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.

If I pour water in from above, 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 gelatin by the orichalcum wire.

… Fufufu, this is a [brought-in item], you know? Super 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 like fiberglass. The method where you let it drip while melted. I saw it on TV once.

Using [Create Golem] to manipulate orichalcum is actually much easier 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 almost got sliced clean off. Rather, even an Iron Golem could accidentally get minced by this.

Despite being thinner than a hair. Orichalcum is terrifying.

I managed to make a one-meter orichalcum wire that, with handles attached to both ends, could barely be bent by a golem using full force. A wire at an absurd level 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 told him to insist 'I can't make that.'"

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

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 isn't a mid-boss room—it's the dungeon's final boss room."

Barely a maze, no decent gimmicks. The traps that did appear were meant for humans, having almost no effect on the fish. Team Demon King's Black Armor was also unharmed thanks to its armor's strength. The only effective trap was a skewering trap, but it just deflected it normally.

I never thought the construction would be this simple.

All that's left is hoping for 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.

Let's just let them do their thing.

"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 made this after our dungeon got flooded," this one felt like it belonged in this dungeon.

Though this dungeon also had typical traps like rope at ankle height, pitfalls, and wires that trigger arrows—frankly, all cheap traps.

The [Boss Room] stalling the water was a nice play, I guess?

I don't know what's 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, a Black Armor accompanied by numerous Skeletons was walking through our dungeon. It was surrounded by Skeletons, apparently 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 respond?

The answer came immediately.

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

It used this frequently during the battle at Team Demon King's dungeon entrance too, but summon-type skills really are strong when you see them like this. You can replenish pawns at no cost.

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

… It feels like 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, huh.

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

"No, it's better to have intervals even if they're short rather than constant flow. The water current's strongest impact is the initial collision. And also—bring out the [Big Ball]. This is the time to use it."

"Finally! Here we go, [Big Ball]!"

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

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

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

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. It can't be avoided unless you're in a room. Even if you cut it in half, its 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.

What, there's a slight margin at the edges even though it just barely fits the passage? Not to worry—it won't jam, so feel free to get run over. Just like those snake remnants that became red stains a moment ago!

Moreover, this trap was Haku-san's idea. Since I'd prepared sloped passages, 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.