Chapter 146.1. Research Zone
Sakimori and others entered the research zone. The rooms beside the corridors were glass-walled, allowing a clear view inside. Flasks, test tubes, and mechanical arms were placed on the tables, with something resembling computer chips visible. The room was dimly lit, and it was easy to enter once the door got opened.
"So the Proto-Electrons were powered by elements, huh?"
When the crystals recovered from the Proto-Electrons were exchanged in the equivalent exchange store, it displayed unexpected results.
[Obtained Waste Element B]
[Conversion to Element Core C completed]
The core of the Proto-Electrons wasn't a monster core. Not surprising. But what does 'waste' mean?
[That's correct. However, if it's not a monster core but an element getting created, doesn't that give you a bad feeling?]
"I've had a bad feeling since we entered here."
Both Shizuku and I always get a bad feeling when entering dangerous places.
"Are we going to collect these machines? With current technology, I doubt we can make any of these."
Computers with mechanical arms. There are also tablets lying around. Snowflake might be right; it could be a goldmine, but...
[It's better to leave them alone. Surely people will use computer chips to create things like Sky Nets. When you think about it, it's strange. Where does it all start? It creates a time paradox.]
"That's right. If the chips hadn't been there, they wouldn't have been developed, but those chips are brought from the future."
"I understand it's better not to take them. Then, unfortunately, let's leave them and move on."
It's a shame, but I'll leave them behind. There are magazines with titles like "Element Theory" on the edge of the desk, but I'll ignore them. It's a shame, but it's a shame. There's probably nothing but a bleak future ahead.
[There should be an emergency staircase ahead. Don't take the elevator. It seems dangerous, but there might be interesting events if you ride it.]
"Lead the way to the emergency staircase."
Shizuku seems hesitant, but we don't have time. Mana has been depleted, and only half of the Nyanyan Squad remains. Despite being only two, the Proto-Electrons were quite powerful.
We quickly pass through the linoleum floor. We were prepared for a fierce battle in the research zone, but surprisingly, there was no resistance except for turrets and more turrets.
It seems the research zone is faithfully replicated.
[If you go down the emergency staircase, you should reach the most important research room where Serika-chan should be.]
Acknowledging, I nod and open the door labeled "Emergency," descending the stairs. The stairs are a bit long, so the ceiling must be high.
We arrive at the lower floor and gently open the door to peek inside.
The outer wall of the corridor is illuminated in blue, with lights evenly embedded in the wall.
"It's a disinfection corridor."
Peeking out from the gap in the door, Shizuku informs me. I see, that seems plausible.
"Let's allocate the points we obtained through adversity growth first."
I acquired 600 points. I've surpassed Rank C in overall status.
Amano Sakimori
Mana 900 → 1000
Health 150
Strength 150
Dexterity 200
Magic 700 → 1200
Amano Shizuku
Mana 400
Health 400 → 500
Strength 400 → 500
Dexterity 700 → 1100
Magic 200
Amano Yukihana
Mana 300
Health 500 → 700
Strength 500 → 700
Dexterity 500 → 700
Magic 300
I underestimated adversity growth. I gained 40 points each time I defeated a turret. This place is a good hunting ground.
And since I anticipate that the boss of this dungeon is not Rank B but Rank A, I decided to increase my magic drastically. The pattern where no damage is dealt is the scariest.
Shizuku specializes in dexterity, while Yukihana's allocation is typical for a frontline. Mike and Kou have similar allocations to Yukihana. Finally, our stats have entered four digits.
"I don't feel like I've gotten much stronger."
[That's because the enemies have also become stronger. Since the enemies have relatively gotten stronger, you don't feel like you've become stronger. You'll understand how much you've grown if you fight against former seniors or in the martial arts tournament qualifiers.]
"I didn't have any seniors like that."
While smiling wryly at Shizuku's words, I pass by the sterilization room, standing in front of the door. With a clunk, the wall begins to rotate, and a passage appears before me.
"The entire wall rotates to form a passage so no one can escape."
[It was said to be somewhat meaningless at the time. It was probably the doctor's hobby.]
"It was considered a waste of budget at the time."
"I understand it's a hobby of the doctor."
While Shizuku and Yukihana talk with dismay, I agree. In the end, it's about security. Whether the walls rotate or the space is sealed, what's important is to prevent the key from falling into the wrong hands. With my legion of familiars and young girls protecting my house, security is perfect.
I decided to let the Shadow Cats take the lead after the allocation of status points finished.
"Shadow Cats, I'll leave this with you. Please move skillfully."
"Mya~"
Nodding to my words, the Shadow Cat wags its tail. Seeing that, I let all the Shadow Cats go ahead. With tiny footsteps, the Shadow Cats disappear into the corridor.
After sharing the vision of the Shadow Cats, I sigh.
"I'm getting tired. What is Serika doing? Some new exercise?"
[Poor Serika-chan... She was worried about being overweight, huh?]
"You guys can make such jokes easily. What on earth was she doing?"
As I sigh in exhaustion, Shizuku covers her face with her hands, pretending to cry, and Yukihana gives us a suspicious look. Ignoring Yukihana's retort, it's pretty much as expected. Despite not looking like it, this place is a dungeon.
The Shadow Cats sneakily enter and confirm the situation inside. In their vision, a vast space is covered with a metallic floor, and on top of it, intricate machines are installed like monuments, with dark magic circles drawn as if with blood, and evenly spaced lights embedded in the walls, illuminating them in blue.
At the center sits a giant black skeleton, ten meters tall, with only its upper body, and a dim flame burns in its eye sockets. And in its chest, a ruby-like crystal, three meters in size, protrudes from its heart.
And protruding from that crystal, Serika's face can be seen from the ribs of the jet-black skeleton. Her eyes are rolled back, and her skin is covered in protruding blood vessels, looking repulsive.
Although her upper body is naked, there is no naked body more terrifying than this. Shizuku doesn't seem to mind that Serika is naked.
No comments:
Post a Comment