月亮播放器

Chapter 139: The Perfect Diversion

Roka’s body suddenly froze just as she had started climbing.

“W-What are you…?” She muttered, as her thighs were grabbed.

The Paru could feel his hands sink into her thick thighs as he squeezed them.

‘Now’s not the time.’ The Paru told himself as he shook his head.

Roka couldn’t help herself from blushing as her body was pushed upwards, allowing her to get onto the pillar with ease.

It took a moment for Roka to direct her gaze at him once she was seated on top of the pillar.

“Th… Thanks.” She whispered, slightly embarrassed.

“Yeah.” The Paru nodded.

He turned around and walked away a moment later.

Roka took a deep breath in, preparing for the mission. She needed to concentrate, but her focus broke for a moment, leading to her gaze moving towards the Paru’s crotch.

She looked away and shut her eyes.

‘Now’s not the time!’

…

The Paru took a deep breath in.

‘Hundreds of enemies standing in the way… It will be tough, but as long as I don’t get defeated by them, I should be able to make it.’

Most would normally fear the fact that there were hundreds of Tsero, but not the Paru.

Whether there are hundreds of them or a dozen changes very little.

‘If I get a surplus of Endurance Points from being hit with lightning, the energy will be drained by their crystals. This is an issue, but it can also help. The crystals on their bodies are filled with their energy. Energy that…’ The sharp limbs on his back remained hidden for now. ‘I can drain from them too.’

Indeed, using the limbs covered and made of crystals, especially the upper limbs made of the red crystals that could store energy rapidly, the Paru would be able to steal energy from the Tsero.

‘Unlike them, I will need physical contact to get a good amount out of them. Most of their bodies are covered by those crystals, which is both a blessing and a curse. It makes injuring them tougher, but it will make gaining back my Endurance easier. As long as I can keep coming into contact with them with those limbs, my Endurance won’t deplete over time. I’ll try to keep it full at all times…’

While the Paru was coming up with a game plan, Roka watched and judged the area.

‘Despite the thick dark clouds covering the area, there isn’t much wind. Unlike before, I will have to shoot quickly and decisively now. I can’t take my time to get the perfect shot, since he will be closing the distance quickly… But I will still get the perfect shot every time.’ Roka tightened her grip around her sniper rifle and watched through the scope. ‘The pillar is thick and heavy enough to keep those on which it will fall from moving again. Because of their lack of mobility, none of them should be able to get their whole body on the fallen pillar. They might be able to get their front legs on it and attack with their horns though…’

Roka directed her gaze at the peculiar explosives that she had been handed. Because of their appearance, she doubted how useful they could be, but the smell was enough to convince her that they could easily catch fire.

‘Timing will be important, especially if I need to shoot at them for them to explode. He said that a spark should be enough but… Well, I’ll trust him about that. It means that them coming into contact with a Tsero’s body or the ground will ignite them. I’ll use them to divert the Tsero’s attention as soon as he starts moving across the pillar. It’s not the perfect diversion, but it might be enough to buy him enough time to cross the whole pillar’s length…’

Moments later, the Paru directed his gaze towards Roka.

“Ready?” He asked, holding the mechanical hammer tightly.

The Commander took a deep breath in.

“As ready as we’ll ever be.”

“Alright.” The Paru nodded and directed his gaze towards the foot of the pillar. “If it gets dangerous, run away.”

“Right back at you.”

Phew…

‘Here goes nothing.’

The Paru pulled his arm back, his thumb laying on the mechanical hammer’s switch.

It would take a couple of hits for it to fall, but since he can utilize it properly, even doing so wouldn’t be an issue.

‘The problem for me is that it would fly out of my hands. If he can keep it in hand then, in no time, that pillar should start toppling over-‘

At approximately the same time, both Roka and the Paru’s eyes widened.

He stopped himself from hitting the pillar, and directed his gaze towards the area they had been watching from earlier.

“Something is…!” Roka’s whisper was stopped short by…

ROAAAR!!

Both the Paru and Roka recognize that roar.

It was coming in the direction of the area they had come from.

‘Did it climb following our tracks or something?’

The forest of pillars was disturbed. Pillars were toppled. An uninvited guest approached.

Separating them from the uninvited guest, was the center area of the mountain’s peak where the Tsero dwelled.

[A Quest has been issued.]

[Quest: “Serolia’s Apex Predator”.]

[Objective: Kill Serolia’s strongest Giganto Zilla.]

[Reward: 2 Skill Points.]

Moments later, the guest could be seen through the numerous pillars.

It was larger than the previous Giganto Zillas. Its scales and crystals were darker than the others’.

The Tsero that had been circling around had suddenly stopped moving and turned in the direction from which the Giganto Zilla was approaching, warned of its presence by the falling pillars in the distance as well as the Apex Predator’s growls.

The Commander and the Paru directed their gazes towards one another.

“That’s…”

The Commander took aim, while the Paru cracked his neck.

“Perfect.” They whispered in unison.

The perfect distraction had shown itself.