Akatsuki Translations

『OHHHHHHH!? 』-Rock

The 【Rock ‘n’ Roll】 withstood the impact from the enormous weight that had fallen. Thanks to the countermeasures taken, anticipating attacks from all directions, it did not immediately fall apart.

However, the omen bird was still on top of the chariot. there was no guarantee of how long it would hold up in this state nor a guarantee of its safety.

“ROCK!!!” -Ur

『I got it!! 』-Rock

Instantly, the wheels of the chariot began to turn. Kicking up the moist earth, the chariot started to accelerate rapidly.

『ＭＯＫＥＥ！？』

The chariot was not designed to be ridden on top of. Without a place to latch its proud toxic claws onto, the omen bird was flung off as the chariot moved.

“Why did that dumbass bird charge at us?!” -Ur

“It must have sensed danger and came to eliminate it.” -Shizuku

Shizuku replied calmly to Ur’s cry.

When something unknown approaches, the choices are to flee or to eliminate it. The lowest rank of monsters typically choose to flee; the omen bird chose to eliminate. That’s all there was to it.

“When we tested Lynne’s magic for the first time, the omen bird turned back midway because of this?!” -Ur

When they first attempted to test Lynne’s magic, they had intended to lure the omen bird all the way to the completion of the magic formula. They thought it had turned back because it sensed an attack from its allies, but that wasn’t the case. It was lured by Lynne’s magic formula itself.

Not that realizing this now would make any difference.

『What do we do now? Do we exit the dungeon?! !』-Rock

“It’s made us its target! Shaking it off is impossible!!” -Ur

There was the method of inflicting damage and driving it back, but it came with considerable risk. Besides, if they could easily deal enough damage to make the omen bird retreat, there would be no trouble in the first place. Moreover, Ur’s actions were greatly limited at the moment. The difficulty was high. So then…

“We continue the plan! If it chases us, that’s convenient! Until the magic formula is complete――” -Ur

“Until it’s complete?” -Shizuku

“We run!!!” -Ur

The game of tag within the dungeon had begun.

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Something unknowable is on the verge of being born.

The Poison Omen Bird was driven by a trembling “intuition” throughout its body.

As a bounty head, the omen bird, which was shunned and feared by adventurers, was driven by terror and had been chasing after “it.”

“It” was even stranger than the monsters and spirits that infested the dungeon. “Round legs” that rotated. A metallic body like that of an egg. “Bones of a living creature” that covered its body. Even the omen bird, which had long strutted around the upper levels of the dungeon as if it owned them, had never seen such a thing before.

From this mysterious creature, “something horrific was about to be born.”

This was the nature of the Dungeon of Sin, Lust. Its enhanced instincts as a living organism were telling it so.

As if compelled, the omen bird immediately launched an attack on “it.” Regardless of whether its proud claws were deflected, or the opponent tried to flee, the omen bird pursued with all its might.

It must be destroyed quickly. Otherwise, the one to perish would be itself.

『ＭＯＫＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥ！！！！』

With a desperate cry, the omen bird leaped and pounced.

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『It’s coming at us! 』-Rock

“Evasive maneuvers!” -Ur

Right after, an impact and a sound like an earthquake resonated from the side of Ur and his companions.

The omen bird’s current attack was simple. A leap, then a fall. It leaped astonishingly high into the air with its massive body, using all its weight in a crushing attack. Even if they could withstand it once, there was no guarantee they could endure it repeatedly.

Relying solely on Rock’s driving skills was too dangerous. It meant they had to counterattack.

“Rock!!” -Ur

『Wait, not yet! 』-Rock

Ur signaled to Shizuku and, without disturbing Lynne, kept his position and placed his hand on the ballista in front of him. A “bullet” was set on the already taut string. The movement of the omen bird was too violent and fast to follow with the eyes through the narrow viewing port.

Therefore, he relied on Rock for a signal.

『Now! 』-Rock

“!” -Ur

He fired. The bullet released from the taut string, the 【Magic-Sealed Bullet】, was shot at tremendous speed, heading straight for the omen bird chasing the chariot――

『ＭＯＫＥ！！！』

It didn’t hit. Whether by chance or because it sensed the bullet and evaded, the omen bird leaped again just before the bullet could land. The Magic-Sealed Bullet passed beneath the omen bird and struck the ground. The sealed magic fire scorched the earth in vain.

Ur held his breath, but he had anticipated this.

“【【【Sing, O Water, and Pierce】】】” -Shizuku

Inside the narrow confines of the chariot, Shizuku’s aria echoed in triplicate. Outside the chariot, three ice magics formed simultaneously. Using Resonance, multiple icicles of magic formed their blades and aimed at the leaping omen bird, and were soon released. The opponent was in the air, with no means to control its actions.

『ＭＯＫＥＥＥ！？』

The omen bird’s cry, almost like a scream, sounded muffled over the walls of the chariot.

“Did it hit?” -Ur

Ur’s question was met with a regrettably somber reply from Rock.

『It missed. That bird, it evaded in mid-air. 』-Rock

“How did it do that?” -Ur

『It spread its wings and flapped to create a gale and used that recoil. 』-Rock

“Those wings aren’t just for show!?” -Ur

Upon reflection, it made sense. The wings were not for decoration. It didn’t occur to Ur that the omen bird that ran around on the ground and repeatedly leapt could effectively use its wings. Apparently, the omen bird’s maneuverability was much higher than expected.

“…Well, fine.” -Ur

Ur took a deep breath to calm his mind. It wasn’t a problem. This attack was just a feint, a way to buy time. As long as they weren’t approached, it was fine.

“Shizuku, check the routes around us with Footprints. Rock, what about the omen bird?” -Ur

『It’s a bit wary of a counterattack, but it doesn’t seem to have lost its fighting spirit. 』-Rock

“Good,” Ur commanded, and once more the chariot fled, and the omen bird resumed its pursuit.

The game of cat and mouse resumed.

At this moment, Ur felt the current situation, the state of battle, was firmly in his grasp. The ambush was unexpected, but it was within his expectations. He had been prepared for “this level of trouble.”

But the opponent was a bounty head, after all.

It wasn’t long before Ur was to realize that not everything could be so easily anticipated.

『……ＫＥ』

Behind Ur and his fleeing companions, the omen bird grasped a giant boulder.

Hurrah~ 100 chapters translated. Hope y’all are still enjoying!