Chapter 106: The Future of No. 18

After dealing with the Harpy Priest and the others, we joined forces with Jigoro and the others, who were battling on the ground against the boss.

“We’re done here, everyone!”

“Damn, it looks like I was slower this time.”

Jigoro’s face contorted in frustration. It seemed he had been determined to defeat that higher-ranked opponent before we did. Well, it was quite a difficult task, to be honest.

“Gnuuu, those good-for-nothings! But my kin still has plenty more members! Gugyoooooooh!”

Nkelphor glared at me, then raised his voice with a battle cry. He must have called for reinforcements among the harpies in the ruined city. While it might be an effective strategy, sadly, it was all in vain.

“Wh-what’s going on!? Why aren’t you responding to my call!?”

“Shall I enlighten you on the reason, Lord Nkelphor?”

“What?”

“Well… I annihilated them with my magic! Star Magic Circle, Holy Ray!”

As I replied, I launched an attack using [Holy Magic]. This wasn’t necessarily this guy’s elemental weakness, but on the flip side, he didn’t possess any resistance to it either. If it hit, I could expect full damage.

“Gu…! M-My entire kin has been wiped out? Don’t say such foolish things! Do you have any idea how much time it took for me to gather their numbers?”

“It’s a pity you can’t believe it. Perhaps it’s my lack of charisma? Star Magic Circle, Black Thread.”

“You won’t get away with that! Storm!”

Nkelphor swept away my Black Thread spell with his wings and retaliated with a spell of his own. Oh, I couldn’t afford to take a Storm while flying. It would probably feel like being thrown into a washing machine!

“So you guys are just going to stand there and watch?”

“Don’t get distracted!”

“I think you deserve some punishment for this.”

“There’s an opening!”

Jigoro, Genjuro, and Ruby seized the opportunity when Nkelphor was fixed on me and swiftly chopped at his legs. Damage effects splattered, and the health bar next to his marker decreased. Good, good. It seemed that overwhelming any opponent with sheer numbers was effective after all.

“Argh…! You… mere earthworms like you, don’t get cocky!!”

Surrounded from all sides and above, Nkelphor roared in anger. He swung his two wings and sent his steel-hard feathers flying. He was probably using a skill similar to the [Spikes Ejection] of the Tarrasque monster.

“Watch out! Did it graze you?”

“It seems faster than that turtle, so we had no choice,” Genjuro said.

“Grrrr…”

However, we did not fight that Tarrasque monster in vain. Jigoro and Genjuro suffered only superficial wounds, mostly avoiding the feathers, while Karl deflected them all with his proud scales. As for me? I quickly found refuge behind Karl’s back.

“Phew, that was dangerous~!” Ruby said.

“My skin is tingling…” Iris added.

Although the women of the party didn’t fight the Tarrasque like we did, Ruby immediately increased her defense with her skill to withstand the attack, and Iris absorbed it with her thick cell walls.

Ruby’s surface was scratched, and Iris had feathers sticking out all over her body, making her look like a porcupine. However, it seemed that neither of them had taken significant damage. By the way, No. 18, who had been behind Iris, was, of course, unharmed. She should be thankful!

“You blocked my feathers!?”

“I’ve had experience with similar attacks. Shall we resume our collective bashing?”

Originally, the monster’s plan might have been to create an opportunity for a turnaround by causing several injuries with this wide-area attack, but that wasn’t going to cut it. We had been through countless battles and tough situations. We weren’t about to back down now over a half-hearted, wide attack!

“Ora ora ora ora!”

“Oh? I’m starting to get the hang of slicing those feathers!”

“Grandpa, were you playing around earlier!?”

Jigoro and the others resumed their attacks on Nkelphor’s legs and abdomen, while I and Iris provided support. Although Nkelphor was of a high level, to be frank, it was weaker than the Tarrasque, both in terms of defense and power. If they wanted to make us struggle against an opponent like this with fewer subordinates, lower level, and before it had a chance to evolve, they would have to resort to some crazy tactics, like having the boss shoot beams from his eyes.

“Gyegyaaaah…! Th-these damn insects …!”

Unable to withstand the onslaught of Jigoro and the others, Nkelphor flapped his wings and tried to fly into the sky. Hey, hey, was that a good idea?

“Guruaaaaaa!!”

Just as the huge creature was on the verge of breaking free from Jigoro and the others and taking to the skies, Karl descended rapidly from above. He executed a mid-air somersault and forcefully slammed his tail into Nkelphor’s back. Karl’s body had grown larger, and his tail had grown sharper, resulting in a tremendous impact that deeply cut into Nkelphor’s flesh.

“Gyaaaaah!?”

“No more escaping for you. Star Magic Circle, remote activation, spell adjustment, Thorn Whip.”

The thorns that had become extremely thick due to the spell adjustment seemed to grow from the magic circle, wrapping themselves around Nkelphor’s entire body like serpents. With feathers as hard as metal, it was impossible for the thorns to harm him. However, the way the thorns coiled around his joints made it difficult for him to exert his strength, rendering him incapable of flying, let alone standing up. This was the perfect opportunity.

“I can’t help but think how handy magic is,” Jigoro remarked.

“No, Jigoro. I watched Shi-chan and a mage player doing a live broadcast the other day, and it was completely different from what Isam can do. Our leader is just exceptionally skilled at using it.” Ruby said.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. At the very least, he’s better than that well-known live streamer.”

“Enough chit-chat, you two. More importantly, before the thorns get torn to shreds…you know?”

Jigoro and Ruby were quietly conversing, but we couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity. Nkelphor, though currently rolling helplessly, was still a boss monster. He probably had the strength to tear the thorns apart with sheer force. They needed to finish him off now.

“W-wait! Wait, I said! I cannot die in a place like this!”

“All right, everyone! Finish him off!”

“Gigyaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!?”

We completely ignored Nkelphor’s pleas for mercy and continued to pound on him. Scythes, fists, kicks, swords, daggers, cleavers, hammers, fangs, and claws all chipped away at Nkelphor’s health bar. His health was almost spent; I thought there might be another form to him, but that wasn’t the case.

“This is the end of someone I once bowed the knee to? It’s quite strange how one can almost feel sorry for him at this point.”

No. 18, who had been standing behind Iris, remarked as she stepped forward. It might be a bit ironic for me to say this, but what we were doing now seemed akin to cornering someone for a gang beating, so it was hard not to pity him.

“Sir Isam, may I be so bold as to make an impolite request, despite all your help up to this point?”

“A request? What is it?”

“Could I be the one to put an end to him?”

Well, well, well, things were getting interesting, weren’t they? The true identity of No. 18 was an android, which was a type of magical tool. However, it was clear from our previous conversations that she was equipped with a pseudo-personality AI or something very close to that.

If a human were in a similar situation as her, it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine them harboring feelings of resentment. Especially if they had been used and abused for a long time. Behind No. 18’s archaic smile, there might have been a seething pool of dark emotions.

“I don’t mind one bit. How about the rest of you?”

“It’s fine, really. I don’t see any enjoyment in this anymore.” Jigoro said.

“Same as Jigoro,” Genjuro added.

“I’m good either way,” Ruby said.

“So, it’s settled then! Ms. No.18, please go ahead.”

“Everyone agrees, I see. Well, then…”

There was no compelling reason for any of us to intervene, and if No. 18 wanted to do it, it was fine to let her do it.

“Muuuuh! You treacherous scrap! I should have just let you break on your own!”

“Aah, I’ve never regretted my visual system malfunctioning this much. If it were functioning properly, I could have enjoyed watching you grovel on the ground more clearly.”

“B-bastaard!”

“But at the same time, I’ve never felt so fortunate that my auditory system is still intact. It allows me to clearly hear the howls of a defeated dog.”

Oh, man… This is cruel! If someone said that kind of thing to me straight to my face, I’d be incredibly frustrated. Oh, Nkelphor’s face was turning bright red, and his mouth was moving like a fish out of water.

“I have so many things I want to say, but we can’t afford to take too much time. So, it’s time for you to die.”

No. 18 pressed the barrel of her machine gun against Nkelphor’s forehead as if intending to put a hole in his head.

“Aaargh! I’ll take you down with me, at the very least!”

With a loud, cracking sound, Nkelphor forcibly pulled his right wing out of the thorns restraining him. Judging from the noise, his joints were likely dislocated, and he might have even broken a bone.

Perhaps realizing that there was no escape, Nkelphor mustered his last ounce of strength and chose to take No. 18 down with him. Did his pride hinder him from begging for mercy?

“I won’t allow it. Activate Holy Shield.”

I had prepared this magic for precisely this desperate struggle, to protect No. 18. Nkelphor’s life-or-death strike was thwarted by the holy shield spell that I created. He stared at me in disbelief. Well, if you keep looking at me like that, it would make me feel embarrassed.

“Well then, farewell.”

Gunshots rang out on one of the rooftops of the ruined city, signaling the end of the battle.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

――――――――――

You have won the battle.

You have defeated the field boss, “Harpy Chief” (individual name: Nkelphor).

All participants will receive special rewards and 6 SP.

Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.

Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.

The race level of your familiar has increased.

The job level of your familiar has increased.

The level of [Intelligence Enhancement] skill has increased.

The level of [Spirit Enhancement] skill has increased.

The level of [Health Recovery Rate Increase] skill has increased.

The level of [Magic Power Recovery Rate Increase] skill has increased.

――――――――――

After the boss battle concluded, Iris and I conducted a search of Nkelphor’s nest, collecting valuable items along the way. Just like the other harpies, Nkelphor’s nest held a treasure trove of treasures, which left us feeling quite satisfied.

However, the battle-loving duo of Jigoro and Genjuro seemed disappointed. They had anticipated a close and thrilling fight akin to their clash with the Tarrasque, but it appeared that their expectations were not met. Well, it wasn’t easy to find opponents strong enough to keep them satisfied in such a short span of time.

“All the items here have been collected, Isam.”

“Oh, I see. I’ve just finished too. We found some useful accessories, so the yield is good.”

“Same here.”

Among Nkelphor’s treasures, there were intriguing items like rings that reduced magic damage and bracelets that enhanced strength. When combined with what Iris and I had collected, there were three items of S rank rarity and ten of R rank. We could decide on the distribution later.

“I’ll show you that I’ll be able to create even better items someday!” Iris said.

“I’ll be eagerly waiting. Oh, it seems Jigoro and the others have returned.”

I had high expectations set on Iris, who was being spurred by her creative inspiration. I turned my attention to Jigoro and the others emerging from the elevator. They, along with No. 18, had returned to the first floor to retrieve a memorial monument to be placed on the rooftop.

“Alright, please take care of it.”

“Nooaaaaaa, it’s so heavy….!” Jigoro exclaimed.

“In real life, this would probably bust my waist,” Genjuro added.

“Keep it up, you two,” Ruby said.

.

Jigoro and Genjuro were carrying a massive stone monument that stood about four meters tall. This monument was made from a special type of stone used on the lobby floor, which, I heard, was not only sturdy but also resistant to weathering. I heard that No. 18 had spent a considerable amount of time cutting and shaping it.

She must have put in a lot of effort to fulfill the final command from her master; this was a story that could bring tears to one’s eyes. By the way, I later learned that it was considered a special item in the game’s terms and couldn’t be placed in a player’s inventory for easy transport. I thank you for your hard work, you two.

After collecting the items, we burned down Nkelphor’s nest and placed the memorial monument right in the center of the now spacious rooftop. With this, the quest was complete!

“…That concludes the mission. Everyone, thank you very much,” No. 18 said.

“Well, we’re doing this job for a reward too. Raise your head.”

After looking at the towering memorial monument with deep emotion, No. 18 then bowed deeply toward us. I asked her to raise her head, but she kept it lowered for a good ten seconds.

“Here’s the access key for the reward. Please accept it.”

“…Ah, yes, I’ve indeed received it.”

――――――――――

Emergency Quest: “Tombstone Skyscraper” has been successfully completed!

Rewards will be given.

――――――――――

Indeed, it seemed that, from a gaming perspective, the quest had come to an end. Any worries about what lay ahead for tomorrow had now dissipated.

“So, what will you do from here, No. 18?”

I had assumed that we would bid our farewells, use the Base Teleport for home, and call it a day. However, Ruby suddenly posed that question. It was true; there was nothing left to bind her now. In that case, she could continue her activities freely until the moment she broke down.

“I haven’t really thought about what to do from here,” No. 18 admitted.

“Um, then how about coming with us?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Oh?”

“Hmm?”

I stared at Iris in surprise; her invitation had come out of the blue. Jigoro and Genjuro had similar reactions.

“Aah, that’s a great idea! Let’s do that!” Ruby added.

“B-but, you see, I have errors in various functions. I might not be of much help…”

“But you can handle simple tasks, right?”

“Y-yes. If it’s something simple and clear…”

The person receiving the invitation was the most surprised and flustered. What’s more, Iris, who had been reserved all along, was pushing forward aggressively, which left everyone bewildered.

“I don’t know when, but I will acquire the knowledge and skills to repair you! I was just looking for an assistant, you know!?” Iris said.

“Iris is saying this too, so come with us! It’ll be fun, I’m sure!” Ruby added.

In response to the persuasion of the two women, No. 18 pondered for a while and then shook her head. It was a vertical shake.

“I had thought I would decay here, but I realize that my true purpose lies in working as an android for my master. I understand. I will serve you all until the day my body breaks down.”

Unbelievable. While I had been scheming to keep No. 18 with us, Iris and Ruby’s casual words had effortlessly brought her into our group. We, the men of the party, could only watch in astonishment as the women enthusiastically celebrated.