My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 28: Queen Ant ②

Episode 28: Queen Ant ②

“This much is nothing for me!”

Rindou swung the Gale Sword sharply. He cut down two to three Soldier Ants with each strike. Yet, the overwhelming number of enemies slowly tightened the encirclement around him.

“Hah! I’m still going strong!”

Despite the narrowing of the circle, Rindou remained calm. He was carefully observing the movements of the Soldier Ants while staying vigilant of the Queen Ant.

“…GIGI.”

The Queen Ant had been confident of its victory. It seemed to lose some composure, perhaps not expecting Rindou to endure for this long. Even so, it still didn’t make a move. It was as if it was convinced of its eventual triumph.

(Stay still just like that!)

While Rindou kept up his confident front, inwardly, he was praying for the status quo to hold. 

(I have to reduce the number of Soldier Ants before the Queen Ant starts moving!)

With the skill [Intermediate Swordsmanship] at his disposal, Rindou had no trouble dealing with the Soldier Ants, no matter how many lunged at him. However, the thought of the Queen Ant—whose strength was likely equivalent to a C-rank opponent—joining the fray made him shudder.

“…GIGI… GIGIIII.”

(Please, just don’t move yet!)

It was unclear how long he had been silently hoping. But the number of Soldier Ants was visibly dwindling. If things continued this way, events might unfold in Rindou’s favor—or so it seemed until his worst fear came true.

“GiiiiiigagaaaaaaaAAAAAAH!!”

With another ear-piercing screech, the Queen Ant finally began to move. 

“Ha! Finally decided to make your move, huh, Queen Ant?”

Despite the daunting development, Rindou was relieved that he had managed to significantly reduce the Soldier Ant numbers to a manageable level.

(I would’ve liked to thin them out more. But this should do.)

The room, once packed with Soldier Ants, was now reduced to less than a quarter of its original density.

(Now, the real question is how strong the Queen Ant itself is……… but I’ll only know by fighting it.)

“GIGIGAAAAA!!”

With a screech, the remaining Soldier Ants rushed toward Rindou. And at the same time, the Queen Ant’s 24 segmented legs began to writhe violently.

(Here it comes!)

Rindou darted in a circular pattern. He slashed at Soldier Ants he encountered along the way. He kept moving constantly, ensuring he didn’t end up facing the massive and agile Queen Ant head-on.

“GIGIGI! GIGIGIGAAAAH!”

“Gigiga! Gigiga!”

Unable to pin Rindou down, the Queen Ant grew frustrated and screeched. It directs the Soldier Ants to restrict his movement.

Even so, Rindou charged into the wall of Soldier Ants. He gleefully swung his Gale Sword and left piles of corpses in his wake.

“GIGIGIGI! GYAAAAAAAH!!!”

The Queen Ant was now devoid of any semblance of calm. It was trembling with rage as its Soldier Ants were slaughtered in droves. Finally, it raised two of its largest, most robust front legs high into the air.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for!”

Rindou hadn’t recklessly charged into the Soldier Ants without a plan. He had anticipated that retreating would lead to a direct confrontation with its overwhelming attack.

Instead, he deliberately plunged into the wall of Soldier Ants, luring the Queen Ant’s attack into the horde.

——BOOOOOOOOM!!

The Queen Ant’s powerful strike gouged into the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. The force of the attack was so immense that nearby Soldier Ants were pulverized. Their bodies were reduced to dust. The flying rubble, akin to bullets, pierced through even more Soldier Ants. It decimated their numbers.

As a result of the Queen Ant’s attack, the number of Soldier Ants was drastically reduced. However, the Queen likely thought it was acceptable if the attack succeeded in killing Rindou. But—

“Hah!”

“GIGA!?”

Through the rising dust cloud, Rindou charged straight toward the Queen Ant. The Soldier Ants nearby couldn’t react in time and merely watched as he darted past them.

“Gi-GigigagaaaaAAAAAA!!”

The Queen Ant twisted its body. It attempted to crush Rindou with its massive, elongated torso. Predicting the attack based on its movements, Rindou leaped high into the air. He evaded the crushing blow. The Soldier Ants weren’t as fortunate, however.

Once again, the Queen Ant’s rampage decimated the Soldier Ants. It reduced their number to just nine.

“Gi-Gigigi! GigigigagaaaaAAAA!!”

“Go ahead and rage all you want! Your comrades are gone now!”

Rindou quickly dispatched the remaining nine Soldier Ants one by one. It finally brought the battle down to a one-on-one showdown with the Queen Ant.