Chapter 61

“Skill ‘Fixation’ activated. The spatial coordinates of the target object will be fixed.”

First, I try to see if ‘Fixation’ works—but the ‘Mimic Squid’ countered ‘Fixation’ in a surprising way.

When I tried to fix its main body, its tentacles blocked the effect, and the ‘fixed’ tentacles were severed. This means I can’t stop the main body’s movement—and the tentacles regenerate repeatedly.

“What kind of recovery rate is this… it should just stay calm now that it’s been brought onto land.”

I wholeheartedly agree with Haruka-san—but, of course, dungeons are places where monsters like this, endlessly regenerating, appear without caring about our circumstances.

“—Everyone, keep your distance and attack!”

“Understood… ‘Bounce Note’!”

“‘Magic Craft’… ‘Ice Ball’!”

The ‘Bouncing Note’—although the sound Futaba-san played on her flute is invisible, it strikes the enemy like a sonic bullet, causing an impact.

Part of the giant squid’s body explodes from the shock, and one of its writhing tentacles freezes. However, the exploded part regenerates immediately, and the frozen tentacle severs itself, with a new one growing in its place. We need to hit it harder.

“Cipher, can I use the ‘Element Cannon’?”

“For today, the ‘Repeat’ part is equipped. With a supply of magic, it can fire 16 times in succession.”

“Alright… let’s go, rapid fire!”

“Roger that!”

I place my hand on Cipher’s loading port and pour in magic—then, normal bullets are fired consecutively from the cannon.

However, even when the squid’s tentacles are shot through, they regenerate instantly, and only a few shots actually hit the main body. If rapid fire isn’t enough, I could try using the ‘Hyper Bullet’—but just as I think that…

“It seems we need to aim for its weak point… Fujiwara-kun, let me handle this.”

“Haruka-san… please!”

Haruka-san takes the dagger from me, holds it in a reverse grip, and dashes forward.

“Speed enhancement… ‘Secret Crest of the Phantom Moon.'”

Her speed enhancement, which I’ve seen at the academy, has reached the point where she can dodge every one of the Mimic Squid’s rapid tentacle attacks.

“—Fujiwara-kun, keep an eye on its movements!”

Haruka-san calls out while flipping through the air to evade the tentacles—her agility is remarkable, clearly showing her prowess in martial arts.

“—Beep!”

“Cipher, you noticed it too… that squid is protecting its weak point…”

Haruka-san continues to dodge the relentless attacks, but finally, a tentacle nearly grazes her. She swings the dagger at it—and as if still alive, the severed tentacle wraps around her.

“Tch… ahh… paralyzing poison… it has multiple types of poison, too…”

As Haruka-san is immobilized, the squid opens the mouth it had hidden—inside, past countless tentacles, is a mouth filled with teeth that seem unnaturally out of place for a soft-bodied creature.

(This is my chance…!)

“Skill ‘Fixation’ activated. The spatial coordinates of the target object will be fixed.”

I activate ‘Weightlifting’ and charge at the squid’s mouth, carrying Cipher.

“—Level 8… 9… 10. Hyper Bullet, fire!”

As I run, the charged magic is unleashed from Cipher’s cannon—toward what looks like the ‘core’ deep inside the squid’s mouth.

“Shriiiiiiiiiiiiek…”

The magic bullet pierces the squid’s body—this time, it doesn’t regenerate. The strength drains from its moving tentacles, and life fades from its body.

“—Sis!”

Futaba-san rushes toward Haruka-san, who is still entangled by the tentacle—but.

“Futaba-san, don’t touch her! Those tentacles are poisonous!”

“That’s right… Futaba, I’ll be fine…”

“I know you’re fine, but… that ‘Secret Crest’…”

“Huh?”

Haruka-san, still paralyzed, sits down and peels off the tentacle herself—and for some reason, she lifts the hem of her skirt.

Her pure white thigh—no, this isn’t the time to be staring. A crest in a color between purple and pink is glowing on her skin.

“When this crest changes from purple to another color, it means the poison has been neutralized. Of course, this isn’t a tattoo—it’s a temporary effect from my skill.”

“…Didn’t that mark show up on your stomach last time?”

“Sometimes it appears in awkward places. The ‘Secret Crest of Alchemy’… But the return is greater for me, so it’s worth it.”

So Haruka-san can neutralize poison with her skill—but being soaked and still entangled in tentacles, she’s in quite the sight I can’t bear to look at.

“—Beep! Detecting monster activity.”

“There’s more of them… wait…”

The giant squid no longer moves, but three smaller squids appear, as if guarding it.

“Squeee!”

“Do squids actually cry… or is it just because they’re monsters?”

Initially, Futaba-san was on guard, but upon seeing the plush doll-sized squids, only about 50 centimeters long, she lowers her flute, apparently losing the will to fight. Even Nanami-san seems puzzled.

“They might cause trouble if left alone, but they seem harmless for now… and, sorry about this.”

“…Squee…”

《Beast capture conditions fulfilled》

“Eh…?”

“What’s wrong, Fujiwara-kun?”

“Uh… it seems I’ve fulfilled the capture conditions. What should we do?”

“Really…? But we can’t just carry around a bunch of squids…”

“Even if the conditions are fulfilled, it looks like we’ll have to let them go back to the river for now… They’re dangerous when they grow, but they’re cute as babies.”

Fully recovered, Haruka-san interacts with the squids—but continuing the exploration in this state would be difficult for many reasons.

“…Ah… s-sorry, Fujiwara-san. Could you listen to me without asking anything?”

“Eh? Uh, sure. Is something wrong?”

“After neutralizing poison like earlier, I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from my sister for a while. I can’t explain why…”

“That’s totally fine… though, understood.”

“…?”

Nanami-san also looks confused. I don’t get it either—but considering Haruka-san said the ‘return is greater,’ I guess there’s a corresponding risk.

I have everyone retreat to avoid the Air Fish attacks, while I stay behind to collect the spoils—the core of the ‘Mimic Squid,’ and its tentacles. Since I can turn them into chips, I don’t have to worry about carrying too much. That’s a relief.