Support the translator on lazytranslations-com.preview-domain.com
“The ‘Conductor’ is a human-based imitation of the ‘Omnipotent Elephant’ Watanabe creates.” (Ryousho)
“Humans…” (Shuu)
“Watanabe is able to replicate the original creature by storing genetic information from the sporangia it preys on. That’s what people have been calling them ‘Family’.” (Ryousho)
“Yes, I heard about that.” (Shuu)
“In the case of beasts, they are reproduced almost exactly as they were before they were born, except for the fact that they are his puppets. But for some reason, human beings are not able to imitate it well and end up looking like such hideous degraded copies. I have a few theories as to the cause, but I can’t verify them now.” (Ryousho)
“What do you mean by degraded copy?” (Shuu)
“No, it’s a completely different creature, rather, it’s Watanabe’s own avatar. It has inherited some of the Fungal Skills of the stolen body and even possesses the intelligence to lead the copied beasts. Even when you face each other, each individual has its own strength. There may have been variations, but that was dependent on the strength of the base body.” (Ryousho)
~Maria’s Perspective~
“It doesn’t look like a very good soul, but… this is also a kind of fate. Become one with us.” (Conductor)
The voice of the “Conductor” had an eerie tone that was neither masculine nor feminine.
(Just like that fake bastard said.) (Maria)
Watanabe had already discovered the existence of this Nakano Metro and had succeeded in infiltrating it. In the decisive battle with Suzuki, there was a strong possibility that Watanabe would invade the metro with his forces in the form of a pincer attack using the main body, which, because of its huge size, had no choice but to attack from the surface. This one is the spear tip of the formation.
“Sis, what’s their level…?” (Noa)
“Invisible, squeak… that is no ordinary beast, squeak.” (Tamiko)
Even without relying on the Carbuncle’s [Discovery], I could sense that the “Conductor” that appeared was an extraordinary monster.
“It’s not part of the mission to stop these bastards.” (Maria)
Our party was at the dead end of the cave. I don’t think the ‘Conductor’ will give way, so I have no choice but to eliminate it.
“–[Magic Woman]” (Maria)
Seven mycelium dolls twist out from the palm of my hand. I am fully aware of the threat of Watanabe’s humanoid pawns, and I will not hold back.
“You guys are in the way, so get back—” (Maria)
A grating sound was heard.
The “Conductor” was holding his hands together in front of his chest as if in worship. The space between the hands was flashing.
*Screech*… and slowly release its hand, and the light in the gap grows stronger. More than anything else, that gesture—a memory flashed back in my mind, and my spine chilled.
“Get down!” (Maria)
The moment I cried out,
A flash of light run through the air, and my vision became pure white.
Kiiin—and a distant sharp ringing in my ears.
“Tsk…” (Maria)
I immediately got up and prepared myself. The “Conductor” didn’t even show any signs of trying to close the distance, although there should have been an opening.
It only stared back with half-open eyes. Noa and Tamiko, who were also thrown out by the shockwave, seemed to have sustained only minor damage and were trying to get up.
(That was close.) (Maria)
The [Magic Woman], which had been deployed as a wall in a moment of crisis, was lying on the ground in only fragments. Without the mithril armor, their durability is high, but I shudder to think if I had received the attack… My flesh would have been gone with a single blow.
“Hmm… Wasn’t 10 seconds of [Accumulation] enough?” (Conductor)
(There is no doubt.) (Maria)
“How can you… [Thunder]…!” (Maria)
Before I became Komagome’s ace, during my training days at Meguro’s headquarters. The one who took care of me was a senior hunter who was also an elf.
She was one of the top-ranked hunters in the world, and she was someone that the young me respected as much as much as my older sister and the governor. “Maria’s dolls are so cute, aren’t they?” “Shall I decorate them?” It was this person who gave me the opportunity to become the “Holy Silver Puppeteer” later on.
“Senior’s skill…!” (Maria)
The skill of that person who disappeared during the expedition to Shinjuku.
“Then next one, I will try to prolong [Accumulation] further, to fill this place filled with unpleasant smells with the fragrant smell of burning souls.” (Conductor)
The “Conductor” once again put its hands together in front of its chest. I don’t know the principle, but by clasping hands covered with hypha, energy is accumulated, and power charged to the limit is released like a ray of light. The unique Fungal Skill [Thunder]… which is dozens of times more powerful than the [Thunderball] when accompanied by the Fungal Ability [Accumulation], is still the same as that technique.
“I won’t let you…!”
A mycelium doll pops out from my palm. Picking up the [Axe Spear] at its feet, its rushes towards the “Conductor”.
If that is the same as [Thunder], its power is proportional to the time it takes to use [Accumulation]. Don’t give it a chance to charge, and strike before it shoots. That is the only way.
In order to make up for that weakness, Senior was moving on a team strategy. The vanguard role was to protect her—
“Huh!?” (Maria)
Boom! And an arm raised from the ground grabbed the [Magic Woman]’s leg.
“It seems you’ve found your prey, me.” (Conductor)
—Another “Conductor”.
“You’re late, me. Help.” (Conductor)
“I will.” (Conductor)
The “Conductor” who suddenly revealed its entire body had a muscular physique like an ogre. It threw the doll against the wall as if it were a twig.
“Damn it!” (Maria)
I immediately sent reinforcements–at the same time,
“Huh!?” (Maria)
Purple Goblins, Gargoyles, Nue, Dark Kobolds—countless underground soldiers that come up one after another, closing in on me, targeting me.
“Sis!” (Noa)
“Squeak!” (Tamiko)
Noa and Tamiko challenge the Metro Beasts to protect me.
“Tch, that’s unnecessary–” (Maria)
There’s one that is around level 50, for these two it would be too—
(No–) (Maria)
The movements of the Metro Beasts are clearly sluggish in their killing intent. The smell of the sap of the sacred tree that fills the air is probably the reason.
The two of them are also able to compete with the higher-ranked beasts. I wonder if this means they don’t need back up.
“I’ll take on–those disgusting bald things!” (Maria)
The seven [Magic Woman] rushed towards the “Conductor”. “Conductor A” who continues to use [Thunder] along with [Accumulation],
“Give me another eighteen seconds, me.” (Conductor A)
“Conductor B”, who stood in my way protecting it, spread out its arms,
“Leave it to me.” (Conductor B)
It grows four arms from its back—[True Ashura].
“Ha! How dare you show me what I hate!” (Maria)
The log-like arms roared and swatted the [Magic Woman] away like pieces of wood. It’s as powerful as it looks. However,
“This level–” (Maria)
Both precision and speed. It’s nowhere near that damned mob-faced virgin.
“Get out of the way!” (Maria)
*Slash, slash, slash* The seven shadows flashed by without a stitch of disruption. In the blink of an eye, they cut off the hypha arm and thrust the [Axe Spear] into the thick chest.
No time to check its death, they slip by B’s side to A, who is charging the [Thunder] that is about to blast out of its hand at any moment—
“Can’t help it. I’m sorry, me.” (Conductor A)
“It doesn’t matter, me.” (Conductor B)
Just before the tip of the [Magic Woman] reached A,
A’s hand shined.
(This thing.) (Maria)
(Even its ally—) (Maria)
A dazzle that was incomparable to the previous one drowned out my consciousness.
With a whoosh, the burning smell hit my nostrils.
My body won’t move.
Not only me but also “Conductor B” and the surrounding beasts were lying on their backs and steaming.
“Noa, Noa… You can’t…!” (Tamiko)
I heard Carbuncle crying behind me.
“………” (Noa)
The little girl also responded with a faint whisper, though I couldn’t hear it. She seems to still be breathing.
“You still seem to be breathing.” (Conductor A)
A looked down at me and the others. Hatefully, it hasn’t moved a single step from its initial position.
“Just in case, I do one more shot. I seem to like this power.” (Conductor A)
Before it said it, the [Accumulation] had already begun.
Why don’t you just come and stab me directly with your hands? I would have stabbed you with my last strength. Is its being arrogant, or is it drowning in the power in its hands?
Move. [Magic Woman]. Too late.
How many more seconds will there be before the attack is released?
“Fuck……” (Maria)
At least the two behind me—otherwise, the name of “Holy Silver Puppeteer” will vanish forever—
“…?” (Maria)
A small silhouette stood in front of me.
“I am… I am…!” (Tamiko)
“Pipsqueak… Run away–” (Maria)
The third [Thunder] that was released turned Carbuncle’s back into a pitch-black shadow.
T/N: You can do this Tamiko! Go save that asshole lolicon/shotacon tsundere hag. Shuu and Noa will be so proud of you. Awaken a ninjutsu and blast that conductor!
Come on Sparkle! I know you are taking care of Noa’s consciousness because she’s important to Shuu, but this is your time to shine. Just don’t cause irreversible change to Noa.
Watanabe stole/zombified the hunters caught/absorbed.
T/N: If you like the series rate, review it and add it to your reading list on Novel Updates. You can also donate through Paypal or Ko-fi or subscribe to Lazy Translations. Thank you!
support the translator on lazytranslations-com.preview-domain.com