Chapter 9

The next day, I prepared a large amount of antidote and decided to inspect the site. I couldn't plan the operation based solely on the monster encyclopedia in the guild and the information from the staff; I needed to do a preliminary inspection.

On the way, I decided to stop by the crab's small room. Although it would be better to earn money on the way back, my purpose was to practice the "Magic Bullet." The habitat of the pitcher plants is beyond the underground crab area, so it was just right.

In the usual small room, with the usual crab, it was stuck again.

First, I aimed and infused my finger with magic power.

Oh, it's smooth! The power condensed easily. It feels good. It's clearly different from before! Oh, don't overdo it. It's just practice, so keep it moderate...

The magic power intensified to the point where my fingertips glowed.

I can do it!

"Magic Bullet, fire!"

A light orb like a dorayaki formed at my fingertips... but it didn't move, just glowing there.

...

It's not flying... I guess it's no good.

I slumped my shoulders. The crab, oblivious to my mood, was facing the other way, grinding its jaws with a dorayaki in its hand.

"Hey! How about this!"

I grabbed the dorayaki, took a big swing, and threw it at the crab.

The dorayaki flew in a nice trajectory, straight for the crab's head, or rather, in a parabolic arc. It hit the target.

I did it! I did it! I did it! It's not like my brother, but I succeeded in a long-range attack!

I made a victory pose. The next moment, I was blown away by an explosion and lost consciousness.

The small room was half-destroyed, with debris scattered around. When I woke up, several sharp crab claws were lying at my feet.

"Ouch... too much power?"

I slowly got up.

The remains of the crab were stuck to the wall, just a few legs left.

I took a recovery potion and stepped into the room. A small marine blue stone was lying among the debris.

"Small..."

It was a magic stone. Most of the body had been blown away, so the magic elements that make up the magic stone couldn't be extracted. It was only about one-tenth the usual size.

I sighed.

Failure is part of experimentation. I know that. I know that. But, come on! To kill that hard crab with just one dorayaki-sized orb. It's overkill! Excessive attack!

I shook my head and slowly pulled the empty cart to the next room.

I'll try again, this time with less power.

I gripped a coin-sized light orb and threw it at the second target!

This time, I kept a greater distance. There was no risk of being caught in the blast.

"Yikes!"

I quickly retreated, running and sliding into the shadow of a pillar.

The explosion and shockwave passed by me.

I'm going to die!

I threw the light orb with all my might, just like last time. Or so I thought.

But it didn't even reach the entrance of the room, let alone the target. I immediately realized that the "Magic Bullet" was too light, which reduced its range.

No, it's not that it was light. It has no mass to begin with. It's just a sensory impression. Yes, it's better to say it lacks density. It lost speed quickly and fell short of the room's entrance. Like a bird's feather, no matter how hard you throw it, it won't fly far because it lacks mass and is easily affected by air resistance. This time, the "Magic Bullet" was too light because it was too small.

Air resistance? Does that mean it has mass?

I created a "Magic Bullet" in my palm and poked and rubbed it.

"Is it materializing?"

I couldn't tell. Is it just a sensory impression, or is it actually materializing? I can't distinguish it with my sense of touch. I would need someone else to touch it for me.

If I had scattered some sand on it, I would have known immediately, but I was in a hurry. Unexpected results kept coming, and I wasn't as calm as I thought.

I stared at the dorayaki.

Either way, this attempt was a failure. I needed to think of another method. Reducing the power meant I couldn't throw it far, but increasing the power meant nothing would be left, including myself.

As the dust cleared and my vision returned, I peeked down the corridor.

The crab was thrashing at the entrance to the room. It seemed to have noticed me.

Why is a level twenty monster stuck? That's the real problem.

I finished it off with "Helmet Splitter" and collected the remains and the magic stone. At least I got the inn fee.

After that, I tried various things whenever I found a crab. I measured the range by changing the size. I tried placing it on the floor to see if it materialized, but it didn't work. It either didn't materialize or was absorbed by the floor. I wanted to try delayed explosions or rolling it as a sphere, but the dorayaki I threw didn't pass through the floor when it landed. What's going on? What's missing?

With no more crabs, the experiment had to be interrupted.

With nothing left to do, I decided to inspect the main dish. I headed for the end of the corridor, still feeling unsatisfied.