Humans are surprisingly resilient.
It takes time to realize this, time I experienced as a corporate slave and continue to keenly feel since joining this company.
In my previous job, even with moderate malnutrition and somewhat reduced sleeping hours, people would only give warning signals. There was still a long way to go before the final deadline.
What am I trying to say?
“Kahahaha! After only about two hours of sleep, I’m about to engage in a battle to the death with a god!”
In a state close to post-all-nighter euphoria, I finished my work and am now moving on to the next location.
My mood is erratic, but my body, having experienced near-death situations since joining this company, is far tougher than it used to be. This allows me to still be ready for full combat.
It’s frightening that my brain and spirit have determined there’s no problem.
“Alright, Jiro-, even if you say you’re alright, at least drink a potion.”
“Sorry, you saved me.”
“But Giro is amazing. To achieve such a large-scale dungeon renovation in just one night.”
“That’s only if we overlook the fact that the workers have dead eyes.”
“That god over there is also on the verge of death, but is he useful?”
However, it seems I’m the only one capable of keeping up with this grueling march. The other workers are already on their last legs from operating at full capacity.
I’ve used potions on top of body reinforcement magic, so the strain on my body was ten times what it normally is.
“Considering what comes next, I suppose it can’t be helped, but we’ll have to make sure this is properly assessed.”
“Indeed, we’ll have to give them a special bonus.”
While thanking my subordinates who handled such a sudden job, we proceeded with the dungeon renovation work. The result was:
“So, Susanoo-god, I will proceed as planned now. Please make the final preparations. I’ve asked them to assist as well.”
“…You’re the first human to overwork a god like this. Are you a demon?”
“Half of me is still human. The other half might be some ancient dragon somewhere.”
I pressed Susanoo-god, who was face down on the ground, using his fingertip to write a dying message identifying the culprit as a “corporate slave” in surprisingly elegant handwriting.
He’s not dead, so he looks up at me resentfully, and I respond with my usual words.
I no longer care about being human, so I can be quite casual about such things.
“This is why Tanaka…”
“Please stop spreading slander about Tanaka. Ninety-nine percent of people are normal.”
“What’s the point of that remaining one percent being a terrifying individual?”
“You have a point there.”
Susanoo-god got up from the ground and sat cross-legged, letting out a deep sigh.
“Are you serious about this?”
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my valuable time.”
“That’s true. Well, if you’re going to do it, I have a contract. I’ll fight even if the opponent is an Overgod.”
From my perspective, this plan has quite a few precarious aspects.
However, if there’s a path to complete victory, I want to take the gamble.
If a god is willing to join, then there’s a realistic chance of winning.
Susanoo-god, with a hint of exasperation but also of anticipation, implied as much, and I nodded.
“Then, I’m counting on you.”
My meeting time with the instructor is approaching, so I leave the dungeon.
“Keiri, Evia, Himik, Memoria, I’m leaving.”
I make sure to say goodbye to my wives.
“Come back safely.”
“You’ll be fine, you.”
“We’ll be waiting with the victory celebration ready!!”
“Good luck.”
After hugging and kissing them in turn, I ignored Susanoo-god’s clicking of his tongue and exited the dungeon.
Once I leave this company, it’s a one-way ticket to the battlefield.
“Does this increase our odds of winning even a little?”
“Yes, I never imagined we’d receive assistance from a Japanese god.”
“I just thought of it as a bonus if it happened. I didn’t expect Keiri to be able to bring him here for such a ‘cheap’ price.”
A mere one-day difference. I asked Keiri about the process that led to this result during work. Honestly, considering we can borrow the power of a Japanese god by lending out part of the dungeon facilities, it seems like a good deal.
“You could also say we’ve postponed the problem. Depending on future developments, that god could become an obstacle.”
“I’ll leave that to my future self. If I don’t win today, there’s no future self to worry about.”
Considering what comes next, it’s far from an optimistic situation, but in the end, it’s within an acceptable range.
“And if necessary, I’ll challenge the God Killer again with my mother.”
“That’s a valid option.”
So, I’ll take it easy and throw in a joke. I thought I heard a loud sneeze.
“Now then, the question is how to explain this to the instructors.”
I transfer from the dungeon to the company, and then to the battlefield, looking up at a sky completely covered by clouds.
“We’ll just have to explain it as is and incorporate it into the plan.”
“Right, the Dragon King might say it’s troublesome.”
A massive amount of magic is gathering in the warship stationed in the distance from the base.
“It looks like everyone except Amili-san and Instructor Fushio has gathered.”
Judging by the number of presences, four of the Seven Generals are assembled.
The Uuor and Oni King were already with us, so that’s understandable. The Dragon King and Lunaria coming to this rear area means preparations for the assault are complete, perhaps.
Feeling a premonition that the subsequent explanation meeting will be tumultuous, I head towards the warship.
Along the way, soldiers of various species see me and clear the path.
As I approach the warship’s hatch, a Golem appears, opens the door, and begins to guide me.
“Oh, you’re late. How did it go?”
“I returned early this morning, considering. I’ll just say the setup went well.”
I was led directly to the conference room where everyone was gathered.
As expected, the instructor was waiting at the seat of honor, drinking alcohol. Judging by his demeanor and the pile of empty bottles at his feet, he seemed to have been drinking continuously since I left.
“Human King.”
The fact that he doesn’t seem drunk makes me think he truly drinks alcohol like water, a true Oni. Just then, the Uuor, who had been silent beside him, stood up, walked over, and offered me his partner, wrapped in cloth.
“I did what I could.”
“Thank you.”
I removed the cloth, revealing my beautifully polished sword. Taking it and gently gripping the hilt.
“It feels familiar.”
“Growing naturally is the privilege of the Ore Tree, but it takes too long to fully get used to it. It wouldn’t have been a problem, but what you’re challenging now is a god. A slight error could cost you your life. I adjusted it based on your habits.”
This must be what they mean by a “sticky” grip. While the Ore Tree’s nature is not to intervene, this grip retains that nature, no, it surpasses it. I am convinced of its perfection.
“The abilities haven’t changed.”
“I’m grateful.”
“No, it’s fine. After seeing that battle, I could only make this much of an adjustment.”
Just fixing that slight discomfort is enough for me. It allows me to immerse myself even further in the act of cutting.
“Tch! You seem awfully interested in the lowest-ranking newbie.”
While I was basking in this pleasant feeling of gratitude, an irritated voice interrupted, shattering the moment.
“Dragon King, you shouldn’t say such things. The decisive battle is about to begin. The Human King has simply been preparing to contribute to our victory in any way he can. To reprimand him now would affect morale.”
With his legs propped on the desk and leaning back in his chair, his swaying figure expressed dissatisfaction at the delay to the battle.
The Lunaria, while trying not to further provoke the Dragon King’s irritation, admonished him.
“So, Human King, you said earlier that the setup was the best. Could you tell us about the results you achieved? What you wanted to do with the precious time you took away from His Majesty’s life-or-death endeavor?”
His thoughts seem to be close to the Dragon King’s. He’s not irritated, but he seems displeased with a suggestion that halts the flow.
“Understood. In that case, I will return to explain the results I obtained.”
The Lunaria, who usually suppresses such feelings, spoke with a hint of sharpness in her voice. The fact that she deliberately showed it suggests irritation and displeasure. We are on the verge of what can be tolerated.
Indeed, depending on the report of the results, it could exceed that limit, and punishment might be a possibility. If the results are what she proposed, then even the instructor and the Uuor might not be able to protect me.
Swallowing my slight tension, I kept Suella in reserve and began explaining the results I brought back this time.
In truth, there isn’t much to talk about.
What needs to be done is quite simple.
“Operation Name: Godfall. I will explain it.”
I never imagined I’d have to give a presentation to the highest-ranking officers before the decisive battle with the Sun God.
An explanation of the circumstances is unnecessary.
There’s no time to explain that now.
I will summarize the key points, explain the resulting effects, and the abilities within the achievable scope. Then, I will select the process for achieving the maximum results.
As I explained these points sequentially, the Lunaria, then the Uuor, and then the Oni King began to show signs of agreement with the results I brought back.
“If, hypothetically, what the Human King explained can be reliably achieved, this could become a trump card comparable to His Majesty’s strategy.”
“Hmm.”
“You’ve thought of something interesting.”
The reactions of the three generals were positive once I finished explaining the ideal form.
“Tch.”
The remaining Dragon King showed no signs of opposition.
“The problem lies with the actual execution on the field. To implement this plan as described, the main issue is how to drive the Sun God down into Susanoo-god’s Divine Realm within my dungeon.”
They felt the charm of this plan. However, the results of this endeavor are far from a perfect strategy.
As I’ve explained so far, and as the Lunaria said, the explanation has been based on the assumption that everything goes according to plan.
“Regarding that, we’ll just have to respond flexibly on the field.”
“Right, even if we decide on the fine details here, it’s rare for things to go exactly as planned.”
“Hmm.”
“Don’t expect me to handle the fine details. I’ll go wild, and you’ll adapt. That’s all there is to it.”
Knowing that this is absolutely impossible, I considered having a brief discussion, but not only the instructor and the Dragon King, but even the Lunaria and the Uuor outright stated they would respond improvisationally.
“…That’s how it will be.”
However, once they say it with such conviction, there’s really nothing else to say.
When facing a god, it’s difficult to assume our plan will go perfectly.
Therefore, it seemed that if we each acted with the understanding that once the situation reaches this point, the plan will be executed with certainty, it would ultimately lead to better results.
So, I unintentionally agreed.
Scratching my cheek, I wondered if this was truly a strategy meeting, but I had to accept that it was the only way. My feelings were half satisfaction, half anxiety.
“Alright, now we’re ready to fight.”
Once the plan was explained, everyone was already prepared to fight. The instructor downed his drink in one go and clapped his knees. Each of us donned the aura of a warrior.
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmph.”
“Alright.”
No one here is hesitant.
Now that we are ready, all that’s left is to fight.
“Let’s do it, God Killer.”
With the instructor’s words, our battle was joined.
Today’s Word:
When necessary, make cuts.
Thank you always for your comments and reports of typos.
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