Chapter 42

Day 4 Overall 4th Place.

Thank you. Thank you.

"Damn. It's heavy!"

On this day, in the forest known as the training ground, which Ryobun had borrowed from an acquaintance, a noble, a clearly irritable voice echoed despite the light pattering sound.

The owner of the voice, of course, was me.

I was so irked that I couldn't help but voice it, and it was all because of the so-called sub-arms, not the weights that were hindering my movements.

"I can move. I can move, damn it!"

Indeed, by applying the command system, I could move the sub-arms and attack with the weapon in my hand to some extent.

However, the movements were extremely sluggish.

It was difficult to move the sub-arms, which extended from the shoulder, freely, and the fact that this powered suit was designed for group operation, not emphasizing mobility, was also a problem.

If there were ten comrades here, we could conduct tests based on the intended role.

But unfortunately, I was alone.

And being alone, I couldn't just stand still and fire like a fixed artillery platform—though I shouldn't even if I had companions.

I can move after shooting, and I can shoot before stopping. I can do that much.

I also attached a wire anchor, so I can repeatedly accelerate and decelerate during jumps to throw off the enemy's aim.

"The acceleration is good. The jumping power is there. But I can't make sharp turns!"

When I suddenly look to the left or right, the sub-arms block my view, and the sub-arms get in the way, creating a gap of more than a beat in my attacks.

To move them unconsciously, I would need a vast amount of time and a certain level of magic power.

However, to give the powered suit magic power, I would need to defeat a magic creature that possesses magic power.

It doesn't have to be a medium-sized one. Even a small one has some magic power, so if I defeat them like pest control, I can gradually accumulate magic power.

But if I fight magic creatures in this state, I will definitely die.

It's not about earning experience points. I will die, plain and simple.

At first, it might be okay, but I have a bad feeling that accidents will happen once I get used to it.

In other words? It's a defective product. Thank you.

"…It's impossible."

At least in the current state, it's unusable.

That's the only judgment I can make.

"Even you can't do it, huh?"

"Yeah. As you can see."

I can't help but feel inadequate as a test pilot.

But I think it's also the job of a test pilot to identify these flaws.

"What are the issues?"

"Silent shooting is fine. So, as a powered suit with firepower, it's not bad. But the sub-arms get in the way for mobile combat."

"Hmm."

It might seem like there's no problem because it fits the concept in a way, but that's not the case.

This powered suit is different from the traditional ones designed for small enemies. It aims to be a powered suit that can defeat medium-sized enemies with the firepower generated by four arms.

Of course, the medium-sized enemies to be defeated are not just one. We are aiming for group battles.

If we can't avoid or defend against the enemy's counterattacks, we will end up in a mutual destruction.

And with one counterattack, ten of our comrades will vanish. That would make preparing a new type of suit meaningless.

Therefore, at the very least, some level of evasion or defense is required, but as you can see, evasion is impossible.

What about defense? That's also difficult.

"Maybe it's okay with a shield, but I don't want to take hits from medium-sized enemies or larger in this state."

"Of course not."

Of course, there are shields that have been modified to be usable with the powered suit, and large armor is said to be able to defend against medium-sized attacks.

But that's just on paper.

I don't want to risk my life to test the durability of the shield, and I'm sure Ms. Masa would be troubled if I died.

So, I'll give up on the shield. If I want to use it, there's only one way, right?

"If you really want to use the sub-arms"

"Is there?"

"Can't you make the shoulder part larger and store them inside when not in use? Or fix them to the upper arm and only separate them during shooting?"

They get in the way when they're just hanging around. I think it's not a bad idea to only use the sub-arms during shooting.

Like in a certain Gundam.

"Hmm? Let's hear more about that."

"Sure. First of all, let's see..."

If Ms. Masa and her team are involved, my ideas might just become the basis for some gimmick equipment, but the equipment created that way will never be wasted.

Besides, it would be great if the people who actually use it can think hard about the operational methods. The opinions that come out after they have thought hard about it will make this powered suit better... I hope.

Good luck. Future soldiers.

---

Somewhere

"Well, are we almost at the planned number?"

While Keita and Ryobun were improving the powered suit and earning magic power and experience points by defeating wild magic creatures,

In a place slightly away from Far Eastern Russia, a terrifying plan by a certain demon was about to be launched.

"Really, the seniors lack a bit of enthusiasm, I think."

However, the plan itself was something the Japanese side had anticipated.

Namely, a large-scale attack by magic creatures.

"Gradual deployment to apply pressure? If they don't intend to win from the start, that might be fine, but..."

This demon found the strategy adopted by the previous demons very frustrating... or rather, a bit off.

The target is Japan, a country that, despite being the only great power in Asia in the past, has continued to fight against demons and magic creatures for over 100 years since the great war, without giving up even an inch of its territory to magic creatures.

The achievements and the industrial and technological capabilities that support them.

The machines produced with these as a background have become a source of hope for humans.

In fact, several countries in Southeast Asia have been liberated from the influence of magic creatures and have maintained their territories, mainly due to the Japanese military dispatched there.

With such achievements, there is no country that does not desire Japanese aid. Even the remaining countries in Europe and Australia hope for joint operations with Japan—worst case, technology exchange.

"Of course, I would like to destroy it, but since I have orders from my superior, the devil, we can't destroy Japan. ...I want to destroy it, but I can't. This contradiction is why the seniors turn a blind eye to Japan. That's why they haven't noticed until now."

Indeed, at first, pressure was applied to Japan.

But any pressure becomes less effective over time.

Moreover, the regular appearance of magic creatures has become a "bonus game" where one can gain combat experience and the basic materials of magic creatures.

"Of course, it's not wrong in the sense of reducing the population. But if the crucial 'pressure' is not applied to the other side, the situation is different, isn't it?"

Reducing the number of large creatures that consume a lot of resources is a good thing.

But it's not good to die in vain, and it's even worse to give the other side materials.

"The devil seeks conflict, not a one-sided battle."

Therefore, the demon gave the magic creatures that were sent out a simple piece of advice.

Thanks to this, more magic creatures than before were able to land in Japan.

The number was ten large creatures, over 130 medium creatures, and a considerable number of small creatures.

Of course, the demon did not think that Japan would be destroyed by this level.

However, it was expected to cause some damage.

But the result was a crushing defeat. According to the collaborator on the other side, there was almost no damage to the military.

Despite the fact that a large number of magic creatures, which the other side had not anticipated, landed.

From this, only one conclusion could be drawn: the force was insufficient.

"Against a group that can repel such a large number of magic creatures without any damage? Sending a few large creatures and a few dozen medium creatures is meaningless. It's just giving them experience points and materials."

Moreover, Japan has started mass-producing new machines that have never been seen before. Can this be called applying pressure? No, definitely not.

"That's why I'm going to test it. The power of Japan."

How much force is needed to apply 'pressure'?

How much damage is needed to make the 'collaborators' on the other side lose the leisure to do such foolish things?

"This time, at least double the previous number. If we lose, double it again. It will take time, but it's better than wasting resources. Oh, and we need to make sure they don't drown. The formation is fine, but we need to prepare something to enhance propulsion, like flotation devices or boards, to make the crossing easier."

The 'test' that this demon prepared was double the number that Japan had anticipated.

Namely, 24 large creatures, 300 medium creatures, and 1,000 small creatures.

Moreover, they are planned to attack with measures to prevent drowning and to conserve energy during the crossing.

"Let's see how you handle this offensive."

---

'What the hell! What is this number!'

From the Japanese side, the magic creatures were arriving as scheduled.

However, the actual number that appeared far exceeded expectations.

The National Defense Force, which had to face this unprecedented large-scale attack without Keita, a decisive combat force, would soon have their faces stained with despair as they engaged in a hopeless battle.

The points and bookmarks are appreciated, and the characters' struggles are a different story...

The points are really appreciated.

Thank you for reading.