Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 107 : Kitsune-sama Holds a Meeting

The corner room on the third floor of Shinkai Inn. For one person it was perhaps a little too spacious, but the view of Sagami Bay from the window was beautiful.

With regular ferries to Hatsushima and fishing boats going out to sea, even the coastal defense force could be seen, yet the sea itself remained as beautiful as ever, both now and in the past.

In that room, where such scenery could be seen through the window, Akai arrived carrying documents.

“As for tomorrow’s dungeon, Shizuoka Dungeon No. 1—it is also called the Golem Dungeon. Are you familiar with golems?”

“Nay, I know them not.”

“Then let me explain from the beginning.”

Shizuoka Dungeon No. 1. It was classified as a mountainous-type dungeon, consisting of a terrain like rocky hills. The reason it was called the Golem Dungeon was that various golems appeared there. A “golem” referred to a large monster made primarily of earth, rock, or metal. Even the smallest were at least three meters tall. They possessed great strength, sturdy bodies, and tireless endurance.

“They do not only appear in humanoid form, but also animal-shaped ones. Because of that, their movement patterns vary greatly. Even a tank that blocks properly can be blown away. This dungeon is notorious for producing many injuries.”

The documents Akai laid out contained notes such as “humanoid,” “gorilla-type,” “bull-type.” Attached photos included one of a shield smashed after being struck by a gorilla-type golem. The indentation of a fist was clear, with the shield completely shattered outward from that point. The raw power was obvious. With that level of force, an ordinary tank equipped with only average armor could not hope to stand firm.

“Hmm. If the shield-bearer cannot fulfill his role, then the strategy must be ‘strike them down before they strike thee,’ is it not?”

“That is sometimes the case. However, with a supporter, the problem is solved.”

“Supporter…?”

Inari’s understanding of roles was simple.

The dealer who attacked and dealt damage. The tank who fortified defenses and became the wall. The healer who restored health.

There were physical and magical types of each, and that was the framework. But a “supporter” was unknown to her.

“Yes. A special type that does not fall into dealer, tank, or healer. Buffers, who use enhancement or debuff magic, are the most famous. Summoners who call forth creatures, or those who fight with other unusual methods, all fall under supporters.”

“Ho, ho. Then the picture doth grow clearer.”

“Exactly. Many problems are solved by buffers through enhancement and debuff magic. However… buffers—supporters in general—are quite rare. That is why those who manage to secure one are the ones who challenge Shizuoka Dungeon No. 1.”

This was precisely why reservations for Shizuoka Dungeon No. 1 were relatively easy to obtain. Without a buffer, the difficulty rose sharply. Naturally, only those confident in their ability to clear it would make reservations, and reckless attempts were fewer.

“…Hm? Yet when I spake of reserving the dungeon, thou didst not stop me, though we have no supporter?”

“When someone who can clear the Akihabara emergency dungeon at such speed is present, there is no need to worry about attack power…”

“Indeed, that I can accept.”

Besides, Akai had seen the Akabane footage—Inari cutting through mermen as though they were paper, despite their tough scales and sturdy bones. Not only that, she had unleashed small yet powerful fire magic. The idea of such an Inari being defeated by golems… did not cross Akai’s mind in the slightest.

“Of course, should you wish it, I can provide a buffer.”

“Oh? Perhaps from Fox Phone?”

“Yes. Myself.”

“…Hm?”

“I, Akai Rina. My job is Cyber Sorcerer. As a buffer, I rank among the top three in Japan.”

Cyber Sorcerer. It was known as a “unique job,” with no other users. It was a job that invoked magic through digital devices as mediums, executing programs that influenced reality. However, as the digital devices suffered heavy strain, the spells could not be cast in rapid succession. The founding of Fox Phone itself had ties to this job’s circumstances.

“Shall I try casting a spell, just once?”

“Aye.”

“Then, I shall take you at your word.”

Akai drew an Awakening Phone from her pocket and pointed its end toward Inari.

“Program Load: Physical Defense Boost: Level 1.”

The Awakening Phone shone. Before them, a sphere of green and white rapidly assembled with sharp clacking sounds. This was quite literally the “construction of magic.” Generally, the stronger the spell, the longer this “load time.”

[Complete.]

The sphere transformed into light, wrapped Inari, and became a thin veil of radiance.

“Ho… indeed, though faint, I feel myself shielded,” Inari thought.

The gaps seemed many, yet the ability to raise or lower others’ abilities was surely an effective means of bridging strength differences.

“Hmm. Truly, this is impressive.”

“Then…”

“Yet, I may have no need of it. Forgive me.”

“…I shall remain waiting at the inn, then.”

With an apologetic look, Inari bowed her head. Akai, looking disappointed, nodded in response.

/////////////////////////////////////

T/N: In the LN version, Akai’s job is written 脳魔術師 (Brain Sorcerer), while in this NovelBin chapter, her job is said to be 電脳魔術師 (Cyber Sorcerer).