I logged in. No. 18 told us about a room that looked like a waiting room in the central administration building, and there we took turns logging out. Having finished dinner and a bath, all that was left today was this boss battle and getting ready for tomorrow.
“Ah, Isam, welcome back.”
“Hey there, brother.”
“Yeah, I’m back.”
Iris and Jigoro welcomed me. The three of us had been logged out first, but it seemed like I was the last one to log back in.
“Is that a gun?”
“Yes! I was assembling it in consultation with No. 18. The sniper rifle is complete! I’ve made various modifications too. Do you want to take a look?”
It seemed like she had been working on the gun’s restoration alongside No. 18 since she logged in. It appeared that she had assembled it by reusing identical guns and compatible parts. This was what they call the “two-become-one” technique.
Anyway, Iris had proudly handed it to me. Let’s use [Appraisal] on it.
――――――――――
Magic Sniper Rifle FE-6 – Quality: Fair, Rarity: R (Rare)
A bolt-action sniper rifle that accelerates bullets using the magic emitted by magic stones.
Maximum range: 2000 meters; Magic charge time: 2.5 seconds meters.
A long barrel and optical sight are added as options.
――――――――――
A magic sniper rifle, huh? From what I could gather from the description, it seemed to fire bullets using a principle similar to an electromagnetic accelerator. I suppose they call guns that use magic stones “magic guns.”
As for this “magic recharge time,” it’s the duration the built-in magic stone takes to gather the required energy for the next bullet shot. 2.5 seconds may feel a bit lengthy, but considering it’s solely relying on the magic stone to provide the energy for propelling bullets over long distances, it seems reasonable.
“Magic guns don’t use gunpowder, so making bullets is easier!”
“Oh, so you don’t need gunpowder or casings?”
“That’s right! Isam, if you could help me occasionally by duplicating them with [Alchemy], it would be even easier!”
Ah, that’s a good point. It would probably be most efficient for me to mass-produce the bullets Iris makes. Huh? Come to think of it…
“Magic guns are a type of magical tool, right? So, what happens if they’re hit with a magic jammer spell?”
“Huh? Wouldn’t they become unusable?”
“But remember that time when the golems were shooting at us relentlessly?”
“Oh, right, I do recall that. But how?”
I had long harbored a question. It was about the reason why the golems could move freely and, as if it were the most natural thing, fire bullets when magic was sealed by the magic jammer.
“What’s been troubling both of you is probably the result of anti-magic coating.”
It was No. 18 who gave me and Iris the answer to our question.
“Anti-magic coating?”
“Yes, anti-magic coating refers to the treatment applied to the internal circuits of magical tools and golems to negate the effects of magic jammer.”
“I had no idea such a technology existed…”
It was precisely the technology I had thought about researching! I apologize, ancients. Apparently, what I could come up with had long been put to practical use…
“By the way, do you happen to know how to create this anti-magic coating?”
Iris questioned No. 18 with a curious demeanor. She had a strong affinity for crafting various items and didn’t mind the trial-and-error process that came with it. However, it seemed she had no interest in inventing any techniques herself. If she could get the answers by asking, it was a quicker way to go about it.
“I don’t know the exact formula, but you simply mix a specific type of magic stone, which has no particular attributes and has been ground into a powder, into the paint.”
“Huh? Is it really that simple?”
It seemed quite straightforward. However, it appeared that finding the optimal mix required some research. That part is best left to Iris.
“Heyy… brother, are you free right now?”
“Hmm? What’s up all of a sudden?”
Jigoro had brought up something out of the blue. Well, if asked whether I had some free time or not, I did. Producing talismans to increase my [Talismanry] level was an option, but it wasn’t something I had to do right at this moment.
“Yes, I may have some free time…”
Oh no! I messed up big time! My thoughts were so focused on the gun that I hadn’t considered Jigoro’s intentions until this point!
“Wait! No, I’m not free. I’m definitely not free!”
“You just said you were free, right?”
“I’m not! I have something important to do…!”
“You sure about that?”
“No, I mean…”
“If you’re free, how about warming up with me? Right, brother?”
…It seemed I had no way out once I’d been trapped into admitting it. I let out a deep, resigned sigh as Jigoro practically dragged me out of the waiting room.
With a glimmer of hope, I signaled Iris. I knew that I was in for some torment on my own, but I thought that if the two of us were together, we might stand a chance!
“W-well, I still have to assemble the pistol… But, good luck!”
However, reality proved to be cruel. Iris heartlessly abandoned me, hiding behind what seemed like valid excuses and leaving me with what might have been the gaze of a discarded puppy. Though I didn’t have eyeballs in my eye sockets.
“Karl! Maybe Karl could be a suitable opponent for you, right!?” I asked.
“Look over there,” Jigoro said.
“Zzz… Zzz…”
Ah, he’s sleeping soundly! He’s out like a light. It’s not right to wake him up just to spar with Jigoro.
Well, I’ll give it my all. After all, I don’t want to die during a warm-up with my teammate!
◆◇◆◇◆◇
“My apologies for being late.”
“Sorry! I was a little late…huh?”
Oh… it’s Genjuro and Ruby, huh… the two of them were really, really late…
“I-Isam is burning out!?” Ruby said.
“Ho-Ho, it seems you’ve tasted Jigoro’s special spice, haven’t you?” Genjuro added.
“Yeah, I had my fair share of fun.”
That’s right… Oh, it was terrifying, really terrifying. What was up with that guy? He had this huge grin on his face, and while critiquing my movements, saying things like “You’re leaving yourself open!” or “Your reactions are slow!” he’d unleash attacks that felt like they could be instant death strikes. He’d pull back at the last moment if it looked like he might actually hit me, but still…
Despite my desperate efforts, it seemed like I wasn’t meeting Jigoro’s expectations. My true strengths lie in ranged combat, so I hadn’t placed too much emphasis on close-quarters skills, but it still stung a little.
“Oh, you two are back.”
“Iris, we’re back!”
“Welcome back. Um, Isam, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine…”
Iris spoke to me hesitantly as I sat down, mentally exhausted. Subjectively, I wasn’t feeling anywhere near okay, but I couldn’t just stay there looking defeated forever. So, I put on a brave face and stood up.
“It was tough, that’s for sure, but it was also good defensive training. Complaining won’t change a thing,” I said.
“Is that so? Oh, while you two were fighting, I also managed to finish the repairs on the handgun. Take a look!” Iris said.
Oh, so not just the sniper rifle, but the handgun repairs are done as well. That piqued my interest. Let me see…?
――――――――――
Magic Handgun C-09 – Quality: Fair, Rarity: R (Rare)
An automatic pistol that accelerates bullets using the magic emitted from magic stones.
Maximum range: 80 meters; Magic charge time: 1.0 seconds
A suppressor is added as an option.
――――――――――
Hmmm, the results of my [Appraisal] have shown this. It’s a magic handgun, isn’t it? The mechanism was somewhat similar to the magic sniper rifle. Although the range was shorter, the magic charge time had significantly decreased.
By the way, the magic charge in the magic stone equates to eight shots. Just like traditional semi-automatic handguns, the bullets are loaded into a magazine, which needs to be replaced once it’s emptied. It appears this handgun can hold up to eight rounds in its magazine. So, by using the time required for magic power recharge, one can efficiently reload without any waste.
“Alright, everyone’s here. Shall we head to the rooftop?”
“”””Ou!””””
We gathered our spirits, left the waiting room, and started walking toward the elevator that would take us to the rooftop. Unlike most facilities, this building still had power in some parts. So, the elevator to the rooftop was functioning, allowing us a straight path to where the boss awaited.
“Oh, my mistake. I’m sorry, everyone. It seems I forgot to bring the spare magazine.”
When we stood in front of the elevator, No. 18 approached me with a respectful nod. She knew that losing her machine gun meant losing her primary means of attack. That would almost eliminate the meaning of her following us.
Still, it made me wonder about an android who forgets things. Could her thinking processes or circuits be malfunctioning in some way?
“Isam, would you mind accompanying me? There might be other things forgotten, and having an objective perspective for a check would be useful.”
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
I responded without hesitation. Checking for forgotten items wasn’t much of a task. Let’s get this done quickly and face the boss.
“Everyone, wait here. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Alright. We’ll be here.”
With that, I left everyone waiting by the elevator and returned to the waiting room with No. 18. The magazine wasn’t exactly small, so we should find it quickly.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
The elevator ascended silently, devoid of the typical floating sensation associated with elevators. It should have been replicable through VR technology, but the absence of that sensation suggested it might be diminished due to magic, architectural techniques, or a combination of both.
“It would have been a breathtaking view if this was all glass.”
“It can’t be helped. Karl’s a big guy.”
“Grurururu!”
We were aboard a cargo transport elevator. The reason being that, besides its speed, Karl didn’t like the idea of flying to the rooftop all alone.
The regular elevator couldn’t accommodate Karl’s huge body, so we had to opt for a cargo transport elevator capable of holding even large vehicles. What a spoiled one.
“As for the final briefing of the operation, I’ll be handling the harpies in the air with Karl. Jigoro and Genjuro will take the vanguard against the harpy chief. Ruby will be causing disruption, while Iris and No. 18 will provide support from the rear with throwing and shooting. Ruby, you’ll be in charge of leading the operation.”
“Understood. …Both of you, please don’t go off on your own today, okay?”
“Yeah yeah.”
“Alright.”
Jigoro and Genjuro gave Ruby a terse nod. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. However, I knew that I had to trust them since I was scheduled to engage in aerial combat with Karl. Good luck, Ruby!
“Everyone, we have arrived on the rooftop.”
No. 18 announced with impeccable timing as the doors slid open. In response, Jigoro took the lead, followed by Genjuro, Ruby, Iris, Karl, myself, and finally, No. 18, as we stepped outside.
In in-game time, it was daytime, but the overcast sky made it seem like rain could pour down at any moment. Fighting in the rain wasn’t something I looked forward to.
“…This nest is even bigger than I thought.”
The first thing we saw as soon as we exited the elevator was a huge bird’s nest. It was placed right in the center, completely shrouding the rooftop’s heliport. Considering the huge size of the harpy chief, it wasn’t surprising.
“Gegegege… You’ve come, you foolish earthworms.”
Suddenly, a guttural voice reached our ears, and from the nest, a massive shadow rose abruptly. It had a head resembling an elderly man and yet, simultaneously, an elderly woman—grotesque and ugly. It sported jet-black wings as though splattered with ink and four rugged, clawed legs. This was none other than the harpy chief, the one we’d heard about from No. 18.
Unlike the pre-evolved race monsters like the harpies and the harpy leaders, the harpy chief seemed capable of conversation. Quite surprising.
“Calling us foolish earthworms…now you’ve done it, you dumb-looking harpy,” Jigoro said.
“Gegege! Can you expect me not to laugh when I see foolish earthworms willingly coming here to become my food? Isn’t that right, No. 18?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The harpy chief wore a sadistic, grotesque smile, and at the same time, No. 18 aimed her gun.
At me.
***********
TN: well, I didn’t see that coming
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