Chapter 226 Successive Battles
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…… Tester Life Day 98, 14th Stratum, Fortress City Sanada Yakumo ……
I stepped off the teleportation circle, passing the Gacha Temple as I entered the city streets. Massive stone buildings lined the way, scaled as if built for a race of giants.
The thoroughfares were wide, matching the architecture. The main stone-paved road leading toward the castle was roughly twenty meters across; even the side alleys looked at least five meters wide. The entire city-streets and stone structures alike-seemed organized into perfect, clean blocks.
It was a staggering sight, clearly designed for residents standing two or three meters tall. The castle likely sat at the dead center of the city. If so, the radius had to be at least two kilometers.
Was it Palmanova in Italy? I remembered that being a circular fortress city with a diameter of two kilometers, which would make this place twice as large. That meant four times the total area. Even at a brisk pace, walking from one end to the other would take nearly an hour.
In the distance, I saw several Orcs in leather armor crossing the main road, barbarian swords in hand. Since we were still at the entrance, they didn’t seem to notice us.
I signaled the team to form up, and we began our cautious trek into the city.
The formation was as follows:
Vanguard (Tank): Hanako
Vanguard: Me and Sheena
Mid-guard: Karen and Lucy
Rearguard: Rock, Sanae, Sayaka, Leticia, and Feli
Skirmisher: Saizou
I put Hanako in the vanguard because of her Provocation special ability¹. Rock was faster than her and could cover more ground, so I kept him back to protect the rearguard.
I had Lucy join the attack this time instead of just acting as Karen’s support. In a chaotic melee, her speed would be a godsend for the rearguard.
Feli’s rank was still low, so I told her to stick to Leticia like glue. I really wanted to get her Evolved soon.
As for Saizou… he was around somewhere. That guy had gotten scary good at hiding from me. He was still there, right?
”I hear movement nearby,” one of the girls said quietly. “The sound is bouncing off the stone, so I can’t get an exact count, but there are at least ten in the area.”
”That many? Let’s give the new trick a spin, then,” I replied.
I activated Mana Capacity Detection² magic, a spell I’d spent our time off mastering with Sanae in our room and on the isolated island.
Like a radar sweep, the presence of five individual Mana Capacities around the next corner flickered into my mind.
As I suspected, the buildings warped the range. I should have been able to pinpoint anything within twenty meters, but the stone walls cut that in half.
The walls in My Room weren’t stone, so the interference was a new variable.
It would’ve been a bargain if the standard detection-which only costs half the mana of Physical Reinforcement³-worked here, but the dungeon wasn’t that generous.
At this rate, I’d have to pump in double the usual Mana Capacity just to get a reliable twenty-meter scan. That meant burning through the equivalent of one Physical Reinforcement spell every thirty minutes. For a magic-user like me who needs mana for combat, that was a steep tax on my reserves.
I explained the situation to Sanae and had her trigger a Mana Capacity Detection spell with double the output. She confirmed about ten Orcs in our immediate surroundings.
Time to move. I decided to ambush the Orcs around the corner immediately.
”Fireball!”
Using Hanako as a shield, I lunged from the main road into the alley and lobbed a Fireball at the five Orcs. They were caught completely flat-footed.
SQUEEEEEEAL!
The fireball detonated on the ground in the center of the Orc pack. Flames engulfed three of the nearby monsters, searing their flesh and stopping them cold.
”Hyah!”
”Ice Arrow!”
Sanae’s arrows came screaming in, followed immediately by Sayaka’s magic.
Finally, Karen opened up with her Magic Gun⁴, punching holes through the chests of the two uninjured Orcs. Lucy then darted forward, dual-wielding her large knives to swiftly reap their necks one by one, finishing the job.
”Well, that’s that,” I muttered, looking down as the Orcs dissolved, leaving only Magic Stones behind after our one-sided ambush.
”Oh, wait, is this that medal?” Karen asked. She’d been gathering the stones from Lucy and held up a copper Gacha Coin⁵ between two fingers for me to see.
The medal was about the size of a five-hundred-yen coin, with the letter ‘G’ engraved on its surface.
”Yeah, that’s a Gacha Coin, no doubt about it. Pulling a medal with only a five-percent drop rate this early is a great omen.”
”Hell yeah! It dropped from the Orc I took down!” Karen cheered.
”Mmph… I didn’t even get a chance to attack,” Leticia pouted.
”Leti, you’ve got to save your luck for the actual pulls,” Sanae teased.
”Oh, right. There’s only so much luck to go around, so I have to bank it.”
I couldn’t help but crack a wry smile at Leticia and the others as they unfolded their bizarre “gacha-addict luck theories.”
It was true, though. The day after you score a rare character or item, you usually can’t hit a damn thing. Occasionally you get a hot streak where your luck feels like a bonus round for a few days, but that’s always followed by a massive dry spell. When you balance the books, you usually end up in the red.
This drop was probably just a “welcome” gift. Back during the Re-run laps of the city roads between the 11th Stratum and the 13th floor, we found Entry Shards⁶ in the very first village, too. It’s basically a first-time login bonus.
We moved into the next alley where we’d sensed a reaction and wiped out those Orcs with a similar ambush, but no G-Coin dropped that time.
”Well, it is only five percent,” we laughed, keeping the Mana Capacity Detection active. We decided to bypass the building interiors for now and head straight for the city center where the castle stands.
It was our first time on this Stratum. I figured we should reach the castle at least once to serve as a proper reconnaissance-in-force.
We split the scouting duties: I used Detection at normal strength, and Sanae used it with double the output. I’d spot the nearby threats, and Sanae would ping the distant ones so she could pick them off with her bow.
Sheena could spot nearby enemies as well, and as the primary damage-dealer, I’m reluctant to burn through as much mana as a Physical Reinforcement spell every thirty minutes. I decided to leave the long-range scouting to Sanae, since she has mana to spare.
We started toward the center, but we hadn’t even gone fifty meters before five more Orcs appeared on the main road.
In that same instant, a rain of standard arrows, ice arrows, and light arrows descended upon them.
Since I knew they were coming from the alley ahead of time, I’d already had Sanae, Sayaka, and Leticia ready their bows and magic.
Three of them were taken out of the fight in the blink of an eye. The remaining two tried to charge, but Karen gunned them down with her Magic Gun.
The yield of Magic Stones is cut in half, but there’s no denying it-the Magic Gun is a powerhouse.
With our long-range lineup being so solid, Sheena and I haven’t even had to draw our weapons yet.
I’m keeping a tentative eye on the sky, but there don’t seem to be any Rain Hawks⁷. Since there are no fast-moving signatures, Green Wolves⁸ are probably out of the picture, too.
So this was an “Orcs Only” town.
Thinking that this might not be so bad after all, we continued down the main thoroughfare, carving through Orcs as we went.
That said, the encounter rate is incredibly high. We only have to walk a short distance before another pack of Orcs pours out from an alleyway.
Eventually, Sayaka and the others’ Mana Capacities started to flag, so I had Leticia and Sayaka down some Mana Recovery Potions.
Furthermore, I told Leticia-who acts as our healer and rearguard defense-to hold back on her offensive magic. In exchange, Sheena and I started proactively moving to the front to take the fights.
After about six more battles, we’d pushed three hundred meters in from the entrance and snagged a second G-Coin. It was then that we ran into yet another group of Orcs.
”Wait-! Two Orc Archers on the roof, fifty meters ahead!” Sanae yelled.
”I knew it,” I muttered.
At Sanae’s shout, I scanned the rooftops ahead. There they were-one Orc on the left and one on the right, bows nocked and aiming straight for us.
They’re already primed to fire. Leticia’s Light Shield won’t make it in time.
”Rock! Protect Sayaka and the girls!”
”Vonn!”
At my command, Rock leveled his shield toward the archers. The arrows whistled down a split second later, but they were caught by Hanako and Rock’s shields.
Simultaneously, an arrow from Sanae tore through the air and buried itself in the neck of one of the Orcs, dropping him instantly.
Leaving the archers to Sanae, I focus on the Orc group in front. Sayaka’s magic has already paralyzed one, and another is hobbling with an ice arrow sticking out of its leg.
I wait for the remaining three to close in with their barbarian swords. When they reach the fifteen-meter mark, Karen lets loose with her Magic Gun.
Thud-crack! Thud-crack!
The lead Orc takes Magic Bullets to the gut and the crotch, collapsing in a heap.
Suddenly, my Mana Capacity Detection pings-a group is flanking us from an alley behind.
”Yakumo!”
”I’ve got it!”
Sanae must have sensed them, too. She shouts a warning, and I nod, leaving the front to Sheena and Karen as I sprint toward the rear.
Once Sanae finishes off the front archer, she pivots and fires an arrow at a high arc toward our rear. Her target: an Orc archer trying to set up on a rooftop behind us.
Ah, so there were Orc archers back there, too. I hadn’t noticed them at all.
Well, that’s exactly why I had Sanae using the double-strength Mana Capacity Detection. It’s not a problem.
I push past Sayaka and the others, taking Rock with me to the back of the line. Just as another Orc on the roof prepares to fire an arrow at me, he suddenly slumps over.
Standing behind the fallen Orc is Saizou, a blood-slicked kunai in his hand.
Saizou… you were on the roofs the whole time?
I’d seen a signature on my Mana Capacity Detection that looked like him, so I knew he was nearby, but I never imagined he’d be prowling the rooftops.
If Saizou is handling the roof snipers, we’re golden. Sanae looks like she’s breathed a sigh of relief, too.
As the Orc pack bursts from the alley, Sayaka immediately tags the lead two with ice arrows.
I send Rock charging in. Tailing right behind him, I launch a Fireball that stops the three trailing Orcs dead in their tracks.
Simultaneously, Rock slams into the two Orcs Sayaka hit, sending them flying.
I close the gap on the three thrashed Orcs frantically trying to douse the flames on their bodies. From point-blank range, I cast Stone Spike⁹ at their feet. Stone spears erupt from the ground, skewering their calves and thighs and pinning them to the spot amidst their agonized screams.
While they’re thrashing in pain and swinging their barbarian swords wildly, I slip behind them and systematically take their heads.
”Whew… Ugh! Hey, hey, you’ve gotta be kidding me.”
I watch Rock finish off the two he’d sent flying, but just as I catch my breath, my Mana Capacity Detection pings with fresh signatures. I’m already getting sick of this.
I rush back to the front to deal with the new threat.
* * *
”Man… I’m beat…”
”I didn’t think it would be such a gauntlet of back-to-back battles,” I muttered.
”I had my hands full just dealing with the archers. If Saizou hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have been able to clear them all,” the companion replied.
”Hmm, the Mana Capacity¹⁰ consumption is getting a bit out of hand,” I said, checking my stats.
Judging that I’d bottom out my Mana Capacity if we kept up this pace, I ordered a retreat back to the Gacha Temple.
Now, we’re all sitting and resting on the plush carpet spread across the floor.
Since the enemies kept spawning one after another during the fight, we couldn’t make any real headway. In two hours, I don’t think we even covered a single kilometer.
No wonder Remia said this wasn’t a Stratum¹¹ meant for a single party.
This Stratum is clearly designed with the premise that multiple parties would be scattered throughout the city, drawing the Orcs’ aggro. With only one party there, the encounter rate was bound to be through the roof.
Once a fight started, we were locked in for at least two waves. By the time I called the retreat, we had survived two sets of three-wave encounters back-to-back.
Sanae and Saizou handled the archers-the biggest pain in the ass-but sometimes the archers were so fast that they’d get a shot off the moment they spawned.
Well, thanks to Hanako using Provocation, all the arrows were drawn her way, so it wasn’t a fatal issue.
For now, even though we didn’t reach the castle in the heart of the city-our original goal-we can call this reconnaissance mission a wrap.
It seems the encounter rate in this fortress city spikes the closer you get to the center. I spotted some robed Orcs in the distance; it’s likely a mechanic where Magic-user Orcs join the fray once you step within a one-kilometer radius of the castle.
If that’s the case, instead of rushing the center, our best bet is to scout the perimeter and farm G-Coins. And while we bypassed them this time, we really should clear the buildings. Since there weren’t any treasure chests in the streets, they’re probably tucked away inside.
I’ve heard there’s a high drop rate for Silver Gacha Coins in those chests. I can’t just ignore that, plus the buildings can serve as safe houses or rest stops.
Honestly, trying to rest outside is suicide. Our only options are falling back to the entrance or hole up inside a building.
In two hours, we racked up about 110 kills and pulled 6 G-Coins. One of those came from an archer-a drop we never would’ve gotten without Saizou. Yeah, Saizou is definitely pulling his weight.
Five percent is a fair drop rate, but fighting 110 mobs for two hours straight is a massive mental drain. More than anything, my Mana Capacity just won’t hold.
I’ll prioritize clearing buildings to find safe houses and avoid those endless waves. Fight, duck into a building to scavenge and catch our breath, then head back out. That’s the play.
”It’s a bit early, but let’s break for lunch,” I suggested.
”Seconded!” Sanae shouted.
”Yay! Food, food!” Hanako cheered.
”What, you aren’t going to roll the Gacha?” Sanae-san asked.
”Ugh, Sanae-san, you really don’t get it. You only roll Gacha in 10-pulls,” Sheena sighed.
”Single pulls are a trap. You never hit anything good,” Sheena added.
”I… Is that really how it works?” Sanae-san wondered.
”The odds don’t change, but it’s a vibe thing. Besides, who wants to go back into battle after pulling a total dud? It’s better to save the rolls for when we’re heading home,” I explained.
We should be able to manage twenty pulls a day; keeping it as a treat for the end of the day helps keep morale up. Even if I go bust, I can sleep it off and recover by morning. As long as I don’t get greedy and try to save for a 100-pull, the damage to my psyche should be manageable.
You have to go into Gacha expecting to lose. The flashier the prize, the harder it is to grab.
I ignore Sheena, who’s still wearing that smug look as if to say, “You know, I could roll for you.” She’s the type of woman who conveniently forgets her own failures. She claims she can’t even remember how many times she’s gone bust on game Gachas. Whatever, she’ll be back in despair soon enough.
Still, I wonder how often we can hit the Silver Gacha? It’s 10-pull only, so maybe once every three days? I hope the chests have multiple coins. I have a hunch the drop rate for Silver Medals will be higher in the chests near the city center.
First, we’ll nail down our strategy on the outskirts, then eventually we’ll strip-mine every building in this Stratum, center included. If we have the time, I want to track the respawn rates on those chests too.
With those thoughts in mind, I pitch the Magic Tent, head inside, eat lunch, and rest.
Then, I took Karen out today. I made her brace herself against the Silver Gacha machine and fucked her from behind.
We were inside a building, but I wonder if the Training Facility cameras caught it?
Apparently, Moe and Kyoko watched me and Sayaka going at it and used the footage as jerk-off material.
I’ll have to make sure Hoshino-the one I’m planning to buy next-gets a good look too.
Leticia told me Hoshino has been training her heart out just to be bought by me. How precious. I need to hurry up and buy her so I can enjoy the fruits of all that “training.”
—
Summary:
Yakumo and his party enter the 14th Stratum’s Fortress City. They discover the city is designed for giants and populated primarily by high-density Orc groups. After several battles and testing their new detection magic, they start farming rare Gacha Coins while pushing toward the central castle.
After a grueling series of back-to-back battles against Orcs, the protagonist decides to retreat to the Gacha Temple due to low Mana Capacity. The group discusses Gacha strategies, specifically the psychological benefits of 10-pulls over single rolls. The chapter ends with the protagonist engaging in s*xual activity with Karen inside a building while reflecting on being watched by others and his plans to purchase a new girl, Hoshino.
—
Trivia:
- The city is modeled after circular fortress cities like Palmanova in Italy.
- Magic Guns reduce loot (Magic Stones) by 50% as a trade-off for power.
- Stone structures significantly dampen mana detection range.
- Gacha Coins have a base drop rate of 5%.
- Saizou is a ‘Skirmisher’ who operates independently on rooftops.
- The encounter rate is tied to the proximity of the central castle.
- Orc Magic-users only appear within a 1km radius of the castle.
- Silver Gacha Coins are rare drops but likely found in building treasure chests.
- The protagonist’s s*xual encounters are recorded and viewed by other girls (Moe, Kyoko) as ‘training material’ or entertainment.
- The Training Facility operates as a surveillance hub for the girls’ progress
—
Character Insight:
Yakumo shows increased party management skills, delegating mana-heavy scouting to Sanae to preserve his own reserves for combat. Leticia’s obsession with Gacha provides a recurring comedic relief element while highlighting her character’s specific vice.
The protagonist views his party members largely as functional tools for combat or s*xual release, showing a detached, transactional mindset. Sheena shows a competitive streak regarding Gacha luck, while Hoshino is literally ‘training’ to be worthy of being purchased by the MC.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘luck theory’ discussed by the girls reflects real-world gamer superstitions regarding RNG and ‘pity’ mechanics.
The author leans heavily into the dark fantasy/slave-harem tropes common in adult ‘System’ light novels, blending tactical RPG mechanics with explicit s*xual dominance.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Yakumo – A 25-year-old scarred veteran—Guard Captain, Nightmare Guildmaster, and dungeon harem owner. Former child soldier turned pragmatic, cynical leader with a battle-torn face from wars past. Strong and intimidating, he manages testers, slaves, and DP with calculating possessiveness.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Hanako – A female Orc tamed monster equipped with two large iron shields and a black iron helm. Large breasts, wrapped in rags with a grass skirt. Revealed to be a extreme masochist.
• Sheena – A stunning rabbit-eared Beastman Soul-less Doll—165 cm tall, F/G-cup chest, narrow waist, wide hips, and an extra-fluffy tail. Nightmare guild member, sharp-tongued and devoted to Yakumo. Cold to the weak, carrot-obsessed, with twitching ears when happy—now with her ego restored.
• Karen – An American exchange student and voice‑acting major, lively and often seen rushing to school with bread in her mouth. Busty and playful, she uses her charms to her advantage and enjoys FPS games and zombie stories. Often spotted relaxing at sea with Lucy.
• Lucy – Female Kobold familiar resembling an American Eskimo Dog—evolves into Kobold Thief (140cm, sturdier/leaner limbs, cute face, tail-wagging when happy). Further becomes Kobold Rogue Queen: 170cm tall, slender yet muscular/athletic, D-Rank.
• Leticia – 13-year-old French exchange student—silver hair, petite doll-like frame, fairy-like features. Gifted cheerful animation prodigy who skipped grades, partners with Yakumo using white wooden magic rod (crystal tip) for Light Shield, Light Arrow, and Heal. Loves drawing flashy magic in white sundress on tablet; training facility student gifted early by Sanada. Recently sexually proactive with ‘Thousand Earthworms’ Meiki trait and active encounters despite her age.
• 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.
• 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.
• Feli – female Green Wolf tamed by Leticia. Large dog-like appearance with green fur.
• 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
• 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.
• Remia – A cheerful and mischievous succubus with long purple hair and a massive breasts reaching ‘explosive’ levels. Acts as a guide and explains slave systems. Knows Sanada by reputation. Rank B Mana Capacity. Intelligent and persuasive.
• Kyoko – A 1st Rank student, silver medalist athlete, and model. Standing nearly 180cm (six feet) tall with a slender yet curvaceous athletic build. She has long legs and rocket-shaped, upturned breasts with large pale-brown areolas. Her Lust Level is S.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply