Chapter 297: who will be the lactating goddaughter?

S-class hunter Nam Su-won watched the situation and clicked her tongue.

’What do those kids know about attacking something like that?’

Not everyone had insight skills like Ren and could see through an opponent’s exact rank.

If you at least knew roughly which clan a witchbeast belonged to, you could gauge its strength.

This opponent was a member of that rare and powerful cosmic lineage.

The high-ranking hunters weren’t just watching the trend.

On one hand, their blood was boiling.

’I’ve had times like that too.’

Relatively young children were seeing angles that thick-haired pro-hunters could no longer see.

It was because they didn’t know better — and that was exactly why the Hilaria Squad and the Fleshlight Squad got the chance to claim the reward faster than anyone else.

’Should I test their skills?’

Su-won summoned water-attribute magic and quietly prepared to cast.

Meanwhile Yuna slid in with light movements, aiming for the Galactic Miner’s back.

"I’ll help!"

"Be careful, Yuna-senpai!"

"Oh!"

The Galactic Miner’s tentacle attacks immediately targeted Yuna.

She barely managed to slip past the side bumps, sweat already forming on her forehead.

’It’s much faster than what I saw from a distance!’

How had Hilaria been avoiding all of that while fighting?

Realizing the danger of going in too deep, Yuna looked for another opening — just as Hilaria’s heavy sword cut through the miner’s body again.

Even that was blocked by the barrier, but support fire soon poured in.

"Tank, get in!"

This was the basic tactic when dealing with an unknown high-ranking monster.

Push the tank forward and observe how the opponent reacts under support fire.

It was an honest method listed in the Hunter Manual. The pro hunters in charge of tanking pushed the Galactic Miner into a corner with shields reinforced by demonic steel.

Magic and gunfire rained down.

The problem was that the shield wasn’t even scratched.

"You bastard! You’ve got a lot of strength, don’t you?!"

The man holding the shield groaned and shouted.

At that moment—

Bang! Bang bang!

Bullets from Ren’s 「Reinforced Glock」 shook the Galactic Miner’s magic shield.

Without missing the moment the rift opened, Hilaria charged in.

"Huh!!"

She dared to stomp on the back of the shield-bearer, used him as a springboard, and slashed the miner’s body with her heavy sword.

The shield shattered. The miner spurted blood.

Not missing the gap, Yuna flashed past and quickly slashed its leg.

Ren’s shooting with the reinforced Glock showed extraordinary dealing power and began steadily shaking the Galactic Miner’s barrier.

It wasn’t strong enough to deliver a final blow, but it constantly exerted enough force to reduce the enemy’s defense.

It wasn’t just because the gun contained a lot of magic steel.

Ren’s 「Tactical Shooting」 skill and the corrections from his high technique stat were all intervening in the power.

’It’s working better than I thought.’

"Elle. Can you attack?"

Elle, concentrating magic into her staff, shook her head.

"I can’t. There are too many people around."

"Back off!"

At that moment Su-won called for a magic barrage. As the tankers stepped back, water magic poured over the miner’s head.

It was the mages’ turn.

As if she had been waiting for exactly this, Elle cast [Void Bullet] and fired. The miner’s body seemed to shatter under the impact.

However the creature only staggered, then began lashing out with magic from its sturdy frame before vomiting strange child-like forms from its mouth.

"Ugh! Gross!"

There was an enthusiastic reaction from the female hunters.

The small creatures immediately rushed the surrounding tanks. When that wasn’t enough they broke through the defense lines and started spreading.

"Elle! Come back!"

"Yes!"

*

I struck the giant octopus-like things the miner had vomited one by one with my fists.

A harder-than-expected feel transmitted through my hands, but they were definitely weaker than the main body.

Hilaria and Yuna had already organized four or five by themselves and were on their way to finish the body.

At that moment a beam of light shot from the Galactic Miner’s eye with a sharp ’peeing’ sound.

「Perception/Red」 activated.

[Beam for Mining]

[A+ Rank Attack Skill]

[Beam used for mining ore floating in space]

’Mining beam?’

Wasn’t that a poor name compared to the actual impact?

I thought for a second, then was jolted awake by the sound of the laser burning through Hilaria’s heavy sword.

"It’s strong!"

"I’ll sweep its eyes! Hilaria!"

Cybele took off her glasses.

The Galactic Miner, exposed to Cybele’s gaze, stiffened in place!

’Now.’

There was only this moment!

I pulled out the Benelli and fired immediately.

『Soul Excretion slug bullet』!

Keyiing... !!

It was blocked by the magic shield?!

"You can’t do it like that."

Someone muttered nearby.

"You have to break the enemy’s magic distortion first, then apply damage to the bare body. Get ready!"

"Uh, yes!"

At first glance he looked like an ordinary office worker.

However the magic he used brought a tremendous amount of water into the atmosphere.

It wasn’t even a torrent. The water struck the enemy’s body like a concentrated gale.

’Incredible control.’

No one around was hurt.

As the wave shifted, it aimed precisely at the enemy.

Elle had been improving her magic and power a lot lately, but she still didn’t have this level of fine control.

’This man is strong.’

"Keeek!"

The Galactic Miner writhed like a goblin.

The magic shield shook under the water assault and finally collapsed with a loud bang!

"Now! Go ahead!"

One more slug!

I inserted a fresh slug into the empty chamber, released the safety, and immediately pulled the trigger.

Bang!!

Then, as if desperate, the miner fired the mining beam in every direction, splitting the bullets and attacking everyone in the area.

After reading the range of the attack with [Detection], I quickly moved to guard Elle.

The laser penetrated my arm!

’Keuuuuugh.’

It was hot. For a moment I thought my arm had been pierced clean through.

But it was okay.

Was it because of the high stamina stat? The ground beneath me had melted, yet my arm was left with only burns.

"Ren! Because of me—!"

Elle’s complexion turned blue.

"Don’t worry. It only stings a little."

"Your skin is red... what should I do?"

"Calm down."

This wasn’t a big deal.

I could tell from the fact that Mira hadn’t stepped forward. That meant I could overcome it myself.

Even if that goddess acted like a child whining in front of me, she was still a goddess.

I had to handle this kind of attack on my own. Because...

[Saint Erin heals your wounds!]

Burns restored.

’Because I already have many abilities.’

Elle had been about to cry, but she stared in stunned silence when the wound closed right before her eyes.

"See? Not a big deal, right?"

"Uh, yes...! You knew how to use healing magic..."

"There’s something like that. Now..."

The miner recovered its ’Magical Shield’ again.

Was this the true majesty of an A+-rank beast? The defense was really outstanding.

Even after taking Hilaria’s heavy sword with enough force that it looked like it should have died instantly, the thing still showed no signs of dying.

A belly protruding from skinny arms and legs...

It was clear that even its vitality was tenacious, like an office worker suffering under a crushing workload.

While I observed the situation for a moment, numerous casualties appeared around us.

The man who used water magic prepared another spell after protecting himself with a barrier.

At that moment the mining beam fired once more.

Peeing... !!

"Quit!!"

The man blocked the beam with a water shield that covered every hunter in range.

"Th-thank you!"

"I lived..."

"We have to run away. He’s not an opponent we can fight at our rank!"

I guessed we would have to push harder here.

Instead of everyone joining forces, people started withdrawing.

’Is that how it is?’

It wasn’t that we had all come together to survive together.

What were the rest of us supposed to do?

It was psychologically difficult to keep standing against the monster while the smarter people retreated.

Was I the only one looking away?

Yuna didn’t care and continued fighting.

Looking at her back, I steeled my heart.

’If Yuna creates an opening, I’ll shoot right away!’

"Senior Yuna, I’ll go one more time. The petrification time is three seconds!"

"Okay!"

Cybele and Yuna moved together.

Cybele stopped the Galactic Miner from firing any more beams.

In place of the injured Hilaria, Yuna jumped in with dual swords.

"I’ll open it myself!"

Again the magic barrier blocked her.

Yuna pierced the shield with the ebony blade and forced it open.

"Ren!"

I loaded the third bullet.

『Soul Excretion, Moonlight Slug Bullet』

This one was crucial.

The lead bullet of tremendous power swept across the ground this time, overcame the mining beam, and buried itself directly into the body.

The Galactic Miner reeled from the massive shock.

"Soul Excretion!"

View view view view view view!!!

"Cueeeee!!!"

The Galactic Miner rolled around uglily, spilling jelly everywhere.

...Ah.

So this was what Soul Excretion looked like on a beast.

If you can hold on, hold on!

[Level has risen]

[Galaxy Jelly]

"Got it!"

Yuna shouted happily, and the people around us became agitated.

"Did you catch it?"

"The Fleshlight Man caught it."

"It’s not moving anymore... thank God."

I hurriedly ran toward Hilaria and Elle.

"Hilaria. Are you okay?"

"It’s okay. This much is nothing."

Burns on her arm?

...It looked like she had taken a pretty big hit at close range.

Although she was pretending to be fine, Hilaria was sweating profusely.

"Let’s call an ambulance."

"What kind of ambulance? It’s fine. It’s better if we leave it alone."

I didn’t think it would get better on its own.

We had won, but I still had no idea why something like this had appeared in the first place.

At that moment—

"Oh! Ren-kun, are you here?"

The student council vice president, Evangeline, appeared.

There was something like an angel ring floating above her head. What? Was she an angel?

The appearance of a big-hearted and gentle third-year senior.

She soon used her healing magic and healed not only Hilaria but also those lying on the ground with injuries.

"Sorry. I’m a little late because I was looking elsewhere."

"Senior Evangeline. What about Liliana?"

"We’re going deeper now. The mist is spreading, so I’m here to let you guys know."

What did it mean that the mist was spreading?

Evangeline smiled as she stood there watching our puzzled faces.

"First of all, those of you who just felt like you couldn’t handle the battle — will you leave?"

She spoke with a comfortable smile, like someone working a part-time job.

"Because if you can’t catch even this much, you won’t be any help. Everyone."

...

We probably weren’t being tested...

It was a harsh world where even after capturing such a strong enemy there wasn’t a single word of praise.

"What’s wrong, Ren-kun?"

"Something... you’re harsher than when I saw you at the academy."

"Because this is a real battle. People will die if you offer clumsy consolations."

From a healer’s point of view, she had probably grown fed up with watching so many hunters die while acting recklessly.

"Those who remain will follow the Angel One Squad."

Standing next to Evangeline were her assistants — white miniskirts and white robes that made their chests stand out.

Both of them had neat, straight bobbed hair with bangs covering their eyes, and their bodies were as impressive as Evangeline’s.

It was a little unfair to say this, but...

’I think I’ll do well.’

"Does this level of enemy keep appearing?"

Yuna asked.

"Um... yes!"

"What exactly is the mist, Senior Evangeline?"

I asked as well, curious.

"Usually we invade with gravitational waves and eliminate the enemies, right?"

"Yes."

"When the mist appears, the enemies attack us instead. Right now this distance has been assimilated with the inside of the gravitational wave. The degree of danger varies depending on the type of dungeon."

"..."

"Currently this is an S+ rank."

It was a little different from what I had expected.

"Weren’t we going to investigate the villain alliance?"

"That’s what I mean. A disaster suddenly started, and we’re in a mess too. Maybe they resorted to emergency measures because they thought their hideout would be exposed."

"Okay. Give me a moment."

I called the Fleshlight Squad together.

Yuna had a slightly worried expression.

"Aren’t you going to make a joke like usual?"

"When did I ever make jokes in this kind of situation?"

"What do you think, Yuna?"

"Um... it’s difficult."

It was pretty dangerous here.

But there would be a payoff as well.

"Because the student council president is also here... I want to go, Ren."

"I think it would be embarrassing to give up here."

"Then let’s go. The three of us should stick together."

"Hmm. I also have a trump card left."

It wasn’t like I had taken out everything I had.

"Once again, when that guy comes out, let’s shake the shield together and then go for the order of feeding it Soul Excretion."

"Good!"

Elle nodded as well.

"Are you okay, Elle?"

"Yes. I can do it."

Good.

I went back to Evangeline-senpai.

As if she had been expecting my answer, she smiled.

"How is it? Have you made up your mind?"

"Let’s go, Senior."

"I knew it would be you. It’s commendable, so I’ll give you a prize when it’s over."

...Should I ask for a babysitter to breastfeed? From Evangeline-onee-sama...

"Will you give me something better than meat?"

"Then~ tell me anything. To this older sister."

Hmm.

I couldn’t stand the thought of having a wish granted by a big-breasted older sister.

"I’ll follow you."

We followed Evangeline and entered the streets where the mist was spreading.

Previously...

"Become a Fleshlight."

I went ahead and converted the galaxy jelly.

I acquired [Galaxy Miner Fleshlight]!

[Galaxy Miner Fleshlight] (New)

The universe’s family member, a galaxy miner’s soul jelly, was made into a Fleshlight. The quality is good, and it has a mysterious tightening.

[Rarity A] [Personality intact (100%)]

Mysterious Tightening S | Durability A | Warmth A | Reaction A

An A-rank Fleshlight.

What exactly was ’mysterious tightening’?

I was curious, but I didn’t really want to test it right now.

The demon merchant would probably drool and love it.

[[Mysterious Universe Fleshlight] Collection effect accomplished]

[Technique + 25]

Wow.

The collection effect was great, wasn’t it?

After all, I had thought there was something special about something as dangerous as that.

Strength 『214』 (Picture Book Bonus +58)

Quickness 『132』 (Picture Book Bonus +58)

Stamina 『131』 (Picture Book Bonus +85)

Technique 『195』 (Encyclopedia Bonus +100)

Technique was now 295.

The stats of a decent mid-level A-class hunter were steadily being completed.