Volume 2 Chapter 32 Horace VS Sid – Looks Like a Bullet Hell Party, But Actually It’s Iaido
Horace was scattering magical bullets with his twin revolvers, while Sid was defending with tentacles emerging from the orbs in both hands.
Ten flasks floating around Sid each contained a different colored liquid, and occasionally, the tentacles seemed to draw in components from them to enhance their abilities.
The tentacles not only blocked the bullets but also unleashed their own water attribute shots at Horace.
...But against Horace's armor, they appeared almost powerless.
Occasionally, they would close in, and while Horace could block direct hits with his weapon, it seemed ineffective against long-range attacks.
"...So those ten flasks are filled with all sorts of ingredients, and you're using them to power up your tentacles in battle, huh?"
"That's right. I'm sure you'll find the handling quite pleasant."
"I get the utility. If I'm the 'Golem Master,' then are you the 'Slime Master'? Not too sturdy, but highly versatile, I guess."
"Heh, yours has impressive capabilities. However... your golem operation skills may be high, but it seems your creation speed isn't. You can make powerful weapons, but they take time to produce, right?"
"Figured you'd notice."
"Of course. I've heard rumors of your battle with the Astral Dragon Gai Gigant. Given that your armaments haven't changed much since then, it's clear as day."
Despite the constant thunderous gunfire, they were somehow carrying on a normal conversation.
They must both have some sort of enhanced hearing ability.
"But, Horace, even with all those handicaps, you fight remarkably well."
"Handicaps?"
"You can't kill me. You can't disrupt my magic, weaken me as a fighter. That's a fact."
"...You saying that means 'it' is close to revival, huh?"
"Your victory condition is to render me unable to fight without deeply wounding me, without disrupting my magic──knocking me out with a single blow. Well, it's the same for me, though."
Both sides have information they're holding onto; given that, it's a given that 'neither can afford to kill the other, nor can they afford to destroy them as a combat asset.'
Neither can go all out.
And with neither side having enough 'restrained measures,' and even the filthiest curses being rendered useless due to their matched technical prowess, it's a stalemate.
However, Horace wants to dry what's happening 'above,' and thus aims to take out their consciousness with a single, decisive strike.
Sid, though, wants to prevent Horace from intervening 'above,' and is holding him back here.
"Ugh, what a pain."
"Heh... but that equipment. Rather interesting design, isn't it, Horace?"
"Hm?"
"It looks like your stats──offense, defense, speed──are 'variable.' And there are about ten 'ability slots,' which seem to enhance your abilities when utilized. You're probably swapping those frames around in the midst of battle."
"You've got a good eye."
"Observation skills are a must, I suppose. By the way, how many frames do you have?"
"Twelve. And by the way, you need a slot frame even when using equipment; a one-handed sword or a pistol takes up one."
"Huh... then, that 2-handed sword that took down Gai Gigant?"
"Five."
"That's terrifying..."
Horace's reason for revealing so much information is likely to construct a strategy that can be achieved by doing so.
In a straightforward clash of force against force, hidden aces are important, but in the case of Horace and Sid, it's also necessary to 'limit the opponent's actions by what you give them.'
"In short, when you use that 2-handed sword, your own specs take a slight dip... Hmm? No, wait, you're stronger than when you defeated Gai Gigant by about 50 percent? Impossible..."
For a moment, Sid's thoughts stumbled.
In the next instant, the twin pistols in Horace's hands vanish, replaced by a large machine gun.
As Horace pulls the trigger, a beam of yellow light fires from the barrel.
In a panic, Sid throws out a multitude of tentacles to grapple and form a shield, but the beam doesn't stop.
It pierces through the tentacle shield, ensnaring Sid's entire body.
"...Phew, not enough focus there."
Horace says this, looking down at Sid, whose body has gone numb and can no longer move.
"Just like you predicted──this thing's completion rate used to be 8%. Now it's up to 12%. I figured letting you know would throw off your calculations, but I didn't expect you to lose your cool that much."
"Ah... Sid's always been like that, you know? Can't help himself."
"!"
Stepping out from behind Sid was a boy in a suit──long blue hair, almost androgynous features.
"And you are?"
"Name's Sora. I run with Sid."
"I see... so *you* were the one backing Alvaro with all that funding."
"Bingo. The guy was brilliant──came up with a system for bonds and actually had the guts to make it real. That's why I reached out. Got him working to spread the idea that any system built on debt──on trust──eventually goes up in smoke."
Sora looked genuinely amused, smiling as he spoke.
"Didn't seem like Alvaro was planning to fail, though."
"That's true. He really believed he could change the world if he pulled it off... and honestly? He might've, if it had worked."
"...So he gambled everything on growing his project──and lost."
"Yeah. From where I'm standing, 'mission accomplished'──or, to put it another way, 'you lost'."
"..."
"Hm? What is it?"
Horace seemed lost in thought for a moment... before mumbling aloud.
"Making cash the norm──you know, I never really got what that meant. But after your explanation, and seeing all this, it finally makes sense. Without trust, people want their money in their *own* hands... Your whole strategy's built on that, isn't it?"
"Exactly. Even something as simple as putting coins in a vault doesn't work unless people *trust* the vault. Trust──it holds society together. I've been studying it, ever since people started arguing about money. That's where we're at now."
Sora looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself.
"Honestly though, Horace, you really are sharp."
"Am I?"
"You're quicker on the uptake than I'd expected. Heh... well, we should wrap this up. I'll be taking Sid and heading out."
"..."
"Hey, up top... it's all over now, okay? The Pastor lost to Rangella, walked out in one piece──just a different skin tone, that's all."
"!"
Sora's words left Horace in shock; he darted out of the boss room at full speed.
"...Well, looks like Sid slipped up too. Facing an equal──or maybe even stronger? In a fight, a single moment of carelessness can mean defeat. Just 'cause you can keep your distance in a bullet hell doesn't mean you can afford to let your guard down."
"..."
"Easy for me to say. But does that mean not even a peep out of you?"
"...You should have stopped him, you know."
"No way I could've. I'm weaker than Sid. And sticking around here won't do any good. Let's hurry and move."
Sora hoisted Sid over his shoulder and started walking towards the exit of the dungeon.
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