Battle began on that short exchange between Toomi-san and Kureha-san. The two Sylphs noticed Kureha-san's chant and started chanting right back at her — but Himehana and Rin-san closed in fast and attacked, forcing the Sylphs to cut their chants short as they dodged.

"Fire Bullet!"

Fiery bullets rained down where the Sylphs had fled. Several of them connected. Perhaps because she'd prioritized volume over power, it didn't finish them in one shot, but it seemed to have dealt some hefty damage.

The slowed Sylphs — and Himehana and Rin-san closed in on them once more.

"Take this!"

"There."

Their voices overlapped. This time, no escape — the two were finished off for good. The faintly translucent, humanoid Sylphs scattered into mist under the two's attacks.

Sadly, no Mana Potions dropped, so we collected the magic stones with Shiden and pressed on.

【You defeated the Salamander】

【You defeated the Undine】

While Hyakka Ryouran was fighting, I'd been beating a Salamander and an Undine with Hayate myself. One dropped a Mid-grade Mana Potion right off the bat, so I collected it carefully and pushed onward.

【You defeated the Sylph】

Up next before us: a Gnome and Undine pair. Though Hayate had already taken out one Sylph before that, mind you.

"Himehana, take the Undine. Rin and I will beat the Gnome. Kureha, support, please."

【You defeated the Gnome】

Yep — while Toomi-san was still laying out the plan, I'd gone and killed another Gnome.

Strategy decided, Himehana was the first to charge out. Rin-san and Toomi-san followed right behind her.

"Lulululu~"

The Undine — a pale-blue, translucent, woman-like figure — immediately began chanting, and conjured several water arrows in front of herself. A Water Arrow, that one.

"Aaaaaah!"

The Gnome — which looked like a human child — let out a scream as well, and several fist-sized stones appeared above its head. That chant was a Stone Bullet, I believe.

The little bit of distance between us had let the spirits get their chants off.

Fwee! Fwee! Fwee!

The Undine's water arrows lunged at Himehana, but she slipped every single one with light-footed grace. They don't call her the Dancing Princess for nothing.

DODODODO!

The Gnome's hail of stones, meanwhile, seemed to be aimed at Rin-san — but her figure was already gone from the spot, and the stones did nothing but punch into the ground.

【You defeated the Sprite】

【You defeated the Salamander】

(Oops, another Mid-grade Mana Potion dropped on Hayate's end. Lucky!)

Before their second chants could finish, both Himehana and Rin-san had closed the distance to the spirits and disrupted the spellcasting with close-range attacks. Once that happened, the magic-reliant spirits had no chance of winning at all.

In the blink of an eye, the Undine and the Gnome were down.

"Aw, no potion."

Neither the Undine nor the Gnome had dropped a Mana Potion, and Himehana looked crestfallen. Well, they did say it wouldn't come that easily, so it couldn't be helped.

【You defeated the Gnome】

【You defeated the Sprite】

Whoa — while I was collecting magic stones, Hayate had apparently beaten two more intermediate spirits. And it kept dropping Mid-grade Mana Potions back to back. That makes three secured by Hayate alone. Isn't that some seriously good luck?

"There's still time. Next one."

Rin-san consoled her with those few words, patting her on the head. Himehana's a bit taller, so Rin-san was stretching up on her toes. What a heartwarming little scene.

"Come now, Rin is right — there's plenty still ahead of us! Let's look forward to the next one!"

Toomi-san clapped Himehana on the back and cheered her on. Yes yes, this really is a good party.

"You're quite right. Worst case, if we don't gather any here, we can simply buy them at auction."

Yep, that's Kureha for you. Rich-girl thinking.

Cheered on by everyone, Himehana regained her smile and started walking, side by side with Rin-san. Himehana really is at her best with a smile on her face. I've got to do my best so my little princess can smile even more...

【You defeated the Gnome】

【You defeated the Sprite】

【You are leveling up】

【You obtained 20 Skill Points】

【You have reached Level 30. A Drone Pilot skill will be unlocked】

【You obtained Mana Detection Radar】

【Ultra-Small Drone is now unlocked】

【Drone Summon Count increased by 1】

【Medical Units are now unlocked】

Wait — what!? Leveling up at a time like this!?

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The other day, a reader pointed out in the comments that Asahi's footage was being used in live streams. Originally, the setting was that Asahi could not communicate from inside a dungeon, but I have added the setting that footage can be transmitted by relaying it through a summoned drone.

Accordingly, I have partially revised Chapter 99.

I'll keep doing my best so you can all continue to enjoy the story. Thank you for your understanding.

— Momopapa