The Third Dungeon Battle: Combat (7)

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

It happened in an instant.

Skeletons destroyed. Bone fragments scattering everywhere. And—

—the iron ball, pierced by a red magic sword and brought to a stop.

The Black Armor had thrust a blazing red-hot magic sword into the spinning iron ball, halting its momentum.

Then, swinging the magic sword several more times, red lines traced across the iron ball, and it melted away from those lines.

"… Huh?"

My jaw dropped in disbelief. I mean, that was an iron ball as wide as the passage. Who could have thought they'd stop something with that much mass and momentum with a single sword? And seriously, how much heat did it take to completely melt that iron ball?

"Whoa, I was sure that did it… they melted Haku-neesama's Big Ball!"

"Splendidly overcome. Well, these things happen… Oh? Rokuko-chan, that magic sword… isn't it Core 666's?"

"Really. Ah, it is… wait, don't tell me the Dungeon Core herself is charging in!?"

"Eh. I totally thought it was just a Living Armor though."

I thought it was a Living Armor with nothing inside… So that kind of usage was possible too, huh. Well, I'm using Golems like that myself.

Dungeon Cores don't need to breathe, so there's no problem even underwater… or maybe this Living Armor is her true form?

"Really, those Demon King Faction types are so annoyingly aggressive…"

Haku-san sighed and pressed her hand against her temple.

Maybe that's common in the Demon King Faction? Maybe they're all a bunch with dungeon boss-like true forms.

"… Well, alright. Ichika, send the Sahagin squad into Team Demon King's dungeon now. This is our chance while the Black Armor isn't there."

"Roger～"

"Niku, do you need reinforcements?"

"I think we should wait and see a bit longer. Gargoyles would be appreciated."

"Got it. I'll summon some."

Using [Summon Gargoyle], I sent them to the flood gate room on the lowest floor.

… It's a bit late to mention, but Gargoyles can move between floors. They use the non-standard route of passing through the sea outside the dungeon. Since there's a flood gate room like a spacecraft airlock on each floor, using this route lets them move freely to any floor. If I collect the water first, they can move stealthily without triggering floods.

For invasion from the outside, we respond by keeping the doors firmly closed. There's a proper route available, so please use that.

"Mu, the Black Armor has already reached the middle layer, the submerged area."

"Muu, we can't use [Big Ball] against 666 anymore."

"Just in case, I've prepared another one ready to drop right after they exit the submerged area. Let's try combining it with a water attack so it doesn't get melted."

It might be at the level of accidentally killing Core 666, but coming to the front lines as a Dungeon Core in the first place is her own fault.

"… Hypothetically speaking, it won't be my fault if Core 666 dies, right?"

"Well, accidents happen in Dungeon Battles. Feel free to kill her."

Got Haku-san's seal of approval. Let's continue going all out.

"Middle layer, release the water. Let's have them embrace the orichalcum wire."

"Okay～"

"Ah, use the reverse current too. That should make it hard to brace."

"Oh, then I need to open another flood gate from a different direction."

It's the middle layer, but we can pour water in from the lower layer on the opposite side.

By pouring in massive amounts of water to create a reverse current, the turbulent water currents should jostle them around and mince them up with the orichalcum wire.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

# Team Demon King's Side #

 

"That was a bit… scary."

That iron ball had quite the momentum. She'd let her guard down thinking it would only be water, so her reaction was delayed.

She was almost run over, but she managed to deal with it.

A shiver ran through her. This—yes, this is what she wanted.

"Ahh—this is so much fun!"

She couldn't help but smile.

The sensation of sharpening her life to a razor's edge. This was the stimulation Core 666 sought.

Tranquility was nothing but a heavy, dulling poison.

"What a wonderful battle. Wisdom and traps, and strategy! Is that your power, 695? Tell me, 695—are you enjoying this moment as much as I am?"

She absolutely wanted to share this joy with her [rival], thought Core 666.

—But until now, that wish had never come true.

Why? Because Core 666 was exceptional, and there was no comparable Core in the 600 series. Core 666 naturally showed restraint toward Cores from the 500 series and earlier, as her seniors.

She held genuine respect for those of higher generations and greater strength. But toward those at the same level or below, she couldn't help but feel—how pathetic to be at the same level as me, a 600-series Core.

That's why she couldn't have a [rival].

But if it were 695, a Core from the same 600 series—perhaps she could become a [rival] to share these feelings with.

This thirst-like, almost lovesick feeling—painfully unbearable, making her want more and more. The joy of filling this empty vessel made of endless desire—she loved it beyond words.

If she had a [rival]—she couldn't think of a better word—someone she could enjoy this with, she would surely want to trample and destroy them. That would be the best.

"Aidi, I defeated Team Dragon King's boss. Found the Core."

At that moment, a calm report came in from her master.

The voice of a boy calling Core 666 "Aidi." A report of suppression.

"Go ahead and destroy it. How was it?"

"Nothing impressive. A dud."

Apparently a Poison Wyvern appeared as the boss.

A flying sub-dragon with poison. Reasonably tough, but that was all.

"I didn't expect its poison breath to explode, but that's all."

"I see."

The poison was completely ineffective against her master's Living Armor, but apparently the room had filled with volatile poison, and when it scraped its claws against the stone floor, it exploded.

So that was their trump card?

It was surprising, but nothing more.

"Will you come here after destroying the Dummy Core?"

"I will. Just destroyed it."

As if to confirm her master's report, [Father] opened communications.

"Alright～, Team Dragon King is out! Too bad, 5. Pulling out your attackers."

"Ugaaaah! To think I'd lose here!"

"""We're sorry, 5-sama!!"""

The mournful cries of those insects were audible.

With this, the nuisances were gone.

"Finally, it's just me and 695. Let's have some fun."

Core 666 pressed forward into Team Sovereign's dungeon.

For such a majestic Living Armor, her advancing footsteps were light.