Chapter 92:
Chapter 92:
Chapter 92:
Psychic Battle II
"(Rustling) Ugh! What is this? It's oozing some weird stuff!"
I was organizing the drop items in the pre-dungeon room. After I created the [Space] skill and the spatial vault, collecting drop items became effortless. Consequently, I tended to collect everything without much thought. However, the spatial vault didn't categorize items; it just stacked them in the order they were put in.
So, when I retrieved something from the spatial vault, it spilled out all at once, much like opening the bottom of a piggy bank.
Incidentally, I stored weapons and armor, such as crowbars and suits by sticking them to the back of the box, so they don't get mixed in with dropped items unless I barely fill up the storage space.
"Oh, this is gross. It's like the triangular corner of a sink."
Well, if there were big centipede legs in that sink's triangular corner, it would be a different story entirely.
Basically, I'm frugal by nature and can't throw things away. This applies to the loot I obtain from monsters too. Even though most of it is sticky or gooey, and I can't possibly see a use for it, I categorize the dropped items and keep them in trash bags. Well, most of the drop items aren't rotting or smelly, so I figure I'll keep them for now.
If I ever decide to throw them away, I can just toss them into the dungeon.
But the concerning stuff that's oozing was from the giant centipede's legs. The drops from giant bugs were a part of their exoskeletons. This seemed to drop randomly, and if I collected them all, I could assemble a 1/1 giant centipede. However, I had no use for such a thing. Completing it and putting it on display wouldn't bring me any joy, that's for sure.
"Oh! Something's coming out What is this, a nerve? No, maybe a tendon?"
I pulled on the white fibers from the giant centipede's leg, and it made a squishing noise as the leg flexed. I did not know insect body structures, but apparently, monster insects had tendons in addition to muscles.
"Hmm I remember, in the past, they used these kinds of animal tendons for bowstrings. They seem quite sturdy. Maybe I can use this as material for a bowstring."
Relying on my vague knowledge, I keep only the tendons from the centipede's leg. The other parts of the leg weren't that hard, and while there was some meat on them, I had no desire to eat it. These should make excellent food for the slimes in the dungeon.
"Alright it's about time to head out."
My date with Ruu has been scheduled for next Saturday. It seemed that this weekend, there were family plans we needed to attend to. I couldn't wait, but there was no helping it. So, today, I planned to revisit the park dungeon for the Dungeon Class on Sunday. I figured Shark who was planning to join us wouldn't have a problem there. She had mentioned that she was really afraid of bugs.
..
"""Ahhhh! Uwaaaahh!"""
And so, as I went to the park dungeon with a desire to try something, I descended to the 4th floor. There, I witnessed a scene that seemed all too familiar.
Once again, the 3 self-proclaimed Delinquent guys were surrounded by Lesser Ghosts, crying their hearts out. Hmm, don't they have any learning ability?
(What's this?)
Upon closer inspection, the necklaces the 3 DelinquentDQN guys were wearing had transformed from gold and silver to something resembling prayer beads. Also, around them were scattered torn pieces of paper and crystal-like objects. It seemed like they had made some spiritual preparation.
(Oh, I see, they came prepared for revenge in their way.)
"Uhihhh!"
"Gyaaaaaaah!"
"DDon't come near!"
But the outcome was just a dj vu all over again.
"Alright, then, I'll show you the secret technique of Mantra Buddhism! Watch closely! On! Kirikiri Basarau Hatta!! Kieeee!"
Let me explain. Otaku tends to recite things like Mantras and such.
" (Poo)"
"What?! The lower spirits are ignoring me!? Damn, my Mantra Buddhism doesn't work. (Gulp)"
I was defeated. It seems that my Mantra, which I didn't understand, had no effect. What a blunder.
"Terori Terori"
"Uhihhh!"
"Gyaaaaaaah!"
"DDon't come near!"
But, all in all, those self-proclaimed Delinquent guys were still lively, despite being surrounded by lower-level spirits and getting drained. Quite impressive.
Anyway, it was time for me to get serious.
"Hyuooo Kowaaaa! (Swish) Even if my Mantra doesn't work, I have this skill bestowed by a god. [Salt]! Taste this now! Salt Splash!!"
[Shubaaa! Pikiin! Henyo henyo henyo! (Bofun! Bofufun!!)]
Alright, I did it! When drenched in the sacred salt created by the [Salt] skill, those lower spirits shivered weakly as their existence was gradually erased. The salt produced by the [Salt] skill had a holy attribute that regular salt didn't possess. That was unfolding just as I had hoped.
[Fuwari! Yurari!]
"Alright, let's get closer! Salt Splash!!"
[Pikiin! Henyo henyo henyo! Bofun! Bofufun!]
Fantastic! This should be a perfect countermeasure against undead monsters. Amazing, [Salt]!
"Fasa Becha Katsun Korokoro."
The items dropped by the defeated Lower Spirits included magic stones, dirty rags, and white goo. The dirty rags looked shabby, and I felt some impurity from them, so I didn't collect them.
Similarly, the white goo might be ectoplasm or something, but it looked so nasty that I didn't want to touch it.
So, I only collected the magic stones, kicking the Delinquent guys out to safety. Then I stayed on the 4th floor, feeling like a paranormal hero. I engaged in a fierce battle with the lower spirits while muttering vague mantras.
It was enjoyable. I got a bit carried away and took some hits from the Lower Spirits, but their attacks were more like mental assaults, sapping one's energy while implanting fear in the target.
When I got attacked, I felt a slight chill down my spine. Well, it was manageable in my current high mental state, but if my mental strength were lower, I might end up like those self-proclaimed Delinquent guys.
..
After enjoying my dungeon battle, I emerged to find that it was pitch black outside. The days were getting shorter.
Now, as I hurried to prepare for my return, planning to stop by a super sento (public bathhouse) and maybe a salt sauna on the way back, I received a message from Serai-san, [Master, what are you doing right now?]. I replied, [I'm heading to the super public bath now], and in seconds, she responded with, [I'm coming too!]. Well, she's determined to take advantage of the public bath again.
Sigh, but I can't help but respond with, [Alright, I'll come pick you up], when I think about the happy feeling of having Serai-san ride on the back of my bike.