Using Momo’s “Shadow Migration”, we instantly regroup with Ichinose-san.
For some reason, Ichinose-san greets us with a pout as we arrived at the top of a building.
“…Ichinose-san?”
“Yes?”
“Why the long face?”
“Nothing. Why do you ask?”
No, there’s definitely something going on.
Her bad mood is apparent as she kicks a pebble nearby while pouting.
What’s going on?
I think hard for a moment before coming up with a certain explanation.
“…Is it perhaps because we weren’t able to fight together?”
Is she upset over how she didn’t get to have a turn in the fight?
No, I doubt Ichinose-san is the type to get mad over something so minor.
I said that as a joke to lighten up the conversation, but—
“…///”
Pui.
Ichinose-san turns away awkwardly with a blush.
My guess was correct!?
“Eh… for real?”
“…”
“Kuuun…”
Ichinose-san remains silent.
Momo rubs herself against Ichinose-san as if she’s trying to say, “I totally get you”.
Momo, why are you empathizing with Ichinose-san?
It’s a mystery…
Ah, I digress.
“Aka’s strength has recovered, so let’s head back.”
“Good point… By the way, Kudou-san, what’s Aka-chan’s new skill? You haven’t told me yet, yes?”
“Oh, you’re absolutely right. I haven’t filled you in about that, have I?”
Because of various matters, I didn’t have the opportunity to explain.
“Aka, can you demonstrate the new skill?”
“Furu furu”.
Aka shakes to indicate its agreement.
Biki biki.
Aka’s body begins to solidify.
Accompanied by a dull thud, Aka falls to the ground a few seconds later.
“Did it become… a stone?”
“Yes, this is Aka’s new ability, ‘Petrification’.”
This is the new skill that Aka received upon eating “Titan’s Magic Stone (Large)”.
“Petrification” is a skill that transforms one’s weight and texture into that of stones.
“…Is Aka-chan not going to move at all?”
“That’s because it’s a stone. As a stone, Aka will remain immobile.”
“Huh…?”
Ichinose-san is confused.
Let me explain more clearly.
“While it is in this state, Aka won’t be able to move or use other skills. It will simply stay where it solidified into a rock.”
“W-wait a minute! What kind of a skill is this…? What’s the point of becoming a rock?”
“Watch this.”
I calm down the confused Ichinose-san and take out a hammer from the Item Box.
I aim for Aka and swing down the hammer as hard as I could.
“H-hey, Kudou-san, what are you…?”
Ichinose-san tries to stop me in a hurry, but it’s too late to do so.
GAN!!
A loud sound reverberates around me.
“K-Kudou-san!? What have you done?”
“Look closely. Not a scratch remains on Aka.”
“Huh?…Y-you’re right!”
The petrified Aka is completely uninjured.
On the contrary, the hand that I just used feels numb.
It’s actually starting to hurt.
“Aka in its petrified state is rather hard. It’s probably impossible to hurt Aka as it is now unless it’s struck by something as devastating as the pile bunker or the “Ichinose Special”.
Although Aka looks like a stone right now, it’s actually much harder than even iron.
In addition, in this form, Aka has a high resistance against “fire”, the nemesis of all slimes.
Without a source of extreme heat, it would be very difficult to melt the petrified Aka.
“Furu furu.”
Aka cancels its “Petrification” and returns to being a slime.
Then, it stretches out its body and petrifies itself again, turning into a strangely shaped stone pattern that reminds me of a stone circle.
“‘Petrification’ can be used regardless of shape or form?”
“Yes.”
“…Even Aka-chan’s copies?”
“Of course.”
“…Amazing.”
Ichinose-san’s eyes lights up in awe.
She probably understands the true value of this skill now.
On numerous occasions, Aka’s defensive capabilities have helped us tremendously.
However, until now, Aka only served as a cushion to absorb some of the damage for us.
On the other hand, Aka can now literally turn into an “iron wall”.
A defense revolving around both hardness and softness.
No one else is more suitable for the role of a “wall” than Aka.
“But the value of Aka’s ‘Petrification’ does not lie solely on its defense.”
“Eh?”
It’s true that Aka’s “Petrification” boasts an astonishing defense.
Nonetheless, there is something even more impressive than that.
“What can it possibly be…?”
I decide to spend some more time telling Ichinose-san about the skill’s other merit.
“Actually, the ‘Petrification’ skill… does not have a time limit.”
“—-!? Is that really the case?”
“Yes, it is.”
It’s true.
Aka can stay “petrified” for hours, tens of hours, or even hundreds of hours.
The same applies for Aka’s clones.
Normally, a clone would disappear after a certain period of time.
However, if the clone is in a “petrified” state, it will remain forever petrified until the “Petrification” is undone.
It’s just a skill that turns the user into stone, but for us, there is no better skill to ask for.
Ichinose-san puts her hand on her chin and eventually comes to a realization.
“You mean!?”
“That’s right. This skill complements Momo’s ‘Shadow Migration’ very well.”
Momo’s “Shadow Migration” allows a party to move from one party member’s shadow to another.
The memory of us splitting up Aka and designating its clones as “Coordinates” for our hit-and-run strategy against Titan surfaces in my mind.
Not only will the new combo be very effective during battles, it’ll also increase the efficiency of our explorations.
A petrified clone of Aka can be considered a “Save Point” that will never disappear.
The maximum travel distance of Momo’s “Shadow Migration” is around a hundred meters, so we can’t move to the shadow of a party member who is a kilometer away.
But what if we were to have “Intermediate Points”?
By repeating the process of going from point A to point B, which is 100 meters away from point A, a distance of one kilometer can be covered almost instantly.
“…”
Ichinose-san gulps down.
She realizes what this implies.
“Reduced travel time.”
The benefit that this can bring to us is immeasurable.
Regardless of whether we’re trying to gather information, procure food, or subjugate monsters, it will be much more efficient than before.
“Let’s have Nishino-kun cooperate in setting up petrified clones of Aka at regular intervals. By doing this, we’ll be able to dramatically expand the scope of our activities.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
The only issue that remains is that we can’t use “Shadow Migration” without Momo, but I already have a solution in mind.
It’s time to make up for the progress that we have lost during our sleep.
We leave soon after to get into contact with Nishino-kun.
*****
Meanwhile, Nishino was returning home after ending his discussion with Fujita and the others.
(We weren’t able to learn anything about the neighboring town…)
The SDF members including Towada refused to tell the truth.
What on earth was dwelling there?
What was making them so scared?
(We’re clueless at this point, but if push comes to shove, I’ll “Command” them to speak…)
As it wouldn’t be a “Command” that demand people to harm themselves, the “Command” would most likely succeed and compel the JDF members to confess.
However, this ran the risk of shattering their relationship afterwards.
As such, Nishino wanted to keep this as a final resort.
(On a different note, the levels of the residents are rising steadily…)
More and more people were becoming skill holders under the persuasion of Shimizu and Goshogawara.
Some people became more conscious of the dangers that surrounded them. Others wanted to regain control over their own lives.
But of course, there was still a portion of the people that adamantly refused to stand back up.
What to do with these people was a concern that had to be addressed in the near future.
(I should also focus on raising my level …)
During their discussion, a “Mail” had arrived from Rikka.
She had apparently raised her level again during their morning exploration.
If nothing went wrong, it was just a matter of time before she reached LV30.
This was precisely what was pushing Nishino forward.
Nobody would wish to follow an incompetent leader, and Nishino was too proud to let others piggyback him.
“Should I also join the exploration team in the afternoon…?”
When he arrived back at their base, he sensed someone’s presence inside the house.
“Have they returned already?”
They finished much earlier than I anticipated.
No, could it be Kudou-san?
Nishino opened the door and headed towards where the presence was coming from.
Upon seeing him enter the living room, the person in question smiled and said, “Thank you for all your efforts, Nishino-kun. Excuse me for intruding without permission.”
She was someone he was acquainted with.
At the same time, she was someone he wanted to avoid most.
“Student Council President… Igarashi…”
Realizing who the unexpected visitor was, Nishino’s face tensed up.