The World Is Overflowing with Monster, I’m Taking a Liking to This Life

Chapter 138: Battle of the City Hall Part 6

Was it alright to send onii-san back first?

It doesnt really matter. I was planning on having Kazuto-san prioritize on Titan anyway.

Nishino pulled the trigger, releasing the pesticide around him. The dozen or so Ants in front of him screeched in pain.

Yeah, but wasnt it better to have him leave after finishing things up on our end?

I mean, Rikka continued as she swung her hatchet. The ceiling of the central floor collapsed and squashed half the Ants to death. The Queen Ant also seems quite sluggish. It wouldnt have made much of difference if he left after we killed the one over here, right?

Youre right. That might have been the case.

?

Rikka didnt like how Nishino was being roundabout with his words.

Certainly, the ceiling had coincidentally collapsed before they charged in. Only the part of the ceiling above the Ants had coincidentally fallen down, killing the majority of the Ants that were caught in it.

In addition, Queen Ant Alpha received serious injuries from a mysterious liquid which also coincidentally dripped down from the ceiling.

They couldnt have had better luck.

Of course, thats assuming that the series of events were really just a coincidence.

Eh?

Nishino stabbed an approaching Ant with the spear in his hand.

He then heard the announcement telling him that he leveled up.

Really, what a cautious person.

The ceiling coincidentally collapsing on top of the Ants? An undiluted pesticide solution coincidentally falling down onto the Queen Ant?

(I dont think such coincidences can happen so conveniently.)

Although the man in question tried to be deceptive, Nishino had seen it clearly.

Kazuto was staring at the ceiling before it collapsed.

Adding onto the fact that he coincidentally acquired a large stock of pesticides through Gatcha, Nishino was able to infer what kind of skill Kazuto was hiding as well as the reason behind keeping it hidden.

What a thorough bastard.

Nishino laughed.

Hm? Did you say something?

Nothing I was just thinking about how we can never predict when, where, and how things will turn out.

Nishino looked forward, putting back his serious expression.

Anyway, we should finish things up quickly. You want to head over to where Ichinose is, correct?

B-but of course!

Rikkas eyes turned scarlet, and the air around her change

She had activated Berserk.

IM HEADING IIIIIIIIIIIINN!

She jumped into the flock of Ants fearlessly.

*****

At the same time, near the City Hall

(Yes! The surprise attack was successful!)

While smiling inwardly, I look towards Titan.

Theres a gigantic hole in its forehead.

The holes something I made using a pile bunker.

Large cracks can be seen all around its face.

(Butwhat a ridiculous power.)

I subconsciously stroke the pile bunker on my right arm.

The pile bunker has a rugged design and is essentially a meter-long nail from its tip to its base.

-Ichinose Special Ver. 00 A Mans Romance

To be honest, Ichinose-sans naming sense is devastating, but the power behind the pile bunker is the real deal.

Two days ago, Ichinose-san obtained the occupation Weapon Craftsman through Gatcha, and the first thing she did with it was to craft this pile bunker.

At that time, it was the most powerful weapon she could make with the materials that I had in my Item Box.

Its an armament with extremely low fuel efficiency, requiring 10 small magic stones and 20 MP per shot, but the power behind each blow is as anyone can see.

So why am I not constantly using such an overpowered weapon?

The reason is exceedingly simple.

Because the recoil is so terrible that it cant be used.

A tremendous recoil capable of tearing apart the users body is inflicted on the user just by using it once.

I tried it out using a clone, and the clones body was ripped apart the moment it tried to use the pile bunker.

That being the case, the same will occur to me if I were to use it.

Also, since clones cant use skills like Shadow Manipulation, their aim isnt very accurate, so I cant rely on them to launch suicide attacks.

Although it was made with great effort, it was destined to rot in the Item Box, greatly disappointing Ichinose-san.

It was Kikis Reflection skill that solved the predicament.

If I apply Kikis Reflection on myself in advance, the recoil from the pile bunker is also reflected back when I use it.

To be more precise, the recoil adds on to the pile bunkers momentum.

This way, the pile bunker can have an ultra high output without putting the user at risk.

Kikis entry into the team served as the light we needed.

My hands are fine Kiki!

Kyu!

Kiki appears on my shoulder using Momos Shadow and applies Reflection and Support Magic Buff on me.

While the faint light wraps around me, I store my armament in the Item Box and begin running.

When it comes to running speed, Im superior to the Golem.

I sneak under the Golems legs and position myself behind it.

Wall Walking Technique.

Using the Golems body as foothold, I rush towards the Golems head before immediately rearming myself with the pile bunker.

GO!!

A huge nail is launched into the back of Titans head.

The reflective film shines and the force from the recoil of the pile bunker adds onto the tremendous power of the spike.

RU~O~O.~O~O~OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONN!!

Titan is overwhelmed from the immense pain.

Momo! Now!

Wan!

Momo appears from her Shadow and breathes in deeply to let out a Roar.

Wa~o~o~o~o~o Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo oooooooooooooon!!

Her roar shakes the air in the surrounding area.

It wasnt just her Shadow which leveled up. Momos Roar has also become much more powerful than before.

And Momos Roar was the final nail in the coffin.

Cracks spread throughout the entirety of Titan.

Ichinose-san wasnt shooting blindly at the Golem.

I had her shoot key locations which I identified beforehand using Critical Aim so that the impacts of her bullets would be most easily transmitted throughout Titans body.

Alone, they do not deal much damage to the Golem.

However, thanks to them, the damages from the front and back attacks of the pile bunker and Momos Roar are being amplified very rapidly.

Eventually, the cracks on its body will converge at a single point, and when it does so even a large boulder would be split apart.

Ru~o~oooo, ~o~oooo

Titan, who is already tattered, squeezes out its last bit of strength and swings its fist.

However, at the next moment, its arm crumbles.

Following that, its right foot breaks apart as well.

No longer able to keep its balance, Titan falls forward.

Inside its heavily damaged head, I see that deep inside its mouth.

A huge, circular rock that is about the size of a watermelon. That is probably Titans core.

Ruoooooo

Titan glares at us with resentful eyes. The pressure being exerted is still great, but it lacks the power from before.

The moment it fell to the ground, I had felt a sudden decrease in its power.

Just in case, thinking so, I raise my hand.

Titans core shatters. Its the handiwork of Ichinose-san.

With that, Titans body shuts down and falls apart for good.

Only a purple fist-sized magic stone is left behind in the mountain of rocks.

Puhaa.

I slump down on the spot.

Finally its over.

Wan!

Haha. Momo, good work.

I gently stroke Momo who begins licking my face.

Ah, this is the best.

Kiki must be tired as well. Im really thankful that you joined us.

Kyu! Kyu kyu~!

Kiki rubs her body on me as if she couldnt accept losing to Momo.

What a cute girl.

Oh, thats right. Momo.

Wan!

Momo dives into her Shadow, apparently because she understood what I wanted.

A few seconds later, she reappears from the shadow with Ichinose-san in tow.

Good work, Ichinose-san.

Thank you for your hard work as well, Kudou-san.

Ichinose-san sits down next to me with her shoulder touching mine.

After a short break, lets head towards where Nishino-kun and his friends are. They should still be in the middle of their battle.

One of Akas clones is with Rikka-chan, so we should be able to arrive there quickly using Momos Shadow Migration.

Y-yes.

Ichinose-san, do you want to stay here and rest?

Kiki can only cast Reflection a certain number of times.

I had Ichinose-san hold back from using Kikis Reflection so that I can attack with the pile bunker, so her body should be at its limit.

No, Ill go. Please let me go with you

Her eyes are not dead yet.

She probably wants to be of help to Rikka-chan.

Okay, but lets collect some of Titans fragments along with its magic stone.

The MVP this time around is Kiki, so Im planning on giving the magic stone to her.

By the way, I wonder how much levels Ichinose-san increased by.

Since I didnt hear any announcement about the acquisition of experience, it means that all the experience went to her

Ah, so frustrating. The difference in our level has widened again

Oh, Kudou-san. How much level did you increase by? I didnt hear any announcement on my end, so yours went up considerably, right?

Eh?

Suddenly, Ichinose-san drops a bomb.

***

Meanwhile, in the Underground Shopping Mall.

Okay! Push onward! Well be victorious if we keep this up!

UOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Nishino and his group were fighting against the Queen Ant and her subordinate Ants.

Already, only 20% of the Soldier Ants were left, and Queen Ant Alpha was also in a sorry state with one of her arms missing.

Things are progressing well.

Yes, but we should remain on our guards. Shimizu-san, how many do you have remaining?

Two Magnum Blasters and four smoke-type pesticides. Its slightly lacking, but we can cover for the lack of pesticides with our skills.

Then Shimizu-san and her group will attack from the right. We will attack from the left.

Understood. Everyone, were almost there! Lets do our best!

Inspiring one another and covering for one another.

Nishino and his colleagues were in an advantageous state.

In a battle between two flocks, the side which first gains the upper hand would be at an absolute advantage.

Gyii..

G-gyiii.gyiii

The Ants were clearly being affected by the momentum from Nishino and his colleagues.

Gyii

Realizing what was happening, the Queen Ant suddenly let out a screech.

GYIIIIIIIIIIII!!

W-what? Theyre suddenly changing their movements?

Be careful! We have no idea what theyre planning on doing!

With her screech as the signal, the Soldier Ants began to gather under the Queen Ant.

The Queen Ant which was at the center slowly swung down one of her sickle-like arms.

Gigyaa!

The arm pierced through one of the blank Ants, killing it instantly.

Then, the Queen Ant raised its sickle again to kill another Ant.

She even used her fangs to chew on another individual.

W-whats she doing? Shes eating her kind!

Not only that, shes randomly killing her troops.

What is she thinking?

How should we knowing what a monster thinks? But if shes willing to kill her own kind, thats good for us. Lets finish this once and for all!

OHH!!

Nishino was contemplating while watching the scene unfold.

(Why on earth is she killing them?)

What was she planning on doing under these circumstances?

In the end, monsters are monsters.

(.No, shes killing her own kind?)

It cant be

Nishino eventually arrived at a certain thought.

Stop her from killing the Ants! Eliminate her immediately!

Eh?

Although everyone else made incredulous expressions, Rikka instantly made her move.

She had arrived at the same prediction as Nishino.

As swift as a gale, Rikka rushed at the Queen Ant.

Of course, the Ants tried to top her on her track.

Ants! Do not move from where you are standing!

Nishino activated his Command.

The movements of the Solider Ants halted for a split second. Rikka made use of this opportunity and stepped on the heads of the stationary Ants, jumping forward with great force.

(Hurry hurry!)

Experience could be earned by defeating monsters.

However, this law didnt apply only to humans.

The same went for beasts, insects, and even monsters.

YAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Rikkas weapons cut through the Queen Ant.

As a result, muddy body fluid began bursting out from the Queen Ants abnormally swollen abdomen.

Did it work?

Gyii

Almost at the same time, the Queen Ants fangs tore apart the body of a lone Soldier Ant.

With that, light started overflowing from the body of the Queen Ant.

!?

Step back, Rikka!

Rikka jumped back by using one of the nearby Ants as a stepping stone.

A blinding light illuminated the surrounding area for a few seconds.

Soon enough, the light disappeared and it became dark and silent.

W-what.?

Only a huge abdomen was left where the Queen Ant previously stood.

Dokun. Dokun.

It was pulsing.

I have no idea what that is, but lets end this before anything happens!

One of the staffs from the City Hall dashed forward with his spear, but in that instant, his neck fell off from his head.

.Huh?

Until the end, he was oblivious to what had happened to him.

Then, something stepped on the head that was rolling around.

The remaining abdomen had popped like a balloon, and when the muddy body fluid finished scattering, one monster appeared from within.

It was an Ant with the upper body of a female.

It looked just like Arachne from the Greek myths. [1]

Her upper body was like that of a flawless beauty.

Despite appearing inanimate, her beautiful and sensual figure, which was covered by several crustacean shells peculiar to Ants, fascinated everyone around her.

Nevertheless, the lower half of her body maintained its terrifying appearance of an Ant.

She was well over 2 meters in height, and the intimidating air around her was incomparable to before.

While everyone else was staring at her in awe, she slowly opened her mouth.

~I~i~a~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Queen Ant Alpha screeched as if to celebrate her rebirth.

*****

Didnt Ichinose-san get the experience?

? Didnt it go into you, Kudou-san?

Eh.?

I cant make sense of what shes saying.

However, it doesnt look like shes pulling a joke on me.

Well then, lets first collect the magic stone and the fragments of the Golem.

I pick up Titans magic stone.

Since Titan was a named monster, its magic stone is quite massive.

The purple magic stone asserts its existence on my hand through its mass.

Eh?

However, the stone cracks the next moment.

And thats not the end of the story.

The crack spreads throughout the magic stone before disintegrating into pieces.

W-what just happened?

The magic stone broke?

Y-yes

What? Its not like I put much strength into my grip huh?

Suddenly, I remember something.

Didnt something similar happen yesterday while I was with Fujita-san?

I had picked up a magic stone among a pile of debris, but it dissolved into powder the next second.

.

Neither I nor Ichinose-san heard the announcement regarding the acquisition of experience, and the magic stone had disintegrated into nothing as I held it in my hand.

.Can it be that

I am bombarded by a horrifying premonition.

The ground begins to shake violently the next instant.

.W-whats happening?

Ichinose-sans countenance also changes abruptly.

No, it shouldnt be

The horrifying premonition continues to escalate.

My heart begins beating nonstop, and my breathing becomes irregular due to the disturbance.

A huge shadow is cast upon the ground which has been split up.

Youre. kidding.

We witness the reemergence of the earth Golem, a being so large that it could be mistaken as a building.

The worst part is that it isnt alone.

The number of shadows gradually increases one by one.

We stare at the scene in front of us in a daze.

The shaking subsides, and in front of us stands five earth Golems.

The Golems that appeared open their mouth in unison and let out roars so powerful that they damage my skin.

Ah

This is bullshit this is just a load of bullshit

Our plan should have been perfect.

I had gone over the plan with Ichinose-san and Nishino-kun countless times.

Everything was for the sake of this battle.

But everything has been overturned.

The roars that signify our despair echo in our ears without end.

*****

[1] Just in case you guys start bashing me, yes, I know that Arachne is a spider, not an ant.