Alas Auto-7

Several days had passed since the meeting with the Roll Captain.

Ever since then, I had been utterly consumed by preparations for the monster hunt, renting a workshop and working tirelessly.

I had long had plans to upgrade my current equipment, and had been implementing them one by one. Drawing on knowledge from university, practical training, and the experience I’d gained since arriving in this world, I diligently crafted magical artifacts.

Fighting monsters requires constant vigilance. Prepare thoroughly, using whatever means necessary to ensure victory.

The members of the other monster-hunting squads were also training nearby, steadily improving their skill with each passing day.

Everyone was diligently preparing for the challenging task of hunting down powerful monsters. Gradually, the distinction between mercenaries and the national army began to blur—entirely due to the leadership of the squad commander.

On the day of the operation, people were bustling about early in the morning, setting traps. They had confirmed on the previous day’s reconnaissance that the monster had entered the swamp.

After their first battle with the monster, they had been conducting their investigation with great caution, which is why they managed to spot it several times.

According to the investigation, the creature generally remains hidden underwater, occasionally showing itself. Its motives vary—sometimes it emerges to feed, other times it wanders aimlessly without any clear reason.

Another thing that has been confirmed is that it suddenly bursts out when a creature approaches the very edge of the swamp.

It appears to react quickly and aggressively toward anything that comes near. Taking advantage of this, they decided to use it as bait.

Slowly build traps from the swamp, aiming to hold them back.

The assault team hides around the area, and as soon as the enemy triggers the trap, they'll attack using heat and poison.

There's a bridge crossing the river. I'm right in front of it.

I'll wait and prepare just before the final line, ready to repel them.

They've assessed my strength and left me here alone.

Honestly, I'm not thrilled about that.

If they've managed to get past all the traps I've set, I'll have no choice but to stop them with everything I've got.

Could they really do it?

I've faced my full-power lightning strike before... No, but I have no choice. There's something entrusted to me, so it'll be fine—I've already thought of a plan. I've prepared thoroughly.

At the moment I widened my eyes and turned to face forward, an explosion echoed from the direction of the swamp.

It's begun.

Before even a few minutes had passed since the first explosion, another detonation rang out. At first, it was an attack using explosives, delivering shockwaves.

Frankly, it probably won't be very effective.

Still, there's value in continuing to accumulate efforts.

The sound of explosions is drawing closer. It should be visible any moment now.

Carefully observe the gap in the forest through the telescope. The attack with poison or incendiary bottles should be starting any moment now...

Men in dirty armor burst out from the forest. Right behind them, a massive bull charges forward, knocking down trees as it pursues them.

Though slightly soot-stained, they still look lively. Arrows are embedded in several places. Those must be poisoned, but it's hard to tell if they're working...

But the attention doesn't stop there. From its back grew something resembling wings. Though small in proportion to its body size, and seemingly unable to fly, judging by how it darted around. Still, it used them with remarkable dexterity, like an extra pair of limbs, steering and turning with precision. Could it really change so drastically in such a short time...

The plan remains unchanged.

As soon as they exited the forest, they activated the metal fence hidden underground, using a magic stone to lift it into the air.

The monster tripped and tumbled forward, but sustained little damage and quickly got back up.

The metal fence it had collided with had bent sharply and dramatically.

This was the same type of magical barrier that Clara had once used.

It was made using a rare magic stone capable of altering the material's flexibility, allowing it to be handled almost like a completely different substance.

The metal mesh deformed, then was thrown toward the monster by the mercenaries, hardening upon impact.

As soon as its movement stopped, the plan was a success. Immediately proceed to the next step.

Mercenaries hiding nearby threw multiple nets made of thick ropes.

They hooked the monster’s horn, neck, and legs, and with dozens of them pulling together, completely immobilized it.

Immediately afterward, another mercenary threw a jar filled with abundant oil.

The jar shattered, spilling the oil over the monster. Then, finally, a flaming arrow was shot in.

A torrent of fierce flames rises around the monster. At the same time, the ropes restraining the creature burn through. In the center of the flame column, a dark shadow moves frantically, accompanied by a violent explosion.

It's still alive after all. Soon, emerging from the heart of the fire like a blade splitting through the flames, the monster appears, its skin scorched.

What incredible endurance.

Then, something similar happened several more times.

It had already triggered numerous traps, yet it still continued moving without pause.

Its stamina was immense.

Despite so many people attacking it with such force... it showed no sign of tiring at all.

Neither the knights nor the mercenaries had fallen, but they had all been severely drained. Continuing like this would only lead to mutual exhaustion.

I had been trying to stay calm and analyze the situation rationally, but even that was no longer possible.

The monster was now close enough to see clearly with the naked eye. It was finally time to act.

There was no room to retreat, not even a single step.

I shifted my weight back, lowering my stance.

In my left hand was a modified spirit stone lamp, specially prepared for this occasion.

The detection magic could now utilize both electromagnetic waves and spiritual particles simultaneously, and it had also been enhanced to incorporate wind spirit stones embedded with liquid spirit stone.

Though it was difficult to master the different applications, I had covered that through practice.

The design features multiple crystals gathered at the tip, secured in place by a metallic rod.

Combined with its appearance, it resembles a magical staff from a story.

On the right hand, as usual, is a crossbow equipped with a magazine, capable of firing three shots in quick succession.

This time, I must be able to dodge at high speed, adapting to the opponent's pace.

Magical gear made from wind spirit stones is attached to various parts of the waist and body.

It's a wind spirit stone I made myself, covered with a tube and with the wind outlet narrowed down.

I channel magical essence through liquid spirit stones into this stone.

It releases a powerful burst of wind near the waist, allowing me to hover in midair for a few seconds.

I based this design on a manga I read in my original world.

This is the most advanced equipment I can currently create.

I don't know how effective it will be, but I've done everything I can.

Now, all that's left is to believe in it.

The ox-shaped monster finally appeared right before me. I could feel my heart pounding.

My grip tightened, a slight sheen of sweat forming on my palms.

"Looks like we meet again. I'm sorry, but I have to survive too. This time, I'll finish you."

I raised my staff and unleashed a full-force wind magic spell from the very beginning, hurling it directly at the monster.

The wind formed a vertical vortex, as if pulling the monster into a tunnel made of wind.

The beast braced against it head-on, its six legs struggling to hold firm. Good! Its movement is halted. Since it's large, it must be experiencing significant force from the wind. The wing-like evolution works perfectly in this situation.

While the monster is immobilized, I activate another gemstone—magic essence detection.

When the opponent is thrashing around, I can only sense a general flow of magical essence—but when it's still, the situation is different.

I can clearly pinpoint exactly where the magical essence is leaking from.

Thanks to my magical essence detection, I can now see the flow of the monster's magical essence.

Incredible! Magical essence is flowing throughout the entire creature, filling its body completely.

But now is not the time for awe.

I desperately search for the point where the flow of magical essence is converging.

The area where magical essence converges is often a weak point in the creature, and also typically serves as the source of its magical energy.

The base of its neck, the base of its legs, and its head—everywhere was covered in hard, impenetrable gemstones, making it impossible to deal any damage.

For a brief instant, the beast’s body seemed to sink slightly. I sensed instinctively that a lunge was coming.

Activating the fuma stone at my waist, I forcefully propel myself backward, unable to stay airborne indefinitely, but still managing to rise several meters.

I narrowly dodge the monster’s charge. As expected, its speed is utterly overwhelming. Sustained evasion like this is impossible. I must end this as quickly as possible.

Thanks to the narrow escape, I managed to sense the flow of mana even while moving, as my body briefly came close to the monster.

At the center of the bovine monster’s body—slightly below its back—I found a spot where mana was concentrating, a region not covered by the gemstone.

Yes!

Time for the next strategy.

If I destroy the area where mana is concentrating, the flow of mana beyond that point will stop. That should significantly reduce the monster's physical abilities.

All that remains is to aim my crossbow at that spot and attack...

Now, how should I hit it?

Try manipulating the wind to guide the arrow? No, I can't manage such complex control. I'll have to find a way to hold it in place long enough to aim properly.

The bovine fiend had already turned around, its sturdy head now facing directly toward me.

Currently, my options here are limited. I do have traps set up in advance, but luring it that far... The risk is high, but I have no choice but to go through with it.

Facing the beast head-on.

We both moved at the same time. I dashed toward the trap located behind me, and the bovine fiend charged after me with tremendous speed.

Even with the wind crystal boosting my speed, the monster seems slightly faster.

The trap is right in front of me now—metal barriers set up earlier. Fortunately, a crystal has also been prepared so it can be triggered by a single person.

Now, I just need to lure it as close as possible.

The sound of heavy footsteps pounding the hard ground grows nearer, as if each step were causing an earthquake.

I feel rough breath on my back.

At the moment the ox-like monster tried to thrust its horns upward, I leapt dramatically into the trench.

My dust-covering cloak tore, but I safely landed inside the trench. At the same instant, the other mages and adventurers hiding nearby activated the trap.

The iron grating snare deployed perfectly, wrapping around the monster's leg.

The beast struggled to move.

"Now! Attack centered on its back!"

At my command, everyone unleashed their ranged attacks in unison.

Soon, as planned, the ox-like monster was enveloped by a thick column of fire.

"Did we get it!?"

Someone uttered a line they shouldn't have. As expected, the fire column vanished in a shockwave. The ox-like monster, now pierced by even more arrows, displayed renewed strength.

Massive steam erupted from every part of its body with overwhelming force.

There's... nothing pierced... at its weak point...