Chapter 603 - A Broken Ruler Is Business as Usual
Okay, let's start with a little test.
"Piercing water nail, flight-halting hooked wing."
She said magic is 'almost completely useless,' but if it's just a bit of resistance, the magic woven by my Trance form's ridiculous mana should be more than enough to punch through.
Facing the mole-thing, which had chosen to wait after letting out a roar in greeting as if to gauge the reaction of the tiny intruder who had just appeared, I chanted a short, two-verse incantation.
"Current Haken."
A total of six small 'needles' materialized around my avatar.
With no need for hesitation or mercy, I fired the water needles in a single breath. They flew at a speed that a skilled player might just barely be able to dodge on sight.
The mole, which had clearly seen the response to its own display of hostility with its swiveling single eye, moved. Its first action, a remarkable feat for its long and bizarre body, was—
—to coil itself up. The water needles met its shining shell and, at the moment of contact, vanished into mist without a sound or effect.
Alright, alright, I get it.
"So that's how it is… huh!"
It didn't even serve as a feint, but that's fine. My main goal was to gather information on this first-time encounter anyway. I dismissed the useless magic that failed to exhibit even a millimeter of its intended effect with a single word of disappointment and moved on.
First, one step.
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◇Status / Trance◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 110
STR (Strength): 0 (+100)
AGI (Agility): 0 (+250)
DEX (Dexterity): 0
VIT (Vitality): 0 (+100)
MID (Mentality): 1250 (+230)
LUC (Luck): 0
――――――――――――――――――
My Trance form's stats are the same as ever.
But thanks to the insane stat boosts from my ridiculously good equipment and the broken effects of my title that are dragged along by those stats, I can move like a decent light warrior even with my base stats. That's a piece of cake.
Combined with the passive effects of [Rega-Lielta, the Gleaming Rabbit King]—'Reduced Wind-up Motion' and 'Initial Speed Boost'—which are even more enhanced than its predecessor, [Hare Real], I can outpace your average speed-focused player without even using my Kesshiki-derived footwork.
The speed with which it coiled its long body into a defensive posture was eye-opening, considering the scale and weight of its massive frame… but well, you know.
If that was enough to catch me, I'd have to hang up my title as an agility-focused Ranker.
One step forward. The result of my charge was a distorted shriek, like metal scraping against metal. And likewise, a damage effect flashed across its grotesque head.
I ran past it, the momentum of my slash lifting me into the air. Flippantly turning upside down, I glanced at the indicator of battle and saw what I'd expected from the feel of the blow.
"Tough…"
I muttered as I landed, looking at the HP bar that had only been slightly chipped.
For a creature that big, it must have good eyes. It dodged my attempt to hit its obvious critical point, the single eye, but even a blow to the head resulted in less than 10% damage.
It's not that the [Alv Stella]'s weapon attack power is low. A direct hit to the head from a Third Tier Anima would be a fatal wound for a less durable enemy.
So, this mole-thing has durability befitting its size… but considering its nimble movements earlier, I can't say for sure that it's just a tank.
Excellent reflexes, excellent kinetic vision, excellent base durability, plus magic immunity—its defense is impeccable. So next, I'm curious about its offense.
"…!"
The air stirred, and a wave of heat caressed my cheek.
Then, as it raised its head like a snake rearing back to strike, the tentacles adorning its 'mouth' (formerly 'nose') seemed to glow red-hot… no, not 'seemed'.
They truly did. Emitting enough heat to make the surrounding air shimmer, a crimson heat ray shot out from behind the 'whiskers.' The option to defend didn't even cross my mind. I dodged sideways on pure reflex—and a searing blast of heat grazed half my body, conveying the ridiculous power of the attack.
Seeing how the rock of the floor and walls it traced was instantly melted, a direct hit would probably vaporize most players.
"…I see. It's not on Hinayo-san's level, but still…"
Of course, it's a mistake to even make that comparison. Looked at another way, this thing is a genuine monster, its biological capabilities approaching the power of an 'Anima,' which is itself a miracle.
This thing could probably wipe out a party on its own. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it has specs on par with or even greater than a low-level dungeon boss.
—However, that being said.
"Alright… I'm coming at you for real, mole imposter. Get ready."
Assuming it doesn't have a 'next phase' like a real boss—form changes, behavior changes, berserk modes, and the like… and aside from its creepy appearance.
Unfortunately, I don't feel it's all that scary.
◇◆◇◆◇
"—I don't know, it's just… you know. You've really started to carry yourself with a certain dignity, haven't you, you?"
"What's with the sudden comment? I can't tell if I'm being praised or teased."
When I played dumb about the obvious, Nia-chan immediately puffed her cheeks and shot me a deadpan look. "I'm praising you." I know, I know. It's just embarrassing when you say things like that so directly.
"It's like… you don't get fazed by much when you're fighting anymore, Haru."
"The fourth seat of the martial arts faction Istia! U-chan's disciple! Ar-chan's rival! Those imposing titles you carry aren't just for show, huh!"
"Don't call them imposing."
Once one person starts the praise, the chain reaction of embarrassment is inevitable.
Sora-san watched me with eyes full of admiration, though mixed with a hint of exasperation. And Lux, laughing cheerfully, placed both hands on my head and shook it back and forth with her usual high energy, refraining from her usual back-slapping since she'd been stopped earlier.
Yeah. Could you stop that, too?
In any case—being praised by all the girls for my thirty-second cooking of the mole was… just plain embarrassing.
"Nia, come on, please. Appraise it, quickly."
"Hehe, you're blushing."
"He's blushing."
"That's just how you are, Har-kun."
"Oh, be quiet…! Look at this, not me! We've got something interesting lying right in front of us, so show some interest, ladies!"
Unable to bear their unanimous grins any longer, I slapped the object lying before me. Of course, their warm gazes didn't cease—
"Alright, alright, let's see now, shall we?"
—but the professional, the [Milmarinus], was all business when it came to her work, even as she wore a playful smile, fully aware of my mood.
Nia reached out from the side and tapped 'it' with the tip of her slender finger.
Ten seconds, and a little more passed.
"Hmm… [Wealthy Shell of a Mole Larva]."
Lying on the hard rock floor was the golden, shining shell of the [Feidran Armoire].
Like the corpses of the 'ants' we fought in the [Great Rock-Eating Hive] in the past, it was a special material left behind instead of being stored in inventory. After examining it…
Our resident magical artisan, brought along for this very purpose, said…
"You're amazing as always, Ru-chan— This place might be a bigger treasure trove than the 'Ant Nest.' It could be a jackpot."
…grinning for a different reason than just a few seconds ago, she delivered a verdict that filled us with great expectations.
If your standard for 'scary' is the 'Shadow,' the 'Princess,' or the 'Invincible Samurai,' then of course you're not going to be particularly fazed by a giant, bizarre mole that spits lasers (???).