The Third Dungeon Battle: Combat (6)

I created a water current in the completely submerged floor. Though really, I'm just pouring water in from the floor above.

Pour water in from above, and it flows down into the drain trap-like area below.

They can't brace themselves well underwater, can they? The Skeletons floated up all at once and were sliced into pieces like tokoroten through the orichalcum wire.

… Fufufu, this is a "brought-in item," you know? Pretty effective, isn't it, this wire…!

"Orichalcum thread… you did well to prepare such extremely fine thread."

"Yeah, there's a skilled blacksmith in our village."

Let's go with that. Well, I'm the one who actually made it, of course.

I took the four orichalcum coins Rokuko got from the 1,000 DP gacha, brought them back, and tried making them into super-fine thread using the same principle as fiberglass. The method where you let it drip while it's melted. I saw it on TV once.

When using [Create Golem] to manipulate orichalcum, it's actually far easier to work with than iron, giving me complete control.

I was worried about the strength since it was so thin, but when I tried to pick it up, my fingers nearly got sliced clean off. In fact, even an Iron Golem could accidentally get minced by this stuff.

Even though it's thinner than a hair. Orichalcum is terrifying.

With handles attached to both ends, a one-meter length of orichalcum wire could barely be bent by a golem at full power. A truly absurd wire had been created.

(For the handles, I cheaply made them from iron and had them fuse to the orichalcum.)

"Maybe I should have something made next time."

"Please go through me when you do. It'll go more smoothly that way. Even if you talk to the craftsman directly, I've instructed him to insist he 'can't make that.'"

"Is that so? Well, keeping capable craftsmen close is important. I'll leave the orders to you then, Kehma-san."

Regarding orichalcum processing techniques, I've already shown off some with the ring.

Well, I mean, there's a huge difference in difficulty between a ring and wire thinner than hair, though.

"Hey Kehma. This submerged floor is the middle layer, right?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"So that means we're at the turnaround point. How are things on the enemy's side?"

"Let's hear about [Team Dragon King]'s dungeon progress first. Niku."

"… First, we've reached the seventh floor of [Team Dragon King]'s dungeon. It's the seventh floor, but we suspect this is the dungeon's final boss room, not a mid-boss."

It was barely a maze with no real gimmicks. The traps that did show up seemed like an afterthought and were meant for humans, having almost no effect on the fish. [Team Demon King]'s Black Armor was also unscathed thanks to its armor's strength. The only remotely effective trap was the skewering type, but it just deflected those normally.

I never expected the construction to be this simple.

All that's left is the dungeon boss, but the Black Armor is raring to go, swinging its black sword around eagerly. Maybe we won't even get a turn?

If we interfere with the fight, the Black Armor might immediately turn hostile toward us.

Might as well let them go at it with gusto.

"How's the progress on [Team Demon King]'s dungeon?"

"Hmm, we're at what looks like another boss room on the fifth floor. Feels like a mid-boss."

A large Skeleton was guarding the door leading further in.

Unlike the bone fish from the second floor, this was probably a boss monster they'd prepared from the start.

Unlike the bone fish that clearly screamed "we threw this together after our dungeon got flooded," this one actually fit the dungeon.

That said, this dungeon also only had typical traps like rope strung at ankle height, pitfalls, and tripwires that trigger arrows. Frankly, all cheap traps.

Using the Boss Room to stop the water was a nice play, I suppose?

I don't know what lies ahead, but I can't let my guard down.

Something Black Armor-tier or higher will probably appear as the dungeon boss.

"! Kehma! The Black Armor that was at [Team Demon King]'s dungeon entrance has come to our dungeon!"

Seriously? So they're finally getting serious about capturing us. Looking at the monitor, a Black Armor accompanied by numerous Skeletons was walking through our dungeon. Surrounded by Skeletons, it seemed to be wary of traps.

"Let's hit them with a water current first. Open floodgate number one."

"Okay～"

I also prepared a barrel Gargoyle. Now then, how will they deal with it?

The answer came immediately.

Several Skeletons at the front went to intercept the barrel, and the Black Armor cut the Gargoyle that emerged clean in half with a single stroke. Then, probably using a summon-type skill, [Summon Skeleton], it replenished the lost Skeletons.

It used this frequently during the battle at [Team Demon King]'s dungeon entrance too, but seeing it like this, summon-type skills really are strong. You can replenish your pawns at no cost.

Following their example, I spam [Summon Gargoyle]. One barrel Gargoyle didn't cut it, but what about five? What about ten? Well, it might not have much effect, but do your best, Gargoyle-kun.

… I get the feeling they'll resent me for using them as sacrificial pawns, so even if you survive, please don't come back!

Ahh, thinking about it that way, maybe [Summon Skeleton] is easier on the conscience. They're already dead from the start, after all. Ah, but there's the fear of grudges. Either way has its problems.

"What do we do? Should we just keep the water flowing?"

"No, it's better to have short intervals rather than constant flow. The water current hits hardest with its initial surge. And also… bring out the [Big Ball]. This is the time to use it."

"It's finally time! Here we go, [Big Ball]!"

Rokuko gleefully operated the monitor, and the room storing the [Big Ball]—installed in the ceiling—was unlocked.

Then, onto the slope-like passage, the [Big Ball]… a giant iron sphere dropped. That classic from a certain adventure movie.

Following the obvious formula of "Gravity + Slope + Ball," the [Big Ball] slowly began rolling downhill.

In other words, a giant bowling ball. The enemies are the pins.

By the way, this thing is made to be just barely the width of the passage. Unless you're in a room, there's no way to dodge it. Even if you cut it in half, the mass and momentum remain unchanged!

The [Big Ball] started slowly but was gradually picking up speed. By the time it encounters the Black Armor, it should have enough force to knock them into their next reincarnation, don't you think?

Sure, there's a slight margin even though it barely fits the passage. But don't worry, it won't jam, so feel free to get run over. Just like those snake remnants that just became red stains!

Incidentally, this trap was Haku-san's idea. Since the passages were sloped, she suggested making use of them. Indeed, it's got way more power than a water current.

"Fufufu, the fusion of my idea for a trap and Rokuko-chan's dungeon… this is wonderful."

"Y-yes, it is."

"Go! [Big Ball]! Know the power of me and Haku-neesama!"

And then, the iron ball at maximum momentum encountered the Skeleton group led by the Black Armor.