Pick Me Up!

It took us two days to arrive at the last base.

Now, the red circle indicating the water dragon’s territory had swallowed more than half of the map.

And there was a slight anomaly at the fourth base.

[Baby Water Dragon Lv.37] X 7

Several black shadows were roaming near the island.

“Let’s handle it with the ballista…”

“No.”

I interrupted Katiio’s suggestion.

“Call Jenna.”

On her belt hung a crossbow the size of a pistol.

The equipment arrived yesterday after going through modifications. The armor and undergarments were waterproofed, and various weapons were transformed into streamlined forms.

My current level in underwater combat was 3.

Jenna was also at level 3, while Velkist and Neryssa were at levels 1 and 2, respectively.

The two were still not quite ready for real combat, but Jenna and I were sufficient.

“Did you call me, Oppa?”

“Look over there.”

“There are monsters.”

Jenna’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me.

“They seem like a worthy opponent!”

“Right, let’s not touch the treasure box for now. Let’s deal with the surrounding small fry first.”

“Roger that!”

“What about support magic?”

“We’re good.”

I blinked at Katiio, who was left behind and filled my lungs with oxygen.

Splash!

I dove into the water.

After adjusting to the underwater vision, I immediately kicked off and advanced.

The 2m-sized water dragons had spotted us.

They immediately bared their teeth and began to approach.

I signaled to Jenna behind me.

Jenna nodded and then clenched her fists.

She pushed off with her toes.

Her body shot forward at high speed.

‘…It’s different from on land.’

The most significant characteristic of underwater combat is that it introduces an above-and-below aspect to the fight.

Additionally, you’re inevitably slower than on land. It was important to secure a favorable position in advance and move accordingly.

Sshh.

Jenna’s arrow grazed by.

I drew my sword and spun my body.

Thunk.

I plunged the sword into the roof of a water dragon’s mouth as it opened wide.

Turning my head, I saw a water dragon writhing with an arrow lodged in it. I immediately tore through the dragon’s throat.

The blue sea turned red with blood.

The destructive power wasn’t as strong as on land, but the lethality was sufficient.

Seven minutes.

The time I could hold my breath underwater.

It was initially three minutes, but I gradually extended it through diving training.

Thanks to swinging my sword thousands of times underwater, I also gained some know-how.

When about half of the oxygen in my lungs was used up.

“…Phew.”

I raised my head above the water.

Below, the bodies of the baby water dragons were sinking.

‘It’s not as efficient as I thought.’

The speed wasn’t quite there.

Compared to the water dragon, it was almost laughable.

Not to mention turning directions.

‘As expected.’

I smiled bitterly and brought the chest from the island.

[‘The Water Dragon Ktaart’ roars.]

[‘The Blessing of the Water God’ is applied!]

Anytng immediately opened the control panel.

[Would you like to manually operate the airship?]

[Yes (Selected) / No]

[Nice Drift!]

[The acceleration bar is filling up.]

[Nice Drift!]

[The acceleration bar is filling up.]

[Booster On!]

[‘Capitalism’ sails forward rapidly!]

[Hyper Booster On!]

[‘Capitalism’ moves even faster…]

After evading the pursuit.

I opened the fourth box.

[Dimensional Summoning Stone]

[Grade: B+]

[Allows summoning heroes from the waiting room to the airship.]

[Note 1 – Without the goddess’s blessing, only hero exchange is possible]

Dimensional Summoning Stone.

It summons heroes from the waiting room.

Simple in function, but perhaps the most crucial item.

I surveyed the sea.

The red circle had consumed more than seven-tenths of the map.

[Master, congratulations on gathering all the items!]

[Touch the ‘Start Hunting’ icon at the bottom of the screen to begin the boss stage.]

It seems we’re somewhat prepared fundamentally.

But the battle preparations were not yet completely finished.

Anytng closed the guidance window and entered the operation tab of the waiting room.

It seems he’s not yet ready to challenge.

That night, I called everyone except Priasis.

“We’ve gathered all the items.”

I laid out the four items and explained their uses.

The mermaid’s tears, which enable underwater breathing.

The Deep Sea Ship Model, which summons a combat vessel to the battlefield.

The Oxygen Supply Device, which recharges the oxygen of a hero in an underwater breathing state.

The Dimensional Summoning Stone, which summons heroes from the waiting room.

“Will this be enough?”

“We have to try. That’s why we gathered them.”

I continued.

“To be frank, the four of us on our own can’t take that monster down.”

The original plan was to include Katiio with the four of us to face the water dragon.

Among the wide range of support magic a wizard possesses, there were useful ones even underwater.

However, with Katiio handling the airship, inevitably, there was a flaw in the party composition.

“When the master logs in tomorrow, we’ll use this.”

I held out the glowing blue stone.

It was the Dimensional Summoning Stone.

“We can’t summon another party yet. Only exchange is possible. So, one of you will temporarily switch places with Eloka until we enter the 35th floor.”

“Eloka?”

“Yes, she will be useful.”

If Eloka couldn’t demonstrate her abilities, we’d have to hand over the airship to a mechanic and use Katiio instead.

“Is that okay?”

“I’ve already spoken to her.”contemporary romance

“I’ll go back to the waiting room.”

Neryssa raised her hand.

“Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, I have things to do there.”

Neryssa responded without hesitation.

After a bit of thought, I agreed.

After all, once the subjugation begins, Katiio will move to another party, and Neryssa will return.

And the next evening came.

“…I knew it would come to this. It’s only natural.”

On the third floor of the airship, in the waiting area.

Eloka muttered as she stood on the magic circle.

“I just took a short break! And now it’s the glorious return of the genius magician, haha! You must have deeply felt how important I am!”

“Did you learn to swim?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve mastered the fourth tier of fire magic, right? The one that explodes inside the enemy. It seems like it could work underwater. And underwater combat. Magic is not unaffected either. I should have mentioned this. Of course.”

“Well, that… I worked hard, but there was just too much…”

“Then we’ll have to send you back.”

“Wait, just give me a day! Just one day! That’s right!”

“Don’t be scared. I was joking.”

I laughed lightly.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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