A Bottom-Tier Adventurer Devoted to Supporting Their Idol Activities: Every Time, They Offer Rare Materials and Stir Up the Elites - Episode 38: Renya and Tomage’s Joint Battle

Episode 38: Renya and Tomage’s Joint Battle

“Wheee~ this is so fuuun~”

I had become more and more skilled at controlling the giant Kraken’s body. By circulating magic power throughout every corner, I was not only preventing decay, but also able to use the special functions that were originally built into its body.

The Kraken’s existence was strengthened by the Evil God’s blessing. It had special functions in its tentacles and siphon—the organ that spits ink.

First, the tentacles. I discovered that the suction cups near their tips contained a water manipulation skill.

Next, the siphon. Inside the giant Kraken’s body was a powerful poison sac. The siphon was connected to that poison sac and could spit out poison along with the ink.

I would use the Kraken’s massive body, [Water Control], and [Poison] as weapons to face Renya.

Standing atop the Kraken’s body floating on the sea, I placed my hand down and channeled magic power through it.

“Secret technique, [Swallowing Vortex]!”

I manipulated the tentacles to create several intense whirlpools on the sea surface. The whirlpools collided with each other. And the driftwood caught in them was smashed to pieces.

“Secret technique, [Water Flash]!”

The seawater near the tentacles was compressed into blades that sliced through the air. A nearby seabird was pitifully cleaved in two. It was a needless killing.

“Ahh~ why isn’t he here yet~?”

To avoid being identified, I cloaked myself in a robe with a deep hood and continued to wait atop the giant Kraken.

#

“What? Only one boat can be rented?”

At the Fisheries Guild in the port of Serelion. Tomage’s angry shout at the counter sent ripples of tension through the quiet room. The dark-skinned staff member furrowed his brow and responded coldly.

“Listen, why should we give out two boats for just four adventurers? Especially when there’s no guarantee they’ll come back. You should be grateful we’re even lending one.”

The staff member crossed his arms and replied to Tomage with a voice tinged with anger.

“…To think I have to be on the same boat with this bastard.”

Tomage shot a resentful glare at Renya, who stood beside him. Renya, on the other hand, wore a calm expression.

“I don’t mind sharing a boat. I’ll end it in one blow, so the number of boats doesn’t matter.”

“…”

Overwhelmed by Renya’s confidence, Tomage fell silent.

“Alright, it’s settled then. The boat’s already at the dock. I’ll teach you how to use the magic steering tool. So follow me.”

The dark-skinned staff member stepped out from behind the counter and walked off briskly without even checking behind him. Renya followed him. And though Tomage and his party looked dissatisfied, they followed too.

—

The small boat was big enough for four people. If they squeezed in, the capacity would be for over ten. The staff member gave a quick explanation of the steering method to Renya and Tomage’s group.

“That monster is right offshore. It’s floating like a small mountain. So you won’t miss it. Just go and take it down.”

Although the staff member had been curt until now, he offered words of encouragement to Renya and Tomage’s group at the end. Even if the damages had stopped, they clearly wanted it dealt with soon.

“Leave it to us.” “Let’s do it.”

Tomage and Renya responded as such. And the small boat started moving.

One of Tomage’s party members was in charge of steering. Next to him, Tomage drew his longsword from his back and the short sword from his waist. He was already prepared for battle.

Renya, meanwhile, stood at the bow and scanned the open sea.

Eventually, a small island came into view. The island had a smooth surface. It had not a single tree growing on it. Its slick surface reflected the sunlight, gleaming eerily.

“That is…”

Tomage reacted to Renya’s voice and rushed to the bow.

“That thing’s insanely huge…”

The mysterious giant monster was a Kraken many dozens of times larger than their small boat. As if to welcome the boat, it raised its tentacles into the air and waved them slowly.

“…It’s noticed us…”

“…What do we do?”

Overwhelmed by the sheer size of the monster in front of them, they had no room left for bickering.

“…First, I’ll deliver a strike. [Tempest]!!”

What Renya released from his right hand was a super high-level wind magic. Thousands of blades of wind formed a sphere. It was slicing all matter into fine pieces.

[Tempest] pierced the Kraken’s body!—or so it seemed—

*Slash!!* A blade of water rose from the sea surface. It clashed with the sphere of wind blades. After a shrill sound that seemed to tear the air apart, both blades vanished cleanly.

“What…!?”

Shock and impatience. For the first time, a hint of “danger” appeared on Renya’s face.

“Damn iiiit…!!”

He revealed his emotions and began launching long-range attack spells one after another. But each one was erased before reaching the Kraken’s body.

“Then I will! [Fire Blade]! [Wind Blade]!”

*BOOM!* Raging flames engulfed the longsword in his right hand. While green wind danced around the short sword in his left. The swords’ magic powers intertwined. It swelled into explosive force—. The flames were stirred by the wind. They were swirling and gradually turning into a violent tornado.

“Gooooooo!!”

Tomage’s [Flame Cyclone] whipped up seawater as it charged toward the Kraken. In response, whirlpools began appearing across the sea.

The whirlpools quickly swallowed the [Flame Cyclone]—and even began pulling in the small boat that Tomage and the others were on.

“This is bad…!!”

“Leave it to me…!! [Cold Abyss]!!”

Renya extended his hand toward the deep sea and chanted. Instantly, cold air rose from the surface of the water. And the whirlpools caused by the Kraken began to slow down.

The once-waving sea suddenly stilled, and then froze completely.

Renya stepped down from the bow of the boat onto the frozen sea. Tomage and his party members followed.

After walking a short distance, they realized even the Kraken’s body had been covered in frost.

“Did we get it?”

Tomage called out to Renya, who was leading at the front.

“Not yet…”

Renya’s voice showed no sign of letting his guard down. On the wide sea, only the sound of their four footsteps echoed.

“Hey… there’s something up there…”

Tomage pointed at a figure standing atop the Kraken’s massive body, wearing a black robe. The figure shimmered faintly, trembling, hinting at a supernatural presence.

“Were you the one who had the Kraken attack the fishing boats?”

The black-robed figure took their time, almost as if to build suspense. Before they finally spoke.

“I was not the one who attacked the fishing boats. It was this Kraken. I defeated the Kraken and have been waiting for you.”

Renya and Tomage’s eyes widened.

“You… who are you…?”

“I am ‘The Tester.’ Show me your power.”

With those words, the black-robed figure crouched down and touched the Kraken’s body. The giant body, which had been frozen, suddenly began to move.