The well-Balanced Yamamoto-san Gets Caught up in a Death Game

Chapter 34

Finally, it was our turn after all that idle chatter.

We’d been waiting for about three hours, hadn’t we?

There were roughly six parties ahead of us, so on average, each party must have fought for about thirty minutes.

Of course, some parties finished quickly while others took longer, so it’s not an exact science.

I wonder if they don’t get tired fighting for thirty minutes straight.

“Well, shall we get started?”

Thanks to the rest, my MP had recovered to about ten percent. Along with that, my motivation had returned. Could it be that MP levels also affect one’s mental state?

Come to think of it, I felt like the natural recovery rate was much higher when we were in the carriage, but now that I’ve checked again, I realize it’s actually quite minimal.

When we were in the carriage, I wasn’t using magic as frequently, so it felt like I could cast spells forever. But now that I’ve calmly measured it, I see it’s not really that much.

Human assumptions can be quite frightening!

“Alright, let’s go. Everyone, remember to ‘value your lives,’ okay?”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better not to challenge the Area Boss at all?”

“Let’s steel our resolve.”

“I’m looking forward to finally seeing Yama-san in action, eh, Iko-san?”

“Indeed, it should be quite interesting, old man.”

For some reason, a few people seem to have high expectations, but I don’t think there’s anything particularly exciting in store.

Anyway, I take the lead and open the door to the boss room.

Is this door made of magic iron?

Magic iron is a special type of iron that becomes resistant to both physical and magical attacks due to its weak magical properties. The simple design of this door somehow adds to the boss battle atmosphere.

But magic iron, huh…

I wonder if it’s strong enough that we could break it down and escape if necessary?

I’ll just give it a light tap.

“Oh, I forgot to mention. There’s an introductory movie that plays during the first battle with the boss, so surprise attacks aren’t possible.”

“I see.”

We all step into the room.

It’s quite a spacious area.

While the Forzine underground labyrinth was mainly composed of earth, the area around this boss room was rocky. I was wondering which it would be inside, but it seems the rocky terrain is dominant here.

As soon as we all enter, our feet stop moving of their own accord.

Is this the introductory movie they mentioned?

Right before our eyes, the rocky mountain in the center begins to shudder.

What we thought was a rocky mountain stretches its legs, arms, tail, and neck, and spreads large wings. As small rock fragments fall to the ground, it reveals itself to be a dragon. At that moment, we regain control of our bodies.

The battle begins!

“I pronounce your death sentence!”

▶Death Sentence cast on Rock Little Dragon.

So, my opening move is Death Sentence.

To be honest, I’ve been fidgeting to put away the carriage early, partly because I summoned it as a makeshift bed last night.

After all, [Carriage Summon] is a kind of self-destruct switch.

And since defeating this Area Boss means reaching Forzine, I thought this was the only place to use Death Sentence.

In response to my Death Sentence, the Rock Little Dragon opens its mouth wide and puffs out its chest.

Could it be preparing a breath attack?

“Yama-chan, breath attack incoming!”

“Got it. [Earth Wall]!”

[Earth Wall], which had lost some of its credibility against the Giant Boulder Worm, is invincible against the Rock Little Dragon.

The ground swells up, forming a solid wall that deflects the Rock Little Dragon’s breath attack with a series of loud bangs.

Fist-sized rocks scatter everywhere as they hit the earthen wall. Is this the Rock Little Dragon’s breath attack?

It’s literally a barrage of stone bullets.

If you got hit by this, you’d be curled up in pain!

“Yama-chan, it can’t keep breathing forever! Your chance will come when it stops!”

“I got it, Tatsu-san.”

So, when the sound stops, I pull up the [Earth Wall] with one hand, using it as a shield as I charge towards the Rock Little Dragon.

“Huh?!”

“No way!”

“As expected of God.”

Well, the peanut gallery is noisy, but I continue charging with [Earth Wall] as my shield.

Oh, but I can’t see in front of me.

I don’t need this anymore, so I’ll throw it.

Thud.

The thick earthen wall hits the Rock Little Dragon’s face like a counter as it was apparently trying to bite.

I’m not very good at controlling these things…

As the Rock Little Dragon reels back, I use [Follow Wind] to increase my agility, quickly move to its side, and then climb onto its back.

“What was that movement?! I couldn’t follow it with my eyes!”

“Huh, when did she get on its back?! I didn’t see it…”

“As expected of God.”

Well, it might be difficult for most people to climb onto its back so easily.

But I have [Balance], so I can easily climb up even slightly uneven surfaces.

Since it would be troublesome if it escaped into the sky, I take out [Crystal Steel Magic Sword] from [Storage] and forcefully cut off one of the Rock Little Dragon’s wings.

“Guga?!”

“Oops…”

After cutting off one wing, the Rock Little Dragon crashes to the ground.

I’m thrown off, but I land perfectly thanks to [Balance].

The downed Rock Little Dragon seems to have stars flying around its head?

Could this be a stun state due to part destruction?

Lucky.

“What’s with that sword?! It cut through the Rock Little Dragon’s supposedly hard wing so easily!”

“And the cut area isn’t burning?! What kind of weapon is that?!”

“Ho ho. You’ve got quite an interesting item there.”

“Indeed, old man.”

“As expected of God.”

Misaki-chan, please stop trying to make “As expected of God” catch on! It’s definitely not going to become a thing!

“Well, since we’ve got a stun, might as well use a big move. Great★Slash★Down!”

An overhead slash after jumping high.

By the way, this technique.

Looking at its description, it has increased critical rate and stun infliction rate. It’s a very effective move.

The only problem is that it can only be unleashed from a jump, so there’s an opening in the movement.

But well, it doesn’t matter if the opponent is stunned, right?

BOOM!

When I swing down with all my might on the Rock Little Dragon’s head, the ground caves in along with its head due to the sheer power.

And again, stars fly above the Rock Little Dragon’s head. Yeah, looks like the stun state is continuing.

Alright, let’s end this.

I place one hand on the immobilized Rock Little Dragon’s body and—

“[Magic Penetration Intense Pressure Palm]!”

With a thunderous boom, the Rock Little Dragon’s body shakes violently, and in the next moment, its form dissolves into polygonal light and disappears into thin air.

Wow, that was easier than I expected…

—Ah.

“Whoa?!”

“Oh right, I forgot to mention, but the carriage disappears, so be careful?”

“Could you please tell us these things earlier?!”

Tatsu-san managed to dodge by flying, while Iko-san and Gobuzou-san landed normally.

Bre-kun and Misaki-chan were safe since they were a bit away from the carriage to protect Gobuzou-san and the others.

Well, they all seem a bit surprised though.

“Wait, is it even possible to solo stun-lock an Area Boss in a death game?!”

“That’s just Yama-chan for ya. It’d be weird to use her as a standard…”

“As expected of God.”

“What? Is it over already?”

“The opponent was just weak, old man.”

“No way, no way, no way!”

“Indeed, as expected of God.”

Well, yeah.

Sorry it wasn’t very exciting, but the result was as expected!

Now, for the battle rewards…

▶First defeat of Area Boss “Rock Little Dragon” achieved.

10 SP added.

▶Title [New Journey] acquired.

5 SP added.

From now on, battles with Rock Little Dragon can be chosen at will.

▶558 experience points gained.

▶212 reward stones acquired.

▶Rock Drake Scale acquired.

▶Rock Drake Fang acquired.

▶Rock Drake Wing Membrane acquired.

▶Yamamoto leveled up.

▶[Balance] activated.

Adjusting acquired items.

▶346 additional reward stones acquired.

▶Rock Drake Tail additionally acquired.

Is that all?

I thought we’d get more experience points, but it’s not much at all.

Ah.

Since it was a party battle, could it be divided by four?

If you multiply it by four, it’s about the same as the Crystal Slime, so I guess we’re getting a decent amount?

And it feels like there are fewer types of materials compared to the Crystal Dragon.

Since it’s called a Rock Drake, maybe it’s not a true dragon? That might be why the materials are limited?

But the party members seem happy with the abundance of materials and experience points they received. Bre-kun and Misaki-chan are even high-fiving. Well, if they’re happy, I guess my efforts were worth it?

“Ah, Gobuzou-san, Iko-san, we’ll have to walk a bit from here to Forzine. Will that be okay?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Forzine is right in front of us, after all.”

Huh?

Could it be that both of them have been to Forzine before?

“However, if this is the case… hmm?”

“Hehe, oh you, old man…”

Are they enjoying something?

I’m not sure what’s going on, but if they’re having fun, that’s great!

“Alright! We’ve finally reached Forzine! Let’s go, everyone!”

And so, at Tatsu-san’s command, we begin our big move.

We pass through the difficult rocky path and a long vertical rock cave, and there it is—the underground city of Forzine!

It’s supposed to be no less impressive than Cappadocia—

…

The first thing that caught our eyes as we emerged from the rocky area was sunlight.

Wait, isn’t this supposed to be an underground city…?

Looking up, I can see the earth above us.

There’s a massive hole in the ground as if the bottom had fallen out, and sunlight is streaming through it?

Reflecting that sunlight are numerous white stone buildings lining up—

Wait, what?

And tickling our noses is… the scent of the sea?

Looking ahead, we see a pure white sandy beach and eroded earth walls connected to the sea…

This isn’t Cappadocia!

It’s Playa Escondida!