Trap
"Just how the hell did it appear!?"
While sprinting down the tunnel, I ask the two of them about the situation where the ant suddenly showed up.
"Sa as when it disappeared! A bunch of particles gathered like smoke, and then—bam!"
(Hmm… That’s literally a repop…)
"K-Koochi, hurry! Masaru’s about to get eaten!"
"Wha—!?"
Bringing up the rear, Masaru seems to be struggling with kangaroo jumps on the narrow downhill slope, unable to pick up speed.
The suddenly appearing Big Giant Ant had been slowed down by so kind of sli, but it wasn’t completely immobilized—gnashing its massive jaws with a kachikachi, it’s chasing us at terrifying speed.
"Alright, everyone—slide! I’m using the Lotion Field: Sli-Slick Zone!"
Spending so of my remaining MP, I activate the [Sli] skill, coating the slope in slippery goo.
This’ll let us slide all the way down to the fork in the path. And the Big Giant Ant chasing us should slow down in caution at the sudden appearance of the slippery sli…
…
"Whoa—!? The hell, another one from this side!?"
Sliding down like a water slide thanks to the slippery sli, we reach the fork—only to see another Big Giant Ant poking its massive head out from the right path.
Gichichichi…!
"Sorry, but we’re kinda busy here!"
Shifting from a slide to a flat-on-my-back position, I kick upward right as I pass under the ant, hitting its jaw. Then, as its head smacks into the low ceiling, I fire a glob of adhesive sli to stick it in place.
"Eek!? Huh!? This way too!?"
"Lotion Field! Just keep moving!"
If we stay in this cramped fork any longer, we’ll end up in a pileup—totally immobilized.
So I instruct Serai-san, who slid down right after , to keep going down the left tunnel using the Sli-Slick Zone.
"That side had so weird noises earlier! Be careful!"
"Wait, really!? Then what the hell do we do—!?"
Next, I try to warn Nina-san as she cos sliding down.
But there’s no ti for details. Right now, I’m trying to jam a rock salt stake into the throat of the Big Giant Ant I just kicked—except its thrashing front legs keep getting in the way, so I’m stuck wrestling with it.
"Bfffuuuuh—!?"
And finally, Masaru cos sliding down in so ridiculous pose, completely unable to control himself thanks to the slippery sli. So I abandon the fight and dive into the left tunnel after him.
Then, a few seconds later—
A horribly unpleasant CRUNCH! echoes from above. Seems like Ant-chan and Ant-chan had a little collision. Ugh… traffic accidents are scary, man. Always drive safe on slippery roads.
…
Sliding further down, we eventually reach a tunnel so massive a train could pass through.
I crash into Masaru, who’s still flailing on the sli-covered ground, unable to get up—just as Nina-san’s sharp voice rings out.
"Machii, STOP! Don’t move from there!!"
"Huh…?"
At Nina-san’s warning, Serai-san tilts her head and turns—just as a boulder, several tis the size of a person, plumts behind her.
CRASH!!
"Eh… Ehhh—!?"
The air trembles from the violent impact.
A few seconds later, Serai-san collapses onto her butt, legs seemingly turned to jelly.
"Dumbass! Couldn’t ya see!? The ground’s all cratered, and the ceiling’s bulging in the exact sa shape!!"
Nina-san runs over, scolding Serai-san for her carelessness as she helps her up.
"Ah… Sorry. Didn’t notice at all…"
(Phew… That was close…)
If Nina-san hadn’t spotted the trap, Serai-san would’ve been flattened.
"Ughhh! Ya gotta be more careful, Machii…!"
Grabbing her arm, Nina-san forcibly pulls her to her knees—then drops to her own and hugs Serai-san tightly.
"Mhm… yeah… sorry, Shizu…"
(Glad she’s okay. But that trap… Maybe it doesn’t discriminate between friend or foe…)
Relieved that Serai-san’s unhard, I also realize why the Big Giant Ants repop’d.
But seriously, who sets up traps that even monsters can trigger…?
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