Chapter 127 The Beehive
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A series of sharp, rhythmic cracks echoed through the corridor. In an instant, ping-pong ball-sized holes erupted through the midsections of the two goblins ahead.
The pair, who had been charging toward us, dropped their clubs and clutched their mangled bellies. They collapsed to their knees, faces contorted in agony as they stared at the green ichor coating their hands in sheer disbelief. Their expressions seemed to scream, “What the hell is this?!” before they slumped forward, dead in the dirt.
”The details are getting more elaborate,” I muttered, half-impressed by the cinematic carnage.
”Pfft! Goblins are such drama queens, aren’t they?” Minase Karen said with a grin, holstering her magic gun. “Even though Saizou-kun barely reacts at all.”
”If you look closely at Saizou-kun, he’s usually smirking,” I replied.
”Wait, really?” Karen asked.
”Yeah. Check his mouth right after he takes someone down. He’s got this flashy, arrogant curl at the corners of his lips.”
”Ahaha! That’s so edgy! Total ninja vibes,” Karen laughed. “Between the reliable Rock-kun and the adorable Lucy-chan, our familiars have so much personality. It’s great!”
”Arf!” Lucy barked.
”Look at her! She’s wagging her tail because you called her cute!” Karen cheered.
”I suppose so,” I said quietly.
Honestly, she just looks like a dog to me. If she weren’t walking on two legs, I’d assume she was just some oversized stray from the surface. Then again, stray dogs don’t usually carry daggers.
I had Lucy-chan outfitted in a set of resized leather armor, a dagger in her hand, and a belt lined with pouches. Those pouches were filled with Goblin Magic Stones¹ and Potions. I’d given her strict orders to stay glued to Karen-chan’s side during any engagement. Unlike Rock-kun, I planned to develop Lucy-chan to leverage a Kobold’s natural agility. Her role was simple: escort Karen-chan and keep her supplied with Magic Stones.
After parting ways with Yuki-san’s group, we’d made our way to the 6th Stratum², enduring some rather intense stares from the Students in the teleportation room. I spent the morning in the shallower sections, relentlessly drilling Hayama Sanae and Karen-chan on their bow and magic gun marksmanship.
After a quick lunch in the magic tent-where I let Rock-kun and Saizou-kun pull guard duty while Sayaka-san and Sheena-san took care of my ‘needs’ for a couple of rounds-we decided to push into the depths.
Currently, I was having Sanae-san and Karen-chan rotate their attacks. We were approaching the three-goblin spawn zones; once we hit those, I’d have them fire simultaneously.
Our formation was solid. I held the vanguard, with Sheena-san, Karen-chan, and Lucy-chan in the middle. Sayaka-san, Sanae-san, Rock-kun, and Saizou-kun brought up the rear. I’d placed Saizou-kun in the rearguard specifically to counter any back-attacks at junctions.
Truthfully, I could have cleared this floor by just letting Rock-kun steamroll everything in the vanguard, but that wouldn’t help the girls train. This ‘overprotective’ formation was a drag on efficiency, but it was a necessary evil. I wanted to clear the Guardian today, get them both to F-rank, and move back to the 11th Stratum tomorrow. I’d considered letting them fight archers on the 8th, but the risk of a monster rush was too high. It was safer to protect them in the open fields against Orcs and Green Wolves, even if those were technically ‘higher-ranked’ foes.
Besides, the Guardian rooms on floors 6 through 8 are easy to find. If we dawdled, Yuki-san’s group might catch up.
”Keep moving,” I said, giving the backsides of the doting Karen-chan and Sayaka-san a light, encouraging pat.
As we pushed forward, Sanae-san’s arrows and Karen-chan’s magic gun picked off the goblin trios long before they could close the distance. Sheena-san, Sayaka-san, and I effectively had nothing to do. Even the occasional stragglers from behind were handled effortlessly by the girls.
The synergy between Sheena-san’s Detection Ability and long-range weapons was devastating. The best part was that it consumed zero Mana Capacity³. While the magic gun effectively halved our Magic Stone profits, ranking up was the priority right now.
By evening, after a few short breaks, we stood before the Guardian’s door. Karen-chan was now consistently hitting targets from fifteen meters out. She claimed they were easier to track than Kobolds because they moved so sluggishly.
”Whoa… so this is the boss room. Very ‘final dungeon’ vibes,” Karen muttered.
”Yakumo-kun,” Sanae-san said, her expression hardening as she focused. “Confirmed: one sword-wielding Goblin Guardian and eight club-wielding lackeys. Range is approximately twenty-five meters. Is that correct?”
I nodded at her. Unlike the wide-eyed Karen-chan, Sanae-san was locked in.
”That’s the one. The torches will ignite once we enter. Sayaka-san will lead with a Light Orb, so Sanae-san, just let the arrows fly.”
”Understood,” Sanae-san replied, checking her quiver. “Twenty-five meters is my sweet spot. Leave it to me.”
She was a practitioner of Kyudo⁴, where the standard target distance is twenty-eight meters. This room was practically built for her. I was curious to see how many she could drop before they even realized we were there.
”Karen-chan, I’m opening it. You’re the cleanup crew for anything Sanae-san misses. Got it?”
”You bet! Even if she misses six or seven of them, Lucy-chan and I will gun ’em down!” Karen chirped, scratching Lucy’s head.
”As if I’d miss that many!” Sanae-san snapped, her face flushing with irritation.
”Ahaha! Just kidding, just kidding!” Karen laughed, trying to diffuse the tension. “You look so stiff, Sanae-san. I know it’s your first Guardian battle, but you gotta relax your shoulders.”
”Muu… perhaps I was a bit too keyed up,” Sanae-san admitted. “I apologize for raising my voice.”
”No worries! Now, let’s go kill a boss!”
”Right. Rock-kun, open it up,” I ordered.
Rock-kun pushed. The massive green doors swung inward automatically. He slipped through sideways, instantly bracing behind his tower shield. Sayaka-san followed, launching a glowing orb of light toward the center of the dark chamber. The wall torches had only just begun to flicker to life.
Sheena-san and I fanned out to the flanks, ready to intercept if the girls’ volley failed. As the light orb pulsed in the center of the room, illuminating the monsters, Sanae-san fired from behind Rock-kun’s shoulder.
Thwack. Her first arrow buried itself in the chest of the lead goblin. She didn’t even wait to watch it fall. Saizou-kun was already feeding her the next arrow. She fired again. And again.
By the time the fourth goblin hit the floor, the Goblin Soldier let out a guttural roar, signaling the charge. But as they hit the mid-point of the room, a new sound filled the air-the sharp, metallic clack-thrum of magic bullets.
Karen-chan was a machine. She was putting two rounds into every target with terrifying precision. Her reload speed was insane-and I finally saw why. She was kneeling with the gun braced, and every time she emptied the two-shot cylinder, Lucy-chan would instantly snap it open and drop in a fresh Magic Stone. It was a perfect pit-crew maneuver.
The goblins never stood a chance. They didn’t even reach our front line. Even the Goblin Soldier fell before it could swing its blade.
I walked over to the Guardian. It was still twitching, its breath coming in ragged gasps. I stepped on its chest to hold it still while I inspected the damage. The fatal blow was a magic bullet that had cratered its neck. Sanae-san’s arrows were buried deep in its thighs, and several more magic bullet holes stitched across its leather armor. It was a literal beehive of punctures.
Hmm. Usually, a magic gun can penetrate the hide of a monster equal to the rank of the Magic Stone used. Goblins are E-rank; the Soldier is E+. Karen had used E-rank stones, proving that a well-placed shot to a soft spot like the neck can punch above its weight class. Without that leather armor, the gut shots might have reached the vitals, but against an Orc’s thick fat, she’d definitely need higher-grade stones or perfect aim at the eyes.
The Soldier finally dissolved into black mist.
Sanae-san and Rock-kun were already moving through the room, delivering finishing blows to the stragglers. Karen and Lucy were high-fiving.
”Nice work,” I said, letting them open the copper treasure chest.
Inside was a leather aviator cap and a Medal of Return⁵. The cap had two holes for ears-perfect for a Kobold familiar. Karen was over the moon, immediately strapping it onto Lucy while Sayaka-san joined in on the “too cute” chorus.
I tucked the Medal of Return into my Magic Pouch. I’d burned my last one during the Arashiyama incident, so this was a welcome find.
We turned to leave through the black gate into the 7th Stratum, but Sanae-san stopped us. Despite the fatigue clear in her eyes, she wanted to experience one fight against the knife-wielding goblins of the 7th floor while we were here. Karen agreed. I gave them each a Grade-5 Potion to dull the exhaustion and let them have their way.
An hour later, by the time we reached the teleportation room on the 1st floor, they were both dead on their feet.
Well, so much for tonight’s extracurriculars, I thought. Maybe I’d just take them one at a time in the bath, then let Sayaka-san and Sheena-san handle the heavy lifting in bed.
I swung Karen-chan over my shoulder while Sheena-san grabbed Sanae-san, and we began the long walk back to My Room.
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Summary:
Yakumo leads Karen and Sanae through the 6th Stratum for combat training. They encounter and successfully defeat a Goblin Soldier Guardian using specialized tactics. The group loots a new accessory for Lucy and returns to the surface exhausted.
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Trivia:
- Sanae’s Kyudo background makes her ideal for 25-28 meter range combat.
- Karen and Lucy developed a ‘pit-crew’ reloading tactic for the magic gun.
- Magic guns lose efficiency if the Magic Stone rank is lower than the target’s defense.
- Yakumo previously used his last Medal of Return during the Arashiyama event.
- The ‘Beehive’ title refers to the state of the Guardian after Karen’s magic bullets
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Character Insight:
Sanae shows growth by overcoming her initial squeamishness about killing humanoid monsters, while Karen demonstrates tactical creativity by teaming up with Lucy.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author often emphasizes the contrast between mechanical game-like dungeon progress and the gritty reality of the girls’ physical and emotional states.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Saizou – A newly summoned Goblin. Intelligent with a small horn on his forehead and jagged teeth. Wears ninja-style clothing (shinobifuku) and uses poison daggers/knives.
• Karen – An international student from America who often runs to school late with bread in her mouth. Considered a ‘main target’ by the protagonist. Voice acting major, huge breasts, same height as Sana.
• Lucy – A female Kobold familiar resembling an American Eskimo Dog.
• Rock – A male Kobold summoned from a Magic Sealing Crystal. He has grey fur, round eyes, and a face resembling a Shiba Inu. He wears a leather jacket and a pilot’s cap
• Sanae – She struggles with the sexual training and often shows frustration. Vice-captain of the Archery Club. Described as tall with a model-like build and sharp features. She has approximately C-cup breasts and is ranked as a 1st Rank Slave. She is Sayaka’s best friend. Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Yuki – A third-year high school student and leader of the Battle Sports Club. He is a national champion in medieval-style combat using swords and spears. He has a severe sister complex. He has hawk-like eyes and a polite but determined demeanor.
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s. Now, her ego is back.
• Yakumo – A 25-year-old human male. He has facial scars, stab wounds, and gunshot scars from his time in a war zone. He works as a school guard.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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