Atelier Tanaka

Book 6: Chapter 4 (3)

Academic City (2nd)

Before we had even managed to accomplish our original goal of gathering ingredients for the potion, we found ourselves venturing into the ruins.

This is how our party was lined up:

Goggoru-chan was in front. Her useful mind reading ability combined with her overall impressive physical ability means she should be capable of handling anything we encounter. Following behind Goggoru-chan, but not so close as to be within range of her ability, was Edita Sensei and the NEET girl. I was in the rear, a few metres behind the previous pair.

A perfect party setup.

The ruins are so d-dark.

The JC looked around nervously as she spoke.

Just as she said, there was no source of light within the ruins. This left the entire area pitch black once we had ventured a few metres from the entrance. I conjured a small fireball to act as a light source while Edita Sensei used some sort of magical device to provide some light as well.

I should show her the maturity of an adult.

This is the standard for any place that can be called a ruin. Even with the light we have, you should be careful where you walk. Its not uncommon for ruins built underground to suffer from flooding.

Its not like I actually have much experience exploring ruins.

The only ruins Ive actually explored are the Demon ruins on the Dark Continent and the massive underground ruins beneath Drill-chans castle.

Naturally, the Roper creature I previously encountered came to mind. This creature combined with Mercedes-chan whom I also encountered there has fueled many of my nighttime fantasies.

I wonder if these ruins hide a similar creature.

I can imagine how adorable my blond, thick thighed Sensei would look being harassed by slimy tentacles.

I-Is that so?

The pure JC sounded impressed with my knowledge.

I think Ive actually earned some respect from her.

Im not sure these actually are ruins. Given its location not far from the heart of Academy City, and the condition of the entrance, Id imagine this is some form of research facility. We should be careful and look out for traps or monsters.

Sensei lectured me.

Shes right though. There may be traps around.

Traps.

If its something as simple as a pit trap or gas trap, we should be able to handle it. However, any form of magical trap could pose a serious danger. A common trap that Ive heard of is one that traps you and slowly crushes you to death.

WhWhat? Are you saying that just to scare me?

Not at all. There are some that magically attach your body to a pulley or a cog and then slowly wedge your body between two walls that gradually become closer to each other. These traps are meant to intimidate any trespassers, so it;s inevitable that they must be brutal.

.

The fear on the JCs face grew with each word that left Senseis mouth.

I think shes still holding a grudge after the JC insulted alchemy.

Is something wrong? Youre looking tense.

I-Its nothing! Im not scared or anything!

Oh, really? Maybe you should try taking the lead. That might give you a taste of what its like to be a true adventurer.You said you planned on becoming a powerful mage, right? A simple trap or two should be nothing for a mage capable of slaying dragons single handedly on the Dark Continent.

ThatsI just u-umm.

The already pale face of the young NEET turned an even paler shade of white.

I was starting to feel bad for teasing her.

Im sure the teasing of an old busamen is disgusting on top of being scary.

Well, I guess we can just leave it up to Rocoroco-san for now.

I doubt a couple of traps will stand much of a chance against someone from the Dark Continent. I shouldnt be doing anything that might lead to a student from Academy City getting hurt anyway. Im here acting as an ambassador of Penny Empire. I cant allow myself to get careless.

I suppose I can take it easy on her.

Now that you mention it, ossan, arent you a little ashamed hiding in the back like that? Huh?

Eh?

The JC stopped in her tracks and turned to me.

Its a little pathetic having a girl walking in front of you while you hide in the back.

When you put it like that, well, I guess I cant argue with you.

I took up this position in case a danger was to approach us from the rear. Maybe a trap that sends a giant boulder rolling toward us from behind. I remember there being something like that in the ruins beneath Drill-chans castle.

But, thats okay.

The JC is cute when she acts haughty.

We continued our trek through the underground ruins, breaking the silence with a few brief words here and there. Quite unexpectedly considering how she acted during our initial walk through the woods, the JC was in a much better mood now that we were exploring the ruins. This allowed the atmosphere surrounding our party to improve for the first time today.

Im curious how long weve been walking though.

The first change in our formation happened when Goggoru-chan signalled for us to stop.

somethings coming.

Chocololis calm voice reached my ears.

Not long after that, I could hear something charging toward us with terrifying momentum.

Due to the dark passage we were in, it was impossible for me to make out the details of the onrushing creature. It was still over a dozen metres away, but I could clearly make out a hostile creature charging toward us on four legs.

Of course, in this small passage, we were right in its path.

O-Oi!

I used my flight magic to lift my body over the others and placed myself directly in the creatures path.

Goggoru-chan and I stood next to each other.

Closing the distance allowed me to get a clearer picture of the creature.

It was something deserving of the name monster.

The overall shape of the monster reminded me of a large feline predator. A plume of feathers covered the creatures back and neck with two wings resting on its back, and instead of a normal tail growing from the creatures backside, a long snake was in its place. Strangely, this snake was biting the feline beasts back as if it were attacking itself.

This is clearly no normal creature.

In addition to the strange behaviour of the creature, the beasts body was heavily damaged and I could see its internal organs dragging on the ground, leaving a blood trail in its wake. Deep gouges and chunks of flesh were missing from the monsters body. Even so, it still maintained its primal instinct to defend itself when threatened and lunged toward us with enough force to pose a threat to the life of any normal person.

.

Luckily, Goggoru-chan isnt normal. She stood her ground and got ready to take the beasts attack head-on.

The monster bared its fangs as it grew closer to Goggoru-chan.

Goggoru-chan dashed forward and closed the distance in an instant. She reached out to grab hold of the beast as she did.

Rocoroco-san!

Oh, I forgot how cool it is to see the chocololi fight.

The difference in their size was only outmatched by the difference in their weight, but there was no sign at all of her being scared.

She perfectly positioned herself to block the creatures attack and hold its mouth open before it could reach her.

Im fine.

A-Are you?

Yep.

Im seriously in love with her.

Such a powerful yet calm girl is amazing. Shes won my heart over completely. Shes grabbed it. No, there has to be a better way of describing it. Shes taken hold of my heart in her strong embrace.

that means the same thing. All you did was change the wording.

No, it.well, umm, it is, but.

She can even snap back with a calm retort in this situation.

This really is no trouble to her.

I dont think I can fall any deeper in love with Goggoru-chan.

Are you alright!?

The voice of another person reached us from the opposite side of the monster.

It was a voice I was familiar with.

Everyones focus turned toward the voice, wondering who could possibly be down here besides us. Out of the darkness emerged a figure, ah, its actually Pi-chan. Pi-chan was hovering a few feet in the air using flight magic. He was wearing his normal uniform which caused his long cloak to flap behind him.

Just hold it still!

PI-chan held out his hand and a dim glow emerged from his palm.

A magic circle formed beneath the monsters feet.

A glowing pillar of light emerged from the circle and engulfed the monster.

It grew from the floor until it connected to the ceiling, concealing the monster in the bright light.

We had grown accustomed to the darkness of the ruins, so the shining white light forced us to shield our eyes from the brilliant glow. Fully engulfed by the light now, the only sign of the creature was its deafening roar that echoed through the halls of the ruins before it collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.

Its wings and tail had been cut from its body entirely and whatever organs remained in its body were now splayed out across the stone floor.

The dazzling light persisted for several seconds. The mangled body of the monster began to decay as if the light were dissolving it. Before long, the creature had been reduced to a puddle of goo that reminded me of a drunkards vomit or sewer sludge. By the time the glow had diminished and I was able to fully open my eyes, the creature was almost entirely liquid.

Barely any trace of the creatures fangs which Goggoru-chan was holding remained.

Are you all alright!?

Pi-chan disabled his flight magic and landed next to us.

She looked at all of us with concern.

Peacock-san, what exactly was that?

Most likely a chimera.

A chimera?

So it was.

I was still confused after hearing Pi-chans words, but it seemed that Edita Sensei had her suspicions confirmed. While the JC was left completely terrified by the puddle that was formerly a monster trying to kill her. Goggoru-chan was the only one of us that seemed unaffected by the whole situation.

We received reports of illegal experimentation being done in this facility. I arrived not long ago and was created by several creatures such as this.

Are there still more further in?

I havent cleared the entire area yet, but Ive already disposed of over a dozen similar creatures freely wandering the passages of the facility. Many are even more dangerous than this, so it would be best if you all quickly left before more arrive.

If it was just Goggoru-chan and I down here, Id have no doubt that wed be able to handle ourselves, but Edita Sensei and the JC are a liability. A simple mistake could prove fatal for either of them. Its probably best if we just listen to Pi-chan.

O-Of course! You should only explore ruins if youve properly prepared!

Fortunately for me, the JC in question was making it clear she wanted to leave.

After all, our original goal coming out here was to gather ingredients not explore ruins. I had never intended on venturing this far into the ruins in the first place. I just wanted to entertain the JC for a little while by walking for a half hour or so.

This was the perfect opportunity for me to suggest we listen to Pi-chan.