There are things that fundamentally cannot be compared.
Can humans match the running speed of a cheetah?
Can humans match the strength of an elephant?
Can humans match the computation power of AI?
If humans choose their comparison targets, there are countless abilities where they are inferior by species.
Therefore, even if humans overwhelm others on average, they cannot overwhelm them in terms of superior abilities.
I am suddenly contemplating such an obvious fact.
What was I trying to say?
That’s—
“Hey, Minami! Explain the basis for thinking you could win a tug-of-war against a dragon in three lines or less!!”
It’s my complaint to Minami. The premise itself was wrong to begin with.
Even a dragon is a living being, and it certainly has limits to its stamina, which will eventually run out.
However, that stamina is tremendous, far beyond what humans, or even us testers, could compare to. Even with stats enhanced by magic, we couldn’t surpass its current level. The battle we challenged with a clear chance of victory was, in a word, brutal.
“I won in the game. If the situation were similar, I thought I could win? I won in my imagination, that’s all!”
“That’s not all!! Your thinking is abnormal!!”
Furthermore, the opponent is an undead. While some struggle was expected, we were facing a situation far exceeding that expectation at this very moment.
“In reality, I had prepared thoroughly with proper data and countermeasures!! But it exceeded my expectations, so what can I do?! What is that thing?! Is it immortal?! Is this a losing event?! I can’t take this without making light of it!!”
It’s been several hours since the combat began. We threw everything we had into this battle, but our side was overwhelmingly losing. We still had stamina, but our carefully prepared magic tools were depleted, and our remaining healing potions were scarce.
“Haa, haa, Katsu-kun, heal me please.”
“I, too, please.”
“Sorry, let me rest for a bit.”
“Right away!”
Even though I was taking all the attacks, it was difficult to block every single one. Kaido, Amelia, and Kitamiya, whose role was to deal damage, were also heavily fatigued from this battle. Katsu, who had prepared, immediately began healing, but fatigue and injuries don’t heal instantly.
“Leader, hold on!”
“You’re saying that from the sidelines! Hey!”
Thanks to the magic technique, recovery takes less than thirty seconds, not even a minute. We needed to buy that small window of a dozen seconds. The magic power of the barrier magic tool we had formed as a pillbox was also gone, and now only my magic-powered shield remains as our last resort. I stepped forward again to shield my companions who had flanked behind me. The sound of something colliding, “Gakin,” is still bearable. I felt a pressure that pushed my shield forward, but I could still hold on. The dragon’s breath, its bite, and the attacks from its tail, utilizing its massive weight difference. The variety of its attacks was limited, but its movements were diverse, a pure power fight that relied heavily on its stats. We fought such an opponent for a long time. We naturally expected it to have accumulated damage as well.
“This was not calculated. To think it would recover in that way. If that hadn’t happened, I thought we could have defeated it without the leader.”
“Who would have predicted that the dragon bones lying around were recovery items?”
We thought the name Skull Dragon, which should only possess primal intelligence, was just for atmosphere. In fact, when that Skull Dragon appeared, it formed its body by absorbing the surrounding bones, leaving the rest as they were. We *assumed* those bones were scattered and merely for camouflage. Little did we know. The Dragon King, who seemed to lack foresight, had apparently thought things through. Those bones were also serving a dual purpose as camouflage.
“I’m starting to feel like we should burn away the surrounding bones first.”
“How wide of an area do you think it is? That’s realistically impossible.”
“We don’t have many Magic Potions left either.”
“Hmm, maybe if I use all my magic, I can do it?”
“My calculations say that’s impossible.”
“I’m starting to think we should just retreat!”
The Skull Dragon’s attacks were so intense that even a slight loss of concentration could lead to us being completely consumed. While I’m fending off all the attacks to protect my companions who are resting, I have to admit that just continuing to defend like this has its limits. We currently lack the attack power to defeat it.
“If only I knew the location of the Ore Tree, I would aim for it.”
It’s understandable that such words would slip out. Several hours have passed. During that time, I of course looked for an opportunity to pull out the Ore Tree. However, the Ore Tree was not in the place I had seen it recently. It was supposed to be embedded at the base of its tail, but it was gone. At first, I thought it might have fallen out somewhere, but I quickly dismissed that. I could sense it. The magic of the Ore Tree, which had merged with my own magic. However, the power was faint, just enough to know it was there. Our initial plan was to immediately pull out the Ore Tree, boost our attack power, and defeat it. Instead, we’ve been dragged into a war of attrition.
“Minami, not yet?!”
“I can’t find it!”
We must find a way to break free from our current predicament, where we are exposed to the dragon’s brute force and facing one unexpected turn after another. Minami is desperately using exploration magic to search for the Ore Tree, but the search is proving difficult due to the magic of the thick-boned Skull Dragon.
“!? All units, assume shock posture!”
“!”
At that moment, for the third time, an aurora struck us. The Skull Dragon’s chest glowed with seven colors and then unleashed its attack. This is the fourth time for me, but I grit my teeth, increase the weight of my shield, and pour magic into it to somehow withstand it. A disturbing sound came from my hand.
“Minami! The shield’s durability is critical! If this continues, we won’t be able to withstand it multiple times!”
Based on experience, the shield creaking like that means it might withstand this aurora. However, my intuition tells me the next one will be too much. It might be because it’s a Giant-specialized shield that it has endured this far. I wish it would hold on a little longer, but I have no complaints. I immediately relayed to those behind me that our remaining time was short.
“…”
However, Minami, who always replies cheerfully, wore a pained expression. There was no solution. We could fight, but we couldn’t win. That was evident from her demeanor.
“…”
She gnashed her teeth, seemingly frustrated, searching for any possibility. Although she had been making lighthearted remarks with her mouth, she had been genuinely cooperative in searching for my Ore Tree. What could I do to repay her sincerity and effort? Is it enough to just follow instructions and act accordingly? My body can move, right? My mind shouldn’t stop. My heart screamed at me to think. What can we do with our remaining strength? What weapons do we have? What items are left? What is Kaido’s stamina? What is Kitamiya’s magic power? How many more spells can Amelia cast? Is there anything Katsu can do? Minami is probably thinking the same thing. Perhaps she has already concluded it’s impossible, and I’m just following her trail of thought. However, if I don’t think, I won’t even be able to spot oversights. So.
“I have to do it.”
Giving up on thinking is always an option. Giving up is always an option. Is my stamina depleted? No, I can still move perfectly. Have I tried all the attacks? No, there are still attack methods remaining. Have I attacked all of the opponent? No, no, there are still many places I haven’t hit. So, have I considered methods that don’t account for risk?
“No.”
The aurora gradually subsided. Even its residual pressure had considerable power, but I was confident I could withstand it. My resolve was already set. It would be more regrettable to not try and fail than to try and fail. I am the kind of person who would rather try and regret than regret not trying.
“Minami, how much can you enhance my body?”
It is precisely because of this situation that I move on to calculating the cost to win.
“At my current magic power, I can apply all the enhancements I can for leader alone. If we were to apply them all to anyone else, it would be two people.”
“Sufficient.”
I gathered the pieces like a puzzle, one by one, considering how much would be needed for the journey so far.
“What are you planning to do?”
Minami’s question flies at me midway. Without letting go of the shield I was holding, I turn around and reply with a smile.
“What am I planning to do? Don’t ask such a foolish question.”
I’ve always done things like gambling. Because it worked out, it’s too early to cling to such superstitions. To Minami, who asks what I’m planning to do, unable to read my thoughts, I grin and reply.
“Of course, to win.”
When in a pinch, smile. Smiling can lead to victory. True strength lies in grasping even the slightest sliver of hope. These are the teachings of the instructors. Giving up is out of the question. I am their leader. Therefore, me giving up is not a joke. Rather, I must be the one to proactively show possibilities. That’s what a superior is for. Minami looks at me with a gaze that asks “How?” Without breaking my smile, I deepen it further and grin as I explain the picture of the puzzle I’m assembling.
“What am I doing? There’s no room for error. I’m simply going straight and blowing it away.”
The picture of this puzzle is incredibly simple.
“Huh? What are you talking about? Are you sane?”
“Who knows? Unfortunately, this isn’t an opponent that can be overturned in a sane and serious state, so it’s probably time to choose a slightly crazy method.”
In this current situation, I don’t have enough cards to turn things around through serious means. Normally, retreating would be the safer option.
“What do you say? Will you bet on this man’s plan, concocted in a desperate situation, or will you follow the answer derived from Minami’s calm judgment?”
But precisely because it’s such a situation, a simple method stands out and becomes effective.
“It’s sly of you to leave the decision to me.”
“Don’t praise me.”
“I’m not praising you.”
Taught by the instructors to enjoy pinch situations, I’m probably more excited than anyone else right now. Laughing as I think about how the fatigue will hit me later, I await Minami’s reply. She understands that I can’t wait long, and Kaido and the others, thinking it’s best to avoid causing confusion by interrupting, quietly wait for her answer. It might be cruel to make someone not even twenty years old make such a judgment, but it’s something that happens often, so I’ll just laugh it off.
“I’ll go with the leader’s intuition. What’s the win rate?”
“Twenty percent.”
I state the win rate with a slightly more optimistic estimate, considering my plan, the maximum firepower I can unleash in this situation, and the estimated damage dealt to the opponent when it’s applied. If I were to be pessimistic, it would be less than ten percent. If I were to be optimistic, it wouldn’t even reach twenty percent. But I deliberately gave a slightly higher estimate.
“Then, I’ll go with it.”
“Eh?! Are you serious, Minami-chan!?”
“Is there a chance of winning?”
“You should ask the leader about that. Honestly, by the time we’ve been pushed into such a dire situation, most of my plans have become irrelevant. Frankly, I judge that retreating now would result in the least damage.”
“Then why did you agree to Jiro-san’s plan? Shouldn’t you have just withdrawn?”
At her bold statement, Minami tilted the scales. Minami, with a slight twitch, manages a smile in response to Kitamiya and Katsu’s questions.
“Normally, I’d say running away here would mean the end of me as a gamer, but today is a little different.”
It’s a smile that anyone can see is forced and she’s trying to be brave. Even while being exposed to the Skull Dragon’s aurora, she declared.
“If we turn things around from here, we’ll probably look incredibly cool.”
Her statement, in a way, is typical of her, and it makes the corner of my mouth loosen. How many people, while fighting a dragon, would respond like this when asked?
“Kahahahaha! Good one, Minami! That’s the best!”
I can’t help but laugh in agreement with her words. Ah, that’s right. Initially, we came to this land to find a way to strike back against the President. Then we entered this land to retrieve the Ore Tree. But now, I just want to defeat the opponent and desire the current ultimate waste. What else can I do but laugh?
“Ugh, is it just going with the flow based on excitement? But, I don’t dislike that kind of vibe either!”
“Me too! It feels better to win, doesn’t it!”
“…Those are your usual words, Minami, but I think I understand that feeling. Yeah, maybe it’s okay to challenge with this kind of feeling once in a while.”
“Are you guys understanding the situation? Asking would be stating the obvious. Alright, alright, I’ll go along with it.”
“I don’t want to hear Kitamiya being a tsundere~”
“Who’s a tsundere!”
That laughter is contagious. The expressions that were grim moments ago are now filled with smiles. It’s more accurate to say they’ve resigned themselves rather than found hope. But, everyone’s will has united.
“Alright, you guys, let’s go all out!”
“Ouu!”
Then let’s enjoy this crisis!
Quote of the day: I want to savor the thrill of a comeback!
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*The first volume of the novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, with the addition of an unpublished interlude.
Please consider purchasing the new volumes!
A comic adaptation is serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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