arc3 · 194-ch194

Chapter 194: Free-for-All ①

The seven who'd come down from floor thirty-two were almost certainly enemies. More than that, they had to be the criminal organization Ouroboros. After all, one of the seven my detection picked up was Raito Kuranohayashiin — the man I tailed once before.

No idea what they've come here to do, but there's no way they're on our side. Actually, hold on — there was supposed to be a reception desk at the entrance. How did they get in here? If nothing else, I hope they're enemies to Queens too.

"That party of guests heading our way right now — would they happen to be friends of yours?"

I deliberately dangled Ouroboros's existence as bait, to rein in the Queens members, who looked about two seconds from attacking.

"To tell such a lie just to keep us in check — it will tarnish the name of SS."

Huh, so Jim hadn't noticed them. But he did shift a bit of his attention that way, at least. They're close to the stairs — he'll spot them directly soon enough.

Right now, though, it's Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san who matter. That side is in a pretty dire situation, so I have a feeling we need to make use of Ouroboros's presence and get everyone moving to help them.

"Jim, hold up. Someone really is headed this way."

Yes — Mikey had sensed Ouroboros's presence, just like that. As expected of the Scout Job — his enemy detection is sharp.

"What? Is that true, Mikey?"

"Yeah, sadly it's for real. Look, they're just about here."

Mikey pointed behind us.

"Well, well — the good people of Queens. You did us quite the service back there. Believing that story of yours cost us a first-rate companion. So today we've come to repay the favor."

Around the corner came the seven, one after another. The man at their head opened his mouth. A giant of a man, hefting an enormous axe on his shoulder like it weighed nothing, the muscle visibly bulging even over his armor. His face is hidden behind a helmet — can't see it. The people behind him all have their faces hidden behind masks or the like too. Apparently they do know they're being broadcast live.

"Onodake Tetsuzan... is it?"

Seeing the man at the head of the group, Shinonome-san murmured the name. He seems to know this man.

"Shinonome Gaia, is it. Been a while. Today we came all this way because we've got business with your friends over there, Queens. Nothing against the rest of you — but get in our way, and we'll crush you flat."

Yes, yes — I don't quite follow, but apparently these people came because of business with Queens. If Ouroboros and Queens end up clashing here, I might just be able to slip over and back up Kitora-san and the others.

"And you there, drone. You're the one operating it — SS, aren't you. We've got business with you too, so don't go moving on your own."

Oh. Right. I helped pin down their comrade. Seems I'd earned myself a proper grudge too.

"SS-san, Arihara here. The group there is Ouroboros, without question. We will investigate at once how they got in there — though most likely, Ouroboros has a member inside the Dungeon Association. One of the staff working reception this morning has gone missing."

An urgent chat came in from Arihara-san. So they really are Ouroboros, no mistake about it. Having a friend among the Dungeon Association's own staff — this might be a far bigger criminal organization than I thought.

"Hey, isn't this seriously bad?"

"They look like a crime org alright, but why HERE of all places..."

"Did they just say Onodake Tetsuzan? Isn't that the lunatic who raided the Special Prison?"

Oh, right — we're still live. Sadly, the broadcast to the general public ends here. Arihara-san's instruction to cut the stream came in too. From this point on, the footage goes to the Dungeon Agency only.

"Shinonome-san — the moment those people and Queens start fighting, please go support Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san."

"!? Understood, SS-san."

I quietly brought Hayate close to Shinonome-san and passed the advice along in a low voice. Once the fighting started, I'd slip Shiden over to back up Kokushi Musou under the cover of the chaos too.

"Criminals, of all people, speaking so high and mighty. Had you stayed quietly in your den, you might have gone on living."

Jim didn't so much as flinch at the sight of the Ouroboros members. The rest of Queens looked ready for a fight as well.

"Jim is mine. Hebi and Rai — take the archer woman. Kage and Hime — entertain that dagger brat. Ken and the lady hold back in reserve, but if those Kokushi Musou folks or the drone so much as twitch, tell me."

The man who seemed to be Ouroboros's boss gave out his orders. Numbers-wise, Ouroboros has the advantage — but is Queens superior man for man?

Well, as of now they're both my enemies, so honestly I'd love to see them grind each other down... but that's not going to happen, is it. Wait. That man they called Ken — face hidden, sure, but isn't that Ohsaki? What's HE doing in a place like this!?

Even while I stood there gaping, the Ouroboros members began moving on their boss's orders. Seeing that, Shinonome-san headed off to support Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san too. Setting Ohsaki aside for the moment, I sent Hayate and Shiden to back them up. Asahi would hang back at a little distance and film the Queens–Ouroboros fight.

"Gaia, took ya long enough! What were you even doin'!?"

Nishikyo-san, stretched to his limit dealing with the Lich, still had no grasp of what was happening.

"Queens betrayed us. And Ouroboros has shown up. They've started fighting over there, so our job is to somehow finish the Lich here, but..."

Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san's relentless combo had kept the Lich from using magic, but stamina-wise they were reaching their limit. Even with Shinonome-san joining in on top of that, the Lich was fighting them to a standstill.

"∝∋¶∀‡……"

(Not a chance!)

The Lich tried to chant its lightning magic through the opening in the tired vanguard — and I put Hayate's Magic Machine Cannons right into it.

"That helps."

Kitora-san, who still had a little left in the tank, answered — but Nishikyo-san's stamina looked close to its ceiling.

"Look out!"

Out of the tangle of Queens and Ouroboros, an arrow came flying straight at Shinonome-san. I'd been watching through Asahi and called the danger out instantly. By a hair, Shinonome-san's evasion made it in time — the arrow missed.

And even in this situation, Queens still seemed to be gunning for Kokushi Musou's members. Why are they so persistent about it?

"Nishikyo-san, Kitora-san, please fall back for now. I'll give it a try. Shinonome-san, support please."

Here, I resolved to take the Lich on with Shiden and Hayate. With Shinonome-san being targeted so persistently, I figured it was the better play to have the visibly tired two guard him instead.

"Hah, hah... it's all yours."

"Please."

Apparently they were pretty worn out after all — the two handed the role over without a fuss.

"Let's go, Shiden, Hayate!"

I had the two drones move in irregular patterns so the target couldn't pin them down, then served the Lich a helping of Thunder Bullet Machine Cannon, Wind Bullet Machine Cannon, and Hayate's Magic Machine Cannons.

"Wooooon!"

The Lich barely dodged the crackling Thunder Bullets — and paid for it, eating the near-invisible Wind Bullets dead-on. At its first damage ever, the Lich let out a pained scream.

I pressed the attack with the Magic Machine Cannons too, but they didn't seem to be doing much damage.

(Hayate for pinning it down — when it comes to it, Shiden is the only real option, huh.)

I rebuilt the plan on the spot: restrict the Lich's movement with Hayate's Magic Machine Cannons, then corner it bit by bit with Shiden's Thunder and Wind Bullet Machine Cannons. At this rate we might actually win — that's when Hayate picked up the one sound I least wanted to hear right now.

GAGAGAGAGAGA!

A sound like something being dragged. Coming from behind the Lich.