Volume 1 Chapter 11 (2/2)
“We can never tell. A surprise attack may happen. Well, even if they were to die, it’s no big loss. Their cheapness was their selling point anyway.”
Even if a Skeleton died, only 20 DP would be lost so it won’t hurt my finances.
Such were the advantage offered by the Skeletons…… Just don’t think about the time it takes to train them.
As I pondered that, the ground shook. It was quite near.
“KyuWa!”
A high pitched cry rose and then the enemy jumped out of the ground, right in the center of our formation. It was a fire snake. As I stared on it, its name and rank popped into my mind. It would seem my level ups had enhanced my Demon Lord abilities and now, I could see not only the enemy’s level but also its name, rank as well as its abilities. Unfortunately, at my current level, it was only applicable up to monsters of D rank and the details of their parameters weren’t visible.
Race: Flame Viper, D rank
Name: Unnamed
Level: 38
Skills:
Underground movement
Blaze
The Skeletons were completely defenseless against the fire snake that appeared from the ground. The snake wrapped its torso around the Skeleton that was closest to the place the snake popped up. The Skeleton had the paper-thin defense of a G rank monsters so of course it was crushed in an instant.
I clicked my tongue at what was transpiring. The enemy was right in the center of our formation thus ordering the Skeletons fire their guns was out of the question.
“Skeletons, stop!”
I issued an order to stop firing to the Skeletons who were told before to shoot any enemy as soon as they discovered it. Otherwise, they would have fallen due to friendly fire.
I grinded my teeth at the fact that aside from the Skeleton’s lack of defensive capabilities, situations like these were also their weakness.
However, if the Skeletons stopped shooting, it only meant that the snake was allowed to do whatever it pleased. And so, the fire snake sprang upon the next Skeleton.
“Won’t let you!”
As Tenko said so, she sprinted forward. She couldn’t use her shotgun while her allies were gathered together so she drew the large military grade knife hanging from her back.
Rather than a knife, it was more of a machete (鉈). It was a jet-black heavy blade with a length of 50 cm.
Tenko didn’t hesitate to put a firm grip on the fire snake’s head. She then raised the large military knife over her head and a moment later, lopped off the snake’s head.
The snake’s headless body twitched and shook. There was nothing else the snake, even with all its strong vitality, could do once it lost its head.
“Oto-san, I did it!”
Tenko turned towards me and while her hands held the lopped off head of the snake, her face held innocence.
“Great job, Tenko.”
It truly was. Had she not defeated the fire snake right away, two or maybe even three Skeletons may have suffered damage.
As usual, the snake turned into particles of light. The Skeleton which I went to the trouble of teaching it on how to use a gun also changed into particles of light.
“What’s this?”
The snake’s corpse didn’t completely vanish. In its place was a hard fang.
When I picked it up and tapped on it, a sound like it was almost metal rung.
“Ara, an item drop.”
Succubus told me so in a slightly cheerful tone.
“An item drop?”
“Yes, if one’s lucky, a part of the monster where magic power was concentrated will remain after the monster’s death. Monsters that have already lived a long life are more likely to give an item drop. There are some among the humans that challenge Dungeons for these item drops.”
I see. That must be why I almost wouldn’t see an item drop in Marcho’s Dungeon. After all, I only fought the monsters coming from the Maelstroms which were just newly born monsters.
“Thanks for telling me. And then, I think I’m going to hold off on using the Skeletons for a while.”
While one-sidedly barraging our enemies far from their range was great, should an unforeseen situation like this one, wherein the enemy had managed to shorten the distance, once again occur, their fragility won’t go unpunished.
As I thought before, I want a commander. A commander that could move the Skeletons as though they were its own limbs.
“Oto-san, I have a great idea! Stop using these Skeletons and make a Mythological Fox instead. They’re strong, they can talk, they’re smart, and rather than having these bones, you’ll have lots of cute foxes!”
“……Well, maybe someday.”
I wouldn’t have enough DP. Besides, I want to create an army of not ten nor twenty but hundreds of monsters right away. The Mythological Fox was too pricy for that. However, I’m not saying I’m not interested in having a lot of foxes. Maybe someday when I have a bit of extra DP.
And so, while the Skeletons may have almost owned their enemies, this shall mark the end of their first level up session.
Losing one Skeleton which has finished its training was painful but it shall serve as a lesson and I had thought of how to make best use of this learned lesson.
The author, Tsukiyo Rui-sensei, wants to take this opportunity to promote the release of the first volume of her other work, お菓子職人の成り上がり～天才パティシエの領地経営～ (Upstart Pastry Chef ~The territory management of a Genius Pâtissier). It will launch on the 30th of October (although futabasha states it will be available on the 29th).
The synopsis say that it’s about a genius pastry chef reincarnated into a noble albeit of low nobility. And after some twists, becomes the ruling lord of an area. And so, he want to build up his territory while also fulfilling his previous life’s dream of becoming the best pastry chef.