Chapter 186: Maritime Battle
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
From the waves that were splashing up behind it, whatever was heading towards us was both vast and fast.
Shadowy figures of some tentacle-like things were waving in the air, but it was still hard to see details from this distance.
“Can’t really tell what that thing is,” Hyurumi muttered as she squinted over the deck. “There are too many sea monsters with tentacles to know what it is.”
Even Hyurumi, with her encyclopaedic knowledge of monsters, could not tell what it was. Was it because it was too far away to make out the details?
Well, if that’s the case, luckily for you, I have encountered vending machines selling binoculars and telescopes… there are also those pay-per-view binoculars on the observation decks too.
These pay-per-view binoculars are usually located at observation decks where tourists can view scenic mountain areas or forests more clearly at just 100 yen per five to ten minutes.
Technically, it was not a <Vending Machine> per se, but an <Auto Service Machine>, which I can provide after achieving Rank 2. Now, I would love to talk more about the classification and differences between these two types of machines, but since we’re in a rush, I shall refrain for now.
I transformed into slim, dark green binoculars attached to the deck. By the way, these were the first pay-per-view binoculars I used way back when I was in elementary school.
“Eh? Hakkon just thinned down?”
That’s right, I looked nothing like the usual ‘box-shaped’ me.
“Hey, is this some kind of telescope?” the curious Hyurumi was all over me at once. She was so absorbed in exploring every inch of my person that it looked like she had completely forgotten about her seasickness.
Ah, but it’s a bit embarrassing to be studied so intently…
That said, are there such things as telescopes in this world? I did hear that binoculars were invented after telescopes, but since Hyurumi used the second term, I can only guess that the former hasn’t been invented yet.
“Oh? Looks like we have to pay with a single copper coin before we can use it? Alright! Let’s try it out!”
After the coin entered my body, my eyesight suddenly improved.
Woah, am I seeing the view that Hyurumi is looking at?
My vision adjusted itself and… am I seeing what Hyurumi is looking at?
“This is great! Oh, I see it.”
‘It’ was the approaching monster that was neither an octopus nor a squid.
[1] What we had assumed were tentacles were actually long, thin human arms growing out of the main body of the monster. It has the round head and body of a humanoid and is kind of in the general shape of a white tadpole? But with arms? Also, it was covered with black dots… no, eww, those were eyes…How creepy.
“Ugh, I’m not good against those sorts of things,” Hyurumi muttered.
So, you’re fine with those fishing worms, but not this? Then again, I totally understand you. The fact that it was partly humanoid somehow made it worse.
“It looked like the Thousand-Arm Humanoid Demon. I heard that this monster was made up of the souls of people who had drowned at sea and gathered together to form a single monster. [2] It’s said to be quite strong even on land. Considering that this is their domain, if we get pulled into the ocean, our survival rate would be close to zero.”
“So, it’s better to strike it down from a distance, right?” [3] said Ramis.
“Sure, we can do that, but Shui’s our only long-distance fighter. Hevoy’s chains could probably reach that thing, but those arms…”
Furthermore, we don’t have magic users on board either. There was no one who could throw a Fire Ball or Ice Spear at that thing. However, there was no point thinking about what we don’t have, let’s consider what we have and form a plan with that.
“We have some harpoons, feel free to use them,” said a sailor as the crew set down a bunch of these weapons on the deck.
Wow, with this many, we may have a chance to take that thing down before it gets too close.
“Thanks. Right, shall I start throwing them?” [3] said Ramis.
“I shall help as well,” [3] said Hevoy.
The two of them have the gifts of <Super Strength>, so they were the ones who were charged to throw the harpoons. As Hevoy and Shui hefted the harpoons in their hands, I was a little worried to see Ramis stumble a little on the deck.
“Osu! Do it!”
Two harpoons shot towards the distant enemy.
The sound of the harpoons cutting through the air was sharp, the wind pressure powerful enough to make Hyurumi’s hair flow back.
The difference in strength could be seen in the flying harpoons. Ramis’ harpoon shot forward like a missile and struck the sea behind the Thousand-Arm Demon.
Ah, as expected, Ramis’s control over her strength was…
Hevoy’s harpoon pierced the enemy’s shoulder, but it did not seem to have done much to slow the enemy down.
“Tsk, again!”
“Right, here I go!”
Ramis’s second try… missed again. Hevoy’s harpoon struck the creature’s back. The enemy’s speed remained unchanged.
At the third throw, Ramis’s harpoon missed again. Hevoy’s harpoon grazed the monster’s head.
“It’s closing in fast!”
“I can fire my arrows at it, but don’t expect it will make any difference with something that big.”
“I shall join the battle as well, Master Hakkon!”
Yes, yes, no need to try and ask me for permission or anything, just throw that harpoon, Mishael. That thing was getting too close for comfort. Once it reaches the ship, who knows what will happen?
Shui’s arrows accurately struck the monster’s eyes. If they were really eyes…
More harpoons were flung towards the creature and… woah, it was now deflecting our attacks with their arms? So, those things weren’t just some weird decorations?
”Come oooooon!” Ramis’s howled as her harpoon missed again.
“This is… dangerous… I can’t die until… I meet him… everyone… do your best…”
“That’s not fair, Pitee!” Shui shrieked.
Pitee had been staring blankly at the commotion on the deck before retreating into her bivalve-like shield. Looks like she was only interested in her own safety, what a character.
“Ugh, if only I could throw something bigger! I’m sure I can hit it if I can just throw something bigger!” Ramis shook her fist as her next throw missed again.
Please don’t start tearing up pieces of the ship to throw. We’re not on land right now, where you can randomly tear up rocks and tree stumps to throw.
If you want to throw something big… I guess I qualified, but I have a feeling that she doesn’t have the heart to actually throw me towards that Thousand-Arm monster thing.
Let’s see, what else works? Um…
At that moment, everyone’s eyes landed on the same thing. The clam-like shield that had been sitting on the deck all morning.
“Hey, Hevoy, Shui, that thing floats, right?”
“Indeed, especially with the gift of <Weight Manipulation>, floating would not be a problem,” Hevoy confirmed.
“Also, if we tie it up like this, we can retrieve it later, too,” said Hyurumi as she swiftly tied up the bivalve shield with a long chain. From the looks of it, the chain was from a spare anchor or something.
I thought about stopping them, because… well, isn’t it kind of cruel? Still, since I didn’t have a better idea, I decided not to say anything.
“Eh… what… are you doing…?”
Pitee’s pitiful voice warbled from within the shields, but everyone pretended not to hear it.
“Throw this Ramis, don’t worry if you missed, we can just pull it back,” Hyurumi ordered mercilessly.
“Um, are you sure?”
“That monster will be here in a few dozen seconds. There’s no time for doubt. Otherwise, do you want to throw Hakkon instead?”
“Welcome”
Since I could make myself float with <Barrier>, I don’t mind being thrown in place of that poor woman. Still, it looks like you won’t have much time to decide, Ramis. The enemy is approaching quickly, it was near enough for us to see their disgusting white skin, countless eyes and waving white arms.
The sight seemed to shock Ramis into action as she lifted the shields containing Pitee.
“W-what’s… going on…?”
“Sorry, Pitee. When you feel like you’ve hit the water, just make sure you float.”
“Wh-wwhaaaaattttt—!!!”
Ramis had already hurled the shield with all her might. Screams echoed in the air as the shield sailed over the water and struck the enemy’s massive body at less than 10 meters away.
“How do you like that! Huh?! Did you see that, Hakkon?” Ramis was hopping around with glee, clearly happy at finally hitting something with her throws. However, it looked like she may have overdone it.
The shield tore through the enemy like it was made of rice paper, and the bivalve shield was now skipping across the water. The length of chains was rapidly disappearing.
Uh oh.
“B-ad B-ad”
I warned at maximum volume.
If the chain detached itself from the ship, we may never see Pitee again.
Ramis and the others also noticed the problem and threw themselves onto the chain.
“Wh-wh-whaaahhhh!!!”
Ramis managed to grab hold of the chain and braced herself. Instead of stopping the rapidly disappearing bivalve shield, the boat suddenly lurched forward and was… pulled along at an alarming speed.
Wow, Ramis must have been super angry and frustrated when she flung Pitee out. It was almost like watching a play about a bunch of people cooperating to pull out the Enormous Turnip, I thought, as the ship sped across the vast ocean.
[Gumihou: Woah, that was unexpected…]
[1] Adjusted the description of the monster [2] Give Hyurumi more Hyurumi-like dialogue
Original was: Is that a multi-armed human demon? It’s said that the souls of people who died at sea gathered together and turned into monsters. Their bodies are about a size smaller than this ship. Their strength is quite impressive. On land at least. If that’s the case, we won’t lose, but this is the ocean. If we get pulled into the ocean, I don’t think I’ll be able to survive.’
There’s emphasising, and there’s repetitive
[3] Appropriate dialogue tags
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