Chapter 390
"「「「「「「「ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA！！！！」」」」」」」"
Alright, everyone. Even though we've obtained convenient construction equipment like golems, we're digging up the ground with shovels in hand alongside the dwarves and construction workers.
You might think I didn't say we were going to defeat the discovered monster, "Runner Runner," but that's not it. This *is* the proper countermeasure.
About four days have already passed. During that time, Runner Runner has been moving freely within our surveillance network.Since it's basically a harmless monster as long as we don't chase it, we can prepare thoroughly.
I almost let out a cheer upon confirming it wasn't the usual blue-and-gray body coloration, but the rare golden unit.
The characteristic of this Runner Runner monster is its skill composition, which is focused entirely on evasion and speed.It's a composition that makes you almost hear a certain older brother's line, *'Not fast enough!'*
So, how do we counter such an opponent? To kill it, besides preparing terrain where we can apply debuffs, we have no chance of winning.However, simply breaking the ground to worsen the footing is meaningless.
"Boss!! We just need to embed this, right!?""Yeah! Keep embedding them one after another!"Into the small holes we dug up manually, holes that look like a honeycomb structure, the dwarves diligently embed jars.
What those are, let's just say they're jars containing a somewhat special liquid.However, as you can see from the dwarves wearing full protective suits, their faces quite strained, handling them with extreme care, it's certainly not a safe liquid.
"Be careful!! If you touch even a little, it'll be a disaster!"That said, we haven't made materials that kill you if you get splashed.But Don and everyone else are proceeding with the work cautiously.
"Will that really work? Stopping it with adhesive...""It's a surprisingly serious tactic. Especially recommended for small, high-speed moving monsters."Ultra-strong adhesive, created through the application of magical potions.A superb item that, if even a little adheres, uses magical power to instantly stick to anything.With Class 9 power, it could be torn off. But of course, we don't intend to end it with just this.
"But, can we corner it into this location? It's a monster that normally senses danger, right?""It also has trap-detection skills, so it would normally avoid it.""Then...""But sometimes it doesn't avoid it."By putting that in octopus pots and spreading them on the ground, the adhesive field is complete.
An adhesive area roughly 20 meters wide and 100 meters long.We're not hiding it, so it's completely visible, blatant enough that no one would enter unless they were an idiot.Answering the doubts of the workers laboring alongside me, who thought a Class 9 monster wouldn't enter such an obvious trap, I slung the shovel over my shoulder.
"Liberta!""Oh, you're here."The work is generally proceeding smoothly.
"We just need to build a tunnel along the road, right?""Yeah. How's Amina doing?""Yes. She stopped building walls and is mass-producing block golems for this purpose.""Good."Arriving there is Nell, who brought a large number of block golems led by a commander golem.
"Cover this road as planned! Don! Proceed with the work carefully so you don't fall into the holes!""Got it!""Roger!"The tunnel being built to cover the road.The scene of creating an arched, kamaboko-like structure...
"Mr. Liberta. Somehow, it looks like something I've seen somewhere...""It's your imagination."It unfortunately resembles a trap for catching pests, something I'd rather not mention out loud. I tapped the shoulder of the worker tilting his head, wondering where he'd seen it, and diverted his attention by saying it was his imagination.
"Liberta.""Ah, this time, I'm counting on you.""I don't mind. It's quite fun to be able to use new equipment."Appearing there was Claudia, dashing across the rough terrain at a speed too fast to call 'light.' In contrast to her usual training clothes, she was now in a full-body covering tights, wearing a light protector on her upper body—an outfit like a lightweight rider suit.
"Right, right. It's equipment specialized for speed, designed to counter Runner Runner. With Claudia's stats, this bodysuit's skill composition, and adding 《Heavenly Fist》, she can achieve speed equal to or greater than it. Aim to be like Idaten (a god of speed).""Idaten? I don't know what kind of existence that is, but after experimenting and getting used to it in the Spirit World for these two days... is this level of speed really necessary?"Taking off her dedicated full-face helmet, she lightly wiped away sweat.
"Necessary, necessary. If we don't win in speed against a seriously moving Runner Runner, it's meaningless.""Is it the competitive instinct you explained?"The key this time is undoubtedly Claudia.If she weren't here, I wouldn't have even thought of targeting Runner Runner.《Heavenly Fist》, a unique skill that could be called cheat-level—for a short 10 minutes, her stats become stronger than anyone else present.
"That's right. All hate management skills are ineffective against it. So, we basically have to act to prevent its escape.""But if we cover the surroundings with walls or other obstructions, it might escape during that construction, making containment difficult.""Plus, it has resistance to sealing-type magic and physical skills, so sealing it with skills is nearly impossible."For Claudia, the key to this battle, I first confirmed if she was willing to fight. Hearing she could fight an incredibly fast opponent, she was excited to take on the challenge, but she seemed worried if the speed I prepared was excessive.However, shrugging and shaking my head, I dismissed that concern.
"But there's just one thing. If something surpasses its own speed, it shows an obsession that could be called abnormal.""A competitive spirit that can't tolerate something faster than itself?""That's with the preface 'one theory says...' But seeing its face when it's overtaken, I don't think I'm wrong."In any case, speed is the most important factor when fighting Runner Runner.We need to overtake it and then keep running in the lead.
"So I use that obsession to lure it into this tunnel?""Yeah. I've prepared other traps too, so be careful not to get caught."The method to lure Runner Runner into this tunnel is extremely simple.Compete, win the competition, and lead it straight in.
"The construction sites for the footing are like this, so check them once it's complete.""I've grasped the feeling of the footing from the model you made, but compared to the real thing, the atmosphere is different.""The adhesive?""Yes. Hearing about that accident, I truly felt a sense of danger."And then lure it into this tunnel and get it covered in adhesive.There are other ways to fight after getting it stuck, but Claudia needs to disengage and recover from 《Heavenly Fist》's drawback period. So, the main combat will be handled by the party members (excluding Claudia) and Genjirou's Gardener Retainers.
"A dwarf craftsman tripped, dropped it, broke the jar, and then... It was truly a tragic incident.""I sympathized. The proud dwarf couldn't move even once and had to shave off all his prized beard and hair."Runner Runner, being speed-specialized, doesn't have durability and defense as high as Azhdaha's.It also lacks recovery skills, so with a certain level of firepower, it can be defeated.
Even so, it's a Class 9 monster.
Defeating it requires a dedicated high-speed mobile unit, these specialized traps, and the materials for the restraining adhesive are also quite high-end.It doesn't require as much effort as Azhdaha, but it's undoubtedly a troublesome enemy.
The "hair accident," which didn't happen in FBO, also occurred. Thanks to that, all the dwarves now share the common understanding of wearing protective suits and handling things carefully, which is good.At the same time, looking back at their figures carefully setting the jars into the ground, they are utterly serious. While I won't laugh at that, knowing the reason, Claudia and I just shrugged at each other.
"How did running the course feel?""It's constantly moving, so some adjustments are needed, but the weather is good, and I've done all the checks I could. I can do it without problems.""That's good."The tunnel will be completed today, and the trap installation will also finish.Other gimmicks are scheduled to be finished simultaneously, with no delays.
If the final check with Claudia running through it shows no problems, we'll execute the plan tomorrow.
"The weather looks good for tomorrow too.""Since Nell is here, there's not much worry about the weather turning bad.""Saying that might jinx it, and then we'd be talking about what to do if the weather turns bad tomorrow..."Looking up at the sky, it's fine weather without a single cloud.If that breaks, it would be a big problem, so honestly, Claudia's flag-raising words made me a little nervous.
"It's fine. Even if the road conditions worsen, I'll show you a perfect run.""That's reassuring.""After that, it depends on tomorrow's luck.""Ah, that part we can only rely on Nell, though..."I nodded at Claudia's strong words, which blew away my worries.But the test of luck isn't just about the weather forecast.
"It's about whether the drop items appear or not.""I know it's an audacious wish, but I really hope Nell draws the rainbow treasure chest."Drop items. That's the reason for defeating the golden Runner Runner.
"With Miss Nell, it seems likely she'll produce it.""But then we have to hit the one-in-two chance, which is the catch."The golden Runner Runner, even in FBO, drops a certain excellent accessory from a treasure chest.However, even using Nell's 《Fortune's Summoning》, the maximum number of treasure chests is fixed at two.In extreme terms, if both are rainbow-colored treasure chests, there's no problem.
"One of them is the speed-increasing accessory, right? Was the name 'High-Speed Maker'?""An accessory worn on the ankle that increases speed by 50%—a quite high-quality item for combat roles... especially for front-liners. Plus, since it's a Class 9 accessory, it can add nine additional skills.""Normally, even High-Speed Maker would be sufficient, right? Equipping two would practically double combat speed. But the other item is the one you want even more.""Yeah. The outrageous accessory that halves skill cooldown times. Of course, Claudia's 《Heavenly Fist》 and Nell's 《Fortune's Summoning》 are exceptions, but all other normal skills are applicable. Whether for production or combat roles, anyone who equips it will see their skill efficiency skyrocket."One is the High-Speed Maker, and the other is the accessory I desire.
"《Time-Reducing Earring》"If we don't have it, we don't. We can calculate skill recast times accordingly. But it's such an excellent accessory that some FBO players would consider equipping the entire party to increase DPS.
Well, gathering a full set takes considerable time, but if you can assemble them, the number of skill attacks simply doubles.With a dedicated composition, you can unleash a continuous barrage of skill attacks.
"Alright then, final checks are done. Let's rest today. Tomorrow is the decisive battle.""Yes."Whether it drops or not, we'll leave it to tomorrow's Nell.