“Gyuru.”
When the effect of Slow passes, the red panda starts moving normally again, but it’s not a problem. I have Storage Gates fixated on its chest, stomach, and both shoulders. It can’t move.
Now I can build another Slow Storage Gate. Apparently I can’t build one until the effect of the last one wears off. I nod as I understand this, and watch as the red panda continues to struggle.
“Hngah, ga, gah!?”
Swings its arms, struggles with its legs, keeps shaking its head, but it can’t reach me. Unfortunately, I can’t undo its restraints. After all…
“Kyuah, fuuuuuu.”
Its eyes are still full of fighting spirit.
I can’t get careless with something of this level. I already have another Slow Storage Gate, so it’s checkmate.
“Slow!”
I activate Slow again, thinking victory can’t escape from my grasp, but just in case.
See? When I get close, I can see into its mouth, because of the way it angrily opens it. I point two fingers at it to take aim, and open four Storage Gates into its mouth.
“!?”
It opens its eyes wide.
Gates that are eight centimeters in diameter can easily enter that big mouth, and unfortunately for it, it can’t crunch them with its teeth. Well, if it did, the result would have been the same.
“This is over.”
It feels like the giant red panda knows its end is near, because it struggles even more, but it’s too late. I fire four rock cannons into its mouth.
Yes, they pierced it cleanly, splatting blood from the back of its neck. The third and fourth ones end up passing through the holes. Two would have been enough.
“Gyuaaaaaaaaaa.”
The effect of Slow wears off, and the giant red panda collapses while vomiting blood, still bound by the Storage Gates.
I don’t care if an animal rights activism group sues me, I’m not letting it go. I’m sorry, but I can’t be too careful. It could be playing dead to catch me off guard.
“…”
It’s not moving.
Ahh, this giant red panda was quite the magic beast, but my Storage skill still worked.
I feel like the day I become the greatest seeker is drawing near. Oh? Oh oh?
The dead giant red panda turns into particles of light, that are then sucked into my hand.
Is experience absorbed like this when it comes from a powerful magic beast? It doesn’t really feel like experience points…
Once the light settles, there’s a shiny red panda tattoo on the back of my right hand. It’s really cute, but what just happened?
———————————
Zenjurou feels something inside him after this battle.
The palpitation of a beast. The hellfire of battle. The lantern that invites death.
The cruel truth told to him by the wise person will invite him to a more intense maelstrom of combat.
Having a tattoo means he may be able to summon it? 🤨