Game Market 1983

Chapter 115: The Divine Hand of Uchimura

"Ohhh..."

The awe-inspiring presence of Bahamut, filling about half the screen, brought a delightful smile to onlookers. Overcoming two defeats and securing a winning streak up to the fifth battle, my tenacity deserved a round of applause from myself.

"Come on! Bring it on, any attack you've got!"

The fifth battle began with Toshiyuki taking the initiative as the challenger.

But wait, what skills does Porolis have again?

I had glanced at the Tamago Monster's strategy guide, but Porolis was treated almost like a pet among gamers, so I didn't pay much attention.

Well, whatever attack it tries won't matter. In front of the legendary Bahamut, attacks from lower-level monsters are practically meaningless.

"This is the last battle that will make your palms sweaty! Although it's a bit of a drag, will Porolis's attacks, small and cute as they are, reach the mighty monster, Bahamut?"

With the host's commentary, Toshiyuki's Porolis made its move.

-You're gonna hit me?-

Huh...?

No attack was initiated.

What's this? Isn't it an attack skill?

Porolis, a squirrel-like animal monster, used some strange skill, but it didn't show any effect.

I raised my head slightly, attempting an attack on the next turn.

First, the basic attack: Dragon Claw!!

That's when it happened.

-Bahamut couldn't attack because Porolis was too cute.-

What! What kind of madness is this?

"Here, Porolis's skill is activated! Bahamut can't attack Porolis~!"

"Why? Other monsters could attack!"

The sudden message made the battle zone chaotic.

The host, curious about why Bahamut couldn't attack, directly asked Toshiyuki about the skill's effect.

"Toshiyuki-san, could you please explain what happened with Porolis's skill?"

"Oh, Porolis's 'You're gonna hit me?' skill can nullify the attacks of monsters with a rarity rank difference of 3 or more for 2 turns."

Shocked expressions appeared on the faces of those in the audience.

"What!? Amazing. So, that's why you summoned Porolis in the end."

Porolis, with a rarity rank of 1, and Bahamut, with a rank of 5, indeed had a significant difference of more than 3.

This is bad... I never thought they'd prepare for a scenario like this.

On the next turn, Porolis jumped forward and launched a normal attack.

Three damage. It was a ticklish attack, but Bahamut, only at level 8, had a maximum health of just 42.

And the next turn. Toshiyuki, once again, used Porolis's 'You're gonna hit me?' skill. Bahamut had no choice but to allow Porolis's continuous normal attacks.

"Amazing. Porolis is completely taking control of the Bahamut battle!"

"Wow!!!"

Porolis, previously ignored by everyone, suddenly rose as a hero in the eyes of the crowd.

Damn it... I have to endure for now!

Even continuous small attacks might lead to defeat if I keep receiving them.

In the end, I chose to give up the attack and went for defense.

After all, he can't use that skill forever. I don't know Porolis's level, but even if it's fully grown, it can only use a skill a maximum of 6 times.

From that point on, a strange psychological warfare unfolded between Toshiyuki and me.

Changing my strategy to defense and not using skills, Toshiyuki continued to provoke with continuous normal attacks.

"He's really playing with me!"

Angry, I used Lightning Magic on the next turn.

But at the incredible timing, the 'You're gonna hit me?' skill activated, nullifying it. Toshiyuki easily succeeded with two more attacks.

Three uses of the skill remaining.

Bahamut's health had decreased to 28.

"Wow~ Could Porolis really win at this rate?"

People watched, breathless, expecting the overwhelming fifth battle to end.

If I were watching this match from the outside, I might have felt an exhilarating thrill, enough to utter words of admiration. However, at this moment, all this situation brought to me was approaching despair.

"I spent big and lost the Miyuki figure I purchased, and in the end, I'm being caught by this damn monster..."

Damn it... Damn it... Damn it... Damn it...

My mind was in chaos, all thanks to that little squirrel.

And Toshiyuki, the high school student controlling it, was like a psychological warfare master.

He hadn't allowed Bahamut to be attacked even once.

If I kept defending, I would eventually lose.

However, if I changed to an attack strategy, Porolis's skill would counter Bahamut's attacks.

At that moment, a line from an NPC in the Tamago Monster's story came to mind.

"Weak monsters, strong monsters, it's all decided by people. In the Tamago Monster world, there are no weak monsters!"

That saying held true.

Perfectly balanced monster battle system... To think there exists an 'archenemy' that binds even the mightiest revenge-type monsters without a hitch.

And there's the monster-player, Toshiyuki, who penetrates through all that information and manipulates monsters like a monster himself...

A smirk escaped my lips.

At least, if Bahamut's level had surpassed 10, it wouldn't have ended so anticlimactically.

"Woahhh..."

The black dragon, shattered into pieces by Porolis's final attack, scattered into fragments...

The battle zone erupted with cheers from impressed users who witnessed Toshiyuki's play.

"Wowwww~!"

"I got goosebumps..."

"Crazy... He really won."

"Uchimura-san, unfortunately, you lose in the final defense round. However, let's give applause to Uchimura-san, who showed an excellent battle with just five Tamago monsters!!"

Clap, clap, clap~

"Too bad~"

"Bahamut is really cool..."

With a lonely stride, I descended from the battle zone. Curious, I went to the table where I raised Bahamut, but unsurprisingly, Miyuki-chan's figure was nowhere to be found.

"Darn it... This is bad..."

As battles between challengers and the newly crowned winner, Toshiyuki, unfolded in the battle zone, I continued searching the store, hoping to find the missing figure. Each time, kids from the battle zone ran up to me, asking...

"Hyung, can you exchange Bahamut data with me?"

"Hyung, me too~ I want Bahamut too~"

"No... I'm a bit busy now. I'll do it next time."

"When is next time, hyung? Come here again, okay?"

Already troubled by Miyuki-chan, the kids persistently begged me for data exchange, irritating me.

Then, a voice called me again from behind.

"Excuse me..."

"I told you, I'm busy right now!"

I turned my head with irritation, only to see the female employee who lent me the data cable earlier, looking at me with a perplexed expression. In her hands was a familiar shopping bag.

"Hey, earlier, you left this on the table at the battle zone applicants' table, so I brought it to the counter for safekeeping..."

Right, I had forgotten while hurrying to submit the application.

"Ugh... Ugh... Thanks."

"I'm sorry. I was going to return it immediately, but I got busy with the customers at the counter..."

"No, it's fine. I thought it got stolen. Ugh."

"I also really like the game where you stroll in an empty street when I'm not around."

Her voice, handing me the shopping bag while smiling gently, filled my mind.

I like it... I like it... I like it...

Staring blankly, I took the shopping bag, and as I glanced at her name tag, it said 'Miyazaki.'

"Miss Miyazaki, thank you very much. I'm really grateful."

"You should be more careful next time. There could be theft incidents, you know."

"Yes. I'll be careful. I'll be more careful next time."

Miyazaki-san, looking at me with a cautious expression, then asked hesitantly.

"Um, it's not that I expect a reward, but could I ask for a favor?"

"Huh? Oh, sure. Just tell me anything."

"If it's okay, would you mind exchanging Tamago monster data with me?"

"Huh..?"

"Actually, when I lent you the data cable earlier, I saw the monster you have. I also play Tamago monsters, and your Bahamut looked so cool..."

"Yes! I'll do it right now."

Then nearby, kids who were wandering around started rushing toward me.

"What's this? Hyung!! Earlier, you said you were busy and would do it later!"

"Oh my, are you busy...?"

"No, I'm not! Fine, I'll exchange data with all of you right now."

"Really? Wow!! I'll brag to my friends~"

Miyazaki-san laughed softly, watching the kids run toward their friends.

"Uchimura-san is kind~"

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